Isabel Toledo X Payless

Zac Posen & Saks. Vera Wang & Kohls. Rachel Roy & Macy's. Every other designer and Target. What do this relationships signify? The move of well known designers creating diffusion lines for the masses. A great idea that is showing promise and the fashion industry is noticing its significance, especially in light of the economic atmosphere.

It appears that another designer has taken notice and is joining the bandwagon. Following in the steps of Christian Siriano and Alice + Olivia, Isabel Toledo will be designing a diffusion line for Payless. After gaining notoriety with Michelle Obama's Inaugural ensemble, Isabel is in the works with Payless to launch a diffusion line in September of shoes under $40 bucks. The line will include flats, square heels and trendy goloshes, whatever that means.
-Tamera Blair Darden

A Different Kind of Fashion Show

Whether you live in the City or you will be visiting this summer, New York has a ton of fashion exhibits to check out. You really cannot afford not to go museum hopping.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art; The Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion (through Aug. 9)
Marc Jacobs and Justin Timberlake chaired this exhibit (and, of course, Ms. Wintour) and boy oh boy, if you want to see some amazing fashion photography, this is the show to see. If anything, it will make you long for Linda and Cindy.

Museum of the Fashion Institute of Technology; Isabel Toledo: Fashion from the Inside Out (through Sept. 26)
If your are a fashion fan who loves detailed craftsmanship, then this is a must-see. The exhibit highlights Toledo's daring fashion choices from her bold architectural couture to Michelle Obama's lemongrass coat.

International Center of Photography; Avedon Fashion 1944-2000 (through Sept. 6)
You literally could be clueless about fashion (but why would you since you read Chaos?) and still enjoy this exhibit. Richard. Avedon. Enough said.

If you can't make it to any of these shows then you can contact each of these museums for catalogs. However, I have a feeling if you do purchase one, it will wind up heavily thumbed on your cocktail table.