Karl Lagerfeld's New Book; Shopping Therapy; Magazine Wars; Balmain for Men?; That (yes, that) Murakami Sculpture goes for $15M

Tonight being the launch party for Karl Lagerfeld's new photography book, Metamorphoses of an American, enjoy a tantalizing preview of Lagerfeld's photo diary of Brad Koeing, "the world's most sought after male model." [The Cut]

A growing number of studies are building a strong case for the reality of shopping addiction, claiming that, when enacted during certain emotional states, it functions in a similar manner as a drug. We did always seem to have the best nights out after a binge at Barneys.[The Wall Street Journal]

Now that Nina Garcia is poised to remain at ELLE until September 1st and finish out season 5 of Project Runway, an all out bitch-fight has broken out between Glamour, Cosmopolitan, InStyle, Marie Claire and Harper's Bazaar for sponsorship in the show's sixth season. Though this one will come down to dollar signs, if we had to pick a winner in a hypothetical personified match-up, we'd have to give it to Cosmo...that tramp would totally hide a shank in her hair. [WWD]

Christophe Decarnin recently invigorated Balmain's womenswear line with sex and energy--which makes us even more giddy to hear the rumor that he could do the same with a reported men's line from the French label. Tres chic. [WWD]

Drat. We just missed the win on that Murakami sculpture of the ripped anime dude slinging his sauce. All that practice on eBay for nothing. [Gawker]