Photo: Getty Images

News flash: The real modeling industry doesn't take Tyra Banks seriously. Like top-model agent Ellis, who discovered Erin O'Connor and Alek Wek. She pretty much told British Vogue that Tyra Banks's new season of America's Next Top Model in which contestants can be no taller than five seven sounded like a stupid, stupid idea. "I really have no preconceived notions when I go out scouting," she said. "I am a great believer in fate and I never go out looking for someone dark, fair, commercial, edgy — I really just see who crosses my path. But, height-wise, I would not be looking for anyone under 5' 9"–5' 10". That's the absolute minimum."

February 3 at He's Just Not That Into You premiere, March 2 at "Extreme Beauty" exhibit, March 2 at Dolce & Gabbana, and March 24 at a Tribute to Cinema party.Photo: Getty Images

A commenter alerted us to watch out for Scarlett Johansson's side part. Well, consider us alerted. And alarmed. ScarJo's part is taking on a life of its own as a traveling nomad amid her lovely locks. Ever since she dyed her blonde mane a rich shade of burgundy-brown this year, her part keeps inching over — so much so that she's in Stage Comb-over. As you can see above, it's a steady migration: In February she kept it center. A month later when she toured Europe for the fashion shows, the line moved just a tad over and looked natural. But when she showed up at the Tribute to Film party on Tuesday, the part started at the far tip of her eyebrow. If she keeps going at this rate, she'll have her part start at her ear, and that just won't suit her face. It's time to make it stop. Because she's too young and too hot to have a comb-over. Those are reserved for accountants, Wall Streeters, Donald Trump ... Yeah — ew.

Photo: Getty Images

SKIN
• Rihanna just got guns tattooed on the sides of her rib cage. She wanted to get them above her armpits, but figured she'd better hide them, because Cover Girl, with which she has an endorsement deal, wouldn't like it. Where is her head? [NYDN]

HAIR
• Hairstylist Eva Scrivo, who owns a salon in Nolita, is going to write a book about hair tips. Sounds riveting already. [WWD]

• This woman's fiancé steals her Bliss Ingrown Hair Eliminating Peel Pads to treat ingrown hairs on his neck. [Cue lady-mag voice] Isn't it so fun when girls share beauty products (and problems!) with their guys?! [Beauty Department/Glamour]

MAKEUP
• Drugstore makeup brand Jane is having financial troubles. Well, selling eyeliner for $1.99 isn't going to get them out of the red. [WWD]

NAILS
• Black nails are still trendy, but now it's cool to accent them with glitter, stripes, and chrome. Like Star Wars nails. [BellaSugar]

Photo: Courtesy of Spanx

For the past two years, a top-secret project has been in the works at the Spanx factory: Spanx clothing. Spanx founder Sara Blakely told Glamour's Slaves to Fashion blog that "certain articles of clothing" are in the works right now. She's not sure when this new secret stuff will hit the market, since the Spanx factory doesn't like to launch things until they're perfect. But Blakely is most certainly intent on expanding her modern girdle empire — she just launched a line of underthings called Haute Contour, which Slaves to Fashion describes as "a sexier, sultrier Spanx that you won't be afraid to let your boyfriend see you in." Except wouldn't you be afraid to let him try to take them off, if they're as tight as regular Spanx? (His nails better be really short.)

Kinée (NY Models) at Julien Macdonald.Photo: Imaxtree

Some of fashion's most exquisite creatures come from Senegal. One of our favorites is 23-year-old Kinée Diouf. Alber Elbaz has been championing the rising star since his spring 2007 show. Sure, Diouf worked with Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot for W's March 2007 issue and mugged for M.A.C in 2007, but she's remained relatively under the radar since. And we can't understand it. A model as elegant (and absolutely stunning in the flesh) as Diouf should be working the pages of French Vogue and Numero regularly. This Fashion Week, Diouf walked for Yigal Azrouël, Vivienne Westwood, and Lanvin, of course. We hope that this year marks her long-awaited breakout season.

Model Profile: Kinée Diouf

For more runway stars, check out our Model Manual.

So precious and innocent! For now ...Photo: Getty Images

Even though she was recently forced to close most of her U.S. stores, 16-year-old Kira Plastinina isn't giving up on fashion. She's planning to go to fashion school — either Central St. Martins in London or Parsons in New York. "If you look at my collection and efforts now versus six months ago, I've definitely grown and improved," she said. "I really want to make my experience complete by getting a professional designer's education. I want to continue to grow and evolve and inspire the girls that go to my store with stronger and more mature collections." Well yes, Kira, maturing would be a good idea.

The heiress is currently in school in Moscow and says she has a year to decide where she wants to go. After a few moments of consideration we have decided Kira should most definitely come here, even though the pants she used to make with zipper vents in the butt part offend us greatly. But imagine having a famous Russian socialite running around Parsons, participating in student fashion shows, sitting front-row at Fashion Week, going out partying, getting caught with "whipped cream" on her nostril ... the possibilities are endless! Olivia Palermo might become nothing more than a hazy memory.

Kira Plastinina Goes Back to School! [Fashion Week Daily]

Photo: Getty Images

In her quest to become Rachel Zoe Inc., which includes trademarking the phrases I DIE™ and BANANAS™ and threatening to take out lawsuits against local artists, the stylist is launching a clothing line. She tells People.com, "It will be absolutely, 100% accessible fashion for sure — for everybody. There’s no reason for me to do a luxury-level design. That’s not who I am. I don’t think it’s what people want from me. I think that I would need to give people that fantasy becoming a reality. That’s my job.” Zoe offered few details on the line, but said it would include jewelry, clothing, bags, and fragrance. Christopher Sauvé, the artist Zoe threatened to sue for making an "I DIE. BANANAS." T-shirt, told us his lawyer did a little digging and found out the line is supposed to be called "I Die." That explains one trademark, but what does she have up her billowy sleeves for BANANAS™? The suspense is killing us. I DIE™.

Rachel Zoe to Launch Affordable Clothing Line [StyleWatch/People]
Related: Rachel Zoe Trademarked ‘I Die’ and ‘Bananas’

Christian Siriano, fall 2009.Photo: Imaxtree

When we last spoke to him, Christian Siriano was tight-lipped about which new stores had picked up his fall 2009 collection, but he wasn't lying when he said they were "big." Saks Fifth Avenue will sell the Project Runway wunderkind's fall line in its new in-store boutique for up-and-coming designers, WWD reports. This is huge for Christian. Despite recent economic hardships, Saks is still part of the holy trinity of retailers, along with Barneys and Bergdorf. It's a good move on their part, too, since ventures like the up-and-coming designer boutique might help draw in the customers they so desperately need.

Photo: Shanna Ravindra

• H&M;'s first-quarter profits fell 12 percent due to adverse currency-exchange rates, marking the first time the chain has reported a loss in five years. Sales grew 18 percent thanks to new store openings, but not counting those, sales fell 5 percent. [WWD]

• Ugh, Hugo Boss's net losses for the fourth quarter of 2008 were $20.6 million, or 27 percent. [WWD]

• Justin Timberlake is going on Oprah today, live, to talk about his William Rast line. If that's not a good reason to "get sick" at the end of the day today so you can go sit in front of a TV, we don't know what is. [WWD]

• Courtney Love is having a feud with the Etsy.com designer of label Boudoir Queen. The designer says Love's trying to get her kicked off the website. [E! Online]

• Hills executive producer Adam DiVello reportedly went on a tirade at a cast photo shoot for the series because he was pissed that Audrina got a deal for her own reality show. When she left, he started cursing her in front of the rest of the cast and crew. Because equally vapid overly tanned brunettes are so rare. [NYP]

Photo: Photo-illustration: Everett Bogue; Photos:
Getty Images

After retail stocks swelled 4.4 percent yesterday, investors think the economy's assault on the industry may be nearing its end. For the gods have delivered a great savior, who has been walking among us this whole time: Tim Geithner, whose unveiling of new regulatory framework in the financial-services industry inspired this wave of optimism. The beneficiaries of his deliverance were some of the hardest-hit chains in the downturn. Saks's shares rose 15 percent. Ann Taylor's shares rose 18 percent, Liz Claiborne rose 16.2 percent, Quicksilver rose 18.8 percent, and Macy's rose 10.2 percent.

Geither told the House Financial Services Committee, “What we need is better, smarter, tougher regulation, because we’ve seen the costs of these weaknesses and gaps are catastrophic to the system as a whole.” Those words, in the minds of investors, were more powerful than the news of a 6.3 percent decline in GDP and an increasingly horrific unemployment rate.

So when will the clouds part and the sun's rays drench us in not only warmth, but money? Probably not for another year, say experts. But, economists say, after the first quarter, things probably won't get any worse. The economy is expected to contract 7 to 8 percent in the first quarter and then stabilize, with subsequent quarters showing steady improvement. Growth isn't expected, but at least companies can begin recouping losses. So congrats, Saks! You finally have your cake. Maybe next year you can eat it, too.

Retail Stocks Swell 4.4 Percent Thursday [WWD]

Photo: Courtesy of Madewell

Next Thursday, just down the block from Topshop’s grand opening, Madewell will host an evening of all things denim. From 7 to 9 p.m., they're selling their new limited-edition jeans, hand-crafted by the company’s designers. These specially distressed pairs are part of Madewell’s fall 2009 line and otherwise won't be available until that collection hits stores this summer. All jeans are $25 off at the store during this “Denim After Dark” event, plus get free hemming and custom embroidery with any jeans purchase. So go. We all know you're not getting Balmains anytime soon.

Madewell Soho, 486 Broadway, nr. Broome St.; 212-226-6954

This Christian Dior Couture gown is pennies
compared to the diamond wonder frock.Photo: Imaxtree

Guess what! Retail stocks are up! By an amazing 5 percent! The cause? Economic optimism inspired by the new regulatory plans for the financial industry, outlined by Treasury-secretary-cum-fashion-trailblazer Tim Geithner. So clearly, with the market regrowing its bull horns, fashion designers should prepare by making loads of the kind of ridiculously expensive things we all enjoyed so much three years ago. Like diamond-encrusted dresses! Hell, why not just construct an entire dress from diamonds, like designer Faisol Abdullah is doing. His dress includes over 750 diamonds, among them a 70-carat pear-shaped stone at the center of the bodice. The gown's bodice and train are encrusted with diamonds. "Stocks drop, gold is even falling but a diamond is forever," Abdullah said. "This is a dress with diamonds. Why go backwards, why can't we go forward? We are going to the fantastic, but it's real. You are getting value for money with these diamonds." Oh, excuse us — this is a recession-friendly diamond-encrusted dress.

Photo: Getty Images

Yesterday ex–Project Runway contestant Kenley Collins had a hearing in Brooklyn Criminal Court about her arrest for allegedly attacking her ex-fiancé with a cat, apples, and a laptop. Kenley claimed she never threw the cat at her ex-beau Zak Penley while he was sleeping. She was charged with second-degree assault, but that will probably be dropped down to a misdemeanor next month. In an unexpected and somewhat weird turn of events, Kenley's mother is defending her to reporters, which is probably a good idea, considering her alleged propensity to throw living things. "My daughter told me they were arguing because she broke up with him and he wouldn't get out of the apartment," Jeanine Collins told the Daily News. "Zak's cat, Arlo, was bothering her, so she plopped him on a down comforter on the bed and told Zak to 'go feed him.' That's all there was to it." So now we know which cat it was!

I didn't fling feline, 'Project Runway' star Kenley Collins claims [NYDN]