- David’s wife Victoria, however, knows exactly what she’s doing on the cover of i-D. [Telegraph]

- John Galliano resurfaced recently to fete the birthday of a close friend. And not a single Jew was harmed — it’s called progress, people. [Page Six]

- Beyoncé‘s twins made their first public appearance last night. [The Cut]

- Lindsay Lohan + Terry Richardson = CLASS. The two professional provocateurs teamed up for an unsurprisingly trashy photoshoot for LOVE Magazine. [Highsnobiety]

- The gays may soon be able to marry in California again after a federal appeals court ruled Prop 8 unconstitutional. But there’s still time to appeal so don’t start registering at Bendel‘s yet, queens. [Huff Po]

- Speaking of a disenfranchised subset of society: models. They have rights too!  They’re not sure what they are, but dammit, they have them. And now a non-profit group to represent them. [Racked]

- Michelle Williams took a break from snatching trophies to star in Band of Outsiders‘ latest campaign. [Paper]

- Miu Miu will debut a limited edition collection of 46 handbags during the major fashion weeks beginning with New York. Start coveting, kids. [Fashionista]

[Image Amplified]

Photo: The Fashion Spot

Photo: Holy Moly

Nighttime shopping has grown in popularity, with order volumes peaking around 8 pm and the number of orders between 9 pm and midnight increasing from previous years. On eBay, the busiest time of day is between 6:30 pm and 10:30 pm, when the customer is allegedly in a “good mood” (read: has had a few).  Gilte Group has added more sales beginning at 9 pm in response to higher traffic while retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Loews and Saks inundate customers’ email inboxes with special offers and deals throughout the night and into the early morning.

It speaks to logic that people are less tight with the purse strings after they’ve tied one on; when that sequined jumpsuit you’ve been eyeing for the past month or so suddenly seems like a life or death purchase and you just say “to hell with it” and add it to your cart. The article is quick to point out that drunk shopping in stores is more rare than online, but speaking from personal experience, there’s nothing better than walking into an H&M with a cocktail in hand and daring the salesgirl to say something to you. And on the rare occasion they do, that’s when you throw both a violent tantrum and your drink in their insolent faces. [NYT]

Marni’s founder and creative director, Consuelo Castiglioni – above with H&M’s Margareta van den Bosch – mined some of her favorite pieces and the label’s predilection for prints to create the capsule collection, with styles for both men and women.

Well, with spring around the corner…and down the block, across the street and a bit to the left, the Marni x H&M collabo might arrive just in time. If the runways were any indication, the season will be popping with prints and combusting with color — but what do you say, dear readers: are you excited for some marked-down Marni? [WWD]

Versace for H&M proved a retail juggernaut with lines wrapped around H&Ms around the world, the H&M website pulling a Target website and crashing last Thursday — it’s not up as of this post’s publication, FYI —  and items flying off the rack in minutes.  With an online-only collection, at least one can avoid the shoving and the pushing and the elbowing of overzealous shoppers — sorry, by the way, to that little girl I elbowed in the eye last Friday but there was a bustier with my editor’s name on it.  [WWD]

Donatella Versace herself crawled out of her crypt uncharacteristically before noon to pay a visit in London, decked out in a studded silk pink dress and studded black leather trench, her bleach blond hair casually swept over her oversized sunglasses. “I feel very emotional,” she told WWD. ”I really want to see how they are going to mix and pair the clothes, how they will wear them.”

Arriving at 8:30 am, when the line was already around the block, Donny also also expressed her approval of the quality of the garments that had produced such a clamor:  ”Do you see these studs? Usually, with low-cost clothing, they’re pressed on but these are real. And I only worked with pure materials – 100 percent silks and real leather.”

In Milan, a transportation strike did not deter Versace devotees from lining up while in Paris, the racks were picked clean within fifteen minutes. Some shoppers, however, were luckier than others as the night before, French Vogue‘s Emmanuelle Alt hosted a special preview shopping party for 1,000 winners of a contest the magazine had conducted.

Some 300 people lined up in Hong Kong for the store’s 8 am opening and in Berlin, lines started forming at 4 am.

In Shanghai, professional queuers waited on behalf of shoppers too smart and/or lazy to wait in line themselves. Mingling with migrant workers who were also paid as placeholders, a fight broke out amongst the predominately male stand-ins before doors opened. In fact, most of the customers in line were male, with some openly admitting they were there to snatch up as many covetable items as they could to re-sell online.

Besides that slight altercation, H&M’s well-organized, and well-documented, process has been rather smooth. But we’ll see once the doors open stateside this Saturday. [WWD]

Photos: The Fashion Spot, Bellazon

H&M then responded to said hubub:

“We are very surprised by the NY Daily News article and do not understand how they came to this conclusion. We can only explain it as a misunderstanding and a series of miscommunication. H&M is a democratic fashion brand and it is not our policy to decide models for fashion features in media. Both H&M and Versace have, over many years, cast from a wide and diverse pool, not only of models, but of celebrities and personalities reflective of all ethnicities, gender, ages and sizes.”

Will these recent developments deter you from clamoring for the collection when it hits stores on Saturday? Or did all the rules and stipulations already do that?

[NYDN, Racked]

Photo: Racked

- Firstly, the collection hits stores statewide this Saturday, November 19th. There will no doubt be lines before the stores open — generally around 9 am — so bring some coffee, a flask and a friend to keep you company.

- Secondly, the first 280 people in the store will receive one of 14 different color bracelets, 20 people per bracelet color. The bracelets are only needed for shopping the Versace women’s collection, not the men’s or H&M’s other collections. So for the first time in…well, forever, I’ll be eschewing the ladies section. The bracelets will have a specific time for shopping and once your slot comes up, you’ll have 15 minutes to get down to business.

- Thirdly, once the first 280 have gone at the collection, every one else will get their chance to shop. But don’t worry because…

- Fourthly, there’s a shopping limit. Every customer is limited to a maximum of two pieces per product, so you can buy two sizes in a shoe or a garment or two of the same accessories but that’s it.

- And finally, to ensure your local H&M carries the collection you want, there’s a convenient store locator on the site for Ladies, Men and Home goods.

Sure, this sounds like a gigantic pain in the ass, but it’s Saturday morning and you’re going to be hungover anyway. Just keep drinking and by midday you’ll have the most coveted diffusion line of the year.

The Purple One and the Pink One will add some extra color to the collection’s ultra bold and bright prints, much to Donatella Versace‘s sheer delight. “I am so pleased to share with so many the excitement of this collaboration with H&M,” shared the designer. “To have my friend, the great, the amazing, the one and only Prince, and the extraordinary Nicki Minaj both perform at the event, will create exactly the feeling of joy and glamour I want this partnership to express.”

For those of us not invited to said press preview on November 8th — a-hem! — the Versace x H&M line launches worldwide November 19th. [WWD]

Citing the film’s Swedish backdrop, the Swedish retailer jumped at the chance to collaborate with the film’s costume designer, Trish Summerville. The result is lots of leather in jackets and boots, hoodies, tribal earrings, backpacks, tattered jeans and the always welcome knitted snood.

“We took her [Salander's] basic pieces that we used throughout the film and did a little more fashionable version for H&M,” Summerville says of the line, which goes on sale at 180 H&M stores worldwide December 14th. Just in time for the film’s premiere on December 26th. [Telegraph]

Why do you love it? 

I love the “caught in the moment” mood and the memories of working with such a lovely team of people that day.

Who took it?

Johan Sandberg (Artlist).

What were you thinking when it was taken?

“Think warm thoughts, think warm thoughts!” as the freezing cold Parisian temperatures chilled my bones.

How were you discovered?

The partner of a fashion designer told me I should go to a modelling agency. So I did — in Melbourne, Australia.

What’s your biggest challenge as a model?

Being thousands of miles away from my boyfriend and family for such long periods of time.

For more Model Musings, visit Lookbooks.com!

- Sarah Jessica Parker covers S Moda and the results are…not great. Looks like someone eschewed being Photoshopped — good for you — but that same someone should have ensured they were being lit properly. [Fashion Gone Rogue]

- Reebok has to pay out $25 million to the lazy lard-asses who believed a shoe would tone their lazy lard asses. [WWD, sub req'd]

- Vogue Russia provides a sneak peek at Versace for H&M and it. Is. STUNNSIES. [Refinery 29]

-  Lauren Santo Domingo, referring to Proenza Schouler‘s new fashion film directed by Harmony Korine:  ”I don’t know if anyone can make a crystal meth trailer park seem chic.” I think my good friend, Natasha Lyonne, would beg to differ. [The Cut]

- Scott Schuman, while bragging about how much he makes [$250K] and how big his…audience is, manages to throw in a few jibes against 8-year-old blogging sensation Tavi Gevinson. claiming her success is a “conspiracy” [agreed] and essentially making fun of her for not having a boyfriend. I would say pick on someone your own size but if you’ve ever seen The Sartorialist, you’d realize that Tavi probably has a good inch or two on him. [Fashionista, The Cut]

While at Macy’s, the Chanel and Fendi designer extolled his love for department stores, claiming that he knows “everything” about them, particularly the American variety: “My name was made in America by department stores. I have a certain weakness for department stores.” As do I. Give me a one-stop shop so I can avoid being around people as much as possible, thank you and goodbye.

As for his collection, it’s apparently flying off the shelf– much like the Kaiser’s diffusion line for H&M. According to Terry Lundgren, big boss man of Macy’s, they were “blown away by the sell-throughs with Karl. Even before his p.a. [public appearance], we did more than $1 million in sales.”

What can I say, the kids love a high collar and a printed tee. [WWD]

The site will showcase four looks styled by an Elle editor with four or five pieces from each look available for purchase. According to an H&M spokeswoman:

“This will be a preview of what’s to come in spring 2012, when we launch our e-commerce site. We’re launching the e-boutique two days before we release the collection in stores, so when it sells out online, customers will be able to go to any H&M store in the U.S. on Sept. 1 to buy it.” [WWD]

- But of course we have you covered for all your Hurricane Irene needs with a handy guide to surviving this natural disaster in style. [FashionIndie]

- And finally, someone has their priorities in order. Sure there’s a potentially deadly storm heading our way, but what about the Barneys Warehouse Sale? Won’t someone think of the Warehouse Sale?! [Racked]

- Speaking of the Germanottas, here’s the Gaga before she was a Lady. [The Vie Society]

- Cindy Crawford, much like a fine wine or a cheap fling, just gets better with time in Harper’s Bazaar Singapore. [Image Amplified]

- The Wall Street Journal called in an expert to explain why Linda Evangelista‘s son needs $46,000 a month from his father, billionaire Francois-Henri Pinault-Hayek. Turns out young Augustin James is ballin’ out of control. [The Cut]

- A report that Jay-Z bought Billionaire Boys Club – Pharrell‘s clothing line — have been refuted by Jigga himself, who claims he’s only “partnering” with the Neptune. [GQ]

“Over the past year, I’ve been developing my Bodywear range with my team and I’m extremely positive about what we have designed and produced. The final piece in the jigsaw was a retail partner who has the vision and capability to distribute these products globally. In H&M we have found the perfect partner to collaborate with going forward,” someone taught Beckham to say Beckham said.

The collection will debut February 2nd — just in time for that blight on society, Valentine’s Day — and will be carried in some 1800 H&Ms around the world.

Meanwhile, when is David’s better and chicer half, Victoria Beckham, bringing her wares to Hennes and Mauritz? I, and many other girls, need an affordably-priced body-conscicous column ASAP. [WWD]

*Oprah.

And for even more patriotic pecs, hop on over to our Facebook page!

Ben Hill

Photo: Models.com

Quote the maven:

“The moment is right to be rehashing iconic Versace pieces, I can feel it in the air. H&M represents an amazing connection to a broader customer base and to a younger audience that loves Versace but can’t afford to buy it. This is especially exciting and stimulating for me.”

Donatella has dug into the archives, where she no doubt ran into Lady Gaga milling about in a 50-inch heel, and came out dragging leather, studs, chain mail and the iconic Miami print — so loud you’ll need headphones to wear it — ready to be re-worked by H&M’s design team who were able to source quality bargain-priced materials for the final product.

Women — and some men — will have their choice of body-skimming dresses, high heels and bold costume jewelry while men — and some women — can choose from sharp tailoring and tuxedos.

The collection, launching November 17th in 300 stores worldwide, will also feature children’s clothing and for the first time in a designer collaboration,  homeware.  Versace has also developed a pre-spring collection available exclusively starting January 19th in countries with H&M online sales.

It’s a pity we’ll have to wait til November, but in order to beat the inevitable rush, I’ve already set up camp outside my favorite H&M. I’m getting a Miami-print Versace shift if it kills me, or more advantageously, you. [WWD]

This M.I.A. and Donatella Tandem Courtesy of: W

Following in the high-low footsteps of Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Matthew Williamson, Sonia Rykiel and most recently Lanvin‘s Alber Elbaz, Donatella will design a collection of both mens and womens clothing, in addition to home items — which I never even knew H&M had to begin with.

Described as a celebration of the Italian brand’s “vibrant heritage,” the collection will debut in 300 H&M stores on November 17th — and will be sold out later that day.

Bonus! Donatella — pulled, tucked and shellacked within inches of her life — discusses the collection with H&M’s Creative Advisor, Margareta van den Bosch.

[WWD]

The in-store performance will start at noon followed by a two hour autograph session. Admission is based on  a first come first serve basis, but I’m just going to say it right now, I have no problem cutting a bitch.

In the meantime, do yourself a favor and watch her latest video, “Call Your Girlfriend,” featuring a cropped fur sweater, a bold-print legging and a sneaker platform, also known as my “Around the House” look. [WWD]

I mean, look at that little afro? And the little boy turning it on the left.Ten years from now, throw all of these damn kids on the runway and call it a fashion show. H&M lined up these diaper darlings for their All for Children initiative with UNICEF. These clothes go on sale in 160 H&M stores worldwide, with 25% of  sales benefiting UNICEF projects to promote children’s rights to education and protection in vulnerable communities.

The clothes are adorable, particularly that orange number on the right worn by a young Karlie Kloss. But they have nothing on the Lanvin Petite clothes.

Apparently Lanvin doesn’t believe in child labor laws because these kids are at work.

Popping out of a box?! Pensively sitting in a chair?! Braced against a wall in a trench?! These kids are editorial jumping at a Teen Vogue level.

After looking at these pics, I’m tempted to adopt a child and raise her to be the next supermodel of the world. But then I realized that they don’t stay this cute forever.  One day they’re crawling in their baby heels and the next they’re flashing their crotch and getting high on salvia.

Without even inviting you. [WWD, Fashionista]

Photo: WTForever21

“My site, WTForever21, does not infringe on any of Forever 21’s rights. It contains only criticism, commentary and news reporting, all written in an educational and humorous manner, which are protected under applicable law. To the extent any of the material used on the site is in fact subject to intellectual property protection (which, in many instances, is by no means clear), the site’s incorporation of that material is a ‘fair use’ under copyright, trademark law, and similar state law. It’s incredibly unlikely that any portion of the site would ever cause confusion in the minds of the general public about whether or not Forever 21 endorses or is affiliated with it. The blog in no way dilutes Forever 21’s trademark, as the company claims.”

Well, that sounds legal-like.  At least on the upside, even if she does get her blog shut down, Kane probably won’t have a hard time starting a new one. May we suggest H&FML? [WWD]

2002 – The first OFT was a subtle affair. Clocking in at $730,500, highlights included key lime pie and a J. Lo velour sweatsuit. You gotta start somewhere.

2003 – O then proceeded to crack the million dollar mark, $1,527,750. This is when she started throwing $600 watches and $400 Blackberries at people.

2004 – Shit went down. $4,299,600. We’re talking flat screen TVs ($2,299), spa trips ($850), $11,000 bedding and a $2000 laptop. Suffice to say, there were no J. Lo sweatsuits.

2005 – A little more conservative. $2,211,600. We got a little Ralph Lauren, a little Burberry, an Apple iPod and the big ticket item, a $2400 diamond watch.

2006 – This year’s studio audience must have been PISSED. Facing criticism that she had been basically feeding into American’s capitalist greed, Oprah gave her studio audience camcorders and a $1000 credit card to perform (and record) a good deed. Cost = $390,000.

2007 - So that happened, a lesson was learned by no one and then Oprah dropped $2,364,000 on some hideous footwear ($120), the super awesome Planet Earth DVD box set and a $3800 refrigerator. I wonder if that included shipping and handling?

2008 - Remember the recession? Yeah, me neither, but Oprah did and so she shafted her audience again with an installment of “Thrifty Favorite Things.” An H&M swimsuit ($15), a Norma Kamali suit ($350) and something known as “Fit Flops” ($50) broke the bank at $210,600.

2009 – Oprah didn’t even bother this year. There was no OFT, no one checking under their seats for anything, no one jumping up and down in an embarrassing fit of ecstasy. The end was nigh.

2010 – Lulled into a false sense of security, Oprah struck with what would be her Biggest and Last Favorite Things Ever. A bittersweet moment, no doubt, but one still considerably sweet at a cost of $12,075,000. Diamonds! Cashmere! $700 cruises! $3600 3D televisions! $500 iPads! And the grand daddy of all prizes, a $22,000 Volkswagen Beetle! Crying, jumping, hyperventilating, heart palpitations, etc.  followed.

And that’s all she wrote. To those lucky couple hundred of people who got to bask in the glory of Oprah as she screamed in your face about gifts you could otherwise never afford, I salute you. To the less fortunate souls from  2006, 2008 and 2009, at least you got to bask in the glory of Oprah yelling in your face about something.

That’s more than many of us will ever be able to say. [Jezebel]

1. Quit this: Birkenstocks
A mandal by any other name would look as bad.

Hit this: Espadrilles
An Hermès espadrille may not be ideal for Ultimate Frisbee in the quad, but it’s more than appropriate for quick munchie runs.

2. Quit this: Tie-Dye
Psychedelia  gave us many things, none of them as enduring or as tacky as tie-dye.

Hit this: Bold prints
Pucci prints are as trippy as they come so you can easily get lost staring into them for hours on end.

3. Quit this: Hemp
A durable and versatile fabric, there are more chic ways to green your wardrobe, especially without using your green.

Hit this: Organic fabrics
If you’re all about sustainability and that crap, H&M‘s new Conscious Collection is easy on the environment and on your wallet.

4. Quit this: Puka shell necklaces
Ah, the puka shell necklace, or as I like to think of it, shorthand for letting everyone know you’re a complete tool.

Hit this: Statement jewelry
A statement necklace says something completely different, like “I’m high as a kite right now and I’m going to dress like it.”

5. Quit this: Ponchos
If you’ve been indulging a little too much in the late night Taco Bell, then by all means, drape an unflattering carpet over yourself.

Hit this: Capes
However, a cape like this Alexander McQueen number is a fashionable alternative to the poncho but on the other hand, so is anything else.

6. Quit this: Board shorts
Board shorts are appropriate on only one occasion, and that is on a surf board. Any other time is just an insult to surfers everywhere.

Hit this: Suit shorts
Tom Ford doesn’t think men should wear shorts at all, but Thom Browne doesn’t expect you to play hacky sack in a full-on pant during those hot summer months.

7. Quit this: Hawaiian shirts
Hawaiian shirts are appropriate on only one occasion, and that is on Charlie Sheen. Any other time is just an insult to Charlie Sheen…which is kind of all right.

Hit this: Paisley shirts
Odds are you won’t need much to cheer you up this 420, but paisley, like this Michael Kors top, can add a dash of curlicued sunshine to anyone’s day.

8. Quit this: Baggy jeans
“So okay, I don’t want to be a traitor to my generation and all but I don’t get how guys dress today. I mean, come on, it looks like they just fell out of bed and put on some baggy pants and take their greasy hair – ew – and cover it up with a backwards cap and like, we’re expected to swoon? I don’t think so.” – Cher Horowitz

Hit this: Harem pants
A harem pant gives you the same freeballin’ feeling of a pair of slouchy Levi’s hanging off your upper thighs and — bonus points — the drop-crotch acts as a great weed table if nothing else is around.

9. Quit this: American Eagle
For most of us, middle school is over and so is the Eagle.

Hit this: American Apparel
Going from the Eagle to the Apparel, though, is not so much a show of growth so much as a show of wanting to get laid. But even stoners need to slut it up sometimes.

10. Quit this: Beanies
A beanie is like the stoner equivalent of the little black dress. And though I would deign to ask any pothead worth his or her reefer to abandon their LBD…

Hit this: Newsboys
A newsboy cap adds a certain air of jauntiness and charm. I mean, who would you rather get high with, beanie boy or Brad Pitt? Though the beanie guy looks baked as all get out.

Happy Toking and remember to dress is human, to smoke divine.

Photo: Image Amplified

- Reese Witherspoon is giving me some serious bombshell realness on the cover of Elle UK, shot by Ben Hassett. The gams are out, there’s a peep toe pump and I’ve never seen Reese this…hot before. Why is it that British editions of fashion mags get celeb covers right when we’re left with this over here in the states? And of course…this

- Rumor has it Erdem might be H&M‘s latest collaboration. The adorably pint-sized designer, however, claims he’s too busy with his own line, though he won’t rule out the possibility in the future. Rumor also has it that Erdem is designing Kate Middleton‘s wedding dress, but he dodges that one too…so either Erdem Moralioglu is as crafty as he is tiny or someone’s seriously fucking with my emotions. [Vogue]

- Gisele‘s ads for H&M have been slightly altered for the Dubai marketplace. The supers luscious limbs and daring decolletage are covered up by some sort of digital spanx. Dubai has been so conservative ever since those Sex and the City (2) gals rode in on their humps…and camels. [Fashionista]

Photo: Fashionista

- When she was just an 18 year old up and coming skank, rather than the seasoned vet she is now, Paris Hilton apparently couldn’t “stand black guys.” Which would explain why she forced Nicole Richie to have that sexual reassignment surgery before The Simple Life 2. [Gawker]

- There are few words in the English language that inspire confidence as much as “Lifetime Original Movie.” Inspired by true events (i.e. based on what some intern read in OK! Magazine), William & Kate chronicles the legendary romance between Prince William and his lady Kate Middleton. The movie premieres April 18, 11 days before the royal wedding, meaning they basically threw this movie together during a 5-day coke binge. [YouTube]

- Androgynous ladyman, Andrej Pejic sees why many would compare him to transexual supermodel Lea T., but he thinks he’s more versatile. “When it comes to our professional lives, well she only does women’s wear and I think I cover more fields.” The only thing I have to say to that, missy, is never underestimate a tranny. They’ll soon cut you as look at you. [Fashionologie]

- William Shatner is 80 years old today. Capt. Kirk is still working, still schticking and still getting us the best price on hotels, air travel and car rentals, proving once again that the pre-baby-boomers come from a much heartier stock than the rest of us. Shatner, Betty White and Cloris Leachman could probably carry the entire NY Giants football team on their arthritic backs without nary a complaint. [Daily Beast]

The contents of someone’s bag tells a lot about them. And here at FashionIndie, our bags can’t keep their goddamn mouths shut.

Sam – Louis Vuitton backpack

My favorite moment was about 4 hours into our Blogger Break Room when we had like 80 people simultaneously getting spa services, drinking champagne, being fabulous and magically nothing went wrong!

Rebecca Minkoff mini wallet
Camera
Grey matte nail Polish
Keys
Gucci aviator sunglasses
Fashion GPS front row seat and after party drink tickets to L.A.M.B. and Ivana Helsinki
Taxi receipts
A fat pile of business cards
NYFW credential badge
Dollar bill from the VMAN Magazine party
Louise Manna body wrap jewelry
3 pens
Moleskine mini notebook
Liquid black eyeliner
Maybelline lipgloss from the Tents
Lotion
Vitamins

Amanda – Bag made from recycled plastic bottles from Love Brigade

- These are my favorite sunglasses of ALL TIME. I bought them at my favorite old lady consignment store like 6 years ago. The case is from Topshop.
- My wallet is full of maxed out credit cards and a $5 bill, so sad.
- I keep vitamins with me in case I start to feel under the weather during fashion week.
- There’s nothing worse than when a nail breaks, so obvi a nail file is necessary.
- iPod, headphones, self-explanatory.
- Notebook and pen for notes and doodles.
- My Canon EOS 20D camera – I’ve been snapping photos all over town.
- My many keys
- Deck of cards from the Malan Breton show yesterday.
- My everyday beauty essentials – hairbrush, makeup brushes, Make Up For Ever Powder, Sephora eye shadow palette, Smith’s Rosebud Salve, Burt’s Bees, Benefit Bad Gal Liner, MAC Satin Lipstick in Rebel, Sephora lip gloss and Maybelline Falsies mascara
- Hand sanitizer for public transportation horrors.
- The collection description sheet from the Son Jung Wan fall/winter 2011 show.
- Business cards from Fashion Week that must be filed away!

Lester – H&M tote

While typing up my list I realized I’m basically a woman. And am fine with that.

Sequined clutch — I don’t care for man wallets
Interview mag with Tom Ford
Nail polish remover — for the 2 bottles of nail polish I got from Blogger Break Room
Headphones
Hand sanitizer
Notebook
2 pens
Duane Reade Cold & Sinus Relief — I crawled over the fashion finish line with a fever and god knows what else
T-Mobile crap since I “lost” my phone and had to get a replacement
Carmex
Programs from various fashion shows, including Richie Rich and Kimberly Ovitz
Box o’ biz cards
Trial size deodorant, baby powder and lotion, should I spend yet another night on someone’s couch
Stain remover pen (LIFESAVER)
The Socializer under eye treatment
Orbit gum
The First Wives Club– one of my fave movies so I decided to check out the book
Body oils (red Egyptian musk and Sandalwood)
Lanvin perfume, Arpege
Lollipop from Cocktails and Couture
Press pass from Diesel
Cough and eye drops
Mirabella eyeliner lip and cheek ink and
Compact — I got so much free make-up even though I don’t wear any of it. Now I have a reason to start.
Gloves
Christian Siriano Payless pump Polaroid
Swiss Army knife should I ever need to cut a bitch

Jess – Faux fur bodybag from LF

1. My brand spankin’ new Macbook pro, that I would have died without. Frequented that AOL StyleList blogger’s haven with it on the regs.

2. Multiple sparkly Milani nail polish. I did my nails everywhere, painting over layers to change up the colors constantly. There was a rotating slew of colors that cycled through the bag this week.

3. Lipsticks: Illamasqua: The Box (rouge), YSL fucsia, Iman (Pat Field‘s) Jaguar

4. Business cards. Gave out about 75, received at least as many.
5. Several WWDs and Daily Front Rows. I do admit I love reading the Daily.
6. Tickets. Many. Some I’ve disposed of, some made it. Some standing, some seats. None actually with my name on it.
7. Various runs of show. Ones that have lingered in my bag: Timo Weiland, Anna Sui, Dennis Basso, Alexandre Herchcovitch.
8. ESSENTIAL: Blackberry. Can’t believe it took me this long to talk about it. Maybe because I’ve done so much damage on it that it actually just broke. Fashion Week broke my phone…. now…. iPhone?
9. Because that’s not an iPhone, that’s an iPod touch and it’s been keeping me cat walking myself from place to place.
10. Biggie camera. I spent 3 years, that’s 6 seasons in the PIT with this guy. Not this year. Now I just got to use it on celebs backstage, at presentations and the like.
11. WIRES. OMG. My bag was like a radio shack. Heaven forbid I should be without a charge.
12. Small purse. Vintage. Used it when I stashed the big lady mama at the after party coat checks.
13. Wallet. Duh.
14. Deck of cards? The last free gift to remain in this bag. They’re usually the first to go when I get home.
15. Voice recorder, which I ditched for my Blackberry video camera.
16. Pashmina – much lighter than a laptop case. I didn’t wear it, my MacBook did.
17. Vintage Korean flower cardi I wore yesterday. I took it off when the world got mild.
18. Urban Zen literature – got my reikis healed (?) in the AmEx Skybox. Still confused about the process, but I felt great after.
19. My handy dandy notebook. All of my show notes are in this little thing.
20. Napkin from Timo Weiland’s after party on which Paul Steiger (as in Walter‘s son) drew shoes for me. I’m going to the press sample sale today!

That is all that remains. I’m surprised I didn’t find at least 3 Frappacinos and a slew of Fijis, but I lightened my load as I went along.

Mac – Faux croc tote from 21Men

I used the camera to take amazing photos all over NYC this Fashion Week.The Coke Zero is used solely for caffeine purposes but Lord knows I dont need any empty calories. I have two pairs of sunglasses to switch up my eyewear but maintain my air of mystery. The Marc Jacobs ones were gifted to me by stylist Robert Verdi as was the Kenneth Cole cologne, Reaction (the scent is fresh and young).  Finally the latest copy of VMAN for the train and cab rides all over the city. And yes I still have the dollar that was in his mouth.

Coke Zero
Powerade
VMAN
Sony Camera
DOTS Wooden Bracelts
Forever 21 Sunglasses
Marc By Marc Jacobs aviators
Notebook
The Daily
Brush
Chapstick
Fashion Indie Vol 2 mixtape
Biz cards
Cash
Metrocard
Pens
Hand Sanitizer
Ray Ban glasses case

Josh – Laptop bag

At the Richie Rich show I heard several people say, “Oh my god! That Rod Stewart impersonator looks so convincing!” I later learned that person was the real Rod Stewart.

Olive Leaf Extract Pills
Vitamin C
Shades
Icebreaker mints
3 $15 iTunes gift cards
Apple wireless mouse
Apple ear buds
GQ magazine
3 Random pens
1 Show invitation
Notepad
Small USB dog that humps computer
Sony voice recorder

On this season’s aesthetic:

It’s sort of 20s/30s glamour meets East Village punkiness/funkiness. Imagine if Marie Antoinette fell out of the sky and landed in the middle of the East Village. We’re just going to let her have fun. But it’s going to be more refined and upscale.

On his partnership with Angelo:

Angelo’s kind of my design director, we’re a team, doing this line together. I hate titles, that’s the thing, but we’re having fun. We met on 7th St when I had my line, Heatherette, that was my studio. But he’s right across the street still on 7th St.  Keeping it real with the East Village. I was looking for someone to partner up with me and have fun and direct my crazy mind. It’s like when you decorate the Christmas tree, if you have too many ideas you need to edit it…I think Angelo brings refinement to my glittery fun.

On his upcoming runway show:

The show this season is on February 10th at the Hammerstein Ballroom. Fashion Week is usually very exclusive, invite only, but I’m opening my show up like a rock concert this year, letting people in who never really get a chance to go to a fashion show.

I never realized, like a lot of my friends that aren’t in the fashion industry,  I’ll invite them to my show and they’re like, “Oh my god, it was so much fun! I’ve never been to a fashion show before.” I always take it for granted because that’s what I do. It’s fun when people who haven’t experienced it get a chance to and see what it’s about. And it’s as much fun to watch the crowd as it is to watch the show.

This year I’m selling tickets to the show and proceeds go to DOsomething.org as well as Cookies for Kids’ Cancer, which is a charity for little kids who unfortunately have cancer. We have a good friend who passed away in the last couple days…It felt weird at first, selling tickets, but you know if you can help people it makes sense.

Then again this spring, I think I’m going to do another show to launch a partnership with a Fast Fashion House. I guess I’ll be the first designer that’s ever been the face of something they’ve done.

On casting models:

I look for personality. There are so many beautiful people out there that model. I don’t like one kind of look, I like everything. That’s why I love New York. It’s like an 80’s Bennetton ad. You have the amazing black girl with the Asian kid and the gay kid…I just think we all wear clothes, you don’t have to be a size 0 because beauty comes in all sizes.

On pre-Fashion Week jitters:

I don’t get nervous, really, it’s more like happy nerves, excited, energetic. I’m always like what if nobody shows up? I probably asked my mom that before my fifth birthday party. I don’t really get nervous or scared or intimidated, I’m more excited like it’s Christmas Eve. I just want everybody to come and have a good time.

The worst part is when something goes wrong, like when kids can’t get in or something’s wrong with the door. I’m backstage trying to get everything together and I have all these friends on the alert. You don’t know what’s going on and you end up getting in trouble the next three days or five months. That’s where the nerves come from. That’s the nerve-wracking part.

On other fashion shows he’s looking forward to:

I always look forward to all of it. I go to Marc Jacobs every year. He’s an old friend. I love him, he’s supported me a long time as well. But I just go with the flow. Fashion Week is such a rollercoaster, that’s why I like doing opening night because then it’s over with and I can just have fun.

On his celebrity friends walking the runway:

I didn’t really intend, when I started doing fashion shows, to have celebrities at the end. They just happened to be my friends and were out and about. A lot of people in the media are like, “Who are you having this season?” Your guess is as good as mine. I usually just call up some of my friends, ask if they want to do this. If it’s part of a charity, even better. It just kind of unfolds.

I’ll definitely have surprises this season. I don’t know the surprises until they happen. They’re really always last minute. Last year Ellen [Degeneres] finally called two days before [the show]…

I remember one season, Britney Spears and Paris Hilton were in a fight. So Paris is in one car and Britney is in another car. I went out to get them but they both knew each other was there. I didn’t know they were feuding and they decided not to come out of their cars.

And Kimora Lee was also walking so she’s like, “Well, where are Paris and Britney?” I said they’re not coming out and Kimora goes “Well I guess I’m the finale!”

Kimora was great, I like having other designers walk. I think it should all be a big family. I don’t believe in the whole competitive thing, we’re all having fun for the same reason.

On meeting his icons:

My friends enticed me to move to New York and I sort of moved here on a whim. The night I came they threw a party for me at this club in Union Square. I had long finger waves and was wearing this discoball-ish headpiece when Madonna walks up to me with a beer and a cigarette in hand.  She just kind of looked at me like, “Who is this?” and said, “Hey, what’s up?”

I’ve always been a huge fan, obviously, of hers – and I was just like, “WOW. I’m staying in New York!”

And the next night, I was living at the Hotel 17 in Gramercy Park with my friend Amanda Lepore, who was my neighbor and David Bowie was in the elevator with me. I grew up with my brother loving David Bowie. We ended up doing a photoshoot literally outside of my hotel room with Interviewmagazine. Then two nights later I met Debbie Harry!

New York came alive in a week. It just felt like it was meant to be. I think that’s why I appreciate fashion and pop culture so much: the sheer will of having a dream, letting it unfold and hopefully inspiring other people to realize their dreams. Which is what all those artists have done for me.

On his own style:

I pretty much wear everything from Dots and H&M mixed with Chanel, everything from Marc Jacobs to Prada, Dior, The Gap, vintage. I’m just all over the map. I think if you think too much it doesn’t make sense.

But on the flip side, if you do a fashion shoot and somebody else styles you, it’s fun to see how they envision you. Like popstars for example. It’s not really their vision, but somebody else giving it to them. Even Gaga, she’s bringing back to the surface what club kids did for years, but she’s smart about it. She has good people around her.

Kate Moss’s best friend, he’s gay, told me there’s always a good f****t around any fabulous girl. [laughs]

If you want a ticket to enter Richie’s glittery fun world, you can buy them here — that way you can be fabulous and support two great causes!

1. Wear more fur. I want to be on PETA‘s “Most Wanted List” in 2011. Hell, I’d kill a family of chinchillas, skin them and wear them if I could. Nature is going to shit anyway, so why not put those endangered species to good use? Drape me from head to stiletto in fur and if possible, blood diamonds — I will single-handedly ruin what’s left of this world.

2. No more jeggings. This is a hard one. I officially own more pairs of jeggings than I do of actual jeans, but the trend is already becoming horribly outdated. Still, on a bloated day, there’s nothing more comfortable than breathable cotton. Except maybe breathable cotton and a pint of Mint Chocolate Chip iced cream. I mean, you’re already bloated, might as well go down with the ship.

3. Find shoes that actually fit me. Yesterday I found a bit of blood in my socks from my combat boots digging unmercifully into my heels. And my pinky toe is all but dead from being constantly wedged into vintage shoes. But sometimes you have to pounce on a Cuban heel and suck it up for the sake of fashion.

4. Learn to tie a bowtie. Right now I only (sadly) have one bowtie, a clip on chambray from American Apparel. However, it behooves a gentleman to know how to properly affix a bowtie. That, and to mix a proper cocktail and to properly kiss another man with tongue.

5. Rely less on H&M. Gaga knows I love those damned Swedes. The majority of my wardrobe derives from Hennes and Mauritz, but as my style and tastes develop, I will inevitably have to stray from the flock. However, if they continue with their all-star collaborations, I might have to throw this resolution under the bus, much like the year I decided to “cut back on drinking.”

6. Bring back the ascot. This has been a resolution of mine since I was about 14 and why not?, it’s a perfectly reasonable neck accessory that doesn’t at all remind people of hapless, blond, teenaged snoops.  Over the years, I’ve periodically worn ascots to varying degrees of success. Once, I wore it on a job interview and I like to think it had nothing to do with my not receiving a callback.

7. Get photographed by The Sartorialist. This is partly just me stroking my own vanity. Okay, it’s completely just me stroking my own vanity, but dammit, do you think I’m walking around in capes, sequins and harem pants for fun?! Okay, I totally am, but I would at least like it documented for posterity’s sake.

8. Find a practically-sized day bag. When traipsing about New York, I like to be prepared for any and everything, thus I carry a man purse that would put Mary Poppins’ magical carpet bag to shame. More than once have I pulled out a coat rack from the depths of my tote, but no longer! I’m actually contemplating a stylish backpack (suggestions, anyone?), or a medium-sized tote for my everyday travels. And that’s what I like to call “progress.”

9. Find a good tailor. A good tailor is absolutely essential — not just to let out one’s clothing after gorging on holiday fare, though that in itself is god’s work — but sometimes the perfect pair of pants can be a bit too big or a bit too short. Enter a tailor and for a few bucks, those Cheap Mondays look a little less cheap.

10. Shop more. The bottom-line to all this resolving and promise-making is that I need to step up my shopping game. That means I’ve got to throw around more plastic than an Ultimate Frisbee championship, roll out more dough than a pizzeria and carry more bags than Oprah‘s eyes.

It’s a tough job, but in order to truly make a change in 2011, it’s necessary.

Yes. I. Can.

Cartoon: Political Graffiti

The pre-show cocktails were as fanciful as the venue, butlered mini-desserts and crustless cucumber sandwiches were passed around while male models sported the Lanvin tuxedos with oversized bowties.  I pretended to be interested in the fancy finger foods while I chatted with a Teen Vogue editor about how we both felt much more Eloise than the Princess of Monaco.

The runway room was stunning – at least 20 crystal chandeliers dangled from the ceiling and an entryway with hundreds of white roses surrounded a neon sign sporting Lanvin [hearts] H&M. Name cards in calligraphy sported the names of top editors, press, socialites and celebrities, and a live jazz band filled the air with music while people mingled and took their seats. I was in a pit between Patrick Demarchelier, Tory Burch, and a gaggle of NYC’s finest social circle.  Tory tells me that she is thrilled about the collaboration and that the looks are absolutely beautiful.

I’m not sure if it was the intimate setting, the beautiful venue, or the fact that Alber Elbaz is fashion’s reigning king, but I hadn’t seen that much excitement at a fashion show in a long time.  The energy was intoxicating and the audience went crazy for the giant tulle skirts, bold colors, and exaggerated shoulders that have been transformed by Elbaz into H&M looks.  Andie McDowell stated “I think it’s genius. I’m a big fan of Lanvin. I can afford Lanvin and my daughter can afford H&M, and now my daughter’s going to have the opportunity to have a little bit more pizzazz.”  The show was absolutely breathtaking and people ran out immediately after to get into the private sale.  After beating my way through the crowd, I snagged seven pieces of the collection including 3 dresses, a fur vest, a t-shirt, a necklace and a bow tie.  All in all, a successful evening!

Five original Alber Elbaz autographed sketches went up for auction on www.lanvinforhm.com through November 26. All proceeds from the auction will be donated to UNICEF, as part of H&M’s “All for Children” project.

[Written by Samantha Lim, LookBooks editor]

We featured a quick preview of this collection by H&M a week or so ago, and now thanks to Hypebeast we have the entire collection. The looks are bright, colorful, and have amazing versatility allowing you to make a ton of great looks. This is a collection to keep an eye out for Spring, especially if the economy doesn’t pick up soon.

Here is a small little preview of the H&M Spring collection, and I can’t say I love it, only because H&M seems to photograph better then it actually appears. The suit looks great, and could be a nice (cheaper) alternative to a Thom Browne suit. Not sure how I feel like the push for men in pink again, pink has always been a really tough color to pull off really well.

Thanks to The Fashionisto

Along with every other eager fashion crazed New Yorker, I found myself standing outside H&M this morning to battle my way through the doors for some sweet Comme des Garcons collaboration love. However, the sight was not what I had anticipated at all. My mentality all week had been that I had a better shot of getting the clothes than our female employees based on the fact that I am a guy, and less guys would be willing to wait in line for a something of this variety. My mentality couldn’t have been further from the truth!

When I walked up to H&M I couldn’t help but notice how badly the guys out numbered the girls. Granted that probably 20% of the guys were there to buy clothes for their girlfriends, but still it was impressive. Then to top it off, the guys clothes was gone so fast I had time to walk over to the girls section and watch the feeding frenzy ensue.

I thought that maybe this was just at my location (34th and 7th ave.), but when I rendezvoused with Daniel after his trip to the Herald Sq. store he had a similar story.

Could this be a changing of the times? Are the new fashion craving folks men? As a male in the fashion industry, I really hope that this is true. I feel that men need to play a bigger roll in fashion, and the fashion market!

I got two hours of sleep last night, nearly missed my 8:00am class, and was caught in the rain during a pranked fire alarm while my omelette got cold and soggy inside. But who cares, today marked the day of the Mike & Chris sample sale, an epic fashion event I was sure to exploit. An excellent remedy for my day if you ask me! 

So, I’m headed to the subway when I get a depressing call from my roommate, probably one of the biggest Mike & Chris fans I know. Apparently, the W 36th street location was completely empty, lights off, without product inside and a sign on the door saying that the merchandise never showed up and the sale was cancelled until further notice. Awesome. 

Yesterday I reported that the brand is rumored to be going belly up. However, the sales director at the California base refuted that statement and claims that the company is merely “restructuring.” So that’s what they call it when the company mysteriously doesn’t pay their employees? 

Dear Mike and/or Chris: Whoever the screw-up is that failed to show up with the clothes, advise him/her to flee the country before I sick all of my fashion-savvy friends and his/her ass. As for you two, get your shit together and don’t waste my time again…I could have been duking it out with the thousands of people at H&M for Comme des Garcons.  

Trust me, I’m not one of those girls who will tell her readers a sample sale is cancelled just so I can have the best pick in the store (although, that’s not a bad idea…) If you don’t believe me, check out Racked…they posted the bad news too!

Roberto Cavalli for H&M

Jonathan Saunders for Target

Comme des Garcons for H&M

We’ve all seen the clothing and accessory quality at Target and H&M. Cheap fabrics. Plastic or malleable metal buttons. Torn seams. Awkward fitting. Yes, occasionally you do find that specific piece that looks great on you and others expect you paid a heap of money for, but we all know how rare that can be. 

So, with all of these recent designer collaborations with what i’ll call “cheaper stores,” what exactly is their point? Are designers simply trying to make their typically expensive clothing lines more affordable for the fashion conscious crowd? Have Target and H&M paid the designers a hefty sum just so they can attach a brand-name to their usually generic clothing? More importantly, are the labels all that important?  We already know that the brand-loving fashionistas are going to strip shelves clean on the November 13th release of the Comme des Garcons by H&M line, regardless of price or quality, just for the sake of the label. But do other fashionable buyers even care?

People who love fashion for the sake of fashion usually buy because they like the piece, not the brand. And even if they happen to be brand chasers, who honestly wants to buy a collaboration of their favorite designer if it doesn’t even correlate that particular label’s aesthetic? 

If you ask my opinion, I would rather pay the money for the high quality and unique garments of a specific designer. The fact that it is cheap doesn’t matter because it is 9 times out of 10 exactly that, cheap. And don’t forget, If Jonathan Saunders is selling his bold geometric sweater dress at Target, everyone who’s anyone in the Target vicinity will own it. Before you know it, the whole world is going to be one huge common, unflattering, poorly stitched ball of Jonathan Saunders sympathy for people who can’t afford his real stuff. 

Thanks Nitrolicious and NY Mag!