Marc Jacobs kicked romanticism to the curb with a bold New York fashion week show dominated by hypnotizing stripes and delivered at crackerjack speed.

Celebrities including singer-designer Kelly Osbourne and Latino heart throb Ricky Martin joined the crowd Monday at the Lexington Armory, where Jacobs sent his models out to the beat of "Copped It" by British punk group The Fall.

Film star Jessica Alba swapped Hollywood for Silicon Valley on Monday, introducing fellow technology entrepreneurs to her new Internet firm, inspired by motherhood.

The star, known for roles in films including "The Fantastic Four", said it was becoming a mom that compelled her to create The Honest Company devoted to non-toxic, environmentally-friendly products for families.

"Cloud Atlas" co-director Lana Wachowski this week publicly embraced her gender switch from Larry for the first time -- with bright pink dreads.

Her sex change was long rumored, but never confirmed as Wachowski had previously avoided interviews and publicity tours by insisting on no-press clauses in her film contracts.

Actors Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper won over audiences and at least one director as an onscreen cute couple at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sunday.

"A gift to a director is chemistry and these two had a great chemistry," said David O. Russell, after directing the pair in his latest film "Silver Linings Playbook."

Heaps of makeup transformed the all-star cast of "Cloud Atlas," which premiered on Sunday at the Toronto International Film Festival, "startling" the cast members themselves, they said.

"I loved working with Hugh (Grant), you didn't know it was him until he said (in a thick English accent) 'Oh fuck off,'" quipped actor Jim Broadbent at a press conference.

Tracy Reese capitalized on her high-profile sartorial relationship with First Lady Michelle Obama with a sparkling New York fashion week show Sunday that paid homage to every woman's inner nerd.

Rubbishing the old adage about girls who wear glasses, Reese accessorized her ethereal and colorful spring-summer 2013 with the kind of old-school, oversized spectacles typically sported by bad-boy photographer Terry Richardson.

George Michael on Sunday became the first pop singer to play a gig at the Paris Opera, with a special gala concert backed by a symphony orchestra for the AIDS related charity Sidaction.

The British star, on top form and fully recovered from a bout of pneumonia which forced him to postpone his Symphonica tour of the UK and Europe last year, filled the majestic 2,000-seat Palais Garnier, management said.

"Gangsta" rapper Snoop Dogg said Friday that a transformational journey to Jamaica during which he embraced reggae music may have saved his marriage and gave him a new, "family first" outlook.

The best part of the life-changing trip was "that my wife could come and see it happen," the singer said.

Veteran U.S. rock group R.E.M. is slamming Fox News for playing "Losing My Religion" in covering the Democratic convention, accusing the conservative U.S. broadcaster of "puff adder" reporting.

But Fox News hit back, saying it had used the hit tune entirely legally, and claiming that R.E.M. was seeking a "publicity fix" by issuing the protest.

There was intrigue — and Heidi Klum in barely there gold — as the lights, camera, action of reality TV hit Fashion Week Friday during the "Project Runway" show that will decide who wins the 10th anniversary season.

Eight contestants thanked their loved ones and shared their inspirations in the hour-long parade before the judges on the Lifetime series and a huge crowd at the Lincoln Center tents.