When we got home from work last night, what did we find waiting amid the stack of bills and credit card offers? The Sports Illustrated 2011 Swimsuit issue! It is, after all, something we look forward to every year. Seriously. We look forward to burying the Sports Illustrated 2011 Swimsuit issue beneath stacks of old newspapers and magazines ... just to see whether our roommate of the last several years remembers to ask if it has arrived. We enjoy observing the look on his face when we play dumb. And we enjoy the discovery that "Simon Southwood, co-owner and designer of Sauvage  swimwear, was also shocked to learn one of his bikinis was front and center on the bestselling issue." Simon, it's a small world, after all. [People] 

When we think of the SI Swimsuit issue, our next thought turns to Victoria's Secret Angels. (Because, really, if it's not one ego-deflating model, it's another.) And this week, we learn from Vogue UK, that director Michael Bay of "Transformers" fame, is apparently working on an advertising campaign for the label's summer "Bombshell" collection. Michael, you're a giver.

Speaking of givers, is there anything more irresistible than a Kardashian? Hanging out at Fashion Week in New York, Kim and Kourtney have been dishing about their style icons. Let's start with Ali McGraw ... and end with Jennifer Lopez. [Stylelist]

Also hanging out at Fashion Week are our very own Booth Moore and Adam Tschorn. Keep up with all the goings-on on the runways ... right here, at All the Rage. And in case you're wondering Who buys all those beautiful creations? Rich people. The Wall Street Journal reports that "many of the runway styles are actually purchased by a small group of customers, not all of them from the isle of Manhattan."

Colin Firth's  wife, Livia, has been out and about lately as her husband collects awards and accolades for "The King's Speech." According to People magazine, Livia Firth "decided to bring eco-couture to the red carpet by wearing designers who care about environmental and social justice causes." And "for this year’s Golden Globe awards, her dress was dyed by homegrown indigo plants from designer Jeff Garner’s community garden in Tennessee."  

Diane Kruger, who is also known for her red-carpet looks, says she does not use a stylist. " 'I got rid of all of them,' " she says in a report in Vogue UK. " 'Only because I just don't think a lot of people have style in Hollywood, or at least not what I like. I think everybody looks the same.' "  

Zsa Zsa Gabor's ninth husband, Frederic Prinz von Anhalt, needs to raise some money to pay for her medical care. So what's a guy to do? Auction off her furs online, that's what. [NY Post]

And, finally, if you want to talk style, please talk about the stylish Scottish deerhound, specifically the Scottish deerhound named Hickory that was crowned top dog at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Sleek, elegant and poised. Everything we could ask of America's next top model. Sports Illustrated, take note.

--Alice Short

A few months ago we told you about designers Sam Shipley and Jeff Halmos (Shipley & Halmos) hitting the road for a “Fill in the Blank Photo Tour.”

Perhaps you recall that they planned to tour Barneys Co-Op locations around the country in search of the “quintessential Shipley & Halmos customer.” The former Southern California guys (who co-founded Trovata before parting ways with its current owner) planned to meet with those who love their line and take their photos, all in the name of pulling together a rather complex portrait of their customer base.

Naturally, they planned  to publish a book of the photos and now that book is available. Its title is “We’re an American ­­­­­­­­­­­_________” and it's available at Barneys and the Shipley & Halmos website.

--Alice Short

Photo: Covers of the book "We're an American __________." Credit: Shipley & Halmos.

Can it be true? Kim Kardashian tells Katie Couric she doesn't feel as sexy as "everyone thinks" -- although she admits that being a global sex symbol is powerful. More to the point for All the Rage, the woman who's been lighting up magazine covers (including Glamour's February "Guy Issue") and launching new products for lo these many months says she has trouble figuring out what to wear in the morning. Kim, welcome to our world! [People] 

It was bound to happen sooner or later: Princes William and Harry have made British GQ's annual best-dressed list. Younger bro Harry (No. 5) beat out William (No. 27) on the list of 50 sartorially splendid men, which includes some other British names well known in the U.S., such as David Beckham and his 8-year-old son, Romeo; Simon Cowell; Sir Elton John; and Bill Nighy. Actor Aaron Johnson topped the list, pushing last year's No. 1, Robert Pattinson, to fourth. Meanwhile, taking top "honors" on the magazine's list of the worst dressed? Mel Gibson. [Telegraph]

What a global economy we live in. Japanese cosmetics firm Shiseido has inked a deal with Italian opera company La Scala. [WWD] Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer has opened its first store in France, on Paris' Boulevard Saint-Germain. [WWD] We've told you before that Brazil was a place to watch, and an influx of luxury brands -- including Chanel, Christian Louboutin and Marc Jacobs -- over the last two years has proven the point.  [WWD] (Subscription required for all.) 

Wearing the longer skirts that are sweeping onto the scene can be challenging if you want to avoid looking like a granny. But mixing in the right complementary pieces -- a short jacket or long sweater -- and accessories -- booties, for instance -- will bring the look right up to 2011. [FabSugar]

One of Lady Gaga's late-2010 "fashion statements" seemed to be the bare bottom. She was photographed numerous places wearing nothing -- or not much -- on her bottom half. Now we know why: The giant tease was for her forthcoming "Born This Way" album, which will reportedly feature a photo of a bottomless Lady G on the cover. [ShowStudio]

Speaking of album art and fashion: The white suit John Lennon wore on the cover of "Abbey Road" has reportedly sold at auction in Connecticut for $46,000. [Huffington Post]

-- Susan Denley

Photos, from top: Kim Kardashian, who doesn't feel sexy or like she knows what to wear. Credit: Charley Gallay / Getty Images.  Lady Gaga, wearing not much on the bottom but still more than she might on her new album cover. Credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times

It's almost time for us to put on our party shoes and bid goodbye to 2010, but before we do:

--Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell has started a line of beachwear. [Daily Mail]

--Speaking of Spice Girls, the rumors that the Beckhams are moving to New York so Victoria can concentrate on her fashion empire appear to be untrue. [NYDN]

--Wal-Mart will "invade Brooklyn, come hell or high water." [The Cut]

--Crystal Harris (shame on you if you haven't been paying attention!) is tweeting about her engagement ring, a gift from fiance Hugh Hefner. [People]

Bellasugar revisits its 10 most popular stories for the year. First on the list had nothing to do with the so-called jobless recovery (what were you thinking?!), but, rather, 10 new ways to wear trendy braids.

-- Alice Short

Photo: Geri Halliwell. Credit: Reuters

 
We knew it! We've been complaining about this lack of fairness for years. Now, finally, our concerns about been validated. A recent British study concluded that blondes (yes, that's one of them above) have greater earning power compared to brunettes and redheads. How much? $900 a year more. [BellaSugar]

The end of the calendar year produces many assessments (see items No. 5 and 6 below), and Women's Wear Daily has stepped in to assess L.A.'s retail scene. The economic recovery is "sporadic," WWD reports. "Prime stretches of marquee venues — Rodeo Drive, Robertson Boulevard, Melrose Place and Melrose Avenue — are starting to get traction, but second- and third-tier retail enclaves have it tougher." [subscription required]

On the other hand, the blizzard that shut down much of the Eastern Seaboard this week may have cost the economy $1 billion in post-holiday sales. [The Cut] 

Kate Moss wants to ...what else? ....record an album. The supermodel has the right boyfriend for it -- Kills guitarist Jamie Hince, who has allegedly told friends that she wants to record a "set of edgy urban songs." [Daily Mail]

Will this be our last mention of  best- and worst-dressed lists this year? Perhaps. New York magazine points out that some names -- Carey Mulligan and Anne Hathaway, for example -- appear on multiple lists. Naturally, Michelle Obana is "widely adored." Rihanna and Victoria Beckham popped up on some best-dressed lists as well. Taylor Momsen? Not so many mentions on the best-dressed lists. [The Cut]

If beauty's your thing, check out a list of top beauty stories at Fashion Gone Rogue.

Diamonds? Did we hear mention of large diamonds this week? The engagement kind? Let's see, LeAnn Rimes seems to have acquired a 5-carat oval sparkler, and Reese Witherspoon is sporting a 4-carat Ashoka diamond "stunner." How do we know this? People, of course.

--Alice Short

Photo: Reese Witherspoon. Credit: Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Our favorite fashion doll, Barbie, figured on Thursday night's "Million Dollar Money Drop," when show host Kevin Pollak asked which doll was never made: French Maid Barbie, Sunday School Barbie or Lingerie Barbie? The correct answer: Sunday School Barbie -- which should have been easy, because we all know Barbie loves to dress up in fancy clothes not of the going-to-Sunday-meetin' variety. And yes, there is a French Maid Barbie. Mattel stopped manufacturing it (her?) after more than 5,000 were produced but  collectors can still buy them on Amazon for $168.88. [Epoch Times]

Hamish Bowles (pictured), Vogue's longtime European editor at large, will be honored next year with the 2011 Pratt Institute Fashion Icon Award. It is scheduled to be bestowed at an event April 27. [WWD]

Crystal Renn, Kate Moss, Gisele and Carolyn Murphy starred in some of the most notable fashion spreads of 2010. FabSugar takes a look back at the artistry of this year's memorable shoots. [FabSugar]

Have you noticed how celebrities are surprising us this season by wearing icy pastels? It struck me when I saw photos of Kate Bosworth in a T-shirt and mint green skirt at the Hollywood Style Awards. But Katy Perry, Linda Evangelista and Jennifer Lopez have all been seen in similar hues.   [WWD]

Celebrity deal of the day: Two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank has a deal in development for an athletic apparel collection. [WWD]

--Susan Denley

Photo: Longtime Vogue editor at large Hamish Bowles, right, with Kimberly Brooks at a book signing in Los Angeles in 2009.  Credit: Donato Sardella/Wire Image

-- Stuck in traffic? Standing in line at the mall as the minutes tick-tick-tick toward Christmas and you still haven't found the perfect sweater for your Aunt or "It" toy for the nephew? Take solace: Dec. 23 is the day you can celebrate Festivus, the holiday invented by "Seinfeld's" Frank Costanza (father of George), as a day to air grievances. So complain all you want. Though in my opinion if you just buy yourself a little something fabulous while you're captive at the mall, you'll feel much, much better. [Boston Globe]

-- With all the hoopla over the engagement of Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton, we almost forgot there is another important royal wedding coming up next year. And it too promises to be a doozy. Monaco's Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock will flout tradition when they marry July 2 in an outdoor religious ceremony, the palace announced Wednesday. The wedding will take place in the Palace's Court of Honor. The palace gates will be left open and giant TV monitors set up to allow an anticipated 4,000 people to view the event in the Place du Palais. Our question (as always): What will the soon-to-be princess wear? No answer yet. [People] 

-- Ever wonder how stylish fashion designers spend the holidays? Women's Wear Daily asked a bunch of them, and the answers do make visions of sugarplums (or luxurious gifts, feasts and travel) dance through your head. [WWD]

-- There are likely to be a lot of happy dads, boyfriends, husbands and sons around the Christmas tree this year. Or at least they will be getting their due. Reports are that menswear has been the star performer for many retailers this holiday season. [WWD] (subscription required)

-- Looking for a retro-chic gift for a beau or best friend? Halston has two new Oriental fragrances: Halston Woman Amber and Halston Man Amber. The female version blends ambers, woods and resins with wild tuberose. The male fragrance is a more contemporary woody Oriental. They come in the familiar Elsa Peretti-designed bottles, updated from their 1975 incarnation and dipped in gold. A great blend of nostalgia and contemporary sensibilities. Halston Woman Amber 1.7-ounce eau de toilette spray retails for $90 and Halston Man Amber 2.5-ounce eau de toilette spray retails for $65. They are available at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and Harrods. [StyleList]

-- Julia Restoin Roitfeld -- art director, occasional model and daughter of departing French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld -- interviews designer Tom Ford in the latest V magazine, in a spread accompanied by photographs she shot of herself wearing pieces from his new spring women's collection. [Telegraph]

-- Designer Michael Bastian has parted with longtime business partner, licensee Brunello Cucinelli, to set up his own independent firm to manufacture and distribute his signature men's line. [WWD] (subscription required)

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Holiday shoppers crowd the streets in a typical holiday scene. Credit: Jim Prisching / Associated Press