A while back, Rick Owens started releasing a series of fur monsters - first the bunny clutch made of mink ($700), closely followed by The Monster ($850).

And now? Marc’s released a skull face watch, which we find a little too scary-looking for ordinary life (and $200).

So what’s with designers obsessing over busted faces? (Remember that Kidrobot made a mean bunny, too.)

Relatedly, Britt thinks the Marc watch must have been inspired by Jack from The Nightmare Before Christmas.

But for us, this just means we really think Tim Burton should take this trend and run film.

While reading Vogue UK this morning, I tripped over the casual use of “stylista.” The editors refer to Emma Watson as one in their boring non-story about how she doesn’t use a stylist. I meditated on the possible meanings while walking to work, and it went something like this:

1. Would I call someone a stylista? Isn’t that almost derogatory? As in, “Haha you look like someone on that show” ?

2. Do they have Stylista in England? Do they know how icky it is?

3. Why didn’t they call her a fashionista? Is this a case of elevator/lift translation? Or something more sinister?

4. Would I even call someone a fashionista? Or is that kind of wannabe, too? Is it only acceptable for blogs (hah)?

5. Ooh, I really want those shorts from Marc, are they on sale somewhere?

—BRETT KANE

Everybody’s trying to break into accessories these days.

First, the news was that See by Chloe, Proenza, Hussein Chayalan and Ohne Titel would all be breaking into shoes (and since then, Proenza’s quietly started giving out bags to their friends, which everyone hopes will actually make it to stores.)

Then, Marc announced he’d be expanding into a full line of swimwear for Marc by Marc, while Brian Reyes announced he’d be launching a line of lingerie (ok - swimwear and lingerie are not exactly accessories, but they do fall into that small things/cheaper things category).

Not too long after, Prada announced plans to design costume jewelry, and Yigal said he’d make the shoes from his Spring 09 runway for the stores.

And now? 7 For All Mankind is launching their own shoe range for Spring, retailing between $150 to $350, which may seem too close to their denim price range, but is probably a bit less than most 7 customers usually spend on their shoes.

Clearly, companies are hoping their shoppers will still be out there looking for cute things to acquire, but they know it’ll be with a much smaller budget, so they’re trying to make more things at lower price points so everybody can still get their buzz. Because as Elle MacPherson put it today, her lingerie line is doing better than ever because “when a woman can’t afford a dress in the luxury echelons, she may opt instead to part with £20 on underwear that makes her feel good.”

But the question for all these other high-end brands persists -

—PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEREMY KOST

Amidst the tutu-esque shaped dresses, whimsical t-shirts with faces on them and harlequin diamond patterns, one thing has become clear: everybody wants to be Miu Miu.

Case in point: this diamond stamped clutch from Topshop. Or take a look at this chain purse, or even these dresses from their Fall collection. Still not convinced of the Miu Miu influence? Check out this Harlequin mask. Seeing diamonds yet?

It isn’t just Topshop either. Mango is also selling a harlequin diamond-stamped clutch in more muted colors, while Urban Outfitters has a slightly more gypsy version of the diamond print all over this dress on their site. Even Marc Jacobs has given into the diamond frenzy - stamping this Marc by Marc jacket with the blue and green pattern.

We loved the look on the Miu Miu Spring 08 runway and we’re still kind of into it at these retail stores, we just hope it doesn’t become as ubiquitously watered down as the YSL drips…

Because then it would just make us dizzy.

—HAYLEY PHELAN

When we first saw the Pretty Nylon Tate Tote from Marc by Marc, at right, it never occurred to us that it could be copied.

It’s pretty plain, basically a basket of dark gray, quilted nylon with knotted handles - kind of like those black nylon Prada bags we used to see around that were so ugly and yet sold like crazy, so people could say they owned a bit of Prada.

So we were a little surprised when reader Lisbeth turned our attention to this Nylon Quilt Tote from Forever 21, at left. The shape’s wider, but the boxy-gray-nylon-with-tied-handles-and-side-pockets-look is still intact.

The only thing more surprising than someone bothering to copy this bag? The fact that the original retailed for $188…