Gucci designer Frida Giannini cited flame-haired songstress Florence Welch as the inspiration for her sexy fall collection, which opened fashion week in Milan on Wednesday.

"A contemporary female dandy," was how Giannini described the look, which began with a bold palette of emerald green, fuchsia, purple, teal and rust.

But however she cast it, this was nothing new for Gucci. It harkened back to the house's heyday in the 1970s, and again in the 1990s with Tom Ford at the helm.

But with so many designers mining the 1970s this runway season and last, it was probably inevitable that Gucci would take its turn. And the clothes were actually quite pretty -- jewel-toned pantsuits, suede skirts that hit below the knee, and slim-fitting coats worn with vibrant fur stoles and plumed fedoras. Other accessories included colorful snakeskin pumps and the new Jackie bag with a long, detachable shoulder strap.

Floaty dresses with scarves that tied at the neck came in colorful silk jersey or see-through fabric, slit thigh-high. Glossy black patent leather boots and skirts added another element of kinkiness.

And just when the eye was beginning to tire of so many bushy fur vests, Giannini sent out flowers instead. Capelets, boleros and stoles, thick with organza, chiffon and silk petals, worn over chiffon gowns.

In a show that felt a little soulless, as if Giannini was just churning out luxury, it was her most creative moment.

-- Booth Moore in Milan

Gucci fall-winter 2011 runway collection photo gallery

 Photos: Looks from the Gucci fall-winter 2011 runway collection shown during Milan Fashion Week. Credit: Jonas Gustavsson and Peter Stigter / For The Times.

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OMG! Stop the presses. Justin Bieber got a haircut! Why, it was only last week when the cast of "Glee" paid tribute to his modern moptop (Puck shaking hair out of his eyes? LOL!). But now it's gone! [TMZ]

It's Drew Barrymore's birthday (number 36), and she's been a style maven for probably at least the last 20 of them. Say "happy birthday" by taking a look at some of her most memorable outfits. [FabSugar] 

What will you be wearing in spring of next year? Probably not 100% cotton. The high cost of the fiber is leading manufacturers to experiment with new blends and "alternative fiber mixes." [WWD] (Subscription required.)

And maybe not sandblasted jeans either. Two big players in the world of denim, Levi Strauss & Co. and H&M, are cooperating with the International Textile Garment & Leather Workers’ Federation to ban the sandblasting process, which can be hazardous for textile workers. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Looking for a new little something to lift yourself out of the winter doldrums? Consider trying out a new look for nails by copying one of the 30 best manicures at New York Fashion Week. [BellaSugar] 

JCPenney is planning to roll out a new slogan and logo in its commercials during Sunday's Academy Awards broadcast. Um, it seems to me that new logos haven't worked so well for some other established (one might say "heritage") companies. But only time will tell. [WWD] (Subscription required.) 

L.A. Rose Vintage Boutique, which opened at the Los Angeles Farmer's Market in November, is moving to a bigger spot on Melrose. The opening is slated for March 3. [Mondette]

The first French Vogue supervised by new editor Emmanuelle Alt is slated to arrive on newsstands in early March. It will feature Gisele on the cover, dressed in Dolce & Gabbana. [Vogue UK] 

OK, this does not really strike me as news, but since I'm obsessed right now with all-things-Kate I must report that Kate Middleton has signed up premiere London hatmaker Philip Treacy to design headgear she'll wear on her wedding day. (Princess-to-be chooses top British hatmaker ... no surprise there.) It's unclear, though, whether Treacy is designing something she'll wear before, during or after the wedding ceremony. Yes, several changes of outfit are expected. [FabSugar UK]

Actor and renaissance man James Franco interviews Gucci creative director Frida Giannini (we featured her Sunday on All the Rage) in Harper's Bazaar. [Harper's Bazaar]

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Drew Barrymore, who celebrates her birthday Tuesday. Credit: WireImage

“I’m a person who can’t live without music,” said Frida Giannini, creative director of Gucci, tucked into a cushy chair inside a suite at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. 

And judging by the brand’s enduring presence on red carpets, in music videos and on worldwide concert stages, it seems the music industry can’t live without the legendary Italian fashion label, either. 

The brand, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, has had its fair share of splashy red-carpet moments in recent memory, courtesy of Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, Rihanna and -- at the Feb. 13 Grammy Awards -- John Legend and Kings of Leon.

And though Gucci has a long legacy of dressing rockers, including Ringo Starr and Mick Jagger in the brand’s infancy, its fresh-faced 38-year-old designer is plugged into modern music and perennially inspired by its players.

Giannini, who was visiting Los Angeles for the first time in six years, was one of three designers chosen to step into the (huge) shoes of designer Tom Ford (who left the brand in 2004), but by 2006, she had ascended to the sole creative director role, overseeing the house’s women’s and men’s collections.

Her visit to L.A. was packed with music-industry-related events. 

She collected the first annual Women of Compassion award from Unicef for Gucci’s ongoing contributions to the organization, presented to her by Jennifer Lopez; hosted a pre-Grammy lunch with Roc Nation and its founder, Jay-Z; and  attended the Grammys for the first time -- having her own red-carpet moment, above, wearing a Gucci gown, of course.

"Jersey Shore's" Snooki is branching out. The reality-show instant celeb has plans for a merchandise empire that includes makeup, clothing, personal care products, sunglasses and lingerie. What can I say? Make it stop! [BellaSugar]

In August, Gucci launched Gucci Guilty fragrance for women. Now men can get guilty too as the design house's licensee, Proctor & Gamble, prepares to roll out Gucci Guilty Pour Homme. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Meanwhile, Cartier's new women's scent, Cartier de Lune, is set to hit Saks' Fifth Avenue counters this month [WWD] while Rihanna's first fragrance, Reb'l Fleur, will soon be introduced by Parlux Fragrances Inc. The name? It's the singer's nickname from her grandmother. [People] 

The iconic beehive hairdo didn't exist until 50 years ago or so, when stylist Margaret Vinci Heldt created it. Heldt, now 92, is getting her due with a new scholarship named in her honor by Cosmetologists Chicago. [TribLocal]

CoverGirl gathered cover girls past and present for a 50th-anniversary bash at L.A.'s Boa steakhouse. Famous faces Taylor Swift, Ellen DeGeneres, Drew Barrymore, Cheryl Tiegs, and Queen Latifah were among 'em. [WWD]

Crystal Renn, she of the sobriquet "plus-size model," is popping up everywhere. After turns in 2010 on runways for John Paul Gaultier, Chanel and Zac Posen, she's now the face of Jimmy Choo. [The Cut] 

Badgley Mischka has opened a new flagship on L.A.'s Rodeo Drive. [WWD] (Subscription required.) 

And coolest for last: Adidas Originals plans to come out with its first line of denim Jan. 20. And the jeans will be designed with sneaker protectors in the cuffs to save your Adidas lace-ups from indigo dye stains. [WWD]

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Snooki, who is branching out a la the Kardashians. Credit: Chris Pizzello / Associated Press

Frugal Fashion thought it was time to show some love to the stylish men of L.A. and focus on quintessential menswear: the suit. A man’s suit is a classic uniform of the best kind with ample room for self expression. It’s synonymous with a women’s little black dress and just as diverse with designers like Armani, Gucci and Versace unveiling all sorts of patterns, cuts and colors each season.  

I’m the first to admit that I’m no expert on menswear; that’s definitely more Adam Tschorn’s forte, but I can say with confidence that I know when a man looks good. From a woman’s point of view, a man looks his best and sexiest in a well-tailored suit.

Right now, the trend in men’s suits is to shave off the excess material and go slim –- real slim. From a men’s tie to his jacket and down to his slacks, the boys are sucking it in as things get narrow.

Actor Andrew Garfield looked sharp in a slim black suit, crisp white shirt and super-skinny black tie at the "Never Let Me Go" premiere during the London Film Festival. "The Social Network" star took a classic black suit with a modern fit and a sleek tie to match.

It doesn't take a lot to look good in a suit; The suit kind of does all the work, but it could cost a ridiculous amount of money. A plain black wool suit from Gucci can cost around $1,490. That's just the suit. If you add a shirt and tie the total starts to creep toward $2,000. A suit is supposed to be a good investment and something worth spending some money on, but there's no reason to miss your rent payment. 

Zara has an entire line of men's suit separates at reasonable prices. Our pick is the Shiny Checked Blazer for $189 and the Shiny Checked Trousers for $89. Both the jacket and pants are made of 100% wool and just as chic as the designer version.

With these prices you can afford to complete the look with the Zara "Peter Pan"-collar white shirt for $59.90 and "Narrow, Plain Tie" in black for $39.90.

The grand total for the suit, shirt and tie is $377.80 before taxes. Wear this sharp suit ensemble to any party, any time of the year.

 Happy shopping. And for more on looking good, watch for the Image section's Men's Grooming Guide, coming in Sunday's Los Angeles Times.

Have an outfit you're dying to buy, but need a frugal alternative? E-mail us a picture. We're up for the challenge.

-- Jenn Harris

jenn.harris@latimes.com

Photos, from top: Andrew Garfield at the London Film Festival (credit: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images); Shiny Checked blazer and trousers from Zara (credit: Zara); "Peter Pan"-collar shirt and "Narrow, Plain Tie" from Zara (credit: Zara).

3-D never looked so good. Gucci and Armani, two of the biggest names in Italian fashion, have announced plans to sell branded 3-D glasses for use while viewing movies and television in the increasingly common 3-D format.

Both unisex versions are based on the classic '80s aviator silhouette, are produced under license by Safilo Group, use the same technology in their lenses, and look pretty similar.

True, if you look close enough, there are subtle details; Gucci's version bears its familiar green and red web stripe detail at the temples and center brow bar, and a "Gucci 3D" logo on the right lens. The Armani Exchange-branded version (which the company describes as an updated navigator silhouette) has "AX 3D" printed on the upper left lens and "Armani Exchange 3D" printed on the left temple. 

The biggest difference seems to be the price tag -- Gucci's pair, which will be available exclusively at the brand's U.S. boutiques in December, sells for $225, while the Armani Exchange spectacles, also available in December, will retail at Armani Exchange stores and online at armaniexchange.com for just $58.

-- Adam Tschorn

Photos: Luxury labels now offering stylish 3-D eyewear include Armani Exchange (left, Credit: Armani Exchange) and Gucci (right, Credit: Gucci.)

In her much-buzzed-about video "Whip My Hair," 9-year-old Willow Smith sings, dances and shows off numerous hair styles, from braids to twists to a faux mohawk. Creating all of them was fun, says hairdresser Marcia Hamilton. Of course, Willow and mom Jada Pinkett-Smith had input. The most challenging was a faux 'hawk shaped like a heart sticking up from Willow's head. Kids, it's OK to try this at home! [People]  

Looks we love: Scarlett Johansson's short tousled bob. She can wear it messy or sleekly coiffed and it looks chic in a way longer hair just doesn't. [People]

And -- I guess hair is the topic that has All the Rage's attention right now -- Julianne Moore wore a style we're seeing a lot of when she attended a screening of "Let Me In" in Abu Dhabi this week: a soft topknot pulled to the crown of her head. It's easy to copy and will be a good look for holiday parties later this season. [InStyle]

When Katy Perry and Russell Brand arrived in Jaipur, where they are expected to wed this weekend, the bride-to-be was sporting a traditional Indian nuptial nose ring. By custom, the bride wears the ring throughout her wedding day until the groom removes it that night. We're hoping to tell you more next week about what the couple wears for the ceremony. The only problem: they've hinted (joked?) that it could be a clothing-optional event. I dunno. I can't quite see a fashion-forward girl like Katy not pulling out all the stops when it comes to wedding finery. [People] 

More pending nuptials: beautiful (and well-dressed) tennis star Maria Sharapova is engaged to the Lakers' Sasha Vujacic, who reportedly popped the question Tuesday night. [Yahoo Sports]

Tommy Hilfiger has opened its first U.S. Tommy Boutique, which is aimed at younger shoppers, in Manhattan. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

And Gucci has opened an 11,000-square-foot store in Crystals at CityCenter, the posh mall in Las Vegas. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Willow Smith. Credit: Frank Robichon / EPA

"Glee's" Lea Michele has resisted the Hollywood pressures to "perfect" her looks, and she is happy she never got a nose job. Honestly, we think she wouldn't look nearly as interesting if she had. [People]

Designer Zac Posen is losing a partner: his mother, Susan Posen, is stepping aside to pursue other interests. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Blake Lively, Halle Berry and Nikki Reed were among the stars who looked chic and lovely at this past weekend's Spike Scream Awards in L.A. despite the rainy weather. [FabSugar]

PETA is denying that it has plans to douse Victoria Beckham in blood to protest her new animal skin handbags. But the animal rights group says it has sent the former Spice Girl turned designer a video to educate her in the hopes she'll change her M.O. [Vogue] 

There's a white glass ceiling in retailing, and BRAG (the Black Retail Action Group) is fighting to break it. [WWD] (Subscription required.) 

Rumor has it that Jennifer Lopez and her 2-year-old twins will be the faces of Gucci's ads for its kids line. [People]

Local gals Laura and Kate Mulleavy are racking up more honors for their label, Rodarte, this time at Monday night's Americans for the Arts National Arts Awards gala in New York. Chalk up two in one week: they received honors there last Thursday at the National Design Awards. [WWD]

Socks are a cute and inexpensive way to add a little flair to a casual look. [FabSugar]

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Lea Michele. Credit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times fashion critic Booth Moore picks the top 10 runway collections of the spring-summer 2011 season. Check out a full gallery here.

Photo left: A look from the Fendi spring-summer 2011 runway collection. Photo right: A look from the Gucci spring-summer 2011 runway collection. Credit: Jonas Gustavsson and Peter Stigter / For The Times.

Seductive, not in-your-face sexy. That was the message at Gucci, where designer Frida Giannini opened Milan Fashion Week on Wednesday with a tribal-tinged trek through Marrakech. The theme could easily have taken a turn into costume territory had Giannini not put such an emphasis on luxurious-looking tailoring and handcrafted leather details.

Giannini addressed fashion's cleaned-up mood by working with a lot of neutral shades (a sand-colored silk strapless jumpsuit was a winning look), with a dash of spice -- cinnamon, turquoise, purple and jade green.

There was more than one nod to the 1970s (and Yves Saint Laurent), but unlike in New York, there were no midi-length skirts.

Instead, the focus was on pants: a high-waisted jade-green pair worn with a gold woven-leather obi belt and a cinnamon-colored jacket nipped in at the waist; fluid jodphurs paired with a soft safari jacket and tassel belt; and textured leather leggings with tops of suede crochet or swinging fringe. (The one lapse in judgment was a group of tuxedo one-pieces with harem pants. No matter how hard designers have tried, have harem pants ever really taken off?)

Occassionally, the tribal feather, jewel and fringe details were a bit heavy-handed, particularly on the short finale dresses, which also seemed reminiscent of those shown on the Lanvin runway back in February.

But all in all, this was a strong collection, balancing function with fantasy. It was also refreshing to see a less aggressive stance from Giannini -- and not to spot a single Gucci logo. Instead, leather accessories had a more easygoing, natural feel -- cage leather booties and sandals on skinny heels, for example, and soft totes and clutches with basket-weave details.

-- Booth Moore in Milan

Gucci spring - summer 2011 runway collection photo gallery

Photos: Looks from the Gucci spring-summer 2011 runway collection shown during Milan Fashion Week. Credit: Jonas Gustavsson & Peter Stigter / For The Times

-- Sears (that's right Sears) is pairing up with French Connection for a line of clothing called UK Style. [WWD] (subscription required).

-- Also in the decline of Western civilization category: Tim Gunn had a few choice words to say (to E! News) about Taylor Momsen. Among them? She is "pathetic" and a "diva." [The Cut]

-- Speaking of Gossip Girls, Christian Louboutin (no... wait, we know he's not a member of the cast!) has named a shoe after Blake Lively. [People]

Gucci, in the meantime, has made a deal with the Recording Academy (the folks who bring us the Grammys) to preserve "milestone" musical recordings. [WWD] (subscription required).

-- Models who participate in London Fashion Week now have access to employment contracts that establish minimum rates of pay and a minimum age (16) to participate. [Vogue UK]

-- And, finally, Jane Fonda is back in her leotard with two new fitness videos that will be released later this fall. Did we mention that she's 72? And that she's looking pretty darn great? Feel the burn. [NY Daily News]

-- Alice Short

Photo: Taylor Momsen. Credit: Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images

Viral videos go hand-in-hand with fragrance and fashion launches these days. But Gucci is trying a new promotional tack  -- building suspense for a full-length video commercial with, well, another video.

The Italian fashion house has just released an online "trailer" for its forthcoming mini-movie for Gucci Guilty, its newest fragrance, launching in September. The full-length video will debut during the MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 12.

Starring actors Evan Rachel Wood (the official face of the brand) and Chris Evans, the full-length film was directed by legendary comic book creator and movie director Frank Miller ("Sin City" and "The Spirit").

The trailer doesn't betray the video's plot line, but it definitely bears Miller's distinctive noir mark.

Images include a darkly glamorous Wood driving a race car spitting fire out of its back wheels, her strawberry-hued hair swirling around her like liquid; a patent leather fetish-style stiletto worn on a leg with a tattooed ankle, framed by the graphic shadow of horizontal window blinds; and a leather-clad Evans looking appropriately intense in a dark bar.

The smoldering visuals match the scent, which boasts a sensual blend of cloying notes -- mandarin, pink pepper, peach, lilac, geranium, amber and patchouli among them. It makes you want to put on a smoky eye and drive like the wind.

--Emili Vesilind

Movie: Gucci's Trailer for its Gucci Guilty film by Frank Miller. Credit: Gucci.