Been a long time since we last hear about pop star Madonna in the fashion business, and finally she decided to go retail. Madge teams up with Iconix Brand Group Inc. and formed a joint venture called MG Icon LLC, which will kickstart multiple fashion-related projects to retailers across the US of A and around the world. Expect to see a juniors’ line called “Material Girl” in Macy’s which will be launched in August. Madonna gave a brief statement:

“Joining forces with Iconix to bring my fashion ideas to consumers is very exciting for me. I look forward to working closely with Neil and his team to create and translate my vision and ideas for MG Icon.”

Madge would not only be tending her fashion line, she’s also open to endorse other Iconix brands such as Ed Hardy or Danskins.

The Material Girl clothing line that’s aimed for 13 to 25 year olds will consist of apparel, footwear, handbags and jewelry, with prices ranging from $12 to $40. In 2011, the brand is projected to expand into beauty and fragrance. Madonna’s daughter, Lourdes(13), is the muse of the line, a source of inspiration for what’s about to come.

Here’s to hoping that there will be no cone-shaped bustiers. What do you think about Madge’s new venture?

Nicole Richie is one busy girl.  According to recent entries in her diary, she was just in Paris yesterday.  She wrote: “My stay in Paris was absolutely magical. Thank you to everyone who came out to support me. It was a dream come true.” She was introducing her shoe line for House of Harlow, as  her label has expanded into a full-on accessories line, and now includes sunglasses and shoes, also an apparel line called Winter Kate.

In a recent interview with WWD.com, Richie talked about her footwear line, among other things, and here’s the excerpt:

FN: What is appealing about designing footwear?

NR: Shoes have really become the accessory that women pay attention to. When you’re putting together a footwear collection, [you know] that shoes can make or break an outfit or totally change a look.

FN: The shoe collection ranges from moccasins to sky-high heels. What was your approach to blending comfort and fashion?

NR: Comfort is extremely important to me, but that doesn’t mean you need to wear flats all the time. I wanted a really great pump that wasn’t impossible to wear [and] was extremely inspired by Christian Louboutin and the [platform toe he incorporates] to make his shoes so comfortable. [If you get it right], you can have a super, super high heel that is actually very comfortable.

Richie also hinted a handbag line in the making, and also her personal preference when it comes to fashion:

FN: Beyond House of Harlow, what are your favorite footwear brands and looks?

NR: Right off the bat, Christian Louboutin. I have more pairs of his shoes than anyone else. I also really love Balenciaga and have a bunch of YSL sandals. … I [have no idea] how many pairs I have, [though], because my feet haven’t grown in 10 years, and I never throw shoes away. You never know if they’re going to come back. I’m not someone who’s going to buy a neutral pair of shoes. I really like them to make a statement because I’m such a jeans-and-T-shirt person.

Here are some of Nicole Richie’s design for her line, House of Harlow 1960.  Are you feeling the shoes?

Misha Beaded Moccasin Boot, $275

Saloni Beaded Flat Sandals, $168

Meryl Woven Plug Flat Moccasins, $178

It’s been a long time since we posted sale information from our good friends at Gilt, and this time… if you happen to be a fan of the Irish band, U2, and share Bono’s view on sustainable fashion, then rejoice!  Bono’s clothing line, EDUN, has listed its upcoming sale on GILT this coming Tuesday, February 9th, 2010. Edun is a socially conscious fashion company that is known worldwide by its beautiful clothing designs while fostering sustainable employment in most of the world’s developing areas. Need some references? Check our coverage of EDUN by Bono and wife, Ali Hewson.

Now, back to the GILT Sale event.  Do you know what GILT is all about?  GILT is where you can get the most coveted designer items for up to 80% off!  Seriously, when we say designers, we mean the major league brands and 100% authentic! Think of it as buying stuff from a sample sale.  The only difference is, GILT enables you to shop a sample sale without the annoying queuing and the occasional fighting with fellow shoppers over some fashion item.  With GILT, you can shop a sample sale from the comfort of your own home or office.

You’ll only have to be a GILT member.  Nope, this is not a catch because it’s totally FREE OF CHARGE to be a GILT member!  All you need to do is sign up at this LINK, fill out your details and voila, you’re one of us.

As a GILT member you will be entitled to shop ALL sample sales they’re offering, and you’ll be the one of the cool crowd who knows every sale that’s coming your way as GILT will send you notifications on upcoming sales on a daily basis!

The EDUN sale at GILT will begin on Tuesday, February 10th, at 9AM SEAST.  Mark your calendars, and sign up for GILT today!

You know her, the girl who plays evil Georgina Sparks on CW’s world-famous teen series: Gossip Girl. Yes, we’re talking about Michelle Trachtenberg, who -aside from acting- has been trying out her luck in the fashion world as an accessory designer as well. Trachtenberg once collaborated with Coach to design their jewelry, but now she’s moving on to bigger accessory: the handbag.  In fact, that exact handbag she has in the picture.

Michelle Tratchenberg decided to do good by partnering up with handbag label, Botkier, in creating a purse for non-profit Oxfam International. Michelle is best buds with handbag designer, Monica Botkier, and the two of them will donate 50% of the proceeds from this bag to Oxfam International.

Monica Botkier stated:

“Oxfam is dedicated to fighting poverty globally, and funds go directly to the people who need it. It’s a charity that we have both been involved with and supportive of, so the decision was very natural. Oxfam really understands and supports women all over the world. They realize that the world’s female population is often directly affected by any global crisis, and this was important to me.”

The beautiful distressed leather Michelle Satchel is adorned by gunmetal hardware, which adds to its ‘antiquated modern’ look. Loving the compartment details, detachable shoulder straps and braided double handles.

The Botkier Michelle Satchel is available exclusively at Shopbop.com and at the price of $545, we seriously think it’s something to consider. Afterall, you’re helping the fight against poverty while looking great. Talk about a great deal!

Rihanna, love the look from the neck up.  The dress, not so much. The “crystallized sugar” look is never a sweet choice for any occasion.

Well, not really a ‘character’ in a video game, but Beyoncé Knowles is partnering up with video game giant, Nintendo. This collaboration will bring the designs from Bey’s Deréon clothing line into the Nintendo DS video game: Style Savvy, a game where players can buy clothes and accessories, mixing and matching fashion stuff, get different hair styles and work on their own style shop, selling and promoting their stuff. This might come as a surprise for everybody, because all endorsing aside, Beyoncé actually has time to play the game considering her busy schedule, and she just loves Style Savvy. And we quote:

“I love that I get to become a stylist and take over my own boutique, and it’s so much fun to see some of my Dereon designs added to the mix.”

So why would a game be endorsed by a female celebrity?

Well, according to recent surveys, the Nintendo DS is the fastest growing handheld gaming console aimed at female players. Nintendo is really looking to beat their competitor: the Playstation Portable, which is seriously popular among women.

Aside from her Deréon line which will be featured in the game, Beyoncé is going to appear in the Style Savvy TV spots, which will air on Nickelodeon and premier at the Kid’s Choice Awards.

Well, it looks like Bey is doing great with the Nintendo folks, as this is actually the follow-up of their partnership back in 2009 with an ad campaign for Rhythm Heaven™, a music-themed game for Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi.

While you will be able to download the Deréon collection for your Nintendo, here are some cute Deréon fashion stuff for you to wear.  And they’re all on SALE!

Fierce Farai Jacket, was $80.00 now $39.99

Dark Diva Skinny Jean, was $70.00, now $61.99

Benecia Boot, was $80.00, now $39.99

Lovely Day Woven Top, was $69.00, now $48.99

As you might have read or heard or seen on TV, a major 7.0-magnitude earthquake shook Haiti on Tuesday.  The effect was seriously beyond devastating. The capital, Port-au-Prince is mostly destroyed, and that includes important buildings such as the Presidential Palace. So far there isn’t any exact number yet on death toll, but 100,000 people is feared dead from the quake.

Among the famous faces affected by the tragedy are Wyclef Jean, who’s known for his Yele Haiti Foundation, and “Heroes” actor, Jimmy Jean-Louis, who plays ‘The Haitian’ in the series.  Haitian-born Wyclef Jean has been actively helping the Haiti people since long before the quake, as his Yele foundation’s mission is creating small-scale, manageable and replicable projects to contribute to Haiti’s long-term progress.  While native Haitian, Jimmy Jean-Louis couldn’t find his parents since the quake struck on Tuesday.

He told CNN:

“I have not slept yet. The second house that I grew up in was down, and some relatives have died, from what I have been told.  I haven’t been able to reach my parents. I have heard that they are OK, but I do not know what is going on around them.”

The actor also stated:

“People should understand that sending donations of items and goods will be difficult right now because we will be bombarded and have no way to distribute them.”

That is a very good information.  To help out Haiti, you can go to the American Red Cross website and make your contribution.

Darling Nicole Richie: we simply love your look.  Well most of the time.  This time not so much.  Wait a minute are those my curtains? Sorry just keeping it real sister!

Let’s start at the beginning first. You do know that Lindsay Lohan owns a legging line called 6126, right? Good. Now, Lindsay announced in late December 2009 that she will expand 6126 into a full-fledged clothing line via her Twitter, and we quote:

“i need MORE followers i am so sad about this, how can i tell everyone about my 6126 full collection COMING OUT! all clothing.”

So WWD reported this and even showcased the sketches for the upcoming 6126 collection, which is scheduled to hit the stores, Fall 2010. But recent news said Lindsay’s designs was stolen.

USMagazine.com reported that Lindsay’s sketches for her upcoming 6126 clothing line was stolen by her longtime best friend, Patrick “Pootie” Aufdenkamp. Apparently Lindsay has been friends with Aufdenkamp since she was only 16, and being sort of a ’sidekick’, Aufdenkamp had access to accompany Lindsay meetings related to the 6216 fashion line. Sources say that Aufdenkamp is starting his own clothing line and has been telling people that he’s going to fashion market week in NYC on February 18, 2010, to launch his line. Lindsay has been warned by close friends to never trust Aufdenkamp, but she refused to believe the negative talks.

Just how great is the collection? Here are some sneak peek of the sketches:

The 6126 full clothing line collection will retail at the range of $18 up to $300 -the most expensive items being leather jackets. And no wonder Linds is all upset, because according to Kristi Kaylor, principal of the 6216 LLC, the starlet put her all into the collection.

“She’s not a celebrity who lends her name to a brand. She’s intimately involved from Day One. She picks fabrics. She looks at trims. She picks buttons. She doesn’t let anything go into production without trying it on.”

As for Lindsay herself, she has taken “Pootie” off her friend list and made a somewhat positive comment to our friends over at USMagazine.com:

“I should’ve known better. But new year for me and a new beginning! Health, happiness, success and love!”

In the meantime, check Lindsay’s 6216 leggings and steal her style.

6126 Charlie Bleached Denim Legging in Dark Blue, $110.00

6126 Extra Long Legging in Indigo Denim, $83

6126 Ginger Shiny Snake Pocket Zippers in Silver, $114

Sources: WWD, UsMagazine.com

**MAJOR UPDATE!!!**

Looks like this will be a tough case for Lindsay.  Just a day after accusing her best friend of stealing her designs, Lindsay Lohan had to deal with another accusation thrown by designer James Lillis of Black Milk Clothing.  James put up the comparison on his blog and we’re sharing it for you.

6126’s principal, Kristi Taylor quickly responded to James’ blog post with this statement:

“The alleged ‘copying’ claims made by these companies are false and have absolutely no merit or validity whatsoever. Any alleged similarities are purely coincidental. The 6126 illustrations for the upcoming fall 2010 collections do not even describe the fabric content, fit or actual construction details of the garments. This is merely an accusation based upon a pencil sketch with no concrete viable evidence to back up the allegations.”

Your thoughts?