The fashion industry has always been infamously known for it’s hunger, the thirst for the newest, the better, and the unexpected. Countless reality shows have been based upon the very fact that the industry is a revolving door of models, designers, and trends ad nauseum.

It is this reason why when something is discovered made so purely of a creative revolutionary essence that the entire world sits up and takes notice.

Cue the entrance of one ‘Sally LaPointe’.

From the very moment I laid eyes upon this incredible woman, I knew there was a sort of arcane fashion magic within her. Her very essence tantilizes you with the promise of something momumental. She stood out from the crowd, her then platinum locks in straight shock of mane like some incredibly plumed bird of paradise. She teetered atop sky high platform heels as she danced to the retromusic blasting at the TriBeCa Grand Hotel, a favored hang-out due it’s it’s close proximity to her design studios.

Her company was founded by her best friend and business mind Sarah Adelson, whom has the paitience of a buddhist monk in corralling the creative mind of the artist as well as defending her from the dangers that lurk within this industry.  Together they emerged on their own two feet starting from the ground up, rather than the following the beaten path of interning for an established design house. Experimenting with neo-couture design techniques of her own invention, blending her painting background with clothing theory she has the ever elusive skill of creating wearable art.

She explains that everything she does comes from her own intuition and that she never realized that her conceptual and avant garde designs would stand out from the crowd. She believes she is just following how she feels at that moment, what she knows, and what is natural to her as a designer.

She has focused her perspective and made a true definining tale for each piece of clothing she creates delcaring her voice for women, and being a woman as one of strength. Sally believes a woman should be intellectually sexy not needing lavish skin exposure to show that she is truly a woman. She wants her client to be taken seriously in the world whilst still holding onto feminine wiles that seperatly defines the softer sex.
The message is clearly one that women of all shape, size and age have been starving for and the clientele speaks volumes in defense of this. Her customer base is wildly diverse ranging from fresh faced fashionistas in their teens and twenties to mature women who are wearing the exact same pieces.

Sally has even attracted the attention of Lady GaGa who has donned her designs and has since requested custom orders for public appearances such as  the performance for Oprah‘s final show where GaGa donned a blood red jacket with strong shoulders from the designer.  In one of her latest videos ‘Judas’, the popstar wears a custom order golden gown as the tides wash up over her like the goddess Venus.  GaGa’s stylist and creative head of Mugler, Nicola Formichetti had given Sally just four descriptive words for the order, not asking for anything too specific and and she certainly delivered as the internet was set a blaze with buzzing surrounding what she wore.

Sally LaPointe has become part of the life blood of New York City now, well on her way to become one of the legendary American Designers. The once the fledgling artist now is taking her turn of serving as fashion inspiration to the new wave of unhatched designers all over the globe.

Sally LaPointe is available in New York at OAK (http://www.oaknyc.com/), as well as in Los Angeles at Church) http://churchboutique.com/).

For additional information or past collections, visit: http://www.sallylapointe.com/

“MY WORK IS ALWAYS ABOUT EVOKING A CERTAIN EMOTION TO THE VIEWER, TO CREATE A FEELING, A MOOD, TO TELL A STORY.”
– Sally LaPointe

All images care of MAO PR in association with Sally LaPointe

Lady Gaga Letter to Fans

Fans are always waiting outside for their favorite celebrities, and often times they get photos and autographs, but today, Lady Gaga who is staying at Andre Balazs famed Chateau Marmont this week, while in town shooting Glee, not only left her fans – which she of course calls Little Monsters – a love letter and thank you to the LAPD, but also had 50 bags of McDonalds‘ to feed the troops who have been parked outside since she checked in.

Gaga leaving Chateau Marmont

Gaga was spotted departing the Chateau, where our Anya Varda carefully selects who can pass and enter, and who cannot. We are sure she is working overtime with all of the Little Monsters trying to enter the coveted hotel to spot their favorite signer.   Whatever your feelings on Gaga are, you have to admit, she is at the very least appreciative of her fans.  Gaga has over 12 million followers on Twitter, and from the looks of it, @ladygaga seems to be the real tweeter, as she just posted two hours ago how she sent out her thanks at Chateau.

97 degree summers calls for chic outfits that will help keep you cool and savvy while also that doubling as protectors from the harmful UV rays. Finding the perfect dress can be a nightmare, but when done right, it illuminates almost as bright as the sun.  New Yorker,  Brooke Mountain chose this ultra chic, The Addison Story patterned dress, and paired it with an over sized vintage turquoise necklace.

As fate may have predicted, When I approached Ms. Mountain to inquire about her dress, she introduced Amy Hsiung, designer for  The Addison Story, who accompanied her as they made their way to a quick lunch.  She explained that as part of the Summer 2011 collection, this dress is an essential for a summers’ day-to-night lifestyle of the hipster, the girlie girl, and the classic Boho chic women.  Brooke wore it with a pair of easy sandals underneath to complete the powerful look, and made grabbing lunch look oh so delectable.

Check out The Addison Story website Here for more Info: TheAddisonStory.com

Frederick's of Hollywood 2011 Spring Collection.

Frederick’s of Hollywood will officially open the doors of its newest flagship store at Mushrif Mall in Abu Dhabi, the lingerie brand’s premier Middle Eastern location. The 3,500 square foot boutique boasts a luxe shopping environment fit for the high-end clientele the market draws.  Gleaming white tile floors, sleek black and white leather accents and, of course, hints of red carpet create a modern, sophisticated and glamorous customer experience.  Celebrity designed corsets from starlets such as Halle Berry, Dita Von Teese and Scarlett Johansson are displayed throughout the store, bringing the allure of Hollywood to this world renowned shopping destination.

Make the most of the season with some of Style Seen Daily’s favorite summer time technologies. Wether  you spend your summer days biking, beaching or barbecuing, keep your summer swag up with one of these cool gadgets.

Beat the glare with NewerTech NuVue Anti-Glare Screen Protector.

The NewerTech NuVue Anti-Glare Screen Protector for iPad reduces eye-strain in the sun for easier magazine or book reading while on vacation.  Its Anti-Glare static cling film provides clearer iPad viewing by reducing both glare and smudges with no “rainbow effect,” like other conventional anti-glare shields.  It is custom-designed to fit the iPad perfectly with a peel-and-stick easy install that won’t create air bubbles like adhesive-based screen protectors. Available here

iGrill is the world’s first wireless meat thermometer for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch via long range Bluetooth (over 200 feet) and App-enabled connection.iGrill from iDevices turns your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch into your own personal sous-chef,enabling you to multitask between your grill or oven and guests with the peace of mind that your food is perfectly cooked, at target temperature and safe for consumption. Available here

The iBike Dash CC cycling computer from Velocomp is a light-weight wireless bicycle computer system that turns any iPhone or iPod touch into your own personal fitness trainer. It enhances the cycling experience in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before to take advantage of the summer to get into shape! Available here

Jennifer Lopez Looking Stunning in a mini dress with tiny studded pearls.

Jennifer Lopez spotted leaving the Claridge’s Hotel in London in a studded form fitting frock that she paired with a pair of Alexandre Birman python peep-toe pump, available at Saks Fifth Avenue. The nude heel accent’s the cream colored mini dress and also elongates her tanned toned legs. Jlo’s polished look is pulled together by this summer’s most desired accessory, a beautifully bronzed tan. You can find the Alexandre Birman python peep-toe pump at www.saksfifthavenue.com

Ksino Clothing is a contemporary mens collection specializing in t-shirts, blazers, leather jackets and everything in between. The line features clean, but edgy designs sure to allure many to become Ksino Power Players. Style Seen Daily Co Founder Crystal Fambrini chatted with Ksino owner and designer Alex That to find out more on this new brand.

Designers Alex and Jeff That better known as the “That Brothers” deliver Jet setting young hollywood rock star chic by using super soft slenderizing fabrics that are comfortable, but also very fitted making you look and feel good.

Ksino Designers Alex and Jeff That, better known as the "That Brothers"

Ksino’s celebrity power players include rock star Tommy Lee, poker player Antonio Esfandiari, muscian Frank Bell, and former Guns N Roses lead guitarist Slash’s band Juke Kartel. Ksino’s retails between $30 to $500 and is available in the top 100 boutiques in the country. Check them out at www.ksino.com

Alex That of Ksino sat down with SSD Crystal Fambrini for this Q&A:

SSD, CF: Alex, with the fashion industry catering primarily to female clientele why mens wear?

Ksino, Alex: I’ve been doing mens wear for 17 years simply because I love to show guys how to dress cool without being over the top.

SSD, CF: Can you tell us about a highlight or moment thus far that really epitomized your carreer?

Ksino, Alex: It would definetley have to be the first fashion show in bryant park. The crowd went absolutely crazy and I was skipping around. All the designers do bows I walked out there and smiled with the crowd going nuts,I ran down the runway like I just won the loterry jumping up and down. Afterwords I went backstage and all the press was on me. My son was 9 months old at the time,  and my wife looked at me and said “I love you” while I’m being interviewed and I started to tear up because at that moment my dream had came true. It was like being in a rocky movie.

Versace has joined Gucci and Levi’s as the latest fashion house to ban the use of sandblasted denim in its collections. Versace has committed to ban the dangerous practice of sandblasting jeans, a technique used to give jeans a used look which is highly dangerous to workers. Sandblasting is a process by which workers fire sand under high pressure at jeans.

Workers risking their health sandblasting denim. Photo Credit: www.ecouture.com

It has been known to kill workers in garment producing countries like Turkey and Bangladesh, where jean sandblasting is done manually. The large amounts of silica dust generated during sandblasting can cause silicosis, a potentially lethal pulmonary disease, as workers inhale tiny particles of silica.Following pressure from over 1,200 activists, Versace conducted a review of its clothing suppliers andannounced that, effective immediately, suppliers would be banned from using sandblasting. SSD tip’s their hat to Versace doing the right thing!

Photo Credit: Shopconfederacy.com

When you think of the next  ’it spot’ for fashion, SilverLake California probably isn’t the first place that comes to mind. Sure it has its fair share of urban LA culture, and a handful of amazing artists residing there,  but up until what will soon be 3 years ago, there was a vacancy of fashion on the east side. One that not just anybody could fill.

Confederacy Store Front. credit: Styleseendaily.com

That is where  Celebrity Stylist, Llaria Urbinati and her partner Danny Masterson came in and decided it was time for this side of town to come alive in the wold of fashion. Confederacy (named after the book ‘Confederacy of Dunces’), a 5,000 square foot space, which originally included womens’ and mens’ ready-to-wear departments, accessories, a wide array of books, and a complete gallery space, became the brainchild of them both, and soon found critical success from its peers.

We sat down with Ilaria to discuss the birth of Confederacy; “Originally Danny and I got together and wanted to be on the ‘east side’, because we wanted something to fill the void that was over there” Illaria said, “we were originally going to do a small store, since I was a buyer for Los Angeles boutique ‘Satin’ at the time, but since it was such a big demand, we found this 5000 sq ft space that would become a ‘one stop shop’ for art shows, book, and clothes.”

The space designed by Ben Shulman and Mariah O’brien Interiors was inspired by everything classic americana. With 16-foot ceilings, refurbished brick walls, center courtyard and vintage wooden fixtures, its provides a place for people to come and just ‘hang out’. “Since I’m European, I have always had a fascination with Classic Americana aesthetics, ‘old timey’, industrial even, very New York” Ilaria says, when asked where her vision for the space came from. With similar vibes and ambiance of stores in Nashville, and other urban cities, a lot of the focus is on all American comfort, the store has a 16ft leather couch centered in the ‘Shoe living room’, the invitation is clearly one to come and soak it all in.

Shoe Living Room

The Attention to detail and customer service also seperates Confederacy from other shopping establishments. With its roots in styling, the understanding that complete service extends beyond finding the correct size, and a ringing up a sale is evident.  The old school customer service provided includes one-on-one consulting, ‘The Tea Room’ for private fittings, free valet parking, and a long list of details that normally go unnoticed, right down to every last ribbon on the final packaging.  A row of vintage phone booths that double as dressing rooms have functional phone dials that connect you with the front desk, so customers can ask for a different size without having to leave their space.

At the turn of the year, Confederacy became exclusively a mens store. “The space evolved because it became such a strong focal point. It organically began to become a guys guy place to come and get ‘decked out’” Ilaria says. Styling some of hollywoods biggest leading men like Bradley Cooper, Chris Pine, and Chris Evans its no doubt that guys flock the store to get their hands on the amazing selection of lines carried. Among them, Simon Spurr, J Lindenberg, Band of Outsiders, and vintage Kelly Cole.  Also exclusive to Confederacy is  Albert Hammen Jr, which Ilaria Co-designs. ”LA doesnt really have too many cool men’s stores, this makes it a little more fun”

Fun is an understatement when it comes to Conderacy, hosting some of LA’s most talked about events; including art shows and fashion parties. “We’re different from your typical LA fashion party, ours aren’t snobby, its just a bunch of good looking, well dressed  people who get drunk and have a really good time.” Showcasing current brands and top clients is a great asset to the entire establishment, it creates an aura of  comfort and luxury all at once, while reflecting the passion that both Ilaria and Danny put into their work.

“Three years in October… It feels like I’ve been here for ever!” Illaria says, but in fact, it has only been three short years, and so much has happened and has been accomplished, that the future of Confederacy isn’t looking anywhere but up. “A lot of talk and thought has been given into a menswear line, but only with time, we’re  excited for more collaborations with designers, and more in store shops.”
With the converting of Confederacy into an all mens store, the  opportunity to team up with designer Rebecca Minkoff, for an in-store shop presented itself, what once was the womenswear section in the front of store has been transformed into a great space for the Minkoff collection to be showcased and sold.

Rebecca Minkoff store front

“We also haven’t given up on the idea of an in-store cafe!” Ilaria joked, “the only thing that we dont serve yet is food. With every other venture that the store has going on, I don’t doubt that eventually that too will become reality, nothing would complete the amazing ‘Confederacy Package’ like a small nonfat vanilla latté and a biscotti. We try to make it have a little more of an intellectual vibe, LA is so vapid most of the time, its always JUST about fashion. The idea of the store is that there is more to it you know? something a little more layered.”

Visit  ShopConfederacy, RebeccaMinkoff and follow the store on twitter @Confederacybtq.