Have a look at Rodarte’s Van Gogh-inspired “Starry Night” and “Sunflowers” side-draped silk skirts, a concept orginally shown as gowns for the label’s Spring Summer 2012 runway show. In the form of a skirt, they  allow for all the imagination and fun of the high concept runway look in a more everyday wearable version. All are U.S. handmade, and while a total of three ”Sunflowers” skirts were produced Riccardi has the one and only “Starry Night” version. These iconic skirts are now available for $2,295 each. All images and copy by Joseph Morrissey.

See the “Sunflower” skirt on the next page.

Various artists have been mentioned as working on ASAP Rocky’s first album and now pictures have surfaced showing Rocky and Kanye (above) recently getting together to cook up something. Not sure who is making what for who, but apparently Fat Joe and producer Diplo among others were also in on the session. Via Theurbandaily.

Update: We see ASAP is quoted in a Billboard interview as saying he has a crush on Lana del Ray and their single ”Ridin” (leaked last week) may or may not be featured on his upcoming album. And he’s also working with Santigold!

Have a look at Iggy Azalea and T.I. performing ”Murda Bizness” in a studio session, interesting if only because her hair is free of its usual pony tail. And yes she flips  it with the best of white girls. While her looks are hypnotizing, we’re still not all the way sold on how she projects but have to admit she sounds less shouty in studio than live.

We see over at NicoleBitchie that rap artist Eve isn’t all the way bought in either, stating, “I can’t really f-ck with her music, but her look is crazy. I just can’t believe [her music].” That being said, the readers at NB mostly gave her live Atlanta performance a thumbs up; gotta luv the open-mindedness this upcoming generation often displays. I can’t see a similarly supportive dialog occurring around a white female rapper even five years ago.

The NY Times has broken the story that Belgian designer Raf Simons (shown above) will replace John Galliano at Dior. According to the Times, talks began in October 2011:

At the time Mr. Simons, 44, was at Jil Sander. But while Mr. Simons is influential, having started the trend for bright colors that has washed over much of the affordable clothing market, and was in discussions in 2010 with the French rival PPR about taking over Yves Saint Laurent, he was not widely seen as a candidate for Dior. His minimalist designs for Jil Sander seemed at odds with Dior’s ultra-femininity. And he is a low-key presence in a business that tends to love Barnum types.

Funny, last week I was chatting with an international investor about LVMH (which owns Dior) dragging its feet on finding a Galliano replacement. He explained that LVMH let’s each house operate fairly independently and the Dior crew is known for being conservative and slow to take action, but he said that recently there had been a push from above for action and the decision would be coming down very soon. And voila, here the moment is upon us.

French artist Fafi is out and about, celebrating the launch of her first book, The Carmine Vault. One of the events included a display of the three decks shown above. Sweet! You can purchase the book here.

Accessory designer Melody Ehsani dives into gold for her Spring II lookbook and we like! For fans who adore her pop-art pieces, have no fear you haven’t been forgotten, this collection includes some of her signature pieces, too. Visit her store here.

See the rest of the Spring II looks on the next page.

A covetable coloraway of the Nike Free Gym for women has surfaced at Nike Fukuoka. More angles on th next page.

A fun play on the high heels we love and the flats we often need to run and get things done in. The big city sneakers by Be&D are just fun. Via  Jenniferle, available here in many other colors.

Recently revealed is the cover of  the very anticipated magazine by  Carine Roitfeld called CR. Take a look at the  premiere issue’s cover and a few editorials on the next page. Via Wwd. Thoughts?

Max Kibardin drfinitely  gives us a wow moment with these show stopping pink spike sandals. While pink is rarely in my color repertoire the fact that the spikes are rubber is genius and make these lovelies all the more desirable. See them on Saskia  de Brauw in Vogue Japan for May 2012 on the next page. Via.#want.