LL Cool J poses with a fan at the Bloomingdales Cabana at Fashion's Night Out Century City. Photo Credit: Ruben Gonzalez, Style Seen Daily.

Los Angeles Fashion’s Night Out 2011 swept through the town like a hurricane. Celebrities, fashionistas, designers and bloggers all mixed and mingled at different shopping hot spots across town celebrating their universal love of fashion and one night of special sales.

A dress designed by Romi Kashew made entirely of wrapping paper. Photo Credit: Ruben Gonzalez, Style Seen Daily.

At Westfield Century City, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising held a student dress design competition centered around royal Kate Middleton for inspiration.  The students had two hours to create a dress using just a few raw materials like needles, thread, tape, straight pins and retailer shopping bags. They were allowed the use of a sewing machine and ironing board, as well as a dress form on which to create their dress. The winning team received a $1500 Westfield Gift Card and a gift bag.

Photo Credit: Ruben Gonzalez, Style Seen Daily.

The Judges: Jen Weinberg of Glamour Magazine, Elizabeth Matthews of the Costume Council and Chair of PR & Communications for LACMA and Hayley Atkin Fashion Stylist and Contributing Fashion Editor at LA Times Magazine. Photo Credit: Ruben Gonzalez, Style Seen Daily.

Dress Competition winners: Ralph Prado, Krista Osborne and Bernadette Lansing posing next to their garment made entirely of shopping bags. Photo Credit: Ruben Gonzalez, Style Seen Daily.

Magic Johnson posing with FIDM students post dress competetion fashion show at Fashion Night Out 2011. Photo Credit: Ruben Gonzalez, Style Seen Daily.

Westfield Century City also had a blogger bar where I met up with Jenni Pulos from Bravo’s Flipping Out and 2011 Miss California USA Katie Blair.

With Jenni Pulos from Bravo's Flipping Out. Jenni kept it casual and classy in an always stylish LBD. Photo Credit: Ruben Gonzalez, Style Seen Daily.

Photo Credit: Ruben Gonzalez, Style Seen Daily.

The Blogger Bar at the Microsoft store consisted of a lounge area complete with a digital bar that allowed you to blog live from the event while sipping on champagne and indulging in sweets from Hello Kitty Champagne, Pinkberry, See’s Candies and Vanilla Bake Shop.  After champagne and cupcakes, it was off to the most famous of all fashion boulevards, Rodeo Drive. The city of Beverly Hills goes all out for Fashion’s Night Out by shutting down Rodeo drive and allowing the boutiques to take over. It truly felt like a fashion festival with the food trucks, ferris wheel and famous designer stores spilling out onto the streets with special FNO gifts, styling and more.

 

Street Hair Styling, Beverly Hills Style. Photo Credit: Ruben Gonzalez, Style Seen Daily.

A ferris wheel in the middle of Rodeo Drive. Photo Credit: Ruben Gonzalez, Style Seen Daily.

The second annual Fashion’s Night Out in Los Angeles was bigger than ever before. The outpour of support from fashionistas proves that even in a tough economy style and fashion remain a very important part of everyday life.

Marion Cotillard on set of a Dior shoot at Place de la Concorde in Paris

Marion Cotillard looks incredible post-baby as she poses for a Dior photo shoot at Place de la Concorde in Paris, its been a rough year for the brand, but Marion, who has been a face of Dior for many years, is just the authentic Parisian to show the outstanding the brands holds, after much controversy. Check out the video of Marion, Directed by Olivier Dahan, while Jean Paul was still on board, despite the designers comments and issues, the house of Dior still stands strong and this fall they’re showing off what they can do without the man behind the house inside.

Marion was of course head to toe in Dior, the revealing bow shorts are stylish and sexy without showing too much, the shorts, tweed jacket, ankle boots and blouse are all from Dior’s Fall 2011 collection. The ankle boots are available in Dior stores now!

christian-dior-fall-2011-ankle-boot

Ben Millepied, Darren A, Portman and Vincent C

When People Magazine news broke that “Blake Swan” Golden Globe nominee actress Natalie Portman was not only engaged to 33 year old Benjamin Millepied, but expecting a baby, men all over the world sighed while every fashion house in the world began clamoring to dress the actress, who already was on all of their award season dressing lists, alas, sad for some, we suspect she may already have a brand in mind.  For a moment though, lets put the man before the dress, 29 year old Portman has been busy, upcoming she will appear in “No Strings Attached”, “Your Highness” and “Thor”, but  it was Black Swan that brought her true love. The very handsome, French born, Benjamin Millepied, choreographed the film and trained Portman and Mila Kunis, while also acting as her dance partner.  Benjamin is a principle dancer with the New York City Ballet, with plans for more acting roles. Check Millepied, out in Details magazine back in June, who could predict how serious their relationship had become!

Now back to the wedding dress, for years Portman has worn tons of Rodarte, by Los Angeles designers/sisters Laura and Kate Mulleavy, so it seems quite predictable the sisters will indeed make her wedding dress.  At the Venice Film Festival she wore an incredible red claret silk tulle draped gown and they even created her TuTu for the Swan film, as well as many other costumes.

Portman in Rodarte at AFI for Black Swan

She also recently wore a lovely pink and floral Rodarte with a colourfully beaded waistband as “Black Swan” closed AFI Fest 2010 in LA, another of several dresses throughout the year she was photographed in. So, while many celebrites choose Monique Lhuiller, Vera Wang or Karl Lagerfeld,  Rodarte does seem right for her, however we should mention she’s also a Christian Dior girl, often carrying their handbags and we can’t forget they created a whole line of Vegan shoes for her. Peoplestylewatch.com quotes her saying, “One of the things that’s been so nice is Dior made all of the shoes for me with no animals and no leather, they remade all of my shoes so I can wear Dior without taking lives.”

2009 Oscars Portman in Rodarte with Dior Clutch

In 2008 Portman was the face of their Miss Dior Cherie perfume, but does appear usually only wearing clutches by Dior, and fellow Vegan Stella McCartney, creates incredible Vegan shoes too of which Portman is a fan. Perhaps a dress by Rodarte, a handbag by Dior and shoes by Stella?

Wedding Gown Sketch for Middleton

Or Portman can always seek elsewhere, maybe consult Kate Middleton, who has many designers sending sketches her way, but may end up going with designers Elizabeth and David Emanuel, who did Princess Diana’s dress along with Madonna’s, Elizabeth Taylor, and Catherine Zeta-Jones.  Or Nicole Richie’s choice, Marchesa, an incredible look for the petite bride.

Nicole Richie at her wedding

Whatever this Harvard Graduate choses, she always looks terrific and does things that continue to make us adore her, even while off screen, including rocking a Rodarte for Target slip dress which costs $39.99 at Target.com. See below:

Portman in Rodarte for Target

And we also love her for going Vegan after reading Jonathon Safran Foer’s book Eating Animals.  For those of you who wished you had bought some of her shoes she designed with Te-Casan, the designers that had to close,  we found a few on amazon, warm enough for the winter too! Check out our here.

We wish Portman all of the happiness in the world and can’t wait to read all of the coverage, see all of the photo’s and watch more movies with her as the star.  What a Happy New Year, we hope she brings home the Oscar and the Golden Globe, since she already has the man and the baby on the way it would seem like her fairytale deserves the ultimate happiness in all areas of life. Note to self, consider going Vegan.

Kim Kardashian wearing a dress by Zuhair Murad on the 2010 Teen Choice Awards red carpet. Photo Credit: Fashion Examiner.

With stars like the Kardashian sisters and the cast of Gossip Girl gracing the red carpet at the 2010 Teen Choice Awards, there was no doubt that the Teen Choice awards would be a fashionable venue. The fashions on the red carpet, which was turned into a blue carpet for the event, ranged from trendy to classic, but all were equally fabulous. Hosted by Katy Perry, along with co-hosts from the hit show ‘Glee,’ the Teen Choice Awards definitely held their own in Hollywood this year.

'Glee' actors Cory Monteith and Mark Salling on the red carpet before co-hosting the 2010 Teen Choice Awards. Photo credit: MTV.

'Twilight' Ashley Greene in strapless Valentino dress. Photo Credit: Fashion Examiner.

'Glee' star Lea Michele in a Naeem Khan dress paired with nude Dior platforms. Photo credit: Just Jared.

Mini dresses were seen all over the red carpet in many colors and textures, from a sophisticated, organza Stella McCartney dress to an asymetrical Preen bandage dress. One trend that was hot on the red carpet was the nude look. Many stars, including Lea Michele, of ‘Glee’ and Selena Gomez, donned nude heels with their mini dresses. ‘Twilight’ star Ashley Greene also accentuated her summer glow with a blush colored dress by Valentino that featured floral detailing.

Leighton Meester, 'Gossip Girl' star, walks the red carpet in an Emilio Pucci dress. Photo Credit: Fashion Examiner.

Selena Gomez rocks a white BCBG mini dress and nude Sergio Rossi sandals. Photo credit: Fashion Examiner.

Disney Channel star Selena Gomez took home the title of Female Choice Red Carpet Fashion Icon, in addition to a couple other awards, and her red carpet choice for 2010, a white BCBG mini dress, was definitely one to be seen. Choice Male Hottie and ‘Twilight’ actor, Taylor Lautner, was also named Male Choice Red Carpet Fashion Icon. Lautner’s simple, yet fashionable, look combined ”The Shirt” by Joe’s with J Brand slim, straight leg jeans. Megan Fox, Choice Female Hottie, sizzled in a short, metallic Isabel Marant skirt and a printed top, alongside husband Brian Austin Green.

Choice Hotties Megan Fox and Taylor Lautner at the 2010 Teen Choice Awards. Photo Credit: Just Jared.

The 2010 Teen Choice Awards were no doubt a fashionable, fun event for all ages, and even stars like Cat Deeley and LL Cool J made an appearance at the award show.  Over the past 12 years, the Teen Choice Awards have evolved into an event that all celebrities want to attend. The signature, custom-made surfboard awarded to winners has even become a coveted piece among many young celebrities. Since 1999, the Teen Choice Awards, which aired Monday, August 9th on Fox, have been devoted to honoring achievements in entertainment, as decided by teens.

Source:  The Independent

July 2010

They’re calling it the world’s biggest dressing-up box. Never before has such a vast collection of vintage clothing – in excess of 7,000 dresses, 6,000 pairs of shoes and 20,000 items of jewellery – been assembled in one place in Britain.

Yet this precious attire, from 70-year-old Dior couture to Biba dresses from the Sixties, will be sold in a field at a music festival. Instead of Wellingtons and striped ponchos, the dress code at West Sussex’s Vintage Festival will be seamed stockings and twinsets, kipper ties and winkle-pickers.

Festival veterans might point to the Lost Vagueness corner of Glastonbury where it became customary to cut a late-night sartorial dash in ballgowns and second-hand suits – but that was a style statement that came caked in mud. Vintage Festival will not do dirt. “It’s rare that a cool person wants to be grubby – there wouldn’t be a fashion and beauty industry if people enjoyed being filthy,” says the founder, Wayne Hemingway. “Wouldn’t it be great if you could just go to a festival and be how you’d be if you were going to a nightclub and didn’t have to feel dirty?”

Vintage will be a festival where the toilets are plumbed and have basins and mirrors “so that you can do your lippy”. Camping will come with ready-made beds and the option of breakfast brought to your tent. And the clothes stalls will have stylists on hand, alterations experts equipped with sewing machines and a home delivery service for any purchases.

“I’m already picking out my outfit, we are all so excited,” says Judy Berger, who is curating the Vintage Market Place, which will feature clothes from the Forties through to the Eighties. “I’m going to go to the on-site hairdresser every day and do a different decade, but starting on the Fifties because that’s my favourite.”

Berger has brought together specialist vintage vendors from around Britain, avoiding those who source stock from wholesalers. “The biggest challenge has been ensuring that all the traders are selling something different,” she said. “We’ve brought in people who scour flea markets and car-boot sales and who go to Paris, Italy and LA to find amazing vintage.”

Arrive in combat trousers and a T-shirt paying tribute to your drinking capacity and Hemingway will not be impressed. “I would be disappointed if people turned up in that at ours, I really would. I’m not interested in just creating another festival.”

Vintage is not a nostalgia fest and is targeted at under-25s as much as at those who actually remember wearing the styles of the Seventies and Eighties. The music and dress of Eighties artists, including Heaven 17 and Human League, will be celebrated by contemporary performers such as La Roux. “I like the idea that you can take from the past, enjoy the present and look to the future,” said Hemingway, who has planned the festival with his three older children, all in their early twenties.

Berger hopes the vintage clothing will appeal to younger buyers who want to incorporate the style of a previous era into their look. “There will be seasoned collectors but we want to attract young people as well,” she said. “You can get an amazing Seventies dress for £15 or a piece of fashion history from Dior for £300. You’re not walking into a high-street chain and buying something that everybody else has.”

Alongside clothes, there will be stalls selling vintage furnishings. “We have proper chandeliers coming,” said Berger. “Just yesterday I booked in a ‘kitchenalia’ store selling glassware and pottery and stuff for the home. They will be next to a stall that sells Sixties and Seventies movie posters.”

Berger has already bought a pair of Seventies roller-skates to wear at the festival’s Roller Disco, one of several music arenas dedicated to specific decades. Music will range from Sixties icons Sandie Shaw and Martha and the Vandellas to contemporary party hosts Horse Meat Disco.

According to Hemingway, the music industry’s problems began when it lost sight of its relationship with stylish dress. “When I was growing up, music and fashion went totally together,” he said, recalling his childhood love for the style of David Bowie and the close relationship between Acid House and the Red or Dead clothing label that he founded with his wife and business partner Gerardine.

He said the media has prevented British style movements emerging in the past 20 years by saturating new trends before they had a chance to develop. Britpop, he argued, did not have its own look. “Damon Albarn in a Harrington jacket and jeans is not a seminal moment in youth culture and you can’t picture how Brett Anderson in Suede dressed.”

The loss of album artwork to the culture of downloading has also cut the ties between music and style, he said, claiming that the Vintage Festival could play a role in reversing that trend. “The reason that music was of more value was because it was wrapped up in graphics, design and fashion,” he said. “I think there’s a business case for bringing that back together, where you go to an event and music and fashion are totally intertwined.”

Vintage Festival is at Goodwood, West Sussex, 13-15 August

Source: The Independent

July 2010

Boom time for haute couture as overseas demand soars.

Couture is back: Rumours of its death had been exaggerated. Designers including Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier and Givenchy reporting a rise in sales of their custom-made creations ahead of this week’s Paris shows.

The increase in sales of exclusive fashions – often costing upwards of £30,000 a dress – is being credited to new clients in Russia, the Middle East and China, as well as the return of US customers who had reined in their spending during the recession.

Chanel estimates sales of the label’s summer collection were up 20 to 30 per cent on 2009, while Givenchy said its January couture sales were up 10 per cent on last year. Jean Paul Gaultier’s president, Veronique Gautier, described the situation as a “spectacular recovery”. The company reported that its Russian client base began growing after it held its first haute couture show in Moscow in May. Dior, meanwhile, showed couture at the opening of its enlarged boutique in Shanghai in May.

“It is difficult to pinpoint where couture customers come from,” said Harriet Quick of Vogue. “The people you see in the front rows at Paris aren’t the same people who are going to the salon to buy them. They are discreet.”

Sidney Toledano, president of Christian Dior, told the US fashion blog Women’s Wear Daily that Dior’s couture arm is booming globally. He said: “We have received so many orders, we are not sure we can deliver them.”

Designers, buyers and fashion editors flocked to Paris this weekend for the city’s couture shows, which open tomorrow. Labels such as Dior, Valentino and Giorgio Armani Privé will stage catwalk shows, while Givenchy has decided to show its designs by appointment only this season.

“It has gone from a beleaguered couture week to a buoyant commercial proposition,” Ms Quick said.

Stringent rules, policed by the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture, that governed the exclusive world of Paris fashion for 150 years are being relaxed. Once, to use the term “haute couture” fashion houses had to have a workshop in Paris, present a certain number of outfits twice a year and design made-to-measure clothes for individual clients. While purchasing a couture gown from a traditional house such as Chanel requires plenty of both time and money – involving at least three trips to the workshop for fittings – some new designers are happy to work remotely, having the dress sent to and from clients by courier.

“Alexis Mabille does a mix of ready to wear and couture, and the prices are much lower. There is also a new designer, Lee Klabin, who is in Paris showing,” Ms Quick said.

Mabille and Klabin are not the only newcomers to Paris fashion week. Jewellery brands such as Van Cleef & Arpels and Chanel Joaillerie showcased their expensive wares as part of the official haute couture calendar for the first time in February. And the last day of the couture shows is now entirely devoted to jewellery. Since allowing jewellers entrance into the couture week, the Chambre Syndicale is said to have been inundated with requests to open up the shows to other brands.