David Beckham

The Classicist: Celebrating a Century of Style Icons

Filed under: Apparel, Books, Men's Style

Cary Grant, James Dean, Marlon Brando, Steve McQueen, Tom Ford and David Beckham have all had an undeniably important influence on the world of men's style – but what about Truman Capote, Che Guevara, the Sex Pistols and Jarvis Cocker? They all deserve credit as well, argues Simone Werle in a cool, lavishly illustrated new book called Fashionisto: A Century of Style Icons from Prestel. Werle names 50 figures from the last 100 years who have had an impact not only on the way men choose to adorn themselves but how they act and as well. She dubs them "fashionistos", the male equivalent of the famous fashionista. What makes a man a fashionisto? "Swagger, elegance, daring, perhaps a really well cut suit," the author notes, but not always – see Oscar Wilde, Johnny Depp and Kurt Cobain.

Each icon is featured in a double page spread with glossy full-color photographs and Werle's acute observations, anecdotes, and historical insight. While you may not have personally felt the sartorial influence of Boy George or Bootsy Collins, Werle makes a compelling case for their inclusion. She divides the book into sections according to the various styles or fashion phylum represented: The Gentlemen, The Rebels, The Dandies, The Rock Stars, The Classics, The Fashion Designers, The Beautiful People, The Bands and The Extraterrestrials.

"Fashionistos like fashionistas choose clothing that accentuates their best parts, not only of their bodies but also their personalities," Werle writes. "Both know when to follow the rules of style and when to break them. And both have the courage to stay who they are. But all the same, there is a huge difference. Men have a much easier time in fashion – and yet a much more difficult one." How so, you ask? "Classic men's fashion has very clear-cut rules; if you follow them, you can't go wrong. The man who doesn't look good in a custom-made suit of ﬁne fabric has yet to be born," she notes. "But to make a mark on the history of style, more is needed – and this is where it gets tricky. Men's fashion does not suffer rebels gladly. If you have the courage to rebel, you need self-conﬁdence – and more than that, a sense of style."

Gallery: Fashionisto: A Century of Style Icons

Tags: bespoke, books, Cary Grant, coffee table books, David Beckham, fashion, James Dean, Johnny Depp, male+style+icons, malestyleicons, mens style, Steve McQueen, style, suits, Tom Ford, Truman Capote

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Beckhams to Sell Their Mansion in England for $28 Million

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Wealth

David and Victoria Beckham plan to list their historic Hertfordshire, UK mansion – nicknamed "Beckingham Palace" – for sale at £18 million, or about $28 million. The seven-bedroom 1930's Grade II listed Georgian estate (above) sits on 24 landscaped acres and features indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a petting zoo, recording studio, billiards room, gym and tennis courts. The Beckhams are selling the property because they plan to make Los Angeles their permanent home, the London Daily Mail reports. They bought the estate in Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire for £2.5 million in 1999 and spent more than £18 million renovating it over the years. The garden has three £10,000 gazebos, each with a different theme – lakeside, romantic and ornamental. They have also installed a 52 ft. garden pavilion with a marble floor, which houses a £70,000 barbecue. Three years ago David joined the LA Galaxy team and the couple, who are worth a cool £125 million, have decided they prefer to reside in America where they live in an opulent £11 million Beverly Hills mansion.

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Tags: celebrity, celebrity real estate, David and Victoria Beckham, David Beckham, estates, Los Angeles, soccer, sports, UK, Victoria Beckham

The Classicist: The Summer of Superstars Borrowing Superyachts

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing, Celebrity Shopping, The Classicist, Wealth

The other day we reported that Madonna has borrowed Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich's brand new superyacht, the 377-ft. Luna, while filming the new Duke of WIndsor movie she's directing in the South of France. The yacht is fitted out with two helicopter pads, a covered pool, spa, medical center, hot tub and 40 staff, including butlers and a macrobiotic chef. The middle-aged Material Girl isn't the only celeb cadging a ride on a pal's superyacht this summer, however – everyone from Brad and Angelina to the Beckhams are living it up on the high seas, though some stars are actually paying their way. Here's the full rundown on the famous folk's nautical hijinks:

1. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie: the world's most famous movie star couple have borrowed Johnny Depp's classic yacht, the 156-ft. Vajoliroja (above), which as we noted in April is available for charter at $130,000 per week, JustLuxe reports. The mahogany paneled craft features accommodations for 10 guests and a crew of 8, a formal dining room, library, plush salon and outdoor seating and eating areas, all decorated in Depp's signature version of Art Deco Paris meets the Orient Express.

2. David Beckham and Victoria Beckham: Posh and Becks have borrowed their pal designer Roberto Cavalli's iridescent 133-ft. yacht, the RC, which features a leopardskin interior, 15 bedrooms, a gym, whirlpool spa and locker full of fur coats for when the weather turns cool. Supposedly Cavalli only allows clothes he designed to be worn onboard.

3. Simon Cowell: The TV star is one of the few celebs footing the bill for his fun, having shelled out a whopping $975,000 per week to charter the 196-ft. Slipstream. The 12-berth yacht boasts sumptuous leather sofas, mirrors above a giant waterbed, a Jacuzzi, an observation lounge with panoramic views, gym, a sky lounge with a retractable roof and a crew of 14 including a private chef.

4. Paris Hilton: The world's biggest party girl is kicking back on Microsoft magnate Paul Allen's 300-ft. pleasure craft the Tatoosh, which as we recently reported has been put up for sale at $160 million. The yacht, which has a pool, hot tub, cinema, basketball court, recording studio, spa, massage room, gym, games room and helicopter pad, comes with a crew of 30. "The best summer of my life," Paris recently tweeted about the trip. "Our yacht is incredible! I'm in heaven on the water. Definitely the biggest and best yacht everywhere we go. Love it! Huge!" [continued]

Gallery: Superstars & Superyachts

Sir Philip Green's Lionheart - Kate Moss

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Tags: Angelina Jolie, billionaire, Brad Pitt, celebrity, celebrity vacation, David Beckham, Eva Longoria, France, Guy Ritchie, Heidi Klum, Jacqui Ainsley, Johnny Depp, Kate Moss, Luna, Madonna, megayacht, Paris Hilton, Paul Allen, Roberto Cavalli, Roman Abramovich, Simon Cowell, Sir Philip Green, South of France, Spain, supermodel, superyacht, Tatoosh, Vajoliroja, Victoria Beckham, yacht

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Are Gordon Ramsay and David Beckham Partnering On A Pub?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining

Are David Beckham and Gordon Ramsay going into business together in Los Angeles? Various reports say that the pair are teaming up to open a pub in Los Angeles called The Queen Vic (named not after the actual queen but after Victoria Beckham).

The popular Brits are friends and have been discussing a business for years. The Ramsays and Beckhams even hung out together last Christmas and after the families cooked together they got the idea that opening a restaurant might be a good idea. They think that a traditional English pub might be a hit with expatriates from the UK as well as with the locals. The pub would have ales and beer on tap and serve classic English specialties like fish and chips and bangers and mash.

But don't get too excited yet a spokesman for Beckham said there are no plans in the pipeline yet. And given Ramsay's recent restaurant track record, it's not clear if he has the time to devote to this latest venture.

Tags: david beckham, gordon ramsay, los angeles, pub

Victoria Beckham to Collaborate With Range Rover

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos, Celebrity Design

Pneumatic pop star-turned-fashion maven Victoria Beckham has been named the "creative design executive" for Range Rover on the eve of the famed British brand's 40th anniversary. The announcement came during a glamorous fete thrown by British Vogue to celebrate the occasion at London's Kensington Palace. No word yet on what precisely Posh will be doing for Land Rover's luxe SUV marque, though she will probably focus on interiors. "I'm incredibly excited to be collaborating with Range Rover. I like to take on a challenge," Mrs. Beckham declared while wearing a nude silk crepe dress of her own design after Land Rover's new Evoque (formerly the LRX) was lowered from a crane amidst a cloud of dry ice and some sound effects. "This lady knows a lot about fashion and a lot about trends, a lot about luxury products," Land Rover design director Gerry McGovern told Vogue UK. "She's been running her own fashion business for three years and she's incredibly successful."

Tags: David Beckham, Land Rover, London, Range Rover, SUV, Victoria Beckham

George Clooney Not Selling His Italian Villa

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

We can't resist a good real estate rumor and this is a hot one. The Telegraph is just one of the sources reporting that George Clooney is putting Villa Oleander, his home on Lake Como in Italy on the market and that soccer star David Beckham is battling Russian vodka billionaire Roustam Tariko to buy the home. The home is supposedly quietly on the market for around 30 million euros. Clooney bought the home in 2001 for around 7 million euros. After Clooney bought the home, real estate in the prestigious vacation area spiked, the so-called Clooney effect.

The Beckhams borrowed the home last year but it really doesn't look like they'll be moving in. Clooney has released a statement denying the fact that the home is for sale and dashing the rumor that he planned to move to a small island in order to foil paparazzi. In his typical humor the statement says in part: "the story was made up, then picked up and now denied. End of another riveting day of false news."

Tags: david beckham, DavidBeckham, george clooney, GeorgeClooney, lake como, LakeComo, roustam tariko, RoustamTariko, villa oleander, VillaOleander

Forbes Names the Top Earning Celeb Couples - Jay-Z Way Behind

by Annie Scott (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wealth

For the second year in a row, Jay-Z and Beyonce (right) have topped a different kind of chart; the Hollywod's Top-Earning Couples list from Forbes. Last year, the mono-household-named celebs earned a combined $162 million, but this year, they earned just $122 million. It's a recession after all.

Or is that really the reason? According to Forbes, when the couple won last year, "about half" came from "each star," whereas this year, Beyonce brought home $87 million (well over half of $162 million), compared with just $35 million from Jay-Z. Far be it from us to call $35 million under-earning, and far be it from Beyonce as well -- the couple famously never discusses their relationship with the press.

Other top earning couples include Harrison Ford and Callista Flockhart, who made bank ($65 million) with Indiana Jones and Brothers & Sisters, respectively, Brangelina, who pulled in $55 million from their film endeavors while raising six kids (and gave a whole lot of it to charity, for example, $333,000 to SOS Children's Villages -- thanks guys), and Will and Jada Pinkett Smith, who made $48 million. All out-earned Britain's first couple, David and Victoria Beckham, who made just $46 million.

Come on, Posh and Becks. Jay-Z made almost that much on his own.

Gallery: Beyonce and Jay-Z through the years

[via Forbes]

Tags: angelina jolie, AngelinaJolie, Beyonce, beyonce knowles, BeyonceKnowles, brad pitt, BradPitt, brangelina, callista flockhart, CallistaFlockhart, david beckham, DavidBeckham, Forbes, harrison ford, HarrisonFord, jada pinkett smith, JadaPinkettSmith, jay-z, victoria beckham, VictoriaBeckham, will smith, WillSmith

The International Best-Dressed List Goes Democratic

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Celebrity Shopping, Men's Style

For the first time ever, Vanity Fair is inviting civilians to nominate their favorite candidates for the International Best-Dressed List. Since its launch by fashion queen Eleanor Lambert in 1940, the List has been determined by an anonymous committee of tastemakers and a roster of influential voters (including yours truly for a few of the more recent years). Socialites and stars vie for a coveted position on the List.

Vanity Fair took over the list (and the voting process) in 2003 following Lambert's death. For 2009, the polling's going democratic in a "spirit of Obama-era transparency." You can vote for candidates for both best-dressed women and men on the magazine's website - Carla Bruni (right), Lydia Hearst, David Beckham and Kanye West among them - or write in your own choices. Winners will be announced in the mag's September issue.

Tags: Best-Dressed, Carla Bruni, CarlaBruni, clebrity, David Beckham, DavidBeckham, International Best-Dressed List, InternationalBest-dressedList, Kanye West, KanyeWest, Lydia Hearst, LydiaHearst, magazine, Vanity Fair, VanityFair

David Beckham Takes A Turn As A Fashion Designer

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Apparel, Celebrity Design

David Beckham already has multiple fragrance lines and numerous endorsement deals but now he is also a designer. WWD reports that the soccer star has partnered with James Bond, the owner of the Undefeated sneaker-freak boutiques, to create a capsule fall-winter men's collection for Adidas Originals by Originals. Beckham already has a sneaker deal with Adidas but doesn't plan to cash in on his famous face and body to promote the new line.

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Tags: adidas, david beckham, DavidBeckham

Beckhams' Bid to Buy Milanese Castle Quashed

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Sports

If a new report out of Italy can be believed - and something may well have been lost in translation - David and Victoria Beckham have failed in a bid to buy part of Milan's famed Castello Sforzesco (above), a 15th century castle that now houses artworks by Michelangelo and Da Vinci. Apparently the mega-rich Beckhams have been house shopping in Milan as he expects to sign a soccer contract there. Victoria is said to have set her eye on the centrally located, historically significant and imposing edifice, but was firmly denied by the Milan City Council. There were also rumors that Victoria wanted to buy a whole floor of the Armani hotel which is being built in the city, though that scheme has also come to naught. Hey, anything's possible with those two.

Tags: Castello Sforzesco, CastelloSforzesco, castle, celebrity, David Beckham, DavidBeckham, Italy, Milan, soccer, Victoria Beckham, VictoriaBeckham

Celebs Losing $100K a Week on Their Dubai Mansions

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Real Estate Developments, Wealth

One side effect of the implosion of Dubai's economy which my colleague Deidre Woollard reported on last month is the plummeting value of trophy properties owned by certain superstars. Celebs including David and Victoria Beckham (above), Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and Michael Jackson are losing £80,000 or over $100,000 a week as the luxury real estate they purchased in the over-inflated Emirate plunges in value, the London Daily Mirror reports. Posh properties that were worth £3.2 million (or about $4.4 million) in October now on the market for £1.6 million (or about $2.2 million), i.e. only half as much.

"The Dubai market has fallen off a cliff," Jack Whisker of luxury agents Dream Property Dubai tells the paper. "The credit crunch hit us suddenly because all the foreign investors lost confidence. It has hit the higher-value properties the hardest." In January Deidre reported that the Beckhams, who have a luxury villa on the Palm Jumeirah complex, were considering purchasing a second property in the Burj Dubai tower, so they could be doubly exposed. Brad and Angelina reportedly own one of the artificial islands in the out-there development known as The World.

Gallery: Dubai

Tags: Angelina Jolie, AngelinaJolie, Brad Pitt, BradPitt, Burj Dubai, BurjDubai, David Beckham, DavidBeckham, Dubai, Palm Jumeirah, PalmJumeirah, pamela anderson, PamelaAnderson, UAE, Victoria Beckham, VictoriaBeckham

Beckhams Borrow Clooney's Lake Como Villa

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates, Sports

George Clooney is quite a pal. According to Hello magazine, the movie star just lent his lavish $6 million villa on Italy's famed Lake Como (above) to soccer superstar David Beckham and his wife Victoria. Beckham, whose taste for the finer things in life has been often noted here, is being fought over by two soccer teams, the LA Galaxy and Italy's AC Milan. The Beckhams will take some relaxing time out at the villa while waiting to see the if LA Galaxy will release him from his contract and allow a transfer to AC Milan, the magazine reports. "George has really taken David under his wing since the transfer trouble started," they note.

The luxurious villa, which has played host to many of Clooney's superstar pals, is just half an hour away from the Beckhams' base in Milan. Clooney, 47, and Beckham, 33, became friends after being introduced by Giorgio Armani, (whose underwear ads the Beckhams star in), at the Met Ball in New York last May. Luxe Lake Como, where scenes from the last two James Bond movies were shot, has long been a favorite retreat for Italy's rich and famous and the international jetset. As we mentioned last month, the contents of late designer Gianni Versace's villa there are being auctioned off by Sotheby's in March.

Tags: Celebrity, David Beckham, DavidBeckham, George Clooney, GeorgeClooney, Gianni Versace, GianniVersace, Giorgio Armani, GiorgioArmani, Italy, James Bond, JamesBond, Lake Como, LakeComo, Milan, Soccer, Victoria Beckham, VictoriaBeckham

Will The Beckhams Move Into The Burj Dubai?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Celebrity Shopping

The latest resident in the Burj Dubai tower may just be soccer star and Armani model David Beckham. Beckham has reportedly been approached by representatives from the tower who would like to have an internationally known name in their Dubai masterpiece. The tower is currently the world's tallest building and there will be 144 Armani-designed units in the building. Beckham and his wife Victoria are currently in Dubai while Beckahm tours with the AC Milan team. The Beckhams have a luxury villa on the Palm Jumeirah complex.

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Tags: burj dubai, BurjDubai, celebrity real estate, CelebrityRealEstate, david beckham, DavidBeckham, dubai

David Beckham's Customized Bentley for Sale

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

David Beckham's ultra-luxe customized 2002 Bentley Arnage T (above) is up for sale in the UK. The soccer star outfitted the top-of-the-line $290,000 car with $120,000 worth of options and extras, bringing the total original cost to $410,000. The 450 h.p. twin turbo V12, which has only 25,000 miles on it, is being offered for $170,000, the UK Auto Trader reports. Beckham drove the Bentley to Buckingham Palace in 2003 when the Queen of England decorated him with an OBE, and it is said to be one of only two Arnages pictured on the walls of Bentley's head office in Crewe; the other belongs to the Queen herself.

Among the many extras Beckham had installed are a custom cream leather interior, a refrigerator and TV screens in the rear compartment, "Le Mans"-style wing vents, and a matching cream leather child seat embroidered with his son's name, Brooklyn. He also had his wife's name, Victoria (aka Posh), embroidered into the rear center leather console. Nowadays, Beckham, who is living in Los Angeles and playing for the L.A. Galaxy, drives a customized $500,000+ Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe, as we reported last month.

Tags: Bentley, David Beckham, DavidBeckham, Queen of England, QueenOfEngland, Rolls-Royce, Victoria Beckham, VictoriaBeckham

Beckham Picks Up Kids from School in $500K Rolls-Royce

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos

Flamboyant soccer star David Beckham has a five-year deal with the L.A. Galaxy worth $250 million, so it makes sense that he travels in style even when picking up the kids from school. Still, he caused quite a scene the other day by showing up there in a $500,000 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe (above) with a phalanx of bodyguards trailing behind in two big black SUVs, the London Daily Mail reports. Beckham, the world's second highest paid athlete after Tiger Woods, had the top down for his trip to the school so everyone could recognize him, but put it up to foil paparazzi after retrieving his boys, the paper reports.

Tags: Beverly Hills, BeverlyHills, David Beckham, DavidBeckham, L.A. Galaxy, L.a.Galaxy, Los Angeles, LosAngeles, Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe, Rolls-Royce, RollsRoycePhantomDropheadCoupe, Soccer