This headpiece, from Paris based Maison Michel, went on sale on Net-a-Porter this morning.

The site suggests pairing “this opulent accessory with your favorite LBD to bring bygone beauty to a modern cut.” We suggest:

1. Wearing it as a necklace and perhaps layering with other pearls in homage to McQueen’s sea theme, or The Little Mermaid.

2. Double wrapping it around your ankle to achieve some of that ankle/shoe fringe we’ve seen - and loved - on the Spring/Summer 2010 runways.

3. Putting your $2,195 toward a pair of Brian Atwoods and this adorable ombre Miu Miu clutch. In total, you’ll spend an extra couple of hundred, but hey, it’s worth it.

4. Jumping for joy because the recession must be over.

Bally needs interns!

The recently rejuvenated shoe company needs a couple of kids to help them out in both the wholesale and public relations departments.

The first will work with the selling campaign creating detail sheets, customer summaries, pricing line sheets etc. while helping to organize and maintain the filing system and samples. You’ll also help prepare the showroom for market appointments. If you’re of the business mind, you can email your resume and a very brief cover letter to mstrouse@bally.ch.

As we told you yesterday, Rachel Zoe’s first newsletter arrived today touting her first obsession, a Brian Atwood leopard “shootie”. Of course, she “DIES” over them. And while I’m not typically one for animal prints, it is a gorgeous shoe. It’s very RZ and we all know she and Brian are super tight, so no surprise on her pick of designer.

At the bottom of the newsletter, she also shows a Steve Madden shoe in a section called “Parallel Universe.” You would find said shoe on our site in “Adventures in Copyright.”

Obviously RZ has a wide range of fans, but we wonder how her fashion friends will feel about her promoting knock-offs of their creations. Just a little something to think about.

I’ve spent almost three of the past four weeks in California which means I’ve worn pretty much nothing but old Levi cut-offs, white James Perse tees and my red Saltwater sandals.

It’s been wonderful.

But yesterday it was back to reality, which means gearing up for fall, for fashion week, for September issues etc. and while dicking around online, I changed my mind. Now, I want, need, must have a pair of thigh high boots. The problem is a) which pair and b) will anyone make a pair for under $1000 that don’t scream Pretty Woman and then of course c) what do I wear them with?

The thing is, while they were on almost every runway, I half expected them to elude the actual market given the state of the economy, as if fashion would pay attention to a reality other than its own. Sure enough, the boots are everywhere. Ideally, of course, I’d have a spare $1,470 for the Brian Atwoods which I’m tempted to call the originals. And if those didn’t fit over my slightly-larger-than-LSD-thighs I could always go for a flat version from Chloe for $1,235. But I’m barely 5’4” so I’d probably do better in something like these Pradas. In my dreams though, I’m wearing the Louboutin-meets-Catwoman version (though they might me higher than thigh) because I don’t know if the Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte masterpieces are even being made. The only high street ones I’ve spotted are suede, Topshop, and called the Brittany - a sign?

Maybe, but as of this morning they’ve already disappeared. What’s a girl to do?

I think I spent an entire month watching over-the-knee boots march down runways.

From Rodarte in New York, to Pam HoggLondon in and Louis Vuitton in Paris - and about a million in between - they were everywhere, but aside from Lauren Santo Domingo’s turn in custom-made Brian Atwoods, we’d placed stretchy leather up to one’s butt cheeks in the runway-only category, along with everything sheer from SS09.

I was wrong, of course. Byrdie Bell broke hers out for a party a couple of weeks ago and as fall merchandise creeps its way into stores, we’re preparing for an onslaught. Stuart Weitzman’s square-toed versions, in both suede and leather, hit Shopbop this week and StyleFile is even contemplating thigh high clogs.

I remember the first time I wore almost knee-high leather boots to my suburban Catholic high school and gave everyone a heart attack. Even if this is New York City circa now, I imagine a similar, if not more dangerous reaction with those six extra inches of leather. I love the idea, am obsessed with the look, but I’m pretty sure I’d look like a hooker regardless of what I wear on the rest of my body.

Abby, however, can’t wait to rock a pair. Thoughts?