Now I have seen it all! The alcohol monitoring bracelet, which is usually pegged as an embarrassing thing to wear, is now a fashion accessory. The “accessory” was just spotted in Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel runway show.With celebrities like Eve, Michelle Rodriguez and Lindsay Lohan sporting the court-required anklet, we’ve grown somewhat accustomed plastic black trackers, but to morph it into an accessory — that’s just plain weird.
I know you all will have an opinion on this one. So what do you think: did Karl take this little “joke” too far? Or do you think this DUI device is just a funny pop culture parody?
I am a bit of a makeup junkie. I have every eyeshadow, lip gloss, bronzer, powder, pouf, and brush under the sun — except for this. What is this you ask? This is the new cosmetic collection for MAC designed by Alexander McQueen.
British bad-boy/fashion designer Alexander McQueen has been wowing us on the runway for years, and now he brings his creative talent to your face. In McQueen’s last fashion show he was inspired by Cleopatra. It took a little bit of work to perfect the look for his runway show, but once it was perfected, it was gold. Well, not so much gold, but vibrant blues and greens.
Now he is bringing those runway colors to a cosmetic counter near you. This month MAC is releasing his 16-piece collection that was developed specifically for his show. Something tells me this collection will do just as well (if not better) than the MAC Loves Barbie campaign. I know I will be waiting in line.
I have seen these gloves on Patricia Field’s website for quite some time, and they have always intrigued me. Although I found them completely pointless (unless you are dialing a disgusting payphone), I also found them extremely fascinating — but why? They look kind of funny and they don’t keep you warm … what’s the appeal?
Because my voice of reason spoke louder than my strange fashionable fascination, I kept my $32 in my wallet where it belongs.
Fast forward to today. I was visiting FabSugar.com where I saw more photos from the upcoming Sex and the City movie. What was Carrie wearing? Uh-huh, fingertip gloves. What was she doing? She was dialing a dirty New York City payphone.
Suddenly fingertip gloves are a bit more appealing. But the question is … would you wear them?
Only days after learning that Giorgio Armani is going geek chic with some sleek new gadgets for Samsung, today we find out that the world-famous designer is opening a new store — in the virtual world of Second Life. The new shop will be a replica of Armani’s flagship location in Milan, and will be opened by a replica of Armani himself (in the form of an avatar).
Sound like someplace you’d like to shop? You’ll have to sign up for Second Life, and create your own virtual character. Residents of the online community can use Linden Dollars (Second Life’s currency) to buy Armani outfits for their avatars, or get connected to the fashion maven’s new online store if they’re interested in purchasing items they can wear in real life (which they’ll have to buy with real money).
With all the design wares now available in the Second Life, it won’t be long before avatars are more fashionable than their real-life users.
The handbag didn’t become an accessory for women until the early 1900’s (hard to believe huh). Prior to that only men carried handbags, and women had to ask for her belongings when she needed them. Once women began heading out on their own they need their own bags. So a handbag, something that may seem silly to some, is actually a symbol of independence for women.In 1955, Coco Chanel’s quilted handbag with a chain shoulder strap made its debut, and took the fashion world by storm. Since then the quilted handbag (and everything else Chanel touched) has become a fashion classic. Whether you carry the Chanel version, which was sewn with her “secret” quilting pattern, or another designer label - you are sure to look classic and put together.
Today Marc Jacobs has dominated the black quilted bag market with his now famous “Stam bag.” Buying a designer quilted handbag will cost you quite a pretty penny but you can be sure that it will always be in style, and you can pass it down to the next generation.
What ever happened to the good old days when designers stuck to designing clothing and accessories? Giorgio Armani has confirmed that he will be creating an Armani branded cell phone for Samsung.The cell phone, which is about the size of a credit card, will have a large LCD screen and touch-screen functionality that is similar to the iPhone. You would think a phone so tiny couldn’t do much, but this phone is fully equipped with a camera, internet browser, and a Bluetooth stereo headset. The phone retails for about $915 US dollars (650 euros).
When Armani was asked why he decided to lend his designing skills to something more “technical” he said (in a statement):
“Today, fashion has expanded to encompass our way of life, not just how we dress, but how we design our home, the hotels we stay in, the car we drive, and the technology we buy. In fact, we make as much of a personal statement with the mobile phones that we carry or the televisions we have in our living rooms as we do with the shoes and bags we wear or the furnishings we choose to place in our homes. These are all lifestyle decisions, where design and performance are the criteria. Samsung has successfully anticipated the growing role for consumer electronics in our lives, while recognizing the importance of self-expression in the development of its products.”
Armani’s cell phone will be available in European countries in November 2007 and will expand to other markets in 2008.
Coveting the Burberry Prorsum Studded Platform Sandals, but not a fan of the $940 price tag?Studs and tough girl leather are fashion must-haves for fall/ winter 2007, but because they are trends and not staples it’s probably best to get your kicks on the cheap.
The ultra hot Burberry Prorsum Studded Platform Sandals that were a hit on the runway aren’t available yet (you can pre-order them at Norstrom.com), but the knock-off version by Jeffrey Campbell sure is for $100 at ShopIntuition.com.
These shoes are great for adding a touch of high fashion to any outfit. The Jeffery Campbell shoes may not be studded in silver like the Burberry version, but both shoes have a 4 inch heels, are strappy, studded, and very tough.
The key to wearing these shoes is not to look like you just walked out of an S&M club. Pair them with something unexpected like a floral print or go simple with a pair of skinny jeans and a tee shirt.
Whenever I go bowling (yes, I enjoy bowling) I cringe at the thought of putting those grimy bowling shoes on my feet. They never seem to match my outfit and they are gross. I am sorry but spraying some Lysol into a shoe that has been worn by hundreds of other people does not make it clean.What’s a girl to do? Bring my own bowling shoes I suppose. Do you think Bowl America will approve these “bowling boots” by Marc Jacobs? They resemble bowling shoes I am just not sure if they are safe for the waxed down bowling lanes.
I have to say that even if Bowl America did approve these I don’t think I could put them on my feet. What was Marc Jacobs thinking?! I first thought he may need to check himself back into rehab but now I am thinking he was blinded by love. This hot younger boyfriend of his must be taking up all of time, so much time that he just approves any design that lands on the table. These shoes definitely should have died in the concept stage, certainly never to be put into production.
The real question is would you wear them?
I am not really into sweats, tracksuits, and the likes but occasionally they are necessary. In my world sweats are only appropriate when it’s raining in Los Angeles (which rarely happens), relaxing at home, and shopping (low-end shopping only). Due to my limited circumstances I don’t own too many pairs of sweats. In fact the last time I purchased sweat pants was back in 2005 when Juicy Couture was really hot.Today it was raining in L.A. so I decided to enjoy the drippy weather by going out on a little shopping trip, nothing fancy - just Loehmann’s. Every time I stop into Loehmann’s for some budget shopping I see tons of sweats by 2B Free. I decided to finally try on a pair and seriously, I have been freed by a pair of sweatpants!
Talk about the most comfortable thing I have put on my body in a long time. I am starting to see why people like to dress in “comfortable” clothing. 2B Free is a Los Angeles based brand who specializes in “rock-n-roll” casual wear that Sarah wrote about back during LA Fashion Week last Spring. 2B Free is a favorite among celebrities like Madonna, Paris Hilton (who walked the runway for the 2BFree show), Nicole Richie, Carmen Electra, and Jessica Simpson.
Prices are kind of steep if you buy at full retail. A pair of sweats on their website is about $150 dollars but if you bargain hunt, like me, you can score a pair for $35. To learn more about 2 B Free click here.
Recently I have been on the hunt for great accessories, specifically costume jewelry. In my shopping expeditions I have come across Erickson Beamon countless times and decided to learn more about them.
Erickson Beamon is a brand that stemmed from the partnership between friends Vicki Beamon and Karen Erickson. The two childhood friends from the mid-west let their love of music and fashion whisk them away to the big apple in 1982. After moving up the social ladder by frequenting the famed “Studio 54″ the two “scenesters” catapulted themselves into the fashion industry.
The designers accidentally stumbled into the jewelry industry, as they could never find anyone to loan them jewelry for their fashion show. So they took matters into their own hands and began creating their own jewelry. Today their accessories have been seen in fashion’s best magazines including: Vogue, Harpers Bazzar, W, and many others.
I personally love their jewelry, they have a very distinct style that demands attention (and money). I especially love the over-the-top necklaces they have out this season. The Thick Net Necklace ($477) would look amazing with a simple pair of blue jeans and white tank. And although I can’t justify spending $1,250 on a necklace, I would love to own this one called Knotted Assumptions on a Chain just because it has a neat name.
Shop for Erickson Beamon on their website or check out ElectricLadyLand.com, they have an awesome selection.
