|
|
It was announced earlier in the week that according to a poll of its readers Parade Magazine has found that of all the reality-TV-stars-run-amok and psycho-celebs out there, the one that grates on America’s nerves like no other is Kim Kardashian. Not exactly a shocker considering that anyone who owns a computer, TV or pair of eyeballs for that matter has spent the last few months being bombarded with images of the Kardashian clan selling their new clothing line with Sears, promoting their numerous reality TV ventures or gearing up for Kim’s wedding to basketball star Kris Humphries.
It should also come as no surprise that the fashion world is suffering from just as much Kardashian fatigue as the viewers at home. What is interesting though is that Parade’s poll comes a few short weeks after a New York Times article proclaiming the recently married Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, to be fashion’s newly anointed savior not only because of her grace and taste but because, as the Times put it “she is the anti-Kardashian.”
So there you have it, the newest spectrum of love and loathe in the fashion world. On one end a reality TV star who carries herself like a queen and on the other a young socialite who one day will be. However the differences between Kim and Kate don’t start and end with what the TV cameras see. With her modeling career, her chain of retail stores and now a clothing collection available worldwide Kim Kardashian has long been seen as a driving force in fashion, whether she is driving it in the right direction is a matter of personal opinion. Kate Middleton has also managed to be a force to be reckoned with in fashion, but where Kim is very fashion forward Kate has clearly gone the more traditional path. Which is why it is so intriguing to see her considered an innovator.
Has modern fashion jumped the shark in it’s own way? Could it be that traditional tastes and more elegant and timeless style is now so out of place in a world full of designers trying to out-do one and other that classic is the new fashion forward? Or is this more of a matter of “it’s not what you wear but how you wear it”; with a shameless self promoter being pitted against a woman who just turned down the cover of Vogue to follow more charitable pursuits stirring a desire from fashionistas everywhere to see celebrity that celebrates something other than itself?
Regardless of whether it is their unique styles or the substance of their very difference personal character that is driving this division, one thing is clear: fashion watchers the world over have placed Kim Kardashian on one end of the spectrum with Kate Middleton holding up the other. Either way the most important question for anyone to ask themselves about this new Kardashian-Middleton index is (as it always is in the fashion world)which side is your style on?
Homecoming season is upon us, and ladies no need to stress, Promgirl.net is here for your dresses and accessories. If you are prone to stress or just have been overwhelmed by the new school year and can’t seem to find the time to de-stress and do yoga or even sleep, good news has finally arrived. On behalf of Refinery 29, Promgirl.net has provided you with some tips on keeping a fresh face amongst all the stress and dark circles.
Since most of you have a lower salary, for our fans still in high school anyway, your babysitting money should cover the cost of a few of the products – so to be considerate I will start with the more affordable products. However, don’t over look the fact that the less expensive may be so for a reason…if one item is $15 and another is $45, check how many wipes or how much cream per fluid ounce you are getting. It may be worth your while in certain cases to splurge.
To start off, Radiance Eye Cream is the first on the list. “The chamomile, cucumber, and rosehip extracts will help reduce puffiness and swelling,” reported Refinery 21.The eye cream is an all natural remedy and comes to you from Burt’s Bees, plus it is also the most economical. The cream goes for $19.99 and is available at Ricky’s and at most other locations Burt’s Bees is presented. Our second option only empties our pockets for only another $5 bringing the cost of our second product to $24 at Sephora. The item is by First Aid Beauty and is their Detox Eye Roller. This product uses caffeine and witch hazel to wake up your face! That’s right; caffeine has more uses than just getting you through a Monday, now it can get you through a Friday night as well…talk about day-to-night looks!
The next product on our list is Elizabeth Grant’s Vitamin C Illuminating Eye Pads. As one could gather from the name, these eye pads use a vitamin C base, while more conspicuous information about the product was provided by Refinery21. Not to name drop, but Refinery21 claims fans of Elizabeth Grant’s Vitamin C Illuminating Eye Pads are, “Brooke Shields, Will & Jada Pinkett Smith and Blake Lively.” The eye pads are available anywhere Elizabeth Grant is sold for $35. Not yet getting to steep in price is our next contender, is Korres, Wild Rose Face and Eye Serum. Once again, we see Vitamin C as the base of this product. However, that is only half of it, as this product is a two-in-one treatment claiming to give you “your money’s worth.” The other half is powered by baobab tree ploys and is sold at Sephora for a reasonable $41.
Our final option jumps up in price range making the cost a whopping $100. The product is Kerstin Florian’s Eye Rescue Pads. Refinery21 explains why it may cost so much, “Eye Rescue is not your typical eye pad. Made from a collagen like marine fiber called Chitosan, indigenous to the coast of Norway, these pads will reduce trans-dermal water loss – a major cause of dark circles.” Also, it is a very new product, and will not be available until January 2012, and even then, one can only buy it at Kerstin Florian.
For the past few days the rumor mill has been alive with talk of American Vogue chasing the newly minted Duchess of Cambridge with the hopes of making her their newest cover girl. According to a story by The New York Post, Vogue editor and chief Anna Wintour is hoping to get Kate Middleton on the cover of her mag in the next few months with the help of veteran Vogue photographer and personal friend of William and Kate, Mario Testino. Testino was after all the one who shot Will and Kate’s official engagement photos so it would make sense that the trusted friend of the couple would be the best choice to shoot the world’s favorite royal for the world’s premier fashion mag.
However since Kate is not only fashion royalty, but actual royalty as well, the quest to get her on the cover of Vogue may be too much even for the mighty and powerful Anna Wintour to pull off. Sources close to the royal family told The Post that “every magazine has been trying to get Kate, and many assume it will eventually be Vogue. But even with the Mario Testino relationship, it is not clear when this will happen. The Palace must approve it, and they are very protective of Kate.”
So far that protection has been needed, as Kate’s unauthorized cover appearances, though few, have always managed to stir controversy. First was Italian women’s mag Grazia which featured the just married Kate on their cover shortly after the royal wedding and was immediately chastised by the world media for what appeared to be Photoshop work designed to make the already svelte Duchess look even skinnier, after months of denial the mag finally fessed up to the editing work though months later it is still their image that is in need of retouching. Next was the digital nightmare that was Newsweek’s Photoshopped cover featuring Kate and zombie Princess Diana which was again roundly panned, this time for bad taste.
Considering the fact that is it impossible to keep unauthorized images of Kate off magazine covers many are saying that the Palace should pick their battles and given the Duchess a chance to have some control over her image. Clearly there is no better choice then a Mario Testino spread for Vogue, so long as Anna Wintour gives the Photoshop department the day off.
Are you ready for the empowered perfume of the year? Well, Sasha Fierce is certainly ready for it. Beyonce may be preparing for her and Renaissance man, Jay-Z’s baby, but her on-stage alter ego, Sasha Fierce, has prepared and inspired her for Beyonce’s new perfume, Pulse. Beyonce explains, “I wanted to bring something that’s inside every woman to make her feel confident and feel like she can have all of the men,” which is the same way Beyonce explained who Sasha Fierce is to her fans and the fellow music listening public. Beyonce continued with, “It [Pulse] brings out your inner beauty and your confidence and makes you feel like you leave a long-lasting impression on someone.”
Beyonce has come out with perfumes previous to Pulse. However, this is the first of the three she has created that have been inspired by her alter-ego, Sasha Fierce. The first of the Beyonce trilogy is called Heat and its successor is called Heat Rush. Beyonce feels, when comparing the first two to her new fragrance, Pulse, Pulse comes off “a bit fresher,” she says. And, the scent…Pulse consists of citrus aromas, contrasted by the classic vanilla. As Beyonce inspiration mainly came from Sasha Fierce, on-stage diva, Beyonce also has a great love and respect for iconic strong female figures and said, “I always meet strong, powerful women and they always have a signature scent.” Clearly, Beyonce knows she is strong and powerful and wanted to join in on the fun.
As Beyonce’s pregnancy seems to be getting more publicity than anything right now, Beyonce commented on the gossip and her bun in the oven, “There were so many rumors about me being pregnant every three months for the past couple of years — I thought the best way and classiest way was to just show it. And my husband and I have been together for 10 years, so I guess people felt a part of it and it makes me feel really good.”
Pulse, by Beyonce had its big release this past Wednesday (September 21, 2011). It is now available in Macy*s nationwide as well as any store one can purchase cosmetics and perfumes.
Mariah Carey is among the many celebrities breaking into the beauty market. However, for Mariah, this isn’t her first run let alone her second run in the cosmetics market. Mariah has quite a few perfume collections on the shelves and with the success of her more recent perfume, Lollipop Bling, Mariah has done something very familiar to her original line of work –music – and created a remix. Yes, Mariah created follow-up perfumes, if you will, to her original Lollipop Bling perfume, making them remix perfumes. (Kudos on the creativity Mariah and team!)
The first of the Lollipop perfumes, Lollipop Bling, is inspired by Mariah’s engagement. On Mariah’s interactive perfume website she tells us the engagement story, and in short said, “Nick surprised me with a hefty diamond ring inside the wrapper of a lollipop ring [a ring pop].” From this beautifully romantic inspiration, Mariah got the idea for a song, Candy Bling, on her newest album, Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel. Mariah continues by telling us that once Elizabeth Arden –the cosmetic empire’s owner – listened to her song, Mariah says, “That’s when Lollipop Bling was born!” So, in case you didn’t know, Mariah’s new success is due to an awesome children’s treat, ring pops…and Nick Cannon.
The original Lollipop Bling consists of three scents: Honey, Mine Again and Ribbon. Honey is what Mariah refers to as “sun-drenched sensuality” with its major scents being honey and pineapple. Mine Again is what Mariah calls “dangerously delicious” and mainly consists of chocolate raspberry and magnolia. The third and final scent of the original Lollipop Bling is Ribbon. This one may be Mariah’s favorite as it is mainly inspired by the blue raspberry ring pop and smells fruity and floral.
And finally, the Remixes! This time, possibly inspired by the music theme, Mariah named each of the three remixed perfumes after three of her songs. We have Vision of Love, Never Forget You, and Inseparable. Vision of Love is our fuchsia bottled friend smelling of French macaroon and purple jasmine. Never Forget You is outstanding in orange with peony and jelly bean aromas. Inseparable is pretty in pink and recalls fruit and flowers with some pear and some orange flower. Each bottle will sell for $35.00 online and where ever Elizabeth Arden products are sold.
From New York City, New York to London, England to Milan, Italy, fashion is literally making its way around the world. Fashion Week has truly taken over, and for those of you who have been keeping up with Fashion Week you know that quite well. As Fashion Week left New York and London, Milan has become the next stop and today history was made. However, do not get too excited as it is somewhat depressing news. Dolce & Gabbana’s D&G clothing line will be no more. The brand has decided to merge D&G with Dolce & Gabbana’s mainline. It was mentioned months ago that Spring 2012 would be D&G’s last run, and as we saw in today’s runway show, the brand will follow through with the rumored statement.
The brands owners, Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana, released a statement about the ending and the merger saying that they believe it will add “even more strength and energy to our collections.” However, Women’s Wear Daily (WWD) reported that Dolce & Gabbana’s D&G line was a huge money maker for the company. An anonymous retailer commented on the end/merge with itself saying, “[Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana] want to focus on one single brand, Dolce & Gabbana, I don’t understand, because D&G is a line that makes 400 million euros [$543 million CAD]. It’s young and flexible and it’s doing really well. It’s a lot to ask retailers. In my case, for example, I don’t carry the signature line, but I’ve never missed a season with D&G. Domenico and Stefano are clever, though, so they must have thought this out and consider it a wise strategic move.”
Many people in the fashion industry and the business world are questioning the team’s decision. Some agree with the anonymous retailer, while others, like an Italian retailer who commented on the situation as well believe it is good. The Italian retailer’s reasoning’s surround this fact, “There was some confusion surrounding them [the two lines], and the D&G pricing was too close to that of Dolce & Gabbana.”
Whatever comes of this change, people seem to have faith in the brand and Domenico and Stefano. As it may be, on behalf of Promgirl.net, we wish them the best of luck with their business ventures and upcoming lines.
Yves Saint Laurent is popping up in the news again. Recently, Yves Saint Laurent has been getting a lot of publicity. Said publicity is due to the lawsuit against the fashion house surrounding the red sole controversy filed by Christian Louboutin back in August. (If you want read more about the legal issue refer to our promgirl.net news article, http://news.promgirl.net/?p=394 . And if that’s not enough for you check out our promgirl.net blog at http://blog.promgirl.net/?p=822 !) This time Yves Saint Laurent is in the news for better reasons, they have announced their new face of their classic perfume, Opium. And, drum roll please…Emily Blunt, the sweet Brit actress. Emily Blunt is rather well-known as she has performed alongside some great actors like Matt Damon, in the more recent film, The Adjustment Bureau, and legend Anthony Hopkins in, The Wolfman. However, Emily’s big splash into Hollywood was with one of America’s greatest actresses, Meryl Streep in the fashion conscious flick, The Devil Wears Prada. And speaking of fashion, Ms. Blunt is always commended for her great red carpet looks. Emily is flawless in Marchesa, stunning in Dolce & Gabbana, absolutely gorgeous in Eli Saab, and now Ms. Blunt is trying Yves Saint Laurent on for size. The size, as described by Renaud de Lesquen, president of YSL will, “unveil a fiery, almost reckless woman with magnetic seduction, that nobody or nothing can resist.” Intriguing…
The ad campaign for YSL’s Opium, has been announced to make its launch sometime next month (in October 2011). Unfortunately, YSL has taken some heat in the past for their Opium ads. The broadcasting companies hope the adorable Emily Blunt will not stir up as much controversy as in the past. The first controversy hit in 2000 when the ASA – Advertising Standards Authority – banned their ads staring Sophie Dahl with not too much on but the perfume, and the second time around for, “running her finger down her inner arm could be seen to simulate the injection of opiates into the body,” said the ASA, deeming the ad “irresponsible and unacceptable for broadcast.”
Let’s just hope YSL keeps it classy. As I am sure John Kraskinski (Mr. Emily Blunt) also hopes.
If the last few weeks, or for that matter years, have taught us anything it is that Lindsay Lohan and the fashion world don’t take too kindly to each other. From her disastrous days as creative director of Ungaro to her glass throwing antics at this year’s New York fashion week when Lindsay’s name pops up in fashion news it is usually not a positive mention, however news broke today that German label Phillip Plein is looking to buck that trend; or at least cash in on her negative reputation.
The company announced via press release that Lindsay will be modeling for their Spring 2012 collection and if their most recent ad campaign is any indicator the looks will be very skin baring and very bizarre, which come to think of it should suit Lilo just fine. “Lindsay is a beautiful, highly acclaimed actress and model” Mr. Plein was quoted as saying in the company’s press release which went on to explain “we will be able to create unique images; refined and luxurious, but also full of sensuality.” So far so good, though the refined part probably only applies to the clothes. Lindsay is currently heading to Milan where she will take in the Phillip Plein runway show from the front row.
Many in the fashion world are already criticizing Phillip Plein for the blatant publicity grab, which is clearly working considering many in the fashion world didn’t know of Phillip Plein’s existence prior to the press release announcing Lindsay’s newest job. What remains to be seen is how well the actual job will work out. Lindsay has done solid modeling work in the past, but these days nothing that she is involved in is a sure thing. At this point we’re wondering if the publicity will last and if it does will it translate into sales for Phillip Plein or will they be remembered simply as “that company that hired Lilo for shock value”?
Clainfornia is at it again. The liberal state has decided to try their luck at passing a few more laws. The section of West Hollywood specifically is in the process of getting another law passed.This one is in the fight for animal rights. West Hollywood is synonymous with animal rights activism; they have gotten laws voted in, in the past including not having pets sold at pet stores and not allowing cat gaurdians (they are not pets and owners but companions and gaurdians) to declaw their cat companions. This new ordinance will prevent retailers located within West Hollywood from selling merchnadise containing fur, hair, or any animal pelts. However, leather is not included in this law and fur, hair, and pelts can still be used in furniture.
As the reasoning behind the specifics of this ordinance are slightly skewed, you could imagine that many people are in fact putting up a fight against it becoming a true law (still, only in West Hollywood). And, as one could assume, retailers are the most aggravated by the new ban. Fur coats and other fur-trimmed accessories tend be on quite the expensive side which generally translates to more money for the retailer. Thus, a clear understanding as to why they are so outraged by the ordinance (which in my opinion needs more of an explaination).
President of the West Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, Genevieve Morrill, spoke on the fur ban saying, “It would absolutely diminish the city as a fashion capital.” As the fur ban is prohibiting sale of clothing containing fur, though excuses leather and furniture containing fur, it is doubtful that this ban would change the country’s feelings and stance on fur, but would definitely punish the West Hollywood retailers.
West Hollywood Councilman John D’Amico, a sponsor of the fur ban says, “This is a tiny city, so it’s mostly symbolic… I think the impact will be heard from here to Fifth Avenue. People will talk about what a fur ban means in a new way.”
Personally, I agree with Ms. Morrill. No one is going to change their mind about fur because one town is trying to ban it (ever see Footloose…those kids loved to dance, just like Hollywood divas love to sport fur). It seems more like the animal activists have a vendetta on high end retail. And lastly, why is fur in furniture and leather O.K.? I am interested to hear what the readers think as this could turn into a very opinionated debate…
Yesterday we covered the winners of the 2011 Emmy’s, so today lets discuss the less fashionable celebrities that walked the red carpet. For starters, we saw bare midriffs, high slits, and sea creatures? I don’t know what they were thinking; all I can say is Rachael Zoe was probably not styling any of those ladies. Why didn’t these girls catch on to the simplistic trend? The most talked about fashion faux pas was fashions good friend, Gwyneth Paltrow. Gwyneth is well known for her amazing acting skills, but fashion seems to be a hit or miss thing for her. We loved her elegant pink Ralph Lauren gown from red carpets past, but this year’s red carpet present was not so hot. She was adorned in a sheer Pucci two piece dress. The two pieces is where she went wrong; the skirt was floor length, however the top fell a bit short. Essentially, Gwyneth rocked a belly shirt at the Emmy’s, and not one person seemed to get it, or like it.
Next, let’s talk about the sea creatures. Unfortunately, Project Runway host, Heidi Klum didn’t represent for best fashion while she was representing former Project Runway contestant, Christian Siriano’s designs. Heidi looked cute from the waist up in this neutral toned strapless dress, but the bottom of the skirt appeared to be taken over by a gigantic sea sponge. Our other sea themed outfit of the night belongs to Julianna Margulies. Designed by Armani, Julianna’s dress was a pearly white floor-length gown and unlike Heidi, the top of the dress looked like it emerged from the sea. It appeared to be a larger than life sand dollar wrapped around Julianna’s torso. Some thought it looked like the moon or something from space.
Lastly, did anyone see the zombie on the red carpet? Oh, wait, that was Paz de la Huerta. Paz de who you ask? Ms. de la Huerta is known for playing the provocative female character on HBO’s and Martin Scorsese’s Boardwalk Empire. Last season, she was kicked to the side by Steve Buscemi’s character, however this coming season – starting Sunday, September 25th, 2011 – she will be back with a vengeance. Paz wore a Versace gown in a light pink, but everything else just looked a hot mess. Her hair, her makeup, her poses…she evoked a brunette zombie of Paris Hilton. However, coming from Paz, this is not much of a surprise as she tends to look and act in ways reminiscent of Courtney Love. Yikes.
|
|
