We Love Christian Dior!

Christian Dior, like other fashion powerhouses like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel, is relatively timeless (except perhaps for their Rasta line – blech!). Point-in-case, about a year ago I bought a vintage monogram Dior clutch in brown and tan; it’s been a staple ever since and is in pristine condition. When you invest and take pride in your fashion choices, a brand like Dior will pay off three-fold.

The French label has been dazzling us with their products since 1946, expanding from couture into everything from makeup and perfume to RTW and sunglasses. Having been a fan of their makeup line for years now, I can vehemently advocate for their foundations and mascara. Their Airflash spray foundation is one of the best I’ve ever tried. It’s essentially like air brushing your face every morning; it goes on exceptionally light and the coverage is phenomenal. Be forewarned, though; it’s pricey (naturally) and tends to run out quickly (despite what their salespeople tell you).  Along with that, their DiorShow mascara gives you lashes for days and is absolutely worth every penny of its $40 price tag. Read more

Up-and-Coming Fashion Designers

You’ll be hard pressed to find a fashionista out there who doesn’t love an epic designer staple. Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Prada and Kate Spade are powerhouses in the industry, perpetually proving themselves time and again with flawless bags, impeccable garments, and jaw-dropping jewelry. We rely on them because we know we can trust their product and look fierce rockin’ it down the city streets of New York.

With that said, Louis Vuitton wasn’t always the multi-billion dollar company it is today. At one point they were a meager business specializing in flat-bottom trunks. Little did they know they would be one of the most influential design houses on the planet! That’s why it’s particularly important to pay attention to our up-and-coming talent; the new comers ready to take the fashionable bull by the horns and work.it.out. As fashion lovers and industry insiders, it’s our duty to expose and promote these folks because if they’re as successful as we hope they’ll be, we’ll be wearing their work for years to come. Read more

We Love Alexander McQueen!

The fashion world was rocked to its core when it discovered that Alexander McQueen had taken his own life. So young, so talented, so influential…such a waste! It was truly devastating. Thankfully, his brand lives on through the flawless work of Sarah Burton who was named the new creative director. Her work is now world renowned, especially after receiving the prestigious honor of designing royalty’s wedding dress.

Kate Middleton (now, Duchess of Cambridge) – who had designers lining up for miles to design her dress – chose Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, a clear nod to the prestige and timelessness of the design powerhouse. Burton also designed Pippa Middleton’s bridesmaid dress, a gown that had the head of every male suitor across the planet turn in unison; a dress that had fashion stylists wonder which sister looked best despite the obvious – it was Kate’s big day! Read more

Best Sunscreen and Self Tanners

The sun is out with fierceness this summer, powerful rays beating down on us at every step outdoors. In some places, the country has seen record heat this season which makes it that much more important to slather up and protect our skin. Not only can it cause premature aging (who wants to look like a raisin by the time they’re 40?) but as we’ve seen over the past couple decades, it can cause skin cancer (eeek!).

With that being said, what you slather your face and body with is important. Dermatologists have perpetually vouched for La Roche – Posay, saying that it’s one of the best in the world. They believe it has the perfect recipe for blocking harmful UVB rays. Another tried and true sunscreen is California Baby (No Fragrance) sunscreen lotion. It’s organic, contains no offensive chemicals, and despite the label, is not just for babies. Read more

Crochet Fashion Trend

Crochet is no longer just for doilies, unsightly table clothes, and baby shoes. In fact, when your grandmother mentions that she’s making you something for your approaching birthday, you may not have anything to dread! Alright, perhaps that took it a little too far…unless your grandmother is related to Karl Lagerfeld, you should probably still plan on acting like you’re stoked.

With the big guns like Emilio Pucci, Chanel and Issey Miyake leading the way, crochet’s bad rep is slowly dissolving; in its wake is a new, highly evolved status that’s so prestigious, all the celebs are endorsing it. Hot commodities such as Leann Rimes, Kate Bosworth, and Selena Gomez are wearing the trend in a variety of styles. Floor length dresses, itty bitty cover-ups, and cropped shirts are popping up all over Hollywood looking delicate and intricately hand woven (even if it’s not). Read more

Hayden Panettiere is our Style Star

Hayden Panettiere best known for her role as Claire Bennet on Heroes, a hugely popular show that aired from 2006-2010, but Hayden Panettiere has been in the business since she was a small tot. Her mother started her out in commercials at a young age and her talent was quickly recognized. Her fashion sense, however, has taken a little longer to be noticed. Not because she dressed poorly at one point, but because in a sea of primped, preened, and over-the-top starlets, her subtle feminine and often sportier style has been overlooked.

Hayden Panettiere is young, adorable, vivacious, and athletic. Her gymnast-like body is the envy of many young girls striving for a healthy and fit physique. She prefers casual over dressy and is often seen wearing short-shorts, her muscular legs amply exposed. She loves cozy t-shirts and tanks and loves waltzing around in her two-piece at the beach but doesn’t shy away from playing dress-up. She cleans up nicely and is often seen in tight fitting short dresses, the non-trashy variety, of course. Read more

Givenchy Resort RTW Summer 2011 Reviewed

Givenchy was worn at one point by the legendary likes of Audrey Hepburn; it was one of her go-to brands. It may be a different era but the immensely successful French brand is still making quite an impression in Hollywood and beyond with Riccardo Tisci at the helm for the last five years. His Frida Kahlo-inspired, Resort 2011 collection is reason enough to remain a loyal groupie and just may be causing some joyous rumblings from the grave.

With heavy religious undertone (per the usual), Tisci takes his work to interesting heights…or should I say shapes. Uniformly red, exaggerated jodhpurs jumpsuits with tiny waists and diminutive shoulders (in contrast) were an eclectic addition. Floor-length, peek-a-boo sheer dresses punctuated with subtle woven flourishes and dramatic chokers are gut-checking masterpieces. Read more

Madeline Zima is our Style Star

She’s hot. She’s talented. She’s stylish. She works along side some of the most talented people in the business….and she’s flying completely under the radar. Some of us know her best for her role as bad girl Mia Lewis on Californication and others don’t know her at all. First off, if you haven’t seen the show Californication I’m going to need you to take the following next steps: 1) open you browser, 2) type in www.netflix.com, and 3) add the entire series to your queue. You’ll be instantly hooked to David Duchovny’s womanizing antics and Zima’s sexy, bad-girl ways.

In real life, Madeline Zima is still making a name for herself. She’s made many TV appearances on shows like Heroes, Grey’s Anatomy, Ghost whisperer, and Gilmore Girls. Her most notable role in the early part of her career was playing Grace Sheffield on The Nanny! As she’s gotten older, she’s blossomed into a gorgeous and gifted actress and even though she’s not as sensationalized as somebody like Hayden Panettiere or Rachel Bilson, I believe she’s the next big thing to look out for, especially when it comes to fashion. Read more