>>  He always wears a dinner jacket to dinner.  He often machine-washes his tuxedo.  His name is Alber -- it used to be Albert, but he dropped the "t" when he moved to New York so people would pronounce his name correctly.  Alber Elbaz, designer for Lanvin, adorable man.  Marion Hume of the Observer did a fantastic profile on him -- and it will make you fall in love with the man for more than the fact that he makes those amazing Lanvin dresses. 

>> I usually find gladiator boots, gladiator sandals and the like to be really unflattering.  This pair of gladiator boots by Marc Jacobs, however, I really like.  The gladiator reference is more nuanced -- they almost look more like motorcycle boots with big cutouts.  They can also transition the seasons -- they'd look great with colored tights peeping through the cutouts for fall, or with bare skin peeping through for spring.  These gladiator boots escape the kill -- this time around, at least.

>> Gemma Ward has officially made the transition from just plain model to model-actress.   Instead of walking the  ready-to-wear shows in New York, London, and Milan, Gems will be filming "The Black Balloon," which centers around a boy's struggle to come to terms with his autistic brother.  Don't worry, Gemma fans, she will be back in fine form in time for Paris.

  >> No wonder so many designers struggle struggle struggle to make ends meet.  Fashion Week Daily breaks down the price tags on each of the four fashion week venues at Bryant Park:

The Tent is the largest space, offering a black interior and the option of a traditional or U-shaped runway, seating 969 or 965, respectively. The space rents for $46,000. The Promenade is an all-white space with a U-shaped runway and seating for 741, priced at $36,500. The Salon is also an all-white structure, with space for 340 seated guests for $28,000. Last but not least is The Showroom, the smallest space, offering an all-black interior and seating for up to 300, priced at $20,000.

>> Stam "makes clothes look good."  Karolina Kurkova thinks Angelina Jolie should be the next president.  And the boys over at Proenza Schouler  "couldn't care less" about the  Yankees and Mets.  New York Magazine had stellar online coverage during last New York Fashion Week, and it looks like they're at it again.  This time around they've started the coverage early, playing 21 questions with the likes of  Stam, Gemma, Jack and Lazaro, and more.

>> Basics that everyone needs to know about for spring: the frumpy gray cardigan, the short shift dress, the printed frock.  Yep, that's right: the APC spring collection just dropped.

>>  Carine Roitfeld: she's wearing the Prada "supermini/not really a skirt" skirt -- and it looks chic, not showy.  Confidence is such a  great accessory to have.            ** photo credit: FraItlay at TFS

>>  A preview of Olivier's pre-fall collection for Nina Ricci.  As always, his gowns are the standout pieces -- especially the lime dress with the twisted seaming.  But I do like the mannish tailoring of the suits.

>> Snejana has some stiff new competition for the "skinniest legs ever" category... and also the "a little too skinny for my taste" category.  See Suvi Kuponen mock Snej in the February 2007 issue of Vogue Paris, shot by David Sims.

P.S.  I'm really not liking this neo-sportswear trend that seems to be in all the magazines for spring.  Nike ankle socks with frilly dresses just doesn't do it for me.

>> Regina George's powers even reach Martin Margiela?  (Whose top I am kind of digging for layering, by the way.  Maybe I'm a victim of Regina, too.)