New York & Company outfits female cast of “All My Children”
If you thought the characters on your favorite daytime soap only wore designer clothes, think again. During March, New York & Company will be outfitting the female cast on ABC’s “All My Children.”
The women of the fictitious town of Pine Valley will deal with all the drama in their lives while wearing New York & Company attire. New York & Company is a national chain with stores in Penn Square, Quail Springs and Sooner malls.
Select items will be on sale through ABC.com. Click on the “seen on” section of the “All My Children” page.
Spring fashion shopping list
Sitting here in my black cashmere sweater, black pants and black pumps, I realize something’s missing. Color. Lighter weight fabrics. Pattern. I pulled on my sweater today because it’s cold outside. I don’t do cold. Tropics are my friend.
I also realize I’m in the mood for some spring shopping. Should be spring cleaning, but that can wait until next week. Or next month.
Right now I’m working on my spring dream list. Let’s start with three pieces.
1. A great necklace.
Love this square link style by Tuleste Market. Already seeing it with a white scoop-neck tee or a white V-neck sweater. (Is white my new black?)
2. A pair of gladiators.
A double strap and silver hardware spice up this Via Spiga “Nile” black patent gladiator.(Back to black. Old habits.)
3. Maxi dress.
Old Navy smocked jersey maxi dress. Inexpensive ($29.50) and endless options.
25 percent off sale at Allyson’s Closet
I try to pass along information about sales, but if you want to make sure you know in advance about such things, sign up to receive your favorite stores’ e-mail updates or mailings. Here are the details for a sale at Allyson’s Closet. Jjust print out this post and bring it to the store and save 25 percent on any item. You’re welcome.
Spring videos on fashion and beauty trends
W magazine has launched W Salon, an online video series where a panel of fashion experts discuss the latest and greatest fsahion and beauty trends for spring ‘09. In the first three videos, they discuss easy investment pieces, black an white dressing and how to make retro looks modern. You can also enter a chance to win a $1,000 W Salon sphopping spree.
Check out the videos here.
Oh, boy, I want a pair of boyfriend jeans
I want a pair of boyfriend jeans. I wrote about them in Thursday’s YOU! section, and now I’ve got the urge to slip into a pair. Problem is, I’m not sure they’ll look good on me. And I know I’ll be disappointed if they don’t. The good news is if they look bad, I’ll never try on another pair –at least not until my slim, trim new body comes in. I ordered it months ago, but it’s such a popular model that it’s on back order!
I must say I’m a little hesitant about the look in general. It won’t be flattering on every woman, but I do think these jeans will be perfect for after work, for errands, etc. Anyway, read my story on boyfriend jeans, check out the related video and let me know what you think.
Where are this model’s pants?
OK, I give up. I cannot figure out what message the designer was sending with this outfit? Sorry, I mean lack of outfit. Was the intent to show off the sweater or the briefs? Maybe the socks? This outfit was included in the Man presentation during London Fashion Week. The designer paid big bucks to be included in the fashion show. Why send out a model half-dressed?
Fashion Week: Rounding up the fall trends before we embrace spring
Here’s another trend story from Fashion Week fall ‘09. This one is by Suzanne Brown of the Denver Post. I think this will be the last round-up piece from New York’s twice-annual event. I’m ready for spring.
By Suzanne S. Brown
NEW YORK — We’ve all been shopping in our own closets and avoiding frivolous purchases, but what’s a fashion-forward man or woman to do in the age of recession? During Fashion Week’s recent round of fall 2009 shows, we looked to see if designers were playing it safe or moving the style meter ahead and giving us a reason to buy.Some designers dialed back the glamour quotient, offering pared-down modern design in clothes that will cost less than they have in the past. Mark Badgley and James Mischka, known for gowns dripping with beads and glamour, showed a more restrained — and less expensive — collection that focused on tailoring and fabrics like charmeuse rather than pricey embellishments.Others used fashion
as an escape route, presenting unusual pieces a woman will be tempted to buy because she doesn’t already have something like it in her closet.
“They’re bringing faraway places to the runway,” says Robert Verdi, a stylist who works with such celebrities as Hugh Jackman and Eva Longoria. “We’re seeing some Tokyo influence with an obi, or ruffles that recall a Spanish dancer.”
Neiman Marcus fashion director Ken Downing says the chic retailer is “laser-focused on what the customer wants. She is re-loving her own clothes but also looking for newness and value.”
He thinks women will respond to clean, close-to-the-body silhouttes. “Overwhelming volume doesn’t feel in step with the times,” he says. Strong shoulders, a throwback to the 1980s, have been an influence for several seasons but are just now going more mainstream, Downing says. “It projects confidence and sexiness.”
There’s a cocooning quality to the new clothes. “It’s definitely a knit season, whether you like cozy cardigans or big comfy pullovers,” he says.
Here are some of the trend highlights from the shows:
GOLD DIGGERS: Metallic fabrics show no signs of going away, particularly gold ones, which popped up in many collections for fall.
Strong sleeves at Zac Posen. (AP | Seth Wenig)
Zac Posen presented an Oscar-worthy gown, while “Project Runway” winner Christian Siriano showed a skinny-legged pant suit. Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein paraded short gold evening dresses, as did Badgley Mischka. Among the prettiest gold was Ralph Lauren’s antique lace number.
We also saw a lot of silver, in everything from lame to foiled fabrics and jacquards from such designers as Carolina Herrera and Marc Jacobs.
Not into those metals? We also spotted bronze, steel and pewter.
SHOULDERING NO BURDEN: The other 1980s runway revival was for big shoulder and sleeve treatments. Sleeves were pleated, puffed, dimpled or otherwise designed to be noticed. We don’t relish the return of clothes like those on “Dallas” and Dynasty,” but
A bright poncho from Marc Jacobs. (AP | Seth Wenig)
there’s no doubt that the silhouette is back. Designers like Marc Jacobs and Zac Posen went to extremes is building up the shoulders on jackets, and Oscar de la Renta took the puffy route in sleeves on a dress or two, but others were just pumping them up with a bit of a padding. Still resisting? Don’t forget that a wider shoulder will make your waist look smaller.
THE POWER OF ONE: It wasn’t just big shoulders we saw, but a continuation of one-shoulder styling in cocktail dresses and evening gowns. The trend was ubiquitous and is a sure way to update your special-occasion wardrobe, if you haven’t already done so. We saw it everywhere.
CAMEL’S COMEBACK: Michelle Obama helped revive the camel’s hair coat when she wore a design by Narciso Rodriguez during the inaugural activities, and now they’re everywhere. Of course, designers had to be picking their fabrics and creating silhouettes months ago, but by the sheer number of camel coats on the runways we have to say they’re back, big time. Swingy silhouettes at Tommy Hilfiger, classic double-breasted versions at Michael Kors and DKNY, Derek Lam’s double-collar cape and Elie Tahari’s waterfall collar coat were standouts. By the way, “camel’s hair” as used today is often a synonym for soft silk wool, often in a pale or tan color.
NEON COLORS: It was impossible to ignore all the 1980s references at Fashion Week, but the most obvious had to be the return of bright colors. If you’ve always loved fluorescent yellow, shocking pink, cone zone orange and bright blue, these colors and others are back with a vengeance, touted by everyone from innovators like Marc Jacobs to classicists like Michael Kors and Oscar de la Renta. Jacobs made perhaps the biggest splash with his technicolor ponchos, dresses and separates, all shown with stiffened, exaggerated hairstyles and makeup.
KNIT PARADE: If there’s ever a time to envelop yourself in a big, soft sweater, this is it. Designers knitted, purled and produced cowl-neck pullovers like the “safety” orange style at Mich- ael Kors; sweater coats to toss over dresses, as shown by Tracy Reese and Nanette Lepore’s colorful cardigans. Adrienne Vittadini built its brand on knits, and designer Kristina Salminen showed simple dresses with beaded or ribbon trims, double- knit cocoon dresses and tunics, as well as overszied cardigans to toss over everything.
Heathered knits, marled yarn, cables and other effects added variety to the mix.
THE SKINNY ON BOTTOMS: To balance all those wide shoulders, pants were slim and body-hugging. They looked terrific on the stick-legged models, but women with hips and derrieres might be taking a pass unless the top is long enough to cover things up. Carolina Herrera, Michael Kors and Derek Lam liked the look, while such designers as Oscar de la Renta loosened things up a bit for his customers.
LEATHER OR NOT: With all the emphasis on keeping costs down, we were surprised to see so much leather on the runways. Leather pants were shown in collections by Nanette Lepore, Matthew Williamson and many others, while Max Azria liked the material for jackets and vests. Michael Kors showed a couple of sexy black leather dresses, as well as skirts. Anna Sui used black patent leather appliques on velvet jackets as a recurring motif.
And those thigh-high leather boots with criss cross laces doubled as pants at Rodarte.
If these ideas don’t have you digging around in your closet or making a list of what to look for next fall, here are a few other ideas we spotted:
• Slim jersey dresses looked chic and office-appropriate from such designers as Derek Lam, Michael Kors and Tommy Hilfiger.
• The pencil skirt you bought for fall 2008 will still be good this year. If you haven’t bought one yet, look for the hemline to dip a little below your knees.
• Prints added variety whether they were the romantic florals at Tracy Reese, the “spirograph” inspired looks at Matthew Williamson or the abstract florals, wallpaper motifs and plaids at Anna Sui.
• If you’re not the cocktail dress/ ballgown type, designers showed plenty of alternatives in tuxedo looks for women, as in Hilfiger’s gray flannel style worn with a a lame bow blouse, or simply a shawl-collared jacket tossed over a dress, as Tracy Reese showed.
• If you haven’t worn anything velvet in a while, get it out. We saw a knockout long red velveteen coat at Anna Sui.
Dillard’s extra 40 percent off sale starts today
Sale, sale, sale. Sweet words … at least to the consumer.
Dillard’s ad in today’s paper says take 40 percent off entire stock of all permanently reduced merchandise. That includes ladies’ sportswear, ladies’ suits, dresses, juniors, children’s clothes, men’s clothes, accessories, handbags, shoes, intimate apparel, home and furniture.
Saturday sale at Pink Sugar Boutique in Edmond
Work hard this week, then go shopping on the weekend … and save money on new spring shoes. Such a deal! Here are the details.
Fashion Week: Celebrities and fall ‘09 trends
Still interested in Fashion Week fall ‘09? Here’s a story by Kim Crow, fashion writer for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, detailing the trends and her favorite shows.
Marc Jacobs sent out several looks that emphasized the shoulder through construction.
BY KIM CROW
OK, if you want my Deep Thoughts on Fashion Week, turn back to the front page of this section. But if you’re looking for the trends, the celebrities and some mean-spirited sniping, this is the story for you.
The trends
Strong shoulders: These are not your ’80s power suits. While some designers did indeed find inspiration in those ubiquitous “Dynasty”-era shoulder pads, the more creative among them use pleating, tucking, molding and airy volume to make the point. Why should we embrace this trend? As one Elle editor put it, “Hey, if your shoulders are wider, your hips look smaller.” Um, when can we start ordering these looks?
Touches of neon:
Recession? Check. Big shoulders? Check. Skinny jeans? Check. If we’re loving the ’80s right now, then neon clothing must be all the rage. But never fear; the 2009 version is more understated than in decades past, using chartreuse, hot pink and bright orange to punctuate the endless sea of black and gray clothing on the runways.
Perhaps realizing that their intended customers probably own enough black sweaters, designers sent out a tantalizing selection of accessories, all the better to update what we already have. Chunky, bold necklaces were the jewelry of choice, along with studded and oversize bangles. And interestingly, handbags weren’t as ubiquitous as in seasons past.
One-shoulder dressing:
While this may be a somewhat unfortunate trend for most women, there’s no denying it — especially after the looks on the Oscar’s red carpet last Sunday. Designers are loving one-shouldered goddess gowns. Come April and May, it should be the silhouette of choice for the most fashion-forward of prom girls.
Plaid:
Expect to see many, many “Mad for Plaid!” headlines come fall. Designers gave it edge with tucking and draping that evoked Alexander McQueen more than Eddie Bauer.
Futurism:
The trend that started in Paris has landed in New York. Designers are envisioning a future in which we roam a devastated landscape in tough-girl leathers and artfully patched and ragged knits. And no, I don’t think people will walk around in this look from head-to-toe, but there were some pretty cool pieces to pull out and wear on their own.
My favorite shows
Excuse the self-indulgence here, but this is a question I always get from readers, so I thought I’d share it with one and all. It was an unusual season in that many designers pared their guest lists to save on costs, so I didn’t get to see the shows that usually knock my stilettos off, such as Vera Wang, Isaac Mizrahi and Marchesa. Still, there was plenty, PLENTY, to love.
My favorites, in no particular order.
1. Chado Ralph Rucci — Incredibly conceived, beautifully designed mature clothing at the highest level of craftsmanship.
2. Rodarte – For vision and cohesiveness, no other collection came close to the Mulleavy sisters’ weird, fantastical world.
3. Michael Kors — Great American sportswear, period.
4. Ralph Lauren — Ralph Lauren knows who he is and what he sells — upper-class lifestyle, and the clothes to wear in it. A confident collection of dandified classics.
5. Yeohlee — Spare, stark and austerely beautiful.
6. Calvin Klein Collection — Similar in tone to Yeohlee, but with more experimentation in high-tech fabrics.
7. Lela Rose — A delight in textural opposites; think silk dresses layered smartly under ribbed cashmere coats.
8. Malandrino — A smoky, sometimes surrealist take on 1930s noir, making copious use of netting, veiling and tulle overlays on body-conscious dresses.
9. Thakoon – A fascinating collection, with sculpted pieces in felted wool and printed georgettes, with a handful of well-crafted capes and jackets.
10. Doo.Ri — Moody, beautifully draped jersey dressing gained rock ‘n’ roll glamour with subtle touches of fur and crystal-bedecked stockings.
Celeb sightings In keeping with the subdued nature of the shows this season, celeb sightings were as rare as a fat person in the tents. That said, I did spot Diana Ross (still fabulous), Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Eva Longoria, Blake Lively and Lucy Liu (both way more beautiful in person, if that’s possible), Nicole Richie (maybe pregnant again?), January Jones, Rachel Bilson, Elijah Wood (so small I could put him my pocket), Kirsten Dunst, Milla Jovovich and White House Social Secretary Desiree Rogers (very elegant).
