>> Well, here's our answer to the conundrum about which two lucky ladies are featured front and center in the Gallic-themed June/July 2008 Vogue Paris issue: Laetitia Casta and Noemie Lenoir, who nabbed the cover, shot in Chanel by Mario Testino. 

Looks like July is shaping up to be the month for black models, especially if that Vogue Italia cover comes through as scheduled . . .

*image: source

To compliment the G-Shock watches in our shoot with Jonathan Melamed, we decided to feature some of OAK's amazing summer basics. The boutique, which grew from Brooklyn outpost to a straight-up New York empire, now has a zine, a thriving e-commerce site, a Bond Street store, a showroom, and, not surprisingly, throws the best parties South of 14th Street. When we went in to pull a few outfits two very funny things happened. First, everything we thought might work for the shoot turned up being OAK's in-house line (racked alongside Helmut Lang and Rick Owens that really says a lot) and second, the clerk working in the store accidently put a stack of boy's swim trunks on the women's clothing table. You should have seen these trunks (we don't blame him for making the mistake), all we can say is that it's going to be a good summer. Below, here's a recap of the lines we pulled for the shoot.

Rachel Comey: This American designer started with menswear before taking her rock and roll sensibilities to the ladies. Her clothing suits powerful women who watch 'Some Like It Hot' when they've decided to forego rock concerts and downtown restaurants. For our shoot, we pulled a navy, t-back knit dress that hung beautifully and kept the casual versus glamorous dynamic in check.

Unconditional: A London friend left an Unconditional leather jacket here in New York (which we now live in), she's coming for a visit in June and we think we're going to die without out. Just saying, it's possible we will die. For our shoot we pulled a low-slung striped tank that furthers evidence that tanks are something you should spend more than twelve dollars on. Unconditional clothing is clean and understated and, this Spring, Brits should be happy to visit the first brick and mortar outpost.

OAK: The gents at OAK have a fever for fashion that is unparalleled. It goes without saying that they know what they like, when to branch out, how to fill in the gaps, and when to celebrate. The in-house line's been around for a while now and offers a slightly lower price point that some of their higher-end brands. To OAK boutique fans that means cotton tank dresses, skinny denim, and every other right-now silhouette at their fingertips. For our shoot, we pulled OAK denim shorts, a white tank dress, and cropped tank for the occasion. Get 'em while they're haute.

Mary Meyer: This bleached out tank dress could be the perfect summer staple. It's double lined in jersey, making it much more flattering than the slinkier options and hangs down to a very sexy spot at the sides (so sexy, we kept the Unconditional tank underneath). Meyer is known for her prints and urban but still playful aesthetic.

Inspired by an impending sample sale, we decided to check in on what Imitation by Imitation of Christ has been up to this summer. The Spring 08 collection pivots on nudes and neutrals that appear in paper thin and layer-friendly fabrics. Imitation of Christ was a one-time New York cult favorite and now, their ready to wear line feels like the avant garde in them grew up and got a proper job. There's still the rebellious, disheveled, intelligent brand identity, but the clothing is perhaps a bit more accessible and, therefore, marketable.

Check out our spread of the Imitation by Imitation of Christ line below, along with the brand's Spring 08 campaign video (definitely appropriate given our lethargic weather in New York). Also, if you're in the Big Apple, check out the sample sale put on by Ethan James Group. Get your Imitation, Rhys Dwfen, Hyden Yoo, and more from 12-8pm all weekend long (201 Mulberry Street).

Prada Group poached Valentino's Graziano De Boni and made him president and chief operating officer of Prada USA. De Boni was responsible for helping grow Valentino's sales in America from $24 million in 2002 to $67 million in 2006. He begins the new position at Prada on July 1st.

Adidas says that Russia will become their top European market in the next two years. Adidas out-does Nike in Russia, where their market share is double that of NIke. To facilitate this relationship Adidas plans to up their number of freestanding stores from around 460 (at the end of 2007) to 750 by 2009. Does this have anything to do with Anna Kournikova? We can't tell.

Dior, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, and Versace all nearly deserted after 7.9 magnitude earthquake in China. WWD takes the appropriate (but kind of boring and untimely) 'what will happen to the retail market' angle on the devastation in China. The people of Chengdu, a major retail hub, are said to be especially cautionary for fear of an aftershock.

Jonathon Saunders is confirmed to launch a capsule collection with Target in October. Saunders will have just shown Spring in New York Fashion Week and so the timing seems right. The designer's recent successes include a popular collection for Topshop in London and title as creative director of Pollini.