by coutorture Or, you could just say there's a little more cotton in the world. New York label, Sophomore, is the next Hipsters For Basics brand making waves with twenty four dollar leggings and the like. If there's anything that's perpetually 'downtown' it's interesting basics paired with eccentric vintage and market finds. Unless you're sample sailing (hehe) for a living, there just isn't another option. So Sophomore, run by young downtowners Chrissie Miller and Madeleine von Froomer, addresses that fact in their brand's 'about me' manifesto. They reference the seventies and the Lower East Side, which is basically all you need to know to understand their contemporary price point and demographic range. Our favorite pieces from the Spring collection (which make them stand out in terms of actual design) are the 70's inspired a-symmetrical snap pullover, twist racer back tank top (much like something you would see from Alexander Wang), and t-shirt printed with the slogan 'The New York Crimes'. Call us downright smitten. Sophmore is sold at Opening Ceremony in New York and Los Angeles and online here.

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Apparently the NYT thinks that chipped nails are the newest beauty trend. We're pretty sure they were just short on content but they dug up enough quotes to justify it. Including, "It’s not easy on your nails when you’re BlackBerrying all the time." from the VP of marketing at Lancome. Is 'blackberry' a verb?

The sales are hitting New York just a little bit earlier than Memorial Day this year. Luxury stores are slashing prices, which is unprecedented for some of them, in order to compete with department store's sales and the recession. We feel like every sentence we write these days has 'and the recession' tacked onto the end of it. We're going to call this article, "WWD Scoops Sample Sales For Fashionistas And The Recession".

Victoria's Secret is launching a sportswear line called VSX. Likened to Ralph Lauren's sports label, RLX, the new brand will live in its own freestanding stores in addition to being carried at Victoria's Secret locations. VSX will carry, "sport bras, athletic pants, yoga pants, T-shirts and other merchandise." which makes it sound curiously similar to Victoria's Secret proper but we're guessing there's some sort of American Apparel-inspired slant. Juicy Couture is also suing Victoria's Secret over something involving the color pink.

Yohji Yamamoto has been awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of the Arts London. St. Martins kids will have yet another name associated with their fashion degree with which to help them get ahead. Other designers given the honorary doctorate include Giorgio Armani and Rosita Missoni.

by coutorture Accessories are the best part of Summer. Find the hottest accessories to compliment your outfits in today's Must Read Posts from: Kiss and Makeup falls in love with the hair styles used in the Alexander McQueen Fall 2008 show. Tejani Abstract Bangles are just what The Daily Scoop needs to complete their warm weather outfits. I Am Fashion wants to celebrate graduation in a stylish frock. Teen Fashionista proudly displays her love for Madewell. Beauty Is Within finally found a hoodie she can never live without.