Archive for May 2011

Parties

Volkswagen Rocks the MoMA

Monday night’s Volkswagen-sponsored party at the MoMA had all the promises of a good time: fine art, James Franco, and James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem as the DJ. Sounds like just the formula to get any cool kid out of their apartment on a Monday night and into the MoMA’s sculpture garden; and not even the rain could stop party-goers from busting out their best looks. (That vanguard of handsome umbrella holders may have helped…)

But why the bash? Because Volkswagen was celebrating the North American launch of its new Formula racing prototype, the XL1. You don’t have to understand “carspeak” to know that VW’s newest addition to its fleet is a hit. The design is sleek, futuristic, aerodynamic, and fit to be shown off at a museum. Honestly, it was hard not to try to sneak into the driver’s seat and speed away. The XL1 also functioned as a great segue to announce Volkswagen’s new partnership with MoMA–it’s financing exhibits and donating works of art to MoMA’s collection.

But enough business, on to the partying…

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Beauty

New Nail Color Alert: Two New OPI Collections Plus a New Topcoat Finish

It’s been a few weeks since we’ve heard from OPI, but finally…more new summer colors! Embracing the floral theme that other cosmetics companies (like MAC) have gone for this summer, they’ve released a series of pink lacquers. Serena Williams’ third Glam Slam collection in honor of Wimbledon is also poised to launch. And finally, Nicole by OPI introduces Shatter-like texture topcoats.

Click through to see the palette for each collection.

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Webvertorial

Score the Perfect Summer Dress for Under $100 at Swirl by Daily Candy

By Fashionista Wednesday, May 25, 2011 / 11:00 AM

We can’t stop singing the praises of DailyCandy’s online sample sale site, Swirl.

Intent on helping you stay ahead of the fashion curve, Swirl’s latest sample sale comes from Apart, a super cute Euro-inspired line that does the work for you and covers every trend imaginable.

We’re particularly obsessed with the Tie Dye Dress and Hibiscus Maxi Gown. Both are so perfect for summer and only $39 (originally $88) and $89 (originally $158), respectively, which is kind of insane.

The Apart sale starts today and if you haven’t joined yet, today would be a good day to do so. Why? Because Swirl is offering *free shipping to Fashionista readers! All you have to do is enter the code MUSIC30 at checkout. Hurry! This offer ends May 31. Once you’re a Swirl member, you’ll score clothes and accessories (up to 70% off retail!!) from your favorite brand-name designers and up-and-coming buzzmakers, with new sales launching every day of the week. Check it out!

*Terms and Conditions: Swirl members who spend $30 or more (excluding tax and shipping charges) on their first purchase and enter code MUSIC30 at swirl.com are eligible for free standard shipping. Offer ends May 31, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific time. Limit one per customer. Excludes past purchases. Offer is not redeemable for cash or cash equivalents. Void where prohibited by law.

Entertainment

In Honor of Oprah’s Final Episode: A Look Back at Her Signature Red Carpet Style

In the days leading up to Oprah’s final episode, which airs today at 4 p.m. EST, much has been made of her style over the 25 years she hosted her epic, game changing talk show. Oprah’s style evolved out of the ’80s and fluctuated with her weight. But if Oprah established a signature style over the last quarter century on the air, it was on the red carpet, not on the boob tube. Oprah found a silhouette that worked for her on the red carpet–a wide dramatic plunging neckline (often with a stiff collar), a nipped-in waist, and a full ball gown skirt–and stuck to it.

A look back at Oprah’s signature red carpet look over the years.

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News

Michelle Obama Stuns in Tom Ford at Buckingham Palace; Could It Be Her Best Black Tie Look To Date?

By Leah Chernikoff Wednesday, May 25, 2011 / 8:47 AM

Photo: Getty

Michelle Obama may have received mixed reviews for the busy Barbara Tfank get-up that she wore yesterday to meet Prince William and Kate Middleton, but the white Tom Ford evening gown she wore to the state dinner at Buckingham Palace last night has elicited nothing but universal praise from the discerning British press.
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Beauty

“Burgers and Nails” Tumblr Mixes Our Two Favorite Things: Food and Manicures

Everyone’s discovered the brilliant Tumblr “Burgers and Nails” today, including us. We have also spent a disproportionate amount of time analyzing each and every photo. If you haven’t paid it a visit yet, some advice: 1) Don’t look at it if you’re hungry. 2) Don’t look at it if you’re a vegetarian. The burgers are very graphic.

Anyway, we love this concept of beauty plus food. We’re hoping that more celebs will lend their phalanges to this project. Adele is there. This would be a brilliant vehicle for Gaga and Deborah Lippmann to do a crazy beauty spread. While the nail art is not the best we’ve seen, the big burgers it’s wrapped around really elevate the whole experience. Anyway. We’re inspired. And hungry.

Click through to see our favorites–we’re sure you will be, too.

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Parties

Cindi Leive Gets Down and Dirty in the Name of Engagement Chicken

Last evening Gilt City held a sold-out cocktail party fêting Cindi Leive’s recent foray into cookbook writing, and to our unexpected chagrin Glamour’s editor-in-chief pulled a Paula Deen when getting rather intimate with raw chicken. 100 Recipes Every Woman Should Know is filled with foolproof culinary ideas, and for skeptics who think such a title lacks audience, think again–it was a New York Times’ bestseller for two consecutive weeks.

Held in a midtown kitchen event space (who knew such places existed?), Gilt City subscribers giddily crowded around Leive as she prepared the book’s signature, “Engagement Chicken.” The energetic editrix (dressed in Stella McCartney’s enviable Resort florals) explained to us, “One of our fashion editors gave this recipe to an assistant who made it for her boyfriend, after eating he it dropped to his knees and proposed!” The recipe has spawned four more Glamour Girl engagements with an additional 75 readers having written to the mag in appreciation of Engagement Chicken’s magical powers.

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  • Misty White Sidell
  • Tuesday, May 24, 2011 / 5:34 PM
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Sally's Styling Seminary

Sally’s Styling Seminary: The Fashion Show Process Part 1–Looks

This past February I had the pleasure of working with one of my favorite menswear designers, Antonio Azzuolo, styling his Fall Winter 2011 presentation at NYC Fashion Week. Antonio has been gracious enough to allow me to share a photographic documentation of our working process for the presentation. Rather than writing a long description about the process, as I have for this column in the past, I thought it would be cool to show you guys the pictures we take each step of the way instead. This way you can begin to see how the process takes shape in the stylist/designer working relationship.

The looks process is the first step of putting the show together. It is different from fittings because the stylist is trying the outfits on one model, instead of various models.The looks model starts to disappear, and a stylist can just see the clothes.

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  • Sally Lyndley
  • Tuesday, May 24, 2011 / 4:45 PM
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Accessories

Moschino Makes Accessories for Your Puppies

I really want a puppy. Ideally, a puppy that looks exactly like Blake Lively’s teacup malitpoo. (My friend also has a teacup maltipoo, Larry, who I’m equally obsessed with.) Anyway, if you like to spend money on your puppy–which I surely would if I actually had one–look no further than Moschino. The Italian label has teamed up with Yoox.com on an adorable collection of collars, ID tags, and leases for your pooch, starting at $30.

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Entertainment

Watch: Lady Gaga, Wearing Nothing But a Viktor and Rolf Leather Jacket, Asks Dave Letterman Who “Styles” Him (and Then She Eats Paper)

By Leah Chernikoff Tuesday, May 24, 2011 / 3:38 PM

Were you wondering who on earth would wear Viktor and Rolf‘s fall collection? The collection that was worn by models who had their faces painted bright red (face paint that may or may not have sent Lindsey Wixson home with an allergic reaction)? Because it’s obviously Lady Gaga. She wore one of Viktor and Rolf’s leather jackets with starburst epaulet’s on Letterman last night, a mask, some crazy eye makeup and very little else. “I only liked the jacket, so I decided that’s all I would wear,” Gaga explains to Dave when he asks, confusedly, “What are you wearing? I mean, what aren’t you wearing?”

The hilarious interview continues from there. Read more »

Beauty

Forget About Mascara. Eyelash Treatments Go High Tech

Mascara is a must-have for many women because of its eye-opening, flirty effect. Cosmetics companies release new formulas and brushes at a dizzying pace, but the new trend in eyelashes is decidedly more high tech. Yes, you can always add falsies to amp up what God gave you, but they’re high maintenance and fragile, not to mention almost impossible to apply on your own.

There are lots of new options out there to get thicker, longer lashes, from semi-permanent salon treatments to growth stimulators. A good mascara will always be a girl’s best friend in a pinch, but sometimes your lashes need some extra oomph.

Click through to see some of the new options for lash enhancement.

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Fashion Is Fun

Rankin Told Me to Smize

I’ve been on a couple photo shoots in the past, but nothing as crazy-glamorous as yesterday’s at Milk Studios. Not only did I get my makeup done and my hair blown out, but Rankin–yes, the Rankin–took my photo. You see, the legendary photographer has an exhibit opening at Milk today, as well as a new project where he’s photographing 100 people for $100 a pop from June 1-5. As a nice little perk, Milk and Rankin’s team invited editors over yesterday to get their portraits done.

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