Jackson Pollack Wreaks Beautiful Havoc at Dolce & Gabbana

Ok, not really, but it kinda looked that way at yesterday's Dolce show in Milan. Domenico and Stefano paid "homage to contemporary art," starting with a blank canvas of whites, slowly building with a fab neutral brocade suit and finally moving all the way to tulle paint-spattered floral gowns in a runway that showcased the pairs' flair in the best of ways. Grand, dramatic, feminine and a bit wild, it was everything you'd hope for from the duo.

First Glance: Fendi's Refashioned Baguettes

Meet the new Baguettes, as seen on yesterday's Fendi runway in Milan:

*Photos courtesy of style.com

Leiber & Azzaro: Like bejeweled PB&J

Today in collaboration-mania we feature Leiber, the luxe American accessories co. (known mainly for its crystal encrusted minaudières) and Azzaro, the Parisian fashion house. The two houses have come together to create a limited-edition capsule collection of handbags, called Leiber for Azzaro, for spring '08. The two-piece collection will include a plexiglass and crystal shell and heart - two classic symbols of the Azzaro house.

“I have always been a fan of Leiber’s creations and Frank has done an amazing job reviving this legendary brand,” said Azzaro's artistic director Vanessa Seward. “Azzaro and LEIBER share a similar savoir-faire, and I believe fans of the two luxury houses are going to be really excited to see these new shapes and styles.”

Added Leiber president and creative director, Frank Zambrelli, “When Vanessa invited us to see her collection, the synergies between Azzaro and Leiber were very clear. The idea of designing bags together to launch with her spring show seemed a very natural collaboration of two luxury houses.” Continuing, “Designing with Vanessa has been such a pleasure. The bags evoke a strong sense of both houses, and their unique heritage is a perfect complement to Leiber’s 45th anniversary next year.”

The Leiber for Azzaro collection will be shown in Paris at the Vendôme Luxury Trade Show (October 4-7), and will be available in the spring of 2008 at Leiber boutiques, select luxury retailers, and through the Azzaro Paris showroom and boutique.

Sugar Shock

Not quite moving at the speed of molasses: Sugar Publishing (FabSugar, PopSugar, BellaSugar, GeekSugar, WorldDominationSugar...) - soon to be Sugar Inc. - is making the moves toward acquiring fashion-search engine ShopStyle.com (if you don't know it, acquaint yourself!). ShopStyle will become a wholly owned subsidiary and continue to operate under the same name and site.

Sweet.

SATC The Movie: The Clothes

Shout out to People for this great sneak peek of some of the Sex and the City gangs' wardrobe for the now-shooting flick. Can't say it's a surprise to find Sarah Jessica Parker in a giant flower - but this is definitely the largest one yet (perhaps its size is somehow correlated to screentime length?). In the next photo, it appears she's toting around the Eiffel Tower as a bag (Does she miss The Rusky? Does she just wear totally whacked out fashions? What does it mean?). Landmarks aside, it does appear that she is *gasp* wearing the same shoes in both scenes...how utterly tragic! Meanwhile, is Charlotte with child? She looks pretty filled out. So much can happen in two years! Pregnancy! Shoe-reruns! My, my. If it wasn't for that flower I'd say it was like we don't know them at anymore.

Office Attire

True or False: These Pierre Hardy's seem to have a post-it pad attached to the toe?

Find any other office-inspired wares? Tell us about 'em!

Sale on Buy...

Here silverbirds...a gift from me to you - wrapped in their very precious own bow:

What: Miu Miu high heel black boots lined in shearling

Why: Because they're 50%, dahling!

Where: Mona Moore, Mon Amour!

Wang Goes Prime Time

It's exposure, exposure, exposure for Vera Wang these days. The designer is said to have a cameo on an upcoming episode of Ugly Betty.

"Wearing her trademark leggings, Wang reportedly played herself — albeit a nastier version," reports WWD.

First Peek: Armani Phone

Sleek and elegant without breaking the mold, Giorgio Armani's new mobile - a collaboration with Samsung which will be revealed today at the Armani Teatro before the designer's fashion show- is as refined as his clothing. Developed for the designer's signature and Emporio Armani lines, it will be rolled out in the European market in November and in other countries next year.

The size of a credit card (hope your's is black if you want one!),

the phone operates with a touch-screen interface in which users will feel a mild vibration when they touch the icons. The phone boasts a 3-megapixel camera, an mp3 player, a full internet browser, and of course, a specially designed Giorgio Armani leather carrying case. Unfortunately, it also boasts a price tag that could make even the Apple blush. Currently set at 650 Euro (or $915 at the current exchange!), this puppy don't come cheap (in fact, it's downright obnoxious). But, it is pretty. And rare is it that design is within reach.

Stay tuned...Armani's TV, part of his Armani Casa line to be revealed in early '08.

[WWD]

Haute Off The Presses: Todd Oldham to Join Old Navy

Looks like Todd Oldham isn't a LaZ Boy after-all. Come Oct. 1, the designer will head to Old Navy in the capacity of creative director, according to WWD.

In addition to overseeing the entire line, Oldham plans to develop and launch a line of merchandise under the Todd Oldham name to be sold exclusively at Old Navy stores.

“Todd’s successful career in fashion and design has distinguished him as an innovative creative thinker who also understands how to appeal to a broad audience,” said Dawn Robertson, president, Old Navy. “He understands and appreciates Old Navy’s new positioning and fashion potential and will help elevate and evolve Old Navy.”

[WWD]

Quote of the Day

"I'm the hardest-working man in the Estée Lauder family!"

-Diddy at the launch party for his new Unforgivable for Women fragrance

Gucci Duchessa True or False

True or False: Gucci's new Duchessa Boston bag looks more Juicy than Gucci?

The verdict? True. Work it out Frida. You're better than that!

Ruffled Feathers

If H&B was to buy just one pair of shoes this season (as if!) there is no question it would be this haute, haute, haute Miu Miu Naplak Patch Spectator ($575, Saks). Love at first sight is a serious understatement. 'Twas obsession at first sight. They will be mine. Oh yes, they will be.

Close ruffly contenders include:

Marc Jacobs Black Ruffle-Front Pump, $597, Net-a-Porter

Moschino Cheap & Chic Scallop Edge Pump, $455, Barney's Coop

We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming...

Is there something in the air? Not sure about you, but H&B is in hardcore need of a nappuccino today. Just saying...

Spa Week C'est Arrive

The only thing sweeter than indulging in a spa day? Indulging on the cheap! And come October 15th, for the low-price of $50 facials, massages and scrubs galore are up for grabs at tons of spas nationwide as part of Spa Week's fall event. The schedule was just posted so start your phoning...appointments are obviously limited. Happy spa-ing.

Lashing Out

How does one pay homage to the mascara doyenne? With Stephanie Simek's Tammy Faye necklace, bien sur. Made of sterling silver with lashes of human hair (we think that's supposed to be a selling point) it's decidely less clumpy than 18 coats of mascara and certainly easier to apply than false lashes.

$30 at artez'n.

Harry Potter Rocks Paul Smith Runway

You're a wizard, Paul Smith!

Pierre Hardy Minds The Gap

It's true! Euro-birds have more fun. Fresh on the heels of learning their Gap collections are far superior, we learn that Pierre Hardy - known for his artfully crafted shoes, as well as his jewelry designs for Hermes and shoes for Balenciaga - has just signed on to do a capsule shoe collection for the retailer.

The line, which will sell exclusively at Gap's European stores, will launch later this year. Said Gap of the collaboration, "as we launch our European collections in Gap stores for the first time, we are delighted to have the opportunity to build on successful past collaborations, with a world class talent like Pierre Hardy."

H&B class trip 'cross pond? Who's comin' with me???

[Elle UK]

Bedazzling

Haute bag alert! This gunmetal stunner hits all the right notes for fall - oversized and metallic, it is embellished with faceted gems for that extra envy-inducing oomph. Large enough to fit everything you need for day - stylish enough to take you into the eve it's an H&B must lust. Totetastic!

Deux Lux Gunmetal Shoulder Bag, $275, Vivre

Haute Ladies of the Emmy's

Stars of the SILVER screen: Eva Longoria dazzles in Franco Kaufman, above. Below, Jennifer Morrison looks tres-glam in Elie Saab.

Satin jewel-tones were a big red carpet trend this year with Rebecca Gayheart in a sapphire Elie Saab gown above, Minnie Driver in a canary Donna Karan and Julia Louis Dreyfus in an amethyst Narciso Rodriguez, both below.


Of course no affair would be complete without classics like Debra Messings' Ralph Lauren white & black, Sandra Oh's Bottega Veneta black & white and Katherine Heigl's queen-of-the-ball Zac Posen stunner.

Emmy Fashion Bothers

Which is more delightful - the fashion do's or don'ts? Toss up, we say. Here, our picks for "Uch, how could she!"

The Michael Kors dress is a do, but the hair makes her Ellen Pompadont!

Hayden, Hayden, Hayden. Someone really shoulda saved the Cheerleader...'s style!

Jamie Pressley may have won her category but she is sadly a fashion loser.

Ugly Betty? Ugly dress is more like it. And ps Vanessa, your show's on ABC, not the peacock network.

Kyra's style is on the fashion fringe.

Jenna & Hayden could provide refuge for the entire Shrine.

And finally, the Queen Fashion Bother: Ms. Paula never met a fashion mistake she didn't need to own. Here, we thought she was having a wardrobe malfunction, and well, we guess we were right.

The REAL Red Carpet

Celebs a plenty were painting the town red last night. Firing up the red carpet in ruby-hued gowns were Grey’s Kate Walsh in Pamela Dennis, Heroes’ Ali Larter in Reem Acra, Project Runway’s Heidi Klum in Dior, Weed’s Mary Louise Parker in Dolce & Gabbana, Brother & Sister’s Sally Field in Valentino and House’s Lisa Edelstein in Pamella Roland.

How Jewcy!

What does H&B have in common with Max Azria, Isaac Mizrahi (no, she's not a goofy, gay man!), Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Kenneth Cole, Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Alexandre Herchcovitch (see his summer'07 ortho-chic style at right), Diane von Furstenberg, Zac Posen, Alber Elbaz and Yigal Azrouel? She'll be spending the rest of the week celebrating the Jewish holidays.

Enjoy some fashion week reprieve with your apples and honey! Happy new year. See ya on the flip side.

Moi! Moi! Moi!

Talk about your quintessential fashion plate.

When set, this porcelian tableware appears to bear nothing more than abstract streaks of 18-karat gold. Arrange them together, however, and these dishy little numbers spell out MOI (keeping you right where you belong - at the center of everything).

S/12 Moi Plates by Driade Kosmo, $1,200 at Vivre.