NOTABLE & QUOTABLE: LOUBOUTIN ♥s HAVAIANAS

Shoe advice from our favorite shoe designer . . . because, when Christian Louboutin speaks about shoes, we listen. Check out the latest Havaianas at www.havaianasus.com. If we are writing about flip flops it can only mean that Spring is here! And if it is Spring, that only means that the Summer is fast approaching!

FALL '09: VICTORIA BECKHAM

"A range that encapsulates a new timeless style of dressing. Each garment is testament to a love of fashion and the female form." - victoriabeckhamcollection.com

Earlier, I reported on Victoria Beckham's, aka Vix's, new jean and sunglasses line followed by her collection of dresses. There's clearly love for her around these parts. The photo above depicts 4 of 23 pieces that Vix debuted at the Waldorf Towers during Fashion Week. Only her second collection, Victoria shows that she has an understanding of a woman's body. The dresses are versatile--appropriate for just about any occasion. Free of the restrictive corsets which were part and parcel of the last collection, the dresses are all quite modest, but still super sexy. She is still heavily influenced by Roland Mouret, but if it aint broke . . .

Visit Victoria Beckham's website at www.victoriabeckhamcollection.com for a treat! View photos of the collection here.

FALL '09: RACHEL ROY RTW

Despite unprecedented cancellations, New York's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week did not disappoint. I was unable to attend the most recent Fashion Week, but took cold comfort in viewing pictures and videos of the various collections online.

I was impressed with many, but was truly bowled over by Rachel Roy's collection. Although Ms. Roy faces some criticism for using hair and beauty that is highly reminiscent of Stefano Pilati's Fall 2008 Yves Saint Laurent show, her designs were illustrative of innovation that is all her own: architectural, with peaks and valleys, elaborate cut-outs and artful draping . . . powerful, sexy and feminine, a touch vintage, but thoroughly modern . . . Rachel Roy did not show under the tents, instead she held a presentation in Chelsea. View the entire Rachel Roy Ready To Wear collection on Coutorture and check out NY 1's video here.

Click on the label below for vintage Fashion Week and Fashion Shows posts!

THIERRY MUGLER + BEYONCE

Thierry Mugler, well known for designing styles that accentuate a woman's curves, has paired with she of the iconic curves and is the creative advisor for Beyonce's 2009 world Tour.

"The look pictured here captures that duality. It imagines Beyonce as a tough, chic, superheroine type who likes her power glam with a bit of froth; hence, the bow bustle and mismatched gloves that pair lacy fishnet with articulated metal."- Thierry Mugler via WWD

Beyonce was so taken by Mugler's designs, as featured in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Superheroes exhibit, that she was moved to work with him. As creative advisor, Mugler will work on lighting, sets and costumes. A few sketches of his costume for Sasha Fierce, Beyonce's on-stage alter ego, are featured above.

Read the Women's Wear Daily article here. In other Beyonce news, she is covering the April issue of Vogue and is proving that real women have curves. Check out the Vogue Cover and behind the scenes video.

Click on the label below for vintage Style Collaborations posts!

JIMMY CHOO + HUNTER

I have one too many pair of rainboots, and am plotting on a third. One of my beloved sets of rainboots are made by Hunter, just basic black, but I have been contemplating the purchase of a third pair of boots: Hunter's red wellies, as worn by Angelina Jolie in this scene of Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

However, I came across the pair to the left and am now smitten. How delicious is this Jimmy Choo/Hunter collaboration?

"Combining the traditional aesthetic of Hunter with the sleekness of Jimmy Choo, the result is a natural rubber boot embossed with the luxury label's signature crocodile print and branded top bind, a gold buckle and rivet detailing, and leopard print lining." - Vogue UK

The Jimmy Choo/Hunter wellies are available exclusively at www.jimmychoo.com and are, natch, more expensive than Hunter's wellies. This pair is priced at £250.

Click on the label below for vintage Style Collaborations posts!

MCQ ALEXANDER MCQUEEN FOR TARGET

Target is at it again, this time the discount retailer has paired up with Alexander McQueen in the new Designer Collaboration program, not to be confused with Target's Go International Series.

Inspired by "youth, subcultures, music, rebellion and style revolution", the collection is definitely a little bit of rock n roll. Items are available through April 14 and range from $19.99-$129.99. The Zig Zag print dress shown above left is already sold out. Shop the collection here and read the press release here.

A CERTAIN JE NE SAIS QUOI: AMBER ROSE

Kanye West and Amber Rose at the Metropolitan Opera's 125th Anniversary Gala and Placido Domingo's 40th Anniversay Celebration

At first, I was not quite sure what to think when Kanye debuted his new girlfriend, Amber Rose. While her bold choices appeared to be just that: bold, they are also a refreshing and playful take on high fashion. Check out the slide below for more of Kanye and Amber Rose.

Her style is at once fun, young, feminine and masculine (see the androgynous haircut) and exhibits a mastery and knowledge of high fashion that is not easily acquired. Amber's daring fashion sense rivals yet compliments that of her beau. These two appear to be a match made in fashion heaven. I'm excited to see what she wears next!

BROOKLYN BOND

Brooklyn's in the house . . . Bond No. 9, the perfumier which was launched as an homage to New York City, has a brand new scent devoted to a borough that I've come to know and love: Brooklyn!

Bond No. 9's mission is "to restore artistry to perfumery, and to mark every New York neighborhood with a scent of its own."

The new perfume is a "woody, spicy-filled oriental that mingles cardamom, geranium leaves, and cedarwood while grapefruit and juniper leaves accelerate the scent, and South American guaiacwood and leather bring a tender, beckoning touch." It certainly sounds good, but I think I'll be buying this one because of the bottle itself. Definitely a collector's item. Read more about the new Brooklyn fragrance here.