You guys, I D-I-E. Rumor has it that stylist Taylor Jacobson is leaving Rachel Zoe Corporation. No surprise here. We should have seen it coming since Taylor was always complaining on every episode of season two. She didn't get to go to Paris Fashion Week, and was never seen with a smile on her face, but for some reason this was still a shock! In the season finale, Taylor was promoted, but maybe that wasn't enough. She still has bigger dreams.

According to Fashionista.com, Taylor sent a "moving on" e-mail on Friday that went something like this: "After four amazing years at Rachel Zoe Corporation. I'm saddened and exhilarated at the same time to announce my departure. After much thought and consideration, I have decided to take the challenging leap to go off and style on my own."

Ack! On the other hand, a part of us is super-stoked for Taylor. We're exhilarated by the fact that she's leaving, though we'll miss her on the Bravo reality TV show, The Rachel Zoe Project, come season three. We know she'll do great things--she's so incredibly organized and dedicated. How will RZ Corp. function without her? But then again, now there's an opening! Maybe you're interested in becoming her replacement?

Best of luck, Tay-Tay! We'll miss seeing your super-fabulous outfits!

--Venus Tsang

It's safe to assume that by now, you've perused the Anna Sui for Target line and picked some items that are evocative of your favorite Gossip Girl character. (Blair, you can be my queen any day!) But before you start getting bored, listen to this: Jean Paul Gaultier is the next designer who's signed on to collaborate with Target for a line--it comes out in March 2010!

Earlier this month, during the Gaultier spring 2010 ready-to-wear runway show in Paris, the legendary French designer served up some seriously edgy designs. They included more denim and khaki than you probably know what to do with (such as a one-piece that is best described as a long-sleeve denim shirt under a strapless denim dress with a denim coat tail and a denim belt, and a similar contraption in khaki). Also, we saw lots of body-conscious ruching, shredded shirts, pants and some ferocious over-the-knee lace-up boots.

I realize that most (if not all?) of the aforementioned fashion is unwearable by people who are not 6-foot, size-2 models, but since the purpose of these Target designer collaborations is to cater to the general public, I'm so curious to see what he whips up for us regular folk.

It's not lost on me that Gaultier has that fabulous French training to make the most perfectly tailored blazers and divine red-carpet gowns, so I'm just going to cross my fingers and hope for the best!

In the meantime, don't forget to check out the Carlos Falchi for Target collection at Target.com after November 1!

--Venus Tsang

You might not think this concerns you--you're not a designer, you don't live in New York City, you don't work in the garment industry... But if you care at all about the clothes you put on your back, you'd want to rally, too. New York City's Garment District, blocks that span from 35th to 39th Streets between Ninth Avenue and Broadway, is in jeopardy.

"The [district] is at serious risk of being consolidated and commercialized, if all goes according to NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg's plans," according to CocoPerez.com. "The Mayor intends to move all of the approximately 250 fashion manufacturer's factories into one building, which would be about 280,000 sq. ft." Without adequate space (not to mention proper zoning regulations to control production overseas), the Garment District will transition to the point of extinction. Cheap labor in other countries like China has threatened the "Made in the USA" label, and designers are fighting back.

This past Monday, a documentary premiered on HBO on the very subject called Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags, which shed some light on the 100-year-old design center. The Garment District once welcomed immigrants and gave them a place to work. Today in New York alone, $10 billion in wages are generated and 175,000 people are employed through fashion--25,000 of those people work in the Garment District--says the New York Daily News. Those numbers may fall if the Garment District isn't saved.

So how does this affect you? With the clothing factories right at their doorstep, designers like Nanette Lepore, Michael Kors and Zac Posen can pay closer attention to their production. "I can cut a sample in the morning, put it on my model in the afternoon, and then let the factory start sewing after I fitted it on her," says Lepore. "In China, you can't think that they're going to fit it properly because you're not watching. The nuances are small--an eighth of an inch here, a quarter of an inch there. We're able to control it because we're right here."

The quality of fashion in the USA will be compromised if we don't do something! So today, designers like Nanette Lepore, Zac Posen, Michael Kors, Anna Sui and Betsey Johnson are rallying in the name of the Garment District and the very clothes that you put on. If you're in the New York City area and want to join the fight to keep clothes "Made in the USA," fashion bigwigs and supporters alike are meeting at the button-and-needle statue on 39th Street and Seventh Avenue at noon. Hope to see you there!

--Ysolt

For a split second, fashionistas thought we were Croc-safe. The makers of the popular plastic clogs were on the rocks with financial trouble months ago. Even though the company sold over 100 million pairs of shoes in a matter of seven years, the company had lost $185.1 million last year, slashed roughly 2,000 jobs and scrambled to find money to pay down debt. We thought the ugh-ly footwear was on the outs. We predicted that Crocs would disappear within a handful of years with the halt of production and the already-bought pairs inside unfashionable people's shoe closets being forgotten or eventually disintegrating into thin air...

So close! Thanks to PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., Ysolt says sarcastically, the fashion-crime-of-a-shoe won't be as short-lived as some of us had hoped. A bail-out for the biggest fashion crime of the millenium? No, PNC, no!!!

Other style mavens are with me. Fashionista, Annie Lam, has some major beef with the unsightly footwear. Her rant: "I guess they're okay for downtime, but I'm not a huge fan whatsoever! It's like with Uggs--they are super-comfy, but they are LAZY shoes. Even my sister who is an RN at a teaching hospital wears Crocs--they're a hit there. I think they make one ugly, short, fat and lazy. And, they are EXPENSIVE! Dang pastel plastic--and give me a damn break on those Croc Candies (the accessory clips on the Croc holes). What a great marketing ploy! Moms and kids went crazy for them because 'they are cute.' Hello Kitty is cute. Not ugly plastic mules."

Where do you stand? Please tell me you're on our side?! You're not happy about the Crocs bail-out, are you?

--Ysolt

Each of us likely has at least one thing by Nicole Miller in our closets--her designs are so elegant, modern and chic. Now, one of us will have something of Nicole Miller's in our kitchen.

The world's sought-after espresso machine maker, De'Longhi Perfecta, recently released an Artista series of espresso machines with gorgeous laser-etched art by artists from round the globe, including Nicole Miller, for auction on eBay.com. Check 'em out before the auction ends October 18--they're absolutely breath taking! John Hardy (a jewelry designer), Michele Toffalori (an Italian illustrator) and Kristina Collantes (a pop artist) are among the other designers who have gotten involved in the worthwhile cause.

Bids start at $1,800, and proceeds benefit Oxfam America, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the fight against poverty. The organization seeks to create lasting solutions to poverty, hunger and injustice in over 100 countries.

--Ysolt

Fashion gurus from Women's Wear Daily said the collection, which debuted at Paris Fashion Week on October 4--created by one Miss Lindsay Lohan and Spanish designer Estrella Archs--was an embarrassment. Yikes! Was it that bad?

"As for the clothes, they looked cheesy and dated, as has often been the case chez Ungaro during the post-Emanuel revolving door of designers. Hot pink, orange and flashy, with an overworked heart motif relentless in its execution, the collection displayed none of the promised younger side Lohan was supposed to deliver. Nor in a million years would one guess that the lineup was designed by one young woman and 'creative directed' by another. Glitter heart pasties all around, ladies?" --WWD

All of us know what it's like to invest in a pair of amazing shoes--whether they are a must-have pair of Christian Louboutin's (they're a total splurge, but we'll have them forever and then pass them down to our daughters) or a sexy pair of Giuseppe Zanottis that will turn heads. And, being the bargain-seekers that we pride ourselves on being, we'll go searching for the best deals around before we make that unbelievable purchase.

However, with the rise of many online outlets that offer huge selections of shoes to drool over, the risk of buying shoes from a designer scam Web site is significant. Too many women have been duped into buying a pair of "authentic" designer shoes at discount prices only to find that they aren't authentic at all. To make matters worse, the scam site won't accept a return.

To help you find real designer footwear, one of our favorite Web sites for all things shoe-related, The Shoe Goddess, just launched a scam alert page. The section will caution readers about sites that sell counterfeit goods. "While people know about the counterfeit issue, few realize how prevalent it is in the world of the Internet," says The Shoe Goddess founder, Florence Azria.

In addition to it being a problem because these women lost the money they shelled out for non-returnable counterfeit shoes, the fake shoes that are being sold are often times made in factories with underpaid employees in horrible conditions. This completely takes away from the craft and work that goes into making a high-end pair of shoes, while supporting ill treatment of factory workers!

Ladies, be careful before you spend the money to buy the shoes that you always dreamed of owning. Head over to The Shoe Goddess to see the growing list of scam sites to avoid. And if you've been a victim of a scam site or know of one, don't forget to ask The Shoe Goddess to add them to the list.

--Venus Tsang

Mango, our favorite Europe-based, fast-fashion chain, has just given us even more reason to drool over the fruity brand. In addition to serving up great pieces at super-reasonable prices, it has recently launched "Think Up" (a low-cost fashion concept). Think Up is, above all, a proactive and optimistic philosophy to fashion and life from a collection of looks from among Mango's existing seasonal pieces that will be offered to customers at incredibly low prices--starting at $24.90!

This awesome fashion campaign is Mango's solution to the recession that's affecting shoppers around the globe. Hopefully, the Think Up collection will provide customers with an even more affordable solution than previously suggested in their price points, so that they can still find high-quality pieces and stay stylish season after season.

Customers can stay informed by logging onto MangoThinkUp.com, a blog that will be updated with product 411, as well as include a forum where budget-conscious fashionistas can discuss fashion, trends, and events.

We don't know about you, but we're embracing the Think Up spirit. Stop by a Mango store to find the specially-marked pieces... Sounds like a treasure hunt for the fashion maven!

--Venus Tsang

All I can say is, I'm so excited to see Victoria Beckham on the cover of Elle magazine. The ever-illusive fashion icon has such a presence (especially now that she lives in the states), yet nothing is really ever said about her beauty, at least not beyond the fact that she looks killer with her sexy husband David in those racy undie ads. I mean, between the time that Spice World came out (ahem, 12 years ago, hello!) and the magazine's brilliant interview this October, when have we ever had real quotes from the grown-up Posh Spice?

Right. So, here are some of our favorite bits from Victoria's Elle interview.

On adjusting to life in America: "You know, I love America. It's such a positive country. When people say to me, 'How long did it take for you to adjust? Poor you, it must've been really difficult'--poor me? I'm living in Beverly Hills. I'm very, very lucky. I wake up every morning and I recognize that I'm blessed."

On her ever changing personal style: "There are celebrities who always look great, always look pretty, but it's always the same hair, the same makeup, and I find that quite boring. I want to change it up, do something really creative. I think that might be why women like me."

On being perceived as a cold person: "People think I'm a moody bitch. I do have my insecurities. Maybe that is why I look a little bit serious. The kind of person who's going to stand on the red carpet and love the attention and have the big grin--I'm just not like that. I want to get in there, do what I've got to do, and get home to my kids."

On raising her children: "[They] bloody well will work. Same as myself, same as David. They're not going to be the kind of kids that just hang about. I want them to be able to fulfill their passions, but I think it's important that the children grow up and have respect for themselves."

Truth be told, Victoria kind of sounds like one of us--with the minor exception of her fame and serious style (plus, she's added clothing designer to her long list of achievements). She's a woman who cares about her family and doesn't want her kids to grow up spoiled, she won't lay it all on the line for the silly paparazzi (even if it means being perceived as a "moody bitch"), and for the fashionistas, she looks incredible in this season's best prints.

--Venus Tsang

The world really can't get enough of Tyra Banks, supermodel turned media-personality turned virtual-mastermind. After launching her magaline last week, Tyra recorded an audio message for readers, saying among other things that her mission is to "redefine beauty online."

Tyra isn't kidding when she says it's a magaline (pronounced mag-uh-line, like magazine online), each issue will have both a front and back cover, even though everything is right on your browser. For the launch issue, Tyra says, "I'm focusing on two things this issue, alright? Things that are close to me: healthy living (which is a big change in my life right now) and hair (because I'm getting real with the hair)."

Now, because it would be so unlike Miss Banks to come back without a bang, she prepared something for this special moment: her new bangin' body. In fact, on the top right corner of the launch issue cover, we see this: "Kiss My Fit (And Still Fat) Ass!" After winning a get fit challenge with her friends, Tyra writes about discovering a newly healthy, super-fit body that still has killer curves!

Looks like we've got another site to add to our bookmarks, because anything handpicked by Tyra will definitely be full of "fierce and love," like she says.

Check out the Tyra magaline if you haven't already!

--Venus Tsang

First there was Stylista, the reality show that featured Elle's fashion news director, Anne Slowey, auditioning (read: abusing) prospective staffers. Then there was word of The City's Olivia Palermo joining the ranks of the magazine's publicity department. And each time, we thought, how bo-ring. If we have to see yet-another reality show featuring good-looking people in expensive clothes causing needless trouble, we're going to cancel our cable service.

And then E. Jean came to the rescue.

E. Jean, Elle's resident advice columnist, is helping someone out in a different way this fall by giving a homeless girl a four-month long internship at the mag. (We can't help but chuckle at the inevitable jealously of all those Chanel-clad college students passed over for the spot for a girl who admits to never having seen a single episode of Sex and the City!)

Homeless Tales, a blog founded by two formerly homeless people and contributed to by people who are homeless, has the back story on how the girl, named Bri, landed the coveted position, which she starts September 1. (Spoiler alert: E. Jean says Bri "knocked [her] out with [her] courage and spirit.")

We just have one question: Where are the cameras this time? How much would you love to see Bri show Olivia Palermo a thing or two about what it means to actually earn something?

--Jennifer Merritt

And, even I'm surprised.

In one of the first scenes of The September Issue, Andre Leon Talley, the fabulously entertaining Vogue editor-at-large, laments Fashion Week that season was a "famine of beauty." He is sitting around a conference table with Anna Wintour and Vera Wang, who nod their heads in shared disappointment.

This set the tone for a film that was informative--sure--but also really fun!

Before seeing the movie (which will be out in New York on August 28, and in Los Angeles and select cities on September 11), I knew little of Vogue editor Anna Wintour beyond what I had seen in The Devil Wears Prada. And, being that movie is--at least allegedly--fiction, such hardly counted.

I do know, obviously, that she is one of the most powerful "fashions" in fashion. She, with the nod of her head, has the power to make or break careers. And while some think that makes her an ice queen, I think that makes her sort of ... awesome.

The September Issue, though, gave me a whole new insight into Anna--as an editor, yes, but also as a really fabulous woman. The movie is essentially a reality-based biopic which follows Anna throughout the making of the September issue of Vogue, a season-setting fashion bible that topped over 800 pages.

In a rare glimpse inside the "icy" Anna's world--a universe where her word is paramount to scripture--we learn it's not all about sitting on her perch. Her own family thinks fashion is silly, and she works alongside a staff that even while having a grudging respect, grumble behind her back. She's also expected to know the answer to everything, always, and never be wrong. Even for the queen of fashion, that's a tall order. At one point in the film, a Neiman Marcus board member complains that designers deliver their clothing too slowly, and she should do something to help them. Anna responds, "What do you want me to do? Rent a truck?"

In one scene Tom Florio, the publisher of the mag, says, "She's busy. And, she's not warm and friendly." And that's just the point. She has created an empire. What more do people want from her?! Anna points out in one scene that people assume that because one cares about fashion, they are dumb. And that they make this character assassination mostly because they, themselves, do not understand, or downright fear fashion as an entity. I think she may be right.

Just for giggles, here's the video of Anna Wintour on Letterman last night to illustrate another point. She's really witty! I am, officially, a fan.

Image credit: Courtesy of Roadside Attractions

--Aly Walansky

It's widely understood that Muslim women don't don the latest from the Victoria's Secret swimwear line. In fact, prior to the conception of the "burqini," which is described as a wetsuit with a hood, there were no water-apropo outfits for Muslim women at all. The burqini isn't even an Islam-approved outfit: it's just a way for Muslim women to feel comfortable enough to go swimming by preventing them from exposing their bodies. It seemed like a way to keep everyone happy.

Well, everyone but the French government.

A Muslim woman was denied entrance to a public pool in France because she was "too clothed." And I'm having a hard time understanding any of the logic behind that.

The burqini: a problem for the French public pool system because, according to every online news source ever, it's not hygienic. The reasons behind this are a bit scattered: Some say it's because the burqini has no specific component to cover the genital area, which does make sense, especially since it's assumed that the pools ban swimming shorts with the same excuse. Others say the burqini isn't hygienic because it can be used as an everyday outfit and be worn in public, which could carry bacteria into the pool. I have a hard time accepting that as a reason since my own 18-year-old sister has a habit of wandering into gas station convenience stores to pick up bottles of Gatorade prior to beach trips in nothing but her bikini and flip-flops. Either way, the implementation of this rule is standard at public pools in France, not just a one-time scenario.

But I'm still not buying it, because since when is it okay for the democratic government to dictate what kind of bathing suit I wear?

France has been anti-burqa for a while, wanting to free Muslim women from the cotton-poly-blend oppression of their religion. But all the country is really doing is putting apparel restrictions on Muslim women, forbidding them from wearing what is most comfortable. I just hope Carla Bruni, the wife of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, doesn't have a "fat" day anytime soon, because she'd be screwed.

What do you think: Is the burqini issue all about hygiene? Is it another act of religious discrimination? Or is it just another example of the fashionable French telling us how to dress? Let me know. For now, I'll be cooling off in my parents' backyard in my bikini. Feel free to join--we have no dress code here.

--Remy Braun

Happy National Underwear Day!



...If you've never heard of it, fret not. National Underwear Day was founded by FreshPair.com six years ago, and has, until now, only really been celebrated in New York City, where annual runway events have showcased buttloads of underwear (ahem). This year, FreshPair wants to turn the city-centered celebration into a national festival--through the web.

For the whole month of August, FreshPair.com is an undie extravaganza, with daily giveaways and exclusive sales, including prizes like a trip for two to Miami and a "complete underwear makeover," so... if your undie drawer is full of granny panties or you can't remember the last time you went lingerie shopping, sign up for this!

To imagine what this underwear makeover might consist of, I turn to the annual FreshPair underwear poll to see what's hot this year. As is to be expected, women love their bikini briefs and thongs, but here's the fun part. 40 percent of men prefer briefs, 18 percent prefer trunks (a hybrid between boxer and brief; I had to look it up), and 5 percent prefer thongs.

Now keep in mind, FreshPair is catering to all 100 percent of its customers. So although it has an excellent compilation of pretty lingerie, it also includes some interesting categories (17 items under Men's G-strings, including a brand called "Cocksox" and a $23 dollar "Fahrenheit Pouch")

I know this is probably more underwear talk than should be allowed outside of the bedroom, but why not take advantage of the day when mentioning your unmentionables is the rule and not the exception?

With all this talk about less-than-normal undies, don't forget to read about our underwear faux-pas saviors first. That said, go put on a fresh pair (seriously) and head over to FreshPair.com to start winning! I promise I'm done with the undie talk.

--Venus

If you watched "The Rachel Zoe Project" or read Style A to Zoe, you've probably already signed up to receive the Rachel Zoe daily e-newsletter, which debuts in your inbox tomorrow after much anticipation.

If you haven't, but think that Rachel Zoe is enormously stylish despite her tiny frame, sign up now by entering your email at RachelZoe.com.

If you think she's fabulous but don't know what I'm talking about, Rachel Zoe is launching her own fashion newsletter tomorrow. It's a daily subscription filled with style tips, fashion fixes, and whatever else our favorite stylist decides to throw at you!

And if you don't know or care who Rachel Zoe is because you're a trendsetter in your own right, well, good for you.

--Venus

Behemoth chain store H&M already has thousands of stores across the nation and has established itself as the go-to for affordable fast fashion, and it is far from boring. Even after all these years, the prospect of a new H&M collaboration and a new H&M store still excites us--and that's exactly what we have in store! (No pun intended...Okay fine, pun intended.)

The newest location to be added to the chain store's ever growing list is the upcoming store in Yonkers, Westchester, which opens on August 6th.

On opening day, the Yonkers store will provide the first 200 shoppers with an H&M T-shirt and a shopping card valued $10-$250, and one lucky winner will have the opportunity to get a sneak peek at the new store before the doors open to the public at noon. Sounds enticing, but we wonder what ungodly time we'll have to be there to be one of the first 200!?

And, if you haven't heard already, the upcoming H&M collaboration is with Jimmy Choo! The collection, which will be unveiled November 14th (mark your calendars), will feature not only the women's shoes and bags that Jimmy Choo is known for, but also women's clothing, as well as an entire collection for men, including shoes, bags and accessories!

We're a little terrified--this collection sounds like it will be unbelievable, which means that in real life it will be exhausting, because we're already preparing for the lines and all the fighting. Sigh... But we think it will be well worth it!

--Venus

It's been 25 years since the infamous Pepsi commercial shoot in which Michael Jackson's hair accidentally caught on fire, but even though the charred locks of hair have been sitting away quietly for all these years, they've finally found their purpose: to be turned into diamonds.

Chicago-based jeweler LifeGem, which specializes in creating diamonds from hair samples (from the likes of Beethoven and Marilyn Monroe), has announced plans to release a limited collection made from the King of Pop's hair.
 
"Our plan is to give people an opportunity to own a diamond made from Michael Jackson's DNA," said Dean VandenBiesen, founder of LifeGem, in a statement.

"We are currently evaluating the sample to determine how many diamonds can be created. This will be a limited collection and we anticipate great interest."

Memorial diamonds for MJ? We wonder about the price tag on these! The pop legend lives on in as many ways as we could possibly imagine.

--Venus

Last week, we made a crack at Barack Obama's choice of jeans for the first pitch he threw at the All-Star Game, suggesting that he should leave those short, baggy ones at home and step out in a more stylish, slimmer pair. And we weren't the only ones to notice.

So with Mr. President on the Today show yesterday morning, Meredith Vieira prodded him about the jeans in question. She said, "You are married to one of the most fashionable women in the world -- do you want to defend the pants?"

And President Obama responded, "No. Here's my attitude. Michelle--she looks fabulous. I'm a little frumpy. Basically, up until a few years ago, I only had four suits. She used to tease me 'cause they'd get really shiny. I hate to shop. Those jeans are comfortable, and for those of you who want your president to look great in his tight jeans, I'm sorry--I'm not the guy."

Well, we guess that maybe we should lay off the man with so many other responsibilities in his hands... But then again, Obama said it himself, we would love for our president to look great in his tight jeans!

--Venus

Not only does she have a new best-selling album for which she is currently on tour, but she has also landed a campaign this fall as the new face of Candie's. Who are we talking about? Britney Spears, of course--she's back and better than ever.

After a recent appearance in Candie's junior brand marketing campaign, Britney has signed on to star in Candie's television, print, online, and in-store advertising campaign. The brand, which sells apparel, footwear, and accessories exclusively at Kohl's Department Stores, had outfitted Britney for her "Radar" music video, and plans to use footage from the video for the television commercial, which will debut later this summer along with the print campaign.

Here's a sneak peek!



--Venus

Anna Sui is the latest designer to jump on the big-box-collaboration-train with a Gossip Girl inspired line for Target, set to debut in mid-September. Since we all love GG and presumably each have a favorite character (I ♥ Queen B), we're looking forward to playing dress up in that character's wardrobe. 

The lookbook features outfits for Blair (lookbook pictured above), Serena, Jenny and Vanessa, to fulfill our desires whether they are preppy, punky, or bohemian chic. Just one question: What about GG herself? We wonder what the queen of gossip wears when airing out the dirty laundry... XOXO!

--Venus

It's time for Miranda Priestly to say goodbye--and Anna Wintour to say hello.

As much as The Devil Wears Prada's "Runway" magazine made (not-so-subtle) inferences to Vogue, and Miranda Priestly's character to Anna Wintour, all that will change when The September Issue is released on August 28th--this is the real Devil Wears Prada.

Directed by RJ Cutler, the highly-anticipated film documents editor in chief Wintour's influential role not only at Vogue but also in the fashion world at large. It does so by centering around Wintour and her team of editors in the creation of the September issue, because "September is like January in fashion."

Sometimes she sounds as terrifying as Priestly was in DWP, but we do see her smile, get excited, and even take off her sunglasses for the camera! We are so excited.

Watch the trailer below:



--Venus

A few days ago we excitedly blogged about the increase in plus-size fashions and the launch of Beth Ditto's line for Evans, and now we have even more good news!

IGIGI, the women's brand and retailer of contemporary fashions in sizes 12-32, has recently adopted a new business model, created a website, and started a new line: The IGIGI Limited Collection. The LC collection takes on the "fast fashion" model, producing trendy and affordable designer styles a few times a week, all of which retail for around $60-$160.

"I am so happy to bring something new to the plus-size community, said Yuliya Raquel, the Chief Designer and Founder of IGIGI. "I want to push the boundaries that traditionally define beauty and contribute to an all inclusive, all encompassing definition. I feel like we are one step closer to that mission with this new collection."

This collection is available on the IGIGI website, which was also recently launched in an effort to reach a wider audience and to create "a more robust experience" for the customer. It features the ShapeStylist, which helps customers determine their shape and find fitting items, as well as the StylePhile, which keeps customers up to date on the latest trends.

Pictured: IGIGI Limited Collection Maxi Dress ($162 at Igigi.com)

--Venus

We're so glad that fashion doesn't discriminate--or, at least, that fashion is taking the steps to reach out to women of all sizes!

After recent reports that stores like Old Navy and Ann Taylor were cutting down on their plus-size divisions due to slow consumer spending in the economic recession, the New York Times reported that the momentum is returning and that fashion is increasingly reaching out to the plus-size community.

With the recent launches of Forever 21's plus-size line, Faith 21, and Target's collection, Pure Energy, the mass-market that Forever21 and Target cater to just got even better. The affordable merchandise that both stores offer now reaches an even wider audience, as the stores follow in the footsteps of Lord and Taylor and KMart, among others.

Another outlet for plus-size fashion arrives early next month: Beth Ditto's line for Evans, Topshop's plus-size counterpart. The New York Times reported that Ditto, the plus-size singer of punk band The Gossip, was asked to perform at the Topshop flagship store in London a few years ago and refused, allegedly because she found it unfair that she should be Topshop's mascot if she could never wear the clothing it offers.

After suggesting that Topshop allow her to create a "big girl" line for the store, Topshop's parent company Arcadia Group took note, and a few years later, Ditto's line is set to launch in July at the Evans store online.

Pictured: Faith 21 Dress ($24.80 at Forever21.com)

--Venus

Even the editor of British Vogue isn't jaded by the fashion industry and its treatment of models.

It's a subject that many debate about: the health of models who are way too thin. Three models died due to malnutrition. As a result, an important figure in the fashion industry took a stand in a leaked letter that was sent to leading designers around the world a few days ago.

Alexandra Shulman, the editor of British Vogue, accused designers of pushing models to become even thinner in order to fit into the tiny garments produced for the runway and magazines.

"We have now reached a point where many of the sample sizes don't comfortably fit even the established star models," Shulman wrote in the letter as reported by The Times. She also said that because the garments are so "miniscule," magazines have no choice but to hire models with "jutting bones and no breasts or hips"--they are the only ones who can fit into samples.

We're relieved to hear that a Vogue editor feels so strongly about the size-zero craziness and recognizes the importance of being healthy and happy. We are so thankful she is exerting her extraordinary influence in a positive way for women who are suffering from the unrealistic pressures to look the way that models do! Hopefully, fashion designers will take note.

Ladies, what do you think of Shulman's intervention? Sound off here!

--Venus

After six deaths (yes, six!), Blair, a clothing and home retailer, reissued a recall of 162,000 Full-Length Chenille Bath Robes, according to the Los Angeles Times. As it turns out, the product doesn't meet federal flammability requirements. If exposed to an open flame, they can easily catch on fire! Five of the six deaths happened to women who were cooking.

Eek! So scary!

If you have one of these Blair chenille robes, please throw them in the trash. Or, you can return them to Blair for a $50 gift card. After this whole ordeal though, I'd just forego the refund. You never know.

And ladies, if you wear robes (or towels, for that matter) around the house, be super-careful around stoves, candles and other open flames. They might unravel and cause a fire. Opting for a fitted sweatsuit might not be such a bad idea.

--Ysolt