>> Amber Valletta becomes the latest in a list of models-turned-designers — including Elle Macpherson, Kate Moss, Liya Kebede, Erin Wasson — by collaborating with LA-based contemporary sportswear brand Monrow.  

Amber Valletta for Monrow, which came about when she was introduced to Monrow's founding designers through mutual friends, covers thin layering tanks and tees, day dresses, a blazer, scarves, a cape, a smoking jacket, and a romper, which Valletta insisted upon because she "lives in them." The color palette runs through neutrals — navy, cream, black, gray, blush — with muted silver and gold, and the line, out in November, wholesales at $65 to $80, because, Amber says, “I’m not interested in making clothes that are not accessible.” 

The idea initially came as a surprise to Valletta: “I never thought about designing at all. If anything, maybe I would have done some kind of a children’s line because I love shopping with my son.”  But she's "already started working on next season."

>> Scott "The Sartoralist" Schuman has been racking up gigs — an ad campaign for Australia's SABA Denim, teaming with Adidas, not to mention that impending book — which he says "make it possible for me to go to fashion weeks in Milan, Paris, London, New York, Stockholm, Australia — but also to places like Peru, Laos, Tibet."  But Schuman, who made a stop in Toronto last Wednesday before an undisclosed "commercial gig" for Burberry on Thursday, had some other wisdom to share with Canada's Globe and Mail.  

It's all about the brand.

"When I had my showroom in New York, that's what I was telling guys like Peter Som and James Coviello: 'You have to build your brand' – and they didn't listen. I started The Sartorialist in 2005. By late 2006, I had a serious brand. A brand that meant something."

And his girlfriend, Garance Dore.

"I'm pretty good at the sex. And pretty good at picture taking. That's about it. Garance is pretty happy. And the hotel-room neighbours are pretty pissed. You can write that; that's totally fine with me."

>> Erin Wasson Showing Bigger for Spring 2010 at Barneys' Behest —Erin Wasson says that she's expanding from her typical informal Erin Wasson for RVCA presentation to the Bryant Park Tents for Spring 2010 because Barneys did so well with the collection that it asked her to expand; the forthcoming larger collection, inspired by her pit bull, Cream, and "sunset," will be in conjunction with her jewelry line, Low Luv.  As for personal progress, she just bought a house in Austin, Texas, and is wearing a tiny diamond band on her ring finger, of which she will only say: "I have a lot of love in my life. That’s the important thing." [Times UK]

>> Vogue Is Looking at a Revamp? —In light of its 36 percent September ad drop from last year's already suffering numbers, Vogue is rumored to be quietly undergoing a revamp: "Think a new circle of models, an influx of fresh, young photographers and a desire for 'unpredictability' in the stories." [The Imagist]

>> Despite early reports last week of an offer on Christian Lacroix by Bernard Krief Consulting, the label's appointed judicial administrator ruled their bid of less than a few million euros "insufficient." Two other offers of a symbolic euro were received by the deadline, but judged "inconsistent," so the forerunner appears to be Italian retailer Borletti, which has stakes in the Printemps and Rinascente department stores and which the administrator says has made "a serious offer."

Borletti envisions keeping 49 of the current 124 Lacroix employees and is said to be backed by Lacroix himself.  But BKC is not stepping down yet, saying it plans to submit an "improved" offer, with the number of jobs retained "around the hundred."

The future may be less couture, more ready-to-wear for Lacroix »

The pregnant model trend grows: Jourdan Dunn is pregnant!

Isaac Mizrahi partners with QVC.

Amber Valletta teams up with Monrow to launch her first clothing line.

Michael Bastian prepares to show his co-branded collection with Gant.