Two heavy hitters–Balmain & Kate Moss–come together on a fall ad campaign. Naturally they look very good together, as alphas often do. Via FashionCopious.

Big name models are back in style, as if you didn’t already know, and it looks like part of the ushering in of the new era involves giving a nod to those from the old guard. The August issue of Dazed & Confused magazine features an amazingly shot (Roe Ethridge) and styled (Katie Skillingford) editorial, featuring Alek Wek, Julia Stegner, Tasha Tilberg, Christina Kruse, Hannelore Knuts, Ana Beatriz Barros and Karolina Kurkova. The shot on this page features Alek Wek in a Balmain dress, Prada shos and an Atsuko Kudo latex glove. All via FashionGoneRogue.

After the flip see Stegner in a Comme de Garcon plaid top, Jeremy Scott boots and an Alexis Bittar spike ring, plus a close-up on Kurkova wearing butterfly eyebrow extensions.

How you like Sephora now, nail art girls?–Style

Racked has jokes about that ridiculously priced Balmain tee-shirt.–Racked

Meanwhile, will the Racked editors collapse in a sobbing heap if they’re not the first to pin down the location of Alex Wang’s first retail door?–Racked

If we didn’t include Paulina’s last name (Porizkova) in this post would you know who we were talking about? (And even now with her full government, do you still not know who she is??)–Modelina

Praying that this doesn’t turn into a Lauryn Hill part two story–Blogue via Gawker

Colette along with DC Comics has invited a bunch of fashion’s heaviest hitters to celebrate the publishing house’s 75th anniversary by collaborating on a design inspired by a DC Comic super hero.  A Pierre Hardy bag  inspired by Clark Kent’s alter ego is featured on this page, and on the next page is a Wonder Woman dress by Sonia Rykiel, driving gloves by Karl Lagerfeld, tee-shirts by My Face and Balmain, plus a super cool Wonder Woman headband by Maison Michel and some sunglasses by Thierry Lasry.  

In high fashion,  this  snobette  usually can justify  a certain price tag as it relates to quality, craftmanship  or even  prestige . However when a simple cotton t-shirt with random cut holes is priced at $1625, I have to publicly disagree . Unless of course there  was only one tee  in the world and it was cut up by Pierre Balmain himself.  Something that would never happen since the house was originally a symbol of couture and classic  refinement .  Descarnin’s new spin  on  the label has received well deserved praise since he took design lead in 2005, but this  is one I think the House of Balmain  can live without.  I love  a ripped tee but , but  can you really  justify the price ? I’d love to know the markup on that one… Via net-a-porter. Detailed view on the next page.

At first glance at the jacket on the left I thought I was looking at Balenciaga or Balmain. But no, This collection is the latest reincarnation of Valentino by designers Maria Grazia Chiuri & Pier Paolo Piccioli.Call me  old school but , being that Valentino is part of that “Holy Grail” of high end fashion that existed bafore most of us were born.

I hesitate to say that I am  fully sold on  the direction. I’m all for reinvention however  hasn’t the Sci-fi- ish thing been done? Thankfully there is detailing on those pieces like the ruffled jumpsuit  that I know would have made Mr. Garavani proud. More images on the next page via style &wire.

We had to feature these  stunning Zan Sandals by LAMB  who prove  that  a contemporary footwear label can get on the strappy bootie trend and  still come up with something different instead of outright copying the Givenchys, Lanvins and Balmains. Available at heels.com &  at zappos in brown. A detailed view on the next page.

The perfect pedicure added  to  the perfect sandals , via Jak&Jil of course. Tommy Ton we  just Luv u!!!

I have always been a fan of designer partnerships with mass retailers,” Sui told WWD exclusively. “I think it is a great way to bring fashion to everyone. I love Go International and was intrigued with Target’s new take on designer partnerships. It’s a fresh approach. I was able to select a muse or source of creative inspiration to focus the collection around. It is an exciting challenge to try and interpret my aesthetic into a mass-produced product with a specific inspirational source as the focus.”via wwd

The last target collabo I lost it for was Proenza Schouler and really the rest has been a blur, I can’t keep up. Let’s see how this one goes. Although the Gossip Girl inspiration cited in the article worries me a bit. Regardless Anna Sui rocks! What’s the next  one ? Balmain for Gap ? Balenciaga for Topshop ? or Prada for H&M…

When brands like Pucci, Balmain and Lanvin are turning out edgy rocker chick looks on their runways, I always wondered if  the originators of these luxury icons would agree. Nina Ricci who brought us l’air du temps and a decidedly feminine aesthetic,  launched a handbag  available this fall,   from what we can see  these  are a good classic reflection of what we remember Nina Ricci to be. A few more looks on the next page.