Boyy, not to be confused with Boy (by Band Of Outsiders), is a handbag line that sticks to classic shapes and color combinations. Borne in 2006, designer's Jesse Dorsey and Wannasiri Kongman, have braved the harsh reality of starting a leather handbag line in light of a recession (leather is expensive) and the growing popularity of eco-friendly non-leather bags. The pair seem to have just the spirit for the job, where their Spring/Summer 2008 collection is themed with a complex (and quarky) set of theories surrounding the number eight, the year 2008, eight's divisibility by two, the fact that they are two designers, and so on (literally, and so on, part of this theme has something to do with the concept of infinity). This aside, we think these bags are a contemporary price point classic, most notably, the Patent Trim Summer Serge Weekender. Toss this sucker into the passenger seat of a convertible headed for the Hamptons (or Mexico City, we swing both ways) and you're in pretty good standing with the gods of fashion.

Today is fashion's favorite holiday with the Benefit Gala for the Metropolitan Museum's Costume Institute. Superheros: Fashion and Fantasy is sure to be quite a kick and we personally can't wait to get to the museum this morning for the press preview. We have a few lovely preview photos thanks to Women's Wear Daily. Fun random fact, Harold Koda was inspired by Michael Chabon’s “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay,” metaphysical take on super powers. Chabon has contributed an essay on Unitard Theory in the show’s accompanying book.

Government funded fashionistas are having a tough time in Scotland.

Nautical fashion remain a perennial summer trend. Thus boat shoes and stripes mean you can't go wrong.

As much as we love The Economist's Big Mac Index as the cutest example of purchasing power parity we sort of think the Hermes Tie Index might be a lot sexier.

The aesthetics of science makes for some very compelling patterns. Tory Burch better watch her back because these horse methaemoglobin textiles are perfect for a little summer dress. And no we aren't joking even one bit.

Want some old news?

We thought you might want to know. Australia Fashion Week is positioned toward the end of the Fall shows (though it’s Spring/Summer because they are in the Southern Hemisphere), just before Cruise season gets underway. It’s decidedly cult for fashionistas in America, one of the only times when downtown trendsetters actually stop and listen to what the fashion world is telling them they should wear. With brands like Sass & Bide, Lover, and Ksubi these young trendy things know that what’s coming out of Australia at a contemporary price point is what they can count on seeing in boutiques like Opening Ceremony and on ecommerce sites like La Garconne. Where New York Fashion Week is something of an indulgence for market editors from mainstream magazines, Australia Fashion Week is an indulgence for downtown kids with style prowess. It’s a ‘which came first’ kind of situation (because those market editors will also be watching the downtown kids for what trends might hit the mall in 3 or 4 years—remember that even style ‘icons’ like certain waif like faux celebrities are wearing year-old trends from the pockets of this city) but one that, without a doubt, is in an Aussie’s favor. When did this relationship begin? It’s difficult to say, for sure though, the popularity of Aussies in America picked up when resort season did. Because the seasons are reversed, American retailers started buying more and more from these designers as an alternative to buying resort. Particularly for more fashion-forward boutiques, the Aussie’s offered straight forward Summer clothes, when many designers were putting out resort collections that were a bit, well, heavy on concept. Check out our many Australia Fashion Week galleries and reviews for more on the little fashion week with a lot of clout.

Sure, it's probably the worst time of year to be editorializing extra-long fur coats but hey, sometimes you feel like a nut. When writing about the Jayson Brunsdon Spring/Summer 2008/09 show we'd made some reference to him being the sort of designer who is likely inspired by fashion icons like Marleine Deitrch. This, as any good blogger knows, had us searching Getty for her pictures and thus we bumped into a totally different usage of her on Coutorture. That is, we saw her wearing one magnificent long, white fur coat circa 1963. Where had we seen this coat before? The Blonds Fall 08 collection and our Glittering Cruelty photo shoot, of course. Is it just us or is fashion just one big conspiracy theory? Immaterial worthy if ever. Happy Monday.