Archive for April 2011

Beauty

For the First Time Ever You Can Vote For Your Favorite Fragrance To Win a Fifi Award

The fragrance community can be a bit mysterious and closed off sometimes, and listening to perfume aficionados talk can be downright mystifying. But that doesn’t mean that we regular people don’t have very strong opinions about what we do and don’t want to smell like, even if we can’t identify a dry down note.

For the first time ever the FiFi awards, which is the fragrance equivalent of the Oscars, is awarding a Consumers’ Choice Award for Fragrance of the Year. In the past, industry insiders voted for the winners, which will still be the case this year in most categories. But in a nod to all of you who actually buy these scents, the Fragrance Foundation added the new consumer category.

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Image of the Day

Image of the Day: Prince William and Kate Middleton’s Official Wedding Program Portrait by Mario Testino

By Leah Chernikoff Thursday, Apr 28, 2011 / 11:21 AM


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Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day: Diane von Furstenberg Thinks Hamish Bowles Is a “Closet Butch”

By Leah Chernikoff Thursday, Apr 28, 2011 / 10:37 AM

“To me, [Hamish Bowles] is a closet butch…and I’ve always wanted to say, I hope one day you will dare to be a designer.”

–Another reason to love Diane von Furstenberg: no filter. Read more »

Campaigns

Kate Winslet and Jessica Alba Both Score Major Campaigns

A day without news of a celebrity fragrance, clothing line, or ambassador-dom is rare indeed, and today is no exception.

Kate Winslet follows in the footsteps of Gisele Bundchen, Angelina Jolie, and Karen Elson as the new face of St. John. She has been an “elegance” ambassador for Longines watches and is a long-time face for Lancôme. Her posh looks suit the brand perfectly, though someday we’d love to see someone a bit dirtier shake the brand up a bit. If you’re in New Jersey today, WWD reports that Craig McDean will be shooting the campaign there if you’d like to try and crash it. Look for the first ads to hit mags this September.

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People Are Talking

Bruce Oldfield Says He’s Not Designing Kate Middleton’s Dress; So Who’s Left? A Last Look at the Designers Still In the Running

There has been so much speculation about the identity of the lucky designer(s) who has been commissioned to design Kate Middleton‘s wedding dress that it has been difficult to keep track! Every other day it seems a new name is floated while a new denial simultaneously grabs column inches. Today brings word that Bruce Oldfield, [...]

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Parties

Last Night’s Party: Newbie Label Honor Opens First Store in NYC’s Meatpacking

Designer Giovanna Randall‘s ultra-feminine dreamy line Honor is just two seasons old but she’s already opened her first store in NYC’s meatpacking district–home to Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, DVF, Moschino and Jeffrey.

It’s a ballsy move to open a store in the city’s swankiest shopping district when you’re a new label, but it was an imperative for Randall. “I think my brand is about a personal experience and I wanted to really hone in on that right away,” Randall told at last night’s fete to celebrate the store’s opening at 68 Gansevoort St. “I’m not making a lot of pieces and it’s all about custom clothing so I wanted to have that place.”

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Beauty

Is Eyeliner On Your Lower Lash Line Dangerous? We Ask a Slew of Experts

Leah is constantly asking me hard makeup questions. Her latest: Is it really bad to use eyeliner on the lash line of your lower lid, and specifically on the waterline? (The waterline is that wet part above your lower lashes–it’s technically a mucous membrane.) And if it is OK, how the hell do you get it to stay on?

After looking at her with a blank stare and mumbling something about how I thought it could irritate your eyes, I set out to find an answer to this query.

My first stop was a dermatologist who I’m going to keep anonymous because I snuck in the eyeliner question while I was there for another reason. She said that it definitely can cause irritation and put you at risk for an eye infection, but that she herself does it. And while she said she’s never personally had a patient complain of an eyeliner irritation or allergy, they definitely exist; she said you should sharpen your pencil before each use when using it on the waterline to get rid of any bacteria that could be hanging around.

Next I went to a few makeup artists.

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Would You Rather?

Would You Rather…? The Gentlemen Prefer Gucci Edition

By SARAH LEON Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 / 3:30 PM


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Webvertorial

Nordstrom Spring Fashion: The Little Black Pant Goes From Day to Night

By Fashionista Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 / 3:00 PM

Elizabeth and James

There is no better blank canvas from which to start an outfit than the LBP–that’s the little black pant. Pants and trousers ruled the spring runways, and the new black pants are anything but ordinary. While this workhorse is great at the office, it also transitions seamlessly from day to night. Shedding a blazer and adding some statement shoes will ensure you don’t look like you’ve been tied to your desk all day.

Here are some great LBPs to build around–and we’ll tell you why:

3.1 Phillip Lim

Crop It: These cropped beauties from Elizabeth and James are the perfect day to night bottom and thoroughly modern. Tuck in a colorful silk blouse and pair it with flats or classic heels for work, then switch to a sequined t-shirt and chunky sandals for the evening.

That ’70s show: Absolutely elegant, these silk trousers from 3.1 Phillip Lim are spot on with the ’70s trend that swept the spring runways yet amazingly timeless. A tank and a pile of necklaces will move your attitude from day to night.

MICHAEL Michael Kors

Slim down: These MICHAEL Michael Kors slim ankle length pants, with a smooth finish and wide waistband, are seriously channeling Audrey Hepburn and theyr’e going to make you look super sleek and gamine thin. Perfect for tucked in look with a silk button down blouse, or go casual with a looser tunic top.

Elie Tahari

Classic: Sometimes you want something a bit more classic, and this Elie Tahari for Nordstrom style is perfect. Keep the jacket on this time, but make it a white tux jacket and add some bright red lipstick.


This content series is brought to you by Nordstrom.com: Think Less Buttoned-Up—It’s a New 9 to 5.

Quote of the Day

Quote of the Day: Franca Sozzani Thinks You Can “Go To Hell” If You Don’t Like Her Blog

By Leah Chernikoff Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 / 2:30 PM

I respond, “They can go to hell.” I say that I’m sick and tired and I won’t write my blog anymore, then they say, “Oh, continue.” I write what I think and we can’t all agree; if we all did, where would controversy be? If there is no controversy, there is no opinion. If there were controversy, we wouldn’t have [Prime Minister Silvio] Berlusconi, right? We would maybe have someone else. So the beauty is to have controversy. Unfortunately, we don’t have it in Italy, and for this reason our political situation remains what it is. I don’t need to prove anything to anyone, because I’ve been head of a magazine for 22 years, and I find that I can express my ideas the way I want to. Then if you don’t agree, we can discuss it. I didn’t say I’m right, I say what I think. This is why it’s fundamental to talk to our readers. They are so diverse, and it’s important to understand what they think.

–Never one to mince words (especially when it comes to her thoughts on bloggers–as voiced in a blog post), Vogue Italia EICFranca Sozzani tells it like it is in this gem of an interview with WWD. Here she responds to a question about how she feels when her blog gets negative reactions. More pearls of wisdom from Sozzani, like why “curvy” girls need to be told “it’s pointless for you to buy leggings” after the jump.
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Streetwalker

Street Style: Catherine Will Wear Anything As Long She Can Sleep In It

Name: Catharine

Age: 17

Occupation: Student

How would you describe your style? Comfortable. I’ll wear anything as long as its soft and I can sleep in it.

What is one trend you would never wear? Flatforms!

What was the last good movie you saw? Tangled.

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  • ASHLEY JAHNCKE
  • Wednesday, Apr 27, 2011 / 2:00 PM
  • 2 Comments
Fashion News Roundup

Fashion News Roundup: Olivier Rousteing Is Gorgeous (and He’s Confirmed at Balmain), Jason Wu’s Making Faucets, and Vanessa Hudgens Wants To Be a Designer

Olivier Rousteing Confirmed as New Designer at Balmain (and Also He’s Hot): He’s been Decarnin’s right-hand man at Balmain since 2009, and spent five years at Roberto Cavalli before that. We can’t speak to his design talent yet, but he certainly is easy on the eyes. Paris just got a bit more picturesque. {WWD, subscription required}

Victoria’s Secret Destroys Returned Purchases: Apparently the retailer didn’t learn anything from H&M’s PR nightmare for this same issue. The lingerie chain was called out after a clerk started chopping up–in front of a customer–an unworn pair of Pink sweatpants that she had returned. {MSNBC}

Jason Wu Is Collaborating on a Line of Faucets: Jason Wu is collaborating with fancy bathroom fixture company Brizo to create high-end faucets. No word on if there will be soap dish accessories. {DailyNews}

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