Wednesday, February 14, 2007

Would you like an entree with that belt?

top shop london fashion show, beltsIf you thought that the ultra wide belt was hard to get used to these past few seasons, wait until you have to strut up and down the avenue with a serving platter strapped to your abdomen.

Ok, so I exaggerate a a little. The belts that were featured as part of Topshop's runway show at London Fashion Week are not quite serving platters, but of course, on those rail-thin runway models, they still looked as big as dinner plates! As ridiculous as they look, I'm even more concerned about how comfortable these things would be if you sit down. If that model in the picture were to take a seat, it seems like the top of the disc would cut right into her diaphragm. Ouch.

Cartoon-inspired fashion

I never get to watch as much TV as I'd like. There's always dozens of programs everyone seems to be talking about, that -- for whatever reason -- I never manage to get into (Lost, 24, the list goes on). However, when it comes to cartoons, I know my stuff.

That's why I was pumped to see that designers have been using characters like Charlie Brown, Pebbles (from the Flintstones) and even Jem -- that bodacious, animated glam-rocker -- as inspiration.

So when you're looking for that new look this Spring, just think back to your childhood, and Saturday morning television, and go from there. I have the feeling good things will happen.

Stylishly swank in cyberspace - The Bar

the bar.comIt's Valentine's Eve, dolls. What are you up to? Prepping those final ingredients for a fabulously romantic dinner that you're cooking? Wrapping a tiny sparkling gift in pink and red paper? Doing your nails?

None of the above! Because what you should be doing is relaxing during this Happy Hour with a Valentine's Day-inspired cocktail. TheBar.com is a new interactive site that introduces you to "Jack," the bartender who actually speaks to you from behind a swanky bar. His accent is a little weird, but it's fun to ask him to make you a drink. The site is built on the largest drinks database, so there probably isn't something that this Jack could mix up for you for Valentine's Day!

Shoes, not candy for Valentine's Day

Every year I stress like crazy on Valentine's Day. I'm a pretty decent gift-giver, so I'm always trying to think of a way to top last year's present -- should I be funny, or lovey-dovey, or both?

Especially for those of you, like me, that are in relationships with "non-traditional" sorts who eschew candy and flowers, here's something you might have luck with: Sweetshoes. The box is decorated as if it was full of candy, but -- surprise! -- inside you'll find totally cute and delightfully trendy sneakers instead.

My favorite thing is that in the lower right-hand corner, small, official-looking text reads "Net Wt. 1 Pair." Hysterical.

Plus, chances are, the shoes will be a hit amongst even the most discerning connoisseurs.

Iqon is the MySpace of fashion

iqonsThese days, it seems you can't click twice on the web without running into a social network.

We've seen social shopping sites like ThisNext.com, Stylehive, and StyleFeeder, but now comes Iqon, which is less shopping and more about truly networking. The site launched this past week at London Fashion Week, and has been dubbed the "MySpace" of fashion, with "icons" like Vivienne Westwood and John Galliano available to help aspiring designers and fashionistas navigate the hairy world of fashion.

Where have all the Ginger Altoids gone?

In the past, I've mentioned my deep love for Ginger Altoids. Trust me, they're wonderful -- spicy ginger, a fresh flavor, long-lasting invigoration for your mouth after popping a handful of the tiny lozenges. Unfortunately, I can't find them anywhere. The usual locations seem to be mysterious devoid of these unusual treats. Target doesn't have them, Whole Foods doesn't have them and even the Altoids website is completely out of stock.

It's been my experience that when a product suddenly disappears from the shelves, it's on the fast track towards being discontinued. I've contacted the folks at Altoids and so far I've heard nothing. Obviously, no news is probably bad news. But if you happen to find yourself at the grocery store over the next few days and you see my beloved Ginger Altoids, please leave a comment to let me know they still exist.

Chanel's Les Exclusifs hit the stores

Yesterday was a big day for perfume lovers, the Les Exclusifs de Chanel fragrances were released. The scents are Chanel's foray into the niche perfume market, each is a uniquely crafted beauty selling for a pricey $175 each. There are ten scents total, four from the existing range and six new ones from Chanel nose Jacques Polge. An article in the March 2007 House and Garden, profiles Polge and how he he hopes these scents will keep the legendary perfume traditions of Grasse, France alive and well.

Ina at Aromascope is a dedicated perfume lover and she hustled herself to the Chanel boutique to test out the scents (even bringing her own sample vials to take a few sprays home). She has created notes on each of the new scents such as the flowery Rue Cambon 31 and the grassy Bel Respiro but the overall takeaway is that the scents are amazing and definitely worth a sniff. Of Coromandel, the ambery Oriental one that I'm most eager to try (even though the heavier scents are often my downfall) , she says it was "instant mad love." Get thee to a Chanel boutique, stat.

Pantone predicts a spicy fall

Pantone has revealed their list of the top ten colors for fall 2007 home and fashion trends. No boring neutrals here, their top ten list calls for shades that are complex. Their prediction is for rich and exotic colors: spicy chili pepper, lemon curry, cashmere rose, purple wine, dusk, shale green, green moss, burnt ochre, carafe and the deeper turquoise of stargazer. Pantone's fall color report taps a number of prominent designers including Jeff Mahshie for Chaiken, Cynthia Rowley, Carmen Marc Valvo, Nanette Lepore and Peter Som. The downloadable report covers not only an in-depth look at each color but also lists the designer's favorite must-haves for next fall.

[via How Magazine]

WWD gets an online make-over



Thanks to massive face-lift, WWD.com has finally joined the rest of us in Web 2.0 -- or is this 3.0? I can never remember.

What has changed on the website?

1. The black background is now white/creme.
2. The fonts are readable and appealing.
3. Columns are clearly delineated.
4. The photographs are larger.
5. Ads are unobtrusive.

Good work, WWD.com! And you thought no one would notice...

Top ten worst Grammy outfits

Last evening, the music industry bigwigs got together to celebrate the latest and greatest in the record business. Unfortunately, latest and greatest can't be used to describe many of the outfits we saw last night at the Grammy's. It's hard to describe these style disasters in general terms, so I'll just go ahead and give you my picks for the Top Ten Worst Outfits.

1. Sting: I'm sure that performing live with your old band mates could get pretty hot. But I dare say that no amount of friction justifies a vest without a shirt. Sting, we know you're yoga hot, but even Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers could tell this look was lame.

2. Mary J. Blige's red jumpsuit: Mary J. changed outfits more often than most of us change our socks in a week, and while some of her decisions were spot on, the red halter jump suit was not. Wish she kept on her beige, belted gown for this number.

3. Jamie Foxx: You are the Foxx, we know that, but being the Foxx doesn't mean that you can dress like a waiter on Love Boat without raising a few eyebrows.

4. Shakira: Don't get me wrong, 3 out of 4 ain't bad, but when the offending one overwhelms the good ones, you can still find yourself on the list of Top Ten Worst dressed. Curls are tough, I understand, but teasing them up to Chaka Khan status is never the way to go.

5. Fergie: Had it been about six inches longer, this Badgley Mischka mini dress would have rocked the red carpet. But as it stands, Fergie-Ferg looks like she's wearing a cheap Victoria's Secret negligee with heels and diamonds.

6. Beyoncé: Yikes. Where you do even begin with that one? The fit? The wacked-out hem? The strangely gathered bodice? Anyway you slice it, this dress is a disaster.

7. Scarlett Johansson: The dress is bland, but passable. Her hair however is another matter entirely. I know that gentlemen prefer blonds, but I don't think that blanket phrase extends to include blonds with bad roots and unflatteringly light shades.

8. Nelly Furtado: Apparently, Nelly didn't get the memo about Bjork's Golden Globe dress disaster. White feathers with gold spangles might seem like a good idea in principle, but it always ends up making you look like a Vegas showgirl or a swan that has just been crowned queen.

9. John Mayer: Sneakers with a tuxedo isn't subversive -- it's just plain dumb. I'm embarrassed for you.

10. Paula Abdul: Three words: big, sparkly, bow. Let's hope she was drunk when she picked this one out.

Top ten worst Grammy outfits

Last evening, the music industry bigwigs got together to celebrate the latest and greatest in the record business. Unfortunately, latest and greatest can't be used to describe many of the outfits we saw last night at the Grammy's. It's hard to describe these style disasters in general terms, so I'll just go ahead and give you my picks for the Top Ten Worst Outfits.

1. Sting: I'm sure that performing live with your old band mates could get pretty hot. But I dare say that no amount of friction justifies a vest without a shirt. Sting, we know you're yoga hot, but even Flea from the Red Hot Chili Peppers could tell this look was lame.

2. Mary J. Blige's red jumpsuit: Mary J. changed outfits more often than most of us change our socks in a week, and while some of her decisions were spot on, the red halter jump suit was not. Wish she kept on her beige, belted gown for this number.

3. Jamie Foxx: You are the Foxx, we know that, but being the Foxx doesn't mean that you can dress like a waiter on Love Boat without raising a few eyebrows.

4. Shakira: Don't get me wrong, 3 out of 4 ain't bad, but when the offending one overwhelms the good ones, you can still find yourself on the list of Top Ten Worst dressed. Curls are tough, I understand, but teasing them up to Chaka Khan status is never the way to go.

5. Fergie: Had it been about six inches longer, this Badgley Mischka mini dress would have rocked the red carpet. But as it stands, Fergie-Ferg looks like she's wearing a cheap Victoria's Secret negligee with heels and diamonds.

6. Beyoncé: Yikes. Where you do even begin with that one? The fit? The wacked-out hem? The strangely gathered bodice? Anyway you slice it, this dress is a disaster.

7. Scarlett Johansson: The dress is bland, but passable. Her hair however is another matter entirely. I know that gentlemen prefer blonds, but I don't think that blanket phrase extends to include blonds with bad roots and unflatteringly light shades.

8. Nelly Furtado: Apparently, Nelly didn't get the memo about Bjork's Golden Globe dress disaster. White feathers with gold spangles might seem like a good idea in principle, but it always ends up making you look like a Vegas showgirl or a swan that has just been crowned queen.

9. John Mayer: Sneakers with a tuxedo isn't subversive -- it's just plain dumb. I'm embarrassed for you.

10. Paula Abdul: Three words: big, sparkly, bow. Let's hope she was drunk when she picked this one out.

Tokidoki necklaces make my inner 8-year-old squeal

tokidoki necklaceWe already know how much of a sucker I am for small, cute, girlish things that often come from the minds of the Japanese, and many of which involve a pink and white kitty with no mouth. However, I am beginning to fall harder in love with Tokidoki -- a similarly "cute" Japanese look, but from an Italian designer. While I have yet to convince myself that LeSportsac is cool enough now with Tokidoki printed all over it (I mean really, it's still LeSportsac), no persuasion has to be done for the new charm necklaces. My favorite is the Momobella (shown), but I even wouldn't mind the grim reaper. Yes, it is the grim reaper, but cute!

Necklaces are all $36.

[via: notcot]