This long halter summer dress by Eva Franco is not only cute and the right color, it's breezy enough not to stick to your sweaty body and just the thing to throw on with flip-flops. But maybe you're ready for the death of hippie chic for good?
This year at Wimbledon, Sharapova's Swan Lake dress, Golovin's red knickers, and Ms. Venus' hotpants are getting more headlines than their serves or backhands. I'm no tennis junkie, but I do love it when the girls get their fashion on.
Care for some Champagne with that handbag? Alice Temperley and Moet & Chandon make it so easy for the good life and the drunk life to go and in hand. Sure is classier than a paper bag for clandestine on-the-street summer cocktails. You might not be a able to afford the bubbly once you've bought the bag, though -- this limited-edition tote costs $1,600 and just 50 will be made.
The amount of time between the announcement of a Go International designer and the first peeks at the collection has grown so short we almost forget who's up next. Fashionista got everyone a sneak peek at Erin Fetherston's adorable heart and jumper-filled collection, which drops in November. British Vogue has just the sunglasses to go with it all.
Dior's couture menagerie will be shown at the Orangerie in Paris July 2nd. Those are the gardens in the background. Foreground, we have Galliano as Napoleon from the last couture show.
What Kanye wants, Kanye gets. And what he wanted, after being styled in these 80s glasses for his "Stronger" video, was a pair of his own. So he asked eyewear designer Alain Mikli to craft him some. And they are fresh, but just as amazing as some of Mikli's own designs from the 80s. [via New York Post]
No, it's not what you think, unfortunately. Karl Lagerfeld photographed Fergie for an upcoming issue of V magazine. Not that we advocate shooting anyone. We'd just like a Fergie fast for a while. [via WWD]
There will be no waiting period to buy Roland Mouret's new collection, RM, when it hits the couture catwalk in July. You'll be able to buy any dress from the 21-piece collection right off the models' backs, but there's a catch -- the dresses don't ship until November. And they won't come cheap. "It would be possible for an RM devotee, with a budget of about $70,000 and, if Mr. Mouret’s previous work is any indication, the measurements of Jessica Rabbit, to buy every item from the show," quipped the New York Times' Eric Wilson.
In a brash bid for the ever-growing luxury market in China, Fendi will stage a catwalk show on the Great Wall this October. No news yet on whether Karl himself will be in attendance, but we like to imagine him ambling along the Great Wall anyway.
In a special edition on affordable designers -- not Forever 21 affordable, but whatever -- the JC Report gives us a peek into the studio of Sophie Theallet, who worked with Jean-Paul Gaultier, and served as Azzedine Alaïa's deputy for ten years, who struck out on her own for spring. We love her flowy vintage-look dresses with silk panels paired with bright tights and sky-high heels. Even better, she's planning on opening an NYC store soon.
Thanks to YouTube, the amazing process of constructing a Prada bag can now be seen by the masses. If that isn't enough to satiate your inner fashion voyeur, feast upon this video of Prada shoes being made. Amazing. The near rocket-science and robots involved in making this wearable art makes it even more incredible that anyone would attempt a Prada knockoff.
Related Links: A half-month's rent is a bit more do-able for a new handbag.
The bohemian, hippie look is great for summer because most of the items are light and billowy, and with temperatures hitting 90 degrees out East, everyone wants to wear as little as possible without looking skanky. One of my favorite things about summer fashion is (of course) the summer dress! We took this beautiful Joie dress with basic black and white detailing and transformed it into three fabulous looks. One for work, one for a day about town, and one for a those summer nighhhhhhhhts! Sorry, channeling John Travolta from "Grease."
Not only do we get to see an advance look from an upcoming British Vogue cover with Sasha Pivovarova in Dior, we get to see some of her art (what looks like a self-portrait, complete with death stare), and meet her husband, Igor Vishnyakov, who is quite obviously smitten with his hot lady, very cute. [via Fashionologie]
Will the real Ugly Betty please stand up? A new reality series that puts less-than-model-perfect folks in the hands of the catty world of fashion is in the works at VH1. "America The Ugly" features the same Wilhelmina exec from "The Agency" who told every woman over a size 2 she was too fat. The pilot's been shot, but it sounds absolutely painful to watch. [via Radar]
Famous for clothing working women of the 70s and 80s, Liz Claiborne made dressing for the job affordable for feminists and office drones alike. “I wanted to dress busy and active women like myself," she told WWD in 1989, "women who dress in a rush and who weren’t perfect.” She passed away from complications from cancer Tuesday. Her company will, of course, live on, with holdings that include Juicy Couture, Lucky Brand jeans, and now a partnership with Narciso Rodriguez.
Maybe they want to prove they are equal-opportunity beaters of both sexes, but the D&G fall 2007/08 campaign lets the boys have it from the ladies this time around. Will be interesting to see if women whipping naked men will generate the same controversy as last season's ads with men with guns clutching naked women. [Pop Crunch via Very Cool]
It's stylist vs. stylist over at The Fashion Spot, where readers post a single designer dress on different models styled by different magazines. Here's a Versace gold metallic dress for spring, worn by Eugenia V. and styled by Julia von Boehm for Japanese Vogue, worn by Valeriya Melnick for Amica magazine and styled by Tonne Goodman and worn by, well, you-know-who for US Vogue.
Beyonce in Balenciaga at last night's BET Awards. First, I'm impressed how well she could move in those things. Second, thank goodness they manufacture them in sizes larger than 0.
My goodness, how X-tina has changed -- from R-rated trashionista to sleek and coiffed happily married rumored-mom-to-be. The modern day Madonna when it comes to switching it up, Christina Aguilera's signature look (for now) is the perfect platinum hair, perfect red lips, and really red nails. When on stage, she goes all-out in the costume department but during the day, she keeps it low-maintenance and casual without looking sloppy. Here she is in jeans, big shades, and a flowy silver top looking fabulous and appropriate for a day running errands. We say keep it up, Mizz A.
We don't quite know how to respond to this outfit from the Dolce & Gabbana spring 2008 menswear show. It's Teddy Ruxpin goes S&M... or Paddington in bondage pants... Maybe you know what to say...
Hatmaking genius Eugenia Kim will work with Michael Kors for spring 2008, making headgear for the runway. She gave Style.com a sneak preview of what she has in mind -- the orange visor at left. But go to GamblingHabit.com and you can get it in green for just $3.
Some of the silver metallics menswear spring 2008 looks from, left to right, Calvin Klein, D&G, Gucci and Gianfranco Ferre. [photos Yahoo! News via The Fashion Spot]
You knew you wouldn't have to wait long for this trend to hit menswear -- turbans for dudes. Costume National was the first to try it out, although I guess men in the Middle East really did it first, let's be real.
Can you tell me how to get to Versace Street? Not yet, we don't know where it is. A street in Milan will be named after Gianni Versace this July in honor of his death ten years ago. Via Versace, which may or may not be paved with gold, will be in a new area called Fashion City that will be developed to honor the world's designers.
We didn't think she could possibly follow her debut album "Arular" with anything as stellar, but out comes the video for M.I.A.'s new single "Boyz," rocking a series of wild jumpers, crazy swimsuits, and gold vests, and we are in love all over again with her fab style.
That Karl Lagerfeld has LCD Soundsystem and Goldfrapp in his many iPods seems reasonable, considering they're on the CD he put out last year. But Fabolous and Keyshia Cole? Word. K-Lag apparently just signed on to produce "Only the Hood Dies Young," a film staring the hip-hop stars. Maybe those fingerless gloves are for scratching vinyl or, even better, breakdancing? [photo from crunk & disorderly]
Related Links: Could we see Karl in a printed hoodie at his film's premiere?
Interior designer Jessica H. was on her way to Rittenhouse Park with a friend when we spotted her. Though she confessed she's really on the lookout to score some bright yellow dresses this summer, she was rocking this satin purple trapeze-y frock from The Limited. As a recent graduate, it makes sense that Jessica is a big fan of regal plums and mauves right now “because the color represents and attracts money.” We're sure she saved on her adorable leather clutch -- it was a vintage find in her grandmother's closet! And even though her shoes were sensible, too -- metallic Steve Madden flats for walking the city -- she hardly looked stuffy. In fact, we think she looked rather breezy and sophisticated. Nice work, Jessica!
-- Jaimie
Someone was asleep on the job or this would have been the official ladies tee of Pride 2007. Here at last is a shirt that says, "I've ditched my disposable razor so that I can devote all of my energies to undermining the patriarchy." And yes, it comes from Germany. While it may look like Springsteen in a headlock, Hamburg design team Olga Bielawska and Astrid Schildkopf call it "Natural Fur." In case you still think Germans have no sense of humor, check out the matching "Winter Coat" unterhosen.
These shoes, from Nicolas Ghesquiere's resort 2008 collection for Balenciaga, have more than just a little fur -- that stuff is hair extensions. In other hair extensions news, the man behind Hair Wars, Detroit's over-the-top hairdo competition which creates outrageous hairstyles and entire outfits from faux hair, died in a motorcycle accident. This is a huge loss to the world of creative hair -- peep his "hairycopter" here. [via Fashionologie and Paper]
The underwater theme that inspired several of the Milan menswear 2008 collections, such as Alexander McQueen's surfer boys, left, who catwalked around a pool, and Burberry's neoprene surf booties, wasn't limited to the ocean. We enjoyed the subtle references to summertime horrors such as mesh tank tops worn with gold chains (Vivienne Westwood) and sandals worn with socks (Prada). [via the Fashion Spot]
Kate Moss and Pete Doherty allegedly took a helicopter from their fancy camper to the festival grounds at the Glastonbury music fest, but we wished she'd rocked this crazy military jeep instead as she did for the Roberto Cavalli campaign. Would have kept her out of that mud. [via Fashionista and British Vogue]
News that the investment arm of the oil-rich Dubai government has bought uber-hip retailer Barneys from Jones Apparel should come as no surprise. After all, Dubai is known as the luxury-gobbling Vegas of the Middle Eeast. But how weird is it that it's the government doing the investing? Think of how odd it would be if say, the U.S. Federal Treasury bought Collette in France or Harrod's in Britain. [via New York Times]
A purple metallic quilted "Stam" bag by Marc Jacobs. It's not a lot of purse for $1,320, but it is a Marc Jacobs handbag. So whaddya think? Is it an overrated eggplant? Or do you have to have it?
Regina is a Fashion student at Florida International University, and works as a sales associate in Diane von Furstenberg boutique. She certainly has a very Miami fashion sensibility -- modern beach chic. Appropriately, Regina’s favorite fashion find is always a great dress, which makes her feel feminine and at ease. She's wearing a dress by DVF, her sandals are by Mystique, her oversized gray leather bag Isabella Fiore, and she's rocking her own leather bracelets and bangles.
Is it a bad sign that Ralph Lauren is asking stylish models to help him with his collections? And is it an even worse sign that the models are turning him down? [via Fashionista]
Kate Moss and Pete Doherty will wed this year, but only if Pete keeps his nose clean (no such promises from Kate, we note). All this and more was revealed in Pete's new memoir, "The Books of Albion." which also include sweet loves notes from the model, "You have touched my heart and soul you little [bleep]er ." Awww. [via New York Post]
Miami's swimwear lineup has been announced, but that doesn't mean that everyone who's making a new swim collection will show there. John Galliano, for one, would rather show his suits during Paris couture rather than the poolside affair in Florida. All that may change now that Mercedez-Benz, which sponsors the mega runway shows in New York and Los Angeles, has taken over from less fancypants brands Sunglass Hut and Lycra as the main sponsor of the poolside shows.
Two magazines, two models, the same Lanvin dress. Sasha Pivovarova wore it in Vogue along with a fright wig and Gisele Bundchen Or donned the dress for W. [Thanks to LucyInTheSky of The Fashion Spot for the Vogue scans]
A spring 2008 Diesel fashion show broadcast live from Florence tonight has promised lots of fashion and other strange things -- bioluminescent cephalopods and futuristic aquanauts. We're not sure what any of that means or even if you can wear it, but it sounds kind of fun, no? We're hoping for a sort of glow-in-the-dark Barbarella. Watch it here at 9:30 CET. [via Boing Boing]
Here's a brief glimpse of the Marc Jacobs fall 2007 campaign. The models look like teeny little dolls. See a slightly bigger images -- not that much bigger, though -- over at Fashionologie.
Fall collections by Benjamin Cho, Armani and Erdem all took flights of fancy by using butterfly motifs. Could butterflies be the next skulls/owls/deer? Thanks to Style.com for noticing.
There's a spectrum of men's style advice out now -- on one end there's the glut of snarky gay guys out there dispensing style advice -- the latest being Gap manager William Sledd -- with the old guard, GQ and Esquire, on the other. And there's more in the middle now thanks to Details magazine's "The Details Men's Style Manual: The Ultimate Guide for Making Your Clothes Work for You," due in fall. We're guessing to expect more of the vaguely gay, decidedly metro-sexualness that's made Details an agent provocateur for so long.
Related Links:Details recently urged guys to give up the obviously designated "go-out" shirt, and with good reason.
Jumpers are everywhere in stores but every time I try it on I talk myself out of buying one. Why? It's difficult to figure out what to wear with it. So I did some thinking. We took a neutral jumper from BCBG to see three different looks. One for daytime, one for a chill night out, and one for a night out on the town all using simple changes and everyday items such as a little black tee. This look is great for summer because it's not your typical mini skirt and tank top. Take some style risks and we promise it will pay off!
I have, sitting in my closet somewhere, a gold sequined tube top bearing the label Gianfranco Ferré. It’s my disco fantasia top, which means I’ve worn it all of once, when I was feeling uber-fabulous. Since then, it’s been more of a fashion trophy –- that item, begged, borrowed, or stolen, that you love to have, but never wear. It’s made all the more poignant by Ferré’s loss. So, as I read about his lavish funeral in Italy, I say goodbye to the designer, but never to his work.
Related Links: Other tube tops will never compare.
By now you must know what Naomi Campbell will be starring in a Dunkin' Donuts commercial, shilling the shop's blended coffee drinks. Although the New York Post reports she'll be wearing some kind of evening dress, we think it would be great if she could at least accessorize with Jeremy Scott's donut bracelets from his junk-food inspired fall 2006 collection.
Once the teen princess of sugary pop anthems, now Mandy Moore is a young woman with several movies and albums under her belt who still possesses a natural youthful glow most women would kill for. Not only is her career evolving, so is her sense of style. She has morphed into a style icon using simple pieces to create fantastic chic looks that are good for every day as well as a night out. Unlike her "it" girl counterparts, Mandy remains conservative -- not showing too much, but not looking like a nun either. We recreated Mandy's look as she was strolling the streets of Soho in New York -- a summery black dress, light flowing sweater, and gold ballet flats. The look is preppy meets downtown -- a little messy -- but somehow looks completely put together. We say hot mess!
I know we were mean about Chloe yesterday, so I'm finding nice things to say today. Their new pre-fall ad, left, with Anja and Shalom shot by Inez and Vinoodh, is retro haute in a 60s way. And I really do love this 80s redux dress, from the 2007-08 resort collection. It's adorably weird and good.
After Vera Wang chastised her black-clad Kohl's compatriots by saying, ever so disdainfully, “Black is very '90s,” we are on high-alert for all things noir in Ms. Wang's collections. As Fashionista noted, she's always wearing the world's most forgiving and easiest to match color. Her resort collection contains a couple of unfashionably black dresses -- could it be because, 90s as black may be, the color still sells well? you'd think after all those years doing bridal that she'd be more sick of white than black.
On the gold wide-leg pants in Chloe's resort collection, perhaps amberdemure at The Fashion Spot said it best, "I am not ready for MC Hammer pants to make a comeback. Not now. Not ever." For more from the collection -- most of which is great, don't get us wrong -- visit The Fashion Spot. For more disturbing images of MC Hammer, click here if you dare.
Related Links: Just a little lamé goes a long way.
Just in time for spring showers to be over, the folks over at Aquascutum have released a new book on trenchcoats, a wardrobe staple they interpreted several ways both for spring (left) and fall (right). [via Fashionista]
Charlotte Ronson's new ad campaign, featuring The Virgins frontman Donald Cumming and Ronson's sister Annabelle Dexter-Jones, has a touch, just a touch, of "Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" to it. Of course "Freewheelin'" was shot on Jones Street in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, while the Ronson campaign was shot at Chrystie and Rivington Streets on the Lower East Side. But the theme -- the musician gets the girl -- still feels the same. [via WWD]
It seems that each new day brings us another hot designer for Target's Go International collaborations. Whispers that Erin Fetherston will step next have proved true. [via Fashionologie]
Having influenced designers ranging from Gucci to Gautier, David Bowie's early-1970s glam-rock revolution has become a style tradition that's gone on vamping right into the 21st century. Legions of stylish space cadets glammed it up at the Bowie Ball in New York last weekend to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the release of "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars," and with all the hot tramps tarted up in styles recalling the many phases of Bowie's impeccably tailored career, it was the naz. Even if The Thin White Dusted One sees no need to launch a clothing line, it looks like all the young dudes/dudettes are itching to wear one – or do it for him.
Related Links: Meanwhile, Weird and Gilly will find a way to make do.
A few lucky folks paid $250 a head to wine and dine at Anna Wintour's home on Long Island to help raise cash for Save the Forge River, a group of local residents looking to clean up the water. Some guests walked away with luxe booty, including Prada and Fendi handbags and tickets to Oscar de la Renta's next runway show, all of which were auctioned off to benefit the river cleanup effort. One could snidely say the cleanup will benefit only Wintour in the end, since the property values of her waterfront home will rise along with the water quality, but whatever. We like seeing Anna get down and dirty in the muck. [via Jennifer Smith of Newsday]
We've heard about Forever 21 ripping off major designers, but have you ever seen a major designer -- especially one known for his elegant designs and quality construction -- rip off Forever 21? See it happen in Dries Van Noten's resort collection on the The Fashion Spot. His collection looks so cheap chic, it's scary.
Natalia Vodianova may have landed a Vogue cover, but she's taking a season off as Calvin Klein's main model because she's seven months pregnant (that's her replacement, Suvi, in the fall campaign). The irony? After decades of designing only for the skinniest of minis, Calvin Klein is at long last planning to expand into plus sizes. [via WWD]
Gianfranco's Ferré's final collection, for fall 2007. May he rest in peace. His influence was perhaps at its greatest from 1989 to 1997, when he served as Dior's creative director prior to John Galliano. His most recent collection bore all the hallmarks of his signature structured style, without trendy compromises.
Baggy jeans are out in Louisiana. No, seriously. Mayor Carol Broussard has signed an ordinance in Delcambre, La., literally banning saggy pants that expose underwear or body parts. Fines range from up to $500 to even six months in jail. If only equally fashion-conscious politicos would get busy in other cities. Maybe we could see an end to men's "go-out shirts", stupid slogan tees and back hair in our lifetimes.
These slim-cut jeans help hip hop boys walk without waddling. (foto from dallasnews.com)
Forbes magazines loves lists, and, we'll admit it, so do we. The mag's Celebrity 100, which ranks the earnings and media attention of the rich and famous. Madonna's clothing line for H&M kept her in the spotlight and put money in the bank, putting her at no. 3. With her Topshop line and post-coke contract comeback, we're surprised Kate Moss pulled in at no. 74, behind Gisele Bundchen, who keeps her nose clean and just has a line of sandals. And last on the fashion list, "Project Runway" muse Heidi Klum came in at 84th place. [via WWD]
Check out these cobalt peep-toe flats by Prada. They've got Prada's ladylike ways and unusual color combos, plus the peep toe offers plenty of air for overheated summer feet. But are the colors too weird? And the way we all run through flats in the summer, does anyone really want to throw down $312 for summer shoes?
Gisele looking like a lost member of 1980s new wave group Devo, on tour this month in Europe. That hat, by Philip Treacy London, has a Hershey's Kiss quality to it, too. Love the coat? It's by Balenciaga. [Gisele photos by Michael Thompson for W]
A little glam goes a long way, especially with this sequined top by Tory Burch. Paired with subtle metallics or organic fabrics like raffia wedges, you can play it up or down. Sequins -- they're not just for evenings anymore.
At left, Gisele on the July 2007 cover of W. Center, Cindy Crawford on the (gasp!) 2005? cover of British Vogue. Right, that's Twiggy on the 1974 cover of British Vogue.
So, the Times is saying that hippies aren’t getting credit where credit is due –- today’s major fashion trends. And while I respectfully disagree (How many times have you read "hippie chic" in the past couple months?), they may have a point. Maybe it's because hippie fashion’s roots are so anti-consumer and anti-fashion –- think Army surplus, handmade, and -– eesh –- tie-dye. Or that the homegrown and natural has trickled up so far that we now we have piggy-bank-breaking boutique eco-fashion. Or maybe all the celeb costuming, see photo, has killed it. It's a conundrum, no? How to resolve the disconnect between a stack of $1,400 bracelets and the desire to look down at your arm and marvel at your own "soulfullness." Power to the people, it ain't.
Vogue has swapped back to cover models, featuring Natalia Vodianova in a fall 07-08 Nina Ricci dress for their July 2007 issue. Some say she's boring, others say she's overused, but hell, it's a model on the cover of Vogue, so be happy, people. We're glad they're mixing it up -- but how long will it last? And will it sell on American newsstands?
The tees that started it all in the 1980s -- the "Frankie Say Relax" tees designed by Katharine Hamnett and worn by UK new wave group Frankie Goes to Hollywood -- have not only been reinterpreted not only by today's British designers Giles Deacon and Gareth Pugh, but by Hamnett herself. Twenty years later, she is still at it, reclaiming the originally Buddhist phrase "Choose Life" and printing it on environmentally responsible tees.
This year at Wimbledon, Sharapova's 
There will be no waiting period to buy Roland Mouret's new collection, RM, when it 
Will the real Ugly Betty please stand up? A new reality series that puts less-than-model-perfect folks in the hands of the catty world of fashion is in the works at VH1. "America The Ugly" features the same Wilhelmina exec from "
Hatmaking genius Eugenia Kim will work with Michael Kors for spring 2008, making headgear for the runway. She gave Style.com a sneak preview of what she has in mind -- the 
You knew you wouldn't have to wait long for this trend to hit menswear -- 
Can you tell me how to get to Versace Street? Not yet, we don't know where it is. A street in Milan will be named after Gianni Versace this July in honor of his death ten years ago. 
Someone was asleep on the job or this would have been the official ladies tee of Pride 2007. Here at last is a shirt that says, "I've ditched my disposable razor so that I can devote all of my energies to undermining the patriarchy." And yes, it comes from Germany. While it may look like Springsteen in a headlock, Hamburg design team Olga Bielawska and Astrid Schildkopf call it "Natural Fur." In case you still think Germans have no sense of humor, check out the matching "
These shoes, from Nicolas Ghesquiere's resort 2008 collection for Balenciaga, have more than just a little fur -- that 
Kate Moss and Pete Doherty allegedly 
News that the investment arm of the oil-rich 
I was instantly transported back to 8th grade when I heard that VH1 is reuniting Salt-n-Pepa
Is it a bad sign that Ralph Lauren is asking stylish models to help him with his collections? And is it an even worse sign that the models are 
Kate Moss and Pete Doherty 
Miami's 
A spring 2008 Diesel fashion show broadcast live from Florence tonight has promised lots of fashion and other strange things -- 
There's a spectrum of men's style advice out now -- on one end there's the glut of snarky gay guys out there dispensing style advice -- the latest being 
I have, sitting in my closet somewhere, a gold sequined tube top bearing the label 
On the gold wide-leg pants in Chloe's resort collection, perhaps amberdemure at The Fashion Spot 
Charlotte Ronson's 
It seems that each new day brings us another hot designer for Target's Go International collaborations. Whispers that Erin Fetherston will step next have 
A few lucky folks paid $250 a head to wine and dine at 
Natalia Vodianova may have landed a Vogue cover, but she's 
Baggy jeans are out in Louisiana. No, seriously. Mayor Carol Broussard has 
Forbes magazines loves lists, and, we'll admit it, so do we. The mag's 
Space out on a Father's Day gift for this Sunday? Check out the 
Gisele looking like a lost member of 1980s new wave group 
These Azzedine Alaia heels look like they could have been made from leftover parts off the Golden Gate bridge. [via 
So, the 
Vogue has swapped back to cover models, featuring Natalia Vodianova in a fall 07-08 Nina Ricci dress for their
