>> A LITTLE TURN ON THE CATWALK —Don't forget, if you're so inclined, Gucci is streaming their Resort 2009 presentation live from Rome — it should start shortly, but in the meantime, you can catch live video from backstage, the red carpet, and the mingling on the runway . . . I just saw Sasha Pivovarova, Mariacarla Boscono, and Iekeliene Stange getting their hair done. [Gucci.com]

This isn't the first time a simple canvas shoe has made waves in the fashion community. Rubber Duck, this summer's version of the Easys, Chuck Taylors, or Keds of yesteryear, is being donned by everyone from high-design wearing uptown gals (admittedly, to the grocery store and whatnot) to downtown fashionista's whose wardrobes host a variety of price points. The funny thing, the unsurprising thing, is the discrepancy in price point. Where OAK and Zappos sell their Rubber Duck slip-ons for close to sixty dollars, Shoes.com (thank you for that brilliant name) is retailing them at around half that price. Furthermore, we've seen vendors selling them for twenty on the weekends in Nolita. So, let's just take it in stride. Let's take it as another obvious example of being loyal to a store, not because of their prices, but because of their taste. Let's also take it as an example of the summertime shoe that costs less than a dollar to make, but still lures us in somehow (oh, i'll add these to my shopping cart), time and time again.

Hilary Rhoda with Carolyn Murphy, Elizabeth Hurley after ringing the opening bell on the New York Stock Exchange; New York, July 8.
*image: source

Even the most educated fashionista can accidentally wear a rip-off. If you're the type of fashion enthusiast who wears everything from Louboutin, to Acne, to Forever 21, then you'll understand this particular predicament. First, the story. A few weeks ago we were shopping up by Herald Square. After hitting up some of the garment district shops for applique goodies (we like a DIY challenge once in a while) we felt our ability to sift through the mass retailer offerings especially acute. So, we dove into H&M and Forever 21 and it took a few hours but we were pleased with the results. A color block dress, a pair of high waisted parachute pants, a denim jumper, a straw hat, and one thirty dollar bucket bag. The bag came last but was added to the pile because the one we were carrying during this endeavor was losing its (many times repaired) strap. About a week later, after many compliments, we discovered the bag on our unassuming shoulder was a Marni rip-off. Now, we look at all of the shows, we read all of the major fashion publications, we're more or less obsessed with all things fashion, since ummmm its our job (though it must be said that this post is is not written by the "we" who is downright obsessed with all things Marni and consumes a great deal of it- Editor's Note: that Marni devotee would Julie our EIC ), but somehow, this particular design fell through the cracks and made us the unfortunate victim of a copyright crime. Because we avoid these blatant rip-offs like the plague, it was especially upsetting. Fashionista runs a nice little feature called Adventures in Copyrights, which keep us clued in to the worst of these examples. No matter how much coverage these items receive, nor how aware you are of what's happening in fashion, if you shop at the chain stores it's likely that you'll make a slip. We're not sure how to solve this problem, all we know is that Topshop is states-bound (which will surely make the process more complicated) and that, as soon as we discovered that our bucket bag was, well, someone else's, we hopped online and bought our old bag in a new color. Below, in honor of the violation, a spread of our favorite bags that, we're sure, are not rip offs. Sure they're more expensive than what you'll find at H&M, but they'll more than likely save you in the long run. Trust us.

Matthew Williamson, creative director of Pucci, is opening a second outpost for his namesake line in the Meatpacking District. In the past few years Williamson has garnered a strong American following as many a rock star and celeb have donned his colorful designs (while Net-a-Porter peddles it to the masses). Williamson's line was borne in 1997 and his first store opened in London in 2004. A spokeswoman for Williamson was quoted in saying that the next move for Williamson a la brick and mortar will be somewhere in the Middle East. Looks like Williamson, thanks to Pucci and famous people's affinity for bright clothing, is hitting his stride. If you fancy a colorful frock or tank, it's all on sale below. Frankly, we're partial to Williamson's aesthetic in Fall if only because it's more fun to wear bright colors and mixed prints at times when everyone really needs the visual optimism. Matthew Williamson's Fall 08 Fashion Show offered just that. Cobalt and lemon solids, rainbow print knits, and little vests with purple shearling trim made for a very busy collection that, in the end, was smart more than it was overwhelming.