NBC’s new reality show, “Fashion Star,” is attempting to do for fashion-based reality shows what “The Voice” has achieved for the singing shows. Mentors Nicole Richie, Jessica Simpson, and John Varvatos will try to lead the fashion-reality genre to new heights, after the downfall of shows like “Project Runway.” (Washington Post)

Africa Fashion Week in Lagos, Nigeria, is set to become a major player in the fashion industry. Africa Fashion Week began in Cape Town,South Africa back in 2009. However, this season’s event at Lagos was such an outstanding success that the organizers hope to continue the event in Nigeria for many years to come. (Guardian)

L’Oreal’s Fashion Show in Australia made many headlines due to an extraordinary appearance by Dita Von Tesse, featuring retro-inspired lingerie. Von Tesse led the show of models all boasting curvy lines and voluptuous frames. (Fashionising)

Maroon 5 singer Adam ‘Moves like Jagger’ Levine is set to launch a new fragrance: ‘222’. The co-host of “The Voice” already holds his own clothing line, also branded ‘222’. (New York Daily News)

Nicki Minaj covers Allure Magazine’s April issue, emulating Barbie with her own signature style. The Barbie-doll-look has always been a forerunner for girls across the globe, but after the impressive Barbie Dream Closet show at NY Fashion Week earlier this season, we’re sure the Barbie trend is here to stay. (Styleblazer)

Closing our list of fashion highlights for this week, the Lacoste L!ve campaign videos have gone viral on the web. Spring 2012 is just around the corner, and with Lacoste’s New York street wear, rainbow colors and great attitude, it couldn’t be better timing. Take a look!

Enjoy!

Ben Affleck, Mariah Carey, Will.i.am, Katia Gomez and other celebrities were the winners of VH1’s Do Something Awards. While charity should come without reward, it’s also great buzz for good deeds that celebs are recognized for their charitable efforts with this annual Hollywood event. (Entertainment Weekly)

Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev is featured on the cover of Fashion Magazine’s September issue. The 23-year-old actress puts out a bold appearance, wearing a Prada Fall 2012 print suit. (Just Jared)

September 9 is going to be a very busy day at New York Fashion Week, with both Victoria Beckham & Katie Holmes scheduled to showcase their Spring/Summer 2013 collections. The two friends, who until recently were giving fashion advice to one another, might find themselves fighting over the spotlight in New York in a few months. For us, both shows should be a blast. (Huffington Post)

Gisele confirms her pregnancy rumors! Now it’s official baby number two with husband Tom Brady is on its way. She confirmed the news to South American broadcaster TV Globo. In their blog post on the subject, Fashionista.com confirmed that even when pregnant her ass still looks better than 99.9% of the world’s population… (Fashionista)

One of the most important events of the week, was undoubtedly the airing of Oprah’s one-on-one ‘Next Chapter’ interview with Rihanna. The gorgeous star spoke openly about her infamous relationship with Chris Brown, her abusive ex. Many tears were flowing through the interview, but nothing could take our eyes off of the lovely Marc Jacobs Resort 2013 dress worn by Rihanna. (Styleite)

Closing our list of fashion highlights for this week, to celebrate the 120th Anniversary of Vogue, “The Vogue 120” portfolio features the most influential people in fashion under 45, shot by photographer Norman Jean Roy. The video includes such names as Adele, Beyonce, Victoria Beckham, Cara Delevingne, Elle Fanning, Kate Upton and many more. Take a look:

Putting a vest amongst the MPs
Oh Russell, with your jokes to the Commons home affairs select committee and your rock 'n' roll cowboy fashions. This week, Mr Brand might have been in the headlines for providing his thoughts on Britain's drug policy to MPs, but, really, wasn't everyone just thinking '"what was he wearing?'" If you missed it, the full look was as follows: hat, sunglasses, a collarless leather coat, some kind of tapestry-style belt, ripped acid washed black jeans and slouchy boots. No real surprises here, as Brand has long championed the skinny-fit, dishevelled look popular on the high-street for aeons. But the shocking thing about this ensemble was when he took his coat off, and was sat, in a formal setting, wearing a vest. Vest sleeves - that's quite a look. For those who prefer men dressed up all neat and in suits, it wasn't exactly a persuasive argument for dress down Friday. However in dressing to the beat of his own drum, Brand came across as totally authentic, a message that a bland suit and a boring tie rarely manages to convey. Discuss.

Shoes! Shoes! Shoes!
Selfridges announced this very morning that they are going to launch the biggest men's shoe department ever. Coming this November, the department store is creating a 10,000 square foot space that will house 250 brands and stock around 72,000 pairs of shoes at any one time. Plus, while you're trying on new ones, your old shoes will be whisked away and polished. Not sure what happens to trainers but when we know we'll get back to you...

ASOS Autumn/Winter 2012 key trends Photograph: ASOS

Next season is gonna get busy
Yesterday Topman showcased their autumn/winter 2012 collections with lashings of print (peacock, paisley, Aztec) on shirts, suit jackets and leggings alongside colour blocked jackets, posh tailoring and fuzzy mohair knits. In comparison to the moody Topman Design collection, this was positively hectic, taking in the themes of South America, 90s Brighton alternative, 70s London and George Best. This fancy for the bold is also one of the key messages that online retailer ASOS are pushing at men for next season too. Last week during their preview at Somerset House, racks were bursting with Aztec fleece jackets, coloured cords, loud patterned knitwear and bright padded coats. The future's bright etc.

Jigsaw keyhole sweater Photograph: Jigsaw

A new neckline to obsess over
Lucian Freud and Tim Roth were both on design director for Jigsaw menswear Frances Walker's autumn/winter moodboard. Having relaunched the menswear arm of the business last month, including a standalone store in Spitafields, Walker's vision is thoroughly handsome. These clothes are well made and seem to me to be designed to get better with age. They're grown up but not boring – there's spicy tomato coats, mustard moleskin, tartan suits and a boozy claret duffle. But there are also boring but useful wardrobe staples, such as an 89 basic shirt, which has a lovely handle and something of the Margaret Howells about it. Admittedly, it's at the more expensive end of the high-street - coats are from 200ish to 450 - but the clothes have a longevity about them, matched by well-sourced fabric. I'll be buying this camel fisherman rib jumper with it's "keyhole" neckline – I do love an interesting knit-neckline. See also: next season Alexander Wang.

What I've bought this week
No, not an umbrella. What's the point, you only lose them. Instead the wardrobe is to be suitably tarted up by this marvellous Christopher Shannon collage print sweatshirt.

Collaboration of the week
It's an installation and month long shopping love-off between London's sparky designer emporium b-store and York's premium independent boutique Coggles. It launches today and is as good a reason as any to shout whoop at passerbys.

Nice dunks, McFly Photograph: Back to the Future

Retro film fashion moment of the week
Michael J Fox's hair in the Back to the Future series was truly a thing of beauty, particularly coming into its own, volume wise, in part II. Hair aside, let's take a moment to cherish the fashions of the film. Not only is there Marty's resizing jacket – a bit Balenciaga - and hi-top Nikes that lace themselves (everyone is wearing Nike trainers these days). But there's also Doc Brown's retro repeat pattern print shirt (a bit this season Prada) and visor (a bit next season McQueen). I'm also certain I saw a peplum...