Malibu Style - Cars and Fashion

Industrial design and  fashion design are incestuous in their muses.   Sleek, fast cars like the new Chevy Malibu are inspired by the lifestyles of the drivers.  Fashion designers inspired by the electric colors, hot metal and luxurious interiors of their favorite cars.

One of my favorite vehicle-inspired fashion pieces growing up was the Thierry Mugler motorcycle corset made famous in George Michael’s Too Funky music video in the 1990’s. 

Rich red chrome makes any fashion statement look hot.  A car’s details has inspired more than one designer on and off the runway.  Prada’s spring accessories sported tail fins and classic car details on their shoes and handbags.  A sequin embroidered dress from Miss Selfridge mirrors the honeycomb pattern of the Malibu’s front grille.

A sweet ride through the city also inspires an urge for appropriate goodies for driving.  Prada has a great pair of driving gloves in patent leather oxblood.  Kara Ross designed a fantastic necklace in tribute to the City with salvaged concrete and photos of NYC landmarks.  Designer Jennifer Chun’s collection mixes prints and layered urban pieces for a slick, look like the plush interiors of a car.

Need more industrial style and fast driving fashion? Check out our #MalibuStyle Pinterest board!

 Smart technology, impressive styling, a luxurious interior and confident handling all come together in the all-new 2013 @Chevrolet #Malibu to take your drive to the next level.  Discover #MalibuStyle

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Chevy Malibu via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Chevy Malibu

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Custo Barcelona Spring 2013

Barcelona is the land of complex prints, at least according to designers/brother Custo and David Dalmau.  The label's New York Fashion Week show had a terrific palette of bright purples, greens, red, yellow, well, a bit of everything.  There were interesting fabric treatments and embroideries as the label is known for, including one leather, gladiator-type mini dress.  Feather and fringe gave movement to the embellishments.

In the shoe department they took chunky and platform heels to new heights.  Dainty they were not, echoing prints and colors from the clothing.  The best accessory for this season though were LEGS.  Legs were shown off in short skirts, high/low hems, leggings and skinny pants.

The mythology of the brand is that the brothers conceived the collection on a motorcycle trip.  The Southern California vibe and their psychedelic colors are a huge hit overseas, more so than stateside.  Maybe all of us uptight Yankees need to get on whatever "trip" they did...

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Libertine Spring 2013

In a world of big brands, how many designers are still artists?  Johnson Hartig of Libertine still paints, crafts, embellishes with his hands.  His fashion show at Pier 57 for New York Fashion Week reminded me of performance art of Downtown New York's past.

Vintage clothing pieces were embroidered, multi-colored paint spots was a running theme.  Gigantic papier mache cuffs embedded with large crystals was a popular accessory.  Mass production is definitely not a part of this business plan.  When my colleague Mdivani Monroe interviewed Hartig, he described everything from current politics, his friends and abstract nature as his inspiration.  I got the impression that he was probably one of those hyper children that used to have to be tethered to the playground in younger years...

Early champions of his work included Anna Wintour and Karl Lagerfeld.  Perhaps they saw in him an idealistic idea of fashion still being an art for art's sake  while they of all people know it is not true in their own circles.

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How to Do A Closet Cleanse

It is the time to purge, renew, cleanse, specifically a closet cleanse.

Perhaps it is the fact that the school year starts in September, fashion week, I make my career strategy plans now or that the cute fall clothes finally hit the stores, but the New Year for me starts in fall. (Click here to learn more about the first-ever College Fashion Week presented by
Her Campus, and sponsored by U by Kotex®. which actually seems to combine all of the above.)

I won’t lie, my mother, husband and sister staged an intervention for about my wardrobe.  Mom (uninvited) barreled through my closet and pointed out that I had over 50 skirts.  She took it upon herself to pull items she figured had to be too tight on me to be flattering and gifted them to my sister.  My husband has long attempted to enforce a rule of no new items are allowed entry until an equal or greater number of items exit… Manhattan real estate is at a premium, so it was hard to argue with all of the above.

Having worked in the fashion industry for many years, it was easy to collect an above average amount of clothing and accessories. One, you have a heightened appreciation for them so you shop and spend more.  Two, you have access to sample sales, freebies and prototypes from work that that add to the pile.  

What to do?  There were a lot of precious designer pieces I loved but realized later, the Prada Mary Janes I loved from afar, hurt when I tried to wear them in real life.  There were a few smaller sized “inspiration” samples from work I just couldn’t bear to throw away because I knew what they cost.  You can make some money back on these with dedicated resale marketplaces like Hello La Mode.  They specialize in luxury so people who shop from them know the value and appreciate the pieces as much as you do.

In this economy, there are a lot of people who are looking for jobs, but can’t afford a new wardrobe.  A big part of any interview is the confidence you go in with.  If you have great suits, professional items you don’t wear anymore or are lucky enough to be in a casual office, donate them to organizations like Bottomless Closet or Dress for Success.  Not only do they provide people with the clothes to land the job, they aid in skills training so they are qualified for better opportunities.

There is always a clothing swap.  Get your friends together or make new ones at a local Meetup group.  Nothing is better for fashion, the environment and your wallet like a little recycling.

Are you inspired yet?  If nothing else, you can make room for something new that you really want, and have less choices to sift through when you dress in the morning.  No binge,  just purge!

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Disclosure: Compensation was provided by U by Kotex® Brand via Glam Media.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of U by Kotex® Brand

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Jennifer Chun Spring 2013

 An independent designer proudly making her collection in the New York garment district, Jennifer Chun showed her Barcelona-inspired collection this week post-New York Fashion Week.

Her signature pieces this season was the layered apron.  She designed some great prints that referenced the Spanish waters, stones, wood and fish scales, images natural and architectural without using her muses in a literal sense.  Each piece could coordinate with the other seamlessly.

This is a great luxury sportswear line that is quickly gaining traction with industry insiders.  You should snap up a few pieces and gain your fashion cred before the rest of the masses catch on...

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Kara Ross Spring 2013

Luxury jewelry and handbag designer Kara Ross showed her love of the city at NY Fashion week. She created a gorgeous necklace to be shown in a jewelry design exhibit at the Museum of Arts and Design.

The necklace encased pieces of concrete from the Hudson Yards as well as photographs of New York City. While most pieces like this end up looking gimmicky, this one looked architecturally chic.

The rest of spring 2013 showcased the designer's skill with interesting leather treatments, like the two-toned snakeskin clutch, or the bracelets, necklaces and rings that had expert jewelry settings using leather and collages in addition to stones.

What do you say, are you ready to wear a bit of your city around your neck?

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Richard Chai Spring 2013

Happy spring separates were all over the runway of my fellow Parsons alumni, Richard Chai at New York Fashion Week.  The clothes were breezy, light and very wearable.  The skirts were short and flirty for women.  The jackets and pants were slim and comfortable, but not skinny.  

The color palette of cream, grey, sunny yellow, ice blue and beige was easy for anyone to adapt.  There were some pretty silver embellishments on tees and matte/shine elements to other pieces.  Pretty floral prints that tied in all the colors worked for most women, though it felt young and fresh.

This collection isn't avant-garde, it was just friendly and likable.  What you would want a spring collection to be.  Best of luck Richie!

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Embellished Emmy 2012 Fashion

Television's finest came out to be awarded for their work at the Emmy Awards last night.  Winning accolades for Emmy fashion is as important (if not more) for many of the stars walking the red carpet.

As always, as an embroidery designer, I am choosing my favorites for their use of embellishment...

Ginnifer Goodwin was a stunner in a dimensional tangerine embellished gown from Monique Lhuillier (who I love for her embroideries, including the ones she used of mine of course).  Shannon Marie Woodward, of Raising Hope looked elegant in a gold beaded bodice gown from Gabriela Candela.  

Blue was clearly a favorite last night.  Sofia Vergara was sexy as hell in Zuhair Murad, who knows how to bead in patterns that really bring out the assets of the va-va-voom ladies.  Sarah Paulson wore a beautifully embroidered gown by Reem Acra.  Nicole Kidman surprised some fashion police wearing a fashion forward angel wing embroidered column by Antonio Berardi.

Hayden Panettiere was every bit the diva in an embroidered Marchesa gown overlaid with transparent. Lucy Liu was a sexy gladiator in a heavy mirrored Versace gown and Veep's Anna Chlumsky was gorgeous in a beaded lace dress by Christian Siriano.

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images,Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

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Chado Ralph Rucci Spring 2013

American couture. The term is tossed around lightly, but Ralph Rucci is the one designer whom it truly applies to.  The designer's New York Fashion Week show was a striking display of the capabilities of his New York design studio.  He is the only American accepted by the Chambre Syndicale in Paris for Haute Couture.

Signature Chado Ralph Rucci details, like the anatomically flattering seaming was present.  The color palette had clean white and black, but with gorgeous shots of neon sorbet colors of bright tangerine, lemon and raspberry pink.  There were a few pieces with shine and feathers for more novelty texture for his Spring 2013 collection.  

Wearing an exquisite couture creation, made in New York is as patriotic as fashion gets, (at least until you find a way to wear Miss Liberty's copper robes). 

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Monique Lhuillier Spring 2013

Monique Lhuillier enchanted us from under the sea for her New York fashion week show. Fishtail gowns were fabricated in flowing water colors or fish scale embroideries for an exotic mermaid effect. 

The nature call didn't end there...Gorgeous prints resembled the bellies of insects (in a good way), some looked like butterfly wings, showing what beautiful things exist in our wild world.  Knee length dresses, high leg slits and trailing gowns were designed to be ready for the red carpet.  

I loved the deep color palette of teal, blue, fushia, black.  The lovely chiffons moved down the runway as if the models floated through water.  The shoes were sexy with cutouts and embellished lace stilettos. 

I am a little disappointed that there weren't as many beaded pieces that this designer is known for.  I am proud to say she has used a few of my designs.  Perhaps I'll see more beading in her bridal gowns?  

Photos by David TW Leung

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DIY Master Class - Fall Statement Necklace

Fall jewelry time!  For this statement necklace, I was inspired by the chunky beaded sleeve of this Prada jacket from their Fall 2012 collection.  I love purple, silver and black so I kept the same color palette but different materials.

Prada used long bugle beads, opaque "cosmic" stones, smaller rosemonte crystals sewn on top of the holes along with round cabochons and ring shaped stones.  The final effect is a chunky, but contemporary organic look.  The fall 2012 collection itself had a futuristic, Blade Runner effect while they projected "digital princesses" on the runway.

My seasonal dinner with the Glam Network is like New Year's Eve for me during NY Fashion Week.  I wanted to make sure I had something fabulous and on trend to wear to look good for my fellow Glam bloggers.  I drew upon my embroidery design and crafting skills to make a necklace that would be on-trend, but totally my own.

Materials :

-large "cosmic" shaped crystal stones in a a black diamond color.  Swarovski Elements are stunning, but if you can't swing it, you can also substitute similar glass versions. (I like Beads World , Harman or Ebay)
-leatherette covered cabochons at M and J trimming
-extra long silver bugle beads in different lengths
-small sew on crystal stones   (I like Beads World or Ebay)
- purple leather (Leather Impact)
-black silk satin
-embroidery frame (Any craft store)
-black grosgrain ribbon (I buy ribbons from Paper Mart)

You can begin by embroidering the basic motifs with your bigger stones on satin.  Start with the large leather cabochon, then the side 'cosmic' stones.  Top the holes of the cosmic stones with the smaller crystal sew-on stones.  Then use your long bugle beads with stones or beads in between.  I like to make things asymmetrical, so I fill in jewels or beads in odd places for a richer, dimensional look.  Freestyle it!

When you are done with the embroidered motifs, trim around them.  Use some fabric and leather glue just to take the beaded pieces onto the leather, then stitch tack them in place as well.  Trim the leather a little bit past the edges of the satin.  Stitch the finished piece to grosgrain ribbon.

Voila!

Prada runway photo by Monica Feudi of feudiguenari.com

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Diana Vreeland Documentary Film

A film about the legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland, The Eye Has to Travel  hits theaters today.  She was the legendary fashion editor and curator that fashion mavens have modeled themselves after ever since.  

Kay Thompson (author of the Eloise book series) used her as a muse in her portrayal of a fashion editor in Audrey Hepburn's "Funny Face ".  She shaped the look of magazines like American Vogue and Harper's Bazaar (where ex-assistant actress Ali McGraw worked and described the experience).  She made the costume department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art a landmark of fashion.

Diana Vreeland's grandaughter, director Lisa Immordino Vreeland painstakingly researched her grandmother-in-law's life from the Belle Epoque, roaring 20's to swinging 60's.  She was the pioneering mix of High/Low culture, blending street jargon with eloquent sophistication.  Anecdotes in the film are recalled by everyone from Diane Sawyer to Andy Warhol.    The director worked with the editing team behind Valentino: the Last Emperor, Bent-Jorgen Perlmutt and Frédéric Tcheng.

"Style-- all who have it share one thing: originality."

-Diana Vreeland

The editor in her apartment, which she wanted to look like “a garden in hell.” ((c) Estate of Horst P. Horst-Art + Commerce / Courtesy of Samuel Goldwyn Films)

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Nicole Miller Spring 2013

Nicole Miller's spring 2013 collection was one of the best I have seen from her in years. The runway at New York fashion week had pretty, feminine floral prints put together with artsy watercolor prints in bright colors.

The collection was kept from being too sweet by pairing the soft with more cosmopolitan black and grey leather. Multi seamed dresses and tops had a stained glass window effect.

The prints translated into the shoes, along with metallic versions of some of the print colors. Sexy, strappy platform heels were paired with transparent geometric shapes in the jewelry. The hard edges were a complementary look with the soft fabrics.

In the 1990's, Nicole Miller practically owned the category of "conversational" prints... Black backgrounds with cute, colorful motifs of girly motifs. Then, the designer became the go-to for prom dresses. A few seasons ago, Joe Zee's show, "All on the Line" spotlighted how this savvy designer struggled with a brand identity crisis to be recognized as a fashion forward sportswear designer.

I'm happy to say that this designer is over that hump. I would be happy to shop anything from the runway. The clothes were very wearable, but with a bit of an edge. It was as off they were designed for the girl of the 1990's in school who grew up into today. (Okay, I might be identifying a little closely).

I did have a makeup case with the famous "Nicole Miller" print that I unfortunately had stolen years ago. In the '90's, I almost broke up with an ex when he shrunk my favorite cashmere sweater dress from the designer. Perhaps I never had closure (no loss on the ex), but maybe I always felt like i was left there was a fashion void that needed to be filled.

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Norisol Ferrari Spring 2013

Norisol Ferrari's first full runway show was a stunner.  She debuted at Mercedes-Benz Fashion week with a presentation last February with dramatic darker looks. The theme this season was classic Hollywood glamour. Legendary models like Carol Alt, Carmen Dell’Orifice and Alva Chinn swept down the catwalk to show all the ingenues how real women and real models work the runway...

 Carmen Dell’Orifice, at 81 is proud to be one of the oldest working models in the industry. She landed her first Vogue cover as a teenager in 1947.  Carol Alt was the reigning campaign queen in the 1980's as the face of everything from Cover Girl to General Motors.  A savvy business women, she was one of the first models to really merchandise herself as a model brand.  Alva Chinn was the groundbreaking African-American model who represented Halson in the 1970's.

The looks themselves have the expertly tailored silhouettes of the 1930's, 1940's and 1950's. Striking hats and cat's eye makeup with deep red lipstick help evoke iconic fashion eras like Dior's New Look and film noir femme fatales.

I had a chance to speak to the designer backstage. I love that she is bluntly honest about her philosophy and how working this hard leading up to the show isn't the most enjoyable experience. She was very adamant of how proud she was of her team and being amazed at the capabilities of producing a collection in New York city.  She designed this collection as a show of women being strong and feminine, that sexy didn't equal showing skin.  I believe the runway more than proved her point...

 

Watch Mdivani Monroe get the inside scoop with our backstage access:

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Sales Alert: Giorgio Armani, Rent the Runway, The Row

DENYC presents Giorgio Armani:
Designer's Expo NYC is running this women's sample sale of up to 80% off retail for Giorgio Armani and Armani Collezione.  Everything from intimate apparel, dresses, sweaters and jackets will be available. Fitting rooms available as well.
Sample pricing: Tops will be $95 (down from $325 - $1295)
I have personally never been to a sale run by this company, so I can't vouch for how current the selection is yet.  However, Giorgio Armani's work has a classic chic that should be relevant for many years.

When: Thursday 20th September 2012 - Sunday 23rd September 2012, Thurs - Sun 11am - 7pm
Where: Designer Expo NYC, 407 West 13th Street, Between 9th Avenue and Washington

Rent the Runway:
This website has been a lifesaver for commitmentphobes. They are ridding themselves of tons of designer stock like Rebecca Taylor, Catherine Malandrino, Badgley Mischka to name a few.  Keep in mind, they are "gently used" from previous renters, but prices can be up to 95% off retail.

When: OCTOBER 1st – 6th, 10 AM - 7 PM (Mon-Fri) 10 AM - 5 PM (Sat)
Where: 260 Fifth Avenue (between 28th and 29th)
 

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Fall's Top Three Beauty Trends

Our sweltering summer is over and the weather gets cool.  This means my favorite fall beauty trends come into play finally, and I break out all the cozy fall fashion I have been waiting to put into rotation…

Key fall beauty trends this season:

Cat's Eye

 This trend had its roots in Mad Men 1960’s.  It hit a lot of runways for fall 2012.  To make this work for today, you can modify it a bit.  Turn up your eyeliner just a bit on the corner, or add a stroke of bold color to ‘accessorize’ it above the black.  Liquid eyeliner gives a clean line, but tough for newbies to use.  A modern cat’s eye doesn’t need to be that sharp, make it part smoky eye/part cat, especially if you’re bringing another color into play.  Start with a sharpened tip of eyeliner on the top outside edge of the lid and delicately bring it in to the center.  To finish, start at the inside corner of the eye and bring it to meet your outside line.

Deep Red Lip. 

Pin-up girls and vamps know what they are doing.  The dramatic red lip strikes a look no matter who you are.  For fall, the red goes a bit deeper and darker.  There’s a red for every skin tone (I like cooler reds).  Make sure you moisturize your lips well before you apply your red to avoid caking and make sure it stays put all day.

Metallics

 Shiny, precious metals turned up in clothing, accessories and makeup too.  I love it in eye shadows and even more in nail polish.  Platinum nails give pop to my many black NYC outfits and is a quickie stand-in for jewelry. 

SMILES!

I cannot stress this enough, the most sexy/pretty/dazzling thing you can do for fall beauty is hone your smile.  Smiles are also free (as anyone who saw an old McDonald’s menu can tell you)!

You can however, enhance your smile with brighter teeth.  I have been using Rembrandt’s Intense Stain Dissolving strips over the summer to whiten things up.  They have been super-easy to use (no trays, no soaking in sticky gels). They are tiny strips that you place over your teeth that dissolve within minutes.  They have been especially helpful on late nights (and subsequent mornings) for erasing the damage of red wine and coffee.  Check out Rembrandt's Facebook page for more information.

Photos by Adam Weinstein

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Disclosure: Compensation and product was provided by REMBRANDT® via Glam Media to facilitate for my review. Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies is a sponsor of Glam.com. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of REMBRANDT® or Johnson & Johnson Family of Consumer Companies.

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NY FASHION WEEK: Zang Toi Spring 2013

Zang Toi was all about romance at his NY Fashion Week runway show.  The designer was inspired by the French Riviera during his stay at Hotel de cap Eden Roc.

The designer has always been humble, despite it fiercely loyal following of the wealthiest clients and celebrities (Kirstie Alley was backstage cheering him on).  He also has grown his successful business to include licenses for shoes, makeup and fine jewelry, and now a cafe on 57th street.

His collection for Spring 2013 had rich, jeweled embroidery, the most luxurious silks, expertly tailored jackets.  The colors were an icy lilac and snowy ivory, butter yellow with rich black.  Silhouettes ranged from full ballgowns, to tapered fishtail gowns, voluminous sleeves, pinstriped tailored shorts and capri pants.  There were sexy minis to demure 3/4 length sleeve knee length dresses.

Zang Toi always treats everyone around like royalty, (and some of them actually are).  He calls his staff "angels", and I always see them wearing "Team Toi" shirts backstage.  When I am at his studio, his staff is protective of him.  His models are seasoned women of the runway, who show off his clothing more beautifully more than any ingenue.  He runs rehearsals of lighting for the benefit of the photographers before the show, right before he sends out meal boxes to keep everyone's energy up.  For the guests of his fashion shows, they are treated to a beautiful show and gift bags containing a collection of his Zoya nail polishes taken directly from the collection colors.

The most predictable moment of the evening?  The standing ovation at his final bow.

Photos by David TW Leung

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NY FASHION WEEK: Mara Hoffman Spring 2013

 

The Mara Hoffman show at NY Fashion week took us on a tropical getaway.  The Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week runway opened with a charming ukulele trio to set the tone.

What followed were tanned lovelies in long flowing chiffon maxi dresses or calf length skirts in color blocked tropical colors of hibiscus pink, sunny yellow, ocean blue, coral and green.  Modernized versions of tropical and native prints were used strategically to follow the curves of the body.  Palm leaves and island flowers served as headpieces and bracelets for the deceptively simple, but effective looks.

photos by David TW Leung

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