>> The First Wave of Costume Institute Gala Intel —Gap may be sponsoring this year's Costume Institute Gala on May 3, but Patrick Robinson won't be dressing co-chair Oprah Winfrey — Oscar de la Renta is doing those honors. Instead, Robinson is focusing on other initiatives — Gap is working with past collaborators Thakoon, Rodarte, and Alexander Wang, plus Sophie Theallet, to "dress the evening's brightest stars," reports Vogue. "Expect to see guests like Natalie Portman, Jessica Alba, and M.I.A taking in the 'American Woman' exhibition in tulle-trellised and crystal-adorned creations, which will be auctioned afterward at Gap's White Space concept store to benefit the museum." Gap is also launching three shirts in May — the Heiress (and hourglass shape), the ruffled Flapper, and the draped Screen Siren — to coincide with the American Woman theme. [Fashionista, WWD, The Cut, @jimshi809, @jimshi809]

In what Vogue is calling "the largest public fashion show in New York City history," the magazine will host a runway event at Lincoln Center on September 7 as part of the 2010 Fashion's Night Out initiative.

Showcasing current, fall 2010 runway trends to entice consumers to shop during Fashion's Night Out events (only three days later on the evening of Sept. 10), Vogue promises over 200 top models will walk in front of "nearly 1,500 guests."

"We felt it is important for people to see what wonderful fashion will be in stores at that moment," said Vogue editor Anna Wintour. "The show will focus on key trends we've identified for fall so that shoppers will have plenty of inspiration to join the fun during Fashion's Night Out."

Undoubtedly, Vogue's runway extravaganza will also be part of CBS's hour-long Fashion's Night Out special airing at 8 p.m. on Sept. 15.

Source: Getty

With all the negative talk surrounding fashion's earlier-is-better, off-season delivery schedule (see this month's Vogue article penned by Plum Sykes entitled "Seasons of Our Discontent"), some brands are feeling pressure to offer items in store that shoppers can buy now and wear now.  

The idea of 'Buy Now, Wear Now' has been top of mind for Burberry, who is launching an April Showers collection this month. The 30-piece line is supposed to keep customers shopping until the first fall 2010 deliveries (shearlings! furs!) drop in June, while giving them the pieces they actually need today—namely transitional basics like trench coats, rain boots, and umbrellas.

Today Burberry also announced a 7 percent sales increase in the second half of last year.

>> After undergoing surgery for a brain tumor at the end of last year, Tara Subkoff is back on the scene with a new fashion venture: Imitation. The forthcoming line allows her to "bring back" her former label Imitation of Christ in "its most basic incarnation," she tells Harper's Bazaar, "easy-to-wear staples with an edge . . . I'm inspired by Coco Chanel and her use of jersey. I'd like to do that with Imitation. I want something as effortless as a T-shirt, but in dress, trench, and jacket shapes."

Subkoff added of her time doing Imitation of Christ: "The name got so big, and it appeared to be such a giant success, but like most things that are artistic and creative and amazing, it was never this financial powerhouse. It was an art project. It was rewarding to spearhead, and it was a great collaboration with Matt Damhave and so many other amazing people, but I had to work about four or five other jobs — a shoe collaboration with Easy Spirit and consulting for Sara Lee Apparel (which owned Wonderbra, Hanes, and Playtex) — just to keep the company afloat."

Following last season's denim obsession, Gap is focusing on 'premium pants' for fall 2010. Presented last night at Milk Studios in New York, the Patrick Robinson-designed pant collection offers polished styles for occasions when denim simply won't cut it. According to Robinson, “everything looks like it costs four to five times the price,” (which is $49.50 to $59.50) since his team spent months perfecting the fit, fabric, and tailoring. The seven women's styles range from Really Skinny (above right) to Boyfit (left) and will be sold with a collection of white blouses, cashmere sweaters, open-toe wedged boots by Pierre Hardy, and a standout shearling aviator jacket that we plan to buy as soon as the collection hits stores this August.

Kate Moss and Mario Testino are collaborating on a photographic tome to be published by Taschen. "Kate Moss by Mario Testino" will be released this summer as a 128-page boxed hardcover book and limited to 1,500 signed copies.

T magazine's summer 2010 fashion issue arrives this Sunday.

Neiman Marcus tests a new retail concept, focusing on contemporary sportswear, bags and shoes with prices ranging from $45 to $300.

Meet the new face of Estée Lauder, 22-year-old Chinese model Liu Wen.

Suchin Pak, her brother Suyhun, and architect Ron Castellano are opening the Hester Street Fair, a LES market that will complete with the popular Brooklyn Flea, this Saturday on Essex St in New York.

Terry Richardson shot Tamara Mellon naked for Interview magazine.

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>> Calvin Klein Reportedly Discontinues Use of Size Zero Models —Francisco Costa recently said that always casting the youngest, freshest-faced models was becoming "a little too formulaic" for him, and now it appears he's been swayed by the current push for healthier-appearing models, too. Costa, who is rumored to have chosen Lara Stone to represent a number of the Calvin Klein lines come Fall, has also reportedly done away with casting size 0-2 models in favor of size 2-4 models. As 1 Management's Christopher Michael notes, "a sign of the times indeed." [@TheCreatrix]

Design Week in Milan saw the unveiling of Versace’s 2010 Home collection. Donatella Versace's current furniture and glass home decor line is colorful, over-the-top, and exactly what you would expect from the more-is-more Milanese fashion designer. The Sunburst round table with chromed metal legs (above), ornate multicolored armchairs, and Baroque-inspired pillows will all be available in Versace stores this fall along with a blown glassware collection in collaboration with Italian brand Venini (below).