Blake Lively/Serena Van Der Woodsen Style: On and off the small screen

Although it’s been said before, Eric Daman and the Gossip Girl fashion team are constantly outdoing themselves. Season after season, they combine the hottest up and coming designer’s pieces with luxurious classics, creating a set wardrobe even the most experienced fashionista might covet. Today’s post is dedicated to one of his Gossip Girls dress up favorites, Blake Lively.

Daman has clearly influenced Blake Lively’s sense of personal style. The days of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants are long gone. Blake’s personal style has been replaced with an elegance not un-similar to her Upper East Side alter ego Serena Van Der Woodson.

Here are some of our favorite Eric Daman and Blake Lively outfits:

1. Serena Van Der Woodson in Nanette Lepore's Party Girl Coat, Chanel Sequin Flap Bag and M.C.L by Matthew Campbell Laurenza earrings.

2. Blake Lively in Alexander Wang’s Max Fanny Pack, DL1961 Kate Slim Straight Jeans and Burberry Giant Check Scarf.

3. Serena Van Der Woodson in a Nanette Lepore Darjeeling Dress in Ebony.

4. Serena in a Phillip Lim Go Green Go Multi-Flap Pocket Coat, Carlos Falchi Brooke Matte Caiman Tote, DKNY Mod Plaid Tights

5. Blake in Balmain’s “Paillette” Minidress and Jimmy Choo Private Strappy Sandals at the Emmy Award’s HBO afterparty.

6. Blake Lively in SMYTHE’s Tweed Slouchy Boyfriend Blazer and Giuseppe Zanotti shoes.

7. Blake in a Vena Cava Synthesizer Dress.

8. Serena in Jimmy Choo “Jet” Pumps, Mason by Michelle Mason Zip Shirtdress and Christian Dior Granville Handstitched Medium Tote.

Lanvin Spring Tokyo Show Pushes Cultural Boundaries

Last night, the worlds of fashion and sport collided when Lanvin staged a fashion show at the Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo stadium in Tokyo. 

Creative director Alber Elbaz said the sumo stadium appealed to him because he couldn’t miss the chance to break a cultural taboo.

Traditionally, women are prohibited from entering the stadium’s center ring, which is considered a sacred space. But Lanvin managed to secure permission to build a runway right in the middle.

“This is what life is all about,” he surmised. “Tradition can be nice, but tradition can be dangerous if you go only with that because you don’t go forward.”

Wednesday night’s event, a reprise of Lanvin’s spring women’s and men’s collections, attracted more than 1,000 guests, including Kanye West, who camped out in the second row with his entourage and attempted to conceal his identity with a black hooded sweatshirt and a scarf covering his face. It’s no wonder after his recent Taylor Swift stint that he’d want to stay hidden. 


Elbaz took a dig at celebrity clothing designers while talking to WWD reporters: 

“They may think that all it takes to do fashion is to be famous,” he said. “[But] you have to devote your life. You have to work hard.” Might he be referring to Lindsay Lohan’s recent Ungaro line? Hmmm...

Vogue cover veteran and Japanese actress Ai Tominaga opened the women’s portion of the show in a black asymmetric dress with a ruffled collar and a glove on one arm. 



Jimmy Choo's New H&M and Charity Lines

H&M has finally revealed the new Jimmy Choo collection on their website. Here are a few of our favorite items:

WWD also revealed this morning that Tamara Mellon, the founder and president of Jimmy Choo, has decided to raise money for African women and children exposed to HIV. Tonight she will unveil a limited edition capsule collection of shoes, bags and small accessories as part of the charity Project PEP. Choo plans to donate 25 percent of net sales of the PEP line to the Elton John AIDS Foundation. The money will support funding of the Simelela Rape Centre in Cape Town and allow it to remain open 24 hours a day.

Today's Inspiration: Caroline B.

While researching social networking sites today at work, I ran across fashion networking site lookbook.nu where Caroline B. is clearly a fashionista favorite. I decided a quick procrastination break would be okay, and took a deeper look.

Turns out Caroline Blomst is a the fashion editor of the swedish blog network Feber.se and a newspaper called City and has a popular fashion blog: Caroline Mode. She also runs the Swedish fashion look book site Stockholm Street Style. At the age of 27 Caroline pulls off some of today's biggest labels with the ease of a seasoned fashion veteran. Scroll down and hopefully you'll be as inspired as we were.

Jeans with biker detailing from MQ, Balenciaga jacket, Chanel bag, Acne cardigan and Rick Owens tee.
Zara coat, Balenciaga bag, YSL ring, Rodarte tee, Acne jeans, Diesel hoodie and Prada shoes.
Zara top, Acne jeans, Alexander Wang shoes and bag, vintage fur collar and Balenciaga jacket.
Jacket from Glitzy.se, tee from Wang, hoody from AA, MQ faux leather pants, shoes from Rizzo and Balenciaga bag
Balenciaga Perfecto jacket, faux fur gilet from H&M, faux leather pants from McQ, shoes from Minimarket and Givenchy Nightingale bag

Fashion Police...no really.

The culprits behind the recent celebrity home invasions have finally been caught. According to the LA Times, "Police allege that the friends, fascinated by Hollywood fashion, would case the stars' homes and then break in, taking clothing and jewelry."

"Like many teenage girls, these friends were fascinated by the high fashion and flashy bling of such young Hollywood celebrities as Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and Audrina Patridge."

Apperantly the teens studied television shows, celebrity magazines and websites and picked out the clothing and jewelry they wanted. Then they figured out where the celebrities lived and, after casing the homes, broke in and took what they wanted. Talk about morally upstanding young citizens.

How do we feel about Olsenboye?

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, the business mavens behind The Row, Elizabeth and James, DualStar Entertainment Group and a ‘tween clothing line at Walmart, have announced their newest business endeavour. They are launching a new affordable and chic fashion line called Olsenboye, which will be sold exclusively at JCPenney starting in February.

I suppose with Gaultier designing for Target and Jimmy Choo for H&M, a budget friendly Olsen brand for the trend conscious was inevitable. Their partnership with JCPenney makes sense, especially after their recent efforts to be a household fashion giant. I’m sure you’ve seen Who What Wear’s "Schooled in Style" series, which shamelessly shows eager viewers how to incorporate JCPenney brands into each season’s trends.

Although the brand leans to the “overly-trendy” side, I must admit I was lusting after a BE & D Ruffled Platform Sandal that has the same look and feel as one of the line’s shoes.

Items in the collection will include denim, bottoms, tops, dresses, skirts, shorts, jackets, handbags and shoes and will retail from $20-$50.

Below: Ashley Olsen and Mary Kate Olsen looking chic as they promote Olsenboye at Good Morning America.

Watch this Olsenboye promotional movie below if you can stomach three cheery hipster-wanna-bes frolicking around NYC.

Michelle Obama's Fashion Fetishes

The First Lady of Fashion: gorgeous, statuesque and mix-and-match master to boot. She certainly has a soft spot for Thakoon and Jason Wu, but the item in her wardrobe that shows up most often is her Azzedine Alaia belt. Above you can see her dressing it up leaving Air Force One or casual while strolling the White House lawns. While many public figures won't be caught dead in the same outfit twice, Michelle Obama makes a point of reusing her favorite items. Recycling clothing is a part of the “Mobama” style. It's a well-known fact that Mrs. Obama is relatively economical about her First Lady wardrobe choices (as far as previous First Ladies go). Remember the buzz that arose when she wore that White House/Black Market dress?

Another fashion favorite of Michelle Obama's is florals. While each look is individually tasteful, elegant and stylish, seeing them all together in the below photo is kind of a flower-power overload.

Anyways, in terms of heightened fashion-biz buzz it's clear the First Lady is well on her way to leaving a stylish legacy on par with those other White House legacies, Jacqueline Kennedy and Nancy Reagan. Stay tuned for more "Mobama" fashion updates.

Rio de Janeiro for the Weekend

As if Brazilian models (Giselle Bündchen, Adriana Lima, Alessandra Ambrosio, Ana Beatriz Barros, to name a few...) don't bring Brazil enough attention already, the fashion community and a few rockstarlettes are hightailing it to Rio for the weekend to bring attention to Rio as a fashion center. According to WWD, "Donatella Versace, Francisco Costa, Riccardo Tisci and Marc Jacobs, along with a slew of models and musical performers, are touching down in Rio de Janeiro for Oi Fashion Rocks to be held Saturday night at Rio’s Jockey Club."

Fashion Rocks will feature Versace, Givenchy, Marc Jacobs and Calvin Klein’s fall 2009 runway collections paired with performances by Diddy, Ciara, Grace Jones and Mariah Carey. The idea is to spotlight Brazil, so there will be plenty of local flavor courtesy of designers Alexandre Herchcovitch and Lenny, as well as musical acts Stop Play Moon and Daniela Mercury.

I don't know about you, but the weather is supposed to be pretty gloomy here in DC this weekend. Anyone have any extra frequent flyer miles?

Brazilian designer Alexandre Fall 2009 from life.com

Marc Jacobs Fall 2009 Collection from style.com

Wholesale Gossip Girl-Inspired Fashion?

I don’t know about you but this sounds fishy to me....

In a recent press release LightInTheBox.com announced that they’ve recently launched fashion selections inspired by Season Three of Gossip Girl.

“LightInTheBox.com has been working with designers to make the clothes inspired by the TV series accessible and affordable to people around the world.”

Oh I get it, they’ve let Eric Daman and the world’s hardest working designers do the heavy lifting and now this morally-devoid company is riding on their coat tails. Copyright laws and designer credibility means nothing to you? Ok, just wanted to make sure.

Nordstrom Rack to Open Store in Pentagon City

Nordstrom announced it will open a Nordstrom Rack, a unit of the company's off-price retail division, in the Pentagon City area of Arlington, Va. Scheduled to open in fall 2010 at Pentagon Centre, the new store will be the closest Nordstrom Rack to downtown Washington D.C. Thrilled shopping saavy Washingtonians to ensue...

J.Crew Spring 2010: Military & Sparkles

J.Crew's creative director Jenna Lyons presented her spring 2010 collection yesterday in New York at the company's downtown headquarters.

A mix of utilitarian sportswear and cheerful sequined separates, the spring line combined camouflaged military jackets and khaki anoraks with pastel ruffled mini skirts and paillette-covered tunics. There were pops of bright coral, mint green, and pale blue set against a neutral palette, most notably in a striped floral shift—which Lyons told viewers was created by cutting strips of the printed fabric and inserting thin silk georgette panels in between. Accessories included gold and silver metallic desert boots and boat shoes, i.e. lace-up Oxfords, and oversized leather handbags. Models were dripping in jewelry—an increasingly important category for J.Crew—sparkling in oversized crystal drop earrings, layered charm necklaces, and stacked jeweled cuffs.

Three Fashion Gurus Talk About Today's Problems with the Fashion Industry: Ashley Olsen, Robin Givhan and Isaac Mizrahi

Last night at the 92nd Street Y in New York our city’s Washington Post fashionista Robin Givhan, Ashley Olsen and Isaac Mizrahi gathered to chat with Glamour's Cindi Leive about the "Future of Fashion."

To find out more about what fashion magazines are doing wrong, why fashion is so hated, and the plethora of overly-thin models check out fashionista and fashionologie.

Steal Her Style: Rihanna

Rihanna is evidence that every once and a while, certain fashion icons can pull off literally anything designers throw at them. Not only does she have a gorgeous face and a killer bod to boot, this leading lady has an innate sense of style that many of us would die to be able to pull off. It seems as though the recent unfortunate happenings between her and Chris Brown have only intensified her inner fashion rebel. Recently, you can find her sporting edgy Alexander Wang's amazing pieces and rocking lethal weapons as finger accessories. Not to mention her insanely hot Mohawk, which apparently can be sophisticated in a sexy bufont or casually punked out. Her look is complete head to toe to finger tips, which in the picture featured above, are shown with talon like red/black nails. We're more into her fire-engine-red manicure, but Rihanna is definitely...what's the word? Oh thanks Tyra Banks....fierce.

Above looks clockwise starting at far left:

Rihanna leaving an office in Tribecca in Azzedine Alaia Exotically Odd Python Sandal with Bells.

Heading out in a Torn by Ronny Kobo Jayne Long Sleeve Tee with Shoulder Pads and a Pleasure Doing Business Black and White Small Stripe Skirt.

Rihanna in an Alexander Wang One Shoulder Dress.

Head shot to show off the 'hawk: Fallon Hell's Angel Earrings

Shopping in Soho with Alexander Wang's Jess Small Shopper and Lanvin Framed Aviators.

What They're Wearing Now

Today's post focuses on the ever inspiring street walking celebrity. Paparazzi stalking, hot celeb boyfriend woes, running late to casting calls....even the young and famous have problems, but these ladies have managed to look hot through it all. Here are this past month's picks for best celebrity street wear:

Reese Witherspoon in a 3.1 Phillip Lim Scooter Skirt with a Marni Kim Gordon Printed Balloon Bag.

Lauren Conrad in an Urban Outfitters Kimchi Blue Floral Jumper, Miu Miu Double Cross Platform Sandals and Marc Jacob's Dr. Q Groovee bag.

Olivia Palermo in Daryl K Stretch Leather Pull on Pants, Sergio Rossi Metallic Lace Up Flats, Armani Exchange Cap Sleeve Vest and toting an Hermes Brikin Bag and Ray-Ban Classic Wayfarer sunglasses.

Jessica Biel holding a Prada Tote Bag, wearing a Tom Binn's neclace and Gucci Inman T-strap sandals.

Leighton Meester in Wayne Bubble Short Shorts, Marc Jacobs bow gladiator sandals and wearing a Jimmy Choo bag.

Kate Beckinsale in a Helmut Lang Racer Back Top, Current/Elliot The Boyfriend Jeans and Michael Kors St. Tropez sunglasses.

The Best of Super Saturday

A good deal isn’t hard to find these days, but the deeply discounted duds offered at Super Saturday 12, last weekend in Water Mill, NY, were nothing to be scoffed at. Hosted by Donna Karan, Ariel Foxman, InStyle, Kelly Ripa and Blake Lively, this years Super Saturday raised $3.4 million for the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.


Guests such as Lorraine Bracco, news legend Barbara Walters, model Christie Turlington, Mariska Hargitay and actress Kerry Washington picked through racks from labels like Yigal Azrouël, Charlotte Ronson and Brian Reyes.

Here is a best-dressed montage of the event: Kelly Ripa, looking amazing as always, in a white and paisley printed maxi. Fabiola Beracasa sports white loafers. (You can expect to see men’s wear inspired shoes everywhere this fall.) Charlotte Ronson and Shoshanna Lonstein Gruss look effortlessly chic in their relaxed ensembles from their own labels. Kerry Washington pulls off a difficult beige and sherbert combo with style and ease. Hana Soukupova’s original silk and jean short combo is perfect for the day’s events. Co-host Blake Lively wears a trendy body-con white mini with co-star Kelly Rutherford in a tribal printed maxi.

Arm Candy: The Givenchy Nightingale

Today’s edition of Arm Candy focuses on the much loved Givenchy Nightingale. Classic, simple, and practical, the Nightingale is a sound investment piece.

From day time to evening, this brilliant piece keeps you looking sophisticated and edgy at the same time. The handbag is a satchel with top zip and removable shoulder strap. The interior is fabric lined with side zip pocket and two small organizational pockets. Dubbed one of the newest "it" bags, the nightingale can be seen here on the arms of Ashley Tisdale, Heidi Klum, Reese Witherspoon, Ashley Olsen, Mary Kate Olsen, Rihanna and Nicole Richie.

Givenchy: A Quick History

The house of Givenchy was founded in the 1950s by designer Hubert de Givenchy and is now owned by luxury goods behemoth LVMH.

Hubert de Givenchy was known for his modern, ladylike styles, which earned him many famous clients such as Audrey Hepburn and the Guinness, Grimaldi and Kennedy families.

John Galliano succeeded Givenchy upon his retirement but was in turn promoted to Christian Dior less than two years later, prompting the hiring of Alexander McQueen; In 2001, designer Julien McDonald was appointed Artistic Director for the women's lines, which consist of haute couture and ready-to-wear.

The reins for both collections were ultimately passed on to Riccardo Tisci in 2005 when he was named chief designer of womenswear. Tisci's apparent fascination with gothic touches and space-age minimalism have drawn new attention to the brand.

Summer 2009 Nail Color Round Up

We've seen this seasons edgiest colors (yellow) and most ubiquitous colors (coral) for two months now, so this season's hottest color list come as no surprise. Seeing as how we still have the hottest summer month to come and fashion repeats itself, here is a round up of what fashionable fingers and toes are wearing this summer 2009.

SHOCK VALUE Give your look edge with light purple, canary yellow or royal blue. Chanel Nail Colour in Rodeo Drive ($25), Rescue Beauty Lounge Nail Polish in Yellow Fever ($18) and Jessica Custom Nail Colour in King Tut's Gem ($6.50).

MAKE A STATEMENT with candy pink, gold and tangerine: Butter London Nail Lacquer in Primose Hill Picnic ($12), Laura Mercier Nail Lacquer in 24 Karat ($15) and OPI Nail Lacquer in Brights Power ($8.50)

THE NEW CLASSICS These revamped classics have enough reserve for the older set and enough spunk for the younger. Essie Nail Polish in Adore-a-Ball ($8), Chanel Nail Colour in L.A. Sunset ($25) and Yves Saint Laurent La Laque in Sublime Red ($19).

My favorite set for this summer is Sephora by OPI Nail Colour. The collection is long-lasting and comparatively chip-resistant. Also, there’s absolutely no DBP, toluene, and formaldehyde in their formula.

The coral colored one, 2nd to last on the right called "I'm Wired", is practically super glued to my toes. It’s great to match with fingernails or pair with a neutral.

For those who want to try these colors with out breaking the bank, Essie’s summer color 4-pack ($15) is great.

Models vs Celebs

We all know that in the world of fashion, models have a look that most people aspire to. (The good news is, today's designers are becoming more and more aware of this impossible standard.) Anyways, it's always nice to know that other people still have a chance to rock these amazing clothes! I know all of us look like Cameron and Audrina, just kidding....but seriously, it's time for today's Model vs Celeb showdown.

Ding ding ding, round one. Audrina looks baller in Diane Von Furstenberg's Giselle Dress. Maybe Whitney was able to scoop her up this hot number? And the winner is....Audrina! She leaves this model in the dust with her patent belt and clutch combo at the premier of "The Hangover".

Round two. This ones a toughy because I wasn't able to find this exact Michael Kors top, but I think you get the basic gist. The ever popular destroyed denim look is great for casual occasions, but come on Cameron, not at an awards show! Especially with such a classy Michael Kors top. That being said, Cameron still rocks this look. Round two? Cameron.

Claire Danes is an easy victor in round three. She wears a fall 2009 Calvin Klein dress effortlessly at the designer's recent summer dinner party. Cherry red nail polish, cream strappy heels and cream clutch complete this look.

Emma Watson, the fashion community's newest sweetheart, looks chic in a Jason Wu resort 2010 skirt and top and Bruno Frisoni for Jason Wu grey heels. However, as much as I love her look, its almost identical to Jason Wu's model. The model is also sporting a hot white tailored blazer and bright red lips. The last round goes to team model. However, in this edition of Model vs Celeb, celebrity's are victorious 3-1.

Haven't you heard?

Why "It" Bags Are Out - The Wall Street Journal



Loeffler Randall's To Die For Spring 2009 Shoe Collection


Diane Von Furstenberg is adding another item to her oeuvre: eyewear

"The designer paired with Marchon Eyewear to develop and distribute a collection of sunglasses and ophthalmic lenses, due to hit high-end specialty and optical stores in January. Von Furstenberg said she was pleased to reenter the eyewear market and revive the successful business she had in the Seventies." - WWD