Gap and Pierre Hardy just works. Gap and Valentino? We're not so sure. The world's biggest specialty retailer is teaming up with the historic fashion house to create a capsule collection, which will be available in a few of its European stores. (The US flagships are not scheduled to receive a shipment, unfortunately.) The partnership was formed to celebrate the opening of the new Gap stores in Milan and Rome. The launch will take place in November at the retailer's new Milan flagship, but pieces will also be available at Colette, Dover Street Market, and Gap's London flagship. I was living in London when Gap did something similar with Roland Mouret and I will say that the results were impressive. And of course no one can forget Phoebe Philo's "European collection" for the brand. But Mouret's dresses are structured and Philo's a minimalist--those looks were slightly easier to recreate in a knit than a silky blouse or ruffly frock, which is what the new Valentino team is best known for. It'll be interesting to see what they turn out.

It goes without saying that, as fashion editors, we need to buy at least a couple new pieces for New York Fashion Week. And usually it ends up being more than a couple. Leah was after the perfect black dress for a party we’re co-hosting for Timo Weiland, and Lauren needed a pair of perfect [...]

Today's mad libs come from husband and wife design team Sachin and Babi Ahluwalia. Babi is all about wearing heels and getting down to business in the showroom, but knows when to chill out and be a mom.

Get excited: YSL's Fall/Winter 2010-2011 Manifesto is about to launch right here in New York. The publication, along with a Stefano Pilati-designed tote, will be distributed on city streets this coming Tuesday, September 14. It'll be passed around the rest of the world--meaning Paris, London, Milan, Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Beirut--on Saturday, September 18.

This week I’m writing about something you might think is boring, but, like a workout regimen, it’s a necessary evil: Setting up a stylist’s business. I am a total geek and love working on the business side of my styling practice, but I know most stylists want to be creative and not even think about the biz operations. At the end of the day, being a successful stylist means being the CEO of your own company. Several of the best stylists I have met are incredibly business savvy.