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Billabong celebrated the launch of its Fall 2012 collections in true surfer style. From Jan. 31 to Feb. 3 the company showcased its stable of brands beachside at the Surf and Sand Hotel in Laguna Beach. The mega-company’s trade show event, titled The Roadside Attraction, was created for marketing and sales - and there was plenty of time for some after hours fun.

Don Cornelius. Photo courtesy of vibe.com

In honor of Don Cornelius's passing, a tribute to the TV icon and some of the funky fashions the show helped popularize.

Known for his sharp dressing and smooth baritone, Don Cornelius launched a dance and music phenomenon with his hit show “Soul Train.”

It’s supposed to be winter right now in Southern California, though the thermometer has read otherwise lately. When those overcast clouds decide to arrive, the new Stila Loves L*Space makeup palette is a handy cheater trick to getting that sun-kissed glow. L*Space swimwear designer Monica Wise was showing the compacts at the recent Swim Collective show and said she picked bronzey blushes and a rosey lipgloss which make for a “natural beachy” tan.

Let’s start with the bad news. L.A. designer Andrae Gonzalo has moved to New York. (Hmph, where’s Andrae, indeed.)

The good news is, he’s still sending his scoops out west. (Thank you, Andrae! Sorry for using the image above--but the T-shirt was too perfect to pass up.)

The Otis graduate, “Project Runway” alum and, ahem, former Los Angeles designer is designing for New York–based eveningwear line Mikael Aghal.

Natural Model Management

When it comes to model sizes, what exactly is “normal”?

Katie Halchishick has been a plus-size model and a quote-unquote normal model and now owns Los Angeles-based modeling agency Natural Model Management, founded “by models for models,” with the mission to “[values]models and their natural build and body size and encourage models to find a healthy balance in life and in their bodies.” 

 “Soul Train” creator Don Cornelius died today. Seems like a good time to remember the influence his iconic show had on music and fashion. 

Alternative Apparel will kick off Valentine’s Day a little early with a Valentine’s Day-themed party at their flagship store on Abbot Kinney in Venice.

The Feb. 11 event will be hosted by Glitter N’ Glue blogger Kristen Turner and will feature a performance by L.A. band The Peach Kings.

Drum roll please....

The first batch of designers headed for the new "Designers in Residence" program housed inside the Macy's at Union Square have been named.

The six designers, who all live in San Francisco but come from spots around the world, will be the first lucky ones to take part in the just-launched Fashion Incubator San Francisco, which has an incredible program.

John Cusack with Jodi Lyn O'Keefe at Dari.

It’s awards season, and members of the the Cusack acting clan showed up at Dari one of our favorite L.A. area boutiques. The reason for the shindig was the debut last week of the “Q” jewelry collection. It was designed by actress Jodi Lyn O’Keefe, a Cusack family friend. Other celebs who showed up included Minnie Driver. Last year O’Keefe debuted a fashion line called Queen George.