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I think a lot of people who shop at Barneys also secretly love Target (who doesn’t?), and tomorrow those shoppers can hit both stores at once. Sort of.

Tomorrow until Sunday in NYC and then next weekend in LA , Barneys will be featuring Target’s latest Go International collaboration with Rogan. You can only buy 3 pieces, but the line will be available in Target stores later this year.

I’ll be in Vancouver when the line is in LA, and I’m sad that I’m going to miss my opportunity to buy something for $15 at Barneys.

–Valentina

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While I admit that it’s pathetic that this is the question burning in my mind right now, I still have to ask: are we going to get an actual model out of America’s Next Top Model this year? I hope so because season after season, it’s just one pretty girl with little model potential after another.

That’s been the trend for so long now that I don’t expect anything else. I just watch it for the camp factor.

But last night, the panel decided on the top 3, which includes Anya, Fatima, and Whitney. And since the show is obviously only keeping Whitney on to prove that they’re inclusive, I’m sure they’ll kick her off tout suite next week. Then we’ll be left Anya and baby Iman. So good.

On a side note, I feel the same way about Whitney that I’m beginning to feel about Hilary Clinton: I would love for a plus-size model to win, just not that plus-size model.

Anyway, I’m hoping that ANTM doesn’t trash the opportunity to have a real model showdown for this year’s finale. Anyone who’s stuck with the show this long deserves it, for crying out loud.

-Valentina

Why have I been sitting on this Carin Wester lookbook when I should be sharing it with you? Laziness. Pure unadulterated laziness. But, here’s my mea culpa post, and I think it’s well worth the wait.

Carin Wester is a Stockholm-based designer who started her own brand in 2003 after working for Paul & friends. Elle named Wester “Newcomer of the Year” in 2004 and “Design of the Year” in 2005.

According to the press release, the brands latest collection, dubbed “Purple of Mogador,” is based on the African legend of Mogador, a sorcerer and alchemist who discovered purple–well, jesus, if you’re going to discover a color, purple is definitely the way to go. Another inspiration for the line is “the typical 1980s surban Amazon women.”

The line is all about contrast–silk mixed with hemp and linen, purple merged with subtle grey and beige. Also the men’s line has feminine features, while the women’s line has masculine touches (note the frilly men’s shirt above).

Oh, and there are shoes too!

–Valentina

If you’re not in love with Susie Bubble check your pulse. Everyday on Style Bubble, she dazzles with her amazing fashion instinct and uncanny ability to wear everything well. And then she’s so cute and humble, you can’t even hate her.

Yeah, she’s one of those girls.

Check out her spread in the “Fashion on the Internet” issue of Fashion156.com. See Susie model designs by Simone Shailes, Sachio Kawasaki, Mary Katrantzou, Scott Ramsay Kyle, and Sukriti, and eat your heart out.

-Valentina

Some people can wear a floral jumpsuit…

And some people cannot…

I don’t make the rules, but I know when someone is breaking them.

-Valentina

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The MET Costume Institute Gala happened Monday, and the theme was “Superheroes: Fashion and Superheroes. The results were mixed:

Anna Wintour took the theme very literally. Apparently, she went as Storm from X-Men, announcing “I control the weather.” I don’t know, I kind of like it for her…at least it reflects her icy disposition. And it’s fun.

Lou Doillon looks hot in her Marni gown and messy hair. Of course. I think that kind of cool is what the Olsen in gold was going for:

But the one in black looks really good!

I don’t know, I’m just partial to Kate Bosworth. Plus, I love to picture Karl Lagerfeld fingering this gown and saying, “this one, this is for my Kate.” Speaking of Karl…

Karl adds sparkle to his usual fare. Does he always wear the belly chain? It works for him.

I might be alone in this, but I don’t get this at all! It looks like Valentine’s Day threw up all over poor Christina Ricci. It know it’s super-flattering to her figure, but I feel like Elmer’s glue might have been involved.

EW! Who let them in ?!?!?

She & Him, one of my new favorite bands, played LA last week. The show was in a movie theater called the Vista, which made me feel like I was at the Grand Ole Opry or something. In a good way.

The opening band was Lavender Diamond, and the sound in the Vista did lead singer Becky Stark’s booming voice tremendous justice. I’ve seen this band a couple of times, and that girl’s ability to jump hoops with that lilting voice makes me sick with jealousy.

The Grand Ole Opry feel was only exacerbated when Stark called out Zooey Deschanel to duet on a bunch of songs about love being the only answer and whatnot. They even did a sort of comedy act between songs, which was ridiculously charming. I was seriously expecting Minnie Pearl to walk on stage.

She & Him came out after a short intermission and started their set with “Black Hole”. It was then that I realized Deschanel was totally doing her best Linda Ronstadt:

The homage was later cemented with a rendition of “Oh No Not My Baby,” so I’m guessing it wasn’t a subconscious thing. And I guess if I had any criticism of the set, it would be just that: Zooey doesn’t seem to know who she is yet as a performer. But still. Despite her obvious nerves and her tendency to be a little too cute, she’s still great to look at and the music was pretty solid.

M. Ward stayed on the sidelines throughout the show, letting Zooey melt the hearts of the masses, but was still the undeniable leader of the band. Zooey’s instrument playing alternated between tambourine and piano:

They played most of the tracks from their album and some covers. For the last few songs, they called on Jason Schwartzman to play piano on a few songs. Yeah, I know that seems super obnoxious, a real orgy of the hip and young Hollywood actors, but by my estimation Schwartzman has proven himself with Coconut Records (which definitely made up for the folly of Phantom Planet), so I opted not to view the collaboration negatively.

I did, however, take issue with Zooey taking on Screaming Jay Hawkins with “I Put a Spell on You.” That was taking it too far.

Nonetheless, it’s hard not to love She & Him. They’re a great band and so freaking adorable.

-Valentina

I’ve been bopping around in my canvas Keds Champions ever since Spring hit. However, I’ve reverted to my 6th grade self by wearing them sans laces. It’s an okay look, but admittedly kind of sloppy. So, I was pretty excited to see these Vans Aunthentic Lo Downs in Lucky magazine.

The lack of the third lace hole perks the style up a bit, and polishes up the classic shoe. I’m into it, but I’m waiting for the blue to come out.

-Valentina.

I used to live for this De La Soul video, and I felt like watching it today, so voila! I give you “Me, Myself & I.”

And here’s what’s on Threadtrend’s radar:

• I almost peed my pants when I saw these Used Jeans on Denimology.

• Fashionologie has pics of those crazy Agyness Deyn mannequins. Is this Agyness mania getting a little out of hand, or is it just me?

• Trendinista compares the Christian Dior Fall 08 collection to orchids.

• Around the Way Girls has Dimepiece Designs‘ Summer 08 collection.

• Vice interviews Renata Molho who remembers when fashion wasn’t all about profit.

When I wrote about Urban Outfitters’ designer collaborations last week, it didn’t really occur to me what a good match UO and Geren Ford are, but check out this sneak peek of the collection.

Geren Ford’s designs are pretty subtle–the silhouettes always speak for themselves and so do the details. These easy dresses, jumpers and tops are no exception; this is one of the few designer collections that doesn’t look like an afterthought. They look like stepped-up Urban Outfitter’s fare.

Pretty cute and pretty perfect for summer. The best thing is that the clothes are moderately priced from around $48 to $128. Not too bad, especially if the quality doesn’t suck. But that’s hard to tell from pictures.

-Valentina

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