Is Sheryl Sandberg Dodging The Fashion Question?; Vera Wang Charges Dress Try-On Fee

Is Sheryl Sandberg Dodging The Fashion Question?: Sheryl Sandberg has been on a whirlwind press tour for her new, controversial book Lean In. She appears on the cover of this month’s Cosmo Careers supplement and was featured in Vogue. But as the Financial Times’s Vanessa Freidman points out, in her book or press ops, Sandberg does not once address the issue of dressing for corporate environments. While going to great lengths to avoid the topic of fashion in her public engagements, Sandberg still wears “totems of luxury achievement,” such as Prada boots. Friedman says that it’s understandable that Sandberg goes to great lengths to avoid mention of fashion, but that it’s “a strategic mistake.” She writes: “The implication of her silence is: you wouldn’t ask a man the clothes question. But I think the real answer is: a man wouldn’t be afraid to answer it. She shouldn’t be either.” [FT]

Vera Wang’s Pricey Try-on Fees: Vera Wang’s newly opened bridal shop in Shanghai is charging customers a hefty fee for trying on dresses, reports Chinese newspaper The Global Times. Wang's store requires that each customer pay 3,000 yuan (roughly $482) to try on a gown for 90 minutes. If customers purchase the dress, the $482 fee will be dropped from their final bill, but if not, their deposit is not refunded. UPDATE: According to Chinese lifestyle blog Shanghaiist, the fee is meant to protect the brand from counterfeiters, as photography is also not permitted in the store. [The Global Times]

Kim K’s Sartorial Woes: Kim Kardashian’s fashion sense is apparently being blamed on an unlikely suspect—boyfriend Kanye West. In the latest episode of Kourtney and Kim Take Miami, Kardashian whined about West receiving public blame for her bad outfits. “I feel bad that Kanye gets the bad rap for dressing me,” she said. “It’s so rude.” [The Daily Mail]

Swarovski Goes Digital: Swarovski has decided to amp up its digital presence by helping designers present their accessory collections online. Partnering with the CFDA and British Fashion Council, the luxury jewelry brand has handpicked 14 designers to showcase in a series of promotional videos. The content will feature a studio visits and stills from designers' collections. Four of the chosen designers—Christopher Kane, Zaldy, Arik Levy and Fredrikson Stallard—have collaborated with Swarovski in the past. [DigitalFashionShows.com]

Badgley and Mischka Get Hitched: The co-designers of fashion label Badgley Mischka have officially tied the knot. Mark Badgley and James Mischka, who have been a couple for 28 years, sealed the deal on Friday in a low-key ceremony at New York City Hall. [WWD]