>> Before we bid adieu to 2010, check out our 20 favorite looks of the year. Top highlights include Vanessa Traina in a red hot Givenchy ensemble, Carey Mulligan in graphic Vionnet, Kate Bosworth in Jil Sander, Shala Monroque in Chanel . . . and even more eye candy in the slideshow.
Posts for December 2010
Look We Love – Furry Vests and Scalloped Shorts

Cold weather requires a more imaginative sense of style — as displayed by this street-snapped look straight from the Netherlands. For extra warmth, a furry vest, like this one from Jenny Han, is layered over a tweed coat. Neutral-hued scalloped shorts, tights, and suede booties finish off the Wintry ensemble. Grab similar items from Madewell, Calvin Klein, and Jenny Han now.
Left to right: Jenny Han Faux Fur Vest ($158), Falke Tights ($44), Portolano Leather Gloves ($60), Madewell Lace Market Shorts ($88), Deena & Ozzy Pebbled Pocket Front Moto Satchel ($58), Kors Michael Kors Suede Booties ($207, originally $295), Calvin Klein Crewneck Sweater ($69, originally $230), NW3 by Hobbs Red Arches Donagal Tweed Riding Coat ($267, originally $447)
Photo courtesy of the lookbook.nu
Prada the Latest Set to Show in China
>> China is the fastest growing market for fashion and luxury — and the industry is definitely taking notice. Anna Wintour recently made her first trip to China over Thanksgiving, and later wrote that she hopes China will soon have its own Vogue Fashion Fund; Diane von Furstenberg visited earlier this month and said, "I’d like to sell every Chinese a T-shirt."
And now Prada, which has seen a 51 percent surge in revenue from the region in the first nine months of 2010, is planning to restage its Spring 2011 fashion show in Beijing on Jan. 22. Both Prada CEO Patrizio Bertelli and Miuccia Prada are expected to attend, and Prada plans on creating a series of new items specifically for the event.
Victoria Beckham's New Handbag Line Already Selling Out
>> Victoria Beckham's new handbag collection done in collaboration with accessories designer Katie Hillier features six pieces ranging from $1,800 to $13,950, and doesn't hit stores until later this month, but things are already boding well for the line. Two styles were up for grabs on the Net-a-Porter UK site this morning — a leather and nubuck shoulder bag, and a chain-strapped crocodile bag (£8,950, or approx. $13,800) — and both sold out within hours. [T, ElleUK]

Barneys Addresses Fashion Director Rumors
>> There's been plenty of speculation on who might replace Julie Gilhart as Barneys's new fashion director — Virginia Smith and Sarah Rutson's names were both mentioned, and most recently, Taylor Tomasi Hill was fingered as a possibility.
Although the first two have said they're not taking the job — Tomasi Hill has not commented thus far — Barneys has not addressed any of the rumors, until this evening, when the retailer released the following statement: "As announced by Barneys New York on November 29th, the search for a new fashion director was launched by Daniella Vitale, chief merchant and executive vice president, who joined the company on December 1st. Contrary to recent speculative reports, no employment offer has been made as of this date to any person for the fashion director position."
Karolina Kurkova Seals High Fashion Comeback with Three Major Spring 2011 Campaigns
>> Karolina Kurkova staged a high fashion comeback on the Spring 2011 runways, and now she's got the campaigns to seal the deal. First up? Max Mara, shot by Mario Sorrenti, which is now out in full. And to look forward to: the Bottega Veneta and Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2011 campaigns.
Sweater Weather — Our Favorite Picks For a Cold Winter
>> A long sleeved tee isn't going to keep you warm all Winter long, so save yourself a couple of goosebumps and layer up in some snazzy sweaters. Dressy, casual, printed, and punk — we've got you covered. An angora cardigan from Rag & Bone, streamlined striped sweater from J.Crew, cableknit cocoon confection from Elizabeth and James . . . and more of our cozy favorites below.
Manish Arora Rumored to be New Paco Rabanne Creative Director; Yves Saint Laurent CEO Reportedly Scouting Haider Ackermann
>> Paco Rabanne has slowly been edging back into the fashion game — first with handbags that hit stores next month, and then with clothing, which is promised soon after. The namesake designer, who has been consulting on the relaunch of Rabanne, recently said: "The Paco Rabanne brand is and must remain what it has always been: audacious." And now, it's rumored that Manish Arora may be tapped as the new creative director; though it's not confirmed, Aurora does have a knack for color and print. And speaking of designer rumors, there's also one going around that Haider Ackermann is being scouted to replace Stefano Pilati at Yves Saint Laurent — apparently YSL CEO Valerie Hermann attended Ackermann's Spring 2011 show in October incognito, without an offical ticket request or RSVP. [Racked, Racked]

A Naomi Campbell-Vladislav Doronin Wedding Could Very Well Happen in 2011 — Although Not at Egypt's Luxor Temple
>> Are Naomi Campbell and Vladislav Doronin getting married, as rumors have been purporting? Vogue thinks so — in a list of things 2011 will bring, the magazine included: "One can only imagine the stops Naomi Campbell will pull out for her upcoming wedding to Russian billionaire Vladislav Doronin. Whether in Moscow or Marrakech, all we know for certain is that this is the one invitation that even the A-list will be angling for."
Originally, rumors had Campbell and Doronin marrying at the ancient Egyptian temple Luxor, which overlooks the Nile, over Dec. 7 and 8, but a representative of Egypt's Supreme Council for Antiquities, which overlooks the protection of archeological sites, said it had not been notified by Campbell of her desire to hold a wedding there. “Even if she asked for that, we would definitely refuse,” the representative said. “Our temples are not wedding halls. This is an insult."
Rumors have also pointed to Venice as a possible location for the wedding, with February 2011 as the reputed new time frame. Regardless, it would be a first marriage for Campbell.
Phillip Lim Presents Two-in-One Pieces For Pre-Fall 2011
>> Phillip Lim showed a modern collection filled with desert hues and new cuts for Pre-Fall 2011. “I was interested in creating interesting profiles,” said Lim. Also a focus of the collection? Pieces that can be worn more than one way: jersey-chiffon knits and a rabbit fur coat are reversible, a gray wool overcoat has a detachable collar, wrap-front trousers have flaps that can be worn hanging down for a more undone look, and the coats have straps at the armholes to allow them to be worn slung over the shoulders — and stay in place. The collection, which was loosely inspired by late British writer and cartographer Freya Stark, also featured Lim's newest creation: a textile consisting of cotton woven with abaca, a fibrous plant from the Philippines.


