Who's That Girl?

Sometimes a model comes along who just ticks all the boxes at the right time - and, right now, Malaika Firth is that girl.

Signed in 2011 by Premier as a skinny, shy 17-year-old, the London-based model has achieved more in the last year than models with 10 years more experience: gracing the  Victoria´s Secret catwalk, the cover of Vogue´s More Cash Than Dash supplement, Beyonce´s House of Dereon catwalk, the new Burberry campaign - and becoming the first black model to appear in a Prada campaign since Naomi Campbell in 1994.

Malaika Firth

"When Malaika first came into the agency, I was struck by her sweet but exotic looks and delicate bone structure," Annie Wilshaw, director of Premier's new faces division, told us in 2011. "After working with her in the studio for 20 minutes, I was even more confident about her potential as her personality is fantastic. She also has a strong natural sense of how to move in front of the camera, which is rare for potentials her age."

Inspired by Jourdan Dunn and Tyra Banks - two of her modelling idols - Firth is determined to remain true to herself while she climbs the fashion ladder, and is supported by her close family at every turn. The model least likely to be spotted rolling out of a nightclub at 3am, she is quiet and Christian in her beliefs - but don't mistake her reserve for a lack of ambition.

"I would love to be on the cover of British Vogue," she said. "And my favourite model is definitely Tyra Banks, because she not only is a model but she is also a great businesswoman and actress."

Watch this face.

The Countdown For Alexa’s Label Begins

It´s been a long time coming, but Alexa Chung  hopes to release her debut fashion label in 2014. The Voguecover girl first revealed that she was planning to design her own line in August 2012.

Of course, this isn't the first time that Chung has turned her hand to design - she teamed up with American store Madewell in 2010. She has also collaborated with beauty brand Eyeko, and fronted campaigns for Maje, Superga, Lacoste and L'Oréal. This year also saw her release her debut book, It.

Alexa Chung

"I need some time to think about it!" Chung said of the collection. "That's [2014] going to be the first opportunity where I haven't had a nine-to-five job… I've kind of been doing Eyeko, I wrote a book, I did Fuse every day, and various other design gigs and DJing. So this will be the first time to actually sort of sit down and think about it."

Although the label's signatures haven't yet been decided on, it sounds as if risqué Miley Cyrus-inspired ensembles won't play a part.

"It's like a will it/won't it situation, I'm on the edge of my seat every time I watch her spread her legs! I'm like 'Ooh! Ooh!' It's too much for my anxiety," Chung told Fashionista.

Marc's Star-Studded Vuitton Campaign Finale

Marc Jacobs has devoted his final campaign for Louis Vuitton to his fashion muses Catherine Deneuve, Sofia Coppola, Gisele Bündchen, Fan Bingbing, Caroline de Maigret and Edie Campbell.

Shot by Steven Meisel for the spring/summer 2014 advertising campaign, each woman smoulders for the camera, modelling a series of the label's most famous designs, including the Noé bag, monogrammed luggage and Stephen Sprouse sequins.

Louis Vuitton

The campaign follows the same trajectory as Jacobs's final catwalk show for the French fashion house, in which he recalled his most famous set designs from his tenure at the helm.

Is Galeries Lafayette Buying House Of Fraser?

Galeries Lafayette  is reportedly in "advanced stage" talks to buy British department store House of Fraser, which is set to float on the London Stock Exchange early next year.

The family-controlled French retailer has exclusivity until the end of January, the Financial Times reports, after which the British company may conduct a "dual-track" process - continuing with talks while preparing for the IPO. House of Fraser chairman Don McCarthy is said to be keen to achieve at least £450 million from a sale, while stock exchange analysts have valued the company at closer to £350 million.

Galeries Lafayette

The companies are a similar size in terms of doors - with the British company managing 61 stores in the UK, while its potential buyer controls 65 stores in its native France and abroad. Galeries Lafayette has been conducting an international expansion in recent months, opening its first overseas store in Beijing in October.

Earlier this month, it was also reported that Galeries Lafayette had its eye on Parisian rival Printemps, although no confirmation has followed the rumours.

Rihanna For Balmain

Rihanna is the new face of Balmain. Described as an "icon" by the label's creative director, Olivier Rousteing, the singer stars in the forthcoming spring/summer 2014 campaign - due to appear in magazines from January.

"In front of the camera, she makes you feel like she is the only girl in the world," said Rousteing. "When the woman that inspires you wears your creations, your vision feels complete."

Rihanna For Balmain

The adverts were shot in New York by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin, with styling by Mel Ottenberg - Rihanna's personal stylist. The star has previously fronted campaigns for Armani Jeans.

Lagerfeld: My Dallas Collection Is Not Fancy Dress

Karl Lagerfeld's latest Chanel Metiers d'Art collection  may have a strong Western feel, but whatever you do, don't even think about wearing his collection to a fancy dress party. Watch the designer talk about the show in the film above.

"Chanel clothes are bought all over the world," Lagerfeld said. "They can have a local ethic inspiration, but, at the same time, they have to have a universal touch - otherwise it becomes limited. You can wear these clothes and look normal. This isn't just for costume parties."

Inspired by a romantic, poetic version of Texas ("I tried to remove its relationship from tough Hollywood films; you know with John Wayne"), the offering features new twists on cowgirl chic - from classic white shirts with fringing sleeves to tights covered in cowboy-boot patterns.

"It's a reinvention of something in my mind," said Lagerfeld of the tights. "That's my job. I have great people who work with me, I couldn't do it alone. To work it out, you need great people."

Introducing Fashion Wunderkind Missy

Melissa Jade Aiello was just nine years old when she set up her T-shirt label Missy X, her nickname. Three years later, she has made a solid business out of drawing portraits of famous personalities - from Karl Lagerfeld and Anna Wintour to John Galliano and Donatella Versace.

Melissa Jade Aillero

"Fashion is really important to me because it defines who I am," Missy told us. "If I go to school in sweatpants, people would be surprised. I did actually do that once and everyone said, 'Why are you so regular today?' Fashion is interesting to me and drawing fashion people is even more interesting."

Missy was born in Nottingham, but moved to New York in 2010. When she was just seven, she started to copy illustrations from her colouring books. Before long, her family became her subjects and her mother, a freelance casting director, developed the idea of printing the drawings onto T-shirts. She created an illustration of Karl Lagerfeld in 15 minutes, although most of her work takes an hour to produce. The 12-year-old works on a commission-only basis, but she's quite discerning when it comes to choosing what she will and won't draw.

"I said no to Justin Bieber because they're cheesy," she said. "There are too many boys like Bieber - there's also The Wanted and One Direction. I draw people I like and think are interesting. Every time I draw someone new I learn something interesting - like I learnt that John Galliano used to work at Dior for a long time, but got sacked. I really liked drawing Donatella, she has a really interesting face."

Currently, the T-shirts are only available to buy on special request, but there are talks with a major stockist to bring the label to a bigger audience. Missy is keen to become a full-time designer when she leaves school, but for now, she has plenty to keep her occupied.

"I already do tote bags, but I've got a few ideas of more areas I'd like to work in," she said. "I think maybe notebooks, key chains, necklaces and mugs would be good - we'll see."