Derek Lam F/W 2011 (left) and S/S 2011 (right) looks by Tom Pecheux for Estée Lauder.

Estée Lauder creative makeup director Tom Pecheux is an absolute genius when it comes to makeup. He created the unforgettable orange-dinged Derek Lam look at last season’s spring/summer 2011 show, and this season, he was the mastermind behind the silver metallic cat-eye look. Metallics and bright pops of color are clearly going to be huge beauty trends for this upcoming season, and fittingly, Estée Lauder’s new Bronze Goddess collection is totally in keeping with those awesome looks.

In the mix of products that Estée Lauder just launched this month are limited-edition dual-ended shadow pencils ($20), including a gorgeous teal shade that works great on its own or layered over black shadow. There is also a limited-edition Pure Color Gloss ($20) in Sunburst Sparkle, a limited-edition six-shadow eye palette called Island Oasis ($42), and my fave, a limited-edition Sea Star Bronzing Blush ($34) that works triple duty as a bronzer, blush, and highlighter for a glowingly healthy look — seriously, the shimmer is so subtle that it makes skin look luminous, a word I almost never feel compelled to use.

In fact, skin products that come in just one shade usually don’t work for me, because I’m very pale, but the bronzing blush has just the right color-to-shimmer ratio for that no-makeup look. Last but not least, the new nail shade for the season is a shimmering bronze ($19), a versatile option because it goes with lots of outfits and the shimmer finish makes it great for day-to-night.

Makeup Images Courtesy of Estée Lauder.

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Apparently, the technology has been in the works for quite a while. In simplistic terms, it’s possible to coat cotton fibers with solar-absorbing nanoparticles that are less than 100 nanometers thin. As a resullt, the cottom remains flexible,  allowing the dress can drape naturally. Cornell University has patented this technology.

In theory, I like her idea. Sometimes, I get really lazy about charging my iPhone, camera, and music player, so having a sun-powered dress or tee shirt would really come in handy. I’m not kidding: if it looked good, I would wear a solar-powered outfit.

Abbey’s professors pioneered the technology, and Abbey innovated and ran with it. For taking an idea and making it real, she deserves a high-five.

At the same time, I’m iffy about the application of her design. The dress looks a little too space-age for my tastes, and I believe that the futuristic design coupled with the futuristic stigma of this concept will immediately turn people away. Here are the knee-jerk reactions that I visualize: “a solar-powered dress? That’s weird” or “a solar powered dress? That’s cool, but I’d never wear it.”

Quite frankly, I don’t want to look like I’m wearing a tribute to The Jetsons. Instead, I’d like my solar technology, functional fashion sense, and electronics charging to be a bit more subtle and discrete. After all, it’s not always pretty when the worlds of fashion and gadgets collide.

Liebman plans to expand her fashion line with additional designs. I’m interested and excited to see what she creates and if she can somehow incorporate this great idea into something that’s fashion instead of a gadget. Women’s clothing always needs innovation, and experimentation is the best way to accomplish great results.

Photo Credit: Tina C

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Marc Jacob’s designs seemed to be a melting pot of the exotic style and classic retro trends. These models looked like sketches of ink as the colors remained neutral and each design maintained a sense of precision and lining.

The peach and blue combination is very unique and reminds me of videography of olden times. There’s an added charm to this look with special attention to the pearls attached to the oversized hair accessory. Of course, the frilly shoulder pads are straight from the 80′s and the dress has a leafy print that you probably haven’t seen in the last two decades.

Avril Lavigne presented her new line of clothing at NYC’s Fashion Week and her designs have an 80′s inspired theme as well. Here, this checkered long button down shirt and retro long leggings are not exactly new to the fashion scene, but is still upholding the 80′s fashion trend. The bold smokey-eyes and big pomped hair shows us that it’s 20 years later and these trends aren’t going anywhere for Spring 2010.

Image source: latimes.com, fadedyouthblog.com 

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News.com.au reports on the apology that was made by Kate Sylvester due to complaints about her collection, one of which came from the national secretary of Australia’s Returned & Services League, Derek Robson.  He felt the use of war metals was “appalling & sickening”.  His main concern was timing because April 25th is the day when New Zealand & Australia reflect back on the brave memebers of the Australian & New Zealand Army Corps who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during WWI.  So, I can see why this would upset people.  Although, I do see what Sylvester was trying to do from a creative standpoint.

Sylvester says she meant no disrespect against the military.  This collection is titled “Royally Screwed” and crowns & tiaras were also used.  TV3.com.nz reports Sylvester stating about her collection: “It’s called Royally Screwed and is about mad, bad royals, which is quite topical at the moment.”

What do you think about this collection.  If a designer from the U.S. did this with U.S. servicemen’s military metals…how would you feel?

Read the full article from News.com.au here.

Image Source: tv3.co.nz, livenews.com.au, theage.com.au, news.com.au, runwayreporter.co.nz

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Betsey Johnson was her classic self, with an over-the-top, but still pretty wearable collection. I loved everything about it, from the beatnik theme to the sampling of every decade since Kerouac and the beat ruled the underground. Check it out!

At Marc by Marc Jacobs, punky plaid, zipper details and voluminous collars were on display. Bows, sequins and….are those pantaloons I see?

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Here are some highlights of the Spring couture shows:

Chanel

Karl Lagerfeld plays with the classic Chanel jacket, mixing it with ballet flats and short angled skirts that remind of the 80s. Nylons also make a comeback in this ethereal collection.

Christian Dior

Leave it to John Galliano to do it up. The Dior catwalk was teaming with lusciously grandiose and billowing pieces. And, oh, was the 60s vibe was palpable.

Armani Privé.

It was all in the details for Giorgio Armani, who took a “more is better” attitude this season, working with lines, large floral add-ons, and sashes galore.

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Bill Blass: bows, high-waisted pants, sequins, floral, white, slim lines, silk, color gradation.

Chanel: Metallic, pink, layers, black and white, tweed, plaid, bubble skirts, purple, zippers, Amy Winehouse hair.

Photos Source.

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Oscar de la Renta:

Trends: Florals, full skirts, brocade, wide leg pants, embellishment, bold color, big shoulders, gold, and ruffles.

Vera Wang:

Trends: Slim silhouettes, relaxed blouses, pleated skirts, color blocking, fur, shimmer, silk, skinny pants.

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It wasn’t the clothes so much as the staging that was so monumental. Actually, a lot of the designs were from the Milan show, with a small collection put together for this particular catwalk. But still, it was beautiful and glamorous, both qualities for which I am a sucker. And so is Kate Bosworth:

Check out the video footage here:

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Okay, now it’s your turn: At what international monument or site would you stage a fashion show?  Can little ‘ol you top Lagerfeld?

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Day 3 at the Smashbox Studios brought the best show yet: Grey Ant.

Paneling was a key element of the show, and designer Grant Krajecki sent out lots of sexy strapless dresses with sharp lines, but a laid-back element also persevered. There were plenty of over-sized, slouchy caftan tops that added nice contrast to highly structured pieces. Other trends on the catwalk included bandeau tops, delicate layering pieces, high-waisted trousers that brought Katherine Hepburn to mind, hot pants, and wide leg/platform shoes combos. Oh, and a few pieces with John Waters’ films starlet, Divine, popped up too.

Shop Grey Ant styles here.

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