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Did you hear? Those pathetic white earbuds are out in favor of actual headphones that don't destroy your hearing (as much) and sound a lot better. Actual headphones also give you the ability to show off cool designs. You can look like a DJ from any era with what is available out there. For our loyal readers I've got one pair of new V-MODA Crossfade LP headphones available to win (in your choice of color). With a name like the "Crossfade LP" these headphones have a name with two disc jockey terms! That must mean something good, right? They do actually look neat and offer actual memory foam ear cushions for extra comfort. The long cord has a controller on it to control the volume as well as controlling playback (with compatible devices). You can get these Crossfade LP headphones in one of five colors. and they retail for $199. To enter for a chance to win one, see below.

Bon Jovi's Richie Sambora and musician/designer Nikki Lund debuted their White Trash Beautiful Fall 2011 Collection for the first time during NY Fashion Week. Sambora, the longtime lead guitarist for Bon Jovi and Lund, who has an extensive background in fashion design (and also in music, with the band "Secret Mind") started WTB in 2009. The collection is what you might expect from rock stars---edgy with a lot of black leather---but it is also feminine with plenty of silk chiffons and taffetas also featured. The collection was presented by STYLE360 (and sponsored by Polaroid Sunglasses), a multi-day showcase during NY Fashion Week. STYLE360 is a joint-venture between Hachette Filipacchi Media and A-List Communciations.

"This collection is about being fierce, independent, bold and luxurious," Lund told Luxist. "It's all about passion. We are passionate about fashion. We also love music. Its amazing. We have a really good juxtaposition. Richie is an expert in his field of music and also fashion. We have a good back and forth here."

WTB's Fall 2011 Collection featured several cocktail dresses, including a sharp black laser cut leather keyhole skinny dress. Gowns featured included a silver silk strapless beauty with tulle overlay and another made of silver mesh that was backless with long sleeves. Many of the models were outfitted with gorgeous sunglasses provided by Polaroid Eyewear.

Of all the art movements to use as inspiration in hotel décor, I'm not sure surrealism would be my first choice. (If I woke up in the morning to the sight of a melting alarm clock, I think I'd summon an ambulance.) So although I'd long known that the artist Salvador Dalí had been a design inspiration during Philippe Starck's renovation of Le Meurice, Paris' most venerable palace hotel, the whole proposition sounded somewhat dubious.

After all, surrealism is about thought unhampered by reason. And I like a luxury hotel that is, at the least, reasonable in its décor if not in price.

What's more, "reasonable" would not be the first adjective associated with Dalí, as a guest of Le Meurice. In his month-long annual stays, he requested a herd of sheep and then proceeded to shoot them with his pistol -- blank bullets, otherwise what a mess. He also requested a horse for reasons unrecorded in hotel history. And freshly caught flies, from the handily placed Tuileries Garden across the street.

Today, Ralph Lauren proved exactly why he is in a class by himself. The Ralph Lauren Fall 2011 Collection presented during NY Fashion Week, was timeless, glamorous and dramatic. "It was a masterpiece," André Leon Talley, Contributing Editor to Vogue, raved to Luxist after the show. "It was unmistakably Ralph Lauren. It was a simple masterpiece. He is unstoppable in his sense of taking his classics and giving them new twists and new drama."

Much of the collection was influenced by Chinese fashions, such as a black glossy silk illusion sweater dress, a jade silk panne velvet wrap dress and a red silk shantung embroidered smoking jacket that was shown under a black cashmere cocoon coat trimmed with long hair shearling.

The collection also included glossy smoking jackets, silk embroidered shearling coats, tuxedo jackets, velvet quilted jackets and pinstripe jackets paired with matching vests and trousers. A burgundy silk velvet wrap smoking jacket over a white cotton wing collar formal shirt with black sable tuxedo trousers was particularly striking. Several evening dresses were embroidered and beaded while many had an Art Deco feel.

Ralph Lauren's Asian inspiration was explained by his son David, who is the Senior Vice President, Advertising, Marketing and Corporate Communications for Polo Ralph Lauren Corp. "This past year he traveled to China," Lauren told Luxist. "It was his first trip there and he was inspired by what he saw. The future of our company is very much going to be expanding in China over the next couple of years. It has been in the air everywhere we turn. He is very inspired. For him it was a trip he took through a Ralph Lauren lens and what he saw, which is very different from what exists there, or it even never existed there. It is his interpretation of a China that could and should be."

Boots are special by dint of numerical minority: most people don't wear them, so we tend to notice them. As well, they present a larger palette for expression and are often expressive far beyond mere size. Yet the statements most boots make concern their wearers: the bella donna in an intoxicating pair of thigh-high Cavallis will probably have you wondering what other influences she might be able to exert on you.

But there is no archetypical wearer, no marble goddess eternally posing in an ur-Cavalli-thigh-high to which all subsequent thigh highs can pray for inspiration. (And yes, we do think that is a shame...)

Cowboy boots, on the other hand, speak to origins and a certain history in a way that few other boots do. Wellington wearers aren't trying to channel Napoleon's nemesis, nor are those in postilions likely to be anywhere near a coach – whereas the very point of a cowboy boot is to recall the men of the prairie. They are the Grecian urns of the American West, but instead of wine, their 10-inch, stitched and inlaid and tanned leather tops are portage for the overflowing, canteen-stained aura of "selfless, honest, independent, and self-reliant" loners.

And when you put them on, those are the waters in which you choose to dip your feet.

The problem, as with most cult relics, is that they are poorly understood. So Luxist spoke to custom boot maker Lisa Sorrell of Sorrell's Custom Boots – whose average boot runs $6,000 – to learn more about how the West was worn. One of the first things she told us: "I tell my customers that cowboy boots are a way for men to wear high heels and bright colors."

Poorly understood, indeed...

We at Luxist are wary of writing about every travel package that comes our way, but once in awhile, we come across an experience so absolutely exquisite that we're ready to book it ourselves -- and that's when we share it with you. This package is specific to Melbourne, Australia travel, but it's a single day worth flying down under for. How could one day be so utterly alluring it could justify a 15+ hour flight from Los Angeles? Well, it starts with a morning hot air balloon ride over the marvelous city of Melbourne, Australia and the lush Yarra Valley, then continues on to visits to four wineries, at each of which you'll enjoy a tasting. If you can recall a better day than that in recent history, count yourself lucky!

Betsey Johnson's Fall 2011 Collection, which was presented at this evening at Lincoln Center during NY Fashion Week Fall 2011 was a spectacular production---and definitely is the highlight of the entire week. The "He Loves Me...He Loves Me Not" show was more fun to watch than most of the theatrical productions currently headlining on Broadway--and was a wonderful way to spend Valentine's Day eve.

The collection was colorful and whimsical, as one would expect from the eclectic and charismatic designer. The show started with models (each with a blunt, dark wig) wearing the "Black Tag" Collection, described by the program as sophisticated, sexy and sleek. Each look had a name, such as "Wicked Game" and "Heartbreaker". The collection featured a fantastic black and white leopard print suit and wonderful dresses, including one that was both dramatic and sculpted (accessorized with a black and white leopard shawl and matching hand-warmer). Next up was the "Pink Patch" Collection, which is described in the program as "Affordable (under $100), Accessible and True-Blue Betsey". The fantastic footwear worn by all of the models throughout the show, called the "Lizzzy-L" collection (seen on the model in the above photo), was provided by Steve Madden and is available exclusively at SteveMadden.com and Steve Madden's mobile site for a limited time.

After her models walked the runway, employees of Betsey Johnson's fashion empire strutted the runway, too, wearing what looked to be pieces from previous collections while wearing blond Betsey Johnson-look-alike wigs. The "real models" included store managers, regional managers, design assistants, stylists, the knitwear designer, and even the VP of Retail Operations. The "real models" were of all shapes and sizes. One was pregnant (she looked adorable, by the way) while the last to walk (more like dance down) the runway was the lone male in the group (a store manager, named Seth Lefkof, according to the program) who revealed his identity after tossing his wig into the audience.

One of this year's most anticipated collection, NAHM, comes from an unlikely duo, Ally Hilfiger, of fashion royalty, and Nary Mavivong, who after living homeless as a teenager, pursued his lifelong dream of working in the fashion industry, a story that is told in the new documentary Dressed. The two have proven their worth as a young power duo, with enthusiasm and love of the craft that shows vividly in their Fall 2011 collection.

The all-suite Hansar Bangkok promotes itself as "a return to bespoke luxury," and if there's anything that might get us to believe them it's that the above is a picture of the bathroom in the Vertigo Suite. Also, the Hansar is not new to how luxury should be done in Thailand: it opened the Hansar Samui just last June, in Bophut Bay.

After the Academy Awards nominations are announced there's often a scramble to see all the movies nominated. In the past that would mean plenty of trips to the movie theater but these days more and more of us are doing our at least part of our pre-Oscars prepwork at home.

Redbox wants to help. They are offering one lucky reader an exclusive Oscar viewing party in advance of the Academy Awards. To prepare you to cheer on your favorites on the big night, the redbox viewing party includes a Sony Blu-ray player, Hollywood decorations so that your home is outfitted in style, Orville Redenbacher popcorn to munch on, 10 free redbox rentals and10 Oscar nominated films (The Social Network, The Kids Are All Right, Winter's Bone, Restrepo, Animal Kingdom, The Town, Inception, Alice in Wonderland, How to Train Your Dragon and Toy Story 3). The prize pack has a total value of $352.49.

Everyone can play beat the critics with the Redbox Movie Awards game. Login your picks on Facebook and go up against film critic Richard Roeper and Entertainment Weekly Critic David Karger. You can make predictions and should you prove victorious, show off your prowess with the "I Beat Richard Roeper" badge. Thousands of redbox at-home film critics already weighed in on the nominees for the Critics Choice Awards and Golden Globes earlier this month, with hundreds correctly predicting more winners than famed Chicago Sun-Times movie critic, Richard Roeper. Those who do not win a redbox Oscar viewing party can visit one of redbox's 26,000+ locations to rent titles featuring nominated actors, actresses, directors and films for only $1 per night.

What movie is on your must-see list before Oscars Sunday? Let us know in the comments to be entered into this giveaway.

* To enter, leave a confirmed comment below.
* The comment must be left and confirmed on February 21, 2010 before 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
* You may only enter once.
* One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
* One winner will receive a redbox viewing party including a Sony Blu-ray player, Hollywood decorations, Orville Redenbacher popcorn, 10 free redbox rentals and 10 Oscar nominated films with a total value of $352.49.
* Open to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia.

See complete giveaway rules here.

This contest is now closed. Thank you for your participation.

The Salon Privé, Europe's finest and largest dedicated display of supercars, exotics, classics and luxury goods in an English garden party setting, is moving to an amazing new venue this summer to house the largest exhibition to date and an incredible auction alongside. Syon Park (above), the sprawling London estate of the Duke of Northumberland, whose family have lived there for over 400 years, is best known as the mansion used in the movie Gosford Park and is the last surviving ducal residence retaining its country estate in Greater London, making a fitting new setting for the five-star event slated for June 22nd – 24th.

To mark the occasion, RM Auctions, the world's largest collector car auction house, has selected Salon Privé as the venue for its third annual European sale. Themed 'Quintessentially English' and scheduled for June 23, the new RM sale is set to become a regular fixture on the company's global events calendar, catering specifically for collectors with an affinity for British marques. Also joining the luxe event, now in its sixth season, for the first time is Land Rover who have confirmed that they will show the new Range Rover Evoque models which guests will be able to test drive.

2011 marks a return to the event for Porsche alongside such brands as Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, Jaguar, Lamborghini, Maserati, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Morgan and Rolls-Royce. In addition to the stunning display of modern super and luxury cars, the event's internationally renowned Concours d'Elégance returns with seven new categories and a display of some of the rarest and most valuable cars in the world. Examples of this year's categories include Ferrari 250 Competizione, Historic Grand Prix Single Seaters, Grand Routier, Oddballs, Motorcycles from the Steve McQueen era and a collection of stunning Rolls-Royce models to celebrate the 100 year centenary of the Spirit of Ecstasy. [cont'd]

Derek Lam's Fall 2011 Collection which was presented at NY Fashion Week this morning was nothing short of glamorous.

"In this collection, I have used new combinations to make clothes that look fresh, fluid, weightless, yet also appropriate for the Fall/Winter season," says Lam. "Some of the new combinations are logical: sleeves and backs of heavier weight clothing are made of slippery cloths. The usual layering of clothes are lightened, the arm slips easily under coats; the bulk is eliminated where you don't want it."

There were tunics in flannel, doubleface jersey and military gabardine that were combined with liquid twills and laundered poplins on bottom. Dresses were sewn with jersey bodices attached to wool felt skirts and vice versa so they look sleek and also tailored. Evening dresses had leather bodices, with laundered satin or poplin full skirts, for a kind of raw and casual glamour.

"I think that Derek Lam is one of the great American designers who has given American Fashion Week something very unique and sophisticated," Andre Leon Talley, Contributing Editor to Vogue, told Luxist backstage after the show. "The clothes are modern and they give modernity a new definition. They are clothes for women who work, who are grown up and who are refined. The sense of luxury of fabric is extraordinary. The glace leva jean skirt is one of my favorites. A varsity stripe on a trouser with a red leather car coat is wonderful and is the way women want to dress. I think he is exceptional. I am always more and more impressed each season with his work and I think this is one of his most outstanding moments in his career."

Czech Republic-born Supermodel Petra Nemcova, and one of the newest castmembers of Dancing with the Stars, honored Vivienne Tam at her Fall 2011 Collection show at NY Fashion Week this afternoon by wearing an elegant Chinese-themed dress designed by Tam. The dress is symbolic in red, which is the color of happiness and prosperity.

After the Vivienne Tam show, Nemcova met with Luxist to discuss what she thought of the collection.

"There were three things that I loved," the stunningly beautiful Nemcova told Luxist. "The clothes are very, very structured, which I love. You can see the quality of it. So the structure and quality, and I love the sparkles. They were just amazing. I also liked the fringe on some of the dresses. The structure, the quality, and the sparkles were really standing out. It was beautiful."

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Charlotte Ronson's Fall 2011 Fashion Show this evening at the Mercedes-Benz-sponsored Fashion Week in New York was a family affair.

Sister and deejay Samantha Ronson mixed the music for the show, while half-sister Annabelle Dexter-Jones, served as one of the models (see video below).

Annabelle (seen at right) was gorgeous in a stunning military herringbone suede trim riding jacket that was paired with a military silk Caspian dot print romper completed with black lace-up wedge booties.

Ronson's younger sibling has quite a bit of modeling experience. According to her bio, she has modeled in campaigns for Louis Vuitton and Hogan, besides being the face of Charlotte's clothing line.

Ronson's show was superb. The collection is very wearable in mostly sedated colors, including black, coffee and charcoal.

Was there ever a time when the art world was more exciting and more dynamic than the years leading up to World War I? The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum's new show, "The Great Upheaval: Modern Art From the Guggenheim Collection, 1910-1918," illuminates a time when artists were in a state of revolt. Consider Kazimir Malevich's 1912 "Morning in the Village after a Snowstorm." His inspiration is folk art. His figures are stylized and compact, geometric and tubular. Even his palette is limited to red, black, blue, white with touches of brown. What this show demonstrates so clearly is that the old European prescription for painting, especially landscapes, was no longer relevant.