Here’s the original Narciso Rodriguez dress from his spring runway show. Michelle’s version had a raised neckline and opaque hemline. Gorgeous dress, unfortunate cardigan.

But then I expect it was cold. However, she should have asked Rodriguez to do one of his razor-sharp coats to go over it or a little black fur chubby.

It took a me a few seconds to figure out what was going on with the dress. On television it looked a little odd. As good celebrity stylists know: a beautiful dress that looks great in the mirror isn’t necessarily telegenic.

*Photo licensed to: Photorazzi.com

Chatted with Claire Danes, Jessica Alba and Simon Doonan after the Narciso show…

Click on the video link to listen to Marc Jacobs talk about his Spring 2009 collection –

“We were ready and the audience was not…”

He might have been talking about his stellar collection but he was really noting that he was ready to start at 9pm sharp, but the tardy audience didn’t get seated until 9:15. OUCH!

“I loved it!” Jennifer Lopez said of the Marc Jacobs Collection, “the fit, the colors, it was beautiful! And there’s a green leather skirt I have my eye on.”

JLo and VB were seat mates, but Victoria Beckham aka Posh Spice was not, we repeat, NOT wearing Marc Jacobs. Instead the budding designer wore a dress of her own design, a preview of her coming Victoria Beckham collection.

“I loved that they use Gershwin and composers like that” said Winona Ryder in a black satin dress by Marc Jacobs, of course. Some of her favorites included, toga-style dresses and the blue and white striped looks.

Arriving at Alexander Wang late, but not really if you’re going by fashion show time - I was stuck outside inthe rain. “Don’t you know who I ammmm?” I said throwing a hissy fit at the security guard as raindrops slid down the back of my neck and dropped into my face from my sequin hairband. Drip. Drip. Drip.

He ignored me, but the public relations people at the show started making a fuss over me. No sooner had they started to apologize however, when they suddenly ran off forgetting all about me with not one, but two, three umbrellas. Anna Wintour, editor in chief of Vogue, was leaving. And heavens, she was stepping out into the rain without an umbrella. They ran after her. None of them could catch her. She apparently didn’t want the umbrella. She had her little book which she perched over her head as she speed-walked to her car.

Well. I huffed…and puffed as I waited for some attention. A towel. Maybe? OK, not really. Whatever. I actually like rain and for that reason I never carry an umbrella. I was just sorry I missed Wang since he’s one of the more exciting new designers on the scene with a punk sensibility. However, I did see two terrific collections, one by Nicole Miller and another by Yigal Azrouel.

The night before, I sat next to Azrouel at dinner (sponsored by Thierry Mugler) at the fabled New York restaurant Indochine. He talked about his multicultural inspirations for the season as Kelly Osbourne passed around her phone showing pictures of herself with a black eye. (more…)

I love this new site WorldofGood.com. OK, eBay is involved, but that’s not the reason. I’m a sucker for finding an unusual piece, a beautiful item and helping someone who really needs help at the same time.

I’m going to be on this site a lot.

Check out a couple of fab pieces I already found! Naturally, they have to be fashionable.

• This nubby wrap cardigan – trend!
• Bold necklace – trend!
• Special earrings – trend!

Some people swim, some people sun, some people BBQ and some of us…shop. But before you start fall shopping, first figure out what you need to buy or keep and what you need to get rid of.

PRUNE
Pieces you haven’t worn for over a year
Clothes that are too big or too small
Yellow for daytime
Green
Orange
Empire waist dresses
Gladiator sandals
Anything that looks like its trying to be an “It” bag

SWOON (buy or keep)
White shirt
Blouses with ruffles or bows
Vest
Any of your shiny accessories - shoes, handbags
Anything that reminds you of the Eighties
Your sheath dress
Your florals
Your statement necklaces
Black
Red and every permutation of the shade
Blue is good too
A fabulous trench

*Photo licensed to: Photorazzi.com

This is the week to reprise summer’s greatest hits.

What to wear?

Wednesday: Your sheath dress.
Thursday: Your flirty babydoll. Last Chance.
Friday: Your strapless top with jeans or a cute skirt.
Saturday: Break out the maxi.
Sunday:A fit and flare dress.
Monday: Anything black and white OR those gladiator sandals.
Tuesday: I’m wearing all-white.

*Photo credited to IS

I dropped in on Betsey Johnson’s anniversary party at her SoHo store.

“I can’t believe it’s been 30 years,” Betsey said as she and her longtime business partner Chantal Bacon took in the fun crowd celebrating her 30 years in business and the sale of the company to a group of suits.

There weren’t many investor types on hand, but lot of girls and young women in fit-and-flare prom dresses, brightly-colored summer prints or shiny black party frocks. Everyone looked too cute. But that’s what Betsey Johnson has always done well – feminine, cute clothes that don’t take themselves toooo seriously.

If you have any Betsey Johnson from years ago, new or used, it’s time to put them up on eBay.

Betsey said she’ll introduce a line - a sort of greatest hits - of her past designs and she’s been surfing eBay to find them.

“I’m looking for all the early designs I did in my career,” said Betsey. “It’s like what I did in my last show. People loved it.” Held last September, the spring 2008 show included a parade of signature Betsey looks from the Seventies, Eighties and Nineties. “I never saved them,” she said referring to her earlier work.

*Photo licensed to: Betsey Johnson