I just came out of my first meeting with Mr. Ferosha Coutura himself, and I am pleased to report that our fave rising star’s exclusive collection for Bluefly is beyond FABULOUS (yes, I am forcing myself not to use that other “expired” F word). To be unveiled in late July, Christian’s collection will consist of gorgeous jackets, tees, dresses, skirts & pants with signature Christian detailing (ie. ruffles, pleating, and skinny pants galore). And--as if the thought of finally getting my hands on one of those gorgeous elaborate blouses isn’t enough--all styles will be 20% OFF!

Be ready to get it first, before (in Christian’s own words) "my mom buys it all."

The most exciting news from the Valentino camp isn't from the dearly-departed Mr. Valentino's recent birthday bash, but from corporate HQ, which has announced some ambitious plans that include catering to a younger, trendier, and more penny-pinching crowd -- i.e. me! More Valentino for the value, it's music to my ears.

When I was assigned to write a travel story about Jacksonville, OR - that tiny, quaint, impeccably preserved gold-rush town in the Southern part of the state - I did NOT expect to encounter gorgeous (and pricey!) French-made clothing (like that of the label Cop.Copine). I fell in love with a striped tunic-dress that, at $214.00, was sadly way outta my budget. But thankfully Parisian inspiration is everywhere these days: This striped jersey dress with lantern sleeves is not only a steal at $73.00, it's just as cute -- even more functional, actually -- than that sleeveless number I salivated over in J-ville. And this scoop-necked, very "Paris in the springtime" shirt by by Nanette Lepore is just as adorable as anything I saw down South. Who knew a trip to cowboy country would net me a case of French fever?

Who knew so many designers were inspired by the Justice League? Spidey, Iron Man and Batman inspirations were on full display as supermodels mingled with superstars in super cool gowns. [all photos by Chris Moore]

Related Links: At these prices, these dresses are pretty super too.

Valentino’s new Haute Couture Spring 2008 line ads have been released and though I'm digging the flowy dresses with the bold, geometric background, I feel as though Valentino should have done less retro looks. I guess '80s fashion is just going to die a slow, slow, slow, slow death. Yeesh!

[Image courtesy of StyleCrunch.com]

According to People.com, Mrs. David Beckham has been M.I.A. as far as promoting her denim line, dVb is concerned. Sources say the line isn't getting the love it deserves. Or is it? Pics of Posh in her superwide flares are all over the Net, so maybe she’s going for the stealth approach. And in the meantime, you can get your flare jeans here.

Christian Siriano stopped by the Bluefly offices today to discuss the possibility of creating a capsule collection exclusively for Bluefly -- remember the Season 4 winner had the "opportunity" to sell on Bluefly. Sketches were shared and there were ruffles, skinny pants, and dresses. All wearable and all ferosh. Of course.

A great way to show off that dope new bag you just bought is to wear a simple outfit. At last night's Hermès event, designer Rebecca Minkoff toted one of her own amazing satchels with a pair of skinny jeans, crisp white shirt, cocktail ring and a short stack of bangles.

Guess which designer's behind the distinctive print mini Melissa George (HBO's In Treatment) wore to the Bugatti/Hermès party last night. (Hermès just designed the stitchless leather interior of the new Bugatti Veyron par Hermès -- the sports roadster's just a mere $2 mill.)

Here's a hint.

Rebecca Minkoff is not only one of my favorite indie designer made good -- sans Project Runway -- stories but she seriously sticks to her motto of making stylish, functional bags for everyday women on the go! This eggplant suede metallic leather trim 'Dream' tote, includes key features such as a compartment for your cell phone, keys and wallet!

The New York Times' recent ode to Bottega Veneta’s Tom Maier got me thinking about beige, clean lines, and monochromatic dressing. Which, in turn, led me back to the late '90s.

Are we pining for the flush days of the Internet boom via fashion? Perhaps. But you have to wonder how “recession-proof” a line is when dresses are going for $6000. Go easier on the wallet with these.

Imitation may be the highest form of flattery, but you’ve gotta draw the line somewhere. Marc Jacobs has been accused of lifting the design of a humble shopkeeper from a village in Sweden for one of his scarves. No comment yet from the Jacobs camp. Ah, plagiarism -- it happens to the best of them.

Related Links: Classic Marc Jacobs, guilt-free.

[photo courtesy of Ray Tamarra/GettyImages.com] Indie designer, Zulema Griffin on why she's unveiling her Fall '08 collection on YouTube and MySpace.

You’ve been showing outside Bryant Park for the past couple of seasons now. Why don’t you show at the tents?
One, I’ve never been invited to show at the tents. In addition to that, I don’t have the funds. A small tent is $28,000 -- that includes chairs... I also think because of the themes of my shows, nothing I’ve done has lent itself to a traditional tent show.

What made you decide to show your Fall ’08 collection on YouTube and MySpace as opposed to some cool Manhattan space?
My mother actually passed away right before Christmas and we had to plan for an unexpected funeral so it became a money issue. I had planned to show in a church... I could have folded and said ‘do it next season,’ but my mother taught me you gotta make it happen.

With Target’s recent Virtual Fashion show and your decision to show online, how do you think technology will figure into showcasing fashion in the future?
I think technology will completely change the industry – whether that’s for good or bad remains to be seen. I say for right now, for a designer like me, considering how tight-knit and incestuous the industry is, technology is my saving grace.

Zulema's show airs on YouTube February 3rd at 9am. While you're there, check out our YouTube channel.

Check out a sampling of the pinafores, prints, and cocktail dresses Tracy Reese is bringing out this summer and pre-fall across her signature, Plenty and Frock collections. Then check out our sampling.

I just read that Christian Lacroix celebrated their 20th Anniversary AND opened a store on Fifth Ave this past Wednesday -- and I just realized I haven't been up on the designer or his collections in a minute. Bad Fashionista! I'm reacquainting myself here and here.

I'm so happy that my favorite Portland milliner, Dayna Pinkham, is getting all the press and kudos she deserves after 20 years of plying her craft. She has single-handedly revived the hat-as-accessory trend in Portland (and beyond) and made this once crucial wardrobe staple relevant again. And all you NYC folks take note: Ms. Pinkham will be showing her lovely wares at designer Camilla Staerk's Fall 2008 Fashion Week show in February. All this and Pinkham is throwing herself the birthday party of the year this weekend (to which yours truly is honored to be invited). Congratulations!

Related Links: The perfect winter hat can make the blahs melt away.

Can you remember every outfit you've worn for the past 27 years? Incredibly, Zac Posen can. "It's eerie, he can recall what he wore to every event," Posen's mom, Susan, told the New York Post. The man loves clothes, what can you say?

Dying to own a piece of YSL? If you've got $17.8 million burning a hole in your pocket, you can own 52 acres of YSL as St. Laurent puts his gigantic estate in the French countryside on the market. [via Radar]

Related Links: Makes his handbags seem cheap by comparison.

It's just ten days 'til the Erin Fetherston collection hits Target, and here's a mini-preview of the latest of cheap chic, plus there's a cute little film to go with it. That heart bag is going to sell like mad, I can feel it.

Fashion people are often portrayed as icy and mean, but very often fashionistas go and prove (in public anyways) that they've got big hearts. The latest altruistic movement in fashion is by Designers for Darfur, a collective that's drawing attention to the genocide in Sudan. With events, T-shirts and a full collection from 40 different designers (many of them boldface names including Jeremy Scott and L.A.M.B.) DFD is showing love to people a whole continent away. If they'd only show the same tenderness at sample sales...

Related Links: A supporter of the movement, and cute.

John Varvatos first did his best to add some punk-rock cred to his men's collection by featuring punk icon Iggy Pop in his ads, and later signing up heavy metal hero Alice Cooper to another ad series. Now he's bought the legendary punk club CBGB in downtown Manhattan to burnish his credentials even more, adding to the Bowery's slow but steady transformation into an outdoor mall. [Fashion Week Daily via Jezebel]

Related Links: Are button-down shirts and loafers punk? Depends on how you wear 'em.

If gold says "I love you" and diamonds say "I worship you," then what does a $500 leg pendant say? If it's Stella McCartney's new single-leg pendant (something similar, pictured), then it might say a lot of things to her former stepmother Heather Mills, who lost a leg in a motorcycle accident. We'll leave Stella's message up to your imagination.

Related Links: Stella's got a bone to pick.

Got a hot graphic burning a hole in your brain? Submit it to Elle.com's contest to decorate a Thakoon ruffle-sleeve tee. Got a big mouth, but no eye for design? No problem, you can still win something -- the runner-up who gets the most attention online gets to guest blog on Elle. Or just vote for your fave entries, a few are pictured here.

Related Links: Cute ruffled-sleeve top that'd also make a great canvas.

Scene: Lunch at Manhattan's Mercer Hotel.
Characters: Marc Jacobs and John Galliano.
Playright: Eric Wilson of the New York Times.

“Hi, John!” Mr. Jacobs exclaimed. “How are you doing?”

“Good, nice to see you,” Mr. Galliano said. “Oh, you’ve gone a little darker, I see.”

“Navy!” Mr. Jacobs said. “Na-vy.”

“Oh, that would be a little chicer,” Mr. Galliano said. “Indigo!”

“Well, if you ever feel like having tea or coffee, I’m sort of bedridden for a few days, so I can’t move far,” Mr. Jacobs said. “I had an operation.”

“Oh really?”

“Sex change.”

Related Links: Clash of the titans.

When a usually flesh-baring star starts putting on the flowing muumuus, you can bet it's to hide a bump. So news that designer Roberto Cavalli spilled the beans on J.Lo's growing seed -- he designed the costumes for her concerts -- didn't come as any major surprise, especially with news of her baby clothing shopping sprees. Let this be a lesson -- don't tell Roberto Cavalli anything you wouldn't want printed in the pages of People. We give him props, though, for dressing as Karl Lagerfeld for Halloween.

Related Links: For when J.Lo wants to let the belly hang out.

An avalanche of designer documentaries could be in the works, following the popularity of behind-the-scenes flicks "Lagerfeld Confidential" and advance interest in next year's "Marc Jacobs & Louis Vuitton." Looks like Tom Ford and Donatella Versace are the next ones to face the camera. "I spoke to their assistants and they said they want to do it," said Dominique Miceli, who followed Marc Jacobs for a year while working on the MJ&LV film, told Fashion Week Daily, "so we'll see." [via Fabsugar]

What designer dressed up as a cheerleader for Halloween this past weekend, posing alongside Reese Witherspoon at a party in Los Angeles? [photo courtesy Just Jared]

Related Links: Here's a hint.

Could the world's love affair with Nicolas Ghesquiere over? The International Herald Tribune saw the Balenciaga fall collection as "dislocated Missoni clown suits," while the Fug Girls decribed the structured floral dresses from his spring 2008 collection as "It's like Laura Ashley married a Poison video." But then again we remember the most-copied item of the season -- the Balenciaga blazer -- and we know that Nick's winning streak isn't over yet.

We know we're risking giving you a hard-core case of Roberto Cavalli fatigue, but just letting you know that the man celebrated the launch of his H&M collection in Rome last night alongside Halle Berry and Sharon Stone. To prepare for the line's launch November 8th, we suggest you pick out what you want in advance, sharpen your Lee Press Ons and put on some elbow pads. We imagine there might be a tussle or two to get your hands on the cheap animal prints.

Peep this excellent photoshoot of actress Jennifer Jason Leigh wearing Lanvin, accompanied by great quotes from the house's designer Alber Elbaz in yesterday's T magazine. "The hardest part of designing is finding a balance between fantasy and construction. It's like salt — too much is terrible, and not enough leaves you without flavor." Elbaz says the secret to sexy is... "Imperfection!" We like that.

Although the runway didn't stretch for the entire 4,000-plus-mile span, the Fendi runway show set atop the Great Wall of China made a pretty big impact. Karl was there, as was LVMH chair Bernard Arnault, who told WWD, " I think it's the first fashion show visible from the moon."

Related Links: Take these on your trek.

Does anyone else find it disgusting that a line of eco-friendly clothes with prices that start at $600 can be called "sustainable"? Stella McCartney's new line for Barneys, made entirely from organic, ethical and renewable materials, does just that, putting green into the hands of those who already have plenty of it. I guess I shouldn't get too huffy, it's not like Stella's clothes are all that affordable. If you want to check 'em out, visit the 18-piece line next month.

What did Harper's tell the kids they dressed as the world's top fashion designers? "Okay, now you're Miuccia Prada -- put on this cardigan and knee-length skirt and try to look primly mysterious. Okay, kid, you're Olivier Theyskens, look slightly sad and wounded, like a goth teen -- now put on this tiny faux goatee. You, over there, you're Karl Lagerfeld, put on this powdered wig and for god's sake, don't smile." It looks like the child-size Donatella (in black, next to Stella) could have used a little more of an orange-hued tan, but oh well. The mini-Galliano and Elbaz are spot-on. On newsstands October 23rd. [Fashion Week Daily via Jezebel]

If Donatella is looking for someone outside the family to someday run the house of Versace, then why not you? It's more likely that Christopher Kane, her current fave designer, will be groomed to take up the reins, but an aspiring designer can always dream, right? [via Vogue.com]

Jeremy Scott's construction/automotive themed collection shows again at Mercedes-Benz (coincidence?) Fashion Week in Los Angeles, even though it already showed in Paris. So here's another peek at the wide tire belts, garbage can hats and boot print dresses. And yes, that is Agyness Deyn dressed as a garbage pail bride there on the end.

L.A. fashion week may be a sad imitation of its New York brethren, but it's got one distinct advantage. This is where all the new eco-conscious lines show, from less-recognized Ecoganik to touted jeans staple Rogan. This year the showcase Econoveau kicked off the week with hip Brooklyn line Bahar Shapar and elaborate ballgowns from London eco-couturier Gary Harvey, pictured. Both designers skew far from the hippie hemp caftans and shapeless earth-tone tees of yore, thank god. On Wednesday the pioneer who first gave eco-clothing a good name, Linda Loudermilk, hits the runway, with bizarro rumored special guest: Prince.

Related Links: A little greenery never hurt anyone.

As the scrappy fifth-cousin to New York's fashion week, Los Angeles fashion week starts up today, with shows by fave local designers Louis Verdad and Eduardo Lucero, sloppy seconds from Heatherette and Grey Ant (they already presented their goodies in New York), and vanity shows by the likes of Nicky Hilton's Chick line. The usual array of second-rate models and B-list celebs should be in attendance, but on the plus side? Showing during L.A. fashion week costs $8,000 compared with a big-tent show at New York's Bryant park, which sets you back at least $46,000. Now isn't that worth thinking about?

Karl Lagerfeld celebrated fashion week by popping into Colette, the uber-cool store in Paris, to check out a few photography books. We're happy to note that Karl did not throw anyone out of the shop so he could browse in peace, unlike Victoria Beckham who infamously ordered everyone -- including a half-naked Glamour editor -- out of Colette so she could consume alone. [via Stylefile and Fashion Week Daily]

Proof positive that two heads are better than one, Miu Miu's continuing the illustration trend we saw over at Prada, this time using masked harlequin faces to complement the carnivalesque puff skirts and checked patterns.

Related Links: Hit the high top in these.

The prodigal son returns, at least for his spring 2008 show. Alexander McQueen is famous not just for his genius designs but, as of late, for never having given his early supporter and collaborator Isabella Blow her proper fiduciary due. After getting signed as the head of Givenchy, he failed to pull Blow into a well-paying spot with his employer. When Blow committed suicide in May, the tributes were oddly devoid of a quote from McQueen, who refused to speak to the press. Perhaps he was waiting to pay tribute in his own way: His spring 2008 collection was a clear homage to his old friend -- complete with elaborate hats and headpieces by another Blow find, Phillip Treacy. Posted by nomoresevignys at 07:34 AM | Comments (0) | Link

October 05, 2007

Pedal to the Metal

Posted by wendy at 11:52 AM | Comments (1) | Link

Requiem Is a Dream

Posted by wendy at 11:27 AM | Comments (0) | Link

In His Eyes

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Your YSL

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October 04, 2007

Spring Into Style

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Givenchy Goes Dotty

Posted by wendy at 10:20 AM | Comments (0) | Link

October 03, 2007

The Party's Over

Posted by wendy at 11:39 AM | Comments (0) | Link

Comme Overboard

Posted by wendy at 11:32 AM | Comments (0) | Link

October 02, 2007

Lagerfeld for Dior

Posted by wendy at 01:41 PM | Comments (0) | Link

Carrying the Music

Posted by wendy at 12:39 PM | Comments (0) | Link

Love It or Hate It?

Posted by wendy at 12:14 PM | Comments (0) | Link

Go Yohji

Posted by wendy at 11:45 AM | Comments (0) | Link

October 01, 2007

Would You Wear This?

Posted by wendy at 12:25 PM | Comments (0) | Link

Bong Hits

Posted by wendy at 11:50 AM | Comments (1) | Link

Enter Dior's Boudoir

Posted by wendy at 11:08 AM | Comments (1) | Link

September 28, 2007

Fashion Week Finale

Posted by wendy at 01:15 PM | Comments (0) | Link

September 27, 2007

Runway in Circles

Posted by wendy at 01:43 PM | Comments (0) | Link

Rock n' Roll Gucci Coo

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September 26, 2007

Valentino's Final Word

Posted by wendy at 01:13 PM | Comments (0) | Link

Global Fashion Week

Posted by wendy at 12:35 PM | Comments (0) | Link

And For the Ladies...

Posted by wendy at 11:46 AM | Comments (0) | Link

Prada's Spring Vision

Posted by wendy at 12:13 AM | Comments (0) | Link

September 25, 2007

Family Fashion

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On Cloud Nine

Posted by wendy at 11:35 AM | Comments (2) | Link

Bailey's Burberry

Posted by wendy at 12:28 AM | Comments (0) | Link

September 24, 2007

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