Win it! One of 5 signed copies of ‘You Know You Want It’ by Gossip Girl costume designer Eric Daman

Congratulations to Vanessa S., Loraine, Vittoria V., Jenny S. and Tara O.! You will each receive a signed copy of ‘You Know You Want It’ by Gossip Girl costume designer Eric Daman! Thanks to all who entered and stay tuned for more contests and giveaways from What’s Haute Magazine.
They say the clothes make the girl, and this is especially true on TV. Would we have loved Carrie as much if she didn’t love her Louboutins? Would we have tuned in so much if she and the girls didn’t have such fabulous wardrobes? Maybe, but the fashionable appeal of the characters drew us in even more. The same is true on Gossip Girl. Yes the show is great, and the drama draws us back from week to week but we like to keep a close eye on what Blair, Serena, Jenny and Vanessa are wearing. Chuck, Nate and Dan too.

Wonder how Blair got to wear the Valentino 360 bag and Alexandre Birman shoes before they even hit stores? Thank Eric Daman. He’s the Emmy Award-winning costume designer for Gossip Girl and now the author of a new book published by Random House: You Know You Want It, with a foreword by Leighton Meester (Blair Waldorf).

In You Know You Want It, Daman will teach you everything you need to know to personalize your look and make it unforgettable. First he teaches you how to master the basics, like learning which clothes look best on your body and stocking your closet with ‘Totally Basic Essentials’ like jeans, the perfect pair of sunglasses, and a versatile little dress. Then he teaches you how to break some fashion rules, like wearing white pants in the winter, and stripes and dots together.

You Know You Want It also tells you how to:
• Learn about the silhouettes, shapes and lengths that will flatter your figure
• Prep your closet so you can admire, attire–and be inspired
• Uncover your signature style and your signature pieces
• See how accessories can change an entire look
• Use color to celebrate the seasons
• Harness the magical power of your local tailor and cobbler with Eric’s go-to fix-it guides
• Deal with unsightly stains and dropped hems when you’re in a rush or on the go
• Look your very best every day!

The book is chock-full of gorgeous fashions, chic photos, ingenious ideas, quick tips, and the 411 on where to shop for new to-die-for favorites. You Know You Want It is the essential guide to finding your fashion ‘Happily Ever After’!

We’ve got our hands of 5 signed copies to give away. To enter, leave a comment below telling us your own personal style tip. And for more entries, friend us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. Contest ends December 24, 2009 at 11:59 pm EST.

Good luck!

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.

Fashion’s Night Out #FNO09: Anna Sui for Target pop-up shop

I recently reviewed the Anna Sui for Target collection so I knew what to expect upon entering the store. The store was cutely decorated in newspapers covering the walls with the headline “Anna Sui for Target”. It was laid out like a closet, with each Gossip Girl character the collection was based on, grouped in separate areas. Models lounged in chairs and sofas throughout. My favorites were the “Blair Waldorf” dresses. I tried on the blue belted mini dress but it was way too big. Unfortunately by the time I arrived, all of the selection had been picked over and only mostly extra large sizes were left. So I guess I’ll be picking up my pieces in Target when the collection rolls out in stores on September 13th!

In New York? Visit the store:
Anna Sui for Target pop-up store:
54 Crosby St.
Thursday, September 10th, 11 pm - 11 pm
Friday, September 11th, 11 pm - 11 pm
Saturday, September 12th, 11 pm - 8 pm

Stay tuned to What’s Haute for New York Fashion Week coverage!

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.

Haute or Not - Leighton Meester in Christopher Kane

Leighton Meester came out to attend a special advanced screening of “Spread”, hosted by Gotham and Hamptons Magazines to support Gossip Girl co-star and boyfriend Sebastian Stan. The actress wore a piece from Christopher Kane’s 2010 Resort (first-ever) pre-collection, which features amber-colored mushroom cloud prints from nuclear test explosions. (Kane took the free prints from the U.K. Ministry of Defense website.) The chemically-hued prints made their way onto a baby-doll dress, worn by Meester, that looked more like a bikini top, short sleeves and skirt all cobbled together. She paired it with Giuseppe Zanotti shoes, a Louis Vuitton clutch, Cathy Waterman earrings and Jack Vartanian rings. Kane is clearly into shock and awe fashion - first his gorilla, ape and baboon dresses for Spring (Rihanna was a fan); now nuclear mushroom cloud prints. What do you think of Kane’s innovative new collection? Is it haute or not?

Source: Style.com

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.

Celebrity Chic on the Cheap: I XOXO Taylor Momsen’s Style

[Every week College Candy's style guru Jill takes a celebrity look and breaks it down for you. 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.]

Everyone tells me on a daily basis that they can’t believe I don’t watch Gossip Girl. I would loooove the drama, I would loooove the cute boys, and, most importantly, I would L-O-V-E the fashion.

I know I would love every minute of this hour long fashion show, but just like I know that sitting in front of Ghiradelli week after week without getting any ice cream would only lead to me to going nuts on their jumbo ice cream sundae one day (and gaining 10 lbs), I know for certain that I would soon give into these adorable and oh-so unaffordable GG styles leaving my college gal budget (which is already lacking any luster) in the negatives. I would literally become the girl who lived in her shoes (Christian Louboutin shoes, but shoes nonetheless).

So while I don’t watch the show, I do know that Taylor Momsen’s look is cute, and easy to achieve without breaking the bank. And - bonus- you can take this look from day to night, and winter to spring!

XOXO, Celebrity Chic on The Cheap.

Black Bomber Jacket

This is a wardrobe essential: it’s cute for class, it’s cute for the bar… it’s just CUTE.

Hot Pink Scarf

If pink isn’t your color, this scarf comes in plenty of other colors to choose from and adds some punch to your ‘fit.

Grey V-Neck

You may have 8 billion college t-shirts and, therefore, think you couldn’t possibly need anymore, but a grey v-neck is a must-have. It allows you to look casual and cute all at the same time, unlike that “Drink Your Face Off” t-shirt you got for free at a pre-party last year.

Shiny Headband

American Apparel has a plethora of fabulous colors to choose from, including this bright teal. And - score! - headbands are great for those days when your bangs are not cooperating.

Earrings

Add a little pizazz to your jewelry collection with these simple yet totally marvelous studs. I recommend the white ones, but they wouldn’t show up!

Grey Dress

The best thing about this look is that you can totally rock it for a dressier occassion. Throw this gray dress on, top it with the leather bomber, add some tights, booties and a scarf, and you are good to go!

Robert Rodriguez Plaid Skirt

You don’t have to be a student at Constance Billard School for Girls to wear a plaid skirt.

Sure it’s standard uniform for Blair, Serena, and the other girls of the Upper Eastside high school set. But a chic plaid skirt can be worn at any age. The Robert Rodriguez Plaid Skirt is for the more sophisticated set. Made of a wool/nylon blend, the skirt features a black, white and grey shadow plaid print. The plaid skirt is given a contemporary spin with a single thick front pleat and on-seam hip pockets. The slim tulip silhouette hides hips while accentuating curves and the just-above-the-knee hem gives length to legs

Give those Upper Eastside girls a run for their money.

shopbop.com, $102.30