Win Rachel Zoe’s Missoni Dress From Rent the Runway

Rent the Runway is adding Missoni to its already-lofty designer roster—a move it’s celebrating with inspiration from stylist to the stars Rachel Zoe.

Starting today, you can sign up at RentTheRunway.com for a chance to take home the flowing red dress Zoe wore to the opening of the Missoni store in LA, a signed copy of her book A to Zoe, and a $1,000 Rent the Runway gift certificate.

In the words of Zoe herself, “I die!”

Fashion Week Shoe Collaborations

Oh, how we covet a pretty shoe. And S/S 2011 is the gift that keeps on giving in terms of unexpected shoe collaborations.

We already reported on the wondrously high Zac Posen x Steve Madden runway shoes, and mentioned the print-heavy Suno x Loeffler Randall flats and high wooden wedges, but now we have two more favorites for your must-have list.

1. Chris Benz x Alejandro Ingelmo: round toes, high hidden platforms, and an offering of vibrant flower prints or woven nude and black—how is one to choose?

2. Julian Louie x Aldo: seven styles of super-high wedges in Ikat weave and varying color combos that are sure to be affordable when they go into production, due to the mix of a fairly new-to-the-scene designer and low-priced mega shoe brand.

Looks like printed footwear will be the thing to stomp around town in come Spring.

Nicola Formichetti At Thierry Mugler

The rumors have finally been confirmed: Nicola Formichetti will be the new men’s and womenswear creative director at Thierry Mugler, succeeding Rosemary Rodriguez.

Best known to the masses as Lady Gaga’s stylist, Formichetti is also fashion director of Vogue Hommes Japan and a contributing editor of V Magazine, Dazed & Confused, and Another Magazine. His client roster boasts the names of Chloë Sevigny, Scarlett Johansson, Eva Mendes, Kirsten Dunst, and Robert Pattinson.

Formichetti, who will show his first collection for Fall 2011, will be overseeing Mugler’s new women’s head designer and Balenciaga veteran Sebastian Peigne, and new men’s head designer Romain Kremer, who has been showing experimental looks under his own label since 2005.

“We were looking for a young talent who could really bring new energy to the brand,” said Joël Palix, president of Clarins Fragrance Group, Mugler’s parent, and director general of the Mugler company. “Nicola is a multicultural, techno-savvy expert involved in fashion, communication, image, and entertainment. He and the appointed talented designers will represent a new direction for French fashion.”

Jimmy Choo For Ugg: Revealed

Of all the collaborations in all the world, we were most surprised by the partnering of Jimmy Choo and Ugg Australia. What would Tamara Mellon do to a pair of Ugg boots to make them less collegiate-casual and more chic, we wondered? Alas, we’ve finally found out: studs!

They’ve covered the classic Ugg boot with studding, stars, and grommets, leopard and zebra prints, and hobo fringe, ultimately offering a total of five styles in multiple color variations.

Why the odd collab? “Other than Jimmy Choo, UGG Australia is really the only other footwear I have in my wardrobe. I wear it at home in New York, on holiday in Malibu, and as an essential travel accessory for my plane wardrobe,” said Mellon, founder and chief creative officer of Jimmy Choo.

A sample set of the brand new boots will be available for 24 hours on October 7th at the Jimmy Choo boutique in Highland Park Village solely for your pre-ordering purposes.

2010 Partners Card Sponsors and Card Sellers Celebration

Fall’s hottest shopping accessory is, of course, your Partners Card. After all, you can pick up a new shearling jacket and military booties with the 20 percent discount—sounds good to me!

Head to Bachendorf’s in Preston Center this Tuesday to help The Family Place and chairmen Maggie Kipp, Molly Nolan and Gina Roidopolous celebrate the unveiling of Partners Card in a special card seller recruitment reception.

With 750 stores and restaurants involved, the 18^th year of this shopping-oriented fundraising program will be bigger and better than ever.

Partners Card runs from October 29th to November 7th, and 100 percent of proceeds from the $60 card will directly benefit The Family Place, Dallas’ longest-serving family violence agency.

When: Tuesday, September 14 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Where: Bachendorf’s – The Plaza at Preston Center, 8400 Preston Road.

For more information visit: www.familyplace.org.

La Perla by Jean Paul Gaultier at Neiman Marcus

Fashion’s Night Out doesn’t have to end on September 10—at least not according to Neiman Marcus. In honor of the momentous shopping occasion, NM’s featuring a special collection for guests months before the official release date…

French couturier Jean Paul Gaultier has taken the infamous cone bra he fashioned for Madonna in the ‘90s and used it as inspiration for a design collaboration with La Perla, the leading creator of luxurious lingerie.

The capsule collection, featuring corsets, bodysuits, and cone-inspired bras in powder pink, black, coral, and blue, is almost entirely handmade. Pieces will retail from $600 for bras to $1,200 for chemises.

Neiman Marcus invites guests to preview the limited-edition collection and pre-order before the official November launch date.

When: Saturday, September 11 from 3 to 6 pm.

Where: Neiman Marcus NorthPark, Intimate Apparel

Shopping Extravaganza: Fashion’s Night Out In Dallas

Fashion’s Night Out is a global initiative founded in 2009 by Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, retailer NYC & Co. and the city of New York, and it has quickly become the biggest fashion extravaganza of the year. Everywhere from Brooklyn to LA is participating in this year’s edition of the globe-spanning soiree, and Dallas is no exception. We’ve made a list of the most promising functions you won’t want to miss:

Stanley Korshak

Abi Ferrin will be presenting a trunk show and presentation, photographers Richard Krall and Anthony Chiang will be there for the fun, Campbell Wagner Runway models will strut their stuff in Red Valentino and 3.1 Phillip Lim fashion shows, DJ wade Hampton will be spinning while guests sip and snack, and you may enter a raffle benefiting An Affair of The Art 2011.

Where: 500 Crescent Court, #100

When: 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

Highland Park Village

Christian Louboutin: Join the Schlegels for an in-store party featuring DJs, champagne, hors d’oeuvres, and a preview of two items from the spring collection.

When: 6 p.m.-8 p.m. private reception, 8 p.m.-11 p.m., open to public

Anthropologie: Live fashion show with their new personal shoppers.

Carolina Herrera: Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live music.

Chanel: Mini manicures from Fekkai featuring Chanel’s exclusive Fashion’s Night Out lacquer.

Escada: Jazz music and a 1920s clad waiter passing disposable Escada flasks filled with mint juleps.

Ralph Lauren: Talk trends with hosts Heather Washburne, Elisa Summers, and FD Luxe Editor Tracy Hayes.

Anne Fontaine: Have a candid photo snapped for the chance to win an $1800 wardrobe in their FNO most fashionable contest.

Forty Five Ten

Grab a glass of Fashion Punch from Kim Dawson Agency models, pose in a photo booth, and pick up a limited-edition Herff Christiansen scarf.

Where: 4510 McKinney Avenue

When: 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

NorthPark

Where: 8687 N. Central Expressway

Neiman Marcus: Celeb judges Jacquelin Sewell, Kimberly Schlegel Whitman, Jason Sheeler and Dallas Maverick Jason Terry will choose the winner of NM’s “So You Think You Can Style?” contest, who will receive a NM prize package and the opportunity to assist on an FD Luxe photo shoot.

When: 6 p.m.-10 p.m.

David Yurman: sip champagne and nibble on truffles amidst the bits and baubles.

Henri Bendel, Nordstrom and Gucci: Pick up the official Fashion’s Night Out tee (or the limited-edition Swarovski version), with 40% of proceeds benefiting the NYC AIDS Fund.

BCBG: Capera Ryan and Brooke Hortenstine are hosting a soiree to benefit the Dallas Contemporary.

Saks Fifth Avenue

The spa and salon will offer complimentary blowouts, and jewelry designer Deborah Gaspar will be there to present her fall 2010 collection.

Where: Galleria Dallas, 13550 Dallas Parkway

When: 5 p.m.-9 p.m.

DKNY Wellies

Rain, rain go away…

I actually quite enjoy the rainy weather we’re having, but what I don’t enjoy is that I haven’t bought a pair of rain boots since, well, freshman year of college. And they’re just not cutting it. It seems DKNY is reading my mind, because not only have their Fall 2010 Active Rain Boots just become available for purchase, but the pictures of the collection were the first thing in my inbox this morning. Impeccable timing!

Rainy days are the perfect time to add a little whimsy to your feet, so I’ll be ordering up the yellow Niagara boots in the hopes that I can splash in some puddles later, a la the graphic girl emblazoned on the boot’s shaft.

Now, what will DKNY do about my umbrella situation…?

Ross Akard Presents Mercy

Ross Akard Gallery will play host to artist Shannon Niehus’ first solo show in Dallas this month, and we can’t wait for the two part exhibit and performance piece.

Mercy features nine oil on masonite panels as part of the Continuum of Ecstasy series and The Ecstasy, a soft sculpture and performance piece produced by Niehus and directed by Jonathan Taylor, a company member of Kitchen Dog Theater.

To get a first glimpse, make your way to the opening reception on September 9^th, or the only live performance of The Ecstasy on September 17^th.

When: Show runs September 9^th to October 9^th; Opening Reception with the artist is on

September 9^th from 6 to 9 pm; Performance of The Ecstasy is on September 17^th at 7 pm.

Where: Ross Akard Gallery, The Fairmont Dallas, 1717 North Akard, Dallas, TX 75201

Tickets: Complimentary

Contact: 214.720.5394

American Fashion Designers at Home

Assouline is our go-to for coffee table tomes, and the latest title in their line-up is American Fashion Designers at Home, which is a must-have for fashion and design lovers. Assouline has partnered with the Council of Fashion Designers of America to showcase the homes of some of the most sought-after names in fashion including: Diane von Furstenberg, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Cynthina Rowley, and Kate Spade among others. It will certainly be interesting to see if the designers’ homes are a reflection of their fashion personalities. For example, is Carolina Herrera’s home as tailored and chic as her collection? Does Donna Karan’s home consist of sleek, modern pieces? Get your hands on this fabulous book by Rima Suqii and find out how Herrera, Karan, and 100 of America’s top designers live.