Fashion Blog

Who does not salivate over a Valentino or a Chanel walking down the runway and the Red Carpet?  But, there has also been an onslaught of raw, young talent recently that has stirred the pot, mixed things up and made it more exciting.  Here are my 5 personal favorites:

Jason Wu:

When Michelle Obama wore his white, one-shouldered, silk-chiffon and Swarovski crystal gown for the inaugural-balls , it instantly catapulted him to rock star fame. What with the First Lady consistently and faithfully choosing his designs for her public appearances, and the whole nation obsessing over her fashion sense, the 26-year-old has become almost a household name.  His designs are always tastefully done, having a ladylike understated elegance while exuding just the right amount of oomph to grab your attention.  No wonder Mrs. Obama finds so much use for it.  His fall 2009 collection was dominated by sleeveless dresses in striking colors and sweet flouncy skirts tempered with structured blazers.

Esteban Cortezar:

After the retirement of its founder, Emmanuel Ungaro, the legendary French Fashion House, Ungaro known for its playful and sensual interpretations of color and prints, got a face lift with the appointment of the young and dashing 23 year old Columbian born Esteban Cortezar as its chief designer. This design prodigy had already made history at 18 as the youngest designer to ever show at New York Fashion Week in 2003.  His Fall 2009 collection for Ungaro saw him settle comfortably into this iconic brand with renewed vigor and vitality. His young sexy presentation was full of bold colors, pink touches (a trademark for Ungaro), feminine ruffles, body skimming drapes, bandage dresses, puffed skirts and metallic banded sandals with embellished tights.  It was fun, fun, fun!

Hannah Marshall:

This undeniably fierce 25-year-old British designer has mesmerized everyone with her darkly elegant and architectural pieces.  Her deceptively simplistic designs are characterized with tremendous detail and unique juxtaposition of fabrics . Her obsession with the concept of communicating through clothing finds its way into her creations in the form of hidden messages in Braille incorporated into her garments.  Talk about being unique!  Her 2009 fall collection was conceived based on the idea of a body armor as a form of protection and strength.  Body skimming outfits sporting strong shoulders in her signature black color were the main theme.

Erin Fetherston:

Here is a woman who is not afraid to proudly embrace her inner girliness.  Her line, started in 2004, has become synonymous with delicate tea party dresses and feminine whimsicality.  Her 2009 fall collection, inspired by antique dolls paints a virtual fantasy with full-skirted dresses, polka dots, Peter Pan collars, glittery hats, bows as a throwback to every childhood fairytale character that has lived in bedtime stories.

Alexander Wang:

Any list of young designers worth its salt would have to include the immensely talented and dynamic Alexander Wang.  This winner of the 2008 Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation award for the Emerging Designer category is the master of everyday, urban chic that finds that perfect balance between clean and edgy.  Wang’s 2009 fall collection was the antonym of frilly and frothy.  Powerful, tough biker chic looks in black, white and sophisticated, muted plum dominated the show.  From menswear inspired stylized white button down to tough rocker girl getups in fur and leather, Wang is the way to go for some downtown cool!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop though a great selection of women’s clothing from top names like Michael Kors, Betsey Johnson and more!

Image Source: NyMag.com

Olga Kurylenko, the new Bond Girl, made the red carpet blush this weekend as she swept along it in an even redder Valentino dress for the premiere of Quantum Solace, in London’s Leicester Square.

I must admit, as I watched the premier event on TV, I wished I’d not been so lazy and taken the half hour train journey from where I live, to London’s Leicester Square to join the crowd. Despite the freezing weather, everybody seemed to be enjoying themselves and there was a real ‘feel good’ factor.

If you’re thinking about auditioning to be the next Bond Girl, or just have somewhere special to go, follow Olga Kurylenko’s lead and looking stunning in a red gown.

I love this eclectic styled vintage dress from Goldyn,  $90.00

eDressMe has a superb collection of red dresses, that will leave you spoilt for choice.

You will look stunning in this Red Evening dress from Mikael Aghal, $790.00

Look chic and alluring in this Red Ruffled Holiday Dress from JS Collections, $250.00. It’s the perfect alternative red color for those of you too shy to wear the bolder shade.

I couldn’t resist including this red Tie Neck Dress by Nell Courture, $275.00. It’s a classic that will serve you time and time again.

You will be the epitome of  red carpet style in this luxurious red evening gown by Jovani, $280.00

Photographs - Collider.com

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more dresses from eDressMe.com.
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                                        Buy red dresses.

I have a slew of weddings, baptisms, birthday celebrations & other special occasions to attend this season & not a thing to wear!  SaksFifthAvenue.com always seems to please when I’m in a hurry for a fashionable dress.  Here are some spring dresses from their spring collection that are my faves: 

Valentino Red Satin Cap Sleeve Dress: $595.00        Twenty8Twelve Ivy Silk Dress: $455.00

Teri Jon Country Club Sundress: $395  Badgley Mischika Tullie Babydoll Dress: $650

Badgley Mischika Fitten Twill Dress: $ 350         Theory Pavia Strapless Dress: $315

Shoshanna Strapless Chiffon Dress: $330      Notte By Machesa Faille Mini Dress: $675

Nicole Miller Strapless Satin Tuck Dress: $345      M Missoni Pique Strapless Belt: $695

Joie Continumm Mini Dress: $268                   BCBG Max Azria Centurian Satin Dress: $300

For more dresses click here.

The 11th Annual ACE awards took place Monday with Marc Jacobs taking home the “Designer of the Year” Award. The honor is particularly interesting due to Jacobs’ recent string of rebellious acts, including starting his spring show two hours late, sticking his tongue out a fashion critic Suzy Menkes (who, along with others, panned his spring collection) on his Paris runway and, of course, dying his hair with Punky Colour. Nonetheless, despite such debacles, which many are chalking up to a mid-life crisis, Jacobs and his coveted handbags received a well earned award for excellence in accessories.

Other winners include Mandy Moore, who was given “Fashion Innovator” honors and Heidi Klum, named a “Fashion Influencer.” Tory Burch got the “Accessories Brand Launch” award, which makes perfect sense considering the pandemonium her bags and doodads have caused as of late. On the flipside of the launch award was the “Lifetime Achievement” award, which was presented to Valentino, who didn’t show but sent Helena Christensen and Lucy Lui in his place and couture gowns.

Valentino invited a bunch of famous people to help him celebrate his 45 years as a designer, this weekend in Rome. The festivities started Friday, and the events were ‘aplenty, including an opening at the Ara Pacis museum and dinner at the Temple of Venus (not bad, I spent my Friday at a Mexican restaurant in East Los Angeles). Saturday was saved for a showing of Valentino’s couture collection and a black tie ball, where some looked spectacular and others didn’t.

As to be expected, here’s the celeb fashion round-up:

The Good:

Left to Right: Anne Hathaway, Eva Mendes, Jennifer Hudson and the fabulous Andre Leon Talley (I don’t what that guy wears, he rules!)

The Not So Good:

Left to Right: Claudia Schiffer (all bowed up), Uma Thurman (who I love, but I can’t handle that lace), and Sienna Miller (looking nothing like herself and proving that red is not her color).

Photos Source.