Jil Sander + Aloha Rag Spring Sneaks

The Raf Simons helmed label Jil Sander has artfully joined forces with Aloha Rag to produce these perfect-for-spring sneakers, marking Jil Sander's first collaboration with a boutique. Hopefully it's not the last.

The shoes -- created directly under Simons -- will be available in Aloha Rag's New York Store beginning April 2nd, but the release will be rather limited: Fifty-five pairs of each style with low-tops for $325 and high-tops for $395. Start your engines.

Aloha Rag, 505 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013, 212.925.0082

-- Seth Plattner

Quickies: Jil Sander + Uniqlo, CFDA Award Nominees

Jil Sander is now working for Uniqlo. Rather than return to her namesake label Sander is instead overseeing menswear and womenswear for the Japanese brand. Burn for the Jil Sander label, good for us! [WWD]

What else was it good for? Uniqlo's stock price. [WWD]

The CFDA Awards nominations are out. Up for Menswear Designer of the Year: Calvin Klein's Italo Zucchelli and Michael Bastian. [WWD]

What's it like working with Valentino and his partner Giancarlo? Says Valentino: The Last Emperor director Matt Tyrnauer: "They also change their minds more than any people I have ever met in my life, which made the whole thing even more of a challenge." [WWD]

Speaking of the Emperor, he was on Martha Steward yesterday. The episode will air Friday, but apparently it wasn't as Valentino-m-g as the audience hoped. [The Cut] 

Quickies: Britney's Circus costumes revealed, Andrew Katz poses for J.Crew and more

Britney's DSquared2 Circus tour costumes revealed! "She starts off with a cheetah-head, removes it to become the ring-master and lion-tamer, and then strips off the jacket to reveal a Swarovsk-crystal corset, fishnets and thigh-high boots." We just peed a little. [British Vogue] 

Artist Andrew Katz poses for the new J.Crew spring catalogue. We're all for ingenuity, but this seems just a little too Calvin Klein if you ask us. [Kempt] 

So why did that model cry at the Jil Sander show? Either because she had an injured foot or the lights were too bright. One or the other, suck it up sister. This. Is. Fashion. [The Cut] 

Sunglasses...you tape to your face. Sure. Why not? We guess it saves plastic? [Gizmodo]

-- Seth Plattner

Quickies: L'uomo Vogue heats up Miami, Ram Simons does denim and more

The new issue of L'uomo Vogue has Javier Bardem on the cover. But the hotness doesn't stop there. In a tribute to Miami, Bruce Weber brings boys, bathing suits and bare bottoms. [Towleroad]

Jil Sander Creative Director Raf Simons will debut premium denim pieces for the Sander label in Spring. Including 5 pocket jeans and blazers, they're sleek and sexy -- pretty much everything you'd expect from Raf. [WWD]

Matthew Williamson is hard at work on his men's line: "In menswear, there is a fine line between boring and 'costume,' and I want to hit that sweet spot. It won't be about minimalism, but it also won't be about this for men. I think Dries Van Noten, for example, gets the balance right," says the designer. [British Vogue]

Fancy a fashion cruise? In Brazil, MSC Musica cruise liner will take passengers on a seven day, eight night shopping trip around Brazil, and will also features daily fashion shows and a model scout looking for one lucky passenger to become the next big face. This might be gayer than an actual gay cruise. [Cool Hunting]

Phillip Lim is starting a line for dogs. The designer's own French Bulldog, Oliver supplied the inspiration. Look for the puppy pieces to start popping up in L.A. and New York stores. [Fashionista]

-- SETH PLATTNER

Passing Judgement: Justin Timberlake on Fashion Rocks; Happy Birthday Tim Gunn!; Money to Burn? $18,000 For a Pair of Jeans; Marc Jacobs Marital Mayham; For Sale: Jil Sander; Vanity Fair's Best Dressed List;

Photo: Getty Images

Passing Judgment: being that he is headlining the Fashion Rocks concert, it's no surprise to see Justin Timberlake grace this year's FR mag cover--and he is "gracing" with all the svelteness of a high class waiter. [The Cut] 

A happy belated Birthday to the ever inspiring and always fabulous Tim Gunn!  At 55 he's still working it like he owns it, because he basically does. [AP]

If you have, like $18,000 to blow on just whatever, you can get your very own pair of vintage (and we mean vintage) Levi's from the 1890's that were found in a mine in the Rand Mining District, on the Mojave Desert,. California.  Sounds like a totally legit investment. [Kottke]

Did they or didn't they, did they or didn't they?  In what is likely only a brilliant publicity stunt on Marc Jacob's part, everyone is still guessing whether he wed is three-month Brazilian boyfriend this past weekend.   It's almost too much to handle, but you bet your bottoms I'm going to do my best to keep up. [The Cut]

It looks like someone's shelf life is about to expire; it's being reported that Jil Sander is up for sale.  The label was purchased by a private equity fund in 2006 (which bodes so well for a designer label), but they are claiming fatigue of "waiting for Jil Sander’s bottom line to match its critical acclaim."  [WWD]

Vanity Fair has just released it's annual best dressed list.  Topping the list of men? David Beckham. Coming in at number two? His bulge. [The Cut]

-- SETH PLATTNER

Jil Sander Tell-All Book!; Dsquared Rehearsal; Gossip Girl Garb; Rihanna's Fashion Line; Chicken Poop Lip Balm; Great Wall of Fendi; Luxury Eyeballs

Jil Sander, the acclaimed designer who left her eponymous company after disagreements with the parent company Prada, might pen a book about her life. Unfortunately, the title 'The Devil Wears Prada" is already taken. [WWD]

The NY Times gives readers a not-so-glamorous sneak peek at Dsquared's early morning rehearsal for yesterday's show. [NY Times]

Are you watching Gossip Girl? Now you, too, can show your Brooklyn pride and wear a shirt inspired by the show. [Radar]

Rihanna wants to design a clothing line...Does four or five hit singles give one enough star power to support a fashion line? Maybe she should stick to umbrellas. Chances are Rihanna will burn out before the line even hits racks.  [WWD]

Chicken Poop lip balm? A mystery cure-all balm called Egyptian Magic?  I've got a Brooklyn Bridge I'd like to sell you. [NY Times]

Karl Lagerfeld plans to show stage Fendi's Spring/Summer 2008 fashion show on the Great Wall of China...literally...seriously. ""I have a lot of people working for me, like Mao," Lagerfeld told Fashion Week Daily in February. [WWD]

Fashion brands from Tiffany to 3.1 Philip Lim bring specs-y back (bad joke, I know) and hop on the luxury eyewear bandwagon, so even the little (read: less wealthy) people can get a piece of luxury brands...right between the eyes. [IHT]