Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Daft for Daffy's!

Hey chicas. Sorry I've been out of the loop. Blogger's block, or just shopper's restraint, maybe. Today I used my half day buying tons of food, and just a couple fashion items. But oh, what great items! I stopped in to Daffy's hoping to spy a decent serving bowl, but instead I (of course) checked out the shoe department. I already knew that they carried Corso Como shoes, such as these, which look great but maybe don't feel the best on your feet. I had no idea that they also carried two of my favorite shoe brands (not that I owned any -- until now!) Check out my purchases:



I have been looking for a nice leather flip flop in brown. I found the former part of the equation in this Frye Edie Crossover sandal, $58.99 and even more expensive online, but a mere $26.99 at Daffy's! Score!



I'm gonna stake out other Daffy's to find the brown, but in the meantime I still love the turquoise, which is way deeper in color in person. And quite comf! Yay!



I also picked up a pair of these Nicole Silvius peep-toe pumps, very comfortable (at least in my walk around the store) and seemingly well-made, $82.95 at Zappos, $35.99 at Daffy's. And the heel and platform are brown, not that awful black in the photo. They had a few other Nicole styles as well. Be aware!

Three For Tuesday

Some super quickies:


($34, BCBGirls, Overstock)
I'm not usually into muted colors, but this is really cute!




($86, BCBG Max Azria, Overstock)
I've definitely resisted the cropped jacket trend for a really long time, but for some reason I'm into this one. Prolly because it's not too swingy or boxy.



($68, Mike & Chris, Chocosho.com)
So stylish and soooo comfy looking. And there ain't much Mike & Chris available for under $100, nomesayin'? Total steal.


Okay. Must finish prepping for an interview -- I'm going to go talk to the Hearts Challenger peeps!! Tasty!

PARIS COUTURE:John Galliano & Christian Dior-fotos & free video!

Christian Dior collection 2007-08Christian Dior collection 2007-08
Every show by John Galliano feels like a celebration - and, on the tenth anniversary of his appointment as creative director at the house of Christian Dior, which also coincides with the 60th anniversary of the house itself, the bar was certainly high as A-list fans including Juliette Binoche, Monica Bellucci, Sophia Coppola, Marisa Berenson and Kate Hudson flocked to the Versailles Orangerie to see just how so many momentous moments would be translated onto the Couture catwalk. Galliano does not do disappointment. His collection was not, as expected, an homage to Dior's groundbreaking New Look of 1947, but rather referenced the legendary designer's art-world influences. Guests were treated to a visual onslaught of the most lavish creations, modelled by names only a designer of Galliano's stature can command - Helena Christensen, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, Gisele, Amber Valetta, Stella Tennant and Karen Mulder amongst them - as Caravaggio, El Greco, Monet, Renoir and Cocteau were reimagined in bustles, silks, embroidery, feathers and devastatingly elegant black velvet. The show, which was dedicated to Galliano's right-hand man, Steven Robinson, who died earlier this year, has certainly raised the stakes in Paris as Chanel, Christian Lacroix and Givenchy prepare to take to the runways today - the front row no doubt recuperating quietly after last night's blow-out black tie Dior party.

Christian Dior collection 2007-08Christian Dior collection 2007-08

Summer Advisory: Psychedelic Aura

Who doesn't love the sun and the beach during summer? Each has her own dramatic summer effect. Want to have all the spotlight under the sunlight?

Strike a perfect balance in Milly's bright coral reef-print sundress, bikini and bag. Featuring a vivid psychedelic-print string bikini, spaghetti-strap empire-line dress and toweling-lined tote, this coordinating capsule ensemble will take you from sea to sundown mojitos in a single and fabulous flash. Wear all at once for show-stopping impact, then add gold flats and saucer-sized shades for a final dose of beach goddess glitz.





Source

Monday, July 2, 2007

DIOR At 60

Parisian fashion house Christian Dior is 60 years old this year. To mark the occasion maverick designer John Galliano (who is coincidentally celebrating his tenth year at Dior) held a special one-off couture show yesterday (July 2).




Hollywood stars including Charlize Theron, Kate Hudson and Jessica Alba joined guests at the 300-year-old orangery of the castle that was home to France's Sun King, Louis XIV. Stars of the supermodel era, including Naomi Campbell and Linda Evangelista, struck poses in sumptuous evening gowns and 1940s-style suits inspired by the works of painters ranging from Leonardo da Vinci to Pablo Picasso.

The ideas flowed at breathtaking pace, earning the house's British designer John Galliano a rare standing ovation. For sure it's a one helluva show.

Source

More Betsey Beauties

So, after I discovered and posted this Betsey Johnson dress the other week AND wore my green dress to a wedding this past Saturday, I've been on a bit of a Betsey binge. Now I want all of the dresses below.

($303, Betsey Johnson, Revolveclothing.com)



($300, Betsey Johnson, Macys)
Loves, but just a little bit less than the first one.



($590, Betsey Johnson, Edressmeprom.com)
This in and of itself would make a fantastic alt-wedding dress.



($234, Betsey Johnson, NeimanMarcus.com)
It's like dressing up as an elegant queen bee!



($236, Betsey Johnson, NeimanMarcus.com)
Or a sexy Alice In Wonderfuland.



($325, BetseyJohnson.com)
Cool, but nowhere near as great as the O.G. black one.



($270, Betsey Johnson, Zappos.com)
Three cheers for asymmetry!



($325, Betsey Johnson, UrbanMinx.com)
I love the '70s-faux-wrap action of this piece, but apparently the model does not. She looks like she's about to puke. I should've cropped her head out.



($34, Adrianna Papell, DALstore.com)
Very pretty metallic for the holidays -- just think of all the black shoe options you have -- and the price is ridiculado.



($66, BCBGirls, Bluefly)
Nice everyday, dressup-able piece.


($204, A.B.S., Bluefly)
Timeless and gorge. Okay, gotta run. Comment away, you lovers and lurkers!

Celebrities-Turned-Fashion Designers

With the launch of their own fashion labels, these Hollywood celebrities aren't just trendsetters and trendhunters, they're stylemakers. Check out these famous fahionistas and know their fashion lines and philosophies.

Kate Moss - TopShop


STYLE:
Her face has represented designers from Calvin Klein to Versace, now Kate Moss has teamed up with British retailer TopShop to create her own line. Inspired by Moss' own '70s-chic style, the items include glam mini-dresses, and separates in leather, denim and satin.

FASHION PHILOSOPHY:
"There's something magical about Kate," Burberry designer Christopher Bailey has said about the supermodel. "She has a knack for making something her own. She's inspiring to be around."

Madonna - M for H&M


STYLE:
From her Gaultier bullet bra to Dolce & Gabbana western wear, Madonna has stayed ahead of the fashion curve for more than two decades. Now Madge's new M by Madonna line for cheap-chic retailer H&M—which features dresses, shoes and separates in basic black and white—is available to fashionistas after the secret to the Material Girl's style.

FASHION PHILOSOPHY:
"It's all part of my expression, my self-discovery," Madonna has said of her many style transformations. "I think you have to try on a lot of guises before you know who you are."

Sarah Jessica Parker - Bitten


STYLE:
Since her turn as a couture-obsessed writer on Sex and the City, Sarah Jessica Parker has been one of the most-watched trendsetters in Hollywood. Now she has designs on creating her own label, dubbed Bitten. Parker recently gave a few magazine editors a peek at the line—which includes casual clothing, accessories and intimates—that hits stores this summer.

FASHION PHILOSOPHY:
"I'm not as victimized by trends," Parker has said. "There are things I don't feel comfortable in, things I don't care to show. So hemlines change, for example. I don't have to participate."

Mandy Moore - Mblem


STYLE:
Mandy debuted her Mblem line of "vintage contemporary" T-shirts in 2005 and later expanded the brand to include knit dresses. A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the collections are regularly donated to charitable causes close to Moore's heart. Celebrity fans of her comfy clothes include Natalie Portman, Kate Hudson and Rachel Weisz.

FASHION PHILOSOPHY:
"If I could work a hoodie into every outfit I would," Moore, who has described her goal as "never trying to look overly styled," has said. "It's not like I want to forge a fashion career. No couture gown designs for me, I'm just sticking with t-shirts.

Jennifer Lopez - JLo/Sweetface

STYLE:
Lopez launched the trendy JLO brand in 2001. In 2005, she followed up on the success of the line with her high-end label Sweetface—a name a former agent used to call her— which she has described as "sexy street glamor." Jennifer has even received kudos from fashion industry insiders—in 2006 she was honored with an ACE Award for excellence in accessories design.

FASHION PHILOSOPHY:
"I love anything that's girlie," Lopez has said about her taste in clothes. "It's only fashion, but I've got to feel fabulous when I walk out the door.""

Beyoncé Knowles - House of Deréon



STYLE:

Beyoncé and her mom Tina launched their label in 2005, billing the designs—which feature tailoring and embellishments inspired by the Grammy-winner's grandmother—as "affordable couture." B recently modeled sizzling samples from Deréon's swimwear line on the cover of the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

FASHION PHILOSOPHY:
"I love to mix vintage with things that are in now," Beyoncé has said. "I put my clothes in storage so years from now I can auction them off for charity or keep them for my kids. "

Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen - The Row & Elizabeth and James


STYLE:
Though they are twins, Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen are true individuals when it comes to fashion. But while MK's looks are more edgy and Ashley prefers to keep it chic, the two share a style symbiosis. Having been actively involved in the designs for their tween collection at Wal-Mart, the sisters have graduated to high style, recently forming two new labels. The Row is couture, while Elizabeth and James heads the contemporary route.

FASHION PHILOSOPHY:
"As young American designers, we are learning what it takes to launch a collection," Ashley (in The Row) said when she and Mary Kate (in Elizabeth and James) presented an award at this year's CFDA awards.

Sienna Miller - Twenty8Twelve


STYLE:
Sienna and her equally stylish sister, Savannah—a graduate of Central Saint Martins school of design—put their heads together to design a line of boho chic clothes called Twenty8Twelve. The collection will reportedly hit Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus soon, but style-setter Sienna has already created a buzz by wearing pieces to parties and on strolls around the London streets.

FASHION PHILOSOPHY:
"I'm really not good at dressing up and being glamorous. I'm fine when I’m just waking up and putting on a pair of jeans," Miller has said.