Last Thursday, the house of Francesco Biasia handbag designers hosted an all-out handbag blowout in celebration of their 30th year in business and the launch of their limited edition Diva Dreams handbag collection.

Where: The Italian Cultural Institute of New York (super chic!)

Who Was There, you ask:
Roshumba Williams (supermodel, television personality and author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Being a Model-Vol.2)
Sherri Saum (FX’s Rescue Me)
Cara Buono (The Sopranos)
Lola Astanova (Piano Virtuoso)

What Went Down: Last Thursday was a stop on a three-year international tour, by A Cultural Project, that featured photographs of Francesco Biasia handbags around the world. Five internationally renowned photographers (Francesco Cocco, Fabio Cuttica, Daniele Dainelli, Stefano De Luigi, and Riccardo Venturi) conducted an anthropological study of the importance and uses of handbags in various cultures. The presentation included the finds of this study along with a documentary video and exhibition of handbags from the new Diva Dreams collection. The exhibit highlighted fashion frontrunners Italy, Colombia, Tehran, Namibia and Tokyo.  Guests we lucky enough to learn answers to the age-old question, “what does your handbag say to you?”

~Alexandra Goldstein

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***

He played a little polo in polo (by Ralph Lauren) at Opening Day of Mercedez-Benz Bridgehampton Polo Challenge.

Just a little eye candy!

These swimsuits are classic and stylish and come in fun funky colors for summer. If you’re a fan of the one piece, they have flattering styles for every woman. If you’re a fan of the two piece, you can find sexy, high wasted two pieces. Very Marilyn Monroe!

Visit Urban Outfitters and check out our new favorite summer trend!

Most of the times, grandiose statements applied to websites tend to be in bad form. (Take for instance, the results page to a Googling of “The Best Website Ever Designed.”) The folks behind Viktor & Rolf recently revamped their website, announcing it “A World Bigger Than Life,” a dramatic idea that given this day and age, I frankly find alarming. However, I cursory glance at the new site did indeed prove rewarding: Page after flash-action page unfolds with dramatic, dream-like interiors, kooky V&R dolls that are currently on view at the Barbican Art Gallery in London, and a tour of the pixelated mansion by a cyber version of the duo themselves. (What’s next? V&R avatars?) While not exactly larger than life, the site mirrors the designers’ extravagant vision–which with a little desktop tinkering, you can now see for yourself on a daily basis.

She’s wondering why she didn’t think of wearing a White +Warren cardi earlier…

Chances are, if you live and work in the Continental United States, the office is plagued with wardrobe woes during the summer months: If not the ol’ what-does-casual-Fridays-really-mean? conundrum, then there’s the sundress-and-perma-shivers combo that results from The Man’s high-octane air condition units. Behold, the answer to these and other sartorial issues: Summer-weight cashmere. Warm enough to make the A/C bearable and breezy enough to be youthful (i.e. this is ain’t no Grannie knit), the delicate cardigans from White + Warren come in every color—so there’s sure to be one that pairs well with your workday look, be it a casual Friday confection or not.

Talk about shade-y business: Starting this week, with every purchase of their sleek sunglasses, Modo will give a cool, shade-giving tree back to Mother Nature. The initiative, One Frame, One Tree (not to be confused with E-photoframe’s similar environmental project) is a result of Modo’s partnership with Trees for the Future and the Arbor Day Foundation which is aimed at improving the globe’s eco-system and helping developing countries restore their barren lands. So trek on over to your nearest store and snag a pair–be it from Modo’s own collection or Derek Lam and Philip Lim’s line–to score a look that’s stylish, SPF-safe, and environmentally sound.–Claudia Crousillat

It takes a certain savvy to parlay great style into fashion and fêtes, and Cynthia Rowley has that aesthetic X-factor in abundance. Known for both her playful sense of fashion and fuss-free approach to entertaining (see The Swell Girl’s Guide to… series for proof) the designer recently hosted a presentation of her 2008 resort collection at her not-so-shabby-and-100%-chic West Village abode. While the word “presentation” might evoke images of PowerPoint slides, laser pointers, and high school science class (gasp), Rowley’s display was nothing of the sort.

After entering Rowley’s first floor flat, I descended down a narrow flight of stairs and entered into a sun-soaked ground floor kitchen. While waiters whisked by with fruit-kebabs and rows of champagne, the “presentation” took place in the designer’s dreamy courtyard garden. Twelve models—each draped in Rowley’s kittenish resort wear— lounged around the outdoor lap pool.

Cynthia Rowley Resort 2008

Some stood, hunched in floral jumpsuits and loose black pencil dresses, while others leaned on one another (à la the enchanting sisters in the Virgin Suicides) in branch-patterned outfits and bold beaded necklaces. All sported Rowley’s crocheted white espadrilles (“They’re comfortable!” one said). Though the color palate remained simple (mostly white, black, and grey) the collection seemed ideal for balmy weather—and perfect for the design-focused hostess like Rowley herself.—Alexandra Goldstein

Buckle up boys and girls: There’s a special, private Kate Spade sale underway online. A select assortment of those cheeky, delectable goodies are now up to 60% off. (For instance, the patent charmers below are just $159!) Inventory–understandably–is limited so get ready to indulge in some e-commerce fun: While the sale is slated to continue from today until June 20th, a little birdie just told me that these sales can sell-out within one day! So what are you waiting for? Snap out that credit card and get shopping!