"Brodarte"

$2,670 for a slice of heaven

What! Can it be! Rodarte has finally come out with a men's collection, available only at Opening Ceremony! Oftentimes when labels begin designing for men they lose a lot of what makes their women's collection so outstanding (see: Alexander Wang...Elizabeth and James...) but Rodarte has successfully been able to maintain the essence of their brand while also making the clothing masculine enough for a menswear audience. These threads (no pun intended) don't come cheap though, with each sweater costing $2,670. Maybe you'll get free shipping? The price doesn't shock me, however, and I don't think it's an unreasonable amount considering that the garments are all hand knit here in the U.S.A and use some really exceptional and high quality fabrics like superkid mohair and alpaca. Sadly, I can't afford any of this on a college student budget (and I'm saving my extra kidney for a Rick Owens jacket) but I'll be keeping my eye on you, grey crewneck!

Whoops!

Finally, some real action going down in the tents! Alexandra Tomlinson had a little tumble on the runway today at the Chanel Couture show. While I take no pleasure in watching models fall down (ok, well maybe I do...but just a little bit), I've been itching for some bodies to hit the floor ever since those poor girls ate it last season at Prada and Rodarte. Haute couture shows are too stuffy anyway. Loosen up, people, take a trip!

iStyle

Dear iPhone brethren: If you haven't already done so I'd highly suggest you download the STYLE.com application from the iTunes App Store immediately! Not only is it free, but it comes complete with every major ready-to-wear and couture runway show from New York to Paris. The most recent update to the application now has coverage of the menswear shows, too. You can read reviews, see individual looks from the catwalk, and even watch video of the shows. And believe me, nothing could be more amusing on a bus from Richmond to NYC than watching models tumbling down the runways at the Prada and Rodarte shows over and over and over again! So, there you have it. Don't say I didn't let you know about the best iPhone app EVER!

Are your latest treasures really just last season's pumps?

Are this season's pumps just a fleeting memory???

I've been pondering this issue for quite some time now and I thought it would make a very interesting topic for discussion: would you buy a pair of fashion heels fresh off the runway? This past season I wasn't so much blown away by the clothing in certain collections but, rather, it was the high heels which captivated me so. From the sculpted pumps at Christian Dior to the tribal-inspired feathered heels at Louis Vuitton, I couldn't keep my eyes off what the models were wearing on their feet. Obviously such fancy footwear is a little out of my league (although I do wish more attention could be given to men's shoes), but I still couldn't wait for those heels to arrive on the sales floor at Saks, Barney's, and Bergdorf. I was just dying to spot a woman walking down the street in a soaringly high pair so that I could yell, "Hey, I love your shoes! Rodarte, non?"

But, as the shows in Milan and Paris ended so did my fantasy and I slowly floated back into my own life. Occasionally, however, I would stumble across a $950 pair of sequined Miu Miu pumps on Net-a-Porter or see those feathered Louis Vuitton heels in ELLE listed at over $2,000. Then they announced "recession" and I began to think, "Who is buying these outrageously priced shoes? I mean not only are they impossible to walk in, but they're also going to be sooooo dated!" It's such a shame. The heels are beautiful and no doubt exquisitely made, but how long are they actually wearable? You pay over $1,000 this season for a pair of your favorite designer's pumps and only to turn around and have them be outshined by another pair in less than 6 months.

A number of factors seem to be at play in this equation. Just how lavish and loud are these shoes? On one hand, a basic black satin Prada heel can be worn for a lifetime, despite their age, while pair of platform, patent leather Yves Saint Laurent booties can only be worn for so long before they're officially chisled into the tombstone for Fall 2008 (R.I.P). On the other hand, this season's platform, patent leather Yves Saint Laurent booties are only going to be available for so long (and quantities are limited) so it might behoove one to purchase a pair immediately. Then, 9 years from now when patent comes back around and people begin to question where you got your shoes you can answer, "Oh my, these old things? They're vintage."

So, what's your take on the issue?

Yves Saint Laurent

Christian Dior

Rodarte

Louis Vuitton

Prada