Yigal Azrouël, Imaxtree

Don’t file down those nails just yet. Whether they were delicately dipped or a full-on half moon, tipped manicures emerged as the go-to style of New York Fashion Week.In a fun twist, a number of designers played off of the traditional French manicure: Behnaz Sarafpour complemented her otherwise opulent collection with edgy goth nails, substituting black for the typical creamy white. Similarly, Monique Lhuillier dipped her models’ peachy digits in a subtle sliver of dark aubergine polish. Others seized a golden moment, combining the shiny hue with unexpected results. Jason Wu coated the end of ruby painted fingers with a modern, angular swipe of gold. To create a glam grunge look, Yigal Azrouël topped black with messy glitter tips that brought icicles to mind. But Jen Kao showed a manicure worthy of a true prima donna, pairing a vibrant peacock base with contrasting gold trim.

Photo: Courtesy of Jay DeMarcus' Twitter

Never say never! Justin Bieber cut his famous hair and debuted it on the set of  his new music video That Should Be Me on Monday. With Bieber’s 17th birthday drawing near, he told TMZ that he wanted a “kind of mature look.” The only question is, what’s going to happen with Bieber’s cut off locks? Will Selena keep it as a keepsake? Will it go for sale on eBay? Justin tweeted: “we are giving all the hair cut to CHARITY to auction.” Perez Hilton’s got a swatch, and he’s giving it away to the person who donates the most money to charity. The details are currently being worked out, but check back here. RIP to the Bieber Hair. It will be missed. Does Justin’s new ‘do still give you Bieber fever?

It’s cold, it’s dreary, and some afternoons you just don’t want to go outside and deal with the February slush. Instead, curl up on the couch with a mug of tea and a good book until spring decides to arrive. If you’ve run out good books, here’s a few suggestions from our reading list to yours! What are you in the mood for today? A thrilling fantasy novel? A thoughtful look back in history? A silly intellectual romp? Or a thought-provoking psychological story? And of course, one good book deserves another. What’s the last great book you have read? Go ahead and share in the comments!

Photo: Courtesy of Ballantine Books. The Passage by Justin Cronin

Reed Krakoff, Imaxtree

One of the most wearable trends for spring is affectionately known as the pajama trend. Yes, penguin-pajama-pants girl in my 8 am Design 101 class—your pajama “look” has apparently caught the attention of designers, but don’t start celebrating yet. This trend isn’t about sweatpants, cartoon character pajamas, or hoodies. The style is silky, decadent lounge wear meant for wearing during languid summer mornings. Chiffon gowns worn with soft blazers, silky pajama pants with a sheer white tee and heels. Think comfortable, relaxed glamour as seen at Thakoon, Vena Cava, Reed Krakoff, and Karen Walker. So next Monday I will be showing up to Design in my silk men’s pajama shirt, chiffon skirt, and ballet slippers. We can even have a pajama party together in class, you and I. But to be frank darling, those penguin pajama pants just aren’t going to cut it. To join my little pajama party, check out my picks:

Photo: Retna

Who: Halle Berry
What: The 13th Annual Costume Designers Guild Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel
Wear: Elie Saab Haute Couture gown

Forty-four-year-old Halle Berry put girls half her age to shame last night in a ravishingly red Elie Saab gown from the spring 2011 couture collection (see it on the runway). With a plunging neckline, sheer skirt, and a brilliant look-at-me hue, Berry shows that if you’ve still got it, flaunt it! We love how she highlights her collarbone with the daring open neckline and shows off her gorgeous legs with sheer layers of lace that keep the look seductive but still classy.

Reflecting upon the celebrated stylish women of past generations, one is stuck with iconic images of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, and Jackie O. Today we can add to that list of style heavy-weights Harajuku Barbie, Roman Zolanski, Nicki Theresa, and Rosa. Yes, we are referring to the woman of many wigs, Ms. Nicki Minaj. It is hard to believe that just two short years ago, we lived in a world horribly void of all things Nicki. Since bursting onto scene with three mixtapes and her platinum record, Pink Friday, released in 2010, this perfectly calibrated and multifaceted performer has become a pioneer for ground breaking style in the realm of hip hop. But beneath all the shiny packaging of this Trinidadian self-made cultural artifact and hip-hop legend, one will find a talented and passionate artist. This maverick’s wild ensembles continuously satiate her (many) fans. Even if she did not walk away with a Grammy this year, she certainly snagged our attention when she prowled the red carpet in an explosion of a leopard outfit by Givenchy. With one platinum album, many wigs, and several alter egos, you do not have to have to look far to watch this queen conquer.

Photo: Retna

Photo: Getty Images

Who: Kate Bosworth
What: Calvin Klein Collection fall 2011 show
Wear: A frock from Calvin Klein Collection spring 2011 and boots from Cairo Rings

Kate Bosworth stepped out to the NYFW tents the other day to take in the Calvin Klein fall 2011 show and make an impression of her own. The fresh-faced thespian was heralding in some much-needed spring spirit, wearing a bright red-orange shift by the beloved American designer (see it on the runway) and pointy black Cairo Rings booties. But Kate’s a woman of many allegiances these days; she recently modeled Theyskens’ Theory—the current toast of town—and launched her own jewelry line, JewelMint, with stylist Cher Coulter. She certainly knows how to pick them!

Yigal Azrouël, Imaxtree

While some show-goers are getting their Balmain in a twist over the return of luxury, others are praising the resurgence of closet staples. Many of the shows who garnered the most attention this New York Fashion Week were all about velvet soft T-shirts and tailored pants. This time around, basic doesn’t necessarily mean dull. Theyskens’  Theory proved the power of layering, mixing fabrics, and slight variations in shades of gray and black to give sleek trenches and chunky sweaters something special. Olivier Theyskens also elevated shorts to a whole new height, cuffing them and pairing them with sexy tights and sky-high wedges.

Photo: Imaxtree

Anna Sui, the queen of retro-chic, mod, tribal-inspired women’s wear, did not disappoint with her newest style hybrid for her fall 2011 collection: the nerdy bohemian. A lesser talent might not have been able to pull off such a smattering of florals, geometrics, tribal patterns, lace, stripes, and bold colors while adding an element of bookworm, but Sui—a seasoned veteran in the fashion game—did so effortlessly. The festive collection was complete with furs, fringes, printed tights, thick rimmed spectacles, and her usual exciting color palette, including a striking absinthe green. The playful nature of Sui’s circus of a runway show, with its smiling models and kitten headgear, was a breath of fresh air this week in New York.