The Missoni family has rightfully earned the title of master of colourful knitwear.  We always look forward to their vibrant kaleidoscope-like designs on the runways, especially come spring and summer.  This year, Missoni’s tribal-infused designs had us aching for warmer temperatures long before the snow had even melted so that’s why it came as no surprise when heir to the Missoni throne, granddaugther Margherita Missoni, stepped out earlier this month in a shockingly bright tribal print skirt that, in true Missoni style, she expertly paired with three other forms of contrasting prints.  The result: pure perfection.    Of course Margherita isn’t the only fashionista to break out the tribal gear this spring.  Solange Knowles recently did double duty on the tribal prints with an ikat topper worn with a black and white printed turban – a look we can’t wait to rock this summer.  And since most trends do start on the runway, we have to credit not only Missoni, but also Etro, Suno (pictured left) and Diane von Furstenberg with ushering in tribal prints for summer. 

Click through to shop tribal print dresses for summer…

There are only a few things that get us out of bed before 7am.  An Hermès sample sale, the royal wedding and a fire alarm are some of them.  The chance to talk about budget-friendly summer fashion on Breakfast Television? We’d say that’s a fantastic reason to set the alarm nice and early!  This morning, Stylehog.com’s Julia Seidl headed over to the BT studios in Toronto to show Tracy (Dina was away) and the gang all the jaw dropping gems she scooped up at the Dixie Outlet Mall. We’re talking a faux snakeskin belt for $4, a basket weave beach bag for $10, a pair of leather & wood chunky platform sandals for $55 plus a slew of other great finds from stores such as Mexx Outlet, Nine West Shoe Studio, Laura Outlet, Costa Blanca Outlet, Melanie Lyne Outlet, Winners, Aldo Outlet and over 100 other amazing name brand outlets.  Those aren’t all the great deals Julia scored while treasure hunting at Dixie Outlet Mall!

Click here to read Julia’s style tips & to FIND OUT HOW TO WIN A $500 GIFT CARD TO DIXIE OUTLET MALL…

We’ve always been told that fashion’s influence extends far past the runways and the retail floors into the mystifying world of interior design (we say mystifying because we can barely match our throw pillows to our couch colour let alone stage an entire room; interior decorators we are not!).  And since we don’t pay too much attention to what’s happening in the world of House and Home, we never really knew if the opposite could also be true:  Does interior design have an infleunce on fashion?  In the case of Stella McCartney’s Spring/Summer 2011 collection, we’d have to say it does!  Check out her texturized basket weave messenger bag (yours for about $1260).   The first thought that popped into our head when we spotted it on the runway was The Golden Girls!  Doesn’t the weaving remind you of something you would have seen in the girls’ living room set?  We can almost picture Sophia and the gang lounging on a chair crafted from the same basket weave!  The second thought that popped into our head was where can find a similar purse but for way less than Stella’s version? Zara of course!  There we discovered a more affordable version of the basket weave messenger bag for only $79.90.  And everytime we carry it you know what we’ll be singing…”Thank you for being a friend.  Traveled down the road and back again…“

Jimmy Choo Gets a New Owner: Luxury goods group Labelux bought Jimmy Choo last week for more than  500 million pounds (a whopping $811 million).  Jimmy Choo founder Tamara Mellon will stay on as creative director after the purchase is made final. (Guardian)

Balmain Confirms a Diffusion Line: Even though we still expect prices to be pretty high (after all Balmain is the brand that charged over $1500 for a t-shirt), the folks at Balmain have confirmed that a more affordable diffusion line is in the works for the spring 2012 season.  The line, named Pierre Balmain after the label`s founder, will be designed by a new team but will still receive final approval from Balmain`s new designer Olivier Rousteing. (The Cut)

Carine Roitfeld Spills All to The Financial Times: Well, not everything but she did mention that Emmanuelle Alt is no longer her friend, that she enjoys a shot of vodka before fashion parties and that she feels fashion has lost some of its creativity. (FT)

Toronto Sample Sale Alert: Meet the designers behind some of Canada`s best labels like Sarah Stevenson, Chloé Comme Parris, Diepo and more tonight at the opening night of Toronto Designer Sample Sale.  On May 25th (6-9), May 26th & May 27th (3-9pm) stop by 163 Sterling Road Studio 9B, Toronto to shop samples from this great group of designers.  They accept Visa, Mastercard, and cash and will be providing free drinks.  You had us at free drinks!