Istanbul’s population unofficially tops 16 million. This past weekend, it felt like every single one of them owned a car—or at least was driving one. Guests at Istancool—the second Istanbul International Festival of Culture, to give it its full title—became intimately acquainted with the world through a minibus window as they negotiated the route from [...]

“Those outfits would have been great for someone for the Met ball,” Shala Monroque said as she eyed Thomas Tait’s collection, which stood on display last night at the Palace Hotel. “It feels like a cross between Celine and vintage Balenciaga.”Tait won the first Dorchester Collection Fashion Prize last year, awarded by a panel that [...]

There arguably couldn’t be a more perfect time for Stephen Jones to be in New York talking hats—what with the American fascination with fascinators (see Princess Beatrice, newly minted Internet meme) lingering from last Friday’s Royal Wedding. The natty milliner was in town for Monday night’s Met gala and to introduce his collaborative exhibit with [...]

Loved the toothy jewels Alber Elbaz sent down the runway at Lanvin (pictured)? Meet the man behind them: 33-year-old jewelry phenom Elie Top. [Hint Mag]“Buy It Now,” wherever: eBay launches an iPhone app for its fashion sales. (That sound you’re hearing is our checking accounts precipitously depleting.) [WWD]A new exhibition of Paul Smith’s photographs of [...]

“Just looking”—words that strike fear in the hearts of retail sales staff the world over. But it’s what’s encouraged at Dover Street Market, where Rei Kawakubo has just installed the Trading Museum, an exhibition of archive pieces and one-offs there for the observation. (They actually are for sale if you’re feeling flush, but the emphasis [...]

Have iPod, will travel. That seemed to be the thinking behind last night’s New York, New York party, which hopped the Channel from its traditional home at Paris fashion week and touched down at London nightspot Sketch. “I like to say we were invited by the Queen,” joked Sophomore designer Chrissie Miller, who co-hosted the [...]

If you’re in Milan over the next week, take a break from fashion (and Bistrot Giacomo) to explore the mind of Bouke de Vries. Literally. The first Italian exhibition of the artist’s work—practically the first exhibition of his work anywhere—is called A Grand Tour of My Mind. De Vries, Utrecht-born but London-based, is a ceramic [...]

No surprise that London Fashion Week began on a somber note, following the tragic death of Alexander McQueen. At Naomi Campbell’s Fashion for Relief fundraiser for Haiti, she, Kate Moss, and Annabelle Neilson (McQueen’s muse and dearest friend) strode down the runway in McQueen creations, which then went onto the auction block. When Topshop chief [...]

Ecco Domani Wines has announced its 2010 Fashion Foundation award winners. For womenswear, Prabal Gurung, Joseph Altuzarra, Ross Menuez of Salvor Projects, and Phillipe Rollano and David Trujillo of The Blonds; for menswear, Siki Im; and for accessories, Irina Arakas of Prova. If you’re looking for the appropriate beverage to toast the winners, we’re sure [...]

Last night, at Chandelier Creative’s Christmas party, guests could line up for a quick sit on Santa’s—well, a shirtless go-go boy in a Santa-ish outfit—lap. (As you can imagine, the line got long, but we did spy Gossip Girl’s Amanda Setton waiting her turn.) What partygoers asked St. Nick for Christmas is between them and [...]