$1,265 Louboutin’s vs. $12 @ GoJane.com

These pups are from the Philip Lim Spring 09 show, the flat version from post “Ruffled & Rosey Louboutins for Philip Lim’s Runway”

Louboutin rarely does anything wrong - case in point being these shoes.  Rosettes first started popping up in editorial in Fall 05 - I had this class called “Creative Fashion Presentations”, which I know doesn’t sound entirely intense, but it really was because our final was putting on a runway show (models, clothes, venue, dj, etc).  Regardless, in this class I had to keep a faux editorial portfolio, updating it every week with trends and making it a collage with copy, a theme, like an art director at a mag.  And so, I focused on rosettes and the big feature were the Marc Jacobs off shoulder velvet dresses with the rosette decolletage. At the time I didn’t realize it was an absolutely fantastic use of my time, but as I can’t afford to live off of the below poverty level salary most mags dole out to socialites anonymous - I now live vicariously collaging this way.

Tangent aside, rosettes are one of my favorite embellishments because they’re so absolutely girly and read a little couture.  Shoes alone tear at my heart strings, specifically a statement shoe, and what is kind of hot about these is that they also do great things for your legs.  I am a firm believer in top of foot interest when it comes to a great pair of shoes.  I rarely ever wear straight pumps - I like the look of a gladiator strap, a chain, a zipper - whatever it is - leading up from toe to ankle.  These Louboutins lengthen even with a closed toe, and Philip Lim clearly fell hard by putting multiple colorways on multiple looks in his Spring 09 show.

View the complete Philip Lim Spring 09 slideshow at Style.com

If you’re in New York or L.A., the graphic hoodie is nothing new. After seeing 20 somethings pick up on the trend like wildfire, however, this is a signal of a trend that could really make a killing if translated correctly to the mass market.

While casually sipping my Mexican hot chocolate at La Esquina this weekend in SoHo, I snapped some pictures of the hippest looking dudes around. I began to realize that although the colorful and 80’s inspired Run DMC style hoodies may have been created for a hip hop crowd, they had struck a chord with hipsters that was undeniable and noticable every block. If you’re not familiar with a New York hipster, here is a quick education: Hipsters in New York dwell in the Lower East Side, cite Indie Rock as religion, and swear by vintage. Their prententious style is original yet homogenized, and the dudes are even more into fashion than the gals.

Colorful graphic & 80’s inspired graffiti styles first caught my eye this fall, upon discovering the subculture of L.A. young entrepreneurs at the Project tradeshow in Las Vegas, and was further reiterated by H&M, Christian Louboutin, and Juicy Couture this Spring. Even KidRobot has their own graphic hoodies that are now being sold at Barneys alongside Lanvin and Fendi.

If you’re looking to be so hip it hurts, snag a pair of rainbow colored Court Forces from Nike’s new graffiti art campaign - and hop in that Escalade.

How to feed your graphic need: www.UrbanOutfitters.com for sneaks & www.RocaWear.com for tees, hoodies, & hats.

Christian Louboutin photo taken from: www.Style.com