Image: The Cut

In the battle of the high-low collaborations, this has got to be the all time big one. 

The Gap is collaborating with Valentino. Yes, that Valentino. The line will not be available stateside (nor presumably online) and will be restricted to the Gap flagship in Milan, Colette in Paris, Dover Street Market in London, and the Gap London flagship. Cannot wait to see the result.

Images: Arun Nevader/Getty Images

It’s all about the fashion collaborations this week. 

Ex-Project Runway alum and current fashion favourite Christian Siriano showed his collection on the runway this week and while his dresses were their usual cacophony of frills and volume (more on this to follow), what has everyone talking are the shoes that he designed for Payless. This is not his first collaboration with the brand having designed and produced and earlier line which was not very well received, however I have to say that I am very impressed with these shoes which look a lot more expensive than their anticipated price point of $50. I particularly like the brown leather shown on the right. 

Of course being a budget line, not much stock can be placed on the quality or comfort of the shoes, however for a look that is fun and can bring an outfit bang up to date, they definitely have my vote.

Image: Imaxtree

New York Fashion Week is in full swing notwithstanding the fact that this year it coincides with the Jewish New Year. I propose to post highlights of my favourite shows here so the postings will be coming fast and furious this week at least. So far, the majority of the coverage has been given to the Project Runway finale, but as I follow that show and hate spoilers, I won’t be covering them here. To follow later today: Christian Siriano, Cushine et Ochs and more.

Alexa Chung, doyenne of cool British fashion, and Madewell have released their latest joint collection online and in stores. I like several of the pieces, even though her tomboyish style isn't really my favourite, including this bat t- shirt and the tea dress. Due to the anticipated popularity of the line, JCrew employees have allegedly been prohibited from buying items using their staff discount. She models the line and she models it well – of course she should. The question that remains to be answered is whether the clothes will look just as good on everyone else.

Marc Jacobs is one of my favourite designers in spite of himself. He's quite a character to put it mildly (the Bang perfume campaign anyone), and while sometimes I am convinced his clothes are designed more as an abstraction rather than to flatter a woman's body, I do love his lower-priced, bridge line Marc by Marc Jacobs and in particular his accessories, handbags and sunglasses.

Imagine my surprise when I learned of his newest endeavour - a bookstore.

Image: Cynthia Rowley

This summer I considered purchasing a more sporty than glamourous beach options partly because the relentless sun makes covering up a much more sensible option. I think when one lives in a hot climate where sun exposure is not limited to a two week annual holiday, extra precaution should be taken to prevent burns and sun damage. I'd seen some Mondrian style rash guards on Shopbop but I also fell in love with this wetsuit (bottom image) by Cynthia Rowley and it led me to have a look at the other items she had designed with Roxy. She's done a beautiful line with clean, not too overtly girlie colours. I particularly liked the wedges which came in a black and white palette as well as a multi-coloured colour-story and the beach towel. I hope she collaborates with them again.

I thought I was being organised and bought my daughter’s school bag and lunch box for the new school year a few weeks ago. I’m sorry I did so because I think these Yubo lunch boxes are the most adorable ones I’ve seen in a long time. I love the fact that the faceplates are interchangeable, so you can switch up the look of the box as often as you want. Last year we had a fabric lunch box which was tricky to clean, so I also like the fact that these are made from polypropylene, a recyclable plastic that is BPA and phthalate free and should be wipe-able and easy to maintain (all pieces are top-rack dishwasher safe).

Image: David Stark Studio

I love the colours and the feel of a dark, warm room with a pop of bright colour like this one which is designed by David Stark Studio. The entire flat is very eclectic and beautiful but this is my favourite of all of the rooms. It actually puts me in mind of an earlier post on this site which you can see here. 

Image: LivingEtc.

I have had bad experiences with wicker in the past and vowed never to have the old-fashioned, 80s style wicker furniture in my home - you know the kind that screams we're having cocktails on the lanai, Golden Girls style - however I have always loved the way the juxtaposition of a little wicker can add texture and warmth to an otherwise sleek and modern style. I love the way these unfinished, over-sized wicker pendants hanging above the counter bring a warmth which the room would otherwise lack. It proves that the material can be reinterpreted and used in a modern way.

Image: Swell

Some men enjoy shopping while for others, it is a fate worse than death. I am married to a man who is of the latter opinion and as a result I can find the experience of shopping to be quite difficult for him and torture for me. It becomes a very frustrating experience for everyone involved, resulting in quick purchases which, once taken home, ends in buyer's remorse, disappointment with the item purchased and its quick and sure relegation to the back of the closet. 

I do most of my shopping online; it's convenient and I enjoy being able to compare different items from different retailers easily. There is no pressure from salespeople and you can take your time to decide about your purchase over a few days or weeks if necessary. If you are careful you can often find fantastic bargains and the sales are great. As a result I recently decided to make some purchases on my husband's behalf, one of the items being a pair of casual shoes. Being quite particular but eclectic in his choice of summertime footwear, we have been finding it difficult to buy is suitable pair of sandals. As an alternative I have decided to try what I view as the modern take on the espadrille. I have seen a few men wearing them and I think they look good with jeans and other casual trousers.

Initially I considered purchasing Toms shoes as I like the idea that for every pair you buy, a pair of shoes is donated to a needy child in a developing country however after comparing them to some other shoes on the market, I settled on Sanuk which have a more structured look. Like the shoes by Toms, these are also environmentally friendly and are designed to leave the smallest production footprint possible. I hope my little experiment is successful and he is happy with the choice.