Imitation of ...

Like just about every other retailer to go before him, Manny Mashouf, Bebe's founder and chairman, has decided to bring in "cutting-edge designers" to collaborate with the brand.

First up on the list is Tara Subkoff (Imitation of Christ founder) for Bebe. "I knew a great deal about Tara's line with Easy Spirit, and I really felt that she would be a great person to add a bit of edginess to our company," said Greg Scott, Bebe's CEO.

The 12-piece collection features red, white and black basics, accented with a heart print. Price points range from $79 for a red heart shaped bag that looks v. Erin-Fetherston-for-Target / Fauxnel-love-child to around $150 for a pair of pants.

The line goes on sale this Saturday.

[WWD]

The Colors! The Colors!

Well, here you have it - your Fall '08 palette, aka the top 10 (the font counts too!) Pantone colors that NY designers have chosen to send down the runway this week. Somewhat unusual for the season, "The bottom five colors are the warmer colors we're more accustomed to seeing for fall. The dominance of blue, purple and green really makes a statement about how influential they are for designers this season," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of Carlstadt, N.J.-based Pantone Color Institute.

This year both Pantone and the designers are in agreement - the undisputed color of the year is Pantone 18-3843 Blue Iris. People are looking for calm in such a volatile year — especially now, with the election and the turbulent economy, said Eiseman. "We need that element of calm, but at the same time, this color also has some strength to it." It will be seen in the collections of Reem Acra, who will showcase blue and green-toned coats and Alice Temperley's billowy dresses.

The other top 9 in order of popularity are (above from top, l to r):
Royal Iris (look for it on Zac Posen's runway)
Shady Glade (Carmen Marc Valvo, Luca Luca, Doo-Ri)
Carribean Sea (Tracy Reese, Peter Som)
Twilight Blue (Yigal Azrouël)
Aurora Red (Cynthia Steffe, Y & Kei, David Rodriguez)
Ochre (Lela Rose, Alvin Valle)
Burnt Orange (Miss Sixty)
Shitake (Elie Tahari, Ports 1961, Jenni Kayne)
Withered Rose (Brian Reyes)

[WWD]

Tomorrow's Schedule Today

Feeling Sketchy: Rebecca Taylor Fash Peek

The Designer: Rebecca Taylor

The Show: Thursday, February 7 at 1pm @ The Salon at Bryant Park

The Inspiration: Hardly a stretch for anyone familiar with RT's designs, this season, Taylor was "inspired by the fragility of loved, stored away clothes and the romance of stepping into another time; the Fall 2008 Rebecca Taylor collection is a reflection of a girl delving into her grandmother’s dress up box."

The Collection: According to a release, "The dresses are easy and lofty with a modern late 30s feel. Languid floral dresses, layers of lace and luminous chiffons are highlighted with found beaded objects. A dreamy neutral palette paired with rich jewel tones evokes a sense of opulence."

The Sketchiness:

ANTM Saleisha to walk in TIBI

In a Fash Week coup, Saleisha Stowers, winner of the latest America's Next Top Model cycle, will walk in Tibi's Fall '08 runway show.

Tibi designer Amy Smilivic's inspiration for the collection is 70s bohemian chic and "Saleisha is the epitomy of what we're trying to embody for this collection. She has a gorgeous innocence that, paired with our flowy, feminine and flirty styles, will translate well into the era we're trying to emanate."

Tyra is rumored to be attending but it's not yet confirmed.

What will you wear for the New Kids on the Block Reunion Tour???

Since we're sure you haven't been able to sleep since the news broke that the NKOTB were staging a reunion tour, we hopped into action (you know, "cause we're gonna do our thing..."). Here, clothing suggestions from spring '08 that we find perfectly suitable for hanging tough...

Could the timing BE more perfect??? Members Only relaunched its iconic jackets just this week at Henri Bendel!

Valentino gathered one shoulder dress above, $4,780 at Bergdorf Goodman; Gussto Farebbia Bag below, $435 at Shopbop.com

If I had a Million Dollars (or even $1,000...)

I'd be rocking this Derek Lam frock:

Sadly, at 70% off, I still need to admire it from afar...aye me, aye me.

Derek Lam Draped Asymmetrical Dress, $1,077 (from $3,590) at Shopbop.com

Gucci Hearts Us

Gucci likes us, it really really likes us!

In honor of the February 8th opening of its new Fifth Ave flagship (the world's largest!), Gucci has launched GucciLovesNY.com, where visitors can take a virtual tour of the soon-to-open store, check out Frida's fave NYC haunts (The Paris Theatre, Resurrection, the spa at the Mandarin and the Beatrice Inn to name a few!), and upload their own pics for a chance to win the limited edition bag shown below, all while listening to Madonna's "I Love New York."

100% of the bag's proceeds, which will be exclusively sold at the Fifth Avenue store, will benefit the Playground Partners of the Central Park Conservancy - directly helping the maintenance and operation of the 21 children's playgrounds in Central Park. Limited edition bags? Our own website? Central Park Conservancy? Oh Gucci, we so love you too!

The new Gucci store is located at 725 Fifth Avenue.

Who Wore It Best: Couture Edition

Le Klint Pendant Lamp above or the model below in Givenchy?

Couture in Pictures: Armani Prive Redefines Glam (also to be filed under H&B wants it all)

Couture in Pictures: Christian Lacroix's Haute Managerie

Couture in Pictures: Valentino's Final Bow

Couture In Pictures: Chanel Spring in Paris

Sale On Buy: Elizabeth Charles

Aussie-fave Elizabeth Charles is currently having a sale to end all sales. Going on in her MePa boutique and online she has slashed prices like we've never seen on fash darlings like Karen Walker, Alice McCall and Beth Ellery.

We'd never ask you to take our word for it though, so we've come armed with an example cabbages! Check out the Maplebrown's nautical number below - originally this frock was priced at $449, but now? A mere $45. Really.

We know how we're spending our lunch hour. See ya down under!

Elizabeth Charles is located at 639 1/2 hudson street.

Breaking: L'Oreal Buys YSL Beaute

YSL Beaute and its subsidiary Roger and Gallet have found have found a new home at L'Oreal. The French cosmetics giant has agreed to purchase the brand for $1.68 billion. Under the agreement, L'Oreal which will add the brand to its luxury umbrella, will also gain licenses to the Stella McCartney, Oscar de la Renta and Ermenegildo Zegna fragrance and cosmetics lines.

Swagalicious! Bendel's Beauty Breakfast

There is no more delicious (ok, practically no more delicious!) start to the day than a strong cup of coffee and a ton of free beauty products. And that is just how H&B began her day. This morning, at Henri Bendel's semi-annual swagfest - also known as the beauty breakfast - all the usual suspects from the top mags and a bunch of prominent webs showed up eager to get their well manicured hands on the latest spring offerings.

Since last year, the event has been held on the 3rd floor, a departure from previous years when it was held on the main cosmetics level, and the big name brands which used to participate (Nars, MAC, Paula Dorf, Pout, Rodan + Field, etc.) have bowed out to allow new offerings to take the spotlight (much to this swag-whore's dismay!).

That said, it is a great opportunity to learn about new brands that haven't previously been featured at the store as well as some sophomore jaunts. While there was far less color in house today, there was an abundance of face and body products - boasting the buzz word du jour - au natural.

Top picks included Mally's Blush of Spring Kits ($35/Feb) which include a sheer glossy red she made for Zooey Deschanel (called bien sur, Zoeey Doll!); Beauty Rehab's rose salve lip balm ($12) - a Beckham fave apparently making its stateside debut from Britain; Kai's latest addition - a body butter ($55) in its to die for floral scent; and Le Metier de Beauty - another newbie with amazingly smooth glosses and the ultimate perfect applicator black eyeliner.

Ted Gibson - the man AND salon were on hand blowing out hair and offering hand massages for a most unexpected surprise.

With all of that, you'd think I wasn't still hungry at lunch, but when it comes to products, H&B is always ready for more!

Poetry, Khaki Catalog Style

Jeffrey Pfeifle, president of J.Crew Group to leave the company on Feb. 1.

[WWD]