Olympic Style

Britsh Flag inspired ballerina flats.

The Olympic Games is definitely a time when the patriotism of people comes to the forefront.  People's allegiance to their native countries comes out in full force.  As the world watched the Opening Ceremony in London this past Friday, each country walked out wearing it's own specially designed uniforms to represent the pride of the country.

Below are some pictures of some of the team uniforms.  Who was your favourite?


U.S. Olympic Team Uniforms designed by Ralph Lauren.




Spain's Olympic Team's uniforms were donated by Russian designer Bosco. (Photo: Lars Baron)



Australian Team Uniforms.

Uniforms of Bermuda's team included these shorts.



Team Canada (Photo: Tyler Anderson/National Post)



Ancient Greek Inspired Headgear

An ode to the Olympics as we think back to its Greek roots.  Think of the old head gear that people once wore in battle and in competition.  In the July 2012 issue of the Greek edition of Vogue (voguehellas.gr) there was an editorial that featured a gold headdress fit for someone about to go to battle in ancient times with a modern flair.

Pointy Toes

Franco Sarto Spring 2013 (Photo: Thomas Iannaccone)

The pointy-toe shoe usually comes in the form of a sexy high heel.  When it comes to flats, the last few seasons the ballerina inspired style has been the trend.  Coming next spring designers are bringing back the pointy-toe flat.  You'll find metal-cap toes and other little details making them the next big thing for spring 2013.  You might even find some in stores now to get ahead of the style game.

Joan & David  (Photo: Thomas Iannaccone)

See by Chloe (Photo: Thomas Iannaccone)

Olympic Nail Art

 CND Shellac Olympic inspired designs.

Fashion has a way of infiltrating all parts of our culture.  With the London 2012 Olympic games just around the corner, beauty salons are finding an interesting way of getting you into the spirit of the games.  Nail art.  Check out some of these interesting patterns fashioned after the Olympic logo and using various colors symbolizing the countries from around the world.

During the games CND Shellac manicures and pedicures will be offered in the Olympic and Paralympic Villages.  The brand will be set up and offering services to the athletes during the span of the games.  CND Shellac has two Olympic themed designs.  Olympic Gold, which is glittery and red with Olympic rings and Olympic Spirit which has the rings in the signature colors.

Photo: Pinterest Hautetalk.com via Ryan Seacrest

  Just take a moment to 'Google' Olympic Nail art and you'll find plenty of designs people are creating with polish.  You find flags and colors honoring the countries participating in the games.  People are creating some very interesting designs that are sure to be conversation pieces during these games.

Will you be getting in the spirit with your won nail designs?  You can even try it yourself at home.  Check out the video below to do it yourself.

Jamaican Olympic Team's Gear inspired by Bob Marley

Puma collaborated with designer Cedella Marley to create the gear for the Jamaican Olympic Team's Uniforms for London 2012.   They worked on this collection to bring together great design, comfort and show the influence of Bob Marley in the collection.  The cut, styles and designs are all inspired by the spirit of Marley.  Some of the gear even has song lyrics written inside with words of inspiration.

The London 2012 Olympic games are just days away and Jamaica is proud of their team, especially 3-time Olympic Gold medalist and 100 metre world record holder Usain Bolt.

Coach Wins $44-Million in Counterfeit Lawsuit

Real vs. Fake

Coach is perhaps one of the most counterfeited brands in the world.  Now they have won their day in court to the tune of $44 million dollars.  The case was filed in Manhattan federal court against a mother-daughter duo, Linda and Courtney Allen.  They were managing websites that were promoting the sale of counterfeit merchandise.  They were selling everything from bags to scarves and jewelry.  


The websites in question were Bellafashions.net and MyClassyFashion.com.  They also sold some product on eBay.  The defendants are now required to shut down the websites selling designer fakes - for good.  This isn't the first time the duo has been challenged by the justice system for selling fakes.  Chanel had also sued them in 2007 for trademark infringement. 


Apparently Coach has over 550 lawsuits as they aggressively protect their brand from counterfeiting.  This specific case was easier to pursue because the defendants were from Syosset, N.Y. which, facilitated the case compared to the complexity of pursuing foreign companies.  Women's Wear Daily reported that Judge Colleen McMahon said that the Allens violated 11 types of goods for a total of 22 separate infringements.(1)


When questioned about the incident Linda Allen said, "I know nothing about this....it's not valid."  The judge also said that Linda and Courtney Allen knew what they were doing because on the website they clearly stated that the merchandise was not original and they had no affiliation to the authentic brands.

This monumental ruling is a clear indication that the law is in fact cracking down on the business of counterfeiting.  The fashion industry is taking this very seriously.  For the last two years the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) partnered with eBay on a campaign called You Can't Fake Fashion.  Designers created handbags to raise awareness about this ongoing issue of designer fakes in the industry.
    
The ruling in this case sets an example to all those who continue to make and sell counterfeit merchandise.  




Sources
(1) Women's Wear Daily
The Fashion Law

Is Renting the New Shopping Habit?

Gucci vintage Boston Bag

Ever dreamed of owning your own designer bag but just couldn’t afford it?  Or how about a new evening gown or suit for that upcoming event?  Well lucky for you there are places now where you can rent something you need for the amount of time you want.  I'm not talking about traditional rental shops but online stores like the Germany based Erento where you can rent anything from handbags to computers and even luxury cars.  The website has already received positive reviews from BBC, The Financial Times, MSNBC and CNN International.  Bloomberg Businessweek called Erento "the eBay for rentals".

I found it fascinating that you can rent a Lamborghini for just over £1000/day ($1600USD/day).  Envision stepping out of this luxury car and having all eyes on you as you give the Valet Parking attendant the keys.  For most it's only a dream.  But with websites like Erento, it can be a reality.


It's also a great way to give a gift that is really an experience like no other.  There are yachts, boats and so much more you can rent for someone on their birthday or to celebrate a special event.

Jaguar XK8.
Find an assortment of luxury cars on erento.co.uk.

The global economy has continued to remain unstable for several years and even the wealthy are scaling back on buying goods.  It makes sites like this the perfect alternative to having the things you want at a fraction of the cost.

For fashionistas I'm sure you'll love being able to carry an original Gucci handbag or an authentic Chloe and the classic Prada.  You'll find something to satisfy your desire; even if only for a few days.   

How does it work?  Well it's as simple as three easy steps.

1. Go to the site and select the items you would like to rent.
2. You'll notice the items are available in various locations around the world.  Contact the owner through the website to make arrangements and determine the terms of rental.  There is no obligation with the initial contact.
3. Schedule your pick up and delivery.

It's as simple as that.  To read more about what's available right now, visit the website at www.erento.co.uk.

Transitional Style

Left to right:  Billy Reid, Imitation of Christ by Tara Subkoff, Lanvin and Ruffian)

It may be the middle of summer but retailers and designers want you thinking about the upcoming fall season.    Stores are already beginning to stock some of the latest for autumn.  Even though the temperatures are still blazing hot, you can still find some pieces that you can mix in your summer wardrobe for transitional style.

One of the trends I love is that bold color continues to dominate.  Blue is one that almost every skin tone can wear.  Because of it's boldness you can actually start wearing this right now during the summer season.  Instead of wearing it with a black or brown shoe accentuate it with bright colored sandals or pumps in red, yellow or even green.

Bright red platforms look fabulous with blue dresses.

Try yellow wedges like this pair by Jimmy Choo.

Black Fashion Week Prague

Black Fashion Week Prague took place in Prague late last year.  I didn't even know about it.  I was online doing research this morning when I came across this video showcasing some of the highlights from the event.
This is the first time a fashion week in Europe was completely focused on the work of Black designers.

Check it out!

Bird-Caged Shoe

Charlotte Olympia.
(Photo by: Courtesy Photo)

Once in awhile there is something very creative that a designer does and is out of the ordinary.  Today I discovered this shoe by Charlotte Olympia for the Resort 2013 collection.  Check out the heel made to look like a birdcage.  It even looks like there is a little carved bird inside.

Would you wear these?  I think they are adorable.

Katie Holmes the Designer

Photo: gossipboulevard.com

Unless you haven't turned on a television in the last few days, you already know that Katie Holmes has been top of the headlines with her pending divorce with Tom Cruise.  But that's not the only thing that's been happening in her life.  She remains focused on her career.

She is hard at work preparing to show her clothing line Holmes & Yang at New York Fashion Week for the first time.  The label was launched in 2009 and she co-designs it with Jeanne Yang, her stylist and friend.

Holmes & Yang is currently available at Barney's, Harvey Nichols in London and Hong Kong and at Montaigne Market Paris.  Their spring 2013 collection is highly anticipated.  The clothing line features style you would often see Holmes herself wearing; simple, chic, and classic, with pieces that can easily be transitioned from day to night.   

Katie Holmes with her business partner
Jeanne Yang.  (Photo: Getty Images)

Holmes recently told Elle magazine that she was entering "a new phase" and "coming into her own." 1  Every American designer aspires to show at New York Fashion Week.   This will certainly set the stage to move her business into a new direction which will put her brand on the fashion forefront. 


  If you've never seen any of her fashions take a look at the video below with items from the current spring/summer 2012 collection.
What do you think?  Does she have what it takes to stand the test of time?  We've seen so many celebrities jump into the fashion game.  Her partnership with Jeanne Yang may be just what she needs to stay on top.

Sources:  Elle Magazine July, 2012, 
1. Yahoo! News

Bright Now

I'm still loving the bright colors this season.  Anything from dresses, to jeans and even swimwear will have the brightest of brights.  Now that we are in the middle of summer season it's also the perfect time to find great deals on some of these items.

What color are you wearing this summer?  Me? I'm loving yellow, orange and honeysuckle.  I love to wear color with white as my neutral.  If you're wearing these bold colors to work, tone it down by wearing it with neutrals like grey, white or brown.

But most of all, have fun!

Summer Hats

Some face shapes are lucky enough that you can wear anything.  Summer hats are a great way to keep the sun off your face while looking cool.   Hats also have a great way of creating a new character and bringing out another side of your personality.

The Fedora is one of the most popular for summer.  It's a classic style that is usually known as a men's hat but has become equally popular for women over the years.  It's a style trend that doesn't seem to ever go away year after year.  If you pick one up this season you can rest assured you'll still be on trend next year.    

  A fedora looks best on a narrow, longer face.  The style typically has a smaller brim and isn't too overpowering.

Banana Republic Fedora
available in stores and online.

  Visors are an alternative to the traditional hat when you're looking to shade yourself from the sun.  Not just for athletes, this style has several variations that could take you from the beach to just everyday wear.  
 
The bucket hat complements several different face shapes.  The way it's cut fits closer to the face.  If you have a bigger head or face this look might not have the best fit.
 
  Avoid hats that are too high when you have a longer face shape.  They will only make your face look longer.  The floppy hat is great for women with bolder faces because it helps to soften your look.  Extra large brims can be molded and shaped to frame your face.  It's cool to shift it to the side and get that sophisticated, classy look of what I like to call 'ladies who lunch'.  I personally love large floppy hats because they are amazing statement pieces.
        

The Maxi Dress

Stylist Tameka Foster (ex-wife of Usher Raymond) looks radiant
in this bright printed maxi-dress. 

The maxi dress is one of the easiest style pieces this season.  They look great on most body types as long as you pick the right fit.  If you're tall make sure you find a dress that actually reaches your ankles.  There is nothing worse than a maxi dress that hits you in the middle of your calf.  It doesn't look right.

For fuller figures try to find a balance with print and style.  Avoid a pattern that is too busy and go for one like the print you see pictured on Tameka Foster above.  Wrap maxi-dresses look great on everyone.

A maxi-dress on pregnant women looks best in a solid color that skims the body.  That doesn't mean you should avoid patterns altogether but, you should be careful of the prints you select because it can make you look much bigger than you actually are.

If your body is straight, go for styles with a defined waist so it give you a little bit of curve.  Also a neckline that is more open with give you the look of a fuller bust-line.  

BCBG Pleated maxi-dress

Best Dressed at BET Awards 2012

The BET Awards happened this past weekend.  Usually I'm not a fan of some of the styles that walk down the Red Carpet at this awards show.  Sometimes the clothing is ill-fitting and not flattering or just downright too gaudy.  But, in the spirit of the entertainment industry the clothing usually personifies the characters of the entertainers.  Which can be a good or sometimes bad thing; depending on your perspective.

I had three personal favorites at this year's awards show.

My favorite was the simple white dress worn by Kim Kardashian.  I thought it was classic and a look that would be fitting on any woman.  It was an interesting blend of a simple silhouette with the contrast deep scoop back and side zip detail.  It was stunning on her.  I also loved what model Selita Ebanks wore.  Personally I thought the piece underneath the sheer black skirt could have been slightly longer but, that's just me.  I loved the detail in the design.  I thought it looked fantastic on her.

Finally, on a cultural note, I loved the African inspired dress Monica wore in her heart-felt performance tribute to Whitney Houston.  There were so many hits and misses at this year's event.  Other notable hits I loved were Beyonce's yellow-gold gown and Meagan Good's white gown.

Monica performs in Whitney Houston Tribute.  (Photo: IB Times)

Beyonce looks amazing in this gold gown.  Photo: Getty Images

Meagan Good in a BCBG gown.  Photo: Radar Online