Salvatore Ferragamo Resort 2012

Holiday as a luxe Bohemian or an elegant sailor.  The Salvatore Ferragamo presentation for Resort 2012 brought together luxurious representations of both archetypes Tuesday evening.  Creative director Massimiliano Giornetti channeled the 1930's in long draped silhouettes, beaded fringe and embroidery for evening.    For day looks, stripes, high-waisted pants and peacoats showed of the maritime influence.  The nautical palette of antique silver, pale blue satin, navy and cream evoked a vacation set at sea.  Techniques of pleating, ropes and satin added to the retro sophistication.

Handbags featured mirror-lined clutches in velvet.  Octogon shapes made their way into sunglasses and bracelets.  The naval theme was further represented in the captain’s hats and jeweled rope necklines.  Shoes featured details like mosaic heels and tortoise plexi.

The runway show itself was presented in grand style in the historic James B. Duke mansion on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.  The models walked past a dramatic staircase, through drawing rooms and library.  The home once belonged to famed socialite Doris Duke.  Classic crooners with a narrated soundtrack recalled fashion shows of a posh past.  Celebrities included Eva Mendes, Freida Pinto, Ashley Greene and Minka Kelly.


Watch the show:

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Catherine Malandrino Resort 2011

Playing games this season?  Catherine Malandrino was inspired by Mikado, a European version of pick-up-sticks for her resort collection.  The primary colors were a mix of her signature Parisian chic and New York practicality.

The fabrics were a mix of lightweight knits and pointelle stitch textures.  Nothing to iron, and easy to pack.  Exactly what you need for running off to a resort.  The color palette has a sporty look that is still perfectly at ease in a formal dining room.

This season is another example of why Ms. Malandrino's collections are so popular.  The woman lives the lifestyle of her customers.

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Kate Middleton Dazzles At First Military Event as Duchess

Kate Middleton has been duchess for almost two months now, and she has yet to disappoint. She's beautiful and charming and practically perfect in every way! Today was no different when she turned on the charm with her hubby Prince William to honor the Irish Guards in London on Armed Forces Day.

As usual, the new duchess was dressed perfectly for the occasion. She wore a blue coat dress with matching shoes, and a stylish fascinator (she could give Princess Beatrice a few tips in the hat department) and flashed her giant smile as she met with servicemen and the families of fallen guardsmen today.

Kate was said to have spent twice the amount of scheduled time talking with the guardsmen, and was happy to participate in an event so "close to her husband's heart," said a royal aide.

This was Will's first event as the Colonel-in-Chief of the Irish guards, an honor he received in February, and the couple took the time to speak personally to each of the 60 members today.

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Gothic Fashion Bonanza at Wave Gotik Leipzig

It's one of the biggest displays of Gothic fashion in the world.  2000 fans converged on Leipzig, Germany for Europe's most popular Gothic music festivals.  The most impressive spectacle of course, was the fashion on display last week.

Almost every sub-style was represented at Wave Gotik Music and Art Festival.  You had your romantics, your Renaissance and Victorian groups.  Cyber punk Goths mingled with Steampunks.  Lolitas were on board, along with new styles like Camo-Goth.   While black and red are the classic Goth palette, there many who used bright colors in their ensembles.  

photos by Carsten Koall, John MacDougall

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Paris Hilton and Cy Waits Break Up

Looks like Paris Hilton is single again! The reality star and her beau Cy Waits have reportedly called it quits.There was buzz last week about the two going through some rough times, and apparently it was true -- even though Cy denied it at the time. A source tells Us magazine: "They are broken up. It's sad, she cares about him a lot and thinks he's a great guy but they really hit a rough patch."

There's no crazy affair story or drama associated with the split (yet), it apparently comes down to one simple thing: Dating a reality star is tougher than it looks! "[Cy's] found it difficult to live his life with her in the spotlight and that's what caused their split. No drama, it's amicable, but things didn't work out," an insider said.

These two have been dating for about a year after getting together shortly after Ms. Hilton and Doug Reinhart split in spring 2010.

We have a feeling this isn't really the end of the road for these two, but, for now, Paris is back on the market!

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L.E.S. Runway - Crowdsourcing Fashion Designers

Cheryl Maleh has a dream to bring indie designers to the runway and fashion fans to see them.  She is crowd funding a project on Kickstarter to fund a series of fashion shows with selected up-and-coming designers during fashion week, as a well as a pop-up shop to sell their collections.  This series will also be an opportunity for fans that aren't invited to the main shows to attend events as well.  

Ms. Maleh has long term goals to make this an annual event and add more cities across the country.  You can donate as little as $5 and be kept up to date of all events.  Donate in larger increments for guaranteed tickets to shows, your application fee waived if you are a designer, or received fabulous jewelry from Gemma Redux if you are a true patron of the LES catwalk.  To learn more or contribute, click here.

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Lady Gaga Isn't So Single After All

Last month Lady Gaga proclaimed her singledom on a British talk show, but turns out the breakup with her "muse" Luc Carl was really more of a tiff that lasted a week or two.

She told host Graham Norton last month "I don't have a boyfriend," but sources say that might have been the case for a whole two seconds.

"They had a little fight," says an insider (via Us magazine). "I think the breakup lasted a week or two."

So Gaga might have stretched the truth a bit about her love life, but we can't be too surprised. She admitted: "I sometimes skirt questions about it -- and maybe not honestly."

The source says the longtime couple are "totally back together now," and we even hear the singer's bartender beau is planning to quit his job to come on the road with her!

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Jean Paul Gaultier at Montreal Museum of Fine Arts

A French-Canadian museum gets tres chic today as Fashion's French bad-boy gets a retrospective.  The exhibit celebrates the Jean Paul Gaultier's 35 years in design.  The looks presented are divided into five themes of his influence on fashion design,  Paris, Fusions, Multi-Gender, Eurotrash/X-rated and Metropolis.

Besides clothing creations, the museum will display photos, sketches and audiovisual elements.  Mainstream fans will probably look for his collaborations with pop culture icons like Lady Gaga, Madonna, Kylie Minogue and Andy Warhol.  What would lingerie be without the iconic cone bra?  Gaultier also contributed to memorable looks in film, photography and concerts.

The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts exhibit of The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk runs until October 2, 2011.  

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Prince William and Kate's Canadian Vacation Plans Revealed

While word that Prince William and Kate Middleton will travel through Canada as part of their first North American tour is old news, it wasn't until today that details of their trip were revealed. And judging from their itinerary, it appears that the royal couple will be welcomed by fireworks, as they're set to arrive in the land of maple syrup and Justin Bieber on July 1, better known (up there) as Canada Day.

Yes, July 1 is not just the day that Selena Gomez's newest movie Monte Carlo hits theaters, it's also the day that marks Canada's independence from Britain. Oh, the irony!

According to People, the newlyweds will be welcomed by much more than just a fireworks display. After being greeted by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and a 21-gun salute, William and Kate are set to attend an hour long ceremony complete with a fighter-jet flyover and cheerful renditions of "O Canada."

We know what your'e thinking, and the answer is yes: Canada does have one fighter jet. And if the Ottawa Citizen is correct, hundreds of thousands of people will show up to see that jet -- and the royal couple too. More details on William and Kate's Canadian trip are expected in the coming days.

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Selena Gomez Makes a Second Trip to the Hospital

Selena Gomez was rushed to the hospital after filming The Tonight Show Thursday night, and one trip just didn't do it -- TMZ reports the starlet was taken back to an LA hospital Saturday for blood pressure issues.

The Disney star, who's dating teen sensation Justin Bieber, complained of nausea and a severe headache Thursday. The nausea component, of course, sparked a flurry of pregnancy rumors about the 18-year-old actress. And, they're totally not true.

New reports indicate the starlet's been in and out of the hospital for blood pressure issues, but doctors have yet to figure out what's wrong.

Her rep released a statement after her overnight hospital stay Thursday, announcing that Selena was undergoing "routine tests."

An insider said no one knew anything was wrong during her talk show appearance that night.
"She did a backstage interview and hung out with Jim Carrey after the show. The Tonight Show people didn't even know she wasn't feeling well," the source said (via Us magazine).

Selena was supposed to kick off her 10-city tour at Santa Monica Place, but the concert was rescheduled for Monday. As of Sunday morning, the show had not been rescheduled again.

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Kenneth Cole Sponsors AIDS Awareness Exhibit

Designer foundations doing good.  Kenneth Cole and his foundation is sponsoring an exhibit at the Art Director's Club in NYC, "Graphic Intervention: 25 Years of International AIDS Awareness Posters 1985-2010.” 

The exhibit was organized by the Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt) and showcases a diverse range of visual, community and marketing strategies from around the world to get the message of awareness and prevention across.  Highlights include 29 advertisements that were shot by Annie Leibowitz and Mr. Cole himself.


The show runs until July 29 and admission is free. 

June 6 - July 29, 2011

ADC Gallery

106 West 29th Street, NYC 

Kenneth Cole Photo By Steve Eichner, Posters from graphicintervention.org

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Elaine Pedlar's Couture Paper Dolls

 Many people who work in the fashion industry have dreams of busting out to follow their passion.  For Elaine Pedlar, she succeeded in the triple threat of fashion illustration, opening her own boutique and paper dolls.

A designer by trade, Ms. Pedlar debuted her pop-up boutique, Dumbelle in Dumbo, Brooklyn with a mix of her fashion illustration paper dolls, cushions and coloring books.

You never have to worry about your dolls being out of fashion.  The designer will be creating new collections for the girls every season.  

Dumbelle is located at 145 Front Street in Brooklyn and will be open until September 1, 2011.

Photos courtesy of Geoffry Gertz at Sparked.biz

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Fashion, Music and Hollywood Elite for CFDA Awards

The CFDA awards used to be about hardcore fashion industry insiders celebrating their achievements.  Last night's awards though, brought out the top names in music (Lady Gaga, Kanye West, Estelle), Hollywood (Jessica Alba, Olsen Twins, Kirsten Dunst) and journalishm (Andersen Cooper).  Designers, merchants, retailers still ruled the carpet and took home the trophies.

Designer of the year for womenswear was awarded to Proenza Schouler's  Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez.  For menswear, Michael Bastian took home the designer honors.  Alexander Wang won the award for Accessories Designer of the Year.

While it seems that the fashion crowd has been aware of Prabal Gurung's achievements for quite some time, he won the Swarovski award for emerging talent.  The forever-hot Marc Jacobs won the Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement award, (even though he has yet to hit middle age). 


A turquoise-wigged, Thierry Mugler wearing Lady Gaga own the (least surprising, yet highly deserved)  Fashion Icon award.  
photos by  Larry Busacca

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Kristen Stewart Smiles on the Red Carpet at 2011 MTV Movie Awards

Kristen Stewart surprised us all when she actually smiled at the MTV Movie Awards tonight! The starlet looked great in an orange beaded dress with a flirty blowout and black heels.

The starlet was a winner tonight during the show too: She and Robert Pattinson won Best Kiss for the third time in a row! She didn't get a kiss from her leading man, but Rob did give a kiss to Taylor Lautner after running down to him in the audience. Oh my.

The 2011 MTV Movie Awards on June 5th at 9 EST promise a fun, light-hearted cinematic night with SNL host Jason Sudeikis. Some highlights to watch out for: Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson being in the same room, Emma Watson giving a first-time sneak preview of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and a much-anticipated Best Kiss Award. The youthful evening will also feature an appearance from mid-scandal celeb Blake Lively and performances from Lupe Fiasco, Trey Songz and the Foo Fighters.

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National Arts Club 2011 Fashion Innovator – William Calvert

Designer William Calvert was celebrated as the man of honor at the beautiful National Arts Club last week.  The historic organization of fine arts chose the fashion innovator based on his varied career, but leaders of the club praised his integrity.

Fashion committee chair Chrishaunda Lee reminisced about her wedding gown that was created by Calvert, and then rounded up the Fashionistas in the room who were sporting his dresses. 

Mr. Calvert’s work includes working in couture at Balenciaga and Pierre Balmain in Europe.  In the United States, he worked for the Diane Von Furstenburg and Brooks Brothers brands before starting his own label in 1998.  In 2001, he founded the label Callula Lillibelle with partner Melanie Fraser Hart.

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FENDI Made to Measure Fur

In the heat of the summer, can you imagine putting on a fur?  You might be inspired if you were treated to a custom crafted fur from Fendi.  Luxurious fur jackets, some blended with glittering tulle hung in the store’s top floor for clients to choose from.

Artisans from Rome were flown in to the Fendi boutique on Fifth Avenue.  Stefania Dialfonso, Conchetta Chiaverini and Antonio Mariella brought their experienced hands to work on made to measure garments and let the MsFAB team witness the process.

After a client chooses their style, their measurements are taken.  A paper pattern is created from the individual measurements as the base of the garment. 

Each fur pelt is carefully selected for quality, color, suitability.  Besides the pre-treated dying, the piece then needs to be wet, then stretched.  I watched Mr. Mariella carefully pin the edges of the pelt at every quarter of an inch to stabilize the piece.  After that process, I watched as he meticulously drew lines on the skin with finite precision.  The next process was to score the pelt, (he noted that one had to be very careful to score the skin, but not actually to fur, so as not to damage the surface fur itself).  This was an extremely delicate process, as one slip would render a very expensive piece useless.  This was only a small part of the entire garment.

The finished garment, depending on the style could take over ten artisans to work on it, and over forty days to complete. 

The skills of these experts came from experience and hard work.  Many of their procedures are never taught in fashion schools.  The obvious pride in their product showed through the beauty of the works in process.

Many people can become ‘fans’ of a designer label.  Some find prestige in the price tag alone.  Now, when you purchase a couture creation, you know that it was investment in workmanship. 

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