“For a performer who has spent 25 years shocking audiences into submission, through her lyrics, actions and attire, Madonna’s latest stylistic reinvention — timed to the start of a new tour next month — is mostly shocking for not having teeth.”– On Madonna’s most recent style transformation. From New York Times.

No. This isn’t a leftover memento from one of my Kindergarten projects.

This piece of quirky jewelery comes from Maison Martin Margiela’s jewelry line. The same one that boasts the charming bow tie ring I wrote a prose for a couple of weeks ago.

As the recent Independent article can attests, Margiela is brilliant and Marc Jacobs has looked to his archive for inspiration on his own collections.

So I’m going to go out on a limb and say there lies some deep meaning behind this $335 madness. But just in case there isn’t, this is probably one of the easiest Maison DIY project ever.

If you get started now, you could make the matching paper clip bracelet to go along with your necklace before you go out this weekend. Riggghhhht.

What I know about Kiser:

1. They make some of the best tees and hoodies.

2. Their pieces are reasonably priced.

3. They have a kinky fetish for latex and asphyxiation. Uh, not so much.

I’m not going to even pretend to understand how this viral video is suppose to represent a brand that makes pretty adorable houndstooth shirts. But it’s Friday, so enjoy.

I’m sure Uniqlo sells tons of amazing basics, but I only know them for one thing: cool graphic t-shirts. Oh, and the vending machines they come out of.

The majority of their huge campaigns are for their shirts, so this latest contest from the brand may actual carry some weight for you budding designers out there.

Uniqlo’s annual t-shirt design competition, UT Grand Prix, is once again upon us. From July 15th to September, those with the most epic illustrations and graphic design can enter to get their work placed on a Uniqlo tee.

Twenty designs will be chosen from a pool of over 10, 000 and sold in Uniqlo stores. They will also each receive cash and other prizes. The grand prize winner will get 3 million JPY or $30, 000. Nice.

Get started here: http://ut.uniqlo.com/us/utgp/

We’re use to seeing designer’s inherit model muses, but Vogue pays homage to another fashion entity this month. In their August issue, Vogue styles Karen Elson and Tanya D. to look like their editors Grace Coddington and Tonne Goodman, respectively.

Sasha P., Maryna Linchuk, and Raquel Zimmerman are so involved in the editor tribute as well. A couple of months ago, French Vogue styled Snejana to look like Anna Wintour — dark sunglasses, perfectly couiffed bob, and arms crossed.

On a side note, Grace Coddington lurvves cats. That’s why Steven Meisel surrounded Karen with her in this shoot. And Tonne, well she’s all about the eco-conscious graphic tee. Who knew?

Just because you’re not Christina Aguilera doesn’t mean you can’t Rock the Vote this year.

Stila cosmetics has teamed up with Rock the Vote for a limited edition shade of red lipstick that will play an integral part in the 2008 presidential election or something like that.

25% of the proceeds form the first 500 tubes of lip goodness sold will be donated to Rock the Vote in an effort to “mobilize young people to get involved in the political process.”

And to prove Stila isn’t fooling around about this whole voting thing, their site will boast a Rock the Vote portal that will allow people to become registered voters before its time to make that all-important decision on November 4th.

The lipstick is $17 and can be purchased at stilacosmetics.com.

If it at all possible, you should never try to hate someone. Allowing someone or something to have that much control over you never tends to be good. But if there were one person worthy of throwing salt on right now, it would definitely have to be New York.

Not only do they get the Gap x Colette pop-up shop and Topshop flagship this fall, but also Aloha Rag, the Hawaiian boutique that plays host to designers like Pierre Hardy, Comme des Garcons, and Jil Sander.

Located at 505 Greenwich Street, the 2,000 sq. ft. shop promises to consistently roll out new collections and limited edition collaborations at their new space.

Meanwhile, the store has a bunch of Elizabeth & James pieces on sale right now. And, admit it, you’ve wanted to look an Olsen at least one time in your life.

“Barack, but if he takes Clinton as his vice president. But I am scared of the dormant Republican machine. And when I saw that look Clinton had, the dressing up and the hair, I could foresee her losing to Obama. She looked like an unhappy lesbian.”– Fabion Baron, On politics. From Hint Mag.

When Topshop isn’t making Luella Bartley “inspired” tops and clutches, they love to make clothing that looks as if were ripped straight off of a runway in Paris. Star motifs a la Chanel and YSL have made several appearances on the mega retailer’s online store. But this gray ruffled dress gets its inspiration from Lanvin’s spring ‘08 collection.

Just like the original, this short number isn’t that flattering. Even if you find a really adorable belt to cinch your waist, the number still wouldn’t give you any type of shape. I love you Topshop, but stop trying to be Forever 21. You’re cool enough. Trust me.

Question: Of all of things that stood out in your mind from Alexander Wang’s fall show, were fuzzy beanies at the top of your list?

Yes. I, too, remember Abbey Lee and Rachel Clark marching down the runway in some sort of fitted knit hat with M.I.A. blaring in the background, but I didn’t think they looked like this; sort of corny and Kangol-esque looking.

Shopbop just added a ton of new Alexander Wang pieces to its site and all of them are drool worthy except for this. It stuck out to me like a sore thumb.

Nope, I’m not crazy. Style.com doesn’t feature any angora beanies in its Alexander Wang look book. So, I’m guessing there was a misunderstanding at the production factory? Or maybe his people realized no one was going to pay $150 for a cotton one and decided to use a more expensive fabric to qualify their heftier price tag? Oh, I don’t know.

But if anyone is looking into buying Wang this fall, I would go for the heather gray felt pea coat. It’s super cute and it’ll sufficiently keep you warm this winter, which is great when you’ll be rocking those ripped pantyhose along with it.