Models at the Spring/Summer 2010 Prada Show

Last Saturday, I went out, met some friends, had a few drinks…you know, typical Saturday except for some reason, I kept getting similar reactions from people; Wow, you look great! Omg, I didn’t recognize you! Hey, I didn’t know you were here! As the night went on, and the comments continued to come, I started to think that the black dress I was wearing really did do it for me or that maybe my recent slavery at the gym was really paying off! Or perhaps it was the cutting down on carbs? Then I realized exactly what I did differently that night that I hadn’t done in a while; I wore red lipstick.  Blood red…or as I recently learnt from a male friend what the opposite sex likes to call it, hooker red.

The overload in comments made me wonder if the red lipstick made me look odd.  I rarely wear it so when I do, I feel very self-conscious.  I’m just not used to it but I like the strong colour with certain looks and when I wear it, I think I look fine.  The thought made me curious…curious enough to ask Google “how to wear red lipstick?”

Here are a few things to keep in mind when wearing the shade:

Shades of Red

There are many shades of red and it’s important to choose one that best suits your skin tone.  Paler skins do well sporting reds with cold undertones while warm reds should be used for more olive or tan skin.

Face Faux Pas

When wearing red lipstick, keep everything else simple or you’ll end up looking like a clown! The shade is very powerful so the rest of your face should be kept soft to balance it all out.  On your eyes, use a shade that brings out your skin tone; consider skipping the eyeliner and going straight to your lashes; do not overdo your cheeks.

Time to Work

Buff away any dead skin to ensure smooth looking lips.  Shape your lips evenly by filling them with lip liner first.  Lip liner also acts as a great base; don’t be afraid of shading your entire lips with it.  When applying red lipstick, opt for a lip brush.  It gives you more control and really lets the shade sink into your lips for a better and more long-lasting effect.

The Rest of Your Game

The rest of your outfit is important too.  Don’t be matchy-matchy as you will run the risk of overdoing it.  Avoid pairing red lipstick with red dresses, nails, purses and shoes.

It’s not suitable for every occasion but when worn well and with confidence, you will rock this Spring trend with class and sexiness!

Image Sources: Style.com

Are we all dying for the sun to come out and stay??? I know I am! How about a dose of Spring’s trends?

Ralph Lauren; DKNY; Derek Lam (All Spring/Summer 2010)

Designers paid tribute to good ol’ US of A as looks were filled visions of the American flag.  Stars and stripes made up graphics and prints while looks were comprised of beautiful shades of red, white and blue in cotton, denim, linen and poppy voile.  It’s truly the season to get patriotic and hail the American dream!

Top Row (L-R): Boat Neck Striped Dress with Bow, Thread Social; Ghillie Woven Leather Gladiator Sandals, Sigerson Morrison; Striped High Waist Skirt with Belt, Alice + Olivia

Middle Row (L-R): Andrea Bustier Dress, Alice + Olivia; Starry Knit Leggings, Forever 21; Pave Star Studs, Marc by Marc Jacobs

Bottom Row (L-R): Denim and Stripe Bandeau Bikini, Rosa Cha; Long Sleeve Dress, Derek Lam; Striped Zip Up Hoodie, Forever 21

Image Source: Forever21.com, Net-a-Porter.com, ShopBop.com, Style.com

I’ve always known her as the headstrong ballet dancer in Center Stage.  But with her recent success on Avatar (which I still haven’t seen btw), Zoe Saldana has gone from worrying about her turn out and pirouettes to becoming a true Hollywood A-lister.

With many celebrities come poor wardrobe choices and fashion faux pas.  Not for Zoe.  Whether it’s a movie premier, the red carpet, or even if it’s a random shot of her that the paparazzi snapped, she just never seems to fail.  I very much appreciate the way Zoe steers clear of the mundane.  The actress seems to know what shapes work for her and is never afraid to sport a bold silhouette.  Her clever use of colour and prints sets her apart from the crowd.

What a great style icon!

Image Sources: FabSugar.com, Zimbio.com

Please tell me I dreamt this.

As I was walking in the subway today, I noticed this (please excuse the poor photoraphy as it was taken with my iPhone).

And this.

Of course I saw the Diesel logo but I just didn’t get it.  A quick search on Google explained that Diesel launched a campaign earlier this Spring to encourage consumers to “be stupid,” arguing that it makes people take more risks and go beyond smart people.

Consumers were encouraged to send videos of stupid things they did to be a part of Diesel’s online video catalog so that they could eventually share their stupidity to the world.  You can learn more about it here.  Is this what marketing has come to???

In our day and age, where we witness Gossip Girl-like drama unfold in front of us in every realm of our society (hello Tiger Woods and Eliot Spitzer!), where it’s considered “cool” for young Hollywood role models to be jailed and commit crimes, a time when 15 minutes of fame couldn’t be sought after more and where our TVs are filled with reality programs and shows that center around…well, nothing; how could such a global, powerful fashion brand that targets the younger generation be encouraging more of this?

Yes, the ad grabbed my attention right away and even encouraged me to approach its website.  However, after learning of the idea behind the campaign, I was not only turned off but convinced that the thought of stupidity would be stuck in my head every time I see the brand from here on.  And to think that I fit right smack in the middle of their target market! Pick and choose your battles Diesel, pick and choose.

Image Source.  Diesel.com

Who can resist those mouth-watering images? Of course Madonna sells!

Teaming up with italian duo, Dolce & Gabbana, the singer will be co-designing six pairs of sunglasses due to come out in May.  I’m putting money down that these will sell out.

Image Source: WWD.com

Alexander McQueen's oyster dress, Spring/Summer 2003

2 years ago, I stood on the ground floor of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and stared endlessly at Alexander McQueen’s “oyster dress”.  I must have looked through the glass for almost 20 minutes, as it was my first time being so close to one of the label’s designs.  I was mesmerized by the work of art that so nakedly gazed back at me.

The layers of raw cut silk organza so rough and unfinished, was a perfect depiction of the massacre behind the designer’s inspiration – a shipwreck at sea and a consequent landfall in the Amazon.  Looking at that one gown gave me the entire image of broken masts and tattered sails amongst debris abandoned in the sea.  I remember not being able to wrap my head around McQueen’s ability to find the beauty and light from such an ugly, grotesque mess.  The designer’s creativity truly allowed him to produce such amazing pieces like this – wild yet honest and romantic, theatrical yet wearable and sought-after.

It is with this thought that I looked at pictures from his final collection.  A small collection of only 16 looks that McQueen himself draped and cut.  His inspiration took a cue from the work of 15th-century painters like Heironymus Bosch’s “The Garden of Earthly Delights”.  He captured details of the paintings digitally, had them woven into jacquards and engineered to fit his garments.

It was sheer poetry.  McQueen carefully crafted each look to show the heaviness of the old world, from the prints, colour palette and antiques, and directed them towards the new, with the silhouettes, styling and details.  The collection also spoke of serenity with its soft colours and angelic references.  Of course, the designer’s rebellious side was not forgotten with the bandage-bound heads and feathered Mohawk-looking embellishments.

With his love for extreme and avant-garde, McQueen’s work truly goes beyond fashion and into the realm of art.  To have lost him is to have lost a great piece of the fashion industry.  R.I.P. Alexander McQueen.

Image Source: MetMuseum.org, Style.com

I was ecstatic when I saw that the inspiration behind OPI’s Spring/Summer 2010 collection was Hong Kong.  Coming from Hong Kong myself, it’s always exciting to see someone showcasing the beauty and excitement of this city.

The company that famously preaches that “it’s no longer about wearing a nail polish; it’s about wearing an accessory,” uses this season’s collection to capture the brilliant sharpness of Hong Kong’s cityscape.  The inspiration behind it comes from the intriguing complexity and multi-cultural personalities of the Pearl of the Orient – Hong Kong, a city where we all yearn for the simplicity of the old but are not quite ready to leave the excitement of the new.

The 12 vibrant shades are cleverly named after gems of Hong Kong and aspects of Chinese culture.  This palette truly brings Hong Kong alive! I’m definitely feeling some “Meet Me on the Star Ferry”…

To see close-ups of OPI’s Spring/Summer 2010 Hong Kong Collection, click here and here.

Image Source: OPI.com

Manish Arora pushed for the future with his latest collection that merged Sci-Fi with Bollywood.  His warrior models, with their sharp shoulders and hips jutting out, burst with colour in their sequins, stones and embroidery-filled looks as they came down the runway.  What I loved the most were the bucket-shaped couture-like headdresses in eye-popping colours made with beads, sequins and stones.

Image Sources: GettyImages.com, Style.com

“If fashion was porn, this dress is the money shot.”

Yes, Gabourey Sidibe said it right.  Last night, the Kodak Theater hosted the 82nd Annual Academy Awards as Tinsel Town welcomed celebrities, designer names, limos, publicists and I’m sure…tons of Swarovski crystals! I could try to argue that the awards are a celebration of the year in film, but who are we kidding? The event has become the epitome of runway shows on the red carpet – “The Superbowl of Fashion” as some like to put it.

Once again, the carpet was swamped with style-safe numbers, which, though award ceremony appropriate, lacked the wow factor that some of us so eagerly fish for at events like these.

The film might not have lived up to its “best picture” nomination, but there was certainly an Avatar effect of some sort on last night’s fashion as we witnessed a strong sea of blue.

Oprah in Carolina Herrera; Mariah Carey in Valentino Haute Couture; Gabourey Sidibe in Marchesa; Mariska Hargitay in Vera Wang

The dominating metallics were a go-to for many.  I’ll give them brownie points for their sparkle strategy in an attempt to stand out from the mundane colours.

Cameron Diaz in Oscar de la Renta; Kathryn Bigelow in Yves Saint Laurent; Sandra Bullock in Marchesa; Kate Winslet in Yves Saint Laurent

Making another appearance on the Red Carpet after the Golden Globes earlier this year are the elegant blush tones.

Queen Latifah in Badgley Mischka Couture; Anna Kendrick in Elie Saab Couture; Charlize Theron in Dior Haute Couture

I’m not a huge fan of classic trains but I love the contemporary twist designers have given to some of them.  Adding elements such as ruffles and playing with fabric resulted in these stars sporting a Spanish appeal.

Demi Moore in Atelier Versace; Elizabeth Banks in Versace; Diane Kruger in Chanel

After January Jones wore that to-die-for mint green Versace Couture sculptural dress at the Emmy’s last year, countless Hollywood A-listers have followed in her footsteps.  The sculptural look is a bit more daring than a simple silhouette but it’s beginning to become overdone.

Amanda Seyfried in Armani Prive; Penelope Cruz in Donna Karan; Jennifer Lopez in Armani Prive

To me, prints are a great way to stand out in a crowd.  These actresses paired classic silhouettes with the soft brush strokes of a painting.

Maggie Gyllenhaal in Dries Van Noten; Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab Haute Couture

Some stars chose to cover it up showing that baring all arms is not the only answer to looking smoking hot.

Meryl Streep in Chris March; Helen Mirren in Badgley Mischka; Nicole Richie in Reem Acra

Of course, I’m always on the lookout for the crowd standouts.  I appreciate the risk takers so much more.

Zoe Saldana in Givenchy

Vera Farmiga in Marchesa

Carrey Mulligan definitely took the biggest risk.  Her Prada number had a fun touch of whimsy, embellished with Swarovski crystal flowers as well as tiny forks, knives, scissors, bolts, watch gears and other charms!

Carey Mulligan in Prada

And of course, my favourite of the entire night is none other than Carrie Bradshaw herself! Parker wore a stunning satin-like yellow gown that set her apart from everyone.  I adore the neck detail of the dress and love the embellishment in the front that drapes down her back.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Chanel

Image Sources: Film.com, Style.com

Every time the Fall shows come around, I’m always intrigued by Derek Lam’s ability to take so many types of stiff, chunky, winter fabrics and create feminine, sexy looks that are still winter-worthy. Lam’s latest collection shows a marriage between two very different worlds – the strong, mannish American West and the stylish, urban metropolis.  The fringe, Navajo prints, cowboy belts and hats complimented the soft georgettes and knits that came down the runway.  The show was also outerwear galore with options showcasing embroidery, fur and fringe in contemporary silhouettes – perfect for welcoming a ’70s cowgirl to our current 2010.

To view entire collection, click here.

Image Source: Style.com