Play our Spring in the City game for a chance to win $10,000 worth of all the Chloe, Marc, Prada & everything else your heart desires.

I caught up with Project Runway's Malan Breton at Tracy Reese's Secret Garden party last week and the man has been putting in some serious overtime since he was auf'd in Season 3. Between launching a new line of handbags to complement his ready-to-wear and couture lines, and starring in his own reality show for Bravo, Malan's been moonlighting as a fashion journalist for an online magazine. If Christian Siriano's the next Marc Jacobs as Tim Gunn predicts, maybe Malan's the next Isaac Mizrahi?

These unique necklaces are surely a surfacing trend. Take note of the paper, bubble style and the fun colored paints used to create the lifelike look and feel of these avant-garde pieces.

O-kay, I like the creativity here; take note of the mix of the two non-traditional fabrics sewn together; but I'm not sure what to call this piece...... is it a blouse? housedress?

“ Russian fashion has been given back to us, it’s arrived.”

— Designer Valentin Yudashkin on the rise of young Russian designers and models. From New York Times

The idea of a "fashion week" has exploded not only heavily in non-major US cities (think Baltimore, eek!) but also globally; ironically in places that the fashion set, normally never get around to visiting. Enter Russia, specifically Moscow; according to NYT, spurred by a strong, oil based economy, the fashion-conscious public has not only given birth to top Russian models such as Natalia Vodianova and designers Aleksandr Terekhov and Denis Simachev, but spends twice as much as other Europeans on clothes. Though it will take Russia quite a while to achieve the same level of credence as NY, Paris and London….I believe they are one to watch.

[Image courtesy of NYT]

One of the more bizarre stories this week--New York Times' Eric Wilson reports on how the powers that be at Vogue called up Rodarte's Mulleavy sisters and offered to pay for them to lose weight. Vogue covered the personal training and prepared meals; the girls' weight loss (a combined 50 pounds) will be the focus of a feature in this April's issue. Wilson also pulls this one of out of the Vogue annals--remember in '98 when Oprah agreed to lose 20 pounds to be on the cover?

In a meeting today, my co-worker, Joellen told us about a morning show segment she caught that revealed guys think you look skinnier if you're wearing a floral scent! This led to a lil' debate over whether the sensual -- the sense of smell and sight -- was more powerful than the psychological -- the idea of flowers as delicate petals held up by slender stems (I know, I work with really smart people). I'm still not sold on how a fragrance could make you see things differently, but I did think this hourglass-shaped bottle of "Andy Warhol Union Square" by New York neighborhood-inspired perfumers, Bond No. 9 looked a lot like this waist-cinching Sweetees top.

As Sex & the City Movie fever continues to ramp up, Nina Garcia gives us the go-ahead to let our bra straps show Carrie-style.

What do you think about head-to-toe prints? Personally, I love 'em and would happily rock this Alice Ritter blouse and skirt together. But what say you? Too much?

It's spring coat time and I am absolutely loving the trenches that are starting to pop up. Check the candy striped number, fellow blogger, Marilyn Kirschner was wearing when I ran her down just outside the tents at this past Fashion Week. Alice Ritter's more muted transition trench (and matching skirt!) will be perf when it comes out in the fall.

At Tracy Reese's Secret Garden party last night, the champy was flowing and the prints were in full effect - of course! Reese being the Print-cess of Fashion, we got a lot of cool ideas on how to rock spring's latest craze. Basically, it's all about the accessories. Layers of necklaces like the ones Tracy herself is rocking, a beret or some other piece that picks up one of the print's colors, or a matching 'brelly like the one model, Hollis rocked the runway with at Tracy's Spring '08 show. In this video, Nina Garcia's got great advice on how to wear the season's floral prints in particular.

I bumped into fellow blogger, Zandile Blay at Tracy Reese's Secret Garden Party last night and could not stop the drool from dripping right onto her Chanel bag. It would look amazing with these Prada shoes, don't you think?

"Your strength is what makes you truly glamorous!" I believe this is the best quote by Tyra Banks yet. Check out the diva on Deal or No Deal. And while you're at it check out these diva dresses.

“You feel like a grown up little girl in them.”

— Supermodel Helena Christensen on the new Tocca dress collection. From Fashion Week Daily

I personally love daring footwear; it's the easiest way to express your most dramatic side. I captured this pair of striped boots on one of NYC's most elite Styleaholics and though I like the silhouette of the shoe, I'm not sure if the stripes detract or add to the overall look.

Judging from the blinged out faces of these two animals, it would appear that "animal bling" is the latest accessory trend.

Chloe Marshall, 17 -- the first-ever size 16 Miss England finalist -- recently told the British press her competition consists of "Beanpoles, you know, size 8s, maybe a few 10s." (Um, are those children’s sizes?)

Why submit to the fat jabs and bang on about body-love only to drop three stone the minute the call from Slim Fast comes through? Revenge on Topshop designers (Oi Kate!), says Miss Surrey. “When I'm standing up there, in the final of Miss England I'll be thinking of them.” Right luv, and they’ll be thinking you need a bigger sash.

Related Links: You slaughtered the swimsuit competition, now decimate the greenroom danish.

It's not often I want everything a 90 year old woman is wearing, but Mimi Weddell -- remember her cameo on Sex & the City? -- is the exception and she knows it. Cop the aviator shades, don a pair of bright hot gloves, and throw on a blazer to get Mimi's look. And check out the documentary she's starring in on an arthouse screen near you.

Hair accessories in general seem to be making a big comeback, but I've recently noticed a strong trend in hair bows. Style notes include vinyl material and the sparkly faux diamonds.

As promised, yours truly did indeed make it out to the launch party for Heatherette's M.A.C. line; and as usual the boys didn't fail to make sure all invited had a great time. In between bites of cotton candy and strawberry flavored popcorn, I managed to capture some of the more outrageous Styleaholics in the building. If you're in the mood for an outrageous look check out this strapless bow dress by A.B.S.

“ We thought it was a strong and beautiful photo shoot.”

— Abigail Walch, a senior editor at Vogue on the controversial Lebron James and Giselle cover. From New York Times

Oooh, this is good! I'd been wondering why Jay and Tyra haven't appeared in a single frame of this season's "Top Model" together and now it seems I have my answer: According to OK! magazine (via MSNBC) the show's style guru and "Top Model" creator have allegedly been feuding as of late, causing speculation that Banks may leave her post after the season wraps. Honestly, I can't see how or why that would affect the show. It's already a strong brand and really, hosting a show that gives false hope to freaky, immature chicks everywhere is hardly necessary for a woman who somehow recently lured Barack Obama to be on her own talk show. Tyra, I would actually respect you more if you left "Top Model," if only to avoid seeing you not have to squeeze your assets into those dresses at the end of each show.

[Image courtesy of Getty Images]

Fashion Week has to leave Bryant Park by 2010, and there's talk it might end up at -- hold on to your designer hats -- Port Authority. Yes, Port Authority. As in bus terminal. Fern Mallis likes the idea because it's in a geographically comfortable spot, and she's seriously floating the idea of putting tents on the roof, which is currently a parking lot across from the NY Times building. One issue, Mallis, notes, is moving people up to the roof with small passenger elevators. Then there's that other teensy issue: Port Authority is a cruddy, funky hot mess, perched at a still-kinda-seedy section of Times Square. Has no one considered the far more glamorous Grand Central?

You could get two of 'em -- for free... and then some.

Yowser! These Louis Vuitton 7" heels are the latest craze in fashionable footwear. According to the UK Times there is already a waiting list, and when they hit the shops later this year, they will be the highest heels in fashiondom, topping current title-holder Christian Louboutin's 6" black pony skin shoes. It appears shoes are getting taller and wilder as more women get comfortable expressing their outlandish side through their shoes!

[Image courtesy of UK Times]

Fashiontribes, recently hipped me to the fact that elaborate hats were back for spring. Though these looks by Christian Dior Couture and Alexander McQueen, have nothing on the ladies who attend my Baptist church, I still think they may be even too funky for me.

[Images courtesy of Fashiontribes.com]

Though I don't know how many die hard fashionistas are down to take tips from Lauren Conrad, what I am digging about LC is that she looks healthy, hips folks to vintage shopping in order to save money and look funky, and she shares with us some of the cutest wedge sandals.

Ford Model, Alejandra let us in on her fave swimsuit looks and you can shop each "slink or swim" style straight off the video by clicking the "buy" button now. How fly is that?

While I have no love for Miley Cyrus, I am swooning over these Frye boots. You couldn't get me to take 'em off either!
[Photo courtesy Stylewatch at People.com]

Related Links: Luckily, there's lots of Frye to go around.

Rumor has it that Naomi Campbell is the newest face for Yves Saint Laurent's fall ad campaign, chosen over Kate Moss. Ouch! The cell-phone-as-a-weapon-supermodel was recently photographed in Paris by Ines van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin for the campaign.

[Image courtesy of Getty Images]

The heroine of chick lit, will be unloading her bauble secrets at a Christy's auction this month. According to FWD, bling brands Asprey, Tiffany's, & Van Cleef & Arpels will be among the goodies sold. Coveted items include sapphire and diamond "Morning Glory" ear clips by Jean Schlumberger for Tiffany & Co., estimated to go for $18,000 to $22,000; a diamond-and-black-coral own brooch by Van Cleef & Arpels, which is estimated to sell for between $15,000 and $25,000; and a citrine bead and gold necklace by Asprey, estimated at $4,000 to $6,000.

[Image courtesy of Getty Images]

Now this is a refreshing bit of bathroom chatter! The blonde bombshell is supposedly Cartier's newest face for their Love Charity bracelet, which which will be sold in limited-edition, with all proceeds going to a variety of charity programs.

[Image courtesy of Fashionista.com]

Not a day goes by and we don't curse the fact that we can't wear heels higher than a measly two inches. This New York Times slideshow did not help. Peep these sweet heels seen on ladies during Paris Fashion Week. These ones with the orange ankle straps are our favorite. Nanette Lepore made some awesome sandals too! And yours?

This black patent leather short swing coat by Elie Tahari is fresh from our closet, and I must say quite a stylish look, especially with patent leather trending in full bloom for spring.

Oh, man, I love these Marc Jacobs ads! Though this one is a bit tame compared to the last crop, I am so digging the surreal mannequin body language, not to mention Victoria Beckham's Pebbles Flintstone inspired hairdo. Gotta love this Styleaholic... she's so bold!

“ I'm so excited in this skirt that I can't even speak.”

—Actress Angie Harmon on her dramatic Miuccia Prada skirt. From Fashion Week Daily

WWD recently reported that Express has joined the guest designer game with its recent collabo with British textile designer Celia Birtwell, who also works with Topshop. The April 7th debut collection will feature Birtwell's signature bohemian aesthetic executed in four mini-collections that will consist mainly of '70s-style chiffon blouses and silk dresses done in a variety of prints. Knowing Express the way I do, I can't really see how this upcoming "guest designer" collection will be much different from what they've had in the past.

What's cool about beatnik chic is it basically incorporates spring's other big trends. So you're actually saving money with this look -- at least that's what you can tell yourself when you're filling your shopping cart* with goodies. So go 'head and get yourself some funky florals, a really great pair of wideleg jeans, gladiator sandals for day and some hot platforms for night -- and you're good to go.

*You have till March 31st to use the FLYPAPER30 discount. If you're a new customer, you'll get $30 off your order of $150 or more.

Kenneth Cole, the designer behind the duck bill dancing shoes generally worn with open-collar dress shirts outside bottle-service nightclubs, will celebrate his 25th anniversary in the fashion biz with a socially responsible coffee table book to complement his Awearness t-shirt campaign and the big-issue billboards he uses to promote his brand among bridge-and-tunnel bleeding hearts. It’s hard to decide what’s worse, the ersatz activism or the dorky shoes?

Related Links: Want to protest? March on Washington.

Forget bags on Canal Street: Timothy Khane took fashion fakes to a whole new level. He pled guilty this week for posing as a member of Gucci's advisory board, and defrauding an investor into buying $7 million worth of fake Gucci stock options between 1995 and 2006. He faces up to 20 years in prison for each offense he pled guilty to, and a fine of as much as $5 million. Yikes. While there's definitely nothing fierce about fraud, you've got to be a little bit sympathetic: who didn't want to be down with Gucci during those Tom Ford years?
Why fake it when you can get the real thing for cheap?

From the runway to the streets, the printed cardigan is in full effect; looks can include street scenes, florals and animal prints. Peep this great spring cardigan by Nanette Lepore.

Edgy trench coats are in full swing this season; styles include animal prints and bold colors similar to this sunny Michael Kors hooded, belted trench.

Reality TV has democratized the world of entertainment, and while, for the most part, it has been a sordid affair (think I Love New York) there have been a few gems (PR, ANTM) and now one of our very own fashion elite, Simon Doonan, Barney's Creative Director, has been given his own TV mockumentary based on his memoir, Nasty: My Family and Other Glamorous Varmints on the UK's BBC 2 channel. WWD gives more stylish details.
[Image courtesy of Getty Images]

I know the fact that Nina Garcia is co-signing the floral fixation currently taking over spring fashion is not sitting well with some of you who think flower prints are totally in the "What Would Grandma Wear?" category. But what I'm loving about spring's florals is designers like Vivienne Tam, Curtsey and Yoana Baraschi are turning out some funky acid flora, lacy buds, startling blossoms, and moody blooms. These are not your happy-happy joy-joy petals, cloying bridal bouquets, or your granny's cringe-inducing corsage prints. Peep the Yoana Baraschi pieces up top. The one in the middle's a sneak peek from her fall '08 collection -- a little hint that designers are keeping the trippy perennials coming.

Oh, Benny Ninja! How I love thee, especially when you're forcing a gaggle of awkward girls to battle each other on the streets of New York in that most elusive of competition: a posing contest. Following this display of epileptic proportions - Claire won because she didn't look like she was having a seizure - the girls had to battle some serious makeup. Once again, Claire proved she is the girl to beat this season. I hope the 23-year-old married mother goes all the way - Unlike sad-sack Marvita, who went bye-bye last night, Claire is a mature, fully-formed (happy?) adult who truly seems ready for a career in fashion. Oh, and there's the fact that she can look good in everything.

The vintage prints on these babydoll dresses were just too cute to miss! Note the pairing of the dresses with jeans and jackets.

Anyone who knows me personally or even just virtually can attest to the fact that I'm a walking rainbow; but even I have my limits. I'm not so sure about opaque stockings in the two colors captured here. The green screams yuck and the burgundy yells prep school.

“It's as if Donatella and Andy Warhol got together and had a creative orgy!”

—Barneys Creative Director Simon Doonan on Donatella Versace's new menswear window at Barneys. From Fashion Week Daily

You will recall Flypaper alerting you to the sheer & clear spring trend -- well we didn't lie to you... Over the past few weeks I've noticed a delightful array of sheer tops in candy colors.

Yes I do love all things Kanye. The latest? Courtesy of the VH1 Blog, I was able to get my hands on Mr. West's rider when on tour..oh yea! Proving that he is a true Styleaholic, he requests eight large (they must be able to fit eight people comfortably) dressing rooms decorated in a living room style complete with a full sized sofa, a wardrobe assistant, five dozen black hand towels, a Connect Four game and a Playstation II.
Am I the only one still stuck on the need for sixty black handtowels!?
[Image courtesy of Getty Images]

We all know that the bow is a serious trend for spring, worn mainly by women as a fun touch on tops, belts, coats and even headbands..but the other night I saw both a woman and a dude rocking this layered, ruffle white bow! I'm digging this.

Alexander McQueen will be staging a mini fashion show at Milk Studios here in New York City. Hello! Fresh on the heels of his public announcement of profits (finally)and the opening of his long-awaited Los Angeles flagship on Melrose Place, McQueen has finally at long last decided to do a runway show (recall in the past he has only done trunk shows in NY.) FWD reports that the event held on March 26th, will debut 20 edited looks on models drawn from the 42 looks shown on his recent Paris runway.

Alrighty then, time to hustle for a ticket!

[Image courtesy of Getty Images]

Whether you are awash in fond memories from the 80s, or think of it as an adult onesie, the jumpsuit is here for your consideration in Spring ’08. It has been thoroughly dissected by I Am Fashion, donned by [left to right] Rhianna, Jennifer Hudson, and Pixie Geldoff on and off the runway. In fact, there are so many iterations of this trend you can go from day to night with ease. Just don’t try to go to the bathroom.

Right on the heels of their H&M news, legendary Finnish textile and clothing design company Marimekko has entered an an exclusive collaboration with Avon Products. Marimekko will license its Unikko pattern to create a limited edition cosmetics collection, which consist of eyeshadow, face powder, lip gloss and mascara, as well as accessories. Now, that's what I call stepping up your game. Go Avon! If you're a print addict check out these looks.

“Thank you very much, but I'll stick with my suit.”

—Actor Daniel Craig on his preference for Tom Ford suits during the filming of Quantum of Solace. From Fashion Week Daily

I Guess? they couldn't let the likes of Levi's trump them; (though I'm not quite sure who still wears Guess? jeans) the classic denim line has recently designed an eco-friendly collection, Guess Green, states NYLON, which consists of chemical dye-free denim, organic cotton tops, quirky? corny? earth logos and peace signs as well as handtags made from soy-based ink and recycled paper.

[Image courtesy of Nylonmag.com]

You know the SATC fever just keeps getting hotter. The latest? Fashionista reports that major apparel brands are probably paying major moola (from $10,000 - $60,000) for the Carrie Bradshaw to usher their name through her heavily glossed lips. Yowser! Come on Jimmy Choo, if you give me a comped pair, I'll say it all night long for free.

Here's something to put Sex & the City's Absolut Hunk to shame: a 27-story-high Calvin Klein ad of new campaign boy Djimon Hounsou. Overlooking Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong, the billboard splashed across the former Ritz Carlton is, needless to say, the company's largest to date. A quote from the sexily-titled magazine Marketing: "Kennis Chan, Calvin Klein marketing executive, said the main focus for this billboard is to create noise and increase brand awareness in the market." No joke. Those tighty whities must stretch out to a good four stories. Or one can only hope.

Full skirts are in swing this spring and I think this Diane Von Furstenberg black silk 'Floella' bubble hem skirt is a great way to get in the groove. But I'm not quite sure of the type of top one should rock with this piece.

NYT's Bill Cunningham takes on a stylish photo journey through the streets of Paris. In his photo/audio podcast he discusses the virtual runway that all of the Paris' cafes represent as well as some of the most fantastic looks that caught his eye. Tune in here.

“I feel like Beyoncé is a very good image for what I do. I adore women with curves.”

— Designer Elie Saab on the types of women he makes gowns for. From Fashion Week Daily

I can't say whether I'm actually digging this trend or not, but it defo caught my eye.

If you are loving this look take a peek at these Dolce & Gabbana kicks.

John McCain's twenty-something daughter Meghan has been blogging life on the campaign trail over at McCain Blogette. Amid reports on the endless sugar highs enjoyed aboard the Straight Talk Express, the aspiring plus-size couturier keeps posting photos of her socialite step-mother in a pair of hideous bedroom slippers. If it was a simple case of passive-aggression, I wouldn’t bring it up. Nope, some clueless consultant evidently thinks those homely hushpuppies help to humanize the botoxed heiress. So much for Republican efforts to improve America’s image.

Related Links: I would take revenge with a matching robe.

We've been hearing a lot about the waist as a focal point for designers this season, but Nina Garcia says we should add the shoulder to the list thanks to strong showings of spring power suits and jackets. (Between now & March 31st, if you splurge on a suit -- and you've never bought anyhting on Bluefly before -- you can save an extra $30 just by typing FLYPAPER30 at checkout!)

MORE NINA
>Flowers are Power!

>It's Electric!