Wholsesale prices for U.S.-produced goods slipped into a record slump for October, adding to an already dismal economic climate. (WWD)

After halting several store renovations, Saks said it may shutter certain outlets if they fail to draw enough of its wealthy customer base. (Forbes)  read more »

No, it's not just because of global warming. In the New York Times Style Magazine, Suzy Menkes delves into the aesthetic importance of "earth." In our modern terrain — mostly disappeared under urban sprawl — we dream of "a lost pastoral world with sylvan landscapes," she explains. Read why Menkes thinks fashion is "fooling with mother nature" at nytimes.com.

Quinny, Europe's leading brand in innovative chic strollers, will launch its collaboration collection with Danish fashion visionary Henrik Vibskov in New York on Wednesday. At OpenHouse Gallery, 201 Mulberry Street, 6-9 p.m. RSVP to hv@peoplesrevolution.com. For more information, see quinnydesign.com.

Dear Shaded Viewers,

Brazilian designer Adriana Bertini made five condom dresses which photographers Martine Stig and Viviane Sassen put in their suitcases and travelled to Moscow with them. Stig and Sassen scouted around five locations in Mosow in search of young women — contemporary Cinderallas — to model the outfits. The result, 5 series of photographs.  read more »

Mark Gagnon Gallery Opening

Finally I've had some time to go through images from the show, I focused just on the work...bits and pieces of what I liked or the whole image if I couldn't choose a favorite section. For actual "event photos" you can go here.

It was such a pleasure meeting you Mark! I hope the show was a great success.

   read more »

Newly launched bi-annual publication TAR offers something different. Tar explores magazines from the perspective of both art form and art object. With contributing photographers such as Juergen Teller and Ryan McGinley, Tar is seen as a collective creative unit, combining worldly creative outlets into one publication. Benecio Del Toro was shot for the cover by Julian Schnabel and showcases Del Toro in a vulnerable and honest perspective.  read more »

Cacharel, the French label most familiarly associated with young sportswear, announced Monday that it has cut its ties to British design duo Mark Eley and Wakako Kishimoto. Husband-and-wife creative force Eley Kishimoto joined Cacharel in November 2007, and showed their first official runway collection in Paris in October. The news comes after that final Spring 2009 collection earned the house mixed reviews. See the full scoop at wwd.com.

October sales are down over 16 percent at Saks, with women's shoes and handbags performing the weakest. (WSJ)

According to the Independent, Britain's new fashion school grads — who lack even basic tailoring skills — are pulling down the UK's industry. (Independent)  read more »

Founded in 2003 by Holly Harnsongkram, Wil Whitney, Devon Turnbull, and Isa Saalabi, Nom de Guerre was created to bring the collective experiences of its founders to a heightened level. The brand has attained cult-like status, thanks to its cutting edge design, great quality, anti-marketing marketing, and one of the coolest locations for a flagship boutique. NDG's SS09 collection is called “Storm and Stress” and brings together historical references and mythology.  read more »

Lately, Michelle Obama has been getting a lot of attention for her flair for fashion. And as the Presidential Inaugural Ball nears, there's a lot of interest as to what she'll wear. In this spirit, Forbes has rounded up 10 potential choices for the incoming first lady. See the selections at here. What do you think is the best dress?

—Staff