Featured in Vogue's March 2010 issue, Lauren Bush's fledgling collaboration with Barneys (the first collection launched in Spring 2009), Lauren Pierce Atelier, is a made-to-order collection of one-of-a-kind dresses that are created with environmentally friendly fabrics from around the world.

Each season, the model-turned-designer will donate 10% of the Lauren Pierce Atelier profits to a cause that affects women in the country from which the collection's materials have been sourced and the designs have been created. Ethically sourced and environmentally conscious, the fabrics used in Bush's latest collection have been hand-dyed by women in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Dresses are available in five silhouettes, retail for around $500 and are available exclusively at Barneys.

"You can love the dress, plus feel great about the good it's doing," Bush tells Vogue - I couldn't agree more! Hop over to www.lauren-pierce.com for more information on Lauren Bush's chic, reasonably priced, and socially conscious collection.

xxKP

My affinity for bows can very easily be traced back to my childhood, as documented through copious amounts of somewhat embarrassing family videos and photographs. As an embellishment on a pair of shoes, a party dress or a hair accessory, bows were consistently a part of my early ensembles. Over the years my affection for this particular adornment has endured - an appreciation that proved advantageous during my buying days at the historically bow-friendly fashion house, Yves Saint Laurent.

THEN: Yves Saint Laurent, Evening dress of silk, plastic, feathers & glass, 1967.

(image via The Costume Institute)

NOW: Yves Saint Laurent, Long sleeve short dress with bows at bib, Spring 2010.

(image via Style.com)

Consequently, I was pleased to see bows appear in a number of Spring 2010 shows this past fall - including Valentino, Monique Lhullier and Prabal Gurung - in both ready-to-wear and accessories categories. While the choice of bows was not particularly novel for Valentino, the execution was flawless and the léger fabric was feminine.

Valentino, Spring 2010. (images via Style.com)

Monique Lhullier, Spring 2010. (images via Style.com)

Prabal Gurung, Spring 2010. (images via Style.com)

The fascination with bows continued in the accessories category at Nina Ricci and yes, Valentino.

Nina Ricci, Black Lace bootie with back bow, Spring 2010.

(image via The Rosenrot.)

Here are two of my absolute FAVORITE Spring 2010 shoes from Valentino - a purchase that I'm trying to justify by the fact that both of these beauties are essentially season-less - don't you agree?!

Valentino, Black Peep toe cut-out bootie with side bow, Spring 2010.

(Available on pre-order at Bergdorf Goodman.)

Valentino, Black and Cream Satin bow sandal, Spring 2010.

(Available at Net-a-Porter.com)

Standing the fashion test of time, bows will reemerge (or will remain for some of us!) this Spring along with lady-like sheer fabrics and silhouettes.

xxKP