>> Dear Filip Arickx and An Vandevorst... or should I say A.F. Vandevorst,

You have created a monster.  And by a monster, I mean a necklace that looks like its about to eat the model.  I'm surprised that she can even hold that thing up, being it's so heavy, and she's so light.  What would Wilma Flintstone  have to say about all of this?  I mean, it's one thing that you steal her tattered white dress and her big honkin' necklace, but did you have to go and make her best friend Betty's dress into a jacket?  Come on, guys, that's just down right cold.  Not to mention the lack of originality -- it's pretty bad when you have to steal style ideas from a couple of stone-age cartoons.  Think modern times, guys, that means in the now.  Not when people's foreheads jutted out like cliffs.  Guess we'll just have to wait all the way until Spring/Summer 2006 to see if you can do it.

I'll be waiting (not),

fashionologie

Dear Nina Neretina and Donis Pouppis (aka Nina Donis),

I must comment on the quality of your products.  You let this necklace be sold to this poor, naive woman, when clearly it is flawed.  But I'm being too nice.  Flawed doesn't even begin to describe the problem we have here.  I mean, Jesus in a jumpsuit, the thing has a tumor growing on it!  You gotta take care of these things, guys, tumors don't just disappear if you close your eyes and wish them away.  This calls for some serious surgery and follow-up chemotherapy.  Stat!  We can't have your so-called creations exploding festering pus all over their wearers!  So call 911!  Or at least call this woman and inform her that she has some serious fashion victim potential.  I mean, chunky necklaces are good, but bigger is not better.  No way, no how.  And coming from a Texan, that's saying a lot.

Yee haw,

fashionologie

**sources: kto-V-chem.ru, grudge-match.com

>> A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... (Sorry guys, couldn't resist, I just saw the final Star Wars last night.  And yes, you're free to call me a big dork if you want to.  I'm okay with that.  It's been accepted and I've moved on.) I was reading the March 2005 edition of Nylon... a magazine I adore (and you should too), and I came upon a wonderful photo editorial.  Not only was Miss Valerie Avdeyera (the model) wearing the droolworthy 40's-style ivory corset belt and dotted skirt from the Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Spring/Summer 2005 collection, but also the most adorable little hand-knotted nylon wrist gloves, as well.  Which have stolen my heart (for the day at least, or until something equally glamorous comes along).  They're very feminine, consummate 40's, and yet something about them is very time-transcending.  Perfect for adding a little bombshell bang to your outfit.  Oh, did I mention that their maker, La Crasia, sells these lovelies for $8 a pair, and they come in three lovely colors  (black, white, ivory)? 

While I'm gushing, I might as well continue... Miss Avdeyera also wears teal crochet driving gloves by Miss Dater, which are slightly more expensive at $48 a pair, but well worth it for all you leather-coveting ladies out there.  Unfortunately, it looks like the teal is no longer available, which trust me, I'm just as disappointed as the next girl -- teal/turquoise/blue-green is my favorite color.  But there's still some other great options available.  So pay homage to Jean Harlow, Marlene Dietrich, all those old bags... and get some compliments, too.

So yeah.  Couple of side notes -- if you prefer the fingerless glove look like I sometimes do, La Crasia has a couple of great options.  And as La Crasia doesn't have a shopping cart set up on their site, purchasing information can be found here.