Advance Notice. Alexa Chung for Madewell.

Alexa Chung is a British TV presenter and model who's known for having great style. She moved to Brooklyn to host her own MTV show, "It's On With Alexa Chung", but the show's now over and she's moving on to the designing world.

The news of the fall collection was reported by WWD in January, and is available September 9 online, and September 11 in stores. Long sweaters, skinny jeans, and vintage-style dresses populate the line.

When I got my new J. Crew catalogue over the weekend, a well-designed postcard slipped out, announcing the "Alexa Chung for Madewell" line. Madewell is part of the J. Crew group, and is a relatively new addition to Los Angeles malls like the Westfield Century City and Americana at Brand.

For more info: madewell.com, (866) 544-1937.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: stylehog.com

Advance Notice. Santa Monica Nordstrom opening.

People (myself included) are loving the new Santa Monica Place, and it's about to get better. Next Friday morning, August 27, a brand new Nordstrom opens at 10:00 a.m.

If you're an early bird (or a beauty junkie), check out the pre-opening Beauty Bash, which starts at 8:00 a.m. at the entrance in front of Nordstrom. There will be complimentary consultations, demonstrations, gifts with purchase, and breakfast treats as well.

The soon-to-be-opened Nordstrom is located at 220 Broadway in Santa Monica, Calif.

-- Leslie Anne Wiggins

Photo credit: shop.nordstrom.com

Do It. 'Mad' style.

So Chau already told us about the very excellent Mad Men pick up lines, but there's also a new retro line of clothes coming out that are inspired by the 1960s show. I love the classic outfits on the show (who doesn't?) and now Banana Republic is partnering with AMC to bring these old school styles to the masses.

Vintage clothes aren't too hard to come by in Los Angeles. We've got the Melrose Trading Post, 4th Street in Long Beach, and dozens of other regular flea markets around the city, but the likelihood that classic styles survived 50 years of storage with all their buttons, zippers, and material intact and unstained is pretty rare.

And the new Banana Republic line blends these classic fashions with current trends so they don't look too anachronistic. Plenty of reason to mark your calendar for the new line coming out in September.

Also, for those who love all things vintage a casting call is starting this Wednesday going through Aug. 11 for those with "Mad" style. Submit a photo of yourself in your best retro to madmencastingcall.amctv.com and you're eligible to win a spot on the show or up to $1,000 at Banana Republic.

-- Lauren Williams