Beauty & Fashion Tips - Rags & Rouges Style Tips

Time for some Sunday window shopping! Net-A-Porter has just released an all new collection from our, sorry my, shoe god Christian Louboutin. So whether you are just looking to ooh and ah over the Christian Louboutin collection in some easy breezy Sunday window shopping, or still haven’t figured out where to put that tax refund, go and have a look and Shop the Christian Louboutin extravaganza at NET-A-PORTER.COM.

My personal fave? The Christian Louboutin Clichy Painted pumps. So chic!

We will give our trend spotting a little bit of glam to set the tone for tonight’s Academy Awards. Here we have Rachel Bilson on the red carpet for the premiere of her latest movie, Jumper. Rachel Bilson was stunning, as usual, in sexy metallic one-shoulder piece by Monique Lhuillier, which she paired with sexy heels by Christian Louboutin.

Like the look? Steal the style for yourself!

Here is a beautiful dress in the same style but with a shade of feminine softness by Doucette Duvall. Doucette Duvall is a stunning New York based line of daring vintage creations. The
Meredith in Pinky
is a gorgeous frock with an asymmetrical neckline in beautiful pink silk. The beautiful tailored cut features a high waist and front pockets accented by fabric folds. The one shoulder style necklace is graced by a large bow that is subtle despite its size. You’ll adore the decadent silk and flattering fit of this dress. This dress couldn’t be softer in 100% silk, and fully lined in silk as well. And right now, it’s 40% off at Label Spree!!

While these aren’t exactly Louboutin’s, you can save a few dollars by getting the same look at Target with these Mossimo Drew Point-Toe Patent Pumps in a variety of colors. These pumps feature a 3.75 inch heel, slip on styling, and chic pointed toe. And for less than $13 bucks, you really can’t go wrong with these staples. Why not pick up a few pair?

You know, fashion changes so much, this is after all what makes the industry and the art so very interesting. At least for me anyway! We have already taken a look at the most important aspects of the fashion for last year – fashion and beauty trends from 2007. And they were all lovely! But what happened in the business?! Believe it or not, designers come and designers go, but they all cater to the masses and when one house changes creators for another, it’s big news. This year the industry saw a LOT of changes, and a lot of revolutionary outcomes as a result. The runway down the Great Wall of China is the kind of thing I am talking about. Now THAT took some serious artistic genius, and THAT is what I love about fashion. So what was big, who was big, who wasn’t, and how is this going to affect us this year? Let’s have a look at the first five (in no specific order)…..

The designers worked for the MASSES this year! And I just loved it. Who wouldn’t? Pick up a dress by Proenza Schouler at Target, and you can STILL tell people you are wearing Proenza Schouler. Noone needs to know the difference, right? Yes, many big names really worked for the people this year and the fine (but sadly, oh so very *not straight*) boys of P.S. fed their hungry fans pieces going for $39.99 for the Go Target brand. And these also caused quite the frenzy overseas at Colette. Kate Moss followed suit with the Topshop line and Vera Wang did the same for Kohl’s. In fact, you can no longer purchase Vera at Kohls as the line is completely sold out. You snooze you lose! The big winner here for the masses was Roberto Cavalli. His fans lined up outside H & M for 24 hours just to snag some of his mass marketed pieces.

I know, you all just love to hate her, but I have to mention her, I just HAVE to. Mrs. Becks, Victoria Beckham, or Posh, call her what you will (I am sure many of you have your own names). Busy girl! No wonder she doesn’t have time to eat! Yes, she made waves in the industry this year as well. Why? She authored That Extra Half an Inch, a book we have featured here. She also established herself as the designer of dVb (denim by Victoria Beckham), she’s married to the cutest man from Europe…what else what else…well, there is the whole Spice Girl reunion thing as well. Catch her on the cover of ELLE this year, and this spring, yes, she will be the new face of Marc Jacobs. Man, I don’t really like this girl, but MAN I’d really like her LIFE!

This year was Henry Holland’s Opus as well. Apparently you weren’t anybody in the industry unless you became immortalized on one of his T-shirts. What, it just takes a cheeky saying and some cotton to go big? I could so do that….He was better known for slogans such as “Do Me Daily, Christopher Bailey”, “Wham Bam Thank you Stam”, and “Flick your Bean for Agyness Deyn”. Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters went crazy knocking these babies off and they just FLEW off the shelves. The most famous one? Holland’s own opus he wore at the show for his Fall 2007 collection: “One Trick Pony”. Wow. WAY too much information.

Happy Anniversary! This year hallmarked some big milestones for some of our faves. Valentino celebrated his 45th year in the biz at his teensy little chalet in Rome. The affair hosted 500 VIPs and ran for 3 days. Someone remind me NOT to throw out the Valentino card next year! John Galliano for Christian Dior celebrated his 60th and of course in the industry, it is all about out-doing the last designer so he swept Valentino’s soiree to pieces by hosting a sunset party at Versailles. His runway show for the party included supermodels Gisele, Shalom, and Linda and included an orchestra, gospel choir, and well, he could not forget the flamenco dancers. (well, that would just be rude). Ralph Lauren was another classic that celebrated an anniversary, and this was his 40th year in the design biz. No flamenco dancers for Ralph, his was definitely a much more downscaled affair to remember, and was quintessential Ralph Lauren. Classic, elegant, and gorgeous. His was held in New York Fall Fashion Week for the spring collections, and came in the form of a candlelit gala at the Conservatory. The party was as much Ralph as anything could be — manicured gardens, champagne, and timeless elegance as only Ralph can do. Yes, Happy Anniversary and wishes for many many more for ALL of these design gods.

Saving my favorite for the last today!! WHEEEE!!! Believe it or not SHOES actually made statements this year, when Saks Fifth Avenue opened their own store exclusively for shoes. But no no no girls, this was not just any shoe store. You may call it, Shoe Temple. Yes, if my time comes before this exquisite architectural foot shrine closes, please bury me underneath the Louboutins. This “store” is so big it has its own ZIP CODE. Yep, 10022-SHOE. And I am not even joking. It holds 10,000 square feet of space and is home to over 100 THOUSAND pairs of shoes. And yes, you will find plenty of Louboutin, Gucci, Manolo Blahnik, Yves Saint Laurent, Giuseppe Zanotti, Givenchy, Prada, and Roger Vivier to name a few. I want to win a trip to New York just to see this store. And yes, I’d have to buy new shoes for it. Just so I could say, those are the shoes I wore in the Shoe Temple. And just for maybe just a day, I would look, not touch, and just be the happiest girl in the world. Ok, y’all know I’m gonna hafta touch at least one pair…but thats IT. I simply must! And no, I’m not kidding when I say you must refer to this haven as the Shoe Temple.

Photos: Elle Magazine

Have you ever wanted to be a Victoria’s Secret Model? C’mon, we know you have. We ALL have. Well, believe it or not it is not as easy as it looks. Let’s have a look at what goes on in the making of a Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, and here we are looking at their most recent 2007 collection. WOW is all I have to say.

Here we have the beauty Adriana Lima. This train is made entirely of rare feathers, is over 10 feet long, and took over three months to make. And in fact, in order to get the show on the road and from workshop to runway (New York to Los Angeles), it took a chartered cargo plane AND a 63-foot line haul truck to get all wardrobe supplies to the runway set.

Making a special appearance this year was Heidi Klum and her return to the runway after the birth of her third child. Gag me that this woman looks like THIS after three babes, but hey…..Joining Heidi was her hubby Seal who celebrated her re-debut by joining her on the catwalk and singing “Wedding Day” with her. Yes, I really might actually puke.

A total of 15 corsets including this piece worn by the lovely Marisa Miller, were created for the show. The corset designer was Australian Jenny Manik Mercian. They in total took over 6 months to create and are embellished with Crystallized Swarovski jewels.

Even though it LOOKS like a breeze, it takes almost an entire year for the design team at Victoria’s Secret to prepare for this show. For example, this outfit (term used loosely) that Karolina Kurkova is wearing took 8 months to go from sketch to reality. And this girl is not walking in just any shoes. These Christian Louboutins were just one of 75 pairs that our *cough my* favorite Parisian shoe designer created exclusively for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

The Angel wings worn by the models known as the Victoria Secret Angels are one of the most talked about piece of any VS fashion show. It took three months for a tream of 42 designers to create the wings that fluttered down the catwalk. Heidi Klum’s here are retractable, and carry a 10 foot wingspan.

Adding to an evening of non-stop excitement was a multitude of performances by the Spice Girls. The Spice Girls appeared for their reunion in their debut performance at this event showcasing hits such as “Stop”. And of course, they were attired in nothing less than custom-made Roberto Cavalli pieces for the event. Catch their performance on YouTube. Gotta say, not a big fan but very hot show!

And yes, even the beauties like Karolina Kurkova need some help before a show. But don’t feel bad if you don’t look as drop-dead gorgeous as she does. She has some help. Before this show? The models had access to 18 makeup artists, 15 hair stylists, 8 nail techs, and 7 body bronzers. Oh, and we can’t forget the 4 massage therapists on hand to loosen up the 30 girls.

Think you still have what it takes to be a VS Angel? Check out what they are looking for, and what you can expect from a casting call….

I am seeing a LOT of this on the red carpet these days. The little black dress is slowly turning into the little blue dress. Weird! Love blue on just about everyone by myself, so I have to say, I hope this trend does not stick around. But when you do see blue work so well on someone big, like Heroe’s Star Kristen Bell, then it DOES make you look twice simply because this is a color not done well that often. Here is Kristen Bell dressed in a sweet flower trimmed number by Lela Rose that she paired with *sigh* Christian Louboutins when she presented the International Emmy’s in New York.

Like this look? Well, I stumbled across the real thing in the dress department at Bergdorf’s, so if you want to pick it up, yes, it is going to cost you.

Here is the same pretty belted crinkle chiffon dress with scoop neckline and ruffled strap detailing. This dress comes with an empire waist to flatter any figure and cute hidden side pockets. You are also going to love both the bubble hem and the straps that will drape down your waist to the back.

I will save you some dabloons on the shoes. No reason you can’t just grab a pair of Steve Madden’s to pair here. I mean, okay, I DO love the CL however, for the sake of foregoing a red sole, you get the same shoe in Steve Madden’s Lesson here. This shoe features a hidden platform, 4 “ heel, and pretty peep-toes as well.

Wow, I’m having a great Friday. I keep running across these pieces that remind me exactly WHY fashion is so interesting. This is stuff you can’t just pick up at the mall, unique, creative, beautiful. Which are excellent words to describe today’s star feature – Nicole Kidman. Unique, creative, beautiful. Here she is accomplishing her signature bold red carpet look in an Alexander McQueen piece at the Country Music Awards. This girl is also one of Louboutin’s fave clients, and she paired the dress with as much. Of course, our Nicole was there to support her hubby, Keith Urban, but as always, she stole the shoe, I mean, show.

Like this look? Take this trend for yourself, for less than $200!!

Ok, there is NOWHERE on the planet that I am going to find a knock-off McQueen as pretty as the one Nicole features here. But I did run across a very elegant bold printed piece in the same fuschia tones that Nicole wears here. This is from the Mary L. Couture collection at Neiman’s, and you are in luck, if you like this one, grab it for $78 bucks today, as it has just been marked down over 60%!! This dress features a black lace bust, deep V neckline, sexy spaghetti straps and a straight skirt with a flared hem. Sexy AND sassy!

Finally! Some shoes that LOOK like Louboutin, but don’t come with the hefty price tag. There’s just one word to describe the Oh Deer! Kate - Women’s platform slingback pump from oh…DEER! – and it’s “wow.” This stunning shoe features a gleaming satin upper, an extra-tall, tapered heel wrapped in metallic faux snake, and, to make it even sexier, a peep-toe and a sexy red sole.