Boom Boom Pow! - Francis by Christian Francis Roth

If Kate Middleton didn't have the resources of the British empire, she might peruse the wool teal coat with faux fur festooning the neckline and sleeves of the Francis by Christian Francis Roth impeccably tailored Fall 2011 line selling for $528. Or, she might select the regal Alexandra Seemed tomato red dress cleverly contouring the body in navy trim retailing for $320.

Start saving for Francis ladylike dresses, skirts, coats and jackets in "look at me" pop-art colors and graphics. Store delivery dates are August and July, check http://www.francisnewyork.com/ for details.

/nancy brenner

Ba Ba Black Sheep, Have You Any Wool?

No, sir, no sir, doesn't seem as if designers do - based on what's displayed at Coterie at the Javits Center for Fall 2011. Ponte, jersey, poly, the fancy soul-sister - lurex - are the dominant fibers.  Today's Fiber Sheet in WWD cites the costs of wool have risen by 40%, while some say raw increases for wool were in the 80% range.

What's a wool loving fashionista to do? Take your re-weaver to lunch - they will be in big demand for Fall 2011. Start shopping vintage. Start storing woolies in lots of mothballs or cedar planks in a sealed container. No wonder they were showing so many textured tights at the runways at Lincoln Center. And stock up on arm warmers at Tibi. And all manners of fur. Fall 2011 will be a cold all-seasons material winter. BRRRR.

A true sweater aficionado will explore Autumn Cashmere for the widest variety of texture, colors and trims and Lauren Moffatt for an interesting felted wool sweater and comeback designer Christian Francis Roth's contemporary line, Roth, for well designed wool coats and dresses in pop-art colors.

/nancy brenner

NOTE FROM GSNYC: For those of you who don't know, the image is Black Sheep's "A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" album cover, one of the best hip hop albums of that year (1992), and one that I have a great affinity for.