Nina Ricci has reopened its Paris store on Avenue Montaige after a 6th month renovation. Olivier Theyskens' new gray cozy interior has contributed to daily sales tallies roughly triple that of last year.

Short Starbucks lines seem like a good thing until you realize that no one is shopping. The deserted Vegas Starbucks is given as evidence that things are unusually subdued at Magic Marketplace

Japan Fashion Week, which runs September 1st through the 5th, is a challenge for Japanese designers.

Stefano Pilati faults Tom Ford for giving women what they want. We are torn on this opinion.

Sallie Underwood Baker, fashion collector, one cool broad, has passed away

Canadians need a little extra insulation to keep warm in their frigid winters. Or at least that is the sense we get considering the outcry over Quebec retailer La Maison's use of overly skinny models. The catalog has been recalled and everyone is happy again.

The Venice Film Festival debuted Valentino: The Last Emperor. While the title references the famed designers it is really about "the deeply rooted, inspirational and unique union between Valentino and Giammetti."

It was light and beautiful, just as Valentino would have liked it. Alessandra Facchinetti's first collection since the couturier retired was, as far as we can tell, a complete success. Everything from the ultra-feminine gowns to the more sculptured daywear pieces to the signature Valentino-red dress finale, looked like what you would have expected had Valentino still been designing. This was, no doubt, a smart move for Facchinetti who we're guessing won't spread her wings for a while, if ever. As a former designer for Gucci, she's likely to understand the importance of keeping with tradition, especially when designing for one of the world's most well-known names in haute couture. This collection, as varied as was the color palate and range of silhouettes, was clearly about the embellishments. Each piece whether by way of soft pleating, layers, or embroidery, showed of the handiwork that is only possible in couture, making each dress a 'I'll only wear this once and it will be the best night of my life' Valentino dress. Or at least, that's how we imagine it.

This Saturday was World Fair Trade Day, a time for fashionistas everywhere to feel guilty about their fast fashion habits. Except for British shoppers who now have the Oxfam Sustainable Fashion Boutique to enjoy. The new shops will sell items created out of donated goods, Fairtrade clothing and accessories made by volunteers as well as the more traditional second-hand clothing.

But there are dissenters in the eco-fashion movement. Some people are still happy to claim it just isn't very stylish. Community partner Susie Bubble however thinks its all just a bit too shiny.

It seems like the Valentino brand isn't quite as dramatic as the post He Who Will Not Be Named years at Gucci. In fact, after the retirement of Valentino the house seems positively bullish. Ironically no one felt that great about Alessandra Facchinetti at Gucci. Musical chairs anyone?

Mulberry is into collaborations. They have artists collaborations planned for each month this summer (this month was flower arrangements with neighbor McQueen's) the most anticipated of which is surely going to be The Artist's Tote, a collaboration with Fred Gallery on Vyner Street where five artists will interpret the Mulberry tote.