Emmys Red Carpet Embroidery

The Emmys Red carpet reports are all over the internet. Polls for if they were hot or not, best bag, best shoes, best boobs, etc.   As a couture embroidery designer, my quickie report will report on just that.  My top 3 gowns where I liked the embroidery.  That's it.  So here they are:

Anna Paquin's Alexander McQueen polarized fashion enthusiasts, but I loved the antiqued metal paillettes and beads.  The overlapping embroidery mixed with beads created a sculpted effect that reminded me of Egyptian royalty or ancient armor.

Modern Family was the surprise upset winner for Best Comedy series.  Sophia Vergara was every bit the victor in this dazzling Carolina Herrera gown.  The embroidery was a mix of different sized sequins emanating from the center front.  The center front of the gown was encrusted with gold beads.

Emily Blunt was stunning in this Christian Dior gown.  The layers of chiffon flowed like a dream.  The asymmetrical embroidery was done by hand in a strategic, artistic layout.  It was a combination of beads, sequins and fabric appliqué that gave the effect of falling shells and pearls.

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Boden Launches Johnnie B Back to School

I remember dreading the end of summer every year when I was in school.  The only redeeming part about looming September was the shopping.

Chic British collection Boden knows this.  They launched its Johnnie B. line this year.  The clothes were smart, with preppy details like printed woven tabs, funky printed linings inside classic outerwear pieces.  Dresses and skirts had some terrific retro-styled prints.  The ‘prom’ dress had neutral colors, but with a graphic, contrast zipper and contrast tulle petticoat underneath.  The graphic tees had artwork that looked like   hand-drawn images of 1980's cameras, shoes and wildlife.

Johnnie B. buyer Polly Dymond was on hand in the showroom to show me all of the offerings.  She was clearly passionate about the collection and looked adorable in the star-print dress.  Other staffers vamped around their favorite pieces from the line as well.

The showroom was dressed up in a tongue-in-cheek version of a classroom.  Alphabet cookies, lockers flowing with knitted accessories. A big chalkboard and notebook stamped like a library checkout for everyone who was ready to order their outfit.

The Johnnie B. collection offers a great alternative for students who are tired of the same big retail chains year after year.  These pieces are casual, easy, with a subtle European edge.  The clothes are available online at a recession-friendly price point. Tops average around $24-$50, dresses $44-$80 and outerwear tops out at $200 for the leather jacket.

Watch Polly's presentation exclusively on MsFAB:

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West Coast FAB: Juicy Style From Orange County

Happy Fabulous Friday!  We're going bi-coastal and bringing you all that is chic from Orange County.  Ms. FABulous has a new West Coast correspondent, Mdivani Monroe.  You may know him as the creator and host of "Ladies Who Lunch".  He will be showing you the best places to shop on the West Coast...

Orange County, CA.  The name itself conjures up images of Disneyland, Knott’s Berry Farm, Republicans, and Huntington Beach.  When you think of fashion companies in Orange County, the names of Quicksilver, Roxy, Billabong, Oakley roll off your tongue.  Fashion design is pretty much limited to surf and skate inspired clothing.  But perhaps that is about to change...

Breaking that mold, a new collection has emerged from the OC, 2627-Line.  The line, created by designer Maria Lopez, is also breaking the mold for herself personally as well.  As former Vice President of Design at St. John, she designed for their celebrity and politician clientele excelling in creating not only their signature suited looks, but also  crafting their elegant evening wear.  But when she left in 2008, she wanted to create a line that reflected more of what she wears.

The line consists of hoodies, sweatshirts, T-shirts, dresses and leggings in a color palette dominated by black, white, taupe, grey and just a shot of color with a slightly faded ruby.  Although the line reflects the California relaxed lifestyle, it has an urban edge to it that makes it sleek and sexy.  Ms. Lopez has designed the line for “the contemporary woman who is self confident and has her own fashion sense.  She isn’t overly concerned with being trendy, but rather wants to put together a look that is flattering and easy to wear”.

This is the type of clothing that dependent upon how it is worn, can take you from day through evening and is not defined by age or body type.  It is the type of clothing worn by celebrities, but is perfect on the everyday woman as well.  As Ms. Lopez puts it, “it’s classic clothing with a modern twist.  I love the fact women can now dress down and look still very chic and put together for a 9-5 career.”

Fabrications run from MicroModal, vintage wash fleece and French terry to cashmere.  The feel of the fabric was very important to Ms. Lopez and she worked endlessly with a wash house to get just the right softness.  “I want the line to feel comfortable and luxurious at the same time”, said Ms.

Lopez.  They are also “no-fuss” fabrics making them easy to wear and easy to pack for trips

I spoke to Ms. Lopez as she returned from a photoshoot for next years Spring line.  “Expect a little more color for Spring.  While I will still have the classic colors of black, white and grey, there will also be a muted khaki, a soft sky blue and a mink shade of brown”.  The fabrications will also expand to include stretch cotton denim, a laminated heathered linen, stretch linen and an angora/cotton blend.

The Fall 2010 will be hitting the stores in the beginning of September, with

prices starting around $65 for a T-shirt and going up to around $200.

You will find 2627-Line at American Rag, Cie. in Newport Beach, CA and also the Los Angeles store.  It will also be carried online by the shopping site Moxsie.

By Mdivani Monroe Photos by New Vision Studio

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Film Directors Fashion Ads

There was a lot of press about Tom Ford's film directing debut for the Oscar-nominated  "A Single Man" in 2009.  The movie was loved by critics and praised for its beautiful photography, design and complex characters.
Karl Lagerfeld's love of photography has been well documented.  He promoted a recent collection with a self-directed short film called "Remember Now".

I suppose prominent auteurs of the movie world felt they had to return the favor...

Martin Scorsese is known for his gritty portrayals in films like Goodfellas and The Departed.  What would he bring to the new commercial for a Chanel fragrance?  The result was a slick, darker, stylish short with a rebellious model (that's pretty hot!)



Oscar-nominated director Sofia Coppola was first in front of the camera for a Louis Vuitton ad with dad Francis Ford Coppola.
 She directed the wonderful Lost In Translation and the trend-setting Marie Antoinette.  She directed a similarly frothy French fantasy in her commercial for Christian Dior's "Miss Dior Cherie" fragrance.



What's next? Frank Miller of Sin City Fame is set to debut his film for Gucci's new "Guilty" fragrance at the MTV Awards September 12th.  It promises to have the slick, graphic, sexy look that he is known for... Here's a preview:



Want to keep up with all the fashion film shorts? Check out Fred Sweet's page here.

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Madame Paulette - Tailor to the Stars

If you have worked in the luxury fashion, you are probably familiar with Madame Paulette.  They are known as a “dry cleaner to the stars”, a clothing restoration specialist trusted by the likes of Vogue, Vera Wang and Bergdorf Goodman.

The Fashion Societe held a session at their Manhattan studio last week.  The Societe is part social club/part school for fashionistas.  Cathy Berger organizes seminars with a fun, cocktail party atmosphere like tonight’s program.  The evening’s agenda focused on how master tailors tricks of the trade could be applied to one’s personal wardrobe. 

The quickest, easiest fix for a tailored blazer for a busty woman?

 Simply shift the center front button over closer to the edge.  A much tougher alteration would be a couture wedding gown that is the wrong silhouette for its wearer.

Proprietor John Mahdessian gave an overview of the history of this family business.  He described memorable projects such as restoring the gowns of Princess Diana, cleaning the private jet of Donald Trump and preparing the garments for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Anglomania exhibit.  

To call Madame Paulette a dry-cleaner is not really accurate.  You wouldn’t go through the expense of just bringing your stained t-shirt there.  Upscale designers, haute couture owners come to this establishment for their expertise in clothing preservation and restoration.  Their clothing concierge service houses the special pieces of their clients in optimal conditions that their home closets may not be capable of.  

What makes a tailoring job at Madame Paulette different from the one down the street from you?  Master tailors showed the guests a couture gown with hand-stitching and specialty finishes on the interior.  These needed to be reproduced identically to match the original gown.  How about a pair of high-end jeans with a specially treated hem with targeted abrasions?  If the jeans are shortened, the hems needed to be hand sanded, the thread color matched to match the original.

The charming Mr. Mahdessian gave everyone a quick tour of the facilities. The dressing rooms demonstrate how seriously they take each garment.  Each client fit room was equipped with multiple forms of lighting to accommodate any setting their special garment might be seen in.  This included black light.  This wasn’t for a nightclub setting, but to see special coatings on beads or fabric finishes that might need to be matched.

Do you have grandma's great Chanel suit to restore?  Their website has several promotions and John is always ready for you.

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Cynthia Rowley Dress-Up Band-Aids

Ok, I am ashamed to admit that I am susceptible to marketing.  I couldn't resist this set of "bling-for-boo boos".  Cynthia Rowley's limited edition of dress-up band-aids features sequins, jewels and signature prints.  This is brilliant...Injecting style to take away the sting... This is a great addition to a back-to-school list, stocking stuffer, humorous hostess-gift.  

 

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House of Waris Design Competition

Fashion Incubator inductee, the House of Waris, is heading for the Highline.  What this means for you is that Waris Ahluwalia needs a designer for his pop-up shop to house his jewelry collection.

Your budget will be $5000.  The winning designers will be responsible for building and installing the set-up for Building Fashion, a premier NYC cultural event this fall.  You will be working closely with Mr. Ahluwalia to collaborate on the perfect design.

Judges consist of luminaries from architecture, fashion and design.  Winners will be featured in a multitude of design websites and magazines.  

Miss this one?  The Building Fashion project is a series of design challenges with different fashion designers.  Subscribe and see which project is for you!

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Levi's Curve ID Jeans Launch

Prestige denim brands have come and gone, but what we women really want is great fit at a reasonable price tag.

The Ms. FABulous crew went to the launch of the Levi’s Curve ID launch Thursday.  Their new collection of jeans are about your customized shape, not size.   The staff at the Soho store was on hand to measure everyone to determine their Curve ID.

What does that mean?  Curve ID was based on three universal body types.  I, not being your perfect ‘fashionista’ body type, fell into the "Slight Curve" fit.  This is for women whose jeans tend to be too tight in the waist.  This fit defined the waist, slimmed my hips and avoided the dreaded squeezed 'muffin top' look.

For the gal whose waist fits but doesn't flatter in most jeans, try the Demi Curve fit.   For the woman whose jeans gap in the back at the waist, there is the "Bold Curve" fit.

Fit expert, Kris Tulin demonstrated the proper way to find your fit.  Instead of relying on the number on your label, you need to look at the relationship between your natural waist, high hip, low hip and overall shape.  This is where aesthetic design takes a backseat to the art of technical design.  

The Ms. FAB team were measured by the experts at Levis and given a choice of styles, then sent to the fitting room.  Bloggers and editors were treated to cupcakes, cocktails and their own pair of jeans as they tried to find a good match for their body (booty) size.

It fit! Wow. It took 5 minutes to try two recommended pairs and both were winners.

The prices for the jeans we tried were an accessible $59-$69. You leave feeling pretty damn euphoric that you can enjoy summer in the city rather than crying in the dressing room.

To fit YOUR booty, and snag a pair of free jeans yourself, come to Bryant Park in Midtown NYC on Friday, August 27th for their big party.  Janelle Monae will be performing and you can get rid of your old, ill-fitting jeans to Goodwill.  

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Barney's Warehouse Sale - NYC

Day One of Barney's legendary warehouse sale started today.  One of my girlfriends claimed she survived with a few dresses unscathed.  RackedNY has provided an extensive report on the menswear offerings.

Details:

255 West 17th Street (between 7th and 8th avenue)

Thursday, August 19th: 8 AM - 9 PM

Friday, August 20th: 10 AM - 7 PM

Weekends: 10 AM - 7 PM

Weekdays: 10 AM - 9 PM

Labor Day: 10 AM - 7 PM

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NY Fashion Week Ticket Giveaways

I know it, some intern mixed up your name at Marc Jacobs. Anna Wintour invited her sister-in-law instead of you for the Alexander Wang show. No worries, there are many ways to score your VIP access to NY Fashion Week events.

Fashion Show invites:

For the ultimate in VIP treatment, you want to win the CBS Fashion's #1 Fan contest. It includes round trip airfare to NYC, a 5-night stay at the Mandarin Oriental, exclusive tickets to Fashion's Night Out, Broadway tickets and a $500 shopping spree. Upload a video of yourself expressing your passion for fashion.

The AAU show always showcases the best graduating fashion students from the Academy of Art University. This show attracts top editors, a few celebs and always a few representatives of Bravo's "Real Housewives of..." series. They have a Facebook/Twitter contest on their webpage for you to score your invitation.

StyleList also has a great giveway. $500 shopping spree AND $500 spa certificate along with your trip to NY AND VIP access.  Enter here.

Fashion Week Events:

Martha Stewart Live is doing a special series of Fashion Week themed shows. Win tickets to be part of the live audience for your favorite designers. Diane Von Furstenburg, Tory Burch, Donna Karan to name a few. There is also an episode for fans of vintage and thrift shops. To snag your tickets, write in why YOU deserve to be there in your request.

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Red Carpet Recessionistas

Remember when gawking at stars on the red carpet was about drooling over unattainable couture gowns?  I don’t know if it is the recession, the Obama effect, or the general democratization of style, but celebrities are flaunting bargain finds in front of paparazzi.

The early pioneer of the high-low red carpet look was Sharon Stone.  In 1996, she was the star to dress for the Academy Awards.  She made the best fashion press of the night when she declared she grabbed a Gap turtleneck from her closet for the evening.  (She failed to mention the Valentino skirt it was paired with).  As a result Gap was elevated to a serious fashion brand and even sponsored this year’s Met Costume Gala.

FLOTUS Michelle Obama is often seen mixing young designers with mass apparel brands like Talbot’s and J. Crew.  Elisabeth Moss of Mad Men struck a glamorous pose in a very attainable Topshop dress.  

One answer to this phenomenon would be the high end designer collaborations with mass market brands.  Edgy label Rodarte and Zac Posen recently created fabulous dresses for mega-retailer Target.  Natalie Portman was seen in a $40 Rodarte, Claire Danes sported the Zac Posen on the red carpet.  Gap has hired many a young designer like Prabal Garung and Thakoon for special projects.  Isaac Mizrahi has a special collection for Liz Claiborne, sold at J.C. Penney.

With funds no longer a problem, the rest of us plebeians have no excuse not to be red carpet ready.

Photos by Jason Kempin/Filmmagic,Steve Eichner,Marc Stamas/Getty Images

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FAB Exclusive: How-to Eat, Pray, Love with Kiran Rai

Style, spirituality and spaghetti ruled the box office the past weekend. With the popularity of the book and movie, Eat, Pray Love, there is a huge demand for global chic. Kiran Rai, design director of Sir Alistair Rai and Satya Rai has always been an ambassador for style that is not exclusive of spirituality.

Ms. Rai has been inspired by the people and culture of her extensive travels. The International influence has helped her to create her laid-back and edgy collection. The bohemian touches and humor of her collections have made fans of Halle Berry, Ricky Martin and Angelina Jolie.

Mariana Leung had the opportunity to ask Kiran about her design and work philosophy:

MsFABulous: What piece of the collection is your personal favorite for the upcoming season?

Kiran Rai: My favorites are the "I'm Free" Peacock Caftan, and the Tie Dye Wrap in pink. The caftan is a wardrobe staple; it's flattering to all body types and is wearable all year round. I was inspired by the Rolling Stones in this collection, and this pattern evoked their "I'm Free" hit for me. The Tie Dye Wrap in pink is hot; it's got the same softness our wraps are known for, but the pattern and color lend it some edge for the Fall season.

MsF: Plenty of celebrities have enjoyed the carefree elegance of your pieces. Is there one in particular that you feel embodies your style philosophy the most?

KR: Julia, Julia, Julia! Everything about Julia Roberts is true to our style philosophy. Her style, her SMILE, her timeless beauty, and her love of India.

MsF: The global soul of the Satya Rai collection seems to be right on point with the spirit of upcoming Eat, Pray, Love movie. Where is the most inspiring place you have traveled yourself?

KR: India is hands-down the most inspiring...and funny enough, Italy is my second favorite! I understand Elizabeth Gilbert choosing the countries she did for her journey. India is my motherland, and I lived outside Milan in Lugano in boarding school. They both hold different inspiration for me: Italy means love, fun, food and wine, and in India, I find bravery, peace, color...and it's always a different journey.

MsF: The commitment statement on your website states “You can feel good that the clothes you buy today are helping enrich the lives of the people who helped make them”. So few fashion consumers ever pause to think about the human beings who make the product they wear. Can you tell us a little about the people you employ to make your collection?

KR: Two words: HAPPY, and RESPECTFUL. I have the best crew; they've been with me forever, and they really do embody our truth...both in their personal and professional lives.

MsF: Your label’s message is one of peace and wisdom. Rare for the often cut-throat world of high-fashion. What is your personal mantra for navigating the stressful garment industry?

KR: BREATHE...when I can!

MsF: Thank you Kiran! Namaste!

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Celebrity Fashion Auctions

Countless magazine articles and talk show segments instruct you on how to dress like your favorite star. However, if you have the dollars and want to help out a good cause, you can always bid on the real thing right off the celebrity back.

For cool retro Mad Men style, you can bid on Joan Harris' green dress as worn by Christina Hendricks. This, and dresses worn by characters Betty Draper and Bobbie Barrett are up for auction to benefit City of Hope.

For more casual chic, you can bid on Evangeline Lilly's 'Kate' costume from season 1 of ABC's 'Lost'. This and tons of other cast outfits are on auction for the next few days. (My personal favorite in this auction is Hurley's Mr. Cluck costume).

Clothes Off Our Back is an organization founded by "Malcolm In The Middle" star Jane Kaczmarek and actor Bradley Whitford from "The West Wing". It takes clothing and accessories worn by celebrities to auction off to benefit children's charities. Currently, you can bid on a necklace worn by Lindsay Price from the "Lipstick Jungle" and garments directly out of Bette Midler's closet.

Photos courtesy of AMC, Profiles In History and Anna Webber / WireImage

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Betsey Johnson's Birthday Party - Great at 68

Last night, fashion icon Betsey Johnson celebrated her Sweet 68 at her birthday party in Soho. She arrived in a pink limo. She looked fabulous in her signature blonde locks and red lipstick; she showed fans and colleagues that she has all the moxie she has always had since the 1960’s.

Staff and fashion groupies were dressed in girly Betsey Johnson frocks. Many wore wigs or styled their hair like their heroine. Some even paid homage through make-up.

Chambord provided raspberry flavored vodka cocktails. The Cupcake Café decked out the boutique in rich buttercream topped flower desserts.

The clothing had bright novelty prints that Betsey Johnson is known for. Dresses were girly, embellished with lace, ruffles, ready for dancing. Bows and roses decked handbags and shoes.

Betsey’s signature pink color has taken on a more significant meaning in recent years. She is a breast cancer survivor who has become a warrior against the disease. She was a chairperson for the CFDA’s Fashion Targets Breast Cancer campaign and co-authored the book “Why I Wore Lipstick to my Mastectomy” with Geralyn Lucas. She hosted charity events and raised money designing a t-shirt. She was presented with an award for her work by the National Breast Cancer Coalition in 2004.

Happy Birthday Betsey, and may you have many more to come!

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Guest Blog: Dead or Alive - MAD Museum Exhibit in NYC

From Gothic style and fashion blog, The Courtesan Macabre:

Is there beauty in death? At the Museum of Arts and Design, thirty artists attempt to prove this true. Through sculptures, installations, the works in this exhibit are made from items once living, now dead.

Some of have re-purposed bones into new objects. Some have made use of the decorative patterns and silhouettes of insects into beautiful decor motifs. Usually, an exhibit with such a theme provokes artists who create for shock value, or are politically abstract. Instead, the actual craft and design of these pieces are so well thought out, many could even be functional.

Feathers have been a prominent embellishment in fashion in current seasons, and fits perfectly into this exhibit. The iridescent wings of butterflies take on the silky sheen of many taffeta ballgown, its mural giving elegance to a room.

A motorcycle of engineered bones has the edge and style that would make the American Chopper Boys Drool. The delicate manipulations of beetles in a Victorian home setting might convince you it was an aristocratic estate piece.

The exhibit runs until October 24, 2010.

Photos by Stanzie Tooth

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Italian Vogue - Oil Spill Chic?

How do you make an epic environmental disaster into a fashion spread? Is that tacky or brave?

Readers are quite divided over the controversial magazine editorial. The sight of a grey-haired (but beautiful) Kristen McMenamy is the first shocker. Models draped over oil-strewn rocks, trapped in nets, embellished with feathers. Models covered in dirt, oil, strangled with seaweed.

Some accuse the editors of glamorizing a tragedy.

I think that to reduce it as such would be too quick and narrow-minded. I believe that the spread is a statement on consumerism. This is a photo-editorial showing that the fashion industry does indeed acknowledge harsh realities in the world. This is a work of art by Steven Meisel and not an ad campaign.

The fashion pieces in the pictorial also served to showcase eco-artists and designers. In several photographs, Kristen McMenamy wears a seaweed-like rubber necklace. The necklace by Kathleen Nowak Tucci was made of re-purposed pieces of inner tubes from the Gulf Coast.

To check out the full magazine spread, click through to Refinery 29's slideshow. For a closer look at the clothing used in the editorial, check out the video below:

Fashion companies with projects aiding oil spill relief: Kenneth Cole, Thomas Mann, Perry Ellis

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FAB Link Love: The Best of Fashion Blog Links Last Week

Jealousy, Race, and Summer Jackets

Edited by: Thom Wong of The Sunday Best.
A veritable cornucopia of stylish reading awaits you in this week's list. You'll get taken on a tour of (rarely mentioned) downtown Halifax, discuss again whether any role model should be based on image, and look into doing the impossible with a dying medium. Along the way discover what tips men might have for women's style, whether a closet can be perfectly unisex, and what Mormons might know about minimalism.

Links à la Mode: August 5th

• Amanda Lee: Avoiding Fashion Impulse Buys


• All Tumbled Down: Reflections on a year of no shopping


• An Early Life Crisis: Project 27 Completed!


• Beyond Fabric: Work appropriate: tips for being presentable at conservative workplaces


• Broke and Beautiful: You smell different.


• Clothed Much: How to create a minimalist closet


• Fashionable People, Questionable Things: Big Day Downtown: A Roundup of our shopping trip in downtown Halifax.


• Frenchleave: Who wants to wear a summer jacket


• Guacamole and Toast: An interview with The Impossible Project's Florian Kaps


• Independent Fashion Bloggers: How to take your own outfit photos


• Mariel's Castle: A case of unisex


• The Demoiselles: Women in the Media: Adele


• Stylish Thought: Losing Out Essence: Issues of Race in Fashion


• Modly Chic: Friend Friday: Blogger Jealousy


• Oranges and Apple German magazine bans professional models - nine months on


• Sparkle Birds: Sunday's Best


• Sugar and Spice: Christina Hendricks: curvy role model or another unattainable ideal?


• The Coveted: Three essential beauty products under $20


• The Sunday Best: Copy Fail | Gap CORE


• The Very Subjective: The Style Thing


• Un-Stitched: Best of etsy.com

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Runway Ready? Women's Mafia Competition

Is your collection runway ready? That's the challenge progressive networking club Women's Mafia is presenting to up-and-coming fashion designers.

Designers are invited to apply for a coveted spot in their September fashion week show in New York City. Not only do you get a showcase for your work, winning designers will receive the support of a $10 000 PR and branding package to promote their label. Shows from previous fashion weeks have been featured on NBC and other major outlets.

To apply, be ready with images of your work and a pitch of why you deserve to show with Women's Mafia. For full details and to submit your application, click here.

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Tinsley Mortimer's Socialite Style - Samantha Thavasa Handbags Fall 2010

Late July, Tinsley Mortimer hosted a cocktail party to preview the Fall 2010 launch of her handbag collection for Samantha Thavasa. The reigning socialite queen has been collaborating with the Japanese label for several seasons now and the relationship seems to be going strong.

This fall, the collection took two distinct directions at the Madison Avenue boutique. There was a classic-themed collection of quilted leather with chain detail. This one looked like it was aimed towards the conservative society contingent.

The second direction was a lot more interesting. It was a rock n’ roll inspired group that incorporated tie-dyed fabrics and lacy laser-cut patterns. It took variations of corset-lacing details and applied them in several unusual ways. The corset styling was and ode to Madonna. The handbag silhouettes themselves were named after some of the best hair metal bands of the 1980’s. You know you want to carry a purse named “Poison”, “Def Leopard” and “Whitesnake”.

Photos courtesy of Samantha Thavasa and FWD

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