Disney's Beautiful Villains: Ursula (top left), Cruella de Vil (top right), Maleficent (bottom)

MAC announced it took inspiration from four Disney devils for its Venomous Villains collection, and that is just about all they are revealing about the line to debut late this September in all MAC locations. {WWD}

Lipstick, lip gloss, powder and blushes priced between $12 and $29.50 will be featured in this limited edition set, so weâ€re thinking the pink complexion of the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland may have inspired blushes to appear alongside products thought of with the more obvious muse, Cruella De Vil (weâ€ll be shocked if sheâ€s not one of MACâ€s evil motivators).

Styleite is predicting Cruella red lipstick, but does anyone remember the scene in The Little Mermaid where Ursuala the malicious octopus applies red lipstick with a clam shell? Weâ€re hoping for a cool, Ursula-inspired clam shell compact with bright red shades. Judging by the power pouts on Disney’s evil leading ladies, some serious rouge shades are probably a safe bet.

And what else might we get? Since the villainous stare seem to come down to those extremely arched eyebrows, we’d love to see brow pencils, wax or other grooming tools make it into the collection alongside smokey mauve shadows to create the kind of gaze that can instill fear in puppies, mermaids and sleeping beauties.

Disney has been popping up all over the fashion scene lately. Disney Couture recently launched a Little Mermaid-inspired jewelry line, and collaborations to promote Spring 2010’s Alice in Wonderland included a ring design partnership with H. Stern and costume jewelry made by Stella McCartney and inspired by Alice. {Stylelist}

In addition, the April issue of Spanish Elle featured Karl Lagerfeld, John Galliano, Marc Jacobs, John Paul Gaultier, Dolce & Gabbana, Donnatella Versace and other fashion elite in cartoon, Disney-inspired form. Donnatella Versace appears in the likeness of Daisy Duck with Karl Lagerfeld channeling Goofy, while Alber Elbaz, also in Disney duck form, admires a red dress created for Minnie Mouse. {The Fashion Spot}

We bet the element of magic and fantasy is what draws fashion and Disney together. Whatever the common denominator, anything that encourages people to have fun with makeup is a winner in our book!

Appearing in the window of the Valentino boutique on Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles last week was a red T-shirt adorned with a strip of lace at the neck, a bouquet of embroidered silk roses and a $790 price tag. {The Wall Street Journal}

Valentino T-shirts, at left $1350, at right $890

Valentino has been famous for creating dressy evening wear for the fabulously wealthy since 1959, but the labelâ€s new design duo, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, who took over for Valentino Garavani in 2008 after creating accessories for the brand for 8 years, are working to move the label into the future by including less stuffy attire. Enter: Valentinoâ€s 10 new T-shirt styles ranging in price from $295-$800 for embellished jersey tees and up to $3,000 for silk versions. {The Cut}

“Before, Valentino was quite untouchable,” Valentino’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Stefano Sassi said. “It’s a reinterpretation of the brand.”

Chiuri and Piccioli were criticized for “trying to hard” with their Spring 2010 collection for the label, which broke away from the established Valentino image. {Harperâ€s Bazaar} Whether Mr. Garavani himself is pleased with the introduction of T-shirts is unclear.

According to multiple reports, Valentino hates the T-shirts and has not liked much of anything the pair has come up with.

Sassi said, “This is the anathema to Valentino,” though he admitted to not actually having spoken to the designer about the matter. {The Wall Street Journal}

Meanwhile, a Harperâ€s Bazaar portrait of Chiuri and Piccioli, who began as handbag designers for Fendi, paints a picture of a playfully stern relationship between Mr. Garavani and the pair. The two discussed how he needled them for being late to shows by threatening not to use their handbags and slipping in comments about how he made more money than they.

“I couldnâ€t say I like everything they design,” Valentino said in the story. “Sometimes I think they try too hard to be cool and lose sight of the heritage they have received. However, their desire of renovation is respectable and acceptable in the world we live in today, and I am very happy that they became the creative and artistic directors of the Maison Valentino.” {Harperâ€s Bazaar}

But nevermind what Valentino thinks: the more obvious question in our minds is of who would buy these T-shirts? Perhaps the same lady who has a place in her closet for the holey $1625 Balmain t-shirt, but are $1000+ t-shirts (easily replicated by DIYers at that) really an effective strategy for expanding a brand? While that much for a t-shirt would be laughable for most, if the $3000 tee drives sales of Valentino’s new $300 shirts, it could prove to be an effective strategy. For Balmain? Well, considering there are no offerings in the aspirational luxury price range, we’ll agree with other feedback calling the pricing fashion foolishness.

What do you think – at $3000, would you buy the emperor’s new clothes?

Spring/Summer 2010 Jewelry from Lanvin (L), Vera Wang (Center) and Dolce & Gabbana (R)

Whether you fancy long, bold necklaces or eye-catching rings, there is a statement piece with your name on it. Designers like Vera Wang, Lanvin and Dolce & Gabbana all sent their models down the catwalk with bold, yet beautiful and intricate, accessories for spring and the trend will continue for a few months. The clothes of FW2010 may have lost their rock chic edge in favor of minimalist silhouettes, but that can  offer the perfect backdrop to strong jewelry choices.

Fall/Winter 2010 statement jewelry from Vera Wang (L), Lanvin (Center) and Dolce & Gabbana (R)

The beauty of costume jewelry is that it’s an easy way to flaunt your fashion interests when you can’t do so with your clothes (hello, corporate uniform), or help transition an outfit from day to night. Here are 9 statement pieces that let your jewelry do the talking without leaving your wallet screaming.

1. Check Embossed Degrade Bangle {Burberry}
Burberry Prorsum
$195

2. Gold Armour Knuckle Ring {My Wardrobe}
Low Luv by Erin Wasson
$113.85

3. Multi Chain and Bead Necklace {Saks Fifth Avenue}
Kenneth Jay Lane
$175

4. Multi Chunky Crystal Necklace {Bloomingdale’s}
Aqua
$60

5. Blue Glass Ring {Max & Chloe}
Noir
$62

6. Mixed Chain and Pearl Bracelet {Arden B}
$19

7. Amethyst Cocktail Ring {My Wardrobe}
Kenneth Jay Lane
$123.75

8. Golden Shadow Swarovski Vitale Bracelet {Max & Chloe}
Janna Conner
$163

9. Ruby Dream Cocktail Ring {Max & Chloe}
Kenneth Jay Lane
$165

Many designers are joining in the venture to provide a signature fragrance that works for men and women. Smell Bent has created a limited edition “Cruise Line” of scents with creative names like Tai’d Down and St. Tropez Dispenser {Splendicity}.

Another new lineup to note is Ninfeo Mio  by Annick Goutal. This scent is inspired by the Gardens of Ninfa, located 40 miles southeast of Rome {Beauty Basics}. Offered in two bottles there’s a square, masculine version, and another ribbed model which is decidedly for the ladies.

We love the his or hers option designers are going in with luxurious scents. Fragrance shopping can be a daunting task, with literally hundreds of scents to smell (and honestly, after the first few samples, your nose is usually too overwhelmed to be reliable). If you remember the butterflies you got in high school swapping CKone with your significant other, you’ll appreciate the resurgence of unisex scents. Plus, if your significant other doesn’t love it, you can always keep it for yourself!

More pictures of shoes from the H Williams Spring/Summer 2010 collection

While they don’t always get the same level of fanfare as designer + fast fashion collaborations (think H&M or Target plus one of the gazillion designers they’ve worked with), designer athletic wear collections may be the new must have collaboration for designers.

Adidas seems poised to dominate the space. The Adidas Stella McCartney partnership is entering its 5th year; Y-3, the collection designed by Yohji Yamamoto may not be as daring as his runway pieces, but likely offers some financial stability while going through a much publicized bankruptcy. In short, designers get to continue being as creative or directional as they’d like on runways, while having more realistic (in terms of wearability and price) collections that pay the bills.

Read More {Nitrolicious}

Next up are Cynthia Vincent and Eugenia Kim, whose footwear and hats, respectively, will be available for purchase during the spring 2010 season.

Shoes are always a girl’s best friend, but this spring is the season of the hat — and we can’t wait to snag some of Kim’s quirky retro-chic headgear for prices that won’t break the bank!

Read the full story {The Budget Fashionista}

The future of fashion is now.

Amid the frilly haystack rumpus at Chanel, the sexed-up Grace Jones warrior at Pugh and Balmain, and the return of laid-back sportswear basics at Stella emerged one more new runway trend: the fashion industry’s full-blown plunge into the world of technology.

Now that we’re [finally] entering the recovery phase after this financially catastrophic past year, perhaps it’s the frenzy to make up for lost time that has turned the concept of social networking into such a lucrative opportunity for designers.  The international reach of platforms like Twitter and Facebook, when paired with the instantaneous nature of blogging, creates a monster of a marketing opportunity for companies when they so desperately need results, and quickly.

As concluded in last month’s “Future of Women’s Fashion” panel in NYC, the fashion industry’s only way forward is to make fashion accessible to more than just a privileged select few.  We hope this booming foray into the internet will provide the push toward democratized, humanistic fashion that we so crave.

Read the full story {NY Times}

This seems to be the year for killer sneaker releases, with the latest drop from Vans being no exception.  The new Half Cab LX model is a slick shoe completely stripped of frou-frou gimmicks or crazy patterns (Nike, we’re talking to you!), which will satisfy the guy in your life who’s more into laid-back cool than flashing lights.

We love the solid black panel behind the all-black laces, and the sleek shape is a refreshing SoCal skater take on the mid-height basketball shoe silhouette.

Half Cabs will be available at Vault stockists by March/April 2010.

Read the full story {Hypebeast}