From My Closet To Yours – Styling Tips By Kristin

Jennifer Lopez at her new fragrance, Glowing, launch in Los Angeles shows how to dress up a short ensemble. The pointy toe pumps and silk blouse lend the shorts an air of sophistication  – making it perfect for evening. Try adding a short fitted blazer to complete the look.

Gwyneth Paltrow takes a pair of blue jeans to another dimension by adding a 3/4 length sleeve cropped blazer. Love the pop of color and the grey/purple color combo — very chic! For an edgy look make sure to add an oversized bag.

Ginnifer Goodwin, at an ABC Entertainment event, goes mod in a leather Jonathan Saunders sheath with a graphically patterned skirt. The classic silhouette tames the bold pattern – love the red/white/black color combo and the burst of red in a mini clutch.

One of my style icons, Charlize Theron, always is a fashion standout. At a Snowwhite and the Huntsman premiere she sports a Bottega Veneta ensemble. This black and white look gets texture with a patterned skirt — love the dichotomy of the delicate and sexy metallic heeled sandals, and the addition of bold-red lipstick is a subtle way of adding vibrant color.

Another favorite of mine, Emmanuelle Alt – editor of Vogue Paris, adds flair to one of her favorite silhouettes – skinny cropped pants and blazer. The shoe must be fabulous (cropped pants give them much attention) and the new pointy toe trend lends femininity to an edgy leather pant. The subtle soft blue tee adds a dose of color while softening her look.

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Cannes Film Festival 2012 — Glamor Galore!!

The 65th Cannes Film Festival kicked off this week, with the who’s who of Hollywood and other countries jetting down to the Cote d’Azur in their thousands. Cannes’ film festival is as glamorous as it sounds. Imagine yachts, bikinis, blue skies, turquoise seas and reams and reams of glorious designer dresses. There certainly was no shortage of glam and glitz at Cannes this year!!

Above are the just some of the highlights of the best dresses so far – I’m sure there will be many more in the days to come. My favorites, worn by Naomi Watts and Eva Longoria, were designed by Marchesa — those trains, talk about GLAMOR!! Other favorites are Eva Herzigova in Dolce & Gabbana and Marion Cotillard in Christian Dior – love the navy/black combo (not to mention those diamonds in her hair), tres chic!

Clockwise from top left: Eva Herzigova in Dolce & Gabbana, Marion Cotillard in Christian Dior, Lana Del Rey in Alberta Ferretti, Eva Longoria in Marchesa, Fan Bingbing in Christopher Bu, Paz Vega in Stephane Rolland, Lana Del Rey in Alberta Ferretti, Naomi Watts in Marchesa, Diane Kruger in Giambattista Valli.

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Francisco Costa For Clavin Klein Collections In Macy’s

Seems as if everyone is getting in on the action – the action of having well-known designers create a lower priced collection for the masses. Macy’s, with the success of their Alberta Ferretti collection behind them, has launched a limited edition capsule collection fashioned by Francisco Costa, designer for Calvin Klein Collection.

If you’re a fan of his minimalist – which he considers “reductionist” — aesthetic but not his price range, you’re in luck! The collection of dresses – 16 in all – are not only affordable (prices range from $135.00 – $180), but  the simple, sophisticated and very chic silhouettes will be a go to piece for some time to come.

Francisco’s Brazilian roots, specifically Brazilian architecture, were his inspiration. Costa cited the color palette – pale yellows and taupes, black and white – as an illumination of a Brazilian sunset hitting the pavement.

The collection, which is unmistakably Costa and doesn’t seem to sacrifice design or fit, is sure to sell out! Head to your nearest Macy’s NOW!!

All photo’s are of the Francisco Costa Collection for Macy’s.

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Girls in their summer clothes!!! Having a few summer dresses in the closet is a must. Nothing is as easy or as comfortable — especially on a sultry hot day.

With wedding season and graduations upon us, now is the perfect time to invest in one or two (or a few) — the Paul & Joe Sister floral strapless mini is perfect for either occasion, and with a leather motorcycle jacket thrown over it the look goes from befitting to edgy. In fact, many of these dresses can go from day to night with a quick change of shoes and accessories. And, if balmy nights are still weeks away (or non existent) try adding the Alexander Wang perforated ankle boot and Day Birger Et Mikkelsen cropped leather jacket. It’ll take the Emerson Thorpe, T by Alexander Wang, Melissa Odabash or the Zara tulip dresses from the perfect day wear to smashing night-time knock-em-dead dresses.

Clockwise from top left: Emerson Thorpe Asymmetrical Dress $299.00 www.singer22.com, Paul & Joe Sister Short Dress $198.00 www.yoox.com, T By Alexander Wang Muscle Tee Dress $120.00 www.barneys.com, Maritime Colorblock Dress $98.00 www.jcrew.com, Melissa Odabash Jamie Striped Mini Dress $230.00 www.netaporter.com, Tulip Dress $79.90 www.zara.com.

Bottom row of pictures: Alexander Wang Shelly Boot $585.00 www.barneys.com, Day Birger Et Mikkelsen Cropped Leather Jacket $450.00 www.netaporter.com.

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Trend Report –It’s Okay To Feel Blue

This spring/summer it’s okay to feel a little blue – as long as you’re talking the latest spring/summer trend. This season blue is everywhere, and every shade of blue, from turquoise to baby blue to royal blue – there’s a shade that is right for you.

This fab trend is easy to wear too, it looks smashing with white and when paired with black can really make the hue pop. And, of course, the color rocks a pair of blue jeans. Another awesome way to wear blue is to combine the different shades for a color-block look!!

 

Clockwise from top left: Rodebjer Sheer Blouse $216.00 www.pixiemarket.com, Bubble Plastic Shopper $36.00 www.topshop.com, Diane Von Furstengberg Alba Dress Available at Chelsea Brentwood (310)471-4770, Pedro Garcia Jessica Swarovski Crystal Embellished Sandals $550.00 www.netaporter.com, Rag & Bone Skinny Jean $176.00 www.singer22.com, School Boy Blazer $175.00 www.jcrew.com.

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Mum’s Day — What They Really Want!!



This Mother’s Day I decided to reach out to my friends that are mums, and get the low-down straight from the source. Almost all their answers praised love, thoughtfulness and meaningful gestures over tangible items that are bought on a whim. Below are some of their answers, and a few ideas of my own, to help those who have waited to the last minute (that would be me) to purchase or make their gifts.

My biggest request every year is that it’s a THOUGHTFUL gift- something that I’ll actually like, personal to me, that means something.No random ‘stuff’!  Could be an action or homemade as well as purchased, the thought counts the most!    Cynthia Desser  www.cynthiadesser.com

If I could have ANYTHING I want for mother’s day, the first and foremost thing would be something hand made from my son.  Anything–a poem or a drawing or a card…..Something that captures him at this moment for years.  That I can put away and take out every year and remember how awesome and wonderful he is…..  Amy Amsterdam
I really want a Cartier love bracelet from my husband and son. So fits the feeling. I’m locked in with them! In a good way.  Andrea Putnam     If that price tag will break your piggy bank, opt for the Jemma Sand’s bracelets seen above (available at Chelsea Brentwood).
A big huge box of PG Tips tea.  Michelle Fiordaliso   www.michellefiordaliso.com
We added an awesome tea cup from Anthropologie — it’s great fun to mix the patterns when giving more than one.
Honestly?  I would LOVE it if my kids would spend a day helping me to get organized.  Linda
Happy kids.  Nothing else matters.  However, these happy kids better spring for a spa day.  Jane Bosackis
Burke Williams are featuring three gift card packages for Mother’s Day, ranging in price from $139.00 to $259.00.  1-866-239-6635 www.burkewilliams.com
Clockwise from top left: Madison Lace Leather Wallet by Coach $258.00 www.coach.com, Jemma Sands Bracelets $128.00 Chelsea Brentwood 310.471.4770, Tie-Dye Ikat Cup $18.00 www.anthropologie.com, Market Candles $10.00 www.marketcandle.com, Lanvin Circle Sunglasses $450.00 www.barneys.com, Markus Lupfer Sequined Initial Appliqued T-shirt $75.00 www.netaporter.com.
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Best Dressed At The Met Gala — Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations

 

This year’s Met Gala — often called fashion’s Oscar’s but better (fashions elite, models and movie stars together on one carpet), celebrated the affinities between two very different Italian designers and eras with Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations.

Inspired by Miguel Covarrubias’s satirical “Impossible Interviews” for Vanity Fair in the 1930s, curators Harold Koda and Andrew Bolton orchestrate conversations between these iconic women to suggest new readings of the designers’ most innovative work. Indeed, the iconic ensembles were presented along side of Baz Luhrmann’s 8 short film’s of Muccia Prada and Elsa Schiaparelli (played by Judy Davis) sitting at a long dining room table discussing the design process.The exhibition runs from May 10 to August 19, 2012.

The dress choices ran the gamut from vintage — Coco Rocha in bright yellow and pink Givenchy jumpsuit (once worn by Elizabeth Taylor) and a shock of hot pink hair (an ode to Elsa), edgy chic — Joan Smalls in Balmain, super short — Gwyneth Paltrow in Prada, to supremely elegant — Renee Zellweger in a ravishing Pucci gown with a feather fishtail (my favorite of the evening).

Who was your best dressed of the evening, and/or your favorite model/designer duo? Let us know your thoughts!

Clockwise from top left: Rooney Mara in Givenchy, Gwyneth Paltrow in Prada, Linda Evangilista in Prada. Renee Zellweger in Pucci, Joan Smalls in Balmain, Jessica Pare in L’Wren Scott, Channel Iman in Tom Ford, January Jones in Versace.

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Sydney Fashion Week – Spring Summer 2012

Down under had its turn at the helm of cat walks with Sydney fashion week just finishing. Every city has a designer that it embraces and takes into its fold and Kym Ellery, since launching her label in 2007, is the designer de jour in Sydney. Kym draws on her background as a stylist by infusing her lookbooks with a magazine quality (and by launching her own Gazette) and regularly dressing celebrities. Another popular designer among Australians is Ana Maria Escobar of Oroton, which was founded in 1938, and with her discerning eye for trends she keeps the collections fashion forward yet infused with a classic touch.

Two of my favorite showings at Sydney this past week were the popular Australian designer Alice McCall, her designs – lady like and sexy simultaneously -  can be found in over 165 stores in 10 countries, showing at both London and Australian Fashion weeks. In addition to McCall, An Ode To No One is a burgeoning Sydney label which has become known for its meticulous detail, supreme quality and inventiveness. Designer Adi’s creations find the beauty in being unique, reflecting individuality and flaunting it in the process.

Check out the collections and their designers at Mercedes-Benz Sydney Fashion Week.

Clockwise from top left: Alice McCall, Alice McCAll, An Ode To No One, Bless’ed Are The Meek, Ellery, Roopa Pemmaraju, Zimmermann, Roopa Pemmaraju, Oroton, Ellery, Bec & Bridge, An Ode To No One. All from Spring/Summer 2012.

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