Poll of the Day: Katy Perry's Blonde Hair - Yay or Nay?

It's not clear what took her so long, but Katy Perry has finally gone blonde -- at least for the moment, anyway. So the question is: did she pull it off? 

But first, last week's poll: You may love the socialite, but the clear majority of Zimbio's readers feel Kim Kardashian has no right seeking $20 million in damages from Old Navy over their look-a-like "Super C-U-T-E" ads. Considering the reality star gets paid thousands just to Tweet and has an engagement ring worth more than a small fleet of Ferarris, we understand if it's a bit hard to sympathize with Kim. 

Back to Perry's new blonde 'do... If you religiously follow the pop star on Twitter like we do, you'd know she's been working on lightening her hair for weeks now. But it wasn't until we caught a glimpse of the California Gurl at the premiere of The Smurfs last night in NYC that we could stop and fully judge her freshly dyed locks.

This much we do know: the pop star's new hair is infinitely more appealing than her creepy, plastic doll / Disney princess look. But we'll leave it up to you to decide whether or not Perry the blonde was a good idea. 

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Miami Fashion Week Swim: Cia Maritima 2012

Cia Maritima's show at Miami Fashion Week drew the most enthusiastic response from the burly men of the photographer's pit.  How can you go wrong with a vintage Van Halen soundtrack and hot models in bikinis?

For those of us actually studying actual fashion details of the collection, there were sexy animal prints to be found.  Leopard spots showed up in chiffon wraps and swim suits.  A sorbet color palette of raspberry, lemon and pops of turquoise came up in dip-dyed cover-ups and watercolor floral prints. 1980's rock and roll influence could be seen in the off-the-shoulder fringed tops or revealing cut-out silhouettes.

Cia Maritima is the hot Brazilian swimwear line from Benny Rosset.  The grandson of a famous shirt manufacturer in the 1930's, Benny updated the family business to mix high-tech textiles and luxury workmanship into upscale fashion for the beach.

Whether you are a groupie or looking to acquire an entourage of your own, Brazil's top swimwear designer has your back.

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Miami Fashion Week Swim: Poko Pano 2012

Polo Pano led the first show of the Oasis tent Friday night in Miami Fashion week with a bold collection of tropical-chic.  The models on the runway were styled as strong, Amazonian women.  The hair was intertwined with tribal feathers like a warrior, the walk was strong and confident.

The swimwear itself featured jungle-inspired prints like over-sized fronds, snakeskin and tiger silhouettes.  The color palette was simple.  White popped on the tanned bodies.  It was paired with olive, coral, black and tan.  Pops of bright turquoise was reminiscent of the ocean surrounding the islands.

If you hit the beach with a take no prisoners attitude, Poko Pano is the collection for you.

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Miami Fashion Week Swim: Caffe Swimwear 2012

Caffe Swimwear evoked continental jaunts to St. Tropez.  The resort and swimwear at this show had a more European flavor than other designers who presented in Miami

Swimsuits consisted of simple silhouettes.  Twisted and shirred detailing popular in sportswear accented many of the styles for flattering effect in solid colors.  Bright organic prints occupied bikini bottoms and tops along with big billowy chiffon cover-ups.

The story of the beach bags was as important as the clothing.  Big, oversized bags were reminiscent of styles popular in the 1960's and 1970's.  The colors were updated though, with piping trim, metallic handles or straps made from scarves.

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Miami Fashion Week Swim: Aqua Di Lara 2012

How do you bring city fashion into beach fashion?  Montreal-based Reyhan Sofraci. took elements of designer sportswear and incorporated them into swimwear for this season's Aqua Di Lara collection.  A dark, solid colored grouping used hardware trims, mesh cutouts, corset structure and piping for a cosmopolitan look.  


Another grouping used variations on a rainbow stripe to showcase a bright color palette.  The rainbow stripe was paired with an updated placed paisley print in the same color palette.  A third collection showcased a subtle snakeskin print on flesh colored fabric. Metallic pale gold and gold embellishments adorned other suits this group.


This group was aimed at the sophisticated urban girl who is determined to keep her uber-chic style whether she is Downtown or next to the pool.  As long as she keeps her laptop at the office, that's all right by us.

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Miami Fashion Week Swim: Luli Fama 2012

Luli Fama put the show in "fashion show ". Their presentation started with a dramatic tropical storm hitting the tents, lightning flashes wrapping around the clear roof and guests praying in their seats it wouldn't collapse.  Eventually, the show opened with a bright feathered trio of Brazilian dancers to set the party tone.

What followed was one of the most though out swimwear runways of the week. The festive use of color remained throughout with ruffled bikini tops and bottoms that emphasized the curves behind to maximum advantage. Prints had an updated Latin flair, mixing large roses with dots and animal patterns.  

Subtle, this collection was not.  Bikinis had fringe or tassles on the side to emphasize hip and bust shaking movement.  Fabrics had a lot of shine.  Cut-outs were strategically placed to reveal skin in as many ways as artfully possible.

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Miami Fashion Week Swim: Mara Hoffman 2012

Mara Hoffman's swimwear show was The hot ticket of Saturday night.  The stars of the runway were the great prints.  One group mixed a candy colored palette with Aztec inspired prints for a fresh fashion statement on the beach.  Another blended bright tribal motifs with textured animal prints.

For this collection, the coverups are as important as the swimsuits. A huge range of options, dresses, tunics, wraps were designed to take you from the beach to more civilized destinations.  Bohemian caftans were reminiscent of Marrakesh in the 1970's with updated hippie patterns.

  

Miami swim week isn't the huge celebrity magnet that New York is, but Whitney Port jetted in to support the collection in the heat.

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Emma Watson Will Fall in Love with a 'Beast'

Emma Watson just can't seem to distance herself too far from Fantasy Land. The break-out Harry Potter star is set to co-headline yet another film adaptation of Beauty and the Beast according to film producer Denise Di Novi, who mentioned the project during a press junket for Crazy, Stupid, Love.

The producer says Watson will be teaming up with Pan's Labyrinth director Guillermo del Toro, which means the end result will definitely look creepy. But before Emma ever hits the set on a Beauty and the Beast project, she's still got two movies lined up for theatrical release.

First up is My Week with Marilyn where she'll play a supporting role alongside Michelle Williams who is playing Marilyn Monroe coming off her Oscar-nominated performance in Blue Valentine. Next Emma will have a central role in the film adaptation of Stephen Chbosky's popular young adult coming-of-age novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

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Guess by Marciano Holiday 2012 - Amber Heard Campaign Launch

On a hot summer day, Guess, and Guess by Marciano presented their holiday offerings for the upcoming season.  The event took place in a hazy penthouse in Soho.  The company showed off their party clothes with a chic rooftop barbecue.   

The guest of honor was Amber Heard, star of their Fall 2011 ad campaign.  The starlet unveiled ad images while guests sipped summer cocktails and nibbled on burgers with the hazy city skyline as a backdrop.

The Marciano collection had plenty of highly stylized party frocks.  A variety of treatments embellished each dress.  One was a tank dress featuring all over mirrored embroidery.  Another had soutache embroidery and feathered fringe.  Lace was strategically used to conceal and reveal for maximum seductive qualities.

The regular Guess collection had cozy knits and faux fur collars in sleek silhouettes for women.  For the guys, quilted jackets, corduroy and faux shearling kept them warm.  Flattering jeans completed the look.

It was a little too warm to think about jackets and sweaters, but if you can't beat the heat, join it...

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Theia Resort 2012 - Helios Rising

Don O’Neill is the thinking woman’s designer.  He presented his collection for Theia Resort 2012 by making his entrance precisely at the moment of Summer Solstice.  Why? His collection was inspired by Helios, the God of Light.    

Mr. O’Neill used his muse to interpret the mythical elements into the fabrics themselves.  There were cocktail dresses using a technologically advanced fabric that was cross woven with contrasting colors to reflect light brilliantly.  In blue, it conveyed the rippling of the ocean, in gold; it looked the rays of the sun. 

He used his signature sequin mix in a few of the dresses.   By combining up to ten tonal colors in beads in sequins, Don achieves a richer texture and color. 

For all the cerebral design behind the mythology and fabrics, the silhouettes work on a practical level.  Don O’Neill is the rare gentleman that understands how real women wear clothes.  The unglamorous aspect of dealing with the need for ‘bra-friendly’ dresses and flattering non-model figures is addressed with each collection.  Gowns are draped to flatter actual curves.  Shirring is strategically placed not only for dramatic effect, but also to hide tummies (real or imagined by celebrities).   

The Theia Resort 2012 collection was designed for the smart, elegant jetsetter in mind.  On the red carpet, or a carpet of beach sand, these are the gowns for me.

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Fashion Designers Open Call

Are you a fashion designer in need of a boost?  Here's a round-up of fashion shows, competitions and projects that can help get your buyers, publicity, fame, fortune, etc.

Henri Bendel is legendary for it's open-see day for new designers.  Now they're having an online contest for accessories.  Enter your sketch and have it voted on by your peers.  Winner will have the piece produced and sold in the stores.

Lower East Side Runway is a crowd-sourced project by husband and wife team Cheryl and Marc Maleh.  They conceived a way to give back to the fashion community by producing an event for new designers living in NYC along with a pop-up shop.  They have already drawn the attention of Mashable and BlackBook magazine.  To apply, click through to the application.  

On the West Coast, the Orange County Fashion showcase is looking for both new, emerging designers as well as established designers for their show.  Models will be provided, as well as many opportunities for publicity.  Applications can be downloaded here.

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Too Cute: Selena Gomez Wears Justin Bieber's Purple Plaid Shirt in London

Selena Gomez must be missing her man! The starlet was spotted in London Friday wearing Justin Bieber's purple plaid shirt while holding a fluffy white teddy bear. Awww.

The singers were together a few weeks ago for Selena's Monte Carlo movie premiere in NYC, and during the trip he was spotted wearing the purple button down. It's clearly found a new home since.

The two parted ways after their early July reunion and Selena's been super busy promoting her movie and new album in the UK since then, while Justin's been all over the place too. He recently partied with Usher to celebrate the anniversary of "One Time," and has been showing up at malls to advertise his new fragrance, Someday. This weekend, he's camping! 

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American-Made Designers

Happy Fourth of July! That's American Independence Day to everyone overseas.  While foodies are flocking to the "locavore" movement of consuming locally produced goods, I think it is important to do the same for fashion.

Here is a spotlight to some of my favorite labels produced in New York:

Nanette Lepore is a perfect duo of artist and entrepreneur.  Together with her husband/business partner Robert Savage, she counts poets, painters, celebs and fashion editors as fans.  She is one of the most vocal and visible designers in the mission to keep NYC's Garment Center thriving.

Jennifer Chun designs a polished collection of tailored pieces with a relaxed chic attitude.  She honed her design skills at Derek Lam and Michael Kors before branching out on her own.

Yeohlee Teng's architectural approach to fashion has made her work sought-after subject at many museums for design and fashion.  She brings philosophy to her designs and popularized the look of the "urban nomad".

If you want to learn more about producing a great clothing line in NYC, check out Save the Garment Center .  It is a non-profit organization dedicated to spreading awareness about keeping clothing manufacturing in New York City.

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