Well folks, it's come to this. Another year has come & (almost) gone, and it's time for all of those Top 10 lists that initially seem fascinating and eventually become wildly ridiculous. Fortunately, the team at Bing was smart enough to put together a slew of 2011's Top 10s, including the top 10 most searched for brands of 2011:

Top Searched Fashion Brands On Bing in 2011

1. Gucci (top of the list for the second year in a row)

2. Ralph Lauren

3. Y-3

4. Louis Vuitton

5. Chanel

6. Guess

7. J. Crew

8. Coco Chanel

9. John Galliano

10. Burberry

While most of this list is generally expected, I love that Y-3 comes in at #3. One of my favorite brands - Yohji Yamamoto doesn't get nearly enough lips service. Also it's quite amusing that Coco Chanel comes in at #8, yet Karl's no where to be found. Why so sad, Kaiser?

Did you favorite brand make the list? For more top 10 lists from 2011, visit BingTrends.com.

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

The Luxury Institute of New York has compiled a list of the 26 luxury handbag brands consumers are most familiar with. "There are so many names in the luxury handbag market today, which tells me that they have to work to stand out — the wealthier the consumers are, the more unique they want the bag to be," said Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute. "As far as status goes, this is probably one of the most important fashion categories — it's the one that really shows off who you are, no matter how you are dressed."

The brands are ranked based on the familiarity with luxury handbag consumers. Close to 800 consumers were surveyed with an average net worth of $2.2 million. "Handbag brands 2008" was conducted as part of the larger Luxury Brand Status Index, which also attempts to measure quality, exclusivity, social status and sel-enhancement.

1: Coach - 76%

2: Louis Vuitton - 63%

3: Gucci - 61%

4: Dooney & Bourke - 56%

5: Prada - 54%

6: Kate Spade - 48%

7: Burberry - 47%

8: Fendi - 45%

9: Chanel - 45%

10: Ralph Lauren - 45%

11: Dolce & Gabbana - 37%

12: Hermes - 36%

--Source: WWD

Tom Ford, the former king of glamour for Gucci and Yves Sain Laurent, is attempting to disrupt oil drilling in New Mexico by purchasing the mineral rights for the land beneath his property. Ford paid a reported $84,000 for over 1,400 acres.

Ford's purchase was in reaction to Tecton Energy's proposal to drill 8 exploratory wells over 101 square miles. While he did request the state land trust not lease the mineral rights for property near his ranch, the trust is responsible for raising revenue for New Mexico's public education.

The designer's property outside of Santa Fe includes a cattle ranch and a western movie set.

--Source: Yahoo News

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.

Further blurring the line between luxury and reality, mega-luxury conglomerate PPR has purchased Puma for the cool sum of $7 billion.  PPR, who controls houses such as Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, will also purchase Puma subsidiary Sapardis.  "I am delighted to have reached an agreement with Mayfair supported by Puma which creates the basis for a combined future for our two Groups," said Francois-Henri Pinault, Chairman and CEO of PPR.

PPR has previous experience working with Puma, from the Alexander McQueen based collaboration earlier this year.  While PPR paid 2.2 times more than Puma's annual revenue for the company, PPR's annual revenue is seven times that of Pumas.

Dear Gucci Chain Large Hobo,

I love you. You have captivated me in the way only a beautiful, classic handbag can. You bear no resemblance to a fad bag - you've proven you have staying power. Maybe it's the horse bit detail you proudly display on your strap. Perhaps it's the fact I can trust to you hold onto my laptop when I need my hands free. Of course your supple leather, in black, tan or brown guccisma, makes me want to hold you always.

I promise to always love you, even when you're out of my sight. I also promise to never set you on the floor, as that is no place for something of your hobo shape to be. Oh Gucci Chain Large Hobo, will you please be mine?

Gucci Large Chain Hobo, $1565 at Gucci.com

There's still time to win a Rakku Shoe Wheel with Style IT and ThisNext. Don't forget how easy it is!

Click here for the full details.

Hurry up, because time is running out. Contest ends February 9, and the winner will be announced right here on Style IT February 10.

 

 

 

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It's your opportunity to play dress up--just choose what items you would wear to New York Fashion Week's Fall/Winter 2007 shows. Recommend the items using ThisNext by tagging them "Style IT", and you're automatically entered to win!

Yes, it's actually that easy! Be sure to sign up for an account with ThisNext if you haven't already. Recommend as many items as you'd like, because the more items you recommend, the better your chances. Contest runs February 2 through February 9, and the winner will be announced right here on Style IT February 10. Good Luck!