He sings a falsetto that makes many gasp (wondering if it is painful to do so I’m sure), has a ‘sexy back’, dances, produces, acts — well, if you call it that. Yes, I’m discussing Justin Timberlake and his newest assignment, being the new face for Givenchy Parfums’ men’s fragrance. I suppose since his tour is finished, his clothing line William Rast is sailing along, and his current squeeze is away in London filming, he thought why not (we know he doesn't need the money). As for Givenchy, this a great coo for them, because Justin has a built-in audience. With that will come thousands of screaming fans — 13 to 40 — rushing the international doors to get the fragrance, and thousands more of amors, significant others, drowning in the scent to keep their partners happy. Cha-ching!

Most of the public might find them obnoxious, but we at Couture love those Marc Jacobs ads featuring the diminutive Victoria 'Posh' Beckham. We're not sure if its the blank canvas approach to the shots, her standing doll like with a vacant stare, the ridiculousness of the big plastic bag, the stepping out of a box, or the haloed angel decked out in black, but they always manage to captivate me. After all, here is a woman that is always tanned just so, never loses that dour expression, dresses sometimes to the extreme, but always carries it off. She is more fascinating than most, because she gets what the public thinks of her and can poke fun of the poking fun. Who else could pose nearly naked in all manner of repose with her hot mate, throw out a baseball in wedge high heel sneakers, or run behind their two-year-old in platforms?

Am I the only one who thinks Katie Holmes has continued to look older and older as every day passes by? And no, I am not talking about the natural aging process that occurs second by second. In every photo taken of her, she appears dressed well beyond her youthful years, let's not even get started on the Anna Wintour hairdo. It is hard to believe this is the same ‘Pieces of April’ person of a few years ago. And with that, I ask this: isn’t she only 27/28, why dress 47? Isn’t this the time in her life to be daring, to test the limits, to be adventurous? I know she is married to a much older man, a mother of a young child, step children, blah, blah, blah. I’m all for being tasteful, even a touch of demure mixed with a little edge, but come on. Someone call Victoria B. and tell her to help Katie get her ‘youth’ back.

I am not hating on Paula Abdul, really I’m not. She has a successful gig as the emotional judge on American Idol, looks fairly hot for having weathered drugs, yo-yo dieting, tipping a few bottles and having a husband or two. But did she really need to make more 'bubblegum pop' music and, better still, make an accompanying video? Please tell me I am not the only one to have seen the 'Dance Like There's No Tomorrow' video? There are three different vignettes going on: in one, she is doing her 'I'm still in the '80s', over-choreographed Janet Jackson dance routine with male dancers all around her moving in Fosse-style syncopated movements; in another she is dressed in a lace-covered corset mini dress, gripping a microphone and singing with Randy (yes, from Idol) accompanying her on guitar; and of course one of her singing by herself in black leggings and a red top that has an extended train that swirls around her, as she steps back and forth over the mic mimicking singer Ciara's moves from the Promise video. But, at least the idols that work together stay together – the closing shot is of all the idols: Ryan, Randy, Paula and Simon. Lets have a collective sigh here.

My question to you is why did the former L.A. Laker girl choose now? And more importantly, what would Simon say to her if she were a contestant on American Idol? Here is the link, check it out and then please explain it to me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_FBDaK_Gig&watch_response

Couture.Zappos has revved it up another designer notch with the addition of the label Alexander McQueen. If you have not noticed — or, even more worthy of a Couture citation — not heard of him, then check out the fab handbags and scarves on couture.zappos.com.

But just in case, here goes: McQueen hails from London originally, left school at age 16 and worked as a tailor on Savile Row — where Mikhail Gorbachev and Charles, Prince of Wales were clients. He has designed theatrical costumes for the famous house Angels and Bermans as well as attended Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, where his graduation collection was purchased in its entirety by the late Isabella Blow. He is and has always been known for his controversial collections, think the Bumsters (pants) and his Highland collection as well as his skillful tailoring and amazing design eye. So now that I have caught you up on who he is, why are you still sitting there? Check out the amazing stuff that Couture has!

Clothing as well as accessories this season are taking a very ‘natural’ turn. For the past two seasons cork and woven straw have been the materials of choice for designers, along with unprocessed wood. Add in the current season’s fascination with glazed cotton, woven straw, brushed cork, burlap and wood in every form imaginable, you have what I call a natural revolution. Whether it is being fueled by the current eco-consciousness of global warming, or the ethical treatment of workers, it is a trend that shows no sign of abating. Perhaps with the luxury sector being such a flippant, toss-it-aside industry, where buy it today and you can’t use it tomorrow, it stands to reason to incorporate biodegradeable options as a design ethos. Choose Donna Karan Collection peep-toe cork and wood ankle strap heels, Ferragamo’s woven and bejeweled dual handle purse, Missoni wood and chain necklaces or Ben Amun’s wooden bangles.

To say the Couture team loves makeup is an understatement. We love the glossimers, the gel mascaras, the Juicy Tubes, the bronzers, the Cargo, the Chantecaille, the Giorgio. Yes, we know makeup well. Doesn't almost every woman? So imagine our pure delight when Zappos.com started selling makeup. As we perused the website one evening to see what we would blog about next, we happened upon Lola Cosmetics. If you are a Sephora girl, then you know of Lola Cosmetics - adorable packaging, not-too-sticky gloss. I'm in love with the fab mini gloss kit, it lets me be a gloss mixologist. Since you're already on Zappos.com, why not sit, click and grab some of the fabulousness for yourself?

Tell me, what is better than a fabulous pair of shoes. They elicit collective sighs, they command attention of otherwise strangers, causing them to careen their necks for a second look, and can lift even the most ho-hum mood to a 'Singing in the Rain' status just by glancing down at one's feet. Ah yes, they are indeed delectable. My current favorites are these Marc by Marc Jacobs stacked heel, shiny calf, black and cream spectator pumps. I envision pairing them with the perfect fitted skirt, maybe working that ‘40s siren magic, by pairing them with wide-legged trousers and a silk, tie-front blouse, or giving that noir femme fatale a run for her haughtiness, with the perfect silk trench coat and chapeau. They are currently available on Couture.Zappos.com, but there are only a few pairs left, so get them while you can.

It is a cinematic journey that breaks the tradition of the usual Madison Avenue roots. Oh, let me just stop myself and cut the crap! It is a visual cinematic saga told over the course of one minute plus commercial, that's if one sits still long enough, you develop the assumed wander lust for the far off locales that is intended. There is the perfect strumming of a musical instrument, a purposeful fading in and out of focus on the people, places and the 'point of the whole commercial', Louis Vuitton luggage. All of this is eased along with a typographical message that is steeped in philosophy about life being a journey, that it is not about the destination, but the 'journey/trip/life' along the way. It is however, the first of its kind for the label, once only known and carried by the rich or royal. Well, I don't know about you, but I never developed this mind set whenever I chose a handbag and/or luggage, logo or not, but that is just me. If you have seen the commercial, and in all seriousness it is wonderful, drop me a line and let me know what you thought of it.

Okay, I admit it, I sing along to some of the Hannah tunes, although I stop at the whole blonde wig, hip shimmy thing, but I digress. Ms. Miley Cyrus, the Disney high priestess of pop is getting, pardon the obvious and unnecessary pun, a lotta luv this summer in the form of shampoo, conditioner and body glitter spray.

The company Lotta Luv, known for its licensed body and candy lip products, will produce the products under Miley's alter ego Hannah Montana, with Hannah's image on the packaging. Now for all of you moms out there that read this and roll your eyes thinking great/thanks, because you are barely over the bidding for tickets to her sold-out concert phase, think how much simpler this will be. The company got its first taste of the Hannah craze last year when it produced temporary hair colors, hair braiders and hair color kits under the Hannah Montana Disney license, which made the executives realize the sheer selling power the name/character commands. The 8-oz shampoo, conditioner and glitter spray will retail for approximately $6.00, and will ship in time to capture the back-to-school sales at mass retailers around the country. Hannah's power doesn't stop there, even juggernaut Walmart has committed to having store-in-store Hannah boutiques in select stores. Better to make sure Hannah is on everyone's lips, hips and more.

I hate beatiful people, don’t you? Just kidding. What is so special about chiseled cheek bones and pouty lips? Really though, I’m kidding. Each season there are a few beautiful faces that strike a chord and standout in the modeling world. Agencies speak on it, critics chat about it, magazines covet them, etc... Some seasons it is predominantly one country in particular, and occasionally, like this season, it is very diverse. One such standout is Jourdan Dunn, the 17-year-old beauty from West London. She was discovered while shopping (isn’t that always the case, a little laissez-faire shopping?) with a friend in Hammersmith. Well, her look resonated because she has walked fewer than 25 shows already and the season is in mid-swing. A few notables she sashayed for: Bill Blass, Vera Wang, Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Jacobs, Zac Posen and House of Holland, impressive for a newbie, no?

Ah, Studio 54, Liza, Bianca, Roy himself. Yes, those were the good old days I'm told, but can one really ever go back and revive the past? No, but it would seem some think it is relevant to do so. A power broker, a Hollywood stylist and a Choo are involved in the latest revival of Halston. But honestly, maybe that is a good thing. Having Harvey Weinstein, Rachel Zoe and Tamara Mellon behind the label, inherently makes it more fashion forward and brings with it a built-in audience. This may actually put the brand in a place it has not been in since Halston's death, on a path to true success, no? Now, back to the clothes, I don't know about you, but simplistic, sophisticated (i.e. style and substance) clothing never goes out of style, but few who have tried have succeeded in capturing the brand's original spirit. Honestly since Halston's death in 1993, the designer door has been more like a revolving one. There was Randolph Duke, Kevin Hall, Bradley Bayou, and a few more who were too weighed down in the archival history of Halston and less in capturing its true nature. Well, that is until Marco Zanini, former chief assistant to Donatella Versace, whose collection thus far has captured the original oeuvre with his long knit capes, double-faced cashmere coats, Russian sable vests, silk crepe wrap blouses with matching crepe bras, etc. At least retailers have not lost all faith in the brand, online haute retailer Net-a-Porter contracted to sell the brand immediately after the runway show, a fashion first. Now if Harvey Weinstein, Rachel Zoe and Tamara Mellon truly stay out of the mix, then perhaps he and the brand will succeed. Well, I think so, and so does Liza Minnelli, and she should know, she is one of the original Halston-ettes. Drop me a line and let me know what your thoughts are on the revival?

Samsonite has added Chloe Sevigny to is growing roster of celebrities to help spread the word of all that is Samsonite. She will work as the ambassador for the new handmade, limited edition 20 piece trunk collection that bowed at a party during New York Fashion Week at the Bryant Park Hotel. The Trunk collection will retail for $365 to $625 respectively and will have six travel pieces. There is a Heritage trunk, two upright trunks on wheels (thankfully, bringing them into the 21rst century), a beauty case, an attache case, and a pilot case. Each will feature hardware that is as close to the original designs of the house's heritage as possible. The collection will be sold at Black Label boutiques around the world.

Are you strong enough to be my denim brand...sorry, we just had to. It's too perfect, given Sheryl Crow practically lives in jeans and makes a pair look like a very sexy necessity for everything you do. Designing a denim line would seem like the most natural foray for her into fashion, no? Evidently Western Glove company agreed and will produce Bootheel Trading Co. by Sheryl Crow, set to debut late June 2008. The name is derived from where Sheryl grew up in Missouri Bootheel region. Crow, a nine-time Grammy Award singer, is definitely no stranger to fashion. She is a fixture at many fashion shows during Fashion Week and wears many different high-end designers to various public appearances. Her initial Bootheel collection will speak to a broader audience than most though with its palatable price point of $58 to $62 for 15 bottom styles, $24 to $35 for a dozen or so tops. The essence of the collection, is very much in step with Crow's music, a little bit Western, a little bit Americana, a little bit folk. Crown summed up her reasons for starting the line best in her discussion with WWD in October 2007, when she said "denim represents me from my earliest beginnings. I've always been kind of a jeans girl."

Or at least according to Kimora Lee Simmons. The models for her New York Fashion Week show shimmied, sparkled and shined down her runway. They wore a smoldering palette, thickly covered in glitter, mostly of the golden-hued kind. Christian McCullough, for MAC Cosmetics, smoked the eye using the song bird Billie Holiday and gilded age star Clara Bow as his muse. He used deep blues, greens and charcoals to give that smoky effect. He wielded a deft, albeit heavy hand on the sparkle, "to make the eye look wet on the runway," he told WWD. Which fits Kimora to a 'T' - she thinks everything should be over-the-top and done in fabulous excess.

No I am not talking about a reenactment of the Beatles crossing Abbey road or their first landing in the States to a throng of screaming fans. I'm speaking of a quiet little phenomenon, the hottest labels and their designers, whether it be ready-to-wear or accessories, are all coming out of London. Labels like Jonathan Saunders, Milly, /DISCOVERMULBERRY/ABOUTMULBERRY/, Sue Stemp and Temperley of London, are among the new crop of designers showing cutting edge designs straight out of Central St. Martin. But of course excellent craftsmanship has always come out of London, think of the more established artisans like Manolo Blahnik, Paul Smith, Dame Vivienne Westwood, Matthew Williamson, John Galliano and Alexander McQueen, that keeps our couture hearts skipping a beat every season.

So then, what is it about London that fosters such skill and creativity? Perhaps it is as simple as the approach to the creative process. It would seem, especially from an accessories stand point, that the British designers, stretch the limits of creativity, of what is acceptable, mixing fabrications, texture, shapes. Take Phillip Treacy and Stephen Jones, chapeau artisans, that are known for their sculptural avant garde designs. Their creations, border on the extreme, but are always of a fantastical nature and include a touch of whimsy. Then there is the eyeglass queen, Linda Farrow, who is known for her vintage oversized framed shades, and a portfolio which includes work for fashion forward brands like Eley Kishimoto, Matthew Williamson and Chloe Sevigny. Yes, that Chloe Sevigny. Mulberry, has taken the accessory market by storm with its sought after 'it' Roxanne and Mabel bags. So note to self, keep your eyes out for their hip designs, because there should be a little 'London Calling' in everyone's wardrobe and check out Alexander McQueen and Paul Smith on Couture.Zappos.com.

In Rio de Janeiro on January 9, Coca Cola launched a fashion line.

Yes, you read that right, a fashion line. The Coca Cola Clothing collection included speckled leggings, mirror-adorned denim cut-offs, jackets, shorts, T-shirts that read 'Welcome to the Coke side of life,' faded jeans and high tops. Funny, I didn't realize it was 1986 again.

Thais Rossiter designed the collection, and I can only imagine what he was thinking. Sure, the Coke logo has been used for accessories, and that's been a great marketing venture thus far, but...this, not so much. If Coca Cola is thinking brand expansion, they might want to rethink this clothing line for the future.

Of course, that title is meant figuratively. American Eagle Outfitters reported in WWD on January 19th that it is now throwing its hat into the ring of children’s apparel. They will open retail stores called 77kids that will target children from ages 2 to 10. This may seem like a normal transition for a jean clothing company, but the road is not an easy one. The competition for one thing is pretty stiff, as Marc Jacobs has launched a luxe children’s line, along with J. Crew and Lucky Brand Jeans. However for every successful endeavor there are those that are less so. Talbots has decided to shutter its children’s division along with its men’s to focus on its core business, womens.

Spring 2008 is shaping up to be no different than Fall of 2007, that is
celebrities are still ruling the beauty and fashion campaign trail.
Although the '90s supermodels seem to be making a strong showing, the
fresh scrubbed celeb faces are still ahead at the polls. Anne Hathaway
for Lancome, Kristen Dunst for Miu Miu, Victoria Beckham for Marc
Jacobs, Kate Bosworth for Calvin Klein Jeans and Jennifer Connelly for
Balenciaga. But the likes of Campbell, Schiffer, Seymour, Herzigova,
Lindvall, Vodianova et all are on lavish display in Louis Vuitton ads,
with Karen Elson (she of porcelain, almost translucent skin rivaled only by
Nicole Kidman herself) making a return after the birth of her second
child for BCBG Max Azria and the timelessly lovely Christy Turlington
for Escada. As mentioned in an earlier Couture blog about coveted
campaigns, it is a cycle that comes and goes, but how long it will
last, dare I say, no one knows.

It’s a bag, It’s a clutch, no, It’s just the shape shifting ‘it’ bag of the moment, the City Tote. Anna Corinna, one of the design princesses behind the cult fave store Foley & Corinna, has hit our eco-consciousness with her newly designed Country Tote. The tote is made from recycled coffee-bean burlap bags and features leather trimming, dual carrying handles, shoulder strap attachment and multi-zippers that the City totes do. The bag measures 17 x 19 inches and is priced approximately at $444.00. To order, you can contact the Foley & Corinna New York City store, located at 114 Stanton Street, (212) 529-2338. This is a fashion statement that surely Al Gore would love.

Well, I suppose it was only a matter of time before the lips had to have truly Haute designer treatment to accompany everything else. It seems that Lancome has hired the hotter-than-hot Scottish born, British bred designer Chistopher Kane to create a Juicy Tube capsule collection that will hit lips, well, stores in March. The globally named collection —Tokyo Plum, Rio Mango, Paris Bubbly — is limited, and like Christopher’s coveted dresses, will be hard to get once they are gone.

She had an 'Easy Spirit', did an Imitation of Christ, and struck a chord with throngs of New York's coolest. Who is she? Why Ms. Tara Subcoff, the on again-off again, sometimes model/actress, of course. It would seem that Bebe has finally awakened to the fact that they need a better designed collection other than their super tight, cheaply made disco-inspired clothes of yesteryear. Subcoff's 12 piece '40s glamour meets '80s powersuit executive collection of feminine styles premieres at stores during New York Fashion Week and just in time for Valentine's Day. She is the first designer in Bebe's designer collaboration series with young, hip, indie creatives. The prices range approximately from $59 for tops and skirts, to $150 for pants and dresses. So for that modern woman with a desire for clothing with an indie edge, this one's for you.