“Perhaps I spend too much time in Manhattan, but it was remarkable to see room after stately room where the vast majority of the ladies of a certain age (dressed with almost antebellum elegance and some Bulgari bijoux I imagined Ms. Triossi might have been keen to secure for her exhibition) had eschewed interventions of a cosmetic surgical kind. They looked, incidentally, just as they should have looked—hieratic and marvelous.” —Hamish Bowles, of course, in The HamishSphere.

Marion, 19, intern

Got Her: Shopping with a friend, crossing the street at Broadway and Spring.

Stalked Her: Because we’ve been feeling nostalgic lately and these jellies, circa 1995 are like the cherry on our nostalgia cake.

Shot Her: Because she’s mixing brights like a pro. That yellow jacket, floral skirt and fluorescent shoes would make Rainbow Brite proud. Oh how we’d love to wear color like this.

She Said: “My style is a simpler and more urban Carrie Bradshaw. My shoes? A dollar at Target last year!”

We Said: Take us shoe shopping, please?

—MELISSA ELLIOTT

Even though the weather in New York has been trying desperately to tell us otherwise, it’s summer, and time to free your legs of the pants.

This is obviously a theme with us today. See also: the spread we put up earlier.

We can think of no better way to usher in the season than with this adorable pair of bloomers from Topshop. Color us obsessed.

The super tiny yellow and red flowers are cute, but the bow on the back of the shorts is what really sold us. Bows are like cupcakes. When done well, they always make us smile.

Plus, the shorts are only $70. Score another point for not-pants.

-MELISSA ELLIOTT

But this is not your average competition for campus bragging rights.

Diesel is currently collecting submissions for Diesel:U:Music 2009 - where past winners include The Cool Kids and Diplo. And if they were, well, not a cartoon, we’re sure that Jem and the Holograms would have taken the title. (We died over this picture and simply had to use it.)

If we could play guitar or sing, we’d be all over this, as the two winning artists or groups will go on a world tour from July - November, get serious air time in Diesel stores and on their online radio station, and major incentives like studio space, merchandising help and video production.

Sounds just like the kind of break that changes lives, people. But the deadline is next Friday, so jump on this quick. Sign up for the networking site at DieselUMusic - there’s all kinds of other cool stuff to check out even if you’re just a music lover, not player.

If you win, we fully expect VIP passes.

Ed. note/warning: This is an Adventures in Copyright post. If reading it will cause you to wish death upon us, please jump to the next post! xxB

Remember this Marc by Marc dress?

Yes, SS06 was a long time ago, but it was all over the press again after model Heather Bratton’s tragic death. (She wore it on the runway and it was the image accompanying almost every news story.) And now it’s back.

When we saw the dress at right on Nordstrom’s site (it’s sold out now) we thought it was actually the same dress. We thought it was weird that Marc was bringing the old print back after so long, but kind of cute because it really is such a great pattern and we really did love the dress.

But it’s actually by DKNY. Guess they didn’t feel the need to change the swirls of the roses, the size, the color scheme, the fabric, the price point etc.

They changed the sleeves though, that was nice.

—MELISSA ELLIOTT

Summer Lovin’: Thank God P. Runway is returning soon for our viewing pleasure. Entertainment Weekly breaks down the new season…and got Tim Gunn to make that face in a picture. {EW}

Kate, Inc. Grows and Grows: Miss Moss is launching another fragrance called Vintage because of her love for “anything old…except old men.” {Grazia UK}

Miuccia Muses: CNN Asia scored a sit down with the designer. She says frivolity can be a good thing. Since we feel what Miuccia says always goes, we’re taking that mantra into the weekend. {Fashionologie}

We’re Peeling: Seeing how one of us (um, Abby) is way fidgety and has a bad habit of picking off her nail polish and causing unseemly nail breakage, a polish that’s literally designed to be stripped off without remover sounds pretty darn genius. {WWD}

It was raining yesterday, just in case you haven’t heard, which was super appropriate for Burberry day, just in case you haven’t read.

The party in honor of the lighting of the new Burberry sign was held atop the Palace hotel, otherwise known as home to Chuck Bass. Even we had to walk the white carpet, strolling along behind Julia Roitfeld wearing that white Alexander Wang dress (someone should tell Vogue UK it’s not Burberry). Tallulah Harlech rocked red lipstick while waiting for the elevator with Glenn O’Brien and Bendel’s former fashion staff.

We’d been handed a Burberry card at the entrance and showed it at the foot of the stairs, in the elevator, outside the elevator, to walk up the stairs, and finally to enter the penthouse where Alexa Chung dj’d in the same grey shift Hilary Rhoda wore - but with a vintage belt and chunky boots, of course. The band on stage, One Night Only, looked like they stepped out of a Burberry ad (complete with red guitar) especially with Lily Donaldson and Hugh Dancy standing stageside.

That’s about when we got trampled by Orlando Bloom and a ridiculously handsome hockey player who was not Sean Avery, which was also when they ran out of champagne and we ran home to finish Say Anything.

We’re bombarded with pitches throughout the day, some random, some funny, some awesome and some, like this, that are so awkward and inappropriate, we simply must share.

Actually, we’ve never been so compelled to share.

Behold the graphic from Mia Destino, a lingerie company banking on both the success of our new president and everyone’s desire to look like a can-can girl.

The tag-line for their Yes We Can-Can lingerie set?

“Because if Obama CAN - so CAN you!”

See what they’re doing there?

Last night we ventured into the gray and misty New York night and headed over to the Steven Kasher Gallery for the opening of photographer Miles Aldridge’s first solo exhibit in the US.

We’ve long been fans of the hyper-pigmented, fetishistic sexy work. But seeing it in large format in one space is well worth a trip over to the west side (the show runs until June 20th).

Some of the sketches that he uses to work out shots beforehand are also on display. We love when you can see an artist’s process and longingly wish we were close to that visually gifted. We highly recommend investing in the monograph Miles Aldridge: Pictures for Photographs.

After the opening MAC Creative Director, James Gager, hosted a little dinner at Trestle on Tenth for Aldridge, who’s been collaborating with the cosmetics company for three and a half years. We were bummed that Aldridge’s wife, Kristen McMenamy, wasn’t in attendance. But Anja Rubik, Simon Doonan, Jonathan Adler, and Patti Wilson made it all better.

Target has announced its next accessories collaborator: Carlos Falchi.

This is the company’s eighth collaboration after successful ventures like those with Anya Hindmarch, Hayden-Harnett, and Botkier.

Falchi is definitely not a new name on the scene as he’s been making bags for about 30 years. His collections are all about serious leatherwork, color and texture. Think rich. Think luxury. And WWD reports that his Target line will follow suit in jewel tones made of faux snakeskin.

The 13 pieces will debut online and in stores on October 11th.

And it must be noted that his fan base has run the gamut from Jackie O to Tina Turner to Sienna Miller. He also used to create stage outfits for Mick Jagger and Elvis Presley.

What a mixed bag of inspiration. We like it.

“But just as royalty now has less attention than celebrity, so couture has lost its unique prestige, with the word bandied about by any high-end designer. And whereas fragrances produced from the mystique of haute couture once kept the houses afloat, now it is just as likely that a hip jeans brand like Diesel or a celebrity like Jennifer Lopez will have the perfume hit that has stubbornly eluded Lacroix.” Suzy Menkes, on the devastating news that Christian Lacroix has filed for bankruptcy protection

Ever wanted to sit and chat about your personal design aesthetic with Isaac Mizrahi?

Here’s your chance. Radio station WNYC (that would 93.9 on your FM dial, 820 on your AM) is holding a Become Your Own Designer Contest. And the grand prize is a chance to chat with Isaac on the station’s Leonard Lopate Show, along with a signed copy of the designer’s book How to Have Style.

All you have to do is design a t-shirt and submit a picture of yourself wearing it here by June 5th. There are no limitations or guidelines so let all that creativity hang out.

Perhaps you’ll be able to find out what Isaac really thinks about having to co-host a fashion show with Kelly Rowland?

When large companies rip-off small designer’s work, we get irritated.

There’s something tragic about watered down design - like watered down beer - ew.

Post-Chris Kane, someone sent us another disturbing Topshop rip-off. That Alexander Wang dress? The black stretch mesh sheath with thick, detailed embroidery? Topshop’s taken it upon themselves to bring the exact same thing, not an interpretation, to the masses.

Wang’s expertly coiled embroidery, extra-long sleeves, fun thumb-loop, and back zipper have been replaced with a far less innovative diamond-patterned embroidery, short sleeves and a plain sheer back.

Just this weekend we dubbed it the new “dress that won’t die.” It’s been everywhere - Kanye’s girlfriend wore it in Paris, Missy Rader wore it in Wang’s lookbook, in editorials featuring everyone from Eniko Mihalik to Liu Wenn - which means that everyone on Topshop’s design staff is ultra-aware of it.

The Wang original is for sale at Opening Ceremony for $955, while the Topshop version is going for $90.

The thing is, no one has to buy the $1000 version. Most people can’t. But instead of buying a copycat, why not admire the original and honor the designer’s work by not encouraging mass reproductions and rip-offs?

—MELISSA ELLIOTT

Maguire Steele needs interns.

The New York-based PR company reps Billy Reid, Duckie Brown, Coventry, Timo Weiland’s upcoming line, Odin, and a bunch of new clients they’ll be announcing this summer.

It’s a PR internship so the basics apply: must be into fashion, must be a hardworking, dedicated, team player willing to grab coffee one minute and work with a stylist the next. The best part of summer internships is the giant Fashion Week reward at the end in which you get a behind-the- scenes look at everything that goes into a fashion show, market appointments, etc.

You must be available at least three days a week from 10am to 7pm and willing to give it your all.

Sound like you? Email megan@maguiresteele.com and good luck!

Put This In Your Pipe & Smoke It: Malin & Goetz have made a cannabis candle. Meanwhile, Abby just told me that Anna Wintour once disappeared with Bob Marley for a spell way back when. {Nylon}

Thirty Days Hath September: Someone at the Daily (someone lucky) got a hold of The September Issue and posted a play by play. Then it came down due to a glitch, but not before someone else re-posted the best bits! {Fashionologie}

Italian Woman: Lenny Kravitz & Donatella talk shoulders, Zoe, models and Gianni. {Interview}

I Heart New York: Jane from Sea of Shoes posted pictures of her trip to NYC, including a to-die-for sequined biker jacket her mom picked up, minus Vogue of course. {SeaofShoes}

When we spotted the headline, “Hot Pink? Call It Mangenta” in the Wall Street Journal of all places, we definitely did a doubletake.

And so we read on. Apparently “mangenta” is a new name for fuchsia coined by hotelier Chip Conley. We think he’s mistaken in thinking this makes the color more masculine. Not that we have any sort of problem and with men and pink.

Actually, we rather like it and the fact that shade is popping up everywhere right now. But why not just own it, whether you’re wearing it or using to accent your newest hotel or restaurant?

Honestly we think that renaming a hue is just plain dumb. Even if said shade comes with so-called “psychological baggage” as the article claims.

Even beauty brands are taking on “inner beauty” lately.

A growing number of companies have started to explore “nutraceuticals” - water that will clear up your acne, supplements for supermodel-shiny hair - even Henri Bendel is jumping on the bandwagon. They’ve just unveiled a sleek new space to showcase their exclusive partnership with the upscale supplement brand FunctionaLab.

I’m nothing if not cynical of the beauty supplement trend, but I have to say I was impressed by the professionalism of the brand. Instead of a one-product-fits-all approach, FunctionaLab launched with hundreds of lab-tested and health-concern specific nutritional supplements. From customized programs to antioxidant-boosted elixirs, all are aimed at enhancing outer beauty through inner health.

Dear Mayor Bloomberg,

See this rather large rabbit. He’s actually a five foot tall trash receptacle designed by Paul Smith as part of London’s Super Contemporary Commissions Show.

He, along with his bunny friends, will today become part of the Covent Garden and Holland Park neighborhoods. When you throw trash in him, his ears literally light up.

How cool is that? Don’t you think that will make kids and adults alike more excited about throwing away their trash?

We know you love beautifying this fair city of ours. So how about enlisting Marc, DvF, Donna, Oscar and the crew to design some chic garbage bins of our very own? And let’s not limit it to just Manhattan. Let’s take this project to every borough.

We know times are tough and budgets are tight. But we bet the CFDA would get involved. And some environmental groups too.

If there can be lounge chairs in the middle of Times Square, there can be fashion-forward trash bins, right?

xo,

F

“I’m the Carrie Bradshaw of pop music. I’m completely poor with a closet full of couture.” Lady Gaga to Yahoo’s The Thread while shopping at Opening Ceremony in Los Angeles

Beauty brand BeneFit has long made its name creating cult classic, one-off products that are focused on problem-solving, are easy to use, and are perfectly packaged with a vintage flair. Think BeneTint or Erase Paste.

Obviously the brand hasn’t lost its signature playfulness, but it’s interesting to see what happens as it turns (at least partially) from its fix-it focus to creating stand-alone fragrance and makeup collections.

This recent shift is probably due in part to recent additions to the staff: Co-founder Jean Ford’s twenty-something daughters Maggie and Annie became full-time employees last year and are making their voices heard.

It was the girls’ idea to do the company’s first fragrance collection: Crescent Row. Launching in July, the three fragrances are inspired by a trip the sisters took to Bath’s famed Royal Crescent neighborhood. There’s the woody floral Laugh With Me Lee Lee, the oriental floral Something About Sofia and the woody oriental My Place Or Yours Gina. They smell great and the packaging is still very BeneFit.

What do you think about beloved beauty companies shifting their focus?

—MEGAN MCINTYRE

Lately, we’ve been on the fence about cork shoes. Not shoes with just a cork platform, mind you. But ones that use the material for the entire shoe.

We were intrigued when a friend told us there were super cheap vintage cork shoes on Etsy.

This pair and this pair totally sold us on the trend.

Though as always, the unfortunate thing about shopping on Etsy (or eBay) is that there’s usually only one size, and if it isn’t yours…tough luck. And these two? The Goldilocks dilemma: one too big and one too small.

So we got pretty excited when we saw Topshop has their own version. However, this is just a bit too woodsy for our tastes. Stuart Weitzman did a cork slingback two years ago (pictured) that we would consider rocking, so let’s hope that more designers get on board. Or that more vintage pairs flood the market.

—AMANDA JEAN BOYLE

Regardless of where you stand on the the habits of mass retailers ripping off designers, you have to admit that it’s pretty fucked up for Topshop to take a designer they sponsor - a championed, beloved, we might even say genius designer - and copy his clothes.

Especially when you consider the stake Sir Philip Green has in Christopher Kane. His store doesn’t just fund Kane’s runway shows, provide a venue and almost bottomless financial backing, they’ve also recruited the Scottish designer to create his own collection for Topshop.

Which is, in fact, the best way to offer his talent to the customer who appreciates it, but can’t drop five grand on a cocktail dress.

Obviously, Topshop lacks the time and money to make the dress as detailed as Kane’s SS09 collection. But if your eyes are able to discern that the dress on the left is, indeed, a color called lavender, there is no way you can deny that it desperately wants to mirror the look on the right.

And, well, you know how that makes us feel.

Wu’s New Lady: Iris Apfel will serve as inspiration for the designer’s resort show next week at the Greenwich Hotel. Bring on the eyewear, please. {FWD}

Scarlett’s Posing Again: Johansson is the new face of Mango in a campaign shot by Mario Sorrenti. She’s also recorded a Serge Gainsbourg/Brigitte Bardot-style album with Pete Yorn. Seriously. {Style} and {Billboard}

Random Fun Photo: We love when people find fashion (and Chanel) in the most unexpected of places. {J’AdoreJoey}

Before There Was Topshop: BIBA’s Barbara Hulanicki chats with Glenn O’Brien about drawing for Vogue, the mail order biz, and Barbie’s bad taste. {Interview}

We find ourselves sitting here pondering: what would Vivian do? Yes, that would be the Vivian played by Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.

You see, we’ve now actually been invited to the Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic which we already imagined like a scene out of the the movie.

You may also remember us swooning over Prince Harry’s attendance. We weren’t sure we’d be able to go, but now that we are, we’re flummoxed over hat choices.

While we may not share a profession with the fictional Viv, much like her, we don’t oft have occasion (or inclination) to wear the type of hat that feels proper for an afternoon of polo on Governor’s Island.

We also don’t have Edward’s credit card to max out.

Plus, we’ve always found that hats are one of the hardest things to shop for. Any shop suggestions that carry options that might also work for beach weekends? Oh, and we’re also in the market for something for our everyday city-centric selves, too.

Vogue’s recruited Henry Holland to host a handful of interviews on their website this week.

There’s a slight problem in that you can’t actually watch them via VogueUK.com from America, so here’s one in which the Brit designer interviews Alexander Wang. Discussion includes Alex’s love of black, his childhood dream of becoming a back up dancer, and the time that Henry couldn’t get into Alex’s SS09 after party - the one with Foxy Brown.

Henry tells us, “I got to meet some amazing people, some of my heroes. Paul Smith was so
inspirational and a lovely amazing man, but then chatting to my friend Katie
Hillier was much more informal and a funny chat. I loved them all!”

Change has come to America…and the CFDA Awards.

For the first time ever the Council of Fashion Designers of America is giving out a Popular Vote Award, so make your voice heard by heading here to cast your vote for the Mulleavys or Zac or Marc or another designer of your liking.

As a bonus, every time you vote, you’ll be entered to win a trip to a show during fashion week in September…just in case you don’t usually attend.

Get out there and vote, people. Or else you can’t complain about who wins.

—AMANDA JEAN BOYLE

Come summer, we’re always piling on extra accessories.

Probably because our clothes are simpler, our arms exposed, and there are no scarves in which to tangle earrings and necklaces. Also on our, or my, neutral palette of white, navy and grey it’s fun to have something catch the sun.

This means our jewelry boxes are open and we’re looking for additions. These Ken & Dana design earrings are kind of edgy, but still just girly enough. The smoky quartz in the middle roughens up the shiny gold and they’re only $70 which means we won’t feel bad for only wearing them a few months out of the year.

And since, come summer, we’re also fans of heading straight from the beach into the bar/beer garden/restaurant, they’re the perfect thing to dress up ripped shorts and white tees.

This is a picture of Drew Barrymore at one of last night’s Prop 8 rallies in California, but we’ve noticed that she’s been sporting these blue swipes for a couple of weeks now.

The last time we wore blue eyeshadow was to Henry Holland’s after party - a completely appropriate and reasonable occasion - but Drew’s pop of neon is making us want to add color to our summer makeup routine. (A routine that usually consists simply of no makeup.)

We’re a bit afraid of coming off alien-like, however. The idea looks awesome in the pictures we’ve seen shot from a distance, though up close it looks like a child tried to circle her eyes in crayon, or sidewalk chalk.

Have you tried this? Will you try it? Tips, please.

Jury deliberations began Friday in the Trovata/Forever 21 court case over allegations that Forever 21 purposely copied specific elements from seven designs in Trovata’s collections.

WWD reports this morning that the California jury has informed the judge that they are currently unable to reach a decision. They’ve asked for clarification on some legal points and will resume deliberations today. If they can’t reach a decision, there will be a mistrial.

We’ve been very clear about where stand on the general issue of infringement on intellectual property and really hope for a decision in this case that upholds designers’ rights.

But we’re not surprised to hear that the jury is deadlocked, considering the battles that ensue within our own comments section every time we do an Adventures in Copyright post. (Yes, we do read them. Each and every one.)

However, what’s this we hear of possible jury misconduct on the case? That sounds like something out of a Grisham novel, not a fashion intellectual property trial.

UPDATE: The U.S. District Court judge presiding over the case has just declared a mistrial due to “irreconcilable differences” and dismissed the jury.

It’s official!

Victoria’s Secret and Givenchy model Adriana Lima is pregnant with her first child with new husband (and NBA player) Marko Jaric.

Pregnancy rumors have been swirling as of late about Adriana and that other newlywed supermodel/superstar athlete couple.

Adriana’s rep tells People that she’s due this winter and that, of course, the pair is very excited.

We can’t wait to see this newest member of the world of the tall and ridiculously good-looking.

Gisele, Tom - do you have anything you’d like to let us in on?

“I get to be Joan Crawford all day long at Barneys, so it was fun to not be responsible for something in that way, to see what kind of mad, crazy, kooky extrapolation they would make from my memoir.” Simon Doonan to Entertainment Weekly on the television series inspired by his book, Beautiful People, which will finally air in the US starting tonight on LOGO.

Mark your calendars: the Soho Stroll, benefiting homeless men and women in New York City, will take place June 11-13.

We love shopping for a good cause, especially when it gives us yet another chance to support the stores, restaurants and galleries in our very own neighborhood.

When you purchase a $20 bracelet, you’ll get access to everything from free samples to discounts, to complimentary cocktails and eats! They’re still signing up local businesses, but have already put together a pretty impressive list including Costume National, our regular lunch spot - La Esquina, Ligne Roset, H&M, and the MoMA Design Store.

You can buy your bracelets at the Welcome Booth which will be set up at the corner of Spring and Wooster Streets. In the meantime, check out their website for more information and updated info on the latest discounts.

We’re usually drooling over Christian Louboutin’s killer pumps, but the Spring 09 Adona have had our hearts beating fast since we laid eyes on their first incarnation on Phillip Lim’s runway.

Surprising to learn ASOS and Pour La Victoire are also big fans - they’ve gone ahead and knocked off the darling shoe. The Louboutins are going for $1,265 while ASOS black version’s sell for around $45 and Pour La Victoire’s for $225 on Shopbop. With the drastic price cut comes a downsized top ruffle - a shame since the brashness of the original made us love it so much in the first place. It’s like the shoe itself is embarrassed over its identity theft and is trying not to be noticed.

It’s the ones like this that make us wish we were still in the intern phase of our lives - Camilla Nickerson needs an intern.

The super stylist, like super-duper stylist, has worked everywhere from American Vogue to W, on campaigns from YSL to Michael Kors and needs your help with a little bit of everything.

Experience is preferred, but enthusiasm and an insane passion for the industry can be equally as helpful. Like most fashion internships, it’s kind of an around the clock job so let’s say five days a week, from 9am to 5pm starting now and lasting through the summer. Needless to say it’ll probably be one of your top college experiences and determine whether or not you can survive the fashion industry.

With that said, email your resume and brief cover letter to jorden.bickham@gmail.com.

Bonne chance!

Magical Machines: Gareth Pugh constructed outrageous plastic masks to accompany Thierry Mugler’s cyborg outfits for Dazed & Confused’s man machine issue. {DazedDigital}

Paris Je T’aime: It’s the second annual A Shaded View on Fashion Film festival curated by Diane Pernet and hosted by Jeu de Paume and Standard Magazine. You can submit your films here. {ShadedViewOnFashion}

So Clutch: Karla Martinez sees snake and we see chains, either way, this is both chic, inexpensive and not a copy. Hurray! {TheMoment}

Just in Case: Todd Selby put it up last week, but just in case you missed the peek inside Sally Singer’s Chelsea Hotel apartment, here you go. We got stuck on the shoe picture - where’d the Nicholas Kirkwood Rodarte’s go? {TheSelby}

We love the special subscriber’s cover of Elle UK that just arrived in our inbox (and hits newsstands tomorrow).

It’s Winona at her absoute pixieish best, perhaps being plucked from what was really starting to look like fashion and film obscurity.

And the coverline, one of the most written about tattoos of all time, is the kind of simple perfection we wish wasn’t relegated to non-newsstand issues.

We’ll forgive Winona her transgressions as long as she brings back the actress and gritty style muse we knew and loved throughout our teenage years.

Later. We gotta motor if we wanna grab that issue.

Givenchy gave WWD a sneak peek of their new campaign and change abounds.

Inez and Vinoodh have shot for Ricardo Tisci for the past nine seasons, but Mert and Marcus did the honors for the AW09 collection. Their spreads - for glasses, bags and clothes - feature Mariacarla (duh), Iris Strubegger (who’s officially everywhere), Leonor Scherrer, Ranya Mordanova and Adriana Lima, who already surprised everyone just by walking in the show in March.

Tisci hailed the changes as steps toward a more realistic brand image, “It’s important to give reality to women.”

But aside from the fact that the above image represents reality to very few women, who wants reality in their luxury fashion ads? We appreciate acknowledgment of the economic times, but when the Givenchys and McQueens actually embrace reality, we’ll be devastated.

Theodora Richards has left IMG to join her sister Alexandra on Wilhelmina’s roster.

IMG plays home to all the rock star kids: Lou Doillon, Julia Roitfeld, Liv Tyler, Elettra Rossellini, Daisy Lowe (yes, we use the term rock star liberally), but the gorgeous blond Richards sisters, daughters of Rolling Stone Keith and model Patti Hansen, are now holding down the Wilhelmina fort.

Theo’s starred in ads for Tommy Hilfiger and Roberto Cavalli for H&M, but maybe, with a package deal for the two sisters, they’ll get to join their dad in the realm of luxury advertising.

A family portrait for LV? Sounds do-able.

The best bit of everything we learned this weekend: Trovata’s popping up.

We were in Montauk for Sergio Rossi’s dinner in honor Alexandra Richards’ Social Life cover, which was held at Sole East, when we learned that the back of the hotel will soon play host to a Trovata pop-up shop.

It’s kind of the perfect fit for John Whitledge’s nautical surf line and makes us worry about the damage it’ll do to our wallets.

What’s more dangerous than a beach town with nothing but beer, homemade ice cream, Tracy Feith, Screaming Mimi’s and Trovata?

Come September, Burberry will be showing its S/S ‘10 Prorsum collection back in Blighty, instead of their usual showing in Milan.

We couldn’t be more excited since we don’t usually make the trip to Italy and missing this show is one of the reasons that is a major bummer.

The brand is coming home to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of London Fashion Week. Designer Christopher Bailey told WWD, “We are incredibly proud of our Britishness and this is really a wonderful opportunity to celebrate that in our home city.”

Stay tuned for more Bailey news as he’s coming to NYC this week for the lighting of the Burberry sign atop their new US headquarters and we’ll be having a lovely little chat with him.

Anything you’re dying to know?

The latest edition of WWWWD has arrived, just in time for the weekend. We have yet to figure out who exactly is behind the pub, but that certainly does not lessen our enjoyment while reading.

Here are just a few of our favorite mock moments from “The Body Issue”

—Gisele’s transformation into supermodel. It involves Sarah Jessica Parker and a sheep.

—Forks are SO over, they need a new word for over

—A Gwyneth vs. Courtney Love legal smackdown

—Gareth Pugh’s very unique way of making Kombucha

—Restless Leg Syndrome = Kate Moss beauty secret

Read and Enjoy!

All For One: Happy Memorial Day. We’re embracing the one piece this weekend. Perhaps you should too. Oh, and it’s a half day here at Fashionista, so we’ll be outta here earlier than usual. Have a good one. {StyleFile}

Girls On Film: The Mulleavys muse about movies. Just when we thought it wasn’t possible to love them any more, they go and namecheck Pinhead. {LA Times}

Treat Yourself: Just click. You won’t be disappointed. Unless you’re the kind of person who doesn’t enjoy a deliciously tan Chuck Bass. And if that’s the case, there’s nothing more we can do for you. {Jezebel}

Great Scots: Who will reign supreme in the Scottish design world? Our vote goes to Jonathan Saunders. {VogueUK}

The fact that Jessica Simpson has anything to do with making shoes still makes us want to rip our hair out and shout obscenities. And we think it’s safe to assume that it always will.

So when a dear reader sent us this beyond blatant rip off the pop-turned-country singer’s company did of this banded and beautiful Sergio Rossi pair, we went to the dark place. They play that “nothing but a t-shirt on” song on a constant loop there. We don’t recommend visiting.

What’s all the more infuriating is that Jess probably owns the designer pair in every shade they produced. Why can’t she just leave at least one area of commerce well enough alone?

We heart Essie nail polish. Really, what would the world be without Ballet Slippers? And we totally swooned the first time we saw those neon shades they’re doing.

But until today, we never thought anything of major value could come out of our manis. (Unless you count breaking a nail biting habit.)

The polish people are teaming up with jewelry designer Judith Ripka on three shades: Put A Ripka Ring On It (soft pink), Heart My JR Jewels (deep burgundy), Queen Of Hearts (true red).

Now that’s all fine and lovely. We’re not big Ripka wearers, but she does make some very pretty things and these colors are delish.

No, what we’re excited about is the three bottles that will contain a little something extra. One will hold a diamond, one an emerald, and one a sapphire. Owner Essie Weingarten swears the stones will just need a little polish remover before you do with them what you will.

It all sounds very Willy Wonka with his golden tickets. And while we realize the chances of finding one aren’t the greatest (and the packaging will prevent cheating!) But that won’t stop us from trying come August.

My female friends, it is a fact that most of us wear the wrong size bra. Every day of our lives we put on something that isn’t properly fit. It seems ridiculous, but is oh-so true. This is an even more problematic issue for those of us with more, um, prominent chests.

And don’t even get us started on the lack of aesthetically pleasing options as the cup size goes up.

That said, we were beyond thrilled to hear about Jenette Bras in East Hollywood during a recent trip to Los Angeles. The just-opened store (and website) only offers D and up. And seriously, more of you probably could wear a D than you realize. Some of our friends were shocked to hear what we ended up with!

But these are not the big ugly grandma brassieres found at so many department stores. Jenette carries mostly European lines like Panache, Freya, and Anita Rosa Faia. They’re as pretty as any petite ones we’ve seen.

Come summer, we’re obsessed with all things gingham.

And while we’re waiting for the rack of gingham we’ve been eying at Phillip Lim to go on sale, we’re going to run around Montauk in this red & white gingham top from Fred Flare.

It’s poufy and has a bow, but somehow, when paired with cherished old Levi’s, is not too girly.

And it only set us back about $40, we won’t have a heart attack when we spill beer and ketchup down the front like we would if we were wearing this.

Now if we could just find the perfect straw hat, we’d be set.

“If there is anyone’s footsteps I could follow in, it would definitely be Milla Jovovich where she is still a high-powered fashion model and an extremely respected actress and of course a full-time mother and has a fashion line.” —Lydia Hearst to Fox News.

If Only They Were Scarlet Begonias: We’re in a really Deadhead-y state of mind today and have decided to just go all out with it. Feel the love and the patchouli wafting through the air. {This Is Glamorous}

Confederacy Of (Not) Dunces: An interview with the trio behind the grooviest new boutique in Los Feliz - including Hyde from That 70s Show. Don’t hold that against the shop. {Blackbook}

Are You Cool Enough? Submit your most stylin’ photo and Teen Vogue will be the judge of that, thank you very much. {Teen Vogue}

“Vanity Unfair”: Max Wiedemann’s latest exhibit slashes and thrashes all we know and love—in a totally cool way. The Moment

Kate Moss’ summer collection for Topshop is now for sale online. And I’m, as per usual, obsessing over things like this and this - but also her amazing, yet simple hair and makeup.

It perfectly completes the look and I’m all about adopting it.

I’ve been trying to work a bright, poppy lip for a few months. But am now adding a slick bun and winged eye to the mix for the rest of the summer.

I can embrace the hippie girl that I was in the summer of ‘95 (after all The Dead and Phish are on tour again), but still look like a grown-up.

Thanks, yet again, Kate.

Marvel Comics is releasing a new series of comic books on August 26th that revolve not around the worlds of Spidey and Clark Kent, but models and fashion.

What we know so far, according the NY Times, is that “Models Inc.” will feature a trio of ladies - Spiderman’s love Mary Jane, Millicent Collins or Millie the Model, and Patsy Walker who is also a superhero named Hellcat - working to clear Millie of a crime she didn’t commit, the murder of a set designer.

And their wise leader? None other than Tim Gunn - who gets to wear Iron Man’s suit!

We couldn’t think of a better choice. His calming tones and rational thinking are just what your average model turned world-saving superheroine needs, right?

What other real-life fash characters would you have make an appearance? And what would their powers be?

If we could wear all Yigal, all summer, we would, but budgets are tight and we’re not holding our breath for a Yigal collaboration any time soon.

So thankfully, he’s teamed up with eBay, like the great Gwyneth before him, to raise money for the National Resources Defense Council. They’ll auction off a selection of summer clothes - visions of billowy dresses and retro swimsuits dance in our heads - with prices starting below wholesale.

And if that’s still outside your budget range, he’s designed a bunch of eco-friendly tees exclusively for the fundraiser and they’re only $35.

Helping a charity, helping the earth, helping Yigal and helping yourself? Sounds good, no?

—CARSON GRIFFITH

Fact: We love Hayden-Harnett.
Fact: Beach season is here and we’re in desperate need of some new beach bag essentials.
Fact: We like free things.

Apparently Tarte Cosmetics is reading our minds because they’ve paired up with the fashion geniuses at Hayden Harnett to offer a fantastic summer giveaway: Beauty and the Beach.

The grand prize is a superbly understated “Erol” tote, the “Iris” maillot swimsuit and a pair of “Athena” sandals, plus a ton of summery makeup essentials from Tarte including their 4 Day Stay lash stain and the new EyeQuatic waterproof makeup kit.

The British Fashion Council’s just appointed Sarah Mower its first ever Ambassador for Emerging Talent.

You already know Sarah from her stories in Vogue and her brilliant Style.com show reviews. And now she’ll play an even bigger role in shaping the face of up and coming talent - so much of which comes out of London.

She’ll be in charge of the NewGen committee, the Topshop-sponsored council that provides financial support (and often show space) to the young designers and recent grads showing the most promise. Think Marios Schwab, Chris Kane, and Danielle Scutt.

Sarah said, “In Britain we have a phenomenon on our hands at the moment: a uniquely
vibrant, varied and collaborative flowering of talent that is some of the most exciting on
the world stage.”

So all that power basically makes her the cooler, hipper Anna, right?

Modeling behemoth IMG (home of Kate, Gisele, Daria, the Lilys, and oh-so many more of our favorite girls) has just signed former Gilmore Girl Alexis Bledel to the agency to handle her commercial endorsements - so now she and Little J can hang out at the office?

And we’re excited to see what they’ve got planned.

We were always big fans of Rory and Lorelei and her porcelain complexion and blue eyes are pretty incredible.

Anything that brings her some cool new exposure works for us.

Bring on the campaigns.

Another Tuesday, another round of fashion parties. Not that we’re complaining. A few of the highlights:

- Drinking Budweiser (at the Tommy Hilfiger/Paper Magazine fete to celebrate the mag’s new Rebranding America issue) and listening to John Mellencamp made us feel very American, in a good way, which we suppose was exactly the point. But where were the pigs in a blanket?

-Random guest side note: Matthew Modine, our long-ago crush from Vision Quest and Gross Anatomy, looks way older than we’d like to remember him.

That Girl: So Juliette Lewis might not be starring in that Erin Fetherston flick, but red-haired Columbia kid and musician Reni Lane is. {Nylon}

Chanel-o: Karen Elson’s already shot Chanel’s Cruise ads with Baptiste Giabiconi and Karl behind the camera. She’s got the wig, the high waisted not-pants and the jewels. We’re jealous. {Modelinia}

Goodie-Nude-Shoes: Around this time of year we consistently wish we could change the shade of half the shoes in our closet from black to nude. So for your shopping wish list, enjoy. {FabSugar}

We loved Laura Bennett on Project Runway - until she accused Jeffrey of cheating in the last episode, at which point she just became annoying.

But every time we see her walking around downtown with her flaming red hair, we kind of like her again.

Apparently, Bravo still loves her since they’re giving her her own show aptly titled Project Laura. It’ll be a documentary-style series about her life as a designer, architect, Daily Beast columnist in New York, and mother of a million, or six, children.

We can’t imagine her being half as fun to watch as Rachel Zoe, but we do understand that reality TV stars have an insatiable appetite for more and more and more reality TV. And this one - with fashion, copious amounts of children, money and New York - is right on trend.

The annual AMFAR auction in Cannes at the Hotel du Cap is always a major to-do that we’d seriously die to attend.

Sharon Stone brings out the craziest of her crazy for her longtime cause. But it works, because the event raises serious bank.

This year she’s co-hosting with Bill Clinton. Good times are sure to ensue.

We’re particularly digging this Chanel Personal Transporter that the company tells us an “international celebrity couple” will be introducing for auction tomorrow night. Inglourious Basterds is screening at the festival as we write, so we’re betting on Brad and Angie.

We’ve never jumped on the Segway bandwagon, but if we were to, we’d definitely want the Chanel version complete with a quilted front pouch. Now if only someone could just transport us to the south of France. Sigh.

Lindsay, 24, works at a digital interactive agency

Got Her: At the Tommy Hilfiger/PAPER Magazine Re-Branding America party last night, on the stairs.

Stalked Her: Do you see her shiny jacket? Everyone was stalking her.

Shot Her: Because she was wearing a giant flower purse, a shiny jacket, the pink Marc dress we’ve wanted forever and cowboy boots and still looked relaxed and adorable.

She said: “I saw this purse in Teen Vogue once and totally tracked it down. It’s from some totally random website out of like Ohio or something and I’m obsessed.”

We said: Shine on flower girl.

Ashley Olsen’s going to grace the cover of Hamptons magazine.

No really.

Apparently July’s all about The Row and people in the Hamptons like The Row which means she’s a perfect smack-in-the-middle-of-summer cover girl for the lifestyle magazine whose previous cover girls include Bridget Moynahan, Kelly Ripa and Katie Lee Joel.

We’re not sure where to get our hands on a copy of Hamptons, but we can’t wait to hear Ashley dish on her summer habits.

Meanwhile, the same Olsen spent some quality time at Marie Claire yesterday - here’s hoping for an Olsen-filled summer.

After months of speculation, Halston’s announced their newest creative director, Central St. Martin’s alum Marios Schwab.

The half-Greek, half-Austrian designer’s headed his own label since 2005. Now he’s picking up for a move to New York and planning to debut his first collection for Halston, Fall 10, next February. He told WWD, “While Halston’s DNA is crucial to its future success, I very much wish to move the brand forward and make it relevant for today.”

The announcement comes after a season in which Halston fell apart (again) and Schwab, with his psychedelic, architectural Fall 09 collection, established himself as an industry favorite. It’s easy to see how after that collection, one editors watched delightedly through their 3-D glasses, Schwab could do anything.

And yet we’re more relieved to hear he’s keeping his own line than we are excited to see what he does for Halston.

Being a former beauty editor, I obsess over skin. Not just my own but others that seemed to have perfected the art of making it look, well, perfect.

I also fully admit to being a Paltrow junkie, so do forgive me if you are not.

But I don’t think anyone can argue that in this shot of GP at a Coldplay show over the weekend, her skin looks much like that of a fresh-faced young twenty-something.

Obvi, we realize that she’s got all the money in the world, and a beauty contract to boot. But I have recently discovered my own little product combo that definitely knocks at least a few numbers off my 33 years in the form of MAC’s Prep + Prime Line Filler and Skin products. They were tested out by the MAC artists during the last round of shows and garnered super high marks.

And I now literally can’t walk out of the house without putting them on.

Try ‘em out and I swear you’ll notice an instant difference and your natural skin tone shines through, freckles and all.

Anyone else have any favorite tricks/products to share?

Trends come and go, but when the weather gets warm, just about anything nautical makes us open up our wallets.

Especially when we see something as darling as these Jami Rodriguez crystal sailboat earrings.

It’s not just that the translucent crystal drops will go with just about everything in our summer wardrobe, or that we know everyone will be sure to notice these stunners since they dangle a full 2” inches.

The real clincher is their vintage vibe. It’s almost as if we dug them out of Lee Radziwell’s personal jewelry box.

So regardless of whether you’re heading to the marina anytime soon, for only $92 we recommend snatching these up.

They’re a much safer way to sate your life aquatic urges than an ill-advised captain’s hat.

—CARSON GRIFFITH

All I Wanna Do: Someone finally gets to Nicholas Kirkwood and asks fun questions - his favorite gifts to give? Shoes and booze, of course. Sounds like our kind of man. {TheMoment}

Swim Little Fishy: Marc’s gone and made swim caps. Just in case you hadn’t fully embraced all things retro. {Style}

La-dee-Dali: Moschino’s windows pay tribute to Dali in honor of the International Contemporary Furniture Fair - his “Soft Construction With Boiled Beans” to be exact. {Racked}

Not Zoe: Jen Rade talks to the LA Times about dressing Angelina and shopping at Target. {LATimes}

If you’ve never shopped the basement of Jill Stuart’s Soho store, we think you’ll probably start now.

The floor is entirely devoted to vintage, all in keeping with Jill’s style. While it may not always be packed with old Gucci or other big names, we don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the label-less pieces. We sometimes prefer them.

What we didn’t know up until recently is that Jill herself literally hand-picks each and every one of those vintage pieces.

So if you’re looking to get your hands on the best of the designer’s eye for vintage, here’s your opportunity. She’s throwing a party (open to everyone!) to celebrate summer and bubbly champagne - two of our favorite things.

Get down to the Jill Stuart store on 100 Greene Street from 6 - 9pm on Wednesday, May 20th.

We recommend RSVPing to 212.343.2300 ASAFP because the champagne will surely go almost as quickly as the flirty summer dresses, and you don’t want to be left standing outside.

—CARSON GRIFFITH

W Magazine hosted a conference on luxury this morning - what’s going on with it, who’s hurting, who’s winning, when will it come back?

They conducted a series of polls with their readers, dubbed “Fashion Passionates,” and compared them to the more generally affluent, as in still-rich people who don’t devote their extra money to Givenchy and McQueen.

What’d they learn? This is the first time in recorded history that the luxury market has been hit harder than retail in general. Aspirational customers (those who save up for that one big purchase or consistently live beyond their means) are totally gone and not likely to return anytime soon. Even the best luxury customers are spending on average 50% less.

“No one would bother disputing the assertion that Wintour is the most powerful person in fashion, and that she exerts her power in a variety of directions, beyond editorial decisions. But what’s the impact of all that power? And, more, what’s the downside?” —Cathy Horyn, on Anna’s “60 Minutes” segment.

Perhaps it’s a sign of the times that a number of private collectors are selling off pieces of their Hermes stockpiles at an auction tomorrow in Paris at Artcurial.

We’ve heard about these types of sell-offs happening (very privately) on NYC’s Upper East Side and in Westchester County, but this sounds like the mother lode.

If you’re in Paris and have a few thousand euros to spare, that is. Or $14,000 if you want to snag the raspberry croc Birkin that’s going on the block.

Sounds like the perfect opportunity for a Vicky B sighting, no?

We’ve long been fans of Norma Kamali. The designer seems to have always stayed incredibly true to herself and we’re pretty sure that’s a huge reason she’s been around for so long.

And anyone who created the sleeping bag coat, made outfits for The Wiz, and is in The Met’s permanent collection is major in our book.

What we’re loving about her today is a new selling approach she’s embracing for her collection, according to WWD. She’s had a Try Before You Buy policy for a while now where customers can order a piece, keep it for 48 hours and return it if it doesn’t work out. Employees even use Skype to help ladies figure out sizing, etc.

But now she’s taking it a step further. You can actually order Try Before You Buy party kits and host your own little Norma Kamali pop up shop for your friends. You get the merch for 48 hours and can earn free clothes and even a retail mark-up of 50% if you sell over $10,000.

We love when designers, magazines, whoever are fluid enough to realize that business doesn’t run the way it used to and are willing to try something new and different.

Isn’t that really what everyone should be doing these days?

If you, like us, are obsessed with magazines, welcome to phase one of the best project ever.

A friend just sent us a link to Premier Issues, a site that’s taken it upon itself to scan in debut covers of all the magazines they can get their hands on. They have obvious ones like LOVE, but hard to find, nostalgia-inducing covers, too like Cindy Crawford on the cover of George, Courtney Love on Flaunt, Drew Barrymore for Jane, Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey on Teen Vogue.

Most of the covers come with Letter from the Editor text and hopefully, soon, scans of the rest of the magazine.

For now, here’s this, from Jane Pratt in Jane’s first issue, “Drew said, ‘If you put anyone else on your first cover, I’ll kill you.’ Seriously, having one of my most beloved people on the front of the premiere issue is overwhelmingly wonderful,” because we still miss it every day.

Settled: Woody Allen asked for 10 million, but this morning settled for 5 from American Apparel. {NYPost}

Smells Like Guinness: Daphne Guinness revealed her new perfume, made with Comme des Garcons, at the George in London yesterday morning. A short film will accompany its September launch, because nothing sells without a film apparently. {ShowStudio}

Alice & a Milkshake: Stacey Bendet, of Alice & Olivia, says a McDonald’s Big Mac and strawberry milkshake are her favorite meal. She’s also working on a jewelry collaboration with Erickson Beamon. We believe one of those things. {Blackbook}

So Far So Good: Isobel Lucas in Vanity Fair - the best showing of SS09 Chloe we’ve seen yet. {VanityFair}

We commented on WWD’s Erin Fetherston story this morning - excited that the designer was jumping on the short film bandwagon and bringing Juliette Lewis along with her.

Unfortunately, Erin’s camp’s just asked us to set the record straight. There will be a film, made with filmmaker Marisa Crawford, but it will star the Calfornia native’s friends and muses - not Juliette Lewis.

And contrary to the WWD story, the one Hedi Ferjani confirmed, there’s no confirmed project in the works with QVC either.

So what we really want to know is, who’s talking to WWD and where can we find this Hedi Ferjani impersonator?

Alber Elbaz re-appropriated the classic pearl necklace for his Spring 09 show, bejeweling his girls with chandelier shapes.

The jewels were so beautiful, in fact, that Forever 21 was “inspired” to delve into their good old bag of blatant knock-off tricks — a reader noticed after spotting the Lanvin collar in an Elle editorial.

Maybe the mega-chain thought the addition of a plastic rhinestone or two would hide the fact that they stole the essential shape and drape of Alber’s design? But we’re pretty sure it doesn’t make up for the “pearls” and cheap glue used in production.

We don’t know about you, but we’d prefer our jewelry to last past Memorial Day.

—CARSON GRIFFITH

I watched last week’s episode of The Fashion Show (slightly annoying, but will suffice until Project Runway’s triumphant return) over the weekend and I was stopped cold by Lidia’s unfortunate red eyeshadow.

Red shadow’s been done well both editorially and on the runway - Nars’ Diane Kendal did a fantastic reddish-brown smoky eye for Thakoon’s AW09 show - but we’ve never seen it work well in real life. I think it would require a darker skin tone because on Lidia’s pale face it came off looking more rash-like than avant-garde.

Recently, a few notable brands have launched shadows in the grenadine color family and I am seriously at a loss to think of who, besides a makeup artist, would actually purchase the hues. I just can’t see this look parading down the streets without causing some worried glances or frantic calls to the CDC.

But maybe I’m just missing something. Is there a successful way to translate this trend from the runway to real life?

—MEGAN MCINTYRE

Flora, sales girl

Got Her: She works at Noir Kennedy, a great punky, Gothic store in the Marais that sells everything from vintage classic navy and white striped French shirts to acid wash rompers and Cheap Mondays.

Stalked Her: Because those purple suede booties are screaming for attention. The studded jumpsuit isn’t exactly subtle either.

Shot Her: Because we immediately love anyone who wears kitten eyeliner to work.

She said: “I wear mostly vintage, mostly 80s. But I’m dying for a pair of patent YSL mary-janes.”

We said: If we had a pair, we’d trade you for the booties.

—AMANDA GAVLICK

“Jane felt her blood freeze. Fiona never called Jane into her office unless she was in trouble. It was always something like, ‘Jane, the last time I checked, ivory and eggshell weren’t the same color,’ or ‘Jane, is this message from Jeffrey with a J or Geoffrey with a G?’ What had she done this time? Either way, she preferred that her humiliating lectures take place in private—just her and Fiona behind closed doors. Guess not today. She frowned at the cameras, which were supposed to be capturing “an average workday.” Well, now, the L.A. Candy viewers are going to see my average butt getting yelled at, Jane thought.” —From Lauren Conrad’s new book, LA Candy, on Teen Vogue.

What do Erin Fetherston, Juliette Lewis, and Damon Dash have in common?

They’re all working on a short film for Erin that is shooting this week in the West Village. Dash is doing the music, of course. And Juliette is the star.

No word on exactly where it’s going to air or how it’s going to be used. But we’re really hoping Juliette embraces her inner quirk and brings us something incredibly viral-worthy.

Erin’s beau, Hedi Ferjani, does tell WWD that it will be less “fairy-tale” and more “contemporary”.

He also confirmed that Erin is doing a line for QVC that will arrive around Fashion Week. How very shrewdly Hollywood of them. It’s like doing the big budget action pic to finance your beloved indie project.

Honestly, one of the things that we found most revealing from Anna’s long-awaited 60 Minutes interview is that Morley Safer seems to be a bit of a hater.

Not of Anna, per se, but the fashion world in general.

We understand this is not his normal beat. But sit downs with the likes of Nicolas, Karl, and Galliano are not handed out lightly…and should be respected, Mr. Safer.

His voice-overs were way snarky. Deriding Karl for choosing what he called the “Dracula look” this season and stating that Galliano looks like he needs a better tailor!

Morley, what did the fash flock do to make you so surly?

On a separate note, from now on we will rather enjoy thinking of Anna as a doctor doling out stoic medical analysis at 4 Times Square, per Andre’s comparison. Hanging up layouts like x-rays and slicing up stories, hiding all personal emotion from her scared patients, er, editors.

What did you guys think of the piece?

Claw Money is collaborating with Sunglass Hut.

The legendary grafitti artist hasn’t produced the whole collection just yet, but she’s designed one style that’ll be distributed at next week’s Social Sun launch party.

Social Sun is their new interactive way of shopping for glasses that allows customers to virtually try on as many styles as they want, blast them to friends via Facebook, texts, emails and even in-store TV screens, before deciding which ones they want to buy.

Cory Kennedy’s hosting the party/Sean Paul concert at the Herald Square flagship next week so if you see a bunch of Jeremy Scott bedecked hipsters in the most unlikely of neighborhoods, you’ll know what’s going on.

London says Leigh Lezark is Matthew Williamson’s new muse.

The DJ, who recently posed for Mango, is signed to IMG. And while she and her fellow Misshapes continue to DJ fashion shows and parties all over the world, Leigh has been spending more and more time in front of the cameras this year.

Whether Sienna Miller’s gotten too old for the gig or is just too busy playing muse to sister Savannah, she’s definitely been less associated with Williamson this past year and Leigh has taken over, posing in a number of Matthew’s H&M looks lately.

She’ll have to work hard to inspire Matthew’s upcoming collections, accompany him to events and lend a rock n’ roll edge to a label generally worshipped by those of the boho-chic persuasion.

As for Leigh’s outfit choices…in spite of her penchant for the prettiest, but always black clothes…this makes so much more sense than Hogan or Mango. Keep the high fashion coming.

Knock, Knock: We wonder if it makes Gucci uncomfortable when a blog devotes their entire day intricately detailing just how to rip off a runway collection? {WhoWhatWear}

Work It Out: Burn fat while raising money for Elettra Wiedemann’s charity Just One Frickin’ Day this Saturday, May 16th at the Soho Equinox. {IMG Models Blog}

It’s So On: There’s a high street battle a-brewing! H&M debuted pieces of their fall collection and they giving Topshop a run for their money. Are you team Topshop or H&M? {Refinery 29}

From Russia, With Love: Apparently the hot scene of the moment is in Moscow. And yet somehow we’re not there. {Hint}

“Teen Vogue, like many fashion magazines, takes heat for photographing thin models. Guilty as charged — professional models are nothing if not tall and absurdly lanky… I am not the only person in the fashion industry who thinks these girls would be even more beautiful with a few additional pounds on their bodies. But outrage over even the boniest of celebrities and mannequins seems to obfuscate the more urgent and widespread story about Americans and weight. Only about 1 percent of women in this country are anorexic…[while] one in three U.S. children and adolescents are either overweight or obese.” — Amy Astley’s letter from the editor in June’s Teen Vogue.

A few weeks ago, Carson came in every morning bitching about how she couldn’t find JET jeans anywhere and a couple of weeks later a few pairs showed up on our doorstep.

So full disclosure - they were gifted.

We’ve been wearing them ever since, going on day four now. Carson’s rocking a shredded light denim pair and mine are black, super tight and super skinny. Why are we telling you? Because they still haven’t stretched out.

In all my jeans-wearing years, I’ve never ever found a pair, especially tight, skinny ones that fit well that don’t stretch out by the end of day one let alone day four. This means that we’re kind of okay with the fact that it’s about 20 degrees cooler than it should be outside simply because we’re so obsessed with wearing these jeans.

You can buy them at Scoop and Equinox in the city, apparently, or online at JET’s site.

We just got back from the Decades Two pop-up shop in Soho, above the Kiki de Montparnasse store and we’re still trying to catch our breath.

The Los Angeles location has a beloved, loyal following of fashion obsessives on both coasts. New Yorkers upon arriving LA have been known to stop by the store before even checking into their hotels.

And it’s easy to see why. Walking in the doors was like entering an other-worldly paradise where only beautiful things reside.

We spotted Natalie Portman’s black and blue Rodarte, the pink Oscar dress Carrie pulls out of Baryshnikov’s box, nude Louboutins and navy Lanvin pumps, perfectly worn in Balenciaga motorcycle bags, a mint green Valli gown, a McQueen caftan, Westwood bustiers and an entire rack of Chanel tweed.

We’ve started to think of Chanel as a little family.

A royal one of course, with Karl and Lady Amanda Harlech holding court as king and queen, Sebastian playing court jester, and a circle of courtesans, some of whom are in for life (Karen) and some (Irina, Heidi, Lara) who move in and out of favor.

Anyway, the family gathered in Venice yesterday for Chanel’s Cruise ‘10 (ah!) show and while it didn’t go off without a hitch, the clothes held their own in front of the Venetian sunset. The king was late and the queen suffered a mosquito-stung eye, but after the audience took to their wooden deck chairs the girls - Freja, Ikeliene, Siri, Tanya, Liu, Jourdan - strutted down the beach in stripes, tweeds, florals, pajama-like silks and even harlequin prints. There were loads of jewels, strappy sandals, plastic booties and even lace-trimmed biker shorts that make all our thirteen-year-old style dreams come true.

We hope someone packed up the Marchesa Casati-inspired wigs for this weekend’s Life Ball in Vienna while we imagine a dress or two is already headed to Cannes.

‘Tis the season of honorary degrees and while ASU may have caused a stir by not handing one to the President, the University of the Arts London made the International Herald Tribune’s Suzy Menkes a doctor last night.

And Giles Deacon was awarded a professorship!

We realize these are honorary and not actual. But wouldn’t you just love to have Dr. Menkes or Professor Deacon leading your lectures or giving a commencement address?

What fashion folks would you deem worthy of an honorary degree at your alma mater?

One of our absolute must stops when we head to LA is West Hollywood boutique, Beckley. The store is so well-edited and full of our favorite lines like Brian Reyes, Zac, and Subversive.

As of today, they’ve opened on online boutique. There’s totally different merch than at the actual store. But the style is still the same. And it’s oh so good.

We were even more excited to realize that the Melrose Ave. store sells Charlotte Olympia shoes, which we’ve been obsessing over big time since London fashion week. They’re literally not available online anywhere that we can find. They’re barely even available in the US.

We hope store owner Melissa, answers our prayers and puts ‘em on the web, stat.

Pretty please.

Dear Intermix,

We love you. We spent almost an hour in your store yesterday trying to find the perfect dress to wear to a very important wedding and we’ve narrowed it down to three. So don’t worry, we’ll be back.

But we do have a merchandising question. When one rack looks like this: black Balmain jacket, Balmain jeans, ripped-off Balmain jacket by a brand called Marley and the next rack looks like this: white Balmain jacket, leather Balmain pants and white ripped-off Balmain jacket again by Marley, what exactly are you going for?

Because as a customer (probably your target customer, less the desired clothing budget), we’re torn. It’d be hard to drop $5,000 on a jacket when you see something for $400 a mere foot away. But on the other hand, no one wants to buy the $400 version because the quality looks on par with Forever 21 when it’s sitting next to actual Balmain.

Do tell. Did we miss a retail secret along the way?

xo
F

Models, and Mosquitoes, and Karl, Oh My!: In case you were wondering about all the goings-on in Venice or just how late Karl really is to dinner… [Style File]

Reality Check: Olivia Palermo may be trading her fake job at DVF in for a new fake job at Elle for the next season of The City. We are not amused. [NYPost]

Miss This Kitsch: Even if her fashion advice wasn’t as award-worthy as her acting skills, 80s soap opera star Brenda Dickson gives us a peek into her closet and her style. Hello hairspray! [TheMoment]

E.M. Phone Home: Eniko Mihalik, and her “famously alien eyes” are in the upcoming Vogue Nippon. [Models]

As much as pop culture invades every part of fashion these days, we’re not usually the go-to site for MTV coverage. But this WWD retrospective got me thinking about all the fashion-y things I’ve loved and lost on the once very stylin’ network over the years.

Of course, there were the awesome first two incarnations of House of Style which furthered my youthful obsession with models. Cindy was beyond. And I regularly dreamed about being best friends with Shalom and Amber.

But there were so many other style moments that seem to be missing in this era of Lauren, Heidi, et al. Perhaps because it’s hard to even catch a video on the channel.

Because its not like the entire music industry has lost it’s style, just that MTV kinda has.

We produce models as fast as we can, given the fact that you guys steal them away within months.`

We’ve recently lost Agyness, Daisy, Alexa and Karen, so thank goodness our model machine keeps churning out new faces.

Meet Amber Le Bon, daughter of Yasmin and Duran Duran’s Simon LeBon. The combination of her mum’s legs and her dad’s rock star appeal is thoroughly British. And she’s still too young to leave us. It’s no wonder she’s just signed contracts with high street store River Island and Myla, the lingerie brand whose recent ads starred your Lydia Hearst.

Thanks in no small part to her mum’s enviable Alaia collection, she stood out at last night’s Hogan party, even while surrounded by the likes of Beth Ditto, Giles Deacon, Savannah Miller, Lily Cole and Katie Grand.

—CHARLEY B.

Malin + Goetz lovers rejoice, the boys are working up a storm.

That Mojito balm? Merely the tip of the iceberg.

Their unisex line of products breathes cool functionality and they’re translating that minimalist chic aesthetic into the look for a new store at Amsterdam and 82nd.

The Upper West Side space used to be a Puerto Rican barbershop and they’ve kept some of the orignal personality, including the fantastic tin ceiling, to lighten the otherwise modern feel.

“It’s completely different architecture,” says Andrew (the Goetz of Malin + Goetz), “but it will feel like an M + G space without looking like it’s pre-fab. We would never clone our stores.”

The soft opening starts tomorrow, but it’s officially open for business Monday, May 18. You can check out their new haircare launch, which won’t be available to their distributors until early September. I’m already obsessed with the Gentle Neroli Shampoo and the amazing Intensive Hair Mask.

So yes, it’s worth the trek uptown.

—MEGAN MCINTYRE

Another morning, another announcement of another actress/industry collaboration.

But luckily, they are making more sense with each passing day. We already know that the sublime Marion Cotillard and Dior are a perfect match. But throw in a short film? Perfection.

WWD tells us that come May 20th, the house will debut a 6 1/2 minute film, The Lady Noire Affair, on the internet starring the Oscar winner and directed by her La Vie en Rose director, Olivier Dahan.

And it’s a noir thriller!

We can’t wait to watch Mlle Cotillard traipse around Paris with her Lady Dior bag, in frocks designed by John Galliano, bien sur.

We’re more than a little excited that a certain dashing young prince named Harry is coming to New York to play in the Veuve Clicquot Manhattan Polo Classic.

The whole affair sounds like a very Pretty Woman-esque afternoon at the polo grounds on Governors Island—hats for the ladies and summer suits for the gents. And all the proceeds are going to the American Friends of Sentebale, one of Harry’s charities. For more info and tickets click here.

In honor of the big to-do, Veuve is giving away one of their Traveler Sets and a blanket, normally reserved for the VIPs at the event and they thought you might be interested because really, even if champagne is to fashion as water is to Earth, one can never have too much.

Send us a photo of the perfect polo outfit to best impress the prince. Email us at work@fashionista.com. We’ll pick our fave as the winner.

Philippe Starck’s getting into the sweater business.

He’s partnered with Ballantyne, the beloved Scottish cashmere company, to build a series of cashmere sweaters. The limited edition collection will hit Ballanytne stores in the UK come October but no word on when, or if, they’ll be available stateside. Is it too much to ask for expertly sculpted shoulders and tiny waists of cable knit?

The news comes right after WWD announced that Frank Gehry’s designed a couple of shoes for French shoe company J.M. Weston, including a pair of black and white buttoned booties which were clearly made for one man and one man only (see left).

So when do they announce Christophe Decarnin’s plans to build a skyscraper?

It seems we keep running into a little problem as we search for cute suits for upcoming Memorial Day trips. Not every designer is making them water-ready.

While some of us here find this concept mildly baffling, I have a confession to make.

I have purchased, and wear, one of said (non) bathing suits. It is reserved strictly for the sun deck. I’m even scared to go near a too-full cocktail in the thing.

I realize that it’s not necessarily practical to shell out hundreds of dollars on a swimsuit that you can’t use for… swimming.

But maybe it’s different if there’s no way in hell you ever plan on immersing yourself in water, or you have an extra $750 to blow on this Herve Leger “sunsuit”?

Talking Cats: Mad-libs with Catherine Holstein. She loves cut-offs as much as we do, all things purple, dogs and shoes. {Glamour}

Twittered: In case you missed it, here’s a tweet by tweet account of Anna Wintour’s 92Y talk last night. It started with Peta and ended with Andre’s blogging. {NYMag}

Dig Deep: Ali from The City gets questioned. She really likes Splenda and scented candles and ended up on the show after Adam was cast. {Nylon}

Suzy Says: Suzy Menkes took a trip to SF. Alas, she doesn’t have time for tweets. {FabSugar}

Nasir Mazhar’s one of those little treasures we wish we could keep for ourselves.

The milliner’s extravagant headgear has been on our radar since well before he designed for Madonna’s Dazed and Confused tour or built Agy’s infamous reindeer hat. The hairdresser turned hatter, one of the coolest things come out of London since a young Alexander McQueen, should stay on this side of the pond.

But, sigh, the dreaded Hollywood claws sunk in yesterday thanks to Lady Gaga’s appearance on Ellen. She wore one of Mazhar’s orbital hats, which (though we loved it) might’ve resembled our grade school retainer.

Now, it’s only a matter of time until he sweeps the red carpet and we can say, “Remember when?”

—CHARLEY B.

There’ve been tweets that London’s i-D Magazine is dead.

From Derek Blasberg: Gossip at Chanel lunch in Venice: did London fashion rag i-D just close? Or did it just get really, really smaller? Anybody know for sure?

He’s in Venice for Chanel resort surrounded by people who know such things.

But then there are tweets that say it’s just shrinking.

From COACD: ID MAGAZINE to cut its issue….will publish 6 times a year….Terry&Tricia Jones/ publishers.

But we imagine its publishers know such things, too. And while we want to weep over the possible loss of the magazine’s brilliant blinking covers and its consistent devotion to models, we’ll take solace in the fact that six issues a year are better than none.

And now we’ll go buy a handful of copies just in case they need a bit of support to stay afloat.

During Oscar season, many beauty types speculated that Estée Lauder would snag girl-of-the-moment, Freida Pinto as their next spokesperson.

And we were kind of loving the idea of seeing her co-star in a campaign with our beloved Gwynnie.

But, alas, L’Oreal has signed Freida along with Elizabeth Banks and Evangeline Lilly as their newest leading ladies.

These three make a lot more sense to us than the Jessica Biel/Revlon situation. Even though Evangeline hasn’t done a lot of film, obviously Lost has way more cred than 7th Heaven.

But this begs the question, what actress do you think deserves one of these lucrative beauty contracts who doesn’t have one? Or should they all just go to the models, anyway?

—PHOTOGRAHY BY JEREMY KOST

“A woman once told me that every time she wore Lanvin, men fell in love with her. I told her, ‘Ugh, I hope next time you will tell me that every time you wear Lanvin, you fall in love.’ And she said, ‘What is the difference?’ Passive and active.” - Alber Elbaz, in the Spring/Summer issue of Another Magazine

A handful of former Nordstrom employees are suing the department store for allegedly stealing their commission.

The plaintiffs are upset that Nordstrom deducted commissions on returned items from their paychecks.

I worked at Nordstrom in California - where the lawsuit is taking place - the summer after my freshman year of college. Yesterday, I got a letter in the mail asking me to sign on to the suit.

When you work in commission-based retail, you make money when you sell product and lose it when it gets returned. So if I sell you a $1200 Herve dress, but you bring it back next week, I make nothing, which is totally fair.

This Is Awkward: Ginnifer Goodwin tries to embrace her inner Madonna for June’s W. She’s adorable, but looks like she could’ve used a few shots of tequila pre-shoot. {W}

Slow Poke: It took Andre a bit longer than the rest of us to sum up his Met Ball thoughts, but in this condensed version of Life With Andre he declares Rihanna best dressed. {VogueDaily}

A Look Inside: Todd Selby gets into Julia Restoin-Roitfeld’s apartment. We spy white fur, Pamela Love jewels, an LV blanket, so many shoes and lots of YSL & Kiehl’s beauty products. {TheSelby}

Say It’s So!: Starting next week 60 Minutes goes into summer hiatus with re-runs which means Sunday must be the big night! Curl up with a chicken bone to watch Morley Safer follow Anna in and out of the Fall shows. {Gawker}

We’ve heard the three R’s eco-mantra since grade school. It’s practically ingrained into our psyche that if it’s plastic, paper or glass, you better toss it into the blue bin.

Sure it can be a little tedious, but it’s for the betterment of the planet, all of humankind, the love of Al Gore etc., etc.

If the constant preaching doesn’t get you all excited to recycle, maybe this will: Starting this month, Kiehl’s is offering a rewards program. Recycle and Be Rewarded features a punch card system that gives you a pretty sweet incentive for bringing in your empties.

We’re suddenly overwhelmed with the presence of slashed leggings.

They’re on the What’s New page at Shopbop, in the windows at American Apparel, at BBQs in Brooklyn and even uptown. We’re not really sure where they came from - a strange hybrid of the ripped jean trend, spring’s cut-outs and the not-going-anywhere love of leggings?

Our first question is, even if you’re skinny, doesn’t fat, or at least skin squeeze out of the spandex slits? Also, leggings are tight and uncomfortable post-40° weather so what time of year are these made for?

And how do the striped holes not rip into one gaping hole on the side of one’s leg? And are they worn as pants or under dresses?

So tell us, if you don’t answer to name Little J, are you wearing these?

Sophie Dahl, the supermodel made famous by an extremely controversial YSL Opium ad (where she was shot nude, clutching her breasts) is on the verge of becoming the latest celebrity chef.

She’s about to land her own cooking show a la Nigella Lawson thanks to her recent cookbook on the joys of voluptuous cooking.

We admit, we fear a master class in raw carrots and linseed, but will jump for joy over cupcakes and delicious steak.

But here’s our question: Would you follow recipes from someone whose other claim to fame is going from a size 16 to a size 4 in weeks?

—CHARLEY B.

So I didn’t watch Gossip Girl last night. I don’t actually have a TV, slight problem, I know. But when my phone started buzzing with texts from former Fashionistas, I knew I’d missed something major.

Apparently, Blair had been keeping a prom scrapbook under her bed for a very, very long time filled with creepy sketches of her and Nate at the big dance. In one such sketch was a dress and that dress was Marchesa Spring 08, the one Dita Von Teese wore to 7th on Sale almost two years ago.

Which should mean that Blair dreamed up the black and gold embroidered poof before Keren and Georgina even hooked up. And of course the dress in the sketch turned into the dress in real life (thanks to Chuck apparently? thanks to Natalie for ruining the end?) without a single mention of Marchesa.

Wonder what Harvey Weinstein’ll say about that?

Good news from the Giles Deacon camp!

This morning WWD reports that the beloved Brit designer is entering into a new deal with Italian manufacturer and distributor Castor Srl that will expand(!) his business.

The company (which used to produce and distribute 6267) will take over production for 90% of the runway collection. But not to fret, Castor is a small operation that produces much of its work by hand, so we shouldn’t see a drop in quality.

Translation: distribution is going to go up from 38 doors to between 120-140, and hopefully quadruple the sales.

Sounds like a good idea to us. We support any plan that brings the clothes the way Giles likes ‘em to more people.

Please, economy, send more happy expansion stories our way. There are only so many store closings and layoff stories a girl can take.

Before and after I quizzed Jenna on her life, trying to grasp just how she does so much in so few hours, we wandered through J.Crew’s massive offices.

Between men’s, women’s, kids, Madewell, the catalog, the website and CEO Mickey Drexler’s daily bike ride through the office - there’s a lot going on.

The design studio has its own separate floor on which there’s a color library and separate sections for every team which means the walls are filled with inspiration in the form of editorials, fabric swatches, vintage clothes and jewels, favorite models, favorite seasons, pictures of kids, of parties, of houses.

Her office, a brightly lit corner full of magazines - including some Vogues from the 70s that I’m pretty sure I saw in the Met earlier in the week - samples, suitcases and furry pillows, is the center of the design action with people coming and going to discuss all things J.Crew.

After the jump, pictures, history and her favorites.

We’re big fans of Sophomore and even bigger fans of t-shirt dresses.

So when Sophomore makes a t-shirt dress that even the non-models among us can wear, we probably want it. This aqua dress is eye-popping and the cut-outs are in a place we can actually rock—the shoulders.

We want to dance around to Blondie, with or without the yellow pumps. This way even if we can’t have Lily Rhodes’ (ie Lily van der Woodsen’s) wardrobe on tonight’s Gossip Girl throwback (yes, this is the third time we’ve mentioned it today, can you tell we’re excited?) we can dream.

Which makes us wonder, who’s the new Chuck?

—CARSON GRIFFITH

Rihanna was spotted last week rocking a dangerously sexy Noir ring that first debuted at Barbie’s 50th Anniversary fashion show.

Turns out she saw the spiky sparkler on designer Phillipe Blond at a party for BFF Katy Perry’s new music video before and just had to know where to get one.

We love the trickle down effect from Barbie to Phillipe to Rihanna.

Celebrities and designers and dolls, they’re just like us: sharing fashion finds with friends.

If you, like us, only head toward Times Square/Port Authority for very, very special occasions - here’s one.

Save Fashion’s third week, May 15th through 22nd is devoted to the best of men’s: Acne, Band of Outsiders, Black Fleece by Brooks Brothers, Earnest Sewn, Inhabit, Rag & Bone, Rogan, Rogues Gallery and Steven Alan.

But then Abigail Lorick moves in and brings Eleanor Waldorf with her. You’ll have a chance to buy the clothes from the Eleanor Waldorf Fashion Show episode of Gossip Girl which means you won’t just have a one-off, but a one-off from the same runway Serena walked and Blair pitched a fit over.

Meanwhile, will Lorick for Little J for Eleanor Waldorf be there? Find out Friday May