Love Strong: To sit front row this season, you needed an invite and an Eddie Borgo spike bracelet. If we’re taking trend cues from Rihanna (and really, who isn’t) you’re going to need a gauntlet come February. Meanwhile, the spike bracelet’s still sitting on top of my Christmas list. {Barneys}

Double Duty: Marios Scwhab and Raf Simons discuss designing their own line while designing another. The former thinks designing Halston brings something new to his own label while the latter switches on and off between Jil Sander and his eponymous collection. {VogueUK}

Color Us Surprised: Claudia Schiffer wants her own line. As my mom would say, “If everyone else jumped off a bridge, would you really feel the need to do it, too?” {Telegraph}

The Styled Life: Keegan Singh might be a bit young for a retrospective, but who doesn’t want to stare at his Abbey Lee/Rodarte shoot from The Last Magazine over and over again? {TheMalcolm}

While Target’s making brands like Hayden-Harnett and Rodarte household names, Net-a-Porter’s building a home for lesser known designers and showcasing their work for a crowd already in love with kooky fashion.

Last year they launched an exclusive Marios Schwab section (pre-Halston) and now they’ll host an exclusive holiday collection from Ashish Gupta.

The London-based designer’s carried on a long love affair with sequins and though his latest collection revolved around both a fantasy vacation and a love of Nike, he’s designed a more subdued collection for the online shop.

He tells Vogue UK that it’s “a range of beautiful easy to wear pieces in soft shimmer black and metallics…perfect for easy evening glamour.”

Someone’s started a rumor that Sarah Jessica Parker’ll be the new face of Halston. Let’s count all the reasons we bet on never.

1. Halston is a disaster. Though we’re sure Marios Schwab will end its curse and do something brilliant, a brand can’t have a face for a collection that doesn’t exist (yet).

2. Last time Harvey chose a face, Rachel Zoe, to be associated with a brand, it failed. It really, really failed.

3. As if fashion wasn’t sick enough of celebrity, whatever comes down Lindsay Lohan’s runway for Ungaro this week will probably put off even the most celeb-friendly of the fashion world for a moment.

4. It’d be silly to pay Sarah Jessica Parker to be the face of a brand when Carrie Bradshaw’s been photographed wearing it all over Manhattan, for free, and will be seen on every screen in the same dresses come May.

What’d we miss?

Nothing like waiting until the very last minute!

Halston needs Fashion Week interns, which basically means they need you to start Tuesday morning and help them with their presentation.

This means dressing models, sitting at the front of house during buying appointments and assisting both the PR and sales teams. It’s unpaid (duh), but it’s such a small company that you’ll get some serious hands on experience.

You obviously have to be in New York (or willing to come here and put yourself up next week) and should be a super fast, enthusiastic learner. Prior experience a plus, love of fashion high energy and awesome attitude are a must.

Send a very brief cover letter and your resume to internships@halston.com, Attn: Lisa.

“Naomi was the first. She was the great ambassador for all black people. She broke down all the social barriers.” - Halston to the New York Times in 1974 regarding Naomi Sims who died this weekend and was considered by many to be the first black supermodel. She was a huge part of the “Black is Beautiful” movement and you can find two images of her in the current “Model As Muse” exhibit at the Met. Read the Times full obit here.

Marco Zanini was reborn with a presentation at Rochas last season, after the ugliness that was the whole Halston affair.

Now FWD is reporting that come September he will get his first proper runway show for the house.

The show will pretty much kick off the week on September 30th which has to have Marco feeling pretty good about where he stands with his new-ish bosses.

Though we wouldn’t be surprised if he still has Harvey Weinstein flashbacks on a regular basis.

We love Wednesdays, not because it’s almost Friday, but because it’s when Net-a-Porter gets new stuff and we can wake up and wonder how the Balmain jackets and Halston mini-dresses sold out before we’ve even had coffee.

Today, we almost squealed with glee when we saw these DIY scarf kits.

For $85 you get all the Peruvian wool you need to make a seriously chunky scarf in bright fuschia, grey, turquoise, blue or purple. It even comes with new knitting needles and it’s kind of the perfect stuck on the L without a book subway project - though Faran wholeheartedly disagrees with me.

Meanwhile, we hate to introduce another fall shoe option, but these Thomas Wylde biker boots are amazing.

Valentino’s been an utter disaster since Valentino left.

So yesterday the company announced they were bringing back Carlos Souza, the former model and current PR whiz to whip it back into shape. Or more specifically, to get back their devoted celebrity clientele.

He’s starting now, or next week at couture and working alongside HL Group here in the States to right what’s become the wrong Valentino image.

If anyone can do that, if anyone knows the brand well enough, it’s Souza, but how can all the PR in the world fix a label with disastrous, or worse, boring designs? From Alessandra Facchinetti’s controversial ousting to the lackluster clothes from Valentino’s former accessory designers the house hasn’t had the least success since Valentino left.

Here’s hoping Souza really is the answer. We’d hate to see Valentino be the new Halston.

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.

A little birdie told us that Project Runway will never make it on the air again.

The source says that next week’s scheduled show will in fact happen to generate publicity and anticipation for the PR brand without ever being broadcast. Instead, it will help establish Harvey Weinstein’s place in the fashion industry - in total, he’s behind three major shows: Halston, Marchesa and Project Runway.

Meanwhile, the poor designers busting their asses to finish their collections will miss out on the fame and fortune, or notoriety, or whatever, that comes from actually starring on the reality show.

The end.

Fact: Many, many people anxiously awaited the return of Halston.

Fact: It’s Friday, and so many, many people are stuck at “work” while their bosses complain about the crush on the Jitney.

Fact: Not everyone can make it to Barneys today, but still have some bills burning holes in their hip pockets.

Fact: The first of Net-a-Porter’s Halston offerings have just appeared on their site, which should give many girls something to do today, like wondering, “Would I really wear this? Is this really worth $2,000? Should I wait to see what else they put up?” - and voila, something fun to do today.

You’re welcome.

Halston needs interns and Fashion Week is practically next week, so if you think you’re organized/responsible/blah blah blah, we suggest you snap this up right away.

They’re looking for both PR and Showroom interns, so:

PR interns, You can expect:
-Helping with marketing strategies for increased brand exposure on a national and international basis.
-Working creatively with the PR & Marketing team to organize and execute events (read: Fashion Week.)
-Interacting with editors and stylists on a daily basis, helping to maximize their editorial coverage and celebrity outreach opportunities.

PR interns must get college credit (so no cash), and work 2 or more full days per week (9am - 6pm), though they’re looking for full-time interns as well.

Showroom interns, You can expect:
-Answering office phone
-Greeting guests, tending to guest needs (read: get coffee, do coats, etc.)
-Keeping up the showroom and samples
-Assisting with Fashion Week and market appointment needs

Showroom internships are also unpaid, though they need someone 5 days per week, either full time (8am - 7pm), or part time (8am to 2pm or 2pm to 7pm).

We know this sounds like a lot for no cash, but maybe you’ll get a couple dresses to add to the invaluable experience you’ll get for both your life and your resume?

Contact Lisa Bryne at lisa.byrne@halston.com

Despite the fact that Gwyneth Paltrow didn’t show for Halston’s first revival runway effort, there’s still some good big news from the brand:

We heard Natalie Massenet telling Rachel Zoe at the Marc by Marc show that “the small sizes are already almost all sold out,” despite the fact that they went onsale… um… this morning.

Not bad at all for a bunch of very expensive cashmere jersey.

Meanwhile, there’s another rumor circulating:

That Halston paid celebrities and influencers to show up at their afterparty.

It wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened during Fashion Week, but if true, it’s certainly one of the most interesting ideas… personally, we’d go anywhere to celebrate sweaters-as-evening-gowns, even if we had to pay to do it!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Immediate thoughts:

-Will any front row regulars wear Halston next Friday?

-Will Forever 21 pay their designers heavy overtime?

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

Anyone have the number of the London Fashion Looters?

Shirley Maclaine and Audrey Tatou will both play Coco Chanel (in separate projects) and now a London rumor pins Jude Law down for the lead role in Halston, an upcoming biopic.

The movie would be produced by Harvey Weinstein, who recently bought the Halston label, and hired Tamara Mellon and Rachel Zoe to helm the hems of the vintage brand.

It seems like a brilliant seaming of Weinstein’s familiar film power with his new fashion outing, especially since the Halston show is one of February’s most anticipated runways - okay, really it’s one of the most anticipated front rows, with Weinstein acolytes likes Anne Hathaway and Gwyneth Paltrow expected to raid the nascent Halston sample closet for outfits.

If Jude Law seals his movie role before then, he’d probably be expected to attend, too - but would that prevent another Weinstein-friendly starlet, Sienna Miller, from also arriving on the scene?

Harvey Weinstein just proposed to Georgina Chapman, which should buy Marchesa another 5-10 years of press, depending on how many editors get invited to the wedding. Less cynically, the marriage could also open Marchesa up into the bridal sector - undoubtedly, she’ll create her own gown, which millions of wannabe wives could covet.

Meanwhile, the long-dead label Halston is simmering for a relaunch, thanks to Weinstein’s recent buyout of the brand, plus his acquisitions of Rachel Zoe and Tamera Mellon as creative consultants. We’ve heard a lightly treading rumor that the first new pieces will break in Vogue next Spring, and buzz already brews about just how big and bananas their launch party will be (The stars! The splurges! The sequins!).

And while Halston gears up, other brands watch and wait to pounce.

An early indication?

The recent Gucci fragrance ad, with a luscious Freja Beha restored to her long-locked look, and a brown-and-gold palette stolen from a fossil of Studio 54. Everything about the ad screams ’70s luxury, and the sultry campaign evokes the fading sex that Gucci reclaimed under Tom Ford.

If this is what Gucci looks like now, we can’t wait to see Halston’s first campaign when it’s ready -

Hopefully they’ll transcend the disco ball vibe and push their label even further into easy, electric glamour.

Shocker: Roberto Cavalli’s H&M ads are drenched in animal print.

The leopard-clad models are draped over leopard print chairs, pillows and rugs in an ornate spread that screams Cavalli, but not so much H&M —

Until we took a closer look at the actual clothes.

The fabric looks typical of the mass-brand’s stock: a little bit shiny, a little bit itchy, and if your cell phone scrapes against your dress, it looks like the thing could snag.

We kept our eyes peeled for Leigh Lezark’s first major campaign shot, but all we saw was a striking picture of Lydia Hearst in the corner, prompting Faran to utter, “Halston!”

We think Cavalli’s clothes have always represented a very specific lifestyle, one that’s so glamorous and luxurious that it almost looks like a cartoon.

The ads represent that lifestyle, but we’re waiting to see the clothes in real life before we pass final judgment on whether H&M Cavalli can live up to the dream.

—BRITT ABOUTALEB

Kate Spade announced Friday that she’d exit her own brand, which is now owned by Liz Claiborne. The question is, will it survive without her?

It’s true that Liz Claiborne is a millionaire franchise, with Juicy Couture and C&C California under its umbrella. But those brands aren’t built on a person’s lifestyle, and Kate Spade is more like Martha Stewart than Monica Botkier - her bags aren’t just cute, they’re a nylon embodiment of a cool way to live.

We know when magazines are named for women, they tend to fold when their founder leaves - witness Mirabella and Jane.

But what about clothing labels?

Coco Chanel, Christian Dior, and Cristobal Balenciaga are gone from their brands, yet their legacy keeps going. But those houses were founded before websites, product placement, and publicists. Kate Spade’s label was decidedly modern, and it wasn’t really built on beautiful handbags - it was built, instead, on living beautifully.

Sending whip-smart thank you notes. Smiling through your sunglasses. Looking incredible just off a plane. That’s Kate Spade.

It took Halston years to revive after the man himself faded; Perry Ellis is gone; Anne Klein and Bill Blass are just now getting back.

Does Kate Spade need Kate to keep going, or did you forget forever ago that she was even real?

We heard something fun last night:

Halston’s first collection may not be in stores, but the brand is already developing a new fragrance.

Halston had a signature scent back in the ’70s, but it’s been discontinued. Of course, now that Harvey Weinstein has a major stake in the brand, that fragrance could be revived with a new Halston muse from the Weinstein Stable of Stars. Maybe Emily Blunt is up to the challenge?

The rumor comes at an interesting time, since Jimmy Choo announced their first fragrance today, and Jimmy’s longtime creative director, Tamara Mellon, is working with Halston.

Then there’s the actual smell: How do you revive disco, and put it in a bottle that younger women actually want?

The challenge reminds us of our favorite fragrance, Etat Libre D’Orange’s “Lavender and Cigarettes,” which smells exactly like lavender and cigarettes, which smells exactly like most girls I know when they drag themselves to Sunday brunch.