It's not all that often that the public takes notice of what His Holiness wears. Sure, he gets to drive around in the Popemobile, and he wears a hat, but we doubt Joan Rivers has ever jumped out of a pew at Mass and asked, "Pope, darling, who are you wearing?" Not that we wouldn't kind of love to see that, but as of yet, no dice.

After ombre was shown at Prada's 2007 fall show, lovelies like Ali Carter, Paris Hilton, and Thandi Newton ate the trend up. For spring 2008, many other designers like Diane von Furstenberg, Giles, and Adam + Eve followed suit in lighter and brighter colors.

A few tips to follow up with and you'll be ombre-tastic in minutes.

While retail sales in the US and Europe are slumping, China's consumer class is just hitting the scene -- and they're willing to shell out some serious money on fashion. Designers like Prada, Armani, and Louis Vuitton are having a bonanza with newly rich Chinese who are hungry for the status symbols of conspicuous consumption. Yet, there's also a rising demand for $10,000 cocktail dresses and brands like Hermes from the growing ultra-rich class.

Traditionally, the Chinese market has been mostly dominated by accessories because of the limited space in China's crammed shopping malls -- which has led to the ridiculous level of knock-offs and forgeries. But that trend is starting to shift as retailers are steadily getting access to space where they can branch out. Coach is planning to open 50 retail stores in the mainland this over the next few years and tons of others are on the same kind of track. As you can imagine, renting a prime location for you flagship store in Shanghai is a royal rip -- but apparently it's paying off big time.

Yeah, we're three months late to this party, but it took a little time for us to warm up to the cartoonish design on this Prada bag.

In other words, we had to see Hilary Duff carrying it before we realized that life would be so much better if we had $2,290 to blow on a trendy bag, and an inside connection at the Prada store to help us get our hands on this one.

As one of the most influential designers of our time, Miuccia Prada has seen many of her designs badly reinterpreted and/or knocked-off at budget-friendly stores like Express, Forever21, and H + M.

And like any trend ripped straight from the runway, Prada's fall '07 stampede of ombré handbags and accessories are just now starting to see their influence in more affordable forms a year after they first debuted.

Ah, summer time. Cookouts. Weekend afternoon parties. Long, warm evenings in friends' backyards. It's the season for sundresses, bare legs and pretty pedicures.

This adds up to a deep need for new sandals.

A sensible woman would get something neutral and comfortable, a pair you can wear anywhere, with anything.

Yeah. Well, good for them.

We want these crazy 4" 4.25" high, green, wooden wedge heels with a hole in the middle of them. They look moderately uncomfortable and totally hard to walk in. L-o-v-e at first sight.

They live at Target, and will come home with us for $19.99. At least we won't need to use rent money to pay for them, unlike the $700 peach suede Prada sandals smirking at us over at Neiman Marcus.

Today's Stylist poll is about fake bangs. Should you or shouldn't you, would you or wouldn't you?

We say, OMG yes!

Bangs can be the hardest hairstyle to pull off successfully, unless you're Heidi Klum, with an amazing face and 24/7 groomers to make sure they are exactly the right length at all times. Plus, growing them out takes forever.

But fake bangs take all of the maintenance, and commitment, out of the equation.

Prada, pictured here, went (as usual) for an ultra faux bang look. Fakies also turned up, just slightly more natural looking, at the Hervé Léger by Max Azria for Fall '08.

If those are too outré for you, there is always the standard sex kitten clip-on heavy bang, available across the internets for pocket change.

So, are you in or are you out? Go vote!

Today's poll over at sister site StyleList is Would You Wear a Turban? Thank you Olsen Twins and Prada, for another trip to Unwearable Village.

It's our opinion that you may only wear a turban:

• while doing your hair, at the spa or salon, or in the comfort of your own bathroom
• if you lost your hair due to cancer treatments or alopecia
• because it's part of your religion
• going to a Murder on the Orient Express party
• when the Queen grants you the use of Dame, e.g. Dame Elizabeth Taylor
• to satisfy an unbearable urge to pull out your old Dynasty costumes, i.e. you are Joan Collins

Otherwise, no.

Disagree with us? Head on over to the poll and vote!

Last week the Wall Street Journal continued their groundbreaking coverage of shoes.

In this latest installment reporter Christina Binkley did a comparison of several expensive high heels that are purported to be "comfortable."

Last weekend, we officially retired our trusty Blue Satin Chanel nail polish. The two of us -- nail polish and person -- went to Jamaba Juice and watched The Hills together. And we just wanted to end things on a good note. You know, before it started getting ugly.

Miuccia Prada has been all about the multimedia experiments over the past couple of years. Trembled Blossoms is her latest product. The short film -- 4 minutes in length, to be exact -- was presented during L.A. Fashion Week. It had previously been shown during New York Fashion Week.

The film is considered to be a "classic animated cartoon, supported by modern techniques." It was directed by James Lima.

Of course, all of Hollywood was there to see the grand debut. When a big fashion name comes knocking on L.A.'s door, you don't say no. Otherwise the most exciting thing you'll see at L.A. Fashion Week is Lauren Conrad's new collection. Woohoo.

Anyways, L.A.'s finest came out for the night and they were definitely dressed to impress. To see some of the hits and misses of the evening click through the gallery. But, first a warning. There were a few great outfits, but mostly, just a whole lot of crazy. Be prepared.

Yeah, paulainscottsdale, I know it's Prada, but this purse is too small.

And it's weird. It's like a little fanny pack for your arm. Anything resembling a fanny pack is not "Perfect for Going Out and Dancing." It's not quite small enough for Barbie, but it's not quite big enough for humanfolk, either. This purse is about right for perhaps an American Girl doll.

Did you have one of those? I didn't. I thought they were boring. I still think they're boring. They're so wholesome it hurts. Actually, this bag might be a good way to corrupt an American Girl. Maybe I'd have more interest in the American Girls if one of the books featured Addy and Samantha getting in a catfight over a designer handbag. Where was that American Girl story, huh? Those are the American girls that I know.

I also know girls who would think "Oh my gosh! I can afford a Prada purse! I must have it," and they would purchase this. Then, they'd call me up for brunch and say "Oh hey, I'll bring my new Prada bag!"

Then, I'd see the bag and sigh, thinking to myself "I need new friends."

Purse too small. FAIL.

Last year, I posted a report from the Baltimore Comic-Con, where artists James Jean and Paul Pope made some surprising announcements about plunging into the fashion world. After reading this great post on James Jean's deal with Prada, I decided to share a little more about his work.

As an illustrator myself, I'm a tremendous fan of Jean's work. He does the coverwork for one of my favorite comics, Fables, and I even have one of his signed sketches hanging in my bedroom. Although his paintings are great, his linework is what really blows me away. The fluidity and organic lines interweave until they form the most delicate figures. Just taking a look at his website is enough to show you why he was asked by Prada to create fabric and that huge mural that now envelopes the Soho Prada store.

This is just the start of the growing trend of having illustrators bring their work into fashion. Hint, hint... Versace, call me.

Next time you're at Costco picking up a 5 gallon bucket of potato salad, you might want to stroll over to the sunglasses department. Tom Ford's eyewear is joining the surprisingly long list of designer goods being sold at the low-priced megamart. Prada, Versace, Fendi, and now Tom Ford -- it's all there for Costco members.

Yeah, I was surprised too -- I didn't even know that you could buy individually packaged sunglasses at Costco, much less a $1,300 purse. No, seriously, doesn't it seem sorta wrong to be buying designer handbags at Costco? What's next Cristal on the beer aisle at Wal-Mart?

If you're like me -- totally clueless about the world of Costco -- you ought to take a look at their website; just for your own entertainment. In the men's apparel section, you can grab anything from Citzens of Humanity jeans to a pair of teflon-coated mechanic's coveralls -- truly your 1-stop shop. Capitalism at its finest.

[via Fashionista]