Articles by: Kristina Bustos

Christina Brocato joins CJ by Cookie Johnson jeans as its new designer. Prior to joining the team, Brocato was director of design and product development at at Paige Premium Denim and Habitual Denim has already been with the company for several months. She's leading the charge to inject more fashion forward pieces into the denim based line including silk blouses, blazers and denim zip up tops. The designer has also added luxe textiles to the curvy-girl  focused label including python and leopard prints.  CJ by Cookie Johnson launched in 2009 by Michael Glasser and Cookie Johnson to offer various denim styles to curvy women. With Brocato at the helm of the design team, the company plans to expand more denim options and introduce tops and blazers to the line. You can find CJ by Cookie Johnson at retail and specialty stores across the country, including Neiman Marcusd and Nordstrom or CjbyCookieJohnson.com.

High school art classes across the USgot the chance to design their own collection of Vans sneakers as part of the 2011 Vans Custom Culture program. Now Vans is asking the public to select the five top finalists from the fifty chosen. Each collection varies in colors, graphics and themes with some even incorporating other materials in the shoe designs from feathers to headphones. There is a common denominator in all the collections which highlights students artistic talent. About 400 entrants from all the states were narrowed down to 50 semi-finalists. The top five high schools will then compete for a $50,000 donation towards their art program. The winning collection will be available for purchase in 20102. Hurry now because voting ends at 11:59 pm ET on Monday, May 2. Vote here.