>> Stylist Tabitha Simmons's Shoe Collection Find an Exclusive Home at Bergdorf —Stylist and Vogue contributing editor Tabitha Simmons nervously launched her eponymous shoe line during Paris Fashion Week in March, while husband and photographer Craig McDean walked fans like Karen Elson through the collection. Later, she told the New York Times of the line: "I wanted to do styles that were timeless — no crazy heels or platforms that tie them to one season. These are English walking boots, crossed with a Scottish Highland influence. I’ve also done sexy sandals and girly Mary Janes. It’s a little schizophrenic, the line."  The collection — of which The Cut has a gallery — arrives exclusively at Bergdorf Goodman next month, and ranges from $795 to $2,200. [The Cut]
*image: Lee Clower

>> Tom Ford pulled a Karl Lagerfeld for Spring 2009, taking over shooting his brand's ads from Terry Richardson.  Some shots featured Karen Elson sporting his eyewear, prompting a new round of that ever-present question — is Tom Ford doing womenswear?  It did used to be his forte, after all.

Turns out there is hope — circulating Milan Fashion Week is the rumor that Alessandra Facchinetti, who was unceremoniously dumped by Valentino last season, is currently working on Ford's nascent womenswear line.  Most appropriate, since Facchinetti was top womenswear designer under Ford at Gucci, before taking over when he left that brand.
*image: source

>> THE MODELIZER —Karen Elson's vintage foray is almost open for business: Venus & Mars — The Showroom officially debuts Oct. 23 in Nashville, and will stock rare high-end vintage, with the option of custom tailoring in-house.  As Elson describes it, "The aim of the store is to encourage shoppers to think that vintage isn't just an old hand-me-down but a one-of-a-kind garment with a wonderful history." [The Pipeline]

*image: source

>> Karen Elson has plenty of projects these days — her modeling work, raising two young children, opening that vintage store in Nashville — but when Zooey Deschanel came through Tennessee with her band She & Him a couple of weeks ago, Karen joined her onstage for a resounding edition of "The Tennessee Waltz."  The two have previously appeared together in Sarah Sophie Flicker's short film Lay Down Lean, and seem to run in the same Erin Fetherston-Leith Clark circles.

A clip of the performance below, full clip here.

»Bee Shaffer turns 21 today, and is celebrating at mom Anna Wintour's country house near Mastic, Long Island this weekend [Style File]

»Karen Elson nabs the September 2008 Vogue UK cover [Models.com]

»Kate Schelter and Charlotte Ronson love their neon Alexander Wang [Chic Report]

»Sean Avery wore shorts suits during his time at Vogue [The Cut]

»Patrick Robinson shows how Gap denim is done [Nylon]


»A second shot from Lanvin Fall 2008 [TFS]

»Fashion editor fave Current/Elliott, now stocked at eLuxury [Racked]

»Raquel Zimmermann, spotted at Whole Foods [Fashionista]
*image: source

»Vogue Italia is rumored to have Linda Evangelista, Guinevere van Seenus, and Karen Elson lined up for their August 2008 issue [TI]

»Derek Lam sells a majority stake, is ready to go big [The Cut]

»Daphne Guinness is shooting with Steven Klein for the September 2008 Vogue Italia couture supplement [Chic Report]

»Tom Ford doesn't like people filming his new house being built [Fashionista]

»Vogue Paris' Geraldine Saglio! [The Sartorialist]

»Toccara Jones in Vogue Italia July 2008 [TFS]

»Oddly, Elie Tahari went with Erin Wasson and Terry Richardson for their Fall 2008 campaign [Fashionista, TFS]

»Style.com is expanding with a new beauty site [Fashionista]

»Lily Cole blogs? [Catwalk Queen]

»Edita Vilkeviciute for Fall 2008 Etro [TFS]

»Agyness Deyn performed her collaborative single live last night on British TV (with video) [PopSugar UK]

»Anna Wintour has been bestowed with an OBE (Officer of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) for services to British journalism and British fashion in the US [WWD]

»Bottega Veneta tops the list of the Luxury Institute's list of designer brands accorded the highest social status by affluent consumers [WWD]

»Devon Aoki shot with Self Service and Yves Saint Laurent at the Chateau Marmont last week [FWD]

»Karen Elson is naming her vintage shop "Venus and Mars" [Style.com]

»Peeks at Dolce & Gabbana, Marchesa, Rag & Bone, Matthew Williamson, and Nina Ricci Resort 2009 collections [WWD, WWD, WWD, WWD, WWD]

>>  Just on the heels of the news that Irina Lazareanu's album is debuting this Fall and Nadja Auermann is working on a music career, Karen Elson revealed yesterday that she, too, is in the initial stages of recording a solo album.  Of course, it doesn't hurt that she's married to Jack White of The White Stripes.

Also on Karen's plate?  A vintage clothing boutique she's planning to open in Nashvile, where she resides.  The store has yet to be named, but she does have an idea about what is going inside: "I want to sell everything from vintage Kenny Valenti and rare Ossie Clarke to Valentino couture — but also cheaper vintage stuff to attract a wider audience." 

So if you're ever in the neighborhood, stop by Belmont Boulevard for a likely Elson sighting.
*images: source