In case you forgot what Gap and Valentino look like together: Sharon Stone wears all Valentino with a Gap turtleneck.

Gap is setting up shop in Italy, and to celebrate, the retailer is teaming up with Valentino on a capsule collection of womenswear. The line is set to launch in November in London, Paris, and Milan, but so far there are no plans to bring the designs Stateside. Gap is no stranger to collaborations, but this marks the first time the retailer has partnered with a couture house. What’s next? Chanel for Gap? Gap Margiela? Are Italians so much chicer than us that they won’t touch a pair of khakis unless they’re couturier-approved? At first the collab seemed like a bit of a head-scratcher, but then we got the connection — Gap and Valentino both love red! [WWD]

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Filed Under: collaboration station, gap, valentino

It’s difficult to find a fall coat that’s versatile but not bland (thus, the ubiquitous shades of black, camel, and charcoal). Funktional’s scarf-collared number combines blazerlike structure with just enough artful draping to set it apart in a sea of gray. And while the coat’s asymmetrical lapels are enough to draw admiring glances, the crisscross layering in back means you’ll look stylish coming and going.

$143 at Need Supply Co.

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Filed Under: best bets, best bet, funktional, need supply

Michelle Obama wore a sheer leopard-print-and-lace Byron Lars dress to host the White House Dance Series. She cinched the look with a wide, silver Alaïa belt, and slipped on some bright-blue pumps for a pop of color. See the full look in the Michelle Obama Look Book.

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Filed Under: mobama watch, alaia, byron lars, michelle obama, the michelle obama look book

Fashion’s Night Out is fast approaching, which means you have mere days to finalize your plan of attack. Anna Wintour is hitting up at least eighteen stores this September 10, and since we’re assuming you have no T-shirts to sign and/or entourage to slow you down, there’s no reason you can’t, too. We’ve combed through more than 950 events to bring you the best spots for spending money, tearing up the dance floor, drinking for free, stuffing your face for free, and rubbing up against celebrities (ew, not like that!).

Of course, if the thought of last year’s crushing crowds has you wanting to assume the fetal position, stay right where you are: The Cut will be dispatching loads of reporters all across the city, and chronicling their findings via the blog and our Twitter feed. Also, be sure to check out Barneys’ blog, BSides, where Tavi Gevinson will be posting live. Then on September 14, tune in to CBS to watch a one-hour documentary on the making of Fashion’s Night Out, where you’ll be able to witness Vogue’s heavy hitters hosting fashion power breakfasts over tables heaped with untouched muffins. A night well spent, no matter how you spend it.

See more from our Fashion’s Night Out preview:
• Fashion’s Night Out Ping-Pong Face-off
• Slideshow: 40 Things to Buy on Fashion’s Night Out
• Exclusive Slideshow: Cindy Sherman for Balenciaga at Fashion’s Night Out

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Filed Under: fashion’s night out, anna wintour, designers, fashion week preview, fashion’s night out preview, models, new york fashion week, parties, spring 2011, vogue

Just a handful of Anna’s girls.

If you were one of the lucky 1,500 to score tickets to Fashion’s Night Out: The Show, then consider it money well spent. Vogue promised that there would be 150 top models (that’s, like, a ten-to-one normal-person-to-model ratio!) at New York City’s largest-ever public fashion show, and the names are even bigger than we expected. Alessandra Ambrosio, Gisele Bündchen, Naomi Campbell, Lily Donaldson, Karolina Kurkova, Adriana Lima, Angela Lindvall, Sasha Pivovarova, and Coco Rocha will all be walking the runway at Lincoln Center. And if you can’t watch the spectacle unfold in person, André Leon Talley and Vogue.com contributor Hanneli Mustaparta will be hosting a live webcast on CBS.com.

Of course, the premise of this whole event is to showcase designer duds next to their bargain-store doppelgängers. With all those big names on one runway, let’s just hope there aren’t any fights over who gets to wear the Balenciaga and who’s stuck in the Charlotte Russe.

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Filed Under: fashion’s night out, adriana lima, alessandra ambrosio, andre leon talley, angela lindvall, coco rocha, fashion’s night out fashion show, gisele bundchen, hanneli mustaparta, karolina kurkova, lily donaldson, models, naomi campbell, sasha pivovarova