Michael Kors

Michael Kors defined his fall 2012 collection as “rugged elegance,” and brought his inspiration to life by sending a mix of hard and soft elements down the runway. A tan leather belt cinched a gorgeous crimson gown, for example, for an unexpected pairing that represented his rugged charm. Meanwhile, the Project Runway judge described his cozy knits as “gutsy” (bold!), which was particularly true when he paired them with chantilly lace skirts. And, of course, it wouldn’t be a Michael Kors show without amazing outerwear (blanket coats, ponchos, and fur-lined trenches) and sparkling gowns (in crimson, silver, gold, and black, beaded with crystals on stretch jersey). Framed doctors’ bags, chic satchels, oxfords, and Mary-Janes completed each look. See our favorites in the gallery.

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— Violet Gaynor

The newest social shopping site has a charitable spin! Mulu.me is a Pinterest-like pinboard where users can curate wish lists, and if a visitor purchases a product through the site, Mulu splits any affiliate revenue with the user who posted it. Posters can either donate the money to one of 38 popular charities, or have it paid directly to themselves via PayPal. “Users can follow their friends, style arbitors, tastemakers and celebrities like Zooey Deschanel and her Hello Giggles pals, Busy Phillips and Michael Kors,” Mulu founder and CEO Amaryllis Fox told InStyle.com of the growing celebrity following. “It’s pretty empowering to be able to support a clean water project in Sudan with your killer taste in shoes.” Check out mulu.me to sign up!

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Michael Kors’ latest lineup offers the sportswear designer’s take on safari chic clothes. He named the collection “Afriluxe,” and literal interpretations of the voyager girl in Africa were clear on the runway with animal prints, rugged boots, and oversize travel bags. Colors were desert-like, with limestone and clay paired with warm sunset shades of amber and sienna. The rawness of the clothes—distressed linen and leather, for example—matched the stripped down beauty, as models showed off tanned skin and wildly natural matte textured hair. See our favorite looks from the fashion show in the gallery.

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— Violet Gaynor