Fashion Star: Kara Laricks for H&M!

Teacher-turned-designer Kara Laricks was crowned Season 1 winner of NBC’s Fashion Star. In addition to being named winner, Laricks was also awarded a $6 million commission to create 3 exclusive capsule collections for Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, and H&M.

On Wednesday, Kara unveiled her collection for H&M at the Swedish retailer’s flagship store in New York City. Laricks mentioned that if she had her way, the collection would’ve been done in black and white (my favorite pairing!), but H&M loves color! She also stated that she wanted her garments to be a bit androgynous and this manifests itself in the form of her signature plus-tie collars.

There’s no doubt that Kara Laricks is a talented designer with a very unique perspective. I’m a fan and can’t wait to see what she does for the two remaining capsule collections! Check out pics below and shop Kara Laricks for H&M here.

*Kara is modeling pieces from the collection as well.

Chanel at Versailles!

With the plush gardens of the Chateau de Versailles (Versailles Palace) as his backdrop, Karl Lagerfeld presented the 2012 Chanel Cruise Collection! The event, held Monday in Paris, France was a refreshing spectacle of 18th century opulence. The finely manicured  grounds of the palace provided an ideal  setting in which to showcase the embellished collection. Singer Vanessa Paradis commented “The palace is the perfect place for Chanel. You couldn’t imagine anything better. ”

Lace and Chanel’s signature tweed were components of many pieces, contradicting the androgynous aesthetic created by menswear-inspired trousers and gold platform sneakers.

Designer Karl Lagerfeld

Mr. Lagerfeld commented on the show’s eccentricity stating, “The image of France has been a little sad: the gray uniform of Europe.  I wanted to give France back some lightness.”

  

  

  

  

   

  

  

  

Met Gala 2012!

Karolina Kurkova in Rachel Zoe.

It’s that time again! Tonight, The Metropolitan Museum of Art hosted one of the most fun nights in fashion, the annual Met “Ball” Gala benefitting the Costume Institute! The event brings together some of the biggest names in the fashion industry from designers to models to editors of world-renowned publications. The gala also celebrates the opening of a new exhibit. This year’s exhibit Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations “explores the striking affinities between Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada, two Italian designers from different eras…focusing on how both women explore similar themes in their work through very different approaches.” It will be on view from May 10-August 19, 2012.

On the exhibit, the museum’s website adds:

The exhibition will showcase approximately ninety designs and thirty accessories by Schiaparelli (1890–1973) from the late 1920s to the early 1950s and by Prada from the late 1980s to the present. Drawn from The Costume Institute’s collection and the Prada Archive, as well as other institutions and private collections, signature objects by both designers will be arranged in seven themed galleries: “Waist Up/Waist Down,” “Ugly Chic,” “Hard Chic,” “Naïf Chic,” “The Classical Body,” “The Exotic Body,” and “The Surreal Body.”

The Met Ball, also known as “Fashion Prom,” encourages attendees to abandon their fashion inhibitions for the night, and many do just that. Check out my picks as well as pics from the red carpet below!

Beyonce in Givenchy.

Amy Adams in Giambattista Valli.

Paula Patton in Vera Wang.

 

Lala Anthony in Zac Posen.

Jessica Pare in L’wren Scott.

Sarah Jessica Parker in/with Valentino.

Solange Knowles in Rachel Roy.

Ginnifer Goodwin (with a different shoe).

Jessica Stam in Dior.

Kanye West in Givenchy.

Hamish Bowles (right) is fearless.

The Queen Anna Wintour in Prada.

 

And now, a few fashion fails:

Florence Welch…

Coco Rocha…

Mary-Kate Olsen. Maybe I just don’t get it…

Kirsten Dunst. Where did you think you were going???

Any thoughts on the night’s fashions?

Kanye West Presents Dw F/W ’12!

After his 2011 debut was met with harsh criticism, Kanye West returned to Paris Fashion Week with a much more impressive collection. A second-time around might be just what Kanye needed to be taken seriously as a designer. Critics commented that West’s debut collection for Dw was disjointed and impractical. This year’s Fall/Winter collection is said to be more “concise” with lots of black (leather, fur, etc.) and a few neutrals interspersed throughout.

Kanye enlisted the star power of celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, rapper/signee Big Sean, Diddy, and Vogue’s Andre Leon Talley and Anna Wintour.

Kim K. stole the show, donning a pair of Kanye's $5800 Guiseppe Zanotti shoes

Check out the pics below!

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Versace for H&M Launch Party!

Donatella Versace & Nicki Minaj

To celebrate their collaborative collection, H&M and Versace transformed NYC’s Pier 57 into “Versace Hall.” The evening-part concert, part runway show- was an all around party! Many celebrities were in attendance including Jennifer Hudson, Uma Thurman, and Blake Lively. Designers Alexander Wang and Joseph Altuzarra came out along with a number of editors and stylists.

The Rock ‘n Roll inspired runway show was walked by top models such as Natasha Poly, all donning black, leather do-rags. Studded leather, fur, and Versace’s signature prints were seen throughout the collection. Following the runway show, a wall was lifted, revealing the concert’s  stage. Nicki Minaj and Prince rocked the house with Prince ending his set with his hit “Purple Rain.”

Guests had access to a pop-up shop, where they could purchase items from the collection before it hits stores November 19th. Pics from the event below!

 

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video of the entire runway show!

 

Kanye West Debuts “Dw” in Paris!

 

Kanye West’s foray into fashion comes as no surprise. The rapper’s love of/interest in fashion generates as much buzz as his music. Ok…more like a close second. After much speculation, Kanye finally made the great leap as a designer. He debuted his Spring 2012 womenswear line Dw (the initials of his late mother Dr. Donda West in homage) during Paris Fashion Week. About 100 invitations were sent out to a who’s who among the fashion and entertainment industries. Celebrity attendees included Ciara, the Olsen twins, Lindsay Lohan, and a bevy of top models such as Chanel Iman and Karlie Kloss both of whom walked the runway. The clothes weren’t as daring as one might expect from Mr. West. The collection is predominantly conservative earth-toned garments with interesting cutouts. There was a lot of talk about the shoes that’d be used after Kanye reportedly spent several months in the factory of shoe designer Giuseppe Zanotti studying craftsmanship.

While the critics don’t seem to be very impressed with Kanye’s efforts, saying that the collection lacks vision, the clothing was ill-fitted, and that it just seems rushed, I admire him for taking a chance and doing something he seems to really love. He may not be the next McQueen or de la Renta, but everyone has to start somewhere. I do feel like most of the pieces are things that he would want to see his mate donning. Pics of the collection below. Thoughts???

 

Nelson Mandela’s 46664 Clothing Line!

Former political prisoner and President of South Africa Nelson Mandela is the inspiration for a new clothing line. “46664,” Mandela’s prision ID number while serving what was to be a life sentence on South Africa’s Robben Island, is aimed at raising funds for his Aids charity.  The country’s clothing and textile manufacturing industries are struggling and 46664 lends itself to their sustainability as well.

The line of men’s and women’s sportswear recently debuted in conjunction with South Africa’s fashion week in Johannesburg. According to fashionista.com, “46664 will be stocked in 15 Stuttafords [Department Store] nationwide, as well as 70 independent retailers, will launch ecommerce by mid-November and roll out internationally next year. The price points are reasonable for what we’re used to–from $26 for a T-shirt and $86 for a polo.”

The wears are surprisingly attractive! Definitely not what I was expecting when I heard Mandela’s name associated with a clothing line. Interested?

Emmy Awards Fashion: Winners & Losers!

Yesterday evening, the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards took place at Los Angeles’ Nokia Theater and like any celebrity event, there were fashion hits and misses!

Crimson and various hues of red were the more popular color choices of the night with stars such as Lea Michele, Kathy Griffin, Guliana Rancic,  Sofia Vergara, Kate Winslet, and Kerry Washington all donning shades of red. Electric blues were a top choice as well for many including comedienne Amy Pohler and Beverly Hills “Housewife” Kyle Richards. Glittery sequins gowns were the choices for Maria Menounos and Evan Rachel Woods, who shined in a black Elie Saab gown and Fred Leighton jewelry.

There weren’t very many “WOW!” moments for me this year; however, I can always separate the best from the rest! My picks for best and worst dressed below!

BEST DRESSED:

 

Evan Rachel Woods (Elie Saab)

 

Sofia Vergara (Vera Wang)

Julia Stiles (Georges Hobeika Couture)

Nina Dobrev (Donna Karan)

Martha Plimpton (Zac Posen)

Kerry Washington (Zuhair Murad)

 

WORST DRESSED:

Kristen Wiig (Zac Posen) ...hate the colors

Padma Lakshmi (Armani Privé) ...copper all over!

Gwyneth Paltrow (Emilio Pucci) ...midriff killed it

Honorbale Mentions: 

Anna Faris in tribal print Reem Acra

 

Maria Menounos in Emanuel Ungaro

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aimee Teegarden in Romona Keveza ball gown

 

Minka Kelly in layered Christian Dior gown

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thoughts???

Ulyana Sergeenko F/W ’11 Lookbook!

Ulyana Sergeenko

Russian photographer and socialite Ulyana Sergeenko’s Fall/Winter 2011 collection is nothing short of amazing! Although this is her debut collection, Ulyana is no stranger to fashion. Her personal style has garnered a great deal of attention from admirers across the globe. So, her foray into designing was almost inevitable.

The collection is whimsical and light, a perfect marriage of retro-femininity and timeless sophistication. Ulyana’s use of full-length skirts adds a certain degree of glamour to the collection and although they’re used heavily throughout, they  don’t overwhelm. Check out the pieces below as well as her personal blog here!

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Could you see yourself in any of these looks?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kardashian Kollection for Sear’s!

The Kardashian sisters-Kim, Kourtney, and Khloe are branding geniuses! They’ve turned nothing into practically everything! Their latest venture is a collaborative fashion line with department store Sear’s. The Kardashian Kollection, which features women’s apparel, jewelry, handbags, sunglasses, belts, and hosiery is currently available online here and in-store.

Famed photographer Annie Leibovitz shot the sisters for ELLE magazine. Below are a few more pictures from the sexy photoshoot as well as a link to a behind-the-scenes video.

 

 

 

See footage from the shoot here!