Which one would you splurge on for yourself?

Want to give a nice, luxe gift that will be around for more than one season? Check out the new edition of Louis Vuitton
City Guides, as well as the special collection of 100 beautiful fluorescent postcards created by famed artist Ruben Toledo Available in the select cities of Berlin, Paris, Tokyo, and New York, the guides cover all of the necessary information any ‘culture vulture’ would seek, including food, fashion, art, and design. You can purchase the City Guides for $34 at the Louis Vuitton website, while the Ruben Toledo postcards can also be found there for $115.

[Images via IHeartBerlin.com]

In the spirit of Berlin, .HBC Couture Design Scouts hosted a collection of cutting edge designers at the 7th Berlin Fashion Week. All eight designers showcased fresh and vibrant color palettes demonstrated through historical references and drawing diverse inspirations. Newcomers Blame, Manuela Baumgartner, Mogo E Mago and Mikenke satisfied the crowds’s desire to see designs that captured the avant-garde and urban nature of cosmopolitan Berlin. Perhaps an amalgamation of all these qualities was Address, who presented an elegant yet edgy collection with a refined, strong silhouette: combining silk and bold criss crossed cut-outs juxtaposed against simple, classic male looks and i-just-rolled-out-of-bed-yet-still-look-amazing makeup. Another stand-out collection was that of Ester Perbrandt. Her play between drape and construct was truly exquisite and the mix of corals and orange really screamed summer.

And the overall synopsis? Cropped pants are here to stay, simplicity is key in summer and this present economic climate can still facilitate new designers that answer demands for quality, longevity, and most importantly innovative, good design.

[Images via yusrablog.com]

Risto

Raw attitude seduced the audience at the Risto pre-collection show on Saturday. The edgy garments pounding down the runway made it hard to believe that Bimbiloski once designed uber-luxury looks for Louis Vuitton. Brazen bike shorts were paired with mesh knits in cream and black, interspersed by angular blazer dresses and shredded white denim donned with gritty poise. Slick brown snakeskin lined black leggings and paneled minis and crop-tops were all the rage. We are definitely looking forward to seeing his full collection at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week New York in September!

- Maria Eilersen

Subscribe to Fashion Pulse Daily’s Newsletter!

[Images via Style.com]

It must be a great challenge to take a house built on bags to a runway level, but Marc Jacobs proves he can do it, and quite effortlessly; or at least it seems! The Louis Vuitton fall/winter 2009 collection was certainly an upscale ode to the eighties, but done in a way that it didn’t feel old and already done before. Marc has certainly referenced the eighties quite a bit, more recently is his namesake labels this season, but for some reason, the Louis Vuitton collection tended to look more ahead, instead of behind. The necklaces, reminiscent of stapling construction paper into interlocking loops to hang around the Christmas tree, were just splendid, and the boots were an on-trend indication of what is too come, as far as new heights and details, in footwear.

And, lest I forget the headpieces – wonderful exaggerations of bows, or as I’d like to call them, batwings. My two favorite looks were the “Emerald City” tiered dress, practically straight out of Oz, and the amazingly draped, twisted, and knotted grey dress. Kudos Marc – you’ve done it once again (as if we had any doubt).

~Julia DiNardo

Subscribe to Fashion Pulse Daily’s Feed

Congratulate yourself for waiting in those long lines to get your vote out with a little celebratory shopping! After all, tomorrow is a new day, and you’ll need a new wardrobe to match! We’ve found some great sample sales and gotten some sale scoop from our friends at J.Crew-aholics that will give your style the change you need.

• Stuck watching the overbooked Tibi show on the televisions in the lobby of the fashion week tents like we were a few months ago? Don’t miss your second chance to get up close and personal with this contemporary brand at the Tibi sample sale, starting November 5th!

336 West 37th Street (Btwn 8th & 9th); 11/5 1pm-7pm, 11/6 9:30am-7pm 11/7 9:30am-5:30pm

• Save up to 75% off at the Shoshanna & Anlo Fall Sample Sale. If you’re feeling brave enough to try on bikinis this time of year, you can score a $165 bathing suit for only $65!

231 West 39th Street Suite 422; 11/5 10am-6:30pm, 11/6 10am-5:30pm

• In the mood for a little luxury? At A Second Chance Designer Resale, you’ll find all of the essential brands– Chanel, Hermès, and Louis Vuitton, at a great discount.

1109 Lexington Ave. (btwn. 77 & 78th St.) 2nd Fl.; 11/3-11/10; Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm

• If you love designers who are famous for bold colors and crazy prints, check out the Boutique on 57 for up to 80% off Roberto Cavalli, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and much more!

540 Park Ave. – Regency Hotel (@ 61st St.) Penthouse Suite ; 11/6- 11/7 10am-7pm

• Vivienne Tam is offering up 75% off her unique and pretty fall/winter pieces beginning November 5th.

260 W. 39th St.(btwn. 7th & 8th Ave.)11th Floor; 11/5 9am-8pm, 11/6 10am-7pm, 11/7 10am-6pm

• Get the nature inspired designs of Hayden-Harnett for up to 70% off. The sale includes the fall 2008 collection and accessories, too!

Edge Noho, 65 Bleecker St., b/t Broadway & Lafayette Sts.; 11/ 5-11/8;Wed.-Sun., noon-7 p.m.

One of the prominent trends spotted on the spring 2009 runway was most definitely leopard print. We saw the wild design in a spectrum of colors and speckled across everything from Louis Vuitton bags to Zac Posen dresses. Whether it’s a cocktail party or a day at the beach, these cool spots will certainly add some spice to your look.

We’ve gone on to find a variety of pieces flaunting this wild print — all for under $150!

The purple leopard print on this Sequin Safari Minidress, ($24.80 Forever 21), updates an otherwise ordinary going out dress, while the Leopard Lawn Annette Blouse, ($78, J.Crew), vamps up a modest look. Plan on keeping warm in this Black& Merino Leopard Print Cardigan ($88, Ann Taylor) or the Parfait Animal Print Cardigan ($118, Nordstrom). For the perfect accessory, this Dooney & Bourke Leopard Checkbook Clutch, on sale for $138.75 at Dillard’s, will lend even the classiest girl some wild cat edge, or try the NYC by Perlina Reversible Leopard Print Tote ($59.99, Target). No matter what item you choose, you’ll definitely be equipped with one of the most popular trends for 2009!

– Sarah Ferguson

The music at fashion week shows not only sets the tone for the collection, but almost equally as important is that it can get the sleep-deprived editors/buyers/stylists tapping their stiletto-ed heels to the beat, creating a fond, memorable experience for a show that otherwise can blur in with the other 60+ collections seen in a week! We’ve pulled together some of our favorite songs, artists, and live pefromances during the S/S 2009 collections:

• Cowboy Junkies (Live Performance)– Ports 1961

• Seu George (Live Performance) — Carlos Miele

• Edith Piaf — Louis Vuitton

• Madonna (Borderline) — Balmain

• Hooverphonic –  Rock & Republc

• Ladyhawke — Chanel

• Annie — Jeremy Scott