Jeffrey Sebelia named new head designer of Fluxus

Project Runway’s favorite bad boy Jeffrey Sebelia was recently named head designer of Fluxus. His collection is everything you’d expect from his rock’n'roll aesthetic - edgy and everyday cool, tons of black and gray, but all-around haute. Sebelia for Fluxus is the synthesis of his three inspirations: the backstage of a ballet rehearsal, the dance floor of an 80’s disco night club, and the front row of a rock concert. You’ll see everything from a mix of knit garments from special wax-treated, leather-look pieces, to sheer modal and black stripe burnout garments. Sebelia’s fashions come in various cuts, shapes and silhouettes in easy-to-wear fabrics and priced as low as $60-$200. Check out images from his spring collection.
Fluxus fans include Rachel Bilson, Megan Fox, Jessica Alba, Jessica Biel, Lauren Conrad and Leighton Meester.

Haute trend alert: leopard print

Everywhere you turn, you’ll see that leopard print is ruling both the runways and the real world. Style-conscious, trendsetting celebrities like Rihanna, Jessica Alba, Lady Gaga and the Kardashian sisters rock leopard print accessories and clothing. Even little Suri Cruise donned a pair of leopard print flats. The print works for any woman, at any age, but the key to wearing leopard is to stick to one piece - whether a top or dress; stilettos or booties; handbags or jewelry; even leggings and swimwear. Colored-print leopard adds an extra shot to any look but be careful not to overdo it. Keep the rest of the look in muted tones like basic black or khaki tan, or even a solid tonal colorblock will do. Shop the pieces below to add a dose of leopard print to your wardrobe:

1. Christian Louboutin Charme 100 ankle boots, $975

2. DSQUARED2 Leopard Print Cuff, $339

3. Christian Louboutin Pigalle 100 pumps, $755

4. Valentino leopard-print goat hair bag, $2,695

5. Ashish Sequined one-shoulder dress, $895

6. Jimmy Choo Jazz leopard-print pumps, $1,295

7. Splendid Leopard-print jersey tank, $47

8. TOYWATCH Leopard Dial Watch , $295

9. Jimmy Choo Large Odette ponyskin bag, $3,295

10. Tory Burch Reva leopard-print flats, $225

11. Crumpet Sloppy Joe cashmere sweater, $510

12. Crumpet Leopard-print cashmere scarf, $300

13. Roberto Cavalli large square sunglasses, $495

14. Yves Saint Laurent ponyskin leopard-print ankle boots, $1,525

15. Matthew Williamson leopard-print silk dress, $1,150

16. MICHAEL Michael Kors - Leather Glove w/ Leopard Haircalf Cuff, $229

17. Charlotte Olympia Dolly leather platform pumps, $795

18. Jimmy Choo Tube leopard-print clutch, $1,095

19. Jerome C. Rousseau Aizza patent leopard pumps, $550

20. Betsey Johnson Pink Leopard Heart Ring, $51

Protect your neck with Love Quotes scarves + check your neck for thyroid cancer

The super-sized scarf is a celebrity-fave and the perfect day-to-day accessory. With this year’s screwy seasons, a scarf can be worn from spring well into summer and right back into fall and winter. Celebrities don’t leave the house without a scarf - either worn loose and long or snugly wrappped and knotted around the neck. Their fave? Love Quotes scarves. Lindsay Lohan and former Spice Girl Melanie Brown (aka Mel B.) are fans, along with Hilary Duff, Lauren Conrad, Jessica Alba, and Nicole Richie all wear Love Quotes.

Made of Italian linen, Love Quotes scarves are soft and light, and they come in every color of the rainbow. They look great and even make you feel good inside: 10% of the proceeds are donated to international children’s charities, and each Love Quotes scarf is accompanied by an inspirational quote to wear around your neck! Click here to buy Love Quotes scarves.

Also, September is Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month. Protect your neck! Thyroid cancer is one of the few cancers that has increased its incidence rate over the past several years. About 25,690 people will be diagnosed with thyroid cancer in the U.S. in 2005.

The Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, Inc., is encouraging people to ask for a neck check the next time they visit their doctor. Signs to discuss with the physician include a lump or fullness in the neck, lymph node swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, or voice changes.

When detected early, most thyroid cancers are treatable. Early detection is the key to improving outcomes. Patient and caregiver education is also important, because thyroid cancer requires lifelong monitoring as recurrences can occur decades after treatment.

Free brochures and support services are available from ThyCa: Thyroid Cancer Survivors’ Association, an all-volunteer, non- profit organization of thyroid cancer survivors, family members, and health care professionals, dedicated to support, education, communication, and thyroid cancer research fundraising and research grants. For more information, call 1-877-588-7904, fax to 630-604-6078, send e-mail to thyca@thyca.org or visit www.thyca.org.

And the Winner is…

Congrats to Michelle M. of West Covina, CA! She is the winner of a Black Halo dress from Chickdowntown.com and What’s Haute Magazine!

Want another chance to win something from Chickdowntown.com? They are the EXCLUSIVE carrier of the Diane von Furstenberg Garden Zaria Jacket (as seen on MTV’s “The City“). This jacket was also worn by Jessica Alba on the cover of this month’s issue of Elle Magazine!

If you would like the chance to WIN THIS JACKET–all you need to do is comment on Chickdowntown’s blog. The winner will be chosen randomly and announced on April 2 - a month from today. The contest starts now and entries must be date stamped by our server no later than Monday, April 2, 2009, at 3:59 PM ET to be eligible. Good luck and thanks to everyone who entered!

Pick Platinum!

With awards season in full swing, it’s time for celebrities to bring out the bling! And with Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, it’s time to start thinking of gift ideas. Diamonds may be a girls’ (and guy’s) best friend but diamonds set in platinum shine like the stars. But you don’t need to be a star to sport your own platinum baubles. Platinum has long been a status symbol – think platinum records, platinum awards, and of course, platinum jewelry. I personally love it because of its color, purity and durability. It’s naturally white like silver and white gold but its luster is much more brilliant. Platinum is typically 95% pure so it never fades or tarnishes like silver. And it is resistant to wear so even if your platinum jewels get scratched, you won’t lose much of the metal. The best part is it’s rarity – its actually 30 times more rare than gold, which adds to its exclusive and distinctive allure. If you’re thinking about a gift that can’t be matched, or just want to treat yourself to something special, think platinum! 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 
For more on platinum, check out the following resources:
Wedding Channel
Precious Platinum
W Magazine

80th Annual Academy Awards - Best Dressed on the Red Carpet

Though this year’s Oscar red carpet parade may have been one of the least inspiring in recent history (it seems everyone got the text message about the one-shoulder and fire-engine red trends), we managed to nominate four stars who got it right:

~Diane Lane
Boy do we love chocolate; both the candy and the color. Diane is looking young and skinny - isn’t that the ultimate Hollywood request? The one shoulder makes an appearance, giving us lots of ‘Greek goddess’. We like the jewel detail on the hip too.

~Katherine Heigl
She managed to rock both of the night’s most annoying trends without totally irritating us. Nice work. That newlywed glow gives her a stunning confidence. She looks like a bona fide movie star.

~Jessica Alba
We love the way she incorporated the empire waist into appropriate maternity wear, and we’re wild about the eggplant color and the pulled back hair. It’s soft and romantic, yet still sexy. (Did she and Katherine have the same clutch?!)

~Ruby Dee
How can anyone not adore this woman? Her hair and makeup are flawless and the gown is sizzling, but in a very sexy grandma/age-appropriate sort of way. The topper is her look of complete gratitude unlike some of these starlets who look like we should only be so lucky that they even showed up…

Image Source: Wireimage

80th Annual Academy Awards - Jewel Tones on the Red Carpet

Though most attendees played it ’safe’ with their Academy Awards dresses, a few spiced up the carpet with colorful jewel toned gowns. A pregnant Jessica Alba wore a plum-colored strapless Marchesa empire-waisted gown that concealed her baby bump. Access Hollywwod host Shaun Robinson chose an emerald colored satin gown. Kelly Preston’s orange-gold strapless Roberto Cavalli gown accented her skin tone, and TV personality Tanika Ray chose a sexy dress in a brilliant blue hue.

Image Source: Wireimage