Archive for July 2011

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Matthew Williamson Tells Us About his Diffusion Line, His BFF Cat Deeley, and his Dancing Abilities

Matthew Williamson is not afraid to experiment with his very specific design aesthetic at different price points. Witness his new collection, MW by Matthew Williamson, which just bowed last week.

MW by Matthew Williamson, the designer’s latest lower-priced collection, follows closely on the heels of his recent one-off Macy’s capsule. This line, however, is truly a diffusion line–just don’t call it cheap. While the prices are more accessible than the main line, a cute metallic thread cheetah print coat dress will set you back more than $500.

I caught up with the designer at his colorful Meatpacking District store, where he was celebrating the launch with some fabulous friends (like Dree Hemingway.) Of course I wanted to get the scoop on the collection, but I also wanted to drill him about Cat Deeley. (Ed. note: Leah and I both have girl crushes on the now Emmy-nominated host of So You Think You Can Dance. She’s so pretty. And so nice. And so normal. So when I found out they were friends, I couldn’t resist. Anyway. You’ve been warned.)

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Kate Middleton

Kate Middleton Wears an Embroidered Coat and Potato Chip Hat to Zara Phillips’ Wedding

By Saturday, Jul 30, 2011 / 1:05 PM


For Duchess Catherine‘s first royal wedding that was not her own, she wore a cream colored embroidered coat with a hat that looks a lot like a potato chip only with flowers on the underside. Kate being Kate, the outfit she wore to Zara Phillips‘ wedding to Mike Tindall–sans hat–is a repeat look. The Huffington Post is reporting that Kate wore the same coat back in 2006 at the wedding of Laura Parker Bowles’ to Harry Lopes.

The Duchess looks beautiful and radiant as she always does–maybe even more so since the attention is not focused as much on her for this event. Check out her look (and that hat) from all angles. Don’t you think that hat looks like a Pringle? Just a little?
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    Shopping

    You Can Tattoo Your Boots at Frye’s First-Ever Store in NYC

    It only took the Frye Co. about 150 years to open its first retail store. The beloved boot brand, which is perennially popular with people from all walks of life, manages to be both “heritage” and trendy at the same time. The footwear seems so ubiquitous now that it’s hard to believe that there hasn’t been a freestanding store until now.

    Opening on August 1 in NYC’s Soho neighborhood, the store is meant to be a reflection of the brand’s history and unique DNA: “worn in, not worn out.” The shop was built of and features antique and repurposed materials; it will be one of the few stores in Soho to be certified by the US Green Building Council. Fixtures are made from iconic elements, like harnesses and bits, with plank floors and lots of brass adding to the charm. The company plans to open stores within the next few years in cities like Los Angeles, Boston, Dallas, Aspen, and London.

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    Beauty

    From Nails to Makeup: More New Fall Collections from NARS, Estée Lauder, Duri, Lancome, and…Hello Kitty

    While the stores are finishing up summer sales and fall merch is hitting the racks, the fall makeup collections are also coming fast and furiously. This week we have several more to add for your consideration. Click through to see new collections from NARS, Duri, Lancôme, Estée Lauder, and even Hello Kitty.

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    Fashion Careers

    Check Out Our Career Center and New Career Newsletter For Tons of Awesome Jobs and Internships

    By Friday, Jul 29, 2011 / 7:30 PM

    Looking for your next gig? There are a gazillion new internship and job opportunities posted in our Careers section. We also send ‘em out via newsletter. Bonne chance!
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      Best Dressed

      Best Dressed: Joan Smalls in Alexander Wang, Rachel Weisz in Valentino and More

      By Friday, Jul 29, 2011 / 7:00 PM


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        Fashion Is Fun

        A Look Back at Lady Gaga’s Most Provocative Photos To Date

        So Lady Gaga and Terry Richardson are doing an artsy photo book together. It was only a matter of time, and it makes utter and perfect sense. The two have done some messed up things together (like that editorial he shot, at left, for the May 2011 issue of Harper’s Bazaar.

        It feels like an appropriate time to take a look back at Gaga’s most provocative photos: the headpieces, the editorials, the stage antics, the frequent nip slips.

        Click through, if you dare.

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        Beauty

        Rachel Zoe Talks Lipstick, Designing a Kids Collection and Dressing for Spit-Up

        Rachel Zoe may have her hands full with her four-month old baby boy Skyler, but that doesn’t mean she’s slowing down. She’s taken on a new project as the brand ambassador for new beauty line Exude, in addition to talking about designing a kids line and somewhere down the road, even launching her own beauty line.

        It was the technology behind Exude’s first product, their lipstick, that drew the superstar stylist in. “I’ve been obsessed with lipstick since I was 10–I feel naked without it,” said Zoe. “I was skeptical [of Exude] at first, but then I was like, it’s kind of amazing.” Exude is a lipstick that’s applied more like a gloss. The color is contained within a special crystal applicator (shaped like lipstick) that protects the product so it never melts or breaks and is applied evenly every time. “There’s no wasted product and it’s not messy,” said Zoe of the lipstick, which will launch officially in October and retail at $29.00.

        Of course, having just watched Zoe’s Nightline special “Mommywood,” where she said she wants to design her own childrens line, we had just a few more questions.

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        The Business

        The Deal is Finally Done: Theory’s Andrew Rosen Buys Large Stake in Proenza Schouler

        Permira’s stake in the Proenza Schouler company has officially been sold to a group of investors led by Andrew Rosen and his business associate John Howard. The deal was finalized today, WWD reports.

        Jack McCollough, Lazaro Hernandez and Proenza Schouler CEO Shirley Cook said in a joint statement, “We are thankful to VFG [Valentino Fashion Group] for giving us a start, and allowing us to get where we are today. There’s so much we’d like to accomplish and have found the perfect complement in John and Andrew to help us realize our dreams.”

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        Models

        Is This Gorgeous 10-year-old French Model the Next Big Thing, or is it Just Creepy?

        By Friday, Jul 29, 2011 / 4:10 PM

        I’m starting to feel a little creepy writing about children all the time, but this girl has an epic beauty, an effortless chicness and an impressive modeling portfolio that is far beyond her ten years. According to Facebook, Thylane Lena-Rose Blondeau is from the Ivory coast and was born in 2001. She’s not only adorable, but stunning, with a face that reminds us of Brigitte Bardot in a way that no one has besides Lara Stone; and that perfectly messy Lou Doillon-esque hair that only the French seem to be able to attain. It’s a tad disconcerting how much she just looks like a model (I guess she is only a few years shy of real working model age), but not as disconcerting as one of the editorials she was put in. Read more »

          Fashion Is Fun

          Hi Guys, I’m the New Girl in Charge

          You all probably noticed that Lauren Sherman, my partner in crime and the lady who helmed this site has jumped ship for a glossier world. And while I’m still sad that she’s gone (it’s only been three days!) I could not be more excited about taking the reins here at Fashionista. I’ve been here a year now and it gets better everyday. We’ve got a great team in place with Cheryl stepping up to broaden her coverage and Dhani in the trenches and we love bringing you the news and our take on it as it breaks.

          I so appreciate all of your support and feedback, and I hope you’ll tolerate my love for fashion at its funniest and cats. Lots of cats.

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          Beauty

          Oscar de la Renta on His New Fragrance, His Birthday Present from Anna Wintour, and a Sneak Peek at What’s Coming in his Beauty Line

          It’s not often that one gets an invitation to hang out with a legendary designer at his country home, but that’s exactly what happened yesterday when a group of beauty editors was welcomed into Oscar de la Renta‘s quiet spread in Connecticut.

          The occasion? The launch of the first perfume developed completely under his control since the house won back its fragrance license last year after a long, expensive battle with former partners. Most perfume launches don’t enjoy such a personal and heartfelt celebration, but this one was particularly special to Oscar, his family, and the company. While Esprit d’Oscar, a reinterpretation of the original Oscar scent was sent into the world with an appropriate amount of fanfare, the new fragrance, called “Live in Love” is obviously the designer’s statement to the world of beauty that he’s back.

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