Oh. My. God.

Much like Star Wars, Gossip Girl is getting its own prequel series, revolving around the buried romance between Lily Bass and Rufus Humphrey, which will be introduced to Gossip Girl viewers via flashbacks during the May 11th episode.

Yes, the Lily/Rufus thing is a total yawn, but since the separate series is supposed to take place in 80’s LA, expect Eric Daman to go buck wild with the costumes, especially since Lily goes from the high (a rich, Montecito boarding school kid) to the low (a public school in the Valley) in just a couple episodes.

We’re not sure we can condone such a thick layer of soap slabbed onto a getting-questionable program, but there’s nothing we can do to stop it, so let’s just enjoy the clothes -

Lily’s first outfit: Something like this?

Those lucky enough to get an invite to Diesel’s huge party on Saturday know it’s going to be a blast:

M.I.A., N.E.R.D, and Joel + Benji Madden all in one big warehouse, in Brooklyn, with tons of fashion kids and a red carpet curated by Starworks (read: lots of famous people).

But even the extravaganza that is a Diesel bash can’t necessarily contain this rumor:

That Britney Spears is one of the night’s surprise performers.

We heard it from an entertainment agent based in the city, and we’re like, “Nooooo!” and they’re like, “I don’t believe it, either, but that’s what the rumor is.”

So, you know, it could be like Kate Winslet for Vivienne Westwood - totally wrong.

Or it could be like Sonic Youth for Marc Jacobs - totally happening.

Fingers crossed, kids.

Overheard in the Vogue halls:

Katie Grand is leaving POP, the vivid British magazine she began, to start a new magazine for Conde Nast.

She offered her job to one of our favorite editors ever, but since POP is also reducing its funding now that Katie’s over and out, the candidate decided it ultimately couldn’t be worth it for her.

Now the magazine’s future is up in the air, and as for Conde Nast starting yet another fashion title, well, WTF.

How much weight this rumor holds remains to be seen - our sources are pretty impeccable, but also so thin, we wouldn’t be surprised if their extreme fashion diets were making them a little delusional.

Less Karl! More Cake! Less Stella! More Stella Artois! Etc.

Lord knows we’ve been wrong before, but here’s the gossip from a male model agent:

Marc Jacobs asked Cole Mohr to wear a dress in the upcoming Marc by Marc Jacobs show.

Supposedly, Cole’s already been cast and fit for the look - sort of unsurprising, considering he modeled MJ frocks in the designer’s most recent ad campaign.

We’re a little bummed because… well, we were hoping that Marc would put a girl with curves on his runway and not a boy with jangly limbs and a gorgeous pout and a scrotum, but oh well.

Let’s see if Cole just kinda goes out there, or if he actually opens the show.

To: Natalie@fashionista.com

From: MarcMyWords@aol.com

Hi Fashionista!

I heard from very reliable sources that Marc is tying the knot this weekend.

He and his 3-months Brazilian beau chose the most romantic city of the world, toujours Paris!

Check it! Love is in the air!

Xx

(Obviously this is so unconfirmed that all we can do is laugh at this point, but still - interesting email, n’est pas?)

Click through only if you want a not-such-a-spoiler from GG confirmed…

And now, a note from Faran…

I had the incredible opportunity to check out the Topshop headquarters last week as part of my trip to London. It was a rather OMG experience, complete with a virtual tour of their latest collections, a visit to the crammed Topshop fashion closet, and a peek at Kate Moss’ latest collection.

Needless to say, I sort of cried.

And while I was trying on my favorite new Topshop dress - a floral tiered silk cocktail frock with purple and blue pansies that has an exposed zipper in back - I had to ask their PR masterminds:

Will Agyness Deyn be designing a new Topshop line?

“Er, no,” was their reply. “She was photographed with Sir Phillip Green, and so the story got very inflated. Right now, Kate Moss has one of the best selling lines in high street history, and so there’s really no limit to how far that can go… but Agyness is gorgeous and very, very cool. So never say never.”

But it seems safe to say, “Not for now.”

Alas.

By the way, this is the best thing we’ve read all week.

Reader Chris sent us a hysterical email, with a photo of Jaslene from Top Model wearing Jillian from Project Runway’s final collection.

We’re rather furious we didn’t notice her the first time the photos were released, right after New York Fashion Week, but also:

Are we dangerously close to having our TV galaxies explode?

It’s almost unbelievable that a reality show contestant on one network could zoom over to another network’s fashion-focused program, which is also a competition that ends in a catwalk.

The whole thing is a little “seriously?” but we will say this:

We have never seen Jaslene look this pretty, and this much like a model, before.

Well done to everyone involved in that little transformation.

“Dear Cathy…..I wish you could have been at my show. I think it was a really good one. I am happy with it on every level. I deliberately stated I was uninspired this season as I have felt that talking about inspiration is so not the point to making and showing a collection. Inspiration is a catalyst. one is left with an interpretation of those thoughts. In a show context they are meant to “say” something…..I felt it necessary to allow the audience to say what they want, to see what they saw. There was no wrong or right. everyone is entitled to their opinions. Big deal….My last few collections have been nothing but an expression of where I am at and what interests me and my team in terms of cut, shape, color and our individual interests in fashionable clothes. I find so many aspects of life today fascinating…I don’t work in a bubble. I am influenced by the world, and what of the world I know, remember, and hope for. I look forward to the chance to speak to you soon…I really felt a need for calm, and yes, each season is a reaction to the one that came before it. I am certain that what we chose to promote this season was the only, and perfect answer. and, for all those who think Spring Summer didn’t sell…..perhaps, they should check our figures before assuming such as fact. I hope you are feeling better…All my best, Marc.” — Marc Jacobs’ comment on Cathy Horyn’s blog yesterday.

“Posh is the motherfucking guest judge!!!!” — Jennifer Gerson from Jezebel, on the upcoming Project Runway finale. HAAAAAA.

email one

To: Natalie@fashionista.com
From: ModelAgent@BigAgency.com

Marc was out with some friends today and they said, “What’s the show going to be like?” and Marc said, “Oh, there’s not going to be a show.”

You may not believe me, but I know… and I’ll tell you more if you tell me who’s opening the [redacted] show.

email two

To: Natalie@fashionista.com
From: faran@nylonmag.com

Walking to Cafe Habana after the Elyse Overland presentation.

Venetia Scott going into Balthazar with a friend.

I couldn’t help myself; I gulped “Venetia Scott is my hero!” as I passed her.

She turned around, grinned, bowed.

Smitten. xo F.

A connection?

Soooo… WHICH band is playing at the end of Marc Jacobs’ show on Friday? Miss Modern Age is dying to know!