H&M, the Swedish affordable-fashion chain, plans to open 159 new stores by November. Worldwide, that is. Only two of the new stores are planned for the U.S. in the next quarter.

H&M retail sales have shown healthy growth during the financial meltdown. See a summary of their recent performance and future growth plans here. Below is a cool video from one of their recent ad campaigns;

This YouTube video is a must see. It really captures the personality of Anna Wintour, editor of Vogue. Anna is known to be very direct and terse, not into small talk.

The September issue of Vogue is always the fattest most exciting issue in the fashion world. And now Vogue has released a video on YouTube they call the 'official trailer of the September issue." But it's all about Anna and it's very juicy.

Anna seemed to know very early on she would one day become the editor of Vogue. She's been the editor- in-chief there now for over 20 years. See the video below;

Robin Givhan writes an entertaining article about the recent decision by Jimmy Choo to make an affordable shoe collection for H&M. She also discusses women's love affair with shoes;

Shoes have always been fashion's great equalizer. A woman is never too fat or too old, too short or too thin to indulge in this singular luxury. She may not wear the highest heel or the thickest platform, but she can always take part in the fantasy.

But a woman who finds herself relegated to a plus-size dress shop can find her shoe size in even the snootiest fashion boutique. Shoes allow a woman to participate in all the status-chasing and snobbery that fashion has to offer.

Check out her story about status and shoes here.

Here's a brief video fashion show of about 15 various bikini styles for summer 2009.

Sarah Palin is back in the news with her interest in the 2012 presidential bid. Here she is in New York attending a Yankee game with ex-Mayor Giuliani and his wife. Those sunglasses really suit her. Anyone know what brand this is?

I bought a very comfortable pair of sandals today. The kind that you can enjoy walking in for good distances as well as just for slipping on to go out to the garden. It's the first time I've bought the Josef Seibel brand but after walking about a mile in them on a very hot day today doing my shopping, I'll definitely check them out again the next time I'm looking for attractive but comfortable sandals.

Head over to Forbes to see a picture slideshow of the ten female models who made the most money in 2008. Gisele Bündchen topped the list at $25 million. Others include Heidi Klum, Kate Moss and Adriana Lima.

Here's a nice video about a young woman who went to school to become a fashion designer.

Brooke Samad is Muslim and she wanted to create a line of modest but still young and fashionable clothing. She graduated from a one year program at the New York's Fashion Institute of Technology and is enjoying her new fashion designer career.

Kate Moss has pulled her hair back tight and applied glamorous red lipstick to model her new Topshop summer collection. See some more of the new Kate Moss look and the designs from this collection at the Catwalk Queen.

Here's a good video showing some beautiful prom dress ideas for 2009. All the dresses featured here are designed by Faviana