Where Did She Go?

(Image source : Fashion Wire Daily/Grant Lamos IV)

Tuesday and Wednesday of this week, Grand Central Station in Manhattan was the site of a virtual fashion show put on by Target. Virtual as in, no models. Maybe this will be the solution to the ongoing argument over model weight regulations? Though on the other hand, it could also suggest that you're not thin enough until you're invisible...
In which case, Posh, that tea and 2-Saltine-a-day diet is paying off.

Neurotoxins Are So Last Season

So, I finally checked that site to see which lipsticks were full of lead. This is the word:

Among the leading brands found to contain high levels of lead were:

L’Oreal Colour Riche “True Red” – 0.65 ppm

L’Oreal Colour Riche “Classic Wine” – 0.58 ppm

Cover Girl Incredifull Lipcolor “Maximum Red” – 0.56 ppm

Christian Dior Addict “Positive Red” – 0.21 ppm

- The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

Page 10 of the report, "A Poison Kiss," has a longer list of culprits, and gives some context as to how high these levels really are (pretty freaking high.) The report isn't a complex read, just an interesting one. If you finish it and find yourself pissed off, you can take action here.

(Image is property of The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics)

Another Fashion Show

Isaac Mizrahi-- fashion designer, movie star, talk show host, and sometimes boob-groping E! red carpet commentator-- has a new reality show in development with the CW network (home of America's Next Top Model.) (See the Hollywood Reporter article.)

Descriptions of "The Collection"s premise are still vague, and no premiere date has been set. It will be an hour long drama in some way connected with the fashion industry ...and, I assume, in which stereotypes will hash out pervasive social issues via hair-pulling and grammatically incorrect verbal sparring, followed by crocodile tears and claims of newfound understanding.
In which case, I'll be tuning in.

Note: If you're unfamiliar with the dizzying, self-conscious, whimsical force of nature that is Isaac Mizrahi, I'll direct you to the 90's documentary Unzipped that follows one of his collections from concept to the catwalk. The man can carry a program (I'd like to see Todd Oldham or Tim Gunn even attempt entertaining me for over an hour). So I hope he's in "The Collection" as much as he's co-producing it.

My New Favorite: Blush

Most women say that if they had to go with the bare minimum makeup, they'd stick to mascara and lip gloss. Not me. I believe a good blush is the key to lighting up your whole face, and bringing out the color of your eyes.

So as you may have read my search for the perfect blush had to move forward after a promising but ultimately disappointing trial of Revlon's Pinch Me gel. Today I was lucky enough to get my hands on a stick of Smashbox Skin Tint (Retail $28 but it's huge, and worth it- read on), so I gave it a go.

Honestly? The first things I think when I see makeup in stick form are as follows:
a.) clown alert
b.) that's going to cause a breakout
c.) I hope it works out, because I'm lazy

Reaction a. was not quelled when I cranked up the stick and a day-glo tomato color peeked it's head out. (My shade: Smashing Click) But since reaction b. was voided (the box says "oil free") I soldiered on. And I don't want to jinx myself, but I think this blush just might be "the one."

Don't fear: The color. It blends into the most amazing from-within, fresh in from the cold (or the sun) rosy glow.
How to: You only need a small dab on the apple of each cheek. Blend thoroughly.
Feel: The finish is soft and not sticky in the least, though the first dab may feel misleadingly thick.
Whats in it? Vitamins A (antioxidant), C (can boost collagen) and E (moisturizes), Aloe (soothes, moisturizes) and echinacea (I looked into this and I still have no idea what echinacea can do for your skin but, whatever, it's a plant.)
Anything else? You can also use it on your lips. I tried it and would suggest using some gloss with it.

Like a lot of cosmetics websites, Smashbox has a "personal makeup artist" feature that helps you select the best colors to complement your hair/eyes/skin tone. It's not something that hasn't been done before, however, it's by far one of the coolest looking. They also have a pretty nice Tips & Tricks section, where currently you can learn how to make a perfect mod cat-eye.

P.S. They are a bunnyloving (cruelty-free) company as well, so if Skin Tint doesn't go on to break my heart, I may just be their biggest fan.

(Above images are from the Smashbox website.)

Duran Duran Still In Fashion

British band Duran Duran have always been entwined with the fashion world in one way or another. Singer Simon LeBon famously chose his wife Yasmin, a model, flipping through a fashion magazine and pointing to the one he liked.
In a successful bid to draw attention to their new album Red Carpet Massacre (Justin Timberlake -wtf?- and producer Timbaland were involved), the band are performing the record in its entirety on Broadway in New York nearly every night leading up to its release on Nov. 13.
Fortunately bassist John Taylor is married to Gela Nash, co-owner of Juicy Couture. She hooked the band up with matching velour sweatsuits some Juicy menswear for the big performances. I haven't been able to locate any photos of the 50-something rockers in their fancy pants yet, but I'll keep you posted.

Cavalli for H&M - Pics of Everything!

It was released in Europe first. Check it out here!
and my two cents...

WOMEN:
- The prints: The leopard is the most hideous version of this print I've seen in a while (and I'm a fan of leopard, in general), except on the tights. The zebra is great.
- Standout pieces: the gold beaded flapper mini dress, the black military jacket.
- The tuxedo look: the blouses are total duds, the mini dress is adorable and mod.
- The hardest pieces to pull off, despite their coolness: the leather fringe bolero jacket, and the huge faux fur coat.
- Unacceptably bad: The high-waisted jeans (and you know I love them in theory), and the cheetah print jeans.
- The narrow cut jeans and black pants: we wont know until they're tried on, but they look amazing on the mannequin.

MEN:
The jackets and narrow cut pants are great, but what's up with the skin-tight slutty soap opera man tops? Those should come with a complementary bucket of cologne and tube of Valtrex.

Clearance!

Just a handful of finds...

Lux knit foil dress
$48 $19.99
Available in heather gray, navy and black
www.urbanoutfitters.com

Steve Madden metallic purse
$78 $19.99
www.stevemadden.com

Steve Madden stacked-heel maryjanes
$89.95 $39.99
In red or black.
www.stevemadden.com


Charlotte Russe satin halter top
$19.99 $10
www.charlotterusse.com


Forever 21 denim mini
$18 $5.99
Available in washed or dark denim.
www.forever21.com

Gap skinny patent belt
$24.99 $2.97
www.gap.com


Girlprops silver coin necklace
$1.99
www.girlprops.com



Leg Avenue glitter tights
$12.99 $5.99
Available in silver, gold, purple, red, lavender, royal blue and light pink.
www.cutesygirl.com

Green Lipstick

You probably saw "An Inconvenient Truth," and it made you feel guilty about your own contribution to the destruction of our planet. So you switched your light bulbs to those big wonky ones and you started recycling, but you wish you could do more. Well, at least you don't have to feel bad tossing the empty tube into the trash when you dig the last finger-full of color out of Cargo's PlantLove lipstick. The packaging is totally biodegradable. Because it's made of CORN. Weird right? But positive science magic and no, you won't look like Pocahontas pulling this thing out of your bag, because somehow it looks like any other lipstick and not some vegetable-lipstick hybrid.

They make 12 shades, 5 of which are named after the celebs who designed them:

• Cece by Courteney Cox: Berry (Sheer)
• Lindsay by Lindsay Lohan: Sweet California Pink (Sheer)
• Mariska by Mariska Hargitay: Nude Caramel (Sheer)
• Maria by Maria Menounos: Vibrant Poppy (Sheer)
• Evangeline by Evangeline Lilly: Tropical Coral (Sheer)
• Sarah by Sarah Chalke: Petal Pink (Shimmering Sheer)

Thus enabling you to have this conversation...
- "You have to check out my new lipstick... it was created by Sarah Chalke."
- "Who the fuck is Sarah Chalke?"
- "Remember when they got rid of Becky on Roseanne and then they got a new Becky? She's new Becky."
- "Ok..."
- "She's also on Scrubs."
- "I hate that show."
- "Me too."

The lipstick retails for $20, $2 of which goes directly to support St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Your Beeswax

Women's Wear Daily reported today that the Burt's Bees company was just purchased for $925 million by Clorox, Inc.
Also published today was an article in the New York Times style section reporting that the amount of money Americans drop on organic personal care products each year is on the rise.
I get the whole organic kick we're on, because of course, who wants lead in their lipstick? But the fact Burt's Bees is doing so well, despite the fact the man on a lot of their packaging (Burt, who is a real person) looks like a serial killer, simply amazes me. I'm curious-- do you judge a book by it's cover when it comes to products?

Call It A Bible

There are plenty of books out there on fashion and beauty, and most of them suck. One that doesn't is PRETTY: The Nylon Book of Beauty

Why is it great? Think of anyone famous you ever thought looked cool. You can look them up in this book and find tips on products and techniques to use to achieve their look. It's also divided by decade, and includes everyone from Grace Jones to Courtney Love. The photos are gorgeous and glossy and they aren't sucking up to any one brand as far as what they recommend using. They also consider things such as "Courtney was pretty broke when she looked like this, so she probably used this shade of Wet n' Wild...."

Nylon is the magazine to read if you have any sense of daring whatsoever in terms of personal style. The artwork is always excellent and as a whole it never ceases to inspire me to create something or blow money on my appearance.

It's $9.95 to subscribe for 10 issues. Actually, right now you also get 3 free issues and a t-shirt with the Nylon logo on it. Being a complete shwag-whore, the free t-shirt totally sold me.

Did you know Nylon is also selling a line of t-shirts at Urban Outfitters? They're by various artists and the girl ones are cute (my favorite is the gray with the bunny.) However, the guy ones are a little bit heinous.

(Shout out: Michelle who gave me the awesome book.)

Could It Be Talent?

Nicky Hilton actually attended fashion school (though she didn't graduate), so in that respect she is slightly less infuriating than the 3,000 celebrities who can barely dress themselves who now "design" their own collections. Because she might actually have tried, I feel more willing to give Jan Brady Hilton a chance. I looked up what she's done this fall, and surprisingly some of it isn't half bad.

The 24-year old has two labels-- Nicholai (that's her full first name) and Chick by Nicky Hilton.

In a recent interview with the Associate Press, she noted the difference between the two:

"Nicholai is definitely for the mature, sophisticated customer ... whereas Chick is just fun pieces."

Check out this video of the Nicholai show at New York Fashion Week this fall. (P.S. - Model #4 in the red is Pete Doherty's current girlfriend.) Some of the outfits manage to be simultaneously tacky and boring, and others are cut like sacks, but there are a few beautiful pieces peppering the line. I particularly love the dense sequins on some of the separates - very vintage.

Chick on the other hand ain't so good. And it wasn't ever good. Less than a year after it debuted in 2004, I was finding pieces of it on the clearance rack at my local T.J. Maxx.
These items are cute, but they were already available 3 months ago at the mall.

Do you think she actually designs this stuff? Or does she just approve what other people design for her and pays them to keep quiet about it?

The Lips of a (Mc)Queen

It's a simple pair of equations:

Dark lipstick = smaller looking lips
Pale lipstick = bigger looking lips

If you prefer plump to pursed, check out these two new shades M.A.C. created to coincide with the fall collection of edgy (think clothes you'd listen to The Cure in if you were a billionaire) British designer Alexander McQueen.

"Masque" is a pale neutral rose and "Archetype" is a pale neutral gold. Both satin-finish formulas retail for $14.
If you rock dark or dramatic eye makeup, you can wear these without looking like a clown.

P.S.-- In true goth-boy form, McQueen dedicated his collection to Elizabeth How(e), a woman killed in the Salem Witch Trials of 1692.

Breeds of Model

I'm as big a fan of America's Next Top Model as the next girl, don't get me wrong, but I'd bet you my left leg that no cotestant-- or even winner--will ever book a high fashion campaign or show. Why? They're pretty girls. And only freaks and celebuspawn make it in high fashion.

If you don't believe me, check out Style.com's new article "The Ten" about the 10 teenage skeletons du jour dominating the runways and billboards this fall. Every one of them looks to be the offspring of a human and a creature from Lord of the Rings.

Here is my advice to the contestants of America's Next Top Model, and anyone else aspiring to strut a catwalk in the presence of Anna Wintour and her ridiculous wig:
A good litmus test for whether or not you're high fashion is whether or not frat guys want to bone you. If they do, don't plan on booking that Dior campaign.

Erin Fetherston 4 Target : Pictures!

It won't be in stores for a couple more weeks, but take a peek at the images of Target's new Go: International collection by Erin Fetherston. (They're meant for the press, but you don't have to show credentials to view them so, eff it. And P.S.? If you click on the thumbnails they show you the prices too.)
Don't Lolita, Marcia Brady and late-60s Marianne Faithfull come to mind? I love it already. Let's hope these pieces look as cute in person (and mind you, I'll let you know the day it launches.)

Glamorous Choice

M.A.C. Cosmetics has a new face. According to today's Women's Wear Daily, Stacy "Fergie" Ferguson will be the next spokes"woman" for Viva Glam in an ad campaign to be released in Februrary 2008. She'll be hawking a limited edition shade of Lipglass to raise money for the company's AIDS Fund.

Pam Anderson, Lil' Kim, RuPaul, Christina Aguilera... now Fergie? No offense to M.A.C., but do you see a trend here? Yeah, me too. Trannies!
But kudos to them for being socially responsible. They should branch out to Viva Glam eyeshadow.

The Best of Holiday Moss

The new Kate Moss collection from Topshop is now available to order. Hit it up now if you care to get spendy on a collector's piece, because the good stuff goes fast. Speaking of good stuff-- here are my top picks from the collection:

The corset top.
About $70 US dollars
Why? It's a statement piece. Part mod, part domme. Very Factory Girl.
What you need: A C-cup or smaller, and a damn good t-shirt bra.

The wool cape. (Update: SOLD OUT!)
About $240 US dollars
Why? It's a classic. Military chic meets avant-garde. It screams urban femme fatale, and you'll have it forever.
What you need: A pair of button-up leather gloves and a narrow cut skirt/pant.

The sequin-encrusted accessory.
Scarf, about $70 US dollars and Purse, about $90 US dollars
Why? With all the simple cuts and achromatic ensembles these days, you need a focal point.
What you need: A valid I.D. stating that you are under the age of 65.


These shoes are also lovely, about $150 US dollars, but sold out immediately. Real leather, mind you.

I didn't post any pants because you can buy average looking skinny jeans and bell bottoms on this side of the pond for far less than $100 at any of the following: TJ Maxx, Marshall's, H&M, Forever 21, Delia*s, Alloy... (how much time do I have?) It doesn't appear Miss Moss did anything for our bottoms that we have not seen before.

Her dresses, too, were nothing special. A few 1940's style floral numbers with puff-sleeves you could find at your local thrift store or on your local pastor's wife, satin gowns that look more like negligees, a completely random mandarin-collared mini dress, and a couple of pieces I like to think even the stylist for "Pretty Woman" would have rejected for a hooker's wardrobe.

Sometimes I think Kate just cleans out her closet for Goodwill and sends one of the bags in accidentally as design ideas. Other times the people who tell her what to say she likes are doing quite a nice job.

As always, you can find plenty on eBay already.

Beauty Review Duo: Maybelline's Latest

Maybelline Salon Expert Nail Color
In a word? Amazing. I was attracted by the sleek rectangular packaging and seduced by the richness of Amped Aubergine, a limited-edition shade from their Rock N Black fall collection. It was a worthy choice.
* EASE- You can truly get away with one coat, if you're lazy or in a hurry, and still look fabulous.
* SHINE- The claims about "just-done shine" are true. A glossy top-coat seems magically built-in.
* REAL LIFE-PROOF- I'm not careful with my hands at all. My polish withstood a full week of typing, shopping, driving, cooking, chores and even catbox-scooping without cracking under pressure. And in all honesty, shreds of it were still hanging on at the end of two weeks, when I finally got around to re-doing them.
* IDIOT-PROOF- I'm the queen of sloppy at-home nail jobs. I always manage to smudge some on my cuticles and fingertips, and end up taking half of it off with polish remover when trying to correct my mistakes. The "nail-shaped" brush in this product is an innovation. The span of it's spread is just enough to reach the curves of the nail without running outside the lines. They call it "precision." I call it just the training wheels I needed.
* PRICE: About $4. So stock up. They have 28 classic shades, and a handful of limited edition seasonal shades.

***Maybelline may have hit a home run with the nails, but their new Superstay Silky Foundation is quite another story. (For your own free sample, click here.)
BAD PACKAGING- What you won't experience with the sample is the most annoying part of this product. The packaging warns you that you may need to push on the pump a few times before both the "foundation" and the "silky coverage extender" come out at the same time. It took me about 50 pumps, and with each one of those pumps I wasted more and more of whichever ingredient was coming out. I assume that ingredient will run out first, and leave me with a useless amount of the other. So don't imagine for one second you're getting a full, useable 1 oz. of the product.
INACCURATE COLOR- I am fair-skinned and always wear the lightest possible shade in any fondation, usually called "01" or "fair" or "ivory", etc. The lightest shade of this product is too tan for me, and looks more like a orangey bronzer on my face. After all those pumps, I can't even use it unless it's summer when my skin gets a little more color to it.
Maybelline put this product on the market soon after their EverFresh foundation, which served the same "stay-put all day" purpose, was phased out (though it still appears to be on the UK market). They ought to bring that one back and get rid of this dud.

WTF of the Day: Elisa Jimenez on Project Runway

Who are they going to cast next, Marc Jacobs?
I didn't realize this at first glance, but one of the Project Runway Season 4 contestants is already-famous, already-successful, already-a-fashion-insider Elisa Jimenez.

If you're a "fashion person," like to the degree you ever looked at a Nylon Magazine, you heard of her back in the late 1990s. She's worked with a ton of famous artists, musicians, actresses and on films and a million mass-media-press covered endeavors.

She's gorgeous and already extremely successful. How is there even going to be any competition? And how weird is it that the other designers will probably all have heard of her and think it's unfair?

Thoughts???

What Happens When You Win Project Runway?

With the new season of Project Runway starting up on Wednesday, November 4 at 10 p.m., I was curious to see how far the first three winners have gone since their 15 minutes. Here's what I got...

Season 1:
Winner Jay McCarroll had one show during NY Fashion Week in Fall 2006 sponsored by the Humane Society (he's anti-fur), but is now "homeless and relying on the kindness of friends who are allowing him to stay at their apartments," according to his wiki page.

Season 2:
Winner Chloe Dao still operates the store she already had before the show, Lot 8, in Houston. Last May she debuted a 13-piece collection sold on QVC called Simply. Chloe Dao. It kind of sucks.

Season 3:
Winner Jeffrey Sebelia has continued with his already-successful (again, before the show) L.A.-based Cosa Nostra label. According to a New York Magazine article last spring, his line was "under consideration" by Bergdorf Goodman, but looks like it wasn't picked up as there is nothing of his on their site. His stuff IS for sale on his site, however.

Check out the Season 4 Bios here and decide for yourself who'll be the next designer Bravo will thrust forth into marginal success!

Are You Ready?

The unveiling of Italian designer Roberto Cavalli's collaboration with H&M is just DAYS away. Mark your calendars for Thursday, November 8th! And plan to get there early enough to browse before certain assholes ruin the fun by buying entire racks to sell on eBay at a 200% markup.

If you're unfamiliar with Cavalli, think jungle prints, low necklines, high slits- polished rock and roll decadence. So very Italian.

My hope is that his collection challenges women to take it up a notch, and dare to go to dinner, or a club, swathed in a daring red carpet ensemble. Of course you and I have no gala to attend, no premiere or awards ceremony-- but why deny yourself? In my book, there is no such thing as overdressed.
According to H&M:
"The line will consist of iconic menswear, 20 pieces, and womenswear, 25 pieces, including lingerie plus matching accessories."

As far as the menswear... I would love to think anyone besides gay guys will be snapping this stuff up. American men are among the most wardrobe challenged in the world, narrowly beating tribes where loincloths are still all the rage. That is why I propose November 8th be Adopt-A-Hetero Day for friends and lovers of straight men. Pick up one item from this collection, and bring it home for him to try. Because you know what? You can always return it. And it's worth a shot.