Lanvin – Chanel – Shopping – Clothing – Footwear

We’re experiencing a bit of a heat wave in New York, so the floral-lined walls, pots of fabric flowers–and a green grass garden filled with dresses, shirts and kid’s clothes instead of tulips–were a welcome sight. As was the gigantic teapot, a nod to Liberty’s English heritage. I missed Naomi Watts, hired to open the store, but I did take advantage of the fresh fruit and coffee passed around.

As for the product? It’s good. Really, really good.

I’m not too into floral maxi dresses–which were abound–but I did pick up some nice lounge wear ($16.99 for bras) and a ton of boxers ($5.99 a pair) for my boyfriend. The kids clothes were incredible: Smocked rompers for girls and shorts for boys printed with tiny cars. And the housewares? Wow! I found plates, serving platters, and pillows in plenty of richly-colored floral prints. There was even an adorable umbrella with matching wellies. But the best bit–in my opinion–was the bike (it’s $199). I might actually buy one.

Yet here’s what’s more important: The fabric quality isn’t too bad. The difficult with Liberty of London is that the fabric is pretty expensive. Usually upward of $50 a yard at retail, sometimes quite a bit more. That’s why, before this, mid-priced brands like Steven Alan, APC–and even J.Crew–were more likely to use it in clothing.

But because Target buys in bulk–and Liberty is on a collaboration spree–things are affordable. (I did put in a call to Target’s press department to make sure the fabrics are actually from Liberty’s own mill. There’s a chance that the retailer licensed the prints for a certain period of time instead of buying the actually fabric, which would probably cost a lot less. I’ll let you know either way. UPDATE: Yes, these are Liberty prints on non-Liberty fabric, which explains the low prices.)

Regardless, it looks good. Because most of the clothing is cotton, there isn’t an obvious cheapness factor. While I haven’t had horrible luck with Target collabs in the past, it’s well-known that they aren’t always as stunning as they appear in the look book. This time around, you’ll be happy you sought it out.

The pop-up is open today until 8pm and March 11-March 13 from 9am to 8pm. But for those outside of New York, don’t fret: The full collection arrives in select stores nationwide this Sunday, March 14.

Liberty of London – Bryant Park – London – J.Crew – Naomi Watts

Arts – Performing Arts – Chloé – Alexander McQueen – Stella McCartney

Big hearts to Burberry, John Varvatos, Net-a-Porter, Tresemme, Trump SoHo and Volcom.

John Varvatos – United States – New York City – Fashion week – HBO

She was wearing Miu Miu’s giant white cat pin on the shoulder of her sleek black coat.

“I love your pin,” I gushed.

“Thanks! It’s Miu Miu,” she answered.

“I know! The whole collection was amazing.”

“When I went into the shop, I walked up to the counter, pointed at the pin and went, ‘Meow!’ [makes claw motions] and you know because it’s Miu Miu I expected them to be like [makes hoighty-toighty face], but instead the guy just looked at me and goes, ‘Meowww!’ [makes claw motions],” she explained.

Just when we thought Miu Miu couldn’t get any better.

Miu Miu – Gold – Net-a-Porter – Leather – Handbag

2. This show opened with a horn, like the horns used to signal the arrival of royalty in old movies (and in real life circa the Middle Ages, right)?

3. Dita Von Teese is one of the few celebrities who looks better in person and she’s sitting front row with Castelbajac’s son, her boyfriend of a couple of years. (Julianne Moore’s the only other one who comes to mind actually.)

4. It may be a little early to immortalize Beth Ditto as a saint on a stained glass dress, but the crowd loves it. Almost as much as they love the giant wolf dog leading a skinny male model and threatening the photographers’ pit.

5. Antlers are going to be, like, so hot for fall.

Jean Charles de Castelbajac – Middle Ages – Dita Von Teese – Julianne Moore – Beth Ditto

“God I hope not. I think they’re screaming ‘Let’s Go!’”

We’re inside la Halle Freyssinet, a convention-like center on the outskirts of Paris for the Valentino show. And though everyone’s seated (it’s a small show, the first I’ve been to with no standing at all), the lights are dimmed and the show was supposed to start almost an hour ago, nothing’s happening.

“Madonna better walk through that door,” I mutter.

“I mean who could it be?” someone asks, until a pouf of bright red hair dashes through security and the photographers start booing Grace Coddington. The crowd cheers over their boos, whistling their support, Kenneth Anger’s films play on the white walls and within seconds, lace and ruffles storm the runway.

It looks like Pier Paolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri took the success of Chloé Sevigny’s Golden Globes dress and ran with it. There are ruffled dresses, skirts, tops and leather dresses, paired mostly with lace and studded heels. The show closes with two stunning dresses–one in Valentino red with nude ruffles and a layered sheath with embroidered beads that looks like the most decadent pastry.

I’ve promised Kate that if/when I crash the Oscars I’ll wear Giles, but I might change my mind for Jac’s closing look.

Paris – Golden Globe Award – Valentino SpA – Clothing – Shopping

As if Marc’s New York show didn’t leave us feeling romantic enough, he outdid himself in Paris. A tent was built around a fountain in the Louvre’s courtyard; the audience sat in a ring around it. The music began at 2:30 on the dot, like the score to a Fellini movie, and Laetitia Casta walked out, pouring over the edge of her pinstripe corset.

Around the fountain they went: Natasha in a leather corset with crocodile pumps, Kasia in a tweed suit, Anne V in velvet, Lara in a floral organza dress just begging for prom circa 1950, Mariacarla in a leather coat, even Bar Rafaeli in a silk wool dress—all with pulled pack ponytails and lady-like bags.

Marc closed with four spectacular gowns, the last of which appeared on Elle Macpherson, beaming on her turn around the runway. It’s amazing how many designers (or casting agents?) realized women with breasts look fantastic in clothes, and between Marc and Miuccia—and Giles—here’s hoping it’s a trend that sticks around and not a seasonal thing wistfully remembered in the future.

Louis Vuitton – Paris – Elle Macpherson – Laetitia Casta – New York

Borgo Borgo Borgo: Diane Pernet chats with Eddie Borgo about his fall collection. The jewelry designer walks us through his showroom and shows off his latest pieces, which were inspired by Beetlejuice and The Nightmare Before Christmas. Ugh, we want every single one! {ASVOF}

Care to Share?: Tommy Ton tweeted something very mysterious last night. We’re dying to know what he knows and hope the news lives up to the hype. We’ve been disappointed too much lately with promises of “earth-shaking” news. {Twitter}

Another One Bites The Dust: American Eagle Outfitters Inc. will close its Martin+Osa brand, shutting down online and all retail operations. The retailer will instead focus its energies on AE, aerie and 77kids. {Market Watch}

Smell Like Jen: Jennifer Aniston might launch her own fragrance later this year. WWD reports that Aniston was shopping for a beauty deal last year. If the deal goes through, Aniston’s scent will be the second celeb fragrance for the Falic Group, which signed Eva Longoria Parker to a deal last year. {WWD}

American Eagle Outfitters – Nightmare Before Christmas – Eva Longoria Parker – Phillip Lim – Arts