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.

Lady in red

Really, there’s not much to say about the First Lady’s look besides wow. Vera Wang, in one of her own designs, was more understated but still elegant. We have to say the biggest surprise came from Wintour though. Perhaps it was out of deference for the First Lady, but the Vogue editor seemed a bit under dressed. Yes, Chanel suits are elegant and classic, but among the gowns of the evening – not just Michelle Obama’s either – it seemed like something better reserved for a cocktail gathering than a formal affair.

No one wants to be accused of trying to upstage the Michelle Obama or the first family (just ask Desiree Rogers), but did Wintour take that directive too far? We’ve seen the Met Gala photos so we know she has some gorgeous gowns in the closet, and we can’t imagine many designers refusing to lend a gown to the editor of the leading fashion magazine. Being low key is a good way to ensure an invitation to the next event, but we hope that Wintour doesn’t play it quite as safe the next time around.

Anna Wintour, Vera Wang and Christianne Amanpour (wearing an Armani suit that seems like a better choice for a formal dinner)

We haven’t found a measurable way to tally best and worst dressed just yet, so we’ll just just round up the larger trends and add our favorites to the mix. Click on images to view at a larger size.

Golden Globes 2011 Fashion Trends

Pretty in Pink and Red or Dead

Save: Julianne Moore in Lanvin, Julianna Margulies in vintage Yves Saint Laurent

Skip: January Jones in Versace

Don’t get us wrong, January Jones looks great and men probably got a lot more interested in the red carpet after seeing that dress; but the line between vamp and tramp is thin and we’re not sure how many women would be able to toe the line in this dress or any “inspired by” designs.

What They All Wore

1st row L to R: Julianne Moore (large image) in Lanvin, Claire Danes in Calvin Klein, Megan Fox in Armani Prive, Lea Michele in Oscar de la Renta, Heidi Klum in Marc Jacobs

2nd row L to R: Naya Rivera, Natalie Portman in Viktor & Rolf, Emma Stone in Calvin Klein, January Jones (large image) in Versace

3rd row L to R:  Julianna Margulies in vintage Yves Saint Laurent, Christina Hendricks, Edie Falco in Valentino, Sofia Vergara in Vera Wang

Maybe Harold and Kumar were busy?

This week, Stewart and Wang stopped by the White Castle in Herald Square, New York City to help promote slider-and-onion scented candles made by Nest Fragrances. {The Cut} The candles will be sold at White Castle locations nation-wide for $13 each, which The Cut notes is about how much 14 White Castle sliders cost.

The proceeds from the candles will go to Autism Speaks, which is certainly something we can support, but does anyone honestly want their house to smell like White Castle? Weâ€ve seen candles scented like other foods such as cookies, and while White Castleâ€s onion-laid sliders do smell delicious, the fragrance permeating an entire space for a long period of time would probably be a bit much – or at least make you unnecessarily hungry. Whatever happened to good old jasmine and apple-cinnamon candles?

Besides that, isnâ€t it a little strange that Martha Stewart is partnering with White Castle, even if it is for a good cause? The domestic diva gave a speech at White Castle in Herald Square about the charity and White Castle (including how this was not her first visit to the fast food chain) while greasy sliders and martinis were passed through the crowd. A Christmas tree decorated with White Castle cartons was also in attendance. {Elle} Forgive us, but Ms. home-cooked meals and crafty decorations seems a bit out of place in this situation.

In any case, along with the charitable aspect, the other good thing about the burger-scented candles is at least theyâ€re relatively inexpensive – unlike many other off-beat, IEJ-featured products.

Carrie Underwood & Mike Fisher

The American Idol winner married her hockey player fiance in a ceremony that was top secret until hours before. She will undoubtedly cross over to the coveted Star Wars fan demographic as she becomes Carrie Fisher.

Location: Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation in Greensboro, GA
The bride wore: a Chantilly lace Monique Lhuillier dress
The guests: 250 family and friends including Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul

Lala Vazquez & Carmelo Anthony

NBA star Carmelo Anthony wed former MTV VJ Lala Vasquez 5 years after getting engaged. Their 3-year-old son Kiyan accompanied them down the aisle.

Location: Cipriani Restaurant, Manhattan, New York
The bride wore: a Vera Wang gown
The guests: 320 family and friends including Serena Williams, LeBron James and his girlfriend Savannah Brinson, rapper Ludacris, Kelly Rowland and Kim Kardashian

Huma Abedin & Anthony Weiner

He’s a representative for New York’s 9th Congressional district (Queens), and she’s an aide to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. That connection came in handy: Bill Clinton presided over the ceremony.

Location: Oheka Castle in Huntington, Long Island (New York)
The bride wore: a gold-embroidered Oscar de la Renta gown
The guests: family and friends, including Bill and Hillary Clinton

Emily Blunt & John Krasinski

This one was kept pretty quiet, but Blunt and Krasinski have been staying at George Clooney’s Lake Como villa since July 4th in preparation for the big day.

Location: Villa D’este in Como, Italy
The bride wore: a draped chiffon Marchesa gown with sweetheart neckline and embroidered detail
The guests: George Clooney and his girlfriend Elisabetta Canalis, and we assume, more friends and family

Erika Jones & Kevin Liles

He might not be as recognizable as some of the other grooms, but Kevin Liles is a music executive who has helped shape the careers of Jay-Z and Kanye West among other artists.

Location: Birmingham, Alabama
The guests: Family and friends including Brian McKnight, Russell Simmons, Gayle King (Oprah Winfrey’s best friend), gospel singer Yolanda Adams, Kelly Price and Trey Songz

Jenna Fischer & Lee Kirk

Location: Malibu, CA
The guests: Friends and family including Office co-star Rainn Wilson. John Krasinski was understandably not able to attend

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

Now Ivanka is one of those rare lucky women who would honestly look stunning in nothing but a brown paper bag, but we still admire her for taking a risk and foregoing the pretty yet rather boring strapless princess gown for a more demure look.  With sleeves.

Usually any mention of sleeves on a wedding gown has women immediately running the other way, but Ivanka’s Vera Wang shows it’s possible to be tasteful and stylishly covered without looking like an unfortunate blast from the past.

Read the full story {The Cut}