Posts for 'Fashion Accessories' Category

A few weeks back, PETA had the opportunity to ask Gwyneth Paltrow about her Tod’s ad campaign that debuted in August — and the uproar that ensued over her apparent promotion of a fur stole. “During one set-up, a stylist came up from behind and draped a stole around my shoulders,” she said. “I didn’t pay much attention to it, and when I noticed it was fur I assumed it was fake fur but did not ask, so it’s my fault. I was very surprised when they ended up using that one shot out of hundreds for the centerpiece of the Tod’s ads. I know it’s not a great excuse, but I hope you and your members understand.”

Thanks to the fine folks over at Deceiver, it appears that PETA might have also wanted to bring up Paltrow’s promotion of Tod’s “precious” snakeskin shoes and alligator skin purses. Or was the actress too dazed by the flashbulbs to notice someone slip them on her feet and hand her the bag?

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The second Swarovski Bridal collection draws its inspiration from timeless symbolism, with the intricate dress work, hair accessories, sophisticated jewellery and decorative objects incorporated in the Love & Light collection, enveloping the wedding day in an aura of radiance, devotion and sheer luxury.

The star of the new collection is undoubtedly a silk satin crepe wedding dress. Produced entirely by hand, it is adorned with crystal mesh strips in colours ranging from white opal to light blue, that continue right to the end of the train. The exceptionally fashionable piece is made complete with removable crystal mesh roses, hand produced by master finery manufacturer Lemarié. Long, romantic lambskin gloves, also featuring crystal mesh embroidery, achieve the full effect. A true haute couture creation, the stunning piece takes over 80 hours to produce.

One of the Crystal Living collection's best selling items, the picture frame, is now adorned with a cascade of transparent crystals set in a silver-plated frame. It is accompanied by a jewellery box protected by a large block crystal, which also features crystal cascading on each of its sides, and whether used to contain secrets or jewellery pieces, the case represents an elegant treasure box. Champagne flutes and spherical tea lights have also been reinterpreted this season, with their feet and edges now incorporating miniscule cut crystals.As a collection, it offers everything a beautiful bride could wish for on her special day.

High fashion is the watchword for women's footwear this autumn and winter. Literally. The heels of boots, half boots, ankle boots, and pumps are generally a few centimetres higher than in previous seasons. But apart from higher heels, personal style rules supreme.

 The models on shoe shop shelves fit every occasion and taste, from overknees to ballerinas, from clean looks to folklore style, and from felt to patent leather. You can forget terms like 'in' or 'out' because mixing various styles is now in vogue. So everyone can create a personal outfit.

Autumn and winter is when boots grab the limelight, of course. They are simply indispensable, especially overknees, and in combination with ultra-tight drainpipe trousers or under skirts for a casual, bohemian look.

Rustic, hiking-inspired details such as buckles, eyelets, and lacing, as well as removable cuffs and pelt or fur trim, play a complementary role in the autumn boot collection. At the runways half boots and ankle boots were stealing the show from classic boots this season.

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The notion of wardrobe androgyny was the fitting theme of Yves Saint-Laurent's men's collection, the house that kicked off the just-ended Paris men's shows where men's fashion won a feminine touch.

At YSL, designer Stefano Pilati used quotations from Plato to explain why he combined female detailing with a masculine silhouette.

"The original human nature was not like the present ... the sexes were not two as they are now."

Pilati underscored the union of genders with a line for men made in fabrics normally worn by women crepe de chine, organza, shantung and silk voile, all fabrics which float rather than fall.

In an era obsessed with global warming and sustainable development, the 44 spring/summer 2009 collections displayed at the four-day men's fashion shows ending Sunday featured light airy see-through linens, silks and soft feathery cottons.

Bright colours, more often the domain of women's wear, also figured strong.

As Gay Pride marches took place across Europe, pink was popular in Paris.

Louis Vuitton, a house with a predominantly masculine view of the world, chose pink for shorts, pants and waistcoat, and even shoes.

A huge pink sail served as the backdrop for an otherwise frankly male take on fashion from Emmanuel Ungaro designer Franck Boclet, who said fuschia was simply one of the house's signature colours.

"I wanted a gay fresh style," Boclet said of what he told AFP was "a Paris 60s look" of hip-hugging tight-thighed pants, chequered suits, and the odd item in day-glo orange, bright blue or purple.

Making his menswear debut for Givenchy, the house women's designer Ricardo Tisci too went for shocking pink, throwing out a suit with socks, shirt and shoes in pink in a gothic-cum-romantic collection mingling masculine and feminine lace shirts over tattooed skin, kinky leather shorts worn with cropped leggings.

At the house of Lanvin, designer Lucas Ossendrijver won a standing ovation from hundreds of fashionistas in Paris' ethnological museum for light-looking, almost insubstantial suits that seemed crumpled all over.

At Dior, one of the most breathlessly-awaited shows, Belgian designer Kris Van Asche broke with the brand's iconic black, splashing deep gold, cobalt blue, fuschia and day-glo orange, shown on a gravel runway running between a line of tall trees.

His masculine touch saw the return of the leg-hugging straight pants first designed by his style-setting predecessor Hedi Slimane, as well as harsh laser-slashing in shirts and jackets, and minimalist small collars and tiny lapels.

For his own epynomous collection, Kris Van Asche too went for feminine detailing, with suits made in the light cottons normally used for shirts.

Some of the smaller more outlandish designers went further in blurring gender codes in fashion.

A newcomer to the Paris scene, Japanese designer Tatsuro Horikawa and his Julius brand put his very-manly men in biker boots, aviator hats and adventurer-style pants, while adding almost dress-length tunics and see-through shirts.

His models strutted the catwalk with long shawls rolled around shoulders and veil-like shawls draped over their heads. See-through shirts showed a black band around the chest, almost like a women's bra.

Gaspard Yurkievich, a favourite with the trendy Paris set, said he aimed "to reintegrate feminine elements in the male wardrobe." The result was a bouffant tunic worn over trousers and short jackets with lots of trim that resembled that womens-wear classic, the little Chanel suit.

Most ultra-daring were Romain Kremer with men in long transparent dresses in fluorescent shades, and Bernhard Willhelm with an unwearable medieval-style collection featuring long-haired men in tiaras and multi-coloured bloomers.

John Galliano, in typically provocative vein, offered kilts worn over bright leggings, another staple of the Paris shows.

Paris men's fashion saw fewer adolescent, waif-like androgynous types strutting the catwalks, with big names such as Louis Vuitton, Dior and Jean Paul Gaultier opting for models who looked like grown men of at least 20.

And taking a stand against society's anti-ageism streak, Japan's Yohji Yamamoto and Belgium's Ann Demeulemeester chose to show men could grow old gracefully, throwing well over 60-somethings on the catwalks.

Fashion was so much easier in the 1950s. Suits, white shirts and ties for the gents. Skirt suits, stockings with girdles and closed-toe pumps for the ladies.

Now we're "business casual," and what that means isn't clear. Throw in summer heat, and things get even more confusing. Are capri pants OK? What about ties with short-sleeved shirts? Can men wear sandals to work?

"It's a tough time of year," says Bobbie Thomas, co-host of Style Network's "Fashion Police." "You are trying to balance comfort with being professional."

While dress codes vary from place to place, some general guidelines can keep you cool and professional in the office:

SHORTS

In a more casual office environment, knee-length polished and tailored shorts are fine for women, says Thomas.

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The fashion world appears to have a new darling. Immediately after Michelle Obama mentioned on "The View" yesterday that she bought her striking sundress at White House/Black Market, women started pouring into the retail chain's stores, clamoring for the $148 dress.

"Women literally were snatching it up," says Jessica Wells, a spokeswoman for the company, which has 322 stores across the country. White House/Black Market did not have sales numbers on the cotton-blend dress, which was only available in stores, but did say that it sold out at some locations.

While the country is waiting to see what long-term political impact Democratic candidate Barack Obama will have, the verdict already appears to be in on the influence his wife will have on style.

Tall, poised and elegant, Ms. Obama is emerging as a new high-profile clotheshorse upon which designers and retailers are pinning their hopes. While the word "Camelot" has been bandied about when discussing the sartorial projections of Ms. Obama fueled in part by the 1950s flip hairdo that she sometimes favors her style sensibility is expected to have broad appeal.

"I'd put her in an Oprah sphere" in terms of influence, says Tom Julian, president of the Tom Julian Group, a New York City-based brand consultancy, who predicts this is just the beginning of Mrs. Obama's ability to drive sales because of her broad appeal. "She's modern a boomer, woman of color with a real shape and a real mind. This potential First Wife can forge ahead with a Midwest sense coupled with a dynamic personality."
Indeed, the 44-year-old Princeton- and Harvard-educated lawyer represents and has much of what many women admire: her own impressive resume, confidence, and, perhaps just as important, a real woman's body (unlike recent celebrity style icons such as the lithe Sarah Jessica Parker). Her clothes seem carefully chosen to show that she is in shape without projecting an inaccessible skinniness.

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The "fashion police" were on alert on Thursday for Royal Ascot's Ladies Day to ensure no mini-skirts or bare midriffs marred the hallowed turf of the exclusive Royal Enclosure.

For officials at one of the world's most elegant race meetings are cracking the sartorial whip after veteran racegoers complained that standards were slipping.

So the Duke of Devonshire, chairman of the course where Queen Elizabeth plays host for the five-day meeting, has issued firm fashion instructions to stamp out errant dressers.

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Following WAG-in-chief Coleen McLoughlin's marriage to Wayne Rooney on the Italian Riviera in the past week, one thing is guaranteed: the London fashion pack, claws sharpened, will launch their assassination of the predominantly Northern wedding party the minute their photos are revealed in a celebrity magazine this week.

For all her self-learned style and girl-next-door prettiness, there's one thing that fashionistas just can't forgive.

Coleen is from Liverpool; and that's North of the Watford Gap.

Cue catty sniggers from Team Moss in London, who believe that style exists only in the capital and means grubby Ugg boots worn with boho dresses.

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All you Cowboys fans who scour the New York runways for fashion tips might watch for some Wade Phillips sound bites after today's practice. The Cowboys coach was bustin' out some new Prada sunglasses that were a gift.

"My wife and daughter got me these, so I'm wearing them," Phillips said. "Just like my clothes and everything else, whatever they give me is what I wear."

And who says the Cowboys coach isn't hip? Now if Jerry can just figure out a way to get Prada next to the star...

Q: Why don't skirts have a traditional waistband with a button or hook closure anymore? I like to wear straight pencil skirts, but these days I can't seem to find skirts with an old-fashioned waistband. Too many skirts are hip-hugger styles, which don't look good on me.

A: Waistbands have all but disappeared from skirts and many pants -- to the disappointment of women who like to tuck in their shirts or wear wide belts at their natural waists. Until the late 1970s, many women were wedded to girdles, which made it possible for all body types to slip into skirts with waistbands. But when women stopped wearing girdles, commercial clothing makers gradually began nixing waistbands.

They shifted to a type of waist that can sit high or low in the space between your natural waistline and the top of your hips. That helps skirt styles accommodate a broad swath of women. The late designer Liz Claiborne, who dressed millions of working women, once noted to me that apparel makers also realized many women preferred not to have to unbutton a tight waistband after a big meal.

But the no-waistband skirt can cause new problems for instance, when the skirt doesn't hug your lower back or floats around your midsection, forcing you to keep tugging it back in place.

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