Dear Shaded viewers, Maria Calderara didn’t show during the latest Female Fashion Week in Milan. And I must tell you the truth: we missed her a lot. Her work always deals with a descreet femininity, almost held back, that seems to suggest a rarefied atmosphere.

Dear Shaded Viewers, Akiko Murata and Hiro Yumita have been working on a book about Ofuku. The meaning of Ofuku's name means giving happiness and luck in Japanese. The man above pretends to be Ofuku and performs all over the world at his own expense in order to give happiness to people.

The 80's are everywhere this season. The most probable explanation of why it was such a die-hard theme that was shared in one-sense-or-another by nearly every designer on the runways, is optimism.

Up-and-coming artist and metalsmith Danielle Embry creates unusual jewelry from her base inTucson, Arizona. Embry says: "I am interested in reinterpreting organic forms...Metalwork and ornament have a longstanding relationship with the natural world.

A Lipstick is Worth a Hundred Wordsby Jessica MHas there ever been anyone cooler than Debbie Harry? As the face of the band Blondie, she belted out some of the classic pop songs of the 1980s.

Last time I spoke to Sandra Backlund, we grazed over some of the issues that hampers her beautiful and almost overwhelming knitwear - specifically, the fact that she isn't actually stocked anywhere and has only ever made clothes to sell on a personal order basis.

Alison Swan’s porcelain shoes reflect her love of discarded and found objects that have developed rich patinas only achieved by age or wear.  Swan explains, “The worn, scarred or damaged surfaces of such objects bear testament to their use and give rise to imagined...

The nominees for the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) awards 2009 have been announced at a rather gorgeous affair at the Rockefeller’s Rooftop Gardens. All nominees are very worthy winners so we don’t envy the judging panel’s tough decision.

I do so love a wee snoop around Smashing Darling. So many nice things to look at and the fact the designers are independant makes the shop extra appealing. Having a look through the site at the weekend I was quite drawn to the strangeness of Kaytee Papusza.

The much anticipated Matt Tyrnauer’s documentary: 'Valentino: The Last Emperor' hits NYC tomorrow, March 18th. The buzz is high and the movie is only showing for 2 weeks, March 18-31st, so if you plan to see it then is your opportunity. For theater info click here.

Please join me in welcoming Megan to Fashion Copious. A model with a great taste for fashion, and who who'll be adding a little feminine touch to our site.

"I'm very happy [at French Vogue] but I'm sure something new is going to happen in the next year." - A quote from CNN's "Revealed: Carine Roitfeld."

Radenroro

After much differences on the Married to the MOB Spring 2009 collection delivery 1, the Most Official Bitches are back with their second drop. The current March collection includes tees, a new distressed take on the 24th Street jean and their first offer of dresses.

Tim Hamilton’s latest collection was quite monochrome and yet very textured. This man does black better than any other designer, def ‘An American in Paris’ if you know what I mean.

Nom De Guerre pushed their Fall 2009 collection titled “The Third Generation,” featuring a nomadic arctic style infused with a military flair.

 The Sound Advice Project is not just cool looking but also packed with good intentions. The shape represents the waveform of a message to remind kids to stay away from drugs but you can also customize your own message.

New York based fashion labels Opening Ceremony and Gilded Age are next in line to design menswear for Uniqlo.

This Marc Jacobs backless cardigan originally retailed for just under $1000, and has been selling for around $200 since January. I don’t really need to explain why, do I? It’s not even like it fools you from the front.

Just in time for the warm weather, our fave e-commerce site, Net-a-Porter, announces an exclusive collaboration with Yves Saint Laurent.

I’m not sure how long I haven’t rocked a pair of Dr. Martens, since the popularity of combat lace-up boots Dr. Martens has been making a huge come back.

Amazing shoe designer teamed up with photographer Tony Duran and stylist Kithe Brewster to shoot actress Rene Russo wearing his spring/summer 2009 collection for a limited release of a book called Role Play Rene, AND it is HOT!

As much as I love my Lick My Legs dress, I am conversely also loving Montreal based designer Valerie Dumaine, who creates wonderfully pretty, girly things, which I'm sure even the most demure among you would approve of.