>> My apologies for my intermittant writing as of late, I just wanted to let you guys know what was up.  My internet is being really spotty -- I thought it had been fixed after last week, but apparently not, because here I am again with no internet (I'm writing from a cafe).  So please bear with me, I should be back in the next couple of days.  Sorry for the lack a fashion fix, and thank you so much for understanding!

UPDATE:  It's fixed!  Hallelujah!  Hopefully, for a longer period of time.  Thank you all for your kind support, once again!

Vogue Nippon March 2006 vs. British Vogue June 2006

>> The announcement that Versace is going with a group shot of Kate Moss, Christy Turlington, Daria Werbowy, Angela Lindvall, and Carolyn Murphy for its fall ad campaign means that both Versace and Louis Vuitton, the perputual celebrity-over-model advertisers, are returning to the models, even if they are the big names.  Both announcements have been such as surprise, in fact, that WWD is declaring that models are back.  Now the question will remain: back for good?

>> One thing's for sure: Steven Klein can do absolutely beautiful things with Madonna and horses.  I have to change my tune.  I haven't seen all 58 pages yet, but from what I have seen, there's just one picture that slightly scares me.  I'm all for the strong, muscular woman, but I like a bit of softness as well -- not the intense muscle of Madonna's back.  It's all a matter of counteracting the strong with the soft.  And there will always be a soft spot in my mind for the curvy nudes of Renoir.

>>  Heather Bratton scored the May 2006 cover of Vogue Italia with a very ethereal look.  I love the effect they used with the letters over her -- they remind me of sunshine.  And finally, a true summery cover -- I was getting a bit worried with last issue and all the fall clothes they used.  Funnily enough, I had to look twice to make sure it was Heather Bratton -- she totally looked like Freja Beha to me at first glance -- I think it's the monochrome skin and hair color.  Me likey -- especially the letters.

>> There's something about the cartoony grumpy face on this Marc by Marc tote that just gets me.  I love that they used a zipper for the mouth -- for some reason it really amuses me to see the zipper pull hanging off on side of Miss Marc Katie's mouth.  And the big turquoise buttons add to the playful feel.  Too bad the tote looks like it's canvas and would get dirty in two seconds flat.  Miss Marc Katie Tote, $268 -- if that's too much, try the smaller zip pouch instead. 

>>  I have to say, this cover for June 2006 looks better than the past few W covers have, but it is Madonna.  Again.  I feel like it might just be time to move past the Madonna phase in our lives.  But there's apparently a 58-page Madonna portfolio on the inside by Steven Klein, so I'm not sure that's possible.  Fifty-eight freaking pages -- now that is a lot.  But at least they went for the erotica trend that was big on the fall runways.  At least that is up with the times.

>>  The way Jacquetta Wheeler (in McQueen) and Stella Tennant (in Burberry) carried themselves and their clothes is just phenomenal.  I don't think I need to say much more than that.  Too bad Kate Moss couldn't join them -- I liked the androgyny, but her outfit needed Le Smoking, not le leather pants.

>>  Usually designers do perfectly well dressing other people, but they have serious issues dressing themselves.  But last night at the Costume Institute Gala I had fun watching it be the other way around -- the designers looked great, but some of their guests... ay!

Like Nic Ghesquiere, for example (who has just been named to the TIME 100, by the by).  He looks quite dashing -- nonchalant, laidback -- love the jacket and skinny tie.  But Charlotte Gainsbourg... she looks like his sixties spacecase bride... straight out of Barbarella.  The flower power flower-looking thing on the front of her belt doesn't help with that whole image.  Her makeup and hair look very sweet, but from the neck down... Nic, you've been on such a roll at Balenciaga.  Why stop now?

Again the contrast with Christopher Bailey of Burberry and Sienna Miller.  Christopher went for the classic tux -- can't knowck him for that.  It would have been cooler if he had gone for tails, but... he's at Burberry, so we have to expect him to go with the classic.  Sienna on the other hand... so many points of mistake making -- the hairdo that's not really done (and not in a good way), the in-your-face (literally) tan, the Edie look that she needed to move on from about five years ago... I'll stop before I really get on a roll -- but Christopher, did you really have to encourage the obsession?

I love Alexander McQueen for pulling off the tartan and kilt.  It looks so right on him.  And then the look just dies on Sarah Jessica Parker.  One half of the dress or the other had the potential to work on her, but together... it's too much.  I wish they hadn't modified it from the runway -- the balance between the nude and tartan was good as is, and I mean if you're going to go as all out as she did, she might as well do the runway version with the cool little black feathered hat.  But I respect her for having the guts to do something different.

As for John Galliano, by now you just have to know to take him as he is.  I love him for wearing the ridiculous things he does.  I mean, who else can you think of that would wear sparkly silver pants, a polka-dotted vest, cowboy boots... yeah, no one.  Charlize, well, I'm so glad to see someone wearing a lovely Dior dress in that color.  But in typical Hollywood fashion, it just feels so safe, so restrained, so careful on her.  I want to say I like it, but I just can't bring myself to.

Finally, a couple of designers who I thought looked very classy: Frida Giannini of Gucci and Pheobe Philo of some-brand-hopefully-very-soon.   I love Phoebe's jewelry, and we're just going to ignore Hamish Bowles in the picture with her, because I have no idea what the heck he thinks he is wearing.