We never thought we’d be taking style cues from Michele Bachmann but famous people and fashion sometimes make strange bedfellows. We couldn’t help but notice her white military jacket (possibly this one by Lafayette 148 New York) that she wore at Tuesday night’s GOP debate in Las Vegas (and previously at the GOP Presidential Pre-Debate Party). The jacket was just as odd and out-of-place as her political stance on A LOT of things but made us think back to 2009 when the Balmain and Michael Jackson military style jackets were the IT things to wear. So we wondered, is Bachmann reviving...  Read More..

If you’re not already counting down the days until Versace for H&M, these two new images from the ad campaign will surely pique your interest. Check out that heart-covered fringed minidress! (Lucky) Beyoncé really plans to be a girl that rules the world – the fashion world, that is. She’s now working on a maternity line for House of Deréon. (Fashionista) Photo: Terry Richardson In what is probably the most fashionable flash mob you’ve ever seen, 100 women wearing DvF printed wrap dresses danced to Chaka Khan‘s “I’m Every Woman” by the Seine river....  Read More..

Humberto Leon and Carol Lim of Opening Ceremony show their first collection for Kenzo (New York Times) Photo: Valerio Mezzanotti for The New York Times Check out these two new ads for the Versace for H&M collaboration (Racked) Check out the full lookbook of Balmain’s new lower-priced collection – Pierre Balmain (Fashionista) Watch designer Rachel Roy get ready for Spring 2012 Fashion Week in this exclusive video: ‘The Week Before’ (Stylelist) Preview the looks from the upcoming Uniqlo Innovation Project, a line of “high-performance clothing” created...  Read More..

A Few Goody Gumdrops is giving away a jewelry gift card from Kranich’s Jewelers – enter to win! Handbag du Jour loves this bright orange bag for Fall – the Reed Krakoff Grommet Cadet I Shoulder Bag! RedPoppy Fashion wants you to check out J. Crew’s colorful first peek at Fall ’11! Shopping and Info is ready for Fall with Alexander Wang’s Knee High Boots! TheFind wants to know if you are coveting Balmain’s upcoming “bargain” diffusion line? What’s Haute features its haute bag of the week: the Christopher Kane Aqua gel-filled PVC clutch! Get...  Read More..

Balmain Is Adding a Sister Line, Pierre Balmain, with a more casual, downtown vibe and with slightly less excessive prices: fom $172-$1,291. (WWD) The Bumbys are out to judge you. Be prepared, especially if you’re wearing platform shoes, liberty prints, neon or cutoff shorts. (NY Mag) Photo: Melissa Hom During New York Fashion Week, Bowery Lane Bicycles designed by Diane von Furstenberg, Isaac Mizrahi, Elie Tahari, Nanette Lepore and Rebecca Taylor will be available to borrow from stations in the Garment District. (WWD) Spanx now makes activewear so you can look shapely while getting in...  Read More..

Olivier Rousteing gets inspired by Elvis in Las Vegas for first collection for Balmain (Style.com) 6 Compact Cameras for Fashion Bloggers (Independent Fashion Bloggers) Smurfette rocks Marc Jacobs, Lanvin, Dolce & Gabbana, and Louis Vuitton accessories for Harper’s Bazaar spread (Handbag du Jour) Kate Moss Wears John Galliano for her Cotswolds wedding to rocker Jamie Hince (The Daily Mail) What Your Favorite Fashion Designers Will be Doing on the Fourth of July (Thread NY) Bottega Veneta Launches Its First Women’s Fragrance (WWD Beauty News) Kate Middleton wears Canadian-born,...  Read More..

Labelux Group Acquires Jimmy Choo (WWD, subscription required) “Someday” is Justin Bieber’s new fragrance designed to “bring his fans closer to his world” (AOL Stylelist) Elle Macpherson Intimates launches bridal lingerie collection (WWD, subscription required) How to Store Winter Clothes (Vogue) The Kardashian sisters will be teaming with Nicole by OPI on a nail polish line (Racked) Queen Latifah to launch own line of apparel, handbags and hair extensions for HSN (WWD, subscription required) Balmain Will Launch a More Affordable Collection (Fashionista) Get more What’s...  Read More..

Balmain announced Tuesday that Olivier Rousteing has been appointed designer of its women’s and men’s ready-to-wear collections. He will replace Christophe Decarnin who recently exited the French fashion house. Yes, Rousteing has model good looks, but there are five other things you should know about him: 1. He is a graduate of the Paris fashion and art school ESMOD (l’Ecole Supérieure des Arts et techniques de la Mode) 2. He’s from France and speaks multiple languages 3. He has been in charge of the women’s wear design studio at Balmain since 2009 4. He worked in...  Read More..

Christophe Decarnin is exiting Balmain after five-year collaboration; his successor is expected to be announced shortly (WWD) Aerin Lauder will launch her own fashion/beauty/lifestyle brand; wants to be “the next Tory Burch” (Refinery 29) Kotex and Patricia Field hold contest – BandtheBland.com – to redesign the plain white maxipad (NY Daily News) Jay-Z Launches new Art & Design, Style, Music and Culture Website called Life & Times (ELLE) Elle Macpherson to Host New Fashion Reality Show on NBC (Styleite) 8 bags that vaguely resemble the Proenza Schouler PS1 Satchel...  Read More..

Constance White has been named Editor-in-Chief of Essence Magazine (The Daily Front Row) Riccardo Tisci may replace John Galliano at Christian Dior; and Haider Ackermann may take over his role at Givenchy. (Vogue UK) Christophe Decarnin was absent from his Balmain show; rumored to be in mental hospital (NY Mag) Jourdan Dunn is interviewed and reveals a few of her favorite things (The Telegraph) Would you buy your wedding dress at Costco? (Fashion Etc.) Ugg to launch a pricey luxury collection (Racked) HBO’s new show “40″ is “Sex and the City” – for men (Huffington...  Read More..

Shop today’s best online sample & flash sales at Gilt, Gilt City – New York, ideeli, Row Nine, Rue La La, Billion Dollar Babes, Editor’s Closet, Beyond the Rack, HauteLook, Enviius, Gomatta Girls, Lucky Chic, One King’s Lane, Reverse by Revolve, Jetsetter, Gilt Man, Estile, DD Push, The Top Secret, The Skinny, Mintbox, Rent the Runway and more. Just click on the links to sign up and start shopping! AHA Life offers 1 New Discovery. Every 24 Hours. 100% Inspiring. In order to join, please email me at editor (at) whatshaute (dot) com: Nourish Me: Avant-Garde Greek Chocolate...  Read More..

Shop today’s best online sample & flash sales at Gilt, Gilt City – New York, ideeli, Row Nine, Rue La La, Billion Dollar Babes, Editor’s Closet, Beyond the Rack, HauteLook, Enviius, Gomatta Girls, Lucky Chic, One King’s Lane, Reverse by Revolve, Jetsetter, Gilt Man, Estile, DD Push, The Top Secret, The Skinny, Mintbox, Rent the Runway and more. Just click on the links to sign up and start shopping! AHA Life offers 1 New Discovery. Every 24 Hours. 100% Inspiring. In order to join, please email me at editor (at) whatshaute (dot) com: Dress Me: The Bag Every Woman Should Have...  Read More..

Satisfy your inner rock star and shop the Balmain sale today on theOutnet. Grab one (or several) of Christophe Decarnin‘s bold creations – like liquid metallic leather jackets and skinny pants, sequin T-shirts, chainmail dresses, brocade jackets, strong shoulder leather blazers, along with shoes and jewels. It’s your chance to purchase some of these decadent clothes at up to 80% off! The sale starts at 11 A.M. EST – don’t be late! Get more What’s Haute – Follow us on Twitter and ‘Like’ us on Facebook! Share and Enjoy ...  Read More..

You may have heard about the House of Balmain – the brand that EVERYONE has been wearing, especially over the past year. If you don’t know the name, you at least know the clothes – edgy, acid-washed distressed denim with strategically placed padding and seams; military-style jackets worn by the likes of MJ, Kanye, Beyonce and Rihanna; large shoulder padded blazers and embellishments everywhere. Now that we’ve refreshed your memory, head on over to The Outnet where the Balmain pop-up sale will be live today. Register and gain access to over 60 iconic runway and real-way styles at...  Read More..

Love it or hate it, the strong shoulders trend isn’t going away anytime soon. And neither is the leopard print trend. So why not embrace the two? The current reigning prince of strong shoulders is Balmain, but for most of us it may be out of your price range. Luckily, there are other options. We’ll settle for this equally chic top from Torn by Ronny Kobo Print Gabby Top. It blends the two trends into one glamorous package. Exclusive to shopbop, this scoop-necked micromodal/spandex jersey top features puff sleeves at the shoulders, composed of pleating and structured organza lining,...  Read More..

It’s a four-way faceoff! LeToya Luckett first rocked this Balmain Fall 2008 Cut-Out Lace Dress at the 2009 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California. Victoria’s Secret model Selita Ebanks wore it next at the premiere of “Valentino: The Last Emperor” at The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Recently, Victoria’s Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio attended the “Los Premios MTV 2009″ Latin America Awards held at Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California, wearing the same frock. And actress Kate Hudson wore the dress...  Read More..

Two of our favorite ladies here at What’s Haute, are Michelle Obama and Rihanna, and both are Glamour Magazine cover girls! The December issue marks the 2009 “Women of the Year” and both ladies not surprisingly made the list. Mrs. O is the first First Lady to ever land on the cover of Glamour. She is receiving magazine’s Special Recognition award for mentoring young women. The First Lady stuck to her fashion-savviness for the cover shoot – she wore a red drop-waist flared cocktail dress from her own closet! She spoke with Katie Couric on being the first Black First...  Read More..

This week we’re paying homage to Michael Jackson – the man, the mystery, the music legend, humanitarian and fashion innovator and icon. Jackson’s unique sound and dance moves may have put him on the map, and his philanthropic efforts kept him there but it was really his fashion sense that really made him stand out and made us take notice. Early on he set trends with prepster looks (like his yellow cardigan and bowtie during the Human Nature era); colorful zippered leather jackets (a la Thriller), then later, sparkly socks and that single jeweled glove. Blinged out military-style...  Read More..