H&M isn't the only retailer going high-fashion for fast-fashion. While both H&M and Zara are neck and neck when it comes to campaign stars (Zara's go-to campaign model is fashion veteran Stella Tennant, who starred in both their spring and fall lookbooks), e-commerce is about to give the Spanish clothing and accessories chain a leg up on the competition, as their US online shop officially opens for business tomorrow.

● Sarah Palin may be putting aside her controversial TLC reality show, Sarah Palin's Alaska, passing on the alleged $250,000 per episode and ratings in hopes of pursuing a more serious political future. Whether she can do more damage on reality television or in the White House remains to be seen. [HuffPo] ● David and Victoria Beckham are adding to their beautiful brood. Brooklyn, Cruz, and Romeo can expect a new fabulously named brother or sister sometime this summer. [People] ● The recently split Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens spent what sounds like a more than friendly night together at the opening of Hollywood's Eden, "dancing, drinking vodka and canoodling." [NYPost]

What a difference a year makes. Since we first named Hanneli Mustaparta "The New Sartorialist," the former model has become a top street-style photographer and quite the media darling. She's developed a sharp eye behind the camera, but is also a style icon in her own right, thanks to photobloggers like Tommy Ton capturing her high-fashion-meets-high-street looks in action. And there's no question that Mustaparta's career reached new heights when she was tapped by Vogue and CBS to co-host a live webcast of Fashion's Night Out: The Show, the kick-off event for Fashion's Night Out—and the largest public fashion show in New York City history. Streamed on CBS.com, she hosted the designer and celebrity arrivals with none other than Vogue Editor-at-Large André Leon Talley, and interviewed the likes of Vera Wang, Donna Karan, and Blake Lively. Landing a role amongst such fashion heavy-hitters seems like a natural progression for the Norwegian transplant, especially now that she's established a solid American fan base on top of her existing international audience.

Even as a childless twenty-something, there’s inspiration to be gleaned from Zara’s latest kids catalog. Blending a wide variety of fabrics, the looks would not be out of place on adult models—we’ve just been treated to a small army of achingly adorable children instead. Strikingly similar to the looks we’re coveting this fall, the collection includes fur vests, camel riding pants, thick knitted cardigans over lace skirts, loose knit caps, and plenty of layering. Thankfully, Zara’s online shop opened in September, so many of the looks are available now to purchase.

From our first viewing of "Tightrope," we knew Janelle Monáe was going to be big, both in fashion and music. In subsequent videos and appearances, she’s always adhered to a very focused and distinct dress code: tailored suits and blouses, oxfords, bow ties, all black and white. And while most of us have trouble recreating her signature bouffant, it’s no surprise that slim tuxedos are popping up in recent lookbooks and on runways.

Quite a few major retailers are beefing up their e-commerce operations this fall and expanding internationally. British mega brand ASOS just launched in the states, with free shipping to boot. But news has it the inexpensive clothier (whose price points are on par with the likes of H&M and Zara) is branching out with a Craigslist-like seller option soon. "Retail industry watchers report that the company has recently hired Leighanne Miles, the ex-head of UK mom-and-baby brand Mothercare's ecommerce, to launch the ASOS Marketplace later this year," says Racked. While there will be no bidding and only clothing, accessories and shoes will be available for immediate purchase, expect to see garments ranging from slightly used to vintage. GAP Inc. is building its e-commerce presence too, specifically with regard to markets abroad.

Illustrated T-shirts by California-based artist Danny Roberts featuring likenesses of fashion bloggers got loaded onto racks at Forever 21 today. "The portraits on the shirts of the bloggers behind Pandora, Fashion Squad, Because I’m Addicted, Style Bytes and Alice Point were culled from an existing series of blogger images, many of which he made to thank bloggers he reads and appreciates," says Women's Wear Daily. Up next for the 24-year-old artist is "a third collaboration with Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Lovers and a first with men’s footwear brand Heutchy."

It's no secret that Zara and fellow fast fashion retailers are perpetually stocked to the brim with rip-offs of designer fashions. Seemingly the second that ready-to-wear styles hit the runway in Paris or London, design minions at Zara take to copying them right down to the last stitch or slit pocket. In Zara's latest look book, its summer and spring styles subtly, and, in some cases, directly, call to mind fashions you've likely seen before. The most shocking perhaps is a printed dress with a detached, over-sized white collar that's identical to Tavi's beloved version from Miu Miu's SS10 collection. Well-washed chambrays, a favorite of both Chloe and Ralph Lauren for SS10, are in full effect. The most questionable specimen of which is a pair of severely drop-crotch harem pants that prove Zara for one isn't giving up on the skinny jean's arch nemesis just yet. (Just in case you wanted more proof that tightly tapered pants are on their way out.)

● Zara (River North) - Popular Spanish retailer winning over Mag Mile shoppers with cheap, chic, stylish mens' and womens' threads. ● Belly Shack (Logan Square) - Chef Bill Kim opens the long-awaited sister restaurant to Urban Belly.

The retail industry is suffering. Stores across the board are noting drops in profits for 2009, and Zara too suffered an 8% drop in profits in the first half of the year in Western markets. But overall, things are looking up at the retailer. In fact, altogether "sales at the Spanish company were up 7%, boosted by rapid growth in Asia," says Just Style. And, with e-commerce in the works (slated to service markets all over the world), there's a good chance profits will continue to grow.