Well, it wouldn’t be Fashion Week without some zingy gossip, right? Here’s today’s “omigosh,” as emailed from a model manager:

A group of model BFFs all came back to New York from Brazil without the ten pounds they each gained over Christmas, but with something else instead:

Pink eye.

Girls are being triple-checked by makeup artists since eyes are the heavy focus this season, extra Q tips are getting bought in bulk, and there’s major paranoia all around -

But it’s Fashion Week, so what else is new?

Last night’s party for GQ and the CFDA honored talent like Rag + Bone, Gilded Age, and Engineered Garments.

But of course, the wall-to-wall display of male models at the party highlighted more than just the clothes.

Everyone seemed to have a favorite, from designer Michael Kors to Vogue babe Sylvana Soto-Ward.

But which team were the models playing?

We asked a former boy mannequin, who’s now an agent, to dish. He counted down the line, and proclaimed twelve (out of almost forty) of the boys as “totally and definitely gay.”

The only thing sadder than our disappointment in diminished crushes was this idea:

Those boys couldn’t fully enjoy the luscious Rachel Bilson, as decked in a bikini and straddling GQ’s latest (and excellent) cover.

Le sigh.

We were shocked to learn that Tyra is starting yet another reality show, about breaking into fashion magazines nonetheless.

Now, we’re even more shocked. Why? It turns out that the magazine in question is not one of the less exciting books like everyone expected - it’s fashion giant ELLE.

WWD reports that Creative Director Joe Zee and Fashion News Director Anne Slowey are close to closing the deal to play the judges on the new show. The contestants will compete for a position at ELLE working under Zee.

Oh, and the working title for the soon-to-be TV addiction? Wait for it… “Fashionista”.

We kid you not.

—JAZZI McGILBERT

If you haven’t already applied for that internship at ELLEgirl.com, you might want to get on that as soon as possible.

ELLEgirl has relaunched their site as of this morning - it’s peppier, pinker and generally prettier, definitely worth a few clicks throughout the day.

We especially suggest the “Pretty Girl” section if you want to learn about stuff like the history of glitter.

Or, you could be more like us, and just go straight to figuring out how “How to Date a Male Model”.

In case you’re not familiar with the site think of it as a good mix of the last shreds of Sassy and a cuter version of big-girl ELLE. So lovable.

Click on!

“And this being the world of Fashion Week, Ken does need labels, the crucial ones being Jil Sander, Thom Browne, Prada, Dior Homme and, most of all, that master of statusy understatement, Martin Margiela. Even Mr. Margiela’s ultradiscreet trademark, four little white pick stitches on sweaters, shirts and bags, is instantly discernible to the style cognoscenti while invisible to others, like a whistle only dogs can hear.” - David Colman, on men’s fashion, in the New York Times.

Vince, 24, left, with Sarah, 27.

Got Him: At Pala, our favorite new restaurant.

Stalked Him: Because we loved the mix of patterns on his scarf and his shirt.

Shot Him: How often do you see a boy whose jeans actually fit?!

He Says: “I feel like I wear the same thing every day.”

We Say: That’s okay; so does Karl.

PS: Sarah’s parents got her that scarf in South America. It’s sort of The Muppets Do Couture, huh?

With Fashion Week starting pretty much today, we’re finally thinking about what to wear in order to look good without wanting to die while we run around town for 10+ hours at a time.

But we also know that for a lot of other people, Fashion Week is about one thing in particular: Pictures.

You see it at shows/parties all the time - people posing awkwardly, trying to catch photographers’ attention in the hopes of ending up on Style.com. Some people even make a career out of it (you know who you are).

So we had a little chat with Scott Gries, veteran photographer for Getty Images, on how to maximize your chances of ending up on WireImage (because we all know that once you’re on that site, there’s really no going back.)

Just in case our readers are planning on hitting up some events dressed to the nines with a friend meant to act as a “publicist”. Or, you know, if you’re “just wondering”…

WHICH posh, pregnant editor is selling off all her designer swag on eBay? And it’s good stuff…

Several days ago, Style.com reported that Lindsay Lohan hit The Box with Brody Jenner at about the same time that Olympia Scarry and her birthday party did, causing the chicer party to flee.

Now it seems Lindsay’s fleeing, too: After several well-documented nights in Manhattan, the 21-year-old is flying back to Los Angeles for three days, but don’t worry, she’ll be back:

Lindsay touches back down in the Empire State on Sunday, just in time for Halston’s show on Monday, February 4th. Since she needs to get on Harvey’s good side, and since her stylist Rachel Zoe is involved in the project, we bet she’ll make a big appearance (though quite possibly, Gwyneth will upstage her).

So here’s something exciting:

The Preppy Handbook is relaunching this Spring, and for a little bit of buzz, they’ve got a Fashion Week event going on:

Next Wednesday at Caravan in Soho, a mash of designers are weaving together to celebrate popped collars, dry martinis, and ribbon belts.

The group includes Fred Perry and Lorick, the line on Gossip Girl that’s supposed to be from Blair Waldorf’s mom, Eleanor.

The Gossip Girl cast is supposed to show up for the occasion, and so is our favorite Fashionista contributor, Josh Madden - he’s helping to style the presentation!

We just got word of possibly the coolest photography exhibition in recent days - if only we were in London!

Who? Matt Irwin, of Dazed and Confused fame.

What? An exhibition featuring his fashion photography for the mag

Where? Print Space Gallery, 74 Kingsland Rd (London), nearest tube Old St.

When? Private viewing on February 11th at 7:30, then open to the public until February 26

Why? Pictures of Agyness, Alice Dellal, kids in crazy costumes…

We hear from an ELLE insider that Nina Garcia’s picked a few favorites of her Project Runway children this season.

“Nina made a face when I asked about Victorya’s show,” says the spy, referring to Ms. Hong’s presentation at the Altman Building during Fashion Week, “But gushed about Alexandra. She said one of her friends had worn a dress by Alexandra at a wedding she went to recently and it was really gorgeous. She said she’s really excited to go check out her stuff.”

We’re still not convinced, but it’s nice that Alexandra will have a famous face in the audience, which might help attract even more hype to the former reality star.

Meanwhile, the race is on to pick the winner of Project Runway 4: Christian, Jillian, or the-one-who-must-not-be-named?

Last season, the fear was that too few celebrities would crash into Bryant Park.

This season, it’s just the opposite:

With a writer’s strike canceling red carpets, a ton of celebrity brands launching, a partly-spoiled Project Runway finale, and a Gucci party calling all their advertising talent (and anyone who wants a shot at their future campaigns), the B-listers who usually get their photos taken nonstop (cough, Mariska Hargitay, cough) may have competition from actual famous people.

Here’s who we’ve seen in town so far… keep a lookout:

Ashley Olsen
Blake Lively
Brooke Shields
Chloe Sevigny
Drew Barrymore
Evan Rachel Wood
Gwyneth
Karen O
Kirsten Dunst
Lucy Liu
Marilyn Manson
Mary Kate Olsen
Milla Jovovich
Natasha Bedingfield
Peaches Geldof
Posh
Rihanna
Sean Combs
Sienna Miller
SJP

Not expected:
Ellen Page
Gwen Stefani (LAMB will have press previews in NY without her)

Happy hunting. xo.

On the short list for Doutzen Kroes’ Vogue shoot in the ice rink yesterday:

Luella Bartley

Miu Miu

Prada

Also, apparently the Dutch model really can speed skate, which just seems absurd but also strangely sensible:

Actually, if you told us Doutzen held a degree in nuclear physics, we’d probably be like, “Oh yeah…”

On another skating note: Last night, Richie Rich told us, “Don’t be sad Heatherette’s not having a fashion show. I’m not. Skating is way more fun.”

We hope some of you are looking for an internship, because the beautiful/lovely/intelligent ladies over at Ellegirl need some interns, now.

The deal:

1. Maintain Ellegirl’s MySpace page

2. Fax stuff, file stuff, research stuff, don’t mess up stuff

3. Do the fashion closet limbo

4. Work a minimum of three days a week - hopefully Tuesday, Thursdays and Fridays

Email jking@hfmus.com with your resume.

Good Luck!

If you missed your chance at the Tim Gunn doll, here’s your big chance:

Fafarazzi, whose Project Runway game we’re a little obsessed with, is giving away another one of the signed, talking bobbleheads to whomever has the winning team for next week’s new episode.

So if your team is in 5,498th place, or if you never made a team in the first place, it doesn’t matter at all. Points are based only on that next Wednesday’s episode.

We highly suggest going for this if you’re a design student - we know we’d feel so official if Tim bobbled “Make it work!” to us late in the night.

Check him out here…

Please excuse this model’s expression, we’re obsessed with her “We’re On a Break Romper” by The Lake and Stars.

It’s the perfect match for the high waisted jeans/skirts/shorts we’re waiting to bust out again come spring. Can you tell we’re obsessed?

The top part is just loose enough; it’s feminine without being frilly, and modern enough to balance out the retro-ness of a high waisted bottom.

The best part is that we can get the tucked-in look without our shirt coming un-tucked every time we move - stuffing a shirttail into the back of fitted jeans is not exactly pretty.

On the other hand, we will have to worry about someone realizing that we’re basically wearing a body suit.

Oh, and the fact that consuming liquid is pretty much not an option while wearing said body suit.

No matter, though - fun over function is our fashion motto.

“I’m still looking for the perfect jeans - I’ve been searching since ninth grade.” - Chloe Sevigny, in her role as Style Advisor on ElleUK.

Model casting for most shows hasn’t been finalized yet, but we hear some opening slots have already been given out:

Separate sources gush that Agyness Deyn, 24, and Suvi Koponen, 19, are getting to open some of the shows that start next week.

But which ones?

You silly girls… we totally can’t tell you that.

Yet.

Wink.

(Guesses, anyone?)

Sarah Sallee, Fashion Publicist with Kas PR

Got Her: Right outside our door, on Mott Street near Prince, getting out of a car.

Stalked Her: Because her red coat was billowing behind her, and we had to see the rest.

Shot Her: Because her mix of five colors actually looks cool rather than crazy.

She Says: “The shoes are Pierre Hardy, the jacket is Gryphon, the bag is YSL, the scarf is Wolford, the dress - I don’t remember, the necklace is from Curve, and, oh, the coat, the coat is Matthew Williamson.”

We Say: Hand over that coat! You’ll still look good without it…

Harold Tillman, the new chairman of the British Fashion Council, has given his first big proclamation since entering his new position about one week ago:

The fashion industry’s newer models need mentors to help look after them.

Tillman’s first suggestion? Naomi Campbell, explaining that the 90’s supermodels (like Cindy Crawford), are the kind of models that the younger girls idolize.

We’re not sure what kind of advice Naomi could give to a 15-year old girl.

Lessons in aim? How to look cute during community service?

WHICH designer’s clothes got laughed at two nights ago, when they were presented as part of a pre-show to VIP fashion editors? Wonder if the label will try to re-tailor their skinny pieces before the big show…

It looks like Tyra Banks didn’t get the memo on what a joke The Fashionista Diaries was.

Reuters reports that the TV-loving once-model has struck a deal with the CW (the same geniuses that brought us Gossip Girl) to host a reality show about breaking into the fashion magazine world.

Each episode will center around weekly challenges, much like Tyra’s ANTM, and each challenge win will be recorded in The Book, a mock up of a fake mag that shows Tyra really took The Devil Wears Prada to heart for this.

The grand prize after the entire contest is over and all (some?) of America has watched the contestants practice timed runs to Starbucks and marathon fashion shoots? An Assistant Editor position at an unnamed fashion mag.

We know some poor, clueless kids will line up to be in this show (and yes, we’re planning on watching). The more pressing question? Which fashion book will team up with Tyra? Keep in mind that its editors will be the judges, which pretty much vetoes Vogue, Elle and any other magazine that’s doing well…

Stay tuned…

The challenge: Christian Lacroix’s ombre tights.

The strategy: Dip-dye

What you’ll need: A box of navy blue powder dye - try the sewing kits/cleaning supplies section at Duane Reade; a pair of opaque, white tights (American Apparel); A wastebasket; Large wooden spoon.

Step One: Fill the wastebasket with the hottest water possible. (You might want to line the wastebasket to make clean up easier). Add in the powdered dye and stir a little. Let the dye steep until its good and blue, about five minutes.

Step Two: Get your tights really wet so they can absorb the dye. Then, holding from the top, dip the feet into the blue solution until they’re covered up to the knee. Immediately start to pull them out so this section remains the palest blue.

Step Three: Slowly continue to pull the tights out of the solution. This process is designed so the bottoms of the tights are the darkest navy and the tops are white, so hold the knee part in the dye for only a few seconds per dip. Continue dipping tights into the solution until the bottom is a shade darker than you want - this took us about 3 or 4 dips, over 15 minutes.

Step Four: Rinse the tights in the sink with cold water, but only from the top. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear. Do not ring the tights out - you’ll get splotches that look more tie-dye than dégradé.

Step Five: Hang tights to dry overnight. We suggest a manicure during this time off since your hands will now resemble a Smurf’s.

Step Six: When absolutely bone dry, slip on your new tights and prepare to be inundated with compliments.

Voilà

—BRETT KANE

It’s no secret that Paris Hilton’s new shoe collection is gooey, pink, and begging for a small dog to chew it up (and thanks to Perez for the preview).

What’s more surprising (or maybe not) are its origins:

Paris’ dainty little sandal is a pretty exact copy of the Christian Louboutin sandal more commonly called the “Tibouron 70.”

We don’t know why it got that name, but we do know this:

Paris has way cuter shoes in her closet to rip off!

Seriously.

We’re suckers for scandal, even in other countries - so when we heard the Aussie magazine Russh was filing a lawsuit for slander, we had to know what happened.

Apparently, rumors started that the fashion glossy was folding, but actually, Editor Charlotte Scott and Creative Director Trevor Stones have resigned - but Russh isn’t going anywhere.

Instead, it’s launching a new issue on February 27th.

Whether it can live up to past issue favorites - like their Julia Restoin Roitfeld interview, their Agyness Deyn cover, or the Abbey Lee editorial that lead to her Testino-shot D&G campaign - isn’t something we know… yet…

—JAZZI McGILBERT

We already mentioned that Coca-Cola is sponsoring the famed Heart Truth fashion show.

The annual event features very famous ladies in blood red gowns by very famous designers. Expect lots of Coca-Cola ads and models sipping Diet Coke instead of the usual tap water.

We’re getting sponsored by Coke too - well sort of. Aside from the multiple cans we’ll be drinking to buzz through the week, we’ll also be wearing this Diet Coke charm bracelet from designer madefromtheheart.

The heart charms are cut from recycled cans (bonus green points!), with foam backing so you don’t cut yourself.

It’ll match our Lady Grey bone bangles and make a little sound every time we wave our hand - the real reason we stack bracelets anyway.

We’re psyched to hear that Louis Vuitton will air their very first television ad.

Unlike the theatrical clips we’ve seen from Prada, Chanel and Gucci, Louis Vuitton will launch a string of full blown commercials airing on TV and as movie previews “to reinforce their travel heritage” starting mid-February.

We can already picture it: David Lynch-directed models prancing on screen in the latest LV runway creations in place of “Head on, Apply directly to the forehead.” Definitely a more welcome sight in between Gossip Girl reruns.

But we know the real picture will probably be far from high fashion as to blend in with Honda commercials. Antoine Arnault, the brand’s head of communications, said they, “don’t only want to reach people in the fashion world” and that they’re trying to balance between “fashion and corporate values” which we’ll agree is probably the best way to make a profit.

Unfortunately, corporate values and fashion aesthetics couldn’t be more different. Focusing on the corporate world for greater profit will surely alienate those who spend their money on the most fashionable must-haves.

Or perhaps it already has.

If you live in New York, you might have already passed the Henri Bendel windows announcing their exclusive relaunch of Members Only.

Yes, we really do mean the brand whose swooshy, zippered jackets monopolized outerwear in the 80’s and now reside in fraternity house costume closets.

Apparently, they’re making a high fashion comeback, starting at Bendel’s but soon to be available at boutiques like Fred Segal and Scoop across the country.

Or, if more convenient, at your local Forever 21.

It usually takes the chain at least a month to hang designer rip-offs from their racks, but their imitation Members Only jacket was available at least a week before the real ones hit shelves.

Or maybe we should say twenty-five years after?

Take a shot - which above is the original?

“We at Vogue don’t throw ourselves under subway trains, my dear. If we must, we take sleeping pills. — Edna Woolman Chase, the first editor of Vogue, to one of her assistants, after a failed suicide attempt.

Fashionista.com, December 20th, 2007:

“Red Carpets Replaced by Fashion Week?”

Women’s Wear Daily, Today:

“Writer’s Strike May Up Fashion Week’s Celeb Quotient.”

Fun.

Among the greater mysteries surrounding Lindsay Lohan:

— Why she changed her middle name from “Morgan” to “Dee”

—What exactly happens in luxury rehab

—When she went from being an extraordinarily good actress to an extraordinarily bad tabloid fixture

—Where she’ll be during Fashion Week.

That last question will soon be answered, though, as we hear that Ms. Lohan will indeed lend her otherworldly presence to the Tents this season. Among the shows you should scope: Marc Jacobs, Charlotte Ronson, and Jill Stuart - after all, the girl did star in their most recent ad campaign.

But will she be disappointed if the photogs go for Kirsten instead?

We hear from Lydia Hearst that Lily Donaldson has a small part in an upcoming movie called Frost.

The film is a biting parody on New York socialites that sounds a little like Election with logos, and stars Ms. Hearst herself as the meanest girl in the Rose Bar.

Lily plays (what else) a model who parties at various must-be-at events, sort of like how she had her birthday party at the Gramercy this weekend (22!) - and really, who else gets away with having their birthday at the Gramercy?

The movie premiered at Sundance. It doesn’t have a buyer yet, but who knows - maybe the people who produced Seamless can scoop it up…

Jessica Stam may have the ice-eyes, but we hear Doutzen Kroes is the model who’s getting the literal cold shoulder from Vogue this week:

She’s been shooting at an ice rink with speed skater Apolo Anton Ohno and Annie Leibowitz - apparently, they’ve even made the Dutch model her own pair of speed skates!

No word on what else the Victoria’s Secret face will be wearing, though Nike and Adidas are big advertisers in the magazine, so of course those are possibilities.

Then again, Vera Wang is both a former figure skater and a former Vogue editor, and often made ice costumes for Olympic champion Michelle Kwan…

And if they really want to surprise everyone, Richie Rich was also once a professional Ice Capader, and sometimes creates his own spandex creations for skating exhibitions.

We’re not betting on that last possibility, but whatever - a little glitter never killed anyone.

Anyone who reads Fashionista will know that our crushes are simple and finite:

We love Kate Moss, Agyness Deyn, Gemma Ward, Johnny Depp, Sofia Coppola, Luella Bartley, Phoebe Philo, Irina, you, Henry Holland, The Rolling Stones, and the fashion photographer Nick Knight, whose clients include Burberry, McQueen, and most of British Vogue.

So of course, we’re a little excited, because although we’ve met almost everyone on that above list (still waiting on Phoebe, Johnny, and 1 of the Stones…) we’ve never even seen Nick Knight in person… until now.

The ShowStudio founder comes to town on Friday, February 1 to debut a film with the menswear designer Bernard Wilhelm. The project presents Wilhelm’s Fall ‘08 collection, and premiers at the Tribeca Grand Hotel.

Its theme, according to Knight, is Men In Tights, which goes anywhere from Robin Hood to Centerstage or Miuccia Prada’s recent runway outing of guys in skirts.

Who’s psyched?

We hear Kate Moss is opening the Vivienne Westwood Red Label show on Valentine’s Day in London.

If that’s true, it means Prince performing at Matthew Williamson and Nicole Kidman starring in an Antony & Alison movie - both stunts from last season - will be pelted to the dust, because really, when was the last time you saw Kate Moss on a runway?

Our only wonder is if it violates her TopShop contract to appear publicly on behalf of another brand, though since Ms. Moss is the face of YSL, Cavalli, and a million other things, we guess it’s not a concern.

Kate’s not slated to be in New York for our Fashion Week, but that doesn’t mean the British models have abandoned us:

Lily Donaldson, Daisy Lowe, Jacquetta Wheeler, and Agyness their Queen are all confirmed for several shows (already!), and if that’s not enough, take heart:

We saw Sienna Miller on the street today; we bet she’ll be at Rag + Bone.

We knew nobody could wait for the Halston revival - now it looks like nobody has to.

WWD reports that two items - a shirtdress for day ($1,495) and a silk evening gown ($1,795) - will be available on shoppers’ addiction Net-a-Porter within 24 hours after the clothes debut on the runway this coming Monday.

Net-a-Porter is promising same-day delivery if you live in New York or London - everybody else only has to wait one extra day after ordering.

Immediate thoughts:

-Will any front row regulars wear Halston next Friday?

-Will Forever 21 pay their designers heavy overtime?

-If the clothes are supposed to be ready for fast distribution next Wednesday, there has to be a bunch of brand new Halston dresses just sitting around in distribution centers in and around Manhattan, right now.

Anyone have the number of the London Fashion Looters?

Guess what we heard?

Three AsFour is doing a new line for Gap!

The design collective follows in the footsteps of Rodarte, Thakoon, Doo.Ri, and Roland Mouret, all of whom created past collaborations with the retail brand - including a line of crisp white shirts that landed smack on the cover of Vogue, directly after Gap made a million-dollar donation to the CFDA / Vogue Fashion Fund.

You should be able to get the clothes starting this Spring, and they’re not the only Gap arrival we’re anticipating:

That GapBody collaboration with Marie-Amelie Sauve, of Balenciaga fame, should also be just around the corner…

Yipee!

If you are:

1. Over 18 years old

2. U.S. based

3. Can design a great dress

4. Want to win an apprenticeship with Adam Lippes

Then get yourself over to Glam so you can enter your sketch as part of their Be Discovered contest.

But you only have until next week - so lock the door, bust out your pencils, and have one of your friends come in periodically to say things like, “Hmmm. Be careful not to alienate the judges - Make it work!”

“Once upon a time, women got married and cut their hair and wore shirtdresses, or donned suits with skirts to the knee to show they were Serious, and stopped revealing lots of skin. Once upon a time, children wore smocked dresses and knee-socks and stripy polka-dot playsuits. Now playsuits are a trend of the season – see Stella McCartney, Donna Karan, Mulberry, even the extremely sophisticated Bottega Veneta – and I am considering wearing a pair of Kurt Geiger’s men’s wear-inspired over-the-knee-socks to a cocktail fundraiser I’m attending in Paris. And believe me, I’m not one of those funky-type grown-ups. Meanwhile, this month’s American Vogue features Kate Hudson and her four-year-old son in matching black-and-white plaid outfits.” - Vanessa Friedman, on the closing of the generational gap in terms of fashion, in the Financial Times.

We set out to find the perfect etched mirror for our new apartment this weekend, but ended up trying on the new Rag & Bone collection instead.

Their tailored white tuxedo vest, with ivory trim and a halter neck, was a painfully tempting purchase.

The salesperson pointed out that it’s the one Kate Bosworth wears in this month’s Vogue - then he claimed it looks better without a shirt underneath.

“It’s so hot!” he squealed.

We sent a skinny friend into the dressing room even though we were sure it’d look awful, but he was right, it actually looked kind of “hot.”

Kate Hudson might be the only one who can pull off the look with ripped low-rise jeans, and even she’s a stretch. But maybe it could work with something high waisted, or looser fitting?

There’s a part of us that knows this look really depends on the girl rocking it, and that at the end of the day, there’s something, well, cheap about it. But then again, we tend to always associate traditionally “hot” with cheap anyway.

Would you wear just a vest on top? Or is this trend pushing sexy menswear too far?

You probably haven’t heard of Silence Is Golden, but you will soon.

Kelvin Tam, the Sydney-based designer behind the brand, just met with some very important stores in New York this past week, and the line should debut on American shelves soon.

Tam, who was until recently an architect, has paired structured proportions with feminine fabrics for his Fall ‘08 collection, mostly in black and white with shocks of electric blue and yellow in between - not to mention some pieces in leather without even the slightest trace of “tough chick”.

But the real reason we’re so into the clothes?

The white cashmere coat-dress. We’d wear it everyday, even if it means eating meals from inside a plastic bubble to avoid spilling.

Now if only the clothes came with the salty blonde hair and Australian beach shack like in the look book, then we could justify buying it all.

WHICH member of young Hollywood loves the paparazzi despite her claims of the opposite? She showed up to a New York boutique last Friday, only to find a group of paparazzos shooting away at a lesser-known actress, too busy to care that the US Weekly fixture had showed up. The starlet, known for her penchant for a certain item of clothing, whistled and waved her hands until a couple reluctant photogs crossed the street to snap her picture.

Everybody’s mourning the death of the It Bag.

Nobody wants to carry one, buy one, or talk about how they can’t get one. In fact, according to the Wall Street Journal, the sudden aversion to It Bags has resulted in brands like Marni, whose bags don’t advertise the brand with an official logo anywhere, doing very well, while we start to see less and less LV logos carried down the street.

We kind of think this is great since we’ve always hated heavily branded items that feel more like merchandise than fashion. And if there really is a move away from bags with huge namesake badges, then we can’t wait to see what companies like Goyard and Dooney & Bourke will come up with in place of their usual approach.

But does this mean that the next time the pendulum swings, the logo-ed bags that will surely come back into style will be even bigger and badder (so much badder,) than in recent years?

You heard it here first: LV duffel bags large enough to hold a tent, S/S 2012. Oh, wait, those already exist…

File under classic:

We just got an email, addressed to the FabSugar team but somehow sent to us, saying that FabSugar wouldn’t be allowed into the Proenza Schouler show.

Now granted, we’re pretty sure we’re not getting any tickets either (though actually, we’ve been before). But we’re a little miffed (okay, fake miffed, actually giggling) that one blog email is just the same as another to some PR firms.

Whether blogs should be let into big fashion shows is of course another issue, and one we’re not prepared to wrestle right now - but we do find it funny that Jack + Lazaro’s most useful fans are the bright young things like Victoria Traina and Jessica Joffe and Stella Schabel, girls whose every outfit get chronicled by us, by WhoWhatWear Daily, by pretty much the fashion blogs and no one else (unless US Weekly really wants to tackle the “Who Wore It Better: Arden Wohl or…” issue).

Surely if they want a youth-infused brand, they’d also want youth-infused branding, i.e. the Internet?

But what do we know - we’re just a bunch of girls who bought a Rag + Bone skirt yesterday instead of anything on the Proenza rack at Barneys.

Dear Natalie,

See?

Even New York Magazine thinks your vegan shoe launch is a little bit much.

On the upside, if you ever get tired of that particular shoe, you can chop it into small bits and serve it to your pet bunnies.

We love bunnies.

Even (especially?) if they’re not making up a J. Mendel coat.

xoxo

Fashionista

We’ve always loved being backstage at Ruffian’s shows, because the vibe is so fun:

There’s salad and scones, Irina and Chanel Iman, and lots of ’70s rock while the girls get ready.

But this year, there’s something even more exciting happening behind-the-scenes:

We hear James Kaliardos, the worshipped makeup artist and co-founder of V Magazine, is the lead makeup artist on the show.

Will he coat all the girls in gold shimmer, as he did with Gemma Ward on Halloween (left)?

Probably not - but they’ll still be gorgeous anyway.

“Just What the World Needs: It’s Friday, so Paris Hilton must be launching another ancillary product line. Now it’s footwear, complete with pink soles and little heart-shaped footpads, and it’ll be sold for $59-$195 at Macy’s, Zappo’s and Kitson, among others. We always said she was a heel magnet.” - Alexandra Marshall, in The Moment.

We’re still not sure Elisa Jimenez, the wacky designer from Project Runway, can become a major fashion player, but next week she takes an interesting step:

The designer will stage her own Fashion Week show, off-site in Manhattan.

Though this isn’t the first time Elisa’s presented her clothes during Fashion Week, this time the stakes are a little different, and accordingly, the audience will be too:

Now that she’s a beloved (albeit bewildering) reality TV star, Ms. Jimenez will get more attention from potential Fashion Week investors, and we know for a fact that more magazine editors have RSVPd for her runway.

What they’ll actually see on it…

Well, we’ll be able to report that next week, but we’re sure it’ll be gleeful and probably a little bit awful, too. Awww…

Vintage has come back into fashion in more ways than one:

We hear on February 8, old-school supermodel Elle MacPherson will hit the catwalk for an Australian round-up show that includes clothes from Josh Goot, Jayson Brundston, Camilla + Marc, and other Aussie labels. The presentation is designed to raise awareness of Australian fashion in the States, and also quite possibly to pave the way for Myer, a massive Oz department store, to open a New York outlet - they’re the party’s biggest sponsor.

Brands like Sass + Bide and Willow come from Sydney and already show in New York, and Australian models like Catherine McNeil and Tiah Eckhart are also big fixtures in the Tents - so it’s nice to see a shipment of fashion mavens from their home country will come support them.

But February 8 is also the night of the Marc show, which means New York’s modelizers will have to make a hard choice: See the spindly nymphs of MJ glory, or “The Body” Elle MacPherson in all of hers…

We’re actually surprised it didn’t happen sooner.

Herve Leger rip-offs, that is.

H&M should have launched bandage dresses over a year ago, once Lindsay, Posh and every other red carpet regular decided it was time to revive the BCBG owned brand. But instead, we walked past an Express window yesterday packed with short, neon, skintight dresses that are more than just an homage to the designer who now goes by the Karl Lagerfeld sanctioned name, Leroux.

The only piece available online is black, which is probably the only color that works for a band-aid tight dress on a normal body. It’s similar to Leger’s most basic designs, including the one on the left worn by Jemima Khan last year.

So stop by Express if you need to attend a red carpet event, want to blend in, and won’t spend $1500 on a dress that you can only wear post lemonade diet.

We were kindly sent cleaner photos of our newest Streetwalker, Scott Schuman. Click to check him out in his full glory.

We’ve struggled with this question for a while now.

The word “corset” usually makes us think of the word “tacky”. But this spring, when everyone’s wearing their underwear as outerwear, we wonder if we’ll be seeing tiny, laced waists and heaving breasts walking past us on the street.

Women’s Wear Daily profiles Mr. Pearl today, corset maker to Gaultier, Dior, and of course Dita Von Teese. He says, “To me, a corseted body, with the shape of the indentation at the waist, is beauty in extreme; it represents absolute femininity.”

We agree, so long as it’s done correctly. This is one trend that requires a significant investment if it’s to be worn well.

Please do not buy a corset from Victoria’s Secret and wear it with jeans; stay away from H&M’s lingerie section or you risk looking like Lindsay Lohan pre-Rachel Zoe. Explore the look with Vivienne Westwood or Kiki de Montparnasse etc.

The look can be head turning if done subtly and on the right occasion, but a poor quality corset made of cheap satin and lace would be disastrous.

So would you wear one?

“Saturday, January 12: I realize that the studio needs to be rearranged: I move the sewing machines, clear off the twelve-foot cutting table, and decide that there is nowhere to put anything — a major offense for those of us who were born into the acute trifecta of Wasp, Virgo, and Montessori preschool. So, I order two shelving units and my blood pressure lowers from jack-in-the-box to mild fright.” - Chris Benz, on collection making hysteria, in his New York Magazine Fashion Week Diary.

Reasons we love Botkier bags:

1. Most importantly, we’re obsessed with the Sophie, at left.

2. Almost as importantly, they come in every size possible, so you can carry one whether you’re packing for brunch or an 18-hour workathon.

3. Soon to be important, they’re going to look really cute with the new line of Botkier shoes out later this year.

So we wanted to chat with the photographer-turned-designer behind the name, Monica Botkier, who leads the pack of designers making a killing on the huge statement bag craze. We’ve been wondering about her ever since we started seeing her designs sold in what seems like every store possible (Barney’s, Harvey Nichols, Neiman Marcus, ShopBop…) and hanging from the elbows of the Angelina/Lindsay/Kate B/Heidi Klum type.

But despite the visibility of her bags, it doesn’t seem like anyone really knows Monica. So we thought we’d facilitate a little introduction.

Monica, Readers. Readers, Monica…

If by the time February 4 rolls around, you’re too tired to even bother going to any of the shows (which we would not recommend - that day includes Betsey Johnson, Proenza, Oscar, Chris Benz), then you can at least get your fashion fix on the Sundance Channel.

It’s the first day of the channel’s week-long series of fashion films and documentaries, “Ready to Watch.”

And the best of the line up? Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton, the segment that follows Marc around during the creation of his S/S ‘07 collctions for - you guessed it - his Marc and Louis Vuitton RTW lines.

Don’t tell anybody, but here’s a little sneak peak. Sundance says the best part is all the footage in Marc’s workroom, a first for the designer who has never let anyone film his creative process before.

Our favorite part? When Irina mimes the difference between modeling for the Vuitton show (chin up!) and modeling for the Marc show (chin way down) - so cute.

Click to watch both - Enjoy!

Like fools, we totally missed out on Christopher Kane’s TopShop collection.

But now there’s a second chance to own a little bit of Kane for a whole lot less than normal (albeit, not the really good stuff).

NYLON reports that Kane and Lancome are launching a series of limited-edition lip glosses, an extension of Lancome’s wildly successful Juicy Tubes line, meant to be the perfect on-face accessory to Kane’s S/S ‘08 collection.

The glosses will be available at all Lancome counters, though we’re not sure how long they’ll last - but if you’ve already RSVP’ed to the February 2 launch party, then they’re as good as in your bag.

Only somewhat related: Do you think the shades will be named after anyone?

Like, “Cocoa Rocha”? How about, “Heidi Plum”?

Last week, we busted Target for blatantly mimicking one of Diane von Furstenberg’s best known patterns (and on a wrap dress, for shame.)

Now, Business Week reports that Diane von Furstenberg herself is suing Target for the copyright infringement, charging that Target’s copies “nearly identically copy the scale, pattern and colorways of DVF’s Spotted Frog Design,” and that the shape of the copies are purposefully ” ‘wrap’ dresses made of materials designed to look like silk jersey, a style consumers and the general public have come to associate with DVF.”

We guess Target’s designers don’t have any friends at Forever 21. At least they could have given them the warning:

The inimitable DVF does not mess around.

Cutie designer Alexander Wang is looking for not one, but two new people for his design team!

Job 1: Tech Designer - Don’t apply unless you have 3 - 5 years’ experience as a tech and working with factories overseas.

Job 2: Woven Tech Designer - Don’t apply unless you have experience in QC and fittings.

And if none of the above makes any sense to you, don’t apply at all.

If you think you can hang in with the newest fashion darling, send your resume to dennis@alexanderwang.com.

(And why does Mr. Wang need all this help? Because he’s launching into bags and shoes, starting with this fall. Oh. My.)

Today in The Times, Ruth La Ferla explores all the faux tattoos in fashion spreads the day after we did, and now we can tell you something else:

Those faux tattoos getting spray-brushed on Ben Cho’s models for his upcoming Fashion Show?

They’re being made by Temptu, the same artists who did the skin work on that massive Italian Vogue spread.

And now you know.

(Cue NBC Saturday Morning music…)

When we were getting our Fashion Week thoughts together, we barely registered the name “Catherine Holstein” on the line up, but had a vague enough memory of her cute/retro designs in Teen Vogue to know it might be fun to go.

Then we noticed her slot’s kicking off the hipsterest day of them all, also known as next Thursday.

Now, we hear her presentation was such a popular request for next week, it’s officially closed off to any more people who think they can snag an invite.

One year ago, no editor could have picked this girl out of a line up of blonde designer wannabes, and now it looks like she might be the next leader of the Parsons Mafia.

Guess it pays to be friends with sisters whose names end in Traina or Olsen.

We’ve never been huge fans of LeSportsac. We’re a little too girly and we never really understood the price point.

But we previewed their new line by Stella McCartney, master of mass-market collaborations, and it’s surprisingly cute.

The color palette is pure Stella; deep purples matched with dusty rose and silver hardware. For a minute we thought we’d accidently stumbled into her Adidas showroom, but the bags manage to be both sporty and practical without actually reaching “athletic”. The shapes are traditional LeSportsac, from toiletry cases to full blown luggage.

But the real reason we’re into the line? The rabbit backpack. It’s the same shape as the Jeff Koons jewelry with which Stella accessorized her Spring ‘06 collection, and the playful pattern is going to match perfectly with our own bright and solid color plans for spring. The bag was initially designed for kids, but Stella smartly decided to include it in the main collection.

We’ll be doing the same.

Scott Schuman, aka The Sartorialist, Photographer

Got Him: Celebrating the opening of his exhibit with a private viewing at The Danziger Gallery in Chelsea last night.

Stalked Him: Well, because he’s the Sartorialist! But also because we’ve never seen a man so impeccably dressed in clothes that fit so precisely.

Shot Him: He’s like the god of streetwalkers. And last time we caught him he was busy in action - we thought it was time for a close up shot.

He Says: “The suit’s Boglioli. I mean, I can sleep in this suit, I can shoot in it. It’s not incredibly expensive. Most of the time I’m moving around so I need to be comfortable. The shoes are Vass, super comfortable, super awesome. Shoe trees are key. I always pay extra for my overweight luggage when I head to Europe and it’s all for the shoe trees. I mean if i have a thousand dollar pair of shoes, I want them to last. If something’s bespoke, I want it to work well.”

We Say: It works very well.

“I saw Uma ahead of me. I caught up with Uma in the backstage and asked her what she thought of the show, half embarrassed that I bothered. “I have no comment to make at this time,” she said, as if she had said it a million times before. Okay. Wouldn’t “beautiful” have worked just as well?” — Cathy Horyn, rock star, on Uma Thurman, total disappointment.

Dear Blake Lively,



We know we love you.



But.



If you’re going to your first fashion show ever, and it’s the Chanel Couture show besides, wouldn’t you like to wear something… cool?



Even Serena and Blake’s ultimate idol, Audrey Hepburn, would wear something a bit more fitted, more flirty, and dare we say it, more rock ‘n roll, when debuting her French style.



But maybe this outfit is really just a silent protest against the Writer’s Strike?



Also: black stockings - nooo.

This doesn’t really have to do with anything, but it’s a sweet story:

We hear last year, when Rag + Bone launched its first big fashion show at Cipriani and Sienna Miller showed up and the paparazzi chased her to her car, there was a little trauma happening backstage:

Specifically, one of the models didn’t show up.

The Rag + Bone team had about 15 minutes to find a replacement, but they made some calls and got one:

Sasha P.

Awwwww.

We bet she was way better than the model they were supposed to get!

Attention, shoppers:

Charlotte Ronson has pushed her show time from Sunday, February 3 to Monday, February 4.

The show takes place at 3 pm in the Altman Building, and may mark the first time ever that there’s actually enough room for everyone with an invitation.

Charlotte says “We didn’t realize that the Super Bowl was on Sunday, and even though most fashion people don’t care about it, a lot of my friends do! Plus there are so many presentations that weekend, we didn’t want anyone to stress out about rushing to make our show.”

We’d still suggest getting there quite early:

Remember last year, when Jessica Stam and Eve had to be pulled, tugboat style, through The Box just to see Charlotte’s super-cool dresses and shoes?

It was actually sort of glamorous, though not so civilized…

Samantha Ronson will DJ and Annabelle Dexter Jones will open the show (hello), and the entire production is inspired by Jane Birkin, and other folk-fabulous brunettes.

Charlotte will also unveil faux fur for the first time (she’s never used real fur, FYI).

Major sparkles to IMG Models for their latest show package, which includes eight models of African descent - far more than we’ve seen from any other agency so far. And they’re all really, really gorgeous (especially new face Gabriella, left, who just looks cool).

The show cards also include some returning all-stars, including Freja, Stam, Lara, Sasha, and Lily Donaldson, whom we hope looks like her full and gorgeous self for Fashion Week.

Other notes:

Hilary Rhoda is coming back after a seasonal break to shoot Estee Lauder advertisements. This is what she looked like two months ago, in case you forgot how pretty she is in person.

Daisy Lowe is indeed with IMG, and doing real runway work for the first time in a while - should be exciting. Also old-but-new is Miranda Kerr, who’s managed to wrangle herself away from Orlando Bloom and Victoria’s Secret to strut. We’ve never seen her in person, and we’re sort of thrilled.

And some girls are sitting this season out: Gemma, Lily Cole, and Daria aren’t up for shows; expected, but a bummer.

As for the newbies: Heidi Mount is back for a second season, while we hear a wispy British girl named Shea is going to be hot, hot, hot. Our favorite IMG Australian, Tallulah Morton, is still a little too young to do the shows (she’s fifteen, so maybe next year).

See all the girls here.

Here’s the fun rumor coming from L.A.:

Teen Vogue dropout Lauren Conrad won’t just have her own reality show come March -

She’ll also have her own Fashion Show.

We’re hearing from some MTV friends that Ms. Conrad is launching her first catwalk turn for Los Angeles Fashion Week, and though that rumor is so unconfirmed it should make us break out in hives, it’s still fun to think about.

Why?

Because Whitney, Audrina, Brody, and Lisa Love would all be in the front row, while every Hills addict in Hollywood (Haylee Duff, Rumor Willis, we are so looking at you) would camp out on the other side of the runway.

And the clothes would be swishy, and too expensive for what they are, and twelve-year olds might temporarily forget their Juicy Couture dreams in favor of something slightly simpler, and tied forever to shiny blondes.

10. Omigosh, will every challenge be a commercial? Thanks Levis, but we’re still obsessed with Chip + Pepper.

9. Is Victorya playing mind games with Sweet Pea by calling her Kit? Or is it just exhaustion?

8. Ricky, did Oscar de la Renta really let you sew like that? Come on now.

7. Can an all-denim outfit look not trashy?

6. Nevermind, can I have Sweet Pea’s bandeau dress?

5. Why so many trench coats? Are there no flashers at Parsons?

4. Ricky, stop crying - can we please introduce you to our friends, Zoloft, Prozac, and Ecstasy?

3. What, besides the crack, is so inspiring about Amy Winehouse?

2. Flash-forward to next week’s episode: How excited are we about the kids making wrestling costumes?

1. Have you gotten your invite to Victorya’s Fashion Week show yet? Keep a lookout, it’s coming!

Shopping trips, no matter the goal, inevitably turn into another leg of my neverending quest for the perfect pair of jeans.

My biggest denim issue has always been length - it seems like every pair is made for the Elle McPhersons of the world, while I hover just above the 5’0” mark. Oh, just get them hemmed, you say? Well, that wouldn’t be such a pain if it didn’t:

1. Automatically add $25 to the pair of already way-too-expensive pants.

2. Put my purchase at risk of butchery (I once had a pair of very expensive jeans ruined by someone who took them up just 1 inch too high - yes, that’s all it takes.)

3. Make me feel like life is so incredibly unfair for all the short people, unless you’re an Olsen.

But after an unusually successful department store trip this past MLK day, consider me satisfied (at least for now.)

I finally got around to trying out the petite line from Paige Jeans (owned by Fred Kayne, father to Jenni), and I have to say, they’re amazing. Not only are they subtly flattering (which is really all we want from jeans), but the second I slid them on - and could feel only the floor beneath my feet - I knew I was going to walk out of a store with wear-ready jeans for the first time ever.

Now if I could only convince shoe designers that 5.5 is a worthwhile size to include in their normal lines, I’d be all set.

Today’s Variety reports the expected news that The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus is now on hold.

The film was to star Heath Ledger, though of course now that can’t happen.

His romantic lead in the movie was Lily Cole, and although her scenes were scheduled to be shot soon, there’s a good possibility that now, they won’t be filmed at all.

The news comes on the heels of another odd bit of news from the Lily Cole cinema sphere:

Her highly hyped movie Phantasmagoria: The Visions of Lewis Carroll, created and co-starring Marilyn Manson, has been moved from “post production” to “pre-production” status on IMDB.

Tilda Swinton will take the role of the Red Queen, originally created for Angelina Jolie.

Like every other beauty obsessed editor in the city, we hit up the Bendel’s Beauty Breakfast this morning, and it was totally worth it.

The big news:

-Laura Mercier is opening a lash bar (think Shu), only at Bendel’s, the second week in February. (Britt, at press time, is applying her new pair in the bathroom.)

-Makeup artist extraordinaire Mally Roncal is selling the amazing sheer red lipstick she originally created for Zooey Deschanel.

-And Le Métier de Beauté is coming out with a liquid liner pen that works exactly like a fine-point Sharpie.

But our favorite part of the morning? When colorist Katrina from Giella overheard our nail polish woes (we’ve been trying to find the perfect shade of bright orange,) and mixed the exact shade we had in mind right on the spot - much like the Fashionista lip gloss they made for us last year.

It might be a little pricey ($25 a bottle!) but we think it’s worth it - especially for getting certain wait-list/only-sold-in-Europe shades, or even for tweaking colors you love but clash with your skin tone.

It was the most well-rounded breakfast we’ve had in a while.

“Clients were breathless with excitement. ‘I want everything - it was made for me,’ the actress Diane Kruger said, while Sofia Coppola uttered one joyous word: ‘Flats!’” - Suzy Menkes, on the wave of approval at Chanel’s S/S ‘08 couture show, in IHT.

WWD unveiled the new Natalia Vodianova ads for Diane Von Furstenberg, and we’re just like, wow.

The ads were styled by Diane and designed with help from François-Marie Banier, the French artist who’s known the Belgian-American style icon for years.

We’re usually not fond of artwork in place of fashion photos, but because Diane’s iconic prints seem splayed in every corner of this image, it’s actually rather magical.

The campaign was created with help from ad exec David Lipman, who shares his Meatpacking neighborhood with Diane herself - Natalia, meanwhile, lives a little further down, in Tribeca.

We hear the body painting trend has gone beyond international Vogue spreads:

Ben Cho has hired a crew of air brushers to paint his models before they hit the runway for his Fall ‘08 show.

We’ll try to be backstage taking photos of the color war, and we desperately hope Lara Stone’s in the lineup -

After all, she’s the expert on how to look good painted.

Whether this catwalk trend will translate into any actual style choices is somewhat doubtful, but as long as nobody’s spraying themselves with an orange “suntan” shade, we’ll support anyone’s curiosity to experiment the look come Spring.

Hint: start with soap crayons, and work your way up…

OOPS, DON’T READ IF YOU HATE SPOILERS.

Christian, Jillian, and He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named aren’t the only Project Runway designers showing during the week:

Season One alumna Alexandra Vidal has shipped herself from Miami for the occasion, and she’ll show her Fall ‘08 collection at the Bryant Park Hotel on Tuesday, February 5.

Ms. Vidal stacks her appointments against the Marc by Marc Jacobs show, Tory Burch, Matthew Williamson (who’s back from London), and Narciso Rodriguez, and according to her website, she goes like this:

“Discriminating women with impeccable taste, her clients include many whose names regularly appear in the society pages and in fashion magazines. They have sought her out for her individualized creations whose colors, fabrics and details make them stand out.”

Great - but who will get a bigger audience for their solo collection, Alexandra… or Victorya?

We hear from a model agent that Karlie Kloss is making the move from Elite to Next, effective pretty much immediately.

“They offered her family a lot of money to switch,” says the source, “And they couldn’t turn it down.”

Next represents some incredible talent (Petra Nemcova, Anja Rubik, Catherine McNeil, Joy Bryant), and adding Karlie to their stable will undoubtedly make their women’s board even stronger.

But Elite’s recently gained a reputation for nurturing new talent, with Coco Rocha skyrocketing from nowhere under the tutelage of her Elite managers, Ali Stephens booking the new Chloe campaign, and Darla Baker morphing into indie fashion’s go-to poster girl.

We love Next; we love Elite; we love Karlie; we can’t wait for Fashion Week.

But we’re also smitten with this extra bit of news:

Riley Keough, the granddaughter of Elvis Presley, former face of Dior, and now-legal bombshell, is at Elite’s New York agency… and what’s more, she’s in their show package.

Riley on the runways for Fashion Week?! It’s too good…

Sarah Michelle Gellar made out with Selma Blair in Cruel Intentions - now she’s getting naked and smearing herself in Vaseline.

The actress announced today that she’d star in the lubricant’s latest campaign, which will show her nude body but not her face - in the photo, she buries it in her knees.

We wonder if Vaseline will go on to recruit other refugees of Neutrogena campains -

After all, now that Mischa Barton’s posed for Arena, she could totally do a no-clothes shoot for a drugstore brand. Gabrielle Union would likewise look great, and if Vaseline would donate a portion of profits to a Save the Dolphins fund, we bet Hayden Panetierre would be in, too.

Even Neutrogena’s latest spokesgirl, Vanessa Hudgens, could get bumped up to a Vaseline campaign - she’s already taken her clothes off for a cell phone camera; she might as well get hair, makeup, and residuals from it.

Well now that Chloe Sevigny and Natalie Portman have their own clothing projects, it’s about time Kirsten gets in the game, isn’t it?

And so, the actress will debut her latest line - a collaboration with the cashmere giants Lutz + Patmos - on Sunday, February 3, at the New Museum. DJ Michel Gaubert, who does all the music for Karl Lagerfeld, will helm the decks.

Although this marks Kirsten’s first clothing foray, it isn’t the first time Lutz + Patmos has been to Hollywood. Their past guest “designers” include Liv Tyler and Julianne Moore, plus one collection with Carine Roitfeld at the drawing board.

Lutz + Patmos also did a collaboration with Uniqlo two years ago, but we don’t think Kirsten will follow in their footsteps with that one…

Tonight’s the open house for Scott Schuman’s photo exhibition at Danziger Galleries, and it’s going to be special.

After all, Scott Schuman is The Sartorialist, and his images of Carine, Anna, Sofia, Daria, and every Conde Nast assistant worth her motorcycle bag will dot the walls of Chelsea.

If you want to spot Scott’s impeccable subjects, or meet the man himself, here’s all the info:

Danziger Projects
521 W. 26th St, New York City
6 - 8pm

Now make sure you wear skinny jeans or tights, a navy a-line coat with metal buttons, chunky heels, and a bright one-colored cashmere scarf, and also bring your bicycle… otherwise, risk not getting photographed (eek!).

Amanda, 25, boutique manager

Got Her: On the corner of Little West 12th and Washington, on her way to lunch

Stalked Her: Because we’ve been dying to wear our high waisted wide leg jeans, but we just can’t get them right in this weather.

Shot Her: Because she’s pulled off a subtle, real-life take on the 70’s shoot from last month’s W, and we’re in awe.

She Says: “I don’t like to be too trendy, but I thought if I matched a quiet, billowy top with my trendier denim, it makes the look more classic. I just want to be comfortable, and still sophisticated.”

We Say: Is it spring yet?!

Today’s WWD has a rather insane headline for Kira Plastinina, the teen Russian designer whose clothes are getting quite a bit of traction.

We really love it, even though (ahem), we wrote about Kira like a month ago.

But you can’t blame us for being so ahead of the curve… after all, our father is the inventor of Toaster Streudel.

The Fashion Week invitations have been rolling in the past week, and one of our great office pastimes is to proclaim each of them “adorable!” or “boring” or something in between.

We know it’s a little bit early, but we already have a favorite:

The grade school-esque origami fortune teller from Band of Outsiders.

So much better than the standard hard rectangle, or the totally unexciting e-mail print-out.

Informative and cute - does it get any better?

Which is your favorite invite?

Now that Cashmere Mafia is on the killing line, its rival show Lipstick Jungle is getting ready for a big debut… at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.

The show, developed by Candace Bushnell after her former SATC partner, Darren Starr, struck out on his own, will premiere on February 7, right in the middle of New York’s runway jams. And we hear the show’s PR team is taking hard advantage of the paparazzi swarming The Tents:

On January 31, the Lipstick Jungle crew (including Brooke Shields… actually, she’s the only real famous person involved…) will hit Saks Fifth Avenue for a launch party - “coincidentally” timed a week before their show airs, giving US Weekly exactly seven days to harness those photos for a good cause.

We hear Ms. Shields is also confirmed for the Michael Kors show, and that producers are scrambling to arrange good photo opportunities for the other cast members, to make them seem as fashionable as possible.

That means Kim Raver could show up at Nanette Lepore or Temperley, while we hope Lindsay Price arrives at Cynthia Rowley - after all, her character, Victory Ford, is based on Ms. Rowley herself!

Fashion relationships that have actually lasted:

Dolce + Gabbana.

Ruben + Isabel Toledo.

Patrick Robinson + Virginia Smith.

Fashion relationships that have always crumbled:

Ours. And apparently, most of the Mulberry girls’, too.

Since London Fashion Week happens smack on Valentine’s Day this season, the handbag company’s throwing a bash inside their Notting Hill store, with Hot Chip performing something boomboxed and fantastical, and everyone getting drunk instead of getting over heartbreak.

Unfortunately, we’ve always felt a similar attachment to boys and accessories, and since Mulberry’s bags are still too expensive to snag, there will definitely be some feelings of unrequited love left in London.

Oh well - it won’t be the first time.

Jovovich Hawk and Jonathan Saunders are gearing up for Target collaborations, but we hear UNIQLO might have snagged a new boy toy for themselves:

The hit contemporary designer Alexander Wang.

Rumors are swirling that the fashion cherub is UNIQLO’s next pick, after sold out collections from Phillip Lim and Alexander Plokhov (from Cloak and now Versace) arrived at stores last year.

Of course, all sources are still mum, so we’re considering this a very fun rumor…

For now.

Stay tuned for more Wang reports, as the designer’s second full fashion show debuts for Fall ‘08 in two weeks (two weeks!!!).

Usually when a designer label hits Canal Street, it’s because of a counterfeit.

Not so with Alice Roi, the New York native whose collections have modest success in Bryant Park, Bloomingdale’s, and Barney’s.

This month, the pretty-edgy designer launches her latest venture, a Canal Street pop-up store with designer Sarah Luna.

Parked on the corner of Essex, the shop stocks Roi’s usual hit list of lacy dresses, collared blouses, and a-line skirts.

It’s open through Saturday from 1-9 pm, which means after you pillage an embroidered cashmere sweater, you can walk to Joe’s Shanghai for the best soup dumplings ever… but not too many, or Alice’s body-hugging velvet clothes won’t fit right.

“What inspired me? The late conservationist Steve Irwin, the Crocodile Dundee films… And my old tattered denim jacket” - Christopher Kane, in Vogue UK.

Ever since that acid yellow skirt at Phillip Lim, we’ve been waiting, dying, to break out some neon come spring.

But how will we approach this one? There’s the “accessories only” route, done very well on Aussi label Willow’s runway - a nice way of incorporating the look while still looking relatively normal (but then why wear neon?)

And then there’s the no holds barred tactic, worn by the model at left - which, in an editorial looks pretty cool, but in real life would appear to be one Body Glove tee away from a Fresh Prince of Bel Air homage.

We think it’ll depend on where we’re going - a family event? Maybe some bright orange nail polish. Work thing? Electric blue top. Date with the boyfriend? Orange mini.

So what about you? Are you planning on resurrecting neon this spring? If so, will you rock it in the details or go for the full-blown effect?

We didn’t say much about men’s fashion week, not because we don’t care, but because some things are best left to the Sartorialist.

(And because we aren’t really taking Miuccia’s man-skirts seriously).

But we just clicked through Paul Smith’s A/W ‘08 show and realized that we’ve been sort of missing out.

An English dandy meets rock n’ roll meets East Village hipster ensemble sounds disastrous, but Smith’s pompadoured models pulled it off masterfully.

The British designer, (who also makes great women’s clothes), styled an eclectic look that’s both high fashion and masculine. His mix of traditional plaid with satin pants, pocket watches and skewed ties made us want the outfits, and the accessories, off the runway - for us.

And we haven’t said that since our first look at Thom Browne.

John Galliano kicked off Couture week in Paris yesterday with a spectacular-as-always show for Dior, while the rest of the world mourned the crashing stock market and slowing economy.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Choo, the British luxury shoe brand, announced that while most retail outlets continue to suffer, their profits reached record highs last year. And last week, WWD reported that 2007 was Chanel’s most profitable couture year ever.

We’ve noticed this trend over the last year, luxury sales growing, or at least not dropping, while the rest of the industry suffers. While analysts often attribute it to the rich getting richer, and being generally unaffected by minor economic trends, we wonder if it has something to do with the recent push to bring luxury to the masses.

We know, or at least hope, that the average fashion fan isn’t saving for a couture gown, but we also know plenty of girls who skip meals for weeks to buy $600 Jimmy Choos, or pay rent late to afford $300 Tom Ford sunglasses, foregoing weeks of retail therapy at mid-range stores in lieu of one major luxury item.

If more people put their money toward a piece of the luxury market, do the levels of retail directly below suffer?

Spring ‘08 is looking splattered (V Magazine, Vogue France, Vogue Italia).

“Several blocks later, I came across a standard, uniformed version of the “New York power woman”: black flats, black dress, black overcoat, black headband. And as much as I tried to resist this woman’s funereal image, I felt myself drawn to her apparent sadness and fear. Her costuming was a shield; one felt that she didn’t want to be mistaken for a person, let alone a woman.” - Hilton Als, on the gamut of New Yorkers’ outfits on an incredibly warm day in early January, in The New Yorker.

Lingerie companies tend to feature the same women over and over:

Agent Provacateur and the yummy mummies; Victoria’s Secret and the super tan, super tall beauties.

Now, Wonderbra has revealed its newest collaborator (first collaborator?) - Dita von Teese.

Dita will design a line of 1940’s-inspired lingerie, to be sold first in France and the UK starting this September.

Even though this pairing actually makes sense to us, we think it’s pretty funny - Wonderbra is, after all, best known for bringing the push-up bra into popularity, which Dita has truly owned in everything from cabarets to giant martini glasses.

But since no one seems to have any idea where Wonderbra is actually sold (we’re not even sure we’ve seen one in person - we didn’t even realize it was still a company until this news,) we’re betting this collaboration will launch then disappear quickly. In which case, check Overstock in October if you’re looking for a good deal on new underwear.

When Luella’s Patti skirt hit the runway last year (on Suvi K.), it immediately made our must-have list.

The only problems:

1. It was $180 (actually not bad for a Luella item, but still).

2. It was very hard to score in the States, unless you camped out for weeks on Net-A-Porter for their sadly small shipment.

3. After it sold out, the Luella website resurrected the skirt sale, but for double the price.

So yesterday in Target, we spotted an Erin Fetherston leftover. It shared the length and the materials (velvet and rayon) as the Luella skirt, but it cost $4.92, which is about our daily Starbucks allowance.

It’s not Luella, and that’s sigh-worthy, but it was a pretty good compromise and it looks adorable with a thermal, some black tights, and slouchy boots. It’s more expensive - $17.50 - on the Target website, but still worth exploring…

Today’s WWD reports that Hedi Slimane will shoot Pete Doherty along with his Babyshambles bandmates, for the cover of Spin Magazine.

Could Spin’s Creative Consultant, celebrity stylist Mary Alice Stephenson, have had something to do with the cover choice?

In other magazine news, we hear that Paper is shooting Lindsay Lohan for their cover this weekend.

We don’t know how we would dress her in light of recent news - maybe something pretty, like the new Stella McCartney florals?

We’re betting it doesn’t matter - this might be one of those times when the interview matters way more than the spread - we just think we’d be sure to steer clear of leggings…

To: Faran@fashionista.com
From: ModelAgent@parisagency.com

Fashion Emergency in Paris!

There’s just been a new law passed saying nobody ages 18 and under can work on Sundays. Of course, the Lanvin men’s show is this Sunday, and every boy booked for the show is under 18. They’re trying to get an exception for just this Sunday, but here is what the new law means:

The women’s shows are screwed right now.

Paris Sunday is supposed to be Lanvin, Louis Vuitton, and Miu Miu. If the law holds for Paris Fashion Week, that takes out Tanya D, Ali Michael (left, at Anna Sui), Chanel Iman, Karlie Kloss, Toni Garrn, Ali Stephens… plus anybody new who’s getting big.

Casting directors are NOT happy.

—Model Agent

[Editor’s Note: We love all those girls, but if the law holds, it could be fun to see only young adults on the Vuitton runway in February - nothing wrong with a little Mariacarla - Gemma - Stam combo…]

“I love your dress! Is it Bulgari?” - a TV Guide reporter to Ellen Page on the red carpet, at a Bulgari-sponsored event.

When we saw that the Guardian was making a case for the male jumpsuit (it’s as quick and simple as women’s day dresses, they say) we thought they had a good point.

When we saw that the Daily Telegraph was challenging women to make a jumpsuit work, we thought it was a little Project Runway.

Now, this month’s Vogue UK is all out telling women to go out and get a jumpsuit - not out of convenience or a longing for roller skates and disco balls, but because they’re… stylish.

We have to admit, we’ve seen a few that are kind of cute - Britt says she sometimes wears a great, evening jumpsuit from Stella McCartney, but that it mostly elicits rubbernecking and questions like “um, is that a jumpsuit?”

For the most part, when we think of a jumpsuit, our mind skips over to Elvis and chain gangs more than anything else. Plus, we especially couldn’t imagine the boys trying to pull this one off, like the Guardian article suggests. They haven’t even graduated to short sleeve shirts at work (the corporate boys, that is) so sporting a jumpsuit seems like jumping the gun.

Would you wear a jumpsuit? Or is this better left to Jailhouse Rock impersonators?

WHICH fashion fixture trades clothes from their retail hub for sexual favors with the shop kids?

Heidi Klum announced today that she’ll hit the runway on February 1 for Heart Truth, the annual Fashion Week show where celebs in red dresses raise awareness of cardiac disease.

Helmed by the American Heart Association, the event is attended by Laura Bush and has included Lindsay Lohan, Fergie, and Sheryl Crow in the past.

This year, the show gets backing from the Coca Cola Company, and a brand new star on the runway:

Heidi Klum.

Today the Project Runway princess announced she’ll hit the Heart Truth show wearing a red Marc Jacobs gown - practice, maybe, for when she’ll have to do catwalk duty again during the Project Runway exhibit on February 8.

Klum also claims she’ll wear a red Galliano dress to the Oscars, and later auction it for the Heart Truth charity, but that rumor may be false - after all, if the Writer’s Strike doesn’t get cleared soon, there may not be any Oscars at all…

Natalia, student of The Institute of Audio Research.

Got Her: Heading south on Mott Street just below Prince.

Stalked Her: Because her (literally) head to toe blue look was just oh so Pantone 2008.

Shot Her: Because upon closer inspection, we realized she was wearing one of those puffy jackets we’ve always hated, but in a way we didn’t hate.

She Says: “The jacket is Armani Exchange, the bag is Marc Jacobs, the shoes are DKNY, and the jeans - I have no idea. I dyed my hair blue back in Moscow, where I work as a DJ under the name ‘Le Bleu.’”

We Say: Stand alone, Le Bleu!

We know getting a ticket to fashion week can be a little irritating sometimes.

If you don’t work at a huge glossy, you have to request the ticket, request it again, request that someone actually look at your request, rsvp, etc. Peter Som feels your pain, and so he’s going to make it a little easier for you (but at a price, of course.)

American Express is sponsoring an encore act to Som’s show, open to Amex card holders, on Wednesday, February 6 at 9pm. But you have to cough up $150 for a seat.

All proceeds benefit the CFDA - and since there are only 700 seats available, we suggest doing this right now if you’re interested.

We’re not sure how we’d feel going to a Fashion Week show that we paid to see. But on the other hand, it’ll be longer and include some personal time with Peter himself, so maybe it’s actually the smarter way to go.

We love clips that are too weird to really understand.

Some crazy kids (Marios Schwab, photographer Ben Charles Edwards, Piers Atkinson of Daily Rubbish) somehow convinced Zandra Rhodes (or was it the other way around?) to star in a three-part series of videos that could only be described as…surreal? The series, “Chapter 7: Eat Your Chiffon” culminates in a dinner party filmed in Zandra’s own personal penthouse.

Watch the first of the triptych, above, if you want to be kind of freaked out - and make sure to catch the second if you want to know that Zandra once dressed Freddy Mercury, that she wishes she could dress Dita von Teese, that she knows how to cook what one can only assume is a witches’ brew, etc.

The third clip won’t be out until next week - and we hear it’s supposed to include some “suprise guests”…

Maybe it’s the Fashion Week anticipation, but you guys have been sending us tons of copyright infringements, and most of them are dead-on.

For instance, take reader Jalouse, who keenly spotted Fred Flare ripping off a Jeremy Scott runway design, as stomped down the runway by Jessica Miller and later appropriated by Agyness Deyn in a series of backstage-in-Paris photographs.

That was about the same time that The Times’ Ruth LaFerla called Agyness a “tasty tastemaker of the runway.”

We suppose one could say the same of Jeremy Scott, especially with his fabulous fast-food prints, but somehow, we doubt even Jeremy could have imagined the knock-offs some clever hamburger hoodies could inspire.

The Fred Flare bag sells for $25, which seems really expensive for what it is. Jeremy’s hoodie is from a few seasons ago, but you might be able to find it in a thrift store, on eBay, or by raiding Cory Kennedy’s laundry hamper.

“Kate [Spade] must have a tiny vagina!” — Miranda to Charlotte on a Sex and the City repeat…

You might think Salavatore Ferragamo’s classic flats are a little old ladyish - but we’ve been seeing them on the feet of some of New York’s most fashionable girls.

They come in a rainbow of colors, have proper soles unlike most ballet flats, and give the most casual outfit a polished finish - basically they’re perfect for city living.

Nine West agrees. They’ve abandoned their tendency to copy uber-trendy, straight from the runway shoes and opted for a more classic and practical counterfeit.

If you have extra time on your hands, you could even take the time to get the metal plate in the middle of the bow engraved.

Either shoe would be adorable with cut-off denim shorts and an oversized tee, or even a floral mini-dress this spring.

And honestly, we’d never know which one you’re wearing.

(Bonus points if you actually know which shoe is which…)

Reader Brittany sent us in a great little video that is not only fun to watch, but actually educational.

“The Secret World of Haute Couture” explains, well, the secret (private) world of haute couture - specifically, the ladies who can and do afford it.

It’s the first in a series of six, which you can watch here if you’re boss is out of the office/you’re still on winter break.

We kind of love the American that leads you into the world of the highest kind of fashion in the video above - she was the only one who would come right out and talk to BBC, who put this project together.

Watch and learn…

Carrie Bradshaw, (or should we blame Pat Field?), might have overdone the floral corsage/brooch look a few years ago, but we’d love to witness its resurrection this spring.

We love Chris Benz’ fresh approach. His silk crepe cabbage pin comes in a bright, but still versatile, blue palette.

Benz even included the flower’s “pistils and stamens” and we’re impressed that we actually remember what those are from high school bio.

The best part is its size - it’s not nearly as overwhelming as the majority of Carrie’s and we bet you can incorporate it onto everything in your closet.

And if you don’t want to splurge on such a special piece, this would be the perfect DIY.

Send us pics!

“I’m sure that a lot of women look at me and say, ‘Why doesn’t she do anything to her face?’ But every time that I have contemplated it, I just feel like I would erase part of who I am.” - Diane von Furstenberg.

Thanks to Casting Director, we’ve been kind of following the Ford Supermodel of the World 2008 contest, which came to its grand finale last night.

This year’s winner is Seung-Hyoni, a 19-year old from Korea who, judging by the photo at left, might be a lot of fun at the movies.

The contest doesn’t get a whole lot of press until it hits television about a century after the fact, at which time everyone will act like the winner is the next Heidi Klum, even though you may never hear her name again.

In fact, the only famous models we can think of who placed significantly in the contest are Adriana Lima, who came in second place in 1996, and Chanel Iman who came in as third runner up a couple years back.

But we have a special feeling about Seung-Hyoni - we think she’s especially adorable, so hopefully she’ll take the cover of V route rather than Victoria’s Secret catalogues…

10. How psyched are we for an entire episode of Tresseme product placement? Actually, not so psyched.

9. When Sweet Pea said, “My mind doesn’t naturally go to the avant garde,” didn’t you sort of wince? Wasn’t it like, “no, your mind naturally goes towards the icky.”

8. Did Tim keep his voice really low this episode because he knew he was delivering ridiculous news about making 2 outfits in 2 days?

7. With the “fierce” and the walk-offs, will Christian become a guest star on The Tyra Banks Show? Oh dear.

6. Would you wear a dress over pants, like two of the four runway looks? More on this later…

5. When Chris said, “You could see on Nina’s face that she loved it,” didn’t he realize she was laughing?

4. Are you convinced by the built-in fan collar in the Christian + Chris gown? Us either.

3. Christian, darling, who taught you how to pose for a photo?!

2. Is Jillian a Vivienne Westwood worshipper or what?

1. Why is Ricky still in this competition?

Anybody? Anybody? Bueller? Bueller?

We knew when we saw Juno that we were going to start hearing the name “Ellen Page” a whole lot in the coming months. But we didn’t know that we might be watching Hollywood’s next biggest young thing.

If the praise, magazine interviews and cute red carpet appearances didn’t make it clear enough, Ellen now has landed herself the next Teen Vogue cover to officially seal her in as the newest ingenue (stay tuned for pics!)

With this stylish move, Ellen is joining the likes of Kirsten Dunst, Camilla Belle and Scarlett Johansson.

One of the most likeable things about the actress is her decidedly tomboyish style (both offscreen and in Juno) - so will we still like her as much when she’s covered in Prada?

We’ll see - until then, watch out Rachel Bilson, you’ve got some serious talent muscling in in on your cover space…

We’re always looking for ways to drop subtle hints with our clothing.

That’s why we’re so into this simple charm necklace from Stereoette.

We suggest wearing it around boyfriends/boyfriend prospects against a solid and striking background like a purple tee, to make the charm and its message as clear as possible - you’ve always wished you were the girl in romantic comedies, right?

The best part? You could totally DIY the charm into any color (polka dots, maybe?) with a little spray paint and innovation.

And if you’re really handy in that arena, you could even figure out a way to hang the little frog from one of Marc’s chunky charm bracelets.

“He was about being sumptuous – your hair couldn’t be too big, you couldn’t wear too much make-up, your boobs couldn’t be pushed too high.” - Donatella Versace, on Gianni, in the London Times.

The traditional pattern of magazines making websites is starting to swap:

Next month at New York Fashion Week, IQONS is launching their own glossy.

Helmed by fashion writer Diane Pernet (otherwise known as The Shaded View on Fashion), IQONS will release their very own fashion quarterly, including interviews with contributers like John Galliano and photo shoots styled, modeled, shot, and designed by IQONS members.

We’re still not quite sure if IQONS is a successful fashion site, mostly because (like the now-shutttered FLiP) we find it quite hard to navigate, but it’s one of the first examples of a fashion website seeping into print, and that’s fascinating.

And no, we’re not starting our own publication… though if we did, the cover would star Cintia Dicker, obvs.

Consumer Botox kits aren’t available yet (unless you’re Nicole Kidman), but thanks to Sephora, there’s another medical procedure that’s getting a takeout carton:

Electrolysis.

Sephora just released the No!No!, a series of laser-like gadgets that use heat beams and tiny razors to remove hair.

The No!No! looks like a cell phone, and according to Sephora, it works like a salon visit, as it should:

The device costs $250, which equals about five waxing sessions at a good spa.

It actually looks fun to try, but also a little lethal:

Maybe if it doesn’t smooth your legs, you could use it to stun intruders?

Since Diane Von Furstenberg spearheaded the war against Forever 21’s compulsive copying, they’ve backed off using her unmistakable prints.

So Target’s picked up the tradition and ripped her off instead. They’re clearly not concerned with subtly since they even used the print on a wrap dress, Diane’s classic shape.

The beige and navy blue leopard print is from Diane’s Spring ‘07 line. She used it everywhere, from bathing suits to dresses to scarves, and on an identical wrap dress that’s nowhere to be found online.

We don’t know many people who will wear an entire dress of magnified leopard print, but if you’re one of them, a) we admire your courage and b) we hope you sprung for the subtler DVF version.

Is Target the next victim of Diane’s wrath?

Like free designer handbags? How about four of them?

W Magazine is about to unveil their Spring Bag Sweepstakes.

What’s up for grabs? The Chloe, Dior, Jimmy Choo and Marc Jacobs bags at left.

Head over to their site at noon, when the contest officially begins. All you have to do is fill out your info and sit pretty until March 31 when the winner is announced.

Only one person can win all four bags, so we suggest putting in your name as many times as you can type it without chipping away all your Blue Satin.

Bonne chance! (you’ll need it)…

The year 2007 practically glowed green with environmental concerts, initiatives and celebrity spokespeople taking over the world.

The fashion industry followed suit with an influx of recycled/recyclable, organic and vegan designer bags: Anya Hindmarch’s caused a stampede in Union Square; Lauren Bush’s hung from her shoulder at every red carpet event; Marni’s $800 “grocery tote” was made for some seriously gourmet shopping.

Now, we’ve noticed that other constant accessory, the water bottle, changing shape around town: Poland Spring, Ethos (the Starbucks’ water), Deer Park and and Evian (whose website features an environmental link coming soon) are all packaged in newly shaped bottles that use significantly less plastic than the older models in an effort to reduce their awful effect on the environment.

Not only is this a great idea, but we’re hoping designers catch on to it soon, too. Couldn’t you just see an Evian/designer collaboration?

We envision a doll shaped bottle covered in flowers from Luella , an inappropriate, but colorful, shape from Marc or maybe a regal vase-like bottle etched with feathers from Alexander McQueen.

We just hope they wouldn’t charge more than three dollars!

Sienna Miller had a famously rough time while filming The Mysteries of Pittsburgh last summer, but maybe it was because of her costumes:

The first images of the film are out (it debuts this week at Sundance), and although the movie itself looks intriguing, Sienna looks… we don’t know how else to say it… bad.

It’s not that she’s not gorgeous, thin, and movie-star envious.

It’s just that she’s finally wearing some outfits she can’t manage to rock - a hot purple corset with Sarah McLaughlin hair, a black silk pantsuit with tapered legs - it’s as if her character were being punished by Cher Horowitz for bad behavior.

Obviously this isn’t Ms. Miller’s fault, but in a way, it’s a twisted relief:

If she actually has to work to make herself look stylish, it means there’s hope that our personal work can do the same.

On another note:

The Mysteries of Pittsburgh is one of our favorite books ever, by Michael Chabon. Regardless of the movie’s quality (and we hope it’s excellent), we would strongly recommend snagging the novel, which was Mr. Chabon’s first.

While Isaac Mizrahi was busy joining Liz Claiborne, Target was filling in the gap left by his excellent womenswear line with a new acquisition:

Jonathan Saunders.

WWD reports with much certainty that the British designer will follow Jovovich Hawk as the next Go! International designer, on the heels of his first collection shown in America.

Jonathan’s long been a hot ticket in London because of his fabulous and forward-thinking dresses; after a wine-drenched dinner for the designer at Little West 12th Street, KCD announced he’d indeed make the move to America.

Jonathan is the third British designer wrangled for Target - during London Fashion Week, Alice Temperley debuted her collection in Target as well as on the first floor of Selfridge’s, and their very first collaboration was with our very favorite designer, Luella Bartley.