Anna Sui is the latest designer to jump on the big-box-collaboration-train with a Gossip Girl inspired line for Target, set to debut in mid-September. Since we all love GG and presumably each have a favorite character (I ♥ Queen B), we're looking forward to playing dress up in that character's wardrobe.
The lookbook features outfits for Blair (lookbook pictured above), Serena, Jenny and Vanessa, to fulfill our desires whether they are preppy, punky, or bohemian chic. Just one question: What about GG herself? We wonder what the queen of gossip wears when airing out the dirty laundry... XOXO!
--Venus
For Cheap-Chic-Weddings' fifth annual wedding dress contest, contestants had to create a wedding dress out of toilet paper. This incredible dress (and hat!), created by Ann Kagawa Lee from Hawaii, is the winner!She says her theme was "Gone With The Wind" with Japanese origami, and the dress has been likened to an Oscar de la Renta couture creation.
As the winner, Ann received a $1000 prize and the dress reserves a place in the Ripley's Believe It Or Not! museum, but we think her unbelievable feat deserves more!
You can see the equally amazing dresses that came in second and third places at Cheap-Chic-Weddings.com.
--Venus
Check out our two favorites:
Urban Decay Pocket Rocket Lip Gloss
Will Ferrel Sunscreen
--Venus
As much as The Devil Wears Prada's "Runway" magazine made (not-so-subtle) inferences to Vogue, and Miranda Priestly's character to Anna Wintour, all that will change when The September Issue is released on August 28th--this is the real Devil Wears Prada.
Directed by RJ Cutler, the highly-anticipated film documents editor in chief Wintour's influential role not only at Vogue but also in the fashion world at large. It does so by centering around Wintour and her team of editors in the creation of the September issue, because "September is like January in fashion."
Sometimes she sounds as terrifying as Priestly was in DWP, but we do see her smile, get excited, and even take off her sunglasses for the camera! We are so excited.
Watch the trailer below:
--Venus
Bright, structured dresses are in this summer, as they are versatile enough to go from day to night, and they also show off our best features.
"Dresses that accent a natural waist are classic and alluring and do not overwhelm the frame the way a trapeze silhouette does," Maggy London Design Director Adam Yankauskas says. "This summer, show off curves rather than bury them under extraneous fabric!"
For more stylish summer looks to show off, see our complete In & Out slideshow!
--Venus
Former Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova recently showcased a prototype dress designed to light up when the wearer's cell phone rings, MSNBC reported a few days ago.The dress, designed by a 20-year-old British fashion student whose assignment was to incorporate new technology into fashion design, said that the dress could alert the wearer of calls, especially in noisy areas where the ring might not be heard.
"When you're in a pub or a bar, you can never, ever hear your phone," designer Georgie Davis told Reuters.
Instead, you would know that you were getting a call by the translucent white scales that move and light up along the right side of the dress.
We think that if we were "in a pub or a bar" and our dress suddenly started lighting up, we would probably gather a bit of unwanted attention!
What do you think, ladies, are you for or against this kind of integration of technology and fashion!?
--Venus
But, with so many other things to worry about (the weather, the recession, and so on), panicking about what we'll wear is the last thing we want to add to the list. That's why we're thrilled to discover that legendary fashion designer Norma Kamali, who began designing her collection for Walmart in 2008, has created a fabulous selection of swimwear for us this summer! All of the pieces are sophisticated, timelessly simple, and seriously affordable.
Bikini separates to mix and match (like this cute polka-dot top) are each $15, and the one-pieces are $20.
We honestly can't remember the last time we were this excited for the sun, talk about $20 well-spent!
--Venus
A few days ago we excitedly blogged about the increase in plus-size fashions and the launch of Beth Ditto's line for Evans, and now we have even more good news!
IGIGI, the women's brand and retailer of contemporary fashions in sizes 12-32, has recently adopted a new business model, created a website, and started a new line: The IGIGI Limited Collection. The LC collection takes on the "fast fashion" model, producing trendy and affordable designer styles a few times a week, all of which retail for around $60-$160.
"I am so happy to bring something new to the plus-size community, said Yuliya Raquel, the Chief Designer and Founder of IGIGI. "I want to push the boundaries that traditionally define beauty and contribute to an all inclusive, all encompassing definition. I feel like we are one step closer to that mission with this new collection."
This collection is available on the IGIGI website, which was also recently launched in an effort to reach a wider audience and to create "a more robust experience" for the customer. It features the ShapeStylist, which helps customers determine their shape and find fitting items, as well as the StylePhile, which keeps customers up to date on the latest trends.
Pictured: IGIGI Limited Collection Maxi Dress ($162 at Igigi.com)
--Venus
If I could pick one thing that Christophe Decarnin has taught me, it's to appreciate shoulders. The Balmain designer is all about the shoulders, and, most importantly, he knows how to make them look fierce but still feminine. Where once I avoided all things shoulder-padded with a ten-foot-pole, now I tiptoe carefully and curiously. My closet now houses a few blazers, some of which fit like a glove, some that are menswear inspired, and even one that has the once-dreaded padding! I've learned, thanks to Decarnin, that big shoulders are chic, and even better if I can streamline the rest of the silhouette.
look from SS09 (left), look from FW09 (right)
I've also learned (à la Decarnin) that the more embellished the look is, the better.
Whenever I want to be inspired, I'll look through Balmain's fashion shows, and I always emerge feeling motivated by the sequins, studs, and short dresses that Decarnin sends down the runway. Though his looks are unfailingly bold and daring, they are always in celebration of women and their bodies. Dresses are cut with a slinky and tight fit, then punched up with disco detailing, intricate studding, and crazy shoulders.
It's a formula that, to me, says: I am a woman, I am gorgeous, and if you mess with me I will take your eye out with the rocks sewn onto my incredible clothing.
looks from FW09
Now that you've all heard a little about what inspires me, don't forget to tune in to tonight's episode of The Fashion Show (10 p.m. EST) to see some designer-inspired competition!--Venus
