The fashionably fab power-sisters Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen grew up under the scrutiny of every person in America. It's not a complete shocker that now they live such private lives. They barely leave their homes, stay away from overcrowded fashion shows, prefer organizing rather intimate showrooms themselves, and what even more surprising, they don’t have either Facebook or Twitter accounts. In the latest interview for Style.com the designer duo reveal everything you want to know about them, including why they both stick to that much-criticized grungy style.

Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen on fashion shows and probability of making a full show for their most successful line The Row: A: “I really don’t like going to runway shows. I don’t like being around a lot of people, I don’t like being in crowds, so that’s another more personal part of it. It’s hard for me . . . [But] there are a couple of shows that I’ve been to that are just stunning . . . so if you’re going to the right thing at the right time, it can be fantastic.” MK: “We just feel bad for all of you guys who have to schlep everywhere and then write your reviews in the car on a BlackBerry.”

Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen on having Twitter accounts: “That gives me so much anxiety.” MK: “We’ve spent our whole lives trying to not let people have that accessibility, so it would go against everything we’ve done in our lives to not be in the public.”

Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen on their style dubbed by media as ‘homeless chic’: “That moment [first years at NYU] for us was us waking up, going to school, and not wanting anyone to take our picture. Kind of a piece of protection.” MK: “For me, it was so cold, like the wind chill. How could you not put on 20 things when you’re going from Los Angeles to walking through the snow? . . . I think it was probably that. And laziness.”

Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen on the design process for The Row: A: “It all starts with the fabrics . . . Then we go into kind of silhouette development, so we start figuring out our silhouettes, what we’re liking, what we’re leaning towards, an evolution of the previous season, certain pieces, so it really starts with this stylized proportion. Then, through that process, we start our pattern making off the silhouettes that we’re liking and the consistent themes that we start finding, the shapes. So we start twisting the fabrics and then we start trying different fabrics and patterns. And once we have all the fabrics, we have about three weeks to produce the collection.”

Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen on The Row‘s brand consistency: MK: “If you go through our entire collection, you’ve seen it all before. Meaning, pieces repeat. That fur T-shirt, for example, that’s this T-shirt [points to plain one she’s wearing] from a couple of seasons ago, so it’s always consistent. It’s just about how we can evolve and also give the option to either buy this version or that version, creating a story.”

Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen on their long hours spent managing multiple brands: A: “I don’t think it’s the creative process that has ever gotten to us. More than anything, it’s about trying to find balance with work and how we can personally stay balanced while having our corporations grow, and I think that’s been the biggest thing that we are constantly aware of. We have to put boundaries on scheduling. We work crazy hours every week, so it’s been more about figuring out when we need to put our foot down. ‘We can’t add this extra meeting. It’s one too many meetings in a day; push it later.’ So it’s been about that. And with The Row, it’s about how to elevate the process with growth without putting too much on the overhead.”

Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen on being women designers: A: “I think the way being women has helped us in our designs is that we do a lot of research on what women like, what women don’t like.”

Rosie Huntington Whitely on the cover of Elle UK July 11, photographed by Terry Tsiolis.

How awesome is this? The Gap Co's lower brand, Old Navy, will be launching Gay Pride t-shirts to help benefit the "It Gets Better Project". There are may different styles available for all members of your family, including your kiddos. 10% of sales will be dontated to the IGBP.

Jewerlry designer and single mom, Stevie Koerner sells silver pendants on Etsy, a line she calls "A World of Love." The pendants come in the shapes of states with little heart-shaped cutouts, and in her sales pitch, she tells her customers "Wear your love." Her New York pendant is named "I heart New York." Adorable, crafty, and creative. Maybe a little too creative? Well, apparently her popular design caught the eye of shady Urban Outfitters, which now sells pendants in the shapes of states with little heart-shaped cutouts too. Their line is called "I Heart Destination Necklaces," and their sales copy reads, "Wear your locale love." The single mom says she was able to quit her full-time job, partly because of sales of her jewelry, and is vowing not to shop at any stores in the Urban Outfitters chain. Can you blame her? How horrible. I smell a Gap catastrophe brewing.

About a year ago, a similar story came out about Urban ripping off designers who sold their jewelry at the Brooklyn Flea. A source in the jewelry business told The Brooklyn Paper at the time that Urban is well aware of their reputation for knocking off indie designers: "They know they have this reputation, and are trying to hide it".

If Urban knocked off the Etsy mom, it certainly wouldn't be the first time a big chain ripped off an independent designer. The truly sad thing about getting ripped off by Urban right now may be that they've admitted analysts were right about how out of sync with fashion their stock has been lately.

I love Lady Gaga. Her fearless attitude and over-the-top persona is the intriging wonder that keeps us wanting to know more. She is funny and witty, talented and picturesque. Her interviews are often shocking but they are never boring. In the one for Rolling Stone June 2011 edition she says she feels dead off stage and it is time when she is performing that she feels alive. She has also shared on her relation to fans, ‘Little Monsters’ as she calls them.

Lady Gaga on being dead and alive on and off stage: ‘When I am not onstage I feel dead. Whether that is healthy or not to you, or healthy or not to anyone, or a doctor, is really of no concern to me. I don’t feel alive unless I’m performing, and that’s just the way I was born.”

Lady Gaga on attitude to fans: ‘We have this umbilical cord that I don’t want to cut, ever. I don’t feel that they suck me dry. It would be so mean, wouldn’t it, to say, “For the next month, I’m going to cut myself off from my fans so I can be a person. What does that mean? They are part of my person, they are so much of my person. They’re at least 50 percent, if not more.”

Lady Gaga on how difficult it was to prove the public her behavior was genuine: ‘Being myself in public was very difficult. I was being poked and probed and people would actually touch me and touch my clothes and be like, “What the f**k is that,” just so awful. It was like I was being bullied by music lovers, because they couldn’t possibly believe that I was genuine.”

Lady Gaga on rumors she is just an attention-seeker: ‘Is it that you believe that I am attention-seeking or shock for shock’s sake, or is it just that it’s been a long time since someone has embraced the art form the way that I have? Perhaps it’s been a couple of decades since there’s been an artist that’s been as vocal about culture, religion, human rights, politics. I’m so passionate about what I do, every bass line, every EQ. Why is it that you don’t want more from the artist, why is it that you expect so little, so when I give and give, you assume it’s narcissistic?”

By the way, what do you think about Lady Gaga’s Rolling Stone cover? Doesn’t it look unusual with Gaga looking more or less normal?

“Some people dream of having a big swimming pool – with me, its closets.” Audrey Hepburn. Hubert de Givenchy thought of her as “a gift from on high”, Mary Quant described her as the “most stylish woman who ever lived” and Steven Spielberg considered her to be an angel. With elegance so timeless that it still holds sway over us all; there is no denying that Audrey Hepburn is the quintessential style icon.

Born the daughter of a Dutch baroness and an English banker in 1929, Audrey Hepburn arrived in London at the age of sixteen with hopes of pursuing a career in ballet. Sadly her dream of dancing at Covent Garden was never realised, but the move had opened up a world of possibility. Hepburn began to audition for a number of small acting parts and it was whilst working on a Broadway version of ‘Gigi’ in 1951 that she was offered a part alongside Gregory Peck in ‘Roman Holiday’. Hepburn’s portrayal of the young Princess Ann lit up the screen, and despite the fact that her slender figure and flat chest were in stark contrast to the then prevailing standards of female beauty, her evanescent image bewitched audiences. Female cinema-goers the world over began to imitate her short hair style, tied white shirt and long, full skirt. Over the coming years, Hepburn would establish herself as one of the most admired and emulated women of the century.

It would be impossible to discuss Hepburn’s style without paying homage to the French designer with whom she collaborated for almost all of her films. Hubert de Givenchy opened his first Parisian couture house in 1952; a year later Audrey Hepburn appeared on his doorstep. Givenchy was busy preparing his autumn/winter collection when Hepburn called upon him, and she was left to search through the previous seasons collections alone. Hepburn borrowed just three pieces from Givenchy’s spring/summer collection of 1953 to wear in ‘Sabrina’, her second big screen production. Givenchy’s simple geometric designs perfectly complimented Hepburn’s boyish physique and these three items were enough to dazzle audiences around the world. Of this first meeting, Givenchy would later recall that “She knew exactly what she wanted. She knew perfectly her visage and her body, their fine points and their faults”. Over the decades that followed Givenchy’s creations became part of her Hepburn’s signature look, both on and off the screen, and their friendship remained constant until the end of her life. Together they created the very essence of elegance.

With an innate knowledge of her flaws and attributes, Hepburn developed a unique style which perfectly complimented her personality and remained loyal to it throughout the seasons. Over the years she would be responsible for bringing the little black dress, ballet flats, toreador pants and the black turtleneck to the forefront of fashion; all items of such simplicity that they still seem modern today. Standing at 5ft7′ and weighing a mere 110lbs for most of her adult life, one of the great secrets of Hepburn’s elegance was her extraordinary ability to exploit her strong points to maximum advantage. During the four decades of his association with Hepburn, Givenchy never once had to modify the mannequin which he had made for her at their first meeting in 1954; her shape and size remained consistent throughout her life. Whilst most of us can only dream of possessing Hepburn’s naturally slender frame, there are number of key looks which can be adapted to suit all figures – the clinched waist, the three quarter sleeve, the trench coat and the tied neck scarf.

Audrey Hepburn died of cancer in 1993, aged 64, having devoted much of her adult life to helping underprivileged children in the Third World. She is perhaps most fondly remembered for her role in the film which provided the little black dress with all manner of sophisticated connotations – Capote’s ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’. The captivating image of Hepburn lingering in her Givenchy dress, complete with white gloves and beehive hairdo, is one which has sealed her reputation as a fashion goddess. In fact, it is with some thanks to Hepburn that the little back dress remains an enduring classic to this day. The epitome of style, Audrey Hepburn has inspired generations of women across the globe. With her charm, grace and understated glamour, she is universally regarded as one of the 20th century’s best-loved fashion and film icons.

Louis Vuitton strikes gold with their stunning store windows, dripping gold & bee’s ~ featuring golden starbursts and dripping liquid gold, forming a pool of precious honey on the floor. This spring, Louis Vuitton is celebrating the first batch of honey produced from the three beehives installed on the roof of its Parisian head quarters back in 2009.

In April 2009, Louis Vuitton installed three beehives on the roof of its Parisian HQ on the rue de Pont Neuf.

Its first batch of honey is now ready for spring, celebrated through creative displays at many of its store windows worldwide till May. It is a nod to biodiversity. As Louis Vuitton stated (WWD) "35 per cent of food resources in the world are insured by nectar- and pollen-gathering insects."

Through 2010, 200,000 bees gathered 75 kg of nectar for Louis Vuitton.

The honey won’t be sold: it will be given to friends and family of the company.

Called “As Sweet as Honey”, Louis Vuitton shop windows worldwide feature bags and shoes dripping with the sweet stuff and surrounded by bees, inspired by the global need for sustainable development, of which nectar and pollen gathering insects play an important role.

Title “Dreamfall”, Anastasia Radevich’s new collection is beyond heavenly. Her intricate and futuristic heels are one kind when it comes to their uniqueness and startling beauty. These shoes are daring, pure, intricate, delicate, and breathtaking. The ice-appeal with the femininity of softness brings about a new winner in shoes.

The new MAC cosmetic collection has been introduced for this Spring and you’ll be truly amazed at all of the beautiful colors and assortments that are available. This season’s eyeshadows, mascaras, and eyeliners are inspired by birds being known as feather light colors.

The collection features 16 new shades that will only be available this season. I know I will be enjoying the light makeup and the beautiful shimmery colors, perfect for the summer! The collection debuts May 25, 2011.

The first images from this year's many fall campaigns have just been released by Louis Vuitton. Shot by Steven Meisel, the ads feature newbie models Daphne Groeneveld, Zuzana Bijoch, and Anais Pouliot. Wrapped up in huge, cozy furs, the models play with puppies while clinging to their LV handbags. Maybe its because of the forage caps, but the retro and luxurious feel of the campaign seems very Russian. What do you guys think?

If she intended to make an impression on Cannes, she certainly succeeded. Candice Boucher wowed crowds at the French film festival last night when she arrived on the red carpet in a daring see-through dress. Pretty, daring, dramatic...but is it sexy or trashy?

Mick Jagger's daughter, Georgia May Jagger is only 19 years old but she has already won her own place in the modeling industry. Her achievements are numerous and include not only runway walking and posing for magazines’ shoots and brands’ ad campaigns but also designing pieces. However, it’s modeling that the girl is truly focusing on. Her recent venture is promoting Marc Jacobs’ Fight Like a Girl bag which has been designed to raise money to support Fashion Targets Breast Cancer program.

Georgia May Jagger flew to Dublin to launch the range. She later tweeted: "I’ve had an amazing day in Ireland for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, thanks to everyone there.” The model decided it would be great to get involved in such a project because breast cancer affected her own family. Her mother’s twin sister, Terry was diagnosed with the disease in 1998 and her grandfather also died from it. Georgia recently spoke to WWD stating "I saw what she went through and cancer really does affect the family, too.”

The Marc Jacobs tote retails for about $40 in Brown Thomas stores and online with all proceeds going to Action Breast Cancer and Europa Donna Ireland.

Ok. So I know that it seems that the world has calmed down on it's love of Britney Spears. She is still successful and despite a couple years of tabloid-cover scandals, she has managed to hold her head high, get her life together, and emerge as a grown-up, calmed down sex kitten. The thing I love about Britney is that she seems to be just plain clueless about fashion sometimes. I am not a fashion expert, but daisy duke cutoffs, Uggs, and her trucker hats still being worn  is a huge mistake. She still hops the line for the usual frappuccino at Starbucks in her fringe vests, belly crop-tops, and scuffed platform sandals. She cleans up like a supermodel for magazines, but underneath, she is still a southern girl at heart, and I think that is the true beauty and charm of Britney Spears. Her interview for Harpers Bazaar seems a little boring, but it's Britney being honest, and really, that's all I think is neccessary for someone who is trying to stay away from the crazy, head-shaving days we all thought were actually normal.

Harper’s Bazaar: What has been your best fashion look?
Britney Spears: I went to the Grammys in 2002, and I had really curly, curly hair. I had a red dress on. It wasn’t short and saucy; it was a long red dress. That dress was fun.
HB: What was your biggest fashion mistake?
BS: Ten years ago at the Billboard awards, I wore this orange hat and orange bra and orange booty pants and purple fishnets. Oh, and I had an orange jacket on.
HB: Was it Halloween?
BS [laughs]: No, it wasn’t Halloween. I actually thought I looked hot at the time. But, um, I definitely stood out. I thought it was just a marvelous idea to wear this purple and orange outfit; it was like high school colors. I was a cheerleader for a school I didn’t know. People were talking about it, but not in a good way.

HB: Your hair is looking long and lustrous. Are you whipping it back and forth?
BS: Yeah, I love ponytails. I’m a wash-and-go girl. But, oh yeah, I like to whip it.
HB: Are you enjoying dancing again?
BS: I love to dance, so it’s very exciting. The tour rehearsals have been going really well. I think it will be my best show yet.

HB: Everybody has Bieber fever. Have you met Justin? Would you ever want to work with him?
BS: I think he’s adorable. I just saw his movie, and I really didn’t realize how big he was. He’s enormous; he’s just Mr. Man. A lot of the movie is really similar to what I did when I was starting out. I did a promo tour for a year, going into radio stations and all that. It was so cool to see our similarities.
HB: “It’s Britney, bitch” is classic, but you say you’re less bitchy than impatient. What makes you impatient?
BS: When things take a long time, I just get really stubborn. When I know that things are supposed to go a certain way [laughs] and when it’s my time of the month.

HB: What makes you laugh uncontrollably?
BS: Usually when people trip or fall or run into something. Not to be mean, but I can’t help it. If they really hurt themselves, then I feel bad, but if they accidentally do it and they stand up and act cool like nobody saw them, I have to laugh.

HB: It’s been eight years since you kissed Madonna onstage at the MTV awards. What have you learned from her?
BS: I actually saw her a couple of weeks ago at a party. I guess she’s really taught me to stay true to myself. That seems like a simple thing to say, but she taught me through action, not just by saying it. There are so many people around you that have opinions, but you just have to listen to your instincts.

HB: You’ve said Jennifer Lopez inspires you professionally. Would you ever want to be a judge on American Idol?
BS: I would! That would be awesome. I wouldn’t be a tough judge, though.

HB: What do you think of Lady Gaga?
BS: She’s unique and extremely talented. I love her spin on everything.

HB: Would you like to get married again? More kids?
BS: I’ve thought about both, so if the timing was right …

HB: Could you see your sons performing?
BS: If they have a love and passion for the arts and that’s what they want to do, then so be it. They are both little actors and so charismatic, I wouldn’t be surprised at all.

HB: Which one of your hits made you realize you’d made it?
BS: From the beginning, probably “… Baby One More Time.” I haven’t seen that video in such a long time.

HB: What’s your favorite video?
BS: “Overprotected.” I just think it says a lot. It was directed so well, it was really colorful, and the dancing was amazing.

HB: Who is your greatest inspiration musically?
BS: Whitney Houston. I’ve loved her since I was a kid.

HB: What is your guilty pleasure?
BS: Bapchi’s caramel toffee from Vosges. They were in my hotel room, and I made everyone bring them from their rooms.

Ok, so I think I am probably one of the only girls in America who still tunes in to Project Runway every season, and I think I always cheer on the underdog. Most of the time, the winners come as a surprise to me, but my all-time favorites (Christian, Jeffrey) have gone on to win and do well in their fashion careers. Last season, I think I was more attached to this season for a couple of reasons. The rediculous drama between Michael and what's her name was a joke. He was clearly being attacked for unoblivious reasons. First it was all technical, and then it became personal. Landing in fourth place, Michael was sent packing and we were told he would not be showing at Fashion Week. Well, we real fans know that his dreams came true and he did show, as did the top 6, so that us viewers would not know the real top 3 for sake of the show. Also last season, the fact that the judges ended up splitting their votes in half for the finale was crazy. Jessica Simpson and Heidi Klum loved Mondo, especially his polka dot dress. They fought for him. Michael Kors and Nina Garcia fought for Gretchen Jones and her commercial collection focused on what’s happening now in the fashion world. (Oh, how boring was it though??). Nobody should use a bag of stale granola for their color palette. Anyways, I was happy to see that Mondo has introduced us to a new jewelry collection, which will be available thru his website. The jewelry launch will happen within the month and is rumored to be inspired by Paco Rabanne, so it's a lot of primary colors and geometric shapes. In a tribute to Paco, Mondo wanted to do something with unusual materials, so this whole collection is made out of Plexiglass and at an affordable price range from $35-40. Go Mondo!

On a side note, props to Heidi Klum who tried to get Tim Gunn to sway the vote for Mondo....

When I saw a preview for Wednesday, May 18th's episode of Oprah, I was amazed and dumbfounded that Oprah was able to get down and dirty (literally) at the home/ranch of fashion mogul and multi-millionaire, Ralph Lauren. Having not seen him in the public eye too much, I was also sadden to see how much he has aged over the past couple of years. Obviously Oprah is richer and more successful than most journalists, so I was not surprised that she able to land such a powerful interview. This interview will be the first in twenty (yes, 20!) years. Set your DVR ladies, this is one episode not to miss! Oprah's people released a short statement about the interview, saying "It’s the first time camera crews were let into the home and, in the hour-long program, Winfrey gets a glimpse into how the Laurens live, rides around the ranch in his vintage 1948 Jeep, and offers a rare look at Lauren’s antiques-filled tepees." Oprah also gets a chance to talk to the Lauren family, including including Ralph’s wife Ricki, and his kids David and Dylan (both engaged!) and the youngest, Andrew. For the record, WWD, earlier this year, announced net worth's of fashion designers, and Mr. Lauren checked in with a cool net worth of $5.8 billion. Must be nice!

For any of you interested in some facts about Ralph Lauren was actually born Ralph Lifshitz, in 1939 in the Bronx, NY. He studied art and design at the City College of New York and business at City College in Manhattan. A student by night, he worked for a necktie manufacturer during the day. After a tour of military duty, he was married and had three children.

Lauren’s experience in the necktie market led him to a staggering idea. Why not make them wider? With this idea and some financing, he founded the Polo label in 1967. He founded Polo Fashions of New York with the quote: “A tie was the way a man expressed himself. I believed
that men were ready for something new and different. They didn’t want to look as if they worked for IBM. A beautiful tie was an expression of quality, taste, style.”

The name Polo came from a sport that embodies a world of discreet elegance and style. In 1970, Ralph Lauren won the Coty Award for Menswear. He continued that decade by releasing a daring line of suit for women tailored in a classic men’s style. The Polo player’s emblem was first seen on the cuff of one of these woman’s suits. In 1972 Polo’s famous short sleeve mesh shirt appeared with the omnipresent Polo player logo. Debuting in 24 colors it offered variet, quality and style and became an overnight classic. A line of copy from an original ad read “Every team has its color- Polo has 24”.

Vogue Germany April 2011