Model Behavior: Behind the Scenes at Out's Cover Fashion Shoot

Need some eye candy to get you through the last few hours of the work day? Take a peek at some shots of Out.com's Model Citizen,Ben, who stars in  Out's June/July cover fashion story "Vs." shot by Richard Phibbs!

(The pitcher/catcher jokes right themselves.)

If you've missed any of our other backstage shots of models behaving badly, visit Popnography!

Previously > Rainer > Ambrose > Ryan > Blake > Caleb > Fulton > Parker > Terrence

GAP Artist Editions Hit Stores!

While your pockets might not be deep enough to afford an original piece of art by Chuck Close or Jeff Koons, it doesn't mean that you have to live without one. Instead of a painting, get to the GAP and pick up  some art you can wear—a limited edition t-shirt designed by Close, Koons or one of 11 other influential artists.

Other artists include Marilyn Minter, Kiki Smith, Cai Guo-Qiang, Barbara Kruger, Ashley Bickerton, Kenny Scharf, Glenn Ligon, Rirkrit Tiravanija, Kerry James Marshall, Hanna Liden and Sarah Sze.

GAP worked with the Whitney Museum of American Art and Art Production Fund to create the collection artists, who are all previous Whitney Biennial participants. The Whitney Biennial is a special exhibition held every two years at the Whitney Museum of American Art that showcases the most important contemporary art in the United States.

More looks after the jump!

GAP Artist Edition T-shirt, $28 to $38, at GAP.com

Karl Lagerfeld's New Book; Shopping Therapy; Magazine Wars; Balmain for Men?; That (yes, that) Murakami Sculpture goes for $15M

Tonight being the launch party for Karl Lagerfeld's new photography book, Metamorphoses of an American, enjoy a tantalizing preview of Lagerfeld's photo diary of Brad Koeing, "the world's most sought  after male model." [The Cut]

A growing number of studies are building a strong case for the reality of shopping addiction, claiming that, when enacted during certain emotional states, it functions in a similar manner as a drug.  We did always seem to have the best nights out after a binge at Barneys.[The Wall Street Journal]

Now that Nina Garcia is poised to remain at ELLE until September 1st and finish out season 5 of Project Runway, an all out bitch-fight has broken out between Glamour, Cosmopolitan, InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar for  sponsorship in the show's sixth season.  Though this one will come down to dollar signs, if we had to pick a winner in a hypothetical personified match-up, we'd have to give it to Cosmo...that tramp would totally hide a shank in her hair.  [WWD]

Christophe Decarnin recently invigorated Balmain's womenswear line with sex and energy--which makes us even more giddy to hear the rumor that he could do the same with a reported men's line from the French label. Trés chic. [WWD]

Drat.  We just missed the win on that Murakami sculpture of the ripped anime dude slinging his sauce.  All that practice on eBay for nothing. [Gawker]

The Summer's Must-Have Swimwear + Giveaway!

Here at Out, we're all a bunch of beach bums. We love spending our weekends soaking up some much-needed sun (or hiding beneath obscenely large umbrellas) on the sandy dunes of Fire Island or the Hamptons. And with Memorial Day weekend kicking off swimsuit season in a mere eight days, we're gearing up for one hot summer!

So what's the must-have beachwear of the season, you ask? The new crop of retro-inspired bathing suits! Whether you're hitting the beach or just relaxing poolside, these trunks will keep you looking cool when the temperature is hot.

Venture over to Out.com for advice on picking the right suit and for a peek at some gorgeous men stripped down and working this summer's hottest look. And don't forget to pick up a copy of the June/July issue (on stands now!) for some more suggestions for getting suited up for summer.

To celebrate the start of beach season, we are giving away FIVE pairs of N2N Bodywear swim trunks to the first five people who email their sizes and mailing addresses to Outstylelist@gmail.com!

Passing Judgment: Brad Pitt in Tom Ford

Photo: Getty Images

Brad Pitt stepped out with a very pregnant Angelina Jolie in Cannes today looking quite dapper and a little Clooney-esque. He worked the red carpet in a made-to-measure, black, two-piece, notch-lapel wool suit with a white shirt, a black silk jacquard tie and a pair of black cap-toe leather shoes, all by Tom Ford's Menswear Collection. The power couple attended the Kung Fu Panda premiere at the 61st Cannes International Film.

 

Marc Jacobs the next Donald Trump?; Drag Queens Get a Reality Show; Jessica Stam is not a DJ; Cannes Can Kick Off

Photo: Getty Images

Though his name mostly pops up in reference to his bedmates, his ceaseless flaunting of his body or—somtimes—his clothing, could you ever imagine hearing Marc Jacobs pared with real estate mogul?  Yup, #63 to be exact on the The 100 Most Powerful People in New York Real Estate. [The Cut via NYO] 

Up to this point, all the drag queens could get on TV was a one-time America's Next Top Model-esque competition on The Tyra Banks show.  Not that we don't appreciate her effort, but RuPaul (pictured) is poised to out do her with Drag Race, which hopes to find "America's next superstar drag queen." [The Hollywood Reporter]

As we reported last week, Jessica Stam was set to DJ at the Down to Earth party last night.  It turns our words were twisted and she was only attending the party with her DJ friends—who spun the party—in tow.  Now that's music to our ears. [Fashion Week Daily]

Everyone (designers, stars, paparazzi, your Stylelist...wait, no) is off to the French Riviera this week for the Cannes Film Festival.  Eyes are peeled for what's hot on the screen, who's going to be seen, and, most importantly, who they'll be seen in. [WWD]

-- SETH PLATTNER

ELLE's New Fashion Reality Show

If you're a fashion reality show junkie, get ready to add another show to your regular TiVo diet of Americas Next Top Model, Project Runway and Make Me a Supermodel. While ELLE is said to be in negotiations to keep its hold on Project Runway, the magazine isn't waiting around to stay on top of the reality TV world.

This fall on the CW, ELLE, Tyra Banks and the producers of Americas Next Top Model bring you Stylista, a competition where young fashionistas fight for a job at the magazine, a wardrobe from H&M and a paid one-year lease on an Manhattan apartment. It's The Devil Wears Prada meets The Apprentice.

And here are two clips to whet your appetite:

Puma Takes to the High Seas with Puma Sailing Lifestyle Collection

Photos: Getty Images

Puma rolled out the red carpet on Monday night at the Institute for Contemporary Art in Boston for the unveiling of “Il Mostro,” Puma Ocean Racing's new racing boat that will participate in the Volvo Ocean Race. Il Mostro’s "godmother" Salma Hayek christened the boat in Boston Harbor with the ceremonial cracking of a champagne bottle across the bow.

The boat is a second generation Volvo Open 70 racing boat and Puma went to great measure to give it a daunting appearance. “We were really trying to be intimidating with this design – a fearful racing machine,” said Antonio Bertone, Chief Marketing Officer. “That’s why it’s called il Mostro – the monster. We wanted the reaction to be ‘No way, look at that thing!’ and I think we accomplished that.”

In addition to joining the race, Puma launched the Sailing Lifestyle Collection, a full line of apparel, footwear and accessories beginning May 2008, available at sailing specialty stores and select PUMA Concept Stores. 

The Volvo Ocean Race is a 10-month, 37,000 mile race around the globe. And trust me when I say that being locked up on a boat with this crew for 10 months wouldn’t be such a bad thing. -- SETH HOWARD

Grooming: Getting the Perfect Fake Tan

Photo: Courtesy of Clarins

Everyone knows a healthy looking tan is one of the season's must-have accessories. But leathery, wrinkled faces are not so "in." Sun exposure is the number one reason for speeding up the aging process. So, how do you get a healthy, glowing tan without putting the aging process on hyperdrive? Fake and bake!

I know what you're thinking. Sunless tanners look orange, streaky, fake and obvious. While that was certainly true for older formulations, the latest crop of tanners have improved formulas that provide a realistic-looking tan without the tell-tale signs of a bottle tan. They use multiple tanning agents to create a golden brown glow instead of a bitchy orange hue.

Here are some tips for getting the perfect fake tan:

1. Choose the right tanner! We love Clarins Self-Tanning Instant Gel because it adds a subtle amount of perfect bronze color without being completely obvious—even for pale queens like me. If you're a first-timer or extremely pale, try using a "Build A Tan" or "Gradual Tan" by Neutrogena, Jergens or Coppertone which creates a golden look after a few days of regular use. These build-your-own style products give you more control over how much color you get and makes streaks nearly impossible.

2. Exfoliate before you apply! Sunless tanners work by interacting with the keratin on the outermost layers of your skin. The tanners interact differently with rough, dry patches of skin and can look blotchy and obvious. So scrub those patches away and apply the tanner sparingly to elbows and knees. Exfoliating will also extend the life of your tan by a couple of days.

3. Put it on before bed and wake up with a new tan.  It takes roughly 4 to 8 hours for the tan to fully develop and you don't want your coworkers to wonder why you're changing colors over the course of the work day. Just make sure  that you allow the product to dry completely before hopping into the sheets or your linens will get a golden tan, too.

4. Wash your hands frequently during application. One of the tell-tale signs of self-tanning are orange or tan palms because people forget to wash their hands thoroughly during application. Or, wear a pair of gloves if you've got em.

5. Avoid self tanners with instant bronzers. When a self tanning product contains an instant bronzer, it includes a brown dye to create a tan look immediately. While they are helpful in showing where you've applied the product, the bronzers often lead to streaks.  The dyes wash off in the shower and sometimes rub off on clothes. Stick to the tried-and-true formulas.

Clarins Self-Tanning Instant Gel,  $30, Clarins.com

Agyness Deyn keeps rocking; The Project Runway/Nina Garcia saga continues; Josh Harnett hems Armani; Dov Charney - Retailer of the Year; 15 Spring Bags for Guys; Posh and Her Gaggle of Gays

Photo: Getty Images

After her cute but nonetheless paltry collaboration with Five O'Clock Heroes on the song "Who," Agyness Deyn is now commanding the spotlight in her own newly formed band with friends Alanna Materson and Jackson Pollis.  This ball is rolling perhaps a little too fast. [British Vogue]

We're all admittedly a little tired of the hoopla going on between Nina Garcia and Project Runway, but, alas, it all readily determines the existence and survival of the greatest reality show on television.  Turns out negotiations are still churning, and ELLE is putting up a bit of a fight with Marie Claire for sponsorship.  En garde! [WWD]

Just announced: Josh Harnett will be the face of the new Armani men's fragrance Emporio Armani Diamonds for Men.  Good to see he is getting some work these days. [Fashionista] 

Dov Charney, Creative Director and entrepreneur of pseudo-pornographic obsessed label American Apparel, was just named Retailer of the Year.  Considering the guy looks like the type who would roll up in a converter van and ask you to film a few tasteful scenes in the back, it's surprising the award has previously gone to the likes of Calvin Klein and Oscar de la Renta. [Gawker]

15 of the chicest spring bags for toting male. [Refinery29]

Victoria Beckham told The Sun (UK) that the only people that like her are the gays. Not so fast honey...[Towleroad] -- SETH PLATTNER