lookbook

Copy Cat: Neon Fergie

Take a hint from Fergie who pumps up the volume with a pair of Neon Heels!

How To:

• LBD: the little black dress is an essential wardrobe item for every lady.  It is somehow built to fit you like a snakes’ skin and always looks good no matter how blase you feel.
• POC: pop of color - notice Fergie has a peek of hot pink in her purse, a neon yellow bracelet, and orange nails to match.  These pops of color are just enough, but not overkill.  Worried about the “too much” effect?  Simply take off the accessory put on last.
• Neon Heel: whether it is a bright yellow, green, pink, or orange, like a flashback to raves these waves of color do great for an outfit.  Moreover, they translate really great into pictures, can create a day to night changeover easily, and go well with all skin tones.

Try one of these 5 heels on to add some heat to your Summer outfit (prices range from $67 - $475).

RIOTT via Steve Madden ($87)

SENSO DIFFUSION via Aikra ($205)

PROMISCUOUS via Zappos ($69)

MCQ ALEXANDER MCQUEEN via SSense ($475)

BETSY JOHNSON DITA PLATFORM via Macy’s ($99)

Copy Cat: Nicole Richie’s Hair

Summer is on the brink and the fluffy let loose curls are on-point.  Take a pointer from Nicole Richie’s hairdo for Glamour Magazine.  The relaxed sexy look is a modernized and slightly messier version of the Farah Fawcett classic.

Items needed:

• Curing Iron (1 - 1.5 inches)
• Brush
• Silkening Serum (a friend of mine turned me on to this)
• Hairspray (from an Aunt who always uses it)

How To:

1. With dry hair take a quarter size of Silkening serum and brush through hair with fingers
2. Take top half of hair and pin up
3. For the bottom half take 1-2 inches of hair and curl hair in tight sections
4. Tease or backcomb the bottom/backside of your head 
5. Take top half of hair and part in the center, curl in tight sections 
6. Brush through hair with fingertips & hairspray

Slap on a Summer dress in a bold color, or a LBD (little black dress) with a bold necklace and call it a day.  If you are outdoors adding on a pair of Aviator Ray Bans is always a plus.

Gourmet Target: Shops

Don’t let their upbeat, chic commercials fool you.  After 50 years, Target is now ranked #32 in Forbes 500 companies and last year they walked away with $67 million in revenue.  Of that $2.9 million was profit.  A part of their momentum has been their cunning move to partner with higher end designers and companies who showcase products at Target for a limited time.  This Summer it features “Shops,” from different U.S. Cities and it opens this Sunday May 6th. 

The two I’m most excited about:

• The Webster, a trendy Miami shop that two Parisian chicks started. 
• An Aspen makeup bar established in the 70’s called Cos Bar. 

Webster: dresses, swimsuits, shoes, handbags

Cos Bar: nailpolish, scrubs, eyelashes

The 60’s Bouffant Hair

*Joan on Mad Men

Is it the teasing that makes the Bouffant hairstyle so sexy?  Whatever the case whether you are a Mad Men fan or need a chic updo for work definitely try this on for style.

What you might need:

• Bobby pins
• Hair spray
• Teasing comb

There are many variations of this but the basic is a puffy top and a french twist in the back but messier.  The messier part is what ups the seductive look.  Pin it up for Spring!

For a how-to guide check out this New York Times article “Channeling Bardot’s Updo” or this trendy Brit’s FoxyLocksExtension guide on a Bouffant French Twist Updo.

*Bridget Bardot

Patterned Missoni partners with Target

Missoni has showed the press what to expect from their affordable line for Target. 

From bikes, to travel bags, to mugs - there are over 400 pieces that are priced between $8 - $400 for the everyday Joe Schmo, or Jill Schmill.  Take a peek at some of the collection here. 

Want it?  You have to wait until next month, on September 13th.

Margherita Maccapani Missoni, a Missoni family member, will be featured in the Target ads (see example below).  The New York Times reported that Target representatives traveled across the world to Milan to work very closely with the Missoni family to develop marketing materials, print/video advertisements, and product development. 

The scarfs look amazing - hopefully they are on the cheaper end.  Bold colors and designs are what Missoni has been built on, so expect no different.  The only difference will be the price tag, phew.

“It’s become O.K. for the ‘Vogue customer’ to shop at Target, to brag about the fact that they saved money,” said Professor Jeffrey Buchman, who teaches advertising and marketing communications at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Savage Beauty 8th most popular exhibit in Met’s 141 years

Alexander McQueen’s Savage Beauty exhibit at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art’s hit it out of the park!  In only three months it was seen by:

661,509 visitors!

Museums take a hint - the people love seeing great fashion.  Give it up already.

Michelle Williams, second time’s the charm!

Pixie-lady and leading actor Michelle Williams looked HORRID (yes, all caps) earlier this year at the Golden Globes in a daisy Valentino dress that had everyone gasping.  

Well thank goodness at least the lady moved on. This is how to work a runway, still with an alternative twist without being ugly - Miu Miu at the Met Gala:

Forties are Fashion Forward

Vogue UK features an article on Forties Glamour for the Autumn/Winter for 2011 - 2012.  Check out their gallery that features Donna Karan, Ralph Loren, Gucci, Moschino, and other amazing designers stick to the slick forties fashion.  Bust out that fedora hat, the {fake} fur, satin shirts, gloves, and menswear.  The 1940’s are back in fashion.

Five ways to pump the 1940’s into your wardrobe:

1. Babushka: a scarf/hankerchief worn over the hair
2. Bermuda shorts: long men’s shorts (wear with tights during winter)
3. Spectators: two toned shoes, usually a pump, wedge, or oxford shoes
4. Swing Skirt: a full, round cut, or flared skirt, designed to “swing out”
5. Zoot Suit: a men’s suit with tight cuffed pants and a long coat, often worn with a fedora