If you sat back and dreamed up the most luxurious confection possible, where would you sell it? Target & H&M believe they're making luxury goods available to the masses, but are they really? One could argue they are simply dangling the notion of luxury, without providing actual luxury products.

We haven't fully formed our thoughts, and it seems the blogosphere hasn't either. In order to help you construct a better opinion on the subject, Coutorture has organized a Salon On Luxury & Accessibility. Ever since, the blogsophere has been abuzz with debate. Hope Robertson believes in affordable luxury, while Poetic & Chic thinks we're being duped. Further exploring the topic, The Budget Babe delves into the psychology behind the matter, as The Runway Scoop attempts to define "luxury". Style Eyes believes such products will become more accessible and Platinum Blonde Life believes in rapid consumption. Temptalia takes the subject a step further, looking analytically at the beauty industry.

Regardless of your feelings on the topic, be sure to check out Coutorture's interview with Milton Pedraza, the CEO of the Luxury Institute.

Related:

Top 12 Luxury Handbag Brands -- E! Countsdown Forbes Top 15 Supermodels -- Kai Kuhne For Ecco Domani

WWD is reporting that Dior has tapped Jessica Stam for it's Spring 2008 campaigns.   Joining Stam will be Coco Rocha (currently starring in ads for YSL's fragrance Elle) and Kasia Struss.  The trio will be shooting in Paris beginning Friday with photographer Craig McDean.

The pages of September's Vogue become interactive with ShopVogue.TV.  Go behind the scenes of the Roberto Coin ad with Christy Turlington, or purchase items directly from the latest Gucci ad.

Warning:  ShopVogue has the potential to become very, very addictive.

With all the versions of Top Model these days, it can be difficult to remember a time when real top models ruled the world. Fortunately, Forbes has compiled a list of the world's top earning models.

At number one, it's no surprise to see Gisele Bundchen top the list. She has earned an estimated $33 million, and is currently the face of Dolce & Gabbana's latest fragrance.

#2: Kate Moss, $9 million

#3: Heidi Klum, $8 million

#4: Adriana Lima, $6 million

#5: Alessandra Ambrosio, $6 million

#6: Carolyn Murphy, $5 million

#7: Natalia Vodianova, $4.5 million

#8: Karolina Kurkova, $3.5 million

#9: Daria Werbowy, $3.5 million

#10: Gemma Ward, $3 million

#11: Liya Kebede, $2.5 million

#12: Hilary Rhoda, $2 million

#13: Shalom Harlow, $2 million

#14: Doutzen Kroes, $1.5 million

#15: Jessica Stam, $1.5 million

Did your favorite model make the cut? Where is Naomi Campbell? Questions to ponder while you count your grapes for your morning meal.

In case you missed it the first time around, check out Jessica Stam for Dior, part one.

--Source: TFS

Fashionistas and pop culture addicts are tingling with anticipation -- for both the upcoming Dior Haute Couture show, as well as Eva Green's Midnight Poison fragrance ads.  Thanks to evagreenweb.com for the sneak peek.  The fragrance is described by top notes of bergamot, mandarin, combined with rose heart, amber, patchouli and vanilla.  Don't forget about the extravaganza John Galliano has planned for the show, including an 8 hour lead call time for the models.

French actress Eva Green has ignited on the heels of her role in Casino Royale.  Look for her in the upcoming sci fi adventure The Golden Compass.  "I am many things. I can be quite mad, and young, but I'm not the kind of person who goes out to nightclubs and goes crazy. I am more like lying on my bed and listening to classical music to relax."

The fashion community is mourning the loss of Italian designer, Gianfranco Ferre.  Ferre was admitted to a Milan hospital after suffering from a brain hemorrhage.   He also suffered from diabetes, and two previous strokes.

"I ... particularly admired him for his coherence and the intellectualism and artistry upon which he based his fashion philosophy until the end," said Giorgio Armani.  A highly celebrated Italian designer, Gianfranco received the Occhio d'Oro Award (the Italian Oscar) for Best Italian Designer an astounding six times.

Unfortunately, Ferre was preparing to show his Spring/Summer 2008 menswear collection on June 24 in Milan.  Celebrate the life and work of Gianfranco Ferre by browsing through his collections available at Style.com.

--Source:  Yahoo News

--Photo Source:  Reuters

Images are emerging of Jessica Stam for Dior F/W 2007, courtesy of The Fashion Spot. The vivid colors and monochromatic scheme are fresh, and Dior made a wonderful choice going with Stam. What do you think?

Tinsley Mortimer has many titles, most notably socialite, handbag designer, and fashionista. The New York social darling joins the ranks of Sharon Stone and Charlize Theron as a Dior beauty ambassador. Her role will include offering ideas to marketing and celebrity makeup artists, as well as hosting events and launches.

Quite impressive Mrs. Mortimer. Want to throw some freebies our way?

--Source: WWD

The Couture shows are extravagant, elaborate, and inspiring. It comes as no surprise that John Galliano has plans to show Christian Dior Couture in the Orangerie at Versailles to celebrate the houses 60th anniversary. Models have already been informed of a call time 8 hours prior to the show, leaving us imagining what sort of spectacle Galliano has planned. The last Dior show held at the Orangerie was the "Matrix" show of 1999.

John Galliano isn't the only Couture craftsman with big plans for July. Celebrating his 45th anniversary, Valentino is inviting the A-List to Rome for a huge celebration on July 7.

--Photo Source

--Source: WWD