First there were manbags, or more accurately, murses. Then there was the makeup evolution with manscaras and guyliners. Now comes the manty hose. Yes ladies, manty hose, as in hosiery for men. Clearly we are not talking about your mother’s or grandmother's pantyhose any longer! Now before you start thinking in terms of a cross-dressing BFF, more Dana than Dave sort of way, it is not. Many websites carry them, and many pitch them for the ordinary man (um, right), who likes that cozy, comfortable feeling. The manty hose, like regular pantyhose, vary in colors, sheerness and weight. However, there is one defining difference, the male comfort panel. That would be the center panel with a fly closure for obvious reasons of course. To me some fashion items are sacred and some fashion lines should never be crossed, nylons/hosiery being one of them. But if you don’t know what to get your bloke for the holidays, and need a stocking stuffer, perhaps manty hose are the answer. The hosiery for men can be found at comfilon.com and e-mancipate.net. At this rate, can muggs be far behind?

Ah, home for the holidays... we all remember them well. You and your beloved wish for a tropical excursion, where you can lie on the beach, sip Mai Tai cocktails, and watch the sunsets. Then, bam! One phone call and you are snapped out of your fantasy into the reality of family obligations. Now, of course, it does not really have to be that bad; there is a certain comfort in embracing the family call and soldiering through it. That is why the film Four Christmases, a delightful new romantic comedy, is the perfect pre-holiday antidote for the upcoming holiday season. We may not be able to get out of our responsibilities, but we sure can laugh at seeing how other people deal with it on the big screen. Four Christmases - In Theaters November 26th!

TM and (c) MMVIII NEW LINE PRODUCTIONS, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Capture the stars and all eyes, with this retro-inspired mixed-metal tassel necklace. Drape this elegant necklace around your swan-like neck, paired with a drape-fold top, black jeans and tiny gold studs for a look that says polished perfection.

David Heston may have started off as a jewelry designer for women way back when, but currently some of his biggest fans are men. Many jewelry aficionadios have described his designs as a man’s man jewelry line, producing pieces best described as bold, rugged and masculine. It was due to the inherent alpha male nature of the line, that Heston started making pieces for men. Once he discovered that men indeed liked the designs, the men’s line was born. Clearly it was a genius move, sport stars and actors alike, from Roger Federer, to Eddie Murphy, to Ken Griffey Jr., wear his designs. The original launch of his line, women’s, was at a Neiman Marcus trunk show in 1990, and it was a welcomed relief from all of the Dynasty overtones of oversized stones, large bangles and way to many pearl strands. Suddenly, women were snapped out of their jewelry malaise, and paying closer attention to the designer’s clean lines and contemporary aesthetic. That original design ethos of clean and contemporary, echos through both the women’s and men’s collections to this day, rendering simple, architectural gold and silver pieces.

So how excited are you that Couture.Zappos.com sells the line? Hopefully, very. For men, we are loving the Large Cross Link bracelet, the Silver and Black Circle Link bracelet, the Angled Cufflinks and the thick Silver Band ring. For the ladies, we love the Black and Silver Circular bracelet, the Heart Twist necklace and the Long Link bracelet, that has that great balance of masculine and feminine. But don’t just take our word for it, check out the line and its beautiful pieces for youself.

Don’t get caught spectating on the sidelines! Get in on the action and join the pack sporting modern oxford-inspired shoes. Oxfords, once thought of as stuffy shoes only to accompany suits, now dresses up jeans or adds a funky twist to a button down and slacks. Our favorites: Harrys of London Reagan.

Were you looking for just the right shoe to accessorize your Seven For All Mankind jeans, or any jean for that matter? Well, the search is finally over. The Seven jean company entered the shoe making business with a licensing agreement with Schwartz & Benjamin Inc. to produce a small shoe collection for the brand. The company started this summer with five initial women’s styles sold exclusively at the jean maker’s retail store locations, and debuted a full line this fall. The styles include a wooden heel wedge, a platform heel, a gladiator sandal, a ballet flat, a suede bootie, a slouch flat boot, and a knee-length leather boot. Considering these recession times, the line's price point is a draw as well, with styles ranging in price from $150 to $350. Why choose Schwartz & Benjamin? Probably because they know a thing or two about making shoes, as they produce shoes for Kate Spade, Diane Von Furstenberg and Michael Kors. Whatever the reason for Seven making shoes, I’m all for it. After all, it takes a lot of work to find the right shoe to match the right jean, no?

Former Dawson’s Creek star? Check. Wife of uber star Tom Cruise? Check. Fashion designer? Maybe. Mrs. Holmes-Cruise has been showing up to important events dressed to the nines in her favorite new label, Holmes & Yang. Yes, that Holmes. The hinting at a possible fashion line began with the photograph seen round the world of the leather bodice and dark blue satin skirt number at the Tropic Thunder premier. Next, it was a photographic splash of the lace and cream one-piece number worn at the opening of her All My Sons premier. Then on a casual stroll in NYC, it was the sighting of Ms. Suri Cruise in a polka dot empire waist dress, since identified as a Holmes & Yang design. Currently, the Holmes & Yang line is a burgeoning fashion line that Katie designs with her stylist Jeanne Yang. However fashion rumors have been circulating wildly that TomKat is shopping the brand around, looking for a high-end fashion designer to partner with. What with sleek evening pieces, and children’s dresses, can diaper bags and handbags be far behind?

Channel your energy into finding this different fall trend: the funnel neck. Open funnel neck sweaters are roomier versions of the turtleneck - this LOVE Moschino sweater has a wearable funnel neck that can look smart with a knee-length skirt and heels for work or jeans for a casual look.

What happens when classic styling and craftsmanship meets modernity? The Bulga handbag line of course. From the classic shapes (think hobos, modern doctor-inspired bags and totes), to the vivid colors, to the lovely feminine lining, each bag is a instant classic. Our picks: Bulga De Beber Satchel in chocolate and Bulga Agape Hobo in Brandy.

What’s the significance of a snowflake? Hope. Last Wednesday was the lighting of the historic UNICEF Snowflake, an emblem of hope, peace and compassion for children around the world at the Grand Army Plaza in New York. Songstress Rihanna, spokes model for the print campaign for Gucci’s Heart Tattoo Collection, and Frida Giannini, Gucci’s Creative Director, were in attendance at the lighting ceremony, as well as the hosts of the private cocktail party held at Gucci’s 5th Avenue flagship. The Gucci Group will be donating 25 percent of their white Heart Tattoo Collection sales from stores around the world to UNICEF, from November 19, 2008 to January 31, 2009. The double page ad campaign shows Rihanna perched on a large suspended silver ring holding an exotic skin dual-handle satchel tote, and another with her holding an exotic skin messenger bag, striking a beautiful come hither pose. It is a wonderful thing to see someone as young as Rihanna being so charity focused. She also participated earlier this year in the T-shirt campaign for DAA with H&M. The T-shirt campaign had her along with other celebrities, design tees for the store for Designers Against AIDS foundation. Now if we could get the other young songbirds to do the same, think of how much better their lives would be and the world would be for it.

The middle child of knee-high boots and booties, mid-calf boots are a nice touch to a simple ensemble. Pair these Roberto Cavalli boots with a belted dress or tuck jeans into them for perfect laid back style.

Ah, home for the holidays... we all remember them well. You and your beloved wish for a tropical excursion, where you can lie on the beach, sip Mai Tai cocktails, and watch the sunsets. Then, bam! One phone call and you are snapped out of your fantasy into the reality of family obligations. Now, of course, it does not really have to be that bad; there is a certain comfort in embracing the family call and soldiering through it. That is why the film Four Christmases, a delightful new romantic comedy, is the perfect pre-holiday antidote for the upcoming holiday season. We may not be able to get out of our responsibilities, but we sure can laugh at seeing how other people deal with it on the big screen. Four Christmases - In Theaters November 26th!

TM and (c) MMVIII NEW LINE PRODUCTIONS, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

Clothing featured: Custo Barcelona Suvy Wayu Dress, Ugg Australia Fray Linen Bucket Hat, Elliot Lucca Pascale Hobo Handbag, Marc by Marc Jacobs Metal Tenacious T Bangle, Marc by Marc Jacobs Oversized Sunglasses, Kate Spade Sloan Sunglasses, and Michael Kors Pearl Ankle-tie Open Toe Wedges.

Having this lovely camel coat by Just Cavalli, makes you wish every day were cool and wintery. Okay, not quite, but you get what we mean. The hue is rich, the longer length is perfect, and the multi pockets and stitching detail adds a bit of drama that can take you from day to night, which is essential for an investment winter piece.

Reebok, the purveyor of fresh kicks, funky clothes and ultra cool workout clubs, opened its first pop-up concept shop, called Flash, at 169 Bowery. The pop-up, like most concept shops, will exist in its current space for one month only, but will feature new, limited-edition clothes and kicks that changes from week to week. So just in case it is too early for math, that is four different kicks and multiple items of clothing to collect before your buds might. Got it? Hopefully, they will also include their cool Monopoly board kicks, even though they are not new or never seen. After all, shouldn’t cool trump just plain old new?

Supermodel Naomi Campbell is no stranger to singing, dancing and Bollywood movies, having starred in Kharma, Confessions and Holi. So it should come as no surprise that she will be teaming up with Indian superstar Akshay Kumar, for a duet in Hindi for the animated Bollywood film Jumbo. Now we know she is more famous for throwing a right hook than singing an a capella tune, but we would be remiss if we did not mention that she did have a number 1 hit in Japan with the track Long Vacation off of her Baby Woman cd. Um, of course, that was way back when.

How is a label like Rochas reborn after being closed for two years? First find a Fairy God financier who resurrects the label after being closed for two years by its previous owner Proctor & Gamble, next define a new direction for the label, then pluck a young talented designer out of joblessness, and voila, the label is reborn. Gibo Co. SpA was the Fairy God financier, Marco Zanini, formerly of Versace and recently Halston, is such said designer. The first showing for the renewed label will be a Fall 2009 collection in March, which will be a quick turn-around design test for Zanini.

Gibo SpA’s President, Franco Pene, told several news sources during the company’s Rochas announcement that, “We’re not looking to generate editorial hype, because we’re thinking of a sensibly priced luxury brand that caters to the everyday needs of women,” he said. That may be true, but all eyes will be on the fabled house, especially since it enjoyed editorial success and red carpet style attention under its previous designer, Olivier Theyskens. The current owners seem more interested in craftsmanship over bravado or showmanship, so to that end, Mr. Zanini seems a perfect fit. His tenure at Halston was short lived, and only relatively well received, but his daft craftmanship hand and attention to detail should breath a new streamlined and luxurious life into the brand.

If you thought your Apple Mac Book Pro was the hot 'it' fashion accessory, think again. Fashion designer Vivienne Tam has teamed up with Hewlett Packard to create a HP Mini Vivienne Tam edition which will retail for $700 and will visually reflect her colorful design sensibilities. The mini laptop is geared towards a female consumer audience with its light weight, 10.2 inch screen, red and pink peony plastic exterior (which matches Tam’s Spring clothing line thank you very much), red interior, gold letters, and the double happiness Asian symbol printed on the enter key. The new laptop is also full of the usual suspects such as, a web cam, wireless and USB/USD, a 60 gigabyte drive and 1 gigabyte memory, and an almost full-size keyboard. The HP Mini Vivienne Tam will be sold in Tam’s store in New York City’s SoHo district this Spring, but is available via pre-order through Hewlett Packard with anticipated shipment date of early December. If you cannot wait until then, a plain version in either black, pink or silver will be available in November. Um, if I were a PC (I’m a Mac), then I would wait for the easy to carry, clutch-like appearance of the designer edition with the eye-catching colors, symbols and gold lettering. Really, isn’t that the point of it being a designer item, the perfect blend of technology and fashion?

Puff and circumstance – as in a chic, down filled bomber-inspired jacket, that is. Throw on a silk scarf for a little vintage feel meets modern proportions. However, lose the aviators (it’s a bit too Top Gun) and wear it with a knee-length cream skirt, cami, light cashmere top and boots.

Who can forget Richard Avedon, the man behind some of the most iconic images taken over a career that spanned more than five decades. The clever fashionable portrait of model Dovima draped in an all black, bow sashed Dior gown posing amongst the elephants from Cirque d’Hiver in Paris; the haunting Western states portrait series taken between 1979 and 1984 for the Museum of Fort Worth; the intimate images of Picasso, Monroe, Hepburn, Marcel Duchamp, and Salvador Dali; or one of his most memorable photos, a New Year’s Eve picture taken in the streets after the fall of the Berlin wall. Haven’t seen them? Well now you can, as one of the most expansive retrospectives of Avedon’s work, arranged by Avedon’s foundation, are currently on display at Berlin’s Martin-Gropius-Bau. The photographs, showcasing Richard’s work from the start of his career in 1946 until shortly before his death in 2004, will be on display until January 19, 2009. If Berlin isn’t on your travel schedule, the show will travel onto Amsterdam, and then arrive stateside in San Francisco in October 2009. For information, dates and times of the exhibits, visit the avedonfoundation.com.

Quilted leather handbags have been a style staple amongst the fashion cognoscenti since its 1955 creation by the House of Chanel. They have come a long way since then, with many luxury designers from Marc Jacobs to Furla, throwing their quilted variations in the ring. What is Couture craving? Furla Shopper Grande Quilted, Costume National Patent Leather Tote with quilted-esque bottom, L.A.M.B. Music Rocksteady Tote with Accent Strip, and Furla Viktoria Shopper Grande Quilted.

Slouch boots are hardly shapeless. These Marc by Marc Jacobs boots are slouched on top but structured on the bottom, the perfect style to tuck your jeans into or pair with your above the knee sweater dress.

Few jewelry artisans today have achieved both cult status and commercial success, created iconic geometric jewelry pieces considered wearable art, while holding on to their visions or ethics, but Robert Lee Morris has. The award winning designer’s work is best described as an effortless fusion of the spiritual and the sensual, yielding a zen-like beauty. His creative collaborations are diverse, encompassing both the fine jewelry world and the fashion realm. Robert’s creative fashion collaborations with designers such as Donna Karan, Karl Lagerfeld and Michael Kors, have rendered some of his most interesting designs which showcase his cerebral and intuitive approach, as well as his understanding of what makes a woman both unique and beautiful.

So how giddy was the Couture team when we discovered that Couture would be carrying the line? Beyond! Couture.Zappos features some of his minimalist designs as well as his Warhol collection. We are craving the SS Tear Earrings with gold french hooks, loving the Warhol Collection Flower Chain Bracelet, and coveting the Warhol collection Dangerous Objects Pendant. For all of our fashionistos out there, don’t feel left out, Couture also carries the men’s jewelry line, and the Couture team is loving the Warhol Blurry Cross Pendant. But don't just accept our word for it, take a peek for yourself.

Alexander Wang is a star, a CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund star that is. Wang took home the top honor and the $200,000 prize which includes a year’s worth of mentoring, last night at the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund dinner gala. Wang started his eponymous line at the tender age of 21, soon becoming the cult favorite designer amongst the modelistas and the downtown cool set. However, Wang, was not the only winner last night at CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. Lisa Mayock and Sophie Buhai of Vena Cava, and Albertus Q. Swanepoel of Albertus Quartus were this year’s runners-up. Each of the runners-up will receive $50,000 each and a business manager for a year as their take home prize. But we here at Couture would be remiss if we did not mention that Mr. Wang was already a star, as he was also awarded the 2008 Ecco Domani Emerging Designer award previously. Wang’s world indeed!

Boxy jackets are a great option if you want to have a retro feel but not look dated. For the right proportions, think boxy on top and sleek on the bottom, like pairing this kensiegirl jacket with boot-cut jeans and heels. It makes for a great, effortlessly cool look.

The age-old adage of “don’t kill the messenger” applies here folks, as I’m just reporting the news. Ms. Suri Cruise has been named the World’s Most Influential Celebrity Tot Under The Age of Five on Forbes’ list. It would seem her fashion sense, her hairstyle and her picture perfect pout helped her earn this honor. Well partially, the company also weighs press clippings and web presence of 50+ A-list kids to whittle down the prospects for the list. Now in all fairness, the smallest Cruise could have earned this honor based on her considerable wardrobe, which has provided some of the most stylish outfits this side of Pampertown, not to mention her enviable shoe collection (have you seen those Mary Janes?).

In reality though, and perhaps it's just me, but isn’t she only two years old and doesn’t pick her own clothes, or even tie her own shoes yet? That aside, the media darling was in good tot company on this list, she beat out Shiloh Jolie-Pitt, Zahara Jolie-Pitt, Pax Jolie-Pitt, David Banda (Madonna’s son from Malawi), Sam Sheen (Charlie’s oldest), Cruz Beckham and Sean Preston Federline. Imagine you may still be using formula, but can command a lofty spot on Forbes. Watch out Suri, Valentina is quite the stylista, and she is even younger than you.

Men’s Vogue, down to two issues a year. Fashion Rocks Supplement, gone in 60 seconds. Teen Vogue, thriving. That’s right Men’s Vogue may be down to a mere two issues, and the Fashion Rocks supplement and the accompanying fashion/music show may be over, but the teens, tweens and everything in between is doing quite well. So well in fact that Teen Vogue is sponsoring a pop-up concept store in the uber high-end retailing space, Short Hills Mall in Short Hills, New Jersey. The store will feature music, snacks, make-up and clothes, a runway, and the occasional visit from real Teen Vogue editors to dispense advice and fashion direction. This store will be called the Haute Spot with four more concept pop-up stores to follow, two focusing on prom-centric styles in the Spring of 2009, and two focusing on the back-to-school concepts in August of 2009. So if you are just hanging out at the mall with your friends, this really seems like the only place to be.

Green means go, and emerald is full speed ahead this winter. Keep other adornments to a minimum if you wear it all over, like in dress or suit form. The rich hue is perfect in accessory form, making an all black outfit absolutely pop. Our pick? This lovely two-tone Costume National handbag.

Ah, the fabulous Mr. Jonathan, where does one begin to describe this fashion visionary's sense of style. He has the classic tastes that evoke images of a bygone era, from his bespoke jackets, to his crisp tailored and embroidered shirts, right down to his enviable cufflink collection and vintage watch chains. The Couture team finds him to be that wonderful combination of old Hollywood - think Robert Mitchum/Humphrey Bogart - polish mixed with a relaxed, yet edgy modernity. Whether he is perfectly turned out in cuffed denim, a dress shirt and funky shoes, or a suit jacket, tie and classic jewelry pieces, his style sense always deserves a fashionable yes!

Hello Kitty has luxury ideas, or at least the brand's parent company, Sanrio, does. Sanrio has set up a 1,200-square-foot luxe concept shop in the heart of New York's 42nd Street, which will house products as diverse as a $5 pencil pack to a $30,000 diamond-encrusted pendant that can only be found in the Times Square space. The space is not a new one per se, but rather a refurbishing of its original Hello Kitty store concept at 233 West 42nd Street, which is set to open November 11. Janet Hsu, president of Sanrio global consumer products explained the idea behind the store concept during an interview with WWD, "Hello Kitty has been in the U.S. since 1976, so many women have grown up with the brand," she said. "We thought this was a great new way to present some of our most exclusive products."

In this economic uncertainty, it will remain to be seen whether or not the love of Hello Kitty will cause a consumer to throw caution to the wind and purchase a $30,000 piece or $1,000 piece for that matter. Hello Kitty, indeed.

Fans of model Chanel Iman rejoice! She is coming to a computer screen near you. The adorable model newcomer decided to let her fans have a more intimate look into her life via her short format videos on YouTube. The videos cover everything from her beauty routines to how she gets ready in the morning to her hair and favorite clothing. We personally love the video where Chanel is giving her mother a mini makeover. SO adorable. Maybe if we get lucky, she will video blog from the next round of fashion shows. We can only hope. View Chanel Iman TV on youtube.com.

The lovely shoes of Stuart Weitzman are always in the news, what with all of the bevy of beauties that wear his shoes, how could they not be. One of the latest sightings were Angelina Jolie leaving Nobu in New York City, sporting a pair of Weitzman's hummus patent Sashay peep-toe pumps and Mrs. Jay-Z (Beyonce, of course) rocking a pair of Stuart's pewter Wicky sling-back peep toe platforms at the Bermuda Music Festival. So, how lucky are you that we carry those very shoes? Um, very.

One sleeve on, one sleeve off…being off-center is now stylish. Bring home the asymmetrical look with this CNC top – worn with jeans and killer heels, it’s perfect for a night on the town.

No, Georgina Chapman, aka Mrs. Harvey Weinstein, co-founder and designer for Marchesa, is not cheating on her movie-maker husband, it has been announced that she is the new designer, well ‘guest’ designer, for the luxury West End British jeweler, Garrad. However, all of the socialites and fashionistas will have to wait until spring/summer 2010 for a preview of the line at New York Fashion Week. Knowing her attention to detail and the cult following of her decidedly feminine Marchesa line, I’m foreseeing oversized luxe yet lady-like baubles tossed on just so to add the perfect feminine touch to your Marchesa creation or any other outfit for that matter. No word on whether Mick’s little girl, Jade Jagger, is truly out as Creative Director, or whether or not that is why Ms. Chapman was asked in the first place. However, word does have it that Georgina’s line will be debuting at the same time as the Hollywood stylist Rachel Zoe’s will. What a fashionably fabulous showdown that will be, albeit my odds are on Georgina, as everything she touches seems to come up designer gold.

Rarely does one think of a fashion magazine as a vehicle for true political change or a means-to-an-end for social change, but that doesn’t stop Carla Sozzani, editrix of Italian Vogue, from putting a fashionable face on issues that continue to go unnoticed. Some have said that her hot, albeit seemingly controversial Italian Vogue issues are merely publicity stunts, but that aside, her wildly successful all black issue of July’s Italian Vogue brought to the forefront the issue of the lack of diversity on the runways, without nary a protest, nor strike, or PETA incident in sight. Carla, never one to rest on her previously successful laurels, has decided to court controversy once again, angering the verbal flame throwers with the African issue for November’s L’Uomo Vogue, which she also helms, and which will be dedicated to all aspects of Africa.

Now, before you start to conjure images of emaciated women and children of Africa, dressed in the latest Lanvin, Balenciaga or Versace, know that Ms. Sozzani did not use any models in the issue at all. During her interview with Robin Givhan, she explained why she felt this way, “I think it’s ridiculous to see a 16-year-old wearing clothes he’ll never own at his age,” she said. Instead the issue will feature photographs of ordinary people, well, if you consider actors, politicians and political hopefuls ordinary people, dressed in their own clothes, illuminating us about their own sense of style, as well as explaining what their involvement with Africa is and why.

Whatever Carla’s reasons are for producing the Italian Vogue issues, many in the fashion industry should be thankful, as she is able to do what the American fashion magazines can not, or perhaps more correctly will not do. Hopefully she is blazing the trail that others will eventually follow, but in the meantime, we have November’s L’Uomo issue to look forward to, that and the feel good fact that by purchasing the magazine, half of the proceeds will go to charities benefiting Africa. Perhaps a fashion magazine can evoke a little social change.

Wore heels continually for all of fashion week? Check. Breaking in new shoes all day at work, and now your feet hurt? Check. The prescription used to be a few days wear of ballet flats, those soft, flexible slip ons that gave instant relief to aching feet, that is until now. French shoemaker, Repetto, has released an updated version of the jazz lace up shoe, incorporating the same flexibility, kid soft leather and the versatility of the classic ballet flat. The original jazz lace up was created by founder Rose Repetto for her daughter-in-law, ballet dancer Zizi Jeanmaire, but found its true iconic status in the ‘70s when Serge Gainsbourg — famous French Musician, lover of Bardot and Birkin, father to ‘It’ girl Charlotte —was introduced to them by his then girlfriend Jane Birkin. However, the ongoing celebrity love affair with the jazz shoe did not stop with Serge. Modern-day fashionistas like Kate Moss, Agyness Deyn and, of course, Charlotte Gainsbourg keep the cool cache of wearing them alive. p-1203’s modern take has funky, vivid colors, patent and kid leather options, but keeps the original concept in place with the same lace up design, flat heel and light as a feather feel. Should your aching feet desire to be ensconced in a pair of these shoes, they are available at Open Ceremony in NYC and Comme des Garcons in Paris.

Diane Von Furstenberg, the powerhouse behind the DVF brand, the advocate for women empowerment, and the creator of the quintessential travel piece, the iconic wrap dress, is taking it up another fashionable notch with the launch of her blog column, Inside DVF, on DVF.com. The blog chronicles Diane’s travel’s, creations, favorite things, DVF news and philosophies on day-to-day life. The overall site is a wonderful fantasy of color, collections and information about the brand. You can join as a DVF friend on Facebook, you can watch how the current campaign came together (filmed and photographed), as well as browse through her style archives. So if you are a lover of all things DVF, this will be a special treat and inside look into her very fashionable world. See, just when you think you can’t love Diane much more, she gives you yet another reason. Danke Diane!

Raise your hands and say I:, that is I will never have visible panty
lines, ever! Now to make sure that that fashion faux pas never
transpires, there are control top panty hose, spanks, corsets and now, thankfully, firm control thongs, yes I said thongs, from Maidenform.
Maidenform is having a stellar year, as this is the bra centennial
which they have been at the forefront from the beginning and now the
tummy flattening thong. The deep leg openings ensure that you have
freedom of leg movement and a pillow cushioning crotch — that, my
friends, needs no explanation. So in the words of Heidi Klum: ‘Auf
Wiedersehen’ to VPL and discomfort!

Sharp, bold, unconventional and retro, a architectural heel is a edgy twist on a traditional heel pump. These Robert Clergerie Jul Pumps, for instance, give a pencil skirt or jeans a playful yet sophiscated feel.

What do you get when you mix together the style of a quirky Los Angeles actor/director and a popular folksy/rock ‘n’ roller? An eclectic, organic clothing line for men and women, with a built in celebrity following. Mr. Arquette, as you may or may not know, is married to actress Courtney Cox, best friend of Jennifer Aniston, and Mr. Harper, is married to Laura Dern, a noted actress in her own right. Their novice capsule collection, which debuted a few weeks ago at the Cox-Arquette household in Beverly Hills, is a wearable collection which targets everyone from South Central to Capri and St. Tropez. The line features breezy, ‘70s vibe, just roll up and throw in your suitcase separates like pleated empire waist flutter sleeve dresses, denim short suits, A-line sleeveless box pleat dresses, butter soft polo shirts with ink-colored bootcut denim pants, and classic long shorts paired with crisp white button downs. The line was designed by Arquette and Harper along with Penguin’s David Bedwell and Loden Dager’s Paul Marlow. The launch of Propr is a dream come true for Harper, prior to his current fame and the plethora of celebrity lines that exist today, he had tried his hand at designing a line of Western shirts in 1994, a line which never got off the ground. But from the looks of the line, finding an audience won’t be a problem, there is something for everyone from the Wall Street banker (well those that are left), to the Venice Beach skater dudes.

If you are like me, your DVR or Tivo list is probably quite full, and the thoughts of adding one more show feels like overload, right? Wrong. If you are a lover of fashion, models and H&M, then take a few minutes to view H&M’s new fashion videos on YouTube. Currently there are only two videos up with the promise of twice-monthly programming in the near future, both being quite interesting and just the right amount of information. The first one is an in-depth look at the Comme des Garcons collaboration with H&M featuring model Missy Rayder, who stars in the print campaign, talking about the collection and the collection’s designer, Rei Kawakubo. The second video feature is a knitwear style bible, which as it turns out is quite a handy reference that also stars Scott Schuman, The Satorialist. In case you did not know, The Satorialist knows a thing or two about fashion, as he is one of the most relevant and modern visual fashion archivist to date, outside of the legendary Bill Cunningham of The New York Times.

Just in case you were lusting after the Comme des Garcon collection, it hits U.S. shores today. Let the shopping mayhem begin!

These MICHAEL Michael Kors clog heels are the perfect transition shoe. Not quite a shoe or a bootie, but rather that rare combination of a pump and a slide, providing style and comfort. Pair them with a dark rinse bootcut jeans, an asymmetrical top and slouch shoulder bag.

With the crisp Fall temperatures upon us, boots are the favorite fashion accessory of the current season, especially one with a stacked wooden heel. They are edgy with rolled-cuff, tattered boyfriend jeans, a cropped jacket and a chapeau, polished with a knee-length dress and pearls, and romantic chic with dark rinse jeans tucked in and a ruffled-collar blouse. What is Couture craving now? Belle by Sigerson Morrison tan leather slip-on boot, Juicy Couture Espresso Mona boot with ankle strap and hardware detail and Costume National Talpa leather boot with cap toe and stitching detail.

Leave it to the Kaiser to come up with another all new handbag line for the house of Chanel just in time for the holidays. Forget about the house’s quilted toggle lock classic; push aside the glossy, patent leather shopper totes; move over the lambskin maxis with mini handbag attached; and make way for the new multi-monogrammed, glossy grey canvas clutches, hobos, mini and maxi purses. The bags, covered with the words Paris, 31 Rue Cambon, Coco and Chanel, which are repeated like a spoken mantra, are a departure from the design house’s classic, but are a welcomed fun and fresh take on handbag design. The bags also feature fun and innovative details like snap hooks, inside pockets, invisible zippers and leather reinforcements. The Couture team is a lover of all things Chanel, are huge fans of Karl Lagerfeld, but in reality, in these economic times, we may have to forego a whimsical logo Chanel, in favor of the investment worthy quilted leather Furla Grand Shopper bag we have had our eye on instead.

Need a serious splash of color? Put hot pink on your feet. These pumps by Kate Spade make any little black dress or monotone outfit stand out instantly in a crowd.

Remember when 'duck' boots were a Darien, Connecticut style staple? Remember when they were worn with curduroy pants, puffer vests and Fair Aisle sweaters? Well, neither do I, but that is what I am told. Fast forward to today and the steadfast staple of yesteryear is making a very chic come back. Designers from DSquared to Michael Kors, to a few mass retailers, injected the shoe/bootie with a much needed style cache with improved upper materials, playful color combinations (think tartan and tweed), and a fashionista's best friend, a high heel. However, some design detail echos of the past are still visible within the new incarnations, the rubber sole, the lace-up and hook-and-eye closures, along with the constrast stitching. Oooooh la la!

If you have ever been to Paris, there is a good chance that you have heard of or shopped at Comptoir des Cotonniers, the mother-daughter owned fashion brand which appeals to the chic mother-daughter customer alike. Known as an edgier version of its French cousin, Agnes B, the store carries welcomed finds like off-center zip cardigans, silk tunics, jacquard jumpers, straight leg denim pieces and dresses slung low on the hips. For girls, there are sweetly mature pieces, like velvet floral skirts, denim overall jumpers, as well as pleated cotton dresses. The store itself has an overall country-chic feel with its whitewashed floors, white shelving and vases of lilies strewn through out. The line also has slight influences from China, Bulgaria, India, and Portugal, countries where many of the pieces are manufactured. The draw to the line is its relaxed yet polished and versatile apparel, which can take you to and from the office, off to meet friends, or out for a playdate. Well, depending on your age of course.

Volume is back, and it’s reached new heights with the full skirt. Don’t be afraid, there are tame versions out there, like this GF Ferre skirt. It falls just above the knee, has pleats and looks smashing with a placketed blouse, cardigan and booties.

No more Project Runway? No problem. Can't get into Fashion Week? No Biggie. Now you can create your designer fashions in the privacy of our own home, with the help of Fred Flare's Origami Fashion Kit. There is one catch of course (isn't there always), the designs are fun and adorable but alas not wearable, after all they are paper. The kit contains a 28-page booklet that instructs you on the 'how to' of making everything from shoes, sleeveless cocktail dresses, to hats, shirts, intimate apparel and more. At $12.99 it is a worthwhile bargain that can help you tap into your inner fashion designer, as well as master the art of folds before you actually take on a Vogue pattern. The kit can be found online at fredflare.com.

Twilight, the new, slightly older, more mature and sensually charged Harry Potter-esque (vampires instead of wizards) movie has been racking up major buzz. The mere mention of Twilight gets millions of girls giddy at the thought of the fiercely romantic vampire/human novel. Well, that and Robert Pattinson, the lead in the movie. He’s so dreamy, isn’t he girls? All that crazy hair…

Of course, we here at Couture are also curious about the movie’s fashion and the effect on trends it will have for the Spring. Will we see an emergence of atypical teenage fare featured in the movie – hooded sweatshirts, jackets, T-shirts, jeans and sneakers, here and there – or will it filter out into a more punkish hybrid that some trends are already suggesting? Well either way, the movie looks like a lot of fun, and who doesn’t love effortless fashion? Check out the trailer, see the movie, and let us know what you think.

Tiered dresses are freeflowing and playful, whether the tiers are flat or ruffled. Feeling too flapper-esque? Dresses with longer tiers, like this one by kensie, are more fluid and will have you less likely to break out into the Charleston – wear them with colored tights and flats.

Sparkly jewels around the eyes are nothing new. But sparkly jewels hanging from your eyes are.

According to Fashion Week Daily, the new, slightly odd fashion accessory, is eye jewelry – a crystal, flower, etc. – that hangs from a thin thread that is attached to a contact lens. This makes the person wearing it look like they are crying a crystal…or something.

Yes, we think our eyes would water, too, with something dangling from them and with the constant blinking over the thin thread. The eye jewel is available in the UK and costs about $400. Um, a $400 price tag? Yes, that would make us actually cry.

We here at Couture, are not sure how we feel about this, but word is US TV producers are going to attempt to remake the classic British show Absolutely Fabulous. First, besides the task of finding replacements for Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley, this updated version probably wouldn’t involve the hilarious, sometimes hideous fashion that the two wore in an effort to stay hip and cool. Few Americanized British spin-offs have stuck (does anyone remember the US version of ‘Coupling’? Didn’t think so.), so that will provide enough challenge…but we just can’t help but be skeptical because the overload of ‘80s trends helped make the show. We guess wardrobe could overload them with layered necklaces, snakeskin and crocodile, gladiator flats, rompers, fringe and floral…but will it work? We will have to wait and see.

Sarah Jessica Parker, has been a busy lady since the Sex and the City HBO series ended four years ago. Ever the busy mogul, she keeps up her fashion icon status, attends several charity functions, is a wife and mother, an actor, director, producer and of course a successful perfumer. Her first scent Lovely, described as "a "silky white amber," has been a best seller since its launch, and now she has added three new fragrances to the mix, Sarah Jessica Parker Lovely Collection: Dawn, Endless and Twilight. Now with the scent Twilight, is it coincidence or a genius marketing move that it is named the same as the upcoming vampire flick? But I digress.

The company says that each of these scents are meant to evoke three vastly different time periods in the day. Dawn is a clean scent, like the start of a brand new day, those precious few moments to yourself, Endless is a fruity and floral scent, when one finds oneself in a state of pure joy, and Twilight, the sexy, musky scent, evoking mystery, intimacy, closeness. The trio of scents launch date will be in February on the Home Shopping Network and will go into a broader distribution channel later in the year. The scents will be available in 30 and 75 ml Eau de Parfum sizes, with each selling for $38–$58 and a body lotion selling for $28, with each scent having its own advertising and marketing campaign.

It remains to be seen if Ms. Parker can pull off a trifecta of perfume success in these economic times, but much like a solid perfume, her previous track record is, well, solid.

Well, not quite the blues, more like jazz classics, a few blues-inflected songs and cabaret standards. Lynda Carter, television’s statuesque Wonder Woman, left her red, white and blue and bullet-reflecting cuffs behind for a little Carolina Herrera and Ralph Lauren, as she grasped the mic and performed at Feinstein’s at Loews Regency in late October. It would seem Ms. Carter has been busy with her cabaret act, which has taken her from Lincoln Center in March of this year, to Atlantic City, to San Francisco and on to her latest run at Feinstein’s, after years of being away from the spotlight raising her children with her politician husband in Washington D.C. No word yet where her next cabaret stop will be, but rumor has it that she may return to Fenstein’s later this year after her sold out performance in October.

Zappos has been in the news a lot lately. First our wonderful segment on Oprah, then a little dollop of cream on top with our shopping shout out during a segment on E! News' November 2 edition for great shoe finds under $100. Ms. Giuliana Rancic was going down the list of names, places and faces and then low and behold, a Zappos plug for our very own Steve Madden Arizonna purple fringe suede boot. Mrs. Rancic added another little 'get thee to the site' shopping twist, by mentioning that the shoe is a favorite of everyone's teen queen favorite, Miley Cyrus. So folks, when you are making your list and checking it twice, noting who is naughty and nice, remember it's Z to the A to the P to the P to the O to the S, which of course, means sanity for all, that and your shopping can remain stressless.

Want to join the navy? We’re talking about the trend of navy shoes and
bags. It’s the new black, after all. Navy accessories are making
headway in stores – this navy Alexander McQueen bag is perfect to take to the office.

What is better than a long, elegant neck layered in fabulous jewels? Nothing as far as the Couture team is concerned. We are loving the past few season's offerings of multi-strand, multi-layered necklaces. Think several chains mixed with gemstones, semiprecious stones strung on satin ribbon, a funky, electic mix of gold, precious and semiprecious stones, need I go on? Our fave picks for this week are: Rachel Leigh 18 k multi-strand gold-plated and freshwater pearl necklace, Tarina Tarantino lucite bead, bows and skull necklace with Swarovski crystal eyes, Carolee double-row Silvertone, sodalite and amazonite stone chain necklace with toggle closure, and Betsey Johnson two-tone metal with crystal detail multi-strand necklace.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute is already planning and executing its Spring 2009 exhibition with their new exhibit looking at models as muses. The idea that models are muses for the designers of the clothes they inhibit is not a new notion, but one rather worth exploring as the Met’s upcoming exhibit, The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion, showcases. The show aims to explore and explain fashion, the shifting ideals of beauty through out the decades, and showcases models as diverse as Veruschka, Marion Morehouse, Peggy Moffitt, Iman, Nadja Auermann up to today’s beauty ideal, Gisele Bundchen. The show will also showcase how these models inspired, contributed and defined trends during the 20th century and continue to influence how fashion is perceived currently. The exhibit will start on May 4th with the Costume Institute’s annual gala benefit with designer Marc Jacobs serving as the night’s honorary chairman, along side co-chairs Kate Moss, Justin Timberlake and Vogue Editrix, Anna Wintour.

The show will feature over 70 Haute Couture and ready-to-wear looks accompanying photography, runway images and video footage of models, socialites and rockstars alike who have set the tone for the decades. The show will feature images of models from the time of Worth and Poiret, to Fifties sensations Sunny Harnett and Dorian Leigh, to Sixties icons Jean Shrimpton and Peggy Moffitt, to Seventies goddesses Iman and Janice Dickinson, to the Eighties supermodels and Nineties ‘It’ girls. The curated items will feature designs from the likes of Marc Jacobs, Azzedine Alaia, Balenciaga, Chanel, Armani, Donna Karan, Helmut Lang, Lanvin, Claude Montana, Prada, Chistian Dior, to name a few, as well as photography works by Horst, Avedon, Bailey, Meisel and Helmut Newton. The exhibit will be open to the public from May 6 through August, with it being held at the Met’s Tisch Galleries.

Target has done it again, the designer coup this time is the New York based designing duo Sigerson Morrison. The duo known for their stylish, ‘I can walk all over Manhattan’ flats, funky boots, edgy booties, brings their fabulous flair to Target with a line of styles that runs the gamut from embellished flats to d’Orsay-inspired velvet pumps. Sigerson Morrison is quoted in Target’s print ads as saying, “to us, designing a rocking, edgy, totally affordable shoe is the best kind of challenge.” For the masses, that is the best reason to buy them, well that and Target’s motto of expect more and pay less.

DSQUARED2 is bouncing everywhere lately – Paris and Milan for fashion weeks, and lately, Hong Kong, to open a new 2,727 square foot, two-level store at Central On-Lan Street. The store has ready-to-wear clothes and accessories, and also fitting rooms with leather-trimmed doors surrounded by tree trunks and birch trees. It can’t be a DSQUARED2 store without a touch of wood, great clothes, amazing accessories and fabulously eclectic decorations.

Come mid-November/early December, depending on where you live in the U.S., you may look at your CVS in a whole new way. The friendly neighborhood drugstore chain is stepping into the beauty big leagues, with the roll out of its new upscale beauty store-within-store concept called Beauty 360. The first such store-within-store will debut in Washington D.C.’s Dupont Circle with a second opening later this year in Mission Viejo, California.

The store chain is banking on consumers in this economic uncertainty who are tightening their purse strings, to continue to treat themselves to smaller, less impacting luxuries like lipsticks, eye and face creams. “It may not be a vacation, or it might not be the new dress, but you know what, the $15 lipstick might not have the same pinch to her that the rest of those higher priced ones do,” said Mike Bloom, senior vice president of merchandising at CVS in his November 3 interview with WWD.

Make no mistake though, in the new concept, you will not find the Revlon’s, L’Oreals or the Cover Girl cosmetics, but rather higher price point beauty lines like Borba, Laura Geller and Canyon Ranch products, with price ranges of $15 to $170. Although the concept could make for stand alone stores, currently the company only has plans to expand into existing stores where there is enough room to have the true store-within-store concept, namely about 1,000 of their West Coast locations. I don’t know about you, but I can’t imagine walking into CVS or their 360 and spending upwards of $50 for a beauty product, that seems reserved for the high-end department stores where the overall concept is luxury, not just one part of it. But perhaps, that is just me.

Yes, after months of the rumor mills running at a fever pitch high with will he or won't he be designing a collection, it has been confirmed just now in WWD that the uber designer Alexander MCQueen will indeed be designing a line for Target. McQueen will be one of the first designers creating a line under Target's Design Initiative, where he will be designing a version of his McQ line for the mass retailer. The line is currently being described as having a rock 'n' roll vibe with all of the requisite edgy details that go with that type of look - studs, tattoo-printed fabric, black, etc... but will also feature lightweight sweaters, skinny jeans, bubble dresses, slim skirts and cuffed shorts. There will be signature pieces as well, a coated cotton poplin black trench, a gray denim cropped studded jacket, a men’s wear-inspired tuxedo blazer. The Designer Initiative is different from's Target's current designer program, Go International, which focuses on capsule collections from popular, up and coming designers in the industry. So if in the current economy you thought the McQueen label was out of your reach, think again, as Target has just provided you a way to have a little McQueen in your day.

Florals, of all variations, were big for Fall 2008 and are still in bloom for Spring/Summer 2009. What better way to perk up an overcast fall or dreary winter day than with a lovely, flower embellished dress? We think no better way. Mix the soft with a little funky edge by pairing your floral dress with a short sleeve knitted jacket or shrug, reach for a patterned scarf knotted just so, mix in funky silver jewelry, slip on a pair of black or bordeaux colored tights, pull on a pair of edgy buckle and lace up patent leather mid-calf boots, add a decidely feminine shoulder bag and voila, pure floral fabulousness.

Couture's picks: GenerraChunky Knit Bolero Three Quarter Sleeve Jacket, French Connection Cara Empire Waist Sleeveless Floral Dress, Alexander McQueen Silk/Wool Floral and Paisley Detailed Scarf, Carlos Falchi Slim Poof Python Embossed Microfiber Shoulder Bag, Jean Paul Gaultier Pryamid Shaped Ornate Ring, Jean Paul Gaulier Opulent Pryamid Shaped Earrings, Kors Michael Kors Dual Buckle Lace Up Crinkle Patent Leather Boot

Yes, it is that time of year again in the fashion calendar, awards season. This time around it is the Accessories Council Awards that is handing out the awards for everything from Designer of the Year to Innovator of the year, and some nominations may surprise you. For Designer of the Year it is a no brainer with Nicolas Ghesquiere of Balenciaga, a man who continually modernizes the iconic brand while preserving its history. One of my favorites, Stella McCartney has been named Green Designer of the Year for her ongoing innovations with materials that are man-made, as well as her organic CARE skincare line, and her Organic capsule collection for Barneys New York. Then there is the ongoing love affair with the British brand Jimmy Choo, which is named Brand of the Year and is so ingrained in the British psyche that when ever the number 32 is called out in Bingo, it evidently means Jimmy Choo in England. Of course there are always niche brands that do a huge business without much advertisement and Lorraine Schwartz is one such brand that has been named Innovator of the Year, with the Emilio Pucci , the genius of prints, brand being named to the Hall of Fame for its enduring appeal, Banana Republic was named Retailer of the Year and costume designer for Desperate Housewives, Cate Adair, being named Influencer of the Year.

Of course this is not earth shattering news, nor does it change any of your economic woes, however, we here at Couture would be remiss if we did not keep you up to date on some of the fashion industry news, no?

The Couture team is back with another of our 'eye on the internal fashion world of Zappos' videos, this time starring our very own Becky, fearless developer by day, stylista by night. Ms. Becky is a heady mix of '50s chic, '70s flair and a little power '80s thrown in. We love how she rocks her pencil skirts and uber high heels, her of-the-moment shorts, button up shirts and stilettos and the occasional fitted dress that says va-va without too much voom. Kudos, Becky.


In this video, Becky is wearing Taverniti jeans and Jessica Simpson shoes.

Well sort of. The actor/father/activist and New Orleans resident has teamed up with Kiehl’s by loaning his name to their Aloe Vera Biodegradable Liquid Body Cleanser with the proceeds of the sales benefiting the post-hurricane Katrina charity, Make It Right, which is dedicated to helping rebuild homes in the lower 9th ward of New Orleans. The body wash is a dye and sulfate-free cleanser that is loaded with aloe, glycerin and coconut and packaged in a recycled bottle. So even though brad won’t be there in reality to scrub your back, the suds you create will help many still struggling with the after-effects of Hurricane Katrina. The body wash retails for $16.50 and can be found where Kiehl’s products are sold.

With only one day left before the Presidential election here in the U.S., poll outcome anticipation is high, and whatever voting choice you make, clearly it will not be dependent on your candidate's pants of choice. But don’t tell that to Bonobos, maker of the Obamas and the McCains slacks that are tailored to each candidate’s political persona. The Obamas, a smooth brushed, relaxed fit navy cotton trouser with a tile-style floral mosaic liner that screams "modern, open-minded, well-traveled, gregarious and hope for the future" (the company’s description, not mine) with the lining detail on the back pockets. The McCains on the other hand, represents the ‘maverick’ conservative side of the political pole with its subtle shine, navy color and Brooks Brothers-esque striped lining, screams "a willingness to swim against the current and lead with instinct" (again, the company’s description). Each style follows the fit ethos of the company, one that says a good, proper fit that flatters the wearer’s assets not distracts from them (um, my description here). The styles are available on the company’s website, bonobos.com, and retail for $120 a pair. So, come this Tuesday, November 4, if you are feeling particularly politically inspired, order a pair now, and wear your candidate of choice for the voting world to see. Keep in mind though that you may have to point out which candidate it is, as it seems the lining and back pockets, are the only details that define your political line.