According to Fashionologie, the collection — called Hi There from Karen Walker — will include ”cute dresses, fun prints, and strong colors.” Hi There from Karen will be available at 164 Anthropologie stores across the United States starting in March 2012.

Want to see what the collection will look like? Scroll on down to check out the full lookbook, courtesy of Karen Walker: (Click each photo to enlarge)

Your thoughts?

What do you think of this collaboration? Would you buy anything from this collection? Which look is your favorite? Be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

As an Art History major, whenever I travel, I spend most of my time visiting museums.

Although I love seeing the paintings and sculptures that I have studied in class, some of my favorite museums display another kind of art – clothes. From couture outfits straight off the runway to Victorian lace gowns, studying these pieces can tell me just as much about a culture and time period as a painting. And imagining where the dresses have been – swirling on the dance floor at a ball at Versailles, or strolling down the streets of 19^th century London – is my favorite daydream.

Below are my seven all-time favorite fashion museums. They are museums I have visited that remind me what fashion truly is – a mix of influences from art, culture and society, and something that can transform a woman into anything that she wants to be.

1. The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City

Since my house is only a short walk from the Met, it leads to an unhealthy obsession with the Costume Institute exhibits. I do not want to admit how many times I visited my personal favorites, such as the Paul Poiret and American Woman exhibits.

The Costume Institute, an enormous collection of historic costumes owned by the Met, puts on a different themed exhibit each summer. This summer’s exhibit is on Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada, comparing and contrasting their work. Once confined to a dark basement gallery with the garments displayed behind glass, over the past few years the exhibits have gotten bigger and better with imaginative scenery and elaborate decoration. The most famous fashion collection in America, this is a must see if you are in New York City during the summer.

2. Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris

Musée des Arts Décoratifs

Connected to the Louvre, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs puts on exhibits of French clothing – but think a lot of avant-garde, contemporary designers, like Hussein Chalayan, Maison Martin Margiela and Galliano. It also exhibits retrospectives of French Designers, and French fashion from different decades.

This is the must-see fashion museum in Paris if you want to get a glimpse at more modern Parisian couture and design. The museum also has an incredible fine jewelry collection. And make sure to check out the incredible book shop in the library, with tons of amazing fashion books!

3. Musée Galliera, Paris

Housed in an enormous mansion near Avenue Montagine, the Musée Galliera holds the largest costume collection in Paris. It has two exhibits per year, each showcasing a different selection of clothing from its vast collection.

Last time I was there, they had a show focused on the 1920s and the amount of dresses, suits and accessories that were displayed was incredible. Its older dresses, spanning back to the 18^th century, are gorgeous examples of Rococo fashion and its collection is in excellent shape.

4. The Costume Gallery, Pitti Palace, Florence

The Costume Gallery

My Art History teacher recommended I visit these galleries when I was in Florence and I am glad that she did, otherwise I would never have found them. Located in the enormous Pitti Palace, which is basically the Versailles of Florence, the costume collection is hidden amongst priceless works of art and up endless flights of stairs, but the trek to get there is worth it.

The collection is displayed in a suite of meticulously decorated 19^th century rooms, and in each lavishly appointed room, there are glass cases of dresses by Italian designers, some from the 18^th century and some from ten years ago. The museum also exhibits three of the few 16^th century outfits left in the world. Most amazingly, the outfits belonged to Cosimo Medici and his wife Eleonora, who ruled Florence in the 16^th century. And get this – the clothes displayed are their burial garments that were taken off of their bodies. Kind of gross (and the clothes are not in good shape, as expected) but also super cool.

5. The Museum at FIT, New York City

This museum is located at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and though small, it has a great collection of many important designer pieces from the last century – from Gianni Versace’s Marilyn Monroe-printed suit to Halston gowns. The museum also collaborates with great icons and other collections. Most recently they had an exhibition of clothing that Daphne Guiness lent from her closet.

6. The Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent, Paris

The Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent

This small gem of a museum is located in what used to be Saint Laurent’s atelier, and is now the company’s archives. The museum only contains a few rooms, filled of with rotating exhibits of Saint Laurent designs from different collections and periods. But, if you are in Paris on a college program, you can contact the foundation for a tour of the archives.

I got the chance to take the tour of the archives a few years ago, and it was absolutely breathtaking – imagine rows and rows of shelves and racks filled with every Saint Laurent collection. Also, the museum has a great gift shop- think YSL pens, pins and postcards, for only a few euros!

7. Valentino Garavani Virtual Museum, Your Computer

The fashion museum of the future! And finally, one that you can access without even leaving your desk. Launched this past December, the Valentino Garavani Virtual Museum houses Valentino’s digital archive.

On the downloaded application, there is a virtual museum containing many different rooms to explore, with dresses on mannequins in all of them. When you click on a dress, you can view celebrities wearing it, the original sketches for it, the dress on the runway, and other details. It is a ton of fun to play around with and a very interesting concept – best of all, you can check it out from the comfort of your room!

Your thoughts?

Now that you’ve seen my picks for must-see fashion museums, I want to hear from you: Have you visited any of these museums? Are you planning on visiting any of them? What are YOUR favorite fashion museums and exhibits that you’ve seen? Leave a comment and tell me!

Top 5 Best-Dressed

Here are my picks for best dressed at this year’s SAG Awards, in no particular order:

Michelle Williams in Valentino

Photo: PR Photos

Michelle Williams always rocks demure, vintage-inspired frocks and last night was no exception. Her classic red Valentino gown was adorned with feminine lace detailing and Michelle added some red sandals and a crimson box clutch. What did you think of her head-to-toe red look?

Shailene Woodley in L’Wren Scott

Photo: PR Photos

The SAG Awards are more laid back than the Golden Globes or Oscars, so I love that The Descendants’ Shailene Woodley chose to wear this really fun, young, and colorful L’Wren Scott gown. The Hawaiian-like print seemed to be a nod to her film’s setting and the baby blue hue with pops of red made a statement. Shailene kept her hair and makeup low-key, in order to let the dress be the focus.

Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji

Photo: PR Photos

SAG Award winner Octavia Spencer was one of the first stars I saw on the red carpet last night, but I kept thinking about her silver Tadashi Shoji gown the entire time! The shimmery dress had a great mix of textures — a delicate floral-applique top and super-flattering, silky wrap skirt. Octavia also sported a sleek updo, which really showcased her lovely statement earrings.

Emma Stone in Alexander McQueen

Photo: PR Photos

Emma Stone killed it fashion-wise at the Golden Globes a few weeks ago and she once again looked amazing at last night’s ceremony. Her tea-length Alexander McQueen dress channeled Old Hollywood, while the sky-high ankle strap pumps and gold-handled clutch kept the look modern and youthful. Can this girl do no wrong?!

Zoe Saldana in Givenchy Couture

Photo: PR Photos

This little number from the Givenchy Spring ’12 couture collection had a lot of fashion commentators on the fence, but I for one was in love with this dress. The gown has a kind of edgy-meets-glam vibe and while not everyone could pull off what is essentially a white tank under a mesh top, Zoe did it flawlessly.

Other Notable Ensembles

Although we can’t discuss e-v-e-r-y single look from last night, here are four more celebs that made quite the buzz on the red carpet:

Emily Blunt in Oscar de la Renta

Photo: PR Photos

How gorgeous is this Oscar de la Renta gown?! Emily Blunt stood out last night in this bright, kelly green frock, which perfectly complemented her coloring. She completed her glam look with with a simple updo, several sparkling bangles and a matching clutch.

Rose Byrne in Elie Saab

Photo: PR Photos

Rose Byrne took a definite fashion risk on last night’s red carpet with this sleek Elie Saab pantsuit. This was a prime example of a “love it or hate it” kind of look — you either think it’s fabulous or a fashion disaster. We love that she took a risk -  what did you think of Rose’s daring ensemble?

Lea Michele in Versace

Photo: PR Photos

Lea Michele showed off her looong legs last night in a Grecian-style Versace gown. The soft, gray, sculptural dress definitely turned a lot of heads on the red carpet with its thigh-high slit, but I really loved the way Lea toned down the look by wearing her hair down with a simple side part.

Viola Davis in Marchesa

Photo: PR Photos

Outstanding Lead Actress winner Viola Davis made a statement on the red carpet in this white Marchesa gown with an ornate golden overlay on the bust. Both shades complemented her skin tone flawlessly and made her positively glow, while her coordinating accessories were the icing on the cake.

Least Favorite Look

As much as we wish they could, not every celeb makes the right fashion choice on the red carpet. Here’s one look that wasn’t a big hit last night:

Kristen Wiig in Balenciaga

Photo: PR Photos

Okay, so I’m on the fence with this one: I really liked this simple and chic white Balenciaga gown, but I could NOT get past that weird, chunky choker! It seems like such an odd choice to wear with a halter-neck gown and didn’t match the rest of her look at all. What do you think– did the choker make this look a fashion faux pas or you willing to give Kristen a pass?

Your thoughts?

Now that you know what we think, tell us your opinion. Did you watch the SAG Awards last night? Who wins your pick for best-dressed? Any looks you didn’t like? Be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

Dubbed Colours of the Capitol, the collection will include 12 shades, each inspired by one of the districts of Panem. The collection will launch on March 1st in order to coincide with the release of The Hunger Games movie on March 23rd. Each limited-edition polish will retail for $7 and be available at China Glaze retailers like ULTA and Sally Beauty Supply.

Want to see what the polishes will look like? Here are all 12 colors, courtesy of China Glaze via All Lacquered Up:

L to R: Luxe and Lush, Stone Cold, Riveting

L to R: Hook and Line, Electrify, Fast Track

L to R: Mahogany Magic, Dress Me Up, Harvest Moon

L to R: Foie Gras, Agro, Smoke and Ashes

Your thoughts?

What do you think of this collaboration? Are you a fan of The Hunger Games? Which color is your favorite? Will you be adding any of these polishes to your collection? Remember to leave a comment and tell us what you think!

Top 5 Best-Dressed

Here are my picks for best dressed at the 2012 Golden Globes, in no particular order:

Nicole Richie in Julien Macdonald

Photo: PR Photos

Presenter Nicole Richie donned a slinky, floor-skimming Julien Macdonald number at the Globes this year. Her super-shiny metallic gown looked lovely on the red carpet and Nicole completed her look with a voluminous, ’60s-esque ponytail, vintage earrings and accessories from her House of Harlow 1960 line.

Claire Danes in J. Mendel

Photo: PR Photos

Last night Claire Danes rocked a J. Mendel gown that was meant to be viewed from behind. (Click here to view more pictures so you can get the full effect!) While the front her dress was a little tame, the gorgeous cut-out back skyrocketed it to the top of my list. The sparkly sequined detailing made this gown a true standout on the red carpet.

Emma Stone in Lanvin

Photo: ELLE

Disclaimer: I have a HUGE girl crush on Emma Stone, however, I don’t think that it influenced my decision to include her on best-dressed list. In fact, I would have loved this Lanvin gown on anyone, but the fact that Emma wore it made it all the more perfect. The luxe velvet, burgundy hues mixed with fuchsia, and eagle-adorned belt all made this frock a winner in my book.

Charlize Theron in Dior Couture

Photo: ELLE

Charlize proved that it definitely pays to be Dior’s spokesperson by wearing a beautiful couture gown created by the design house. Her pale pink ’20s-style gown featured a deep, plunging neckline and sculptural bustle, and she completed her look with a side-swept updo adorned with a jeweled headband.

Evan Rachel Wood in Gucci Premiere

Photo: ELLE

Every red carpet needs a little extravagance, so I was happy to see Evan Rachel Wood rocking this couture gown at the Globes last night. This sequined and feather-adorned Gucci gown exuded Old Hollywood glamour with a modern twist. Texturally, it looks amazing and I really loved the gradient of dark green shades. What did you think of Evan’s look?

Other Notable Ensembles

Although they didn’t quite make my top 5 list, here are some other gowns that made a buzz on the red carpet last night:

Rooney Mara in Nina Ricci

Photo: PR Photos

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo actress went with an ever-classic LBD for last night’s ceremony. Rooney’s sleek Nina Ricci gown featured a plunging neckline and cutouts, which created a modern, sultry vibe. She kept the rest of her look clean and simple with minimal makeup, a sleek ponytail and zero accessories.

Sarah Michelle Gellar in Monique Lhuillier

Photo: PR Photos

Sarah Michelle Gellar stepped out in a daring, tie-dyed Monique Lhuillier gown last night. This dress was pretty controversial among fashion commentators – it’s one of those looks that you either love or hate, with no in-betweens! Sarah did explain her out-of-the-box fashion choice on the red carpet — it turns out her two-year-old daughter picked out the gown, which is pretty adorable (and makes a lot of sense!).

Angelina Jolie in Atelier Versace

Photo: ELLE

Fashion-wise, Angelina Jolie can do no wrong in our eyes and she didn’t disappoint at the Globes this year. She wore a silky, cream-colored Atelier Versace gown with gorgeous red detailing on the neckline and pulled it off in a way that only Angelina could. She even matched her red lipstick to her bag and dress, which is a prime example of color coordination at its finest.

Zooey Deschanel in Prada

Photo: ELLE

New Girl‘s Zooey Deschanel got to wear custom-made Prada for her first trip down the Golden Globes red carpet and this fitted, floor-length gown was certainly a departure from Zooey’s typical short, vintage-inspired A-line frocks. Personally, I loved the beading on the bodice, but wish it had extended a bit further onto the bottom half of the dress. Oh, and for all you nail art fans, Zooey also rocked a tuxedo mani last night — so cute!

Least Favorite Look

Unfortunately, not every celeb knocks it out of the ballpark when it comes to red carpet fashion. Here’s one look simply didn’t care for at last night’s event:

Piper Perabo in Theyskens’ Theory

Photo: PR Photos

I really wasn’t a fan of Piper Perabo’s overly-voluminous Theyskens’ Theory gown at the Globes. The size of the skirt was a little too Gone with the Wind for my taste and the semi-sheer grey fabric wasn’t doing the look any favors either. Piper was all smiles on the red carpet, though, and proved that confidence is key when taking a fashion risk.

Your thoughts?

Now that you know what we think, tell us your opinion. Did you watch the Golden Globes last night? Who wins your pick for best-dressed? Any looks you didn’t like? Be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

Wu’s 53-piece collection includes women’s apparel, handbags and scarves, with prices ranging from $19.99 to $59.99 for clothing and $19.99 to $49.99 for the handbags and scarves. Jason Wu for Target launches in stores and online on February 5th and will be available through March 6th.

Want to see what the collection will look like? Scroll on down to check out the full lookbook, courtesy of Target Style: (Click each photo to enlarge.)

Your thoughts?

What do you think of this collection? Which look is your favorite? Do any pieces stand out to you? Will you be checking out this collection when it launches? Remember to leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts!

The new year is the perfect time to start fresh and Target plans to do just that by revamping their strategies for designer collaborations in 2012.

Target recently announced they would be discontinuing their Go International line — which only focused on apparel — in favor of a broader range of collaborations. The retailer’s new strategy will be modeled after last year’s massive Missoni collection, which encompassed everything from clothes and accessories to home goods and furniture.

According to WWD, Target wants to team up with designers to create collections that will cover many departments across their store, including food, clothing, home decor and even pet food, which would definitely be a designer collab first.

Your thoughts?

What do you think Target’s new collaboration strategy? What kind of collaborations would you like to see? Do you think Target should stick to apparel-only lines? Which designer would you like to see create a line for Target? Remember to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

In order to keep the info straight about the upcoming collections, we decided to compile the most important details about each one. Scroll on down to learn some fast facts about each collaboration:

Karl by Karl Lagerfeld

Image Credit

Who: Chanel’s head designer, Karl Lagerfeld

What: A 100-piece women’s collection

When: Starting on January 25, 2012

Where: Launches on Net-a-Porter, with sales on KarlLagerfeld.com starting in February.

What to Expect: Lagerfeld himself described the line as “street” and “rock” and the collection is slated to include lots of denim and leather, as well as items like cocktail dresses, fingerless gloves and detachable collars. (Don’t forget to check out the preview of Karl by Karl Lagerfeld!)

Jason Wu for Target

Image Credit

Who: American designer Jason Wu

What: Women’s apparel, handbags and scarves

When: February 5th through March 6th, 2012

Where: Online and at participating Target stores nationwide

What to Expect: Wu’s muse for the collection is a black cat named Milu (pictured above) and the line will include lower-priced versions of his most famous designs. Also, the line’s spring-appropriate color palette will include navy blue, red, beige and yellow shades .

Marni for H&M

Photo Courtesy of H&M

Who: Italian fashion house Marni

What: Clothes and accessories for men and women

When: March 8th, 2012

Where: Online and at 250 H&M stores worldwide

What to Expect: Marni’s creative director and founder, Consuelo Castiglioni said the H&M collection is all about “juxtaposing prints and colors, mixing modern tribal with Bauhaus graphic and adding sporty utilitarian elements.” The women’s collection will focus on bright colors and bold, African-inspired prints, while the men’s collection will be a modern and relaxed take on classic menswear.

Your thoughts?

Do you normally buy items from designer collaborations? Which of these upcoming collections are you most excited for? Will you be checking any of these collaborations out after they launch? Leave a comment and tell us what you think!

I’m a sucker for shoes – heels, especially. Even if I’m only going to wear them once every couple of months, if I see a good quality shoe that’s reasonably priced, I usually can’t pass it up.

Lucky for me, there’s Nine West, and the company’s creative director Fred Allard. With years of European design experience under his belt, Allard has helped Nine West morph into the fashion leader it is today.

Want to learn more about Nine West and Creative Director Fred Allard? Keep reading for 10 fun facts and an outfit inspired by Allard and Nine West!

(Missed a part of our series? We’ll make it easy for you…read up on J.Crew, Free People, H&M, J. Brand Jeans, Coach, Nike, Madewell, TOMS, Lacoste, Banana Republic, Anthropologie, Topshop, and Vera Bradley.)

Covetable looks from Fred’s November Press Tour | Photo Credit

10 Fun Facts About Nine West Creative Director Fred Allard

• Allard grew up in Vercors, a town located in the south of France. Although he initially wanted to design clothing, he decided on accessories and worked in a factory to learn the process from beginning to end.
• Fred comes from a fashionable family! His father, Rene Allard, designed for Charles Jourdan and Dior from the mid-’60s through the mid-’80s.
• He doesn’t get his inspiration from any select sources. Fred says he likes to “open my eyes to see what is around me and to always keep an open mind. Inspiration could come from anywhere; a film, like Avatar, an exhibition of an artist, editorial from a fashion magazine, a trip to another country, etc.”
• All inspirations come to a head in the Nine West “trend laboratory” in their New York office. Employees go on twice-yearly shopping trips to Europe and Asia and come back to create mood boards that express their ideas.
• Allard said he admires other designers, specifically Marc Jacobs, for his creativity and vision, and Karl Lagerfeld, for his icon status.
• Fred recently earned a seat on the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Fred admitted that when the CFDA executive director called him to deliver the news, he “was too nervous to pick up…but it was great news!”
• A typical day of work starts very early, with emails and catching up on trends in the latest magazines. “By 9am, the buzz starts and I am in meetings with various teams,” said Allard. He likes to leave the office around 7pm to go to the gym.
• He’s just as passionate about fragrance as he is about shoes – Nine West is launching a signature fragrance in February. “Shoes are like a secret weapon of seduction, leaving a memory behind. It’s the same with fragrance,” he said.
• The 5 shoes every girl needs in her closet? “Platforms are great for the office, pumps for a night out, boots for weekend casual, sneakers for active-wear, and flats when you need a chic and comfortable look,” said Allard.
• Allard believes the “Nine West Woman” is a “working woman who also craves fashion. She is multi-faceted.”

A Look Inspired by Nine West and Fred Allard

Bag, Jacket, Top, Nail Polish, Flats, Jeans, Heels

I’m very lucky to start working in January in an office where I can wear pretty much whatever I want. I plan on walking (read: running) to and from the train in downtown Chicago in something comfortable yet stylish… and very Nine West. To me, this means heels on fancier days and flats on sleep-in days, paired with jeans, a pretty blouse and bag, and a stylish nail color and jacket.

What do you think of Nine West?

Do you shop for Nine West shoes and accessories? Are you crazy about shoes or do you usually splurge on something else? Tell us about it!

Cosmetics company MAC is known for collaborating with unexpected muses, so it’s no surprise that they teamed up with 90-year-old style icon Iris Apfel for their upcoming makeup collection.

Iris Apfel for MAC will include 20 different products, including lipsticks, nail polishes, eyeshadows and beauty powder, with prices ranging from $14 to $23. The limited edition collection launches in MAC stores across the United States starting on Jan. 5, 2012 and will be available through Feb. 9.

Want to get a sneak peek  before it hits stores? Scroll on down to check out the entire collection, courtesy of MAC via nitro:licious:

Eyeshadow (L to R): Silver Gull, Early Bird, Robin’s Egg, Howzat and Diamond Dove

Lipstick (L to R):  Flamingo, Morange, Party Parrot, Pink Pigeon, Scarlet Ibis
Nail Lacquer (L to R): Sandpiper, Oriele Orange, Toco Toucan

Lip Pencil (L to R): Entertain Me, Embrace Me, Redd | Mascara: Bad, Bad, Black
Eye Pencil: Ebony | Brow Pencil: Taupe | Beauty Powder: Too Chic

Your thoughts?

What do you think of this collaboration? Are you interested in any of these products? Do you think you’ll be checking out this collection after it launches? As always, leave a comment below and let us know what you think!