Its easy to take potshots at hiptser fashion as being a bit silly. Unwearable clothing is a pastime in our hood and a few of your editors have been known to indulge. But we were never completely convinced that the Williamsburg set was dim. But it would seem a few other designers are not totally sold on just how bright they are as a demographic Stained Couture introduced us to this Marc by Marc Twinsie Cardigan. And then we saw it again on Chic and Untroubled. Sure its a bit cute that it has the two tone action going on. Every diffusion line needs a design gimmick in order to justify its price tag as far as we are concerned. But then we came across this pair of American Apparel leggings that is going the two tone route as well. Is this some sort of subtle kindergarten nudge to help us all remember which arm or leg is our "other left" appendage? In which case wearing both garments at the same time is sure to help drunk or otherwise addled fashion hipsters to remember how to turn left at Houston.

Our network partner, Fashion Indie, reported this morning on the Marc Jacobs Resort 2009 collection. His take on the collection (and the title to his post)? "Jewel-Toned Heart Adorned Kimono Wearing Gladiators from the 90’s Enslave Powersuit Wearing Women from the 80’s with Bows". Well, 'aint that a mouthful. The Marc Jacobs Resort 2009 collection was, indeed, a menagerie of cultural references (as usual, eh?) but one unified sentiment stood out to us.

Yves Saint Laurent, who passed away this weekend, pioneered the iconic look known as Le Smoking. That suit, in the mid-late 1960's, emboldened suiting for women and gave them, perhaps for the first time in a long time, a sleek, powerful silhouette. Now, it's impossible that Marc Jacobs could have anticipated Yves Saint Laurent's death (Jacobs can be perverse, not that much so) but it does strike us as one of those coincidences we might attribute to the collective unconscious.

Le Smoking, as everyone knows, single handedly gave way to the all-encompassing 'power suit'. The Le Smoking look, reinterpreted many times by Saint Laurent himself, encouraged strong shouldered blouses and jackets and androgynous trousers on every working woman from the 1970's clear through the 1990's. The Jacobs Resort collection, whether referencing the 1980's or 1990's has this silhouette in mind. Jacobs, for Resort, called up the power suit (with a definite nod to French style--also relevant) as a source of inspiration and this, to us, is a coincidence that only solidifies how unforgettable and irreplaceable are both Yves Saint Laurent and Marc Jacobs to fashion.

Stella McCartney will show a collection at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts on June 1. The show is part of a program that will celebrate Liverpool as the European capital of culture in 2008.

Proenza Schouler continues resort season with a collection inspired by loungewear and layering. WWD calls it a collection full of contrast: "masculine, slouchy suit in delicate silk paired with a structured linen coat, and a flimsy checkered beaded dress layered over pajama pants."

Yigal Azrouël is opening a destination store in Water Mill New York. We have no clue where Water Mill is located.

Marc Jacobs thinks Tom Ford was a preppy back in the day. We say Tom Ford can be however he wants to be.

Apparel trends are still dismal. And we mean finances not the actual clothing.

In Soviet Russia Gap clothing wears you! No really, the Gap is opening in Russia thanks to a franchising agreement with Fiba Holding AS.

Aesthetes, Bohemians & Craftsmen opens at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles.

Chicago may have had a few embarrassing moments with a ersatz fashion week that never was, but that isn't stopping the city's ambitions. The School of The Art Institute of Chicago is beefing up its fashion program. It has announced a new master's degree in fashion design and simultaneously unveiled newly renovated studio space housing facilities for fabric development and manipulation as well as a shoe, millinery and accessories laboratory.

V is for profit. Both Versace and Valentino Group reported sales growth in the first quarter.

Pain at the pump isn't that funny of a joke when it means higher shoe prices. Guess its getting just as expensive to hoof it as to drive.

Vera Wang isn't afraid of a little economic downturn. She wants to open more stores.

Despite Marc Jacob's best efforts somehow the world has not gotten past Warhol yet. Interview Magazine isn't so big on reinventing itself it would seem.

We have always admired women that effortlessly combine prints. We can barely even stomach wearing one print let along pull off the styling miracle that strong print combinations require. But we were impressed by how easy SheFind's Guide to Wearing Multiple Prints was to follow. She has a few fantastic combinations we feel like we could pull off. We particularly liked her advice to choose similar prints in different sizes.

We combined a Dolce and Gabana Polka Dot Mini Skirt, C&C Dotted Jersey Tank, and Sonia by Sonia Rykiel Studded Cardigan. We threw in a Kate Spade 'Marceau - Malva' Soft Hobo that just happens to have a polka dot lining for fun and topped (bottomed?) it off with Marc Jacobs Collection Brushed Patent d'Orsay Pumps. Overall we think it looks pretty darn good. We guess combining prints isn't so hard after all!

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