FASHION Magazine

The Gap will be teaming up with Valentino designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli to design a collection celebrating the opening of the first Gap flagship in Milan. Sadly the collection will only be available in Italy, Paris and London. [WWD]

Anna Wintour and jeweller and Alexander McQueen collaborator Shaun Leane will speak at the designer’s memorial. The service will be held on September 20, during London Fashion Week. [Fashionologie]

For those of you who won’t be sitting front row New York Fashion Week–or even fourth row–there is still hope: Many of the hot tickets in town including Donna Karan, Marc Jacobs and Alexander Wang will be streaming live online. [The Cut]

Though rumours that Martin Margiela was no longer designing for his eponymous fashion line were confirmed back in October, it’s now come out that the reclusive Belgian has left his house entirely–and he won’t be replaced.

Daphne Guinness is the new face of Akris’ spring campaign. The off-the-wall fashionista will officially be tied to the new handbag collection launching in February. Designer Albert Kriemler explained his choice by saying that Daphne “emanates a sense of mystery and aristocracy.” We’re with you on the mystery part. [Fashionista]

Even Jeanne Beker can’t afford the multi-thousand dollar Balmain jeans from The Room. [BlogTO via Toronto Life]

Fashion e-commerce site Yoox.com put over 100 pieces from the Maison Martin Margiela archive on sale today and if you can forgo several mortgage payments, this is an incredible opportunity to snag some one-off pieces from the reclusive, avant garde designer.

The Jil Sander collection for Uniqlo was welcomed with such open arms that the designer is collaborating on a second collection for the Japanese brand. It’s set to launch for Spring 2010.  Also on her second lap, Stella McCartney for Gap Kids, with a collection also in the works for spring.  [Fashionista]

In celebrity-turned-designer news, R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe is collaborating with Maison Martin Margiela. The musician’s single piece is a sterling silver microcassette on an unraveling tape chain. The accessory can be worn as a bracelet, necklace, or belt, to name a few plausible suggestions. Only 199 will be available at Maison Martin Margiela boutiques. [Racked]

Isaac Mizrahi looked to the stars for his next career move. The designer’s psychic advised him to open a store, prompting his new shop opening at 67th and Madison. Perhaps Mizrahi’s psychic has an ulterior motive? [The Cut]

It’s been confirmed that Martin Margiela is no longer involved in the design process for his company, Maison Martin Margiela. Rumours are swirling around his replacement–most pointing the finger at Haider Ackermann–although Diesel founder Renzo Rosso, who has a majority stake in Martin Margiela, would not name names, saying only, “We have a new fresh design team on board.” [Vogue UK]

Kirsten Dunst is starring in a new film: a short that follows the actress hopping around downtown Tokyo dressed in full Harajuku girl garb. The film is part of the Tate Modern exhibit “Pop Life: Art in a Material World,” created by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. [FWD]

The most talked-about job in fashion is off the market. Peter Copping has officially begun work at Nina Ricci. [The Cut]

Rachel Bilson to write a fashion column for InStyle. Still no word on what Mischa Barton is up to. [Fashionista]

Naomi Campbell becomes a global ambassador for the White Ribbon Alliance. [Vogue UK]