Homage, inspiration, and knock-off are adjoining territories, and not yet satisfactorily explored. Like obscenity or other great things in life, most people feel they know a rip-off when they see it. Well, take a look:

The Met's much-hyped "Model as Muse" exhibit opens with a life-sized mannequin in Dior holding Dovima's place in front of two posterboard elephants. It's fashion as ticky-tacky natural history diorama. And it only gets worse.

• Says totally important designer Alaïa, whose designs Nuclear Wintour snubbed in the Met exhibit, "she behaves like a dictator and everyone is terrified of her...but I'm not scared of her or anyone." BURN! [WWD]

• Eva Mendes, along with male model Jamie Dornan, are confirmed as the fall faces of Calvin Klein Jeans and Calvin Klein Underwear. Steven Klein shot the campaigns. [WWD]