I know I’ve written with a little distaste about celebrities and clothing lines in previous articles….but models and clothing lines are an entirely different story. Although certain models have reached or transitioned into celebrity heights their more humble beginnings were wearing and walking in fabulous clothes for a living. Erin Wasson, celebrity but more notably, model, has joined Kate Moss with a (I predict) soon to be successful clothing line and collaboration with RVCA. If you didn’t know, now you do, no Glam girl should go without her 16-piece capsule collection this spring (and Elizabeth and James- but that’s another article!) There are seriously no excuses, because everything from her cut tanks, jumpsuits, blazers, sheer tops, shredded denim jeans and teeny weeny black dresses and skirts are completely affordable, ranging from $55-$230. What’s even better is that she has a 3 year contract with RVCA, so there’s going to be even more where that came from.

Dear Erin, I love you, thanks for clothing me this season because you’re pretty much all I’ll be wearing x- Francine Uba

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It’s not a new thing, celebrity collaborations with designers or stores, actually I was getting kind of tired of everyone trying their had at designing- and coming out with their own lines( bar Gwen and the few others.) However I always have an interest in celebrity/designer/charity combos and Stuart Weitzman is no different. In fact Stuart Weitzman’s current collaborations are my favorite, not merely because he’s auctioning off shoes (yes, I am a that girl that is obsessed with shoes), but they are beautiful, beautiful shoes no less, and more importantly the cause isn’t to fill out my already bursting shoe closet; but the far worthier Ovarian Cancer Fund. He has an array of celebrities designing their own Stuart Weitzman original stiletto for a very special cause, that needs as much awareness as he, and the vast celebrities in partnership, are garnering. Ashlee Simpson, Kristen Bell, Leighton Meester, Rachel Bilson and Joy Bryant are only a few of the slew of celebrities turned fashionistas to produce their own individual shoe; that can be bid for and bought by you. These celebrity’s not only display their artistic skills but their distinct personalities with their creative footwear and my personal favorite’s Zooey Deschanel’s “Rose Petals” creation is at a starting bid of $200.00: these shoes on wheels are not very functional (neither are the majority of the shoes in my closet) but they have me wanting more of what Miss Deschanel has to offer. I’m not saying give up the day job but I have a feeling she’ll be joining Gwen and the few in the near future. Check out Stuart Weitzman Online, for Zooey and other celebrity shoes for the Ovarian Cancer Fund.
-Francine Uba

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Who: Nicole Richie

Where: Leaving a photoshoot at Smashbox Studios in LA

Wearing: Tattered jeans, a plain white tee, and a Donna Karan Modern Leo Doctor Bag

***Snaps by Michael Simon/StarTraks***

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For the second month in a row, the Americans (especially her Zen-ness, Donna Karan) have clobbered the French and Italians in the ol’ magazine cover-credit olympics. Too bad the same can’t be said of our dollar versus their Euro…

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A Lilly Pulitzer Steinway

While my closet is mostly filled with structured navy, grey, and black separates, I must admit that I’ve got a secret thing for Lilly Pulitzer. The perky prints! The Palm Beach hostess frocks! That sweet, scrawling logo! The classic preppiness of it all speaks to my inner beach-babe–which is hard to do considering my land-locked residence and cosmopolitan wardrobe. So imagine my state of glee when I spotted this tony, patterned piano this morning in WWD. The customized Steinway is just one of many special projects the house is unveiling as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations. (Sartorialists may be interested to know that Karl Lagerfeld once designed a chic, boxy version for the iconic piano house as well.) If the pink piano is an indication of what’s to come, Pulitzer’s”A Colorful Life” aesthetic is about to grow more vibrant than ever before.

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Long before Ralph, Tommy, and Tory dabbled in country club-chic, brands all along the Eastern seaboard pioneered—and perfected—distinctive preppy styles. In honor of summer’s arrival—and with it, many picturesque clambakes, tennis matches, and polo games—we pay homage to iconic blue-blood brands. So before you board the puddle-jumper or pour yourself a T&T, take cues from this short-list when planning your preppy summer wardrobe:

Lilly Pulitzer

Jackie Kennedy—the patron saint of all-American style—was one of the first lady-like tastemakers to sport Lilly Pulitzer’s distinctive, patterned frocks. (The former First Lady and the designer were class-mates at the Chapin school in Manhattan’s Upper East Side.) Since the Palm Beach-based label’s inception in the late ‘60s, many of Jackie O’s fans (and really, who isn’t one!?!) have followed suit.

Stubbs & Wootton

A favorite all along the Eastern Seaboard from Palm Beach (where the label got its start) to Newport, Stubbs & Wootton slip-ons are a staple of upper-crust attire.

Emilio Pucci

A favorite of the pearl-wearing set, Pucci’s swirling prints have been hostess-attire since the 1960s, when hostess-with-the-mostesses like C.Z.Guest and Babe Paley began sporting the Italian house’s signature frocks.

Vera Bradley

Vera Bradley’s quilted duffel bags are a frequent fixture on Nantucket ferries, Palm Beach puddle-jumpers, and Newport sidewalks. Fortunately for us, these cheery satchels–priced between $50 and $150–don’t require trust funds to purchase.

Sperry Topsider

Whether on or off the water, the yachting crowd often opts for the sweet, starboard-ready boat shoes from Sperry Topsider.

CK Bradley

Founded in 1999 by young Manhattanite Camilla Bradley (then a student at the prestigious Trinity school) CK Bradley features a candy-colored assortment of cheekily-printed belts, headbands, and more Blair Waldorf-worthy accessories.

David Yurman

Those that think of “summer” as a verb prefer the sophisticated, yet simple designs of David Yurman. The jeweler’s signature twist and buckle-accented baubles complement both private school wardrobes and doyenne dress.

Kenneth Jay Lane

Coral pendants, colorful enamel, and charming aquatic animals are key motifs in Kenneth Jay Lane’s cheap’n'chic baubles. (Because the diamond tennis bracelet can be so gauche to wear non-stop in the summer.)

L.L.Bean

A must-have from Cape Cod shores to South Hampton greens, monogram-ready totes from Maine’s L.L.Bean label appeal to those whose surname comes with stately roman numerals.

Vineyard Vines

Founded by former investment bankers, brothers Shep & Ian Murray, Vineyard Vines takes its name and aesthetic inspiration—think seersucker shorts, patchwork skirts, and ribbon belts—from the tony vacation hot-spot, Martha’s Vineyard.

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At left and right, Nyphenburg figurines; center,  a Gareth Pugh design

In the style scene at least, fashion imitates art (Miu Miu’s swirling, Art Nouveau prints for spring instantly come to mind). But now it seems art imitates fashion: In celebration of their 260th anniversary, luxe German porcelain house Nymphenburg has recently collaborated with 16 designers worldwide to produce a special collector’s line of artist Franz Anton Bustelli’s famous Commedia Dell’Arte figurines. Each designer–from Viktor&Rolf to Gareth Pugh and Vivienne Westwood–will outfit their favorite Rococo-inspired figure with a new set of threads. The limited edition collection of designer dolls will be presented on July 2nd at the Palais Beauharnais–during the Paris couture shows bien sur–but don’t pull out the credit card just yet. Like any other couture creation, these dainty figurines are in short supply: Only 25 sets will be available, for a spendy 160,000 Euros a pop. Budget-watchers and bookish types may want to seek out the corresponding exhibition book, published and designed by artist / photographer Florian Bohm. Although even then, only 400 copies will be printed, each priced at 750 euros: A small price to pay for a true masterpiece.–Jennifer Jackson

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A Knitta “tag” in Paris

Got a pen? Well put this on your weekend calendar:

Knitta, a team of graffiti knitters (yes, you read that right) is making a rare public appearance in Soho’s Madewell store. This Friday the 16th the anonymous group–which has traveled the world from London to Tokyo to knit their bright yarn sleeves over everything from marble statues to street signs–will descend and “tag” the downtown store. Then, on Saturday from 4-7:00 pm the creative statement-makers will be on hand to customize the belt-loops of Madewell’s cool and colorful jeans. (Gratis with purchase!) Be sure to swing by and be embellished, but leave your own needles at home as this isn’t exactly your granny’s knit-one-purl-two scene. Madewell, 486 Broadway New York, NY 10079

Knitta’s customized beltloop

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Rootstein’s Agyness Deyn Mannequin

Here’s a preview shot of one of the Agyness Deyn Rootstein mannequins that will be formally (and by formally I mean with a turntable and champers-fueled fête) unveiled later this week. When I first saw the pose I must admit I was a bit disappointed; the subservient turned-in-legs-arms-all-akimbo stance isn’t exactly an appropriate pose to immortalize the bold, head-turning British catwalker.

But then, brushing my feminist concerns aside (for a few minutes anyway) I realized that the mannequin stance did make reference to some iconic (albeit fictitious) women: Nike, The Winged Victory of Samothrace which can be found in the Louvre and A Crainte des Traits de l’Amour, by 18th century sculptor Jean-Louis Lemoyne. (His rococo masterpiece is located in the Metropolitan Museum.) The comparison of the 3 sculptures kept the aforementioned criticism at bay, as it suggests that Agyness’s career—and the mannequin she inspired—is indeed an impressive work of art.

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According to the folks at Urban Outfitters, books are the best accessory for the home.

Observe:

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