Beauty

You may not have been seeing much of this Southern Belle lately, but Reese Witherspoon is coming out of the woodworks with a bang. Here she is all suited up for the premiere of her latest flick, “Penelope”. She’s not just a talented actress either, this sassy girl also produced her latest movie. At the premiere, she pulled off sexy casual with a gorgeous Gucci suit paired with a violet top and matching purple patent heels by Steve Madden. If she wasn’t such a sweetheart, I’d almost have to hate her for making beautiful look SO easy. But even though this look was fit for a premiere, you don’t need a red carpet event to make it work for yourself. Go cas with this one, and spice it up with a few details.

Like this look? Steal the style for yourself!

Start off with this gorgeous Marc by Marc Jacobs Cropped tuxedo jacket from Net-A-Porter. The jacket is Marc’s classic sexy and casual all in one. This cotton cropped piece also comes with an attached contrast color neck-tie that you can take, or leave at home.

Here’s a great Fashion Top by New York and Company that you can wear through day or night, dress it up however you like. This color in jewel-toned purple as well is Spring’s hottest color. You don’t have to look like Reese to pull it off either. You will love the short sleeve tunic style that flatters any figure, as does the sexy yoke shirring as well. The scoop neck is flattering enough to show off any graceful neckline, and pizzazz it up with a chunky sexy necklace as well.

From Label Spree, the best online shop for designer labels at bargain basement prices come these gorgeous
Pico Skinny Jean in Celestial
. What I love about Paige Jeans is how they advantage of the woman’s figure with this new collection by designing a denim that lifts the butt, lengthens the legs and creates a slimming look. The Pico Skinny Jean is a low rise denim that is sexy and contemporary.

Pair your sassy jewel toned top with these purple shaded Carlos Santana Iconic - Women’s. Look like a fashion icon in the Iconic pump from Carlos by Carlos Santana. This classic look is updated in croco-embossed patent, with a tall, tapered, squared heel. A cushioned footbed and a flexible traction sole keep every step comfortable. And at Online Shoes, you always get free shipping and super sales. Check them OUT!

If you are looking for an ultra-chic handbag, there’s a new waiting list in town, and no, it’s not a Birken. Yes, we have finally come to the day when a Birken is just so yesterday…..The new waiting list that has now hit epic proportions is the new line of Louis Vuitton handbags that have been designed by Richard Prince under the creative direction of the handbag god, Marc Jacobs. That’s right, if there is a man that knows bags, it’s our Marc and he really pulled out all the stops for Richard Prince’s line. The collection will hit the stores February 1st, but the anticipation is already at its limit. The collection was unveiled at the Guggenheim Museum the other night, which is precisely where Richard Prince’s latest collection of paintings and photographs was wrapping up. Bags range from traditional LV totes to bowlers made of laser-cut pony and all bags are adorned with spray paint, logos, and text out of Prince’s “Jokes” series. Not sure what that means, but he’s an artist, and so he does, and his bags are going for an absolute bomb, so guess that’s all that matters. Here you are seeing Marc Jacobs at the show, sans blue hair, and says the inspiration for the color selection came from good ol’ Sponge Bob. Man, I wish he hadn’t said that as I will never be able to erase that now. But he did:

“I’m a fan of SpongeBob SquarePants—and for all I know, so is Rei Kawakubo, because that’s where our color came from!” explained Marc Jacobs.

(take it back, take it back!!)

Let’s look at a few pieces. I am limiting this selection as personally, not a huge LV fan, but definitely a fan of Marc so am picking my faves….

This one is a Richard Prince for Louis Vuitton Cabas Joke bag. Kinda cute, huh? For the low low price of $2265. And yes, when you see the rest, you will consider this a basement bargain.

Here’s my favorite. The laser-cut pony bag with the cutesy little text from Richard Prince’s 1986 art work. Don’t really care what it says, but I do like the effect of the texty monogrammed old world feel. This one is the Richard prince for Louis Vuitton Monogram Matisse bag, and is…..price available upon request. You know what that means. To us commoners, that translates into, ‘you can’t f*&%ing afford it’.

Here’s another. I am okay with this one, could see this at the beach, Sunday afternoon at the country club (I actually laughed writing that by the way), or perhaps for summering in the Hamptons? Lol Sorry, I just can’t help myself today. The Richard Prince for Louis Vuitton Motarde Frame bag comes at the low low retail price of $4,080. Wow, now I’m really wondering. If they will publish a $4,080 price tag, how high could the pony bag be??

So, while the waiting list is rivaling that of the Birken, the price tag not so much (suggested pricing on a new reserved Birken is in the $15 k mark, but noone REALLY knows for sure)

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

Monday night marked the 11th Annual Accessories Council Excellence Awards which meant that all of fashion’s highest and mightiest in the accessories kingdom descended upon Cipriani to get a taste of the coveted bauble in the Award World. The award itself is known as a minaudiere, and is 100% lead crystal and was designed by the President of Leiber, Frank Zambrelli.

Noted award winners this year included first up Tory Burch who won the Accessory Brand Launch for her work at Revolve Clothing. Here is a taste of the Tory look in a two-toned jeweled bangle, so pretty for the holidays! You can check out Tory’s website for her entire collection at Tory Burch. Nancy Gonzalez was the minaudiere winner for Brand of the Year. A sample of Nancy’s work is seen in this lovely crocodile bag, and you can catch all of Nancy’s collection at Neiman Marcus.

Other more household names in the fashion industry took home some impressive credentials as well. One of our favorite handbag and shoe designers, Marc Jacobs won the coveted Designer of the Year award, and Valentino was entered into the Accessories Hall of Fame, an award accepted by Lucy Liu on his behalf. Here you see Marc Jacobs with Heidi Klum as he sports his latest accessory – blue hair, which was apparently one of the most talked about accessories of the evening. Here they pose holding a T-Shirt that says “Protect the Skin You’re In”.

With the exception of course of Designer of the Year, the most noted presentation of the evening was that given to Heidi Klum, former supermodel and current host of Project Runway. Klum took away the award of Fashion Influencer and was presented the award by her co-host to Project Runway and ELLE Magazine Fashion Editor Extraordinaire Nina Garcia. Mandy Moore also had tongues waving with her work and was named Fashion Innovator of the Year.

Other wins worth noting were Magazine of the Year going to Harper’s Bazaar, and Macy’s win for Retailer of the Year. Congratulations to everyone!

That’s all, now I want one, just for talking about all of you ridiculously fabulous people.