Tadashi Shoji said he wanted the girls to look angelic, like they’re going to take flight. Take flight they did in his Fall/Winter 2011 presentation at New York’s Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. The show was a stunning spectacle to say the least.

Known for his feminine silhouettes and clean lines that often grace red carpets (Julie Bowen’s nude dress at the Golden Globes was a favorite), Shoji wowed the crowd with his elegant collection inspired by the gardens of the far east. Drawing inspiration from the beauty of nature, “the art of birds dancing, branches intertwining, rock formation and light reflecting in water”, Shoji brings the stage to life, evoking a sense of serenity and purity.

The presentation began on a soft and demure note, showing one-shouldered draped cocktail dresses, incredibly classy feathered skirts, feather-accented shoulders and collarbones and feather-like lace tiers that continued the aviary theme. Each piece was made with a simplicity that compliments the female form.

The colors were absolutely gorgeous ranging from muted neutrals and earth tones like black, cream, gray and olive then progressing into evening wear. Exuberant jewel-toned, long floor-lenghth gowns graced the runway. Bursts of yellow, deep purple, magenta, navy and rich shades of floral and emerald green glided in formation.

Even with bolder jewel tones that would be at home on a parrot the entire line exuded a tranquil and peaceful aesthetic through fabrics like silk crepe, silk organza and chiffon mixed with delicate lace. The material created beautiful movement throughout the collection. Intricate rouching, draping, feathers, rosettes and floral appliques added a touch of elegance.

Overall the collection was very visually appealing and well-rounded, offering every type of dress from lace to strapless, to asymmetrical and flowing. The palates and accents were incredible and each piece appeared to be worn effortlessly, mirroring the collection’s overall ease of wear. We were really impressed with Shoji’s ability to seize the runway with such captivating colors, fabrics and fit. The attention to female form in such a vibrant and sophisticated way, while maintaining a fun and youthful energy, is what stands out most in his work. This collection is one that will please everyone from fashion editors and celebrities to the every day consumer.

Comfortable? Probably not. But ladies, these shoes go with EVERYTHING.

To be fair, one would not actually look naked in this shoe. Rather, one would look as if their feet had entirely disappeared. We absolutely love it, but we do have a few concerns. For one thing, how do the mirrors on these shoes not break when you walk on hard pavement in them? The floating on air look is beyond cool, but shattered glass? Not so much. Plus, these shoes could be too blinding in very bright sunlight. We were also bummed to learn that these shoes have been around for a while, and Chaves†final collection was planned for February 2010.

Still, word about the “The Invisible Shoe” has been slowly making its way around the Internet, and it isnâ€t the only funky footwear Chaves came up with in her time. She also created a high heel made with leather and sycamore wood cubes, called the “Form & Texture” shoe, in addition to shoes made with large straps of Velcro. {Yatzer} Both designs look like something Lady Gaga would wear, and we have to appreciate Chaves†unique vision, but both also look like theyâ€d be quite difficult to actually walk in.

“The Invisible Shoe” seems like the best of concepts related to sci-fi and pale color palettes combined, but do you think anyone wearing them on the streets would look cool or just strange? Weâ€re undecided.

Vera Wang is one of the few designers who isn’t afraid to venture into new markets, no matter how “out there” they may seem for the top wedding gown designer. For example, over the last few years Vera has expanded her empire to include the Simply Vera gown collection for Kohl’s,  a mattress collaboration with Serta as well as designing floral arrangements for FTD (an online floral design and shipping company), and who can forget her support of White Castle burger scented candles? Okay, we’ll be honest, we’re trying hard to forget the last one but everything else has been a solid step in pushing the Vera Wang brand beyond the wedding day.

We can’t forget that wedding days are what put Wang in that position though, and her latest collaborations come back to the basics.

If walking down the aisle is a mere dream due to the hefty price tag that usually accompany a Vera Wang wedding gown, you may have heard about her more affordable lineup of wedding dresses for David’s Bridal, slated for release sometime in February. Even the pickiest of brides will not be disappointed in the $600 to $1,400 range of gorgeous gowns that don’t fall short of the romantic styles of her full price collection, boasting all the same detailing with draped organza and flowing taffeta.{Fashionista} The exclusive line is not yet available for sale, but you can log on to David’s Bridal.com to get a preview of what is to come.

What could possibly be left for Wang? Well it turns out bling is in her near future. Working with Zales Corporation, the third largest jewelry manufacturer in the world, Vera Wang is “this close” to closing the deal on her new diamond ring collection. Perfect fit to compliment her signature flowing gowns. {Second City Style}

Looks like Vera’s wedding train is full speed ahead and we can’t wait to see what else she comes up with this year.

The New York Times reported this week that multi-colored, glowing LED lights as fronts for teeth are fast becoming a hot commodity in Japan. The LED fronts were originally conceived as an experiment by Japanese designers Motoi Ishibashi and Datio Manabe, but now they have been featured in a commercial for the clothing store Laforet Harajuku.

This type of grill looks best at night or in dark rooms (obviously), and its color can be changed using a wireless computer interface. Interestingly, the designers donâ€t appear to be selling this new-fangled accessory, but have been hosting workshops to teach others how to build their own LED fronts. Mark our words, it’s only a matter of time before some company decides to send a bunch of light-mouthed people out with advertisements flashing across their teeth.

Our favorite part of this, though, is that Ishibashi and Manabe created a video about their product called “Party in Your Mouth.” Weâ€ll have to regretfully decline the invite, thanks.

Michael Kors retail locales have been popping up left and right. His newest store will be replacing the 7,000 sq. ft. Rockefeller Center shop at 49th Street and Channel Gardens currently housing Kenneth Cole (which is slated to close its doors this April, along with eight other full-price locations). The much-sought-after space will don marble floors, wood displays and a zebra hide motif.

Ready-to-wear from the Michael Michael Kors line alongside accessories from the Michael Kors, Michael Michael Kors, and Kors Michael Kors collections will be featured.

“The opening of my lifestyle flagship boutique at Rockefeller Center is an extremely humbling and exciting reality,” Kors said. “As both a designer and a native New Yorker, what could be more incredible than a store in the heart of the city at Rockefeller Center?”

Michael Kors is making big moves all over the world with lifestyle boutiques already in operation in Andorra, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the UK-just to name a few.

The brand is currently eyeing space on Robertson Boulevard in Los Angeles, Madison Avenue in New York as well as a three-year plan to open 50 stores in the greater China region. {Daily Front Row}

The most unexpected aspiration? Kors would follow Vera Wang in jumping on the burger bandwagon if asked by the right chain. “I want a deal with In-N-Out Burger — to do a special sauce or a wrapper. I’m horseradish-obsessed!” {LA Times} Not sure if an In-N-Out burger with purchase will draw in the fashionistas, but if anyone can make it work, it would probably be Kors.

First up, Natasha Bedingfield. The famous singer with a pocket full of sunshine was one of the lucky ones chosen to perform on Dick Clarkâ€s New Yearâ€s Rockin†Eve with Ryan Seacrest, but she came on stage seemingly stuck in an American Pie moment, with her bangs permanently skewed up and to the left. {Glamour} The good news is Natashaâ€s long-sleeved LBD had the perfect amount of sparkle and her sheer black stockings were right on trend, but letâ€s hope the Silly Putty plastered bangs look doesnâ€t take hold like Lady Gagaâ€s affection for going pantsless did.

Next, Lil†Wayne. The Young Money/Cash Money star performed for BET’s 106 & Park New Year’s Eve Party broadcast wearing Designer Jeremy Scottâ€s teddy bear sneakers created for Adidas†Originals by Originals line {Sole Collector}. We truly appreciate Scottâ€s vision and creativity, and we especially admire his willingness to push boundaries, but boy do we hope men and women around the world donâ€t start wearing stuffed animals on their feet. Lil†Wayne (who could’ve used a pair of SUBS in the back) can pull the look off, and the press Scott has received as a result of the sneakers†appearance on NYE television has been unbelievable, but something tells us the ordinary guy or gal would just end up looking a little silly in teddy shoes. Scottâ€s winged Adidas sneakers, on the other hand, are really cool. You should go buy a pair.

Jeremy Scott's Adidas: Not sure about those on the left, no doubt about the style on the right.

We suppose odd, IEJ-worthy looks are a great way for celebrities to get some extra press once the NYE performance hype dies down, so we canâ€t totally blame Bedingfield and Lil†Wayne for their off-beat looks. Just donâ€t go public with any of this, kids. These are two looks you should only try at home.

We're not jumping on these trends, but they're still interesting.

5. The Return of the Fanny Pack

Ah, the cyclical nature of fashion can be a fantastic thing when lovable trends are re-invented and made exciting to wear again, but some fads should be left in the past (and by the past, we mean the ‘80s). This year, Rihanna was spotted wearing a fanny pack and Tory Burch even began selling them. Most of the ones we found online carried a hefty price tag, and we never thought Tory Burch would ever be making one, so weâ€ll see if the hip bag catches back on for good. If it does, then boy does whoever markets that thing deserve a pat on the back.

4. iPhone STD Testing

Researchers in the U.K. announced they were in the process of coming up with a way for young adults to test themselves for STDs by essentially inserting their own urine into their iPhones or other mobile devices. The object is to get the STD rate down by allowing for increased testing privacy. We had to put at least one IEJ topic that gives you the willies on the list.

3. Japanese Anti-Aging Goggles

One of our favorite IEJ trends this year involved brands that were essentially attempting to charge consumers for a product that did basically nothing the average person couldnâ€t do themselves for free. We thought weâ€d seen it all in the ant-aging game when British beauty brand Rodial came out with snake bite anti-aging serum, but these goggles claimed to fight wrinkles and lines by holding the skin around your eyes taut. The makers declared that holding the skin in place for an extended amount of time would cause it to stay that way. (Helpful hint: if you believe them, you can hold your skin that way using your own fingers – or a pair of swim goggles that at least you can take to the pool once you realize they donâ€t work like Botox).

2. Teva Stilettos

The Teva stilettos are meant to be tongue-in-cheek, but they are a fantastic oddity nonetheless. This fall, news spread through the blogosphere of Tevaâ€s partnership with Grey Ant to sell hiking sandal meets New Yearâ€s Eve party shoes. That horrible combination was running for more $300. ‘Nuff said.

1. The Snazzy Napper

The informational video for this thing is definitely in the top 10 most entertaining things weâ€ve ever seen. The Snuggieâ€s weird younger sister popped up across the Web this summer, and it is basically a blanket with a hole in it that is supposed to help you sleep in public. A big IEJ trend this year was strange products with huge price tags. The Snazzy Napper (aka the “snazzy way to sleep while you travel”) takes number 1 partly for the fact that it is not insanely expensive. That and itâ€s sheer WTF genius.

Nooka's glow in the dark sunglasses for those of you who wear them at night.

Is this some kind of trick? On Wednesday, The Fashion Spot tweeted a sneak peak of a pair of Nooka Glow in the Dark Mercury Sunglasses to be made available in March on nooka.com.

The shades are pretty cool if you like the swallowed-up face look (which these days, most people do), and we admit it did take us a minute to figure out the problem here. This is it: What is the point of glow in the dark sunglasses? Arenâ€t sunglasses meant to be worn in the bright light? Isnâ€t that their purpose? To shade your eyes from bright sun light?

We know celebrities like Usher and other Joe-cool types like to wear their sunglasses at night, but we canâ€t really see Usher wearing these to the next big awards show or Hollywood event he attends, and the average person doesnâ€t go out with shades on at night.

No word on how much the glow in the dark sunglasses will cost yet, but regular Nooka Mercury Sunglasses – which come in neon colors as well as black and white – go for $130. Why do all these IEJ products always have such a hefty price tag? Save your pennies for something that makes more sense.

A new collection of shades from Prada will come complete with tiny letter, number and symbol squares that can be inserted into the sides of the frames where the brandâ€s logo normally sits. There is a heart, a star, a dollar sign and an exclamation point among other characters, and you can use them in any combination you want, if of course you have the $365 to spend on a pair of these sunglasses. {The Cut}

Sunglass Hut will have them on sale in black, tortoiseshell and white. The earpieces come apart to allow insertion of the personalization characters, but you can choose only two to put in each earpiece at a time. {stylemebad}

What do you think – are customizable shades cool or too teeny bopper? Do you like them but have no interest in paying $365 for something as fragile as sunglasses? We’re not sure what to make of it, but donâ€t think it will be a big enough hit and pump up Pradaâ€s sales. Let us know your thoughts!

This morning, Elle Accessories posted photos of Shaun Leane gold and silver vertebrae ball bracelets, so you can wear a spine around your wrist if you want to. We have to admit the irony of using body parts as clothes and accessories is kind of interesting, but visible bones are a bit creepy. And we donâ€t want them crawling around our arms all day. Sure skulls and crossbones can be kind of cool and rocker-ish, and the gold and silver take some of the morbid edge off, but that is where the line needs to be drawn. Unless itâ€s Halloween, or you’re a 14-year-old going through a goth phase.

If you disagree, or you want to luxe up your Halloween costume, you can get one of these pieces of fine jewelry here for about 1,162 U.S. dollars.