Ask anyone in our business what one of the most common questions is and they’ll probably answer: “What does it take to make it in fashion?”

There’s no single answer. How do you define a process that’s not at all a meritocracy? The issue’s been beaten to death right here on the site, and still there are no concrete conclusions, just ambiguous traits that no one can put their fingers on. Basically, you’re either in or you’re out.

But there’s one itty-bitty piece of the puzzle I’ve worked out: having a totally unforgiving sense of attention to detail in your appearance, in your work, in everything. All of those little things, perfectly attended to, add up. Even Diane Pernet’s personal presentation, which may be unorthodox, is completely seamless.

Take these shots from the instruction cards for the dressers backstage at Gaspard Yurkeviech as a tutorial. They illustrate how anal this business is. Notice how everything, from the alignment of the socks to the level of the ankle straps of the shoes, had to be absolutely perfect before it hit the runway. Because while you might not notice they’re perfection, you’d absolutely realize if something was missing.

So that’s your Fashion 101 lesson for the day: be anal.

But I’m guessing you guys already know that?

—REBECCA SUHRAWARDI AUSTIN

Book Away: IMG’s S/S 2010 show package is out and ready to analyze—there’s plenty of fresh blood to dissect too. Perfect Friday before a long weekend time waster. {Models.com}

Hipster Historian: Spend a little time with Cobra Snake and discover when you might find him in Ed Hardy and Crocs. {All the Rage}

First Lady on Film: Looks like Carla Bruni-Sarkozy might be returning to the big screen in Woody Allen’s next movie. No word on whether or not she’ll be crooning as well. {WWD}

Who’s the Man? Topman. The men’s brand isn’t getting picked on by its big sister any more. {Guardian}

“This is not a fact until you officially read it somewhere else but rumour has it that Karl Lagerfeld will not renew his contract at Chanel and that Albert [sic] Elbaz will take his place and Olivier Theyskens will take Albert’s place at Lanvin. Both choices make perfect sense to me…Nothing is engraved in cement, these are still just rumours you will have to wait and see.” —Diane Pernet from A Shaded View of Fashion.

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}

The last week in March is going to be heaven for fashion bloggers:

Not only is Cathy Horyn giving a talk at the Met on style and the internet (aaah!) but Diane Pernet brings her Shaded View on Fashion to the Tribeca Grand for a screening.

The movie is called You Wear It Well and it’s already toured Paris and Los Angeles, showing a series of fashion-focused short films created by some of our favorite people.

There’s a collaboration between Nick Knight and Gareth Pugh, an animated short by Ruben Toledo (at left), and a film by menswear designer Kim Jones.

The project was helmed by Pernet and Dino Dinco, and airs on March 31st at a special screening.

We wonder how many girls will show up with their laptops in hand…