God save the bling

One of Wallis Simpson's most famous sayings was that "You can never be too rich or too thin," and she could well have extended the aphorism to say ... "or have too much bling." The stylish American for whom King Edward VIII gave up his throne had another epic love affair: with jewellery. Yet her baubles were more than just expensive adornments. Through them, history, fashion and romance are perfectly combined and preserved forever.

In the opinion of David Bennett, Chairman of Sotheby's Jewellery in Europe and the Middle East, Simpson's jewels are "the most important jewellery collection put together in the 20th century". When her collection was first sold by Sotheby's in 1987, the year after the Duchess of Windsor died (the sale was announced on 12 December 1986, exactly 50 years after the abdication), the auction held in Geneva caused a huge wave of interest. It eventually raised $50m (£31m) and set a new world record for a single-owner jewellery collection.

Today, 20 pieces bought from the original collection will be sold at Sotheby's, and are estimated to reach in the region of £3m. If the $43m difference between the estimate and the final figures for the 1987 sale are anything to go by, today's auction will raise considerably more than the estimate. While buying baubles at this level is the preserve of the super rich, it continues to fascinate a much wider group of people. Jewellery remains the most potent symbol of extreme emotions; of passion, faith, hope, power and greed. As Richard Edgecumbe, jewellery curator at the V&A told me when the museum opened a new jewellery gallery two-and-a-half years ago: "Jewels are a potent link with the past, a celebration of art and craftsmanship, and an embodiment of deep human emotions."

 

Madonna channelling '40s Parisienne chic

There has been chatter of late about the new star of the Louis Vuitton spring-summer advertising campaign and here is a preview: Madonna channelling '40s Parisienne chic.

Marc Jacobs was very clear in his desire to use the recently divorced star, saying in a statement: "I wanted the campaign to be very bold, very sensual and very atmospheric. To carry off all these references and all this sophistication, we needed the ultimate performer - and for me, that is Madonna."

Renowned photographer Steven Meisel was behind the lens to capture the spirited collection that drew on a mix of African and Parisian influences (think Josephine Baker), heavy on the tribal jewellery and accessories (there are bound to be waiting lists for those beaded and fringed heels) and animal-print bags.

Surely a few treats for any material girl in there.

Fashion industry's coming of age on show in Paris

From Italian "porno chic" to Japanese pleats, conceptual Belgians and French sophistication, the past two decades of fashion history go on display Thursday in a new show in Paris.

After the festive excesses of the 1970s and the theatrical 1980s, "the 1990s saw the industry come of age, became more professional," curator Olivier Saillard told AFP.

"By this point, to be a designer is also to be a businessman. This meant the clothes were possibly better made - but we are dealing with an industry that leaves no place for fooling around."

Global affairs took a darker turn in the following decade, as the world grappled with the September 11 attacks, terrorism, climate change and financial meltdown - ushering in a more sober, discreet period for fashion design.

But the 2000s also brought "surprises" like the rise of Israel's Alber Elbaz at Lanvin and France's Nicolas Ghesquiere at Balenciaga with a quiet, sophisticated brand of luxury that broke with the "flashiness" of so-called porno chic in the late 1990s.

Saillard built the show around groups of designers who took turns stamping their mark on fashion in the 1990s and 2000s, with 150 items plucked from their most emblematic collections.

First comes the Belgian school - with dresses made of fishnets or blonde wigs at Martin Margiela, kimono dresses and peasant skirts at Dries Van Noten, or black leather from Ann Demeulemeester.

Followed the Japanese, with Rei Kawabuko at Comme des Garcons and her bulbous, assymmetrical dresses made of polyester foam, her technicity echoed at Issey Miyake with his emblematic collection "Pleast Please".

Then comes the English school, from the grande dame of British fashion, Vivienne Westwood, to the rebel designers John Galliano and Alexander McQueen, whose death this year marked the end of the fashion decade.

The Italians get a look in with a bare-backed cream dress from Dolce and Gabbana, or muted tweeds and feathers at Prada.

And the show celebrates a group that "revived" French haute couture, from Jean-Paul Gaultier with a dress pairing a denim bustier with an ostrich-feather skirt, to Christian Lacroix and to Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel.

More broadly Saillard sees the late 1990s as a time of revival for couture, which "became a communication and image issue" as "both Chanel and Dior worked to keep their house's Parisian couture operations alive."

We believe that people will be and are buying more jewelry this year than last season

If last year was the holiday to buy your wife a practical gift like a crock pot or a blender, then this is the year to buy her jewelry.

Santa spent much of last year handing out small appliances, but this year Americans are putting jewelry on their wish lists, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation.

The number of people asking for some "bling" is 23 percent, up 13 percent from a year ago, according to the report.

"We believe that people will be and are buying more jewelry this year than last season," said Brenna Neal, chief marketing officer, jewelry, Sears Holdings.

"With a slightly steadier financial position versus the last two years, consumers are looking for places to splurge while staying in budget."

High-end jewelry store Solomon Brothers Fine Jewelry in Atlanta, Georgia, feels the same pulse.

"Our retail sales are up the last two months over 2009 sales of the similar period and we look forward to a stellar season," said Ivan Solomon, president and CEO of Solomon Brothers.

While 61 percent of shoppers in the National Retail Federation survey said the economy will affect their spending plans this year, the increased desire for jewelry may very well be a signal of a return to discretionary spending.

"A bump in jewelry sales is a positive sign for retailers that consumer confidence is rising and that the tide could be changing," said Ellen Davis, a spokesperson with the federation.

http://www.replicashermes.com/

 

Snap up pieces from Karl Lagerfeld's collection for Macy's instead

Lagerfeld's women's collection will be sold in about 250 Macy's stores as well as online starting September 2011. It is part of the American department store chain's new initiative to launch a series of limited-edition designer collections for its Impulse range - geared towards younger, more fashion-forward customers - starting early next year.

The designer collections will rotate every two months and will start in February 2011 with Kinder Aggugini, a darling of the London fashion scene. Aggugini, who started his eponymous label four years ago, has previously worked with John Galliano, Paul Smith, Versace, Calvin Klein, and Vivienne Westwood. Priced on average from $40-$140, with specialty pieces selling up to $300, his line for Macy's will channel a rocker-chic aesthetic.

But while Aggugini's name may not be recognizable to all Macy's shoppers, Lagerfeld's is anything but obscure. "Karl Lagerfeld holds a unique place in the world of fashion, an icon who is the ultimate modernist," said Terry J. Lundgren, president and chief executive officer of Macy's Inc. "Through the decades, his style and vision have marked the history of design. It is a tremendous honor to bring his inimitable perspective to our fashion customer."

Though the "Kaiser" heads some of the biggest luxury houses in the world - he helms the $10 billion US dollar Chanel empire, the Italian brand Fendi, and his own eponoymous label - Lagerfeld has an affinity for collaborating with mass market retailers. He rolled out a one-off collection for Swedish fast fashion chain H&M in 2004, and not only photographed the A/W 2010 catalog for the French mail-order company 3 Suisses, but was even featured in one of its print ads for a washing machine.

In a recent interview with the retail and beauty trade publication Women's Wear Daily, Lagerfeld commented on his desire to branch out into the lower-priced area: "It's funny for a person who has money to buy something inexpensive, and it's great for a person with not so much money to be able to get something by a designer. It's the new snobbism."

"Masstige" - a term that was coined from the words "mass market" and "prestige"- is steadily gaining steam. The current A/W 2010 season is glutted with high-profile designer collaborations, such as Mulberry for Target, Lanvin for H&M and Valentino for Gap.

The Ultimate Collision of Fashion, Art & Technology

On Wednesday, November 10, thousands of eyes witnessed the unthinkable as RALPH LAUREN 4D mesmerized spectators and changed the way the world will see fashion forever. Advanced video mapping technology was projected onto the façade of the Ralph Lauren flagship locations in New York and London. This global event marked a first for the fashion world and further reinforced the brand’s dedication to innovation by seamlessly combining art, fashion, music and fragrance into a modern 4D moment that had never been seen before. The vibrant world of Ralph Lauren illuminated the evening sky as moving footage of iconic product was brought to life on the façade in a culmination of fashion, art and technology.

“While celebrating 10 years of RalphLauren.com in the U.S. and the launch of e-commerce in the UK, we look forward to exploring new ways to tell our brand’s story through innovation and technology,” said David Lauren, Senior Vice President of Advertising, Marketing and Corporate Communications. “The light show is an extension of the Company’s dedication to pioneering the digital space with exciting and unique concepts.”

RALPH LAUREN 4D is a ground-breaking approach to architectural video mapping. This exhilarating light installation emerged with fifteen riveting scenes unfolding into one seven minute presentation taking the audience on a visual journey through the world of Ralph Lauren. Viewers were invited to experience a montage of flashing scenes of larger-than-life sized images including models and Polo players four stories tall and iconic Ralph Lauren fashion accessories such as the Ricky Bag, ties and belts that wrap the length of the building. The projection gave the illusion that images were extending beyond the building and floating out into space toward the audience. The façade became a mosaic of realistic illustrations complemented with transient sounds of music, illusions of blowing breezes, and even light mists of the new Big Pony Collection Fragrances were infused into the night’s air – creating a visceral moment of excitement and intrigue.

As Polo Ralph Lauren further expands its digital presence, RALPH LAUREN 4D is the Company’s most recent initiative in the technology realm. The launch follows other innovative platforms already in place such as the Children’s Virtual Storybook, the Lauren by Ralph Lauren online fashion show, the ‘Make Your Own’ Rugby online runway show, the Make Your Own Rugby iPhone® application, the Ralph Lauren collection iPhone® application, QR Codes, the first Interactive Virtual Store, 24-hour Interactive Windows and e-commerce sites for RalphLauren.com and Rugby.com.

 

The only way a Birkin should be carried is open

So I'm having lunch at Claridge's with Victoria Beckham (as you do) and as we mill around for quite some time waiting to be seated, my dear muckerina Hilary Alexander of The Daily Telegraph hands me my perfume and BlackBerry, which she had, entirely unbeknownst to me, lifted from my handbag only seconds before.

"It'll be your purse next," says the good lady in question (henceforward she will be known as the Artful Alexander). In truth, though, she was making the point that, gaping open as it does, my bag might prove rich pickings for anyone with either their hands or heart set on such things. "I'm only being protective," she continued, in case I was considering pressing charges, presumably.

I am, of course, not alone in carrying my possessions in an open receptacle – the more wide open the better, all the easier to reach into. In fact, it appears to be one of the fashion follower's golden rules to do just that. The only way a Hermès Birkin or – even more so – a Kelly bag ever appears to be carried, for example, is open. I know that's true, having seen any number of celebrities doing just that – from Kate Moss (pictured) to, yes, VB.

But why? For my part, sheer laziness, not to mention a genetic weakness regarding anything even remotely associated with co-ordination, decrees that the endless opening and closing of handbags is not an option. I'm that irritating person at the counter, faffing around with complicated fastenings and holding everyone else up. In this, the reasons behind any sartorial idiosyncrasy has its roots in pragmatism over and above style.

That is probably not the case elsewhere. A status bag is all well and good, but it's also somewhat on the smart side. Smart is rarely fashionable and so, while mere mortals might protect such precious items, wrapping them carefully in their dust sheaths once they're done with them, the rich and famous prefer theirs battered to within an inch of their lives. And never closed. The luxury of not caring is the story here, whatever the consequences.

Julianne Hough and Ryan Seacrest: 2010 AMAs

Both on-hand for one of the biggest night's in the music world, Julianne Hough and Ryan Seacrest were both among the stars at the 2010 American Music Awards in Los Angeles, California on Sunday evening (November 21).

Turning up at Nokia Theatre LA Live, the country cutie hit up the red carpet while her radio host beau opted to skip out on the pre-show press happenings in lieu of heading directly inside the venue.
During the course of the show, performers at the 2010 AMAs included the likes of Rihanna, Pink, Miley Cyrus, Ke$ha and Christina Aguilera, among others.

Meanwhile, Julianne and Ryan were both among the celebrity presenters, with Seacrest being bestowed the honor of announcing Artist of the Year winner Justin Bieber.

The American fashion chain Forever 21 will open its first London branch

The American fashion chain Forever 21 will open its first London branch in Oxford Street next year after acquiring the lease on a huge shop from the entertainment retailer HMV for nearly £14m. Forever 21 launched its first store in Birmingham's Bullring centre and in Dublin this month and hopes to create 100 outlets across Britain.

The London store, covering 35,000 square feet, is opposite Bond Street Tube station. Larry Meyer, the executive vice-president, said: "Oxford Street is one of the most renowned shopping locations in the world and ideally suited for Forever 21. The reaction in to our Birmingham store was very strong."

Forever 21 will go head to head with Primark, H&M and New Look. The chain was founded as Fashion 21 in Los Angeles in 1984 by Dong-Won Chang, a South Korean, and his wife, Jin Sook.

 

Make your own infinity scarf

It’s the time of year where everything feels like it will last for an eternity: classes, studying, the cold weather and your soon-to-be growing waistline.

Afterall, isn’t that what Thanksgiving is all about? Working on last minute projects and cramming for exams while simultaneously cramming turkey and stuffing down your throat?

While I can’t make the seemingly eternal cold weather go away, I can help you combat it by introducing you to the infinity scarf.

The infinity scarf, also known as the eternity scarf or circle scarf, is just that — a scarf in the shape of a circle. It has no beginning and no end, hence the name. You can finally keep warm without the ends of your scarf uncircling around your neck.

Celebrity sisters, Kim and Kourtney Kardashian have been spotted keeping warm while stylishly accessorized with their infinity scarves.
The scarf, like many trends, can be found at all different price points. However, I’m attempting the cheapest route: free.

I found a great and easy do-it-yourself infinity scarf tutorial on PS I Made This. This website has a variety of amazing fashion DIY tutorials for the DIY beginner such as myself. These tutorials are a great way to stay on trend without breaking the bank.

For this tutorial, all you need is an old sweater, scissors, gorilla tape a needle and thread. Once you’ve made your scarf, you can wear it long and loose with one single loop like Kim, or wrap it around your neck in two or three loops for an even warmer approach like Kourtney.

Is there anything Emma Watson can't do?

Is there anything Emma Watson can't do? Already an actress, model and ethical designer, Emma is now venturing into high-fashion as Alberta Ferretti's latest recruit.

With an established line for People Tree already to her name, this marks Ms Watson's second design venture, and apparently it was her existing design credentials that made her so perfect for Ferretti.

‘She wrote to me and said, “I saw what you did with People Tree and I think it’s a great idea and will you do something with me?”’ Emma told US Weekly.

With her new Audrey Hepburn-esque crop, and a show-stopping collection of premiere dresses to her name, Emma has quickly defined an impressive set of post-Potter style credentials. So, we have no doubt there'll be something stunning to come from the collaboration.

'It's going to be very classic, ’60s Jane Birkin,' she has said. Sounds fabulous to us!

the annual CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Awards in New York

EVERYONE loves a good Vogue fashion party, especially when it's the annual CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Awards in New York.

The seventh annual CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund Awards took place last night, giving the rich and famous an excuse to put on their best ensembles and party with Anna Wintour.

And as with every Vogue party, judging eyes were looking on in every direction - this is one outfit the stars don't want to get wrong.

Leighton Meester was the star of the evening, she looked gorgeous in a black and white asymmetric frock.

Unfortunately, not everyone managed to get it as right as Leighton... Kim Kardashian's beaded lilac frock made her look a little frumpy, while Anna Paquin's muddy-mix shift dress was dull.

Carey Mulligan looked flawless in a sequined gold and deep bronze dress with a matching bolero, while Christina Ricci looked drab in her black and white daisy-effect puffball number.

Anna Wintour looked smart and chic in her white, black and gold skirt and top, while both Ed Westwick and Chace Crawford kept things smooth in black and navy suits.

Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen went for ANOTHER boring black-with-fur look, while Keri Hilson just had far too much going on.

Adidas eyes slice of lucrative youth fashion market

German sports apparel giant Adidas said Monday it hoped to win sales of more than one billion euros with a new brand aimed at the lucrative 12 to 19-year-old market that is already being launched in Asia.

With Adidas Neo, the firm hopes to "slice off a nice piece of the cake" of the worldwide fashion market, expected to be around 125 billion euros (170 billion dollars) by 2015, said Erich Stamminger, an Adidas board member.

"We are unlocking a new segment: children and young people between 12 and 19," said Stamminger in an interview with German weekly Wirtschaftswoche.

"A lot of them already wear Adidas for sport, but they are looking for fashionable stuff for school and free time," said Stamminger.

He added the new products would be priced roughly 10 percent above those offered by Hennes&Mauritz, around the same price as Zara.

"We are already opening Neo stores in markets like China, Russia, India and the Philippines ... we are already banking on sales of up to 400 million in 2010. By 2015, we assume we will have more than one billion euros."

Last week, Adidas laid down an ambitious gauntlet to arch US rival Nike, saying it aimed to outgrow the world number one over the next five years.

Adidas said that by 2015 annual sales would reach 17 billion euros, representing growth of 45-50 percent from 2009. Profits, meanwhile, would grow an at annual pace of 15 percent.

 

Britney Spears Breaks Out Short Shorts & Uggs

Britney Spears’ ‘Come Hither’ cut-offs, and ‘Eff Me’ Uggs are molesting my eyes. I’m a sucker for Spears in short shorts and inevitably mis-matched footwear. The only thing that sets my heart racing more is seeing how many days she can go without showering or brushing her hair. Her presumably braless upper body says it’s cold outside.

However, her shorts are cooling down her lower body. I can’t even work out what’s happening with those Uggs. I’d only wear those if it were snowing outside or something, but that’s just me. They seem an odd fit for Calabasas, CA weather. We all know she has hygiene issues; I bet Spears’ dainty tootsies smell like the farts of constipated unicorns. It’s the stuff of dreams.

Geek chic is as in vogue as ever

Last but not least, the NHS-reading-glasses look so memorably champion by Morrissey in the early 80s is still going strong. Heavy framed, square glasses were everywhere at LFW, with some cheats just sporting the frame and no lenses or plain glass (how satisfying to think they can't pull off this key look without specs!). So don't let these non-speccies to steal your style thunder…

The juxtaposition of masculine items (trouser suits, tank tops, brogues, heavy-framed glasses) with one's feminine wiles is what makes this look work. It's simply a mater of getting the balance just right. We're not doing androgyny here, more an emphasizing of the feminine by contrasting it with those coolly clunking males details. Think Jarvis via computer nerd and you'll nail it. Michael Bastian for Gant has a similar feel…

Next season's take on the trend sees lots of shorts, bare legs and chunky boots, satchels, huge 'ugly' watches and messenger bags (or try a Hermes-inspired bowler hat and head-to-toe leather if you dare). Miuccia Prada went all 'comic book' with her collection, combining beautifully tailored flared dresses with heavy woollen stockings and striking glasses.

Oversized Lennon glasses were on the men's runway at Topman Design and Louis Vuitton. As the precursor of Morrissey-style NHS specs, they have a similar iconic impact. Perhaps more than any other trend on the LFW spring/summer 2011 catwalks, this is a style that relies heavily on accessories. Ladies - get in touch with your inner bluestocking and look to DSquared2 and their iconic thick-rimmed glasses. Why Miss Jones, you're beautiful!

Where do you get the key ingredient? French Connection's range at Specsavers has some very sophisticated interpretations of the geek rectangular shape (FC84 works the tortoiseshell look, FC85 is classic), while Jaspar Conran's frames work the heavy black look with consummate ease.

MTV reports that although dating rumors swirled when Kanye West

MTV reports that although dating rumors swirled when Kanye West was photographed with Kim Kardashian in NYC recently, the Kardashian sisters are revealing the true involvement he had with Kim.

"He's our fashion muse ... nothing happens in fashion unless Kanye blesses it," Khloe dished. She added, "He blessed Dash New York, and look at the turnout."

The rapper attended the opening of the sisters’ DASH boutique and the turn-out was reportedly fantastic.

"He came to check out the store, tell us what he thinks, and he had to come to the opening,” Kim added.

Kourtney added, "He was here actually on our first day that we came to Dash New York," she continued, "And then he was like, 'You're opening in three weeks?' He was shocked.”

Miley Cyrus fashion is gorgeous at MTV EMAS 2010

Miley Cyrus was seen tonight on the red carpet of the MTV EMAs 2010. The popular Disney star will be on the stage tonight and her fans are absolutely delighted. Known worldwide for her acting and music, the popstar looked beautiful on the red carpet as she walked down the line of photographers.

The starlet had on a white flowing dress, with a ruffled bottom. Flowing to the foor, one couldn't see her shoes but you could definitely see her big beautiful bow. The starlet had a black bow that was at the top of the outfit that added absolutely beautiful lines to the outfit.

The sleeveless gown was complimented by the flowing hair of Cyrus' and her big smile, which seemed to be captured on all the photos of the evening. While her personal life may be quite difficult, she seemed to be all about the fans at the MTV EMAs tonight.
 

Take a minute to look at Miley Curys on the Red carpet of the MTV EMAs in Madrid Spain.

For the next four weeks

For the next four weeks, Italian label Marni is selling a "vintage" collection online, which consists of original items from 2002 and 2003 fall/winter collections that the company has been squirreling away all this time.

 It's cool to see the throwbacks, especially if you're still cursing yourself for not splurging on those brown suede Mary Janes back in '02. However, things aren't any cheaper this time around: The prices have actually been "adjusted" to the prices of the current collections, according to a rep for the label, so they're just as expensive as everything else Marni makes. Which is really a brilliant plan on Marni's part, if you think about it: Instead of unloading your leftover inventory on Gilt Groupe, just store it for eight years and then give it another whirl.

Henry Hanger, a renowned supplier to numerous fashion designers

Henry Hanger, a renowned supplier to numerous fashion designers, celebrities and boutiques, proudly offers the largest collection of different kinds of hangers in the United States.

Henry Hanger has a deep product line for various kinds of hangers designed for coats and jackets, suits, pants and skirts, lingerie, shirts and dresses, and kids with special designs for retail stores. It even carries a category of organic eco-friendly hangers.

The company's merchandise is expansive because each kind of hanger comes in different sizes, dimensions, styles and make. The company's line of wood hangers specific for shirts and dresses come in 14 forms with a choice of 5 colors, totaling to 70 for this category. This shirts and dresses category alone still has options for metal, acrylic and fabric hangers.

The company also offers special materials like flocking, stock bamboo and non-slip hangers. Retail stores may find all of the implements that they need at the company's special category of display items that includes hangers, mannequins, hanging mannequins, adjustable stands and more.

Henry Hanger is also known for assembling custom hangers that are specific to the client's needs. The company offers clients consultation with its stylists to give the clients exactly what they are looking for.

This kind of impressive service is what makes Henry Hanger stand out among the rest. Learn more about its merchandise and services at http://www.replicashermes.com/.

Who is the fashion queen

Who is a style queen and who should be taken away by the fashion police this week?

Best dressed: Juliette Lewis

Juliette Lewis is known for her unconventional film roles and the garish spandex costumes she wears with her rock band The Licks, so seeing her dressed up in such a delicate outfit makes us positively proud.

She looks effortlessly chic in this lovely lilac dress, and her patent purple shoes add a touch of her rock-chick persona to the look.

She keeps her hair loose and natural, remaining true to her unfussy style.

The soft ruffles at the shoulder and ankle are ultra-feminine and balance each other out.

Pastel shades can be risky as they can wash you out, especially with pale skin like Lewis's.

However, she avoids looking too pale by paying special attention to her complexion, giving herself rosy cheeks and so ensuring that she looks the picture of vitality.

The result is a soft, feminine and very natural look.

Worst dressed: Beverley Knight

We've all been there. You've got a red carpet event and nothing to wear.

You want to wear something sexy, something young and trendy, but most importantly something that will catch the eye of a photographer.

It doesn't matter if you've got an MBE for services to music; that's not going to impress the paparazzi when you're battling with sequinned celebrities for your shot at the limelight. What you need is a dress that's a little bit sexy and a little risqué.

Sadly, Beverley Knight went for shock factor and forgot about the small question of style, opting for an outfit she might wear to the gym.

The grey jersey is far too casual for a red carpet event while the top half of the outfit just looks like a wardrobe malfunction.

Beverley knows the power of a good pair of classic black heels but her Louboutins are not enough to save the day.

Faux fur is making a comeback

Faux fur is making a comeback, and it's sleek, sophisticated and just about everywhere. The looks that filled the fall 2010 runway shows are now in boutiques and department stores. And cooler Valley weather makes wearing this trend possible. From shearling-lined aviator jackets and booties to faux-fur stoles and vests, it's time to get your fluff on.

Fur collars and coats have always been popular among the fashion elite, but this season the trend is wearable - and affordable - for the rest of us. Once reserved for special occasions, faux fur can be dressed up or down and worn on many occasions. Here are a few favorite pieces and tips on how to incorporate this luxurious look into your fall lineup.

fashion was about liberation

The much talked about Giles Spring 2011 show was one of the highlights of our London Fashion Week. Starring Kelly Brook, Abbey Clancy, Alessandro Ambrosio and Agyness Deyn, it was fun and a fabulous way to welcome the designer back to London. However, it seems that not everyone was so keen.

Veruschka, the 71 year old model who also hit the catwalk, didn't love her look. While some saw her casting as a move towards more variety on the runway, she thinks she was a gimmick. She told the Daily Mail, 'I didn’t like the make-up in the show, and didn’t think much of the dress. Now we are using the old ones, make them look great and show their power as well as their age.'

And the 'Blow Up' star isn't a big fan of our penchant for high heels either, adding ‘In the Sixties, fashion was about liberation.

Mr. Qingqing Wu, was awarded China Fashion Week's "Top Ten Fashion Designer Award" for 2010.

Since its founding in 1997, China Fashion Week has held over 600 fashion shows, around 100 professional contests and 13 China Fashion Awards ceremonies. Well known throughout the industry, China Fashion Week serves as an internationally influential stage for fashion designers and brands alike to unveil the latest trends and showcase new designs. This year's awards ceremony crowned a number of winners, including Annual Best Fashion Designer, Best Professional Model, China's Top 10 Fashion Designers, China's Top 10 Professional Models, Best Menswear Design, Best Womenswear Design, and the Top China Fashion Designer Award.

"I would like to thank China Fashion Week's Organizing Committee for recognizing my work," said Mr. Wu. "During the past year, we have successfully evolved and enhanced our VLOV brand image by offering more elegant, stylish and chic designs. I am proud to have received this Top Ten Fashion Designers award, which is a testament to the vision that we have for the VLOV brand." About VLOV, Inc.

VLOV, Inc., a leading lifestyle apparel designer based in China, designs, sources and markets VLOV-brand fashion-forward apparel for middle-class Chinese men. VLOV products are sold by distributors through multiple points of sale throughout China.

Phosphor World Time E Ink watch review

If you remember our last Phosphor watch review, these new models should look very familiar -- and indeed, they're pretty much indistinguishable unless you look closely. The most notable change is the move of the control buttons to the front directly below the display. It actually looks like there's only one button here, but you can press on either side to trigger different actions, left for changing settings and right for changing view modes (more on these in a bit). On the reverse, a screw-in backing holds the battery tight; you've got 50 meters of claimed water resistance, though as is usually the case with watches, we'd be careful about over-using that capability, especially after changing the battery. The watch is available in four band styles, all of which are permanently affixed to the face: black or white rubber, black leather, and a handsome, heavy stainless steel option. The band style you choose determines the price -- rubber's cheapest, steel the most expensive -- but regardless, you'll get exactly the same metal face, so it's really just a matter of personal style. All four bands felt pretty solid and seem like they'd hold up well in the long term, though the black rubber and leather are virtually indistinguishable unless you're looking at it very closely; we might consider saving the $15 and going with rubber if black was the color we wanted. For our money, we liked the steel best -- it looks a good deal more expensive and luxurious than the other choices, and the added weight feels great on the wrist.

As functionality goes, the segmented display does a good job of clearly communicating date and time -- the most important functions for a watch, we'd argue -- but don't expect any added goodies or functionality. Were this an LCD watch, we think it'd probably be in the $30 to $50 range, so you're really paying for the E Ink here. Viewing modes include dual time, date and time, large time, small time, and a single time mode that lets you rapidly cycle through all the time zones with the left button (they're indicated at the top of the display by an abbreviated city name in that zone, a pretty common practice for digital world time watches). Changing modes requires a full flash of the display, just as with your Kindle or other e-reader; that's the nature of the E Ink beast, though it happens in a half second or so and probably won't annoy you too much. One neat bonus Phosphor has thrown in is the ability to invert any of the modes -- just hold down the left button for a second, and you switch from black-on-white to white-on-black. We're huge fans of the white-on-black just because it looks different -- turn that on with the white rubber band model and you've got a pretty stylish piece hanging off your wrist.

makers of designer perfumes for fashion line Juicy Couture

Country music star Taylor Swift has teamed up with Elizabeth Arden to create her own line of perfume and fragrance products.
   
Elizabeth Arden, makers of designer perfumes for fashion line Juicy Couture and celebrities such as Britney Spears and Elizabeth Taylor, said yesterday the first fragrance will be launched in late 2011.
   
Swift, 20, will be personally involved in all aspects of product development, packaging and advertising.

There is no name as yet for the new line.
   
The announcement comes a week after the Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Swift released her third album Speak Now to good reviews.

Her previous album Fearless propelled a 10-month tour and was the biggest selling album of 2009.
   
"I have always loved how fragrance can shape a memory, the way certain scents remind you of events and people that are imprinted in your thoughts," Swift said in a statement.
   
Elizabeth Arden executive vice president Ronald Rolleston called Swift a "role model who inspires her fan base every day."