CasaSugar

mom3martin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:00:17 -0800

By CATHY HORYN

Published: February 16, 2010

Thirty minutes before the start of the Marc Jacobs show, the models were lined up and waiting. Mr. Jacobs, in a formal mood, was wearing a three-piece suit but had removed the jacket. Out front, where the floor and specially built walls were covered with brown cardboard, giving the aura of a giant box, guests milled around. The photographers, without celebrities to snap (none had been invited) were like chickens idly pecking around a barnyard.

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RODARTE Layers of fuzzy wool and fabric, with ankle-wrapped stilettos.

And so all was calm at Marc Jacobs, in contrast to previous seasons when the scene was part of the fun, crushing or not. Then, too, Mr. Jacobs was interested in conceptual collections, involving a set, and afterward journalists would troop backstage to unearth the meaning.
On Monday night, though, the music was a remix of “Over the Rainbow,” from “The Wizard of Oz.” That’s only worth mentioning because a number of puff-sleeve dresses, and the low-heeled pumps with anklets, pointed to Dorothy. The rest of the show needed no explanation.
“Did you like it?” Mr. Jacobs asked guests backstage. “It’s beautiful, right?”
Yes, Mr. Jacobs, it was beautiful.
Part of the tug of “Over the Rainbow” is that it’s an American ballad, written by E. Y. Harburg, known as Yip, and that seemed to be Mr. Jacobs’s idea - to create a buoyant American collection.
His timing couldn’t be better. American style is the subject of this year’s major costume exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, opening in May. And by banishing celebrities from his front row, at least for now, Mr. Jacobs has pointedly returned the focus to the clothes. That has been a complaint about American fashion - that it has been sidetracked into celebrity, parties and co-branding deals. What about its great tradition of innovative design?
If the spirit of American fashion is modernism, Mr. Jacobs seemed to approach that ideal in at least two ways - through a neutral palette, with flashes of bitter yellow, that evoke modern interiors free of Old World clutter, and in the modest, relaxed line of the clothes. The majority of the skirts and coats, in wools and double-faced cashmere, were A-line and hemmed below the knee. A sleeveless taupe blouse with a streaming sailor tie appeared with a wool kilt in a slightly warmer tone, the wool cut in window slats and inset with chiffon. By raising the center of a peacoat and pinching the back, he gave the classic shape a new, flattering silhouette.
Probably he has shown pantsuits before, but two in putty gray looked just right. The collection was loaded with fur, piled at wrist and neck and sometimes treated as a top, but it also appeared in a checked pattern for a plain shell and rounded skirt. You’d think it was tweed.
A trip to a Texas border town, seeing factory employees walk to work half asleep, gave Kate and Laura Mulleavy of Rodarte the concept of a young woman dressing herself in the dark, using short and long lengths of fabric, washed-out florals and highly textured knits that also looked haphazard.
Yet, while some of the constructions were beautiful, the concept rapidly wore thin, and perhaps it was not developed enough.

Summer Skirts Under $25

FashionWithoutGuilt — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 08:31:09 -0700

Skirts, skirts, and more skirts. Summer is here, showing a little leg comes with the territory. Skirts are a great alternative to dresses and can be worn poolside or on nice evening out. I have chosen over 40 styles of skirts, from the tulip to the micro mini and everything in between. I hope you enjoy my picks, and please let me know what is your favorite style for summer.

For more details or to purchase, click on any of the items below.

Beyonce and Alicia Team Up For New Video

kty — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 10:02:49 -0800

Beyonce and Alicia Keys lit up the streets of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to shoot the music video for their duet "Put It in a Love Song." The talented pair didn't disappoint with their wardrobe-Beyonce worked the patterns in floral hotpants and an ikat-print jumpsuit, while Keys accented her black-and-white print dress with a bright orange hairpiece. A video in Rio isn't complete without a Carnival scene, where the songstresses donned elaborate headdresses and sashayed to the song's thumping drum beat. -Enid Portuguez

Fleurette

FashionSheSays — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:09:59 -0800

Ralph Lauren sweater. Vintage Albert Nipon dress. Vintage Saks Fifth Ave belt. Flower duo headband. Vintage charm necklace. Vintage costume feather & diamond rings. Tintoretta knit tights. Roger Vivier shoes.
Here I cozied up to a cable-knit sweater under a vintage smocked dress that belonged to my mom: its delicate floral pattern mimics wan wintery sunshine reflecting off water & the puffed sleeves tend to slip demurely from my shoulders. Today I was delighted to discover a little piece of Paris in my backyard… Fashionshesays.com.

Orangerie

FashionSheSays — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 13:48:49 -0800

Anna Sui gilded dress, slip & belt. Vintage costume bow earrings. Vintage costume gold necklace. Vintage costume woven cuff. Vintage amethyst & bow rings. Knit crochet tights. Loeffler Randall "Matilde' boots.
Happy Hanukah! Tonight I’m attending a lecture at the Met on “Shopping in the Gilded Age”; as an avid shopper/nostalgist, I’m excited to learn more about my 19th Century counterparts. This is the debut of my shimmery shirtdress (look #21 from Anna Sui’s fall 2009 RTW fashion show); it’s printed in an orange floral/paisley pattern set against a lurex flecked black background… Fashionshesays.com.

MOVE OVER KATE!It-Girl Barbie teams up with Comme Des Garçons

kty — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:25:49 -0800

By Laura Yacoe
Seems like Barbie is the next new It Girl in the fashion circuit, especially considering her ties to sexy shoe-master Christian Louboutin. Now she's hitching her wagon to another designer. Practically one step closer to becoming the next Kate, Barbie's teamed up with Comme des Garçons to create a Jingle Flowers floral pattern. Arriving at all CDG stores this week and at London's Dover Street Market just in time for the holidays, the limited edition Barbie will be sold along with other Jingle Flower products including wallets, tees, and the poshest snowballs you've ever seen. Pick her up before Barbie gets too jaded with all the limelight!

Glamorous

FashionSheSays — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:31:09 -0800

Milly dress. Linea Pelle belt. Chanel earrings. Vintage costume sun & black bead (a souvenir from my mom’s trip to Ireland) necklaces. Vintage costume animal & stone rings. Black tights. Chanel shoes.

This dress (look #21 from Milly’s fall 2009 RTW fashion show) is glitzy glamour incarnate… How I acquired it must remain a secret, which is unfortunate as it’s the kind of story most shoppers only dream of. The frock has a matching sash in the same dark floral brocade fabric, but I broke up the pattern with an equestrian belt & a couple of necklaces… Fashionshesays.com.

Come Party With Me: Gossip Girl Premiere - The Look

partysugar — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:15:55 -0700

You don't need to go all out with crazy decorations for a Gossip Girl season premiere party, but I do recommend cleaning your living room. A neat space will make you and your guests feel more comfortable. Give everyone their own folding tray table and floral-printed serving tray. Stripped dish towels make chic and eco-friendly napkins. Place the appetizer on a large platter, serve the pasta in bowls, and sip the bellini in champagne flutes.

A simple bouquet of red flowers mimics the pattern on the trays and completes the look.

Photo courtesy of The CW

One-shoulder Singapore gown

PlanetTogs — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:52:26 -0700

Stunning! This one-shoulder evening gown has a fitted shape before yielding to a slight train. A crystalized half-sunburst accentuates the waist and the velour burnout showcases an ornate floral pattern. Available worldwide at www.planettogs.com!

Luella Fall 2009

juicybabe527 — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:42:28 -0800

This collection is a sad result of the recession. After a hopeful note for spring, Luella tried to stay true to herself with floral patterns and punk-y London vibes, but her bright colors and crazy prom ready getups were missing. The clothes were still great, but not the best we've seen from her. My favorite peice? The red ombre coat- it really doesn't get much better than a red textured ombre coat for fall :). xoxo, juicybabe

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