For years it seemed like Si Newhouse and Condé Nast were hiding out and hoping that the whole internet thing would just run its course and life would return to “normal.” Sure they formed CondéNet and launched Style.com but they were certainly not pre-curve on anything digital.

But over the past few months, they’ve definitely been trying to make up for lost time. (We can only imagine the pages of the McKinsey reports that must have been dedicated to online growth.) From finally getting each of their magazines its own proper website to online dating (still super weird!), they are making a serious go of it.

Today’s Wall Street Journal reports that the publishing house is developing an e-reader application that will debut sometime next year first with Wired and then the other titles like Vogue and Vanity Fair. Apparently this is different from the GQ technology they just put on iTunes.

We have yet to sign on to the whole e-reader thing. But it’s really nice to see Condé trying to get out ahead of things instead of hanging back and watching the world change while it stands still. Because we all know how that worked out, and no one wants to see it happen again.

Foreign Explanations: Of all the nutty fashion people, explaining Olivier Zahm to the unsuspecting masses is most entertaining. If the post itself doesn’t make you giggle, the comments definitely will. {Gawker}

Royal Snap: Kate Middleton’s taken a job assisting photographer Nikolai von Bismark while Prince William takes royal tours to Australia and New Zealand. It’s not her first fashion job; she was an assistant accessories buyer at Jigsaw in 2006. {DailyStar}

Posh Model: In other British tabloid news, Victoria Beckham and Simon Fuller are allegedly developing a plan for a modeling agency. We’d crack a joke, but we actually love her collection, so we’ll wait and comment post-launch. {DailyMail}

Valley of the Dolls: Ruth LaFerla profiled Mattel’s new Fashionista Barbies (no relation), this weekend. The thought of “aspiring primary-school Rachel Zoes” is surprisingly disturbing. Its makers say the dolls are suited to this economy and promises they won’t be driving limos anytime soon. {NYTimes}

To say that the fashion industry is like high school is nothing new, but it’s also totally true. Which is why I love this Vanity Fair piece wrapping up the SS10 season with yearbook-style awards for different designers and collections.

We pretty much agree with their choices. Prabal Gurung was definitely on our Most Likely to succeed list. And Mary Kantrantzou for Best Nerd and we like Christopher Kane for Biggest Flirt. Though perhaps our favorite was the cutest couple, which is actually a threesome: Lara, Freja, and Baptiste.

A few more high school-themed suggestions that came to mind are Tory Burch for Class Treasurer because really who does sell-able better than she does at this point? That would be one profitable class. Plus I found this season much cooler than usual. Monique Lhuillier can head up the prom committee with all her pretty party dresses. And Alexander McQueen is for sure in charge of the A/V club.

So who do you elect to Class Council? And who gets your superlatives?

Georgia Peach: Just in case you don’t have as massive a crush on Georgia May Jagger as we do, which is kind of inconceivable, here’s a mini-portfolio from Vanity Fair. We like to say we knew her when. {VanityFair}

Herm-Asprey?: Maybe Hermès thought no one would notice if they bought Asprey’s massive New Bond Street store since the whole fashion world’s on a plane to Paris. But they did, and now word is they’re not just buying the store, but maybe the whole company. Interesting…{VogueUK}

Kane Control: From the second I left Heathrow, I was bombarded with Christopher Kane for Topshop. For every fifteen pieces, an original ape popped up, but for the most part with was crocodiles (alligators?) everywhere you looked, as captured here. {Streetpeeper}

I trekked to the Upper East Side for Oscar De La Renta’s show yesterday, because really where else could he have it?

Pre-show, Oscar mingled through the front row which held Vanity Fair’s Graydon Carter, Anna (and almost the whole Vogue masthead), Aerin Lauder and Zac Posen while I finally met Rachel Zoe’s Brad, who scolded me for forgetting my pants.

When the lights dimmed I landed in my seat and watched the collection, which can best be described as decadent fashion dessert, parade by on the elevated runway. Caroline, Iris, Karlie, Sasha, Arlenis and co. wore classically beautiful dresses made of lace, sequins, feathers, brocade and any other lush fabric you can think of. The man’s got you covered for a handful of occasions: an African safari, an English tea party, a Spanish funeral - whatever event calls for a floor length gown and maybe even a lace veil.

Most of us probably won’t end up at that occasion, but if you do, you’ll be the prettiest one there.

“A woman has no need to be…beautiful to wear my dresses. The dress will do all that for her.” —Amy Fine Collins quotes Balenciaga in her in depth look at haute couture in this month’s Vanity Fair.

Vanity Fair’s August issue featured an in depth look at Harvard University’s financial unraveling.

I read it on the plane back from LA, wide-eyed that the school’s endowment bled $18 billion (half their total endowment) in four months. So now, when I read that Harvard’s started their own clothing line with Wearwolf Group, I wonder if they’re trying to save their great institution through fashion.

Harvard Yard launches for 2010 in department stores and boutiques across the country with both men’s and women’s wear. We’re not talking crimson sweatshirts stamped with the white Harvard brand, but khaki pants and dress coats, striped knits and plaid jackets to emulate the Harvard prep lifestyle. In fact, there’s not a school logo in sight, just subtle spots of crimson outlining zippers and button holes.

The best part is, one of the key players tellsWWD that they’re hoping to attract “fans of the university,” not just alumni. Two hundred and twenty-five dollar pants will attract few fans, but wouldn’t it be brilliant if this is what saved their doomed science building?

“Many of you have asked if I have any tips on how to get leggings on quicker. My in-house leggings guru advises rubbing onto your legs a paste made from five spoonfuls of extra-virgin olive oil, turbinado sugar, and coarsely ground fair-trade coffee. If you have any further problems, then next week I’ll be recommending a truly great creative-leggings clinic.” —Gwyneth Paltrow’s diary as imagined by Vanity Fair.

The Vanity Fair International Best Dressed List has always somewhat baffled me. Maybe baffled isn’t quite the right word, but I’m always amused by what a mixed bag it is.

Of course, I don’t expect it to be a straight-up list of fashion folks, as that doesn’t truly represent the people covered regularly in VF. But man, do they throw in some random curveballs.

This year is no exception. Not surprisingly, both Michelle and Barack Obama (dad jeans, notwithstanding, I guess) make the list along with a smattering of royals, other world leaders, and their spouses. Think Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and Sheikha Mozah of Qatar.

The fashion crowd is represented by Natalia V. and husband Justin Portman, Rachel Roy, Georgina Chapman, Tory Burch, and Franca Sozzani (love!), among others. On my questionable list is Stacy Bendet’s “Hello Kitty meets Joan Jett. Randomness” personal style. She’s a choice that makes me go…hmmmm.

Not Faris: Anna Friel is the West End’s new Eliza Doolittle, so Vanity Fair photographed her in loads and loads of pearls with touches of Alberta Ferretti & Julian Macdonald for a supplement to their UK edition. {VanityFair}

Venezia Bound: Tom Ford’s directorial debut, A Single Man, will screen at the Venice Film Festival on September 11 which means it’ll have a teeny, tiny, if any, fashion quotient in the audience. {LATimes}

The Mulberry Bush: Mulberry’s look book gets re-invented for the cool kids. It must be an English thing - we’ve never seen the Bayswater look so impossibly hip. {Nylon}

Ooh-La-La: Bonpoint’s founders opened Merci in Paris this March. Here’s a peek inside the charity shop with its specially designed Stella & YSL. It also houses food, vintage, perfume and furniture and looks positively heavenly. {Dazed}

Upstream Upheaval: An intellectualization of the trials and tribulations of shopping for swimsuits and why, unless you’re Gisele or Gwyneth, the experience blows. {NewYorker}

Shopping Buzz: Singtex Industrial Company, based in Taiwan, is turning leftover coffee grounds into eco-friendly “soft, light, flexible and breathable” clothes that can be UV resistant and water-repellant. {Guardian}

Ghosts of Beales Past: A new family is moving into Grey Gardens. We hope this means Celerie Kemble is going to start wearing towels as head wraps and upside down skirts. We won’t mind if they take a pass on the hot plates and raccoon roomies. {WWD}

Is Moss the New Cowell? Kate is apparently in talks to judge on a Battle of the Bands-y show in Britain. Loves it. The girl certainly knows her way around a tour bus or a music festival. {Grazia}

I knew exactly who I wanted to interview for my first Life With column as I soon as I got the job here at Fashionista, my old friend Elizabeth Kiester (pictured here with one of her besties, Loven.) I’ve been very blessed in my 11 (gasp!) year career in this business to be able to work with some amazingly talented and wickedly smart and funny people. Eliz pretty much tops that list. And I was lucky enough to get to work with her twice, at Jane and YM.

But it’s not because she’s my friend that I wanted you all to meet her. She truly has had one of the most interesting careers in fashion—going from magazines to trendspotter for A&F to creating collaborations with Stella at LeSportsac.

As of late last year, she is a full-fledged designer, selling her wares at her incredibly colorful store, Wanderlust, in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Yep, Cambodia.

Unfortunately, a trip to Cambodia isn’t exactly in the Fashionista budget, so I talked to Elizabeth via email about how she ended up where she is today and how a life in fashion in Siem Reap is so very different from the one she used to live in New York.

Monday, we’ll chat more about what’s selling out in her store, what she misses most about New York, where Wanderlust is going next, and how to rock 5 inch Marni pumps in a Cambodian village.

Nudie Ladies: Finally, outtakes from Terry Richardson’s Pirelli Calendar shoot. WARNING: There are lots and lots and lots of naked boobies. {VanityFairIT}

Hallelujah: Is there anything wrong with the fact that only one photographer and one model have been booked for the August issue of French Vogue? Not when Inez & Vinoodh are shooting Daria. {WWD}

Are You Ready: It’s that time of year, when the fashion blogosphere holds its breath in anticipation of Fall ads. So far, Marc Jacobs throws Natasa V out the window and Calvin Klein casts Jourdan Dunn. {TheFashionSpot & Fashionologie}

Mellow Yellow: Have you seen this yellow Margiela clutch Sea of Shoes Mom has? It’s amazing. Also, Sea of Shoes Daughter is designing shoes for Urban Outfitters, but we’re not supposed to know that. {SeaOfShoes}

The Cat’s Pajamas: Catherine Holstein talks past, present and future collections and about how hard it is for a small designer to make quality clothes at a reasonable price point. {Coutorture}

Hair Raising Good Time: We’re just completely obsessed with this picture. And Agyness clearly agrees with our stance on pants. {Jezebel}

Ohh Johnny: This must related to fashion somehow - outtakes from Johnny Depp’s Vanity Fair cover shoot styled by Samantha McMillen and shot by François-Marie Banier. {VF}

Star Trek: A sit down with jewelry designer and Central Saint Martins alum Tomasz Donocik and a peek at his super awesome jewelry which might be made for men - but we still want it. {Starworks}

Settled: Woody Allen asked for 10 million, but this morning settled for 5 from American Apparel. {NYPost}

Smells Like Guinness: Daphne Guinness revealed her new perfume, made with Comme des Garcons, at the George in London yesterday morning. A short film will accompany its September launch, because nothing sells without a film apparently. {ShowStudio}

Alice & a Milkshake: Stacey Bendet, of Alice & Olivia, says a McDonald’s Big Mac and strawberry milkshake are her favorite meal. She’s also working on a jewelry collaboration with Erickson Beamon. We believe one of those things. {Blackbook}

So Far So Good: Isobel Lucas in Vanity Fair - the best showing of SS09 Chloe we’ve seen yet. {VanityFair}

Avedon Chance: The International Center of Photography’s launching a Richard Avedon exhibition next week. It focuses on his work in fashion in particular from 1944 to 2000. {TheMoment}

Fairy Dust: Pixie Geldof’s interning at LOVE. Apparently she talks too much and befriended a meerkat — or they’re just as fun and silly as we thought. {LOVE}

Circus Time: Paolo Roversi shot a Lucinda Chambers-styled Guinevere Van Seenus for the new Vogue UK. The results - gorgeous, if not a little creepy - make us wish shirts were optional in real life. {Models}

Time Will Tell: Just in case you still have hundreds of thousands of dollars handy and you’re shopping around for a pretty watch, VF’s lined up some winners. {VanityFair}

Super stylist Lori Goldstein’s in need of an intern, now.

She just wrapped a campaign shoot with Steven Meisel and keeps busy freelancing for Vogue Italia, Vanity Fair, V etc.

You’ll be responsible for managing the office, checking clothes in and and out, assisting on set and anything else that might come up.

They need someone both part-time and full-time, so the choice is yours, but the daily hours are 9:30 to 6:30 and you must, must live in New York. Experience is preferable but if you’re willing to work extra hard to learn, they’re willing to teach.

Email your resume and a spectacularly brief cover letter to Rebecca at Rebecca.Grice@gmail.com.

Good luck!

Not Fashion: But too good not to share. Ed Westwick said, “I have used his name before and just said, ‘Hi, I’m Chuck Bass’ like a catchphrase. It makes me giggle.” {Mirror}

Someone’s Hiring: If you look up to girls like Lauren Conrad, Whitney Port and Stephanie Pratt, Kelly Cutrone needs a new assistant. Consider yourself warned. {CityFile}

Who’s That Girl?: Raquel Zimmerman’s embraced bleached blonde for the summer. Should look lovely with the Proenza she’s wearing tonight. {StyleFile}

Marc, Highlighted: The best bits from yesterday’s Times Talk. Marc talks princesses, urine, Lacroix, Paris and BryanBoy. {BlackBook}

Why We Worship: We didn’t really think Cecilia Dean could get any cooler but she’s gone and made the new issue of Visionaire solar powered. The images actually change in front of your eyes. {Refinery29}

Turned Tables: People think DVF ripped this jacket from Canadian label Mercy. We doubt DVF’s seen it. Bet we can guess what you think. {NationalPost}

Green Rage: W says no invites are the new invites. Not that you’re not invited, you just won’t have anything to pin on your bulletin board post-event. {W}