Inspired by a new generation of young women, Valention has launched Rock'n Rose, a fragrance that combines a rock and roll attitude with elegant style. "She is a rose on the outside, and a rocker on the inside." Attending the launch party included Valentino himself, Tinsley Mortimer, Trevor Rains, Daniel Vosovic, Ivanka Trump, Candace Bushnell, Zac Posen, and Veronica Webb.Top notes of this fragrance include bergamont and black currant, with middle notes of orange blossom, and base notes of vanilla and sandalwood. 3.4 eau de parfum, $74, available online at Bergdorf Goodman.

 

Those seen at the 2006 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and afterparty include French lingerie designer Chantal Thomass, Paris Hilton, Nicole Richie, Alyssa Milano, Kate Walsh, Sarah Ramirez, Adriana Lima, Brent Bolthouse, Gisele Bundchen, Karolina Kurkova, and Alessandra Ambrosio.  However, best dressed of the evening goes to model Selita Banks for her stunning silver halter dress.

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show was held last night in Hollywood, featuring a performance by Justin Timberlake.  The show was mainly what we've come to expect from Victoria's Secret, with racy lingerie designs on winged models.  The show also featured Pink designs, including flight attendant inspired outfits, complete with pastel colors, pillbox hats and polka dots.  Nude bras and panties were often paired with gold metallic accents, and black, white and red were combined for stunning effects.  The show included a range of spectacular colors, from pastel to neon.  Tune in December 5th on CBS for the official broadcast.

Held in Beijing, China's Fashion Week is a seven day spectacle, with nearly 30 runway shows and 60 designers from 19 countries.  China's first Fashion Week was held in January 1997, with only 3 shows.  Korea, China and Japan have established the Asia Fashion Association, as well as keeping close contact with the Chambre Sindicale, the Haute Couture governing association of France.  With an average Chinese income of $1,000 USD, China's Fashion Week focuses on ready to wear, but a small haute couture movement is developing out of Beijing and Shanghai.

The dresses seen on the runway in Beijing are full of volume and detail.  Lace, metallics, quilting and feathers show these designers are unafraid of glamour.  The streetwear is full of attitude, with neon colors, funky patterns and luxurious fabrics.  The designers are integrating traditional Chinese broacade into all aspects of design, from lingerie to wedding dresses, to combine old world traditions with modern touches.

Those crazy Victoria Secret models. They've been making all kinds of commotion over in LA LA Land. Arriving in a private plane. Getting a key to the city. What's next? Running for President?

Chantal Thomass is a highly respected French lingerie designer. Designing since the 1960's, Thomass relies heavily on the inspiration of cabarets and pin ups. She was the inventor of "innerwear as outerwear" and is famous for making undergarments a foundational piece of a woman's wardrobe. Carrying her pieces exclusively in the US, Victoria's Secret also opened the first Chantal Thomass boutique in its Las Vegas store.

Chambre Syndicale, the governing body that dictates which fashion houses are true Haute Couture houses, has added six new houses to it's small membership. It has been reported that the January couture shows will be the busiest in many years. New members include Boudicca, Cathy Pill, Gérald Watelet, Gustavo Lins, Lefranc Ferrant, and Nicolas Le Cauchois. Elie Saab has been named a "correspondent member", the highest rank given to a couturier not based in France.

Twelve other members have been confirmed as "invited members". These houses include Anne Valérie Hash, Ralph Rucci, Felipe Oliveira Baptista, Christophe Josse, Adam Jones, Maison Martin Margiela and On Aura Tout Vu. In addition to governing Haute Couture, the Chambre Syndicale operates a couture school in Paris.

Other official members include Chanel, Christian Dior, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Givenchy, Christian Lacroix, and Emanuel Ungaro. Foreign members include Giorgio Armani Prive, Versace and Valentino. Other designers are sometimes asked to participate even if they do not meet the requirements. Previous invitations have been extended to Viktor and Rolf, Philip Treacy, and Chado Ralph Rucci.

There are certain rules to become an official couturier, and current houses are entitled to free advertising on French television. Houses must produce 50 new designs every collection, and show two collections a year. Twenty full time employees must be utilized in at least one atelier. These rules were originally created in 1945 and revised in 1992. The name haute couture is protected under French law, as well as fashion is considered intellectual property and protected as well.