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.

Last Week, Refinery29 documented the Mickey Mouse craze that’s sweeping hipsters and non-hipsters everywhere, including some people in our office (we pinky swore).

Then this past Saturday, Mickey and Minnie showed up - in person! - on a red carpet in Beijing for the Vogue Icon Celebration Event, arms linked with Du Juan. The toons wore Vivienne Tam.

Next logical step: Britney in Mouseketeer ears for a major spread.

Vogue Nippon, are you listening?

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 -

On Halloween, the Times reported that Goodwill is trying to change its image into more of a consignment shop rather than a place of “charity” by hosting fashion shows online, and promoting good deals on the blog DC Goodwill Fashionista.

And now, the Wall Street Journal says consignment shops as a whole are doing incredibly well right now, with about 66% of resale and thrift stores watching their sales climb, and about 85% reporting an increase in new customers. Meanwhile, more and mroe high-end stores are trying to figure out their place in the current economic climate and we’re witnessing more sales than ever, even at the good shops.

Which kind of makes this new Goodwill perfectly positioned for this new predilection towards good clothes that’s cheaper just because it’s been worn. Though we wonder about the supply of clothes there possibly dwindling for the people that shop there out of necessity rather than trends - and yes, what about all those hipsters who love to brag over their $2 Goodwill tees? Will they react to the trend by taking their dollars elsewhere?

So many questions.

Maybe it’s because I’ve just returned from a long weekend in the country, or maybe it’s because I’m particularly eagle-eyed when it comes to hair, but did anyone else notice last night’s prime time hair switch?

First, I watched Blair Waldorf help save a young girl from 1 Oak sporting a side braid more reminiscent of Lauren Conrad’s cool-California girl style than her usual UES stiff. And that was funny and fine.

But then I noticed Lauren Conrad sporting a black headband (and was that a bow on it? Tilted to the side?) more reminiscent of Blair Waldorf’s uppity signature look, which always makes me think of Shannon Doherty in Heathers.

An intentional Monday night hair swap? Or an East Coast / West Coast hip-hair rivalry?

You know we doubt it’s either, but it’s just so fun to say shit like that.

It seems Julia Restoin-Roitfeld isn’t the only socialite to nail a Gap campaign:

Joining Anja Rubik and Mila Kunis in the store’s imminent holiday ads are the downtown sisters Nina and Chiara Clemente, otherwise known as the curly-haired daughters of the renowned artist Francesco Clemente.

While Nina works full time as a stylist in Los Angeles, Chiara is a Soho-based artist and the constant companion of designer / actor / party boy Waris Ahluwalia.

Perhaps casting the sisters has furthered a trend pinned down by the Times last week, that while celebrities are losing their luster, socialites and It Girls - known for nothing other than their connections, trust funds, and constant appearances on photo blogs - are the only thing left fueling the luxury economy and the aspirational fashion pushes that go with it.

Or maybe Chiara and Nina just really like t-shirts…

Bravo to Sarah Jessica Parker for being brilliant at leverage:

Mere months after the Twilight series gets pegged as the next Harry Potter, and mere heartbeats away from its first movie release, the movie star releases a perfume called… Twilight.

Coty Inc. said in WWD today that the fragrances are based on “moments in time,” but we know the reality:

They’re based on a catchphrase that’s already made millions, and can stand to make even millions more.

Sadly, SJP probably won’t make a cameo in the actual Twilight, which is really a bummer - put her in some midnight blue McQueen and she’d be a perfect goth princess.

We were quietly going through the most recent T: Style with Eva Green on the cover, when we noticed something so incredibly strange.

Another high fashion bunny. But with a mean face. Made out of mink. Designed by Rick Owens. (Translation: It’s $700.)

You’re supposed to be able to put your necessities into it (“keys, cash and compact”), so we guess it’s like an animal backpack, except, made from an actual animal, and missing the straps/handles that usually come with accessories called bags.

Could this be the first animal clutch? Apparently.

On a side note, Stella’s moved on from bunnies to deer, though made of recycled polyester rather than venison. We should all get out our monkey-topped pencils and take note.

WWD has been documenting the downfall of our economy, and all the fashion roadkill that’s gone with it. Today’s reported victim? Cashmere.

According to their research, knitwear manufacturers are producing much less cashmere for Spring because it’s probably too expensive for most people right now. They say companies are trying to put out more wallet-friendly cotton blends, and Qi Cashmere has even dropped the “Cashmere” from their brand name.

So here’s something we just realized: If people start buying less cashmere (though we admit, we love it), and more cotton-based clothes, that probably means a whole lot less dry cleaning, which means a cleaner environment (perc, the solvent typically used by dry cleaners, is considered a hazardous air contaminant by the EPA), not to mention one fewer monthly bill.

And it doesn’t stop there - If people still want to shop but want to keep the per-instance footprint on their checking account as small as possible, they’ll probably avoid expensive furs and leathers (so we guess PETA members can sleep a little sounder), too.

And who knows, maybe this will turn into more farmers planting cotton to get in on the trend, which would only make its price drop further for everyone.

But back to this economy-environment relationship - could what happens to us financially impact what we do to our environment? Guess we’ll find out - Unless of course, we get a Zoot Suit effect, in which case, prepare to see certain ladies strolling Madison in full-length mink capes.

Aside from the pajama inspiration at Dolce & Gabbana, there seemed to be something else a little off, like say, the fact that a number of models were missing their pants. We know everybody’s been saying Spring 09’s all about showing your body off, but the lack of bottom garments really takes the cake.

Especially in Milan, hot pants seemed to be Most Popular, winning over skirts / pants / dresses. This is like the bottom version of the bra-top - cool, interesting, but so unlikely to be worn in the streets, we’ll be surprised if these ever hit the racks (outside of the lingerie department).

You could:

1. Wear leggings underneath, or if you’re more prone to the Edie look- sheer to opaque stockings.

2. Wear a longer, butt-covering blazer / vest / sweater over them.

3. Wear it to a beach party (go-go moves not included).

Reasons it may not work: Too many to list.

-ALEXANDRA BEN-GURION

It seems Mr. Deacon isn’t the only one enamored with our favorite 1980s video game - behold these leggings, at left, from Topshop.

They may not be the most flattering - horizontal bands of graphics, “POW!”, and “BANG!” don’t help anyone’s thighs - but they are pretty fun. Natalie’s totally into it, but more so in sweater form.

First thought: Wow, icons of yesteryear are totally making a comeback - think DVF and Wonder Woman, Lego at Castelbajac, Monopoly and Reebok, and the return of Christian Francis Roth.

But also: Why Pac-Man and not Ms? Pink and black would be so much less jarring and girls will be the ones wearing them..

But wait: Wasn’t Alice McCall supposed to do an Atari-inspired line for Topshop..?

—ALEXANDRA BEN-GURION

When we think of Spring, we don’t usually think black and white. But given the Spring 09 collections, this might be about to change. An overwhelming amount of designers showed black and white outfits and many had entire shows based on the shades. The graphic above is just the short list. We swear. We had to leave out Dries Van Noten, Balenciaga, Prada, Versace, Christopher Kane, Rag & Bone, Rock & Republic, YSL, Stella McCartney, Giambattista Valli, Cynthia Rowley, Band of Outsider, Philip Lim.. And we have a feeling the list could go on..

On a side note, this black and white thing could be well used as a background to some neon pieces you might have purchased for Spring 08, no?

— HAYLEY PHELAN

*editor’s note: the dress in the top row, labeled Sonia Rykiel, was actually designed by Michael Kors for Sonia Rykiel.

Hey, did you know we vote in the next President in about five weeks?

Because if you work in fashion (or if you own a TV, buy newspapers, etc) there’s no way you could’ve missed it.

Way back in August, it was announced that a bunch of very cool designers (Zac, Marc, the Costello boys, the Rag & Bone boys, Narciso.. - and we don’t think we need to tell you Alexander designed the long tank at left) would produce some cool merchandise for Barack Obama’s official online store. And now that it’s up, we’re amazed they talked Marc all the way down to $75 for one of his bags (a canvas tote).

Then during Fashion Week, Barack pins became a hip accoutrement, as seen at Doucette Duvall and Rachel Roy (literally), to name a few.

Then Anna jumped in with that huge fundraiser, and Michelle Obama reciprocated by wearing fashion favorite (but mainstream nobody) Thakoon on the national stage twice, and now Marc’s decorated his Bleecker Street storefront with not just Obama love, but Biden caps to boot.

So, is it helping out fashion’s favorite candidate for President? Guess we won’t know for a few more weeks. But in the meantime, we really wonder whether there are any McCain supporters among the fashion designer set, and what kind of excuses they have to give when approached to design Obama totes and tees…

It’s pretty evident that the 90s have made a come back - we all know about the crop tops, but now we’re seeing its big sister, the bra as top, all over the runway.

But the bra top raises a couple questions, like:

1. Is it a bra - as in, an undergarment made to wear under one’s clothes - or can it actually be considered a top? Cushnie et Ochs certainly thinks the latter, though we wonder what happens in cold rooms or in the rain.

2. Is it really ok to show not just a sliver of your midriff, like with a crop top, but the entire thing?

3. Where exactly is the line between “bra” and “bra top”? Is it in the construction / coverage / use of lace?

I’ve personally attempted this look with a structured bathing suit top, and another time with a cotton bandeau - BUT, only with high waisted pants. However, the runway’s been showing more skin than the new 90210, and, well, unless it’s hiding under a blazer, is anyone really going to have their six-pack hanging out like that? (Do regular girls even have six packs?)

So what’s the verdict: Runway or reality?

—ALEXANDRA BEN-GURION