Fashionista

How to Make It in Fashion: June 21, Dream Hotel Downtown, New York

Sunday September 11th, 2011

Elle Fashion Next Spring 2012: Strong Students
Fashion Week

Elle Fashion Next Spring 2012: Strong Students

Remember that City episode where Bergdorf’s Linda Fargo sort of rips apart Whitney Port‘s clothing line? Well, in the realm of things that might be awkward, the two now sit on the very same judging panel. Along with Chris Benz, Iman, Joe Zee, and a dozen other industry insiders, they’re part of Elle Fashion Next, a pretty cool program that (like GenArt) helps open doors for emerging fashion designers.

In addition to connecting promising design students with industry mentors, Elle Fashion Next selects a handful of students to show at Lincoln Center during fashion week, and awards the two most outstanding finalists with individual $25,000 grants.

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Published at 4:16 PM

Monday August 29th, 2011

Top 10 Irene-Related Tweets from Fashion Peeps
Fashion Is Fun

Top 10 Irene-Related Tweets from Fashion Peeps

Who’s the latest It Girl everyone in fashion is talking about? Irene! No, she’s not a gorgeous, 5’11 supermodel from the Ukraine, she’s the hurricane that’s been slowly making her way up the east coast. While Irene wrecked serious havoc in North Carolina, NYC was lucky enough to miss the brunt of her force. And, fashion people being fashion people, they had a lot to say about it. Check out our top ten Irene-related fashion tweets from this weekend.

COACD (@coacd)
Heard Irene is signing w Wilhelmina @LaDivafina

Coco Rocha (@Cocorocha)
I told @mickinyc it was Irene or me. RT @LaDivafina We sent her home, options released RT @COACD: Heard Irene is signing w Wilhelmina

Prabal Gurung (@prabalgurung)
I think Irene might need a lil help with her PR after this wknd @KCDworldwide u might have a new client.

DKNY PR Girl (@dkny)
Part of me feels like #Irene was a giant ploy by all the supermarkets on the East Coast.

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Published at 9:05 AM

Saturday July 30th, 2011

Wednesday July 27th, 2011

Last Night’s Party: Gossip Girls, a Twilight and a Jonas Turn Out for DKNY’s Sunglass Soiree
Parties

Last Night’s Party: Gossip Girls, a Twilight and a Jonas Turn Out for DKNY’s Sunglass Soiree

Teen stars: “you just gotta let ‘em drink.” A useful piece of advice imparted on me by the Dream Hotel’s security brigade. Luckily, the tween dreams at last night’s DKNY Sunglass Soiree were solely of the faux specimen—the kind that play characters seven years younger than their actual selves, making it awkward when you witness them guzzling vodka. Last night’s party in honor of DKNY’s sunnies featured two Gossip Girls, a Twilight, and a Jonas all on the same crowded roof deck.

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Published at 7:00 PM

Tuesday July 26th, 2011

On My Way
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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Published at 3:00 PM

Friday July 22nd, 2011

Michelle Obama Wears Chris Benz on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition!

Michelle Obama Wears Chris Benz on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition!

We unabashedly adore designer/Fashionista columnist Chris Benz, and we’re so excited to see that FLOTUS Michelle Obama wore the “Nelda” dress from his Resort 2011 collection. This is huge for Benz, not only because it’s the first time Obama has donned something from the label, but it’s also the outfit she chose for her appearance on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, which will be viewed by millions of people. We hope he’s got extra fabric around, because those orders are sure to start flooding in!

**Department of Defense photo by Elaine Sanchez.

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Published at 5:35 PM
Heidi Klum Says Tim Gunn Will Be Seen Jogging on Project Runway and Other Tidbits From Last Night’s Glamour Dinner
Parties

Heidi Klum Says Tim Gunn Will Be Seen Jogging on Project Runway and Other Tidbits From Last Night’s Glamour Dinner

The many twinkling candles at last night’s Glamour reception for Heidi Klum could only be matched by the supermodel’s equally incandescent Gucci mini and megawatt smile. The event, held at SoHo’s B&B wine bar, was a celebration of Klum’s August cover. Well-schvitzed guests piled in from the heat to sip sparkling rosé in minuscule outfits—which you know are weather appropriate when Michael Kors comments on friend Anne Christensen’s getup by saying, “the whole city should be wearing a romper!“

Designer Chris Benz, fresh off a New York mag centerfold, was there to celebrate the Glamour girl, who he describes as “embracing a certain level of intelligence that I always aspire to in my collections.” Nearby Maria Cornejo, who’ll soon be departing for the Greek Isles agreed: “They have a life, they’re real women. They approach fashion with a sense of humor and also intelligence.”

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Published at 4:30 PM

Thursday July 14th, 2011

Joyeux Quatorze Juillet! 14 Reasons Fashionista Loves France
Fashion Is Fun

Joyeux Quatorze Juillet! 14 Reasons Fashionista Loves France

Bastille Day has put us in a Francophile mood. It reminded us of all the reasons we (and fashion in general) love France.

Is it the Breton tees? The Haute Couture? That effortlessly sexy undone look all French women just magically seem to possess? Maybe it’s just the sheer luxury of all things French.

In our ranking of the top luxury brands, all but three were French companies. Luxury pervades French culture. New York has sporty and cool, London has experimental, Milan has quirky classics, and Paris has over-the-top, no-holds-barred Fashion.

Click through to find out exactly what we swoon over from French culture and let us know what French exports you love!

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Published at 5:41 PM

Monday July 11th, 2011

The Top 20 Fashion Schools in the US: The Fashionista Ranking
Fashion Careers

The Top 20 Fashion Schools in the US: The Fashionista Ranking

It’s summertime, and chances are you’re heading to the beach or hanging out with friends. But soon enough it will be September, so you might as well start thinking about your future educational endeavors now. If you have an interest in fashion, whether to design it or take a more behind-the-scenes role, there are tons of amazing school options to consider. For a comprehensive look, you can take a peek at our Top 50 Fashion Schools list, which pretty much covers the entire world. Think you want to stick with US schools? Then you’re in the right place!

We’ve compiled a list of the 20 best fashion schools in the country. As with our previous fashion school rankings, this is not scientific. We looked at data, jobs procured, opinions of people in the industry, and standout program offerings. We also wanted to show you that great schools aren’t limited to NYC–you’ll find colleges located in all parts of the country.

This list is meant to provide an overview of the schools’ strengths and to highlight some of their unique attributes. You’ll find fashion design programs here, but some of the schools listed don’t offer fashion design. Instead, they’ve gained a spot because they offer other amazing programs to prepare you for a career in fashion. We hope it’s helpful as a starting point. (Click here for the full list.)

Tuition prices don’t include fees and housing. And if you see an asterisk (*), it denotes a CFDA-affiliated program. Like our previous rankings, this list includes undergraduate degrees only.

Click through to review the schools and good luck as you embark on a new career!

(*Additional reporting by Sara Shabtai*)

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Published at 3:00 PM

Tuesday June 28th, 2011

Ask Chris Benz: How Can A Non-New Yorker Build A Fashion Journalism Resume?
Ask Chris

Ask Chris Benz: How Can A Non-New Yorker Build A Fashion Journalism Resume?

Dear Chris,

My name is Emily and I’m a college freshman–I know I still have time when it comes to finding a future job but am also well aware of the importance of internships. I’m a journalism student and my dream is working in the fashion industry in some way or another. Unfortunately I go to school in Oklahoma, which isn’t exactly a hotbed of fashion magazines. What can I do to build my resume while I’m still an undergrad and unable to travel to NYC? I’m interested in learning all I can about fashion in general, and your help is greatly appreciated!

Emily

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Published at 4:20 PM

Tuesday June 21st, 2011

Ask Chris Benz: How Can I Move From Intern to Paid Employee?
Ask Chris

Ask Chris Benz: How Can I Move From Intern to Paid Employee?

Hi Chris,

I, like most fashion-obsessed college seniors, read your posts on Fashionista RELIGIOUSLY. I truly admire all of the help you are giving to young people looking to break into the industry, especially because I am one of them.

Luckily, I have been able to intern with great companies and get close to my bosses, where I gained tremendous experience working with editors and stylists. I am nearing the end of my college education (time is speeding by so fast I can’t remember what season we’re actually in!), and I am not sure when and how to begin looking for a full-time job. I scour the career websites, only to find offers either for internships or upper-level management.

What suggestions do you have for young people about to enter a tough job market and an even tougher fashion industry?

Thank you!

Best,
Mark Baldino

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Published at 3:30 PM

Tuesday June 14th, 2011

Chris Benz x Lancome + Saks = A Gift With Purchase You Actually Want
Beauty

Chris Benz x Lancome + Saks = A Gift With Purchase You Actually Want

Gift-with-purchase is a beloved tactic of the beauty industry to get you to shell out an extra $15 to get that generic makeup pouch you don’t really need, filled with samples that don’t go with your complexion at all.

Lancôme is raising the bar a bit this month by collaborating with Chris Benz on a gift-with-purchase that will make you seek out the Lancôme counter even if you don’t need a new Juicy Tube yet.

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Published at 3:30 PM