Fashion Radar

Ooh la la...Sign up for your chance to win a trip to France plus $1,000 in American Express gift cards from Forever 21. Now, for the exciting part: You have to visit www.ForLove21.com to enter, which appears to be the future home of a new specialty boutique from Forever 21 (see the screen grab below). Available online June 6, ForLove21.com will likely feature jewelry, handbags, shoes, sunglasses, accessories, travel, and gifts/home. Can't wait!

American designer Rogan Gregory is next in line for Target's GO International. Gregory is a former Gap designer and 2008 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award winner with three of his own socially-conscious labels: his eponymous Rogan collection, ethical T-shirt label EDUN, and Loomstate, featuring all-organic tees and jeans.

What's unique about Rogan for Target is that all the cotton used is 100% certified organic. So while the styles themselves aren't exactly jaw-dropping, it's affordable, eco-friendly stuff we could easily wear every day. I'm dying to get my hands on an organic bamboo and hemp hoodie, and can't wait to see if the jeans will have that trademark fit which Gregory's pricey line is so well-known for. Plus, we're just happy that fast fashion is going green(ish).

The collection launches on Target.com/go and at most Target stores nationwide on May 18, 2008, and will be available through June 28. Scroll down for more pics...and tell us what you think in the comments.

Now you can put the work of world-class fashion designers like Diane Von Furstenberg, Dolce & Gabbana and Oscar de la Renta on your personalized Google homepage. I went with DVF and the bold colors and unique patterns brighten my day each time I log in. Highly recommend you check it out - it costs nothing, which makes this the cheapest designer anything you'll ever get.

>> Check out artist themes for iGoogle

In February JCPenney launched its new American Living label, a collection of Americana-infused women's, men's, and children's apparel and housewares masterminded by Ralph Lauren and his Global Concepts division.

I love the music they use in the The American Living commercials directed by Bruce Weber, who has worked on other campaigns for Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and Abercrombie & Fitch. (FYI, the music is by Robert Plant & Alison Krauss, case you're curious.)

But aside from that, I am not loving much else about this collection. The styles look outdated rather than classic, and everything is too expensive (which must explain the recent price cuts I've been noticing).

In fact, According to The New York Times, the American Living collection costs about 15 percent more than the highest-priced private labels now sold by Penney under brands like Concepts by Claiborne, Joneswear and Liz & Co.

For example, a woman’s seersucker skirt costs $70; a distressed jean jacket costs $100; and a large leather hobo costs $115.

I'm also not too keen on the brand's rustic bald-eagle-and-flag logo. A bit contrived, don't you think?

So my gut tells me this collection will be a major flop with shoppers. But if it lasts, at least American Living will provide a nice...er...counterpoint to Penney's upcoming Fabulosity clothing line.

Next month, actress and model Elizabeth Hurley will be launching Elizabeth Hurley for Mango, a limited edition swimwear line full of brightly colored bikinis, kaftans, and one-pieces.

Miss Hurley, 42, and a mother of one, looks gorgeous as usual in her photo shoot for the ultra-sexy collection, which will also feature some accessories, including sunglasses, shoes, and jewelry.

If you want to channel Hurley's vixen vibe, expect to spend $40-$70 for a bikini, $140 for a kaftan, and $44 for a beachy bag.

>> See more pics here

From the BBC Pressroom: "As ethical fashion promises to be the next big thing, the BBC has today launched Thread – a new online magazine for fashion conscious people who care about where their clothes come from.

"Thread will cut to the heart of what 'ethical fashion' means, covering a range of issues from the environmental footprint of clothing manufacture, to the impact of the fashion industry on human and animal rights and why the choices we make as clothes shoppers make a real difference.

"First and foremost Thread is dedicated to showcasing the latest in eco-fabulous style. The magazine shows you how to get the look you want in an eco-glam way through a unique mix of affordable fashion, exclusive celebrity videos and interviews, photo galleries and thought-provoking features.

"It will also offer ideas and information on how to give your wardrobe an ethical makeover through a mix of shopping for new or vintage clothes, to swapping clothes with friends and customising existing clothes. Thread is proof that there are ethical options to suit your style, your budget and your views."

I'm bookmarking the site, even though I suspect Thread will have things to tell me that I won't necessarily want to hear. But when you know better, you do better. So bring on the big issues, Thread! We're listening...

>> Visit Thread

As part of their Gap Design Editions, the Gap enlisted 2007 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund finalists 3.1 Phillip Lim, Band of Outsiders, Michael Bastian, and threeASFOUR to design a limited edition collection of white shirts, each putting their own spin on the classic white button-down. The collection looks pretty stunning on the models in the ad above, but keep scrolling...


Here's how the shirts look on yours truly: Not good. Not good at all. Yes, I took a trip to my friendly neighborhood Gap (a very rare occurrence) to scope out the collection, and while I had a very pleasant shopping experience (I forgot how oddly relaxing the Gap can be), the four shirts I tried by Phillip Lim were sub par considering the $78 pricetag.

Lim's Bell-sleeve shirt fit best (above left), but the ruffles would be difficult to layer under a cardigan or blazer without bunching and wrinkling. The Picot button-front shirt (above right) featured an uncooperative tie detail. Sorry, but I can't be bothered with buttoning and bow-tying. Pass.


A 3/4 sleeve top (above left) felt more like a mock-up than an actual finished garment. And it had a sort of "mad scientist" vibe that I wasn't feeling. Scary. Finally, I slipped into a low-tie neck top which made me look prego. Nothing wrong with that...but it's not the look I'm after. And again with the bow - please don't ask me to tie my own bows. The results ain't pretty.

In a nutshell, I felt the collection was unflattering, fussy and stiff. There's a reason that classic white button down shirts are universally appealing - it's that classic shape, cut and silhouette. So save your $78 and spend it on a great classic that you'll wear over and over again instead.