jason wu

Emma Watson looked angelic in a two-piece Jason Wu ensemble at the London premiere of My Week With Marilyn. She paired her embellished blouse and pencil skirt with ankle-strap Jimmy Choo sandals and toted a leopard Charlotte Olympia clutch. Vintage drop earrings and a patent bow belt finished off Emma's red-carpet style. Shop our editors' picks now to copy this lovely look.

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>> Marc Jacobs, long the favorite to take over at Dior, may not be headed to the house after all. Talks between the two parties have once again halted, WWD reports, and Dior has stepped up both the pace and depth of negotiations with other designers — Alexander Wang, Raf Simons, and Jason Wu, in particular. Riccardo Tisci is also still in the mix, but given his strong momentum at Givenchy, is viewed as unlikely to be appointed.

Although last month, talks between Jacobs and Dior were said to be progressing — Bernard Arnault reportedly flew into Manhattan to meet with Jacobs — and there was no explosive breakdown, Arnault and Dior recently decided to move onto another scenario — in part because Jacobs requested that he take his Vuitton design team to Dior, which would leave Vuitton without creative support, and Phoebe Philo, the preferred candidate to take over at Vuitton, reportedly prefers to continue at Celine.

The Dior search is said to be focused on finding a designer — young or mature — with an affinity and respect for the brand's glamorous DNA, and a vision for taking it forward, post-Galliano. However, one source told WWD: “It is not impossible that [Arnault] resumes his talks with Marc.”

When our evening style sensibilities crave something a little more snappy, we look to the tuxedo. Tuxedo looks dominated the Fall runways at Jason Wu, Tibi, Dolce & Gabbana, and Moschino, then on sharply dressed celebs like Olivia Palermo and Evan Rachel Wood. Not that the tux is new on the scene; we owe it to greats like Marlene Dietrich for making the menswear evening staple a glamorously cool option for us girls. With holiday season approaching, and with it, a bevy of parties, we totally plan on utilizing the look via slim black trousers, tailored suit jackets (leather lapels optional), and blouses with crisp contrast piping. If we're feeling particularly snazzy we'll finish the look with a playful bow tie and a classic pair of heels to counter all the boyish charm.

Clockwise from top left: Marlene Dietrich, Jason Wu Fall 2011 runway, Mason Margiela 4 Tie ($75, originally $98), Olivia Palermo, Topshop PU Trim Ankle Grazer Trousers ($80), Equipment Bret Colorblock Blouse ($208), Gap Suede Bow Pumps ($80), Marwood Lace Bow Tie ($141), Tibi Black Tuxedo Jacket With Leather Trim ($505)

>> Designers are clocking an increased demand for the high-end side of ready-to-wear — demi-couture, as it's called. Mary Katrantzou's Jewel Tree dress, left, which required four studios putting in more than 150 hours to make, caused one seamstress to cry, and retails at $14,200, sold 18 units this Fall. Matthew Williamson president Joseph Velosa reports: "Pieces over $5,000 now account for six percent of our business. To put that into context, two years ago we sold nothing at that price." And Azzedine Alaia joined the couture schedule in July, showing what he called "semi-couture" — pieces which could be purchased as-is — to much acclaim.

Although these clothes have price tags that run mid-four to five figures, they are sold off the rack through the typical retail channels, rather than involving the time commitment of multiple atelier fittings like a couture piece does. Katrantzou's Jewel Tree dress, for instance, is currently available on Net-a-Porter and can be delivered next day.

Jason Wu, who has a houndstooth tweed overcoat with gold bullion embroidery for $15,000 and started using Paris ateliers like Lesage and Lemarie a few seasons ago, says: "Between all the designer collaborations and everything that's going on, we need to give people a reason to buy. There are some things that just can't be done for cheaper."

And Prabal Gurung, who is selling a hand-painted organza and braided chiffon gown for $15,000, adds: "There's a customer who wants this stuff, but it's like one in each city. You hope to sell a lot, but five total is great."