“She would do all of this booty dancing in her period costumes! ”

— Actress Natalie Portman on Scarlett Johansson's off screen antics during the filming of The Other Boleyn Girl. From Fashion Week Daily

“She would do all of this booty dancing in her period costumes! ”

— Actress Natalie Portman on Scarlett Johansson's off screen antics during the filming of The Other Boleyn Girl. From Fashion Week Daily

The news that Mark "It's-So-Hideous-It's-Great" Jacobs and thoroughly modern Issey Miyake sent polyester down their runways last month is vindicating all the discount shoppers who’ve been picking nubby doubleknits and slippery synthetics from sale bins for years with the quiet understanding that polyester is made of petroleum and petroleum is liquid gold. And as crude oil surpasses $100 a barrel, you’ve gotta admit, the cheap suit is starting to look pretty sweet.

Related Links: Can't swing a whole leisure suit? Go with the jacket.

Walking last night on my way to my favorite Ethiopian joint, I was struck with awe and admiration at the massive variety of ankle boots worn by NYC's trendiest, but I'm still on the fence about the lace-up bootie as it sort of reads: GRANNY.

Upon first glance at this stereo themed clutch, I was impressed; I've shot hundreds of items and had never seen the likes of this bag. However, looking back at it this morning..I'm thinking not so much.

This black zebra belted trench by Via Spiga landed in our showroom just in time for Spring shopping.

FWD reports that Posen has now thrown his hat into the "luxe designer for cheapo retailer" ring, following the likes of Isaac Mizrahi, Roberto Cavalli and Stella McCartney. The 27 year-old NY fashion designer will debut a line exclusively for Target's Australia stores. Posen states that he is happy to reach a new customer with his collection. My thoughts are that the new designer business strategy is: start out luxe, then give out watered down crumbs to the masses.

The sneaker giant has commissioned the likes of the Queen Bee, Amy Smart, Vanessa Minnillo, and Christina Millian to launch their new FREESTYLE line which consist of candy colored kicks with a variety of zany and gritty prints such as zebra and graffiti tags. If you're feeling these kicks, check out these Prada pair to get a head start.

[Image courtesy of Nylonmag.com]

Oh, the adventures the girls got into in NYC last night! It was a busy episode to say the least: A fashion show with Badgely-Mischka, Paulina Porizkova's hilariously harsh critiques ("You look like Robin Wright Penn...a drag-queen version of Robin Wright Penn") a homeless-themed photo shoot and ultimately the exit of two girls. Turns out Kimberly "wasn't really into fashion" and decided to go home - seriously - while Atalya, the judges agreed, was "pretty," but that's where it ended. Game is on girls! Was great, though, to see the Top Model girls shake that tired, skanky L.A. uniform and rock Manhattan-worthy duds.

Fila is dead wrong -- and apparently unafraid of a lawsuit -- for their new shoe, the "Helmsman Hi" right? I mean, they look glaringly similar to Prada's high top sneakers. Prada's sneaks have been a longtime hit among the "urban" set, and of course Fila had a stronghold on this same demo nearly two decades ago, so this strikes us as a bit...interesting. And you can be sure the brand-conscious hip hop kids have taken notice. Wow Fila, swagger jack much?

Related Links: Ain't nothing like the real thing, baby. You're too old for sneakers anyway.

“ Come on, bring it up to $1,150,000 and I'll take my trousers off!”

—Sir Elton John goading his celebrity friends to bring up the bid on Sharon Stone's 1974 restored Corvette convertible for his AIDS charity benefit. From Style.com

O-kay. It took me about 45 seconds to stop rolling on the floor in laughter when I read this one. I absolutely dig Amy Winehouse and was actually invited down by her team before she blew up to weigh in on her album--good stuff! But a clothing and make-up line? Come on! The UK Sun reports that the line's signature piece will be the heavy liquid eyeliner that Amy is famous for.

[Image courtesy of Getty Images]

It appears that the "Counterfeit Triangle has been flattened" reports WWD. A grand total of $1M worth of fragrance and product(from Prada to Dora the Explorer) knockoffs were confiscated from 32 illegal Canal St storefronts that were shut down by the NYPD on Tuesday morning. This time the city is going after the landlords and the vendors. This season's scapegoat: Vincent Terranova estate, a landlord who city officials said has knowingly rented out space to counterfeit retailers dating as far back as 1999.

I say $2M will be the asking price to "smooth" things over with the city and of course just in time for the tourist shopping season.

[Image courtesy of WWD]

So, we got our bosses to let us hook you* up with $30 off ANY thing you order that's more than 150 bucks! That means this cool outfit Joy Bryant is rocking is all you when you enter code: FLYPAPER30 at checkout. Don't sleep on this -- today only, everything but the sequin cape is an extra 10% off so start browsing. The jig is up March 31st.

For your list:

1. Only Hearts tank ($23.40)

2. Kenneth Jay Lane ring ($27.00)

3. Sass & Bide jeans ($99.99)

4. Iisli sequin cape ($72.99)

5. Felix Rey clutch ($162.00)

*Of course, there's a catch. This has to be the FIRST time you've bought anything on Bluefly -- so if you've already treated yourself to a pre-tax return goodie, tell a friend to buy it for you!!

Kenny Kenny, Original Club Kid! I caught up with him front row at The Blondes fashion show, though Pat Field was a few chairs down, POSH was nowhere in sight.

It's really no big surprise that Megin, 24, is a fashion design student hailing from Fishtown, where she's about to decorate her new loft with the same philosophy she has for fashion: "Grab what I find and put it together!" But Megin's secret is making sure she scoops up only what she's in love with, whether it be her dark mustard-colored scarf from a street vendor in London, her grandmom's old boots, her amazing Viktor & Rolf coat or her big pair of '70s glasses, tinted purple.

When is a scarf not just a scarf? When it's a keffiyeh. (The one Chris Brown is rocking here isn't traditional, but it's a take on the old-school variety.)Hipsters have re-adopted this very popular scarf yet again lately, but not everyone may know that the Middle Eastern scarves are loaded with political connotations, from "anti-war" leanings to "terrorist" sympathizing to solidarity with Palestine. Urban Outfitters even dropped them for a time after complaints. For some though, the fact that they're in U.O. and Topshop in England just goes to prove they've become so trendy and watered down that they are, indeed, just scarves again.

Related Links: Gucci never causes offense. Jealousy, perhaps, but never offense.

“They allowed for a boob and a waist then.”

— Actress Lake Bell on her preference for vintage clothing from the 1940's. From Fashion Week Daily

I don't know what it is about the Oscars but we always have a tendency to think the worst dressed is actually the best dressed, the one actor/writer/director who goes their own way and actually takes a chance on the red carpet instead of sporting another Marchesa snore. This year they'll fry Juno screenwriter/ex-stripper Diablo Cody for daring to accessorize a Dior leopard-print gown with her sexy-lady tattoo and hefty turquoise jewelry, but we thought she looked fantastic. And interestingly enough, the big news here is not what she was but what she wasn't wearing--namely, the million-dollar diamond-encrusted Stuart Weitzman heel. AP reports that Cody wrote on her MySpace blog how she was upset to find out after trying on the shoe that there was a publicity push attached to it, and had no idea they cost a million dollars: "I'm actually really pissed about this, now that I think about it. They're using me to publicizie their stupid shoes and NOBODY ASKED ME." Ms. Cody chose to wear a subtle pair of gold flats instead.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm still trying to figure out the next trendy era as I'm so over the 80's. Fashion Week didn't clue me in as designers pulled from the 40's 60's and the 70's. The fashionista captured here really went all out with the 70's; I'm totally digging this look...maybe...just..maybe....

Last we polled you were digging men in skinny jeans.

This lovely stiletto adorned the feet of a funky celeb who sat front row at Fashion Week.

I'll be back tomorrow with the answer.

313 Merch, the clothing company launched by former heavy metal bassist John "Tumor" Fahnestock (Snot/Amen), is marketing a reissue of Iron Maiden's classic hesher cutoff featuring Britney Spears. I don’t get it. First of all, the original tee-shirt featuring “Eddie the Head” chained to a rubber room was without-exception black. 313’s is barista white. Who’s gonna wear that? Secondly, Eddie is a skinny zombie – with hair. (It's bandaged up, but it's there.) The Britney on the tee is a bald, post-partum, pop star. By the time she landed in a rubber room she was none of those things. As parody-wear this doesn’t even attain the level of a mullet wig. Brit should give those dudes a piece of her mind. Oh wait, she lost it.

Related Links: Bang your head.

“I am an amalgam, I am a fashion embarrassment.”

— Actor Tom Hanks on his choice of wardrobe at the Unforgettable Evening benefit gala for women with cancer. From Fashion Week Daily

I honestly ran back two blocks to catch up with Joey because he was so fabulous. This FIT design student manages to rock Betsey Johnson stilettos, skinny jeans, a Birkin bag and a turban sealed with a beautiful pendant. When I asked him what was going to be his signature item, he shouted, "The turban, I'm going to make it the new baseball cap!" My instincts tell me he probably will.

Though this Stephen Burrow's dress is quite lovely, I couldn't help but think that it needed a few accessories to really make it pop.

When I saw these two Styleaholics, I couldn't help but to think to myself, "Now, that's how you rock a Cosby sweater!" If you're digging this look check out this Adam Lippes piece.

Last night, I caught up with Erykah Badu at her private listening party for her upcoming albums--yes albums--she will be dropping a trilogy album starting in Feb, but I digress. When queried about the "mainstream" move of her upcoming Tom Ford fragrance campaign, she explained how she and Tom both wanted to use fragrance, fame and fashion to break down color barriers. Peep the clip below to tune in and to learn why she considers her personal style "functional art."

Oh yea! I'm so down for this trend! Despite the blogsphere's "leggings are not pants!" movement, the leather lover and legging addict in me simply can't resist. "Sir, I'll take two pairs please!"

We all know that plaid is a HUGE trend right now in womenswear--from accessories to coats--but the gents captured here rocked, quite well, extremely bold plaid trousers. Take note of both the slim cut with a tapered ankle and the flared leg with a wide cuff.

I have to say, I was kinda proud to see Miss Tyra on the cover of this week's Entertainment Weekly (the first time ever for an erstwhile-model-turned-entertainment-mogul). So it was channeling this enthusiasm that I sat through the first episode of the new season of "Top Model," and with most of my expectations pleasantly blown away. For example, I didn't expect to hear about someone drinking her own breast milk, or a victim of female circumcision in Africa opening up; or rampant abdominal stretch marks. I gotta say, this batch of girls is the most damaged I've ever seen, and I kinda love it. Tune in next week when the final batch makes its way to NYC for the rest of the season, a fitting place to scope out the latest and greatest for spring.

And we're sure you do too. Leave your question as a comment or vote here and we'll see what we can do to get one or two of you an answer!

“Fashion and Hollywood, both are important.”

— Former French Vogue creative director Fabien Baron on his choice to do the Oscar rounds over Fashion Week in Milan. From Fashion Week Daily

...and Into your Closet This Spring

SHOP SPRING'S MUST-HAVE ACCESSORIES

Neon-brights. Popping prints. Boho chic. Spring's trend reports are in -- but what to wear them with?

We had the exact same dilemma last summer when we were trying to figure out what to put on the Bluefly Accessory Wall. Bravo wouldn't tell us a lick about the challenges beforehand, and we knew from past seasons we had to be prepared for anything from straight ready-to-wear to a "make this dress out of poppy seeds" challenge. Here's the foolproof list we came up with that'll look amazing with brights, prints, boho or a mix of all of the above.

1. STATEMENT BAGS.
Doesn't matter if it's a satchel, shopper or oversized clutch -- a distinctive bag will literally carry an outfit. 'Distinctive' can run the gamut from quilted leather to studs and grommets to classic, definitive shape.

2. HEIRLOOM JEWELRY.
Could be a vintage from your diva grandmother, a one-of-a-kind ethnic piece, or a funky costume gem. Have fun with it. The point is to find one or two bold baubles that anchor spring's breezy styles.

3. SHEERS & CLEARS.
Lucite, glass and plastic are the new diamonds. Not really, but they have the same clean, sharp elegance when they're made and worn the right way. This season, clears are everywhere from from heels to bags to bangles, and with good reason -- they look great with everything, particularly the rainbow swirls of color you'll be seeing and wearing this spring.

4. PLATFORMS.
Platforms are probably the most successful reinvention of a retro trend, and they will not let your spring style down. Wear them with the season's minis, maxis or jeans to look and feel 10 feet tall.

The funky details on these cowboy boots--studded gold metallic plates and hand-painted floral design--put a fashion forward spin on an all time classic boot.

The colors, hot pink and dove grey, the shapes, stiletto and stacked and the contrasting sizes of these heels, made these pumps pop!

Kudos to Barrymore for this sexy, sultry cover! I'm absolutely digging the oversized ruffle and the triple-belted sequin play of her dress. In her interview she discusses her work ethic towards her career, keys to keeping her relationship hot and her body hotter. If you too are loving this strapless look, check out this Vera Wang piece.

And in 'most unusual alliance of fashionistas' news, word on the curb is that Tom Ford has selected Erykah Badu as the face for his new fragrance. Huh? Don't get us wrong, we love Badu triple time, but we somehow were excepting the patron saint of sellable sensuality to choose someone a little less...boho. After all, Ford is $500 wing tips and Badu is thrift-store, space-funk fab. So what's the link? Does the fragrance, the name of which we don't yet know, smell like patchouli? Ganja? Is Tom Ford really into neo-soul? Either way, we can't to see the finished product.

Related Links: We can SO see Badu rocking these Tom Ford glasses, no?

With the exception of Lacoste, Malo, Adam Lippes and a few others, the Fall '08 shows at Bryant Park were all about the kind of flesh-baring, flowing fabric, crayon color you usually see in spring collections. The same was true in London. Personally, I love that fall fashion is moving away from heavy fabrics and somber palettes. What say you?

[l to r: Ashish, Eley Kishimoto, Louise Goldin, Biba & Roksanda Ilincic; all photos courtesy of londonfashionweek.co.uk]

For those of you who cast your vote in our "Guess the Model's Age" poll -- and didn't google the models -- the suspense is over. Karlie Kloss (pictured above left after last September's Calvin Klein's Spring '08 show and at Jill Stuart's Fall '08 show) is 15. Model, Tanya D is 17 and Marie Fuema is 22. And while the fashion world is marketing big girl looks on younguns, remember when in this.

Ruffles have certainly been taking center stage this season. Here take note of the mismatch color, fuller silhouette and longer length of the hems.

I've recently noticed the return of black, quilted leather used to create pieces other than handbags. The knee-length boots work great for me; however, the 90's style vest doesn't quite make the cut.

As a self-proclaimed cell phone aficionado, West recently blogged about the new Coco Chanel phone designed by Fred de Garilhe. This stylish digital jewel encompasses 12 micro-lighter fibers that make the phone super light-weight, images multi-dimensional and lights to appear only when the phone is in use!

“ I like to buy items to mix and match with my vintage, Balenciaga, and my Francesca V clothes.”

—Fashion heiress and designer Francesca Versace on her style. From Fashion Week Daily

Despite my fervent, hopeful prayers that this particular 80's trend wouldn't return--it has! Not only have I seen it on several retailers' mannequins, I caught this fashionista last night rocking her very own handmade pair. Yowser! I'm so not feeling this trend!

These fashionistas really popped their outfits with well placed feathers. I'm especially digging the snow-white Flapper style headdress.

Pulitzer-prize winning fashion critic Robin Givhan has devoted much space in her Washington Post columns to tracking the lack of diversity on the runways, and she's pleased to report that she saw progress this past New York fashion week. Calvin Klein, whom she bemoaned for showing virtually no women of color last season, featured Liya Kebede this time around. And then there was the black model Jourdan Dunn, doing the rounds for more than a few top designers' shows. A baby step, but we'll take it.

On April 3rd, Takashi Murakami will debut his retrospective, Murakami at the Brooklyn Museum of Art. The exhibit will feature more than 90 works by the Japanese artist and will run until July 13. With Jay-Z as co-chair and Kanye West performing on opening night, it appears that Brooklyn hearts Takashi as well!
[Image courtesy of Getty Images]

[l to r: Tanya D at Ports 1961, Marie Fuema at Rubin Singer and Karlie Kloss at Jill Stuart; photos courtesy of "Fashion Week '08" on TopButton.com"]

Get the answer here.

If you can't get enough of Catherine Malandrino, you're in luck. During New York Fashion Week, Malandrino gave us a sneak peek at her first-ever jewelry line which was designed to match her Fall '08 collection. The pieces include necklaces, rings, cuffs and earrings composed of semi-precious stones like African jade, tigereye and enamel, among others. This accessory line will be sold at the Malandrino boutique on Melrose Place in LA in the Fall.
[Image courtesy of Getty Images]

These funky belts are proof that a fashionista should never underestimate the style power of a great buckle!

I think we already know that most "effortless" looks actually require a lot of effort, but I couldn't help but have a giggle at the stylist crib notes backstage at Fashion Week. Below, a few I'll prolly be incorporating in my "easy" fall '08 style.

"Slightly bunch socks." -- Abaete

"Make sure you cannot see top of dress under jacket." -- Monique Lhuillier

"One button from bottom [should be] left undone. -- Adam Lippes

“When I invented the baguette, I was sick of all the bags that were out there.”

— Designer Silvia Fendi on the design inspiration of the classic baguette bag. From Fashion Week Daily

Amazing designer clothes are one thing, but off the runway and crowded on the rack in your closet is another. Aside from the obvious height and weight discrepancy most of us have with the models that troop down the catwalk, there's a question of how exactly to wear that gold sequin skirt, for instance, more than once. Backstage at Fashion Week I saw so many stylist notes next to the models' Polaroids that I realized the designers don't always know how to wear their pieces either.
[These pics are Abaete Fall '08]

New York clothes horses jonesing for a fashion fix since the end of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will be heading downtown to the hipster harbor of Williamsburg this weekend where five Brooklyn designers -- Mandate of Heaven, Sovereign Beck, SDN, French Me, and King Gurvy -- will debut their Spring 2008 collections in a rambling waterfront art space. Even though Williamsburg Fashion Weekend is being touted as a runway-free event, there’ll likely be plenty of posing -- but don’t panic if you can’t make it. There will be vogueing galore when fashion week comes to your town:

Los Angeles Fashion Week: March 7-14
Saint Louis Fashion Week: March 25-30
Miami Fashion Week: April 9-13

Related Links: Fashion rehab? No, no no.

Though this bag looks great--I'm especially digging the taupe colored patent leather--I can't help but think that it really reminds me of a small piece of luggage; and after reading the NYT article on painful purses, I'm not so sure if this trend is for me.

Last summer when I read that capes were returning for the winter, I had no idea that they would be so stylish! Note the fun take on "the red riding hood cape," and the asymmetrical pleats and peek-a-boo color on the grey wool piece.

Captured in both earth and jewel tones as well as in a nylon and knit material, an argyle pattern is the latest look in tights. Fashionistas, if you are digging this trend, check out these looks.

We all know that your relationship status determines the type of dress you are going to rock tonight. My suggestion? Single girls go out on the prowl with this flirty Castle Starr asymmetrical number. If your mate is your date, keep it elegant and classy with this strapless LBD by A.B.S. and if you are somewhere in between, keep him guessing with this trendy and sassy, satin bubble dress.

Just in case you were worried, only seven days remain before Tyra Banks reveals the latest gaggle of gals on the next installment of "America's Next Top Model." Normally I would take this time to lambast the newest crew of wannbes, but instead I will showcase some advance favorites: Fatima has all the attitude, Anya has the beauty; but mostly I'm excited that Paulina Porizkova will be replacing Twiggy as a judge. It's nice to get some new blood circulating, especially when it comes to preaching the gospel of spring fashion.

By now you know that Chris, Christian, Jillian and Rami presented collections at Fashion Week with Sweet P throwing us off with a dope decoy line. But after watching the contestants answer design challenges week after week, and seeing the finalists' distinct visions on the runway at Bryant Park, it's clear they all have very distinct sensibilities. Christian is clearly couture. Jillian is sportswear. Rami is evening all the way. Chris is... a sweet person. But which one has a CFDA in 'em? (Let's assume all four won't go the way of most PR alums and never be heard from again.)

“ When Madonna asks you to do something, you do it. Full stop. ”

— London fashion designer Matthew Williamson on how Madonna got so many celebs to her Gucci/Malawi/UNICEF benefit. From Style.com

“It's a brilliant mix of English that only Vanity Fair and Burberry could pull off.”

— Party Organiser Elizabeth Saltzman on the Vanity Fair/Burberry photo exhibit. From Fashion Week Daily.

The first time I spotted these studded boots, I went nuts! These bad boys to the left are Christian Louboutin...let's just have a moment of silence.

I'm not big on labels, so I absolutely love when someone takes a luxe logo item and makes it their own by personalizing it in some cool way. Here, the deep purple spray paint and graffiti play on the logo, simultaneously funks up and reinvents this classic Chanel bag.

Okay, we all know that both oversized frames--with or without lenses--are in, as well as plaid button down tops. However I've spotted several fashionistas rocking the two items together.

[l to r: Rag & Bone, Sean John and Lacoste]
Like weddings, Fashion Week is primarily for the ladies. Though some boys did play dress up, I couldn't help thinking that the menswear looks would've looked better on the female models. Our friends at Muse feel the same way.

[Rag & Bone and Lacoste photos courtesy of Style.com]