[Image courtesy of WWD.com]

With a wide satin band in the front and a super-sexy zipper in the back, this sexy knit black skirt ($27) is a total nod to his current couture line in stores now.

These knit skinny pants ($35) are now in my closet.  They come in both black & navy and are well-constructed.  The knit fabric is fairly thick and these are definitely more comfortable than my dark skinny jeans (you can actually sit down in these). Pair them with this pleated multi-color blouse ($27), which looks cute a little tight. For good measure, be sure to spring a few buttons at the top.

In tough economic times, comfort clothing is gaining ground. (NY Daily News)

Karl Lagerfeld showed his profound understanding of Chanel in the brand's Paris show. (NY Times)

Titanic star Kate Winslet will play Vivienne Westwood in an upcoming film about the designer. (British Vogue)

Bernard Arnault and a host of celebrities were in attendance at the Louis Vuitton show in Paris. (WSJ)

The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute collection is all going online for the first time. (WWD)

Luxury brands are moving into the Greek market. (IHT)

Alessandra Facchinetti didn't know last week's collection would be her final one for Valentino until she read about it in the press. (NY Magazine)

Is reality television having a detrimental effect on fashion? (Washington Post)

Of course, we’ve all heard of Chanel. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the woman behind the successful fashion house was innovative, ingenious, and an independent thinker. She was never one to follow the trends, and soon she was the one setting the trends. She never quit, never accepted failure, and followed her own ideas all the way. During the depression, she worked with what she could, and designed some of her most significant pieces. You could say, she was given lemons and made some really great lemonade. So, be inspired! Yes, we’re all looking to save money right now - be innovative, be ingenious! You don’t have to spend a lot to look great. Do your research, or work wonders with what you have in your closet. Since we’ve been so inspired by the life of Coco Chanel, we’ve created a Chanel inspired look for under $190. Yes! You can look fabulous for under $200! Thanks Coco!

Tips when bargain hunting:
1. Pay attention to fabric. It shouldn’t look flimsy.
2. Keep it simple. If detail isn’t done well, it makes the garment look cheap.
3. Taylor it. A garment that fits nicely will always look better.
4. Look at high-end designer collections before you go shopping, so you can spot good copy when you see it.

Coco inspired items in this observation:

2. One of the new housewives of Bravo's Real Housewives of Atlanta is apparently obsessed with Botox-injected handbags. We'll stick to the more natural looking faves in our Handbag Guide. [NYMag]

3. An Argentine fashion designer has created a solar-panel jacket that can re-charge up to eight electronic devices, including the latest Prada phone. [Reuters]

4. Purchase All Wired Up Jewelry's Rose Pearl and Crystal Breast Cancer Infinity Pendant, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. [allwiredupjewelry]

Ecletic designer Jeremy Scott is teaming up with Adidas again. This time on a women’s Adidas Originals release.

This shoe is very unusual, featuring a metallic gold upper and a large pair of soaring wings attached with the laces. There’s no release date yet for these unique kicks, which are also rumored to come in a white colorway. I’m not sure who would wear these sneakers but they are definitely different. Via Nylon Mag/Photo: Mark the Cobrasnake.

• VALENTINO LEAVES GWYNETH AT AIRPORT

-Help SA track down Sarah Palin’s debate shoes [Shoeaholics Anonymous]

-Even off the runways, Parisians are the epitome of fashion. Here’s proof! [Jak & Jil]

Authentic Shops:


Designer Shoes at Zappos.com