Karl Lagerfeld's 80s flashback at Chanel.

PARIS—When you’re in the Grand Palais in Paris for a Chanel couture show and it’s been converted into the Place Vendome except that Napolean is Chanel and one minute you’re getting a Mary Poppins vibe and the next it’s like, “Woah! Tron!” and everything sparkles and the shoes light up—you’re suffering from sensory overload. So we focused on one thing, the hot pink jacket above, because it reminded us of just one reference: Working Girl. Yes, Melanie Griffith’s jacket was red, but when we Googled the hit 80s film we found the picture above left, from a short-lived TV show based on the movie starring a very young Sandra Bullock. So many awesome things in one!  Click here to check out the entire Chanel couture collection.

Just as excitement over the resort 2012 collections is dying down, a few designers—the ones with the craziest talent and imaginations—are releasing their fall 2011 haute couture collections. Among the out-there looks better left for the runway, we spotted a trend we can totally get behind: Japanese-inspired style.

Q-Tip and Ali, 1990 Photo: Chris Carroll/Corbis

In 1998, the seminal hip-hop group A Tribe Called Quest—whose jazz-infused melodies and whimsical rhymes offered a socially conscious alternative to gangsta rap in the ’90s—mysteriously called it quits. Michael Rapaport’s new doc Beats, Rhymes, & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest, out July 8, got ATCQ members on the record about their dissolution—albeit separately, since founders Q-Tip and Phife Dawg barely speak to each other. Still, the evocative, head-bobbing film isn’t all Real Housewives–style name-calling and fisticuffs (though both do occur); it’s also packed with archival footage that celebrates the foursome, whose lyrical rap influenced artists from the Beastie Boys to Pharrell. Offscreen, mudslinging began at Sundance, when Q-Tip and Tribe members Ali Shaheed Muhammad and Jarobi missed the premiere, accusing Rapaport of limiting their editorial input. Phife broke down in tears at the screening. But by spring’s Tribeca Film Fest, the group had suddenly announced their support. Here, first-time director (and lifelong fan) Rapaport explains.

Photo: Courtesy of Alkemie Jewelry

This month, Free People’s featured artist is design duo Ashley Lowengrub and Dara Gerson with their eco-friendly jewelry collab, Alkemie. The couple lives a life where sustainability is key (shouldn’t we all?), so imagine their dismay when they found out what goes into most jewelry making. Ever think that purchasing that pretty gem ring actually might be aiding in hurting the environment? Finding precious metals and gem stones sometimes means dangerous work environments for children, who are also exposed to toxic chemicals from mines. The couple couldn’t bear this thought but still wanted to create beautiful pieces, so using 100% reclaimed metal—or in other words, scrap gold and metal—the duo manufactures necklaces, bracelets, belts, earrings, etc. in downtown L.A. With their love of the environment, exploration, texture and nature comes Alkemie, the art of transforming something common into something precious. Check out some of their pieces after the jump!

Cate Blanchett, Roberta Armani & Katie Holmes at Armani's Privé show. Photo: Getty Images

The Haute Couture shows kicked off in Paris on Sunday night and ELLE’s market editor, Joann Pailey, is keeping a daily diary of Paris’ most talked about moments! Read on for her notes on Armani, Givenchy and fashion’s newest model couple.

Photo: Courtesy of LaurenConrad+KristinEss/tumblr.com

“Reality TV“—how does that word taste in your mouth? We either eat it up or spit it out, but there’s always that one person who’s the exception to the rules of the reality star world. Lauren Conrad has risen to the top of her career with two fashion lines, three books, and a beauty website without falling into the doom and gloom that usually comes with the post-reality show life (Oh, that guy is STILL on Real World challenges, how old is he, 50?). Although she came to fame as our favorite “character” on Laguna beach and The Hills, Conrad was never just your typical reality star—we knew right away that the girl had spunk. But spunk in the form of dip-dyed ends? Even we didn’t see this coming from the always classy fashion princess. But guess what, we got your back Lauren. We are BIG fans of the dip-dye trend. Conrad left the power up to us in the form of a poll on her beauty site. She asked readers whether or not she should leave the tie-dyed tips to the “rebelling teens,” but we all know that there’s nothing better than those teenage years. Sixty percent of “Do It’s” got the job done, and uh…who’s to say whether or not my finger hit the “Do It” button more times than one. Conrad posted the result today and opted for tie-dyed ends of purple, pink, and blue. And well, with a few tousled strands of purple hair myself, I can’t say I hate it. Like it, love it, want it? Here are some tips on how to dip dye your own hair. After all, this is a new generation of party people.

Joan Smalls in Giambattista Valli couture. Photo: Imaxtree

Paris has played host to almost two full days of couture shows; what’s happened so far?

Reese Witherspoon, Splash News

Tomboys, unite! It’s true—baseball hats may not have the rep as being the most fashionable accessory, but they’re a definitive do. Celebs are spotted out and about in them all the time. OK, sometimes they’re out for a jog and the cap is the best way to cover bedhead. But sometimes they’re wearing them as part of an actual ensemble. So here are few starlets who are dedicated to the masculine head-topper. The baseball hat a là Reese Witherspoon (above) is one of our favorite ways to wear it. It’s an obvious choice for those of us going on a run who have yet to shower for the day.

Chloë Sevigny tells the Times she’s pretty much over fashion just one month after staging her first fashion show in New York City.