Thursday, September 11
Bloomingdale’s is taking its SoHo concept on the road
From the WWD news wire: "Bloomingdale’s in SoHo is a scaled-down version of the department store featuring tightly edited assortments of contemporary men’s and women’s sportswear and accessories, denim and cosmetics."
Lucky lucky georgetown-ers and very smart decision on Bloomingdales part.
Sunday, September 7
We're All About- Rock and Republic Spring 2009
Its no secret that the shows in New York are in full force this week. So far so good, especially the presentation at Rock and Republic. The looks were super sexy, sky high stilettos, skin tight dresses that seem inspired by Herve Leger, and the brand speciality skinny skinny jeans. We loved the contrast of both feminine and preppy details like ruffled dresses and mini skirts paired with blazers that helped take the edge off of the otherwise vixen-esque ensembles. All 54 of the looks absolutely killed it, each one sure to have heads turning.
Sunday, August 31
The Hills to Washington DC?
According to DC's Examiner, the show will features the unscripted happenings of three twenty-something young adults who dominate the DC social scene.
"Their events are always a hot ticket; their dating lives are gossiped about; and sometimes merely their simple daily activities are chatter within the D.C. social set. Throwing these glamorous soirees every week, they are the young personalities of Georgetown and the darlings of the city's most fashionable clubs and hottest restaurants."
The girls are Katherine Kennedy, Krista Johnson and frequent Kennedy/Johnson charity go-er Sophie Pyle. The show's lead, Kennedy, has her own PR company at 23 years old. She left Georgetown grad school to follow through with an ambitious class project of starting peruse.com, a social networking slash shopping website.
As far as fashion goes, these DC girls are involved in a handful of charitable fashion related events and have massive trendsetting potential. But seeing as how the show just recently started production, we'll just have to wait and see.
Pretty much, the show has potential to be another weekly guilty pleasure or fashion/reality-tv catastrophe.
Valentino: The Last Emperor
Valentino has had quite a busy year: celebrating 45 years in the fashion business, announcing his retirement, taking his final bow at the upcoming Paris Couture Fashion Week and now the fashion legend is being immortalized on the big screen.
Matt Tyrnauer, a special correspondent for Vanity Fair, has spent the past two years shooting more than 250 hours of footage of the designer and his entourage for Valentino: The Last Emperor. The film made its debut at the Cannes Film Festival in May.
According to IMDB, "the film is an intimate and engaging fly-on-the-wall exploration of the world of one of Italy's most famous men." The film documents Valentino's final days of his career and tells the story of his out of the ordinary lifestyle. The film also acknowledges larger themes affecting the fashion business today. At the heart of the film is the unique relationship between Valentino and his business partner and companion of 50 years, Giancarlo Giammetti.
This follows on the heels of the Karl Lagerfeld documentary, Lagerfeld Confidential as well as the Marc Jacobs film, Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton.
The Green-Way Hits the Runway
The exponentially growing green trend has finally hit the major runway circuit. The "Be EcoChic" campaign, which raises environmental awareness, will kicks off its global launch Sept 4 in the form of a group runway show at the Museum of Natural History in Manhattan. According to WWD, designers including Donna Karan, Ralph Rucci, Carmen Marc Valvo, Christian Cota and Vena Cava have contributed looks that feature sustainable, low-impact or recycled fabrics. Women with environmentalist credibility including Mary Richardson and Laura Turner Seydel, will walk in the show. Other models include host Angela Lindvall, Alek Wek, Lauren Hutton, Alexandra Richards and her mother Patti Hansen, as well as TV stars from “Lipstick Jungle,” “Law & Order,” “Gossip Girl” and “Ugly Betty.”
Friday, August 29
Whitney Port Has Already Started at DVF
Michelle Obama Is Fashion Focus At The D.N.C.
Michelle Obama was dressed to the fashion nines on Thursday night as Sen. Barack Obama accepted his nomination in Denver. The possible First Lady wore a pre-spring 2009 Thakoon Panichgul floral kimono dress. The fact that she opted to wear a dress by a young New York designer to her husband's most important speech so far signifies that she has fresh and modern taste, and isn't afraid of change. We've already seen that she's more than willing to break from the political wife-y uniform. Many fashion analysts and writers have mused that if Obama should win the presidency, Michelle could become a trendsetter similar to Jackie O... who definitely has some large 60s patent pilgrim heels to fill.
Monday, August 25
Today's Outfit- Mix and Match
Thursday, August 21
Biggest Fashion Week Trend: A T-Shirt?
Since many landlords are redeveloping their buildings into luxury lofts and hotels where they can jack up the rent, many factories are forced to leave since rent can no longer be affordable.
Model Gemma Ward Retires from the Runway
Whitney Port to Diane Von Furstenberg
Whitney Port, the level-headed bohemian bombshell from MTV's The Hills, is rumored to be moving up the fashion ladder. Earlier in the summer, New York Mag’s “The Cut” reported a rumor that Whitney Port would leave People's Revolution during this fall’s fourth season of The Hills to do in-house PR at a major fashion label. Fashionista has just reported that she's going to Diane Von Furstenberg. DVF's representatives have said they "can't confirm" anything…but, “The Cut's” spies report that they've “recently seen reality-TV producers over at the DVF office”. “The Cut” believes these producers might be in negotiations for a reality show.
Personally, Whitney is my favorite character on the Hills, so for her to have a spin off (featuring DVF no less….) I would be a little more than okay with.
Wednesday, August 20
Celeb Style: What They're Wearing Now
Workaholic Agyness Deyn in an effortless ensemble consisting of her classic cut up ironic t-shirt, gray skinnys with a splash of leopard and Ked sneeks.
Blake Lively heads to work in Ralph Lauren’s SS 08 Jacket and the "Watch me work" bag by Celine.
Mary-Kate Olsen grabbed dinner with New York artist boyfriend Nate Lowman at a restaurant in New York City on Saturday. She toted the Chloe “Paraty” Bag in black python and Marni sunglasses. This is the same Chloe handbag Katie Holmes has been carrying around to all her Broadway rehearsals.
Last Friday, Tom Cruise and Suri accompanied Katie Holmes on her way into her All My Sons rehearsals. Katie wore a bohemian white blouse over black Jbrand skinnys and a bulky printed scarf.
Tuesday, August 19
Monday, August 18
Style.com Gets a Facelift
Sunday, August 17
What They're Wearing Now
Victoria Beckham - Marc by Marc Jacobs Heartleaf Print dress, Christian Louboutin 'Rolando' pumps in black patent leather, Hermes 'Birkin' bag in 'Violine' ostrich leather and Dvb '6' sunglasses in black
Nicole Richie - Abercrombie & Fitch Nicolette light destroy denim shorts
Lauren Conrad - TT Collection ruffle skirt
Kate Hudson - Velvet By Graham & Spencer Maxidress, Jimmy Choo bag
Audrina Patridge - LaRok metal fringe jersey halter dress
Jessica Alba - Matt Bernson KM Gladiator sandal finished with gold studs, Prada Havana sunglasses
Eva Longoria - J Brand Lightweight Pencil Leg Jean in ink, Old Navy jacket, Yves Saint Laurent tan canvas 'Tribute' platform mary-janes
Nicky Hilton - Alternative Apparel burnout tank, Zac Posen Aurora Frame bag, Ray Ban original wayfarer sunglasses dark turquoise, Missoni scarf
Suprisingly, Audrina's LaRok dress is my favorite out of all of these. What do you think?
Saturday, August 16
The Black Stiletto's Readers of the Month
Sure we appreciate established designers and stylists here at The Black Stiletto, but what we appreciate even more is how you, our readers, put together smoking outfits for every day wear. Here are three readers we’d like to feature for their unique senses of style and creative ways they interpret runway inspirations.
Thank you everyone who submitted photos! Here is The Black Stiletto’s very first readers’ style edition.
#1 Fashion Chalet
First outfit - Forever 21 jacket, NYC blouse, Calvin Klein shorts, Gifted wedges and vintage belt.
Second outfit – Brown slouchy bag, vintage scarf, gladiator kitten heels and long torso white tank.
Third outfit - Vintage Levi's, Aldo shoes, vintage bag and mixed jewelry.
#2 Aly-gator
First outfit - Miss Shop bag, Jay Jays jeans, a tablecloth and Tempt top.
Second outfit - Rebirth dress, Justjeans jeans, mother's scarf, Forever New flats and bag.
Third outfit - Miss Shop top, Super skirt and Forever New shoes.
#3 THE HOUSE OF STYLE
First outfit - White oxford, large pearls, black belt, pencil leg tan pants and white loafers.
Second outfit - Navy blazer, gray shirt dress and yellow peep-toes with wooden heels.
Tuesday, August 12
AdoreVintage.com
I have no idea how I stumbled across this Web site, I was probably surfing fashion sites when I should have been doing something more productive like…I don’t know…sleeping? (Yes, sometimes my greatest online finds are at 3 o’clock a.m.) Anyways, I’m pretty sure the site hasn’t been updated since 2007, but it’s look book is chock full of inspirational outfits a la Twiggy, Kate Moss, Mischa Barton, Jane Birkin, Edie Sedgwick, models backstage and many more. So get your fingers moving and satisfy your Tuesday morning craving for fashion icon inspiration, both past and present.
Sunday, August 10
Mad About Plaid
We’ve seen plaid here and there during the summer months and past fall seasons, but be prepared for plaid-topia as we head into fall 2008. Designers had plaid on the brain at the fall/winter ready-to-wear shows including Dsquared2, Preen, Ralph Lauren, Tory Burch, Dolce & Gabbana, Michael Kors, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Karen Walker, Ralph Lauren, Y 3, Karen Walker, and Ralph Lauren.
Christian Dior
Although nothing from Galliano should surprise us anymore, the 60s Barbie-like models with gigantic eye makeup and massive hairdos wearing monotone plaids and western hats was almost too much for us to handle. However, in agreement with style.com, the collection minus the hair and makeup is quite wearable.
Dolce & Gabanna
Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana incorporated a romantic plaid into their fall/winter collection. Excellent tailoring, fur-printed chiffon blouses, long skirts and puffer jackets all in an autumn leaf pallet made us excited for fall foliage.
Vivienne Westwood Red Label
Tartan kilts, knits, and coats all baggy-hemmed and asymmetrical were staples at the Vivienne Westwood Red Label show. Westwood always brings something new to the table with her collections and to the delight of Westwoodiens worldwide, her f/w 08 show didn't fail to disappoint. With a mixture of English countryside tartan and urban London tube socks, the show was anything but ordinary.
From Runway Inspiration to Every Day Wardrobe
A little bit of plaid goes a long way. To avoid looking like a table cloth or a catholic school uniform gone horribly wrong, please wear plaid sparingly.
Dior - To pull off a Dior-esque plaid look: pair a houndstooth coat with some sort of patent leather ( clutch). Add stacked heels and you’re ready for a glamorous night out.
D&G - A shearling coat over a plaid button down, jeans and brown laced heels is a look that screams D&G but is made up of reusable wardrobe pieces.
Plaid Coat - Invest in a quality plaid coat now and thank yourself later. Pieces like the classic Burberry coat are elegant and chic and will pay you back later.
A newer designer with a taste for the current yet classy is Marc Jacobs. His plaid coat is the perfect foundation for a funky fall wardrobe.
Plaid Skirts - We're not huge fans long winter plaid skirts, but that's just a personal preference. However, if you're the same way, here's a high waisted skirt by Tibi, perfect for the last remaining days of summer.
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Monday, July 28
The Fall 2008 Couture Shows
Fur coats, serious texture and heavy layering may be far from your mind as we enter the hottest days of the summer, but with the wrapping of the couture shows last week, the fashion industry is buzzing with the forecasting of winter 2008 trends.
Across the board, designers featured deep gem tones, textured and colored tights, long coats and fur in neutral grays, blacks, and browns. Dior took a modern approach to women's skirt suits updating them with new colors and higher waistlines. Armani Prive did the same with women's pantsuits, playing off menswear and introducing a high waisted pant that just barely hits at the ankle.
Christian LaCroix, who always keeps us guessing with his limitless creativity, showed a line that features a fashionable take on the prep school look, blazers, skirts, etc., which will definitely be a style to watch for this winter.
Givenchy and Jean Paul Gaultier showed collections that featured dark winter colors and fur jackets. Givenchy paired knee high boots with several of their looks and innovative ideas for winter layering.
Elie Saab, one of our personal favorites, showed breathtaking floor length gowns that seem meant for the red carpet. Valentino's collection featured both long and short dresses and played with lighter colors and vibrant reds, in keeping with the classic look of the fashion house.
Dior and LaCroix both showed to die for heels that we're sure fahsionistas will be all over when they hit stores. We're talking so fabulous they put the Dior heeled gladiators of the summer - a la Carrie Bradshaw - to shame.
Photos from style.com
Hot This Month: White Dresses
As we transition into the hottest summer months, celebrities and fashionistas are keeping cool and looking chic in white dresses. Although white isn't exactly known for its slimming qualities, when paired with the right accessories or cinched at the waist with a belt the white dress can be very flattering. An all white ensemble looks best when worn with a splash of color, maybe a detail in the dress or even a brightly colored handbag.
This July, fashion A-Listers, like Nicky Hilton and Halle Berry, have been seen sporting this summer trend during casual daytime events. Camilla Belle wore a very grown up and dressy version of the white dress backstage at Valentino's recent Haute Couture show in Paris. Anne Hathaway wore white to the Rome premiere of Get Smart. Estee Lauder spokeswoman Gwyneth Paltrow rang the New York Stock Exchange bell while looking flawless in a white Giambattista Valli dress.
We loved the Givenchy open toe ankle booties that singer Cassie paired with her white Pencey Cumberband Dress in NYC.
Whether you choose to dress up in white or play it casual with a sundress, we love the limitless accessory combinations. With a million ways to wear this trend, white dresses are here to stay this summer.
Our Suggestions:
#1 Zimmermann’s Forget Me Not Ruffle Smock Dress
#2 ASOS Bow Back Bandeau Dress
#3 ASOS Stitch Detail Shirt Dress
Summer Trend Alert: Scarves
New mom Nicole Richie pairs hers with a Gucci diaper bag while on a Starbucks run in Los Angeles. It seems like Lindsay Lohan is hardly ever without a scarf around her neck, usually by celebrity favorite: Love Quotes. Jessica Alba pulled her summer outfit together with the Honeycomb Scarf by Tolani.
We love the fact that scarves can be used to dress an outfit up or down and go with anything because there are millions of patterns, sizes and colors to choose from. Here are a couple of our favorites that are sure to fit into anyone's budget.
Splurge – Missoni's zig-zag pattern scarf, Nordstrom's Tissue-Weight Cashmere Wrap
Middle of the road- Free People's Twist and Twirl Mobius Scarf, Flirt For ASOS Animal Scarf
Steal- Forever21's Rustic Weave Scarf & Ikat Fringe Scarf
Valentino's New Bag Collection
Since Valentino Garavani's retirement following the couture shows in January 2008, the fashion world has been stewing over the fate of the house that is now in the hands of successor Alessandra Facchinetti. Facchinetti's ready to wear collection was met with mixed reviews that are almost inevitable when taking over creative control for such an established fashion house and iconic designer.
For Valentino, however, handbags have made the transition flawlessly. The patent nuage bag has been toted all over Hollywood this summer. Lauren Conrad has been spotted with hers on several occasions and Nicky Hilton been seen carrying the bag in two different colors.
Much like this summer's it bag, the fall 2008-2009 handbag collection which is designed by Facchinetti is seriously swoon worthy. Valentino's new ad campaign prominently features the jardin rose framed duffel, taffeta rosier tote and our favorite the petale dome bag, all sure to be seen on the arms of Hollywood starlets as we transition into the fall.
We are holding our breath for Facchinetti's first haute couture presentation that will be hitting the Parisian runways on July 2nd.
Fashion Muse: Margherita Missoni
This fashion inspiration grew up in the Italian countryside, spending weekends in Milan. She studied philosophy at Columbia University for a while, but struggled after moving to New York when her academic credits could not transfer to the United States educational system. Following the hurdle, Missoni chose to explore her love of theater. Currently, she is still studying acting in NYC and acting as a diplomat to the Missoni thrown.
Fashion wise, Missoni is on point. Whether she has help from a stylist (or several…she could afford it), this girl always looks effortlessly together at red carpet events, fund raisers and shows.
Photos from Style.com
New York Street Style
Some of the best dressed women in the world can be found in their natural environments of Manhattan, Soho, and Greenwich Village. Here are some of the most fashionable New Yorkers we could find.
To see more of the asphalt jungle’s best dressed predators check out The Sartorialist, AltamiraNYC and Hoyfashion.
Vogue Italia Features Black Models
Italian Vogue’s editor, Franca Sozzani, has gained a reputation for her appreciation of ideas and the arts, as opposed to commerce like most of her peers. Another notable characteristic of this cutting edge fashion editor is that controversy has never been a phobia of hers.
Featured in the issue are models Iman, Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, Jourdan Dunn, Liya Kebede, Alek Wek, Pat Cleveland and Karen Alexander. Also hired is Toccara Jones, a full-figure model, who became known from “America’s Next Top Model.”
To read more check out our source, a NY Times article published on the 19th.
DVF’s Italian Garden Show
The show was staged on four raised Astroturf catwalks which spread out from a giant center statue. According to Women’s Wear Daily, Von Furstenberg focused on suitcase-friendly pieces. "When you figure out your suitcase, you figure out your life," said von Furstenberg. "Since I pack every five days, I wanted to focus on seasonless and stand-alone pieces."
Passport pages, hotel key rooms and gondolier hats were printed on jersey and cotton dresses. The collection also included dresses made from scarves in bright colors and trench coat styles were cinched at the waist. The show’s final piece was worn by model Natalia Vodianova. The white, red and blue shift dress with "Bon Voyage" splattered across the front mimicked the show’s jetset theme.
Fashion Designer Quick Facts
Former Austro-Italian princess Diane von Fürstenberg was born Diane Halfin on December 31, 1945 in Brussels, Belgium. Her Greek mother, Liliane Nahmias, was a Holocaust survivor. Fürstenberg became a fashion icon in the 70s when she created the “wrap dress”. Samples hang at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian Institute. The design became popular due to its revolutionary versatility: its dual status as comfortable business wear and elegant evening dress.
Fashion Acknowledges Michelle Obama
Michelle Obama attended a sold out fund raiser on Tuesday night which was held in her honor. The reception was held at the stylish Sikkema Jenkins & Co. gallery in Chelsea. She arrived only minutes after hosts André Leon Talley, Anna Wintour and Shelby Bryan. The fourth host, Calvin Klein, arrived a few minutes later.
After a meet-and-greet, Talley introduced Obama as a close friend to guests, which included Catherine Malandrino, Erin Fetherston, Cynthia Rowley, Lisa Airan, Thakoon Panichgul, Ralph Rucci, Julie Gilhart, Amanda Brooks, Iman, Chris Benz, Tory Burch, LL Cool J, LeBron James and Yigal Azrouël. The festive cocktail party cost up from $1,000 to attend. Guests ranging from models to musicians paid $10,000 to enjoy the private dinner afterward which was held at Calvin Klein’s residence.
Certain attendees mixed their support with personal fashion by wearing politically charged shirts and pins. Zac Posen wore a "Yes, we can" T-shirt of Barack Obama's face under his suit. Lauren Santo Domingo fastened an Obama pin to her Oscar de la Renta dress and clutch.
During a speech which lasted around 20 minutes, Obama spoke about meeting her husband while working at a law firm in Chicago. She also shared her and her husband’s ideals on making America a better country.
The dinner ended early, around 10 p.m. Obama needed to rest before her appearance on "The View" Wednesday morning. �