Fashionista

How to Make It in Fashion: June 21, Dream Hotel Downtown, New York

June 2010

Tuesday June 22nd, 2010

Poppy: Coach’s Answer to Clinique Happy
Beauty

Poppy: Coach’s Answer to Clinique Happy

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It’s summer, so put away your serious fragrance and try out peppy Poppy. Poppy is the new fragrance from Coach, and it will launch July 1.

Much like the colorful and playful handbags and accessories that distinguish Poppy from the more classic Coach styles, the new Poppy fragrance is meant to be the fun little sister of Coach Signature.

We popped by Rescue Beauty Lounge this morning to smell it for ourselves. Poppy is a fruity floral, and the Coach exec describing the notes incorporated in the scent made us want an ice cream sundae. Candied rose petals, vanilla, “crème brûlée accord,” and whipped marshmallow were all mentioned.

It’s definitely a sweet and fruity scent, and we’re predicting it may be the next generation’s answer to Clinique Happy.

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Published at 3:15 PM
Could Balenciaga Sue BeyondtheRack.com For Selling Unauthorized Merchandise?
The Business

Could Balenciaga Sue BeyondtheRack.com For Selling Unauthorized Merchandise?

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It’s hard to keep track of the seemingly countless sample sale sites that promise designer labels and luxury brands at deep discounts. But can you trust them?

After hearing that La Lohan (red flag!) had purchased a “beautiful” Balenciaga bag at BeyondTheRack.com, reader Madeleine asked Balenciaga if the site was authorized to sell the luxury brand’s merch.

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Published at 2:16 PM
Ask Chris Benz: How Do I Get Hired at a Top Fashion House?
Ask Chris

Ask Chris Benz: How Do I Get Hired at a Top Fashion House?

Dear Chris,

First of all I have to tell you I LOVE your designs. Probably every email you get starts off with that, and to each it is true. I have your collections all over my inspiration board.

So now for the advice seeking part…. I graduated in 2007 (with a degree in fashion design) when there were hardly any jobs, and mass layoffs everywhere. I luckily worked steadily since then, doing lingerie, evening wear, costume, and now private label sportswear. I have really taken everything I have been able to get, as jobs have been pretty scarce to come by. I can’t even think about the amount of times I worked for free, not including interning during school.

Now I am at the point where I am still kind of young, but I have been getting seriously down about my job. I am a super, super, creative person and I feel like it’s Groundhog Day and I am being slapped in the face with big shirt after big shirt from QVC. It is like a nightmare.

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Published at 1:40 PM
Fashion News Roundup: Mirlando Make It Official, Anna Can’t Walk Down Stairs, and Lily Cole to Quit Modeling?
Fashion News Roundup

Fashion News Roundup: Mirlando Make It Official, Anna Can’t Walk Down Stairs, and Lily Cole to Quit Modeling?

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Love in Full Bloom: Miranda Kerr and Orlando Bloom, also known as the most beautiful couple ever, are tying the knot. {Vogue UK}

Disappear Here: Acclaimed photog Douglas Friedman visited the Swiss town of La Côte-aux-Fées to photograph (quite beautifully) watchmaker Piaget’s 136-year-old facility. Douglas enlisted his friend, Bret Easton Ellis, to compliment the photographs with a beautiful short story about time. {NOWNESS}

Tim Tells All: According to his new book, “Gunn’s Golden Rules,” Tim Gunn has witnessed Anna Wintour being carried down a flight of stairs by bodyguards, as well as Andre Leon Talley being fed grapes and cubes of cheese, one by one. Vogue denied both stories. Who knew Gunn was so brave? {Huffington Post}

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Published at 12:45 PM
Derek Blasberg: ‘Coverage Was Never For Sale. Ever.’

Derek Blasberg: ‘Coverage Was Never For Sale. Ever.’

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I was tempted to leave this Derek Blasberg situation alone, but given the issues it brings up about the way fashion publishing works, I think it would be wrong not to address it.

For those of you who haven’t heard the story, here it goes: An editor over at Jezebel received a tip that fashion writer Blasberg asked YSL to pay him $2,500 to cover a party for Style.com, where he’s Editor-at-Large (usually a title that comes with a retainer).

According to our sources, Style.com’s freelancers receive, on average, around $100 for covering a party (and $25 for regular posts), but we’re assuming Blasberg’s retainer affords him a bit more. He is a fairly big name, after all, with a recently-published book and steady gigs with Harper’s Bazaar and V.

Blasberg told Jezebel that he was hired to consult on the party’s guest list. He covered the event the next day for Style.com. (And he hasn’t been paid–and will not be paid, according to our inside sources.) Did he promise coverage to YSL? I’m doubtful. No. Why would he? They assume he’s going to cover it. No bribery needed in this situation.

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Published at 12:16 PM
Karl Lagerfeld: Editor-in-Chief For a Day

Karl Lagerfeld: Editor-in-Chief For a Day

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PARIS–Sure, fashion week is creeping up on us at full-speed. Sure, this is the capital of haute couture. But does this make it okay for a national newspaper to dedicate a full day to a designer?

Libération newspaper seems to think so: the iconic left wing French paper has invited Karl Lagerfeld to be editor-in-chief for the day.

The entire issue bears his mark, from illustrations to comments, to special interviews of him, and an opinion page about the designer. Indeed, Karl will be Karl: the front page of the paper, printed on a larger format for the occasion, bears a full body self-portrait of the famous silhouette–along with the slogan “Karl Lagerfeld gives ‘Libé’ a makeover.” Below, a note from the real editor, Laurent Joffrin, states that the designer “has a profound culture, and a sharp eye” in an almost self-justifying tone.

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Published at 10:30 AM

Monday June 21st, 2010

A Play About Isabella Blow Will Premiere in New York This July

A Play About Isabella Blow Will Premiere in New York This July

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Blow by Blow, a new play about the life of fashion icon Isabella Blow, will premiere at the 11th Annual Midtown International Theatre Festival next month.

The play is unrelated to the Blow film, which is being produced by John Galliano. But much like the movie, the stage presentation will depict her life and death.

Playwright Jean Bergantini Grillo spent the last three years crafting the script. Accomplished director Jen Forcino is at the production’s helm, and she’s brought on costume designer Susan Voelker to create the garments. (Voelker plans on re-imagining some of Blow’s famous Philip Treacy hats for the stage.)

We’ve got a feeling Voelker’s going to be under more scrutiny than Grillo or Forcino in this circumstance.

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Published at 5:55 PM
Racked Dealfeed: Built By Wendy, Catherine Malandrino, Rachel Comey and More!
Sales

Racked Dealfeed: Built By Wendy, Catherine Malandrino, Rachel Comey and More!

Honey in the Rough
Deal: 20% to 50% off clothing, accessories and some jewelry from designers such as Built By Wendy, Thread Social and Alexandre Herchovitch.
When/Where: Wednesday, June 16th through Thursday, August 1st. Mon—Sat noon—8pm, Sun noon—7pm. 161 Rivington St between Clinton and Suffolk St, New York. (212-228-6415)

Catherine Malandrino
Deal: Up to 75% off the designer’s romantic, sophisticated pieces, including chiffon shift dresses marked down from $495 to $145
When/Where: Monday, June 21 through Wednesday, June 23. Mon 10am—9pm, Tues—Weds 8am—8pm. Metropolitan Pavilion, 123 W. 18th Street between Sixth and Seventh Aves, New York. (212-463-0200)

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Published at 5:30 PM
8 Bridesmaids Dresses You Won’t Want to Chuck
Shopping

8 Bridesmaids Dresses You Won’t Want to Chuck

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I met Adrianna Giuliani–VP at Ketchum, blogger, and pro-bridesmaid–at a party last week. We got to talking about bridesmaids dresses. I’ve only had the honor once. She’s been a bridesmaid six times. I recently had the floor length Thread bridesmaid’s dress I wore to my friend’s wedding shortened to mini-dress length. Guiliani takes a different tack when it comes to dealing with her bridesmaids dresses: She leaves them in her hotel room closets.

“Now don’t get me wrong, I relish in being a bridesmaid,” says Guiliani. “I’ve be known for putting the ‘party’ in wedding party…but there is one thing I won’t do for the bride–and that’s hang on to my bridesmaid dress.”

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Published at 5:00 PM
CFDA Welcomes Sophie Theallet, L’Wren Scott, Rebecca Minkoff and More

CFDA Welcomes Sophie Theallet, L’Wren Scott, Rebecca Minkoff and More

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The Council of Fashion Designers of America just released a list of their 25 newest members.

Executive Director Steven Kolb calls this year’s “class” a “talented mix of creativity.” That mix includes womenswear, menswear, jewelry and handbag designers.

America’s most exclusive fashion club now includes 372 members total, including fashion heavy weights Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, and president Diane Von Furstenberg. So congrats are in order to the Class of 2010–you’re in good company.

The full list after the jump.

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Published at 3:58 PM