You may remember Origins, Urban Decay, and Hard Candy from hanging out in the mall as a kid. That doesn't mean, however, these companies are behind our green-obsessed times. In fact, our network partner, Periodic Elements Of Style, reported with a shortlist of some noteworthy vegetarian and vegan makeup companies and those three, mall or no mall, were on there. Depending on your level of eco-awareness (or idiosyncrasy, if you're a cynic) these companies offer information about their products in accordance with both vegetarian and vegan guidelines. Check out our spread of some of these veggie products below, and of course, her post, where you'll get the run-down on the discrepancies.

We've two network partners, The Commodified and WRGMag, who have the scoop on Vancouver Fashion Week, which took place this past week. While The Commodified, a blog based in Vancouver, focuses on documenting street style during the events, WRGMag has set out to recap some of the shows. Vancouver Fashion Week, surprisingly enough, is celebrating its 15th season this Fall 08 and the main stage (the 'tents' of Vancouver) was located in an art deco designed building, called The Chapel Arts. We think that sounds like a much more pleasant environment for celebrating fashion as opposed to New York Fashion Week, which is all alcohol, screaming, and the words 'battery life' whispered in your ear over and over again. Whew, better let our network partners give you the run down.


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In the Summer, it is hot and that means ditching your thermal underwear for some sexy lingerie. Go ahead, sleep with the windows open, take that fur throw off the end of your bed, and get yourself some Vena Cava lingerie. Our favorite piece from the collection is the Myrna Camisole. As with most high end lingerie, the trick of wearing it past your bedroom door can be difficult. This camisole is as thin as rice paper and, paired with the matching shorts, can easily be worn with wide leg loose trousers or flowy summer frocks. There is no better confidence booster than wearing something sexy under something sexy. This 100% silk number also has underwire cups so you need not worry about any bra-on-camisole-on-blouse action. The idea is to say cool, baby, and there 'aint nothin better than a thin camisole and some bloomer-like shorts to get you though it. Our spread of Vena Cava's Spring 08 lingerie below.

Bally, with it's '250 freestanding stores and 750 points of sale worldwide', has been sold to Labelux Group, a one year old luxury goods holding company. TGP, the previous holding company, bought the brand in 1999 for an estimated 200 million dollars. Since then, the brand has been revived with numerous administrative and creative changes and a steady increase in profits.


McDonalds employees in the UK have undergone a makeover. Designer Bruce Oldfield was commissioned to revise the current uniform in an effort to revitalize the fast food chain. New uni's look suspiciously retro and are reportedly giving employees more confidence in front of the register. Lesson learned; a leisure suit is a confidence builder.


Chinese companies, in an effort to move beyond manufacturing clothing for big companies, are beginning to recruit young designers to work with them in their factories. The draw is thus, the young designer will work for the manufacturers and have access to the same quality-control as the big companies, and the manufacturers will turn clothing out faster than the big companies thereby driving the cost of their services up.


Coach, unlike other high profile brands, has acknowledged the recession as a detriment to company profits. Says Lew Frankfort, chairman and chief executive officer, "The consumer in March is more pessimistic than she was in January. Most consumers believe the economy is getting worse." Coach, in spite of this, stills plans to open 40 stores in the coming year.


Paul Smith's London shop, No. 9 Albemarle Street, right next to the infamous Dover Street Market, is hosting a photo exhibition in honor of photographer, Gian Paolo Barbieri (formerly of Vogue). The Paul Smith No. 9 shop is fashioned a curiosity shop, with expensive furniture and artwork taking up the first of two rooms. In this exhibition signed prints of Barbieri's work will be for sale in groups of seven.

Just because Earth Day has come and gone, doesn't mean you should forget about eco-friendly products. Learn about more green solutions in today's Must Reads from:

Is it possible to wear a formal dress that isn't black? Ask Alison answers.

All Lacquered Up covers nail polish brands' chemical composition.

Pretty Legit is obsessed with gladiator sandals.

Trust Your Style revisits her jean-etic history.

I Heart Makeup loves icy eyeshadows for Spring.

No one likes to play around with the pricing of fashion more than pricey boutiques. Or at least that appears to be the joke at Colette with their two armor suits on display in the window made from destroyed Marakami bags. Its a collaboration between Andrea Crews and Tokyo-based French artist Item Idem and the set designer A. Bertin & Fils Ltée. It's about reappropriating the empire," said Maroussia Rebecq, the creative director of Andrea Crews. Commenting on fashion's arbitrary approach to pricing, one suit retails for around $11,000, while the other is half-price, she said.

Parson's raised 2 million dollars at their benefit on Monday. Tuition is still pretty pricey though.

Lord and Taylor wants to expand overseas. Considering that the venerable retailer isn't doing so hot in the domestic market we aren't sure if this is a great idea or retail suicide.

Fashion designers continue to not be politically savvy. Australian designer Kate Sylvester showed her collection Royally Screwed with models decked in war medals such as the New Zealand Operational Service Medal. She had to apologize. Much head shaking ensued. We doubt if anyone would have noticed in America.