Kara Ross wants to cover your eyes - launching limited-edition sunglasses exclusively for Sunglass Hut

It all began with super haute baubles then a venture into luxury handbags. Now Kara Ross is launching an eyewear line. Full of luxe details, the line, which launches this coming June, is a collaboration with the CFDA and Luxottica Group. Ross, along with two other CFDA members - Devi Kroell and Matt Murphy - each won an internal design contest, enabling them to create limited-edition shades to be exclusively sold at Sunglass Hut.

Ross’ sunglasses feature boxy large tortoiseshell frames with zebrawood-style figure-8 details on the arms. And a jewelry designer can’t help but throw in some jewel-like details, so there is also a bit of gold hardware throughout. The sunglasses will retail at $129.95.

These shades are pretty haute and the price is just right for Kara Ross fans.

Barbie Basics LBD Collection - event recap

Yesterday I told you about the Barbie Basics LBD collection of dolls. Well, I had the chance to preview the one-of-a-kind designer dolls last night at Openhouse Gallery. The Kir Royale cocktails were flowing, the hors d’oeuvres were being passed and I got a chance to catch up with some of my favorite fashion bloggers. Then came the unveiling. Oh boy! If only I could have Barbie’s one-of-a-kind outfits for myself! The looks were everything you’d expect – and more! All of the dolls were styled amazingly, but my faves had to be the Betsey Johnson Barbie with the wide sheer skirt, the Devi Kroell Barbie with mirrored pants and an ‘exotic’ handbag, the Lorraine Schwartz Barbie with $10,000 of real diamonds on it, and the Subversive Barbie with a chunky, layered pearl necklace! Icing on the cake – designer Justin Giunta (Subversive) was there and told me about his inspiration for accessorizing Barbie, his jewelry line and his upcoming jewelry collaboration with Tory Burch!

Overall, all of the dolls were nothing short of fabulous! And as promised, bidding has begun on the dolls so if you want to get your hands on these one-of-a-kind designer dolls, whip out your credit cards and snap up one – or a few! Proceeds will benefit CFDA education and scholarship programs.

Make sure to follow Barbie on Twitter (@BarbieStyle) and check out her blog, where CFDA designer Justin Giunta has a guest blog about his designer doll.

Special thanks to Attention PR, Steven Kolb - Executive Director, CFDA, and Stephanie Cota - SVP, Barbie for hosting this event!

Photos via Racked and TrendHunter

Barbie Basics black label collection of little black dresses

Barbie is the luckiest girl in the world. Who else can say that they have a closet full of little black dresses (LBDs), designed just for them by 12 of the world’s top designers?

To celebrate the launch of Mattel’s new Barbie Basics doll, featuring twelve customized Barbies with varying hairstyles, skin tones and a basic LBD and accessories, the company also invited Council of Fashion Designers America (CFDA) designers to customize twelve one-of-a-kind dresses for Barbie. Designers include Deborah Lloyd (Kate Spade), Isaac Mizrahi, Rachel Roy, Tory Burch, Alexis Bittar, Betsey Johnson, Devi Kroell, Justin Giunta (Subversive), and Monica Botkier. Wouldn’t you just love to have a closet full of their stuff?

Each designer is auctioning their doll on eBay until February 7. Starting bid is $100 and net proceeds will go to the CFDA’s education program and scholarships.

And tonight, I’ll be tweeting live from the first-ever Barbie tweet-up, where we’ll get to take a peek at these one-of-a-kind dolls. Follow us on Twitter: we’re @WhatsHaute!

And follow @BarbieStyle for more updates on the dolls!

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen launch Olsenboye

Just last week, the Olsen twins became members of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) for their luxury brand, The Row and their contemporary line, Elizabeth & James.

Now, According to Women’s Wear Daily, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are launching Olsenboye, a junior brand concept that they presented to, and will be exclusive to J.C. Penney. Olsenboye, the Olsens’ ancestral name, will hit 600 Penney stores in February and the pieces retail between $20 and $50. The collection will include denim, pants, tops, dresses, skirts, shorts, jackets, handbags and shoes.

Promotion for the line begins today, with an Olsenboye truck going around New York selling merchandise and giving out cupcakes, balloons and pins, while 50 high-profile Penney stores will have empty racks covered in Olsenboye shrouds. And starting November 6, Olsenboye will be available for a limited time on jcp.com and in those same 50 stores, including the Manhattan flagship store.

Ashley Olsen said: “Mary-Kate and I watch current trends and see our partnership with J.C. Penney as an opportunity to add something unique to the marketplace, especially in the current retail climate,”. “Olsenboye is an extension of the Dualstar brand and we feel this collaboration complements and strengthens our business portfolio, delivering trend-based fashion at affordable prices.”

Recent contemporary designer launches and collaborations with J.C. Penney included Bisou Bisou by Michelle Bohbot, I [Heart] Ronson, Allen B., Oxford & Regent and Twelfth of Eleven.

CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) awards 2009 - winners and losers

The CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) awards are all about honoring and recognizing the most talented designers in the fashion industry, but the real fashion winners and losers at the 2009 awards were seen arriving to the event.

Two of the night’s fashion ‘winners’ were Claire Danes and Kerry Washington, who both opted for full-length gowns with plunging necklines. Claire Danes looked chic in a sleek black number designed by friend Narciso Rodriguez. Kerry Washington wore a sparkly silver frock by Doo.ri paired with a silver clutch and Jimmy Choo shoes.

Zoe Saldana kept it simple in a beautiful sheer grey off-the-shoulder Calvin Klein dress and nude T-strap sandals. Diane Kruger wowed in a red Jason Wu minidress with black embroidered shoulder details and also accessorized with T-strap sandals and a navy satin clutch. A very pregnant Heidi Klum shined in a ruched, metallic one-shouldered Michael Kors dress complemented with a metallic clutch and metallic Christian Louboutin ankle-strap pumps.

The night’s fashion ‘losers’ included Michelle Trachtenberg (Gossip Girl) who wore a silver top and too short/too tight black skirt by Behnaz Sarafpour and pulled her hair into a high ponytail. Ashley Olsen looked frumpy in an orange vintage gown that was just a bit too large. Perhaps they should have switched?

Vera Wang wore one of her own designs – a gold sequined dress with a white tank, bib necklace, netting at the hem, black tights and chunky black shoes. Can you say “accessory overload”? Kirsten Dunst wore an asymmetrical Rodarte minidress that made her look like a wrapped mummy and her clunky grey shoes would have been more appropriate with a pair of jeans. Rachel Roy also wore one of her own designs – a one-shoulder frock with a pretty print but too much going on at the waist.

Check out Women’s Wear Daily to see which designers won at the CFDA awards.