Your Morning Fashion and Beauty

Paula Abdul and Cheryl Cole's 'X-Factor' competition.


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Paula Abdul has been named as a judge on "The X Factor USA," and already the media and online commentators are expecting a fashion duel between Abdul and Cheryl Cole, who will continue on the U.S. version after appearing on the British original. When the two met up for a photo op, fashion observers seemed to feel Abdul had a bit of an edge, even though her purple silk Yves Saint Laurent dress caught a wind gust when she stepped out of her car (leading to an embarrassing moment). Cole was clad in an orange ruffled blouse, turquoise belt and purple pants that, although on trend in terms of this spring's bright colors, were way too long and completely covered her feet. [Daily Mail]

The economic recovery has been good for the world's top-earning models, says Forbes, which has come out with its list of the top 10 highest earners. Together, they made $112 million in the 12-month period that ended in May -- up 30% from a year ago. They range from the $3 million earned by Victoria's Secret model Candice Swanepoel, at No. 10, to $45 million for Gisele Bundchen, at the top of the pack. Heidi Klum ($20 million) and Kate Moss ($13.5 million) also did quite well, since they, like Bundchen, have turned themselves into multifaceted business moguls. [Forbes]

Model Karen Elson has teamed with Nine West for a capsule accessories collection that will be available in the U.S. in September. The collaboration is part of Nine West's Vintage America collection, and it draws on inspirations including burlesque dancers and the 1930s Dust Bowl. [Telegraph]

Emili Vesilind wrote in the Los Angeles Times Image section Sunday about the opening of Vivier and Bentley, and you can see more photos of what handbag maker Clare Vivier and jeweler Kathryn Bentley have come up at their Silver Lake store and workshop at Mondette.

Clare Waight Keller, who resigned from Pringle of Scotland in March, has been named creative director at Chloé, replacing Hannah MacGibbon. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

At the AccesoriesTheShow trade show in New York last week, it looked as if friendship bracelets jazzed up in leather and crystals would be all the rage this fall. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Reese Witherspoon wore a strapless Zac Posen cocktail dress to the New York opening of "Water for Elephants." [The Cut]