Burberry's chief creative officer, Christopher Bailey, made it rain on the (indoor) runway for the finale of the Burberry Prorsum show, sending his models down the slick catwalk wearing transparent hooded ponchos.

Sure it was gimmicky, but it helped underscore the Fall and Winter 2011 season's emphasis on protective outerwear pieces, standouts of which included a boxy, oversized blanket coat in a bold blue check and a wool duffel coat in bright tangerine.

Insulation from the cold also came in the form of fur, which was generously used on the lapels of a double-breasted three-quarter-length coat, patched into chunky cable-knit sweaters, piled onto driving caps and wrapped around holdalls and tote bags.

As part of Burberry's evolution of the runway-to-retail concept, outerwear and accessories from the show were made instantly available for pre-order (with delivery promised within two months) through Jan. 23 at the brand's website.

-- Adam Tschorn in Milan, Italy

Photos: Looks from the Fall and Winter 2011 Burberry Prorsum men's runway collection, Jan. 15, 2011, at Milan Fashion Week. Credit: Jonas Gustavsson & Peter Stigter / For the Los Angeles Times

-- Kate Middleton? Ever heard of her? Just a few hours after the royal engagement was announced (Booth Moore's take on the fashion icon in waiting is a good read), Middleton madness launched into full force. “ 'It’s open season on Kate Middleton,' Andrew Neil, the journalist and former Lord Rector of the University of St. Andrews during Middleton’s and Prince William’s time there, told the BBC on Tuesday." [WWD] 

-- Can't wait for the sequel to the 1982 film "Tron"? Well, then, check out the Opening Ceremony/Disney collaboration that is on sale now. [The Cut] And catch up with more Tron paraphernalia, thanks to our very own Adam Tschorn.

-- Can't wait for Urban Outfitters to get a little more preppy? Oddly enough, the wait is almost over. J. Press, purveyors of "pretty sportswear for men," is teaming up with the chain for a collection that goes on sale Dec. 1. [The Moment]

-- Can't wait to get a Burberry trench just like the one Emma Watson was recently wearing upon arrival at JFK, the one with the leather sleeves? Well, you can't. It's a one of a kind. The good news is that Burberry is rumored to be offering a customizing service for e-shoppers in the spring. [People]

-- Can't wait to order your Vera Wang bridesmaids' dresses from her stores? Well, there's been a change of plans. The House of Wang has decided to design bridesmaids gear only for David's Bridal. [The Cut]

-- What else? Well, just a few days ago Melissa Magsaysay put "Gossip Girl" style under the microscope. So guess who's on the cover of Vogue's best dressed issue? Blake Lively. [The Cut]

-- And, finally, in another sign of the changing times: the cover girl for Shape magazine's December issue? Kelly Osbourne. You can check out the latest bikini body on Nov. 22.

-- Alice Short

Photo: Christmas is coming! Workers at Aynsley China have already started to produce commemorative plates, cups and mugs to mark the engagement of Britain's Prince William to Kate Middleton. Credit: Christopher Furlong / Getty Images

 
Burberry’s “Retail Theater” takes the concept of a trunk show to a whole new level. During the British label’s spring/summer 2011 show, happening on Sept. 21, 25 Burberry boutiques around the globe will stream the runway show live for customers.  Should they like anything they see on the screen, customers can then order the item immediately via iPad. Merchandise will be shipped out to arrive in a matter of a few weeks rather than having to wait the usual four to six months for spring 2011 orders to arrive.

Talk about fast fashion! Not only is the British house bringing its collection to loyal customers more quickly, but people can now also decide for themselves what they want to hang in their closets rather than be at the mercy of buyers and retailers -- as well as have items that otherwise may not have been produced.

Between the live streaming that more and more brands are doing each season, events such as “Fashion’s Night Out: The Show” and now the direct-to-consumer runway shows, the public has almost the same access as some of the world’s top editors and buyers when it comes to seeing next season’s collections.

“Retail Theater” will be held in Burberry boutiques globally, including Beverly Hills and Costa Mesa. Don’t live near a Burberry store? You can order merchandise on their website as well – it will be delivered within seven weeks of purchase. And this isn’t a BYOiPad event either. Burberry stores will have those on hand for easy ordering.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photo: Screen shots of Burberry’s live stream. Credit: Burberry

[For the record, 11:59 a.m.: An earlier version of this post incorrectly said the runway show would be streamed for customers in groups of 25.]

Our compatriots over at L.A. Now just posted news of a raid last week that netted counterfeit knock-offs of luxury labels including Burberry, Hermes and Chanel that would have fetched some $12 million if sold as the real deal. According to Robert Faturechi's piece, the haul included some 47,000 wallets, watches and other items, and more than 30 people were arrested. 

Read more details here.  

-- Adam Tschorn

Along for the sting

Among the latest designer-retailer collaborations, Norma Kamali will launch a line of sleepwear at Wal-Mart this fall. [WWD] (Subscription required)

Times fashion critic Booth Moore wrote about Burberry's makeover on Sunday, and it's continuing with a big push into China, where the design firm just completed a $107.8-million deal to purchase retail operations. [WWD] (Subscription required)

Now even mannequins are entering the size wars: Those used at Club Monaco look "emaciated," some observers say. [Huffington Post]

The Fashion Group International plans to honor Balenciaga designer Nicolas Ghesquiere with its Superstar Award at its annual gala this fall. [WWD]  

Jennifer Aniston's new perfume, Lolavie, will launch exclusively at Harrod's in London this week, and she's starring in a racy ad campaign to promote the fragrance. [Daily Mail]

We just love weddings (it's the dresses!) here at All the Rage, and we love the strapless Ines Di Santo gown that Julie Landrum wore Saturday at her Newport Beach wedding to Boston Celtics player Paul Pierce. [People]

And some girls really know how to maximize the wedding gown opportunity: Carrie Underwood wore two Monique Lhuillier dresses for her marriage: one for the ceremony, and one for dancing at the reception. [People] 

George Clooney testified in an Italian court in a case involving clothing forgers who fraudulently put his name on a fashion line. [The Cut]

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Nicolas Ghesquiere  Credit: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times 

I caught up with Burberry chief creative officer Christopher Bailey on Wednesday at a house above Sunset in Beverly Hills. As we sat outside in the afternoon heat and watched the ice cubes melt in our water glasses, my makeup stayed put, which is good news, because I was wearing Burberry's new cosmetics.

Bailey was in town to promote the line now hitting Nordstrom stores and Burberry.com, He hosted an English tea with L.A. flowers such as Rachel Zoe, Shiva Rose, Jayma Mays and Kate Bosworth. The cosmetics are all about achieving the natural look, for women "who want to accentuate what they have," says Bailey. In other words, no pancakes here.

The products come in metal packaging etched with Burberry check. The foundation is very sheer, in shades based on the iconic khaki trench coat. The blush and eyeshadow are translucent, too, in stormy crimsons, taupes, blues and grays.

More on Bailey in Sunday's Fashion Diary. Until then, you can meet him on Thursday when he'll be showing the fall ready-to-wear collection from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the boutique.

Burberry, 9560 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 550-4500.

-- Booth Moore

Photo: Burberry Chief Creative Officer Christopher Bailey

For the record, 8:59 a.m.: An earlier version of this post referred to Bailey as Burberry's creative director.

Women's Wear Daily celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, with a large special issue this fall to commemorate the occasion. But, like fashion itself, the industry bible has changed over the years, and WWD has posted a retrospective of how it's looked over the last century. [WWD] 

What happens when Russell Brand gives fiancee Katy Perry fashion advice? She looks more grownup ... at least he thinks so. [Vogue UK] Brand's look? "Nice bondage," he says.

Jason Wu, who launched an eyewear collection in March, is going to add leather goods to the mix. [Vogue UK]

Now Isabella Rossellini has her own bag. She designed it for Bulgari. [Vogue]

Attention brides-to-be: Do copious tulle, intricate lace or silk taffeta tickle your fancy? Take a look at J. Crew's wedding collection for fall. [FabSugar]

Celebrities including Blake Lively and Jennifer Hudson are wearing Victoria Beckham's new line. [Telegraph]

Avon is buying Silpada Designs, which specializes in direct sales of sterling silver jewelry. [Wall Street Journal] 

High-fashion woes: Armani is in a sales slump ... except in China. [Wall Street Journal]

And Prada has negotiated a three-year, $445-million loan agreement to refinance longstanding debt. [WWD]

But Burberry sales are up and the company is planning to open 20 stores. [WWD] (subscription required)

The size wars show no sign of ending: For its first foray into designing dresses, lingerie company Ultimo has cast 14 "real" women as models, none of them with modelesque physiques. [Huffington Post]

Are you in Forever 21 and looking for a size 10 jeans? You'll just have to head to Faith, the plus-size section. [The Frisky]

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Katy Perry and Russell Brand. Credit: Thibault Camus / Associated Press

As inspiration for the Spring/Summer 2011 menswear collection, Burberry's chief creative officer, Christopher Bailey, turned to a perennial bad-boy icon -- the biker.

In doing so, he was able to continue exploring the notion of protection in ways that didn't directly involve the element-shielding properties of the trench coat. Last season, Bailey went woolly-bully with a Burberry cocooning collection, this season he gives his man a second skin -- protective leather jackets in military and biker silhouettes (some studded, others studded and quilted and still others tumbled into a permanent swirl of wrinkles), as well as leather vests, leather trousers and even leather shorts (which, as an aside, would do precious little to prevent road rash). 

Several non-leather pieces ended up with leather accents, too, including trench-coat epaulets and shoulder patches on pullover sweaters.

Bailey's love of leather in the Spring/Summer collection was apparently matched only by his zeal for zippers and other manner of metal hardware -- riveted leather detailing, metal military belt loops, eyelets, and studding that ranged in size from nail head to nearly half-grape.

The larded-up leathers and heavy metal felt a bit heavy handed, and the whole collection seemed to be moving in the opposite direction of the easy-breezy, light and luxe looks being shown by the rest of the designers here in Milan this week. But if Bailey is trying to make the point that Burberry's got you covered -- from the trenches to the turnpike -- he's now hammered the point into our forebrain with a thousand tiny studs.

-- Adam Tschorn, in Milan

Burberry Prorsum Spring/Summer menswear collection 2011 photo gallery

More Milan Fashion Week coverage from All the Rage

Photos: Looks from the Burberry Prorsum Spring/Summer 2011 men's collection, shown on June 19, 2010, during Milan Fashion Week. Credit: Peter Stigter  and Jonas Gustavsson / For The Times

Count London-based luxury brand Burberry among the winners of Season 9 of "American Idol." The label was the exclusive provider of the host's on-air wardrobe for all 48 episodes of the season, according to the show's stylist Miles Siggins, the first time any brand has had an exclusive lock on Seacrest's closet door.

"We've done other [wardrobe] deals in past seasons, but they haven't been exclusive," said Siggins, who has been dressing Seacrest for the show's last eight seasons. "And this is the first time everything’s been custom made for him."

The "deal," Siggins refers to is basically this: Burberry kits out Seacrest for the duration of the season, and

We may not need a fancy trench coat in sunny L.A., but the souped-up versions in Burberry's new April Showers capsule collection may make you want to strike up a rain dance. 

The limited-edition collection, which was manufactured for the brand's classics line Burberry Brit (not to be confused with the high-end Christopher Bailey-designed Burberry Prorsum collection), includes men's and women's apparel and accessories.

The collection's name is an homage to the British phrase "April showers," which signifies the end of winter and beginning of spring (before the spring season can bloom, it's believed in Britain that you must suffer heavy rainfall in April).

The heritage-style collection includes iconic-looking khaki trenches, shapely quilted jackets (in bright red and white) and princess-sleeved polo shirts with a peek-a-boo of Burberry's signature tartan on the button placards for women; and a vibrantly colored range of classic trenches for men, including an eggplant-hued model for the true modern dandy.

The sporty collection is now available in select Burberry stores (including in L.A.) and on burberry.com.

--Emili Vesilind

Photo: An eggplant-colored trench for men, part of Burberry Brit's new capsule collection. Credit: Burberry.

In January, Prada’s fall/winter 2010 men’s runway show in Milan included a model in a navy blue blazer and khaki-colored trousers; an unmistakable signal that the preppy aesthetic was surging back into fashion.

April brings word that Lisa Birnbach, co-author and editor of “The Official Preppy Handbook,” is working on a follow-up to her madras-print-covered bible for the boarding school set with "True Prep," which is due to hit shelves a month short of the original's 30th anniversary.

In full disclosure, the first book, published in 1980, occupies a special place in my heart, since it was hitting shelves just as I was hitting campus for my first year at a New England prep school.  It served not only as my early sartorial inspiration, but also as a field guide that helped me quickly learn to navigate a world that, as a rural Vermonter, was strange and different. (Though I never earned a proper preppy sobriquet a la Biff, Skip, or Chip myself, my unrequited boarding school crush was dubbed “Cuffy” as a direct result of finding it in the book, and the nickname has lasted for decades.)

Just minutes into the pre-Oscar red carpet coverage, Burberry's celebrity outreach program for the Academy Awards started paying dividends. Prompted by a question by colleague Giuliana Rancic, Seacrest not only confirmed the provenance of his custom-tailored black tuxedo, he gave it a very public shout-out.

He thanked Burberry -- and the label's creative director Christopher Bailey -- for "getting it on a plane and getting it here." In addition, Burberry reps confirmed Seacrest's dress shirt, silk tie and shoes were also from the British brand.

If our style intel is correct,there will be some more high-profile boys in Burberry as the night wears on.

-- Adam Tschorn

Photo: Ryan Seacrest, kicked off his pre-Oscar red carpet coverage with a high-profile shout-out to Burberry, which provided his custom-tailored tuxedo. Credit:  Frazer Harrison / Getty Images.

A new Times database puts readers on the sidewalks of Hollywood, using more than a century of archives to track the lives of the stars, including current Oscar nominees Jeff Bridges, James Cameron, Matt Damon, Morgan Freeman, Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep.