Your morning fashion and beauty report: Ralph Lauren, Coco Chanel and Katy Perry

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

American Apparel, the L.A.-based clothing maker, continues to struggle. Sales are down, and the company may have to shut some stores. One strategist said American Apparel is becoming ‘’a bit of an afterthought to its core hipster base.’ Ouch. Read Andrea Chang’s report in the L.A. Times.

If you live in the Ralph Lauren universe, you might want to know the company is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its online shop with a ‘4-D’ projection onto the new Madison Avenue store Wednesday night. [The Cut]

The late Alexander McQueen will be the focus of an exhibit at the Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Look for it to open next May. [Vogue UK]

If you have enjoyed recent films about legendary designer Coco Chanel, you are not alone. But take note: Karl Lagerfeld does not. [Fashionologie]

There’s something about the letters VPL (yes, we’re talking Visible Panty Line) that continues to make us smirk. It is also the name of a British clothing store that has opened a branch in New York. Perhaps you are wondering: What does it sell? Our response: Does it matter? [The Moment]

Don’t deny it -- you watch the Victoria’s Secret fashion show. (It’s Nov. 30 on CBS.) This year, Katy Perry, who simply doesn’t seem to get enough publicity, will be making her own fashion statement with a couple of outrageous outfits from designer Todd Thomas. And that’s probably all you need to know for today. [People]

-- Alice Short