Rachel Zoe Comes to Bravo

One of the most well-known and ingenious stylists, (and my personal favorite) Rachel Zoe, is finally giving us non-celebrities a glimpse into her chaotic fashion world.

On September 9, The Rachel Zoe Project will debut on Bravo and the docu-drama will no doubt leave our tongues wagging for more!

The show will follow Zoe and her fashion team as they style only the biggest name celebrities, models, and other high profile clients. Every week we will get to watch Zoe run from shops to meetings with designers to editorial shoots and runway shows.

So get that Tivo ready because between The Rachel Zoe Project, Gossip Girl, America’s Next Top Model, and Project Runway it will be the best fall fashion season yet!

Image courtesy of UK's Daily Mail

Elle UK Picks the Top Five Trends For Autumn/Winter '08

In Elle UK’s August issue they choose the hot new season trends for autumn/winter 2008.

The first big trend of the season is the grunge look. Designers were showcasing the goth look with black eyeliner on the models, black beanies, studded necklaces, ankle boots, and back lace tights.

Gone are the frilly and flowery themes of summer and get your closet ready for the second biggest trend of the season; power dressing. The runway showcased new shapes and sharp tailoring on a variety of different suits. From pantsuits to skirt suits they were all flattering and functional. The colors showcased were mainly black, navy and grey.

The third trend is a flash back to the 70’s. The catwalk was ablaze with flared denims and calf-length skirts with thick tights, silk scarves, floppy hats and print dresses. The clothing had a vintage feel and if you enjoy layering the autumn/winter ’08 season will be the perfect time to bundle up and get ready for the snow!

Another huge trend for the upcoming season will be black, black, and more black. The runway featured clothes with lace, sheer chiffon and tulle paired with skinny leather or PVC trousers. Make sure to get yourself a pair of knee-high boots as they rocked the runway along with crucifix chains and sultry eyes.

The final trend of the season will get you ready for cocktail hour. With high necklines and low hemlines expect the stores to be stocking a lot of classy and elegant dresses for the new season. Restrained and refined was the theme this year that included beautifully constructed cocktail dresses and evening coats in jewel colors. Bright tights gave the conservative dresses a bit of edge and make-up was kept simple and clean.

Club Monaco Opens New Shop In Bucktown

Club Monaco opened a new shop in Bucktown on July 18, 2008. The flagship store combines the elements of a modern, minimalist loft with Parisian apartment details and will offer the entire men's, women's and accessory collections including their limited edition Fleur de Lys Capsule Accessory Collection.

This is the fourth shop they have opened in the Chicagoland area and carries the usual black and white palette on top of soft Italian cashmere in the brand's coats and sweaters, rich leather hand bags, and beaded jewelry.

There will be a special black and white photography exhibit organized by the Chicago Photography Center which will launch on July 30, 2008 and remain on display for two weeks after the opening event. All black and white photographs will be for sale and proceeds will benefit the Chicago Photography Center.

For more information visit: www.clubmonaco.com

Harper's Bazaar To Publish Additional Publication

Harper’s Bazaar is set to launch a side publication, Runway Report, available on newsstands July 29.

Runway Report is designed to give Harper’s readers front row access to all the fashion shows so they can view an in-depth report on all the collections showcased during fashion week. The publication will also inform readers about the products they will need to create a fashion-forward fall wardrobe.

The 220 page book is edited by Harper’s Bazaar fashion news and features director Kristina O’Neill and will feature collections organized by city and designers. The publication will remain on newsstands until November 1 and will retail for $6.95.

German Model, Veruschka, Subject of New Book

The gorgeous German model, artist and actress, Veruschka, is now the subject of a limited-edition, cloth-bound monograph that details her career and impact on the fashion world.

Born in East Prussia in 1939, she was the daughter of a German count and army reserve officer who ended up being executed for attempting to assassinate Adolf Hitlar. After her traumatic childhood experiences she moved to Hamburg to study art and then headed to Florence where she was discovered by a photographer at the age of 20.

After arriving in New York the 6'1" model had a bit of a rocky start in the industry, but soon enough people were clamoring at her door to get her photo and she has been on 11 Vogue covers since.

Veruschka no longer models but sometimes will appear on the catwalk (most recently for Buddhist Punk in 2005). She now lives in Berlin and enjoys living a low-key life, however she will remain one of the most beautiful and enigmatic woman to ever grace the runway.

Changes at Two of the Biggest Fashion Houses

There are a couple of changes taking place in the fashion houses of Calvin Klein and Karl Lagerfeld this week.

It has been announced that to give the Karl Lagerfeld brand more presence in the United States there is a new director of marketing and public relations, Beth Shapiro.

Shapiro was previously the director of public relations for Marchesa and has held positions at several other fashion companies, which include Alison Brood Public Relations. She will be responsible for directing international communication with licensed partners, as well as overseeing all public relations efforts for the Karl Lagerfeld brand within the United States.

Over at Calvin Klein they have recruited the vice president of communications from Oscar de La Renta Ltd, Nacole Snoep.

Snoep has been working at Oscar de La Renta since 2005 overseeing all product categories, as well as celebrity, media placement and special events. Prior to that, she worked in publicity with Michael Kors, Sergio Rossi and Polo Ralph Lauren.

Original clip written for: Factio Magazine on their Runway to Retail blog

Image is from Calvin Klein's fall 2007 collection courtesy of Fashion & Fashion, group on facebook.

Paris Couture

The Paris couture week is always part fantasy, part theatrics but always done in style and this year the show opened with Dior and John Galliano did not disappoint. His collection was one of old world glamour and French conservative chic that included hourglass gowns, big coats, circle jackets and tulle dance dresses.

For fall 2008, expect to see a lot of the 50s silhouettes; cinched waists with long flowing dresses and a lot of lighter colors that include pale pink, ivory, violet, mint and pea green. On the catwalks all the designers were incorporating the aforementioned colors throughout their collections from Anne Valerie Hash's micro-paneled lace dresses and skirts in ivory and pale pink to Christian Dior's injection of mint and violet in many of his outfits.

If you haven't worn a suit in a while, this would be the season to expand your horizons as the majority of the designers incorporated gorgeous classic suiting in each of their collections. Armani Privé did something unique, he broke up his suits by using light pink tops with menswear fabric bottoms (and vice versa). Alessandra Facchinetti did the Valentino name proud and included his classic suiting but with curved, slightly space-age volumes.

The runway was full of accessories for the fall 2008 season, the most prominent being bows. Alexis Mabille has been using bow ties since 2005 and continued his tradition for 2008 as well. Armani Privé used the bow by tying one under the bust of one of his dresses. Other accessories that were a hit on the runway were brooches, belts, leather jackets and leggings.

There was only the best of materials used in each of the designers' collections which included silk, satin, lace, velvet and tweed with elaborate beading throughout. This year's couture show screamed class and elegance and I enjoyed the throw-back to the 50s. All I know is that after seeing what the designer's showcased, I can't wait to start shopping!

Original clip written for: Factio Magazine on their Runway to Retail blog

Best and Worst at the 80th Academy Awards

Oscar fashion is always something to look forward to and with the writers strike finally over there was definitely reason to celebrate. The red carpet brought out the best in many of the actors and actresses this year.

Scarlets and blacks were the colours that dominated, with silks, satins and the women dripping with diamonds. It was all about class and old world glamour.

The woman of the night was Marion de Cotillard, who won best actress for La Vie en Rose. She was stunning in a white gown with mermaid fishtail skirt and fish scale detailing by Jean Paul Gautier Paris Haute Couture.

Anne Hathaway, who always looks regal, did not disappoint in a sophisticated one-shoulder scarlet silk chiffon dress by Marchesa. Heidi Klum looked gorgeous in a red silk John Galliano dress, which she kept simple by wearing no jewellery and sweeping her hair off her face.

Another trend on the carpet was the baby bump. Celebs such as Jessica Alba, Nicole Kidman and Cate Blanchett all proudly showed off their new figures and strayed from the herd by wearing more muted colours such as maroon and deep purple.

There were definitely some fashion flops that graced the red carpet this year. One surprise was Dame Helen Mirren, who is always dressed to kill. Her floor-length Georges Chakra number was gorgeous but pairing it with the crystal-beaded shrug and £2.3 million of H Stern jewellery was over the top.

How did the men size up?

The majority of the men this year chose the classic black tie to stroll down the red carpet in. George Clooney, Harrison Ford and Forest Whitaker take the prize for best dressed. They kept it clean and simple and all looked dashing.

One of worst attired men on the carpet was Daniel Day Lewis. He looked like he had just rolled out of bed as he accepted a much-deserved Best Actor Award for There Will Be Blood in a black suit with mismatched brown shoes.

Hopefully next year we will see Hollywood taking more fashion risks on the red carpet instead of seeing the same colour and styles on every celebrity.

Original story written for Westminster Online

Spring 2008 Preview

For spring 08, buying into the season's trends will be a lot easier than it was last year as the high street retailers have focused on more well-defined themes. They will be targeting both young and mature shoppers by exciting the younger ones and for the mature shoppers they will be able to find more classic pieces.


Here is a breakdown of what some of the shops will be offering:

Kew and Miss Selfridge: Romantic and feminine theme will be seen in the collections they purchase for their stores. With lots of floral prints, waist-accentuating chiffon dresses and with details focusing on ruffles, bows, rose corsages and beading.

H&M and Kookai: There will be tribal elements implemented into these two shops ranges. This trend is nature-inspired and you will see prints in brick, brown and mustard. Also expect to see macrame knits and bead embellishments.


Karen Millen & George Asda: Millen and Asda use the 1970s-style safari story, Millen focusing more on the fashion-forward options and George Asda offering a more conventional interpretation. The basic look is just as the name suggests, safariesque style with khaki, white and beige with animal print highlights, rolled sleeves and belted dresses.

Another era making a comeback is the 1950s and shops such as Topshop and Debenhams are filling their racks with this style. Topshop will offer prom-style full-circle dresses with cinched waists while Debenhams has a more edgier interpretation with dresses in hot pink, yellow, black and white.

River Island and New Look: Expect these retailers to stock a lot of bright, clashing colours, jewelled embellishments, beads, colourful footwear and bags.

River Island and Kookai: Both shops will have peasant tops and embroidered dresses with neutral tones.

With all the bright colours, pink being one of the biggest trends, and all the ruffles, beading and bows expect high street to be given a large dosage of femininity for the new season.

See Drapers magazine for more information.

Both images are from Bottega Veneta's spring 2008 collection courtesy of Fashion & Fashion, group on facebook.

Fashion Now

There are two great books I suggest investing in if you are interested in learning about designers. They are called Fashion Now and Fashion Now 2. Over 100 designers in each book are featured and are selected by
i-D.



i-D, in my opinion, is the 'must have' magazine for anyone interested in fashion and/or the arts. The British magazine is contemporary with a bit of an edge and features up-and-coming designers to established music artists.

But back to the books :) Fashion Now 2 is the more up-to-date version, however either one gives you a thorough background on each designer with captivating photos to illustrate.

These books are really helpful, not only to learn about the designers themselves, but to understand more about where they get their inspiration and what their signature designs are.

In Fashion Now 2, at the end of the book there is a handbook on where any fashionista should stay, shop and eat in all the major fashion capitals of the world.

Images courtesy of www.taschen.com

Green is the New Black

A book worth checking out is "Green is the New Black" by Tamsin Blanchard.

It has an interesting take about next season's hot looks but also how we as consumers are affecting global warming. Such questions addressed are: Does our shopping addiction contribute to climate change? What's so special about organic cotton? Who are the real fashion victims behind the GBP3 jeans?

Tamsin explains the principles of ethical fashion, offers tips on how to knit your own scarf, eco-coutur and the best places to shop for vintage sunglasses. The book also includes fun facts and essential directories on every aspect of "sustainable stylish living".

With fashion secrets from celebrity friends, "Green is the New Black" is a great buy for those of you that are fashion conscious yet eco-friendly.

Image courtesy of pressofficers.co.uk

The Golden Age of Couture

Something worth checking out is the Golden Age of Couture at London's Victoria and Albert Museum going on now until January.

The exhibition takes a look at the launch of Christian Dior's New Look in 1947, which is a landmark in fashion history. It was a time of celebration as the war was over and the birth of a new era began.

In Paris, couture house Balenciaga attracted the attention of the world for its elegant and glamourous collections. The production of couture was important for both Britian's and France's economy and helped to move fashion forward and helping to make couture houses global brands.

Some of the exibition highlights include:

Select a link below to find out more about some of the highlights from the exhibition.

Tailored Suits - Cristóbal Balenciaga
Dress & Petticoat - Pierre Balmain
'Bar' Suit & Hat - Christian Dior
Evening Dress - John Cavanagh
Chiffon Evening Dress - Jean Dessès
Silk Velvet Evening Dress - Jean Dessès
'Les Muguets' - Hubert de Givenchy
New Look Suit - Hardy Amies
Miss Lachasse - A Couture Doll
Lady Alexandra - A Couture Client
Shoes - Roger Vivier
Zémire - Christian Dior

So for those of you that enjoy fashion and the history behind it check out the exhibition

Image is of a dress in the Victoria and Albert Museum's shop

Fashion Week Paris

New York Magazine's fashion director, Mays Powell and fashion reporter Amy Larocca talked about the trends they saw while in Paris. They say to expect for Spring 2008; lingerie-inspired dresses, belts and hats, a more grown-up style.

In the beauty department, the big thing coming up for the winter is red lips and red nails. Old World Glamour.

Image from the Anamika collection during Paris Fashion Week 2007, courtesy of Melissa Lwee.

Fashion in the UK

People are able to express themselves in the fashion styles that they choose. There is no right or wrong and anything goes. A great example of this is london fashion week and my friend Bo (pictured here)!

In the UK the style is just that. There are no rules, people are open to trying anything and aren't afraid to express themselves with the clothing, accessories, hair, etc. There is no holding back and that is what I love about it.

Currently I'm interning for an online fashion magazine, annazbell. I write about six articles a month on men's and women's fashion, lifestyle and beauty in the UK. It is a great site to check out for the fashion conscious.