The bleaching of models’ brows was all the rage for S/S 2010 (and actually was fairly popular the season before at Prada, Balenciaga, and Miu Miu). We’ve been fascinated as to how all the girls’ eyebrows didn’t fall out by the end of Paris Fashion Week.

Today, we went to a Cover Girl lunch with the amazing (and always fun) Pat McGrath and got some answers.

First of all, we had no idea that Pat has had a hair colorist on her team for years. While he does many other things as well, brows often fall to him. Very cool. And considering the lady does around 30 shows a season (not to mention countless editorials and covers), it makes a lot of sense to have everyone you may need at the ready.

She told us that she suggested to the models that they not go through the bleaching process more than twice. Instead, the makeup teams would just color in darker versions when necessary. “Of course some girls insisted on always changing back, but what are you gonna do?” said Pat. We’re sure those ladies are regretting those decisions right about now.

I am a self-professed jean addict. My closet is literally 40% denim. And I like to think I’m pretty well-versed in all my brands, etc, etc. But this week I learned of one I’d not heard of before called Blue Notch. And it’s incredibly cool.

While they did indeed give me a pair in a dark wash boot-cut, I assure you my love was not bought. The stuff is really good. I literally wanted to wear the jeans out of the showroom.

The line is about a year old and designed by a husband and wife team—actually “Notch” part of the name is their initials, like NO+CH, which I find adorable. But back to the clothes, it’s seriously high-grade, crazy soft Japanese denim and actually comes from the same mill where Balenciaga and Chanel get theirs. But the prices are way more reasonable, with basic styles costing around $180.

We almost forgot about fall given the SS10 hysteria.

Now that it’s freezing outside, we’re digging to the bottom of our closets to find the ball of tights that gets us through every winter, but plain black tights are significantly less satisfying than usual.

For FW09 designers showed a range of patterned and embellished tights that left us longing for something more exciting. From Marc Jacobs 80’s neon paisley to McQueen’s optical houndstooth, tights stopped being just something to keep warm, and started being a crucial accessory with which to liven your outfit.

Wouldn’t you rather brighten your fall wardrobe with some sparkle tights a la Anna Sui or some bejeweled Miu Mius? And if you still feel for black, try the sheer dotted tights seen at Balenciaga, which are perfect for adding a detail to a simple outfit.

We say ditch the black tights and start walking in technicolor!

I know a bit about clothes and maybe kind of a lot about shoes, but when it came to sunglasses, I was clueless.

Until last week when I spent the morning at Silver Lining Opticians. It’s a hole in the wall on Thompson Street run by Jordan Silver and Erik Sacher and an absolute mecca of vintage frames.

But before I really got it, I needed a tutorial. Here’s how he explained it to me: In the early 80s, a man named Leonardo Del Vecchio started offering designers the opportunity to license eyewear. Before then, designers had treated the accessory as an extension of their ready-to-wear collection. For example, Christian Dior was one of the first brands to offer eyewear and he made super high quality frames that correlated to the kind of product on his runway. But Luxottica gave designers an “easy option,” and over the years production quality’s steadily declined.

We hear Balenciaga’s readying to shoot their new campaign.

Not a celebrity in sight this time around though. Charlotte Gainsbourg’s at home in Paris and Jennifer Connelly’s snug in New York because Nicolas Ghesquière chooses models this season.

The line up so far includes Kasia Struss and “three unknowns.” Whether they’re grouped together or on their own, we’re not sure, but we will say we half expected Miranda Kerr to pop up somewhere.

Guess she’s taking the high fashion thing one step at a time.

Spot the Angel: Miranda Kerr walked Balenciaga yesterday, looking tres Parisian runway appropriate and less like Orlando’s paparazzi-fodder lady friend. Not that that look isn’t gorgeous too. {StyleFile}

A Scent We’ll Never Buy: Kim Kardashian used to think perfume was made by putting flowers in a blender. She’s also famous for inexplicable reasons, including a sex tape with Brandy’s little brother. But she’s still got a fragrance deal. And I just died a little inside. Also, if those rumors about Sarah Palin getting a beauty contract are even vaguely accurate, you guys may have to institutionalize me. {WWD}

It’s Rick Owens Day Around Here: And we wouldn’t mind if every day was. I’m still dying over this leather jacket that I can’t afford. So maybe I’ll soothe myself with something from his collaboration with Eastpak. {Vogue UK}

“And new-millennium Balmain has definitely caught the fashion moment, as well as the attention of a whole wide world of bloggers, Tweeters and cyberspace image makers. They see in Mr. Decarnin the vibe of the moment: love it, grab it, own it, have fun with it. MySpace is his space.” —Suzy Menkes in her interesting IHT article that cites Balmain and Christophe Decarnin getting twice the Tweets and Google results of the superior, in her opinion, Nicolas Ghesquière and Balenciaga.

Because Fashion Week brings out the best in them.

Pucci’s Upswing: Anna Dello Russo must’ve made Peter Dundas’s day. She wore his green and white cut-out sequined long sleeve mini, dare we say it, better than a model ever could. And thank you Tommy Ton, for all the angles. {Jak&Jil}

Color Me Crazy: We dare you to read a single post of Garance’s and not want to hug her. She may be the nicest person on the street style circuit (and really they’re all nice), which is why everyone’s smiling and glowing when she snaps. These pictures make us want green, now. {GaranceDoré}

Peeps on the Street: Remember Balenciaga boy? Phil Oh managed to catch him on the only day of London Fashion Week that he wasn’t rocking his Louis Vuitton bunny ears. Yeah, we were jealous. {StreetPeeper}

“A woman has no need to be…beautiful to wear my dresses. The dress will do all that for her.” —Amy Fine Collins quotes Balenciaga in her in depth look at haute couture in this month’s Vanity Fair.

What’s the only thing better than Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquière?

Balenciaga by Cristobal Balenciaga re-interpreted by Nicolas Ghesquière.

Too much?

What we’re trying to say is, the French house has picked nineteen pieces from their archives and re-constructed them with modern techniques for the latest ‘collection’ of Balenciaga Edition (an on and off concept for the past few years). The inspiration pieces date from 1932 to 1967 which means that no matter which decade’s vintage makes you dreamy you’ll find something. Though first you’ll have to get to Paris. The designs will sell at Le Bon Marche from Septemeber 11 to October 5.

Bon chance!

Looky-Loo: Little J landed her own cover. She’s looking exceptionally cute and age appropriate on the cover of Teen Vogue’s September issue. {TeenVogue}

Fort Lauderdale, Really? One of our favorite hairstylists, Ted Gibson, is opening a salon in the former Spring Break mecca. But he promises it’s cool now. {W}

Now That Makes More Sense: We were confused about the whole Balenciaga/Air Tahiti uniform situation when we first read about it. The Times sorts out the matter. Who knew there was such a licensee as Balenciaga Uniforms? {The Moment}

Gilt Grows: Come August 12th we’ll definitely be checking out the more affordable Gilt Fuse to see if the sales are anywhere as good as so many of those on their big sister site. {Slaves To Fashion}

Reed Krakoff’s starting his own fashion house.

The President and Creative Director of Coach (and Vice President of the CFDA) is ready to do his own thing in tandem with his responsibilities at the mega-brand. The project, however, is entirely funded by Coach which gives him the unique advantage of being able to launch his line for AW10 with ready-to-wear, bags, shoes and jewelry - not your average sixteen piece start-up collection. In fact, he’s already talking to WWD about men’s clothes, furniture and fragrances.

“It’s about a new craftsmanship,” he said, citing brands like Miu Miu and Balenciaga as inspiration, though he talks more about brand building than design and sounds more like a sound businessman than a passionate artist.

The only peek we have so far is the fluffy black organza dress Reed’s wife Delphine wore to the CFDAs in June (at left) - it’s from the upcoming line and so far, we like it. You have to be crazy to launch “the next great American fashion house” right now and crazy makes for good design.

TheOutNet has some new competition.

Browns, the British department store that is kind of like a physical incarnation of Net-a-Porter, just launched a new website called “Labels For Less.” The site offers last season’s merchandise (the good stuff) from both Browns and Browns Focus at pretty severe discounts - up to 70% off.

I took a fashion road trip this weekend—after three years in New York, I finally made my way to the much lauded Woodbury Commons.

I’m not a shopping in a group kind of girl and I’m not an outlet kind of girl because it’s generally too much effort, but this was like walking through a living archive of legendary runway looks that had me squealing up and down the aisles. Plus at this point in the summer I’ll get out of the city any which way I can.

It started at Prada which currently houses an entire rack of AW09 lace priced around $2000—black dresses, gold skirt, blue tops. Anna’s favorite floral prints are on the clearance rack for about $400, along with the red and blue checked skirt, a single Harlequin Miu Miu mini and a lone black turban.

Balenciaga’s packed with SS08’s structured florals—skirts, dresses, jackets—priced under $1000, but it was the riding hats from AW06 that really made me gasp. Alas, they were low on shoes, though I found these at the Neiman Marcus outlet for $200 (along with the pink fur stole from Chris Benz’s AW08).

The thing about Balmain’s party dresses is that if they weren’t made quite so skillfully out of of such exquisite fabrics and crystals etc., they’d run the risk of looking downright trashy.

Christophe Decarnin’s perfected the tight sexy thing and made it work among the fashion crowd because, well, it’s so well done—which makes the girl look and feel the same. And isn’t that the point of looking hot on a night out?

Because even if you rock this Bebe knock off with its spot on asymmetrical hemline and triangular zig zags, you’re not going to look like Anja Rubik at the Met Ball. However, if you buy something that’s not supposed to look like something else inexpensively copied, something for well under $179, you just might look better than Anja.

Though you probably know that.

Also, while we’re on the subject of Bebe, these are heart-breaking.

“Balenciaga has become my second home,” Charlotte Gainsbourg told WWD.

Gainsbourg - actress, French music royalty and (official) face of the brand for the past year - is working on a fragrance with Nicolas Ghesquiere and Coty. Executives were quick to point out that she was chosen based on her almost indivisible ties to the brand and a deep rooted friendship with the designer, not for her continually rising fame.

The pair are in Los Angeles today to shoot the perfume’s ad campaign and throw a party in honor of the announcement. No word on the actual scent. We always envisioned the Balenciaga girl to be too cool for perfume, though their investors obviously don’t agree. If we had to guess, we’d predict something quite rich and musky, no?

After seeing the Richard Avedon fashion photography exhibit at the International Center for Photography, our love of fifties glamour is revived. We especially love the circle skirts that give volume to the models’ slim frames.

The fifties have certainly never disappeared from the fashion spotlight but what’s being accentuated of late, however, is the hips - going back to the Balenciaga S/S 08 runway or Galliano’s Lisa Fonssagrives-inpsired couture with its armor-like hip plates.

But it seems that the shoulders had to take their turn first.

Now that we’re all more than a little sick of that Balmain jacket, the hips taking center stage, quite literally in some cases.

Sasha and Carine brought the look to the beach and the past two nights, Beyoncé sang and danced in a gold Thierry Mugler leotard with padded hips at Madison Square Garden.

Seeing as this is an area of the body that often causes loads of female insecurity, do tell us, would you ever try out this look?

—AMANDA JEAN BOYLE

Ever heard of Arnhem? It’s a perfect summer vacation destination for the fash-obsessed this year.

The Dutch city is hosting The Arnhem Mode Biennale. It’s their third one, but it’s bigger and better this year and from the photos we’re betting that it’s going to be very exciting, with big brands such as Viktor & Rolf (alumni of the city’s art academy), Balenciaga, Calvin Klein and others like Klavers van Engelen (his work is pictured) having donated pieces to the show.

Apparently, the whole city gets behind the production. And it’s always exciting to see places other than the big four of fashion getting in on the action.

It makes us wonder, what other cities—European, American, Asian or otherwise—are poised to work their way up to major global fashion recognition and love, and more importantly, what their staying power will be. Scott Schuman and Garance both made trips to Sydney and Melbourne last month. TMagazine did a beautiful shoot combining Spring looks and the city of Chicago for their Spring 09 Travel Issue. Mainland China’s on the move, and Hong Kong is already a powerful fashion capital.

Variety is what makes fashion, or any art, interesting and engaging. Every city has a unique personality, and we want to see more of them contributing and flowing into the beating heart of the fashion world.

What’s your favorite, less obvious, fashion city?

—AMANDA JEAN BOYLE

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.