GAGA FOR BEYONCE

Still with Beyonce and Lady Gaga from Beyonce's Video Phone music video . . .

Beyonce gives me everything when it comes to performing--and she's solidifying her status as a bonafide fashionista and tasetemaker. And, Gaga, well Gaga gives me EVERYTHING in terms of fashion. Natch, I think this video is a veritable clash of the proverbial titans. What do you think of the pairing? Did one influence the other, or were the two evenly matched? Click here to see the full video. It's sensory overload, but well worth it. I counted at least 13 wardrobe changes.

MENAGE à TROIKA: BRAD + ANGELINA + ASPREY

Reptilian Rings

The latest offspring from Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie arrives in the form of slinky, sexy, serpentine jewelry for British luxury retailer, Asprey. How apropos! What could have spawned this foray into fashion design? Why, charity of course. A portion of proceeds from sales of the limited edition capsule will benefit Education Partnership for Children of Conflict, which Angelina co-founded in 2006.

Silver Baby Spoon, $525

I've long appreciated Angelina's subtle style. She favors slithery gowns in blacks, grays and nudes and never appears to try too hard. The fusion of Angelina's aesthetic and Brad Pitt's love of architecture and design should be the antidote to the myriad inexplicable celebrity/design pairings. Hisssss!

Read more about Brad's and Angelina's new baby over at WWD. Click on the label below for vintage Style Collaborations posts.

WELL READ!

Cover of "Mrs. O: The Face of Fashion Democracy"

From the woman who brought us this site (one of my favorites!) which pays homage to First Lady Michelle Obama, comes a bok that chronicles--with over 120 photographs and interviews with many of Mrs. O's favorite designers--the artistry, ingenuity and behind-the-scenes machinations of our always polished and fashionable First Lady.

A couple of pages from Mary Tomer's book

Click here to get more insight on the book--straight from Mrs. T--and get a sneak peak here. Order your copy from Amazon today!

Click on the label below for vintage Politics of Fashion posts!

GROUPE THINK

Slow news day for Gilt!

Be sure to shop Gilt Groupe's final Fall sale tomorrow (October 23rd beginning at noon) for up to 90% off Malandrino, McQueen, Marc Jacobs, and over 50 other designers.

Preview Rag and Bone's silk "Blondie" strap dress on the left, on sale tomorrow for $78, down from $375.

Special sale for iPhone users who are Gilt on the Go members -- there's an app for that!

Need an invitation? Be my guest by visiting www.gilt.com/invite/stylechil. Check out newly launched Gilt Jet Setter and Gilt Man while you're there.

Click on the label below for more on Gilt and additional discount shopping information.

OBJET D'ART: CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN JEWELED PLATFORM

Christian Louboutin's Glitter Platforms $2,830.00 at Bergdorf Goodman.

I don't really need to say much about these bejeweled beauties. The 5-inch sparklers are guaranteed to elevate any outfit. I would prefer to wear these with jeans and a white tee. Made of electric blue metallic leather, technicolored stones and a hidden platform, these mutlticolored slingbacks are a bit outrageous, but definitely museum worthy.

Click on the label below for vintage Objet d' Art posts!

THANKS FOR YOUR PATIENCE

It’s been a while . . .

This Summer I moved (back) to Philadelphia primarily because I accepted a new role as an associate in-house counsel at an investment company. It's now Fall and I can no longer hold on to the many excuses (moving, getting adjusted to a new job, finding an apartment, unpacking, etc.) that I used to delay blogging, working out, checking e-mail and generally fulfilling other obligations. I’ve accepted that there’s no time like the present to return to business as usual. While I was “gone” we’ve had NY Fashion Week, the launch of Gilt Fuse, the announcement of Sonia Rykiel for H&M, the release of The September Issue and Coco avant Chanel . . . all of the foregoing despite the financial crisis. Now that the equity markets are resurging (read: slight uptick, but we can be optimistic, right?) I can only imagine how many bigger and better fashion shows, movies and launches are to come!

Stay tuned, and, as usual, thanks for reading!

SASHA FIERCE + DEREON

WWD reports that House of Deréon designer Beyoncé is set to launch a new junior line inspired by and named for her on-stage alter ego, Sasha Fierce. The collection is inspired by looks created by Thierry Mugler for the singer's world tour (previously discussed here) and according to Tina Knowles, Beyoncés mother and fellow House of Deréon designer, the line is "edgier and trendier and reflects Sasha Fierce's daring and outgoing attitude." The collection features many accessories (read: chains and studded shoes) and fairly simple silhouettes. Sasha Fierce for Deréon will be available in Macy's and Dillard's this fall.

MOON WALK

The Louis Vuitton Icare travel bag in monogram canvas with astronauts Sally Ride, Jim Lovell and Buzz Aldrin.

Louis Vuitton celebrates the 40th anniversary of man's historic journey to the moon! The latest ad campaign is shot by Annie Leibovitz and features Astronauts Buzz Aldrin of the July 1969 Apollo 11 mission, Jim Lovell commander of the failed Apollo 13 mission of 1970 and the first woman in space, Sally Ride, of the 1983 Space Shuttle Challenger. Today we celebrate man's voyage to the moon; let us be reminded to always reach for the stars. Visit Louis Vuitton's interactive site: louisvuittonjourneys.com to hear the astronauts discuss the experience and to view Annie Leibovitz's prints. Click on the label below for vintage Fashion Photography posts!

M.A.C. + JIN SOON CHOI

“There are thousands of sheer and natural colors. It’s time to be surprising, revolutionary, edgy. Inspired by architecture, these are colors you’ll now dare to wear.” — Jin Soon

Want complex color that allegedly lasts forever? Check out the nail polish created for M.A.C. by Jin Soon Choi. Known for creating shades with depth and nuance and for her natural hand and foot spa (which counts Sarah Jessica Parker as their first client), Jin Soon has worked with countless fashion and beauty campaigns; from Prada and Missoni to L' Oreal and Cover Girl. And, has worked with Uma Thurman, Rihanna, Hillary Swank, Beyonce and more.

With colors described as mid-tone grey lavender, rich blackened brown, khaki olive green and blackened blue green and with names such as Cool Reserve, Rich Dark Delicious, Dry Martini and Beyond Jealous, respectively, Jin Soon for M.A.C. will surely set you apart from the various red and french manicured nails this summer.

Available at www.maccosmetics.com and in M.A.C. stores and counters beginning August 27 in the U.S. and in September internationally, each polish is $12.

ANNA SUI + TARGET

Finally! Photos of the Gossip Girl-inspired Anna Sui for Target collection are now available. The collection is organized in four distinct groups; outfits befitting Blair, Serena, Vanessa and Jenny. I don't watch the show, but plan to catch up on all of the seasons when they become available on DVD. What do you think? Are the outfits consistent with the styles of each of the four featured characters?

The 19 piece collection will be available in 250 select Target stores September 13 through October 17. For pictures of the entire collection, click here. Click on the label below for vintage Style Collaborations posts.

BETH DITTO + EVANS

Beth Ditto, lead singer of punk rock group Gossip, fashion darling, gay rights activist, feminist, champion for plus size causes and model--most notably as the cover girl for Conde Nast's Love magazine--has designed a line of 80's inspired clothing for the plus size British retailer, Evans. The fashion world has long been criticized for the dearth of high (and lo) fashions for the full figured woman. Many retailers are seeking to address this problem by creating lines geared towards youth oriented plus sizes (see Faith21 for Forever21 discussed infra). Evans, owned by the Arcadia Group, which is parent company to TopShop, was taken to task by Ditto, who demanded that she be allowed to design a line for the company and voila . . . the rest is history. For pictures of the entire Beth Ditto for Evans collection click here.

THE SARTORIALIST DOES BROOKLYN!

Another gratuitous post about two of my favorite things: The Sartorialist and Brooklyn! Fashion photographer Scott Schuman, known for his high quality images for Conde Nast's Style.com, Vogue and many other publications, captured a bit of the essence of Fort Greene while visiting DeKalb Avenue, South Portland Street, South Oxford Street, Fulton Street and Habana Outpost. Enjoy!

For more of The Sart's work, visit his blog here. Click on the label below for vintage Fashion Photography posts.

OLD NAVY: $2 TEES

Recession chic at its best!

Head into Old Navy stores this Saturday, June 20th for rib-knit tanks for only $2 each.

You can choose from 50 color choices including solid, stripe, print and embellished tees.

This promotion is only available in stores. Customers may buy no more than 5 shirts each on select styles.

Tell 'em I sent ya! Click on the link below for vintage Tees posts.