Liz Claiborne … she’ll be missed
It was 1976 and Liz Claiborne was in Oklahoma City for Fashion Week.
Yes, Oklahoma City really had it own Fashion Week.
Six months earlier, Claiborne had started her own company with clothing geared to women entering the workforce.
“I don’t want to dress a few beautiful people who have lots of money,” Claiborne told a reporter during her visit.
“To me that (working women’s fashions) is the natural area for designing. They’re more interesting people, more vital.”
Working women across the country embraced her affordable sportswear, mix-and-match pieces that could be combined to make dozens of looks.
Claiborne died Tuesday. She was 78.
She quickly became known as the American woman’s favorite designer because she paid attention to style, quality, fit and price.
What endeared the company and the designer to women across the country was that they felt a kinship with Claiborne, herself a working woman. She understood what women wanted from their clothes and how they wanted to dress.
Though she stepped down from day-to-day operations in 1989, the company continued to prosper and now has more than 40 brands in its portfolio, including Ellen Tracy, Dana Buchman, Juicy Couture, Lucky Brand Jeans, Laundry by Shelli Segal and, of course, Liz Claiborne.
The name recognition continues. Last year, Liz Claiborne was the No. 10 best known fashion brand according to an annual survey by Women’s Wear Daily. Women still love the brand for its fashion and value.
And to think her father never wanted her to design.
“He always said 7th Avenue (home of the fashion markets in New York) had the reputation of being a jungle,” she said during that visit to Oklahoma City. “And he was right, it is a jungle.
“It’s not a ladylike field at all. But I think it’s fascinating. I love it … You just have to get used to the mentality.”
Women everywhere are thankful she did.
Flip-flops that tone your legs
Yes, ladies, that’s the claim of FitFlops, which load your leg muscles more so you get a workout while you walk.
The shoes were developed at the Centre for Human Performance at LSBU in London.
Every step you take in the FitFlop helps tone and trim your legs. According to press info, a multi-density midsole activates muscles midstep to help tone thighs, calves and glutes by slightly destabilizing the foot as you walk, creating a continous tension in the leg and buttock muscles.
Word is FitFlops are biomechanically engineered to improve core muscle strength, absorb shock on feet, knees and back, encourage better posture, burn calories, help reduce cellulite and lessen joint strain – all with a powerful new built-in micro-wobbleboard workout-enhancing mechanism.
FitFlops launched in the UK in May, and sold out in a week.
They’re selling well here, too, and some stores are already out.
FitFlops are available for $39.95 at Bath & Body Works stores (www.bathandbodyworks.com), www.blissworld.com and www.thefitflop.com. FitFlops are available in women’s sizes 6-10 in red and black.
If you already own a pair of FitFlops, let us know if you like them, and more importantly, if they really work. I know I’m willing to invest in a pair of shoes that will tone my butt. How about you?
Get Reba’s glam look
Who noticed Reba McEntire’s glam and polished makeup during the Academy of Country Music Awards television show?
The man responsible was celebrity makeup artist Brett Freedman, who shares how he created the Oklahoma singer’s “hi-fi” look.
“I really wanted to do something glamorous on Reba that would give pop to her look for her hosting duties and her performance (duet with Kelly Clarkson),” he said. “Generally I do a cleaner, more subtle look for her when she does TV… saving something with more drama for print shoots. The response was great Everyone loved the glammed Reba.”
All the products were MAC.
For the face: Mineralize Satinfinish SPF 15 Foundation and Skinfinish Powder to give her skin a dewy, youthful glow.
On the lips: Lip pencil in Stripdown on the entire lip and tinted Lipglass in First Bloom. “Since her eyes were the focus, I wanted something that gave definition with a hint of warmth and sweetness.”
For the eyes: The goal: smoked eyes with a bit of winged cat-eye. Eye Kohl in Smolder, eye shadow in Scene, smudged all over, and eye shadow in Knight Devine. The goal: smoked eyes with a bit of winged cat-eye.
“I wet this shimmering shadow and used on her lids only to catch light and give some depth,” Freedman said.
On the cheeks: Powder blush in Peaches, for an all-over color. Powder blush in Springsheen applied from apples to temples to “modernize” her cheekbones and balance her dramatic eyes.
Busting out with Jessica Simpson
If Jessica Simpson’s goal was to get attention at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala in New York, she succeeded BIG time.
Everyone’s talking about her dress — or to be more exact, what was not in the dress.
Got any thoughts on her look?
Beauty awards
Looking for a new beauty product or two? The Cosmetic Executive Women named these as the most innovative beauty product launches of the year.
If you’ve already tried one or more, leave a comment and let us all know if it’s worthy of the honor.
Acne Treatment $10 and over: MD Skincare by Dr. Dennis Gross All-Over Blemish Solution
Acne Treatment under $10: Neutrogena Rapid Clear Pads
Anti-Aging $30 and over: Patricia Wexler M.D. Dermatology Wexler Intensive Night Reversal & Repair Cream
Anti-Aging under $30: Olay Definity Deep Penetrating Foaming Moisturizer
Cleanser & Scrub $12 and over: Clinique Liquid Facial Soap
Cleanser & Scrub under $12: Dove Energy Glow Skin Brightening Facial Cleanser
Eye Treatment $20 and over: Avon Anew Clinical Eye Lift
Eye Treatment under $20: Tweezerman After Tweeze Soothing Cream
Lip Treatment $14 and over: FusionBeauty LipFusion XL
Lip Treatment under $14: tarte fRxtion Sugar Exfoliator & Lip Balm Duo
Moisturizer $30 and over: Shiseido Cosmetics Shiseido White Lucent Brightening Moisturizing Cream
Moisturizer under $30: Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream
Peel and Mask $25 and over: Shiseido Cosmetics Benefiance Pure Retinol Face Mask
Peel & Mask under $25: Lumene Time Freeze Instant Lift Mask
Men’s Skincare $15 and over: Kiehl’s Eye Alert and The Art of Shaving Body Scrub with Tangerine and Eucalyptus Essential Oils (tie)
Eye Product $15 and over: Chanel Inimitable Mascara
Eye Product under $15: CoverGirl LashExact Mascara
Face Product $18 and over: SK-II AirTouch Foundation
Face Product under $18: M.A.C Cosmetics Studio Touch-Up Stick
Lip Product $15 and over: Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Satin Lip Colour
Lip Product under $15: Bourjois Paris Effet 3D Mobile Cell Phone Charm
Hair Care & Coloring Product $15 and over: Frédéric Fekkai Ageless Damage-Defense Capsules
Hair Care & Coloring Product under $15: John Frieda Professional Hair Care Luminous Color Glaze
Body Treatment $15 and over: Origins Natural Resources Modern Friction for the Body
Body Treatment under $15: Dove Energy Glow Shimmering Lotion
Scented Bath & Body $15 and over: C.O. Bigelow Lemon Cream Body Wash
Scented Bath & Body under $15: Olay Body Wash plus Ribbons
Nail Care & Color under $12: Avon Instant Manicure
Sun Product $15 and over: Clarins Sun Wrinkle Control Eye Contour Care SPF 30 and La Roche-Posay Anthelios SX (tie)
Sun Product under $15: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry Touch Sunblock SPF 55
Women’s Scent $35 and over: Prada Eau de Parfum Tendre by Prada
Women’s Scent under $35: Grassroots Happily Ever After and Sonia Kashuk Beauty at Target Sonia’s Solid Perfume Palette (tie)
Men’s Sent $30 and over: Sean John Fragrances/Estée Lauder Unforgivable by Sean John
INDIE BEAUTY AWARD: skyn ICELAND
Most of these products are available at department stores, Sephora, Ulta, CVS, Eckerd and and mass merchandisers such as Target and Wal-Mart.
Gisele spreads her wings
Perhaps you’ve seen Gisele Bundchen, the world’s top model, on the runway for Victoria’s Secret or in the chain’s catalogs.
Well, no more. The model has parted ways with Victoria’s Secret, according to The Daily, an online source for all things fashion and beauty.
Word is Victoria’s Secret was unable to meet Gisele’s financial terms.
Gisele signed a multi-year contract with Victoria’s Secret in 2000 and became the star for its lingerie, beauty and hosiery campaigns in print, TV and online. She also was featured prominently in the yearly televised runway shows.
In 2006, Forbes magazine named the Brazilian the highest-paid model in the industry.
Thin is not in for hair
Frederic Fekkai is taking aim at thin hair with a new four-step hair care system called Fekkai More.
The system, according to press information, fosters a healthy, more energized scalp and visibly improves hair density.
The lineup includes Scalp-Purifying Shampoo, Root-Nourishing Conditioner, All-Day Density Styling Whip and Nighttime Follicle-Boosting Treatment — all contain Fekkai’s exclusive Niaplex continuous release of niacin for fuller, thicker hair.
The two most common causes of hair thinning are heredity and DHT build-up on the scalp. The products claim to remove residue, pollutants and DHT build-up; increase oxygenation thereby energizing the hair follicles and the scalp; and build the scalp’s natural barrier for optimum hair health.
The products, available at Sephora, aren’t cheap. Shampoo and conditioner ar $24.50 each; the styling whip is $25 and the follicle-boosting treatment is $35. A four-piece kit is available for $100.
What’s a great-looking, full head of hair worth?
SJP’s new clothes
Who among us is surprised that actress and fashion leader Sarah Jessica Parker is introducing her own clothing line?
The collection, called Bitten, is expected to be high-quality, affordably priced sportswear for women of all ages and sizes.
According to online reports, the pieces will be sold exclusively at all Steve & Barry’s locations beginning June 7, with every item priced at $19.98 or less.
Why Bitten? Word is she became “bitten” with Steve & Barry’s after her first visit. Read more in my column in The Oklahoman on March 25.
FYI: There’s a Steve & Barry’s in Crossroads Mall.
Sarah Jessica Parker … her clothing line is in the works.
Fashion Week: Hats on
What do fashionistas wear when temperatures hover in the teens and a wicked wind sucks the fun out of almost everything … except a fashion show?
Hats — aviator fur hats, Russian trooper hats, knit caps, berets, fur head wraps. I saw so many one day that for a minute I thought I was in the Alaskan tundra.
We all know once you put on a hat you better not take it off until you’re safe and warm back home. Or at least at your hotel. Hat hair is never stylish.
Fashion Week Day 5
More from Fashion Week.
SIGNATURE COACH: No funds for a Coach bag? Maybe you’ll like the smell of this.
Reed Krakoff, president and creative director of Coach, opened his home (well, two of his five floors) to celebrate the launch of the company’s new fragrance. The scent is a special blend of soft florals.
“We wanted it to be pretty with a romantic feel. There’s a lightness to it but at the same time a richness,” he said.
Krakoff said he wanted it to be young, fun and a fragrance that women knew was worth investing in.
The signature fragrance will be available in Coach stores beginning March 5.
THE BEST FREEBIE: Free cab rides courtesy of Cotton Incorporated. Vouchers are being passed out in front of the tents, but they’re good for only one hour each day. Cabs are lined up across the street, ready for the masses when they leave the shows. With temperatures in teens much of this week, no one’s going to turn down a cab ride — free or not!
QUOTE OF THE DAY FROM ANOTHER FASHION WRITER AT THE BETSEY JOHNSON RUNWAY SHOW: “I’m tired of watching clothes in the coach section. It’s a little tight in here.”
SKINNY MESSAGE: The Council of Fashion Designers of America addressed the ultra-skinny model issue, but I wonder if they knew what was included in the official Fashion Week press bags — boxes of Relacore dietary supplements and NV rapid weight loss pills. Oops!
