Photo: Courtesy of Functionalab

Step into Henri Bendel and you’ll notice a wall of brightly colored boxes, bottles, and a mini-fridge with vials of punch-colored drinks right off the main entrance. It’s not the latest launch of an indie makeup or perfume brand, but a line of cute yet potent supplements called Functionalab. Great packaging aside, president and founder Erick Geoffrion teamed up with top scientists and nutritionists to create a "made-to-measure" program to tackle everything from fatigue to hormonal imbalances to skin problems. Instead of blindly walking in and picking out what you think you need, find two nutritionists on hand with a computerized questionnaire to review overall lifestyle, health concerns, and goals. Based on the consultation, a customized monthlong program is given ($120 to $200), health tonics are suggested (the Energy drink is quite tasty and definitely gives you some pep, $6), or a simple bottle of supplements called Beauty Doses is recommended ($45 to $55). This beats a trip to your local vitamin shop staffed with uninformed college kids any day.

Prices vary, at Henri Bendel, 712 Fifth Ave., nr. 56th St.; 212-247-1100.

Photo: Getty Images

Model Karolina Kurkova happily discussed her future child, a boy, and showed off her engagement ring and her fiancé, Archie Drury, at a dinner honoring Nelson Mandela last night. But even at five and a half months pregnant, the Victoria’s Secret model still doesn’t feel fat. “Do I have a little belly?” she asked us rhetorically. “Not yet,” she answered before we could. “People are like, ‘I don’t believe you’re five and a half months pregnant.’ They’re like, ‘You’re disgusting, Karolina. Where is it?’ ” Kurkova said she wore a form-fitting dress to the event, so we could “kind of see” her baby bump. “But if I’m in normal clothes, you will never guess it, so, yeah, they think I’m kind of kidding,” she added.

Now that she’s in her sixth month, Kurkova is finally becoming dimly aware of what the rest of us mortals experience — clothing that is too tight. “I can still wear my clothes, but my jeans definitely are getting tighter,” she said. “I might need to get special pants soon. I need to get, not, like, one size up; I need to have, like, a band. I can’t even close the button soon.” But Kurkova insists this is not the first time in her life she’s felt that something was too tight. “I’ve experienced definitely, you know, rollers; something that’s really tight." We’re guessing by "rollers" she means fat rolls. She’s foreign, remember.

From left: M.A.C Cosmetics, Rimmel London, T. LeClerc, Chanel, and Givenchy.Photo: A.J. Wilhelm

With summer finally here, and the heat (and ever-present humidity) soon to follow, our makeup routines are about to go out the window. Instead of going completely barefaced, opt for a slick of color on the lips. It adds just enough polish, even when the city is sizzling. We gathered up 115 of our favorite lipsticks, glosses, balms, and stains in our latest Shop-A-Matic, and we asked Tia Williams of Shake Your Beauty to chime in with her favorite fifteen picks. From hot-pink lipsticks guaranteed to make notice-me lips to balms that leave only a hint of color behind, there’s a hue for even the most makeup-phobic. Plus, we gathered a group of volunteers to sample the shades so you can see how the color translates from tube to pout. Check out five of Tia’s favorite shades.

T. LeClerc Satin Lipstick in Rouge Vibrant
Price: $24
Why Shake Your Beauty Likes It: Almost too vampy to be legal, this smoldering red is just the thing for a night of cocktails and carousing.

Givenchy Pop Gloss Crystal Lip Gloss in Sun Coral
Price: $24
Why Shake Your Beauty Likes It: Corals enhance sun-kissed skin, but when mixed in with caramel and a touch of shimmer, the gloss becomes the perfect nude.

Chanel Glossimer in Paillettes
Price: $27
Why Shake Your Beauty Likes It: With flecks of gold swirled into the rose gloss, this one is not only super-sexy but also plumps lips with its amped-up shine.

Rimmel London Lasting Finish Kiss & Stay Gloss in Enduring Love
Price: $8
Why We Like It: The peachy-pink lipstick slides on velvety smooth while accenting the natural tone of your lips. Wear it with the gloss end to keep your pout moisturized.

M•A•C Cosmetics Style Warrior Lipstick in Tribalist
Price: $14
Why We Like It: Layered on, the deep-berry hue will create statement-making lips; if a dark pout is too heavy for summer, blot and the shade becomes a sheer wash of color.
 

From left, Christian Dior, Issey Miyake, and A.R. Vandevorst.Photo: Imaxtree

Earlier today we brought you a rear view of one of John Galliano’s sheer jumpsuits for Christian Dior. But now we have the entire collection up! (Front views only, but we think you’ll live.) Enjoy our latest runway slideshows from Paris Fashion Week.

Lanvin
Christian Dior
Isabel Marant
Vivienne Westwood
A.F. Vandevorst
Gaspard Yurkievich
Issey Miyake
Bernhard Willhelm
 

A look by Yoko Devereaux, Jill Bradshaw in Albuquerque, a look from Coletta’s online store.Photo: Courtesy of Yoko Devereaux, Jill Bradshaw, and ColettaNY.com

No one likes to hear about a store shuttering. But it happens, and you can’t ignore reality when you walk down a street littered with empty storefronts. And it’s not just the stores that seem to disappear from our lives; it’s the people who ran them, too. So we decided to check on some former boutique owners to see what they’re doing now: Jill Bradshaw of I Heart, Nicole Jerner of Coletta, and Andy Salzer of Yoko Devereaux are all moving on, we’ve learned, and with all three there’s a silver lining to be found. Read on for intel on new projects, soul-searching, and life changes.

Yoko Devereaux
Run by: Andy Salzer
Date closed: June 29, 2009
What now? Andy Salzer is still recovering from the shock of closing a few weeks ago, but he’s finding optimism in his situation. "When something like this happens to you, [your] first reaction [is], ‘I’m a failure.’ The reality of the situation is a bit different from that," he told us. "After all the remorse, there’s a thrill of the huge life change of it all. I’m in a position where I can take the rest of the summer off, so that’s what I am going to do. I’m leaving Brooklyn — which everyone is most shocked by — and I’m moving to Chelsea." Does that reflect his change in attitude? Certainly. "People are willing to take more risks, to pick up and move and make changes because you have nothing to lose. It’s all a big mess right now, so I’m really looking forward to it. And I’m generally not an optimistic person, which is so liberating." In terms of finding another job, that probably won’t happen until fall. "Beginning of fall is going to be a restart month for me. I have not had a boss since 1994, so I really don’t want to jump into a situation. I need to clear my head and take a break so I can pick and choose. I’ve had two offers already. The bigger question doesn’t become what I’m going to do next, but how I want to change next."

I Heart
Run by: Jill Bradshaw
Date closed: May 24, 2009
What now?: As soon as I Heart closed in May, owner Jill Bradshaw decided to take the summer off and travel. Her first move: A cross-country trip. In June she flew to Los Angeles, bought a silver ‘95 Ford Aerostar van and named it Kevin, met up with a few friends, and decided to drive it back to New York. Her has crew stopped in Phoenix, Santa Fe, Denver, and is on its way to Kansas, Memphis, and Charlottesville, Virginia, before heading back to the Northeast. "It was the right time for me to close the store," she told us over the phone en route to Omaha. "I had [the store] for over five years, and it just came to pass. I never saw myself as a retail girl for the rest of my life. And it was the right time to end one chapter and start another." When she returns, she plans to keep her Aerostar in New York while pursuing consulting work.

Coletta
Run by: Nicole Jerner
Date closed: June 24, 2009
What now?: Jerner blames bad timing for the closing of her Soho shop, which was open for only five months before shutting down. "Timing was everything and it was the absolute worst," she told us. "It was just me — all the responsibility. I looked at the numbers and they didn’t make sense." And now that the shop has closed, she’s turning her attention to the building up her online store. "I’m not giving up by closing my shop, just transitioning what my shop is. I don’t have the huge expenses that I had in the boutique store. It’s so low cost to have a website. It’s almost a no-brainer." Her fall stock is already on the way, and she’s brought in several young international designers to sell, like former Givenchy designer Yulia Yusupova, the Italian line Carta e Costura, and former Sonia Rykiel designer Rime Arodaky.

Photo: Courtesy of J.Crew

In this time of uncertainty (you never know when you might get another Alex Wang tee again), it’s comforting to know there are some things that never go out of style, or stock. Like a perfect white tank top, one that you can layer or wear on its own — which, given many designers’ propensity for sheerness, isn’t as easy as it sounds. But J.Crew got the message when they created the very aptly named perfect-fit tank. Supersoft cotton, ultrafine rib, it is just the answer for those high-waisted shorts, those spaghetti-strap dresses, and just about every other wardrobe conundrum you can think of. And if you tire of white, it comes, of course, in a zillion perfect colors.

$18 at www.scarfonlineshop.com.

High-collar cotton top ($250) and silk tulip skirt ($325) for fall 2009; the storefront; silk wrap dress ($595) for fall 2009.Photo: Coutesty of Velita

Peruvian boutique owner Elena Ramos-Velita unveiled her sleek womenswear shop in Soho earlier this month, juggling decorating and production decisions with her day job as a consultant at Citigroup. Fittingly, the modern, white-on-white space is geared toward professional women, with small bouquets of flowers and Danish antique furniture providing understated accents. Ramos-Velita offers versatile basics in Italian fabrics that span staff meetings to happy hour: draped cashmere and modal-blend tops, high-collar cotton button-downs, wrap dresses, shapely tulip skirts, and lightweight blazers. The spring collection is on racks now (with prices ranging from $195 to $335), and fall styles will start trickling in late next month.

Frances Tulk-HartPhoto: Melissa Hom

Following stints as a design intern for Oscar de la Renta, Betsey Johnson, and Sally Penn, British-born Frances Tulk-Hart landed an internship at Nylon magazine and discovered the world of styling. After several years as the mag’s contributing fashion editor, she tried her hand at photography. While Tulk-Hart still styles (she just wrapped a story for Purple magazine), she now shoots the Tsesay ad campaigns as well as editorials for Japanese Vogue, the New York Times, and Common & Sense magazine. We sat down with the multi-talented Tulk-Hart to discuss her love of the tomboy look, a longing for Celine’s latest resort collection, and her inability to properly tie shoelaces.

What’s the inspiration behind your own look?
At the moment its Emma Balfour, Rosemary Ferguson, and Kate Moss circa 1997.

What was the first designer item you bought or wore?
It was a sheer, tight, black knee-length Alessandro Dell’ Acqua dress back when I was 17. I wonder where it is now — it was so sexy; I would love to wear that again!

Who were some of your favorite designers growing up? What about now?
Growing up, I loved romantic designers like Alberta Ferretti and the sexy simplicity of Hussein Chalayan. These days, with my current regression back to grunge, I’m drawn to designers like Martin Margiela and Maria Cornejo.

Tell me about your personal style. What pieces or labels do you wear most?
My personal style is to mix and match. I like to pair a pretty dress with a pair of messed-up army boots! Or vintage with designer. I wear a lot of Tsesay, YSL, and Karen Walker.

What are some items you can’t live without?
Gray army boots, sunscreen, and mascara.

Where do you shop most?
Sample sales.

Is there an item you are currently coveting?
I am coveting the entire Celine resort 2010 collection: gorgeous.

What trends are you into this season?
I’m loving the tomboy trend for women. Teen Vogue has an awesome "girl dressed like a boy" shoot in the issue out right now — it’s super cute.

Any trends you wish would just disappear?
All velour tracksuits need to be rounded up and burnt! I don’t care how comfortable they are, they are the downfall of the modern woman! Oh, and all Uggs should be nuked.

What’s something every woman should have in her closet?
A go-to piece for when they are in a rush and don’t have time to put an outfit together.

Finish this sentence: I never leave the house without….
Tying my shoeslaces properly! I’ve got so many scars on my knees from falling over because of untied shoelaces.
 

Jane Aldrige: Mannequin in the making.Photo: Courtesy of Sea of Shoes

A new species of Internet fashion celeb, the subset of wildlife known as the "Style Blogger" has produced dress-them-up micro stars such as Rumi (Fashion Toast) and Jane Aldrige (Sea of Shoes), as well as street-style photo hunters like Garance Doré, Scott Schuman (the Sartorialist), and Yvan Rodic (Facehunter). Magazines, designers, advertising firms, and even the Gap have been quick to pick them up as sources for editorial content or inspiration, but one retailer, Canadian department store Holt Renfrew, is taking things to the next level: The store plans to unveil windows in which they’ve made mannequins of Internet stars such as Aldridge, Schuman, Tommy Ton (of the delicious shoe-safari blog Jak & Jil), and the ever-popular Bryanboy. But Holt Renfrew is fashioning their likenesses "with no direct input from the bloggers themselves." Hmmm. Using photography and inspiration from these bloggers is a natural fit for any window (WWD notes that Schuman is already a vet of several campaigns), but this may cross the line into Madame Tussauds’s territory. Whatever the case, you’ll have to excuse us for seeing a possible Gladwellian tipping point here. Bryanboy rendered in plastic just seems somehow epochal in the Style Blogger Age.

Blogger Windows

From left, a fall 2009 Rodarte look, a shoe from the fall 2008 collection, and a spring 2009 look.Photo: Imaxtree

Rodarte will design a Target line as part of the chain’s Go International series. Regular Rodarte stuff typically comes with four-figure price tags — the leather cutout thigh-highs from the spring collection are $920, a leather bomber is $3,450, and a hand-knit skirt is $2,185. But the Target line, comprised of 55 pieces, will range from $9.99 for knee-highs to $79.99 for a leopard-print jacket. The line will launch at most Target stores and on Target.com on December 20 and be available through February 6.

Rodarte — the label that brought us shoes that could draw blood with one swift kick, crotch-high pants-boots, and dresses intricately crafted with loops of string, leather, and tissue-thin fabrics — is known for tremendous attention to detail. Target promises their Go collection will reflect this.

A Target spokesman told WWD:

“It’s very feminine, yet very modern. The collection incorporates a rich mix of patterns and fabrications and everything from sequins and bows to faux fur. The key with Rodarte is layering.”

…Rodarte, which is known for evening clothes, designed “a variety of great holiday dresses,” Thomas said. “There are stand-alone pieces and pieces that can be worn together to create an ensemble by layering different patterns, textures and prints.”

Rodarte designers Kate and Laura Mulleavy haven’t commented on the collaboration, but in this economy those $3,000 knits can’t be flying off the shelves. Target’s Go series is for up-and-coming designers, like Rodarte, Thakoon, and Richard Chai, while the Designer Collaboration series is for established designers like Alexander McQueen and Anna Sui. But who cares about those technicalities? Rodarte’s making clothes we can actually dream of owning!

Rodarte a ‘Go’ With Target