Gap and Pierre Hardy just works. Gap and Valentino? We're not so sure. The world's biggest specialty retailer is teaming up with the historic fashion house to create a capsule collection, which will be available in a few of its European stores. (The US flagships are not scheduled to receive a shipment, unfortunately.) The partnership was formed to celebrate the opening of the new Gap stores in Milan and Rome. The launch will take place in November at the retailer's new Milan flagship, but pieces will also be available at Colette, Dover Street Market, and Gap's London flagship. I was living in London when Gap did something similar with Roland Mouret and I will say that the results were impressive. And of course no one can forget Phoebe Philo's "European collection" for the brand. But Mouret's dresses are structured and Philo's a minimalist--those looks were slightly easier to recreate in a knit than a silky blouse or ruffly frock, which is what the new Valentino team is best known for. It'll be interesting to see what they turn out.

When I spied the new Pierre Hardy heels on the models in Gap's Fall 2011 look book, I fell pretty hard. Happily, a pair arrived at my office the next day. Of course it was super, super nice of Gap to send me the shoes, and I'm incredibly grateful, but don't be too jealous: You can buy your own pair very soon. In fact, the mary janes paired with the Fall clothes are actually a part of Pierre Hardy's Spring 2011 collection for Gap. They come in two colorways--either cream and nude, or fluro peach and grey. The shoes retail for $125 and hit select stores and the web mid-April. Heart. Click through to see the other pair.

Natalie Portman is the latest A-lister to team up with Parfums Christian Dior. Other celebs who rep the brand's fragrances include Charlize Theron, Sharon Stone and Jude Law. But which scent will she pose for? Charlize does J'adore, and Sharon does Poison. So we're guessing it'll be Miss Dior Cherie. The fresh, youthful scent--which launched during the 2008 holiday season--hasn't had a new campaign since Sofia Coppola's lovely commercial starring model Maryna Linchuk. Natalie seems like the perfect choice to follow Maryna. Unless, of course, Dior is launching a new fragrance....

I love my Gap x Pierre Hardy platform sandals, and I nearly bought last year's towering pirate boots. So it's no surprise this autumn's peep toe lace-ups are on my "To Buy" list.