What do the designer-mimicking mavens at Forever 21 and Karl Lagerfeld have in common? Well, apparently they both love magazines -- starting their own, that is. Launching this Friday is the premiere issue of Forever 21's new fashion, beauty, and lifestyle magazine. "Each issue will include two to three features, a fashion gallery of looks with styling tips, coverage of trends available at Forever 21, street style, makeup and beauty tutorials, a lifestyle section including the latest in books/art/music, coverage of noteworthy Forever 21 collaborations, and an interview with a notable VIP," says Nitrolicious. In other words, the seasonal publication will likely follow much in the same vein as fellow fast-fashion mecca H&M's eponymous magazine (which is published four times a year and also showcased online).

While it's true that the term "seasonal makeup" is responsible for such anomalies as orange eyeshadow -- and my personal favorite, the "Jersey Spray-Tan Effect" -- the cooler months provide the perfect opportunity to go a little heavier-handed on your favorite colors and make things a little more dramatic. So where better than the very runways that line your closets and satisfy your cravings to find inspiration for the new you for fall? Our favorites for fall/winter happened to be more dramatic than everyday allows, so we contacted Raychel Wade, the authority on everything beauty and owner of cosmetic resource CheektoChic.com to help us translate the season's hottest makeup from drag queen to wearable drama using her favorite La Prairie products.

Adrift in the City of Lights, an otherworldly out-of-towner (and her sidekick) overshadows the crowds in this season's most heaven-sent designs. Photography by Kristian Schuller. Styling by Peggy Schuller. See full gallery.

All I can say for Karl Lagerfeld's Chanel 2010 Couture collection is that it was unmistakably Chanel. All the trademark tailoring and adornments were there - -black lace, ruched chiffon, tiered dresses, wool boucle, textured prints, sequins, and a series of requisite suits. This time around, however, Lagerfeld got a little adventurous and tried some new detail on for size.

A juicy piece of gossip is floating around the fashion blogosphere regarding the one and only Karl Lagerfeld. According to Diane Pernet of A Shaded View on Fashion: "This is not a fact until you officially read it somewhere else but rumour has it that Karl Lagerfeld will not renew his contract at Chanel and that Albert Elbaz will take his place and Olivier Theyskens will take Albert's place at Lanvin. Both choices make perfect sense to me. Schaparelli has decided to change directions and do a not so expensive line. Nothing is engraved in cement, these are still just rumours you will have to wait and see." If true, the sartorial switch-up would be one for the fashion history books, as Lagerfeld is unlikely to take over at another fashion house post-exiting Chanel.

These days, front and center in the dialogue on the recession and its effect on fashion is where high fashions fits into the picture. Will the economic downturn wipe out the luxury market for good, or merely sour its sales temporarily? According the findings of an Abrams Institute survey released yesterday on the subject, luxury fashion is here to stay. "A whopping 96% of respondents said that they thought the luxury goods market would endure the recession. 36.8% thought a 'stronger, smaller core' would make it, and 34.9% were confident that the aspirational noveau riche would keep business brisk. Only 4% thought that the recession had killed conspicuous consumption." As for the quality that will most ensure luxury brands' staying power: timelesness (which seems like somewhat circular logic).

The glorious and glamorous new issue of French Vogue, shot by wonder team Mert& Marcus and styled by the genius Carine Roitfeld, speaks to a time when power suits ruled and jewelry was bigger than a woman's hand. Such were the days of dynasty, androgyny, and pure decadence. The issue pays homage to all that is (new) and was (vintage) Chanel and manages to capture the allure that Coco Chanel herself once infused into this legendary house. Cover model Iris Strubegger looks so incredibly alluring and staggeringly powerful, I can't but turn the page without having felt the power from within.

The front row at Chanel for Paris Fashion Week bustled with the likes of Kate Moss and Claudia Schiffer while bouclé oversized hats and modern versions of power suits matched with chiffon ruffled collars and sleeve details paraded through a maze of what seemed to be an endless door into infinity. There were loads of Karl Lagerfeld's signature black and white lace and chiffon pieces, bits of pink and green oversized knitwear, and sexy yet chic sequin and leather mini dresses.

Less than two weeks ago, Karl Lagerfeld made headlines for quotes he’d made in the New York Times in a story on the toll the recession was taking on France. “The whole crisis is like a big spring housecleaning -- both moral and physical,” the designer said, adding, “Bling is over. Red carpet covered with rhinestones is out. I call it ‘the new modesty’.” As one might imagine, the concept of a couture designer fully embracing the recession was a bit hard to swallow for many critics. But it turns out when Lagerfeld said ‘new modesty,’ he meant it.

●Chanel is the pulling plug on their space-age mobile art exhibit. [WWD]
●Tim Gunn's personal message to Donna Karan and Giorgio Armani-‘Make it work without rabbit fur, designers!’ [P6]
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●Engaged 'Girl Next Store' Kendra Wilkinson has turned more conservative, in Playboy terms that means she no longer flashes strangers. [People]