When the team shooting J. Crew’s spring 2011 catalog set up at the Hollywood sign in early December to snap a leggy model wearing a pair of shiny gold shorts in front of the landmark, no one was expecting that the scene would turn into something out of "Law & Order: Los Angeles."

"A fireman walked into the shot, and all of a sudden over loudspeakers someone started yelling at us to leave because we were trespassing," said Ashley Price, a senior vice president at J. Crew who had been on set high up in the Hollywood Hills that day. The crew had secured a permit to shoot, and the reprimand was merely a miscommunication, but by chance a fireman in all his gear and a low-flying helicopter made it into a few of the shots. "You can’t get more L.A than that!" Price said.

The New York-based company known for its studio-set catalogs full of elegantly disheveled models and quirky tomboy styling, sought out the sunny backdrop of L.A to showcase its spring 2011 collection. To channel the era of Old Hollywood, actor Sam Page, from "Mad Men," was chosen to model the men’s collection, and locations such as the Chateau Marmont; the Downtown Palace Theatre; the Stahl House, by architect Pierre Koenig; the Paramount Studios back lot; and tree-lined North Hillcrest Road served as backdrops.

“We were inspired by the idea of Old Hollywood glamour and tying that into American classics, and we’ve been looking at L.A more for a point of view on glamour,” said Jenna Lyons, president and executive creative director of J. Crew. “We’re making things look a little more polished, things like the hair, makeup and styling. It’s definitely an over-arching theme for styling.”

Crew Cuts, J. Crew’s kids' collection was shot on the Paramount lot to utilize the whimsical sets and outrageous props. “There are those funny extremes you can have nowhere else but in L.A.,” Lyons said.

But the crew said perhaps the most Hollywood of all the locations was the Chateau Marmont. “Within an hour at the Chateau Marmont, we saw three celebrities,” Price said. “That felt very glamorous and very L.A."

The J. Crew Spring 2011 catalog will be out the end of January.

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photo: A shot from the upcoming catalog. Credit: J. Crew

Lured by Black Friday deals and extended hours, retail sales jumped 6% in November, reports Andrea Chang in Friday's Los Angeles Times. The retailer that saw the largest leap compared with last November's numbers was Abercrombie & Fitch, which saw sales jump a whopping 22%. Maybe those hotties and hunks lounging at the front doors of A&F mall stores are doing the trick after all. [LAT]

J. Crew stockholders shouldn't break out the bubbly just yet; the recently announced $3-billion deal to take the clothing-and-accessories retailer private apparently faces some legal hurdles (including two recently filed lawsuits), says industry trade paper WWD. Until the fat lady sings on this one, perhaps she'd be interested in a Merino wool cowl-neck sweater and a pair of broken-in boyfriend chinos? [WWD, subscription required]

According to the New York Daily News (by way of website Fashionista), Vogue editor Anna Wintour was among those asked by Sean "Diddy" Combs to lend their voices to his upcoming album. Others reportedly recruited from the fashion flock include Andre Leon Talley, Tommy Hilfiger and Marc Jacobs. But don't get your hopes up that you'll hear Ms. Wintour busting out her rendition of Combs' "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down" -- the vocals are limited to a spoken-word introduction to one of the tracks. [N.Y. Daily News]

-- Adam Tschorn

Left photo: Sean "Diddy" Combs. Credit: Taylor Hill / Getty Images

Right photo: Anna Wintour. Credit: Andy Kropa / Getty Images

Product designer Philippe Starck has turned to fragrance, and will rework the iconic dooule-dove L'air du Temps bottle for Nina Ricci. The flask was originally designed by Marc Lalique (of the equally iconic Laliques)  with Robert Ricci. Okay, I am wondering: is this an update that is really needed? [WWD]  

Steven Madden eyes Betsey Johnson, as the design firm reportedly defaults on a $48.8-million loan. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

What's the secret to great-fitting jeans? Wash them only every six months, says Levi Strauss' director of brand concepts Carl Chiari, with spot cleaning and airings in a steamy bathroom in between. That's what he does with his 15-pair wardrobe. [Wall Street Journal]

Kardashian news of the day: the sisters add handbags and shoes to their line for Bebe. [People] 

Designer Catharine Malandrino reports on "how I spent my summer vacation," and it sounds way more divine than most: Saint-Tropez, shopping for antique furniture at vineyard flea markets, sailing azure seas, sipping rose on the beach. She hints that this will inspire her next summer collection. [WWD]  

Meanwhile, J. Crew's "looks we love" feature can inspire ideas for terrific fall outfits. [FabSugar] 

A small lot of country singer June Carter-Cash's sleek 1960s wardrobe is up for bid on website 1stDibs. [StyleSectionLA]

Acne has joined forces with Candy magazine to create an androgynous line of clothing specifically aimed at transvestites and cross-dressers. My question: is it really cross-dressing if there is no cross-over? [Vogue UK]

--Susan Denley

Photo:  L'Air du Temps Credit: Nina Ricci

The name Martha Stewart conjures up images of striped linens, puffy souffles and leaf blowers. So it's surprising that the lifestyle doyenne has chosen fashion as the subject of the debut episode of "Martha Stewart Presents," a new prime time interview special on the Hallmark channel.

"Martha Stewart Presents: The Women Who Dress America," a one-hour special  scheduled to air Sept. 19 at 9 p.m., will celebrate four modern-day fashion forces: living legends Diane von Furstenberg and Donna Karan;  Jenna Lyons, president of J. Crew; and Tory Burch, the queen of seaside prep.

The show will be formatted in the style of a traditional talk show, with Stewart engaging in conversations with famous faces from various realms. And like Barbara Walters' sporadic specials, this one will happen only occasionally; a second “Martha Stewart Presents”  is scheduled for November.

Timed to coincide with the close of New York’s Fashion Week, the show is hoping to "dig beneath the surface" to find the sources of inspiration for each designer.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity to bring our viewers a different side of the world of fashion," said Stewart in a press release, "and a better understanding of the challenges and rewards of being on fashion’s front lines.”

Do you think Stewart (who, let's be honest, is almost always photographed in a smock-like button-front shirt) is the right person to interview four of fashion's most illustrious designers?

-- Emili Vesilind

Photo: Martha Stewart attends a party earlier this year wearing a smock-like shirt. Credit: Peter Foley/EPA

Feeling Switzerland-neutral in your style these days? You're in luck. One of fashion's most famous muted hues — camel — is fall's hottest color.

We spotted the shy brown tone on the runways earlier this year — notably at Chloe, Michael Kors and Stella McCartney — but now it's official; retailers and fashion editors are pushing the color like crazy, offering, respectively, camel-themed fashion spreads and racks of merchandise in the classic color.

Lauded as a universally flattering hue, "camel" first popped up as a color name in fashion in 1916, according to the ISCC-NBS Dictionary of Color Names. We love it because it melds seamlessly into a black-heavy wardrobe and, when coloring classic silhouettes, adds 1960s-"Mad Men" panache to ensembles.

Here are a few camels we'd love to have on our backs:

Stella McCartney's wool-blend cape, $1,445 at Net-a-Porter, rolls two of fall's most charming trends — capes and camel — into one dreamy piece of outerwear.

Jil Sander's cashmere scarf, $525 at Barneys New York, works beautifully with trenches, winter coats and cool cardigans, and it's so basic, it will never go out of style.

J.Crew's wool-cashmere station coat, $149.99 at J.Crew, is elegant but understated, boasting retro military styling.

This Dior silk-wool dress at Bergdorf Goodman is a pipe dream because of the $3,600 price tag, but we love the way it hearkens back to the slinky, curve-loving "Mad Men" era without looking like a costume. 

-- Emili Vesilind

Photos, from top: Stella McCartney cape. Credit: Net-a-Porter. Jil Sander scarf. Credit: Barneys New York. J. Crew coat. Credit: J. Crew. Dior dress. Credit: Bergdorf Goodman

The classic nautical-striped shirt -- featuring navy-on-cream stripes and a boxy fit — was originally worn by fishermen off the coast of Brittany in the late 19th century. But these days it epitomizes casual chic, and is a staple among style-setters including Alexa Chung, Sienna Miller and Sofia Coppola.

You can snag an original-fit nautical-striped tee online at L.L. Bean or Petit Bateau. But with nearly every sporty fashion company turning out innovative takes on the iconic top this season, why not go for something a little jazzier?

Leave it to prep-savvy J.Crew to turn out a sequined nautical striped shirt ($72) that somehow isn't corny or dated-looking. The secret? An amazing fit (super-slouchy), ultra-thin fabric and subtle shine.

Urban Outfitters brand Cooperative, meanwhile, reinterpreted the shirt's extremities — replacing the classic 3/4-length sleeves with puffy princess sleeves and slimming down the bodice for trendy PYTs ($32). Vince's take on the classic  — simply reversing the stripes so the navy stripes are more dominant ($98) — is less adventurous, but probably more wearable for those of us out of college.

And speaking of sleeves — Shipley & Halmos shortened the sleeves of their otherwise conventional nautical tee for men ($85), creating the ultimate heat-friendly version.

-- Emili Vesilind

Photos, from left: Nautical-striped tops from J. Crew, Vince, Cooperative and Shipley & Halmos. Credits, from left: J. Crew, Neiman Marcus, Urban Outfitters and Barneys New York

Jenna Lyons, above, executive creative director at J. Crew, has been named president as well. [WWD] (Subscription required)

Celebrities keep turning up in dresses from Victoria Beckham's 2010 spring/summer collection. [Telegraph]

The Tobe Report, a trend forecasting firm, is back among the trendy, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Another model has a few things to say about her image ... and being sidelined for being a size ... four! [Huffington Post] ... And Jean Paul Gaultier has cast plus-size model Crystal Renn as the face of a new advertising campaign. [Vogue UK]

Adidas has selected Stella McCartney to be creative director for the uniforms that British athletes will wear at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. [Vogue UK]

Stylelist reports that Penelope Cruz has wed Javier Bardem in a dress by Christian Dior designer John Galliano.

And, finally, guess who looks good in sailor pants? January Jones, that's who! Of course, she'd look good in anything. [Fab Sugar]

-- Alice Short

Photo credit: Perry Hagopian

Baby, you've got style: Cynthia Rowley designs diapers for Pampers. [Luxist]

Madonna on Lourdes' -- er, Lola's -- fashion sense. [People StyleWatch]

Heidi Klum gets another TV show -- this time the focus is more on kids than clothing. Drat. [Variety]

West Hollywood store Church says Lindsay Lohan has an $16,880.83 tab -- which includes purchases of Ron Donovan exotic skin shoes and several Mortimer vintage T-shirts. [WWD]

Prada's e-commerce site launches Thursday. [Fashionista]

The first Alexander McQueen dresses up for auction since his February death failed to sell. [WWD]

J. Crew collaborates with denim brand Imogene + Willi. [WWD, subscription required]

Gap's back with even more Perfect T's. [InStyle]

Those seemingly nonsensical "Be Stupid" Diesel ads? They're banned in Britain. [StyleList]

Coco Rocha is now a Victoria's Secret model. [Huffington Post]

Miss Delaware discusses her alopecia. [Allure]

Why hipster fashion will never die. [Flavorwire, via BlackBook]

-- Whitney Friedlander

Photo: A sketch from the Material Girl juniors line at Macy's. Credit: Macy's

Fergie, Shakira and Alicia Keys look hot, kick off the World Cup in South Africa. [InStyle]

Don't care about soccer/football? Then pay attention to the styles of the players' WAGs. [Shop It To Me]

Carly Fiorina's style is more Pelosi than Palin. [Financial Times]

The winners of this year's NEWGEN fashion awards. [Vogue UK]

Are you a "Twilight" fan? Here are the details on Bella's engagement ring. [InStyle]

Most popular? Best dressed? Here's Hollywood's class of 2010. [N.Y. Daily News]

American Apparel apparently doesn't want to hire unattractive employees. [BlackBook]

Veteran models still rule fall campaigns. [The Cut]

Video: Victoria's Secret's first fashion show. [Huffington Post]

Plus-size model Kate Dillon is pregnant. [People]

WSJ on J. Crew chief executive/retail wunderkind Mickey Drexler. [WSJ]

Thom Browne on why he loves short shorts. [WSJ]

Uma Thurman is the face of this year's Saks Fifth Avenue Key to the Cure breast cancer awareness campaign. [InStyle]

How to make your makeup hi-res friendly for video chatting on the new iPhone. [Allure]

-- Whitney Friedlander

Follow All the Rage on Facebook and Twitter.

Photo: Shakira at the FIFA World Cup kickoff concert in Johannesburg, South Africa. Credit: Jewel Samad / AFP/Getty Images

The hostess dilemma: What can you wear when you're darting in and out of the kitchen but still want to look festive? [Wall Street Journal]

Sometimes it's not what you wear, it's how you play the game. Polo Ralph Lauren breaks new ground by offering a tennis clinic online. [WWD] (Subscription required) 

The Styleblogger, Dan Trepanier, has been named Esquire's "Best Dressed Real Man in America," so listen and learn: He recommends five stylish gifts for Father's Day. [Huffington Post]

Chloe Sevigny and Opening Ceremony revealed the latest fruits of their collaboration Tuesday night: five dresses in five prints. [WWD]  (Subscription required.)

Rumor has it that designers Marc Jacobs and Lorenzo Martone might have split up as lifemates ... but here at All the Rage we don't want the gossipy details (even though they are juicy). We're just wondering: Will it affect the clothes? [Huffington Post]

It was only a matter of time: Lourdes Ciccone (aka daughter of Madonna) snags her first magazine cover. [Fashion Copious] 

The folks at Cool Hunting have put together a pretty cool roundup of "creative projects" -- from products to events, from socks to a "Footbowl" shaped like a smushed soccer ball -- inspired by the World Cup. [Cool Hunting]  

Stars from music, film, TV, fashion and more were honored at the Glamour Awards. Among the honorees: "Avatar's" Zoe Saldana, "Glee's" Lea Michele, Lilly Allen, Nicole Richie (snagging "Entrepreneur of the Year" in the fashion category), Isabel Marant (Fashion Designer of the Year) and Glamour's woman of the year, Cheryl Cole. [Telegraph]

Gucci is launching a kids' line. [StyleList]

The black taffeta dress that helped push a 19-year-old, newly engaged Lady Diana Spencer from school teacher to glamour queen sold at auction Tuesday for 192,000 British pounds ($276,426 American). [Telegraph]

Want a little beauty pick-me-up after endless hours of museum-browsing? London's Victoria and Albert has started commissioning fragrances to go with their exhibits and to sell in the museum's gift shop. [BellaSugar]

We've been telling you about the trend toward mass-market wedding dresses, but how are brides-to-be reacting? Well, the new J. Crew bridal boutique in NYC is already booked a month in advance for fittings. [The Cut]

-- Susan Denley

Photos: Top, Zoe Saldana, Credit: Al Seib/Los Angeles Times;

Bottom: Designer Elizabeth Emanuel with the dress she designed for Lady Diana Spencer that sold at auction Tuesday. Credit: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP

We told you preppy was back! Now even rap mogul Russell Simmons, whose Phat Farm label made a fortune with baggy jeans and sweat shirts, is reaching for the skinny in his closet. [Wall Street Journal]

The color of the evening was red for this past weekend's White House Correspondents' Assn. Dinner, with First Lady Michelle Obama leading the way in a gown by Prabal Gurung. Also wearing red: Katie Couric, Kathie Lee Gifford, Mariska Hargitay and Gayle King. [Huffington Post]

Hermes patriarch Jean-Louis Dumas dies in Paris at age 72. [Wall Street Journal]

Get a preview of who will be wearing what at the glitzy Met gala. [Vogue]

Style expert Charla Krupp shares fashion tricks that can make you look thinner. [InStyle]

Zandra Rhodes talks about how fashion's role models are failing our children. [Telegraph]

Taylor Swift has signed on to be Cover Girl's latest cover girl. [wwd, subscription required]

Britney Spears tweets that she's designed a capsule collection for Candie's. [Twitter]

J. Crew shows off its spring line against the tropical paradise of the Turks and Caicos. [FabSugar]

Keep your sense of humor with 10 things to know when you're planning a wedding -- or not! [Guardian]

See how the "Glee" girls styles compare in character and in person. [BellaSugar]

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Taylor Swift. Credit: Ken Hively / Los Angeles Times

Denim junkies, J. Crew has your number -- and apparently it's 484.  As in Lot 484, the name given to a five-pocket selvage men's jean the retailer is launching mid-May, in collaboration with the Japanese denim brand Warehouse.

The Lot 484 jean by Warehouse for J.Crew is apparently named after the street address of the J. Crew men’s-only shop at 484 Broadway in Manhattan --  one of just two brick-and-mortar stores that will be stocking the style (which will also be sold online).

Though the number won't mean much to those who aren't hard-core denim nuts, we're told the jeans are made using Warehouse's Japanese-loomed 1,000xx 14-ounce selvage denim and based on the Warehouse 800 model (but with a slightly dropped front rise and different color stitching).

Here's another number for you: 34 -- as in a 34-inch inseam, the only size in which the jeans will be available. The J. Crew crew will alter the length free of charge -- which could take as long as five days, since (here comes another number for you) they're being done on a rare, vintage Union Special 43200 chain-stitch sewing machine, which we have faith will craft an appropriately authentic and covet-worthy hem -- since hemming denim was the reason the Union Special 43200 was created in the first place.

One final number of note is 300 -- which you'll find on the price tag. Dropping $300 on a pair of jeans might sound expensive, but my guess is, to true jean junkies, the numbers add up just about right.

-- Adam Tschorn

More All the Rage coverage of J. Crew

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Photo: Lot 484, a denim collaboration between J. Crew and Japanese denim label Warehouse, hits the shelves at just two New York City brick-and-mortar stores (at 484 Broadway and 235 W. Broadway ) and online at jcrew.com -- in mid-May, and will retail for $300. Credit: J. Crew.