Blog Posts by Jennifer Romolini, Shine editor in chief

Harvey NicholsThere's an interesting post on the Portfolio blog today about the real retail value of luxury bags. Writer Lauren Goldstein Crowe asked manufacturers Burberry and Nancy Gonzalez how they come up with their insanely high prices (a regular-sized, best-selling Nancy Gonzalez tote is at least $2,600 right now at Bergdorf's).
According to the Gonzalez rep, the pricing math goes as follows: "Of course, they're going to at least double the cost of construction. But after that the only rule is, there is no rule. The bag is priced according to what managers think a consumer will pay for it. I call it 'pricing for cool.'"
Seriously? Yuck. [Portfolio]

There's a lot of true, bad fashion creepiness in the Soft Surroundings catalog: Fluffy Persian cats lying on fluffy silk comforters, elastic-waist pants, and don't even get me started on the "misses two-piece" outfits, But hidden deep within all that muck are a couple of real gems. I love the simple earthiness of these beaded gold hoops. The catalog's lightweight, hippie tunic would be a perfect beach cover-up. Additionally, at just $28, I imagine this space-age, 3-in-1 bra would work out to an excellent price per wear.

You know how in September you start seeing really cute winter hats and you might like them but you don't try to buy one until your head's really cold in, like, early December and by then they're all sold out? Then you realize the next year that even if it's the last thing you want to think about during Indian summer, that's exactly the time to buy a cool woolly hat. Well, the same theory applies to bathing suits. Let me be clear, I have no desire to put my white butt in a bikini right now, but if I wait until the end of May, there will be fewer options, and especially fewer inexpensive ones (last year I tried to buy a two-piece on Memorial Day and the only options left were extra-small bottoms and extra-large tops and the whole thing was a disaster). Anyway. Buy a bathing suit now. And buy one from the Gap because they're adorable, flattering, and cheap.

Self-proclaimed rocker-punk-brat Avril Lavigne is designing a new line of clothes and accessories for the family-minded department store chain Kohl's. According to Women's Wear Daily, the collection, which will be geared to teens and come out in July, will emphasize an "authentic rock 'n' roll attitude with a feminine edge." It will also be based on items already found in the singer's closet. I once interviewed Ms. Lavigne about her personal style, the gist of which was: "I like skulls, black hoodies, and accessories and sh*t." Hmmm.

Luxury brand Hermès (also, tragically, the name of Marcia Cross's son) has teamed up with fancy car maker Bugatti Veyron to launch a sleek, speedy, and ludicrously expensive new coup. The Fbg par Hermès retails at $2.35 million and comes with "H" logo rims, a leather-lined trunk, like a trillion in horsepower, and a penis extension kit (OK. We're just guessing about that last part). [Men Style]

In an article in the Times of London yesterday, writer Nicola Copping opined that the dire US economy might have something to do with the fashion world's recently rising beltlines. Using economist George Taylor's 1926 "hemline index" as a guide, Copping suggests that a higher waist is as much a mark of modesty and restraint as a longer, less adventurous skirt. We're not sure that we agree: Remember Demi Moore's ultra-high-waisted mom jeans during the '80s boom? But I think we can all rest a little easier that, for now anyway, whale tails, tramp stamps, and fleshy bellies spilling over too tight pants are a thing of the past.

• Victoria's Secret just launched its new BioFit Uplift bra, which is totally worth the money if it makes your boobs look like Karolina Kurkova's. [Sassybella]
• Beloved designer Alexander Wang will create a limited edition collection for discount brand UNIQLO-if you can find them, all of the pieces will be under $79. [Fashionista]
• Pete Wentz (he of Fall Out Boy/Ashley Simpson fame) is opening a punk-themed beauty parlour in his hometown Chicago. Free manliner instructions available with any purchase. [Female First]
• The Project Runway finale is tonight! Heidi calls contestant Jillian Lewis "ballsy." While Lewis wishes she'd come across as more smiley and "personable" on the show. [NYDN]
• Allen Schwartz, king of the red-carpet replica, is fast at work on Oscar dress knock-offs: "My customers don't spend 10 thousand or 20 thousand on a dress," he says. "They'd rather buy a car." Amen to that. [VV]