Generally speaking, I’m happy with my mascara. Fiberwig and I have been through a lot together and it’s remained pretty true, never smudging and leaving me raccoon-eyed when I’m going for smoky-eyed. But every once in a while, you’ve just got to try something new. When I received a bag of Dior goodies to road-test the other day, I knew the time had come to betray the mascara that’s seen me through everything from first dates to weddings. (Other people’s weddings, that is…)

I felt a little dirty at first, as I swiped on the Diorshow Iconic mascara, wand clenched in my sweaty, guilty hand. Then something amazing happened.

It’s hard not to hate Perez Hilton. Dude can be a real d-bag. So, when Jezebel blogger Tracie Egan wrote on her own blog that she’s not nervous about Hilton’s new CocoPerez “lady blog,” we were pretty much in agreement. After all, Jezebel is pretty awesome as far as the feminist blog set goes, and Perez Hilton draws penises on women’s faces. But Egan moved quickly from criticizing Perez for thinking he “gets” women to bitching about gay men in general. According to Egan, gay men are to blame for most of the problems in the fashion industry.

Have you spied French actress Marion Cotillard‘s new Lady Dior ads? They were shot in New York City by legendary—and financially struggling—photographer Annie Leibovitz. Word is they’ll be plastered all over Paris come Fashion Week. [Lady Dior]

Time and death were the inspirations behind Christian Dior‘s latest line of uber-opulent jewelry. Dubbed the “Kings and Queens Collection,” these luxurious accessories, designed by Victoire de Castellane, are crafted from opal, jade, and obsidian. The stones are then sculpted into skulls complete with ornate, blinged out crowns and collars. The garish heads are meant to represent the passing of time and the coming of death, while the sparkling crown and collar remind us to enjoy every moment. This time around, we sort of don’t see what’s so hot about this haute piece. [I strongly disagree. They’re gorgeous and I’ll take two please!—Editor] Especially not when the rings, which are meant to be worn two at time, will surely cost a fortune. [D’oh!—Ed.] We’re assuming this isn’t necessarily in your budget, but in case it is log on to Dior‘s fine jewelry website for details on where to buy—then call us for dinner! [Chic Report]

Ever since Barbie celebrated her 50th birthday, the icon has been appearing everywhere from news shows to Hollywood to basically every single international edition of Vogue to name a few venues, and fashion runways across the world have been no exception. We even caught a glimpse of her at Dior’s couture show, in a way. How to get the look, after the jump!

Oscar-winner Marion Cotillard looked prim and proper in her ladylike suit at the “Bike in Style” event earlier this week. However, if you looked closely at her Dior shoes, you’d notice the heels are in the shape of a naked female who is supposedly a fertility goddess. The French have always been masters of the subtly provocative, no? Click through for another look at the shoes with the amble-bosomed (and -butted) woman.

Nicole Kidman stars as a princess en route to an Indian palace in the above “mini-movie” commercial for Schweppes, which also features Bollywood actor Arjun Rampal as her love interest and Rubina Ali in a supporting role. Produced by Ridley Scott and directed by Shekhar Kapur, who directed “Elizabeth” and “Elizabeth: The Golden Age,” this extended ad is one example of a new advertising trend being used in the age of TiVo and DVR. Other companies have produced short movies with hired big-name talent and directors to promote a brand, but it’s generally a technique used to evoke a luxury lifestyle. Schweppes seems a little low-end to go this advertising route, which has been used by Prada, Dior, and Chanel. Click through for more film-like advertisements. Do these extended, big-budget commercials make you want to purchase the product? Or are they just another quick form of entertainment? Let us know in the comments.

Sofia Coppola’s a busy lady these days. Not only has she been designing bags for Louis Vuitton, but Coppola also directed a commercial for Dior’s Miss Dior Cherie fragrance. It has a jealousy inducing I’m-fabulous-and-live-in-Paris-in-the-‘60s vibe to it. If this is the kind of life I’d live if I wore the perfume, I’ll buy myself a king-size bottle and play Brigitte Bardot’s song “Moi Je Joue” on repeat. [Fashionista]