Franco Moschino, the charismatic, irreverent Italian designer and artist, responsible for such lines as Moschino Couture, Moschino Cheap and Chic and Moschino Jeans, started his now famous multi-brand fashion house in Milan in the early ‘80s after several successful years as an illustrator/sketcher for houses like Giorgio Armani and Genny. It was his love of art and pop culture that led the designer to imbue his own line with his whimsical nature (think his famous tees with a spoof of Chanel No. 5), creativity, love of all things Italian and his disdain for the established fashion culture. It was also this disdain and rebel spirit that got Franco into trouble many times with established houses, such as Chanel, for copyright battles. Regardless of these minor and not so minor inconveniences, with the help of his best friend, muse, sounding board and design collaborator, Rossella Jardini, he grew his business to include not only his main line, but the imaginative Cheap and Chic, Moschino Jeans and his successful fragrance lines, as well. His untimely death in 1994 saddened the fashion world by losing such a free spirit and rebel, but his company has thrived in spite of that with Ms. Jardini at the helm of the company, continuing Franco’s visions and spirit of the brand.

Here at Couture.Zappos.com, we are fortunate enough to have not only the Women’s and Men’s main shoe lines, but also the delightful Moschino Jeans line, the Cheap and Chic handbags and accessories. Couture’s favorites: Moschino’s Italian flag colored leather sneakers for men, the signature red platform strappy T-strap sandal for women, the Fresh Fruit Mix tee for men and the modernized pilgrim collar, candy-striped button-front shirt for women, Molte Bene!

Just when you thought Topshop could not possibly get any better, or give any news greater than the fact that they are finally opening stateside, they up the High Street ante. It would seem that the current vast denim corner just got a little bit more chic with the addition of their new premium brands consisting of Sass & Bide, J Brand, Joe’s Jeans, Radcliffe, Los Angeles-based Ditto Jeans and My Lovely Jeans. Besides stocking the latest models of these jeans, they will also have limited edition capsule collections with some of the brands as well as pop-up jean clinics at the Oxford Circus flagship during London Fashion Week. Jean-ious!

Ladies, the shoe baton has been passed, Christian Louboutin is officially the current shoe God usurping the long standing Mr. Manolo. As reported by the New York-based Luxury Institute, Louboutin shoes are the most sought-after shoe brand of 2008. This is not news to the true fashionista because she already knows, covets and collects them without any shame or remorse at the $800-plus sticker price. But to others who feel that a brand must advertise (which Christian does not), must be mentioned in hot shows or movies (think Sex And The City, where he was not mentioned) or be on every ‘It’ starlet (rare) to be a hit, this must come as a huge surprise. What is it that draws so many to this brand? Could it be the draw of the red sole, which is distinguishable from any other shoe whether a woman is striding down a city block, sitting in a restaurant with her legs crossed or getting in and out of her Maybach? Is it the exquisite craftsmanship, the sky high heels or the many varied styles that could make you spend every paycheck on a pair? I’m not sure what it is for other individuals, but for me, my pulse quickens the moment I see the sole. For many that is both the draw and the deterrent, because what happens once the sole is worn out? Well, if you are like I am, you find the cobbler who will replace the sole with a red one, of course.

Abstract brush strokes in every incarnation were all over the Spring/Summer 2008 runways. Think strokes that imbued the clothing with Rothko, Pollack and Monet. The look is eye-catching and begs for statement jewelry pieces that complement the outfit but do not compete with it. One of my favorites is this M by M Kalan abstract brush-inspired Crepe de Chine black and white dress. Pair it with a large silver cuff and an oversized pearl and silver ring and ta da, perfection!

Louis Vuitton started the pop up concept this year with the pop up Vuitton stores within Japanese artist Murakami’s art installations, with the stores featuring bags by the artist. Well it has caught on and now Colette will have a pop up mini store in New York City this summer on Fifth Avenue at 54th Street. The store will be set up for one month from September 6 through October 5. Colette, as you know (and again a fashion shame on you if you do not) is the hip, chic Parisian behemoth at 213 rue Saint-Honoré which carries all of the cutting edge labels and luxury designers that any fashionista, tourista and Lou Doillon wanna be could not live without. Much to the chagrin of Parisians, Colette will temporarily close its store for massive renovations starting July 7th, with an anticipated reopening by the end of August. Don’t be to upset though if you are in Paris and want to shop there, they will have a Suprette parked out front so you can still get your shop on.

I’m sure that Katherine Noel Brosnahan, now known as Kate Spade, never imagined from her humble beginnings in Kansas City, Missouri, going on to study Journalism, that she would someday invent a handbag that would launch a thousand imitations and would soon become the staple of her still flourishing Kate Spade international empire. Kate, while working as a Senior Fashion Editor/Head of Accessories at Mademoiselle magazine discovered the consistent lack of stylish and practical handbags in the marketplace. She would visit local flea markets for inspiration, and fabric swatches which led to the creation of her initial prototype — the black, stain resistant fabric handbag with dual handles, which officially launched her label in 1993. She quit the magazine in the early ‘90s and the rest as they say is history. Kate Spade, along with her now husband, Andy Spade, have built the Kate Spade empire into a brand which consists of handbags, shoes, stationery, personal organizers, address books, beauty products, perfume, pajamas, eyewear and home which was launched in 2004.

We here at Couture are never to be out done and were able to procure Kate’s shoes and handbags, which one third of the Couture team can’t ever be without. Our faves are: Kate Spade's Hera shoes, Kate's Anguila Flat Ava Clutch and Kate Spade's Becca Sunglasses.

In 1928 Trafton Cole and Eddie Haan designed the first Cole Haan shoe. It was Chicago, the jazz age. Quality was everything — and style, like the sound, was smooth and sophisticated. So goes the intro on the Cole Haan website.

Today, like its early beginnings, creativity, luxury, technology and sophistication still reigns supreme in the company’s approach to design. Cole Haan has grown significantly since its first pair of shoes to include clothing, small leather goods, belts, luxury outerwear, watches and fabulous handbags. The company had been collaborating with Nike with their air technology for shoes and Nike eventually purchased the company outright in the late ‘80s. Of course, here at Couture.Zappos.com we carry a vast array of the Haan products. Our faves: the Air Ricki Sandal (women), the Air Granada Sport Ox (men), the Whitford Shave Kit (men) and the Village Soft East/West Triple Zip Bag (women).

LiLo — that’s Ms. Linsay Lohan to you — will be the new face of fashion lifestyle brand Fornarina, making for a hopefully strong and trouble-free pairing. The news was revealed a la Ms. Lindsay herself at Fornarina Urban Beauty Show at the Carrousel du Louvre on Monday in Paris. It was reported that the crowd was 2,000 strong, whether that was due to the brand, the curiosity of Lindsay or both, it is not known. The first pictures of Lindsay fronting the brand break in 2009.

Thankfully for us here at Zappos.com, it won’t matter when the ads break, as we already carry the brand. Hear that LiLo? We are already in the know, thank you very much.

Love affairs these days seem so short, don’t they? You are hot one moment — primping, posing and sashaying in magazine layouts for a brand — and then you're out. It would seem that the advertising tryst between Miu Miu and Kirsten Dunst is over, finished. Vanessa Paradis, famous French actress, established French musician and mother of Johnny Depp’s children is the brand’s new ‘It’ face, according to Women’s Wear Daily’s May 14 edition.

No word yet on who got to keep the clothes from the Dunst brand divorce. Just kidding. But perhaps the Devil really does wear Prada (Miu Miu’s owner, in case you did not know.)

What's yellow, green, red and white all over? These fabulous stilettos from Guiseppe Zanotti, silly. You are able to walk many city blocks in them, they make your legs look longer than the fifty-foot woman (okay, maybe four inches longer), they elicit whistles wherever you turn. Yes, we love them so. But don't take our word for it. Buy them, try them and whistle while you strut.

Rompers makes the Couture Team think of children’s outfits from Gap or a Children’s Place, as well as a reminder of the old ‘70s show ‘Romper Room’. Yes, the semi-jumpsuit has made a vintage-like reappearance this season from the funky and fun labels like Paul Frank to the various other incarnations flooding the marketplace. As usual here on the Couture Team, we are split. Tell us, do you love ‘em or hate ‘em? Our inquiring minds want to know.

Also shown: akademics Butterfly Romper and Apple Bottoms Denim Romper.

Ladies, rev up your going out engines. Slim dark demin jeans, a ruffled collar halter silk shirt and peep-toe pumps. Which bag should you choose? Should it be the trend-on Carlos Falchi exotic skin bag or the vivid-hued red Alexander McQueen one? The Couture Team wants to know.