the buzz log

Time was when a pair of Air Jordans put you at the head of the class. And those treads are a perennial fave in Search, ranking near the top of all sports footwear. But the shoe has moved to the other, more fashion-centric foot: The humble sneaker has gotten an extreme style makeover. But it will cost you.

First, Michelle Obama showed up outfitted in super high-end kicks from fashion designer Lanvin. The grey leather shoes with metallic pink toe caps and ribbon laces will set you back $540 to look dressed down yet done up. The steep price didn't slow the searches. The snazzy shoes caused a lookup frenzy for "michelle obama sneakers" and "lanvin sneakers."

The First Lady has stepped into a new trend. Soccer stud David Beckham is designing a line of menswear for Adidas, including fancy footwear in leather and cashmere, called Originals for Originals. Nike is still a player for the hot sneaker market with Kanye West's Nike Air design, the "Yeezy." The perforated leather sneaks, which go for about $300, caused lines at Footlocker the night before the launch of the latest color, and have gone for thousands on eBay.

Queries on "jordan sneakers," "gucci sneakers," and "kanye west sneakers" are racing ahead. Try to keep up.

Filed under: Fashion

Fashionistas, rejoice. Reality TV, which seems to be filled these days with singing hopefuls and supermodel wannabes, is finally serving up some style.

"Project Runway" fans will be relieved to know that the show is finally back "in," after a maddening hiatus during a network dispute between Bravo and its new home, Lifetime. The sixth season of the design competition will be set in L.A. We know, it won't be the same. But as Tim Gunn would say, "Make it work."

Bravo has filled its "Runway" programming gap with — what else — a fashion design competition. "The Fashion Show" will feature the wild-haired designer Issac Mizrahi as host. His outsize personality is enough to get us to watch at least one episode.

And finally, in a "how desperate are we for content" move, the Bravo network announced a new reality show set in, wait for it, a store. OK, a really high-end boutique in L.A., but still. The as-yet-untitled drama will center around Fred Segal Fun, the go-to boutique for the celebrity set. Viewers will be privy to rabid salespeople vying for sales from A-listers like Jennifer Anniston and Mandy Moore. At least the economy is working for someone.

Filed under: Reality TV, Fashion

While Michelle Obama may be rocking the "fashion for the masses" look in London, the British store Topshop hit the streets of New York to launch its American invasion (in a good way). Those who love a trend but hate to spend had already formed a line five blocks long to check out the store opening. Those not in line got online to search for "topshop" and "topshop online."

Think of the British import as a higher-priced Forever 21 with an English accent. The supermodel Kate Moss, who could easily fit into toothpick-sized outfits, has lent her star power for a Topshop clothing line. Let's hope it's more generously shaped for the American bod.

The blog Racked dubbed the openig of the London retailer "Topshopocalypse," and live blogged the event, which included a three-hour wait to get in, the arrival of a Topshop Vespa, and "an abrasive British woman yelling 'shop, shop, shop.'"

The advent of a new store for the chic and cheap works for these recessionary times. The New York Times noticed that many shoppers have been trading down from pricey stores to cheaper ones with traditionally blander looks. (Yes, you, Talbot's.) The frenzy around the new store suggests that lower price does not have to come at the cost of high fashion. Recessionistas, rejoice.

Filed under: Fashion