'Got Ink'

Ever thought about getting a tattoo, but were too afraid of what it would look like in 50 years?

And the only temporary tattoos you could find were suitable for children under the age of 12?

Well, temporary tattoos have now gone designer.

Remember the set of temporary tattoos at the Spring-Summer 2010 Collection for Chanel (below) shown last fall that generated all the buzz? The transfer tattoos are due in Selfridge’s stores March 1st, and are way better than any dragon or angel tattoo you would find in a toy dispenser.

Just so everyone knows that these tattoos are clearly Chanel, expect to see the floral and chain link bands inscribed with the signature Chanel logo. (Would it really be a Chanel tattoo without it?)

Other designers like Jean Paul Gaultier and Rodarte turned to temporary tattoos or sheer hosiery with a tattoo-like effect, proving that body art is the ultimate accessory this season.

Clad in corseted denim overalls and military drab, models donned tattoos on their faces, arms, stomachs and necks at Gaultier’s Spring Collection (above). It was Gaultier’s fighting stance against an embattled economy. When times get tough, Gaultier gets… denim and tattoos.

The Mulleavy sisters of Rodarte cannot start their Spring Collection without some dark undertones and garments crafted from a mixed selection of plain, leather, cheesecloth, plastic, etc. But no tribal-inspired collection would be complete without some body paint. Bare arms were covered in thick, black tattoos in geometric shapes and patterns.

As the Mulleavy sisters told style.com, it is possible to “be scarred and still beautiful.”

Not so sure how I feel about some‘bold and the beautiful’ temporary tattoos, but I am admiring the ultra-sheer hosiery at Marchesa (above). The hosiery – worn with some of the most exquisite dresses I have ever (still swooning since the collection debuted last fall) – looks as if it’s been painted on.

So I now ask you this: Got ink?

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of stylecaster.com; style.com; fashionablymeg.files.wordpress.com

'Fashion's Night Out'

Have you ever wanted to hear the musical musings of Oscar de la Renta, or style tips with Alexander Wang and the designers of Proenza Schouler?

Ever wanted to introduce yourself to Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour?

You can do all this and more during Fashion’s Night Out!

The global fashion fest will hit all major cities Thursday, Sept. 10, an initiative hatched by editors and publishers last spring in Paris and then cultivated by all 13 Vogue editions.

Its primary focus: to shop, shop, shop!

‘Fashion’s Night Out is Vogue’s response to the notion that in these challenging times, certain kinds of pleasure, such as shopping, are impermissible,’ wrote Wintour in Vogue’s September letter from the editor.

And with pleasure comes business.

More than 300 retailers (from independent shops to global luxury houses) plan to stay open as late as 11 p.m., luring customers with music, giveaways and special appearances from designers, celebrities, models and magazine editors. Pop-up stores – like the one between Vogue and Macy’s, or Parisian boutique Merci and Gap – will be a onetime shopping experience.

In New York City, Fashion’s Night Out equates to an appearance by Isaac Mizrahi at Bergdorf Goodman and the Mulleavy sisters of Rodarte selling clothes literally from a car trunk at their trunk show.

At the Stella McCartney store on 429 West Fourteenth Street, have some vegetarian food from a food truck parked outside and swap eco-fashion tips with Vogue fashion director Tonne Goodman.

Add a free pint to your tab at the Rag & Bone pop-up Irish pub, or a signature frocktail and some free pampering at Tracy Reese.

Aside from giving some much-needed business to retailers, Fashion’s Night Out has teamed up with Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the New York Community Trust to host a city-wide clothing drive for the NYC Aids Fund. Stores like Costume National and Dolce & Gabbana will have their own collection bin for new or gently used clothing donations.

Or purchase your own short- or long-sleeve Fashion’s Night Out tee ($30 or $35), with 40 percent of sales benefiting the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

For a complete listing of participating stores, visit fashionsnightsout.com

I've marked my calendar. Have you?

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of fashionsnightout.com and vogue.com

'Over the Edge'

Over-the-knee or over-the-edge?

Pre-fall collections have already hit major department stores like Barney’s and Saks Fifth Avenue, prodding its dedicated clientele to spend on the best Fall-Winter ’09 pieces of the season. Investment buying, as we like to call it in the fashion industry, is one sure way to beat the recession blues and jumpstart the flagging economy.

Hottest investment buy: Over-the-knee boots.

First spotted on the spring catwalks of Givenchy, Preen and Rodarte, a variety of thigh-high flats, wedges, stilettos and platforms are now taking up most pre-orders on fall merchandise.

Style icons like Kate Moss, Rihanna, Blake Lively and Hilary Duff sported pairs last winter, wooing fans who once associated the style with the same profession as Julia Robert’s character in Pretty Woman (let’s just say that Roberts was ‘no saint’ in the film).

Designers like Chloë and Stella McCartney have perfected the over-the-knee boot, creating a sleeker version that rivals the aggressive vinyl look of thigh-high boots from yester years. These over-the-knee boots act as a second skin – made of taught leather and with light ruching at the sides for ease.

The shoe adds length to the mini-dress silhouette, looking its best when paired with monochromatic leggings or pants. No longer do you have to be built tall and slender in order to pull off this season’s must-have shoe.

Want to get your hands on a pair? Look for out for these popular styles:

A bit of a wedge. This Pour la Victoire boot looks like a typical riding boot, but has slight wedge heel and two wraparound straps at the ankle and knee. Comes cool gray and black colors. Slips on easily – important when it comes to being effortlessly chic.

The classic over-the-knee boots gets a major makeover. Can’t be afraid of heights if you want to pull off this Colin Stuart 4 3/4-inch heel. This daring platform boot matches suede with leather in a combination that is sure to turn heads.

Talk about having a second skin. This Brian Atwood shoe comes in stretch suede that is as soft as rolling around in a bed of Egyptian cotton. The boot may be just as high as the Colin Stuart, but with a boot as snug as this, I promise you won’t even know it’s there.

Never mind designers going over-the edge. I’ve fallen head-over-heels in love.

-S. Gonzalez

*Photos courtesy of www.batchplease.com, shopbop.com, victoriassecrets.com and saksfifthave.com