Archive for December 2010

Entertainment

Angelina Jolie: Actress, Mother, U.N. Goodwill Ambassador and Designer?

When you think of actresses-turned-designers Angelina Jolie’s name is not the first one that comes to mind. The Olsens? Sure. Emma Watson? That makes sense. But Jolie? Being Brad Pitt’s partner, mother of an ever-expanding rainbow brood and her work as a U.N. ambassador stand out over her style (not that she doesn’t look chic in those black drapey dresses).

Nevertheless, Jolie is designing a jewelry line, WWD is reporting. The Tourist actress has teamed up with former Asprey CEO Robert Procop to create a line of statement jewelry.

“These are pieces [Jolie] wears herself,” Procop told WWD of the collection, which includes “a pebble-size, pale green 353-carat beryl pendant, in a rose gold setting and worn on a chain of cushion shape beryl stones, and a graphic, tablet-shape 12.02-carat vivid green emerald ring set in rose gold.” Jolie was reportedly inspired by “ancient tablet engravings” when she designed the ring (she designed a similar piece for Pitt).

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People & Parties

At DKNY’s Style-Off, It’s All About Knit-Picking

What better way to combat the chill that’s overtaken our fair city than with a little uber-comfy cashmere? Bright and early Friday morning, I headed over to DKNY’s Madison Avenue flagship for their Cozy Style-Off contest and press breakfast. After being welcomed with a tray of “Big Apple” cookies bearing the names of every blog covering the event—one of the more adorable edibles I’ve seen at a press day—Donna’s PR team explained the rules of the style-off itself. Each participant was to create a unique look incorporating a Cozy, the brand’s cult-worthy cardi-wrap. DKNY’s experienced major success with the multi-functional sweater—how many single items of clothing merit their own iPhone app, after all?—and being creative with the cardigans truly was half the fun of the game. Cut to two floors’ worth of bloggers tying, belting, draping, and twisting their wraps every which way. I even contemplated wearing my turquoise Cozy turban-style—points for originality?—but eventually ditched the idea in favor of layering the knit with the snowy sequined tee and shaggy fur vest I’d scooped up.

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  • Elana Fishman
  • Sunday, Dec 5, 2010 / 5:03 PM
  • 1 Comment
Reviews

Michael Kors Pre-Fall Leaves Us Black and Blue. And Red, Too.

When we stopped by Michale Kors‘ showroom yesterday to view his pre-fall collection, there was nary a camel coat in sight. For pre-fall (the clothes that will be in stores from May through July–a phrase Kors told reporters at his presentation the day before he thinks is “disgusting“), everything is black or red or a vivid blue. These clothes are made for a tough city girl on the go: the colors are bold, dresses are structured and have leather mixed in, and separates like cropped pants and little striped sweaters have a sleek chic edge. The collection is sparse on prints and big on color blocking, save for one awesome cow print running throughout the collection.

Take a look.

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Best Dressed

Best Dressed: Erin in Chanel, Mila in Oscar and Kirsten in Valentino

By Dhani Mau Friday, Dec 3, 2010 / 6:00 PM

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Events

Sign Up for Monday’s Panel and Win an iPad!!!

By Fashionista Friday, Dec 3, 2010 / 5:39 PM

Planning on attending “How I’m Making It: What It Takes to Succeed in Fashion” this Monday, December 6? Well, make sure to sign up before 5pm on that day to be entered to win a brand new iPad.

That’s right, not only will you get to meet with fashion stars like Michael Mente, Owner of Farfetch.com, Nellie Partow, Paul Birardi and Eddy Chai, Owners of Odin/Pas De Deux/Odin Fragrances, Rebecca Minkoff, Shipley & Halmos, and Timo Weiland, you’ll also get a chance to walk away with the hottest tech toy on the market.

Sign up here to attend the event, which takes place at NYU’s Cantor Film Center. And good luck!

People & Parties

Inside the Ann Taylor CFDA Challenge: Billy Reid, Prabal Gurung and More Reveal Their Career Wear Looks Inspired By the Brand

When designers are selected as finalists for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, they compete in a set of challenges to win the grand prize–$300K and mentorship for the year–which this year went to Billy Reid. One of these challenges was presented by Ann Taylor. The 10 finalists–Joseph Altuzarra, Billy Reid, Christian Cota, Eddie Borgo, Gregory Parkinson, Oliver Helden and Paul Marlow of Loden Dager, Moss Lipow, Pamela Love, Prabal Gurung and Robert Geller–were each given a box of images from Ann Taylor campaigns from the ’50s, when the brand launched, through to today, and asked to create a look that would “rejuvenate, redefine and modernize the concept of wear-to-work dressing and set the next major career style trend.”

The results? Pretty amazing. Last night, to celebrate the opening of their new concept store on 5th Ave. and 21st St., Ann Taylor revealed all the challenge looks. Winner Billy Reid created a look that paired high-waisted houndstooth-print pants with suspenders and a magic trench coat–the lining comes out and turns into a bubble hemmed shift dress. Pamela Love created a leather bag with a horn handle and a matching necklace and cuff. The color combination of Loden Dager’s aqua blazer and blush pants was spot on. You can check out the looks modeled by the incomparable Karlie Kloss below.

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Sales

Racked Dealfeed: Tucker, Vena Cava, Rag & Bone and More

Tucker

Deal: 50% to 80% off the label’s floaty dresses and print tops, with sale prices ranging from $35 to $188
When/Where: Thursday, December 2 through Saturday, December 4. Thurs 11am—7pm, Fri 9am—7pm, Sat 10am—6pm. 413 West 14th St between Ninth and Tenth Aves, suite 403 (212-938-0811)

Alexis Bittar

Deal: 50% to 70% off chunky jewelry. Cash only.
When/Where: Thursday, December 2 through Saturday, December 4. Daily 9am—6:30pm. 300 W. 22nd St at Eighth Ave (877-680-9017)

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Streetwalker

Street Style: Lauren Loves Ethnic Prints

Name: Lauren

Age: 31

Occupation: Textile Designer

What is your favorite holiday? Thanksgiving

What is the most prominent color in your wardrobe? Ethnic prints!

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Shopping

The Best Places to Shop for Fashion Online

It’s the holiday season, which means trolling the internet in search of perfect gifts for your friends and family. But despite the mission, we always end up buying for ourselves, too.

To put together a list of the best places to shop for fashion online, we considered breadth and quality of product, easy navigation, customer service, and overall look and feel of each site. We did not include flash sales sites, as it’s difficult to judge something on product when that aspect changes daily. And we didn’t rank these stores, because every site is so different. What’s your favorite place to shop online?

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Book Club

LIVE Book Club Chat: Featuring Detmar Blow, Author of Blow by Blow

By Lauren Sherman Friday, Dec 3, 2010 / 2:58 PM

Here we go: It’s time for the official launch of the Fashionista Book Club.

The inaugural title? Blow by Blow, by Detmar Blow, which is the story of Isabella Blow’s life, as told by her husband.

Detmar has been kind enough to join our live chat, powered by Cover it Live. Below this sentence you should see a box that says “Play.” Click on that to join the conversation.

Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day: Karl Lagerfeld is Like Einstein

By Leah Chernikoff Friday, Dec 3, 2010 / 2:04 PM

“Karl Lagerfeld is like the Einstein of high fashion.”

–Abbey Lee Kershaw on working with Lagerfeld on the 2011 Pirelli calendar in this making-of video.

Fashion Is Fun

Rachel Antonoff’s Holiday Gift Guide

By Steff Yotka Friday, Dec 3, 2010 / 1:30 PM

Check out all the goodies Rachel Antonoff wants to give and get this holiday season. Read more »