JCKstyle - August 17, 2007

As summer wanes, the fashion industry is taking a collective nap. The streets of New York hush as models have jetted off for a few weeks to rest up, and even the celebrity tabloids seem quiet these days. In just a few weeks, however, fashion insiders and Hollywood starlets (and those of us who watch them) will begin a busy stretch of not-to-be-missed events that will help determine the shape of style for the season ahead. Among them:

What: Teen Choice Awards, Los Angeles
When: Aug. 26
Why: This red carpet keeps tabs on who and what the youth market deems hot.

What: Latin Grammy Awards, Miami
When: Aug. 29
Why: This awards ceremony is especially important in tracking trends in fashion and jewelry for the urban market.

What: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, New York
When: Sept. 5–12
Why: Quite simply, the most important fashion event of the year in the United States.

What: MTV Music Awards, Las Vegas
When: Sept. 9
Why: Musicians are among the few celebrities who mix fashion up, take risks, and have some fun with it.

What: 59th Primetime Emmy Awards, Los Angeles
When: Sept. 16
Why: Behind the Oscars and the Golden Globes, arguably the third-most-important red carpet for determining fashion trends.

What: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Los Angeles
When: Oct. 14–18
Why: The fashion is not in the realm of New York's Fashion Week, but this event offers great celebrity watching as Hollywood insiders support their local fashion designers.

Weekly Gem
Skulls popped up on fashion's radar more than two years ago, and a London-based artist recently did his part to ensure the motif's continued longevity. Damien Hirst created a diamond-studded skull with a price tag of $100 million. While there are no takers yet, luxury jeweler Laurence Graff was among those who expressed some interest.