“She was using recycled soda bottles to make fleeces even then, before Patagonia, I think, and I was really into that.”

— Shalom Harlow on Nicole Miller's innovative --and early -- use of fabrics. From Style.com.

The lookbook for Mary Kate and Ashley's haute new line The Row is up on Fashionologie, and with it comes the debate over whether one should pay thousands for a well-made brand backed by former child stars. We think LavishChic said it best: "These are the Olsen Twins. The OLSENS. As in the straight-to-video, tween set, interchangeable "Full House" twins. Yeah, them. I'm not buying it. $1000+ for a Ralph Rucci piece? Yes. For an Olsen piece? Hell no." That said, the clothes are attractive if unaffordable, and we like the photography. [via Le Blog Underground Chic]

Bjork is known for her outrageous fashion statements, but this time she didn't actually wear the recording tape dress made for her by artist Mary Anne Campagna as part of last weekend's Coachella music festival. Actually, what she did wear onstage made the tape dress look pretty tame. [via the Los Angeles Times]

The countdown to the Kate Moss Topshop collection has begun worldwide. Girls in London are already lined up to buy when the collection hits tonight (Kate will be around), even though they will only be allowed 20 minutes to buy no more than five items. Americans on the west coast ought to stay up late and hit the online offerings earlier than everyone else. Moss will also show up May 8th at Barneys New York, where the collection will also be sold. We hope she'll pose in the windows there, too.

Platform shoes were a common sight in the not-so-distant '70s, as were the Cuban-heeled Beatle boots that preceded them. So it's really no surprise that more designers -- Hedi Slimane, YSL and Marjan Pejoski, pictured here -- have joined Rick Owens in giving man-heels a whirl. I think it's a hot look, but will it catch on? Here's what the experts had to say:

Jimmy Webb, skull-and-bones haberdasher, Trash and Vaudeville, NYC: "In Visconti's 'The Damned'...at the end, when the guy's wearing the fishnets and high heels, it looks f***ing amazing... but don't wear heels if you can't walk in them."

Malcolm, our own unflinching style-scribe: "Some fashionista man is probably going to make the case of them being a throwback to the mid-evil era or something, but they’re just too, too queened-out. It looks crazy."

Alan Epstein, a 30-year veteran of menswear, B&G Clothes, Bronx, NY: "A guy wearing that would get beat up in this neighborhood."

Harold Oshrin, men's designer shoes, Barneys New York: "You've got to be young and trendy and thin and going out." He points to a customer who looks like he just sauntered over from The Box, whispering, "He would wear them." Said customer comes over to see what's up, takes a gander at the above pic and says, "I'd buy the whole outfit. Beautiful work."

Related Links: Can we at least agree on the the pants?

We know ruffles are making a comeback, but how about on a handbag? Is this BCBGirls handbag totally overdone, or do you stand by your ruffles? Yes or no?

Related Links: Think those ruffles are all wrong? How about these?

Forget the heinous book of the same name, this season's return to modesty comes in the form of high-fashion, retro-sexy swimsuits, a la Scarlett Johansson in Vogue. And any turban warriors out there, rejoice -- headpieces have been sanctioned, if not encouraged. In the words of Los Angeles Times fashion writer Booth Moore, "Now that we've seen nearly everyone in Hollywood naked, there's something to be said for covering up." Amen.

Related Links: DKNY does demure.

The red platforms are by YSL, the fingerless gloves by Chanel and the knit hat is Prada Sport -- so who's wearing them? We'll give you a hint: it's in the most recent issue of Nylon.

Sometimes Hedi Slimane looks so much like actor Marty Feldman, it's eerie. Anyway, aside from that, there's an interesting article in WWD about how difficult it can be for big name people like Hedi to get financial backing for a brand-new brand. But Fashionologie has heard Hedi may have gotten some backing.

Related Links: Dior for dudes.

One of the younger fashion blogs on the scene, Truly, the aberant is a deeply personal blog, filled with photos of Carissa's new haircuts, a link to model Chanel Iman's MySpace page, and our personal fave, a photo shoot of herself dressed like today's fashion victim.

What are you wearing?
I'm a fan of the minimalist aesthetic, so I am wearing a (very) little black dress from Rampage, borrowed from a friend, layered underneath a previously long-sleeved gray thermal meant for camping. My waist is cinched with a shortened braided leather belt that was my dad's; I turned the buckle towards the back because I love small, unique details like that. On my feet are my panacea to all problems regarding footwear -- a pair of very low black suede peep-toe wedges from Steve Madden. They have a very short wooden wedge of just one inch, which I oddly adore.

If your blog was a person, what would it wear?
I'm sure my blog would be a little bit pretentious and would probably wear a lot of young designers, like one of my favorites, Frank Tropiano. My blog probably wouldn’t approve of my wardrobe, actually.

Who (or what) inspires you?
I live in New England, so often the inspiration (or dictation, rather) for my outfits can stem from something so simple as the weather. Also, I always find something fresh in Zé do Caixão films, Victor Hugo and silence.

What's the best thing in your closet?
I bought a pair of these beautiful, staggeringly tall golden platforms last September that I can never seem to get over. They’re about four and a half inches high with a one inch platform for easy walking – the only problem with the shoes is that the smallest size they were made in is about a size too big for me, so I can only wear them in the winter with thick wooly socks or tights. I have very petite feet; I'm a size five.

Can you share you worst fashion moment?
The entire fourth and fifth grade. I was Harriet Potter dressed solely in blue.

Is there anything you wouldn't do for a [insert name of your most coveted article of clothing here or favorite designer]?
Apart from prostitution, there isn’t much that would keep me away from a Pre-Prada Jil Sander collection, or the current f/w line under Raf Simons.

If your style was a fashion mashup, what would it be?
I'm so bad at these things... I don't know, clinical depression in Reykjavik? My style isn't so sad, its just very neutral and layered.

“The reason I went to the shows was to get the free stuff.”

— musician Lily Allen on why she went to fashion week. From the Sunday Times (UK).

The W Hotel is cleaning their closets, sending their gently-used Kenneth Cole uniforms (they now work with Michael Kors) to non-profit organization Dress For Success, which helps disadvantaged women dress professionally for job interviews. As every woman knows, putting on the right clothes gives you confidence and pride. But if you do find yourself doing some spring cleaning, look up your local chapter and donate your office garb. Let's be real -- it'll make you feel good and at the same time give you an excuse to shop again. [via Fashion Week Daily]

Related Links: Or maybe you don't need an excuse to shop.

Stella McCartney is expanding her list of fashion collaborators, adding Notify Jeans to her already long list of teammates (Adidas, LeSportsac, Target, H&M and on and on...). The main man at Notify is also a two-timer -- he works as creative director for K Karl Lagerfeld denim. The collection won't be available until summer 2008, and details are few, but we wonder if this is Stella's moment to push organic premium denim into the fashion spotlight. [Fashion Spot via WWD]

Related Links: Stella would prolly recommend these shoes go with her jeans.

This sounds like the most unlikely firing in the world, but the New York Post heard word that John Galliano's days at Dior might be numbered. Maybe they didn't love his spring 2007 putty-colored collection filled with monk-like hairdos? Maybe they don't care for his outsize personality? But whatever complaints Dior may have, they really can't argue with the fact that Galliano's collections get them attention each and every season. Of course one could say the same of Hedi Slimane, and Dior had no trouble giving him the heave-ho.

Related Links: Get back to work in these buckled pumps.

Bravo to Tim Gunn for making the media machine work for him. Already locked in for the fourth season of "Project Runway," he will host his own show starting in June, is peddling a new book and is now helping sponsor Seattle's Most Stylish Man contest. Could this be a sly way for the perpetually single Gunn (he hasn't been in a relationship in 25 years) to find himself a fabulous boyfriend?

Related Links: Do your best Gunn in dark pinstripes.

They may be looked down upon the world of high modeling, but in the world of People magazine, who could be more beautiful than a Victoria's Secret Angel, with her big hair, stacked physique and scanty clothing? Check out the "Most Beautiful People" shoot with the girls, who offer non-groundbreaking secrets of staying purdy (sleep, good diet and exercise). Also worth watching for laughs? How to apply "guy-liner."

Related Links: Angel hoodie by L.A.M.B.

Prompted by the recent buzz about whether or not certain types of cars are gay, makes us wonder if there is such a thing as a gay store. It's likely that anything too campy or quick to interpret runway trends is gay for men, which makes H&M like the Roxy on Saturday night. Fred Segal -- with its rhinestones and grooming products -- might be bi-curious, yet Barneys and Marc Jacobs, for all their dry humor, are practical enough to ultimately be straight. For the ladies, a gay brand might have built itself on the idea of power suits and severe, dominating attire like Donna Karan; it would likely be leading the charge to bring back the shoulder pad. Conversely, Eileen Fisher, with its muted, Earth-woman palette screams Sappho.

Related Links: Ted Baker? Straight. Dolce & Gabbana? Don't ask.

There's plenty of pill-popping in the fashion industry, but never before have we seen such proud displays of pharmaceuticals on the clothes themselves. This new Prada tee, co-designed with architect Rem Koolhaas, shows pills that will increase your style or get you laid, 100 mg at a time. The "Style Pills" shirt reminds us of the gorgeous and witty pill-encrusted gown Chanel created for its spring 2007 collection. We wonder, was it covered with Karl's diet pills? [via Vogue.com]

Related Links: Step right in Prada or Chanel.

Bold prints will make a big showing this spring and fall, and with that trend comes the usual array of ripoff artists and copycats. Lots of designers pick out designs from pattern designers at specialized print expo shows, where they can buy copyrighted artwork that is exclusive to them, but the trouble doesn't stop there because you can't copyright an entire garment (despite this, DVF still tried to sue Forever 21 for interpreting some of her designs; the original is pictured at left). But believe it or not, this may change if a new fashion-friendly copyright bill passes muster in Congress. [via WWD]

Related Links: Cute printed tunic by DVF.

Marc Jacobs was released from rehab in sunny Malibu last week, and he's back on the scene in New York -- and apparently back in the arms of his Marc-Jacobs-tattooed former boyfriend. But his absence has not passed without a little damage -- Fashionista reports that the MJ team has been stuck on their resort collection when they need to be thinking spring 2008. The New York Observer reports that Marc got a bit tanned out in California, so perhaps he's returned inspired by sunshine and sobriety. [via Fashionologie]

Converse just keeps getting better. We love the rubber slip-ons and still adore the John Varvatos team-up. Their latest collaboration is with avant-garde designer Junya Watanabe. Sadly, they look like little more than checkered Chuck Taylors, so you'll have to tell everyone you meet, "They're not just Converse, they're Junya Watanabe. I got them at Barneys."

Related Links: If you like to broadcast your designer cred, go right ahead.

Fashionista's new video feature -- what's inside your bag? -- shows us what's inside the giant handbags of ordinary boys and girls in New York. We are impressed by how many people let Faran rummage through their stuff. But she is so sweet about it, even the staunchest civil libertarian would likely melt.

Model Maggie Rizer has been working again, appearing on the cover of Madame Figaro and in the pages of El Pais after a long absence from the glossies. Also in the works is a documentary called "Maggie and Me," set for release in 2008, which chronicles the model's philanthropic work in AIDS education (her father died from AIDS when she was 14). On a lighter note, she was busted for illegally dumping her trash in a restaurant's Dumpster earlier this month. [via Page Six]

“Fashion is to please your eye. Shapes and proportions are for your intellect.”

— designer Carolina Herrera, from the International Herald Tribune.

Anybody know what happened to these shoes from Dior's spring collection? We're guessing they never got made, because we haven't seen them in any stores or on the Dior website. Perhaps it's all for the best -- we're not sure why Galliano went for a cartoonishly pointed shoe now that everyone has pushed those kicks to the back of their closets. Only the croc knows...

Related Links: More from Dior.

Led by -- who else? -- Prada, the fringed handbag trend is less old west and more about texture. Prada, left, and Gucci, right, got pretty hairy, while Versace's version, center, seems to have had a trim. The requisite celebs have been spotted with the Prada version, but not everybody likes it. Having been given a free 'Indy' handbag by Gucci, British musician Lily Allen proclaimed the metallic fringed thing "f-ing vile." [via International Herald Tribune]

Related Links: This one goes long.

When Vogue announced its new, uh, blogue, (they don't like the word blog), we were eager for its arrival, imagining all sort of details and tidbits that couldn't possibly wait for the monthly glossy timetable. So imagine our surprise when -- at least so far -- the blog seems nothing more than a catalog of the goings-on of the black-tie high society set. While it is interesting to see such lovely clothes on the people who can afford them, (worn to events that benefit the less fortunate), it's kind of dull to read about the goings-on of Upper East Siders. We were hoping for something more like Vogue's juicy report from the shows, Style File.

Up-and-coming artsy neighborhoods always seem to spawn a look of their own. Much like New York's Williamsburg, Miami's Wynwood Art District has its own style. Totally deserted and undeveloped a few years ago, this undiscovered gem is becoming a Miami art institution. The second Saturday of each month is host to the Wynwood Art Walk, where you will surely see the most stylin' eye candy you can handle in one evening. Take Kate for instance -- with her understated elegance, she is a quiet trendsetter. A student at the University of Miami, this Florida native says her fashion sense is very whimsical, and loves wearing her mom's perfectly preserved vintage duds mixed with accessories from her travels. She discovered her most treasured fashion find for 2 dollars in Laos. She's wearing:

+ dress by Urban Outfitters
+ her mom's handbag from the 70s
+ t-strap heels by Michael Kors
+ bracelet from Laos, rings from Mexico, New York and Asia, plus a vintage necklace

Related Links: Can't go wrong with a white dress, haute t-straps and a 70s handbag.

“Trust Miuccia Prada to turn fringing into an icon of style.”

— from the International Herald Tribune.

The bubble skirt has not yet burst, but the new shape for spring is more egg-like than round. The look can be great or blobby, even when it comes from the same collection (for example, we like the subtle emphasis on the hips from Lanvin, Marni and Givenchy for the first three looks, but the next three looks from the same designers seem a little too shapeless). How to make the best of this unflattering shape? Wear skinny trousers or wait for fall, when the pencil skirt will give us our butts back. [via Catwalking]

Related Links: Hope I'm not bursting your bubble.

Chicken wire, garbage bags, and duct tape were just a few of the "ingredients" used to create fashion confections at the "Project-Runway"-like Fashion Project in Denver two weeks ago. Four challenges, twelve contestants and one top prize -- a trip to New York Fashion Week -- brought out the best in local design talent. The third challenge (and our favorite) required contestants to create an outfit from a $150 Ace Hardware gift certificate. The winner, Stephanie Ohnmacht, made a strapless sundress from canvas cloth trimmed with duct tape. The bodice was made from her own macrame webbing, the skirt decorated with birdseed, and she finished it all off with a hat made from a fiberglass dent-repair kit. Hot!

Related Links: A bird for the seed.

Ever wonder how the pocket protector got its start? Me neither, but any nerd worth his short-sleeved white dress shirt could tell you that it was a promotional product designed to sell slip-on vinyl covers for loose-leaf binders. The good news is that they're not back. Instead, a pocket protector with a far nobler history (think Louis XVI and Cary Grant) seems to be enjoying a mini-revival: the debonair pocket square. Those in the know advise a "casual, not too studied look" -- more pouf-y than flat top. But the suave square's probably not for everyone—particularly the guy who likes to use that pocket to carry spare change. [photos courtesy Men.Style.com, the Sartorialist and Diary at the Centre of the Earth]

Related Links: Then there's the guy who avoids the issue completely.

Who wouldn't risk "vertigo and personal injury for the sake of high fashion" and the chance to totter around in a pair of the season's best shoes -- YSL Tribute platforms? Since they are sold out until mid-May, one reporter from the Daily Mail tells us what it's like to walk like J.Lo and Gwen, who got their toes inside some ages ago. A cross between sweet and streetwalker, the $660 Mary-Jane style peep-toe shoes sit atop sharp six-inch heels, making just about anyone walk on high. The ultimate verdict? The two-inch platform makes them surprisingly wearable, but avoid those cobblestones.

Related Links: Reach higher.

Not only does this Playtex bra glow in the dark, but it also raises money for breast cancer research. How cool is that? [via Trend Hunter]

Related Links: Giving you an inner glow, Simone Perele.

Can you believe it's Hermes? What do you think? Does this sarong put the circus tent into the tent dress, or can you picture yourself lounging on a yacht en route to Monte Carlo while the cabana boy fetches you champagne?

Style is all about choice. We can wear whatever we want (within reason). We can say whatever we want (mostly). We are all about American-style choice and freedom to do what we wish. This is why we find the recent Supreme Court ruling so puzzling -- why are lawyers telling doctors what to do? Let me introduce some new vocab to you, fresh from Urban Dictionary -- fashion abortion. You decide what's worse -- wearing socks with sandals, or getting medical advice from a politician.

Related Links: Something to wear the to the rally.

“We initially tabled the trend of the white shirt. It was a big story in our March issue.”

— a Vogue representative explains the presence of Gap on the May cover. From BrandWeek.

Designer and jetsetter Cynthia Rowley has logged so many airplane rides from New York To Los Angeles to film episodes of "Design Star" that an airport cashier mistook her for a stewardess, reports the New York Post. But the cashier's question makes us wonder -- what kind of outfit was she wearing that made her look like an airline employee? Must have been something tailored in navy, but we're not sure. However, if Rowley ever pulls a Christian Lacroix or Julian Macdonald and designs some haute stewardess outfits, here are our picks from her fall 2007 collection to go higher.

Related Links: This one is cute, too.

Whether fashion merely reflects our violent culture or celebrates it is a debate best left to the talking heads, but in the meantime, we've noticed a recent sampling of guns and ammo in the world of style. Mexico's most dangerous dress (note the ammo belt, left), worn in revolutionary style by Miss Mexico, has a companion handbag, in the form of Ted Noten's Lady K Bag, which has a gold handgun encased in lucite, center. And let's not forget the Hundreds version of Rolling Stone's last cover featuring Rosario Dawson and Rose McGowan draped in little more than bullets.

We know it's a little late for Easter, but over at the Marc Jacobs store on Melrose (and elsewhere), a spring chick is still taking photos with customers in the store's front window. With all the pretension in the fashion world, we love the sheer delight of the rainbow backdrop and cheesy chick. [photo from RK]

Related Links: Perfect for spring.

John Galliano is in hot water over accusations of plagiarism from photographer William Klein (his work, left), who says his signature style of painting over contact sheets was copied in a recent Galliano ad campaign, right. Perhaps Galliano's biggest mistake was to run the ads in French Vogue, because a retrospective of Klein's work in Paris left the images fresh in people's minds -- and especially Galliano's, who claims he was "inspired" by Klein. (Once again, the word "inspired" seems to be a substitute for "copied"). Notice how the Kate Moss/Calvin Klein ad campaign managed to escape notice. [via Vogue.com, Fashion Spot, Fashionologie]

Related Links: The key to success? Be original.

New York's other fashion week -- bridal, that is -- is wrapping up. It's not everyday fashion, true, but it is the one shot most of us regular folk have at trying on something that approaches the likes of couture. New York magazine has outlined some of this year's major themes -- black and white; bows, blossoms and frills; designer; two-piece; and subtle sex appeal. A couple of my faves, left to right, from Elizbeth Fillmore, (the normally underwhelming) Marchesa, and Oscar de la Renta. A girl can dream, can't she?

Related Links: Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.

Previews from the May issue of Vogue are up, and with them this editorial featuring the magazine's "hit girls" in the season's bold prints. The girls are great, but maybe they should call the clothes "hit or miss." The styling on some of the shots is borderline insane, but somehow still very Vogue. "You can work wackier combinations like Coco does if you stick to a conservative silhouette," Vogue chirps. Look at Coco's face, though -- she looks like she's about to bust out laughing. Left to right, Marc Jacobs, Kenzo jacket with that damned Prada turban, Versace and Jonathan Saunders dresses.
On the "hit" side, we loved the dresses by Carolina Herrera, Miu Miu, Prada and Duro Olowu, pictured above.

Related Links: Stuff from MJ that is not fugly.

The long-awaited Bottega Veneta suite at the St. Regis Hotel in Rome will be ready by fall, making us wonder just exactly how it will look. Judging from the fall collections, we can expect classic silhouettes and hopefully a cleaner departure from the hotel's insanely baroque rooms. For what it's worth, here's what we'd wear from Bottega's collection for fall in Rome.

Related Links: Can we expect woven leather walls, perhaps?

Am I the only person not too excited or impressed by the new Gap capsule collections? Don't get me wrong, I love Doo.Ri, Rodarte and Thakoon. And the dresses and shirts are cute. But something wrong happens once something goes through the Gap. Things become boring, khaki or "classic" and all the life and intrigue and sex is gone (I would much rather have the sheer tunic Doo-Ri Chung is wearing at left than any of the other stuff). Apparently sales have been only so-so, but you wouldn't know it according to rave reviews. It's a great direction for Gap, and they should keep trying.

It was great fun hearing New York Times fashion guru Cathy Horyn give a chat yesterday at The Art Institute of Portland. Among many topics, Horyn gabbed about the Weinstein Company's purchase of Halston ("Harvey told me at a party last week that his goal is to reissue all the old dresses"), Tom Ford's new store on Madison Avenue ("The butler at the door makes it feel like you're shopping in a gated community"), and my favorite tidbit of the day -- she shops at Wal-Mart. "I've fooled many retailers with my clothes," she said, smirking like a lady who's seen it all. [photo by Willamette Week]

Related Links: Look like a million bucks in a black dress without spending a hundred.

If you can't afford a personal stylist, never fear, online help is here. Polyvore lets you select from a bunch of cute clothes to create your own dream outfit. It's a little addictive, and serves as the perfect late-afternoon work diversion for shopping addicts tethered to their desks. For the braver among you, there's ShareYourLook.com, where you can post a snapshot of yourself and get feedback on your outfit -- good or bad -- from anyone on the site. [via Fashionista and Time]

Maybe neutrals are not your favorite colors. Maybe gray reminds you of office cubicles and beige reminds you of nude pantyhose or hippie hemp pants. But obviously it is big for spring, so along we go, trying to think of ways to love being so bland. The International Herald Tribune offers five ways to love beige, but we have some reasons of our own. 1) it will take you through fall, 2) beige trenchcoats are easy to find in a thrift store, 3) it goes with everything, including the beach, 4) Zac Posen and Willow, and 5) it's a classic.

Related Links: Here's another reason: Marc Jacobs shoes.

Speaking of the 80s, some pretty insane leggings are on display in London right now. Style Bubble showed us some British hipsters wearing brightly colored and garishly patterned ones, pictured, and catsuit-obsessed designer Gareth Pugh showed up at a party in London last night in pink leopard print ones. Seeing how far ahead London has been lately, fashion-wise, we might have to wait before those crazy legs trickle down here, thought I have seen some hot metallic legs around lately.

Related Links: Why not start early?

“London is such a huge force in international fashion right now.”

— Zac Posen at a V&A Museum launch party. From Vogue.com.

With trends like skinny jeans and obscure high top sneakers already so passé to legions of hipsters, trendsters can now breathe easy because a new obsession is here: Wayfarer sunglasses. The references are hip: Blues Brothers, the 80s in general, and Nirvana-inspired grunge. Best of all, you don't have to get Ray Bans but can feel OK with knockoffs from Walgreens or a vendor's table. I'd work my way to having them in every color. That could take up to three or four months, which is cool because by then we'll be on to something else.

Related Links: Don't get it twisted though: the ginormous designer shade is still fabulous.

I always say I'm about to "go Naomi" up in the office when things don't go my way (example: "If the IT department does not fix this computer, I will go Naomi on someone's ass!"). But my new catchphrase might be quickly losing its potency here in Virginia. This state has got an awful rep as a haven for gun nuts, a stigma horribly reinforced by the recent shooting -- the worst in American history. Given the climate and our gun laws, me threatening to "go Naomi" over a parking space may not be safe. And I surely won't be using it in the airports (where customer service people are just asking for a cell phone upside the head) for fear of being called a terrorist. Perhaps I'll just reserve it for places where Naomi would "go Naomi" -- restaurants, clothing boutiques, hotels and, I guess, a cell phone store.

Related Links: Remember that "Sex and the City" episode where a gunman demanded Carrie's cute shoes? Girl, don't fuss, just hand them over.

Even in Atlanta's hip Little Five Points, a neighborhood that tends to draw people that dress to their own drummer, Libby B. is a style standout. I spotted her just outside the shop where she bought her white sunglasses. They're the perfect foil to her western boots and fringe-y scarf, which she wears so effortlessly. She made the necklaces she's wearing from components she purchased in Israel, where she's studying International Relations. Libby is wearing:

+ dress by Proenza Schouler for Target
+ sweater from her favorite place to shop, H&M
+ scarf from a thrift store in Denver
+ boots from Zara, Tel Aviv
+ handmade necklaces
+ sunglasses from Clothing Warehouse

Related Links: We love chunky boots and a little black dress.

After becoming the poster child for underfed models, Snejana Onopka had to lay low for a while. Now it seems some more unwelcome publicity is on its way -- in the form of some nude photos she took at home in Ukraine. So what? First of all, models show their boobs all the time in the name of fashion. Second, Kate's selling her nudie pics for five figures and flashing her business on magazine covers for five dollars. Third, Snejana looks better fed in her nude pics than she does on the runway. [Bryanboy.com via Fashist]

Related Links: Keep it under wraps.

We love the way blogs for major news outlets have turned the world's most intimidating fashion writers -- Cathy Horyn of the New York Times, Robin Givhan of the Washington Post and Hilary Alexander of the International Herald Tribune (left to right) -- into normal ladies just like the rest of us. Between Cathy's dispensing her favorite cookie recipes, Robin's reluctance to disclose how much she spent shopping, and Hilary's need for a man to help untangle her rose bushes (ahem, literally), we rather enjoy seeing their human sides.

“The trip really awoke my senses.”

— John Galliano on his recent trip to Japan. From WWD Magazine.

If you can't get enough of Tim Gunn's wry musings on fashion, never fear, his book is here. "Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style" is out, with a companion Bravo TV show ("Tim Gunn's Guide to Style,") in the works. If you don't want to commit, the first chapter of the book is available online. We love this piece of advice on shopping: "The most important part of your expedition should take place before you leave home. The salient question to ask is: 'Why am I shopping today?'"

Related Links: I shop, therefore I shop.

Who could forget the hideous corsages, uncomfortable shoes, and embarrassing photos? Maybe it's less about forgetting and more about not wanting to remember, but who doesn't have a cringe-inducing prom story to share? C'mon ladies, we need to know-- how big were those puffy sleeves? How much AquaNet went into that hairdo? Even though it was all ugly in retrospect, those gowns did seem glam at the time, and of course shopping for them was about 99% of the fun. Send us your most horrific prom getup and the winner will get 10% off at Bluefly. We hope that's enough of a discount in exchange for total humiliation. [photo courtesy UglyDress.com]

Related Links: You young ladies have it so easy.

Speaking of copying, anyone know who designed the dress Kate Moss wore in 1998, then copied for her TopShop collection almost ten years later? The repeat has got her a new name, coined by the New York Post -- DupliKate. [via My Fashion Life]

Related Links: A little black dress, for your inner CopyKate.

Forever 21 is going to get itself into a pile of trouble one of these days. Diane von Furstenberg is suing them for copying her prints and designs, but we're surprised similar suits haven't been filed by Fendi, Gucci (pictured) and Mulberry over their ever-derivative handbags. No wonder everything in there looks so familiar.

Related Links: The original.

We know models sometime take unflattering photos, but has something gone completely haywire with this one? When we first saw the pic, we really didn't believe who it was. Click to see how far the gorgeous have fallen.

The lack of fabulous kicks for ladies with large feet has a new solution, thanks to publicist Nadine Johnson. Simon Doonan cornered her about where she managed to find strappy heels in her size, a 12 narrow. She found them at Payless. "And they are chic," she told Doonan. "If you sprayed the soles hot pink, people would think you were wearing Louboutins!" Word to the wise -- whether you've got large feet or a small budget, this could be your ticket to $19 Loubous.

Related Links: There's always the real deal.

What do Transumers, Swaparamists and Freegans all have in common? They all have issues with shopping. Transumers don't commit to buying anything, preferring instead to borrow or lease, Swaparamists would rather trade garments than shop for them, and Freegans are up for a bargain of the totally free variety. Even if you love shopping, you have to admit a grain of truth in the prank stickers left on products by Adbusters in honor of Buy Nothing Day, which read: "Why bother? I'll be obsolete in six months." [illustration from DeMontfort U.]

Related Links: We're not saying stop shopping, we're just saying buy smarter.

When Brazilian supermodel Alessandra Ambrosio showed up at a recent surf art exhibition in NYC I figured she took a wrong turn off the Victoria's Secret runway. But it turns out she's no slouch on a stick. I chatted with the VS Pink spokesmodel while she chilled with her brahs -- surf photog Jason Murray and a couple of dudes from Fluir. Ever wonder what the worst thing is about being an internationally renowned lingerie model? "Working every day so I don't have the time to surf," the bitchin' Brazilian told me. Sounds pretty grim, right? Don't feel too bad; Victoria's Secret gave her a gun. "It's big," Ambrosio assured me. "A cross between a regular board and a funboard. Thicker, larger, more stable in water." They want to keep he