>> The man who drapes cloth into confections like the one on the right has quit his namesake company, his backers Sharai and Andre Meyers announced yesterday.  Monsieur Roland Mouret will continue as head designer of Roland Mouret long enough to present a Fall/Winter 2006 collection, and then he'll leave his name behind with the company.  No decisions on who will replace Monsieur Mouret have been made. 

I'm still in a state of shock...he's one of my favorite designers.  Surprising as this seems, apparently the relationship with the Meyers has always been voltatile.  Monsieur Mouret is quoted in September as saying, "It was like love at first sight when we met.  We just clicked.  Then her husband encouraged her to work with me.  And we're like husband and wife, and the company is our baby.  Sometimes we think alike, other times we fight like cats and dogs.  We have two distinctly different backgrounds -- she's Scottish, and quiet, and I'm French, fiery, and, well, a guy."

Pauvre, pauvre Monsieur Mouret...I hope to see you back soon.      

**sources: vogue uk, style.com

>> Mattel is expanding Barbie's domain to include high-end designer clothing.  Yes, you heard me right.  Barbie, that inhumanly large-busted, small-waisted, long-legged individual with the feet permanently in high heel shape, is getting a clothing line.  For adult women.  The so-called "Barbie Luxe" line will include jeans, shirts, handbags, and jewelry designed by the likes of Anna Sui, Citizens of Humanity, Judith Leiber, Paper Denim & Cloth, Stila, and Tarina Tarantino (a good pick on that one, I must say).  Barbie is their muse, so think pink stitching on jeans or a retro silhouette on a cameo pendant.  Pardon me while I cackle at this idea -- it's supposed to be targeted at "the fashionista."  Well, I never did like Barbie as a kid.   

**sources: usa today, blogger