Cathy Horyn, the revered-and-reviled fashion critic for the New York Times, in conversation with Sarah Burton, of Alexander McQueen.

The video offers an extremely rare glimpse at the McQueen atelier, a unique insight into McQueen’s distinctive vision and methodology, and a first-hand explanation of how Sarah Burton is curating and cultivating McQueen’s legacy since his passing.

And goddamn is it beautiful.

Video: NOWNESS

British actress Emily Blunt (of ubiquitous The Devil Wears Prada) joins the ranks of a number of lucky beauties who have starred in Yves St. Laurent’s now-notorious Opium fragrance campaign. Perhaps one of the most famous, if not infamous fragrances in the world, Opium has earned its reputation due to both its overpowering scent and controversial marketing.

The perfume, created to induce a drug-like euphoria, was masterminded by St. Laurent himself in the seventies with his signature (erotic and powerful) muse in mind. Click through to learn the history of this scandalous scent. (more…)

While the wildly printed pieces from Riccardo Tisci’s F/W ’11 collection for Givenchy may be the epitome of chic right now, these simple heels with a twist are a definite investment piece. The thin, gold ankle cuff sits high on the ankle, taking this extremely retro shape and making it newly reminiscient of Tisci’s muse for fall, pin-up queen Bettie Page. The sheen of the satin and the toe-cleavage-cloaking high-cut opening are classic babe, but the subversive metal straps suggest a kinky streak. They’re a bit Bettie Page, and a bit Helmut Newton, but even far in the future, these will be a must have.

Givenchy Satin Runway Heel, $695.00 at Farfetch.com.

Some people are glued to the NYSE, or find themselves buried in the WSJ. However, we at FashionVerbatim have dutifully put aside such questionable frivolities in favor of the one truly important annual indicator of our economic climate: the dollar value of the Victoria’s Secret Fantasy Bra.

Since 1996, we have seen this (literally) brilliant, multifaceted marketing device scattered across the globes of such supermodels as Heidi Klum, Tyra, Gisele and Karolina Kurkova. Miranda Kerr (Below) modeled 2011′s under-the-sea inspired contraption, encrusted with $2.5 million in diamonds and pearls.

We can just picture Barack Obama, huddled at his desk late-night, brow furrowed, studying the Fantasy Bra value chart on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show wiki page. How do we restore our fine country to glory of a carefree Y2K, when Gisele was lounging around in $15 million worth of diamonds and rubies? Or when Heidi Klum was spangled in dazzling blue-and-white stars?

We are currently basking in patriotism. Join us after the jump, for more of our favorite Fantasy Bras from glory years past.

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