And now she's got her own bag.

After skipping Fashion Week last season and side-stepping any and all major fashion magazines, Dallas-born Ali Michael appears to have adjusted nicely to her new role as Coach spokesperson. Not only has she been plastered on the front of the company's mailers, but the accessories manufacturer has created a new line of handbags named after the model.

The "Ali" comes in the form of either a slouchy hobo or a flap handbag. Both adorable and affordable (the pieces start at $298), the handbags are of the high school friendly variety. So, for those looking for a less trendy alternative to Alexander Wang's Coco duffel this fall may want to look elsewhere. 

Happy Wednesday, everyone.

And we're back. Determined to stay in the hearts and minds of its reader, Elle has partnered with Bebe for a modeling competition with Elite Model Management and LOOK Model Agency.

The contest works like this: after submitting their photos, six finalists will be flown out to Los Angeles and extended two round-trip airfare to L.A. and two-night hotel stay, a $250 American Express gift card, an outfit from Bebe, and a studio photo shoot with a hot new photographer from Elite.

The grand prize winner? They will score a six month modeling contract and a chance to be featured in, wait for it, Elle. You've got to respect the hustle, no? Unfortunately Daria Werbowy wannabes, the contest has already ended. Le sigh.

However, if this yields any positive results expect another ANTM moment from the four parties soon. Stay tuned!

If you read copious amounts of fashion and style blogs everyday, then more likely than not you've stumbled upon the flashing multi-colored leopard print advertisement for some new fashion venture tentatively titled, WhatIsTheNewBlack.TV. After about two weeks of seemingly ignoring said blog distraction, I finally decided to click on it last week. And after spending about 10 minutes on the site, I'm just as confused about its intended purpose as I was when the blonde lady first appeared on my screen in her underwear.

From what I can decipher, the site allows guests to pick one top, bottom, and accessory for the virtual model to try on. Once the outfit selection has been made, she scurries behind the black fold dressing curtain (Is this the 90s?) and then reappears once again wearing whatever combination you decided upon. I choose the semi-laced black top, over-sized necklace, and purple skirt. To which the model replied, "This outfit is definitely pushing the envelope. Now let's see if you're black is the new black." Naturally, I received four stars in creativity, four stars in wearability, and three starts in trendiness. Uh, right.

Unless this is just a teaser for the site that boasts the dated fashion addage in its name, I'll probably never return to WhatIsTheNewBlack.TV. And I imagine those who've already checked it out won't either. Unless, of course, they're under the age of 12 -- when dressing people up like this still seems fun. Meanwhile, the model who was forced to stand in her underwear for this had to try on 216 different top, accesory, and bottom combinations in order to make it seem as though she was trying on the outfits at the user's command. Damn.

Recently, Models.com caught up with model Louise Pederson to discuss her career, family, and return to back to the runway (she scored an exclusive with Givenchy for F/W '09). In looking back at a series of high points in Louise's editorial portfolio, the new mother was asked to lament on the infamous Gucci ad campaign she posed for, the one where a 'G' was carved out of her pubic hair:

"The Gucci campaign was my first big job. One of my favorite photographers, Mario Testino shot it. It was Mario that got me started, I remember the first time I went to see him he asked me to walk. Obviously I wasn’t very good at it and he smirked. Tom Ford had the great idea to shave a G in my pubic hair, I knew both Tom Pecheux and Orlando Pita from the shows, and they definitely knew me a little better at the end of the day…
The ad was banned in a few countries, and some people argued that it was degrading to women. I think, if anything, it was quite the opposite."

Honestly, no matter how much I adore Mario Testino and Tom Ford I don't think I could have ever went through with the designer's perverse vision. Ever. Still, this occurred in the early 00s when Ford's edginess still appeared sincere and refreshing, making the above image fairly iconic regardless of its message.

So. This past weekend in New York, Tyra Banks held tryouts for those wanting to take part in a upcoming season of America's Next Top Model or at least that was going on before the surrounding area of a hotel near central park was temporarily turned into some kind of anarchist state.

After standing in line for hours, some of the 5'7 model hopefuls apparently got a little restless and a fight ensued. Next thing you know, a beat-up and broken down BMW pulled up to the scene smoking which reportedly lead many to start shouting a bomb had gone off when indeed it hadn't.

Suffice it to say, everyone took off running as if they were cattle in a stampede. According to NY Daily News, at least six people were injured and two of whom were hospitalized. As far as those who partook in the actual fight -- two women and a man -- they were arrested on disorderly conduct charges.

Ultimately, the producers shutdown the audition in New York. Don't fret though! Tryouts scheduled for Dallas, Chicago, and Los Angeles.

PS: If we know Tyra, you can expect an upcoming episode on her daytime talk show to be devoted to the unfortunate melee.