Sooo Fabulous!

Image :: Tracy Reese

First Lady Michelle Obama covers the March 9 special double issue of People.

For the shoot, she donned a Tracy Reese Spring 2009 Lace Kimono Dress.

Unlike so many other pieces she’s worn, apparently this one is available for regular people.

You can get it at the Tracy Reese Flagship store, 1-888-818-7336 or 212-809-0505.

Or if you’re in the area, visit them at

641 Hudson Street

New York, NY 10014

Featured: Victoria’s Secret Retro bustier one-piece. $88

Featured: Victoria’s Secret Very Sexy link sliding triangle top and string bottom. Top: $44, Bottom: $42

The glamour is back. Subdued color palettes and dramatic touches like jeweled embellishments, Swarovski crystals, gold hardware and leather trims offer plenty of luxury and sophistication.

See what’s new in Swim for 2010.

A while back some our fave places to shop announced their plans to cut staff.

So I wasn’t that surprised when I heard of J. Crew Group, Inc.’s plan to begin a serious cost reduction program.

According to the company’s calculations, they’ll save about $40 million before tax every year with this news strategy.

To save more they’ve begun by

1. Reducing the workforce by approximately 95 positions (including positions that are currently unfilled) primarily in the New York offices and support functions in the field and distribution centers. That’s about 10% of each department.
   
2. Suspending the 401(k) Plan with J. Crew matching contributions through the balance of 2009.
   
3. Eliminating 2009 merit based wage increases for the entire workforce.
   
4. Initiating other company-wide cost reduction programs to produce efficiencies in areas such as supply chain, store operations, real estate, catalog circulation, and other general savings in the New York offices.
   

If management needed suggestions on how to help boost their bottom line, they could’ve asked me!

My recommendation?

1. Having super sales at every J.Crew store!!!

On a serious note, however, this announcement really is a sign of the times.

I’m  hoping the people who lose their jobs find new (and better) gigs soon.

There’s no denying it.

It’s extremely hip to be environmentally conscious right now.

That’s just one of the reasons why the recently launched 100% vegan PINK beauty product line could be Victoria’s Secret’s cash cow.

What’s more, each ingredient is U.S.-sourced, the packaging is made from recycled materials and nothing’s over $12.

Pretty neat!

Sports Illustrated 2009 Swimsuit Issue cover model Bar Refaeli did a great thing for the future of the fashion industry last night.

And Benji and Joel Madden of Good Charlotte, Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas, Robert Buckley of Lipstick Jungle and Frankie Delgado of MTV’s Bromance and The Hills helped her out.

Together, the celebs judged Walk the Walk, a fashion design competition developed by Hurley to inspire creativity and confidence among future generations.

While they were there, Hurley also launched the Hurley Microphone for Youth t-shirt design competition.

It’s a platform for young people to express themselves creatively and win exciting prizes.

The competition runs through March 30. Aspiring designers and artists can upload their artwork to www.Hurley.com, with web site visitors voting for their favorite.

The designer of the winning t-shirt will be announced on April 1, 2009 on Hurley.com and will receive $5,000 and see their design sold through Hurley’s online store.

Not shabby at all. 

Rapper T.I. performs at BET’s Rip the Runway.

The folks at BET don’t want us to forget about Rip The Runway.

They’re calling it “one incredibly sexy fashion show,” which features model-turned-actress, Joy Bryant, and actor, Derek Luke.

If you miss it next Monday at 9 p.m., you can tune in on Thursday at 8 p.m. or Friday, March 6 at 10 p.m.

When news of Christian Siriano’s collection for Payless broke, the buzz was almost deafening.

With New York Fashion Week over and done, I can’t help but wonder how the Project Runway winner will cope where sales are concerned.

The way I see it, in the end, it will be the discriminating fashionista who determines the fate of the Payless-Siriano partnership.

Will she make the trek to the traditionally low priced footwear store to snap up Christian’s collection?

Only time will tell.

Meanwhile, in case you missed it, click on the thumbnails to see what Siriano brought at his New York Fashion Week runway show.

Compliment your look with accessories and footwear adorned with ethnic-inspired gemstones and hardware.

Featured: Jessica Simpson ‘Carsi’ global thong with metal beading, chocolate, $78.95. In BP. Shoes at Nordstrom and online at nordstrom.com. 

News of celebrity clothing lines just keeps rolling in.

It’s arguable that in this case, we’re using the term “celebrity” too loosely.

Call him what you like but Kevin Federline is still going to design children’s clothing.

He confirmed it with Women’s Wear Daily in a story published today.

According to the report, K-Fed is hoping to keep the pieces affordable for parents. 

WWD did not confirm the name of the line or a launch date.

Read the original story.

Have you seen the trailer for Season 5 of The Hills?

I hate to buy into the hype but it really looks like the show’s going to have all my attention for the entire season.

Heidi and Spencer’s marriage on the rocks? Lauren and Heidi’s reunion?

Wow!!

Watch the trailer.