This recent picture of Taylor Momsen on the gossip girl set shows a different direction in her character’s style that is if anything, very well put together while still staying true to  being a little junior. The unexpected  contrast of the  blue satin booties really kicks the look up a notch.  More images on the next page via wire. 

Lois and I have been  observing the transformation of singer Shakira who made her fame as an edgy “Rock en Espanol” sensation. I can’t say that her switching to  english has killed her edge but the  mainstream-ness of her look in recent appearances: Straight blond hair, little dress and heels has us a little worried. While we  understand transformation, and reinvention of style, looking more glamourous  in these parts we truly believe in the need for individual expression in fashion. Especially for performers who often end up looking like carbon copies of each other.While for the most part she does not look bad ,  what happens when you  totally shed what made you special and unique ?  More images on the flip via wire.

During her recent album launch party Rihanna dazzled in spiky gold dress and changed into a red number with spiky shoulder epaulets making her of course stunning and somewhat  untouchable… More images on the next page.Via wire & justjared.

Though I’m far from sold on the the whole concept of “toning” shoes, aka, footwear like FitFlops, which supposedly have the power to firm your butt, I gotta hand it to girl-genius Marcia Kilgore (she of Bliss Spa fame). She launched  the FitFlop shoe line two years ago and has only sold 4 or 5 million pairs since then. And whether or not you believe, the truth is her line stands up based on fashion alone. The “Shakoa” boot featured here gets extra points, not just because it’s a collabo with Kilgore’s old pal Ana Sui, but because the design very nicely spices up a classic look via a studded star and a side tassle(!). The boots (also in green and blue) are now available exclusively on Net-A-Porter and ShopIntuition (already sold out in a bunch of sizes in both places).

Rihanna peformed at the American Music Awards last night. A bunch of the performers took portraits. Here are a couple of shots from RihRih’s session. I’d say she’s in a kind of can-do-no-wrong phase where her fashion choices are concerned. Ten years from now she’ll be highlighted as a statement maker for this era. What can be said about the fact that she’s yet to make the cover of Vogue other than once again the mag has missed the boat.

Much ado was made about Victoria’s Secret fashion show at the end of last week. It hadn’t been done for a few seasons and the idea is that its reemergence is some sign of optimism. The show was okay. You can can tell the brand is trying to be more Viki, aka, playful and modern, and less Victoria. I’m not NOT a fan (bought some adorable panties at a VS store a couple weeks back), but I thought the show was just okay. Still, there was some great people watching as always at the show. I picked Heidi for the front page shot because I thought she look amazing (check out her finger accessories!), though when I saw she was quoted at the show as still needing to lose 20 pounds I couldn’t help but feel dismayed and a little disappointed. Oh Heidi. Still think she’s a peach.

After the jump: Keri Hilson looking super fab and shaking hands with Mr. Knowles, plus two daughters whose mothers’ fame precedes them: Chanel Iman and Julia Restoin-Roitfeld.

All images Wire.

I’m experiencing Christmas pony syndrome with this oufit. I’ll spell it out for you: that’s when you as a young girl put in a request to Santa for a pony because the only thing you want in the entire world is a pony and then somehow the girl down the street gets the pony, which so obviously was meant for you! The dress with the just-perfect shoulder poofs, the open-lace combat boots, the LOUIS.VUITTON.FANNY.PAC!! WITH TASSLES! I’m dying here, people. Dying.

Images via Ultimate Rihanna via JustJared.

Rihanna has been spotted living it up in London recently. Nice to see her enjoying herself for a change.  More importantly, look at the LV drawstring tote she’s sporting! This one is from the Spring 2010 LV collection, which featured the controversial clogs. I am loving the new tassle trend and even though I’ve never been a big drawstring fan, this one has made me a convert, with its ever-so-cute wrist strap and the mix and match of LV leathers featured on the bag.

Image from Pointemout.

A bunch of the music, film and fashion world’s heaviest hitters came out in force for a 30th anniversary gala had at Los Angeles’s Museum of Contemporary Art on Saturday. The intriguing combo of Chloe Sevigny and French Vogue Editor, Carine Roitfeld, is featured here, but after the flip you’ll find Miucca Prada (check out her shoes!), Gwen & Gavin, Pharrell, Takashi Murakami, Rachel Zoe, Eva Mendes, Ciara, Lady GaGa, resident hottie James Franco (with a woman on his arm!) and a very severe-looking Jeremey Scott.

All images Wire.

I was tickled to see that news of Obama’s visit to China had inspired the folks there in many of the same ways his storybook rise captured the hearts of many Americans. The image here shows some of the t-shirts and other memorabilia that local shopkeepers started selling in advance of his arrival. But much like a NYPD clamp down on Chinatown shops selling fake Prada bags, the Chinese government fanned out and put an end to the sale of  t-shirts and other items holding up Barry as a modern-day version of Mao. Supposedly they were concerned Obama would be insulted by the comparison to the world’s most famous communist, but who knows. I don’t know nearly enough about Chinese politics/history to guess some of the hidden reasons. Meanwhile, now that the tees have been banned, there collectable status has just been raised four-fold (and yep, you can already find them on Ebay).