Narciso Rodriguez for eBay

Though we seem to be moving out of the great recession, shoppers are still cautious about spending money. So it’s great that designers are recognizing this and continuing to create lower-priced lines that we can all afford.

Narciso Rodriguez just announced his collaboration with eBay. You may have heard of him – he only dressed First Lady Michelle Obama on election night. His eBay line launches on February 15, 2010 and represents the designer’s first-ever original capsule collection. The collection will consist of eight-piece limited-edition pieces of streamlined silhouettes, color block style and in a red, black and white color palette. In other words: signature Narciso. Wonder if Mrs. Obama will be shopping. We’ll be watching.

The collection will range from $65 - $350, and will be available in sizes 0 to 14. Shop exclusively through the Narciso Rodriguez eBay store.

Photo via WWD

Who rocked it hotter: Rihanna vs. Ciara in the Charley 5.0 Skinny Mini Tie Dye Legging Jean

The jean legging (or ‘jegging’) trend has spilled over from 2009 into 2010. Whether you like them or not, jeggings aren’t going anywhere. They’re the perfect alternative to the jean - obviously more comfortable and they also come in a variety of washes and styles, like jeans. Rihanna and Ciara were both seen wearing the Charley 5.0 Skinny Mini Tie Dye Legging jeans ($159).

Ciara was first seen in her Charley 5.0 jeggings last summer on the red carpet of the 2009 Los Angeles Film Festival’s premiere of “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” held in Los Angeles, California. She paired them with a sheer white tank over a pink bra, a layered chain necklace and black Yves Saint Laurent Trib Two Platform Pumps.

Rihanna wore the cotton and polyurethane leggings recently, arriving at LAX Airport with her BFF Melissa and boyfriend Matt Kemp. She paired the jeans with a white knit top, hot pink Givenchy ankle sandals and her Stella McCartney Technical taffeta tote.

Did you notice both ladies accessorized with pink lips and nails? Guess that’s what happens when you share the same stylist! But who do you think rocked the Charley 5.0 Skinny Mini Tie Dye Legging jeans hotter?

Shop Charley 5.0 and other apparel sales today at Gilt Fuse.

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:

Get the look: Leighton Meester’s Proenza Schouler platform heels

Leighton Meester is no Blair Waldorf! The Gossip Girl star’s personal style is quite different from her character on the show, where she dresses in frilly frocks and accessorizes with headbands and high heels. It looks like high heels are the only thing that transfers over to her real-life wardrobe. She donned an interesting black leather dress and Proenza Schouler platforms to Z100’s Jingle Ball 2009 presented by H&M at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Can’t say we’re loving the dress, but the heels - Blair would approve.

We didn’t find the exact match but we located a very similar pair of the Proenza Schouler platform heels on Zappos. The shoes go for $699 and feature a two-tone patent leather upper with a gold metallic almond shaped toe. These sling-backs have a 4 1/2″ heel with a two-tiered 3/4″ platform and are lined in leather. Do you love?

Photo: Spellman/Wireimage

An exclusive pop-up sale we can all shop - Balmain on The Outnet

You may have heard about the House of Balmain – the brand that EVERYONE has been wearing, especially over the past year. If you don’t know the name, you at least know the clothes – edgy, acid-washed distressed denim with strategically placed padding and seams; military-style jackets worn by the likes of MJ, Kanye, Beyonce and Rihanna; large shoulder padded blazers and embellishments everywhere. Now that we’ve refreshed your memory, head on over to The Outnet where the Balmain pop-up sale will be live today. Register and gain access to over 60 iconic runway and real-way styles at up to 85% off! For one week only! Pieces include:

Balmain embellished collarless jacket
Balmain embellished tulle dress
Balmain distressed denim jeans
Balmain asymmetric silk gown
Balmain studded mini skirt
Balmain palm tree t-shirt

Don’t miss out!

Who rocked it hotter: Blake Lively vs. Khloe Kardashian vs. Tiny in Alexander Wang’s Draped Goddess Dress

Alexander Wang remains ‘It designer of the moment’. The Alexander Wang Draped Goddess Dress is the newest piece to make the rounds among several celebrities. Blake Lively was spotted on the set of Gossip Girl wearing this purple dress back in August. Next, Khloe Kardashian came to the opening of Famous Cupcakes in Los Angeles wearing the same dress last month. Recently, TI’s fiance Tameka ‘Tiny’ Cottle wore the dress for a new photoshoot by Robert Ector photography. Which lady do you think wore Alexander Wang best?

The purple version is no longer available but you can purchase the black version online at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Star style: Rihanna and her multiple wardrobe changes

If there’s anyone that can do multiple wardrobe changes without even being on stage, it’s Rihanna. The singer was spotted around town in four, count ‘em – four different looks yesterday.

First, she was spotted leaving MTV Studios in new York City wearing this Alexander McQueen Asymmetric-Stripe Sweater Dress. She was there to tape an interview for It’s On With Alexa Chung.

Rihanna was later spotted on the streets of New York City with her BFF Melissa, in a biker chic look of a black satin biker jacket, black skinny jeans and a black leather biker hat.

That evening, she attended the the 2009 Women of the Year awards hosted by Glamour Magazine at Carnegie Hall. She looked stunning accepting her award in an ivory Stephane Rolland Couture floor length origami dress.

Then she ended the night changing into another floor-length evening gown for the after-party; this time a beautiful blush pink colored dress with a slit “up-to-there”.

Photos: Kambouris/ Devaney/Wireimage

Who Rocked it Hotter: Selita vs. Alessandra vs. LeToya vs. Kate in the Balmain Cut-Out Lace Dress

It’s a four-way faceoff! LeToya Luckett first rocked this Balmain Fall 2008 Cut-Out Lace Dress at the 2009 BET Awards in Los Angeles, California. Victoria’s Secret model Selita Ebanks wore it next at the premiere of “Valentino: The Last Emperor” at The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Recently, Victoria’s Secret model Alessandra Ambrosio attended the “Los Premios MTV 2009″ Latin America Awards held at Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, California, wearing the same frock. And actress Kate Hudson wore the dress in a photoshoot. So which lady rocked it the best?

Buy Balmain at Net-a-Porter
Photos: Christopher Polk/Lacroix/Wireimage
And just for fun, check out the cheaper version on bebe.com:

Bridal bauble – the bib necklace

As a bride-to-be, I find myself following a lot of wedding traditions, but the fashionista in me wants to add a little haute couture to my wedding day look. So I’ve already purchased a gown that’s equal parts traditional and couture and now am on the hunt for some non-traditional accessories. My strapless gown begs for a bit of adornment around my neck and I feel a simple necklace just won’t do. So I’ve been considering a jeweled bib necklace. It worked for Beyonce at the Golden Globes – she wore a 200 carat diamond bib necklace by Lorraine Schwartz. Now while I am no R&B diva/red carpet fixture, I think I can still pull off the look on my wedding day. I found several haute options that are a touch more affordable than Beyonce’s billionaire-style baubles:

From left to right:
Carolee Crystal Bib Necklace, $295
Kenneth Jay Lane Large Fancy Bib Necklace, $1,040
The following are available for rent at Avelle (the new Bag, Borrow or Steal)
Miriam Haskell Pearl Choker & Earring Set
Kenneth Jay Lane Three Row Teardrop Bib Necklace
Kenneth Jay Lane Fancy Crystal Bib Necklace

Michelle Obama and Rihanna cover Glamour Magazine’s “Women of the Year” issue

Two of our favorite ladies here at What’s Haute, are Michelle Obama and Rihanna, and both are Glamour Magazine cover girls! The December issue marks the 2009 “Women of the Year” and both ladies not surprisingly made the list. Mrs. O is the first First Lady to ever land on the cover of Glamour. She is receiving magazine’s Special Recognition award for mentoring young women. The First Lady stuck to her fashion-savviness for the cover shoot - she wore a red drop-waist flared cocktail dress from her own closet! She spoke with Katie Couric on being the first Black First Lady, her family, pet causes and of course, her relationship with her husband, President Obama. Read Michelle Obama’s Glamour interview here.

Rihanna, another What’s Haute fave, is one of the other Glamour cover girls. The chanteuse finally opens up about domestic abuse and her relationship with Chris Brown, the Believe Foundation that she started, her singing career, her edgy fashion sense and enviable fashion icon status. She wears a black and silver strapless animal-print mini dress from Balmain’s Fall 2009 collection and accessorized the look with studded cuffs.

Rihanna: “Fashion for me is another way I get to express myself creatively. It is one of the fun things I get to do: to play dress-up, and create outfits and looks that aren’t typical. I am an artist, so I like creating things. Shoes are my favorite thing.”

The 2009 Glamour Women of the Year:
•Michelle Obama (Special Recognition)
•Rihanna
•Maria Shriver
•Stella McCartney
•Amy Poehler
•Marissa Mayer
•Serena Williams
•Jane Aronson
•Susan Rice
•Euna Lee and Laura Ling
•The Women of Iran’s One Million Signatures Campaign
•Maya Angelou

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