More Model News

In other model-related news, Naomi Campbell has reportedly been commissioned by GQ magazine to conduct a series of interviews with high-profile political figures. First on the list is Hugo Chavez, the controversial president of Venezuela. Next up? Rumour has it an on-camera meeting is being set up with Cuban Socialist leader Fidel Castro.

Another model-political figure alliance has been making headlines of late: former supermodel Carla Bruni and her beau, French President Nicolas Sarkozy. FashionWatch.com reported that the pair went on an Egyptian holiday to take in the pyramids, while Bruni’s mother told French newspaper Le Parisien, “Carla is living a real love story… and I think they complement each other very well.” Some critics believe the 59 year old president is using Bruni, who is 20 years his junior, to create a diversion from political problems and negative headlines.

Also in model land, German supermodel and host of Project Runway Heidi Klum has been sued by luxury jeweller Van Cleef and Arpels. The jeweller alleges that Klum copied one of its designs — the iconic four-sided Alhambra flower. Van Cleef is seeking $25,000 USD in damages.

In more general model-related news, the Fall 2008 collections at London Fashion Week next month may bring with it backstage spot checks by the British Fashion Council (BFC). The Council’s goal is to ensure that models are over 16 years of age and are drug free by appointing independent auditors to perform random inspections on up to 10 percent of the models walking in shows listed on the official calendar. This comes as a result of the last fashion week, when the BFC asked designers to sign contracts guaranteeing that models were not underage. The Council also hopes to launch a pilot program introducing health certificates for models by September 2008.