Our favorite spot for macarons is Bosie Tea Parlor and will indulge your cravings with a selection of regular-sized macarons by Executive Pastry Chef Damien Herrgott. Not only is Herrgott one of the Dessert Professional Top Ten Pastry Chefs in America for 2012, but he was also the opening chef for Macaron Day founder Pierre Hermé at his first Paris shop. When you bite into one of Herrgott’s pastries, no other dessert will compare – it’s like heaven in your mouth. While you’re there, pair your macarons with one of Bosie Tea Parlor’s loose-leaf teas.

Other participants include Bisous Ciao MACARONS, Bouchon Bakery, Butterfield Markets, Francois Payard Bakery and La Maison du Chocolat. Ladurée has opted out of the festivities this year. For a full list of participating bakeries, visit the Macaron Day NYC 2012 website.

If the freebie isn’t enough to satisfy your cravings, a portion of proceeds for all macaron purchases at each participating location will benefit the food rescue organization City Harvest.

Happy Macaron Day!!

Tweet @fashionindie to tell us where you’re getting your macaron fix today.

Werqin' in her friend's dress. Her friend, Jason Wu.

Even her iced poodle looks fly in those shades.

Anna Dello Russo finds the happy medium between loving animals and loving fur..

Candy and cuffs. Just like I like 'em.

Anna Dello Russo's beauty essentials vs

Miliner Alan Journo makes ADR new hats every season. They're in a bit of a crown moment.

Perfectly spaced, speckled with gold, glowing with brightness. And we wonder how many more racks she has like this one.

Fair ladies, embrace your Nordic tendencies that render you positively innocent when the makeup goes away. Use a pale pink that ebbs nude and a lengthening mascara. To get the Dolce & Gabbana look, mix a touch of their two

Purity Pink

What prevailed throughout all of Fashion Week culminated on the crystal cased Chanel runway with embroidered brows by the famed atelier de broderie, Lesage. If you don't have overgrown eyebrows, or just have fair hair, try like Pat McGrath did at Alexander Wang to give a boyish straight shape by brushing on dark eye shadow. You could also try an eyebrow palette with angled brushes. The

Raised Brows

Cold and angular eyes stared runways down to the chill of midnight.

Cool Night Eyes

Wing tips take flight again in both multiple lines like at Altuzarra, and with an electric blue shock like at Anna Sui. To get Pat McGrath's look for Anna Sui, you're going to use a liquid eyeliner and flick it up at the end. Draw the outline and fill it in using

Wingin' It

Like in Rick Owen's show "Offset the Scary", the brightest red will make a look iconic. Try a look-at-me lip of your own:

Bursting Red Lips

Burning in the fiery shadows of your lids is an orange or red taking up the whole space. You need to span big or else it runs the risk of looking like you've been crying. Not chic. And keep the rest of the face clean, obviously. Go big or go home in tears. Peter Phillips used several variations of orange at Dries Van Noten. From Make Up For Ever, he used no. 66, a mustard and no. 78, a rusty mandarin. Though those are both discontinued, you can try his third shadow,

Fiery Shadows

This look says power bitch in the sweetest way possible. How to get it: Spray the brush with hairspray and brush it back. DVF's hair stylist Orlando Pia used

Deep Sleek Side

Adding a dab of white to your cornea brightens the whole eye and makes them look bigger. Try some Sex to get the look. It's hot.

White Inner Eye

Hot mess dream trend! This look encourages us to fall asleep with our makeup on, roll outta bed and rock the refined raccoon eye. Marc Jacobs approves twice.

Smudged Down

Blackberries haven't gotten this much attention since iPhones hit Verizon. Unfortunately for the smartphone-makers, we're talking color. Perhaps it's the Rooney Mara effect, but oxblood-burgundy lips were everywhere. On the Gucci runway, Pat McGrath used

Vampy Lips

The Société Perrier kids landed in in France this week for Paris Fashion Week, and were hitting all the hot shows and parties. Check out their review for Paul & Joe A/W 2012, closed by none other than Karlie Kloss.

Trend-conscious shoppers in Tel Aviv will be flocking to the city’s newest popup store FAD (Fashion/Art/Design) for pieces from Cynthia Vincent, Alexander Wang and limited-edition items from Israeli fashion designers.

You just landed in Miami and realized you forgot a swimsuit. Not to fear, newly opened South Beach swimwear retailer Orchid Boutique has something for everyone with pieces from Vix, L*Space and the brand’s own label.

Running from today until September 16, this is a fashion must.

Between Superman Lagerfeld's fixation on crystals and Giambatista Valli's kinked stripes, cubic patterns jump forth geometrically from Paris.

Cubism Movement

We've well worn the leggings under skirts look, now go for boot cut, center pressed trousers.

The Skirt's Trouser Snake

Lisbeth Salander got a tattoo that sent the whole fashion world into gothic leather. Not that Mugler and Gareth Pugh wouldn't have gotten their without her help.

Lisbethan Leather

The outlining trend has carried through Fall 2012, as its body shaping properties are out of this world. Rei Kawakubo, meanwhile, has taken the stroke density to an epic level.

Outline, Take Notes

Perhaps it was the staggering lack of snow this season that has led so many designers to dream of a white winter.

Next fall, you might take a side job as a street sweeper. Or hire someone to carry your jacket's train. Coats are hitting the ground and billowing out in a righteous way.

Angelina Jolie's leg bomber followed Fashion Week to Paris and continued deploying bare gam splits.

Time for a second job, or a sugar daddy, or for your million dollar idea to actualize; the hottest trend is having a personal porter/bellboy/man servent. How chic!

Photo Credits: Majeur Won for FashionIndie, taken by Stephan Joseph © 2012

Photo Credits: Majeur Won for FashionIndie, taken by Stephan Joseph © 2012

Photo Credits: Majeur Won for FashionIndie, taken by Stephan Joseph © 2012

Among the lessons the rapper/designer/shaman learned was to distrust said pundits, which is why he cancelled a press preview moments before it was to begin. Eric Wilson of The New York Times was witness to the diva fit and describes it thusly:

“I don’t know about this,” [Kanye] said. “I got treated unfairly by the press last time. Why would I want to do this?”

Awkward. 

With respect, I responded, this was an opportunity to describe his point of view…Would he at least care to explain the ideas behind his collection?

He pondered for a moment.

“No,” he said. “If they don’t understand it, they don’t understand it.”

Then, in a kindly way, he kicked me out.

That is super awkward. But Wilson didn’t have any hard feelings and described the collection as “harder, faster, stronger, maybe just a little bit better.” And he noted that the show elicited a smile from Anna Wintour — sure it was from the go-karts during the finale, but with Anna Wintour you take what you get and slink off into the background.

Self-proclaimed Euortrash Luke Leitch of the Daily Telegraph used a few borderline offensive remarks about video hoes but ultimately likened the collection to Givenchy:

Like so much of West’s music, this collection sampled material originally created by others: most notably Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci. And that one sample worked so well that in many ways this collection was more successfully Givenchy than the next season Givenchy collection shown here just a few days ago.

But Tim Blanks from Style.com perhaps made the nicest/least harsh comments about West’s sophomore effort, proclaiming that Kanye had “won a much-improved badge.” While “praised” isn’t the right word, Blanks also “mentioned” the designer’s attempt at editing from his previous collection, calling it “a declaration that West is learning self-discipline in design.”

Oh, and from what I can tell, no one fell and was “cussed” at during the show…so, mazel! Check out some of the looks from Kanye’s fall 2012 collection below:

1. Alexander Wang Sweatshop Controversy. Well, this pretty much came out of nowhere but when a young designer at a crucial moment in his career gets hit with as serious as an allegation as using sweatshops to produce his clothes, the ramifications could be enormous.

2. Shake-Ups at Jil Sander and Yves Saint Laurent.  Would it be a Paris Fashion Week without someone leaving somewhere under a cloud of suspicion? Stefano Pilati finally submitted to the frequent rumors of his demise with Hedi Slimane set to replace him, but what of poor Raf Simons, who's now unceremoniously on his keester after years of loyal service?

3. Christian Dior's ever-revolving door of candidates. Yeah, this is still happening, but with Bill Gaytten finally getting a handle on this creative director thing -- the Christian Dior Fall 2012 collection wasn't awful...it was actually rather pretty, if nothing revelatory, and you know how much it pains me to say that -- there might be no need for Maxime Simoens or Haider Ackermann or whoever's the designer dujour.

4. Kanye West returns. God bless his heart. Like any artist with a pair, Kanye West isn't letting the negative reviews of his last collection get to him and he's returning today with his second offering. No one ever said fashion was an easy game to get into and Ye's got a long road ahead of him, but we all gotta crawl before we can walk. Unless you're Jourdan Dunn who tweeted that Kanye's shoes for the show tonight were "sexy as fuck but you can't walk in them!" Oh, and fellow model Leomie Anderson said Mr. West "cussed" at a girl for not being able to walk in the precarious pumps. Of course, Anderson threw some shade behind West, tweeting "her walk isn't top notch in kitten heels." #shitmodelssay

Katy will be rated on the below categories, five being the highest and 1 being the lowest.

What grade did Katy receive? Check out page two to find out.

It’s Paris Fashion Week, and Société Perrier is snapping all the cool kid street style.

Have an outfit dilemma or general style question? LookLab connects you to fashion insiders so you can get some answers and climb out of that fashion rut.

If you love DJ Danny Rockz‘s FashionIndie mixtape, you’ll love his mix for Société Perrier.

While Pilati’s tenure at YSL has seen its share of ups and downs, he still managed to turn the house around after a series of financial losses. However, his collections were often met with mixed reviews, with Mon. Saint Laurent saying himself, “Some of what he does is good. Some of it is not so good.”

YSL won’t spill the beans on Pilati’s replacement till after their show during Paris Fashion Week, but Slimane is expected to return after a near two decade absence. Before designing his signature Slimane-slim suits for Dior Homme, Hedi worked for YSL in the 90s. Although he has never officially designed women’s clothes, Slimane was courted to take over Jil Sander before settling on Dior, then gave it all up to  pursue photography in 2007. [WWD, sub req'd]

“A runway show is a very demanding and personal engagement for a creative director,” Céline CEO Marco Gobbetti told WWD. “The objective is to simplify.” Gobbetti also said he’s considering an informal and intimate presentation in the house’s showrooms. Meanwhile, Philo, it seems, is determined to work up until her water breaks. According to Gobbetti, she’s still “designing the collection with her team” and is expected to attend the presentation on March 4.

When I was a dresser at his Fall 2009 show, his inspiration was the Duk Duk, the symbol of a secret society in Papua New Guinea. Now focused on warriors from the same region and high priests from the Caribbean, he smashed their traditional masks with that of Jason and Western sex-fetishes. Aside from ethnic play, the juxtaposition of suits with smaller suits cartoonishly painted on proceeded by coats that actually unbutton to become smaller versions of themselves takes the collection from a cultural conundrum to a wardrobe solution.

Brief history of time: Walter Van Beirendonck was one of the Antwerp 6, a group of designers that graduated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium in the 80′s. Also members of this game-changing Avant Garde pack were Ann Demeulemeester and Dries Van Noten. Take note.

The face of victory, Mario Boselli

New York and the CFDA has agreed to not push back the dates of New York Fashion Week in accordance with the “Second Thursday rule” so as not to interfere with Milan’s show dates. The CFDA’s chief executive officer Steven Kolb graciously and begrudgingly admitted defeat at the hands of noted shit-talker Mario Boselli of the Camera Nazionale della Moda Italiana in a statement today:

“We’ve been back and forth on this. People are anxious and need to know the dates. There’s no value for the cities to compete. In the spirit of working together, London and New York are in agreement that we will go in the earlier period, but with the hope that the four cities will come out of this confusion and work together to plan future show weeks. We need to begin to look at the fashion season not as individual fashion weeks, but very much as a global business.”

Well, at least it’s over and no lives were lost. But it being a fashion war, expect some scathing reviews flooding in from the upcoming fall 2012 runway shows in Milan and Paris because shade is the only real weapon of combat. As for next year, New York will show from September 6 thru 13, London from September 14 thru 18, Milan from September 19 thru 25 and Paris from September 26 thru October 3. [WWD]

- Speaking of the Obamas, the campaign’s Runway to Win e-commerce site went live today, featuring designs by Proenza Schouler, Marc Jacobs, Diane von Furstenberg, Alexander Wang and —  for kicks — the House of Dereon. [Runway to Win]

- Will wonders never cease? A Top Model contestant actually becomes a top model. ANTM‘s Cycle 10 reject Fatima Siad — the second coming of Iman — landed Hervé Léger‘s spring 2012 campaign. [The Cut]

- Blue Ivy Carter is officially a hitmaker. The less than a week old diva-in-training is the youngest person to enter the Billboard charts, riding on the coattails of daddy Hov’s “Glory.”  No one’s ready for this baby’s jelly. [People]

- Calvin Klein and his jailbait lothario Nick Gruber are apparently “on a break.” Guess Calvin finally put Nick down for his nap. [NYDN]

- Indie Music Style Star Azealia Banks is going Gaga, working with the Lady’s right-hand queen Nicola Formichetti on her latest video. [Fashionista]

- Nike‘s agreed to pay a group of nearly 4,500 Indonesian factory workers $1 million in overtime, which roughly comes out to the price of a pair of Air Jordans per worker. Congrats. [The Cut]

- Lingerie models stripped down to their skivvies in Paris’ Musee d’Orsay as part of a publicity stunt for panty purveyor Etam. Museum officials, however, were not amused. Mostly because they did it without getting permission to film in the museum first. [Huff Po]

FashionIndie: What are your best tips for holiday dressing?
Lisa George: Keep your outfit simple, and invest in a few key accessories you can work in throughout the season. We designed our scarves to be worn with everything from parkas to dresses – they are grab-and-go pieces. Fur framing the face can look soft and feminine or edgy depending on how it’s styled.

FI: Which cold weather staple accessories are your favorites?
Charlotte Beecham: Scarves and ponchos. It is very difficult to look stylish and warm simultaneously, so anything chunky you can layer or throw over multiple outfits is a godsend come winter. The extra layer keeps you warm when walking through the street but is great thrown over a dress or a bare shoulder indoors.

FI: What are the best materials to pair fur with?
LG: I love layering fur with outerwear. I often wear a black fur vest over a leather jacket, a beige one over a trench coat and my new favorite combo is a white silk blazer with our C&L grey fur hood scarf. The hood is unexpected, especially when worn indoors.
CB: Fur is such a versatile material and looks great with denim and chunky knits. It’s very easy to dress up or down, and pairing it with jeans or an oversized sweater gives it a youthful look.

FI: What’s on your holiday wish list?
CB & LG: An iPad and a boyfriend…

FI: What’s your favorite jet set holiday getaway?
CB: Marrakech
LG: Beirut

FI: What is your favorite fashion moment of 2011?
LG: Waking up at 4 AM and making a cup of PG tips to watch the Royal Wedding
CB: Lanvin’s campaign video to Pitbull’s I Know You Want Me

How can you WIN one of the fabulous Hooded Fur Scarves pictured above? Tell us in the comments how you would work this staple into your holiday wardrobe. The best and most creative commenter will win!

For more information on Charlotte & Lisa, visit the brand website. All FashionIndie contests are open to residents of the United States only. 

Put outfits together prior to the trip instead of throwing a ton of separates into a bag with no direction. Lay each outfit out on your bed with shoes and accessories before packing it away. You can see what pieces will mix and match, eliminating unnecessary garments. It makes it easier on your trip too because you won't be digging in your suitcases and throwing things around the hotel room searching for something to wear.

Shoes are the clunkiest, heaviest pieces in your suitcase, so limit the number of pairs you pack. Try to bring shoes you can wear with several outfits instead of choosing a pair for each. Shoes should be packed on the borders of the bag. Roll each of your outfits together as logs instead of folding them. Put undergarments in plastic bags and stuff them into your shoes.

Fit only the toiletries and makeup you absolutely need into a small makeup bag. Most hotels have soap, lotion, shampoo and conditioner, so skip these unless you absolutely cannot live without your own for a few days. What are your some of your pro packing tips? Tell us in the comments.

I love shopping of obviously and in Amsterdam you have lots of different shops and boutiques. The places where you can find cute and exclusive items are in the little streets near the canals in the centre of Amsterdam. It’s so hard to choose only three but if I must narrow it down I would say:

"This is a fun little boutique in the 9 streets (this is a part of Amsterdam with 9 parallel streets full of independent boutiques in the centre of Amsterdam). To me The Darling is definitely one of my favorite shopping spots because of the bags, the jewelry and the cupcakes (edible ones!). They also sell clothing."

"This is a very affordable brand from Denmark; they have chain stores located in different countries in Europe and in the Middle East. In Amsterdam there’s a big NewYorker store located in the ‘Nieuwedijk’ street (main shopping street in the centre of Amsterdam). What I love about the store is that you can find fashion for such affordable prices that are very stylish and look almost like designer stuff if you mix & match it the right way with items from other brands!"

"This is literally designer shoe heaven. Even when the store is closed I find myself drooling at the window with these delicious shoe snacks displayed in front of me. It’s quite expensive because they mainly sell designer shoes but if you’re planning a trip to Amsterdam do it during sale time because they reduce the prices so much that it becomes (sort of) affordable! The store is located in the ‘Leidsestraat’."

"My favorite Dutch designer at the moment is Dennis Diem. At the last edition of Amsterdam fashion week I was sitting front row at his show and I was blown away by his ‘Fool’s Gold’ collection. Gorgeous corsets, chiffon dresses and golden chains everywhere! Even Miss J. Alexander from ANTM attended the show in Amsterdam (he helped out the models with their walks)."

"In Amsterdam people are pretty fashionable in the streets so everyone really has their own style, you see a lot of different trends mixed up. But lately I think that a wave of jungle prints has taken over Amsterdam. You see a lot of python and leopard prints (witch I both happen to love!). I think the mainstream will just add a touch of jungle to their outfit, like an iPhone sleeve or a belt, but the real fashionistas go all the way and wear leopard wedge boots or (fake) leather python leggings. Or gloves with an animal print, fabulous!"

"I’m French so I love to go to Paris three or four times a year. Although I was born and raised in Amsterdam, Paris is really my second home! Usually I travel there with my sister, Alizia. I love to go shopping, eating in little restaurants (people go out a lot in Paris) and just wander the streets and discover new places. Also I get to see my dad who lives there, and my cousins. Paris makes me feel alive! I just love that I can speak French when I’m there (I miss that sometimes in Amsterdam). I’m heading there for Christmas again with my sister, can’t wait!"

"If you were in Amsterdam for 24 hours you should go shopping in the 9 streets like I mentioned before. Have lunch at George in Amsterdam-South (sort of the upper side of Amsterdam). Also you need to take a walk trough the Vondel Park (famous park of Amsterdam) where everyone hangs out. In the summer people chill in the grass, listen music, have a picnic or barbecue and in the winter you can walk trough the snow (cover yourself because it’s very cold) & drink some hot coco, and you will still see a lot of people! The park is really a place where you can spot cool street styles. Everyone is dressed ‘casually-chic’. If you’re in to art you should definitely check out the museum square where three different museums are located, like for instance the Van Gogh Museum. If you’re only interested in fashion there’s even a museum for you! Check out the Bag Museum located at the ‘Herengracht’ where you can see 500 years of bag history in one building. Also, you should have dinner at Pata Negra (Spanish tapas) in the ‘Utrechtsestraat’. The location has a good ambience and really delicious food! In this same street there are lots of little bars and shops you should check out. Have drinks in the afternoon at my favorite spot Bar Italia. If you want to go to a nightclub then you should go to Jimmy Woo (pictured above), just make sure you’re on the guest list they’re kind of selective with whom they let in. Or check out De Kring for a more relaxed vibe, eclectic beats & artistic/fashion people. I you still have an hour then take a canal tour (boat stations are located everywhere near Central station). It’s a beautiful sight to see all the little canal houses and learn a little bit about the history from Amsterdam."

[i-D Magazine, Fall 2011]

Like a mix between the Highline in NY and the Catre Siene in Paris, The Bund is a waterfront walk that has been transformed from an industrial working ground to a beautiful pathway for runners in the morning, lovers in the evening.

That building that looks like a shake weight is actually one of the tallest buildings in Shanghai. Its panoramic view of the city makes it the tourist vantage point, and also the reason worth checking out. We say shake weight, the chief of the building's board says it reminds him of Pipa Song by Bai Juyi about the "wonderful sprinkling sound of a pipa instrument, like pearls, big and small falling on a jade plate."

When in Shanghai, order a steaming basket of xiolongbao. The word literally means steaming basket, because the dumplings within the broth are cooked right in it. When Fei Fei eats, she eats this.

The most lavish Chinese Gardens in Shanghai are well worth a stroll.

This shopping road winds in the French (naturally) Concession area of Shanghai. It is teeming with little craft stores, trendy shops, art studios and gems waiting to be discovered.

Off the tourist path, we meet Fei Fei Sun's favorite designers from Shanghai. Nominated by WGSN as "Breakthrough Designer of the Year" and named by Forbes as one of 25 most important Chinese fashion people, Fei Fei Sun is right to say this is a designer we should watch. It helps that we can see his designs in Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, L'Officiel...

Also on the WGSN "Breakthrough Designer of the Year" list, her whimsical unravelling of the feminine form has garnered the attention of Vogue and the biggies. Fei Fei is looking in the direction for design stars on the rise.

If you won't be around Paris within the next few months, it's going to be okay. The FIT Museum is the permanent home of Noritaka Tatehana Fall 2010-2011 collection.

Now, these are from Nasty Gal. Clearly heavily inspired by Noritaka Tatehana, this is essentially the shape. But look at the kickstands on these things. Though not nearly as intricate a work of art as Tatehana, these guys are not that expensive.

Photo: Richard Guaty

“We proved that there was no agreement with the Council of Fashion Designers of America and the British Fashion Council regarding the three years 2012-2013-2014, and that, in any case, the postponement of a week for the dates of September 2012 was not on the table,” said Boselli.

Fashion week in Milan next year, Sept. 19th-25th, will directly conflict with New York and London —  Sept. 13th-20th and Sept. 21st-25th, respectively. With more than a bit of spite, Milan blames the CFDA for moving NYFW a week later than in previous years and if they were to follow suit, Italian designers wouldn’t be able to satisfy production needs.

Boselli also finds accusations that the Italians are not honoring its commitments as “an aggressive and arrogant stance towards the CNMI” since they had set their 2012 dates in March of last year.

DVF, in an open letter to the fashion community, reasserts the CFDA’s stance on the “Second Thursday” rule:

Editors, retailers and designers  like the consistency of every designer always showing on the same day of the week season after season. It makes it so much easier for everyone to plan and attend shows…We did not change from the agreement we reached of starting Fashion Season in New York on the same day every year…I also believe this conflict is a misunderstanding. I am convinced it will be resolved and that the agreement that was made 3 years ago at great cost and effort is valid and will be kept.

President of France’s Chambre Syndicale, Didier Grumbach, also thinks that this is all just one big misunderstanding, though he agrees with Boselli that the rule was only temporary: “We always said that it is impossible to plan anything beyond three years as you never know what kind of events might come up…The idea was always that we would meet up again once the three-year time period was up.”

If all this back and forth between everyone is confusing, matters got a whole lot messier when the CFDA and the BFC sent letters to Italian designers asking to help Boselli and Grumbach “stick to this agreement and maintain the current flow of dates.” Those designers, for their part, wholeheartedly support the CNMI.

For now, it looks like no one is backing down though von Furstenberg is still holding out hope for a compromise. [WWD, WWD -- sub req'd]

Photo: Richard Guaty

Menswear billowed into womenswear.The androgyny laid not in cutting a man's suit for a woman, but taking those elements that define a man's wardrobe and blowing it out with a feminine angle. Like a tuxedo shirt that melts into draped jersey. Or suit pants that slit upen to reveal another trouser.

Spring was designed in sheer delight. Whether crochet or clear like water, we see through next spring, and so will you.

Let the leg out. While we're still loving the maxi, they're being steered in a sexier route. Thigh high slits make the floor length look thankfully less austere.

"Florals in spring. Groundbreaking." Exactly why we're so surprised it was so strong for Spring 2012. But it was positively everywhere. The trend forecasters must have predicted rain, because designers listened. That or they all independently decided that now is the time for a communal bloom. Floral or not, it's all about the pattern mash. Loud and proud, ladies.

All photos from Style.com.

With a big focus on tailoring for Spring 2012, Riccardo Tisci designed one of the most wearable Givenchy collections to date. The makeup was very on par with this idea as nude eyes and a lightly glossed lip let the models' true beauty shine through. Tiny, shiny, heart-ish shaped bits placed directly beneath the lower lash lines reflected Tisci's mermaid inspiration for the line.

It was ring around the rosy at John Galliano with eyes smudged in a reddish-pink shadow and nude lips blushed ever so slightly. Whimsical, if not slightly freakish, the face matched the clothing designed by former pattern maker for the house Bill Gaytten. Mary Poppins would oblige.

The nude lip trend continued in Paris with Pat McGrath's fresh dewey face for Lanvin. The makeup artist is "feeling really pared-down makeup for Spring," a look designer Alber Elbaz was completely on board with for the show. Clean skin and a smokey brown eye rounded out the look, creating day-to-night beauty that's absolutely flawless.

Ah-ha! And a bold lip steps forward. Makeup artist Pat McGrath mixed three hues to create this perfectly matte, pinkish crimson pout, reminiscent of the late great Grace Kelly. Flawless skin with a rosy cheek was the backdrop for the look, and a pretty bronzed eye complemented without taking away or overpowering a simply beautiful face.

Grayscale leather blocking weaves a jacket with arms that seemingly start at the waist.

Framed in floral has us pondering the layering process.

Where does the skin stop and the beading begin? The heavier pieces seem to have avalanced to the hem.

At quick glance there seems to be a bow tie, at another it's the print. Also optical illusively close to Missoni...

Stripes fall in waves and angles around the body. Warning: may induce seizure. Dying regardless.

Smoke and mirrors.

Iridescence bounces on a pencil as a black strip up center jacket front begs the question, "Is that another layer?". The shoulders bound out on high with had that moves in new directions.

Whittling the waist away with beads and inward curves, we also realize there is beaded fringe off the shoulder blades. Quel susprise!

Like areal shapes, the pieces of suit cut the air in nude on white.

Is it a high slitted skirt or a pant? Look closely at the gleaming sheers.

As if an alien space pod had landed carrying a fierce race of insectoid women, the models stormed the runway against the backdrop of a gaping maw resembling their mothership. Shedding the cage-like chrysalises of the show’s first half, the alien women swathed themselves in voluminous black and donned Phillip Treacy‘s cocoon masks as their mothership became engulfed in purple flames. Aside from a great story, Pugh’s show provided some of his strongest looks to date — clean to the point of minimalism but still defiantly “out-of-the-box.” These aren’t red carpet-ready creations…unless it’s a red carpet on Venus.

Also, bonus points for featuring a man-heel with some actual height as opposed to a run-of-the-mill Cuban heel.

Photos: Models.com

Man-Tran

The red of next spring is primarily bold. Think fire trucks and Louboutin soles.

In contrast to this past spring's tangerine, this orange has gone pumpkin, with reddish bronze undertones.

Just shy of neon, this near-blinder shows hints of marigold. It's vibrant and saturated, ready to tackle any busy print in a fight for loudness.

Green is feeling minty fresh. The pastel finish is crisp and clean.

True blue is blowing up cobalt. There's a great depth in this striking color.

Baby got back to the hue of blue that kisses the sky through a layer of mist.

Lavender sweeps in with an essence of calm. The color is regal, light as a princess (not nearly as light at Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge - skinny bid).

You may remember that Gags stomped down the runway for Formichetti’s debut collection with the brand last fashion week, putting to shame many of the professional catwalkers who toppled over in their impossibly high tranny heels. Well, get ready to be upstaged again, ladies.

The short features a new Gaga remix — adding to the 3000 remixes already making the gay rounds — and will premiere at the Mugler show on Wednesday September 28th at 9:30 pm — which I’m assuming is French time, making it more like 3:30 EST.

In the run-up to his spring 2012 collection, Formichetti will release teasers of the film via various social media networks and starting today the adorable panda will take to Tumblr as he liveblogs from the Mugler atelier. [WWD]

Ungaro CEO and American brand turnaround specialist, Jeffry Aronsson seems optimistic about losing their leader, “We are all here to serve the brand in a modern way. I make new discoveries every day about the talent within these walls.”

Will they make a star of an assistant designer? Let’s see who shines in Paris.

Meanwhile, Giles is onto furthering his own brand. I smell bags, shoes, makeup, perfume, the whole regalia in the coming seasons.

Link Love: WWD

- Kelly Bensimon, Alex McCord, and Jill Zarin were officially fired from Real Housewives of New York, and I officially lost all interest in the show. [Gawker]

- Luckily for Kanye West, the French Fashion Federation does not require its designers to be literate. Kanye’s womenswear collection is set to debut at Paris Fashion Week. [Fashionista]

- Fashion people are as bat-shit as you think they are. [NY Times]

- Ungrateful bitch Young designer Jessica Rogers has accused Nicki Minaj of stealing one of her designs. [The Cut]

- Broke bitches so crusty. #disgustme [NY Times]

- Speaking of schooling the children, Condé Nast UK is opening up the Condé Nast College of Fashion and Design in London come next September. I’m hoping André Leon Talley will teach a class on haberdashery and great-capes.[Styleite]

- Hey tranny, it’s tranny. Andrej Pejic channels famous Warholian tranny Candy Darling in Chris Benz‘s spring 2012 collection. [Fashionista]

- While everyone was consumed with whatever was happening on Tuesday in and around the Tents — days have just blended together by this point — Michelle Obama was holding court at the White House for the 2011 National Design Awards. [Telegraph]

- Scientists recently discovered a diamond star of 10 billion trillion trillion carats. I’m thinking of a platinum setting. [BBC]

- And it’s a sad day in retail. Borders is closing. #fuckoffkindle [Racked]

Image: Vogue September 2011

It is both McCartneys’ first foray into ballet. Paul is donating his time and Stella is lending her services at a reduced rate; essentially they are doing it for the art of it. Though Paul is technically only the composer (whose role typically is over after the music is delivered), he has been there at every rehearsal, contributing to the set, choreography, et all. He wrote the storyline and is seeing the project, as he does, from start to finish with his hands deep in, committed to the project. It was, in fact, not his idea to bring his daughter on board, rather the producers of the show suggested it. Brilliant, thank you.

Paul McCartney with Choreographer Peter Martins

Image: New York Times

See Stella’s sketches and some sneak insight into the costumes ahead.

Paul McCartney with Choreographer Peter Martins

- Karl Lagerfeld, clearly bored with the 3,000 other projects he’s juggling, is now designing glassware. [Architectural Digest]

- Victoria’s Secret angels Miranda Kerr, Adriana Lima, Chanel Iman and Doutzen Kroes open up on the cover of Elle magazine. [Fashion Gone Rogue]

- Tommy Hilfiger and the CFDA are sending 10 designers, including Prabal Gurung, Sophie Theallet, Billy Reid and Eddie Borgo to Paris to show their collections. [The Cut]

- Kanye West may or may not be joining those 10 lucky designers in the City of Lights come Paris Fashion Week. [Fashionista]

- I was fully on board for Missoni‘s Target diffusion line until they debuted this beyond creepy 25-foot “blogger.” [Styleite]

“Paris is wonderful but it just feels like the right time to show in New York.”

Posen’s show will take place on September 11 at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall, meaning that the designer’s “right time” also coincides with the 10th anniversary of 9/11.  Nothing says homecoming like a national tragedy. Or perhaps Zac’s just feeling patriotic, but either way, girl is back in town and ready to throw down. [WWD]

Photo: Style.com

The magazine — ingeniously title Style.com Magazine  – will be “very much focused on Spring/Summer 2012 collections,” says editor-in-chief Dirk Standen. “We are going to spotlight the most interesting people, places and clothes of the season, but beyond that we are hoping to convey to the reader what the experience of going through that intense four week cycle is like.”

Nylon Magazine and Teen Vogue‘s Lina Kutsovskaya has been hired as creative director for the mag, which will also include insightful commentary from regular contributors Tim Blanks and Nicole Phelps, as well as from freelancers — in particular, young photographers.

Coinciding with the launch of their new pub, Style.com will also dabble in e-commerce with “Instant Gratification.” As Standen explains it:

“We are working with 6 New York City designers to be announced during fashion week. They are going to make a very limited number of pieces available directly from their Spring collection, so that people will be able to buy them right away. We are going to coordinate it with the launch of the magazine so, technically end of October. They will be able to buy it and will receive a nice package in the mail within days.”

Launching not only a magazine but an e-commerce business is a bold move on Style.com‘s part, but with the roster of talent at their fingertips and the rather brilliant “Instant Gratification” model, Standen and co. stand a good chance of making it.

Are you excited for Style.com Magazine‘s first issue this fall? [Business of Fashion]

And for updates on the launch, you can follow Style.com on Twitter.

His own line LVRS is slated to launch this fall, with 100 limited edition hats already sold. It will be a unisex collection of hats, blazers “and stuff”. Should be pretty dope. See what’s on his mind as he opens up to Style.com, and the sweet threads he’s kicking now.

Photo: Interview

“I can pull off anything; I have the height and the attitude. The only thing I can’t wear is a leotard, but I can wear anything else.”

You created Hello Kitty many years ago. What made you want to create another character, Rebecca Bonbon, and what was the inspiration behind her?
I saw a French magazine on dogs and found a very cute bulldog. She reminded me of my own cat -  they actually look a lot alike. That’s how I came up with the idea for Rebecca Bonbon. Hello Kitty is all grown up and has left my care. I wanted to create a new baby.

Rebecca Bonbon is from Paris but now lives in New York City. What made her want to move here?
An American girl, a New Yorker, went to France, found Rebecca and brought her back to New York. It’s such an exciting city where you can find the world’s best culture, fashion and entertainment, so it’s the perfect place for her.

Are Rebecca Bonbon and Hello Kitty friends?
As their creator, I think of these characters as children. Because of the age difference – Hello Kitty is 36 years old and Rebecca Bonbon only 5 – they are more like sisters than anything.

(cont. on page 2)

The current catwalk record was set in 2010 by Paris’ Galeries Lafayette when 521 people strutted their stuff. But Express is determined to best them with their holiday 2011 fashion show in Times Square Saturday night.

From 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Express will open their runway to the general public while an official from Guinness officiates. So if you’re in Midtown Saturday and you don’t mind sharing the fashion spotlight with commoners, you can be part of history.

I, for one, can never turn down a catwalk and while I have an emergency pair of stilettos in my purse at all times, I can’t really justify being in, around or near Times Square on a weekend.

Not to mention, I’d inevitably have to be removed after verbally assaulting any and every one who didn’t properly bring it to the runway. [WWD]

You must read the entire article, as you’re sure to be inspired, but here are some highlights from the story:

On her passion for designing jewelry: “I like new challenges….I like to describe my jewelry as toys for adults.”

Silvia Venturini Fendi, describes her daughter’s sense of style: “The apartment is so much like Delfina. So little and romantic, but so precious and strong at the same time.”

You can read the rest on harpersbazaar.com or pick up the August 2011 issue, covered by the lovely and talented Anne Hathaway.

“Hussein Chalayan: Fashion Narratives” charts Chalayan’s elaborate constructions and innovative presentations over the past 17 years of his career, beginning with his graduation show from Central Saint Martins in 1993. Missing from the exhibit, however is Chalayan’s 1998 “chador” collection because, as the designer puts it, “I don’t need more headaches.”

The exhibit is supported by Swarovski and features six designs bearing the precious crystals, including a dress with lasers and one with a morphing hood. “Hussein Chalayan: Fashion Narratives” will be on display through November 13th. [WWD]