RACHEL Rachel Roy ushers in Spring 2010 collection with a performance by Estelle

Last week I was invited to attend a preview of the Rachel Roy Spring 2010 collection at Macy’s - Herald Square. The opportunity to meet Rachel was enough for me to be excited about, but on top of that, her friend, singer and jewelry collection co-designer Estelle was scheduled to perform as well. The two gorgeous and talented ladies came on stage and Rachel introduced Estelle, who then performed a set of several songs, including her new hit song ’Freak‘ and my personal fave – ‘American Boy‘. Then Rachel met with fans, posing for pictures and signing autographs while models posed in her latest collection.

I chatted with Rachel – who was an absolute sweetheart, by the way – about her fashion line, women entrepreneurs, and accessories. She complimented me on my necklace; I adored her Skull Two Finger Ring, which unfortunately is now sold out! I wore my RACHEL Rachel Roy 24hr Dress for the occasion, and spotted a new version of it for spring – the Mini Painted 24hr Leopard Dress. This has to be one of the most fabulous dresses I’ve ever owned because the fit is simply amazing. This modal dress hangs and drapes in all the right places, and you can dress it up with heels and jewels, or dress it down with flats. It’s extremely comfortable and flattering for any figure, and the leopard print adds a nice touch for the season.

Buy for $99 at RACHEL Rachel Roy online, or at Macy’s.

J. McCarthy/Wireimage

Get the look at home with the Shear Genius and Nexxus giveaway!

We know you watch Bravo. We certainly do. The network is sheer genius – take a bunch of reality hopefuls, challenge them weekly in doing something they love and add a bit of drama and voila! – you’ve got the perfect lineup of shows. Shear Genius is one of my new Wednesday night faves. You get to ‘watch what happens’ when hairstylists are put to the test to create winning hair looks using Nexxus hair products. I’ve long been using Nexxus hair products, including Therappe (shampoo), Humectress (conditioner) and Botanoil (botanic oil) so I love to tune in to see the different ways the stylists are using the Nexxus products to achieve the various looks each week. And if you love Shear Genius and Nexxus, you have the chance to win an exclusive episode gift bag stocked with an award-winning Hot Tools thermal curling iron and a selection of Nexxus styling products to re-create the winning looks yourself! Up for the challenge? Become a fan of Nexxus on Facebook on its brand new page to get:

• An insider’s look at “Shear Genius Season 3″
• The latest hair care tips and trends
• Styling techniques and hair-care solutions
• Tips for helping you achieve the winning Shear Genius looks at home
• Expert how-to get the look tutorials
• A “blow by blow” commentary from Nexxus Creative Director and celebrity guest judge Kevin Mancuso
• More information on Nexxus products

Become a fan leave a comment below and tell us about your favorite stylist on Shear Genius or your favorite Nexxus product. And don’t forget to tune in to Shear Genius on Bravo - Wednesday nights at 10 pm ET!

Contest ends March 31, 2010 at 11:59 pm ET. Winner will be randomly selected and contacted via email. Winner must be a fan of Nexxus on Facebook. If winner does not respond within 48 hours, an alternate winner will be selected.

First look at the Sex and the City 2 movie poster and trailer

 
Get your Cosmos ready - the first look at the Sex and the City 2 movie poster and trailer are here! The poster features the series beloved central character, Carrie Bradshaw in one of her looks from the movie. She’s wearing a white Halston Heritage Dress, Mykita & Bernhard Willhelm Franz Limited-Edition Aviator Sunglasses (you can buy them for $525 at Patricia Field), a painted gold necklace by Solange Azagury-Partridge and Gold Sequinned Christian Louboutin Pigalle Pumps with a gold Chanel clutch. The movie is set to hit theaters on May 28, 2010. We’re getting Carrie-d away with excitement!

Image via Daily Mail

Check out the movie preview below:

MTV Video Music Awards - haute or not on the red carpet

By now, Kanye West jumping on the stage to interrupt Taylor Swift’s win has overshadowed the entire 2009 MTV Video Music Awards show. But there’s only one thing that matters to us - and it’s not Kanye - it’s who was wearing what! There were some clear red carpet hits and some questionable misses. Amber Rose and Lady Gaga wore their usual shock and awe outfits - Amber Rose in a snakeskin print spandex leaotard and Lady Gaga in a Victorian-style dress with feathers, a gold mask and a golden neck brace. As much as I love Beyonce and Jennifer Lopez , I wasn’t 100% sold on either of their looks - Beyonce’s red ruffled Roberto Cavalli mini dress with the pouched-out tummy, and J. Lo in Louis Vuitton with an attached velvet shrug.

Do you love or hate these ladies looks?

Photogs: Kambouris/Mayer/Wireimage

Sex is back!

Our favorite foursome is back filming the sequel to the Sex and the City Movie. Carrie and crew were all spotted around Manhattan shooting scenes for the next film. Even stylist Patricia Field was on hand. I’m so excited for the second movie - I can’t wait for the juicy storylines and to see all the fabulous fashion of course. Sarah Jessica Parker is even recycling that Dior Newspaper Dress for the movie - you know the one that she wore in Season 3 when she met Natasha (Mr. Big’s ex) for lunch. All of you Sex-ista’s will remember what I’m talking about!

Stay tuned for more fashion behind the scenes!

J. Ufberg/Devaney/Wireimage

Anna Sui’s Target collection channels Gossip Girl

Wanna dress like your favorite Gossip Girl character? Now’s your chance. Anna Sui is the next designer to collaborate with Target for its Designer Collaborations program, and her capsule collection was inspired by the fashion’s of Gossip Girl. Whether you prefer Blair Waldorf’s high-society style, Serena van der Woodsen’s everyday haute couture, Jenny Humphrey’s rocker chic or Vanessa Abrams‘ haute hippie style, you can get them all starting in Target stores and online from September 13th, timed to the third season debut of “Gossip Girl,” airing Monday, September 14 (9:00-10:00p.m. ET) on the CW, through October 17th.

From the designer:

“When I was in Asia last year, girls kept asking me about the different areas in New York City by referring to them as where the characters from “Gossip Girl” live,” said Anna Sui. “The show is such a phenomenonand so fashionable, so I really wanted to create a collection reflective of the four main characters.”

Which of the inspired looks will you be wearing?

Read more about the collection here. Images via NYMag.

Celebrating Michael Jackson - the music, humanitarian and fashion icon

The loss of Michael Jackson shook the world on Thursday. Michael Jackson the entertainer not only impacted the music world in tremendous ways, he was also a global humanitarian, lending his support to 39 charity organizations either with monetary donations through project sponsorships. He received recognition in the 2000 edition of the Guiness Book Of World Records for breaking the world record for the “Most Charities Supported By a Pop Star”. Despite media allegations, Michael Jackson loved all children, and took time out while touring to secret visting sick children and even had special roms at his Neverland Ranch for sick and terminally ill children.

The influence of Michael Jackson in the music and entertainment world is beyond measurable. Drawing initial inspiration from his idol James Brown, Jackson adopted his own style that is truly unmatched. From his trademark sound and innovative dance moves to mini-feature length music videos like the iconic Thriller, most of today’s singers acknowledge being inspired by him.

His inspiration extended to the fashion world as well. Jackson’s style first made us take notice in the eighties, when the innovative pop star dazzled the stage with red, multizippered leather jackets and  high-water pants, white socks and loafers, and then on to aviator sunglasses with militaristic, bandleader-style crystallized jackets, socks and that infamous sequined glove.

Recently, Michael Jackson-influenced fashion was making a comeback, as seen in Christophe Decarnin’s spangled bandleader jackets for Balmain, reminiscent of the jackets Jackson has worn in the past. His likeness was even seen in Jean-Charles de Castelbajac’s collection on his Fall/Winter 2009-2010 runway. Celebrities like Kanye West, Rihanna and Beyonce were all seen sporting the King of Pop’s style. Recently Jackson was spotted out wearing Riccardo Tisci’s (Givenchy) studded jackets, and Tisci was set to create looks for Jackson’s upcoming “This Is It” tour that was set to begin in London on July 13. Swarovski crystals were also a favorite of Jackson’s, with the crystal studs covering almost every inch of his ostentatious collection of jackets and performance outfits. Jackson was also working with Swarovski to design his stage wardrobe for his tour. The sets and Jackson’s costumes would have featured 300,000 crystals in 43 sizes and 27 colors. Nadja Swarovski, the company’s vp of communications told WWD on Wednesday: “As the King of Pop, it is only natural for him to be crowned in crystal.”

Rest in peace Michael Jackson (1958-2009). You will certainly be missed but your influence in the realms of music, philanthropy and fashion will be everlasting.

Are You In or Are You Out? Project Runway Now Casting for Season 7!

Project Runway is now casting for Season 7!!! Do you think you’ve got the design chops to make it to the final three (or four!) and show your stuff at New York fashion week? Here’s your chance!

Project Runway will be holding invite-only calls in the following cities:

Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City and Seattle

If you can make it to one of the cities listed above, please fill out the Project Runway Season 7 application and follow all directions that are on it.

The application deadline is April 24th, so don’t waste time! Fill out the application and get in your info ASAP!

Send any questions via e-mail to prcasting [at] bunim-murray [dot] com.

All applications should be sent, overnight, to the following address:

Project Runway Casting
Bunim-Murray Productions
6007 Sepulveda Blvd. Van Nuys, CA 91411

Read the Project Runway Casting FAQs for information on how to make an audition tape. Submissions on VHS and VHS C are preferred, but will also accept Mini-DV, Hi-8, and DVD. If you submit on DVD, it must be a full-size DVD, NOT a mini-DVD.

The minimum age to apply for the show is 21.

Celebrity Chic on the Cheap: Kate Walsh Doctors My Style

[Every week our style guru takes a celebrity look and breaks it down for you, our poor college fashionista. What does that mean? It means that while the celebrities are spending $5,000 on an ensemble, you don’t have to.

All you have to do is click on the goods and - boom - you can buy the entire ensemble. Yes, we know; there is a spot for her in heaven.]

I may be one of the few who truly loves Private Practice. Come on, people; don’t tell me you don’t dream of a doctor’s office filled with smokin’ docs! I also love Kate Walsh’s Bob. It’s chic and fresh, but still long and girly (unlike our pal Posh). And it looks so easy to deal with (unlike my unruly fro).

And now, not only am I jealous of Kate Walsh’s job and hair, but I’m jealous of her ‘fit. Cause it is just so cute. She looks totally fashion-forward for a day about town, which makes me believe that we can do it too!

But it’s a recession and we can’t afford to buy a $200 skirt! So leave it to me (your trusty budget fashionista) to break it down and find it for us all on the cheap:

Black Mini Skirt

This thing is the poster child for versatile. It’s cute to wear out with a hot pair of heels, or cute to wear cas(ual) with sandals or flats. And it spans all seasons: tights now, bare legs later!

If you want something a little more mini, this option works as well. Though I don’t reccomend dinner with grandma in this skirt.

V-neck

We all know how much I looove this shirt and that’s because it’s versatile: great for sweats yet sexy enough for this outfit. And this color - mmmm - it just adds some punch for spring

Leather Jacket

PETA may not like it, but everyone needs a leather jacket. And if you are all “I don’t eat or wear meat,” get a fake one. Or this totally cute retro number (right). Just get something.

Sunglasses

Now this is what I call Celebrity Chic on the CHEAP. Helloooo, Forever 21.

Black Tights

If you don’t already have them, HUE is definitely the best brand around. They are totally durable, cheap, and they sell em just about everywhere.

Necklace

I love this necklace. It’s equal parts fierce and whimsy, new and vintage, and it totally ups the intrigue on this outfit. If you’re not into this one, feel free to use a piece you’ve already got - any sort of statement pendant will do.

Purse

Cream, cute and also very cheap. Or, for something that won’t show all those stains from setting your bag down in a puddle of beer, try this grey option.

2009 Oscars Red Carpet Best and Worst Dressed

The 2009 Academy Awards red carpet saw a lot of winter white gowns. Anne Hathaway looked gorgeous in a diagonal pailette-patterned strapless Armani Privé gown and Roger Vivier clutch. Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson looked stunning in an ivory Roberto Cavalli gown and Mary Norton clutch. The Wrestler co-star Evan Rachel Wood wore a beautifully draped Elie Saab Couture gown. Marisa Tomei was absolutely breathtaking in her white Versace gown that just arrived this morning! Miley Cyrus looked like an elegant young stunner in her Zuhair Murad gown that she claimed weighed ‘100,000 pounds’. She completed the look with a Mary Norton clutch and BCBG heels.

As always, there were a few red carpet misses. Jessica Biel wore a very unflattering strapless duchesse satin Prada gown with a huge bow and flap down the front which mushroomed out her curvy shape. Tilda Swinton looked eerily drab in a tan ruched blouse/black skirt comboby Lanvin. Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto did nothing to accentuate her beauty with this blue beaded one-shoulder gown by John Galliano. Beyonce opted for her usual mermaid-style gown but this year’s choice was a black House of Dereon dress with a gold-gilded flower print that left her looking more like drapery than red carpet couture.

Granitz/Vespa/John Shearer/Wireimage

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