>> The second episode of Coco Rocha's "Insider's Guide to Backstage" has appeared, and this time she ends her sentences with question marks, "pretends" to ask Jean Paul Gaultier questions at her Spring 2009 fitting, because "I'm pretending to know what I'm doing," and lets us in on why models think JPG has the best fittings.  As Coco practices her contemporary dance choreography to open the show, JPG giggles his way through the entire video.

>> THE MODELIZER —Natalia Vodianova has been spotted in Rio de Janeiro for Claro Rio Summer, with husband and three children — all wearing 100 SPF sunscreen — in tow.  And it gets more decadent: Vogue's favorite rags-to-riches princess and family were in Uruguay last week, previewing the property on the coast where they've been building a summer home. [Chic Report, Style File]

>> Ever the enfant terrible grown up, Alexander McQueen has already used his new McQ partnership with Target to thumb his nose at Topshop.  Now that the collaboration has gone public, the invitation for the McQ pressday, which read, "Chopshop, Higher Street Fashion," makes for an obvious dig, since McQueen is taking his British business elsewhere.

Speaking of the McQ-Target deal, a few more details have come to light.  The initiative that McQueen is kick-starting for Target, Designer Collaborations, involves established designers picking a muse to work from; Lee chose Leila Moss, lead singer of The Duke Spirit, to inspire his collection of studded sleeveless shirtdresses, zipper cardigans, tuxedo blazers, gray denim studded jackets, skinny jeans, and mermaid tattoo-printed strapless dresses.
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Today it rained all day and we thought it was Thursday by accident but that didn't stop us from getting down to business and keeping the fashion momentum--nor did it stop our Network Partners!.

We learn about a new brand every day...Clothes Pin gave a shoutout to Hoakon/Helga, a new eco-friendly accessories company based in Canada.

We received a tutorial on Takashi Murakami from Fashion Nation as part of an ongoing course on Japanese designers. We think her investment in talking about the East in the West is a wise one. 

Sandra Backlund might not be an unknown designer but we agree with The Bread And Butter that her designs are positively mesmerizing. 

Finally, this post was the sweetest in our Network today. Kingdom Of Style talked about receiving a gift and also the more meaningful merits of blogging. 

>> INSIDER WIRE —Anna Wintour was spotted making the trek to vote yesterday, but Andre Leon Talley went even further, appearing in the VIP section at Crandon Park last night to witness Barack Obama's acceptance speech in person.  Bets are already being placed on when Michelle Obama will get her Vogue cover — February would be perfectly timed with the inauguration, and perhaps she'd be in another Narcisco Rodriguez dress since she favored the designer last night?  [FWD]

>> Claudia Schiffer is likely no longer Chanel's girl, but she got the better end of the bargain with a two-for-one deal. Not only is she repeating as Salvatore Ferragamo's campaign girl for Spring 2009, but she's picking up two new campaigns — Dolce & Gabbana, which she's rumored to be doing with two other girls, including Mariacarla Boscono, and Yves Saint Laurent.  She's currently appearing in Dolce's Resort 2009 campaign with Maryna Linchuk and Catherine McNeil, so Spring is a logical continuation. As for the YSL appointment, if it can be judged by Naomi Campbell's Fall 2008 run, means we'll be seeing lots of Claudia wearing Yves Saint Laurent to events and maybe even a cover with Stefano Pilati.

Although it's too early in the casting season to be sure, it looks like brands are still willing to shell out those supermodel dollars for a recognizable face.
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>> INSIDER WIRE —Behold, the first production still from Coco Avant Chanel, with Audrey Tautou starring as the designer in her early years.  Filming has been underway since Sept. 15 in Paris and Normandy, and the movie's release date is expected to be late 2009.  Hopefully more stills will be out soon, so we can see more of those costumes Karl Lagerfeld is said to be supervising. [The Age]

We're big time proponents of lady-like dressing because, as much as we like the tough-girl look that's sweeping the fashion scene, deep-down we don't love leaving the house feeling like we're dressed up as a man/vampire. After reading about Chloe Sevigny's men's line in girl sizes on Fashionologie, and checking out the Spring 09 Lover collection on Refinery 29, we feel like the more feminine side of our current fashion climate is peaking out from the behind the curtain...there couldn't be a better time to write about Dagmar Spring 2009. Ladylike, fashion forward, casual, and cool this collection has us at hello in the W29 showroom. This Spring 09 season featured knits and nudes fit for a ballerina and some more structured pieces to keep things tidy. We don't need garlands in our hair and slips under our skirts but we don't always want to dress like it's the apocalypse--after all, we have a new president now. Check out the Spring 09 look book, right here, and below, our photos from the showroom.