First, the good news (I love my iPhone and I love runway shows, so this is more than just ‘good’ news, its great news): The New York Times reports that Style.com is launching an application for the iPhone expected out sometime this week - and more access to the shows is alright by me.

And now, the bad/annoying/what-is-the-point news: We’ve all heard of pop-up boutiques before, but a pop-up health clinic? In an effort to promote ‘healthy’ model weight, WWD reports that the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) is setting up a health booth inside the tents. Set up specifically as an eating disorder treatment facility, the booth is there to provide answers, referrals and overall outreach to any person interested in treatment or worried about someone they are working with, which sounds good, but seriously - who is going to sit down in the tents and discuss body image, weight, food, etc??! Aren’t people with eating disorders supposed to be very embarassed/ashamed about their bodies, have low self-esteem, be disallusioned about their issues, and so forth and so on? Does the CFDA really think any of these girls will call attention to their very private issues in the middle of Bryant Park where the most judgemental people in the entire world will all be gathered to watch their rivals walk down the runways? I just feel like this is being done to put on a good face, and is merely a weak pr attempt if anything. If the CFDA really wanted to help these girls it needs to be done in a different way; This kind of stuff just proves that the industry doesn’t really want things to change at all - and it is sort of infuriating. Anyway, I hope this stupid booth provides help to those who need it, but wish the CDFA would do something more impactful.

OK - I just had a bit of a shock (seriously):
Style.com has been totally redesigned - and now it reminds me of fashionista.

I don’t know if this necessarily turns your world upside down, but I visit style.com daily (as I do many other sites) and this new face lift of theirs might take some time getting used to. I am, after all, a creature of habit. According to the style.com editors, the new site is designed to:

not only improved popular existing features like our up-to-the-minute fashion show coverage, photo-packed party reports, behind-the-scenes videos, and user-generated lookbooks, we’re also introducing several new ones. Please check out our all-new Beauty Counter blog and our all-improved Style File blog. On September 2, look for Shop Now, a new feature in which our fashion editors will be scouring the Web sites of the world’s top designers and retailers for the best online finds. And come New York fashion week (which begins September 5—not that we need to tell you that), there will be lots more. A full-screen slideshow option will let you see runway photos in even more glorious detail, and our “virtual front row”—your favorite models, editors, and socials in avatar form—will provide instant feedback on the latest shows and backstage intrigues. We’re also happy to announce that model Coco Rocha is joining Style.com as our new video host.

I’m excited about the new features they mention, but what do you think about it? Do you actually think anything about it? Do you guys visit style.com as much as I do?

Vogue’s online weekly ‘Best Dressed’ list annoys me because it isn’t about being well dressed at all. It has nothing to do with the total outfit or the particular look - it’s just about is about the right label, or being a starlet/socialite and thin enough to look good next to the random model they always throw in. I usually think only 1 or 2 of the people chosen actually deserve to be there.

This week, Liv Tyler made the cut (her image is currently at #6) and while I think she’s great - very talented, very pretty, and seems to have a great personality - she certainly doesn’t deserve to be on the list this week (or at least not for the look that was chosen for the list). The dress she’s wearing is hideous and makes her look like a dorky girl on her way to her first high school dance. Actually, this week isn’t nearly as bad as they usually are - check out the list that went up on July 19th, especially #5, 6, 8-10. I mean, is this really supposed to be a best dressed list? Why don’t they just call it what it is - Looks We Love or Girls We Love or The Vogue List - something along those lines?

So who do I think is the ‘best dressed’? Now that’s an interesting question. I’ll think about it and get back to you soon…although as this is a question of taste and style, I’m sure many are going to disagree with my list as well.

Black Lace: Givenchy, Christian Lacroix, Dior, Chanel, Anne Valérie Hash, Armani Privé
Sheer Beauty: Valentino, Christian Dior
Fabulous Fur: Givenchy, Chanel, Armani Privé, Jean Paul Gaultier
Take a Bow: Armani Privé, Christian Dior (esp. accessories), Elie Saab
Black & White: Dior, Armani Privé, Chanel, Anne Valérie Hash, Givenchy, Jean Paul Gaultier
Sweet Pastels: Armani Privé, Anne Valérie Hash, Christian Dior, Valentino
Color Pops: Christian Lacroix, Jean Paul Gaultier

Favorite Collections: Christian Lacroix & Christian Dior
Most Wearable: Givenchy
Most Original Accessories: Anne Valérie Hash’s shoulder piece & necklace - love love love them

Check out the shows for yourself at style.com and let me know what you think…

I’m on Style.com a lot and have basically seen everything they’ve ever pushed. When they first created the LookBook feature I was hooked, but for some reason it never really stuck with me although it is a feature I enjoy.

Anyway, they currently have one LookBook featured on their homepage that is truly worth looking at - one “inspired by The Costume Institute’s Party of The Year, some daring, dangerous and bold looks from the runway for Villains.”

I love this take on villains and can tell this LookBook editor has either seen or read the Chronicles of Narnia, Sleeping Beauty and Legend. It’s fantasy based, very beautiful, and worth checking out.

See all of lindaluau’s lookbook picks for villains here >