Archive for December 2010

Fashion Is Fun

Chris Benz’s Gift Guide

By Steff Yotka Thursday, Dec 16, 2010 / 5:30 PM

Fashionista columnist and all around cool kid Chris Benz picks out the gifts he’s giving to his nearest and dearest this holiday season. We only hope we’re lucky enough to be on that list! (wink wink, cashmere tee.)
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Fashion Careers

Looking For An Internship In Fashion?

By Elizabeth Jaime Thursday, Dec 16, 2010 / 4:52 PM


Are you looking for a stellar spring internship?

Well we’ve got a bunch! Just click over to our Fashion Careers tab to see internship postings from Complex Magazine, Honor, Fashion GPS, and many more!

If you’ve got what it takes, follow the instructions on each post and apply. Good luck! Read more »

Fashion Is Fun

Lily Allen and Sister Sarah Owen Have Made Lucy in Disguise London’s Top Vintage Shop

LONDON–Let’s say you have haute-vintage taste on a bric-a-brac budget. What’s a girl to do during the busy party season with nothing (new) to wear?

Enter UK popstar Lily Allen and her sister Sarah Owen. The duo’s London shop, Lucy In Disguise, will rescue you with rare vintage garments and accessories, including mint condition gowns by Ossie Clark, YSL, Chanel and Alaia and Biba. The twist? They’re rentals, starting at just £35. (About $55.) But if you do you fall in love with it on the first date, everything is for sale, too. (Of course, the prices are much higher.)

Now, the Covent Garden shop, which launched in September, has opened a private boudoir called With Diamonds, where you and your besties can get retro nose-to-tail with a hair, makeup and nail salon, not to mention an era-inspired private bar. That means you can gather a few friends for tea a la Marlene Dietrich–or for a champagne and strawberries pre-party–while you get your Stevie Nicks alter-ego into a wide-leg pantsuit. Fashionista chats with Sarah Owen about the idea behind Lucy In Disguise…and With Diamonds.

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People We Like

Camilla Skovgaard On How Designing Clothing for Sheikh’s Wives Led Her To Design Shoes, and Why She’d Like To Design Furniture Next

Uber-talented Danish shoe designer Camilla Skovgaard is rarely in New York. Her nearly five-year-old eponymous label is based out of London, she produces in China, sources materials from Italy, and has an office in Dubai. But she touched down in New York this past week and we caught up with her at the Elizabeth Charles boutique in the West Village where she previewed her spring collection.

So what’s new for spring?
Well I’m terrified of pastel colors because I don’t want to be seen as some bubble gum type but I was in the Mediterranean this summer and I noticed it is quite fresh–all the palm trees and lemon trees and the blue sea. It is a bit heavy to use dark colors for spring, so I hope I still bring a little bit of an edge with this collection.

Pastels are out of character for you. Anything else new you’re planning on trying?
For autumn 2011/12 I’ll probably be working on a mid-heel but it’s difficult for me. Honestly I don’t see many women who look good in a mid heel–either it’s flat or it’s stiletto height. I’m experimenting with it but it breaks my heart. When i see some of the prototypes I’m like ‘Oh god.’ So we’ll see–I’m working on it.

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Streetwalker

Street Style: Nicole Wants Books and Underwear For Christmas

Name: Nicole

Age: 23

Occupation: Works for Beacon’s Closet.

What is the last good book you bought? The last good art book I bought was a book on Richard Tuttle.

What is on your holiday wish list? Books and underwear.

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Webvertorial

Tacori 18k925 Makes Last-Minute Holiday Shopping Effortless

By Fashionista Thursday, Dec 16, 2010 / 1:49 PM

We understand it’s busy this time of year. But last minute-shopping doesn’t have to be a drag. Indeed, Tacori’s new 18k925 collection makes the whole process a breeze. In fact, we’re betting you’ll end up scoring something for yourself, too.

Just visit Bloomingdales.com, or the storied department store’s New York City flagship, to peruse 18k925′s gorgeous baubles. The 18k gold and .925 silver metal combination–which highlight the colorful gemstones–makes these pieces bold, fun and definitely wearable. What’s more, there are plenty of offerings in the $500 and under range, which means you won’t have to break the bank to thrill your loved ones this holiday season.

We’re particularly fond of these gorgeous earrings, all ringing in at under $500. So visit Bloomingdale’s right now to get your 18k925 fill.

Ask Chris

Ask Chris Benz: How Can I Add Pizazz–Sans-Sequins–to My Holiday Outfits?

Dear Chris,
I want to look festive at my holiday parties, but I am so not a sequins kind of girl. Any ideas on how can make a cocktail dress look season-appropriate?

Dear No-Sequins-

I absolutely love the holiday season for all of the reasons you have written into the column. It’s full of parties, sparkle, cocktails, and festivities! There are so many reasons to get dressed up and feel dazzling. A little bit of rhinestone, a little piece of fur, or a shiny patent accessory can holiday-ize even the most reserved look. I think that this time of year, it’s about piling it on – collars, necklaces, bracelets, headbands, bows, nail varnish, a glamorous shiny lip. What better time to dress yourself up like a present than the month where you might find yourself under the mistletoe?

That little black dress that’s been hiding in the back of your closet can make the foundation for a terrific party outfit.

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Fashion News Roundup

Fashion News Roundup: The Lady Behind The Man Repeller, Ski Wear Is In, & Martha and Vera Head To White Castle

The Man Repeller: Leandra Medine, the blogger behind The Man Repeller says she got the idea to start her blog while looking through all the man-repelling clothes Topshop has to offer. That’s her in “home-made Margiela.” {The New York Times}

Time’s # 1 Fashion Statement Of 2010 Is…Time magazine named Lady Gaga’s meat dress the #1 fashion statement of 2010. Really, Time? {Racked}

Stylecaster Jive Jive Jives: Stylercaster’s video Jive! Jive! Jive! was directed by Bon Duke and starts male models rocking out at Don Hill’s in New York City. It’s pretty awesome. {Stylecaster}

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Would You Rather?

Would You Rather…? The Models of Zac Edition

By Steff Yotka Thursday, Dec 16, 2010 / 1:05 PM

Zac Posen’s Pre-Fall collection images went up yesterday, but it wasn’t the clothes that caught our eye first; it was the close-up, tightly cropped images and the array of top models forced to cram their poses into the microscopic space.
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Beauty

Round-Up: The Best Sulfate-Free Products

Sulfates have been steadily gaining a bad rep in the beauty industry for the last few years. Why and what the heck are they?

Sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate and others are found in basically any cleaning product that lathers and foams: soaps, shampoos, bubble bath, toothpaste, and yes, oven cleaner. Here’s what’s known about sulfates:

1) They can irritate the scalp, skin, and eyes.

2)They strip the essential oils from hair, which is what gives you that squeaky clean feeling. But they also cause the hair to dry out and can lead to breaking and damage.

3) They can cause allergic reactions.

4) They’re bad for the environment (they can kill fresh water fish) and don’t break down easily.

5) The jury is still out on whether they’re carcinogens. Recent studies have shown that sulfates are safe to be applied or consumed, but other studies have shown that they turn into a carcinogen when combined with other chemicals. (Some of which, yes, are also found in shampoos). The FDA isn’t all that excited about it yet, and it remains a ubiquitous ingredient.

6) And yes, they can screw up your freshly minted Brazilian Blowout.

Lots of people have chosen to use sulfate-free shampoos and the market has responded with a slew of products. We offer you some choices here.

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Entertainment

Kardashians Wear Pucci, McQueen and Lhuillier In Their Most Fashionable Khristmas Kard Yet (Even Baby Mason Wears A Bespoke Suit)

By Leah Chernikoff Thursday, Dec 16, 2010 / 11:13 AM


The Kardashians are an over-the-top family and they go all out for their family Christmas cards. This year’s glammed-out Dynasty-esque card was no exception. “Christmas cards have always been a REALLY big deal in my family,” Khloe wrote on her site (she’s also posted a retrospective of their Christmas cards over the years). “For as long as I can remember, my mom has made it a point to go all out, whether it was a ninja turtles themed card, or bringing a Santa into the mix, each year she always managed to top the year before. I’d have to say though that our card this year might be my favorite. It turned out beautifully — just SO glam!”
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Sneak Peek: Razorlight’s Johnny Borrell Recording For Burberry

A tipster sent us these images from a recent Burberry shoot. Razorlight’s Johnny Borrell was on hand to record some music for the label, but for what we’re not so sure. Could it be a web video? A television commercial? Borrell dates frequent Burberry model Edie Campbell, so maybe she’s tied in as well? The background looks snowy, so hopefully we’ll find out sooner than later…. Until then, click through for clues.

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