Top stories this week: Balmain launches new line, Princess Beatrice’s hat breaks records on eBay, Christopher Kane launches handbags and MORE!

Balmain launches new clothing line

Good news, fashion fans – Balmain’s launching a new clothing line named after the label’s founder, Pierre Balmain. It’ll be designed separately from the mainline, but will still be overseen by new creative director Olivier Rousteing, and is likely to launch in September. Fingers crossed for lower prices? Read more here!

Princess Beatrice’s royal wedding hat sells for £81,101 on eBay

Well, what do you know? Princess Beatrice’s Phillip Treacy-designed hat has been called many things, but record-breaking probably pips the post. The infamous head piece she wore to the royal wedding sold for £81,101 on eBay, beating all previous records of designer hat prices on eBay. Don’t worry, it’s for charity. Read more here!

Fashion favourites come together to help aid Japan

What do Karl Lagerfeld, Alber Elbaz, Lady Gaga and Blake Lively have in common? They’re each designing a charity T-shirt in collaboration with Conde Nast and Uniqlo, where proceeds will go to the Japan Relief Fund in a bid to support tsunami victims. Read more here!

Topshop launches secret pop-up store-in-store

Ssh! Topshop has launched a brand new pop-up shop – the first of its kind by a high street brand – in the stores of its Oxford Circus and New York branches. For the next two weeks, shoppers should look for a secret door, signalled by a Meadham Kirchhoff-commissioned florist, which will lead to a hidden room of limited edition designer trinkets. Read more here!

YSL says Christian Louboutin didn’t invent his trademark red sole

Since Christian Louboutin announced he was suing Yves Saint Laurent for using his signature red sole on one of its designs, YSL‘s fighting back. According to the French fashion house, Louboutin didn’t invent the colour red and, more specifically, wasn’t the first to it on a shoe. Remember Dorothy? Read more here!

Christopher Kane creates new design for London’s black cabs

Taxi! Christopher Kane has redesigned 100 of London’s black cabs using a Union Jack motif based on his 2011 resort Intarsia print. Plus, you’ll be able to charge your phone on route and pay by text. The most stylish ride in London? You betcha. Read more here!

Watch: Lady Gaga eats paper on the David Letterman Show

Lady Gaga‘s been doing the rounds on American TV this week, but only on The Late Show with David Letterman did she eat (and subsequently spit out) the host’s show notes. Watch the interview here!

Christopher Kane’s new neon clutches were designed to cheer his sister up

Oh, to be Christopher Kane’s sister. The British designer originally created his coveted neon clutches as a get well present for his ill sister – and business partner – Tammy. And, as luck would have it, Net-a-Porter has just snapped up the debut collection. Read more here!

Chanel launches new androgynous handbag collection for autumn

Chanel’s new ‘Boy Bag’ handbag line for autumn has a distinctly androgynous vibe, paying homage to the luxury label’s founder, Coco. The boxy bags with boyish attitude come in a pared-down palette of monochromes and red, and are set to launch in September with prices starting from £1,500. Read more here!

Lily Allen asks Rupert Sanderson to design her wedding shoes

With Karl Lagerfeld already on the dress, Lily Allen‘s asked London designer Rupert Sanderson to create two pairs of shoes – one heel, one flat – for her wedding day. Jealous? You ought to be. Read more here!