>> Alexander Wang hinted recently that he was ready to evolve, telling W's September 2009 issue: "As soon as people get used to what you’re doing, you have to change direction."  And evolve he did for Spring 2010: the look of his last few collections, with their body-clinging shapes and primarily black palettes, was replaced by a generally looser silhouette and all shades of khaki, tan, olive, and gray.  He told WWD that Spring 2010 for him "is very much about classic American sportswear," and the idea is visible in pieces like a sweatshirt dress with football pad detailing (below) and all the shinguard-like socks cut out at the back of the calf.

But Wang didn't give up the sexy side of his label — there were plenty of bra tops, crop tops, and and lingerie-style shorts to go around.  The house was unsurprisingly packed, with Katie Grand (Wang's after-party co-host), Terry Richardson, Olivier Zahm, Diane von Furstenberg (Alex's CFDA-appointed mentor), Erin Wasson, Devon Aoki, Liya Kebede, and Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin all front row.  Frankie Rayder, Angela Lindvall, and Iselin Steiro walked, newcomer Mirte Maas opened, Karl Templer styled, and Wang's three styles of sunglasses debuted.

>> For Fall 2009, Maison Michel, whose art director Laetitia Crahay doubles as Chanel's accessories designer, asked her other boss Karl Lagerfeld to photograph the milliner's lookbook.  The result is a veritable list of Chanel favorites — Karl's muse Lady Amanda Harlech, Chanel face Heidi Mount, Karl's male model favorite of the moment Baptiste Giabiconi — and plenty of other models including Lara Stone, Angela Lindvall, Sasha Pivovarova, Erin Wasson, plus surprise appearances by Olivier Theyskens and Crahay herself, all donning the latest in Maison Michel's headgear. 

>> Stefano Pilati has been in New York since the weekend, hanging out at the Mercer Hotel with Purple's Olivier Zahm, Chloe Sevigny, and Waris Ahluwalia, but last night he got down to business, hosting the launch of the Yves Saint Laurent sustainable "New Vintage" collection with Barneys.  All the bags, shoes, and dresses were cut from archive fabric left over from previous seasons, and Barneys fashion director Julie Gilhart reports that it went fast — only a few pieces left, and she grabbed one of the bags for herself.

Today, Pilati presented his Cruise 2010 collection to press and buyers — where Chanel Iman was apparently called out for Twittering while she modeled.

>> The Chanel Cruise 2010 show is coming up this Thursday, and already people are in a packing panic.  Style.com's Derek Blasberg tweets, "What does one wear to dinner with Karl on the Lido in Venice? WHAT? High collar? Heels? Ponytail? Wait, am I a tranny?"  Grazia's style director Paula Reed is also preparing for takeoff.  But Karl Lagerfeld, who made a quick stop-off yesterday at his Saint Tropez villa Ramatuelle for a Purple Fashion shoot with his new muse Baptiste Gianiconi, has already arrived in Venice, Goyard travel cases in tow, and brought Olivier Zahm along to document it all — including the Chanel logo-ed motorboat taxi that was waiting for them.
*image: source

>> Apparently Diane von Furstenberg's Purple cover — featuring the designer in leotard, heels, and Margiela wig coat — sold well; Founder Olivier Zahm posted a note today saying that the magazine "is currently sold out in most of the United States."  For those who haven't snatched up their copy yet, new shipments are arriving Friday, but in the meantime, a further look at Diane's editorial outing — curiously, she's not wearing any of her own designs, but rather Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and Rodarte.  We know she's a fan of the latter; she was front row at their show last week.
*image: source, source