Fashion Blog

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:59:44 GMT

Ladybuds earrings

If I were to tell you that I have wished a thousand times to cut out all the background noise while on a commute, I am wrong. The wish count is actually in the order of millions. The noise pollution in my erstwhile "garden" city has increased so much in the recent months that I have also given up my favorite pasttime of reading a book while I am traveling within the city, as it is almost impossible for me to focus on the reading.

But recently, a cute little innovation (patent pending) caught my eye - one that can help harried women like me under such circumstances. It is called Ladybuds and happens to be an interesting combination of earrings and earplugs fused within a single design. The reusable, noise-eliminating earplugs blend smoothly into the earrings and make no revelation of their true purpose - simultaneously ensuring that you won''t have to rummage around in your handbag for them. The earrings are available in gold-fill and sterling-silver earhooks encrusted with Swarovski crystals. A pair will cost you $30 - a small investment to obtain some peace and quiet, in style.

Via InventorSpot. Posted by: Sarah      Read more     Source

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:59:10 GMT

Men's Fashion Spot: bblessing

This shop for guys is cool because it's not just a basic Urban Outfitters stop. You've got eclectic brands and plenty of looks to satisfy a hip taste, and I keep coming back to shop for my brother, husband, and nephew. If you're a guy, make a wish list and pass it on: just be careful, because their 'sold out' labels are really hard to see.

It's time to shop. Posted by: Meieli Sawyer Detoni      Read more     Source

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 03:39:24 GMT

Ack

Movies in which characters dress in curtains:

1. The Sound of Music. It''s okay ''cause the movie is quintessentially hokey. Plus, Maria is totally a curtain-ripping, guitar-strumming, convent-leaving rebel. Roar.

2. Cinderella. Again, allowed. It''s a Disney movie, for chrissake. And let''s face it - when mice and birds can sew a gown more quickly than Christian Siriano, no one cares that they used the window drapes.

3. Enchanted. Clearly allowed, since it''s a parody of Disney princess movies. Not to mention that the resulting dress was adorable.

4. Lifetime''s Coco Chanel.

That''s right, you read correctly. Picture me, mouth wide open with shock, watching as a badly cast Coco Chanel spends a minute tearing apart a dress, pairing it with a piece of her own curtains, and talking solely in quotes from the real Chanel. Yep, the movie was that bad.

Oh, and did I mention the mystery of the ever-disappearing, horrifically fake French accents? And the stiff, terrible acting?

Then again, I must commend Shirley Maclaine for keeping a straight face while spewing out more quotes in a single breath than most people hear in a lifetime. Bravo, weirdly Americanized Coco!

Final consensus: Watch only for laughs. Posted by: Kori      Read more     Source

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 03:22:11 GMT

Lincoln Looks Forward With New Museum

Lincoln is one of America's truly great marques, but recent years have found it becoming more of an orphan at Ford, to the point where people were doubting its survival. Fortunately Lincoln seems to be rediscovering its identity with at least one new model, the MKZ, showing promise. Perhaps the best indicator that Lincoln has a future is Ford's willingness to invest in its history by supporting the new Lincoln Museum in partnership with the Lincoln Motor Car Foundation. (The Foundation was formed in 1999 by members of various Lincoln owner's clubs and retired Ford Motor Company Executives.)

A new, 20,000 square foot dedicated building is to be constructed on the campus of the Gilmore Car Museum in Hickory Corners, Michigan, a 90 acre park-like setting midway between Chicago and Detroit, also the setting for the Classic Car Club of America Museum, the Tucker Historical Collection and the Pierce-Arrow Museum. "This is a long overdue initiative," said Peter Horbury, Ford Executive Director, Design, The Americas. "Lincoln represents over eighty years of wonderful history and fantastic automobiles. From the early, elegant cars of the 1920s to the pure and simple Continentals of the 1960s, Lincoln has a wonderful story to tell. We look forward to helping the new Lincoln museum become an exciting and educational destination."

[Source: Hemmings eWeekly Newsletter] Posted by: Philip Powell      Read more     Source

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 04:34:56 GMT

Suit Up

Finally - a real post! I''m ashamed that it''s taken me so long, seeing as this blog is in no way a chore.

I''m slightly under the weather today, so I spent the afternoon ogling photos from magazine editorials at Faking Fashion. A particular Vogue Russia shoot featuring Ali Michael at her most adorable caught my eye:

At first, the thought that dominated my brain was, "Awwww," but after a moment I was able to look beyond Ali''s cute antics and the tux-clad chimp, finally noticing the way the clothes were styled.

Business suits carry a lot of stigma for me. They make me think of dull office jobs, of uniformity and dress codes, of clunky briefcases and murky cups of coffee. Therefore, the fact that the above photos, all of which feature suits, are undeniably fun sets off a bit of a you-better-take-note-of-this alarm in my head.

So, how does one spice up a suit?

♥ A good start is to get yourself a brightly colored suit. Not absolutely necessary, but every little bit helps.

♥ Ditch the plain shirt underneath the jacket for a graphic t-shirt, or layer the t-shirt over the plain collared shirt. Please note that the look is now casual, and no longer appropriate for certain jobs.

♥ Accessorize! Driving gloves, chunky jewelry, belts, ties and bowties, hats - pile ''em on! I especially like a long belt looped around a pencil skirt and brightly colored fingerless driving gloves.

♥ Wearing basic pumps? Swap ''em for something wild to complete the look.

I was determined to take my own advice, so I dragged out my mom''s old collection of ''80s suits for a bit of experimentation. No pictures, because my room was sweltering and I gave up before I was satisfied with any one outfit, but I did learn that a fairly wide, below-the-knee length pencil skirt looks amazing with a studded belt giving it a paper bag waist. Yowza.

To make up for my lack of photos, I did a bit of editing to show you how much cooler Vivian could look in Pretty Woman. I mean, I liked the original outfit, but it didn''t have a lot of personality. . .

See what I mean? I''ve gotta do some more experimenting. . . Posted by: Kori      Read more     Source

Sat, 30 Aug 2008 14:50:24 GMT

Fall 2008 Trend: Plaids

If you're mad about plaid, then your season is coming up. Plaid is a big trend for fall 2008. While every designer didn't take part in it, here's some who did in a really cool way.

ADAM showcases this adorable skirt ensemble in typical fall colors. Unless you've got ultra-skinny thighs like the model, you may want to stick with black or charcoal tights (I know I would, anyway!).



Next up, D&G, who showed a lot of plaid. This isn't my favorite outfit, but I like the sweater vest a lot. I'm more crazy about the argyle in this ensemble than the Little House on the Prairie dress.




Finally, one of my faves, Ralph Lauren. This look is very classic, very Americana. I would wear this one "as is." And I absolutely adore that bag.



What I really like is that although plaid was a hit, none of these are school-girlish at all, which only belongs on parochial school playgrounds. Posted by: Del       Read more     Source

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 01:52:58 GMT

The Torn Identity

Street Style photos from Garance Dore and Style Sightings. Runway photos from Style.com. All other sources are linked to below.

Torn jeans are hardly unusual. In fact, I''m wearing a pair with rips at the knees right now. I know that in the past, hole-y clothing was considered a sign of poverty, but these days it''s much more of a norm. I don''t feel comfortable wearing ripped jeans to a nice restaraunt or party, but for every day I even like the look.

Quick semi-related joke: Why did the rabbi get wet? Because his umbrella was hole-y! Har, har.

Back to the point - I''m used to jeans with the knees worn out, with frayed hems and threadbare bums (well, to a point). I wear ''em til they''re no longer serviceable, and then out they go. But one thing I''m not used to is the kind of jeans that we saw on a recent Maison Martin Margiela runway (See above on the top right, second from left on the bottom). With decisively tattered legs, these creations barely cover more than a pair of shorts. They look like someone ran them through the paper shredder, and while they intrigue me, I''m not such a fan. For now.

But a toned down version of the look? That''s something I could really get to like. The Urban Collection jeans (worn by the red-haired model above) are slightly less ripped up, and as usual, the styling is impeccable. I find the torn black jeans worn almost as leggings to be quite appealing. The Rick Owens leggings (top left) are also pretty sweet.

Mr. Margiela may have had the idea, but I''m sure you could come up with something a lot nicer and way cheaper on your own by taking a pair of scissors to some old skinny jeans. From the examples above, I''ve decided I prefer black jeans (which I don''t actually own) for the project, but I think any color would do very nicely. Also, tighter jeans look pretty good, and the jeans work just fine when cropped, even if I prefer them long. Also, should I get my act together and actually find some jeans to work with, I plan to wear them under dresses and tunics. I will carry a fake squirt gun and call the look "The Torn Identity." Tee hee. Oh, puns. You know you love it.

Thoughts? Ideas? Puns to share? Bring ''em on! Posted by: Kori      Read more     Source

Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:05:39 GMT

I Spy a DIY

I think my laziness (let''s say it''s summer-induced laziness, to save face if nothing else) has been compromised. The universe appears to be kicking my butt into gear.

Summer courses, the responsible things I really should be doing instead of sprawling on my bed with a stack of glossies, and a few exciting extras to be shared at later times have raised my stress level a bit. I mean, I''m not hugely busy, but if I didn''t procrastinate so much, I would be. But such is life.

That''s why it''s so unfair that I''ve been itching to do some DIY projects. I don''t really have the time, damnit! But I hope to do them just the same.

Firstly, the new denim issue of Nylon had a fairly easy DIY for these adorable denim romper shorts. Want ''em, must have ''em, will make ''em! The article isn''t on Nylon''s website, so you''ll just have to trust me on this one.

Then, there''s this picture of a blazer on the Urban Collection website:

Isn''t it stunning? I''d like to think I can make one like it. A trip to the thrift store and craft store should do the truck, and I honestly think it shouldn''t be too hard. It would be a piece of cake if I could use a glue gun to attach the silver buttons, but then I wouldn''t be able to wash the blazer. I may suck it up an sew by hand; it should be worth it. A garment like that will definitely draw the right kind of stares!

I know, I know. I rarely do DIY projects on this blog, which is kind of strange considering I was ultra-crafty as a kid. I''m a nightmare with a sewing machine. But I''d like a chance to redeem myself, please!

Do you have any neat DIY ideas? Have you made anything really smashing lately? And more importantly, who wants to buy me the Urban Collection blazer to save me from ruining a thrift store one I attempted to spiff up when I should have been doing homework? Posted by: Kori      Read more     Source

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:46:52 GMT

Ethical Couture Gems

A mashup of many elements make this jewelry so special: say hello to Seraglia! This jewelry is combined using Swarovski crystals plunked down right next to accent bits and pieces that have been scoured and scraped straight off the street— how romantic! In a variety of colors and designs, this jewelry keeps you looking fashion-forward without making too much of an impact on the earth's resources. Oh yeah— and they won the Catwalk Genius Award as well, so they're not just a one-off discovery without a track record.

Check out Seraglia right away! Posted by: Meieli Sawyer Detoni      Read more     Source

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 03:55:43 GMT

Compensating for paleness!

Summer is usually all about the short dress, which is all well and great for people with fantastic tanned legs, which is not me. I am the pale redhead with the pale legs who rarely sees the sun (my skin will thank me later!). In order to compensate for the heat I go with a long blowy dress, also called a maxi-dress, that will cover my legs, but leave me free to enjoy the breeze. Bonus for not having to worry about it blowing up and showing everything in the subway station!

If you live in NYC, there is a great shop in Chinatown called Madness Boutique on Canal and Broadway that has great long sundresses at amazing ($40!) prices!

A gorgeous, long dress in a beautiful peacock blue. $64.89 ASOS Lurex Stripe Maxi Dress This dress is perfect for the beach or Sunday brunch! Terry halter maxi dress, $69 at Victoria's Secret Posted by: Ryan      Read more     Source

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 01:59:31 GMT

Primark: Will it make a difference?

Recently, Primark the fast fashion outlet of the decade has come across serious scrutiny thanks to shows such as the BBC''s Panorama and Channel 4''s ''The Devil wears Primark''.

Although The Devil wears Primark was the first to explore the really, really, cheap prices that Primark has to offer, the show came up short. However, the Panorama team managed to expose three locations being used by the retailer in which children were being mistreated and workers were being forced to work in terrible conditions. Following the investigation Primark has since cut ties with all three suppliers.

Posted by: Monica Oyedele      Read more     Source

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:40:52 GMT

Addicted to Accessories!

I have, I must admit, a bit of a jewelry addiction. I’m like a cat with a little bell around my neck - my friends can always tell exactly where I am at any given time due to excessive charms and bangles jingle jangling. Despite said addiction, I rarely buy into jewelry trends or invest in new styles, preferring my eclectic collection of hand-me downs, charms from my travels and vintage gems. Posted by: Katy Smail      Read more     Source

Mon, 19 May 2008 00:03:02 GMT

Primal Shopping Urges

Last weekend my friend and I had a fabulously successful shopping day. We were vaguely in the market for some kind of dress to wear to Senior Night (I''m not really sure what it is, but I''ve been told the dress code is semi-formal.) Mostly, though, we were just shopping because we felt like shopping. It''s a primal urge among fashion bloggers, I''ve been told.

My purchases: A pair of light blue, thin (and therefore perfect for summer), comfy, baggy jeans on sale for $4.99 (!), a gorgeous halter top discounted to a reasonable price, a cute belt, the world''s softest white tee, and a dress that I had to have, even if it''s not as summery or casual as what I was looking for.

I''ve been meaning to photograph my two favorite purchases for you all week, but I only just got to it. Better late than never, eh?

Here''s that amazing halter top:

Gorgeous, right? I''m in love! In addition to the beautiful pattern, there is beading below the bust and the straps are made of braided fabric.

My other new love is my dress:

I really had no choice in this purchase. My friend tried it on and it didn''t work on her, so I tried it on for the hell of it and was pleasantly surprised. It was amazingly comfortable, reasonably priced, and made my butt look bigger. And when I say bigger, I mean in a good way, not an I-ate-too-many-Cheetos way. Seriously, they should label the thing "Insta - Badonkadonk."

Or not. I mostly just said that because I wanted to use the word "badonkadonk." You know how it is.

Oh, and by the way, I didn''t just suddenly lose my bangs. I like to wear them pushed to the side occasionally, just for a change. And yes, I really am that pale. Posted by: Kori      Read more     Source

Sat, 17 May 2008 02:14:21 GMT

Fashion Victims or Fashion Visionaries?

No matter what, both Sarah Jessica Parker and Mary-Kate Olsen always set the fashion world abuzz with their outfit choices, and never seem to apologize for their mis-steps. Case in point? The latest get-ups that the two were photographed wearing.

At the oh-so-huge Sex and the City premiere on Monday, Ms. Carrie Bradshaw took the floral trend to new heights (literally) by arriving in an all green ensemble, complete with floral bouquet stemming from her chapeau.

And on the other side of the pond, the Olsen twin was spotted in what looks like a green suede jacket with fur trim, suede moccasins and a chinchilla fur bag that she could easily fit into - in the dead of Spring no less.

Who do you think committed the bigger fashion crime?

• Sarah Jessica Parker
• Mary-Kate Olsen

Posted by: Angie Omata      Read more     Source

Fri, 09 May 2008 02:36:04 GMT

Guest post time!!

Ladies and gentlemen, boy oh boy do I have a treat for you! Ms. Kai Bandele is Editor-In-Chief of Step-In-Style Magazine , the Premiere "Virtual" Magazine for All Things Style and she has graciously done a guest article for you all. Please enjoy this amazing voyage into Vince Camuto Shoes!

Step-In-Style Magazine

Vince Camuto Shoes
By Kai Bandele

You may not recognize the name, but you definitely know the style! Vince Camuto has been setting trends in women's shoes since he co-founded Nine West Group in 1991. The footwear veteran went on to start his own company, The Camuto Group, which designs some of the most beautifully crafted women's shoes you'll ever feast your eyes on. (Sidenote: If you like Jessica Simpson Shoes or BCBG Shoes, he also holds master licenses for both). Unlike most "luxury" brand shoes, however, these are both comfortable and reasonably priced. Here are some of my favorite Vince Camuto shoe picks:



Ghost Flats in Silver
Three smoking hot spring trends - metallic, cutout and peep-toe come together seamlessly in this delightful spring flat! $109.00 shoes.com



Hester Pump in Multi
Snakeskin upper in playful color blocks laced with elegant black frame make this a perfect fall-to-spring transition pump. $135.00 nordstrom.com



Maris in Golden Apricot
The classic nude platform gets upgraded with a sassy hole punched heel! Perfect with a long, flowing maxi-dress, or your favorite-fitting jeans. $111.00 shoes.com



Camuto Angel in Bright Red
Ring the alarm - these bright red patent leather pumps are sure to set any room on fire. Only the bold need apply. $111 endless.com



Taylor Sandle in Gold
Going for All-Out-Glam, this T-strap sandal with metallic leather uppers and sleek designer heel will get the job done. Period. $134.00 zappos.com

Don't forget to go check out Ms. Kai Bandele is Editor-In-Chief of Step-In-Style Magazine, the Premiere "Virtual" Magazine for All Things Style . Posted by: Ryan      Read more     Source

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:16:52 GMT

Pretty Ponies: Playing with Pastels

In an attempt to temporarily escape the stress and reponsibilities of adult life, I am turning to a most beloved childhood toy. Not for some kind of twisted juvenile comfort, but for style inspiration, of course. Yes, I intend to drift through the monotony of grown-up life this spring in a colour palette derived entirely from My Little Pony.

Posted by: Katy Smail      Read more     Source

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 01:39:42 GMT

New definition of beauty

Part of Dove real beuty workshop for girls. The transformation. Posted by: Betty      Read more     Source

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:26:30 GMT

New Fashion Territory: Art Purses

You probably haven’t heard of Kathleen Dustin. I hadn’t even heard of her until a few days ago, when a friend of mine who knows that I’m always looking for interesting takes on fashion passed along her website to me.

Posted by: Lindsay North      Read more     Source

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 00:27:24 GMT

ASCII curtains let you get geeky with home decor

Take a look at the curtain above. You are probably thinking - on a perfectly sunny day, perhaps the tree behind cast its shadow over the curtain, giving it the beautiful breezy look, right? Wrong. Take a look at the picture below.

The image in the curtain is actually made out of plain old ASCII characters! Designed by a dutch artist genius Nieke Sybrandy, they are unfortunately not yet available for sale.

Via Engadget. Posted by: Sarah      Read more     Source

Sun, 30 Mar 2008 22:45:37 GMT

Ballerina Fashionista!

Contrary to what the magazines would have you believe, there is a way to float through Spring’s romance-spun reverie withough having to overload your garden with never-ending floral prints. A new production of ballerina chic is a vision of femininity restrained, of a restricted softness that can render its wearer an honoury member of the Ballet Russes.

Posted by: Katy Smail      Read more     Source

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 01:42:08 GMT

Check Bucket Bag

Today, I spotted the Burberry Patchwork Check Bucket Bag. I consider this handbag to be a bit too exaggerating. Burberry attempted to give the signature checkered pattern a nice twist, but personally, I''m not really feeling it. I can''t imagine myself carrying this one bag around town. No offense Burberry, but this patchwork bag looks like a total knockoff! Why the irregular pattern? Isn''t an uneven pattern a major red flag when distinguishing an authentic Burberry bag over a fake bag? In my preferences, I certainly wouldn''t buy an authentic Burberry bag containing such an obvious uneven lining.

I will mention that I agree to handbags containing removable accessories. It''s like a two-for-one! The Patchwork Check Bucket contains a removable cosmetic case, an adjustable shoulder strap, patent leather trim, and measures 13.5" x 10.5" x 6.5". For $550, discover Burberry''s latest, here: Posted by: Jennifer      Read more     Source

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:57:18 GMT

The Jacquelyn Bag

Anyway, for those of you that are not familiar with Junior Drake, here is a little background info quoted from the Junior Drake website:

Quote:
A woman of legendary proportions is the inspiration for Junior Drake. Patsy Brown was born into a family of dancers and film actors. As a young aspiring actress, she took the name of Junior Drake as her stage name. Patsy (Junior Drake) has a unique personal style and inspired thousands through her community work, business enterprises, and exquisite vision. She personified femininity and defined the term avant-grade.

The Brown family sought to immortalize not only her unique sense of style, but her humanitarian legacy. She mentored many women throughout her life, helping them to unlock feminine qualities that bolstered self-esteem and fostered confidence.
To read more, please visit www.juniordrake.com

The Jacquelyn Bag is constructed of soft, supple leather. It features braided double straps, a detachable shoulder strap, exterior pockets, and silver hardware. It’s a medium-sized tote measuring measuring 15″W x 12″H x 5″D. The retail price for this bag is $460.

Available at: Posted by: Jennifer      Read more     Source

Mon, 10 Mar 2008 00:44:34 GMT

Project Runway Season 4 Finale

Alas! the winner of Project Runway was crowned last night. The collections that the final three designers showcased at Bryant Park were the strongest out of all of the seasons of the show thus far.

Jillian, Rami and Christian all put together amazing presentations that showed off their incredible talent and their genuine passion and dedication. It was extremely moving to see the raw emotions surrounding the last challenge (Christian being unusually nervous and insecure was absolutely priceless).

Posted by: Angie Omata      Read more     Source

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:55:52 GMT

Miu Miu Woven Leather Hobo Bag

One of the latest new additions is the Miu Miu woven fringe hobo. The hobo is dressed in a woven pattern body and features double trails of fringe down each side. Not as dramatic as Miu Miu''s distant relatives version* - Prada''s Nappa Weave Flap Hobo. Still I have never been a fan of tassel fringe. I would get the urge to pull out the scissors and start snipping away. Or at least avoid this bag all together. What do you guys think? A hit or miss?

The woven leather Miu Miu can be spotted in the of net-a-porter, along with a few other new designer bags worth checking out.

Discover the Miu Miu Woven Leather Hobo Purse
$1,595

* the side note: The label Miu Miu is the cheaper younger-generation targeted label by Miuccia Prada - granddaughter of Mario Prada. Posted by: Jennifer      Read more     Source

Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:29:03 GMT

Insprired by nature

A big trend showing up on the runways is all things nature inspired. Alexander McQueen did an entire headdress made out of butterflies but you don't have to go that far. Think gauzy fabrics to replicate the delicateness of a butterfly's wing. Think adding a rose broach or a piece with a few feathers on it. Try a t-shirt made from organic cotton or even jus something as simple are an earth tone palette. This trend is very much open to your interpretation.

Try a simple butterfly pendant necklace. Stone Butterfly Necklace, $28 at Arden B. How about just a feather print on a dress? Yes! That will work. Eva Franco, feather silk jersey 'Fioana' sheath dress, $320 (on sale) at Bluefly.com A tunic in an animal print is a great take on this trend. MICHAEL Michael Kors Printed Tunic, $120 (on sale) at Nordstrom Posted by: Ryan      Read more     Source

Tue, 12 Feb 2008 23:36:48 GMT

The scientific basis for red being the color of love

The Beauty Brains, as part of their series of posts leading up to Valentine''s Day, discuss the possibility of a scientific reason behind the color red as the symbol of love. According to an article in NewScientist, our ability to see colors may have evolved to help us spot emotional cues, such as blushing in the context of mating. Prior research had suggested that humans developed the acute ability to see colors in order to identify ripe fruit and edible leaves, but a new study now points to our need/desire to access a potential mate''s emotions as the driving force behind this trait.

Blushing is caused by an increase in oxygen content to the blood, with the color difference most dramatic in the 540 to 560 nanometer range, "the same part of the light spectrum at which the cone cells of primates'' eyes are the most sensitive."

My question: Is red the color of love in most parts of the world? Posted by: Sarah      Read more     Source