FIRESTARTER

I'm more than a little obsessed with Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games series. I'm seriously upset that I've finished reading the trilogy and am jealous of all those people who are currently enjoying the story. The Hunger Games movie will be coming out soon though! If you've finished book one, click here to see the official trailer. How amazing would it be if Nicki Minaj was cast as a Capitol resident?! I mean, obvi, right? That would be almost as awesome as having this be Katniss' theme song.

Rachel Roy's design, complete with Mockingjay pin

As if the movie trailer was not enough, Hunger Games (and fashion) enthusiasts--because you have to love fashion to truly enjoy The Hunger Games--can whet their appetite for the movie even further by reveling in sketches of the fire dress worn by the protagonist, Katniss Everdeen, as envisioned by some of the industry's most well known designers. Designers Tommy Hilfiger, Rachel Roy, Tadashi Shoji, Charlotte Ronson, Nicole Miller, Christian Cota, Tibi, Erin Fetherston, The Blonds and BCBGenerations submitted sketches. Click here to see additional renditions of Katniss' dress in InStyle. Let me know which of the sketches you prefer.

Christian Siriano's scorching rendition

Hurry up and get your copy of The Hunger Games! You can thank me later. If you're not a fan of fantasy (like me), no worries. You'll love the books anyway.

May the odds be ever in your favor . . .

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

"One of the biggest fallacies in fashion is that nobody eats." - Vogue

Celebrate Thanksgiving in style! Who says you can't have your cake and look good too? Contrary to popular belief, fashion enthusiasts tend to be as passionate about indulging their other senses as they do their desire to clothe themselves in aesthetically pleasing attire. While there is no direct correlation between superior taste in fashion and a refined palate for cuisine, anecdotal evidence suggests it. I'm just sayin'.

When fashion's holy book, Vogue, shares select signature Thanksgiving recipes as provided by noted designers, you know that this signals a sea change. Check out the article here. It includes recipes for Peter Som's pumpkin panettone bread pudding, Jason Wu's and Rachel Roy's apple pie, and Tory Burch's pumpkin mousse. Still in need of additional recipes? The web provides a veritable smörgåsbord of ideas for an uber fabulous Thanksgiving dinner. Check out some of my favorites; these range from: the globally inspired and intelligent over at Aliya LeeKong, to the simple, clean and carefully arranged over at Roost, to the riotously uproarious and fashionable at So Delushious and the down home goodness on The Best by Sess. Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!

P.S. - So Delushious and The Best by Sess are run by models Chrissy Teigen and Sessilee Lopez, respectively. These women are at the Vanguard of models who unapologetically share their passion for food with the masses.

VERSACE + H&M

Hot off the heels of Target's successful campaign with Italian designer Missoni, H&M unveils its highly anticipated collaboration with another major Italian brand, Versace!

The heritage collection comprises 40 pieces for women, 20 pieces for men and even includes home decor accents. Donatella dug through the crates and the result is a modern interpretation of iconic Versace classics. Naturally, this collection is rife with color and exudes unapologetic sex appeal. Sky high stilettos complement architectural dresses, the classic Greek frieze is incorporated throughout and archival Versace prints can be found on leggings, dresses, bomber jackets and jeans.

The collection will debut both online and in 300 stores on November 19th in US & Canadian stores and November 17th for all others. Donatella is also creating a pre-spring collection that will become available on January 19th to some lucky online shoppers!

Head over to Vogue UK for pictures of the entire Versace for H&M line. Click on the link below for vintage Style Collaboration posts!

HERMES KNOTTING CARDS 2011

Aren't these just darling? Luxury goods behemoth Hermes has crafted a primer on how to tie the perfect knot or transform a silk scarf into a pretty top and more. I came across these 2011 knotting cards recently and couldn't get enough. You can get a set of knotting cards with your next purchase of a Hermes scarf, or any other item--simply ask the SA for a set.

Or, bid on them on eBay. Click "read more" below to see additional pics of this year's knotting cards.

MISSONI + TARGET

Target's latest collaboration with Italian fashion label Missoni is ideal for the discerning consumer who is also focused on obtaining a good value. Missoni showcases its range in this collection, designing bedding and kitchenware, men's, women's and children's clothing, and even a bicycle. Each piece evinces Missoni's trademark: bold color, chevrons, zigzags and stripes.

“In the ’50s and ’60s, the Missoni brand really developed a voice that transported it out of Italy and into the United States, and that is what the aesthetic is inspired by in the campaign.” - Will Setliff, vice president for marketing at Target

With prices ranging from $3 to $600, with most pieces priced under $40, this collection really is for everyone. Missoni for Target items will become available online and in Target stores September 13 through October 22.

This 400-plus collection is Target's largest designer collaboration to date. Surprising given that Angela Missoni has been quoted as saying: “As Missoni, we have a big name but we are not a huge company, so there’s not much product around.”

Read more about the collaboration in the New York Times! Click "read more" below to see additional pictures of the collection.

I LIKE HER FACE

Nationality: Zimbabwean
Height: 5'11"
Bust: 31
Waist: 25
Hips: 35.5
Shoe Size: 9
Hair Color: Dark Brown
Eye Color: Brown

With a nickname like Mukwasi, which means long elegant bird, are we at all surprised that Nyasha Matonhodze is the new face of Louis Vuitton? At only 16 years old, this African beauty's visage bespeaks a sophistication that is only acquired after the passage of a considerable amount of time. Nyasha was raised in North London and has walked the runway for Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors, Elie Tahari, Sass & Bide, L'Wren Scott, Erdem, Jonathan Saunders, Emanuel Ungaro, Roksanda IIincic, J. Crew, and the long list goes on and on. This radiant star has a bright future ahead!

Click on the link below for vintage Faces of Fashion posts!

ROBERTO CAPUCCI + PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART

Capucci referred to his fashions as a study in form.

Known as the best Italian designer and for his "vigor, imagination, and uninhibited originality", Roberto Capucci is credited as one of the founding fathers of modern Italian fashion. He was born in the 1930s, established his reputation in the '50s, and today, six decades later, is still regarded as one of the most influential innovators in the industry. Capucci's generous use of color, extravagant use of materials such as stones and plastic, and references to art and architecture (e.g., origami technique, the fluted doric column) set him apart from his contempories and earned the praise of the likes of Christian Dior. Capucci's imaginative works will soon be exhibited at Philadelphia's famed Museum of Art. The collection comprises over 80 Capucci creations including drawings, sketches, couture designs, and sculptures. It is the first such exhibit of the designer's work in the United States. Roberto Capucci: Art into Fashion, will be shown from March 16th - June 5th in the Dorrance Special Exhibition Galleries, first floor of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

OBJET D'ART: FLIGHT OF FANCY

I've searched high and low for the cape above to no avail. It originated from this blog, which is sublime by the way (I assume it's written by a man, but maybe not). On it he shares his favorite images, his favorite things, but doesn't use titles, there's hardly any text and the photos are random (or so he says). I wish I knew more about this cape (and that blog). What type of feathers are those, exactly? It's vintage, obvi, but when was it made? Who conceived of it? Should it be worn or displayed? For whom was it made?

Update: I've found out more about this fantastic cape! The information below was taken from The Metropolitan Museum of Art's website.

Designer: George Peter Stavropoulos (American, born Greece, 1920–1990)
Object Name: Cape, Evening
Date: ca. 1979
Culture: American
Medium: feathers, silk
Dimensions: L. at center back 20 in. (50.7 cm)
Credit Line: Gift of Barbara B. Brickman, 1997
Accession Number: 1997.262

VOGUE ITALIA'S BLACK ALLURE

Further to the strides they have already made in ensuring that black models are represented in greater numbers, and in connection with their efforts to enable the voice of fashion's marginalized -- and giving an audience to those voices-- Vogue Italia has done it again! The Magazine's "Black Allure" spread, which is included in the February issue, features models Arlenis Sosa, Chanel Iman, Joan Smalls, Jourdan Dunn and other ebony beauties.

"Black Allure" was styled by Edward Enninful and photographed by Emma Summerton. Rumor has it that an all-black issue is in the works at American Vogue . . . only time will tell! Props, again, to Vogue Italia. Grazie! Click "read more" below to see additional pictures!

PREVIEW: MARA HOFFMAN SWIM SPRING 2011 COLLECTION

This was all the help I needed to visualize an escape from the current weather in the Northeast. Mara Hoffman, known for her bold prints and fearless use of color has launched an African inspired Spring Swim 2011 collection!

Inspired by the Ndebele tribe from South Africa and Zimbabwe, by their house painting in particular, Ms. Hoffman incorporated etchings that are reminiscent of mud cloth and a web print that suggests batik. Never fear, if you're not feeling fashion-forward each style will be available in basic black, white or blue.

Want to see more? Have a look at the Spring 2011 Lookbook over at Fashionologie. Click "read more" below to see where to purchase and to view additional pictures of the collection!

TOP OF THE CLASS

The incomparable Jigga Man once said: "you can pay for school, but you can't buy class" . . . you can, however, buy a great pair of kicks from New Balance's H710 Ivy League collection! This new line is not without controversy. While we know that the Ivies are Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, Cornell, Columbia, the University of Pennsylvania, Princeton and Brown, this collection inexplicably exclude Cornell and Yale.

Brown

Some take issue with the colors. Each sneaker's color is "inspired" by the school it represents, but, apparently, the blue on Columbia's version is not the "Columbia blue" and Princeton's beige sneaker is at odds with the official school colors.

Dartmouth

The sneakers are essentially hiking "boots", and come in both high and low top versions. Composed of premium suede and mesh, my favorite feature is the school crest, or rather New Balance's interpretation thereof. They will be sold by Japanese company, Mita and become available in February.

Click "read more" below to see the rest of the collection.