The Soapbox | Where South Africans Speak Out

Cavalli fan? Want to be in closer to your favourite designer? Well, Roberto is making that come true. The designer has fully embraced the worldwide web. Cavalli has launched a blog, set up an official fan page on Facebook and joined the Twittersphere. Cavalli told Vogue, “I decided to increase the web platform as I have always been attracted by new technologies and my interest in social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter, became the perfect way for me to communicate to my fans my lifestyle, my fashion, my ‘joie de vivre’.” In case you need to get even closer, the designer’s revamped  website goes live on 31 March.

Model Lara Stone has been announced as the joint face of Prada’s Infusion d’Iris scent. She joins Sasha Pivovarova, as the face on the campaign. Recently-engaged Stone will be the face of the eau de toilette says Elle UK while Pivovarova will advertise the eau de parfum. The campaign was photographed by Steven Meisel who is responsible for many Prada ads. This is the second fragrance campaign Stone is fronting, the first being Versus by Versace. The Dutch model has had a busy season: she’s walked the runways of Givenchy, Chanel, Hakaan and Stella McCartney and will also be the face of Louis Vuitton this season.

Whenever a celebrity decides to start designing their own fashion line, I get a bit wary. Some clearly can cut the mustard while others are pure embarrassment (I’m talking to you, Lindsay). One star who I can firmly believe as a designer — or more as creative source — is Madonna. The singer, actress, children’s book author and current Dolce & Gabbana campaign star will team up with Domenico and Stefano to design a range of sunglasses according to Vogue. The collection, in which all sunnies will bear the letter M, will go on sale in May at Dolce & Gabbana and Sunglass Hut stores worldwide. This is the Italian brand’s first co-branded collaboration and Madonna’s fourth foray into designing. She has previously designed for H&M and will launch her Material Girl collection with Iconix Brand Group Inc.

If you, like Fashionista, couldn’t really concentrate on the clothes at the Chanel Autumn 2010 show due to that specially-imported glacier, you’re in luck. They’ve scanned in the show’s lookbook and now every faux fur-covered garment, tweed suit and scowly model is available to browse. This time without Uncle Karl’s ice sculpture.

Our fashion columnist, the incognito Green Eyes, blogs about life, love and fabulous fashion at her must-read blog: Skinny Bitches – In The Making.