>> Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are known for being press-shy, but yesterday they let The Oprah Winfrey Show follow them around on a typical day — which means stops at the Elizabeth and James and The Row showrooms for model fittings, plus meetings with Robert Lee Morris about their ongoing jewelry collaboration.  Morris jokes: "Ashley will show up a few days later and undo everything that Mary-Kate did," and the twins do admit that if they can't agree on something, they scrap the idea.  We also get a peek at the Spring 2009 Elizabeth and James jewelry — lots of layered chains — and also their new shoe collaboration with Steve Madden — think "beigey suede" and pony skin.

>> IN PRODUCTION —Steven Madden scored a coup today, signing to do shoes for Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's contemporary brand Elizabeth and James starting in mid-2009.  The pairing may seem unexpected, but the Olsens, who are rapidly expanding into accessories for the label, will remain creative directors of the footwear collection — whether the shoes will have Balenciaga or Givenchy influence remains to be seen.  Oh, and speaking of Olsens, Mary-Kate just arrived in Milan today — is there a Fashion Week appearance in the cards? [WWD, PopSugar]

>> IN PRODUCTION — Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen guard all details about their high-end label The Row like no other, but one new tidbit has leaked: under Ashley's direction (Mary-Kate works more on contemporary line Elizabeth and James), the line may be expanding into menswear as early as next Fall. [WWD]

»Amber Valletta, her son and husband get LOLVogued [Jezebel]

»This morning's Barneys warehouse sale: Not as crazy or marked-down as in the past [Racked]

»Mary-Kate Olsen is obsessed with Diane von Furstenberg [Page Six Magazine]

»Sean Avery's Gap ad overlooks Vogue headquarters [Fashionista]

»Victoria Bartlett commissioned Lizzie Fortunato jewelry for her Spring 2009 VPL collection [The Pipeline]

»Cato Van Ee shot a commercial for D&G with Mario Testino last week [Dazed Digital]

»A "loose size 2" seems to be the modeling size of choice right now [The Cut]

»Jennifer Missoni was spotted wearing the Proenza Schouler for Target bustier last night [Chic Report]

»According to Mary-Kate Olsen, she focuses more on Elizabeth and James, while The Row is "Ashley's baby" [PopSugar UK]

»Daisy Lowe has a Maltese puppy named Uncle Monty [The Cut]

»Same-sex model hookup rumors are still swirling [Fashionista]

»A look at the Spring 2009 New York and London fashion week calendars [COACD, London Fashion Week]

»Parties everywhere: Tod's and Gwyneth Paltrow are hosting a party together during Milan Fashion Week; Rachel Zoe is throwing a party to celebrate her reality show premiere during New York Fashion Week [FWD, FWD]

»Vogue Brazil August 2008 features five local models to watch on the cover [Style File]

»Supermodel dance party, circa 1994 [Fashionista]

»Donatella Versace joins the fashion-designers-doing-real-estate trend [CasaSugar]

»Agyness Deyn has hired a personal assistant [Fashionista]

»Vogue Nippon editor Anna Dello Russo, times three! [The Sartorialist]

»Mary-Kate Olsen smells like teen spirit [Jezebel]

»Eniko Mihalik, Fall 2008 Gucci girl, upcoming Vogue Paris girl [Of the Minute, The Cut]

»First look: Daria Werbowy for David Yurman Fall 2008 [TFS]

>> FASH INSTITUTE —The cover of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's much-anticipated book, Influence, which features interviews with the likes of Christian Louboutin, Lauren Hutton, and Terry Richardson, and exclusive photographs by Rankin, has been revealed. The book is released on October 28, but Amazon has already knocked down the price on pre-order. [Word Up!]

>> So . . . about that Fox News story that's circulating. 

It purports that Jessica Stam is "inspiring Mary-Kate Olsen to ban booze and get healthy" and elaborates with a nice little anecdote about how the two pals spent the Fourth of July together at a "private grill-out at the Estate in Sag Harbor," where Mary-Kate drank no alcohol and "stuck totally to Snapple Antioxidant water, which is believed to be another positive influence that the health-conscious Stam has had on her famous friend." 

Funny thing is, Fox News forgot to mention one little detail. That barbeque at the Estate in Sag Harbor?  It was sponsored by Snapple Antioxidant.  Maybe Stam is a healthy influence in her friends' lives, but I call PR plant on this story. 

*image: source

>> Victoria and Vanessa Traina's summer gigs sound very much like those of another set of sisters . . . three years ago.  In the Summer of 2005, Ashley Olsen interned for Zac Posen and Mary-Kate Olsen worked with Annie Leibovitz; This summer, Victoria (left) is said to be working in Christian Lacroix's Parisian atelier, while her younger sister Vanessa (right), who just recently appeared in the May 2008 issue of Vogue Paris, is now working in the magazine's editorial department. 

Funny how it's all connected — Vanessa styled a video for the Olsens' line The Row a year ago or so — does this bode a high-end line in the making for the Trainas in a few years time?

*image: source