J.Crew

>> The annual CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner collaborations kick off today — but this year, instead of Gap, J.Crew is the partner of choice. Billy Reid's 7-piece menswear collection is already online and runs through May, while Prabal Gurung's five-piece collection will be available online and in select J.Crew stores in June, and Borgo's pieces hit in July.

While Borgo's and Gurung's pieces have yet to be previewed, all three designers re-created pieces from their previous collections in new colors and materials for the collaboration, and J.Crew head of women's design Marissa Webb wore a pair of pants from Gurung's J.Crew collection to the launch party last night.

As for prices, Gurung says of his pieces: "Everything is under $500. I'm going to buy it for my sister, my cousins — everyone." And Borgo added: "I'm just excited to see what happens with this new customer. The cross-pollination of places like J.Crew and luxury brands — it's part of modern dressing."

For Fall '11, J.Crew is rolling out another gorgeous, truly covetable line of higher-end pieces for its Collection label. At first glance, it's all a beautiful array of sequins, leather, and trench-coat classics that could tempt any girl to stray from her budget. But, since we can't have it all, we've done the legwork for you with a piece-by-piece evaluation of the goods. Click through to see where to spend, and what to skip in this batch of luxurious Collection styles.

Bridal season is in full throttle; we're looking to J.Crew's bridal and bridesmaid collections for romantic inspiration. With silhouettes ranging from short and ruffled to long and ethereal, there's an aisle style for everyone. Meanwhile, bridesmaids can satiate their need for a stylish dress – that can be used for weddings and beyond — with an abundance of silk organza and chiffon confections dipped in pale peach, yellow, blue, gray, and moss green. Click the slideshow to see the whole dazzling collection. We promise, you'll love it.

The summery look of an espadrille is enough to make us think Summer is here even when it's so not . . . yet. This season there is an espadrille for everyone, from gorgeous prints to sleek metallics, from the highest wedge to a super sexy heel. Click through to shop our editors' picks for the 20 best espadrilles.

>> Change is afoot at J.Crew — evident at the newly private brand's Fall 2011 presentation yesterday. J.Crew chairman and CEO Mickey Drexler, who just signed a new employment contract (running through March 7, 2015), chatted and took in the crowd, while the press-friendly Jenna Lyons (now president and executive creative director of the brand) deferred interviews about the collection to head women's designer Marissa Webb. That's not to say that Lyons's influence wasn't present — a few of the models sported Cutler and Gross eyeglasses that mirrored Lyons's own signature thick-framed black specs.

But after last week's reports that J.Crew's women's business declined last year, all eyes were on what Webb and J.Crew would do to amp sales back up. The tailored Fall 2011 collection, which featured hunter green patent loafers and a tomato red dress, was inspired by an office screening of Bonnie and Clyde and The Great Gatsby, Webb explained: "You have the whimsy and playfulness of Daisy [from Gatsby] and the structured menswear of Bonnie. The mixing of the two elements is the perfect J.Crew fantasy."

There's no more iconic ode to LBDs and pearls than Holly Golightly standing before a Tiffany's window in the classic Breakfast at Tiffany's. We still have our pearls and LBDs, but unless the prim ladylike look your grandmother rocked is your goal, it's time to think about combining pearls and little black dresses in fresh and modern ways. We found 10 dresses and 10 pearl necklaces that are incredibly chic and fresh, and when paired together, they are knockout gorgeous.

>> Somewhere in the world is warm sunshine, and while it hasn't hit our neck of the woods just yet, we're preparing for what's to come. Tank tops are the best option for those scorching days in the city, so we compiled the best ones to keep you cool around town. Our fare ranges from slick basics, like a T by Alexander Wang tank dipped in a new Sienna hue, to a more daring cutout creation by J.Crew. Check out the slideshow to see the rest of our top picks!

It's an unfortunate fact of working life: what you put on for work in the morning, when you're not feeling so glam, is often what you need to wear to dinner nine hours later, when you're rushing straight from work to that 7 p.m. date with your friends. We feel you. That's why we're sharing our styling tip on how to transform yourself from sharp working gal to chic evening gal in three easy steps. We took one of our favorite tomboy/geek chic looks and transformed it into something totally sexy. Click to see.

>> Give your look an instant Spring pop with some appropriately cool jewels. We're currently coveting a range of simple to standout pieces from the likes of Eddie Borgo, J.Crew, Erickson Beamon, and Marc by Marc Jacobs. We may not need a pair of tropical punch earrings or an accordion pleat necklace, but who cares — that's what makes these eye-catching creations so great. Check out the slideshow for more of our favorites.