>>  So she writes books called The Debutante Divorcee -- Plum Sykes still has some good things to say:

I am not sure that I agree that the American heiress has ever gone out of style or will ever go out of style. I think she’s a classic. Actresses really do go in and out individually and it seems so flash in the pan. Actresses are creations of stylists, of studios, of movies; the clothes that they wear have nothing to do with where they come from. But the social girls have unbelievable style and taste, and that taste is always interesting to other women. If you take Nicole Richie, I don’t think she has intrinsic style. I think she puts on loads of beautiful clothes and she looks fine. But I think Marina Rust has an impeccable taste, style, history, glamour, which Nicole Richie will never have. It’s the genuineness that people respond to I think.

I'm not sure I agree with her about all the socialites -- part of her job for Vogue is to cover the society set, after all.  In fact, she's one of the society set herself, so she's probably just slightly biased.  But as to the part about Nicole Richie: Amen, sister!  I guess that's why Nicole Richie hasn't made to cover of Vogue yet...

>> Reports were looking otherwise for a while there, but a little birdie has just informed me that Proenza Schouler is Target's next Go International designer (after Tara Jarmon, of course).  Jack, Lazaro, if you're listening -- make it like your Fall/Winter 2005 collection.  But no hard feelings if you don't -- I will so be at Target opening day anyway. 

>>  Just wanted to share my new favorite you-can-want-but-you-can't-have shoe company: Loeffler Randall.  The shoes are beautiful, just beautiful.  And they're catching on like nobody's business -- Satine, Bergdorf, Neimans, Shopbop all stock them.

>>  We all can see the runway models and clothes via style.com, but this is the part we don't get to see.  And it is amazing.  This is the runway for Chanel's Couture show back in January 2005, taken by Frank Perrin.  If you're in Paris, this photo is actually part of an exhibit all about the runway at the Musee Galliera until July 30.  This is the only picture I've seen from it, but if its any sign, the exhibit is definitely worth seeing.   

**source: gogoparis

>>  Zee next designer for Target, eet ees zee Tara Jarmon.  The designer's line will debut on May 1, I believe, and stick around for 90 days.  A few of the pieces (I like that color-block dress, but not much else so far) and some of the details can be seen below, grâce à the May Teen Vogue.

>>  She's got editorials, she's got paintings, she's got statues, she's got magazine covers, she's got ad campaigns... who is she?  Why Kate Moss, of course.  Chalk another one up to the eternal it-girl of all it-girls -- now she's doing major ad campaign for Nikon's Coolpix camera.  You know you've breached that supermodel/celebrity line when...

>>  Maybe I'm the only one who has noticed this, but I thought I would give it a try anyway...  I've been a big Nylon fan for a long time running now (we're talking years).  I used to read it cover to cover -- many many hours were spent perusing the pages.  Now, I just skim -- don't get me wrong, there's definitely still some good stuff.  But I'm just not inclined to read it all anymore.  Maybe it's my age difference... or maybe not. 

But since we're on Nylon, the latest cover girl for May 2006 is Mischa Barton, and for June 2006 it's reportedly Ashley Olsen (with lots and lots of Cartier).  This is one change I have noticed -- maybe it's not permanent (it's just been the past couple of months), but I kind of liked it better when the cover girls were people like French actress Ludivine Sagnier (loved her in Swimming Pool!) and the lesser knowns, not Hollywood it girls.  So Nylon, if you're reading, keep going with the offbeat -- that's why I love you. 

>>  Rachel Zoe is officially a designer now -- she created a handbag collection with Judith Leiber that will launch this September at Neimans.  She is also pursuing women's apparel (surprise!), although nothing is set in stone at this point in time. 

Zoe told WWD that she is obsessed with animal skins.  In fact, the line, Rachel Zoe for Judith Leiber, incorporates lizard, crocodile, python, and nine other materials in two silhouettes.  The Medusa is a pliable satchel with ruched outside pockets at the sides, woven leather or suede shoulder straps and a flap closure. The Cleopatra is an oversize, rectangular minaudière. Both bags come in about 12 color variations, including a siren red and a matte gold, and are topped off with a heavy gold fob depicting two snakes — a favorite Zoe motif — coiled around a ring.  They will range in price from $2,000 to $10,000. The higher range includes bags like one Zoe affectionately calls "The Mac Daddy," a minaudière encrusted with gold and pewter crystals that retails for $8,000.

"Mac Daddy" for $8,000 -- oh boy.  It will be interesting to see how original these bags look. And how nice that Zoe already has a crop of girls to carry around her bags for her -- she won't even have to spend money on advertising.   

>>  I saw a girl wearing these earrings today, and they are fantastic.  Perfect size, perfect shape, everything.  Of course, I've always been a sucker for the leafy, but when they're $9 earrings, I think that's okay. 

>>  That's my policy for something like this: absolutely beautiful, but totally out of my price range.  Temple St. Clair's crystal egg amulet pendant, $325-$1,550 (depending on size, diamonds, etc.).