Feb 4, 2010 | Fashion
So Spring is almost here (can you believe it??) and here are some of the emerging trends, straight from the runways:
Sheer Chic
Aquilano.Rimondi / Doo.Ri / Vanessa Bruno
Cut-Outs
Balmain / Zero + Maria Cornejo / Herve Leger by Max Azria
Khaki
Stella McCartney / Aquascutum / Celine
Sweet Ruffles
Christian Dior / Lanvin / Marc Jacobs
Digital Prints
Jason Wu / Alexander McQueen / Thakoon
Pretty Pastels
Rue de Mail / Zac Posen / Derek Lam
Wedge Heels
Camilla Skovgaard / Proenza Schouler / Givenchy
Yummy! I, for one, cannot wait to get rid of all the black and outer layers…well, knowing me…maybe I’ll keep some of the black.:-)
What trends are you looking forward to for Spring 2010?
xoxoxo
Carly
All photos, Style.com
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Feb 3, 2010 | Fashion
I never noticed it before, but he’s lurking in the background of this ad for Liz Claiborne from Lucky Magazine‘s October 2009 issue.
I used to like the dude a little when he had his talk show “Isaac” back in ’05. He seemed warm, engaging, a little flighty, but overall, an entertaining host. Then the debacle that was The Fashion Show aired on Bravo and my opinion of him dropped to rock bottom. It was excruciating watching that show after being primed for a fashion reality show like Project Runway…Mizrahi appeared self-absorbed and extremely unconcerned in motivating the designers to produce their best work (unlike Tim Gunn and the judges panel on Project Runway- who, although their critique can be harsh and they do have judges’ favorites from season to season – I find their critique to be spot-on and invested in causing the designers to grow, mature, and produce great work. In most cases.) Mizrahi, however, seemed uncaring and his workroom critiques (which were edited to be unbelieveably short) consisted of “Oooh! I like that” or just a furrowed brow and folded arms. Many people’s criticism of Mizrahi is that he is less a talented designer than simply a lucky one – and being appointed as Creative Director for Liz Claiborne (after a stint designing for Target) last year has had many tongues a-wagging as to whether he was indeed the best choice to revamp the line.
To many young women now the Liz Claiborne brand is still seen as “my mom’s clothing;” sort of dowdy, bland separates that many were unsurprised to see falter back in the late 80’s. A few places have praised Isaac Mizrahi’s infusion of “whimsy” and “wit” into the label, and even Michelle Obama has worn a piece from the line (above). It’s interesting to see an array of ages and body types in their ads (though in a screaming “look at this! We’re showing a range of women!” sort of way) – but who is their target demographic? The current lineup of styles has been panned as being “frumpy” and “all over the place.” [It’s also interesting that Tim Gunn, Liz Claiborne’s Chief Creative Officer, was the one who poached Mizrahi from his gig at Target in the first place. ]
Mizrahi has also been labeled by many as a “fame whore” – an image not exactly helped by his behavior whilst the cameras were running on “The Fashion Show,” and his hawking of cheesecakes on QVC last summer.
How about you? What’s your take on Miss Miz? (Did you buy a cheesecake from him?) How about Liz Claiborne and the line? Have you ever bought anything from then – and do you think his image helps or hurts theirs? Chic or cheap, readers?
-Carly J. Cais
Liz Claiborne can be bought at LizClaiborne New York stores across the country- click here for a list of locations. See full Fall 2009 lookbook here.
(images from Liz Claiborne Fall 2009 Lookbook from Coutorture.com)
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Jan 30, 2010 | Fashion
Just a casual day, mixing up patterns…we got brushstroke letters, script letters, thick stripes, and plaid – oh my!
Outfit:
*Men’s Mossimo Western Shirt
*handmade jersey scarf
*black pearl n chain necklace
*Jus Animalium A Hen’s Poem organic t-shirt
*unknown bag
*Genetic Denim Riley Ripper Bootcut Jeans
*Fergie Gallop Ankle Boot
*Claire’s Infinity Diamante Ring
*Priscilla clip-in extensions
*Men’s Mossimo Western Shirt (now sold out online, but similar style here) taken in at the side seams for a more feminine fit. I totally wanted a black n gray plaid shirt, but the women’s ones I found that weren’t overtly frilly or way too Western started at $25 wherever I went…and I’m so cheap, I even skimped on the couple bucks difference and picked up a men’s shirt in a size S from Target…and took in the side seams to make it a little less baggy.
*handmade jersey scarf – I wanted a striped scarf, but couldn’t find one I liked, so just bought a yard of jersey for $7.99 from the sewing store, and sewed myself one. (Cut strips 12″ wide, join together at the ends to make 80″, then fold together right sides together, sew the seams, leaving a small gap at one end, turn right-side-out and topstitch. Easy-peasy…and super-soft!)
*black pearl n chain necklace (similar style here) – a Christmas gift from my Grandmother-in-Law (yup, I just wrote that!) Would that we all had stylish grandmother-in-laws (grandmothers-in-law??) who would send us lovely presents from Japan that are all over the street style fashionistas and girls in the know! The best part about this is the bow:-) [I won’t mention the frilly thong underwear she also sent me…oops, I just mentioned it.]
*Jus Animalium A Hen’s Poem organic t-shirt – an organic and eco-friendly brand that strives to end animal cruelty. A dollar from every Hen’s Poem t-shirt sold is donated to the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
*unknown bag – bought in Japan in like 2000 or something.
*Genetic Denim Riley Ripper Bootcut Jeans from RueLaLa – can’t say how much I love these jeans. The rips are actually reinforced underneath with no-show denim patching so they won’t rip further – LOVE that attention to detail. And they came with a little removable XX pin! So thugsta. Right now Rock & Republic denim is on sale at RueLala – if you’re looking for more discounted designer denim check them out here.
*Fergie Gallop Ankle Boot
*Claire’s Infinity Diamante Ring (similar style here)
*Hair: (similar style clip-in extensions here) loose messy bun with Priscilla [Japanese brand] clip-in extensions
As you can see, I’m trying a different layout for my outfit info above…Let me know what you think or if I should go back to the previous layout. Sometimes methinks I get too wordy and it must be curtailed. And I say “methinks” alot LOL.
I’d love to hear your feedback re: outfit posting format!
And have a great weekend!
xoxo
Carly
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Jan 29, 2010 | Fashion, Media
A collaborative effort from the uber-talented folks at Nineteen74, a global professional fashion networking site based in London, Schön! Magazine encompasses exquisite fashion spreads and content.
Ghosts, spirits and the unknown entice you in.
With paranormal activities behind the scenes, the mystical embodies this issue from start to finish. The haunted pursue the living, and the living try to escape from the tormented. Prepare yourself for this supernatural sensation.
This is the magazine you need to read, full stop.
I personally love Schön! because it’s independent (no Conde Nasty here, thank you very much), brimming with creativity, runs the gamut in editorial and photographic styles, and is just amazingly inspiring. I would love to live in an all-white apartment with glass coffee tables a la Karl Largerfeld and have this magazine casually strewn everywhere, open to a random spread, in order to decorate the void. Of course, I live in a two-story house with ratty grey carpet casually strewn with diecast cars, Lego pieces, and random bits of plastic the dog has chewed on, so the illusion is destroyed by the intrusion of harsh reality. But I can still lose myself for awhile in perusing this lovely magazine online.
Read the full magazine online here, or you can purchase and download the PDF for about $7 U.S.
Be drawn in.
-Carly J. Cais
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Jan 29, 2010 | Fashion
To all my lovely Readers out there:
I’ve added a new feature here at Chic Steals called the “Ask Me Anything” box, powered by Formspring.me.
Something that occurs to you while reading and you don’t want to bother with email? Have a burning question but want to ask anonymously? Just type it straight into the form box in the right hand sidebar and I’ll answer you back asap!
xoxo
Carly
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Jan 28, 2010 | Fashion
A couple more fashion polls for your clickety-clicking pleasure over at Ideeli:
What designer or brand will win your vote for The Innovator Fashion Award?
What designer or brand has the best Online Video, Twitter presence, Blog, Site…and what’s the Best New Thing out there?
-Carly J. Cais
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