• Last week Ralph Lauren came under fire for (what looked to be) an extremely altered photo of a model in one of its ads. Bloggers at the website BoingBoing.net posted the image online, and lawyers for Ralph Lauren attempted to sue them for copyright infringement. Shine.Yahoo.com

• I am loving Forever 21’s Fall 2009 look book! It’s full of cute jackets and coats, scarfs, printed tops, boots and more. TheLipstickDiaries.com

• Marc Jacobs, Naomi Campbell, Amanda Lepore, Daphne Guinness, Natasha Poly, Olivier Theyskens, and Shalom Harlow are just a few of the famous fashion faces who supported François Nars 15th anniversary effort. Fashionindie.com

• The film was simply mesmerizing, beautiful and most of all captivating. I strongly encourage you to go out and watch it in theaters with your girlfriends. Audrey Tautou plays Chanel and she did an impeccable job at recreating the women who changed fashion forever. HauteMimi.com

• Talk about an all-star cast! Kate Hudson, Penelope Cruz, Nicole Kidman, Fergie and Marion Cotillard team up with screen legends Sophia Loren and Judi Dench to star in the musical Nine along with leading man Daniel Day-Lewis. People.com

• Michelle Williams these days divides her time between her house in Brooklyn and a house in upstate New York. The location of the latter property is a secret, for understandable reasons: Since the death in 2008 of Heath Ledger, the father of her daughter, Matilda, the beautiful and shy actress has inevitably found herself at the center of a morbid cult and, most pertinent, the object of the tabloids’ banal, destructive intrusiveness. Vogue.com
• We always talk about how skinny models are, and this week a model actually fainted on the catwalk. At Jeffrey Chow’s first collection for the Poleci presentation Saturday night, a model passed out. Producers had to put cold Coca-Cola cans on her head and feed her fruit to bring her back. FashionIndie.com

• Vera Wang, Rodarte, and Thakoon! The critics still have plenty of love to give, but not for those who don’t earn it… Vera Wang The critics were uniformly wowed by Vera Wang’s artful, luxurious collection. NYMag.com
• First her man, and now her style! Looks like Lady Gaga has a lot in common with Miss Piggy these days. When the outrageous pop star showed up to the VMAs arm-and-arm with Kermit the Frog, we knew Miss Piggy wouldn’t be happy. People.com

• What Is Ron Jeremy Doing at Fashion Week? NYMag.com
• Kanye West arrived with girlfriend Amber Rose on his arm. The model is known for wearing in-your-face duds and tonight is no exception. She looks like a walking snake in her skin-tight snake-print bodysuit. Art deco earrings, a gold circle collar necklace, and a large ring are her bold accessories of choice. Are you into it? FabSugar.com

• Behind the Scenes of Gossip Girl FashionIndie.com
• Proving there’s nothing the Snuggie can’t do, nowhere the Snuggie can’t go, and no fashion barrier the Snuggie can’t break, the blanket with sleeves is having its very own fashion show this Fashion Week. NYMag.com
• We could hardly contain our excitement when a Sex and the City sequel was announced, and now, our favorite fashionista is getting back to work. Sarah Jessica Parker is creating her own fashion show on the streets of Manhattan as Carrie Bradshaw. People.com

• Peeks inside of V Magazine’s Issue #61 which was released on newsstands yesterday, this spread features supermodel Naomi Campbell in Moscow, Russia. Karl Lagerfeld shoots the supermodel wearing Chanel, Dior, Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen, Dolce & Gabbana and Yves Saint Laurent, styled by Maria Chaix. Nitrolicious.com
• LADY GAGA KanyeUniverseCity.com

• Crystal Renn’s voluptuous figure was recently featured in the Australian edition of Harper’s Bazaar, giving curvy fashionistas some long overdue editorial love. “62% of all American women (18 or older) wear a size 12+, and yet the plus size market is still overlooked.” FashionTribes.com
• Wearing a suit to walk the dog? Even if you’re President of the United States, the style is somewhat jarring. On Tuesday, when the First Family unveiled their Portuguese water dog, Bo, to the world, the President made good on his promise to bring a canine into the White House — and perhaps displayed why suits shouldn’t be worn for exercise. WWD.com
• The new French Elle features eight European celebrities on its multiple covers, un-retouched and wearing no makeup. Well, “Stars Sans Fards” loosely translates to “without makeup” but suggests a sense of openness in French. NYMag.com

• VANS has just re-launched its VANS Customs shoe site, now you can choose from three VANS favorites- the Slip-On, Era or Old School. You can customize by inspirations that VANS came up with or start on a blank slate on a white or black shoe, there are 48 colors and patterns to choose from. Nitrolicious.com
• Rapper and Dancing with the Stars contestant Lil’ Kim might be better known for her friendships with hip-hop superstars like P. Diddy and the late Notorious B.I.G., but in an interview with stylist.com, the Grammy-winner talks about her enduring friendship with star designer Marc Jacobs. People.com
• Throughout the past year, the term “shop your closet” has become ubiquitous with these gloomy economic times. I don’t know about you, but I’ve often dreamed of shopping other people’s closets—Kate Moss’s, Charlotte Gainsbourg’s, my mom’s circa 1963. Gwyneth Paltrow has now made my dream a reality—sort of. Elle.com

What’s hot this Summer and Fall 2009? Neon and it was evident as it  showed up brightening the runways at New York Fashion Week. And while European lines on the other hand featured less of these bright shades, they certainly enbraced the neon trend in last month’s issue of VOGUE. 

“This season’s explosive new shades pack a powerful punch. Tangerine, citrine and dynamic neons make for a tangy combination, as bold colour- block dresses light up the night.”

See one of their neon dresses below, combining two of the latest trends, bright, bold color and geometric patterns.

 If you have read anything in the past couple months in industry publications you can see all the fashion influential designers such as Gucci, Dior, Chanel, Balenciaga, Diane Von Furstenberg experiment with these styles and color.

Neon bright hues of orange, yellow, pink and blue are everywhere for summer, for those that enjoy the spotlight and all the attention that comes with it. Ranging from bags, jewelry and clothes, this shiny hue will be the highlight of our closets whether we chose to indulge in a little or a lot of this fashion heat wave. 

According to my very credible and unidentified sources;  “Bold colors will continue to dominate fashion trends. Bright oranges and blues were present on most catwalks. Whether worn as part of the outfit or as an accessory, these statement colors will undoubtedly help fashionable women and men express their style and personality.”

Yes, don’t let your boyfriends or gay husbands escape this trend, embrace it! I especially loved the neon pink scarf seen at fashion week wrapped around a very handsome Hilfiger model. Hot neon scarfs are a guarenteed way to stay warm on cool fall nights. And oversized geometric jackets and shalls were seen draped around the female models stretching neon into (count it) three seasons for fashionistas with vibrant, vivd florescent color.

 The LA Times recently reported on the neon craze, “A trend that started on the street, it’s now filtered up to the runway with Michael Kors’ sporty, traffic-cone-orange sweater and fox fur coat, Narciso Rodriguez’s acid-yellow bandage dress and Marc Jacobs’ electric-blue scuba-inspired poncho. A pop of color is all you need to liven up the neutrals in your wardrobe. No cash for flash? Hit the drugstore and pick up some neon lipstick or nail polish instead. Viva the 1980s.”

While I am not so sure about the neon lipstick, I do know that a splash of neon color can instantly update and refresh your wardrobe. This is also an ideal way for ladies used to blacks and neutrals to try out hints of color through accessories or a new skirt with a white/neutral top.   

One fashion writer consurs and gives caution, “Neon is on the rise. But don’t get too excited, you don’t want end up like nineties roadkill. Instead, what you’re aiming for is a subtle flash of neon, a wonderful spring glow. Chances are you’ve already thrown out brightly colored scarves, blouses maybe even your neon Pez dispensers. You only need a small amount of color to make a statement. Bright colors can be mixed and matched too for a bolder look.”

Wow Pex dispensers, I don’t think they will make a big come back this year but now you all have been educated on the neon trend, not just for Spring 2009 but Summer and Fall as well.

I’ll leave you with this last comment on how this bright trend can instant dull your fashion sense.

If you aren’t all over neon, start by mixing and matching becasue even the most confident diva can have a hard time puilling off a complete neon outfit. Be smart, use age appropriate colors and ladies, it feels “wrong” in front of the mirror, chances are you might be right.  

XOXO

• If you’re the boss, you get to bring your dog to the office. Make that dogs plural. Valentino Garavani, the Italian fashion designer who reigned for 45 years before his retirement in September 2007, never went anywhere without his six adorable pet pugs. They, along with celebrity fans such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Anne Hathaway, Elizabeth Hurley and Sarah Jessica Parker, all turn up in Valentino: the Last Emperor, a fascinating new documentary about the designer. People.com
• Marc Jacobs and Lorenzo Martone are engaged. The designer and his ad executive boyfriend, who have been together for about a year, will go public with the news beginning Thursday, when they arrive in Brazil wearing rings. The couple is headed to Martone’s native Sao Paolo for a fete celebrating the Marc Jacobs multibrand store there, which opened in January. They have not set a wedding date. WWD.com
• I don’t need to be a bride to know the importance of wedding attire, and neither does Net-a-Porter. The site has just launched a cool wedding boutique and it’s filled with beautiful offerings for everyone in the bridal party. Each category — bridal, bridesmaid, mother of the bride, and guest — provides an in-depth selection of designer dresses and accessories. Think of it as an upscale online bridal salon minus the frumpy frocks. FabSugar.com
• An UPSIDE to the financial crisis: The auditor of Crocs has “substantial doubt” about the company’s ability to stay in business amid falling revenue. Praise! NYMag.com
• So you’re in Austin. Whether you’re there for South by Southwest, taking in the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo or live there permanently, you might get a sudden itch to go Texas on your wardrobe. Statesman.com
• A Project Runway finalist is accused of using her cat as a weapon during a spat with her ex-fiance. Kenley Collins told the New York Post that the Brooklyn police report exaggerated the incident. She calls it “a miscommunication.” USAToday.com
• It’s amazing what a little contorted posing and photoshop (I’m assuming) can do for an overweight songbird. Adele is the latest chunk monster to get Voguefied. Annie Leibovitz shot this image of the recent Grammy winner, creating a shape that is a far, far cry for her normal build. FashionIndie.com

• We were a little surprised to see Michelle Obama on the front cover of Vogue. On the campaign trail, the new First Lady wore clothes by labels like H&M that everyday people could relate to — things we never see in Vogue. Yet here she is, the second First Lady to grace Vogue’s cover, after Hillary Clinton. And, unsurprisingly, the woman, who said being a fashion icon is “hard,” looks awkward. NYM
• The fashion world heads into next week’s shows amidst a steady drip feed of bad news. Guest lists have been cut in half. Alexander Wang, Calvin Klein, and even Marc Jacobs canceled their parties. Obedient Sons & Daughters, Searle, Bill Blass, and Kira Plastinina went broke. Tracey Ross’s store closed. Neiman Marcus, Saks, Chanel, and Burberry have all seen layoffs. Big names like Vera Wang, Betsey Johnson and Monique Lhuillier are forgoing the extravagance of the Bryant Park tents for something quieter. NYM
• Rachel Zoe trademarks “I die” and “Bananas.” We thought Paris Hilton bogarting the phrase “I’m hot” was the worst offense of trademark’s history. But claiming the genus of an edible plant? If we are indeed now in a time when people can just go around claiming others can’t use the images and names of tropical fruits without permission because you told your lawyer it was yours first, we choose pineapples. NYM
• The IT Holding Company, which owns the Gianfranco Ferre fashion house, has put one of its subsidiaries into bankruptcy protection, and has warned that it too, risks bankruptcy, says MSNBC. Ittierre, which has four licenses to produce Versace Sport and Just Cavalli among others, filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday.
• According to New York Magazine, the Wall Street Journal announced it would close its New York–based fashion-and-retail group. A total of fourteen were laid off, while eleven took a buyout, Forbes.com reports. Managing editor Robert Thompson said the paper would maintain fashion coverage. However, the fashion department will be downsized from a full-time staff of nine people, to five.

Take a peek at the behind-the-scenes action during the Louis Vuitton Spring/ Summer 2009 advertising campaign that Madonna brought to life.  Marc Jacobs speaks about the strength and iconic status that Madonna has become and how this was the perfect fit for their shoot.

I have to admit, she takes a great picture and this video makes for an interesting 5 minutes.  Trendsters…enjoy!!

• Economic crisis news is everywhere and especially the effects on this years retail sales numbers but here is a number we just could not ignore. RIS reports 6,000 retail stores will be closing by the end of this year. Click thru to see the list. RIS
• It turns out politicians are not the only ones making headlines for bribery charges. This week designer Marc Jacobs has coughed up $1million dollars to settle bribery case in New York. The Guardian
• ASOS defies shopping gloom by reaching height of online fashion. With the Christmas season fast appraoching, lace and prom dresses along with shiny tights have been driving sales. The number of active account holders have also risen for them to an all time high of 947,000. The Guardian
• The second annaul Supima Fashion Designer Competition is now searching for the top 25-30 designers. The open call will be held at the Thompson Hotel in SoHo on Thursday November 20th (4pm to 9pm) and Friday November 21st (10am to 1pm). 25-30 designers will be hand picked for the event. Learn more here. GlamChic
• Adidas will be launching a new line in February ’09 called SLVR. The line wil include mens and womens clothing, footwear and accessores. Read more here. Drapers
• Stylecaster , a new fashion site, launches a series of short films highlighting both established and emerging designers. The films also have their own unique soundtracks as well. The clips spotlight some big name designers such as: Richard Chai, Matthew Williamson, and Carolina Herrera.