Betsey Johnson, the fashion designer best known for her feminine and whimsical designs, has filed for bankruptcy protection.  As a result 350 employees will lose their jobs and most the brand’s 63 stores will close.  Betsey will continue to design for Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales and Nordstrom, along with a handful of flagship locations.

As a result of this recent news starting this Friday shoppers will find incredible savings of 20-50% on all Betsey Johnson apparel, jewelry, handbags and shoes. All store fixtures such as apparel racks, shelving and lighting are also available for sale.

“While the sales are ongoing, Betsey Johnson customers are still our main priority. We hope that they use this opportunity to find great discounts on all of the latest Betsey Johnson fashions,” said Jonathan Friedman, Chief Operating & Financial Officer of Betsey Johnson LLC. “I recommend that customers shop early so that they can take advantage of the sale, as merchandise will not be replenished once it has been sold.”

All Betsey Johnson stores will honor gift cards until June 1. All sales made on or after Friday, May 11, 2012 are final. Going-out-of-business sales are taking place at all 54 U.S. Betsey Johnson stores and at all nine Betsey Johnson outlets.

Many of her designs are considered “over the top” and embellished. She is also known for doing a cartwheel at the end of her fashion shows.

NBC made her a “Fashion Star” and now designer and mentor, Nicole Richie, will have the opportunity to design a capsule collection for Macy’s.  Launching in 100 Macy’s stores and on macys.com in September, the collection will be a continuation of the designer capsule series for the retailer’s contemporary fashion Impulse department. “Nicole Richie for Impulse only at Macy’s” will feature exclusive, limited-edition apparel inspired by Richie’s trendsetting personal style, including 1970s influenced silhouettes, prints and fabrications. Richie’s covetable designs for Macy’s will infuse fluid garments with bohemian glamour, offering fashion-forward looks at an affordable price.

“Macy’s is the epitome of American fashion,” said Nicole Richie. “Their iconic stamp on the world of retail has not only touched the lives of consumers, but has also become a significant part of pop culture. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to work with Macy’s and create a collection that channels the individual artist in all of us.”

The Nicole Richie capsule will pay homage to the fashion icon’s lux bohemian style with looks that easily transition from day to night. From maxis and asymmetrical skirts, to cropped tops and fitted jackets, this collection offers a well-rounded assortment of silhouettes that play to her mood. Retro prints take center stage in the form of bold peacock kaleidoscope, feather and deco chevron, while matte satin, velvet and chiffon fabrications add sophistication. Jewel tones anchor the color palette, while complementary gold and imperial blue hues create pops of color throughout. Ranging in price from approximately $49 – $149, “Nicole Richie for Impulse only at Macy’s” is made for the fashion- and budget-conscious woman who is looking for styles that are individualistic and sophisticated.

“We are extremely excited to have Nicole Richie design the next capsule for our Impulse designer series,” said Jeff Gennette, Macy’s chief merchandising officer. “Not only is she on everyone’s best dressed list, but her talent for fashion and design, as well as her charismatic persona resonate with our Impulse customer.”

Richie’s personal style has become popular among fans and fashion critics and has led to her status as a fashion impresario and icon. In February 2010, Richie expanded her fashion business with a women’s line called Winter Kate, her daughter’s two middle names. The collection was inspired by timeless prints and shapes, beautiful paisley and florals. In 2010, she won “Entrepreneur of the Year” for her House of Harlow 1960 brand at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards. House of Harlow 1960 was also nominated in the category “Celebrity Fashion Line” at the 2010 Teen Choice Awards. In July 2011, it was announced that Richie would be one of the three mentors in NBC’s hit reality show “Fashion Star.”

Photo: Courtesy of Macy’s

On Monday, May 7th what has been dubbed the “Oscars of Fashion“, the 2012 Costume Institute Gala took place at the Temple of Dendur at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. This year’s gala celebrates the lives of two fashion icons; Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada. The exhibition is called Impossible Conversations and opens to the public on May 10th.

Co-Chairs Carey Mulligan and Anna Wintour in Prada

The 2012 gala was attended by 800 guests and had the strongest showing of star power with the red carpet arrivals being streamed live. Gala co-chairs this year were actress Carey Mulligan, Designer Miuccia Prada, and Vogue Editor-In-Chief Anna Wintour. All wore Prada to celebrate Miuccia and her accomplishments in the world of fashion.

Nina Dobrev, Camilla Belle and Kate Blanchett

Many celebrities walked the red carpet arm-in-arm with the designer they were wearing giving them a sartorial nod.  Some of my top picks for best dressed were Nina Dobrev in a stunning Donna Karan Atelier gown with a long flowing train, Jimmy Choo shoes, H. Stern jewelry, with a Judith Lieber clutch.  I would have to give a shout out to 25 year old Camilla Belle who sparkled in a low cut champagne colored dress and vintage jewels from the Ralph Lauren collection looking every bit old hollywood glamour. Another red carpet standout at the gala was Actress Kate Blanchett who chose an Alexander McQueen gown in a mermaid silhouette filled with black ostrich feathers.  Her sandals and skull clutch were McQueen and Van Cleef & Arpels jewels accessorized her look.

January Jones, Beyonce and Karolina Kurkova

Mad Men’s January Jones brightened up the red carpet in a canary yellow Versace gown with reflective accents and a statement necklace by Cartier jewels; Beyonce took a risk in a black sheer Givenchy couture gown with purple ombre feathers over a nude bodysuit and Supermodel Karolina Kurkova wore a slim fitted gown designed by Stylist Rachel Zoe with a matching turban.

For more information about the Spring 2012 Costume Institute exhibition, Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations, visit the metmuseum.org

Who is your pick for best dressed?

Photos: Getty Images

What began 40 years ago with a collection of ties has grown into an entire world, redefining American style. Ralph Lauren has always stood for providing quality products, creating worlds and inviting people to take part in our dream. We were the innovators of lifestyle advertisements that tell a story and the first to create stores that encourage customers to participate in that lifestyle.

RalphLauren.com takes this participation to a new level as a rich and exciting interactive destination. When you’re transported into the world of Ralph Lauren online, you can shop for great products for yourself and your home, learn about adventure, style and culture in RL Magazine and on RL TV, find one-of-a-kind vintage pieces and exquisite gifts and much, much more.

Ralph Lauren is hosting a private sale starting today and ending this Monday, May 7th! Save up to 40% off your favorite merchandise! PLUS, if you enter code MAYPS12 at checkout you will receive an ADDITIONAL 15% OFF your order!!

THAT’S NOT ALL: Rugby.com is ALSO having an exclusive Insider Sale now through Wednesday, May 9th! Save up to 40% on select items!  Just click and shop.

Ralph Lauren is more than a brand, it is a lifestyle so visit now and get your shop on.

Fashion Icon and editor-at-large of Vogue Japan Anna Dello Russo has been tapped by swedish mega retailer H&M to be the next big name to design and create a line of accessories. An idol of the blogosphere whose flamboyant outfits are endlessly documented by style photographers and broadcasted globally through the web, Anna Dello Russo proved her unique sense of style creating a special collection of accessories for H&M. Unabashedly glamorous, precious and playful, the range is an expression of Dello Russo’s taste for ornamentation. The line will launch on October 4, 2012, in around 140 H&M stores worldwide and online. The collection will feature jewelry, sunglasses, shoes, bags and a trolley allowing H&M customers uniqueness at an affordable price.

“I am excited by this collaboration: this is the first time H&M involves a Fashion Director in a special project. This is the sign of an important evolution in fashion, and I am both thrilled and humbled to be the one chosen to lead it. I wanted to create precious accessories that are impossible to find. As a stylist I know accessorization is essential: it is the personal touch to any outfit. With these pieces everybody can have fun, turning an ordinary day into a fantastic fashion day”, says Anna Dello Russo.

Famously described by photographer Helmut Newton as a “fashion maniac”, Anna Dello Russo is one of contemporary fashion’s driving forces. An unparalleled eye, she has shaped the way we see fashion today through her groundbreaking work at Vogue Italia, where she served as a Fashion Editor for over twelve years working with photographers such as Helmut Newton, Michel Comte, Walter Chin, and later as the Editor in Chief of L’Uomo Vogue. Currently holding the role of Fashion Director at Large and creative consultant at Vogue Japan, Dello Russo is a darling of the fashion bloggers, whom she likes to please with extravagant get-ups, and countless changes of outfits, during the world’s fashion weeks.

Margareta van den Bosch, Creative Advisor at H&M said in a press release “It’s been extremely exciting to involve Anna Dello Russo in this project, something completely different from what we have done before. Anna has a fantastic eye and a strong taste, apart from being a veritable fashion icon. She produced an extravagant range of accessories that will get H&M customers and everyone in love with fashion excited. The collection is a celebration of excess, fantasy and decoration”

If you ever wondered what it would be like to stare into the closet of a Vogue editor and fashion icon then you MUST watch the video below.

 Problems viewing the video: Watch on You Tube

Photos: Courtesy of H&M

The Metropolitan Museum’s Costume Institute Gala has often been dubbed the “Oscars of Fashion“.  The Spring 2012 gala will take place on May 7th and this year for the first time the red carpet arrivals will be streamed live on three different sites. Starting at 6:30pm ET you are invited to join me at the biggest fashion soiree on the east coast.  Hosted by Model Elettra Wiedemann and journalist William Norwich the red carpet coverage can be viewed online at Amazon , Vogue.com and the Metropolitan Museum of Art/Met Gala.

I will also be live tweeting the red carpet arrivals starting at 6:30pm so be sure to follow me on Twitter @FashionistaNYC.  The hosts will be taking your questions on Twitter using hashtag #metquestions from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

The Met Gala proceeds the opening of the Spring 2012 exhibit titled Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations.  The opening night gala will be co-chaired by actress Carey Mulligan, designer Miuccia Prada, and US Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. The exhibit, which is located on the first floor of the museum, will explore the striking affinities between these two Italian designers from different eras which was inspired by Miguel Covarrubias’s “Impossible Interviews” for Vanity Fair.

The gallery at the Costume Institute opens to the public on May 10th and runs through August 19, 2012.

Be sure to mark your calendars now and join me for all the glamour and the glitz that fashion has to offer.

Related Article: Costume Institute 2012 exhibit will feature the fashion of Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada

Photo by: Larry Busacca/Getty Images

Macy’s Friends and Family sale runs from Wednesday, April 24th through Monday, April 30th.  Macy’s is offering shoppers up to 25% OFF regular, sale and clearance items both online and in-store.  To shop online at macys.com enter code FRIEND at checkout.  Macy’s offers Free Shipping on all orders of $99.00+.

Prefer to shop in-store? Print the savings pass and present to cashier.

TO GET EXTRA SAVINGS: Place qualifying items in your shopping bag; then enter promo code FRIEND in the box labeled “HAVE A PROMO CODE?” and click “APPLY.” You can enter the promo code in your shopping bag at any time. Only one promo code may be used per transaction. EXTRA 25% OFF reg., sale and clearance prices, with exclusions listed. EXTRA 10% OFF electrics, electronics, lighting, furniture, mattresses & rugs, with exclusions listed. EXCLUDES: Coach (online only), Le Creuset (online only), TAG Heuer, Tempur-Pedic mattresses, baby gear, kids’ shoes, cosmetics, fragrances and toys. Not valid with other passes or discount offers. Not valid on Everyday Values, Gift Cards, Gift Certificates, prior purchases or gift wrap. Friends & Family discount code valid online April 24-April 30, 2012; online & in-store April 25-April 30, 2012.

Be sure to check out the contemporary designers in the Impulse Shop for the latest trends.  That’s the Magic of Macy’s.

Saks Fifth Avenue is kicking off it’s Friends and Family sale. Take 20% off online at saks.com from April 23rd through April 29th by entering promo code FRIENDS at checkout.  Spend $200 or more and get Free Shipping.  Just enter promo code: SFA2012 at checkout.

In store savings start on April 25th.  Save 15% on jewelry.  Cosmetics and fragrances are excluded from the sale.

Here is the complete breakdown of exclusions:

*Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH stores, SAKS FASHIONFIX merchandise, Fashion Star® merchandise, international orders and beauty and fragrance not included. Offer valid on Saks.com purchases from Monday, April 23, 2012 at 12:01 AM (ET) through Sunday, April 29, 2012 at 11:59 PM (ET). Offer valid at Saks Fifth Avenue stores and catalog purchases from Wednesday, April 25, 2012 to Sunday, April 29, 2012. To redeem online enter promotional code: FRIENDS at checkout. Limit of five promo codes per order. Qualifying items will be designated on the site with an indication on their product page. Valid on shipments to US addresses only. Not valid on international shipments. Excluded from this event is pre-order merchandise at Saks.com, select designer collections, select leased departments, bridal salon, bridal sample sale, Martin Lawrence Art Gallery, The Fur Salon, select fine jewelry and watch collections and jewelry and watch repairs. Discount may vary on Saks.com, in-store and catalog purchases. Cannot be combined with any other coupon in store, locator transactions, redeemed for cash or used toward payment on Saks Fifth Avenue credit card accounts. To receive this discount in-store, the invitation must be presented at point of sale each time a purchase is made. Not valid on previous purchases, shipping charges, gift card purchases, taxes, gift wrap, store restaurants and salons. Saks Fifth Avenue reserves the right to limit quantities. The Shops at Riverside and Tulsa stores are closed Sundays. All Saks Incorporated associates and those shopping on Saks accounts earning a discount are not eligible. No adjustments to prior purchases.

To shop at any Saks location print the savings pass above and present in store.

Enjoy savings on some of the top designers and if you are in NYC stop in to visit the only shoe department that has it’s own zip code!!

On Wednesday, April 11th Hollie sung Perfect by Pink.  The judges did not feel her performance was “perfect” but she was praised for her style on stage.  For her performance Hollie wore a white lace sheer illusion short dress with a feathered skirt by Jovani.  She added a bracelet by PRB Private Collection, earrings by Bebe and shoes by Steve Madden.

To watch Hollie’s performance on the top 7 show visit americanidol.com

What did you think of Hollie’s look this week?  Follow Hollie’s tweets @CavanaghAI11.

Photos: American Idol

Lord & Taylor is hosting their Friends and Family sale both online and in-store. The sale runs from Saturday, April 14th through Sunday, April 22nd.

Receive 25% OFF  regular & sale when you use promo code: FRIENDS at checkout. All orders of $99.00+ get Free Shipping or get free two day shipping by signing up for a free 30 day trial with ShopRunner.  Beauty and fragrance purchases are shipped free when you spend $49.00.

The discount is 10% OFF Cosmetics, Fragrances, Beauty Accessories, and Home Electrics/Electronics.

The following exclusions apply to this offer:

REGULAR AND SALE PRICE ITEMS FROM Allen Edmonds, Aquatalia, Coach, Ecco, Dyson, Frye FitFlop, Herve Leger, Hunter, Longines, Jeffrey Campbell, Johnston & Murphy, Marc by Marc Jacobs shoes, Merrell, Movado, Nicole Miller Bridal, Stuart Weitzman, Tag Heuer, Tumi & Ugg; men’s Cole Haan shoes, men’s Lacoste shoes. Smart Value items; diamond solitaire rings and special event promotions in Fine Jewelry; charity-related merchandise & gift cards. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Bonus savings % applied to reduced prices.

To shop online visit Lord&Taylor.com.  To shop in-store print the Savings Pass or go green and have the savings pass sent to your phone by texting SALE to 95555.

Happy Shopping!!  Happy Savings to my Friends and Family.

Gossip Girl costume designer and Emmy award winner Eric Daman is a significant fashion stylist whose influence in fashion is undeniable.

Daman was born in Paris, grew up in Michigan, and went on to study French literature at the Sorbonne.  While in Paris he met famed editorial Photographer Steven Meisel.

Daman made his transition out of modelling after moving to the United States and taking a job as an assistant to Patricia Field on three series of ‘Sex and the City.

Eric has also published a ‘Style Guide’ named ‘You Know You Want It’ earning him a reputation as a trend setter. His influence in fashion has lead to designing party dress collections for Charlotte Russe, a menswear collaboration with Macys and most recently a capsule collection of tights for DKNY leg wear.

In designing a luxury accessories collection for Atelier Swarovski’s Spring Summer 2012 range, Eric Daman’s ‘Native Modern’ collection fuses an ancient theme with the pioneering spirit of Swarovski. The latest Swarovski crystal mosaic and ceramic are combined with American Indian aesthetics. The show-stopping jewelry line creates impact through use of bright hues and textural diversity finished with antique detailing on the metalwork which adds to the tribal feel.

“I was very inspired by the mosaic and ceramic stones in Swarovski’s newest collection. They felt so modern and a very fresh take on the crystals we are so used to seeing. Swarovski is such a pioneer and so iconic that I really wanted to represent the brand as such with my designs. Fusing the new technology with an ancient native influence seemed like the perfect combination. The rich turquoise and opals of their new stones combined with the brilliance of deep Indian reds and yellows punctuated by Aurora Borealis crystals really brought the designs to life and stay true to my original native meets modern inspiration“, he stated.

To shop the collection visit Atelier Swarovski

Photos: Atelier Swarowski

XOXO

From Left to Right: Miranda Lambert who took home Female Vocalist of the Year was a golden goddess in a Randi Rahm halter gown with Fred Leighton jewels; Winner for Entertainer of the Year Taylor Swift wore a J. Mendel column gown with sexy cutouts, Christian Louboutin heels and Lorraine Schwartz jewels; Former Idol Winner and Country Music Star Carrie Underwood looked ethereal in a Abed Mahfouz gown accessorized with Oscar de la Renta  peep-toe heels, Johnathon Amdt jewels and a Swarovski bag.

From Left to Right: Nicole Kidman looked chic in black L’Wren Scott cocktail-length gown with jewels by Cartier; Sugarland Star Jennifer Nettles chose a watermelon colored custom Max Azria gown and Kimberly McDonald earrings; Singer Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum which won Vocal Group of the Year looked flirty and feminine in a black low cut long Emilio Pucci column gown with David Webb gems and a shiny Bulgari clutch.

Who is your favorite for Best Dressed? Comment below..

Photos: Getty Images

]]> http://fashiondevelopmentgroup.com/2012/04/02/acm-awards-2012-best-dressed/feed 0 http://fashiondevelopmentgroup.com/2012/03/26/bloomingdales-friends-and-family-sale-march-26th-april-1st http://fashiondevelopmentgroup.com/2012/03/26/bloomingdales-friends-and-family-sale-march-26th-april-1st#comments Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:26:40 +0000 Sheryl Blasnik http://fashiondevelopmentgroup.com/?p=4423

Bloomingdale’s Friends and Family sale has launched online today with 20% off and begins in-store on Wednesday, March 28th.  If you want to avoid the long lines Pre-Sale has begun in the stores.  You can shop today and just return anytime between March 28th and April 1st to just grab your pre-paid merchandise and be on your way.

There are exclusions so ask a Sales Associate to be sure your picks qualify for the 20% off.  Bloomingdale’s is also offering Free Shipping on all orders of $150.00+ and $50+ on beauty orders.

Here is the breakdown:

Take 20% off almost all regular- and sale-priced purchases from Women, Men, Kids, and Home. Take 10% off almost all regular- and sale-priced purchases from Small Electrics and Men’s Electronics. Offer valid online March 26, 2012 through April 1, 2012. Offer valid in store March 28, 2012 through April 1, 2012. Offer valid at the Bergen County Bloomingdale’s Store March 28, 2012 through March 31, 2012. Offer excludes merchandise from Women: Agent Provocateur, Chanel, Marc Jacobs Collection, Moncler, Ralph Lauren Collection, online only: The North Face®, Nike. Men: Burberry Prorsum, Canada Goose, Etro, Moncler, Ovadia & Sons, Polo Black Label, Polo Black Label Denim, PS Paul Smith, Turnbull & Asser, UGG® Australia, Villebrequin, Z Zegna, Zegna Sport, online only: The North Face®, Nike. Shoes: Chanel, Christian Dior, Fendi, Jimmy Choo, Miu Miu, Prada, UGG® Australia, online only: UGG® Collection, COACH, The North Face®, Nike, Stuart Weitzman. Handbags: Bottega Veneta, Chanel, Chloe, Dior, Fendi, Jimmy Choo, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Miu Miu, Prada, Ralph Lauren Collection, online only: COACH. Accessories: Pandora, Chanel, online only: The North Face®, COACH, UGG® Australia, Balenciaga Sunglasses. Fine Jewelry: David Yurman, Tacori Bridal, Tacori Bridal Consignment, Tag Heuer. Home: Rimowa, Temper-Pedic, online only: Le Creuset. Kids: Bugaboo, Moncler, UGG® Australia, online only: The North Face®. Offer excludes Gift Cards, Interior Design Special Orders, Martines Chocolates, Maxmillion Fur Services, Restaurants, Cosmetics & Fragrances, Space Nk, Rug Cleaning Services, and Shop At Home Services. Small Electrics and Men’s Electronics receive 10% off. Only one Friends & Family promotional code may be used per order on Bloomingdales.com. Cannot be combined with any other certificate offer. No adjustments to prior purchases. Selection may differ in store, see a sales associate for details. All employees of Bloomingdale’s and its affiliates are excluded from all Friends and Family offers. Not valid in Bloomingdale’s Dubai and Bloomingdale’s The Outlet Stores.

Bloomie’s also recently launched their new Loyalist Program.  It is FREE to join and allows you to earn points for your purchases.  If you have a Bloomingdale’s charge card you can earn three points on every dollar you spend online and in store.

To shop in-store print the Savings Pass above.  To shop online at Bloomingdales.com use code FRIENDS at checkout.

Were you sad to see Sex and the City end?  Still missing Carrie Bradshaw?  Candace Bushnell’s prequel book The Carrie Diaries is coming to the CW11.

The Carrie Diaries is the coming-of-age story of one of the most iconic characters of our generation.  Replacing Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw will be 18 year old AnnaSophia Robb.

The CarrieDiaries writer/executive producer Amy B. Harris said: “The search for Carrie Bradshaw was an exciting adventure. Having been a part of the Sex and the City series, I felt such an honor and responsibility to the fans of the show to find someone who embodied the spirit of Manhattan’s favorite ‘It’ girl. When AnnaSophia Robb walked into the room, we knew we had found her. Her grace, intelligence, sense of fun and her empathetic nature make her the perfect girl to bring our young Carrie to life. The fact that she loves a gorgeous pair of heels doesn’t hurt either.”

This week Warner Bros. Television released the first photo of Robb dressed in 1980′s vintage with the Manhattan skyline as the backdrop.

Emmy-winning costume designer Eric Daman (Sex and the City, Gossip Girl) said: “It’s a rare invitation to dress a character whose reputation truly precedes her. Having played a hand in designing for the Carrie we know and love, I am honored to be chosen to carry the torch – to illuminate the woman we know by discovering the young lady she was.”

With an unforgettable cast of characters, The Carrie Diaries is the story of how a regular girl learns to think for herself and evolves into a sharp, insightful writer. Readers will learn about her family background, how she found her writing voice, and the indelible impression her early friendships and relationships left on her. Through adventures both audacious and poignant, we’ll see what brings Carrie to her beloved New York City, where her new life begins.

Amy Harris (Gossip Girl) wrote the script and is executive producing with Bushnell, Schwartz, Savage and Len Goldstein

The Carrie Diaries pilot is in pre-production.

Photo Credit: Eric Liebowitz

Are you a die hard American Idol fan who keeps your finger on the redial key every Wednesday night voting for your favorite contestant to be safe?  In it’s 11th season now American Idol recently received an incredible 10 Primetime Emmy® Award nominations, more than any other reality program on television and the most nominations in the show’s history.

To win American Idol the three judges, Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler stress that a contestant must have the “total package”… vocals, personality and look like a star.

Kohl’s Department stores has announced plans to launch an exclusive American Idol apparel collection. Bringing together fashion, music and entertainment, the newly created American Idol fashion brand — Authentic Icon (AI – The same initials as American Idol) — will be available exclusively at Kohl’s and Kohls.com beginning April 2012.

“This launch brings together a national retailer and award-winning television show to create a new collection for customers,” said Kevin Mansell, Kohl’s chairman, president and chief executive officer. “We are excited to collaborate with American Idol, a leading entertainment platform in pop culture, and are confident this partnership makes Kohl’s an immediate consumer destination this spring.”

Prominently positioned in the junior’s and young men’s departments, the AI spring collection will be available in Kohl’s stores through June to coincide with American Idol’s 11th season.

“For over a decade American Idol has seamlessly woven fashion and music together to transform lives and create music icons,” said David Luner, EVP of Consumer Products and Interactive for FremantleMedia Enterprises. “It was a natural extension to partner on a line of American Idol inspired apparel that captures the essence of our rich music, style and performance heritage.”

The collection is a mix of junior separates with a grunge rock and roll vibe in Americana colors.  Expect to see printed tees, striped denim pants, vests, blazers and denim jackets.

Photos: Kohl’s

CAID PRODUCTIONS is proud to announce the U.S. theatrical premiere of its latest feature documentary, GOD SAVE MY SHOES in New York City at QUAD Cinema on March 30th. It is the first film that explores the intense relationship between women and their shoes.

Written and directed by JULIE BENASRA, “God Save My Shoes” explores why shoes are the most seductive and addictive item in a womanʼs closet and how shoes have become a totem object, outshining all fashion accessories.

To understand the magic power of shoes, “God Save My Shoes” journeyed into womenʼs psyche and closets, examining the psychological, sociocultural, and erotic significance of these objects. The quest to decipher why shoes trigger such fiery emotions among most women (and quite a few men) took the production to New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Toronto, Milan, and Florence to interview those who play a role in the global shoe phenomenon: extreme shoe-lovers and everyday women, fashion historians and editors, psychologists, sex experts, as well as shoe fetishists. “God Save my Shoes” also turned to celebrities such as Fergie, Dita Von Teese, Kelly Rowland, star designers Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, Walter Steiger, Pierre Hardy, Bruno Frisoni, Robert Clergerie, and fashion expert Barbie.

“When I started this film, little did I know I was actually going to explore the feminine condition, whether I looked at it from a psychological, historical or sexual angle. Now I just canʼt slip into a shoe the same way I used to”, says Director Julie Benasra.

Witty, glamorous, insightful and sassy, this film proposes an offbeat and captivating answer to the universal, passionate, and sensual relationship between women and their shoes.  A fascinating portrait of the modern woman through the history and cultural significance of shoes—from ancient elevated soles to todayʼs skyscraping stilettos, from Marilyn Monroe to Sex & the City – that reveals how shoes have come to occupy such a pivotal place in pop culture, sexuality and womenʼs lives.

For every theatre ticket of GOD SAVE MY SHOES sold at the QUAD, CAID Productions will donate to Soles4Souls who will distribute a pair of shoes to someone in need. Soles4Souls is an established charity that has distributed over 15 million pairs of gently used shoes worldwide.

“God Save My Shoes” is having an exclusive one week run at Quad, NYC from Saturday, March 31st, 2012 until Friday, April 6th, 2012.  Tickets can be purchased in advance at MovieTickets.com

Here is a sneak peek at the Trailer:

(View on You Tube) 

On Wednesday, March 14th The CFDA announced the list of nominees and honorees for the 2012 fashion awards at Diane von Furstenberg’s studio in the meatpacking district.  The CFDA Awards will take place on Monday, June 4th at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall and will be hosted by Seth Meyers from Saturday Night Live.

The Council of Fashion Designers of America, Inc, (CFDA) is a not-for-profit trade association founded in 1962 that leads industry-wide initiatives and whose membership consists of more than 400 of America’s foremost womenswear, menswear, jewelry, and accessory designers.

Womenswear Designer of the Year Nominees

Marc Jacobs  Twitter | Website

Ashley & Mary-Kate Olsen for The Row  Twitter | Website

Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler  Twitter | Website

Menswear Designer of the Year Nominees

Patrik Ervell  Twitter | Website

Billy Reid  Twitter | Website

Simon Spurr  Twitter | Website

Accessory Designer of the Year Nominees

Alexander Wang  Twitter | Website

Reed Krakoff   | Website

Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler  Twitter | Website

Swarovski Award For Emerging Talent in Womenswear Nominees

Joseph Altuzarra  Twitter | Website

Chris Peters & Shane Gabier for Creatures of the Wind  Twitter | Website

Max Osterweis & Erin Beatty for Suno  Twitter | Website

Swarovski Award For Emerging Talent in Menswear Nominees

Antonio Azzuolo  Twitter | Website

Todd Snyder  Twitter | Website

Phillip Lim  Twitter | Website

Swarovski Award For Emerging Talent in Accessory Design

Tabitha Simmons  Twitter | Website

Pamela Love  Twitter | Website

Irene Neuwirth  Twitter | Website

Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award Winner

Tommy Hilfiger  Twitter | Website

International Award Winner

Rei Kawakubo  Twitter | Website

Eleanor Lambert Founders Award Winner

Andrew Rosen

Eugenia Sheppard Media Award Winners

Scott Schuman & Garance Doré

Fashion Icon Award Winner

Johnny Depp

Congratulations to all the nominees!! Best of luck to all of you.

Photo: Getty Images

After waiting quite some time Club Monaco is set to start selling it’s apparel and accessories online.

The Club Monaco brand is an international men’s and women’s lifestyle brand with a distinctly urban casual point of view, best defined as a play of opposites: mining vintage with new, hard with soft and eclecticism with minimalism. Each season, Club Monaco offers customers must have fashion and key pieces that together are the foundation of a modern wardrobe.

Club Monaco has a legacy of working with world-renowned photographers, such as Patrick Demarchelier, Peter Lindbergh, Bert Stern, Mario Testino, Walter Chin, Richard Avedon, and Ryan McGinley. While photography remains an integral component of the brand including the in-store experience, the collections have evolved beyond black and white.

The E-commerce site will go live on March 26th.  To celebrate their launch the company will offer free shipping and free returns through April.  If March 26th is too long to wait then become a Fan on Facebook and you can shop starting online at ClubMonaco.com on March 23rd.  The Spring Look Book is also online now on Facebook.

Until then you can check out their Tumblr called Culture Club.

Here is an insider tip for those who are unaware.  Club Monaco offers a 20% discount both in-store and online with a valid student ID card.

Harper’s Bazaar and Estée Lauder know you are Fabulous at Every Age and to prove it they want to award you $10,000.

Sophisticated, elegant and provocative, Harper’s Bazaar is the style resource for women who are the first to buy the best, from casual to couture. With style, authority and insider insight, Bazaar focuses strictly on fashion and beauty, and covers what’s new to what’s next.

Stop by the Estée Lauder counter at the Saks Fifth Avenue store nearest you, and learn how you could win $5,000—or even the $10,000 grand prize—in Bazaar’s Fabulous at Every Age reader search. Enter by submitting a fabulous photo of yourself— and that’s where Estée Lauder comes in!

The experts at Estée Lauder will help you get photo fabulous with a professionally styled makeup look along with camera-ready tips on everything from beauty to clothes to your pose. Then learn how to take your best entry photo and post it on bazaar.com for a chance to be one of our 2012 Fabulous at Every Age winners.

Whatever your age (20, 40, 60—who cares?), let Estée Lauder bring out the fabulous in you!  Please see the official rules for entry. No purchase is necessary to win.

For more details, go to bazaar.com/fabulouscontest.

Hurry as the contest ends on Monday, March 19th.  BE FABULOUS!!!

On Tuesday, March 6th CFDA President Diane von Furstenberg spoke to the press and students at The Fashion Institute of Technology.  She opened the evening talking about her early marriage to Prince Egon von Furstenburg with whom she shares two children.  Diane always wanted to have a career all her own and with the success of her wrap dress in the early 70′s she launched a fashion empire.  By 1976 she had sold over a million of these dresses and at age 28 she appeared on the cover of Newsweek Magazine wearing her infamous wrap dress.  She shared a photo of the First Lady, Michelle Obama, sitting on the white house lawn with her family wearing the iconic DVF wrap dress.

This Belgian born Fashion Designer went on to talk about her philanthropic involvement.  Diane sits on the board of Vital Voices, a women’s leadership organization that empowers emerging women leaders and social entrepreneurs around the world. In 2010 she established The DVF Awards with The Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation to honor women who have displayed leadership, strength, and courage in their commitment to their causes.  These awards will be presented on Friday, March 9th at The United Nations.

She has also partnered with Anna Wintour of Vogue to create Fashion Night Out, a global initiative originally created in 2009 to celebrate fashion, restore consumer confidence, and boost the industry’s economy during the recession.  Together these two powerful woman put together the CFDA Fashion Fund which is a program designed to support the next generation of fashion designers in New York City.

Von Furstenberg talked about the importance of protecting the Garment District and how she donated $50,000 to launch the Fashion Law Institute at Fordham University.  This contribution was matched by the CFDA.

In 2005, Diane was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) for her impact on fashion, and one year later, was elected the CFDA’s new president, an office she continues to hold for six years now.  This lecture coincided with the launch of a new exhibit at the Museum at FIT called Impact: Fifty Years of the CFDA.  The exhibit runs until April 20th and showcases approximately 100 garments and accessories designed by members of the CFDA.

“Woman inspire me so I design to inspire them, I want my clothes to be your best friend”

At the end of this impressive lecture the program was opened up for questions. When asked what advice she could give to young designers just starting out she turned philosophical and said that “the most important relationship in life is the one you have with yourself“.  She emphasized the importance of asking yourself if your dreams make sense and if they do and you have something to offer then follow your passion.  Fashion does not just come from the classroom, fashion is everywhere…  It is on the streets and all around us.  The internet has revolutionized the way we do business and made it easier to market your brand.

Another fun fact learned that night from Diane herself is that she signs all her tweets with “Love Diane”.  Tweets from @DVF without her name are written by her PR team.

She was also asked about her collaboration with Gap where she has designed a line of children’s clothes set to launch in almost 30 countries on March 15th.  This may have something to do with her three grandchildren and a fourth on the way.

Diane von Furstenberg “has become the woman she always wanted to be“.

Photo: Getty Images

For Fall 2012 Sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy, the designing duo behind the label Rodarte, drew their inspiration from the Australian outback.  A huge fan of the euphonious label I have always been in awe of their creativity and had the privilege of meeting the sisters at the Fashion Institute of Technology when they participated in their lecture series.

This time is was not the garments that I was staring at but rather the footwear when the sisters presented their Fall 2012 on February 14th.  Rodarte has in past seasons collaborated with Nicholas Kirkwood and Christian Louboutin.  In addition the sisters have a shoe collection designed for Opening Ceremony.

“We have always designed shoes for our collections, and we have been very lucky to work with amazing collaborators,” Kate Mulleavy said to WWD. “Each of our collections starts with a shoe idea, so it was a natural move.”

Rodarte is set to release their first mono-branded footwear collection sometime around July to September.  It will be sold at upscale luxury retailers Barneys, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom and Bergdorf Goodman and other boutiques that currently sell their apparel. The shoe collection will feature six looks and will sell for $995 up to $1,500.  The look is very utilitarian and victorian with plexiglass heels filled with color blocked layers of sand.  Other shoes have a two tone pocket knife etching look and feel made out of metal.

Photos: Style.com

Christian Dior, the French fashion house best known for it’s luxury couture, has launched an online magazine called DiorMag.  The idea behind this online technology is to showcase the brand’s history and timeline in addition to using the site as a media outlet to live stream their Fall/Winter 2012-2013 runway show scheduled for Friday, March 2nd at 8:30am ET.  The house will be working with London Fashion Blogger Susie Bubble of StyleBubble to provide live tweets during the show.

DiorMag was launched on February 29th because “days like today don’t come around very often in life. Or in any case, four times less. Every four years, leap day slips in between February 28th and March 1st. For convenience’s sake we call it February 29th, but there’s much more to it than that. It’s a whole extra day – a breach in the calendar, a door that opens onto another time.”

The magazine has launched with eight articles to start with.  There are updates from it’s flagship boutique at 30 Avenue Montaigne.  The online publication tells the backstory of the brand and it’s lifestyle merchandise including their line of accessory and beauty products.  There are editorials to view and new updates to be explored.

In addition, DiorMag will be used to showcase hi-res photos and videos with longer run times.

At the current time the magazine is only available in French and English but plans are to translate the site to other languages.  Future plans also include a version designed specifically for viewing on tablet and mobile devices.

Photo: Dior

Actress Penelope Cruz is gorgeous in Armani Prive with Chopard jewels

The 84th annual Academy Awards took place on Sunday, February 26th at the Hollywood & Highland Center.  This event is the superbowl of fashion.  TV and live stream coverage of the red carpet arrivals started at 5:30pm ET and was shown on E Channel and then on ABC TV.  The twitter stream blew up and the trending topics were actors and actresses.  It is wonderful to see how involved we are with the red carpet arrivals.

The presenters and nominees walked the red carpet and the public anxiously awaiting their arrival.  The Celebrity Stylists worked hard to make each hollywood star shine and shine they did.  Here is the fashion breakdown of WHO WORE WHAT.

(From top left to bottom right)  Milla Jovovich in a one-shoulder Elie Saab FW09 Couture gown; Rooney Mara chose a white Givenchy couture gown with Fred Leighton jewelry; Louise Roe poses in a Black Halo custom gown with a Kara Ross snakeskin clutch and Jacqueline Nerguizian cocktail ring; Best Supporting Actress winner Octavia Spencer dazzles in a Tadashi Shoji gown; Gwyneth Paltrow is cloaked in Tom Ford with Jimmy Choo shoes; Cameron Diaz looks glam in a Gucci Première strapless nude silk gown with chiffon skirt plissé layers & glass bugle beads; The Descendant’s star Shailene Woodley chose a long sleeved high neck Valentino Couture gown and Salvatore Ferragamo shoes; Talk show host Kelly Ripa looks great wearing white Carolina Herrera.

(From top left to bottom right) Emma Stone is hollywood glam in a high neck red Giambattista Valli gown with Louis Vuitton jewelry and clutch worn with Brian Atwood shoes; Stacy Kiebler shines a metallic Marchesa gown; Viola Davis in an emerald Vera Wang gown; Jessica Chastain is just gorgeous in Alexander McQueen with Brian Atwood shoes, and Harry Winston jewelry
; Glenn Close chose to wear forest green Zac Posen; Marilyn’s Michelle Williams channels old hollywood in a peplum ruffled Louis Vuitton with Christian Louboutin shoes, Fred Leighton Jewels and a Bottega Veneta evening bag; Angelina Jolie shows plenty of skin in Atelier Versace ; Natalie Portman is rocking a vintage Christian Dior Couture Dress with Harry Winston jewelry.

Who was your pick for Best Dressed?  Comment…

Photos: Getty Images

For Fall 2012, Joanna Mastroianni takes us on a journey… with Iris Apfel.  The fashion icon and her stunning personal style, incorporating the finest couture in her own unique way inspired Mastroianni to imagine the ultimate fashionista and what she might wear in her favorite haunts around the world.

The journey begins in New York City where Joanna transforms the delicate filigree of tree branches into fabric, embroidery and beading on everything from gowns to necklaces.  As the snow falls the ornamentation shifts to elaborate embroideries of opalescent seed pearls, creamy translucent glass and shimmering silver.

Next stop on the journey is Paris for an evening at Maxims.  Mastroianni’s Muse is adorned in dark sophisticated dresses lavished with bronze, pewter, copper and gold ornamentation.  The elegant evening glove returns.  It is a work of art; feathered, bejeweled and beaded.

As the journey continues there are influences of Asian street style.  Black flashed with red in jackets and tunics with masterful seaming to accentuate a woman’s curves.  The color palette is rich with shades of golden green, vibrant jade and peacock blue.

The collection is filled with artistry at every turn.  There is a wealth of detail hand executed and one-of-a-kind.  Fabrics that appear to be tufted were created by shirring, shredding and cutting silk organza into tiny strips.  Faceted chunks of metal were covered in leather giving the collection a modern edge.

The Fall presentation was imaginative and beautiful.  The combination of rich colors, striking embroidery and mixing of unexpected fabrics created a bold and adventurous collection that is ultra-feminine, young and sexy that floated effortlessly down the catwalk.

“My meticulous attention to details, allows me to create special accessories that are chic, fun and modern. It is all about couture meeting Rock ‘n Roll, and rocking” said Mastroianni.

A video of the Fall 2012 collection can be viewed on the designer’s website.

Photos: WWD

Jen Kao is a NY based Fashion Designer known for innovative tailoring, intricately seamed leather pieces, and experimental knits.  On February 10th Jen presented her Fall 2012 collection at Highline Stages as part of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.  She called the collection “East meets West for nightcaps”.

The collection was relaxed aristocracy defined by the rigidity of masculinity and the fragility of femininity.

Plush, sultry delicates of silk, high lacquered chiffons, satins, lace, jacquard and cotton sateens were blanketed in military-inspired furs, wool cashmeres and plaids. Signature prints, embroidery and needlepoint crystal mesh created a fusion of  dark grunge and luxurious oriental silks.  All in languid colors of deep jade teals, midnight navy blue, cassis fuschias, tobacco browns, fiery reds, shades of ash and piano key black and whites.

The collection was accessorized with felt baseball cloches, python overnight briefcases, dodecahedron jewelry and dégradé crystal fringe earrings.

Kao’s talent for three-dimensional sculptural art was reflected in her design aesthetic, highlighting the contrast between architectural construction and fluid draping.

A foxy approach, polished but cagey.

A video of the full runway show can be viewed on jenkao.com

Photos: Style.com

Tadashi Shoji presented his Fall 2012 collection on Thursday, February 9th at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week.  The Fall/Winter collection hearkens back to the “Golden Age of Shanghai”, a glamorous world of modernity, transformation and prosperity that preluded a darker time.  Opulent fabrics of lace, chiffon, silk and velvet craft the silhouettes of drop waist dresses of floral prints, column gowns of embroidered lace and extended hemlines.

Brilliant colors of marina and seagrass were exemplified by neutral hues of ginseng and hazel.  A mecca of wealth and sophistication, the “Paris of the Orient” will forever be a fixture of Shanghai’s identity.

The models wore shoes by Joan & David, tights by HUE and accessories from Melinda Maria.

By featuring the utmost in luxury and elegance, the much-anticipated collection continues to elevate and hone the brand’s image in the marketplace. His designs have won a loyal following with well-dressed women worldwide, including a wide range of celebrities such as Helen Mirren, Queen Latifah, Katy Perry, Beyonce, Blake Lively, and Mo’Nique.

Tadashi Shoji is carried in more than 4,000 major department and specialty store doors worldwide, including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale’s. Internationally, the brand is available at high-end retailers such as Harvey Nichols, Bloomingdales, and Saks Dubai.

With the Academy Awards only 2 days away I wonder if we can expect to hear the name of Tadashi Shoji when asked “Who are you wearing?”  Let’s hope so.

Photos: Style.com

Michelle Smith, the designer and founder of the young luxury brand Milly, presented her Fall/Winter 2012 collection on February 15th at The Stage during NY Fashion Week.

Calling her collection Future Perfect and drawing inspiration from high-tech materials and innovative fabric manipulation, Michelle delivered a Fall collection that was futuristic in nature and intricate in construction.  Hues of heliotrope, clover, shocking pink and chartreuse created a bold and exciting contrast to a base palette of black and white.  Juxtaposing complex laminated tweeds, bonded wool, super-structured jacquards and technical taffetas with timeless, luxury materials such as leather and silk, Smith refines the concept of elegance with an edge.

Milly is now recognized throughout the globe with a devoted following. Celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Victoria Beckham, Beyonce, and Thandie Newton are counted among Milly’s loyal fans.

Sitting front row at the fashion show were Actress Kristin Chenoweth, Actress India de Beaufort, Tinsley Mortimer and television host Ainsley Earhardt.

The collection is sold at the finest specialty and department stores worldwide, including Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Harrods.

In Spring 2011, Milly marked its 10th anniversary with several exciting new endeavors; The opening of Milly’s flagship boutique on Madison Avenue, the debut of its handbag and fashion jewelry collections, and “Milly Minis”, clothing for young Milly aspirants aged 2-7.

Photos: Style.com

This CFDA winner and Project Runway judge is best known for his superbly tailored sportswear for both women and men.  I have to say, despite that fact, I have always been a huge fan of his accessories.  To be more specific his watches for woman. Watches should be worn for more than just time management.  Your watch should make a statement about you and who you are.  When selecting a watch to wear with a particular outfit what is worn on your wrist should match the look and feel of whatever the vibe is that your look is saying about you.

Michael Kors offers a woman a tremendous selection of watches.  If you like the menswear inspired androgynous look Kors has a chic collection of watches in gunmetal or perhaps an acrylic chronograph quartz watch. How about an oversized watch face with a comfortable leather band.  Want to step it up a notch to a dress watch for work or a night out on the town?  Might I suggest a watch in silver tone or gold tone that matches to your other accessories. Having trouble matching? Go for the always beautiful rose tone or two tone.

Michael Kors adds functionality and fun to the collection with three chronographs and a date window watch to choose from.  Prices range from $120.00 to $425.00. The watches can be purchased with discount pricing at watchesonnet.com which offers over 150 watches to pick from and international shipping.  A closer look will have you swooning.

Destination… Kors!!!

On Sunday, February 12th Fashion Designer Tracy Reese presented her Fall 2012 collection at The Studio.  She sent 46 powerful and colorful looks down the catwalk. For Fall Tracy Reese gave us “colorful, confident attire for navigating the urban landscape”.   The dark hues of winter were replaced with an optimistic color palette of vibrant tomato, juniper green and lemon enlivening neutral browns and grays.

A mixture of fabric, textures and embellishments created dimension on tailored silhouettes, abundant with refined craftsmanship details. Bold pops of fiery tomato orange energized the classic contrast of black and white, rejuvenating this time-honored combination.  Prints and patterned dresses were accessorized with wool coats embellished with fur collars and sleeves.

Subtle peplums updated classic styles.  Accessories ranged from wool caps that looked like equestrian jockey caps to futuristic bold sunglasses and color-blocked handbags.

The backdrop of the runway was a graffiti collage of prints and patterns covering the wall.  The lyrics of Azealia Banks 212 kept the uptempo feel of the collection.

Bright colors, unique prints and intricate patterns define Tracy Reese, plenty and frock! A consistent fashion favorite amongst industry insiders, celebrities and fashionistas alike, Reese crafts finely detailed looks that make a statement and are easy to wear, garnering the attention of the nation’s top media.

Tracy Reese, plenty and frock! are sold nationwide in top department stores and specialty boutiques as well as retailers throughout Europe and Asia.

Tracy Reese’s silhouettes will always remain flattering and wearable.

Enjoy the full runway show:

(To view Full Screen mode visit You Tube)

Photos: Style.com

1. Banded Print Dress 2. Printed Hi-Tops 3. Daisy Dress 4. T-Shirt Dress

The collection is set to launch on March 15th, 2012 through GapKids and babyGap stores in almost 30 countries including United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, France, China, Japan and Australia as well as online in 75 countries.

“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to build on Gap’s successful past collaborations and develop this collection with Diane, a true American fashion icon and inspiration to women around the world,” said Art Peck, President of Gap brand, North America. “I’m also looking forward to offering our customers an exciting collection that applies her signature approach to print, optimistic color and femininity, mixed with our expertise in great quality premium children’s clothing at accessible prices.”

Diane von Furstenberg comments, “As a proud mother and grandmother I am so excited to create a capsule collection for children with the superstar retailer, Gap.”

The price point for the capsule collection will be between $23.00 to around $80.00.

Will we see Mom and her baby in matching outfits?  To shop visit DVF for Gap.com

(From Left to Right) Chaka Khan in Chris March; Gloria Estefan in Narcisco Rodriguez; Aisha Tyler in Badgley Mischka; Patti Stanger in Marc Bouwer; Jennifer Nettles in David Meister; Elisabeth Rohm in Nicole Miller.

The Heart Truth brings the Red Dress Collection to life on the runway with the support of the FNIH. The Red Dress Collection 2012 Fashion Show is presented by Diet Coke with partners Bobbi Brown Cosmetics and Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spas.

(From Left to Right) Rose McGowan in Donna Karan; Debbie Phelps in Adrianna Papell; Cindi Leive in Jason Wu; Jeannette Torres-Alvarez in Carlos Miele; LaLa Anthony in Rachel Roy; Christie Brinkley in Pamella Roland.

“Diet Coke congratulates The Heart Truth on its 10th anniversary. The highly successful campaign has had our heartfelt support for the last five years, and we continue to be passionate about its mission to encourage women to be active and committed to educating themselves about heart health.” said William White, group director of Coke North America.

Celebrity participants in this year’s Red Dress Collection Fashion Show included: The Talk’s Aisha Tyler; Cougar Town’s Busy Philipps; Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Chaka Khan; Glamour’s Editor-in-Chief Cindi Leive; supermodel Christie Brinkley; Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps’ mother, Debbie Phelps; television actress Elisabeth Rohm; host of the popular reality show Nuestra Belleza Latina Giselle Blondet; Discovery Familia’s Jeannette Torres-Álvarez; television and film actress Jenna Elfman; country music artist Jennifer Nettles; actress and disc jockey La La (Vazquez) Anthony; Dynasty’s Golden Globe Award-winning actress Linda Evans; Entertainment Tonight anchor Nancy O’Dell; Bravo’s The Millionaire Matchmaker Patti Stanger; and actress and former fashion model Rebecca Romijn.*

(From Left to Right) Minka Kelly in Diane von Furstenberg; Rebecca Romijn in Marchesa; Giselle Blondet in Oscar de la Renta; Linda Evans in Tadashi Shoji; Jenna Elfman in Alberta Ferretti.

Participating designers included: Alberta Ferretti, Badgley Mischka, Chris March, Marc Bouwer, Marchesa, Carmen Mark Valvo, Michael Kors, and Oscar de la Renta.

Visit You Tube to watch the Red Dress Heart Truth Collection 2012

Photos: Getty Images

London Fashion Week kicks off on Friday, February 17th and runs through Wednesday, February 22nd.  For those who are unable to attend but would like to see the shows many are being streamed live on the home page of London Fashion Week.  The Digital Schedule provides one-stop access to all live streamed shows. Watch catwalk shows as they are happening at the Courtyard Show Space, Embankment Gallery Show Space and Topshop Venue.

Visit London Fashion Week for a complete list of all the shows, Bios of the Designers, Sponsors and more.

All times listed below are Eastern Standard Time.

Friday, February 17th

04:00AM – Antoni & Alison

06:00AM – Corrie Nielsen

07:00AM – Fyodor Golan

08:00AM – Bora Aksu

09:30AM – Zoe Jordan

10:00AM – Felder Felder

11:00AM – Jean-Pierre Braganza

12:00PM – PPQ

02:00PM – Jena.Theo

03:30PM – Central Saint Martins MA Fashion

Saturday, February 18th

04:00AM – Daks

06:00AM – Jasper Conran

07:00AM - J. JS Lee

07:00AM – Simone Rocha

10:00AM – John Rocha

11:00AM – Kinder Aggugini

12:00PM – Todd Lynn

12:30PM – Antipodium

02:00PM – Issa London

Sunday, February 19th

05:00AM – Mulberry (Website)

06:30AM – Twenty8Twelve

07:00AM – Marios Schwab

10:00AM -  Unique

01:00PM -  Louise Gray

Monday, February 20th

04:00AM - Peter Pilotto

08:00AM -  Michael van der Ham

09:00AM -  Peter Pilotto

10:00AM – Mark Fast

11:000AM - Burberry (Vogue UK Facebook)

12:00PM -  Fashion East

02:00PM – Osman

02:30PM – Christian Blanken

03:00PM – Alexander McQueen (Facebook)

Tuesday, February 21st

04:00AM – Mary Katrantzou

05:00AM – David Koma

06:00AM -  Roksanda Ilincic

07:00AM – Holly Fulton

08:00AM – Emilio de la Morena

09:00AM – Meadham Kirchhoff

10:00AM – Ashish

11:30AM – Aminaka Wilmont

01:15PM – KTZ

Wednesday, February 22nd

05:30AM -  MAN

06:15AM – Christopher Shannon

07:15AM -  Topman Design

09:00AM – James Long

11:00AM – Oliver Spencer

The red carpet arrivals was a mixed bag of couture glamour and outlandish costumes that made everyone tweet at a rapid pace.

Here is the fashion breakdown of Who Wore What:

(From Left to Right) Carrie Underwood arrived in a long sleeved cut out back Gomez-Gracia tulle “Starlet” gown;  Corinne Bailey Rae earned points for her Christian Siriano black frock with spike high platforms;  Katy Perry went blue in Elie Saab Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2012 gown with matching blue hair, Christian Louboutin heels and wearing Norman Silverman jewels worth $2 million; Rihanna worked with Armani to design her low cut plunging neckline tight fitted slit gown, Christian Louboutin shoes, Clutch by Jimmy Choo and jewelry from Neil Lane.

(From Left to Right) Adele returned to perform after her throat surgery looking great in custom Giorgio Armani black gown and a Harry Winston 12.4 carat diamond micropave ring;  Kelly Rowland walked the red carpet wearing an Alberta Ferretti gown;  Julianne Hough who is dating Ryan Seacrest posed in Kaufman Franco; Country Superstar Taylor Swift looked so mature having chosen a beaded gown by Zuhair Murad, Shoes by Prada, and jewels by Neil Lane.

(From Left to Right)  23-year-old British singer Jessie J picked a Julien McDonald mermaid gown;  Alicia Keys went cocktail length in a black Alexandre Vauthier dress with Christian Louboutin shoes;  Fergie arrived in a Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture orange sheer gown from Paris. She completed the look with Walter Steiger pumps, a Judith Leiber clutch and Neil Lane jewels;  Reality TV Star Paris Hilton posed in a white capped sleeved Basil Soda gown.

Who is your pick for Best Dressed?  Comment…

Photos: Getty Images

Madonna performs at the Superbowl

After all the hype about the halftime performance at the Bridgestone Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 5, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana we finally got to see Madonna come to life on stage. Dressed in Givenchy Couture gold and black she made quite an entrance glimmering in a gold cape. Her roman goddess/viking theme was accessorized with jewels by Bulgari and a custom Philip Treacy headpiece.

For 12 minutes the Material Girl kept us in “Vogue” and entertained like a true superstar lighting up the field with her team of performers and a marching band.

“Following my collaboration with Madonna on her last tour three years ago, it is a great honor for me to be a part of yet another historical and iconic moment,” said Riccardo Tisci
“People say everything has a limit, but limits do not exist with Madonna. I am so happy that, after being busy in other scenes, she decided to go back on a music stage. Not only to bring us Music, but also to make such a statement of Performance and Fashion,” Tisci added.

The icing on the cake was watching Madonna with Nicki Minaj, dressed in a cheerleader uniform, and M.I.A. perform “Music” and “Give Me All Your Luvin”. Does it get any better?

Photos: Getty Images

Barbie® is no longer just a porcelain doll.  She has come alive with a persona that has brought over 50 years of success to Mattel Toy Company.  In 2009, Barbie made an appearance at NY Fashion Week to celebrate her 50th birthday by holding her own runway show.  The event showcased fashions contributed by fifty well-known haute couturiers including Diane von Fürstenberg, Vera Wang, Calvin Klein, Bob Mackie, and Christian Louboutin.

Now Barbie is returning to the NY Fashion Week this month and bringing her Dream Closet for all to play in.  Starting on Saturday, February 11th and continuing through Monday, February 13th you can share in Barbie’s glamour by stopping by the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center where Zugara, a company that has developed augmented reality software, will set up three different kiosks allowing fans to virtually try on their pick of any one of 30 different looks.  These looks will be divided into five different collections that will include career, couture, vintage, fairytale and Ken.

On February 9th, Barbie has invited everyone to explore her fab closet by using a webcam or choosing outfits from a gallery in an experience called BarbieWow.com/TheDreamCloset.

Polyvore has also stepped in to have users create Barbie inspired style boards that can be shared using social media outlets.

Recently Barbie has gone Behind Pink Doors and brought on a team of fashion professionals to speak about their experiences and love for fashion.  The team includes Stylist Mary Alice Stephenson, Model Coco Rocha, Alexis Bittar, Dylan Lauren and more.  These celebrated woman in fashion speak candidly about what they most treasure in their own closets.

In addition on Saturday, February 11th Blo, North America’s Original Blow Dry Bar, will be hosting a Barbie beauty bar at Lincoln Center for fashion icons, celebrities, top editors and their children.  Invited guests will choose from a selection of NYFW hairstyles to show off their glam side.

Follow Barbie on Twitter @BarbieStyle for more updates.

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2012 is bringing the front-row experience to fashion fans around the world. YouTube and Maybelline New York will once again be bringing the excitement of Lincoln Center to millions of people around the world on YouTube’s Live from the Runway channel at www.youtube.com/liverunway.

Beginning today, Live from the Runway will feature a number of how-to videos, backstage beauty looks and interviews.

Not able to attend the shows?  February 9th -16th will bring live runway shows from numerous acclaimed fashion designers right to your desktop computer.  Stay tuned.

*All shows without links are being streamed on You Tube.

LIVE STREAM SCHEDULE:

Thursday, February 9th

9:00 AM – Nicholas K

10:00 AM – BCBGMAXAZRIA

11:00 AM – Richard Chai

Friday, February 10th

2:00 PM - Rebecca Taylor

3:00 PM - Rebecca Minkoff

6:00 PM – Nicole Miller

7:00 PM - Charlotte Ronson

Saturday, February 11th

10:00 AM - Lacoste

11:00 AM - Jill Stuart

3:00 PM- Herve Léger by Max Azria

6:00 PM - TIBI

7:00 PM- Monique Lhuillier

Sunday, February 12th

2:00 PM- Tracy Reese

3:00 PM - Custo Barcelona

4:00 PM - Diane Von Furstenberg

Monday, February 13th

10:00 AM- Carolina Herrera

11:00 AM- Carlos Miele

3:00 PM- Reem Acra

5:00 PM- Bibhu Mohapatra

6:00 PM- Betsey Johnson

Tuesday, February 14th

10:00 AM- Badgley Mischka

11:00 AM- Vera Wang

3:00 PM- Dennis Basso

3:45 PM – Marc Jacobs (Website)

5:00 PM – Sophie Thealllet (Milkmade)

5:00 PM – Pamella Roland (Website)

6:30 PM – Oscar de la Renta (First Comes Fashion)

8:00 PM- Narciso Rodriguez

Wednesday, February 15th

10:00 AM- Michael Kors

11:00 AM – Nanette Lepore (First Comes Fashion)

1:00 PM – Jeremy Scott (Milkmade)

2:00 PM- J Mendel

3:00 PM- Milly by Michelle Smith

3:00 PM – Theia (First Comes Fashion)

4:00 PM – Reed Krakoff (Website)

5:00 PM - Farah Angsana (Style.com)

6:00 PM- Anna Sui

7:00 PM- Vivienne Tam

7:00 PM – The Blonds (Milkmade)

8:00 PM - Proenza Schouler (Website)

RELATED ARTICLE:  NY Fashion Week Fall 2012 schedule of shows

The red carpet arrivals were covered by E! Red Carpet and even though this month brought the People’s Choice Awards, the Critic’s Choice Awards and the Golden Globe Awards this night was still a stunning display of gowns on the red carpet. The designer darling of the evening was Marchesa who dressed Viola Davis, Stacy Kiebler and Sofia Vergara for their photo-op. One of my favorites on the red carpet was Rose Byrne of Damages who was not afraid to take a risk wearing a crystal V neck Elie Saab F/W 2009 jumpsuit. I also have to laud 14 year old teen Ariel Winter who is best known for her current role as Alex Dunphy in the TV series Modern Family for walking the red carpet like a true star. The one who made me stop and stare when she stepped out of the limo was Emma Stone who chose black Alexander McQueen for her dress, bag and shoes.

LADIES IN RED:

(From Left to Right) “Dexter” star Jennifer Carpenter looks elegant in a red lace dress by Emilio Pucci Spring 2012 with Jimmy Choo sandals; Michelle Williams stands out in red asymmetrical Valentino dress with Roger Vivier sandals, a Lanvin clutch, Fred Leighton bracelets and ring; Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer) chose a cutout Emilio Pucci gown showing off her tattoo worn with Casadei pumps and Fred Leighton jewelry.

JEWEL TONES:

(From Left to Right) Glee’s Dianna Agron goes frilly with a purple Carolina Herrera gown and Jimmy Choo sandals, a Salvatore Ferragamo clutch and vintage Fred Leighton jewelry; Emily Blunt made all green with envy arriving in Oscar de la Renta accessorized with a blush Swarovski clutch and Jimmy Choo platform sandals; Modern Family’s Julie Bowen looks sweet in Alice Temperley with a Judith Lieber clutch.

WHITE NIGHTS:

(From Left to Right) Modern Family’s Sarah Hyland looks so mature wearing Alice Temperley; Rose Byrne is a favorite in Elie Saab V neck low cut jumpsuit with Jimmy Choo platforms; Kristen Wiig from Bridesmaids chose Balenciaga with a chunky collar by Fred Leighton.

BLACK AND GRAY:

(From Left to Right) Ariel Winter from Modern Family looks every bit the 14 year old star in a blue/gray Collette Dinnigan lace dress; Emma Stone rocked the red carpet in Alexander McQueen gown, shoes and clutch with Tiffany diamonds; Angelina Jolie arrived in black metallic Jenny Packham draped front gown from the Autumn/Winter 2011 collection worn with vintage House of Lavande jewels.

CHAMPAGNE WHITES:

(From Left to Right) Viola Davis amazes in white Marchesa with gold detailing and Jimmy Choo shoes; The Good Wife Julianna Margulies is perfection wearing custom Calvin Klein with Casadei shoes; Zoe Saldana was a red carpet favorite in Givenchy Couture by Riccardo Tisci Spring Summer 2012, Guiseppe Zanotti shoes and a Givenchy clutch.

Who wins your vote for Best Dressed at the 2012 SAG Awards? Comment below…

Photos: Getty Images

Fashion Culture programs are organized by The Museum at FIT to provide insightful and intriguing perspectives on the culture of fashion.

You must RSVP to attend all programs by calling 212.217.4585 or sending an email to museuminfo@fitnyc.edu.

Registration is also offered on the web by visiting FIT online.  Register quickly as some of the lectures have already sold out.

The CFDA at 50: The Presidents Speak ~ Diane von Furstenberg (2006-present)
Tuesday, March 6, 6pm
Katie Murphy Amphitheatre
Fred P. Pomerantz Art and Design Center, first floor
Diane von Furstenberg returns to MFIT to talk about her work with the CFDA—as well as her phenomenal career. She created the wrap dress in 1974. By 1976, she had sold more than a million of them and was featured on the cover of Newsweek. She received the CFDA’s Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005 and a year later became the group’s president, where she has dedicated herself to fostering emerging talent.

In Conversation ~ Bob Mackie and Hal Rubenstein
Friday, March 9, 6pm
Katie Murphy Amphitheatre
Fred P. Pomerantz Art and Design Center, first floor
Don’t miss designer Bob Mackie and InStyle magazine Fashion Director Hal Rubenstein for an entertaining, colorful chat about their spectacular careers. An MFIT favorite, Mackie is a CFDA Special Award winner perhaps most widely remembered for his Emmy-winning costume designs for Cher and The Carol Burnett Show. Rubenstein is an authority on celebrity style who has appeared on TV shows such as The View and Tim Gunn’s Guide to Style.

Look At Me: Fashion Photography: Documenting the Evolution of the Modern Woman ~ Cathy M. Kaplan, Etheleen Staley, Deborah Tuberville, and Vince Aletti
Tuesday, March 13, 6pm
Katie Murphy Amphitheatre
Fred P. Pomerantz Art and Design Center, first floor
Photography collector Cathy M. Kaplan and Staley-Wise Gallery director Etheleen Staley join distinguished photographer Deborah Tuberville and critic Vince Aletti for an illuminating panel discussion of the roles of women in contemporary photography.

Eleanor Lambert: Still Here ~ John A. Tiffany
Wednesday, March 14, 6pm
Katie Murphy Amphitheatre
Fred P. Pomerantz Art and Design Center, first floor
John A. Tiffany presents Eleanor Lambert: Still Here, his biography of the extraordinary woman who dedicated herself to the advancement of American fashion and founded the CFDA. Tiffany, a fashion historian who once worked for Lambert, had access to previously unpublished archival materials and fashion photography. A book signing will follow the lecture.

The CFDA at 50: The Presidents Speak ~ Stan Herman (1991-2006)
Tuesday, April 10, 6pm
Katie Murphy Amphitheatre
Fred P. Pomerantz Art and Design Center, first floor
The CFDA became a leader in benefiting education and fighting AIDS during Stan Herman’s 16-year presidency. Herman popularized the designer uniform, with a list of corporate clients that includes FedEx and JetBlue. He is a recipient of the CFDA’s Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award.

The CFDA at 50: The Presidents Speak ~ Oscar de la Renta (1973-76 and 1987-89)
Thursday, April 19, 6pm
Katie Murphy Amphitheatre
Fred P. Pomerantz Art and Design Center, first floor
An unmissable evening with renowned designer Oscar de la Renta who will tell the colorful story of his life, from his native Dominican Republic to Spain, Paris, New York, and the top echelon of great American designers. De la Renta served two terms as CFDA president, he has twice won the organization’s Womenswear Designer of the Year Award, and he is a recipient of the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award. In September, the Couture Council of MFIT will honor Oscar de la Renta with the Artistry of Fashion Award.

Almodóvar and Fashion ~ Davidelfin and Paul Julian Smith
Thursday, April 26, 6pm
Katie Murphy Amphitheatre
Fred P. Pomerantz Art and Design Center, first floor
Join renowned Spanish designer Davidelfin and CUNY professor Paul Julian Smith as they discuss fashion in the films of Pedro Almodóvar. Davidelfin will speak as one of Almodóvar’s close friends, while Smith, author of the book Desire Unlimited: The Cinema of Pedro Almodóvar, will contextualize the director’s work. Organized in collaboration with the Consulate General of Spain in New York and the Association of  Spanish Fashion Designers (ACME).

Hope to see you there!!!

Photos: FIT Museum

Banana Republic, the retailer whose lifestyle collections are characterized by elevated design and luxurious fabrications at approachable prices, has announced the debut of the Trina Turk Collection.  This limited-edition capsule collection will be available for purchase in June 2012 and will be carried in all Banana Republic stores in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy, France, Japan, Turkey, and Korea as well as online in 24 countries.

Trina Turk considers herself lucky on two counts. First because she knew at a fairly young age what she wanted to do when she grew up – to design clothing professionally and second, because she is succeeding at doing it and has successfully evolved what began as a women’s contemporary clothing line into a mini lifestyle brand.  Inspired by the multicultural mix, architecture, and landscape of Los Angeles and California, The Trina Turk Collection is full of the Season’s most casually sophisticated – and “must have” silhouettes. Trina’s philosophy is to create wearable, optimistic fashion that incorporates the best aspects of classic American sportswear. The collection has become known for an amazing pant fit and gorgeous signature prints.

“When we began working together on the collaboration, Simon and I decided early on that the Palm Springs ‘cocktails by the pool’ lifestyle would be our key inspiration for the colors, styles, and prints” says Turk. “I’m excited to offer this collection of colorful, covetable and unique pieces to Banana Republic customers for summer 2012.”

The nearly 60 piece collection is reflective of the signature Trina Turk bold and colorful beachside prints.  She will design a line of woman’s resort apparel and accessories with a modern California vibe which will include fun and flirty dresses, swimwear and plush beach towels.

The Banana Republic Trina Turk Collection will be featured in Banana Republic’s June advertising campaign, which will appear in select print, online, direct mail and in store.

Photo: Banana Republic

22 year-old Country Superstar and Grammy winning artist Taylor Swift with her long blonde curls standing at 5’10 inches has sold out entire stadiums worldwide. She has won 100 awards to date including 5 Grammy Awards, 10 American Music Awards and 6 CMT Awards.  With her unstoppable spirit and lyrics that speak to all ages she is not going away anytime soon.

Recently Jonathan Van Meter, Contributing Editor at Vogue, interviewed Taylor in a whirlwind day of visiting showrooms in NYC starting out at Rodarte, a label designed by Sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy from California.  In the interview Swift refers to herself as that awkward kid always feeling on the outside looking in on the cool kids in school.

“So . . . middle school? Awkward,” she says, launching into the first of many comic riffs. “Having a hobby that’s different from everyone else’s? Awkward. Singing the national anthem on weekends instead of going to sleepovers? More awkward. Braces? Awkward. Gain a lot of weight before you hit the growth spurt? Awkward. Frizzy hair, don’t embrace the curls yet? Awkward. Try to straighten it? Awkward!” She starts to laugh. “So many phases!”

Swift is currently working on her fourth album which she says will be about the heartbreak that life can bring.  The lyrics sounding like they jumped off the pages of a tell all teen diary.

The interviewer concludes by asking Taylor to name some of the life lessons she has learned along the way.  She obliges and says:

1. “If someone doesn’t seem to want to get to know me as a person but instead seems to have kind of bought into the whole idea of me and he approves of my Wikipedia page? And falls in love based on zero hours spent with me? That’s maybe something to be aware of. That will fade fast. You can’t be in love with a Google search.”

2. “If a dude is threatened by the fact that I need security, if they make me feel like I am some sort of princessy diva—that’s a bad sign. I don’t have security to make myself look cool, or like I have an entourage. I have security because there’s a file of stalkers who want to take me home and chain me to a pipe in their basement.”

3. “If you need to put me down a lot in order to level the playing field or something? If you are threatened by some part of what I do and want to cut me down to size in order to make it even? That won’t work either.”

4. “Also, I can’t deal with someone who’s obsessed with privacy. People kind of care if there are two famous people dating. But no one cares that much. If you care about privacy to the point where we need to dig a tunnel under this restaurant so that we can leave? I can’t do that.”

The February issue of Vogue is available at newsstands now.  To read the entire “single life” interview with Taylor visit vogue.com

Watch highlights from the photo shoot:

Source: Vogue Magazine

Photographer: Mario Testino

Photos: Vogue

With such a diverse cast and amazing writers this comedy has grown it’s viewers since it first aired.  I thought I might offer a look into Who Wore What on the red carpet at the Golden Globe Awards.

(From Left to Right)  Ariel Winter who plays the role of Alex Dunphy walked the red carpet wearing a purple Dolce & Gabbana tea length dress;  21 year old Actress Sarah Hyland experienced a wardrobe malfunction when the zipper ripped on her vintage Dolce & Gabbana dress;  Julie Bowen looked like a fairy princess in a Reem Acra chiffon gown with sequined cap sleeves from the Resort 2012 collection; The sexy and sultry Sofia Vergara sizzled in a custom Vera Wang peacock strapless mermaid gown accessorized with Harry Winston jewels.

Related Article:  Golden Globe Awards 2012 red carpet fashion: The fashion breakdown

Photo:  Getty Images

The red carpet was filled with gowns hand picked by Celebrity Stylists from some of the most talented couture designers worlwide.  We also saw some amazing shoes by top designers and jewelry from names like Cartier, Fred Leighton, Jacob the Jeweler and more.

There are so many gowns that stunned this evening it is difficult to narrow down the Best Dressed but I will begin with my favorite four gowns of the night.

(From Left to Right)  Evan Rachel Woods channeled the black swan in a feathered Gucci premiere V-Neck gown with Fred Leighton jewels;  Angelina Jolie chose Atelier Versace white with a hint of red accompanied by the best accessory of all Brad Pitt;  Jessica Alba looks like a movie star in Gucci styled by Brad Goreski; New Girl Zooey Deschanel rocks a custom couture Prada green and black sleek gown, worn with Van Cleef & Arpels and white tuxedos painted on her finger nails.

(From Left to Right)  Glee’s Dianna Agron wore a red laser-cut Giles Deacon gown; Glee co-star Lea Michelle stepped out wearing a antique embriodered Marchesa gown with Jimmy Choo shoes;  The Good Wife Julianna Margulies dazzled in Naeem Khan long sleeved gown from the Fall 2011 collection;  Tina Fey from 30 Rock arrived dressed in a fuchsia tulle strapless gown and clutch designed by Oscar de la Renta and completed the look with Kwiat jewelry.

(From Left to Right)  Julianne Moore strikes a pose in a slim fitted black mermaid gown by Chanel worn with Fred Leighton green earrings;  Kate Winslet who won for the award for best actress in a TV series, miniseries or movie for her role in the remake of “Mildred Pierce” chose a front keyhole black and white gown by Jenny Packham and shoes by Roger Vivier accessorized with Fred Leighton jewelry; Looking tall and statuesque Claire Danes went backless in J.Mendel accessorized with Bulgari jewels, Tiffany & Co. clutch, and shoes by designer Giuseppe Zanotti;  Mila Kunis who is the new face of Dior showed her loyalty in black Dior one strap gown with Jimmy Choo shoes.

Who do you love for the Best Dressed globe?

Photos:  Getty Images

The fashion was more eclectic than the People’s Choice Awards the previous night. Here are some of my top picks who get a nod for Best Dressed.

 (Left to Right) Michelle Williams went avant-garde in a sleek black and white long dress by Chanel;  Charlize Theron wins my vote for best dressed wearing a floor-length Azzedine Alaïa Fall 2011 gown;  Diane Kruger chose a soft pastel-hued Prada gown.

 (Left to Right)  The Descendent’s star Shailene Woodley has certainly grown up since her days as the star of The Secret Life of the American Teenager wearing a fitted Calvin Klein gown; Emma Stone made an entrance wearing a green print keyhole belted gown from designer Jason Wu;  Stacy Keibler looked hot in a Giorgio Armani gown on the arm of date George Clooney.

Photos: Getty Images

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week is about to start again.  The dates are from Thursday, February 9th through Thursday, February 16th.

There are four venues located at Lincoln Center;  The Theatre, The Stage, The Studio and The Box.

The schedule of shows and presentations was released by IMG Fashion today.

February 9th:

9AM - NICHOLAS K, STUDIO.

10AM – BCBGMAXAZRIA, THEATRE.

10:30-11:30AM –  KAELEN, BOX.

11AM – RICHARD CHAI, STAGE.

1PM – HONOR, STUDIO.

2PM – TADASHI SHOJI, STAGE.

2:30-3:30PM – CANDELA, BOX.

4PM – CHADWICK BELL, STUDIO.

5PM – JOSEPH ABBOUD, PIER 57, W 15TH ST @ WEST SIDE HIGHWAY.

February 10th:

10AM - PARKCHOONMOO, STUDIO

11AM-12PM – CONCEPT KOREA, STAGE

1PM – GENERAL IDEA, STUDIO

2PM – REBECCA TAYLOR, STAGE

2:30-3:30PM – BRANDON SUN, BOX

3PM – REBECCA MINKOFF, THEATRE

6PM – NICOLE MILLER, STUDIO

6:30-7:30PM – KATYA LEONOVICH, BOX

7PM – CHARLOTTE RONSON, STAGE

8PM – ACADEMY OF ART UNIVERSITY, THEATRE

February 11th:

9AM - RUFFIAN, STUDIO.

10AM - LACOSTE, THEATRE.

10:30-11:30AM - PORTER GREY, BOX.

11AM - JILL STUART, STAGE.

12PM - SON JUNG WAN, STUDIO.

2PM – MARA HOFFMAN, STAGE.

3PM - HERVÉ LÉGER BY MAX AZRIA, THEATRE.

4PM - VANTAN TOKYO, STUDIO.

6PM – TIBI, STAGE.

7PM – MONIQUE LHUILLIER, THEATRE.

7:30-8:30PM -L.A.M.B., BOX

9PM – VENEXIANA, STUDIO

February 12th:

10:30-11:30AM – LORENA SARBU, BOX.

11AM – LELA ROSE, STUDIO.

1PM – DKNY, 547 W 26TH ST.

2PM – TRACY REESE, STUDIO.

2:30-3:30PM – JOY CIOCI, BOX.

3PM – CUSTO BARCELONA, STAGE.

4PM – DIANE VON FURSTENBERG, THEATRE.

5PM – FALGUNI & SHANE PEACOCK, STUDIO.

5PM – Y-3, TBA.

6PM – CARMEN MARC VALVO, NASDAQ, 4 TIMES SQ.

7:30-8:30PM – MATHIEU MIRANO, BOX.

9PM - TIMO WEILAND, STUDIO.

February 13th:

9AM – JENNY PACKHAM, STUDIO.

10AM – CAROLINA HERRERA, THEATRE.

11AM – CARLOS MIELE, STAGE.

1PM – ZANG TOI, STUDIO.

1:30-2:30PM – EMILIO CAVALLINI, BOX.

2PM – DONNA KARAN NEW YORK, 547 W 26TH ST.

3PM – REEM ACRA, STAGE.

5PM – NORMAN AMBROSE, STUDIO.

6PM – BETSEY JOHNSON, THEATRE.

6:30-7:30PM – LEATHER JAPAN 2012, BOX.

7PM – PRETE & BRUNO MON, STAGE.

February 14th:

9:30-10:30AM – J.CREW, STUDIO.

10AM – BADGLEY MISCHKA, THEATRE.

11AM – VERA WANG, STAGE.

1PM – BIBHU MOHAPATRA, STUDIO.

1:30-3PM – FOTINI, BOX.

2PM – NAEEM KHAN, THEATRE.

3PM – DENNIS BASSO, STAGE.

5PM – PAMELLA ROLAND, STUDIO.

7PM - TIBI , STAGE.

7:30-8:30PM – HAUS ALKIRE, BOX.

8PM – NARCISO RODRIGUEZ, THEATRE.

9PM – EMERSON, STUDIO.

February 15th:

9AM – WHITNEY EVE, STUDIO.

10AM – MICHAEL KORS, THEATRE.

10:30-11:30AM – ROCHAMBEAU, BOX.

11AM – NANETTE LEPORE, STAGE.

1PM – JOANNA MASTROIANNI, STUDIO.

2PM – J. MENDEL, THEATRE.

2:30-3:30PM – SUZANNE RAE, BOX.

3PM – MILLY BY MICHELLE SMITH, STAGE.

5PM – FARAH ANGSANA, STUDIO.

6PM – ANNA SUI, THEATRE.

6:30-7:30PM – NOMIA, BOX.

February 16th:

10AM – RALPH LAUREN, 275 HUDSON ST.

11AM – RALPH LAUREN, 275 HUDSON ST.

2PM – CALVIN KLEIN COLLECTION, 205 W 39TH ST.

3PM – CALVIN KLEIN COLLECTION, 205 W 39TH ST..

FOR THE FULL SCHEDULE ON ONE PAGE CLICK HERE

A trend of the evening was a sea of green worn by Nina Dobrev who won for Favorite TV Drama Actress and 14 year old Chloe Grace Moretz who took home Favorite Movie Star Under 25.

Here are some of my top pics in the favorite Best Dressed category:

Vanessa Hudgens chose a black sequin Jenny Packham halter-neck gown accessorized with Arunashi earrings; Actress Miley Cyrus is seen walking the red carpet in a white plunging neckline David Koma cocktail dress with side swept hair; Jennifer Lawrence went contemporary in a cobalt blue cutout dress by Viktor & Rolf from their S/S 2012 collection.

Nina Dobrev wore a green Elie Saab V Neck dress and a Laura Merkin small clutch; Glee’s Lea Michele chose a white Marchesa dress with fringe detailing and Jimmy Choo ‘Senor’ glitter sandals; Demi Lovato also chose a Marchesa peach strapless gown and carried a small clutch by Marchesa.

Ashley Greene is seen above in a black custom leather and lace DKNY worn with Brian Atwood black pumps; Chloe Moretz is wearing a Proenza Schouler black and green ruched dress fit for a young star; Lucy Hale chose a black asymmetrical Cengiz Abazoglu dress with a long side sash.

Who is your favorite for Best Dressed?  Comment below…

Photos: Getty Images

Does it get any better than New Year’s Eve in Times Square? The crowds, the celebrities, the hosts and the grammy winning performances.  2012 came in like a lion with Lady Gaga and Mayor Michael Bloomberg dropping the crystal ball. On Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve we waited anxiously to see what would shine the most; the iconic waterford crystal ball atop the pole at Times Square or Singer and Performer Lady Gaga.

As midnight drew near Lady Gaga emerged cloaked in a black cape covered with Swarovski crystals.  She had on a black mask also covered in crystals.  The cape dropped to reveal a black cage worn from the waist up.  As the song progressed she ended in a black catsuit and black mask.  She sung ”Heavy Metal Lover,” “Marry the Night” and “Born This Way” for all her little monsters.

After a short break there was a costume change and Lady Gaga was back to drop the ball wearing a silver Atelier Versace beaded gown.  She accessorized the gown with long gloves and a silver crystal-covered headpiece resembling a night at Mardi-Gras.

Photos: Getty Images

STOP

Let the internet do the work for you.  Simply set up sale alerts and wait until those Jimmy Choo’s or Hermes scarf reaches an affordable price point.  There are several online web sites that will keep a close watch on whatever you are lusting for in the world of e-commerce.  Think of it as room service for your inbox while you rest peacefully each night.

1.  Price Protectr - Save money with price alerts!  Use Price Protectr to track prices of things you’re thinking about buying, and save money even after you buy.  There are lots of stores out there that offer price protection policies — when the price drops on an item you’ve purchased, they’ll refund you the difference. But there’s a catch… it’s up to you to watch prices.  Price Protectr makes it simple to watch prices, keep track of your purchases, and get rebates off price drops.  To get started click here to watch a quick video.

2.  Shopping Notes –  ShoppingNotes.com is shopping bookmark powered with price watch engine. It is one central place to save all your favorite products you find anywhere on the Internet, and our powerful price watch engine can alert you whenever your favorite products change prices.  ShoppingNotes.com is for people who do any kinds of on-line shopping. It is like browser’s “Favorites” for shopping, but even more:  It’s free.

No need to install anything to start using the price watch feature. Just enter the product page URLs and your email address, and we will start watching their prices for you. You’ll be the first to know when your favorite products go on sale.  Two clicks and you can jot down any products from any merchants on the Internet.  Your Shopping Notes automatically come with images and prices, and in one click, it takes you right to the product pages.  You can access your Shopping Notes from home, office, or just anywhere you can access the Internet. You can sort or classify your Shopping Notes any way you like.

We are the first ever web site that combines shopping bookmark with price watch that works with any product URLs. If you are a shopper, ShoppingNotes.com not only helps you organize all your shopping information, but also brings you significant savings with our powerful price watch feature.

3. ShopStyle - ShopStyle is the online equivalent of browsing the aisles of the world’s most fabulous store.  As a search engine devoted to fashion, ShopStyle brings together the most fashionable stores and the best brands allowing users to cross-shop hundreds of thousands of apparel, home decorating and kids products — all in one place. Featuring products from the most popular designer brands and big name fashions, to the up and coming boutiques, ShopStyle lets users search the most stylish stores at once — by designer, brand, store, sale items, price point, and color.

ShopStyle also has one of the most vibrant fashion communities on the web. Users are empowered to be fashion editors or interior designers, expressing their unique style by creating stylebooks and looks that can be shared and shopped on ShopStyle, on blogs or emailed to friends. ShopStyle’s active groups provide inspiration on various topics and allow users of similar taste to shop, share and comment.

Worthy of mentioning are those “price adjustments“.  Most retailers offer a seven to fourteen day one time price adjustment if the price should drop within the first week to two weeks so put the web to work for you keeping an eye on your purchases.  A price adjustment only requires a receipt, no merchandise is required to receive a refund back in the original method of purchase.

Here’s hoping your wish list becomes a reality.  Let us know in the Comments section below if this was helpful to you.  Do you know of any other sites similar to these?

The luxury online retailer NET-A-PORTER  has announced that it will be launching a micro collection designed by fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld.  Since launching in June 2000, NET-A-PORTER has successfully established itself as a luxury brand, with impeccable packaging and unrivalled customer care.  The pages of NET-A-PORTER feature high fashion editorial, updated weekly with new content and product, which is viewed by over 2.5 million women each month.

On January 25th, 2012, Net-A-Porter.com will begin sales of  over 70 pieces from the “Karl” collection, including fashion-forward pants, sweatshirts, skirts, shirts, dresses, T-shirts, shoes and bags, each inspired by the graphic shapes synonymous with Karl Lagerfeld’s style. Black, white, grey, silver, burgundy and pink are the colors of the SS12 season.  The products are made to be collected and worn together for the perfect KARL look. Prices for the collection ranges from $50 for a canvas bag embellished with a cameo of the unmistakable profile of Karl Lagerfeld to over $1,000 for some of the signature leather pieces.

“We are constantly seeking to innovate and find new things to excite and inspire our customer, and the launch of KARL ticks all these boxes and more. From leather biker jackets to tailoring to the season’s must-have detachable collar the line exudes effortless cool and is quintessential Karl. With over 70 pieces to choose from and with a fantastic price point we can’t wait for the collection to arrive!” said Holli Rogers, Buying Director.

In the interim NET-A-PORTER has begun a social media campaign called “Karl’s Kult” which starts off with a clever video called Where’s Karl: Fashion Hunt is on for the missing collection.  You can help find Karl by downloading the “Net-A-Porter KARL” app.  The app has four features which include an online gaming system, sneak peeks into the upcoming collection,  a scanner that utilizes Aurasma Technology to allow users to scan pictures of the designer on the retailer’s site to watch the Karl Lagerfeld captured video from Net-a-Porter on their mobile device and a “Karlify” feature.

The online game, in which the mobile user must find 5 of Karl’s heads using a mobile maze and a marble in the fastest time, will award the winner a $1,000 shopping spree on Net-A-Porter.  Mr. Lagerfeld will be choosing his favorite picture from the “Karlified” entries on Jan. 25 and the winner will receive a piece from the Karl collection.

Karl Lagerfeld says: “We are working on a lot of amazing ideas which are all about making luxury affordable and accessible. I’m very excited about bringing this vision to life with this brand.”

Photos: Net-A-Porter

You are invited to join Coach and Vogue for a holiday party.  Meet Leandra Medine of Man Repeller, a blog that gets about 50,000 page views per day and 1.5 million page views per month, as she helps you with holiday gift trends.

As a special treat to guests there will be complimentary monogramming happening on site.  Unable to attend?  You are welcome to enter the Coach Holiday Sweepstakes online.

Where: Coach Store located at 595 Madison Avenue (57th Street)

When: Wednesday, December 14th from 6pm to 8pm

To RSVP for this event please call 1-800-218-5205

Marni, an Italian fashion label founded by Consuelo Castiglioni in 1994 will be the next hi-end Fashion Designer to create a limited capsule collection for retailer H&M. The brand is best known for it’s colorful and playful prints. The company is named Marni after Castiglioni’s Sister.

Castiglioni, who has always been the label’s chief designer, is responsible for Marni’s aesthetic of “European-inflected bohemianism”.  Other descriptors that have been applied to Marni designs include “quirky,” “feminine,” “off-beat,” and “funky.”  Early design features included idiosyncratic prints and vintage-inspired shapes and fabrics; Marni has retained these elements but has become more streamlined. Other Marni hallmarks include juxtapositions of texture; colorblocking; a palette focused on gray, beige, and blue, in which bright colors are interspersed; and unusual shapes, such as bell hemlines, gathering, asymmetry, and large volumes.

The capsule collection will be sold from March 8, 2012 in around 260 stores worldwide and online. It features both clothing and accessories all at H&M’s prices, meaning everyone will have the chance to enter Marni’s world.  The Marni collection is the latest designer collaboration for H&M, which has previously collaborated with brands such as Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney, Comme des Garçons, Jimmy Choo, Lanvin, and most recently Versace.

“I wanted to create a true Marni wardrobe by revisiting all our favorite pieces in signature fabrics and prints. As always, I love juxtaposing prints and colours, mixing modern tribal with Bauhaus graphic adding sporty utilitarian elements”. Consuelo Castiglioni, Founder and Creative Director.

The women’s collection will offer full pleated skirts, dresses, cropped trousers and jacquard knit, and fabrics range from silk to crisp cotton poplin.  The collection also includes jewelry, shoes, bags and scarves to complete the head to toe look with bold prints and vivid colors.

For men expect a masculine silhouette with impeccable tailoring that is the label’s signature look.

Given the fabrics and colors that Marni leans towards a Spring launch should be just perfect.

Photos: Courtesy of H&M