After the success of a limited edition collaboration with Puma, Lydia Hearst is set to design another collection of bags, this time for wider release.  While the 100 bags priced at $750 sold out before they hit stores, I'm sure I wouldn't be that far off the mark in assuming her friends made the majority of the purchases.

The bags, available just in time for the holiday season, will be reasonably priced starting at $80.   “When I sat down for the initial meeting with Puma, that was my first question, because they wanted me to do something that expressed my own personality, and I’m very versatile. I’m not the same person today that I will be tomorrow—I’m constantly changing. Even though it’s the same bag, they’re all completely different, with all different materials, all different accents, and details.”

--Source:  The Daily

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

After months of speculation, rumors, vicious remarks and rankings, the masters behind now defunct Socialite Rank have been revealed by New York Magazine. Efforts to uncover the truth spread across the internet, culminating in Radar Online polling readers on the most likely culprit in an attempt to discover "the truth". The end of Socialite Rank came on April 24, exactly one year after it began. Even after the end the speculation continued, had we paid attention, we would have noticed one of the culprits in plain sight. While there may have been an expiration date on the snarky comments and weekly rankings, a new "heir" has taken it's place.

The truth is finally being told, in the pages of New York Magazine. Even in Radar's attempt to discover the truth, they missed the mark. The dynamic duo behind the controversy are none other than Valentine and Ola Rei, a dangerous combination of desperation and envy. Valentine, a reporter for Fashion Week Daily, and Olga, an account manager at Lippman Advertising, wormed their way into the social set. “They were wannabes for a long time,” one fixture in the scene says, “and sometime or other they started acting like they were somebodies.”

Over time Socialite Rank grew into a monster. From hate mail, friends spilling dirty secrets, to Valentine & Olga throwing a Halloween bash to entice a mass socialite gathering, and the creation of the Silver Spoon award which named Tinsley Mortimer socialite of the year, socialites, publicists and readers loved to hate the Rank. And then came the infamous letter from Olivia Palermo. Who sent the letter? There are far too many theories to rehash, but Palermo's legal team and Manhattan's District Attorney intend to follow all leads to uncover the author of the "false" letter. Who authored the letter doesn't really matter anymore. As soon as the letter was published on SR, Olivia Palermo rocketed to fame. Some championed her, others loather her, but everyone knew her name.

SR was always intended to last only one year, after which the stories, secrets and scandals would be compiled for a book entitled "The Year Of The Rank". The last ranking even included Olga herself in the 20, an obvious indication that most missed, simply due to distance from the issue.

So who is to take over where SR left off? Park Avenue Peerage, the new heir whose author has also garnered speculation, may be the furthest from the scene. In fact, James Kurisunkal writes PAP from his dorm room at the University of Illinois, and has never been to New York. Having grown up reading The Book Of Royal Lists, Kurisunkal finds himself obsessed with socialites. He now finds himself with abundant invites, and emails from socialites wanting more coverage or a more flattering picture.  And he felt it necessary to out himself.

The moral of the story is you don't have to be a snarky freelancer, a Vogue staffer, or even a resident of 10021 to gather the stories (and secrets) of the New York social set. In case this isn't enough socialite news to fill your day, check out the Top Twenty Socialites of All Time.

The couture parade is back in town -- and I don't mean the collection shows.  The 2007 Costume Institute Gala, celebrating the Paul Poiret exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, will take place on Monday, May 6 at the Metropolitan Opera House.  Those expected to walk the glamorous red carpet include Julianne Moore with Stefano Pilati, Jennifer Lopez, Cate Blanchett with Nicolas Ghesquiere, Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen with Giambatista Valli, as well as Jennifer Garner, Kirsten Dunst, Kate Bosworth, Kate Hudson, Lindsay Lohan, Liv Tyler, Emily Blunt and Jennifer Hudson.  Of course you can expect a swell turnout of models, designers and socialites as well.  Don't remember how extravagant last year's event was?  Review the coverage at Style.com.

Finding a great bag for a night out is often difficult--it either has no way of staying attached to you, or it's too big and bulky, distracting away from the sleekness of your outfit. Moe designer Mary Rambin recognized this problem and created the C.L.I.C.K bag.

C.L.I.C.K. stands for all your essentials for a night out: Cell phone, Lip gloss, Identification, Cash and Keys. Meant to be large enough to carry the essentials without being cumbersome, the CLICK bags come complete with a chic wrap designed handle to ensure it stays with you.

Available in both silk, leather and custom designs, the CLICK bags are available online at CoutureCandy. The bags range in price from $132 to $187, and are favorites of Leigh Lezark, Lydia Hearst, Rosario Dawson, and Courtney Cox.

Life's a party when you're Richie Rich and Travor Rains. While many people have criticized them for making too much of a spectacle at New York Fashion Week, I respect them. Their collections always remind me that clothes are full of life, and a woman should have fun when she gets dressed. Every day should be a new adventure, a new party, another reason to be happy. Their Fall/Winter 2007 was no different, as the theme was The Wizard of Oz, complete with Lydia Hearst as Dorothy. Paris Hilton was no where to be found, while Kimora Lee Simmons flashed back to her modeling roots as she took her turn on the catwalk. View the entire collection courtesy of Coutorture.

All photos and videos provided courtesy of Coutorture.

Thank you to ShopStyle for sponsoring Coutorture’s coverage of New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2007.

Day Four at the tents brough us the typical assortment of editors, writers, socialites, former models and celebrities with a few unexpected twists. Andre Leon Talley (Wearing a jacket from Baby Phat's Fall/Winter 2007 emblazed with "I am the real american dream"), Anna Wintour, Plum Sykes, Meredith Melling Burke and Carine Roitfeld, along with Candy Pratts Price from Style.com. Helena Christenson, Amber Valetta, Kimora Lee Simmons and Roberto Cavalli also made an appearance. Batting for the socialites included Lee Radziwell, Tinsley Mortimer, Camilla Bell, and Ivanka Trump. Hilary Alexander, Lauren Ezersky and Patrick McDonald made their daily pilgrimage to the tents. Of course Rachel Zoe was there observing for her 'celebrity clients.' Leading the pack with the most strange celebrity appearance was Michelle Rodruigez, complete with the latest accessory, an ankle bracelet to track her every move! Also stopping for the photo ops were Carmen Electra, Kim Catrall, Katharine McPhee, Lauren Conrad, and Amber Tamblyn.

Don't expect Tuesday's turnout to be any less tame, as the circus that is Heatherette, complete with Lydia Hearst, Paris Hilton and Alice In Wonderland invades the tents.

The people. The beautiful, important and unimportant people who make their way into the tents at Bryant Park during New York Fashion Week. The parade of editors was out in full force as Amy Astley of Teen Vogue, Carine Roitfeld of French Vogue, Hamish Bowles who is the European Editor at Large from Vogue and of course Anna Wintour, and Andre Leon Talley of American Vogue. Socialites Bee Shaffer and Fabiola Beracasa and Lydia Hearst made an appearance, as well as the original Zoe-Bot herself, Rachel Zoe. Celebrities Carmen Electra, Kelly Rowland, Alicia Keys and Zoey Deschannel, who showed her vocal skills at the Erin Featherston show. Let us not forget the appearance of Miss USA Tara Conner and Miss Teen USA Katie Blair.

The race for the most photographed will certainly be on tomorrow, as designers such as Carolina Herrera, Jill Stuart, Oscar De La Renta, Max Azria and Ellen Tracy will bring out the socialites, celebrities and editors once again.

Hang around the tents long enough, and you're bound to run into some colorful people. Day two of New York Fashion Week was no exception, bringing out some of my favorite people. Socialites Lydia Hearst and Birdie Bell made an appearance, as well as Daily Telegraph journalist (and Britain's Next Top Model stylist) Hilary Alexader. Fellow Top Model expert (and photographer) Nigel Barker was seen lounging front row with Mickey Boardman of Paper Magazine.

Most likely an unrecognizable face (unless you've spent some time in the tents) is Anike Rabiu. She, however, is a complete gem of a person. I was fortunate enough to meet her as she was handing out WWD's to Fashion Week attendants. She dished the scoop as to who was coming through the front doors and always put a smile on my face.

Patrick McDonald and Cator Sparks are both fashionable men about town. Patrick wears many hats (writer, editor, stylist) but is always recognizable by his unique fashion sense and his fabulous eyebrows. He is not only a wealth of information, but he is also gracious and kind. Look for his work in issues of Mao magazine. Catch up with Cator Sparks as he mans-around-town on his blog. Look for his writing in such magazines such as GQ, Genre and Out Traveler.

Lauren Ezersky is best know for her work as the face of Behind the Velvet Ropes. She has to be one of the most fabulous women I have ever encountered. I am always astonished as to how gracefully and beautifully she wears her grey hair, something which is seen as such a stigma of getting older.

Want to get to know these style icons a little better? Check out their New York Magazine Video Lookbooks.

Cator Sparks

Lauren Ezersky

Check out Patrick Mcdoald's interviews with Fashion News Live.

Interview 1

Interview 2

And a joint interview with Lauren Ezersky

--Art director of America's Next Top Model, Jay Manuel, has a new gig: Style Director of Match.com. Maybe he can help out Courtney Love? Via Imaginary Socialite

--Mary Kate Olsen leaves the house in a plaid bedsheet, without the Balenciaga torture chambers. Via PopSugar

--Marilyn Manson has found someone younger to clone Dita's look: Evan Rachel Wood. Let the comparisons begin. Via Socialite's Life

--Jessica and Ashlee Simpson looking the same. Are we in for a new sister act? Via X17 Online

--Socialite Ranke, the website that brought Tinsley Mortimer's fame to near pandemonium levels has a new obsession: Kate Middleton. Via Socialite Rank

--Just in cae the first round wasn't enough, DeathByCamera is back for round two with last night's American Idol contestants Myspaces. Via DeathByCamera

--ViewFromTheFourthRow, a blog thats been around a little bit is gaining some serious attention. And it's totally deserved. Intriuge, snark, and gossip all wrapped into wonderful little posts. I can't wait for Fashion Week.