Once upon a time, lace was reserved for wedding dresses, lingerie and even liturgical garments for the church. In the 21st century, lace has been democratized and transformed into a fabrication that transcends all ages and all levels of fashion. In fact, lace can be found in almost every classification of fashion and at every price level from Walmart to haute couture.

Having spent much of my life in the fashion business, I can honestly say that I was conditioned to think lace was dowdy or reserved for intimate occasions such as marriage or bed. Today we can find lace at every price on almost every age group, thanks to everyone from Madonna (think the beginning Material Girl) to Haute Couture to Rodarte at Target, we see lace in almost unimaginable classifications such as eye wear and handbags.

Lace was once a handmade product which was produced in just a few different fibers whereas today we can find in every possible fabrication at the cheapest prices as well as handmade at stratospheric prices. Lace has withstood the test of time and the whims of fashion to become what we might consider a staple for women of every age from children to adult.

As is my practice to research my topics online, you will be amazed at the versatility and stylishness of lace when used in any category of fashion. Thanks to Netaporter, Shopestyle and Bloomingdales and don’t forget to stay tuned in to http://jeffybruce.blogspot.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

Photo courtesy of FashionIndie.com

• Half of the reason why I watch television (and 75% of the reason why I never miss an episode of Gossip Girl) is for the wardrobe. FashionIndie concocted a list of 10 shows, old and new, that we may watch just to see what they’re wearing. FashionIndie.com

Photo courtesy of People.com

• On the heels of Matthew Williamson’s boldly printed summer line, H&M has announced its next high-end collaboration with star-favorite accessories brand Jimmy Choo. People.com

Photo courtesy of NYMag.com

• From the moment LC announced she’d be penning L.A. Candy, the first in a loosely autobiographical young-adult series, we’ve been dying of curiosity. Could she write better than she feigned interest in her Hills jobs? Could she write better than she designed A-line jersey dresses? NYMag.com

Photo courtesy of Nitrolicious.com

• This week the winners for the 2009 CFDA Awards were announced, were they the ones you were rooting for? I’m so happy for Alexander Wang and Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte! Nitrolicious.com

The day after Barack Obama’s presidential win, the headlines weren’t just about the new milestone our country had just experienced … it was about Michelle Obama’s dress on that historic night.

I applaud our future first lady for this choice and others she has made, that push the envelope and introduce the country and the world to designers they wouldn’t have necessarily come across otherwise. Her bold choices are a sign of independence, confidence and gusto … BRAVO !!

The future of our country seems to be laying in the hands of Obama …Mrs. Obama that is.What will decide this future? The dress she dons on January 20, 2009 for her husband’s inauguration. Of course, we all know what you wear makes a huge impression, but to have so much riding on it is unprecedented. Her choice will signify hope, promise, and for sure influence women everywhere in their fashion choices. Designers will use Michelle as a muse, and inspiration will trickle to the runways for seasons to come.

Oscar de la Renta

Many believe her choice should be an American designer, and I agree. It should stimulate excitement for the garment industry in the US, which is especially feeling the strains of the economy. There is a very delicate balance to focus on. The coveted choice Michelle makes shouldn’t be too over the top, alienating the more conservative mass, yet with her obvious youth and spunk … a fun, fabulous, slightly risky pick would be perfect.

Oscar de la Renta has been a first lady favorite for years, with Laura Bush as a huge fan and before her Hillary Clinton.

Tracy Reese

There’s Diane von Furstenberg,  Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Carolina Herrera, Phillip Lim, Peter Som, Rodarte, Nicole Miller, amongst others.

Tracy Reese would be an amazing choice; being a successful, accomplished African-American woman, very similar to our future first lady. Not to mention her designs are simply stunning.

Nicole Miller

Michael Kors has national recognition with his Project Runway fame; his designs are clean, classy and crisp, sophisticated and spectacular. He also is accessible, with a bridge line Michael Michael Kors … making him attainable for the masses, and the pick I am pushing for !!

Carolina Herrera

Quelle colour? Michelle looks amazing in most tones. Purple seems to be her color of choice. Blue would be absolutely appropriate, Red might be too much after her election night pick, and Black might be too basic.

Rachel Roy

In this case, and always: Understated elegance is always best.

She also has her two daughters to keep in mind, Sasha and Malia. They always seem to blend perfectly, with few words; their wardrobe often speaks to their individual and unique personalities.

Rodarte

Now that the election is over, and our choice for president has been made, the question is: What will Michelle wear? I can’t wait to see for myself …

Article written by Alana Kelen, Head stylist for VH1