If you have noticed that we’ve slowed posts on the Insider it’s because we launched a new, shiny site, The Inside Source. You must check it out–it’s chock full of great shopping and lifestyle tips an stories. To whet your appetite, here’s a video with the Source’s Editorial Director, Meredith Barnett talking about hot holiday gifts!

This is BANANAS! I think Kelly’s Taylor is even better than her Rachel.

Have you ever wondered how fashion editors are able to identify trends before they become mainstream? Many do it on instinct alone, but imagine if they could tap into a community the size of eBay’s to see what people were searching for and buying to back up those instincts? It would certainly be an innovative approach. Makes you wonder why no one has done that yet. Come to think of it….

As many of you know, country is cool. Country music superstars like Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Sugarland, and my personal favorite, Taylor Swift are bonafide chart toppers. But did you ever think that country and couture would mix—and I don’t just mean embellished outfits with sequins and rhinestones. Well, Mr. Karl Lagerfeld certainly does. At the Chanel show in Paris last week Kaiser Karl had his models do-si-do down a hay-laden runway to a soundtrack sung but Lily Allen. The models seemed to like the motif except when their heels slid on the dusty floor. Icons of pop like Prince, Sean Lennon, and Rihanna were in the house. Think that they’ll get twangy on their next release? Well, if Karl says hoedown then maybe so. Banjos aside, at least the duds will elicit a hearty yee-haw!

*Photos licensed to: Photorazzi.com

I was listening to a local TV critic on the radio the other day discuss his favorite new shows so I figured as the eBay Pop Culture Expert, I should espouse my opinion too. That being said,  I spent some time watching some new programs on the tube. First up was Modern Family, a hotly-anticipated, Arrested Development-like show. It was relatively good and I had some LOL moments, especially with the “cool dad” character saying “I know what WTF means—why the face.” I also caught like half of  The Beautiful Life on the CW. The Mischa Barton comeback vehicle was DOA—stilted dialogue, bad portrayal of models (they ate at the craft service table), and of course, MB’s less than adequate acting chops. The show was canceled after 2 episodes. Furthermore, I saw the Glee pilot and enjoyed their recent Single Ladies parodies but I think I will skip Trauma and Flash Forward—LOST annoys me so why would I like the same show on a different network? I am still searching for a palatable program and will continue my quest!

Photo credited to: abc.com

What a whirlwind week! We had our big day on Tuesday with the Narciso for eBay announcement and the fabulous after-party. Narciso’s collection for spring / summer 2010 was stunning: such wearable, ethereal pieces. The cutout backs on many of the garments were show stopping. The show was chock full of glitteratti: Anna Wintour paid her respects to Narciso pre-show with a backstage visit, Jessica Alba sat front row as did Courtney Love and Emmy Rossum. Love caused a major stir and the paparazzi were on her tail all night. At the post-party we had a chance to celebrate our collaboration with Narciso and toasted with several glasses of champagne. You can see a photo of the eBay team with the designer above. Along with industry movers and shakers, Alba was in attendance and I got her bodyguard’s attention when I tried to snap a pic of her, that was a no-no apparently. She was chatting with model Trish Goff (who was channeling a Joy Division-Ian Curtis look) all night. After hugs and air kisses goodnight it was off to bed. To sum up, I survived my first Fashion Week and after 4 straight days in 4 inch heels, I didn’t even get one blister–now that’s a fashion miracle indeed.

Final Walk at Narciso

Courtney Love Backstage

Look Board

Candles at the Party

Jessica Alba

Here’s a special video with Narciso talking about his eBay collection. More to come over the next few months. We’ll be giving you a lot of sneak peeks!

What a day. I was up early and I think that I will be up late! We announced our big news today: the Narciso Rodriguez for eBay collection! We are so excited about the capsule collection and cannot wait until it hits eBay. But in the meantime, I will be viewing Narciso’s latest collection this evening at his fashion show–one of the most anticipated of Fashion Week. And after that, we are headed to a celebration honoring our collaboration. I can already hear the glassing clinking!

Today I took in a few shows, Max Azria and Marc by Marc Jacobs.  Max was a breath of fresh air, lots of silky creations slinking down the runway. But alas, my heart belongs to Marc. I was so excited to see his spring collection and it was fabulous. Bright colors, prints, 70s chic, big bows in the hair. Loved, loved, loved! I want it all, especially a little patterned jacket and neon mini-dress that was hot stuff. Was so lucky to sit front row and see the Marc magic up close. Memories to last a lifetime!

Look for my post party report tomorrow!

Marc by Marc

Marc by Marc

Marc by Marc

Favorite dress at Marc

Final Walk at Marc

Marc in a skort

Award-winning American fashion designer Narciso Rodriguez makes history with his exclusive, new limited edition collection, available only on eBay.

From Michelle Obama’s black and red election night show stopper, to the sleek, bias cut sheath that captured the poignant beauty of Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy on her wedding day, Narciso Rodriguez, one of America’s premier design talents, has risen to fame with his sleek, contemporary fashion looks that critics call “sensual, feminine and classic.”

Since 1997, Rodriguez’s signature collection was previously only available at high-end department and specialty stores including Bergdorf Goodman, Barneys and Neiman Marcus. But, for spring 2010, a new capsule collection designed by Rodriguez will be available ONLY on eBay through the designer’s own eBay store. This is his first capsule collection, and eBay is his first online sales channel.

The designer devised his new mini-eBay collection focusing on both fashion and function: “It’s a collection that has everything you need. You can wear it everywhere, and it’s an intelligent group of pieces that work independently or as an all-in-one look.”

The 8-piece Narciso Rodriguez for eBay Collection will offer fashion fiends a tremendous value with significantly lower price points than his traditional lines. “I’m as excited about my eBay collection as I am about the ones that come down the runway,” says Rodriguez. “I can see people buying something from my main collection and wearing it with pieces from the eBay collection. It’s the same design and fabric quality.”

Narciso’s fan club of celebrities includes Sarah Jessica Parker, Jessica Alba, Claire Danes and Rachel Weisz, among others, and his styles often steal the show in films and on television, as well as the red carpet. So get ready, fashionistas! This new collection arrives just in time for Spring 2010. Check back here for updates.

See his recent runway collections here.