Archive for July 2011

Accessories

Coach Classics Launches New, Fashion-y Colors and We’re Obsessed

When Coach launched its Classics collection in June, it’s safe to say the entire Fashionista office was instantly obsessed. (Okay, there are only four of us, but still.)

Anyway, while we coveted the truly classic styles in truly classic colors like brown, navy, and black, we’re doubly excited about the latest shipment of bags, which come in candy shades such as vermillion. My pick? The Madison Satchel in lime.

Click through to view the new collection, and head over to Coach to order yours before they sell out.

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Kate Middleton

Brides Magazine Loves Kate Middleton a Little Too Much

Kate Middleton’s wedding dress will never die. The McQueen gown has spawned a bajillion copies, one of which made its way onto the August cover of Brides and is modeled by a brunette clearly intended to be a Kate lookalike. The $5,000 dress is Legends by Romona Keveza and is silk-shantung and taffeta with Chantilly lace sleeves, a blatant knock-off of the royal gown (UPDATE: the Romona Keveza gown was actually designed well before the Royal Wedding. The design was part of Keveza’s “Royal Collection,” shown at Bridal Fashion Week in April 2011, and inspired by what Keveza would design for Kate Middleton–turns out she was spot on.)

Inside, they talk about “new ideas” from the royal wedding; namely, long sleeves and veils. I don’t know about you, but I feel this is getting a little ridiculous.

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Fashion Is Fun

What Fashionista Editors Want for Fall

It’s about ninety degrees today in New York, but even such sweltering heat can’t stop our fashion-obsessed editors from thinking about fall shopping.

With summer sales in full force, fall’s cozy and covetable merchandise are right around the corner. And as any well versed shopper will tell you, the best way to ready oneself for a fall wardrobe is to plan ahead.

So we’ve asked our Fashionista editors to pick out the items they are lusting after for fall. From giant fur coats to sensible loafers, there’s a little something for everyone. Consider it a suggestion for a practical fall wardrobe, because our editors have weathered a lot of fashion weeks, press events, and parties at Le Bain… I’d trust their judgment.

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Magazines

Grace Coddington Sold Her Memoir For a Rumored $1.2 Million

Kudos to Grace Coddington! The beloved Vogue creative director just sold her memoir to Random House for a rumored $1.2 million, the Observer reports.

This means it’s really happening and also further discredits a recent Page Six article that reported Anna Wintour was the one shopping around a memoir. It said Coddington had “pushed the project aside” once Jay Fielden, with whom she was originally writing the book, was appointed as editor-in-chief at Town & Country. Instead, the book will apparently be co-written by current Vogue writer Michael Roberts.

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The Business

Dior Gained Market Share Over the First Half of 2011

It’s been a good year for luxury companies–everyone from Hermes to Richemont have reported gains in 2011–and LVMH is not immune. Sales reached €10.3 billion in the first half of the year, an increase of 13% from 2010. The fashion sector of the company also saw a 13% increase in sales, to 3.97 billion. And what’s more, every single brand gained market share.

Including scandal-ridden Dior, whose creative director, John Galliano, was dismissed in February due to racist comments he made in a restaurant (and other unhinged behavior).

So it seems that the brand, despite the constant negative press it’s received over the last six months, is in incredibly good shape. Whether that’s due to the consumer’s understanding of its rich heritage, or the consumer’s ambivalence toward bad behavior, remains unknown.

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Streetwalker

Street Style: Leila Believes All Heels are Uncomfortable

Name: Leila Thurtell

Age: 26

Occupation: Works at Barneys New York

How would you describe your style? Lots of black with a touch of color.

What is currently on your iPod? The Weekend, Washed Out.

What was the last thing you bought? These shoes.

What is your most comfortable pair of heels? None. They’re all uncomfortable!

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Beauty

Lady Gaga is Going Bald and Kim Kardashian has a Nasty Rash: Do You Feel Bad for Them?

Two items that hit the tabs yesterday got us thinking about the scrutiny that celebs are willing to take and the damage they’re willing to do to themselves to become celebrities and maintain their images.

First up, Lady Gaga. The Sun reported that Lady Gaga is using Rogaine to fight hair loss due to years of follicular assault (which is very timely and ironic due to the popularity of her song, “Hair” and having just performed it recently while wearing a bald wig.) Then there’s Kim Kardashian, who was diagnosed with psoriasis–and shared the experience on her reality show this week. Both of these are potentially embarrassing problems from an aesthetic standpoint. And God knows, both of these ladies are very, very worried about aesthetics.

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Fashion Careers

JV8Inc Casting Agency Needs A New York Fashion Week Intern!

JV8Inc (www.jv8inc.com) is a casting agency looking for an intern to work with us during Fashion Week, with potential for a long term (3-6 month) internship. We are casting five high profile fashion shows, including Rodarte and Band of Outsiders. We need a highly motivated individual who is interested in getting first-hand experience casting fashion shows. It will be hands on and you will be backstage during Fashion Week.

REQUIREMENTS: Full time commitment from August 1 to September 16 (including weekends of September 3 and 10).

QUALIFICATIONS:

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Admin

On My Way

Today is my last day at Fashionista. After 20 crazy, amazing, exhausting months, it’s time to move on. (I’m joining Lucky as the executive digital editor.)

I can’t even begin to explain how important this job has been to me. Not only have I met many of fashion’s smartest, most creative, and kindest, I’ve also learned a ton about the business, about journalism, about blogging, and about myself. Including:

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The Fate of Amy Winehouse x Fred Perry: There Could be Three More Collections in the Works

In addition to an unfinished album, Amy Winehouse also leaves behind the successful collection she designed for Fred Perry. Her collaboration with the British clothing brand began last year with a fall 2010 collection. Amy’s signature retro style is what inspired Fred Perry to approach her.

Richard Martin, Fred Perry’s marketing director told WWD last March, “Amy has a unique sense of style that reflects the brand’s own historical reference points.” It sounded like Amy was more involved with the design process than many celebrity designers. Martin also noted, “Amy gave crucial input on proportion, color and fit. The range clearly has Amy’s handwriting.”

Her spring 2011 collection launched in March and is currently no longer available on the Fred Perry website, but there are currently still two styles available on ASOS and a few things on eBay. While there hasn’t been any mention of another Fred Perry collection in the press as of late, there is a decent chance that we could be seeing another one, if not several. This past October, Amy told Harper’s Bazaar, “We’ve pretty much done like up to autumn/winter 2012, and I’m like, ‘Have we?’ Yeah!”

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Fashion Careers

Jenesequa iPad Magazine Needs Editorial and Graphic Design Interns ASAP!

Jenesequa, a start-up independent fashion, beauty and style iPad magazine and website, is seeking virtual editors, social media/PR and graphic design interns to start immediately.

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Exclusive: Claudia Schiffer on Her New Knitwear Collection

Claudia Schiffer‘s 30-piece knitwear collection hits Net-a-Porter tomorrow, but we’ve got the inside scoop one which pieces are the supermodel’s favorites. Bonus: Schiffer also reveals some of her favorite labels (other than her own, of course). Click through to see her top six looks and read why she’s obsessed.

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