Having always been both fascinated and repelled by skulls, I’ve finally come to terms with them (helped along, of course, by my friend Kathy’s chic McQueen skull scarves). So, for the summer, there are different skull options: designer skulls, teenage fun skulls and–for the Mac geek boyfriend in your life–the Mac keyboard skulls.

Alexander McQueen's butterfly skull tee

Next Era's fun sunglasses and stripes skull tee

Mac key skull tee

If you can afford the sublime McQueen tee, which run upwards of $225, I say go for it, but if not, get the Mac key skull tee, walk into a coffee shop in Williamsburg and watch everyone have a Macgasm.

We had a chance to sit down with the lovable and quirky Betsey Johnson and talked retirement, cartwheels and staying young.

Fashion Makes Me Horny: So, the rumor mill is churning with word that you will be retiring after your Fall show. Say it ain’t so, Betsey!?

Betsey Johnson: Hell no, it ain’t so! I love the quote from Bette Davis, “I will not retire while I’ve still got my legs and my make-up box.”

FMMH:I read that one of your first designing jobs was for the Paraphernalia Boutique and that the house model was Edie Sedgwick. Do you think the movie Factory Girl accurately  portrayed her?

BJ: Totally yes! Sometimes I felt Sienna was a born-again Edie;  her features, the walk, the accent.  It felt true, but I know there were politics involved, so it ain’t true blue.

FMMH: What current designer’s/celebrity’s style makes you horny?

BJ: Forever Madonna! Katy Perry, Amy Winehouse, Rihanna, Gwen Stefani, Lady Gaga…

FMMH: In a previous life you were: (complete the sentence)

BJ: Actually, I was told by a psychic that I was a head designer/ seamstress for a king & queen…a whole royal court.

FMMH: Would you encourage your grandchildren to pursue careers in the fashion industry?

BJ: No, unless they love it, live and die for it.

FMMH: Would you rather vacation in the tropics or in Europe? Why?

BJ: I only go where a bikini takes me!

FMMH: Is it true that you used to be a cheerleader?

BJ: Big-time true! I was co-captain head cheerleader at Syracuse University .

FMMH: How many cartwheels do you average a week?

BJ: Zero! I only do two a year, one per show.

FMMH: I got a chance to peek in your make-up bag and saw that you use Chanel face powder. What is your one must-have when is come to beauty products?

BJ: I left that whole bag of makeup in a cab…again.  Now I am on to Duane Reade el cheap-o face powder.    Nothing beats my own custom-made red lipstick.

FMMH: Can you give us any hints as to what expect from you in the Fall? Pretty please?

BJ: A vintage revival collection of my favorite stuff from the 80s in collaboration with Opening Ceremony.

FMMH: What is your stay young secret? What can we do now to ensure we look and feel as young as you in the future?

BJ: Thank you Thank you! Forget your age, don’t eat much, have a good plastic surgeon, hang out with your grandchildren as much as possible, and still love what you do.

FMMH: Leopard print and pink, do they ever get old?

BJ: No, I’ll think pink and growl forever!

FMMH: Street fashion in New York, does it get any better in other cities? Why/why not? What other cities have amazing street fashion?

BJ: Never never never land! New York is the place!…but London streets always thrill me too.

FMMH: What’s the one  item every girl must have in her closet?

BJ: A lover!

FMMH: If you were to stick your hand in your closet and pull out three items without looking, what might you find?

BJ: Rock n’ roll t-shirt, G-string,Wee wee pads (for Lucy)

www.chickdowntown.com

www.chickdowntown.com

These are listed on the site as being Michael Jackson inspired. Ugh. If you want to dress like MJ fine, but don’t do it for attention after he has passed. If you loved him that much you would have been donning his style the whole time. I like the cropped one on top, the bottom one is a bit costume-y, but here at FMMH we are not afraid of throwing a costume into the everyday mix once in a while.

P.S. Did you know that www.chickdowntown.com had vintage?

It gives me the warm fuzzies when designers and their cronies act like kindergartners trying to figure out the rules of the fort–in this case, Fashion Week. According to the New York Observer, DVF, Anna Wintour and Andre Leon Tally (after having lotioned his hands) discussed how Fashion Week is essentially a money suck, how overproduction leads to low prices (the horror!) and how–according to Ms. Wintour–price rigging can help the industry (with the help of the Obamas).

The Fashionable Triumvirate

Prices have not yet been released for this designer technology, but if prices for their non-tech accessories are any indication ($375 for a silk scarf!) this will cost a pretty penny. Apparently it automatically charges when you lie it on the circular base in the first image. In my opinion bluetooths (blueteeth?) are gaudy, and GQ agrees with me. This is disappointing, Hermes, very disappointing….

These Rag & Bone jeans adjust to smaller and larger sizes for that yo-yo dieter in your life. (ahem) So now you don’t have to shelve your “skinny” jeans when your feeling a bit bloated. Can a pair of $287 jeans really morph sizes? I have my doubts. If your ass is growing you seem to be out of luck, since there is no way to expand the butt of the jean. However, if the thunder is in the thighs, this may be a pricey solution. Is this the first piece of “disorder denim”? Can a pair of jeans single handedly create a yo-yo dieter?

Those mini tophats are popping up everywhere!! Even Forever 21’s new line features some in the lookbook. I’m unclear about whether or not they will be selling them, or if they were just for the shoot. (It’s funny I feel the need the clarify that, as if you all are trying to figure out where the hell you can get a mini tophat from! haha) Anyway, take a look see at the lookbook and share your thoughts.

Photo: shoeblogs.com

These are by Brazilian designer Melissa. Purple, architectural, rubber flats appeal to me for some strange reason? I have seen these shoes everywhere, are they actually  comfortable? It doesn’t seem like they would conform to the shape of your foot very well. To read about the designer check this out.

Bhomer's

These are made from one piece of untanned leather! While atrocious, I can appreciate the craftsmanship that went into the construction of these neo-clogs. For more about the artist and his impression of the London style scene click here.

Photo: proenzaschouler.com

We are totally psyched about this sale tomorrow! Check out some of their looks here. Women’s tops, bottoms, dresses, and shoes are $50 to $690 (originally $275 to $2,750) at the Proenza Schouler resort 2008 and spring 2009 sample sale. Through 7/31. 495 Broadway, nr. Broome St., eighth fl.; W–F (9–6).

Photo: shopbop.com

Sunner clothes are know for their, well, sunny and feminines silhouettes. We hit up the Sunner sample sale and checked out dresses, rompers and tops that were 70% to 90% off.

Racks of fun!

If you fall into the 0-6 size categories–and who in NYC doesn’t according to this NY Times article–there are boxes of $25 silk dresses, cheap ruffled tops and fun rompers (because they’re not going anywhere). Nothing is over $75, so we say GO!

Price points approved

Only going on today and tomorrow from 8:30am to 7pm.

265 W. 37th at 8th, ninth fl

(646-290-6409)