Wes Anderson

When a sparkling gourmand fragrance is set to be launched, as is the case with Prada's new Candy L'Eau, it makes sense that director Wes Anderson, known for his quirky-cool aesthetic, would be involved. This week, the Internet has been abuzz with delight thanks to the premieres of three Anderson-directed shorts dubbed Prada Candy L'Eau. Codirected by Roman Coppola, the films star French actress Léa Seydoux of Midnight in Paris and Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol fame. We're promised "a real tale in three episodes that encompasses Candy as the most sparkling and unexpected character," and that's just what we get.

As you would expect, the series has the perfect amount of eccentricity woven throughout, with a hint of sweet and sassy thrown in for good measure. And as with any Wes Anderson film, no detail goes unnoticed, from Seydoux's nail polish choices — Essie's Flawless is featured prominently in episode one — down to her unabashed taste for sweets. Prada Candy L'Eau, a playful, seductive scent, includes notes of Italian citruses, sweet pea, benzoin, white musk, and caramel. Look for it out next month in stores, and now, take a look at Anderson's charming foray into beauty.

• Happy Birthday to Fern Mallis, largely credited as the founder of fashion week, who turns 65 today.
  

• Just three months after settling a lawsuit with ex-husband Chris Burch, Tory Burch is back in the courtroom. The designer is suing Bluebell Accessories Inc., claiming it sold jewelry using Burch's signature interlocking-T pattern. [WWD]
  

• China's First Lady Peng Liyuan may be the next political fashion icon to watch. [Huffington Post Style]

More of the fashion news you need, here.

Everything about Moonrise Kingdom is unmistakably Wes Anderson: the hazy cinematography, the clever dialogue, and even the use of the director's favorite actors. Indeed, Anderson isn't leaving his comfort zone as a filmmaker, but Moonrise Kingdom is still a pleasure to watch. Set in 1965, the movie tells the story of Sam and Suzy (newcomers Jared Gilman and Kara Hayward), preteen pen pals who conspire to run away together. As they set up camp all over an island off the coast of New England, they're being pursued by Sam's scout troop (led by camp counselor Edward Norton), Suzy's parents (Bill Murray and Frances McDormand), and different authorities (Bruce Willis and Tilda Swinton). Sam and Suzy's experience with young love is sweet and complicated, and made all the more dreamy through Anderson's lens.

The elements might be familiar, but Anderson proves why he's such an admired director with a film like this. It's surprisingly romantic, but there's also a real threat to Sam and Suzy in the wild. Their compelling journey paired with the optical treat of Anderson's style makes Moonrise Kingdom a must-watch for fans of the distinctive director. To find out what else I liked about the film, just keep reading.

Ever since we heard Wes Anderson and Roman Coppola were teaming up to write a screenplay, we've been patiently waiting for the trailer to present itself. Today, we finally got a taste of what Moonrise Kingdom has in store. And although it's live-action flick, Anderson's latest feels a lot more like Fantastic Mr. Fox than The Royal Tenenbaums. Set in a dreamy 1960s haze, 12-year-olds Suzy and Sam fall in love and plot to run away together deep into the New England forest. (This should prove to be no issue since Sam is a Khaki Scout, and his troop leader is Edward Norton.)

In true Wes Anderson fashion, there's an all-star cast with the usual suspects like Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray, along with some new names like Tilda Swinton, Bruce Willis, and Frances McDormand. Everything about this trailer is romantic and quirky, sweeping us off to another world, presented in a way only Anderson can pull off. To see what I mean, read more