Haute Topic: Haute Halloween

Halloween might be a scary holiday but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your style. Rock a black ruffled dress, carry a bat as a bag, and sport skull couture while wearing witch-inspired boots. Then treat yourself to some ‘Hallowed’ chocolate treats! Shop the look:

1. Moschino Upside down ruffle dress, Net-a-Porter

2. Day of the Dead Blanca Skulls, Vosges Chocolate
Special offer from Vosges: Take 10% off all website purchases from Nov. 1st to Nov. 30th. At checkout, enter promo code 2810WB1.

3. Skull Cotton Lycra Ankle Length Leggings, Betsey Johnson

4. Bat X-Body Bag, Topshop

5. Loree Rodkin Diamond Skull Ring, BlueBee

6. Steven by Steve Madden ‘Insayne’ Boot, Nordstrom

Christian Louboutin Very Noeud Slingbacks

Dear Christian,

This is just to say I won’t be involved with you anymore. This relationship has been too painful. I must admit, I tried so hard to live up to your image. But the night I wore these to my daughters wedding, they slipped off my heels as I walked her down the aisle and left me hobbling like an old lady. I almost threw them in the wishing well.

It wasn’t the first time you caused me to play the fool. I wore a pair of your Very Prive’s to the casino and almost tumbled down the escalator. Then I did some asking around and found out you have a 60 percent return rate. Those odds are way too risky for me Christian.

And so my dear sexy Frenchman, I bid you adieu.

There are plenty of other fish in the sea.

Christian Louboutin Very Noeud slingbacks, $795

Haute Read: Fashion Inside Out: Daniel V’s Guide to How Style Happens From Inspiration to Runway & Beyond

Coffee table books always make a great gift. The trick is finding that perfect one that looks great on your table and makes you actually want to read it. Fashion Inside Out: Daniel V’s Guide to How Style Happens From Inspiration to Runway & Beyond is that perfect book.

This new book was written by one of my favorite Project Runway designers, Daniel Vosovic (Season 2 finalist), and is just as beautifully styled as one of his designs. The hardcover book has a black and white velveteen cover, while over 170 pages of glossy photos by Michael Turek await you inside. But it’s a lot more than just beautiful photographs. What makes Vosovic’s book such a great read is the breadth of fashion industry information inside. The content ranges from the designer’s own personal design inspiration to interviews with those in every facet of the industry – from photographers to stylists to patternmakers to fashion journalists to designers – all discussing their own fashion influences and elements of style. Vosovic even includes interviews with Project Runway’s Nina Garcia and Heidi Klum, and has a foreword by Tim Gunn.

Fashion Inside Out is actually a guide for the would-be designer, from a young designer’s perspective. It is chock full of industry insider tips and tricks. Honestly, it’s like a crash course at Parson’s or FIT. Learn how to design, drape and sew as well as presenting and selling your collection. Like Daniel Vosovic, the book is refreshing, revealing, and real.

Click here to buy Fashion Inside Out: Daniel V’s Guide to How Style Happens From Inspiration to Runway & Beyond

Lucky Shops 2008

It’s no secret that I’m a shopaholic, bagaholic, shoeaholic, etc. Living in New York is my excuse. I mean there are stores everywhere; you literally cannot escape from shopping! So, to make myself feel better about my shopping/spending addiction, I love to hear about special deals, sample sales, shopping events with a bunch of discounted designer items. I went to Lucky Shops for the first time last year and vowed to return year after year. Why? I got tons of designer stuff at amazing prices. For instance, I purchased a brand new Devi Kroell Tiffany shoulder bag for close to 80% off the original price! A pair of Michael Kors shoes and several designer clothes also followed me home.

With the holidays coming up and the economy suffering, Lucky Shops is just what we shopaholics need. The 2008 event promises even more discounted shopping fun – up to 70% off retail prices! Virtually every designer ever seen on the pages of Lucky Magazine will be showing their current and off-season items, so you can shop a wide range of designers like handbags from Devi Kroell, Kooba and Rebecca Minkoff; footwear from Havainas and Nine West; jewelry from Bing Bang, and Lauren Wolf; and haute apparel from See by Chloe, Mara Hoffman, Cynthia Rowley, and so much more!

Get your tickets here before they sell out. You won’t want to miss this haute shopping event!

Where:
Metropolitan Pavilion
125 West 18th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenues)
New York, NY

When:
VIP Shopping Party • Thursday, November 6 • 6PM -9PM $250
First Dibs Friday: November 7, 10AM - 7PM, $35
Saturday Shop-a-thon: November 8, 10AM - 5PM, $20

Cocktails served Friday 3-7 pm and Saturday 1-5 pm. Must be 21 years or older.

Lucky Magazine’s Denim Transformation Challenge

Guess what I love just as much as handbags? Goody bags! And I’ve got three to give away to you! And all you have to do is show off your personal style.

Lucky’s Style Spotter is running a contest where you simply show us how you style your jeans for a haute night out and you could win your own feature in Lucky Magazine, plus a chance to style a professional photo shoot for Lucky Brand jeans! All you have to do is send in a photo of yourself wearing your own jeans in a very unique way. Dress them up with some chic accessories or add some edge with a leather jacket and killer shoes. However you do it, it must be absolutely fabulous! The readers with the three hottest looks will each win a sweet Lucky Magazine goody bag, worth $250 each, and will get the chance to appear in the mag! For more information and details on the contest, visit the Lucky Style Spotter website.

Instructions: please post a link to your photo in the comments section or email your photo to editor (at) whatshaute.com.

Beauty Review: Maybelline New York Colossal Volum’ Express Washable Mascara

I grabbed this Maybelline New York Colossal Volum’ Express Washable mascara at Rite Aid and wasn’t sure what to expect. The flashy yellow and purple packaging was enticing, and the price was right. And who doesn’t like the promise of longer lashes?

Well, Maybelline delivers, as this mascara is amazing. In just one coat, your lashes are long, clump-free, and gorgeous! You can layer it on to get the effect you are looking for, putting on additional coats while the mascara is still wet. It really makes your look, I felt like I had false lashes on!

The mega brush and collagen formula coat and plump each individual lash. Lashes don’t need to be curled before using this mascara; I found that this product worked exceptionally to create very voluminous lashes on both upper and lower eyelids. Whether you are doing a smoky eye or a neutral eye, let your lashes be the focal point. The formula is completely washable, with soap and water, or easily removed with some eye makeup remover on a cotton pad.

Beauty doesn’t always have to come at a price. Many times drug store finds are your best beauty go-to products. Don’t walk by the Maybelline display empty-handed; pick up this Colossal Volum’ Express mascara. All eyes will be on you!

Haute Trend: Brightly Colored Coats

Black coats are so blah. Spice up your fall and winter outerwear with this season’s trend: a brightly colored coat. A pop of color will liven up dreary days and help you stand out from the sea of standard black trenches, peacoats and overcoats. Check out these eye-popping outerwear options:

1. Steve Madden Drop Waist Twill Coat, (Mustard), $168

2. Tibi Double Breasted Jacket in Orange, (Orange), $550

3. DKNY ‘Kinsey’ Fit & Flare Coat, (Lacquer), $238

4. GUESS by Marciano Bow Back Topper, (Sangria), $138

5. Soia & Kyo Teo S Short Oversize Button Jacket in Purple, (Purple), $294

6. Nanette Lepore Mysterious Coat, (Merlot), $427

7. Laundry by Shelli Segal Fit & Flare Wool Blend Coat, (Cobalt), $288

8. Hanii Y Volume Sleeve Coat, (Turquoise), $885

9. Gallery Wool Blend Coat, (Emerald), $168

Fendi F3 Secret Code bag

Still trying to unlock the mystery to your fall wardrobe essentials?

Fendi’s got you covered. The Fendi F3 Secret Code bag boasts a tough femininity and a design that lives up to its cool name. Black patent leather meets with stamped leather ‘mink’ to serve up an incredibly chic day to night bag. Sling it over your frame with the long strap and pass it off as a party clutch with the single top arched handle. The gold hardware shines next to the black on black skins with large stitch detailing, and a fold over logo clasp fastening flap at the front with two front open pockets gives the appearance of a puzzle lock.

This Fendi bag is the missing piece.

$2,210, Net-a-Porter

Project Runway - Final Collections

Leanne Marshall

Korto Momolu

Kenley Collins

Who do you think should have won?

My ‘It’ Things - ‘It’ Designer Runway Show

Coincidentally, on the eve of the Project Runway Season 5 finale, I attended another fashion show competition/finale at Lotus Space in New York. While Project Runway searches for the next great American designer, last night’s design contest, sponsored by My’It’Things, was on the search for America’s next ‘It’ designer.

The three finalists, Nora Del Busto, Wakana Koike, and Adolfo Sanchez, were previously selected by voters and a panel of industry judges. Armed with $1,500 and a few months, they each created a 5-piece capsule collection, while blogging about the design process. They presented their final collections last night.

Sanchez’s collection was ’soft and angelic’; dedicated to a relative who recently passed away. The color palette consisted of earth tones like caramel brown and light pink. Silhouettes included fitted dresses and separates, like high-waisted pencil pants and corseted tops (modeled by Jaslene Gonzalez of America’s Next Top Model). The collection had a vintage-’40’s feel.

Nora Del Busto’s collection was inspired by a recent trip to Peru and based on Peruvian costumes and colors. The vibrant looks consisted of fuschia, turquoise and purple colors, set against jet black, and silhouettes were very feminine. Ruffled skirts dominated the looks, along with fitted separates like pleated shorts and halter tops.

Wakana Koike presented a nautical-inspired collection, with marine touches like rope cords and printed fabrics full of oceanic motifs. Blue skies, puffy white clouds and colorful sailboats dominated the fabrics and the silhouettes were breezy and airy. Sailor uniforms were incorporated into the designs and full tops and dresses were cinched with sailing ropes and cords, and detailed with sailor-style buttons and cuffs.

Wakana Koike was ultimately named the winner by the panel of judges, including fashion designers Malan Breton, Keither Lissner and other industry experts Greg Littley, Kathlin Argiro, Hitha Prabhakar, Nathan Cooper, Sheryl Berk and My’It’Things Editor-in-chief Yuli Ziv. Koike was awarded $5,000 toward the production of her Spring 2009 line which will be sold on MyItThings.com.

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