The mixed prints, marching band jackets, and slashed denim we saw from Whitley Kros were all on target for Spring 09, but, no matter how you slice it, this collection is one hundred percent West Coast. We're not going to say that on weekends we don't roll out of our apartments in loose fitting outfits that are one part what we wore the night before and one part boyfriend's t-shirt--but, you know, not all the time. The hair, makeup, and styling from Whitley Kros is something we doubt will appeal to fashionistas worldwide--even if untidiness has its place in every young person's life. In truth, some looks resonated with us more than others but there's really nothing all that bad to say about the collection. You know, sometimes you've nothing more profound to say than "it's just not my cup of tea". 

The whole stateside Topshop operation might have been delayed to Springtime but at least you can order from Topshop online now. To that end, may we suggest the Alice McCall for Topshop delivery that just came in? Between the one hundred dollar stud trousers and one shoulder cocktail dress for just about that, five pieces actually feels like a lot of clothing. We were really impressed with McCall's Spring 09 collection which was shown during New York Fashion Week. It was trendy and cool but with really thought-out details that had everyone from Vogue editors to stylists in the front row smiling. Check out the Alice McCall for Topshop delivery here, and the Alice McCall Spring 09 show, right here. 

Talk about getting a lot for little bit of money; as unsettling as it might feel to spend three hundred dollars on anything these days, Mociun will at least give you bang for your buck. In the currency we call print, that is (teehee). This brand, designed by Caitlin Mociun, takes cues from Bauhaus and illustrator Karl Blossfeldt and puts out the most visually stimulating garments we've seen in some time. The Fall 08 mood was captured perfectly, we thought, in this season's look book. With the back drop of rather dismal scenery, 'real-life' models were photographed in these wonderful prints. In addition to this, the photographer imposed a yellowed/worn hue on the scenes (by way of the film or post-production we don't know), giving the photos a nostalgic mood. Mociun, from inspiration to collection to look book, is proving to have some very interesting contrasts. You can buy the Fall 08 collection, right here.

We love it when a tried and true brand does the lifestyle route and ups the anté on their packaging, particularly when it means a change at some of our favorite restaurants and hotels. Coca Cola, the only brand of carbonated sugar water we drink, recently designed new aluminum bottles that are appearing exclusively in New York's top restaurants, hotels and nightclubs including The Modern, Four Seasons, Michael Jordan's Steak House, Hotel Plaza Athenee, St. Regis, Mandarin Oriental, Strip House, Golden Pear in the Hamptons Peconic Beverage Center in Southampton and Peconic Beverage Center in Southampton

The bottles keep your Coke as cold as can be and should you leave your bottle unfinished they are both portable and re-seable. If you are looking to give your liver a break this bottle makes being a teetoller look pretty good. It has hunky polo player Nacho Figueras' seal of approval.

And what with the price of drinks this could be a real pocket book saver if you want a night out but feel silly without something stylish in your hands. Or for the more devious, with its resealable top you can pour in your own rum for a perfect rum and coke and sneak your way into a cheap drink. But you didn't hear that from us. Nor did we suggest that with a cleaning it would make a great flask in its second life.

>> INSIDER WIRE —Poor economic times seem to signal the perfect time to bring back a fashion label — Cerruti will be joining Rochas in its comeback next March.  The Italian label, whose women's wear line has been dormant since 2004 after several attempts at rejuvenation, will be presenting a Fall 2009 collection under the artistic direction of Jean-Paul Knott. [WWD]

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>> Sofia Coppola has been working on her capsule collection of shoes and handbags for Louis Vuitton for the past year, and they won't be on sale until next Spring, but at least we can have a look at one of the finished products now.

Inspired by a trip to Louis Vuitton's original home in Asnieres, on the outskirts of Paris, Sofia wanted to design "the perfect bag that doesn't exist."  The result? A "chic, discreet and lightweight [bag] that isn't enormous" — the SC bag, shown at left in calf leather, $2,190 for the monogram version; an evening clutch ($1,086) with pochette containing a mirror — "a thing I wanted for myself; and a gilded wedge ankle-strap sandal ($679) based on her mother's Yves Saint Laurent shoes in the 1970s among them.

And to answer the question on everyone's lips — will Sofia be returning to the fashion business with a new, full-fledged clothing line?  "I wouldn't say never, but I don't have patience to learn all the details — know about proportions.  Clothing is so nonstop. What I love about films is that you can take the summer off."
*image: source