fashion

I wasn't around this Fashion Week. My brother-in-law, the Blond's little brother, got married last week, so we were away for the entire time. I missed all the shows, parties and events, not to mention FNO festivities. I was a little disappointed, but in the grand scheme of things it didn't really matter. I saw the photos on WWD, skimmed some articles and took a couple of notes for future reference. I admit to not reading 95% of the PR emails giving detailed breakdowns of hair and makeup looks from the shows. I don't post this stuff, after all, and I doubt most of my readers are losing sleep trying to figure out how to recreate this:


Or this:

Something that has become very clear in recent years, though, is that bloggers (fashion, beauty, hair or nail) are now an integral part of the scene. It makes sense, after all. Why should we wait for the magazines (and incestuous relationship with various corporations) to tell us what's going on? I'm not sure why Abe Gurko of I Mean... What?!?, a fashion/pop culture bloggers who is even crankier than me, was surprised:

Leading up to fashion week I was inundated with news about fashion bloggers. New ones, old ones, newly famous ones, bloggers photographed by Anna Wintour, a blogger that actually hired a publicist, others touting their front row-ness, bloggers who were cast in ad campaigns, bloggers sponsored by major fashion brands, bloggers with capsule collections, bloggers hosting events…and then I realized…that fashion bloggers are the new black. And that’s not necessarily a good thing.


The phenomenon of fashion bloggers rising to power has surprised me as much as it has magazine publishers. Who would have thunk that in many cases bloggers would be deemed more relevant than established fashion editors; replacing them in the front row and dressed up as the new guard?

Abe is worried this might be a passing fad. I'm not sure why, really. The world and the media have shifted in a very fundamental way. It will take years until we will be able to fully assess the change and the depth of its impact. I don't know where we go from here, but definitely not away. Black is black, no matter who brings you the commentary on how to wear it, and I plan to stay around and tell you which lipstick goes best with it.

Top photo: myvintagevogue.com
Fashion Week photos: WWD

Vogue UK predicts we'll see some naked lashes and eyes this fall. Based on designer Christopher Kane's fall/winter 2010 ready-to-wear show, Vogue UK names the no mascara look as one of the hottest new beauty trends of the year. Looking at photos from the show, it's not just mascara that's missing. Eyes are barely defined and the liner, if any is used, is soft brown. This explains the several medium brown eye pencils that have appeared around here (I have a couple of reviews coming), but I can't say I'm excited about it.

As someone who's rather keen on looking alive and is no longer a spring chicken, defining my eyes is quite an important part of doing my makeup. Otherwise it comes scarily close to exposing the world to the way I look when I first wake up. This particular pleasure is reserved for my nearest and dearest, most who are feline and don't care one way or the other.

How about you? Are you ready for pale lashes? It works for Tilda Swinton, after all.

Photos: vogue.co.uk

I hope she is, otherwise it's hard to explain why Salma Hayek found it necessary t o squeeze herself into this serving wench costume. It looks highly uncomfortable.

Photo: I'm Not Obsessed

I was close to giving up on live blogging the Emmys red carpet. Between being semi high on DayQuil for an ultra-wicked cold and watching Ryan Seacrest trying to interview the Jersey Shore people, I was ready to doze off with the sound of little Sophie purring in my lap. Seriously, what could I possibly say when after a brief exposure to Snooki I start thinking Kim Kardashian is one of the classier looking women out there?

But then some trends started to emerge, I saw Lauren Graham in a gorgeous Yigal Azrouel gown that had all the magic of old Hollywood and the Mad Men ladies dropped the ball so spectacularly that I actually found a thing or two to say.
So back to Kim Kardashian, who really looked stunning. Both the dress (Marchesa) and her hair and makeup are a serious upgrade from what we see from her too often.


Lauren Graham plays an insufferable character on Parenthood, which is probably not very easy. Her red carpet appearances are usually great and this dress is no different. It's the hair that I'm not really loving. There's so much great hair tonight, whoever worked on Lauren could have done better.

**Did I just hear Giulianna Rancic telling Dianna Agron from Glee that she's not big enough a star to not talk about her personal life? Can someone please slap this woman for me?**



Back to hair, there are some clear trends all on the soft side- soft wavy updos, pony tails that aren't pulled back too tightly and natural soft waves (from experience, I can tell you that some of us need about 4 hours of work to get that "natural").




Two people had cleavage issues: Seal and Christina Hendricks. Seal can only blame himself (and maybe Heidi) for not buttoning up, Christina was camera-abused by the director in that juvenile move. Ugh. Then there was her hair, which can only be described as a mess. And was it my TV screen or did she have something stuck in her teeth when she arrived?






Another Mad Men mess was January Jones and the blue Versace dress on its stiff crinoline, uneven length and those little ramekins at the front. What was that all about?

And wasn't the opening act the best one ever?

Photos: Faded Youth Blog and Just Jared

Hilary Duff was born in 1987, which means she doesn't remember the eighties. I guess it's a good enough excuse for this outfit, but seriously- doesn't it look like she's hearing Kajagoogoo in her head?  Personally, these jeans are giving me nightmares straight of my junior high years, but I almost like the yellow pumps. They just need a better outfit to go with them.

Photo: Socialite Life

I love NYC's Elizabeth Street and not just because of Le Labo. It's full of indie designers and retro stores and I always manage to find something special to wear. Last weekend it was a gorgeous dress by Anya Ponorovskaya. The tiny boutique feels like Wonderland for those of us who likes exquisitely cut feminine dresses. There's a vintage vibe there, but Ponorovskaya's designs are timeless and very sexy and the fabrics- cotton and silk- are modern and crisp.

There are also shoes and accessories, but it were the dresses that mesmerized me. They are so well-made and have no other purpose than to make you feel pretty. The dress I got has a similar shape to the one above, but is made of a lace overlay and a red silk slip. It's figure-friendly and made me feel like I just stepped out of the Mad Men set.

Just call me Joanie.

Anya Ponorovskaya has four boutiques- the one on 235 Elizabeth street as well as a bridal store on 167 Elizabeth (there's a gorgeous white version of my dress), and two other locations: in Brooklyn and in Miami. If you're in the area, check out Caffe Falai on  265 Lafayette Street. It's a great Italian place, as authentic as they come. I love their poached pigs with ricotta cheese and their crepe cake is dreamy- layers of thin delicate crepes with perfect creme patissier. Seriously- don't miss the desserts.

Photos:
examiner.com
cherrypatter.com

I usually like America Ferrera's style. She goes for curve-hugging, romantic silhouettes that enhance her figure and go well with her face. I'm just not sure this Catherine Malandrino dress is the best choice. Malandrino is quite infamous for cuts that don't embrace the idea women might have breasts, while America Ferrera definitely has them. I'm not all that crazy about the draping or whatever it is on her hips, but it might just be me. Still America is glowing and pretty (and has a cute fiance).

Photos: Just Jared

Aptly named the O'Hara gown, this embossed organza dress ($2200) is the best tool to make your bridesmaids weep, just as the J. Crew model is about to do in the photo.

Photo: jcrew.com

Fill in the blank:
In 10 years Rihanna is going to look at these photos and________________________

Photos: Just Jared

Most of us have given up on trying to figure out Katie Holmes and her universe long time ago. Maybe one day Isabella and Connor Cruise would write a tell-all book revealing the secrets of their father, his wives and Suri's wardrobe, but until then all we can do is wear our "Save Katie" t-shirts and dream of a Pacie-Joey reunion.

As for these two looks, I really can't figure this out. For someone who shops at Hermes as often as I go to Whole Foods, one would really hope Katie can put together better outfits. Especially since both photos were taken in NYC today, and I can tell you neither one is weather-appropriate.

Photos: Dlisted

Proving that even beautiful and usually stylish people can make poor a fashion choice, Diane Kruger wore these unfortunate pants to the Paris premier of her new film Lily Sometimes (here she's photographed with co-star Ludivine Sagnier). The cut, rise, wrinkly fabric and length are painfully unflattering. Her cute Chanel purse and sexy peep-toes deserve better than this.

Photo: Just Jared

If this is the newest thing from L.A.M.B. and certain young people are going to start wearing diaper jeans then we're in for an interesting fashion season. No one, not even Gwen Stefani, can pull of this look. If you have drapy fabric hanging between your legs you're going to look ridiculous, not hot. And pleated jeans are never ever a good idea. Just look at your 80s photos and remind yourself why (hint: they go so well with a Bill Cosby sweater).

Photo: Dlisted

There are some seriously gorgeous and tempting items in Diane Von Furstenberg's pre-fall collection . Unfortunately, neither the Long Wool-Cashmere Knit Cardigan ($385) nor the Beasley Anorak Jacket ($525) are among them. I have no idea why anyone thought these frumpy items were a good idea both for DVF and for Neiman Marcus, but there you have it. On the other hand, I've already started planning makeup looks (and different shoes) for this dress:


All photos: neimanmarcus.com

It's been unseasonably hot and humid here the last few days. It usually means no big fashion statements as everyone tries to keep cool and not melt. I've been wearing little summer dresses  (a-line shaped that don't cling too much), light flowy scarves that play double duty: protecting my cleavage from the sun and a quick cover-up when entering heavy a/c areas.  I'm also wearing straw hats and twisting my hair into a messy bun with a few renegade curls that pop out of it. It's all about surviving the heat with some dignity intact.

Celebs are facing the same weather. Who's nailed it? Who do you think missed?
What are you wearing in this weather?

Whitney Port- long braid, short jumpers:



Anne Hathaway- side ponytail, strapless dress:

January Jones- hat, black and white


Celeb photos: Just Jared, Socialite Life, Faded Youth Blog
Bette Davis and Joan Blondell: myvintagevogue.com

And it shows.

The dresses from Victoria Beckham's line are quite nice, but many of them seem to be designed and tailored for Posh's own body type. Jessica is beautiful from her collarbone up, but her poor boobs don't seem all that happy to be squished like that. The apron thing on the lower half was not a good idea, either.

Photo: Just Jared

Even my love for Sarah Jessica Parker can't blind me to the fact she's wearing the ugliest, most unflattering and utterly ridiculous khakis. I'm not crazy about the rest of the outfit, but these pants on all their pleats and banded ankles glory are an 80s nightmare. Actually even back then no one dared taking khakis to this level.

Photo: Faded Youth Blog

Maybe it's me. Perhaps I've been completely wrong in assuming handbag designer Anya Hindmarch was about luxury and a certain highbrow style, even when mass producing. It's not that I was all too crazy about the idea of Anya Hindmarch for Target, but hey, everybody's doing that; I don't buy the fashion equivalent of fast food anyway.

But these $230 a piece totes strike me as an incredibly cynical move. I get the feeling Ms. Hindmarch has really lost respect for her clients. As far as I'm concerned, the feeling is mutual.

Photos: net-a-porter.com

I had no plans to blog about last night's Costume Institute Gala at the Met, but then I saw the photos. It's actually an interesting event as far as red carpets go, because the focus is really on fashion and the attendees tend to take more risk than during award show season. Some of them shouldn't.

Behold Tina Fey and her pleated jumpsuit:



Katy Perry and her Thomas Kinkade dress:


Chloe Sevigny:




Whoever did this to Christina Hendricks and January Jones should be fired:



And because I just looked at photos of Donatella Versace and need to cleanse my palette, here are some of the true beauty and style icons. The established ones and those forming right in front of us:


Photos: Dlisted,Faded Youth Blog and Socialite Life