Banana Republic Votes Camel for Fall” y 11 mas

Banana Republic Votes Camel for Fall
Ten Questions for Project Runway
Going, Going, Green: Advice From Dana Lorenz, Sophie Buhai & More
Azzaro Adds Affordable Pieces to Its Resort Collection
Tavi and Diane Pernet are Looking for the World’s Next Great Fashion Filmmaker
Cacharel Shows at Tunis Fashion Week
Cute Kids in Vogue Nippon
Eco-Friendly Accessories for Earth Day That Aren’t Ugly
Gap’s New Scent
Fashion News Roundup: Inside Jenna Lyons’ Closet & Tavi Turns 14
Is the New: Lane Bryant & Calvin Klein
What Does H&M Have Against Texas?

Posted: 23 Apr 2010 07:20 AM PDT

Remember when we said the thing that worried us most about all of the velvet on fall’s runways is what was bound to happen when it hit the high streets? Well that’s started.

Banana Republic just staged their Fall 2010 show at Cedar Lake in New York, and they’ve reproduced this season’s trends pretty well.

About half of the runway was covered in camel—silk, knits, jersey blazers, leggings, socks, suede booties—with touches of fur and a couple of clog boots. A chocolate brown satchel for men and a feathered cross-body bag for women both looked great, as did the thick leopard belts and flouncy skirts. It was an easy look for fall, with just the right trends—like J.Crew before it (though without the oomph).

But the velvet suit didn’t work, and neither did the velvet dress we spotted at Zara the other day or the velvet jacket at H&M. If you’re determined to wear velvet this fall, it’s worth splurging.

Ten Questions for Project Runway

Posted: 23 Apr 2010 06:25 AM PDT

1. What did Season 7 winner Seth Aaron do to his eyebrows and who flat-ironed only the sides of his hair? Someone get him to the Garnier hair studio, pronto.

2. This is a three part question: Isn't Faith Hill a country singer? Are country singers known for their fashion savvy? Isn't Faith Hill a country singer?

3. Has Courrèges risen from the dead and added leggings to his collections? Oh, wait, no. It's Mila.

4. Do you think Emilio's collection was more well-suited to Sears or JCPenney?

5. Who had grey hair first, Ping or Tavi?

6. Did the best drama of the entire season occur in the recap show when Jay told model Cerri that he'd never use a model with bad teeth and thick legs?

7. Who would like to send us a video of themselves in a cage doing the frug? (We love Michael Kors and his unique expressiveness.)

8. Who else wants that floaty, T-backed, striped tunic/dress hybrid that Seth Aaron sent down the runway?

9. Can someone send Emilio an email to let him know that logomania ended in 1999?

10. Is it possible to love Tim Gunn and Michael Kors more than we do? Whole reason we keep watching.

Going, Going, Green: Advice From Dana Lorenz, Sophie Buhai & More

Posted: 22 Apr 2010 03:31 PM PDT

It’s pretty easy to be green living in New York. Most people don’t have cars, there’s not a lot of space to light, sometimes it’s harder to find not-organic groceries, but when Earth Day rolls around—and when it’s the 40th anniversary of Earth Day—there’s added pressure.

A few designers sent us their tips on going green.

Dana Lorenz of FENTON & FALLON

"You don’t have to put a solar panel on your roof to do you part. Little things add up if everyone does them. Unrelated to jewelry, I have vowed NEVER to buy those little pre-packed dog-walking bags. When things I buy come in plastic packaging or if I have a bag from the deli, I use those. There are just some products that are not at all necessary!"

Maria Cornejo

"I don't like plastic bags so I carry a canvas tote in my purse at all times. Also, get involved in your local community garden, it's so easy and lots of fun."

Melissa Joy Manning

"Fashion your own re-usable bags sans logo by sewing two vintage scarves together and using a cool belt as a handle. Plastic “eco bags” are still plastic. We need to stop using plastic altogether- recycling it releases chemicals into our atmosphere."

Lela Rose

"The only coral I use is the color and I like to stay green all year by running errands and trekking my kids around the city on my rickshaw."

Sophie Buhai, Vena Cava

"Just try and be more aware of your consumption. Little choices like using cloth napkins and dish towels, not providing plastic water bottles at the office, using less AC and riding your bike. I find all these things to be easy adjustments, and in the end they make a difference."

Azzaro Adds Affordable Pieces to Its Resort Collection

Posted: 22 Apr 2010 02:30 PM PDT

The 1970s-inspired gowns Vanessa Seward designs for Paris fashion house Azzaro are gorgeous, but they run $1,300 or more a pop. (Most are priced around $2,400.)

That’s why it’s refreshing to hear that the label’s new Beachwear line, a part of the resort collection, features bathing suits starting at a not-so-crazy $245, as well as terrycloth robes and Lycra dresses from $530.

Of course, this still isn’t cheap. But Seward designs with an exactness that is rare in fashion. If you adore her pieces, Beachwear might be worth its price.

Tavi and Diane Pernet are Looking for the World’s Next Great Fashion Filmmaker

Posted: 22 Apr 2010 01:45 PM PDT

There’s no doubt Paris-based Diane Pernet, a documentary filmmaker and author of well-respected fashion blog A Shaded View on Fashion, is a big reason for the proliferation of fashion films over the last couple of years.

Her annual “A Shaded View on Fashion Film” festival, in its third year, has brought plenty of aspiring filmmakers to the attention of the fashion world.

This year, Pernet is teaming up with birthday girl Tavi to judge the new talent competition. Submissions will be shortlisted by the public, but P & T will have the final say. The winning film will be shown at the festival and then in select cities across the globe.

Have a film you’d like to submit? Visit Talenthouse.com for more details.

Cacharel Shows at Tunis Fashion Week

Posted: 22 Apr 2010 01:01 PM PDT

During Tunis Fashion Week (a baby celebrating its second birthday), Cacharel was invited as guest of honor. The French house, famous for its its flowery je ne sais quoi, showed pieces initially presented during Paris Fashion Week.

Laura Guillermin, Cacharel’s spokesperson, talked to Fashionista about the house's decision to show in Tunis, exploring a new market, and the exoticism of the French girl abroad.

There are alternative fashion weeks all over the world. Why did you specifically decide to show in Tunis?
Cacharel has a history of accompanying young designers and projects. We were seduced by the idea of participating to a very young fashion week, and by its partnership with local fashion schools. And of course, being guest of honor is a mark of respect.

But it was also a way of checking out the local market, to see the potential of Cacharel in the region.

The clothes you showed have already been seen on the Parisian catwalk of SS 2010. Did you just show the exact same thing? And why?
It wasn't a duplicate, but rather, a selection of pieces made with Cédric Charlier, which are representative of the first show. The Tunis show followed the same cycle: it started of with white, followed by nude and then by printed colors, to come back to blue and end with a final flower bouquet.

We are not trying to reinvent ourselves for this new market, but we of course have to adapt: the fashion culture there is very different, and has its own, specific needs. For example, we focused on showing longer cuts, dresses with long sleeves.

The fashion in Tunis is very different than in France, and Cacharel definitely stood out during the fashion week. Do you think the clothes has a future with Tunisian girls?
In Mediterranean countries, it's true that the notion of elegance is very different. Girls like to show off their assets; in France or Belgium, femininity is expressed in other subtle ways. I do think Cacharel can work there, because there is the idea of Parisian exoticism. People say that Parisian women have more elegance than style, and this is what Cedric creates: structural, subtle, architectural pieces that elegantly accompany the movement.

And what have the reactions been so far?
We were scared of falling flat, but we received a great amount of compliments. People appreciate the cut, the structures, and the simplicity. Are the girls there ready to give it a try? Only time will tell.

Cute Kids in Vogue Nippon

Posted: 22 Apr 2010 12:05 PM PDT

Lauren brought back lots of goodies from Tokyo, and this Vogue Nippon supplement was one of them!

Eco-Friendly Accessories for Earth Day That Aren’t Ugly

Posted: 22 Apr 2010 11:09 AM PDT

It's Earth Day. I have to admit that I still use styrofoam coffee cups. I often forget to bring reusable bags to the grocery store. And when I hear about eco-friendly or recycled accessories, I'm always afraid they will look like this.

But lately I've run across some designers and brands who are making bags and jewelry from reused and recycled materials that actually look good. These designers use old textiles, recycled metal, and cast-off pieces in a way that is innovative and creative. Call me superficial, but I don't want a bag that looks like an old tire tread.

Novella Royale has been around since 2007. The brand’s handbags are made from vintage leather jackets, so no two pieces look the same. The linings are all organic and everything is handmade in Los Angeles. Prices run from $395 for a clutch to $700 for a large tote. There's also a pretty cool photo blog on their website.

Archive Jewelry, designed by twin sisters in LA, also uses vintage materials, including pieces of chandelier chains, architectural hardware, door numbers, coins, optician lenses, and old clock hands. Some pieces are made from the original vintage items; some are re-cast in recycled brass or base metal. The best part is that they're really affordable–most pieces are less than $100, and the most expensive thing we saw was an antique pocket watch necklace for about $300.

Louise Paul is a Danish-born designer and FIT alum who designs a clothing and handbag line called Elliot Mann. The handbags are all constructed from exotic and colorful reclaimed textiles from Asia, Nepal, and Peru. More recently, Paul scoured the American Southwest for fabrics for their next round of bags. The bags are currently offered in three shapes, all for $275.

Tomoko Igarashi makes huge necklaces out of gumball-colored beads. The beads are essentially left-overs from larger productions, and Tomoko has collected these cast-off beads for years. As a result, each necklace is a one-of-a kind piece. The necklaces can be knotted in different ways and function almost like a scarf. Her pieces are about $200.

Gilt is also offering tons of eco-friendly options today, so there’s no need to wear recycled burlap.

Gap’s New Scent

Posted: 22 Apr 2010 10:04 AM PDT

Don’t know if you wore Gap’s Dream, or Grass, or Heaven in high school…but we did.

That’s why we’re pretty thrilled about the brand’s new fragrance for females; it’s called Stay. Available starting April 25, the light scent is a mix of green hydrangea, spicy freesia, lotus, white peony and a bit of musk and driftwood to tone down the floral notes.

What’s more, the price is incredible: $8 for 10ml, $25 for 50ml.

Will you go back to Gap for a sniff of Stay?

Fashion News Roundup: Inside Jenna Lyons’ Closet & Tavi Turns 14

Posted: 22 Apr 2010 08:45 AM PDT

In Case You Missed It: Yesterday’s episode of Oprah featured J.Crew’s Creative Director, Jenna Lyons. The media queen not only went inside the J.Crew offices, but she also went inside Jenna’s closet! It’s like a dream—huge and colored-coded. Click to watch the clip! {HuffPo}

Happy Belated Birthday: To Tavi! The bite-sized blogger turned 14 yesterday. {StyleRookie}

Computer Geeks: Sarah Jessica Parker has signed a deal with Hewlett-Packard and will star in their ads. This is a bit odd considering Carrie Bradshaw has become so synonymous with Mac laptops. {Racked}

Condé Changes: Vanity Fair’s Fashion Director Michael Roberts might be on the way out, according to Fashionologie. WWD posted an item declaring Roberts’ departure, which has since been removed. {Fashionologie}

Up Close and Personal: Susie Bubble gives us a closer look at that amazing Topshop Unique AW10 collection. The coats are what furry dreams are made of. {Style Bubble}

Is the New: Lane Bryant & Calvin Klein

Posted: 22 Apr 2010 08:07 AM PDT

Between Garance Dore’s comments regarding the health of plus size models, Francisco Costa’s alleged vow to stop using size zero models for Calvin Klein, and Crystal Renn’s sort of shocking French Vogue editorial, I don’t think anyone’s mentioned the name of a skinny model all week.

But even if fashion’s ready for Mark Fast’s lineup, America apparently is not. We’ve heard grumbling over the past few days about the Lane Bryant commercial Fox refused to air during American Idol, because they thought it too racy. We’ve finally seen the commercial, and the most obvious thing to compare it to is Victoria’s Secret, which gets to air spots like this and like this, in which Giselle spreads her legs, girls are handcuffed to the bed and Heidi Klum begs, “Bring me to my knees,” whenever they want.

Lane Bryant says the network complained because their model has, “too much cleavage.” While fashion fills its pages with plus size models and untouched celebrities (this month at least), a major network won’t air the above commercial, so who’s not to blame for worshipping skinny?

What Does H&M Have Against Texas?

Posted: 22 Apr 2010 07:15 AM PDT

There are 10 H&M’s in New York City, four in San Francisco, four in Pittsburgh and five in Atlanta.

But visit Texas–Dallas, Houston, Austin, etc.–and you won’t find one single outpost of the Swedish fast fashion retailer.

A spokeswoman for H&M told the Dallas Morning News that there are no plans to expand to Texas in 2010. Yet rumors continue to circulate that an H&M will pop up in 2011.

Why might H&M be holding off?

Well, there are plenty of reasons, but the biggest is probably real estate. Topshop delayed its New York opening for years before deciding on the right building. Despite the fact that we think H&M would do particularly well in Austin, the company is probably going to land in Dallas first, simply because it’s a bigger market. But if the company hasn’t found a good piece of real estate at the right price–regardless of whether its renting or buying–it won’t enter the market.

Do you live in Texas? Are you desperate to see an H&M in your neighborhood?