Archive for September 2011

Beauty

Bye-Bye Brazilian Blowout? The FDA Issues Ultimatum, Says Product Could Be Seized if Company Doesn’t Lower Formaldehyde Content

After months of debate, testing by multiple agencies, and vehement denials and protests from hair straightening company Brazilian Blowout, the FDA has finally stepped into the arena. The FDA tested the product and found a whopping 8.7-10.4% formaldehyde content in the Brazilian Blowout formula. (Remember, if a product contains > 0.1% formaldehyde, companies must clearly disclose that on the packaging.) Calling the product “adulterated”–because of the high formaldehyde content–and “misbranded”–because of the formaldehyde-free claims–the FDA gave the company until September 12 to get its act together.

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John Galliano Found Guilty

A Paris court has found John Galliano guilty of making anti-Semitic slurs, the AP is reporting. The designer won’t serve jail time and has been given a suspended sentence of 6,000 euro ($8,400) in fines (WWD is reporting the fine is 17,500 euro, the BBC is reporting it’s 10,000 euro…there are obviously some discrepancies here in the early reporting of the verdict).

Galliano did not attend the proceedings, and according to GQ, who has been Tweeting live from the hearing, Galliano only has to pay the fine “if [he] starts up with the slander again.” A report on NY1 confirms that Galliano will not have to pay the fine unless he repeats his crime within the next five years.

All victims said that they do not believe that Galliano is truly anti-Semitic or racist, GQ reports. Galliano’s lawyer says his client will continue to seek treatment for his addictions to drugs and alcohol.

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Campaigns

Watch: Prada’s ‘Real Fantasies’ Fall 2011 Campaign Video Is Really Trippy

By Mickie Meinhardt Thursday, Sep 8, 2011 / 8:00 AM

Prada just released a new video companion to their fall ad campaign called “Real Fantasies” that, to be honest, is a pretty strange fantasy: part moving collage, part dollhouse, part real dancing models all set to slightly jarring futuristic music.

It’s an interesting, arty way to view the fall collection in motion, to be sure. Read more »

Fashion Is Fun

Show Us Your Best Fashion’s Night Out Styles And You Could Win a $250 Shopping Spree

We really wish we could spend Fashion’s Night Out with each and every one of you, darling readers, but since that’s just a pipe dream for now, we’ll settle for images of your best poses, purchases and moments from the night.

Enter Pose, the free mobile network for fashion, which allows users to create a profile, upload images, add personal comments, and share across Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr in real-time. Today, Pose got even better with a just-debuted widget that lets you post new style content to your blog immediately with your mobile phone.

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News

Quote of the Day: Anna Wintour On How 9/11 Affected Designers That Year and Why She Wanted to Help

By Hayley Phelan Wednesday, Sep 7, 2011 / 7:30 PM

“I had all my editors telling me they’ve lost their deposits, they have no more money, and what should they do? That seemed to me a great opportunity for us to help…It was adorable. It was about the industry helping each other. It was a very small thing, but it felt good. We’re not going to be defeated…I do think it’s important to make the point that as awful as adversity is, it is important to be positive and think about how you can help and what you can do. It can have results. It is so easy to moan and to complain a lot, but being positive and proactive is by far the most rewarding way to be. Do I sound too Pollyanna? I really believe that.

–Anna Wintour showing an unusually emotional and optimistic side in the New York Times piece exploring the fashion industry in the wake of 9/11. This article actually brought tears to our eyes–a must-read, written from the perspective of the designers affected during Fashion Week September 2001.

Accessories

Our Guide to the Ten Best Comfy (Yet Stylish) Shoes To Wear During Fashion Week

Fashion Week is here, and we know what you’re thinking: It’s time to stop by Duane Reade to pick up some extra-strength painkillers to survive my killer-but-actually-killer heels all week long.

Not so, sister, not so.

Blessedly, this year has ushered in an unprecedented level of support (get it?) for shoes that are actually, gasp!, comfortable. Even fashion industry insiders are ditching their sky-high stilettos and platforms for more practical options–Street style catnip Taylor Tomasi Hill even wore sneaker high-tops last season!

So forget hobbling around Lincoln Center–and put a spring in your step with these fashion-industry-approved alternatives to the high heel.

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Webvertorial

Fashion Is Fast–Here’s How We Keep Up

By Fashionista Wednesday, Sep 7, 2011 / 6:30 PM

Photo: Getty

Fashion never stops, and as bloggers, we just try to keep up with it. Luckily, the internet and the technology that lets us access it 24/7 means we don’t miss a thing (as long as we don’t sleep).

A sample day: I wake to the buzz of my smart phone and the morning reel of e-mails full of press releases, newsletters and the days headlines. My morning coffee is always sipped over my MacBook, where I see what’s happened on Twitter since I went to sleep, while I half-watch the morning news on NY1 (and sometimes the TODAY show).

It’s a never-ending troll for news–a slow blog is an irrelevant blog. My Internet Radio plays some Adele as I plan my outfit, which I know could be snapped by an aspiring street style blogger and posted to Flikr or Tumblr. I speed-type on the walk to the subway, texting and e-mailing my editors and co-workers to pull together post ideas for the day; “Did you see this new ad campaign? What about the look book that PR company sent us?” I check my Facebook and Instagram apps to see what my friends and fellow fashion folk did last night–who wore what to last night’s party is always a great topic and a perfect source of style inspiration– and see what sale sites are posting for the day. By the time I’m underground, I know who’s having a best dressed moment and who needs to change stylists, what new collaborations are happening, and who is covering what magazine. Because it’s so early in the morning, most of my news has come from Europe or the U.K. It’s not even noon and I’ve already read several international papers, talked to friends all across the country and responded to Tweets from blog readers around the world! Tell me that’s not impressive.

Once on the train, it’s time for editorial inspiration. I pull out my tablet to peruse my magazine subscriptions, checking out the latest trends and planning what to buy for fall. I bookmark several pages; this is how I shop these days, since in-store shopping is difficult on a Internet addict’s busy schedule. Later, when I’m on a lunch break, I can buy my favorite looks with a tap of a finger on any store’s e-commerce app.

When I get to the office, I plug in my Macbook in and watch the new videos on a designer’s interactive e-commerce website, where campaign trailers are posted before the clothes even hit stores. The mid-morning recommendations from my favorite sale sites hit my inbox and I start to plan my Fashion Week wardrobe. Fall is just around the corner but luckily I saw the trends right as they hit the runway, streaming them live from YouTube. Since my favorite searches are saved and ready to go I can pick up that perfect bootie or statement necklace with just a click. Being this “wired-in” means I’ll have the coolest styles well in advance, and though staying on top of fashion is no easy feat, I have the help of my Smart Phone, Twitter followers, RSS updates and the constant contact with fashion industry friends to keep up with the chicest of fashionistas. #IntelEMP

**This post is brought to you in partnership with Intel(R) who are all about making our lives better (and faster!) with technology–today and tomorrow. Since we use Intel-Inspired technology every waking moment to bring you the latest fashion news, we appreciate what they’re doing..

Magazines

Check Out the Four Victoria’s Secret Angels Gracing the Cover of Next Month’s ELLE (Racy Swimwear Editorial Included)

By Cheryl Wischhover Wednesday, Sep 7, 2011 / 6:15 PM

Well, this is refreshing. ELLE‘s October issue (which drops September 20) features actual models on the cover–and not just any models. They’re Victoria’s Secret angels, all wearing swimwear. On four separate covers, Miranda Kerr, Doutzen Kroes, Adriana Lima, and Chanel Iman are styled to the hilt in 80s inspired swimwear. It gets a little racier inside, with just as many accessories and a lot more skin showing in the editorial. Read more »

Rumor: Kanye West to Show During Paris Fashion Week

Yeezy was indeed showing a collection–but in New York, not Paris. Later, in August, we told you about the hints Giuseppe Zanotti dropped about an apparent collaboration between the two.

Now The Cut is reporting that some suggestive tweets from Wayne Sterling, of Models.com, seem to confirm that Kanye is indeed showing at Paris Fashion Week. Wayne’s tweet, which says,”Hiss hiss. Which ultra-power stylist is now playing in Kayne’s [sic] camp for his blue chip Paris showing. And it IS a Paris showing kids!” is as ambiguous as it is suggestive.

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Accessories

In Honor of Mulberry’s First New York Flagship, Here Are the 10 Most Iconic Mulberry Bags

Mulberry‘s first-ever New York flagship opened on Spring street today. In celebration of 5,000 new square feet of Mulbery-ness, they even created a really cute new handbag just for us called the New York Clipper (below right), which features “New York-inspired details,” like an apple, and comes in red, white and blue (they gifted Leah a red one-she says thanks!), which we think is pretty adorable of them.

The style of the bag is chic and timeless. Mulberry definitely has a knack for creating iconic handbags that everyone (especially celebrities) wants to carry and over the last 40 years, they’ve put out a pretty impressive collection. While some brands become known for one iconic handbag style, Mulberry releases hit after hit. So, in honor of their new store and 40th birthday, here’s a guide to the 10 most iconic Mulberry bags. So the next time you see Kate Bosworth carrying any handbag, you’ll know its name!

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Fashion Careers

RENT THE RUNWAY IS LOOKING FOR INTERNS!

RentTheRunway.com is a luxury e-commerce company that has evolutionized the fashion industry. The ‘Netflix for fashion’, Rent the Runway provides a platform for women to rent luxury brand dresses and accessories for 90% off retail prices. Rent the Runway is a members-only exclusive community that has already reached more than 1.3 million members.

Rent the Runway is hiring editorial, PR, and general/business interns with a passion for the fashion industry. The ideal candidates are entrepreneurial, creative, tech-savvy, and driven. This is a unique opportunity to gain exposure to the fashion industry and get hands on experience at one of New York City’s top start-ups. As an intern, you will have the opportunity to actively participate in everyday decisions. Interns should be hard working, organized, and have a can do attitude.

Qualifications:
• Currently enrolled in a 4-Year college in or near New York City
• Ability to perform within a fast-paced, multi-priority setting
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Self-starter who takes ownership and initiative

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Fashion Is Fun

Fashionista’s FNO Guide #3: The Music Snob’s Free Concert Playlist

With just one night and counting before the madness that is Fashion’s Night Out, we’ve already brought you the breakdowns for celeb spotting and scoring an evening’s worth of free food and booze. So it’s a perfect time to discuss the musical performances of the night.

But if singing a karaoke duet with A.J. “The Bad One” McLean to “I Want It That Way” or chiming in to a chorus of high-pitched tweenage screams at a Joe Jonas concert would absolutely ruin your reputation, then this is the list (in alphabetical order) for you. Do you just feel more at home quaffing a PBR while checking out a band at Bowery Ballroom/The Bellhouse/the Cake Shop/[insert teeny, sticky-floored music venue here]? You’re going to love Fashion’s Night Out. Of course, to keep in the spirit of the evening, be sure to do a little shopping, too.

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  • Fawnia Soo Hoo
  • Wednesday, Sep 7, 2011 / 4:21 PM
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