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As fashion continues to draw the interest of student designers, retail experts and economic forecasters, it's becoming more and more clear that style isn't just for the frivolous of heart. (Actually it's for everybody since we get dressed EVERY day.)

This week, the University of Pennsylvania is holding its annual PENN Fashion Week.
In addition to sending glitzy student designs down the runway, faculty from the Wharton School of Business will facilitate serious talks on the money side of fashion. Kenneth Cole - who has managed to marry fashion and retail with the best of them. Reaction accessories are a personal favorite - will give a keynote address Tuesday night. And on Wednesday, the Wharton School of Business will host a panel on the evolution of luxury. How did it ever become OK to spend the equivalent of a mortgage payment on one pair of sunglasses?

I digress. The week-long event is hosted by the Wharton Retail Club, PENN Fashion Society and Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity.

PENN Fashion Week closes Friday with a fashion show featuring PENN student designers.

Looks like it will be H-h-h-o-t, as well as informative. For a full list of events, click here, or log on to www.pennfashionweek.com. Questions? e-mail pennfashionweek@gmail.com.

Kenneth Cole is one of my favorite designers - if I had all the money in the world, I'd wear his womenswear line, Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dresses and Christian Louboutin shoes - so, I went to hear him speak at the University of Pennsylvania on Monday. He was guest speaker for the PENN Fashion Week. This picture of Kenneth with the students is courtesy of Tony Leonardi at Studio A Photography.

Cole's story was aspirational and demonstrated a level of resourcefullness I would be too scared to pull off. Basically, he rented a truck and parked it at a busy New York City intersection during a Market Week in the 1980s to get buyers to look at his line. It was during the Mayor Edward Koch Administration and the only people who could do that were film companies and construction companies. He became Kenneth Cole Productions Inc.

It worked. He caught the eye of the coolest boutique buyers. And over the years, his company has several stand alone stores and has sales in the millions. He also managed to solidify his reputation as a fashion designer with a social conscious. To learn more about his work. Check out his awearness blog.

But more interesting were the repetition of his witty sayings he peppered his speech with. Here are a few examples:

On Life.
"Everyone needs to grow. If they stop, then they will cease to be."

"I was selling cool ladies shoes, but there are so many cool ladies."

"If you wake up and say you are gong to have a good day, you will."

On the economy:
"These are difficult times right now. We are clearly in a consumer-driven recession. But noone is talking about it. Because if we start talking about it, we'll have a full-fledged depression."

On entrepreneurship:
"Entreprenneurs need to do whatever needs to be done, but not more than has to be."

On compassion:
"If you don't like someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. If you still don't like them you are a mile away and you still have their shoes."

Who are some of your favorite designers? Have you ever heard them say anything inspiring?

In other fashion news:
Boxer Floyd Mayweather will be at Sneaker Villa, at 1231 North Broad Street from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Old City boutique, Smak Parlour, will hold it's third birthday party this Friday. There will be pink champagne, pink cupcakes and pink drinks. The party will be from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 219 Market Street.

Last but not least:

Representatives from custom shirt brand, Rebecca & Drew will be at the cute little boutique, Skirt this Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The company's founder, Rebeccca Winn, attended the University of Pennsylvania where she started alice + olivia with classmate, Stacey Bendet. Rebecca & Drew shirts women's chest circumference, bra cup size and torso height. Skirt is located at
931 Lancaster Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010. For more info, call 610.520.0222.

Wives have had it tough lately: Dina Matos McGreevy. Silda Spitzer. Britney Spears. The chicks on ABC television show, Wife Swap (Although who would want to be them?)Even Democratic Presidential nominee, Hilary Clinton.

So in this era of wife abuse, it's way cool that a designer with local ties is celebrating the awesomeness of getting married with a line of contemporary sportswear, Wifeville.

Jen Gorman, (whose husband, Patrick, hails from Gwynedd Valley) loves her husband and is proud to be a wife! Gorman, Thus spawned the title of this fashion line. (This is a shoutout to A Tribe Called Quest's Midnight Marauders, which is wholly unrelated, but remains the best CD ever made.) Gorman, who lives in Baltimore, worked on Capitol Hill as a legislative assistant to the U.S. Senate. And still, despite all the lying and cheating we know she saw, she is excited to be a wife.

Back to the line. The T-shirt sayings are cute: Wonder Wife. Wife A Go Go. The Wife is Right (stylized like The Price is Right) and Lucky Wife. It also includes tees, undies, lounge pants, hoodies, aprons - that might be saying something subliminally I'm not quite ready for - bathing suits and cover ups. It's all about being comfy, sexy and casually, husband-appealing.

But the really cool thing is that it gives women hope. With all this domestic crap going on, we sometimes forget that being married can be a good thing. Marriage doesn't necessarily strip women of their independence. It doesn't mean we are weak. Every man isn't going to hide all the money in Swiss bank accounts and leave us penniless. (OK, I've read too many Terri McMillan novels.) Aren't two heads are better than one? If a sistah has landed a good man, I can't think of a better reason to Partay!

And then, just maybe, more of us will get the chance to celebrate being a wife!

For those already hitched, you can buy the shirts at Jac's Urbanwear, in Newtown, or on-line.

I wonder what Beyonce's wedding dress looked like. The songstress allegedly married rapper Jay-Z in his Tribeca apartment Friday night in front of an ivory-clad audience. I read a few places that Beyonce bought a gown close in style to Princess Diana's by British designers Elizabeth and David Emanuel. I hope not. That's really outdated and I can't see her in that. But I hope even more that her mother, Tina Knowles, did not design it. House of Dereon=House of Cheesy. More importantly was Damon Dash in the house? What about Kanye West?

H&M has tapped Rei Kawakubo to collaborate on a collection of holiday styels. Rei Kawakubo is the amazingly, electrically, totally avant garde designer for Comme des Garcons. However, how will Comme des Garcons architectural clothing translate to the every day woman? Call me a hater, but when will designing for the masses end? Is nothing out of reach any more?

Smith Bros. opened a new store at The Promenade last weekend in Marlton at the Promenade. The new store is 3,500-square-feet and features the lines: Juicy Couture, Splendid, Ella Moss and Theory. Hours are Monday-Saturday 10am-9pm, Sunday 11am-6pm. Smith Bros. I just hope they carry more than 26s, 27s and 28s.... Ugh, jean shopping is no fun.

Did you have any weekend fashion thoughts?

Easing into the summer months means sleeveless, low cut, backless. Think proms. Think weddings. Think evenings out with warm winds blowing as you sip a fruity martini. Now, in any of these mind's eye images, do you ever see exposed bra straps? Do you see droopy tatas? I didn't think so. Neither did Maidenform.

The company will introduce the Breakthrough Backless in Macy's this month. The bra is the creation of Elaine Cato, 40, of Nashville, TN. Cato is the director of the Miss Black Tennessee pagent and a former Miss Black USA> One day she simply got tired of her ample bust line stopping her sleeveless and backless fashions. Phooey. Last year, Cato came in second runner up on the ABC's American Inventor. Maidenform contacted Cato and the rest just happened.

Awesome! Fabulouso! Can't wait to see how well these bras work. It looks like it works like a sling around your shoulders. And standing erect holds you in place better than slumping. It is reccommended that the larger breasted woman try this ... (As the thinking is smaller breasted women can use the chicken cutlet thingies for form.) The bras are available in sizes 34B and up and at Macy's. Until then, people can preorder them from Maidenform. Happy Lifting.

In other fashion news, Project Runway is threatening to leave Bravo TV for Lifetime Television. Fashion is about to get ugly, stay tuned!

In researching a story I'm doing on campaign merchandise, I came across CafePress. The site is amazing! Nearly 6.5 million clients create and sell products on the web site. Users add 40,000 items each day. People just like you and me come up with pithy sayings and put them on everything from T-shirts, computer bags, onesies, thongs...

The sort of unsaid motto is, "If you can put words on it, Shoot, why not?: This California-based site is a natural fit for campaign merchandise because it allows folks to make (and print) exactly what's on their minds.

On any given day last week there were tens of thousands of products on the Hilary and Obama side. Last Monday there were T-shirts about "bitterness" just two days after Obama uttered those words that I know now I wish he could snatch out of the air. Some of my favorites: "My Mama is voting for Obama." and "Hilary is my Homegirl." Check it out and look for tomorrow's story about how self-made merchandise is a way for people to connect with their candidates. You all out there have any ideas?

This morning I woke up and turned on Good Morning America, albeit 20 minutes before 9 a.m. And there she was: Robin Roberts - without her flippy wig. Her hair was cut close. She looked radiant and happy and positive and just ...
I felt the tears pool.

I've been watching breast cancer since she announced her diagnosis last fall. Roberts has been handling her illness with amazing dignity. She's taken few days off. And when she's at work, she's really there. About a month ago, the Friday morning before her last last chemo treatment the GMA gang played Celebration, by Kool and the Gang, and danced in the studio. She was so happy. You could see the joy in her eye. The questions about her health were about to be over at least for a time. I teared up that morning, too.

This morning when I saw her sans wig, I thought, "This is great." Forget about the hair! Roberts overcame her fears and showed America she was healing. That's major. Her hair will grow back. And amazingly, she never lost her spirit.

Are there any cancer survivors out there who want to share how you felt when you took off that wig? Did you know, really know that you were healing?

... It's Earth Day and by now you all know that beauty and fashion can be can be green too. Personally, I just want to luxuriate in the minty, sweet, veggie sugar body scrub followed up by the Cool as a Cucumber manicure and pedicure at Verde Salon in Collingswood, New Jersey.

But there are other fashionable/ save-our-planet things you can do today. Here is a local listing of some of my favorite and the good news is that some of these deals last through the week, or like this locally based website, Modify, you can purchase candles and other hip clothing all year long.

Enjoy soy-based waxing, cleansing facials, reiki body treatments, massage at Juju Salon and Organics The salon also also offers chemical-free hair color. (Maybe I can get that chocolate brown shade in my locks that I've always wanted.)

And finally, Old City boasts a bedroom and furniture store called Okookoo. One day those bamboo sheets and pillowcases will be mine!

Although, I must admit, it would be nice if everyday was Earth Day.

Want to share with us your favorite fashionable green item or treatment?

It was reported today that McDonalds has new designer uniforms for its UK workers. According to this story, designer to the stars, Bruce Oldfield (he creates looks for Catherine Zeta Jones and Bianca Jagger) has come up with a new look for McDonalds that includes a black and mocha polo shirt, black cargo style pants, a baseball cap, belt and apron.

But the creme de la creme of this ensemble is the silk-like scarf (It's probably polyester) with the supersized-M on it. Are they serious? This would never work in the U.S., let alone the hood. Why would someone try to channel Hermes at McDonalds? UGH!

I don't know about you, but I don't want ordering a vanilla milkshake, Chicken McNuggets, or Quarter Pounder with Cheese to be a luxury experience. I want my McNuggets to be well, McNuggets.

Furthermore, I would be happier if McDonalds workers, like the ones at Girard Avenue and Broad Street, tucked their collared shirts in pants that fit them well and served my hot fries with a smile, instead of an eye roll.

But wait a minute, with gas being so high, McDonalds may be the only luxury experience I can afford. This is soo, sad.

What do you think?

Three years ago, every one of my sisterfriends, including my biloogical sister, was pregnant. (Shout out to my neice, Olivia.) I spent a lot of time in the maternity sections: Target, KMart, Macy's. Occasionally I'd saunter in to A Pea In The Pod and Motherhood Maternity, too. I'd even wander in Manayunk's Belly. (That, by the way, is going out of business.)

But it wasn't until one of my pregnant homies (another shout out to my niece, Brianna!) drug me into a Destination Maternity in Manhattan, that I began to think pregnancy shopping - and everything that comes with it: onsies, bibs, pacifiers, special bras, baby decor, endless boxes of diapers and formula - could actually be fun for the non-pregnant. (read: Me.)

Today (Thursday) yet another Destination Maternity will open in Cherry Hill at Town Place at Garden Place located at 901 Haddonfield Road and Route 70. (The number is 856-488-1715.) Destination Maternity is owned by MothersWork. The umbrella company of A Pea In The Pod and Mimi Maternity.

This playground for the expecting includes a juicebar, (pictured here) kiddie corner and place for daddies to hang out. Not only can almost-Mommy's find the latest styles from all three pregnancy stores, -that's right, ladies, this is where you go to get that sparkling evening dress - they can slip in a pregnancy massage.

The grand opening runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and includes a ribbon cutting by MothersWork CEO, Rebecca Matthias. After, ladies can enjoy prenatal belly dancing classes, lectures to help calm fussy babies, carseat safety, an infant massage class and a couples prenatal yoga class. (Did we mention there is a yoga studio too)

Has anybody out there been to a Destination Maternity? What did you think? Is this all gimmick, or do Mommies need such trappings?

Moore College of Art and Design hosted a trash fashion show yesterday. To be honest, these shows usually bore me. And the trend is just too Project Runway for me. I like my fashion to be wearable and a dress made out of bubblegum wrappers just doesn't cut it, ya dig?

But after checking out these pics, I may stand corrected. Look for yourself at these winners' designs. (From right to left.) Maureen Wynne made a bathing suit out of sheets and a shower curtain, Kat Perez won Best of Show with a gown made of plastic shower curtains and electrical tape and Shawna Scott made her gown with magazine clippings.
Do you think the art as fashion thing is too overdone, or in the essence of saving our earth, should we turn to recyclable materials more? I mean a gown out of trashbags at the Academy of Music Ball may not be such a bad thing, right?

This Monday morning doesn't need to be dank, dreary, black or grey.
As we move into summer - it's so close we can taste it, yes? - fashion is all about the fruit- punchy colors. Don't wait, mix them into your wardrobe this morning!
Who cares about the raindrops? Spring fever knows no time. And since we can't be outside all day, we might as well bring the pop in to our cubicles.
Go Banana yellow, turquoise, kelly green or hot pink! It will work on a halter, a set of bangles (like the ones pictured here from H&M) a T-shirt, an ankle-length halter style dress.
Work them as solids first!
Or mix them all up florally and graphically. I never thought I'd say this but tropical prints are hot!
This season the "it" bag doesn't have to be $1,500, it just has to be colorful.
Am I telling you this on too short notice? Grab your loudest accessory! Slip it on your arm. Wiggle your toes on in.
And have a colorful Monday!
Do you like color? Does it work for you? Are there any colors you absolutely can't wear?

So Glam.com held a contest in conjunction with MSN.com asking aspiring designers to come up with an oh-so-girly, flirty, yet classic fun dress.
The on-line fashion web site announced the winner Monday. And... it's local designer, Kate Spray. Spray, 25, is a design assistant at Anthopologie. (Right here we want to say that as a designer at Anthropolgie she had to be a finalist for any job in fashion. Like duh... Have you seen this year's spring dresses? Sooo cute. We're digressing again.)
Spray beat out 450 designers nationwide. Her judges were industry heavyweights: designers Monique Lhuillier, Adam Lippes and Tina Knowles. (Mother of the bride, Beyonce Knowles and founder of the House of Dereon. Lord & Taylor merchandising manager, Vanessa Lefebvre, was also a part of the team.
Spray will go to New York in July to spend a day at Adam Lippes design studio and she'll also pocket a $500 gift certificate to Lord & Taylor.
We like the dress because it's minty and airy and boasts a deft use of pockets. Another of the eight semifinalists was another Philly-native, Jessica Gonzalez.
Sketches and photos of Spray’s winning design, along with a gallery of finalists’ designs and profiles can be viewed here. All of the finalists’ dresses will be auctioned on eBay beginning Monday, May 5, and proceeds will go to benefit Dress for Success.

Who says real fashion isn't in Philly? (SPOILER ALERT: Look for a story about that soon.) Do you all like the winning dress?

I don't feel too bad for Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus and neither does my colleague, Karen Heller. By now you all know the teen country singer says she was duped into what she says were whack pictures taken by fashion photographer, Annie Leibovitz. The photos are to run in the June issue of Vanity Fair. I saw the pics all over the news Monday. Maybe Cyrus thought the artful nudes would be more demure than racy. She did have the allusion of wearing just a bedsheet. Nope. instead she was framed as a hungry, prepubescent sex pot. Of course Cyrus is more worried about her Disney image. But then you gotta ask: Why would she agree to pose nude? On the other side: Why would Leibovitz take such a picture of a 15-year-old in the first place?

This brings us to the serious issue of the rampant sexualization of young girls in the fashion industry. It keeps getting worse and it's more egregious than the overuse of too skinny models and lack of minorities in the fashion industry. Cyrus is just 15. We all know she's just 15. This is really slimy.

But it's not the Cyrus' of the world who are in danger. They are protected by bodyguards and fame won't be victimized like the story that broke today about the young Austrian woman who was repeatedly raped by her father from the age of 11 and bore him seven children. How could a man, let alone somebody's daddy, be turned on by his own little girl? I'm sure part of it has to do with these kinds of inappropriate images. What do you think?

Here is another question: We weren't even sure if we should post the images with this blog since were in fact, denouncing it. What do you think? If we had posted without the pic, would you have wanted to see them? Are people making too big of a deal?

As part of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's annual fundraiser, super Hollywood glam, sometimes over-done designers, Mark Badgley and James Mischka, were on hand at the Park Hyatt Hotel, Wednesday afternoon to show off their subtle Fall 2008 collection.

The design-duo met at New York's Parsons School of the Design and has been working together since 1988. In 1993, Escada became a key investor. They are best known for the red carpet gowns of the late 1990s that dripped with Swarovski crystals. Notable spokespeople include: Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen. Desparate Houswife, Terri Hatcher is the current face of the brand. Sex and the City character, Charlotte York, wore a Badgley Mishka gown for her second wedding to Harry Goldenblatt. Oprah Winfrey wears the clothing, too.

Both are quite pleasant and softspoken. The 47-year-old Capricorns, chit chatted about luxury in dark blue shrunken suits accented with crisp, white shirts in the Grand Hyatt's ballroom, a sea of lemon yellow tables. Their motto: There will always be a place for luxury and glamour.

Even when gas is approaching $4 a gallon and food is sky rocketing, I asked.

"Evening gowns are our core business," Mark Badgley told me. "But we just don't make the $1200 evening gown, we also make the $600 cocktail dress too."

I think that would be my entire George Bush economic relief check. Sigh.

How would you alter your style. All things ostentatious borders on gaudy when it costs so much to live these days.

Mark Badgley brought the convo back to suits and versatility. Earlier in the conversation, the duo pointed out a chocolate brown metallic tweed suit paired with knee-length boots. Hot, That more demure look, combined with shoes, handbags and eyewear and a a bed and bath set definitely means there is enough to sell.

Badgley Mishka will be at Saks Fifth Avenue ,also a sponsor, in Bala Cynwyd from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. today. And the collection will remain in the store through Thursday for special orders.

Daisy Day draws more than 800 people and is the principal fundraiser event for the Children's Hospital. Each year the luncheon raises close to $1 million. This year the money will go to Safe Place: The Center for Child Protection and Help at Children's Hospital.

Does anybody out there own a Badgley Mischka anything? Do you like it?