Archive: November 18th, 2007

Bryan Bedder/Getty; FAME

Zac Posen has a fondness for teachers, he told PEOPLE at a recent Teachers Count benefit at NYC’s Royalton Hotel, where he auctioned off items to benefit the charity. “All of my teachers have been incredibly formative relating to fashion,” says the 26-year-old designer, “they pushed me intensely and challenged me.” So it’s natural that Posen would do the same for his students: namely, friend and former intern Ashley Olsen. “Ashley was present through a season in the studio one to two days a week, and I tried to create as hands-on an experience for her as possible,” says Posen, who accepted the former Full House star as an intern after she literally came knocking. “She came in person and knocked on the door to get her internship, which is four steps farther than most interns go. She had that drive and that’s what makes someone special.’ And now that she’s running labels The Row and Elizabeth and James with twin sister Mary-Kate, Ashley “has a lot to learn still,” Posen admits, “but she definitely learned perfectionism and elegance!”

DHA/Fame

Now that she’s announced her baby news to the world, the petite popstar is finally showing off her new pregnancy curves with pride. And she isn’t sacrificing her personal style to do so. At a recent event, Aguilera stepped out in a hunter green silk minidress by Vanitas of California — a hip new line full of flowy silk tops and dresses in rich solid colors and vibrant prints. And it’s definitely not a maternity line — turns out that Christina has been discussing how great it is to skip the maternity department with another famous mom-to-be. “I saw [Halle Berry] at a party, and I was like, ‘You’re completely right. Fashion is definitely on our side because the empire trend is totally working right now,’” the singer told PEOPLE. And Vanitas of California seems to be the new go-to label for those stylish mom-to-be who want to keep shopping in their favorite stores. Nicole Richie was spotted earlier this year in their floral sleeveless tunic dress ($255). Get your own dress like Christina’s at shopatmilk.com, $343.