Michael Bastian’s set is looking natural, but a little bit lavish. 

I love that you used the word lavish!

How does your aesthetic change between a show with the classic American prep of Michael Bastian versus some of the more wild designers?

It was important to give Michael Bastian a refined look, as soon as people walk in the door. They’re used to him being a little big sporty, but this season it’s very refined. I approach all my shows with same intensity. People always ask, what has been your favorite show? They all become your babies when you’re in the middle of making them. It’s a constant evolution from the minute you have the idea till the lights go on.

What past experience led you to being the Creative Director on so many top shows like Jason Wu, Alexander Wang, and now Michael Bastian?

I come out of the fashion magazine world. I was a fashion editor for many many moons. I always felt my job was not just get people excited by the clothes, but to almost make the clothes feel legendary within the picture. I was coming up in an era where we were making clothes famous.

Kress comes with a long list of luxury credits to his name — before Prada, he was managing director and CEO of Bulgari North and Latin America and president of Fendi North America. The Olsens, clearly impressed with his haute history, created the post especially for him.

“His experience and sensibility will add great value to The Row in its next phase of development,” Ash told WWD. Then MK chimed in, “He quickly became the obvious choice for us and for the brand, having experience in multiple categories which we feel is essential for growth of The Row.”

To think, the Olsens were just looking for the perfect T-shirt when they started The Row nearly five years ago…now they’re luring away top talent from Prada. Our little girls are growing up so fast! Great, now I’m ferklempt. Pardon me while I pop in Double, Double Toil and Trouble. [WWD]

Among the precocious pissants are designers Joseph Altuzarra, Alexander Wang, Chris Benz, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and Pamela Love; musicians Adele, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry, Rihanna and most of the Young Money roster — Lil Wayne, Drake and Nicki Minaj; actors Chloe Moretz, Jennifer Lawrence and Community‘s Donald Glover; and hiding out in the media category is Tavi Gevinson. And while Jaden Smith made the cut, his hair-whipping, fireball-throwing sister, Willow, is nowhere to be seen. Other notable exclusions include Glee‘s leading ladies Lea Michele and Chris Colfer, as well as tween fashionistas Elle Fanning and Hailee Steinfeld. Guess they weren’t being disruptive enough.

Click through the gallery for some of the kids making waves while I pass out in a pool of my own vomit. [Forbes]

As for the rest of the stylish pairs that were up for the voting, and categorized under  this year’s theme”Dynamic Duos” they are as followed, and ranked in order:

1. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen
2. Elle and Dakota Fanning
3. Claire, Virginie, Jenna, and Prisca Courtin-Clarins
4. Ruby and Lily Aldridge
5. Poppy and Cara Delevingne
6. Bianca and Coco Brandolini
7. Beyoncé and Solange Knowles
8. Charlotte Gainsbourg and Lou Doillon
9. Pippa Middleton and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
10. Kate and Rooney Mara

A complimentary pair of The Row sunglasses! Hurry! You don’t want to miss this deal.

Sidenote: Is it just me or is that water bottle shaped like a flask?

Thick brows. Thin frames. Cynthia Rowley $175

Go ahead, wear your sunglasses at night. Converse $59

Glow in the day. Fold in the pocket case. Burberry $250

Remade designer vintage. Yes, please. Paloma Picasso by Retrosun 160 GBP

Mr. Ford has crafted the new shape of aviators: the circle. Tom Ford $290

Yellow lenses make the world a brighter, happier place for you. Persol $360

Yellow frames make the world a brighter, happier place for everyone else. Urban Outfitters $16

Cat’s eye curves best in tortoise shell. Elizabeth and James $155

Earrings flying on the tips of chained arms – genius. House of Harlow $143

Outline jagged angles bright. Karen Walker $180

Antique feeling of traversing a desert in shades. Diane Von Furstenberg $165

Bright gold and dark green fusion swoop gracefully. Dolce and Gabbana $190

Cat’s eye dipped tip. Alexander Wang $325

Octagon. Stop. Clear. Go. Charles Anastase X Linda Farrow $355

Iridescent Cyclops shades have got you covered. Cheap Monday $30

Vintage round looks best ombré. Fill in the lens at SpexClub $58

Aviator shape, jetting in neon. Carrera $150

If you can get these Tiffany sunglasses, you already see the world through rose colored shades. Tiffany & Co coming soon

Frameless frames with Cleopatra bling. Versace coming soon

Started with eyebrows, ending with eyebrows. Off the chain, full circle. Laura Kranitz $54

*I discovered my pair in a thrift store in Ohio, and I found them on Karmaloop today. I felt fabulous in these cat’s eyes and I highly recommend you try them, too.

•Bid on a chance to meet Vogue Editor in Chief Anna Wintour and attend a photo shoot for the magazine
•One full week’s stay at the private home of Diane von Furstenberg in the Bahamas
•Ralph Lauren’s Paris – Two Round Trip Business Class Tickets from NYC to Paris, two nights at the Bristol Hotel in a deluxe room, dinner for two at Ralph’s, the quintessential American restaurant in Paris, a 1,000 euro shopping experience at the Ralph Lauren store on St. Germain, and two tickets to visit “The Art of the Automobile: Masterpieces of the Ralph Lauren Collection,” an exclusive exhibit of Mr. Lauren’s vintage automobiles featured at the Musée des Arts décoratifs.
•Live like a Vanity Fair writer for a day—minus the torture of actually reporting and writing. The winning bidder will take a tour of the Vanity Fair offices, have lunch with one of the editors, sit in on a meeting in Graydon Carter’s office, and then finish off the day with a dinner for four at Mr. Carter’s restaurant, The Monkey Bar.
Night: 2 tickets and backstage passes to Jay-Z and Kanye West’s concert
•Morning, Noon & Night with Tory Burch – Morning: $3,000 shopping spree at Tory Burch with a personal stylist; Noon: Lunch with Tory and the design team;
•Lunch and style consultation with celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe, includes a tour of her offices and additional styling tips from her team
•Go behind the scenes with The Hilfigers at the Spring 2012 Tommy Hilfiger ad campaign shoot. Get prepped out in a full Tommy Hilfiger look at the brand’s Fifth Avenue store before having your photograph taken with the Hilfigers.
•A meet and greet with The Row designers Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen plus an entire wardrobe of Elizabeth and James and The Row Collections
•Two tickets to the Elton John Oscar’s Party
•The opportunity to intern for a day at Elle Magazine along with a personal fashion consultation with Elle Creative Director Joe Zee
•Have a Barbie custom made by Mattel in your likeness, valued at over $10,000
•Courtesy of DKNY, enjoy a “VIP” experience at Yankee Stadium for four guests. Experience includes a private tour of Monument Park followed by watching the Yankees’ batting practice from the field, followed by a meet and greet with Yankees Manager Joe Girardi. Afterwards, watch the Yankees take on the Tampa Bay Rays on July 9th, 2011, from four front row Legends Suite seats
•A lunch and style consultation with TV Personality and Project Runway Judge Tim Gunn
•Two tickets to the Vera Wang Spring Summer 2012 Fashion Show followed by a meet and greet with the designer and a $2000 shopping spree at the Vera Wang flagship store
•The opportunity to personalize a PS1 ‘it’ bag with Proenza Schouler designers Jack McCullough and Lazaro Hernandez
•A “Made to Measure Experience” custom suit and fitting from designer Tom Ford.
•Eight tickets to the Metropolitan Opera and dinner with Lincoln Center President Reynold Levy
•Two tickets to a live filming of “Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen” along with private cocktails with host Andy Cohen following the filming
•And many, many more……….

So get bidding on Charity Buzz, and support Japan in the most fashionable way possible (or any way you can).

- Snooki and JWOWW will continue to spread their own brand of charm — among other more communicable things — with their own Jersey Shore spin-off. Finally, we get down to the good stuff. Honestly, Ron, I’m frikkin’ over everyone else on that show. [Daily Beast]

Photo: Der Spiegel

- Editor Casual seems to be running rampant in fashion as Carine Roitfeld donned corduroy jeans and a “no-name” T-shirt (thank god the shoe came to work) for an interview with a no-name mag about her current state. Turns out she never had any plans to replace Anna Wintour at Vogue (remember that plotline from Devil Wears Prada?), she just likes fucking with us: “I like to provoke. I’m very French. In America, they’re not even allowed to show a hint of nipple in photos. Anna Wintour is the most powerful woman in the global fashion industry, the first lady of fashion. She’s a politician; I’m a stylist. They are two very different jobs. Incidentally, despite all the rumors, she is actually very nice.” What we don’t know is that Anna was hanging from the ceiling the entire time. [Fashionologie]

- If you’re like me and live for the Met Ball but have yet to receive a coveted invitation, you can at least live vicariously through one of its fabulous attendees, fashion icon Daphne Guinness. The kooky, couture-loving heiress will be getting dressed in Barneys windows before heading off to the Gala on May 2nd. How many years in jail do you think I’ll get for busting through that window and stealing a McQueen feather from Daph’s hem? [The Cut]

For more info visit Elizabeth and James online!

LINK LOVE: Just Jared

According to WWD, creative director Jo Black’s team of 14 designers crafted two looks, Hudson and Fairfax, both made of acetate, high-nickel and stainless steel, with oversize black frames. Hudson is intended to be a variation of the classic aviator shape, and Fairfax is inspired by a cat-eye silhouette.

The sunglasses collection is slated to release this November priced from $155 to $265, there will also be a limited edition version of the Fairfax (pictured above) with 24 karat-gold-coated lenses, will retail for $425 at select doors. The collection will be available at stores including Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and Harvey Nichols. Word around the street is that their Spring 2011 collection will be topping this one!

What can we expect from one of the youngest pair of successful people in this world… all I know it I’m definitely snagging a couple pairs!

The perks of waiting till mid-season to invest? Sweet discounts.
FLEXI SLEEVE: Rick Owens slicks down a side-licked collar on a column wool coat. He keeps in mind mobility with stretch insets under the arms. Rick Owens Wool Sparta Coat – was $2,350, now $1,175

SHAPED SHEARLING: Paul & Joe give us shearling with shape. Let the legs stand slim, but keep the bootie warm.  Paul & Joe Mongolie Shearling Coat – was $2,175, now $1,523

SCULPTED DOWN: Marios Schwab uses down to sculpt a futuresque silhouette. It’s a new era of poufy. Marios Schwab Quilted Structure Coat – was $2,175, now $1,523

COVERALL CAPE: The Row has shaped a cape that doesn’t leave your arms out in the cold. Wrap your secrets in a fitted blanket of wool and mink. The Row Apleton Cape – still $5,000. It’s that glorious.

SNEAK HOOD: Creenstone hides the hood – it simply rolls into a collar. Hoods are so practical when they’re on your head, but look so limp just hanging out. Find a sneaky hood like this. Creenstone Padded Trench with Hood – £265. Do the math.

“Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen seemed unaffected by the vigorous workout in their long-sleeved cashmere sweaters and long pants (although if it’s any consolation, an onlooker said they sat down on their bike much more than they expected).”

I mean who could blame them? They’re basically royalty they just have to show up to get the job done… Plus, I don’t really want them loosing anymore weight, do they really need any negativity in their lives, I think not!

Anna Wintour- Editor in Chief of Vogue, and the star of The September Issue and probably safe to say everything else in fashion.

Diane Von Furstenburg- CFDA Chairwoman and designer of one other best collection

Peter Levy -IMG Fashion World Wide

Lady Gaga- I mean does she really need a description? Even if I tried I don’t think one sentence would be enough.

Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen- We all grew up with them or watching them, a normal childhood was never in their life plan. An obnoxious amount of movies, hot foreign boys, killer style,  Elizabeth & James, NYU, and The Row, not to mention they’re just pure awesomeness.

Marc Jacobs- Definitely top 10 American designers, innovative, out of the box, we all love him, especially on the BANG bottle.

Tim Gunn- We can all stand around all day and wait for his very honest opinions and everything in between.

Karl Lagerfeld- Not just a character, somewhat of that Andy Warhol awkwardness perhaps, but all around cryptic genius.

Oscar De La Renta- “ready to wear” guru.

Carolina Herrera- Not just a Wintour approved favorite, but one of the best lines to capture any woman’s sweet spot.

Alber Elbaz- Lanvin genius!

ENVY for more wicked shades.

Thanks NY Mag!

The Olsen Twins finally have every fashion base covered! Mary Kate and Ashley recently teamed up with sunglass designer, Linda Farrow, to launch their new collection of eyewear for their accessories line, The Row. But the question is, are you ready to dish out $325 to $390 for these relatively basic shades?

Thanks NY Mag!

If you aren’t already familiar with his stuff, head immediately over to Rankin’s site.  You’re bound to find something you recognize (like the shot from Mary Kate and Ashley’s Influence  cover), and be unbelievably impressed with his extensive portfolio.  Rankin co-launched Dazed & Confused in ’91 with his business partner, Jefferson Hack, and has continued to shake up the photo world ever since.  He’s done dozens of famous ad campaigns (from Nike, to Dove, to Jameson), and shot just about every celebrity (Madonna, Heidi Klum, The Rolling Stones, Kate Moss…), but I was impressed the most by his beauty portfolio, a series of creative shots, crazy makeup , and perfect lighting.  Rankin is best known for his intimacy with his subjects, and these up close and personal shots display just that.

SOURCE: Kingdom Of Style

The twins finally make an appearance together. It seems like ages since they’ve walked any event together. It’s kind of hard to tell them apart when one isn’t deathly anorexic and one isn’t killing Heath Ledger, right?

LINKAGE: mary-kate and ashley at the 16TH WOMEN OF DISTINCTION AWARDS LUNCHEON

Oh, and maybe I should mention that the line will be for sophisticated men with a few bucks in their back pocket…$230 for a tee and $3200 for outerwear…YIKES. 

For more, check out WWD!

If you remember correctly, PETA threatened the Olsen twins with an anti-fur campaign, featuring the twins decked out in dead animal parts and looking rather drab. Well, the Hairless Halloween turned into the bashed book signing at the Barnes and Noble in Union Square. While the Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen contently signed their new book, Influence, PETA supporters protested outside in their Hairy-Kate and Trashley Halloween masks…just a few days early! The next time PETA gathers to protest, I think they should tell their supporters to avoid wearing fake fur (see middle)…it just isn’t getting the anti-fur message across. 

Sorry PETA, you may have started this war, but it looks like you lost your first battle. Fur is fur and fur is fashion. You’ve got other issues to worry about…like the meat purse…

Thanks NY Mag and Popgloss!

Laugh at me if you must, but I am loving the new Elizabeth and James collection by Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. Really, I did not expect such couture looks from two girls best known for their pre-teen spy movies, but what can I say, I am quite impressed. So what is the collection like? Well, believe the description on the Elizabeth and James website, because I couldn’t have described it better myself:

Inspired by the mix of uptown and downtown, masculine and feminine, and casual and dressy, the Elizabeth and James collection is unique in the mixture of androgynous menswear inspired blazers and shirts with delicate mini-dresses, feminine detailing, sequins and unusual fabrics.

But don’t be fooled, just because this is a star collaboration collection doesn’t mean it’s cheap. Be prepared to fork over $270 for the Eliza vest or $765 for the Plume skirt. But hey, if you’ve got the cash to dish, Elizabeth and James can be purchased on Shopbop.com! Knock yourself out…I know I would!

Visit Elizabeth and James!

Forget the typical witch costume, PETA has something far more scary. The anti-fur campaign portrays the twins as sickly looking corpses, decorated in bloody animal parts. Grab a friend and request your free Hairy Kate and Trashly masks from PETA (before October 12) or, better yet, print them here! Already have a great costume in mind? Worry not, you can always Dress Up the Trollsens at Peta2.com!

But here’s one thing to ponder PETA. What are you going to do when Green Peace calls, complaining that a whole rainforest was destroyed for the making of these paper masks? 

Thanks NY Mag!

Just in, the designer discovery I just did below on jewelry extraordinaire Robert Lee Morris is teaming up with Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen to create a jewelry line for Elizabeth & James. Due to come out within the next few months.