With news that fashion brand, Mayle, is closing down after Resort/Holiday 09, we think a spread is due. Perhaps you've only loved the Mayle aesthetic from afar, perhaps you've indulged in every smart frock and pair of trousers from previous seasons, or perhaps the brand hasn't meant much to you until now. Either way, we have a feeling these last deliveries will mean much more to many of us. To think, just last week we wrote up an immaterial about a shearling caplet that is part of the Fall 08 collection. Little did we know it would be one of Mayle's last quirky offers. If anything, this should stand as an example of how difficult is is to run a fashion business in general, and how the contemporary companies in particular, often get thrown the wolves if they don't peddle their clothing properly and act as total slaves to the buyers (who have peddle on their own accord). It's not easy, especially in our current economic climate, to endure the season-less demands of the contemporary shopper. Jane Mayle, in her conversation with WWD, referenced perfumery and home goods as being her next endeavor so we're sure we haven't seen the last of that magpie/indie girl aesthetic. That said, it's still the end of a clothing line beloved by many young burgeoning chicsters. Below, our spread of Mayle from Spring 08 (all on sale) and Fall 08 (just delivered). If you shop only for the sake of archiving, we won't blame you.

Sometimes the chaos just isn't worth the effort, and sometimes you've not choice anyway. Our New York colleagues over at Racked are providing live coverage of the Barney's warehouse sale and as much as we love to drop the New York-centric post now and again, we realize not everyone has access to the madness. That said, when we scoped out what Barneys had to offer online, the 60% off or more options were plentiful. Below, check out our spread of the best from that category. Between the Maison Martin Margiela Cork Knee Boots, marked down to $355 from $895, to the Lanvin Large Peplum Bag, marked down to $789 from almost two thousand, it's clear there are still some non-warehouse goodies to be had. Just be warned that a link is only a link for a day or two. Much of what we'd put into a wishlist for ourselves has gone out-of-stock either because it was moved to the sale or because it sold out overnight. Such is the nature of sample sales, both online and in warehouses. Pick up something for yourself today and call it an ode to the Fall season and a looming fashion week, where cork boots and Lanvin purses will come in handy.

We've been trying to imagine the Spring 09 trends the way a seven year old shakes their presents under the christmas tree. Transparency is one we've been thinking about. Transparency, the break-out trend for Spring 08, has pushed on strongly enough. We predict the numbers will be high come Spring 09. The trend-forecasting seminars always tell you that the trends for next season are the same as they were two seasons previous. No miraculous discoveries--just summaries of what, because of various websites, we've seen plenty of already. So our thoughts on transparency aren't unsupported. Just in case a little evidence is needed, however, here's some of what we've seen since Spring 08.

Fall is a season that calls for heavier layers and so transparency is necessarily peripheral because of its impracticality. We did, however, see plenty of it crop up on evening frocks and on blouses that could be easily layered. Ashleigh Verrier used it on feminine frocks that were made season-appropriate by way of fur stoles and thick hosiery. On the darker side of things Alexander Wang used it on shell tanks and leggings in many of his Fall looks and Preen (shown left) used transparency despite every other aspect of the collection being wintery perfection.

Then came Resort and with warmer weather; more freer usage of the textile. Christian Dior used generous portions of transparency for his cruise ship-worthy evening gowns. Chanel, on the other hand, stuck to mini-frocks that were prefect for the Miami-staged runway show. Calvin Klein (shown right), our favorite by far, showed a few examples of transparency in the colorless, structured collection.

Finally menswear came along and gave us the duds that will sit on the other side of the boutique and closet and dresser drawer to ours, come Spring 09. Transparency--check. We saw it unabashed and blazing from Givenchy, we saw it in lace from Yohji Yamamoto, and from Costume National (shown left) masquerading as a normal work shirt--complete with blazer and tie.

We think it's time to stop shaking the present now. We're pretty sure we know what we're getting when it's time to open the gifts. You never know though, like when you're a kid, there's always one that surprises you...

For today's original Coutorture editorial, our lack of inspiration was our, er, inspiration. It's been a steady ninety degrees, sample sale season has been in full swing for months, the fall clothing has yet to deliver, and Spring fashion week is not yet upon us--time has been kind of dragging by. Top that off with a recession and being located in a city predominately void of air conditioning and you've landed yourself in crazy town. Lately we've been wearing our one-piece bathing suit to work (with shorts of course) and broken the cardinal rule of never wearing havaianas beyond the deli on our block. Yes, it has been that bad. We're sure most of you are right there with us.

After our poolside shoot we had not much left we felt really excited about, save for the editorials that will crop up closer to Fall (i.e. next month). Shortly thereafter, we saw this dress and a light bulb appeared over our heads. Yes, ombre would save us. Ombre has been a trend for a couple of seasons now and, in truth, it's not really going anywhere. Editorializing ombre might be a bit boring, if it weren't that it makes the perfect analogy to our current situation. What happens to your perfectly constructed style when the forces of nature (and/or the economy) are fighting against you? Well, it fades away...

For today's Trend de la Creme for Coutorture comparison gallery, we bring you Temperley Spring 08 as likened to African tribal masks. What, you didn't anticipate the connection? Don't worry about it, neither did we. What we did see in one of our favorite collections from Spring 08, was a nod to Fitzgerald and the French Riviera, a palate that used the nudes and poppy colors that were so on-target for the season, with breathtaking glamour. The prints in this collection were Art Deco inspired, and the body skimming silhouettes and conservative lengths of Temperley's frocks, likewise referenced the elegance of the 1920's and 30's. Trend de la Creme, however, was inspired by a cultural comparison more align with actual spirits, than that of Fitzgerald in the French Riviera. Her likening this collection to African tribal masks makes sense because of the earthy palate and clean lines found in the pleats and patterns of Temperley's Spring frocks. These masks, that is, had a similar geometric quality that signaled a relationship that is, although unexpected, undeniably present.