Designers say fashion repeats itself every 20 years, rendering itself en vogue once more. A mere glance at the catwalks will prove this theory to be true: shoulder pads are back, the perm is being re-debated, and neon is the new black. Another trend sweeping across the fashion shows -- and the faces of anyone who is anyone in the modish crowds -- is glasses. Whether they be tinted or clear, if your face isn’t framed then you’re not a picture worth looking at. Jason Ng, founder and creative director of Cassius Eyewear, unveils the secret to finding the perfect pair of specs.

When most people hear the words "global" and "fashion" in the same sentence, places like Milan, Barcelona, Paris, New York, and names like Lagerfeld, Armani, Versaci typically come to mind. What they won't think of: Uganda. Nepal. Madison, Wisconsin. But say hello -- in whatever language -- to the world of Apolis Activism. Started by three brothers from Santa Barbara, Shea, Stenn and Raan Parton are re-designing the way fashion works from the ground up by connecting it with a global community. For example, their Philanthropist Briefcase, currently blowing up the menswear press lines: designs in their studio in L.A. prompt the need for cotton, which they source from Jinja, Uganda, which gives villagers there a chance to own and operate their own means of industry they never had before. It goes to classic American outdoor wear providers C.C. Filson Company in Seattle to be assembled and sold in boutique menswear shops, like Madison, Wisconson's Context Clothing. And done. They've created more work for the world in places it couldn't before. And it's great stuff. To get a better idea of how it works, and how it's going to change the way we wear our lives, Shea Parton, 25, gave us a worldly schooling in the business of Apolis Activism.

Who would have imagined that Malan Breton, a former contestant on season 3 of Project Runway, would come so far as a distinguished designer? Perhaps not even Malan himself. The 36-year-old fashion aficionado has taken his theatrical roots and tied (or shall we say, sewn) them into his collections, bringing a wistful and exquisite approach to his designs. A Malan Breton show exhibits live orchestra and ballet performances, a welcome change from the DJ-pumping, techno-blasting, glitter-flying shows-on-steroids of today. By stitching classiness and weaving sophistication into his designs, Malan makes couture that fits real women (and now men too)!

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He built his empire with the swagger he learned from the streets. And while the hustler turned hip-hop icon has had his professional triumphs (awards, parties, wealth beyond belief), he’s also had his share of personal catastrophe (murders, infidelities, heartbreak) as he’s kept up the near-impossible struggle to stay on top. After two decades in the game, Sean “Diddy” Combs—free of superstar posturing, bad-boy sunglasses and bombshell girlfriends—discusses Last Train to Paris, his most vulnerable and soulful album to date, and the wild ride that got him here alive.

They are not your average married couple. The dynamic and outspoken duo that call themselves House of Diehl has a daughter, a party-filled life in New York City, and an avant-garde fashion company. Roman and Mary Jo have redefined the American dream and cultivated their own cutting-edge vision of what life and fashion mean. To them, life is fashion, especially when it's deconstructed and made into something revolutionary. Roman and MJ have taken their high-energy, one-of-a-kind show, Style Wars, on the road, dazzling fashionistas, style mavens, celebs and plain old party people across four continents. Style Wars kicks off with a whole new season of Scotch Tape binding, safety pin fastening, and jewel bedazzling this November. After watching the duo give a lecture on “how to cheapen your couture” at an event they call Glambulance at 92YTribeca in downtown Manhattan, they sat down with me for a vibrantly colorful chat.

Crystal Renn used to be starving. When she came to New York City for the first time, she didn't head to Serendipity or grab a slice from Grimaldi's like most bright eyed newbies do; she had lettuce, plain, from a nameless salad bar in the theater district. She lived in the greatest city in the world, too weak and obsessed with being thin to enjoy it. In her new book, Hungry, Renn describes her world before and after she decided to let go of oppressive dieting to become one of the most successful plus-sized models in the world. She pours over her struggles with body image, her industry, and the stigma of labels within the modeling world, but she still won't talk about that first slice of New York City pizza. Today, Renn walks the same city streets, but she lives in a totally different universe: one where she can have a beer in Williamsburg and buy Size-12 leggings without feeling as though her waist or food is "sacrificing chicness or quality." Here are the places around town Crystal Renn enjoys, now that she's truly living life.

Today's street style photographers might come a dime a dozen on the web, but before this style of photography became in vogue, photographer Ben Watts was roaming New York in the 90s in search of eclectic personalities to shoot. Unlike many photographers who turn their lenses to stylish pedestrians wearing ultra-styled looks, Watts’ street subjects were raw, authentic, and the antithesis of high fashion. In his latest book, Lickshot, Watts revisits his passion for diverse subcultures with a collage of images taken over the years of skaters, hip-hop heads and surfers. “I get off on things that have a hard edge to them,” says Watts via phone from Ibiza, where he's on an assignment shooting for UK High Street clothing store Next. We talked to him about his distinct style, the separate set of issues that comes with shooting celebrities, and his plans for taking his career to the next level.

Simon Spurr put his time in with fashion's giants (Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein) and worked under its legends (Hedi Slimane). He branched out on his own to create a well-constructed line of modern menswear designs with a classic footing and is making a name for himself with each season that passes. With an acclaimed line of denim, affordable price points and a look that compliments the contemporary, cosmopolitan man, SPURR is headed in the right direction. Creative Director, Spurr, gives BlackBook the rundown for fall fashion.

Sean O'Pry is the face of high-fashion powerhouses Calvin Klein, Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, and Lacoste, among others. Last month, the 20-year-old was named Forbes' Most Successful Male Model, something other models spend years (until they age too much for the industry) trying to achieve. His public image is that of an honest kid from Georgia discovered by former America's Next Top Model judge Nolé Marin via his MySpace pics. And yes, if you haven't already heard the story, we agree. It sounds a little too good to be true. So, as much as we love singling out impostors ... there's nothing to expose on clean-cut Mr. O'Pry. His story's legit. He's strikingly good looking, and he's a normal twentysomething kid. He makes fun of himself when necessary, and he gets the joke. Either way, it's always compelling to hear what successful (and really, really, really good looking) people have to say.

Moises de la Renta could very well be a reality television icon by now. With Fashion God Oscar de la Renta as his father and a velvet rope lifestyle, he certainly fits the I-wish-I-was-him credentials. But Moises opted for a real (and respected) career in design/photography. And if his recently launched, painfully hip website for his bad ass womenswear fashion line MDLR is any indication, his career choice was wise. We met up to chit-chat for what I thought was drinks at the Thompson Hotel, but to my surprise, I was greeted by the man about town in a room full of models getting ready for their close-ups in an MDLR photo shoot featured on Whatswear.com. It was all lights, cameras, and action, mixed with plenty of cigarettes, blaring background noise of the sub-par performances of MJ's classics from the previously aired BET Awards, sexy leather biker jackets complete with gilded MDLR zippers -- and, in true rock star form, an Iggy Pop vs. David Bowie debate.