Gold pyramid studs and silver grommets trim the best of fall's accessories. Prada's cut-out platforms and Topshop's strappy heels soften the hard edge with burgundy leather and teal suede, while Miu Miu offers traditionally tough black leather booties and cropped gloves. Our pick for best of the bunch? HTC's brown leather belt with brass nail heads—the perfect mid-season accessory to update spring's floral frocks.
>> For his second major runway show in Paris — last time around he surprised everyone with a video presentation instead — Gareth Pugh, went softer, androgynous, and gray. None of his until-now trademark hard-edged black and white palette to be seen — gray covered the model's faces, hairs, nails, bodies, and even blocked out their eyebrows. Toni Garrn walked for the first time this season.
Showstopping plumed mohawk headdresses are an editorial shoe-in, and will perhaps soon be seen on front row guest Rihanna, dressed in Pugh, who marked the designer's first major celebrity front row guest (Adrian Grenier and Michael Stipe also attended). Both menswear and womenswear were combined into one show this season, which ended with the Cranberries' "Zombie" playing — perhaps symbolic of the season's "gender-bending zombie look," as the Los Angeles Times's Booth Moore put it. More details from the show here.
>> Brian Atwood to Leave Bally? —Despite a Bally spokesperson dismissing rumors of Brian Atwood departing the brand — "Brian is still the Creative Director for Bally. He is currently working on the next collection and, no, he is not leaving" — multiple sources say otherwise. Supposedly, the designer and label had been in negotiations, and he is expected to step down by the end of this year; he was informed of the decision a few days ago, according to one source, but plans to continue his eponymous line. [FWD]
>> Paris Fashion Week kicked off today, and guests are currently filtering into the Palais de Tokyo for Gareth Pugh's second outing at Paris Fashion Week — and his second major runway show in the city (last time around, he only did a video presentation). Sounds like he's foraying into hosting celebrities in his front row for the first time — Rihanna already arrived, wearing one of his striped LBDs, with Ellen von Unwerth, and Adrian Grenier and Michael Stipe have also been spotted. Daphne Guinness, Pugh's backer Michele Lamy and her husband Rick Owens, and Mario Testino all also in attendance.
Word from backstage is hair is being over to block the eyebrows, more details to come as the show starts momentarily.
Update 1: Karlie Kloss opens. [Next Models NYC Twitter]
Verdicts from Mario Testino, Daphne Guinness, and the general reaction »
W magazine is searching for America's most talented young photographer.
The winner of W's first-ever photography contest, W: The Art Project, will have his or her work featured in the magazine's 4th annual Art Issue and receive a three month consultation with art consultant Blair Voltz Clarke.
Hopefuls must work within the provided theme of "obsession" and can submit original works starting tomorrow through December 1st. A panel of industry experts will narrow down the entrants to 20 semifinalists, after which the public will vote to select a winner.
Sometimes no color is the best color. The runways in New York, London, and MIlan were noticeably nude for spring 2010 with a number of designers showing variations of natural skin-toned hues. Christopher Kane, Oscar de la Renta, and Karl Lagerfeld at Fendi chose see-through, embellished neutrals; while Thakoon and Donna Karan preferred to drape, fold and tuck the fabric into Grecian-style dresses.
Dooney & Bourke pass on young Hollywood—Emma Roberts, Hayden Panettiere, Mischa Barton and Lindsay Lohan have been featured in ads—and name model Maggie Rizer new face of campaign.
Rio and Mario Testino: A love story told by Gisele Bündchen.
Anja Rubik has a yogi moment with Wii Fit.
Sessilee Lopez and Chanel Iman have a twitter tiff.
Rodarte will be the second in a series of designer installations at the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum.
