>> It's just a few days short of New York Fashion Week in this episode of Model.Live, and the girls are having a few minor troubles — Cato van Ee is nervous, Austria Alcantara doesn't understand how the others do without their mothers — and one major one: Madeline Kragh loses her portfolio book somewhere in between castings. The funny thing is, she seems pretty nonchalant about the whole idea of casting, but I've already seen her in at least one show . . .
>> Take working-class fashion, add a pinch of Joy Division, and you've got the inspiration David Neville and Marcus Wainwright were drawing on for their Spring 2009 collection. The Rag & Bone show changed venues this season from the upscale Cipriani to the more hard-edged Pier 94 — a change from polished to slightly edgy that you could also say was reflected in the clothes.
Black wraparound leather belts with threateningly sharp silver spikes accented so many of the looks, and are sure to be a must-have — but even the typical Rag & Bone tweedy suits were rock-n-rolled up with a leather mini, like Julia Dunstall's closing look, or a silvery silk sheen, like Jessica Stam's blazer.
The model cast was full of high notes — stalwarts like opener Sasha Pivovarova or Coco Rocha — and the coveted new girls like Aline Weber and Liu Wen. Arlenis Pena was there too: she's had a big day, between being named as the new face of Lancome and slipping up at BCBG this morning.
To get the full experience, check out the runway video at Elle.com.
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>> INSIDER WIRE —We'll be watching next Wednesday to see what Alessandro dell'Acqua has to offer in his new role at Malo, but now there's even more of a reason to pay close attention to the Spring 2009 show. The designer has tapped Edward Enninful to work his styling magic behind-the-scenes, and I, for one, can't wait to see the outcome.
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>> Jenni Kayne may be eight months pregnant and unable to travel from her LA homebase, but that didn't keep her Spring 2009 collection from making the cross-country flight in time for Fashion Week.
In the past, Jenni's gone for the models-as-still-life presentation approach, but since she couldn't be at today's presentation, the 31 looks were styled on clean, white mannequins in one big U-shape. Such minimalism kept the focus on the clothes — the simple, effortlessly cool pieces that Jenni has made a name on. Her trademark ensemble — slouchy tank paired with long, floor-grazing skirt — was intact, but there were plenty of new additions as well — the watercolor floral print especially caught my eye.
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Backstage At Nicole Miller, New York Fashion Week Spring Summer 2009, Photos by Robert Malmberg.
Maybe its the lack of sleep talking but all we could think of when we saw Erin Fetherston's Spring 2009 collection was sleep over party girls let's grab the popcorn! known for endearingly girlish aesthetic, we find this to be the first collection that spoke to our inner girly girl. Not simply content to be cutesy this collection went straight to darling with a stop in cuddleville. 
After starting out with prim tea jackets, Erin took a strong tour towards dressed up lounge wear with gauzy pant suits, Rompers, pink fluffy headbands, and dreamy pink sequined jackets, shirts, and skirts. She even showed a pair of over-alls. A few pants seemed like the sort of thing we would like to wear as pajama pants, though it could have been the fluffy cloud like print! The pervasive feeling of bed time please continued with cotton candy prints floating over the model's bodies.
Just when you thought it was time for a pillow fight Erin brought out her unique take on evening wear. Puff skirts and ruffles abounded. Can we please just float away now? Or at least have a nice slice of cake!
Voodoo people are magic people, do what you don't dare do people for Nicole Miller this Spring 2009 season. Her collection strongly referenced Voodoo motifs and patterns. Exoticism has always guided Nicole and while we often question the judgment of those who rework cultural touchstones, Nicole almost always manages to steer clear of the kind of kitsch that plagues others.
Fashion samples and we are thankful for the designers who do it tastefully and with a strong dose of their own personality. In terms of silhouette, Nicole described her clothing as slouching and wrapping for a controlled yet relaxed fit. 
A long orange cardigan, one shouldered voodoo printed blouses and dresses in purple and green, boyish trousers, and lots of ruffles rounded out our favorite looks. Her jackets helped pull together the collection, adding tailoring to an otherwise loose and breezy set of looks. We are of the mind that everyone needs one frankly since nothing rounds out a wardrobe like a nice Nicole Miller jacket. We wouldn't personally wear it being of a more avant garde ilk but what we find most endearing about Nicole is just how well she serves her customers, giving working stylish women a chance to show personality without feeling pressured by the fashion system. She gives us a healthy dose of herself, fresh influences each season and wearable fashion no matter what your job description. She is in our mind the queen of contemporary.
