The Chanel Bicycle Chanel presents the $1200 limited edition leather and aluminum bike for SS2008 season. What better way to get in shape than in style? The 36 lb bike is designed with Chanel's trademark quilted leather complete with eight speeds, a leather seat, a fashionable saddlebag with the famous Chanel logo, and comes with jeweled pant clips. Less than 50 have been manufactured worldwide and only 19 were shipped to the US. The bike is sold at Neiman's but is at auction at Pamela Z Luxury online. Chihuly Chandeliers Chandeliers have been household showpieces for the rich and glamorous for ages. Amazing glass artist Dale Chihuly has taken this trend and popularized it with a fabulous new twist. His amazing installations are fast becoming the new must have in modern home decor. Here are a few of his designs. I was able to travel to Tacoma, Washington (Chihuly's home town) to view an exhibit of his spectacular work. If you're unable to see an actual exhibit, check out his website for pictures and more information.
The Golden Opulence Sundae The world famous Golden Opulence Sundae cost roughly $1000 and is available exclusively at celeb hot spot Serendipity on 60th St. in New York City. This high ticket desert comes complete with five scoops of premium vanilla ice cream made from Tahitian Vanilla beans and Madagascar Vanilla covered in 23k edible gold leaf. It is then drizzled with the world's most expensive chocolate, Amedei Porceleana and chunks of rare Chuao Chocolate. Then suffused with Parisian candied fruit, gold dragets, truffles and Marzipan Cherries. A petite bowl of Grand Passion Caviar is placed on top and served in a baccarat Harcourt crystal goblet with an 18k gold spoon (which some patrons keep). Lastly the delicious work of art is topped with a gilded sugar flower by famous cake maker Ron Ben-Israel. Check out Serendipity's website for more info.
Next month, African Model Liya Kebede will grace the cover of Vouge Italia with a fold out including models Sesilee Lopez, Jourdan Dunn and Naomi Campbell with photography by Steven Meisel in celebration of it's much talked about 'Black Issue'. The fashion industry has been criticized for ages due to the lack of black models featured on the runways and magazine editorials. Italian Vogue Editor, Franca Sozzani, stated “mine is not a magazine that can be accused of not using black girls”, pointing out that she has featured Naomi Campbell, Liya Kebede and Alek Wek on her covers over the years. Naomi Campbell by Steven Meisel
“Franca doesn’t realize what she’s done for people of color,” Campbell said who is featured in 20 pictures. “It reminds me of Yves (Saint laurent) using all the black models.” Yves St. Laurent with Mounia Tyra Banks by Steven Meisel
In a reverse of the general pattern of fashion magazines, all the faces in the July issue of Italian Vogue, and all the feature topics are related to black women in the arts and entertainment. Other black models who were photographed for Vogue Italia include Alek Wek, Alva Chin, Arlenis Sosa Pena, Chanel Iman, Gail O’Neil, Iman, Karen Alexander, Tyra Banks, Veronica Webb, and Yasmin Warsame. Sessilee Lopez Chanel Iman Liya Kebede
Model/Actor/Playgirl pin-up Marcus Patrick was born in Bath, England to a English, Irish, and French father and Jamaican, Cuban, and Cherokee mother. Best known for his work on soaps such as All My Children and Days of Our Lives, Patrick recently starred alongside Rosario Dawson in The Descent and will be in the upcoming romantic comedy Love and Other Four-Letter Words.
Yves Henri Donat Mathieu Saint Laurent, one of the famed great designers of the 20th Century and Legendary couturier, passed yesterday afternoon in Paris France at the age of 71 due to a long battle with brain cancer. Born in Oran, Algeria during the time the African country was still French territory, Saint Laurent is known as the spectacular designer who revolutionized ready-to-wear and haute couture as well as the first designer to use black models on the runway. At the tender age of 17 he moved to Paris with a solid collection of sketches in tow. The following year he won three of the four categories in a design competition in Paris (the fourth went to his contemporary Karl Lagerfeld, now at Chanel). At the behest of Vogue editor Michel de Brunoff, Yves was hired at the house of Christian Dior and at the age of 21, he was charged with saving the Dior house from financial ruin following Christian Dior’s death in 1957. In 1960, soon after Yves took control of the Dior house, he was drafted into the in the French army during the Algerian War of Independence. According to reports, after 2 1/2 weeks of being hazed and tortured by other solders, he was sent to a French mental institution and treated with electroshock therapy. Yves already had a history of mental illness after being taunted in his childhood for his homosexuality. After being released from the French army due to his health, Yves returned to Paris and Dior to find he had already been replaced by Marc Bohan, and in 1962, Yves created the YSL label with business partner Pierre Bergé. His name and the familiar YSL logo became synonymous with all the latest trends, highlighted by the creation of the Rive Gauche ready-to-wear label and perfume, as well as astute licensing deals for accessories and perfumes. In 1983, Saint Laurent was the first designer to be honored by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and will always be remembered for his iconic black trouser suits and safari jackets that dressed the woman’s revolution of the 1960's. Funeral services for Yves Saint Laurent are scheduled for Thursday afternoon in Paris, with French President Nicolas Sarkozy expected to attend. Service is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at the Eglise Saint-Roch at 296 Rue Saint Honore. Afterward, Saint Laurent will be incinerated, and his ashes will rest at his famous Majorelle Garden in Marrakech. Rest in Peace.
Santogold has been on everyone's artist to watch list over the past few years. Her sound, which is a creative blend of punk, dub, thrash, dance and a host of other genres surprises most, but for many is the perfect blend. For her true fans she is their best kept secret, not yet tainted by the media or big dollar record labels. Like most indie artists, she gets more love overseas, but has a growing fan base in America, and her song Creator is featured in an American beer commercial. Check out her Myspace page here to learn more.
Check out her backstage pass interview with MTVu here.
Oscar de la Renta has been one of my favorite all time fashion designers (along with Yves St. Laurent) for as long as I can remember. He is a phenomenal dress maker and can add a taste of royalty and high class to any trend. This collection, in full, is what resort season is all about. Complete with equestrian-esque caps and shantung day suits, the collection reminds one of a time when haute couture was still haute couture. See the full collection here.
Summer is here but most of us are still scrambling around trying to shed that extra 10, 15, or even 20lbs. While exercise is big fun and all sometimes a quick fix is better. Although there is no instant remedy for fat other than scary lipo, I've found a few products that claim to tighten those saggy areas we're too lazy to work on.
RodialTummy Tuck claims to tighten your waistline, help you shed 2cm in 8 weeks and is made with fig extract and neuropeptides that break down fatty cells and boost cell metabolism. All that for just $150 a bottle. Rodial also offers a Boob Job in a bottle that claims to gradually increase your bust line in about 60 days. Check it out here.
Fat Girl slim is a coveted product offered by Bliss NYC that claims to visibly diminish skin dimpless. According to Bliss, this product is the skin-slimming stuff of choice of supermodels, spokespeople and other celebs. They offer a wide range of 'Fat Girl' Products, check them out here.
A new favorite company of mine is Borba where their motto is to promote healthy skin from within. This skin firming set is equipped with a Firming Body Cleansing Serum, Firming Micro-Diamond Body Polish, Firming Diamond Shimmer Contour, Firming Neck & Decollete Cream, Firming Skin Balance Water, and Firming Aqua-less Crystalline packettes. Their enhanced waters come in four varieties that seek to clarify, firm, replenish and age defy. I've tried the Clarifying pomergranete and liked it despite the fact each drink is $5 a bottle. But its low in calories and packed with nutrients. Check all the drinks out here.
Got this invite but can't make it across the pond anytime soon, if you're in Londontown this eve, check it out. Check out f a b r i c l o n d o n.com for more details
The 2009 resort season kicked off Monday with the showing of John Galliano's collection for Christian Dior at the famed Guastavino’s in New York City. Galliano presented a 60's inspired collection that oozed with sophisticated glamour. The cuts, fabrics and styles are all familiar, but the lively colors and unlikely sombrero adds modern appeal. Resort collections are usually sought after by the rich and famous or stuffy upper class types, but designers seeking to reach the today's fashion consumer have revamped the look of Resort season for 2009.
As with any other Galliano production, plenty of celebs were in tow. Charlize Theron in Christian Dior Genevieve Jones and André Leon Talley. Hamish Bowles Lou Doillon and John Galliano Jennifer Lopez Ana Wintour and Candy Pratts Price Ziyi Zhang in Dior
The Rapture's sound has been dubbed indie but is rather undefinable. For the hardcore hip-hop fan they may sound a bit rock and roll, but these guys are mix of everything. Funk, disco, and alternative blends make The Rapture a perfect band for the urban hipster who listens to more than just top 40 BS. Check out their video for the hit "Whoo Alright Yeah Uh Huh" below. Can't see the vid? Click here.
Christina Ricci for Blackbook Mag in an Emporio Armani shirt , underwear by Noir, and warrior sandals by Givenchy.
The Olsens
This trend has been around for the past three years or so and has recently has become extremely popular in the UK and among the fashion forward in the US. Warrior or gladiator sandals come in a variety of styles this season that fit almost any budget.
Balenciaga
Want the look but on a tight budget? Try these Nine West Heech for $93 at Zappos available in Black and Gold and Silver Reptile.
Want something a little more casual? Try these Sam Edelman Ginger Gladiators available at Urban Outfitters for $98 Urban Outfitters has an awesome collection of gladiators available for purchase online. See them all here.
Looking for something a bit sexier? Try these Chain Gladiator Sandal by Sergio Rossi now on sale for $478 from $1,195.00 available at Vivre.
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