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Sadly, I've never bought any of the pieces from one of H&M's limited-edition designer collabs. I really wish I could (Roberto Cavalli, hello?!), but the closest H&M to me at school is an hour away and it's not one of the stores that gets the pieces. Instead, I just admire from afar, which is what I'll probably be doing with Matthew Williamson's collection for H&M. I hadn't heard of Matthew Williamson before his announcement that he'd be collaborating with H&M, but I saw pictures pop up at New York Fashion Week (I think?), so now I'm semi-familiarized.

Nitro:licious has posted a few shots of pieces from the collection; they're a bit pricey for me but nevertheless cheaper than a garment from Williamson's regular line. The dress I'm loving is so similar to the one seen on Lindsay Lohan, it's almost like wearing one of Williamson's pieces right off the runway.

Image via nitro:licious

New York Mag's fashion blog 'The Cut' is always trustworthy when it comes to up-to-the-minute style news. Two items caught my eye today - American Apparel avoided filing for Ch. 11 protection thanks to an $80 million loan, while on the opposite end of the spectrum 'Project Runway' alum Christian Siriano actually saw growth in his sales this past year.

It's hard to believe that American Apparel almost went bankrupt since it's ad campaign is nearly everywhere (hello, Facebook side banners) and they're opening new stores left and right (with more openings planned!). However, all's not perfect behind closed doors as CEO Dov Charney has had his fair share of controversy this past year - lawsuits, etc. 'The Cut' also reports that Charney's been forced to move funds from his personal accounts in order to keep American Apparel afloat. Interesting, interesting.

In other news, Christian Siriano says that he did well this year because last year was his first season... Meaning, starting off, he could only have small profits. And his company never grew large enough to force him to fire employees for economic reasons. So what's the lesson here? Start up your company right before a huge recession slaps the economy and you'll be all set to ride the wave into prosperity.

A few months ago it was confirmed that Pamela Anderson would be the latest face of Vivienne Westwood... an interesting choice, to say the least. Today the Internet was abuzz with the five photos of Pam's shoot for Vivienne Westwood - here's one of them, but be sure to check 'em all out at FabSugar.

Image via FabSugar

Kudos to Vivienne Westwood for choosing someone different as the face of her line, but Pam Anderson? I'm not loving it, mostly because I believe there are a lot of young models out there who could do a great job representing Vivienne Westwood and who aren't as overexposed as Pam Anderson (i.e., Nikia Phoenix!!).

As of late, denim brand Current/Elliott has been spotted on A-listers such as Katie Holmes, Reese Witherspoon, and Rachel Bilson (shown below wearing their jeans). Well, why not capitalize on popularity, especially when most other businesses are laying staff off, right? 

Current Elliott Boyfriend Jean in Super Loved Destroyed as seen in Vogue and on Rachel Bilson

$229.00 at Singer22

Lately, it seems that most of the news I hear concerning Fashion Week is more designers dropping out of tents and choosing to instead have a low-budget presentation. There's nothing wrong with that, but is IMG being completely truthful when they insist that everything at Fashion Week will run completely smoothly, just like during old times? Style.com reports:

"Still, if you were expecting a lighter New York schedule, think again. Almost every day has slots that are, as per usual, triple or quadruple booked. Though the total number of events has dropped from 225 to 197 since February 2008, Mallis and her team emphasized the fact that at this point there are but four fewer designers slated to present in the tents than there were last fall. As for sponsorships, the PR execs said the money is there, you just have to work harder for it."

Oh, yeah - IMG is also gonna try their hardest to get Michelle Obama to attend some of the shows. Hmm...

How unfortunate to read something like this on the day our nation is celebrating the inauguration of the first African-American president. The Cut reported that in most of Milan's fashion shows, almost all the models were white. As I read this, I was astounded and saddened but also dumbfounded. Of all industries, I feel that the fashion world is usually forward-thinking and embracing change and variety. From The Cut:

"In Milan, not a single black, Asian, or Latino model walked the runways of Jil Sander, Missoni, Burberry, Trussardi,Bottega Veneta, Gianfranco Ferré, Roberto Cavalli, or Prada. The Emporio Armani and Versace shows notably included black models. Gucci designer Frida Giannini said she is 'always looking for black models, or even Chinese or whatever, for the shows,' but agencies always send her the same crop of white guys. Her show featured an entirely white cast."

A model walks the Prada show

For more information, be sure to read the New York Times article that inspired this post from the Cut, "In Milan, Models Still Only Come in One Color." I'm interested to see how the fashion world will be responding to this, especially since designers come from all different cultures and backgrounds. If no two designers are the same, why should all the models be uniform?

Brazilian designer Vlademar Iodice is just one more designer who's opted not to show in the Bryant Park tents for New York's upcoming Fashion Week. Instead, Iodice will be offering free dresses to buyers and press if they choose to attend his presentation, which will be much more scaled down than a typical Iodice runway show.

Iodice Marta Top in Dark Blue

$218.00 by Iodice at CoutureCandy

More information from the Wall Street Journal's fashion blog, Heard on the Runway:

"Details are still being worked out, but according to Ms. Joloya, guests will be offered a choice from a rack of jersey dresses; fitting rooms will be set up in the showroom. The dresses, which retail for $300 - $500, will be culled from the Fall 2008 line. Guests will be spaced out throughout the day to avoid crowding. Time permitting, Mr. Iodice himself will offer personal fittings. Dresses will be altered and delivered at a later date.

Mr. Iodice, who has shown at the tents in Bryant Park the last two seasons, decided to do a presentation this time because the company is trying to save money and is 'trying to be smarter' with its budget, according to Adriano Iodice, the designer’s son and vice president of marketing. The company says it is hoping that this new tactic will pay off in more sales.

Giving away dresses is the designer’s 'personal way of saying thank you to the U.S. market for the last two seasons he was able to have at New York Fashion Week,' Ms. Joloya says."

What a fashionable way to say 'thank you!' Still, it's always sad when we're reminded of how poorly the economy is doing.

You all know how much I love Johnny Cupcakes' T-shirt designs! And I've managed to pass that love on... here's a brief reminder of my friend Krystina's Johnny Cupcakes tee she got for Christmas:

Vanessa and Angela Simmons, the oldest daughters of Run DMC's Rev Run and stars of MTV's new reality show "Daddy's Girls," have 'designed' a T-shirt for their clothing and footwear company "Pastry" featuring - you guessed it - a cupcake. And obviously, Johnny Cupcakes isn't happy about it.

Image via The Cut

OK, I can understand wanting to incorporate a cupcake into your design if you're Vanessa or Angela Simmons. Pastry, cupcake. They go together. But seriously, their shirt is a carbon copy of Johnny's design. Did they think they were really going to get away with it? (Johnny's version is cooler, anyway.) More info from The Cut:

"The designer of Johnny Cupcakes, a homegrown T-shirt brand focused on 'cupcakes and anything associated with it,' alleges that Pastry is knocking off his designs. He's working with his trademark attorney and so far has gotten an unspecified major mall chain not to order any Pastry products, though it's unclear what legal action has been taken against Pastry itself."

Good for Johnny! As for Vanessa and Angela, Daddy definitely won't be happy with his girls when he needs to front the funds for a big fat lawsuit!

I used to not care for Scarlett Johansson - it's not that I disliked her, I dunno, I just didn't care for her. However, recently Scarlett's been growing on me. I love how she rocks Old Hollywood glamour so easily, plus Ryan Reynolds isn't too bad to ogle either. I really admire her for having a low-key wedding without selling her photos to the paparazzi - maybe that was the turning point for me, ha!

Well, speaking of Old Hollywood glamour, check out Scarlett looking uber-fabulous as the face of Dolce & Gabbana's makeup collection. Loving those red lips, she works them so well!

Image via BellaSugar

More info about D&G's forthcoming makeup line, from BellaSugar:

"The luxe collection will roll out at the beginning of February at Saks' Beverly Hills and Fifth Avenue stores, with colors inspired by vivid blues from the Mediterranean, the dark burgundy shade of dahlia (Gabbana's favorite flower), and gold and black from Stromboli. As for the packaging, it captures Dolce & Gabbana’s deluxe style with shiny gold tones and curved edges. A long time coming, Dolce & Gabbana Makeup will feature rose-scented lipstick ($30) at the heart of the line, along with a peppery mascara ($28). Besides bronzing powder, lip gloss, eye and lip pencils, and blush, expect to see eye shadow duos ($36), nail lacquer ($20), and powder foundation ($59), too."

I wonder what peppery mascara is like, exactly? Either way, I'm sure D&G's makeup will be as luxurious as their clothes.

A month or so back, the fashion world was buzzing about Miu Miu's signing Broadway star and "Dawson's Creek" alum Katie Holmes to be the face of their spring campaign. I thought it was somewhat odd that they'd pick her also. Suri Cruise is awesome - she definitely gets what she wants and knows how to work the cameras - but I just don't see Katie Holmes as a style icon. Maybe I'm too influenced by the tabloid headlines that concern those Scientology rituals that turned her hands purple. 

Well, now you can judge for yourself, since Perez Hilton has just posted a shot from Miu Miu's campaign:

Image via Perez Hilton

I'm not really sure what to think. Is it fair to say Katie's eyes look almost... lifeless? Maybe she's trying to work the whole 'fierce' thing?