>> INSIDER WIRE —The closer to New York Fashion Week we get, the higher the toll of designers dropping their runway shows goes — two more joined the list today.  Leave it to Oscar de la Renta to buck the trend: he's adding a runway show in February, bringing his total to two, and verifying what the designer said in December: "[2008] has a been good year for me. While some businesses faced tough times, I actually added 15 employees to my company. Sales-wise, the last three months have been solid for us." [FWD]
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>> There was a little confusion yesterday over how new Bill Blass owner Peacock International Holdings was going to resurrect the Bill Blass Couture line as planned, since they didn't purchase the Couture line as part of their deal.  

As Scott Patti, Peacock's executive vice president of licensing and sales explains, the company chose not to purchase the couture line because "it wasn't healthy."  Peacock did, however, buy the right to use the Bill Blass name for any future couture and ready-to-wear lines.  The bankruptcy filed yesterday was just to clear the way for the new ready-to-wear line, which is still expected to be in place within the year.       

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>> THE MODELIZER —Catherine McNeil popped up in Sydney last week sporting crutches and a wrapped ankle, but according to her agent, it shouldn't interfere with her runway time like exhaustion did last season; It's "just a bandage, torn ligaments trekking with family in Queensland, she won't miss the shows."  [Frockwriter] 

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Kiss and Makeup makes a case for purple frosted lipstick as seen in the Zac Posen Spring 09 show. Not fully convinced, but we like the positivity!

Our DIY Network Partner, Erica B., finished making a houndstooth coat and the results put our shredded denim or dip-dyed hosiery tricks to shame.

The Fashionable Housewife reviews a beauty serum that makes your eyelashes grow longer. The best part? Infomercial! 

Fashion Binge finds an art deco bow necklace that is absolutely stunning and with bright red lipstick it's fool proof. 

>> The future of Bill Blass doesn't look so good, but another troubled house may be on the rise: Paco Rabanne.  

The label's ready-to-wear line was closed in 2006, leaving designer Patrick Robinson to take his current position as executive vice president of design for Gap.  Now, Rabanne owners Puig have just appointed a new vice president who is looking into following what Gibo is doing to resuscitate Rochas — licensing out the ready-to-wear.

The plan isn't runway-ready just yet — the new strategy is expected to be under review for up to four months — but Paco Rabanne fragrances have been taking off recently, and expanding into fashion seems the next logical step.  Paolo Melim Andersson, with his love of disk shapes and graphic designs, could be the right man for the job.  
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>> THE MODELIZER —Agyness Deyn's antics last year were polarizing (her engagement, plus her attempts to sing and act), and now they've earned her a new title: The number one spot on BBC's list of the 100 "most annoying" people of 2008. The main reasons Agy tops the list?  Her ubiquity and her eclectic style.  "She is just everywhere, you can’t get away from her,” one commenter explained. [Lancashire Telegraph]

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