Archive for March 2011

Fashion News Roundup

Fashion News Roundup: Ricky Martin + Armani, Elie Tahari Employee Sues Because He Doesn’t Want To Work In New Jersey, and Vogue Italy Wants To Ban Anorexia Websites

Ricky Martin and Giorgio Armani Collaborate: Armani will be designing all the outfits for Ricky Martin’s upcoming tour titled “Musica + Alma + Sexo.” The looks will include punk, Twenties jazz, Afro-Brazilian. Sexo, indeed. {WWD, subscription required}

A Manager at Elie Tahari Is Suing the Company for Making Him Work In New Jersey: Thomas Horodecki is suing Elie Tahari for $2 million, citing the smog and bad fashion in New Jersey (where he’s based for work) as justification for his suit. No mention of Snooki, et al. {Above The Law}

Vogue Italy Starts A Petition Against Pro-Anorexia Websites: Franca Sozzani wants to abolish so-called “pro-ana” webistes and blogs. {Vogue Italia}

That Magnum Ice Cream Shoot with Karl Lagerfeld Is a Big Deal: Karl filmed three separate short films starring Rachel Bilson and Baptiste Giabiconi for “luxury ice cream brand” Magnum. The films will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 21. {Facebook}

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Beauty

New Spring Nail Polish Alert: Illamasqua Toxic Nature

Illamasqua, the UK makeup brand known for its bright colors and eccentric artist-cum-Creative Director Alex Box, is gaining a bit of a foothold here in the US. It’s sold at Sephora and has been blessed by Pat Field.

With the release of its new Toxic Nature nail lacquers–coming in April–we suspect the brand will pick up more fans.

There are five colors in the collection and they’re inspired by “nature fighting back against the genetically modified society that plunders it.” Don’t get too caught up in the message; the colors are really cool.

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People We Like

Seven Questions for Joseph Altuzarra

Here’s a riddle for you: Michelle Obama is to Jason Wu as _____ is to Joseph Altuzarra.

Curious who Altuzarra himself credits with “putting [him] on the map” by putting his clothes on her back? So were we, especially considering how very, very much on the map Altuzarra is right now.

Altuzarra’s CFDA nomination this week (the label’s second in its two years existence) further bolded a big red X on the grid, and to no one’s surprise.

His feminine but not precious collections (think Alaïa and Tom Ford) have become fast favorites of socialites (LSD), celebs (Rihanna), and some very discerning critics. We caught up with Joseph at his Barneys trunk show yesterday to chat about his success so far, what’s to come in the future, and yes, to fill in the blank of that riddle…

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  • Natalie Matthews
  • Friday, Mar 18, 2011 / 12:00 PM
  • 4 Comments

Kate Middleton’s Sheer Student Fashion Show Dress Sells for Over $125,000 at Auction

It was the dress that made Prince William notice Kate Middleton. A lot of other dudes at the 2002 Dont Walk charity fashion show at St. Andrews probably noticed her, too. The dress, designed by University of the West of England fashion grad Charlotte Todd (she now works in an aquarium), was supposed to be a skirt. Kate wore the sheer knit number as a dress with nothing but a bra and panties underneath, and the rest is history. And now that dress has fetched $125,871 at auction, the AP is reporting.

The buyer, who shelled out over $125,000 for the dress (it was expected to sell for around $15,000 and cost Todd £30 to make), is an anonymous man, known only as ‘Nick from Jersey,’ the Daily Mail is reporting. His bidder said on behalf of his buyer, “He thinks it’s an iconic piece and is very happy with the purchase.”

And a little more on the dress, in case you were wondering what size Kate was when she wore it:

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Magazines

Reese Witherspoon Will Cover the May Issue of US Vogue

Some little birdie on The Fashion Spot just posted that Reese Witherspoon would cover the May issue of US Vogue. S/he followed up the message with a “please delete, I was wrong,” but we know for a fact that s/he was actually right.

Our source confirms that the Water for Elephants star will grace the May issue.

How do you feel about the choice? Just right or too safe?

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Beauty

Your Face Could Be On A Piece Of Art That Lady Gaga Will Wear

Yes, your picture could potentially be plastered right on Lady Gaga’s ass. Intrigued? I certainly was.

Lady Gaga is the face of MAC’s Viva Glam once again (or still) and yesterday MAC revealed its latest collaboration with the provocateur: Gaga and NIcola Formichetti are going to create a “masterpiece” and they need audience participation.

From the Viva Glam website:

Gaga believes every single one of her fans is an artist. With attitude as liberation, style as revolution–we will create the largest global fashion collaboration ever. Your gorgeous faces can be a part of an epic movement that shows the world what can happen when people that care speak with one voice. It’s time to sparkle together!

Wondering WTF that means?

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Shopping

Six Pairs of Tennies For Spring

It’s 60 degrees in New York City today–wooohooo!–which means everyone is breaking out the sheer blouses, lightweight jackets, and easy sneakers. Leah and I both heart casual tennis shoes, so we’ve decided to pull together our annual roundup of the season’s best. Enjoy!

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Parties

Billy Reid Hosts South by Southwest Shindig with K-Swiss and American Songwriter

AUSTIN–Designer Billy Reid was undoubtedly the best choice to host for American Songwriter magazine’s South by Southwest celebration yesterday. From the vintage-inspired venue to the unmistakably hipster vibe, the entire event was a testament to the simple yet romantic style we’ve come to know and love from the Alabama-based designer.

Hosted at Austin’s newest live music venue, Swan Dive, the party was a crowd pleaser, whetting music lovers’ appetites with the likes of Keegan DeWitt, The Apache Relay, Jason Isbell and The Civil Wars. Not only did the party provide a taste of what the Texas music festival does best, it afforded plenty of opportunity for the fashion-inclined to express their personal style. There were skinny jeans paired with brogues–no surprise, there–dresses paired with vests, and fedoras paired with Ray Bans. And while the core of the world renown festival remains in art and music, a definite niche has been carved for fashion. (A new sartorial convention, Style X, premieres this weekend).

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  • Kara Florez
  • Thursday, Mar 17, 2011 / 6:30 PM
  • 0 Comments
Sally's Styling Seminary

Sally’s Styling Seminary: Packaging

How a stylist presents herself in the industry has always been important. It’s what I call creating your own “packaging.” A stylist’s “packaging” becomes her/his calling card. Stylists become easily recognizable and build their brand this way. How we present ourselves to our clients and our industry is our own special way of marketing. And now, with blogs covering the looks of editors, stylists and all other show-goers, packaging is even more important. In fact, a few stylists have even made careers out of marketing their personal style.

For stylists and their assistants, their look expresses their sensibility and aesthetic without saying a word. Whether they like it or not, stylists are being judged on their looks, specifically their outfit, hair, makeup (for women), nails, etc. This is not about being “pretty,” or attracting a mate, this is about stylists physically reflecting their art. Clients and stylists’ teams want to be inspired by the way a stylist looks.

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  • Sally Lyndley
  • Thursday, Mar 17, 2011 / 6:00 PM
  • 9 Comments
Fashion Is Fun

New Jockey StayCool Underwear Promises to Keep Your Hooha Three Degrees Cooler

A cooler just landed on our desks. Exciting right? What could be inside? Maybe some beers or cool beverages to enjoy after work on this lovely warm New York evening? Nope. There was underwear in the cooler. Light blue (meant to be ice blue, get it?) Jockey underwear.

Jockey is promoting a new line of underwear called Jockey “staycool” and it uses fancy technology to keep your lady parts from overheating. According to the release, “The Outlast® temperature regulating technology behind Jockey® staycool underwear helps your skin feel up to 3° cooler.” You know it’s legit because the material was initially developed for NASA to “help balance temperature fluctuations in space.”

So far the line only comes in bikini and brief styles. No icy cool thongs for you!

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Streetwalker

Street Style: Kendra Got Through Fashion Week With Granola Bars

Name: Kendra

Age: 22

Occupation: Student

How would you describe your style? Eclectic, vintage and classic.

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Magazines

Okay Stefano, We’re Soooo Over the Young Hollywood Covers for W

When Stefano Tonchi went to W, we had high hopes. The former T editor had a clear vision for the mag that we were excited for him to carry out.

Now we’re just bored. At least with the covers.

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