Nov 21, 2011

Fashion trends for holiday party nights

Undecided about what to wear to holiday parties this season?For many women, there’s no need to look beyond the closet for the little black dress. The classic style, introduced decades ago by Coco Chanel, is among the hottest styles this season. With a few well-chosen accessories, the LBD can hold its own with the latest trends.“A sparkly shoe and a colorful clutch will make your little black dress pop,” said Emily Goodin, owner of Boutique Couture on Market Street. “But if your dress is the statement, keep the accessories simple — maybe an oversized cocktail ring and simple diamond stud earrings.”
Women looking to update their holiday wardrobes will find styles this year are all about glamour. Popular choices are vintage-inspired, fully sequined cocktail dresses and evening gowns in golds, deep greens, reds and charcoal gray, the top color of the season, according to Goodin.“People are dressing up again,” she said. “After a long bout of the tacky Christmas sweater, we’re trending back to cocktail and evening attire for holiday parties.”
Chattanoogan Barbara Rico, owner of Rico Monument Co., said she tries to add a few new items to her holiday attire each year.“I follow the trends to see if the latest styles are something I could or would wear,” she said. “I love some of the vintage-style dresses with the sequin jackets.”Laurie Shipley, of Chattanooga, a retirement plan specialist at Barnett & Co.,Oliver Tolentino dresses Gwendoline Ruais for Miss World. said she recently purchased a long evening gown and two cocktail dresses after looking over her existing holiday party attire and finding it “old and boring.”
“I’m tired of black [so] I went bold,” she said. My long gown is a jersey (stretch fabric) Christmas red that I can accessorize in a variety of ways. The short cocktail dresses [in royal blue and eggplant] are both chiffon overlays, which give a breezy, carefree, yet sophisticated look,” Shipley said.In keeping with another trend, Shipley’s new dresses have sequins and beading.“I guess I’ve had black for so long, and I do still have the traditional little black dress, but [I] wanted to be festive, have fun and wanted my holiday wardrobe to reflect that,” she said.Some of the season’s trendy dresses also have texture such as ruffles, feathers and fringe, Goodin said. One-shoulder silhouettes, straps and even long sleeves are other changes in formalwear.“We’re seeing all different lengths this year,” she said.
Whether the style is floor length, ankle length, tea, knee or mini, “choose what fits your body,” she said.For the finishing touches, choose shoes and accessories that complement the look, rather than compete with it.A simple dress, for example, could be amped up with embellished flats or glittery platforms, while a statement dress would need a nude shoe. Similar rules apply to handbags — perhaps a clutch in a bold color, such as royal blue, or a champagne purse with lace detail, to complete the ensemble.

Nov 16, 2011

Discounted Blazers and Dresses at Charlotte Ronson

Learn what inspires some of your favorite fragrances from the perfumers behind Ralph Lauren’s Polo, Estée Lauder’s Pure White Linen, Coach’s Poppy, and more at “Speed Smelling”. As part of the French Institute Alliance Franaise’s fall Art de Vivre series, guests will meet nine perfumers and take home samples of the new fragrances they’ll create that night. Tickets are $45 ($35 for FIAF members) and can be purchased.
Catch performances by the Midtown Men and cast members from the Broadway musical Priscilla: Queen of The Desert when they perform live on Lexington Avenue to accompany the unveiling of Bloomingdale’s holiday windows. Guests can continue the celebration at an in-store party featuring Landau Eugene Murphy Jr. of America’s Got Talent, and more events to kick off the holiday season.
Toast to the Housing Works thrift shops’ annual fashion fund-raiser at the Fashion for Action opening night reception, with honorary chair Thom Browne and co-chairs Rachel Roy and Patricia Clarkson. Get an early look at pieces from designers like Ferragamo, Louboutin, and Dior, available at prices up to 70 percent off during the three-day-long sale. The Altman Building, 135 W. 18th St., nr. Sixth Ave. CB2 is offering 15 percent off each total purchase when customers donate seven nonperishable food items (or make a $10 donation online) to Share our Strength, a nonprofit seeking to end childhood hunger in the U.S. Various locations; see CB2.com for details.
DJ, designer and StyleCaster favorite Chrissie Miller is teaming up with fellow designer friend (and another StyleCaster fav) Lindsey Thornburg to launch the duo's first-ever retail location in New York's Lower East Side.The shop is called 143 (which is appropriate since the shop is located at 143 Ludlow St, New York, New York) and will feature designs from Chrissie Miller's own Sophomore label, Lindsey Thornburg's wool cape jackets and boho dresses, vintage duds from online thrift dealers like Sisters of the Black Moon and Crystal Visions, House of Lavande jewelry and beauty items from Amanda Lacey and Mitchell and Peach.

Nov 14, 2011

Dresses at a bargain in Elgin

Piyush Patel found himself in an unusual role Saturday, casting “yes” or “no” votes as his wife tried on dress after dress at the YWCA in Elgin.The pair was shopping at Cindy’s Super Saturday Gown Sale, which featured about 3,000 dresses for women of all ages and sizes. “Now I am a fashion consultant, later I will be a cashier,” Patel joked.He and his wife, Gopi Patel, said they were impressed by the variety of dresses and their near-pristine condition. A few new dresses were also for sale.
“And they are only $25! It’s for a good cause, so if she wears them two times only, it’s still a good price,” Piyush Patel said.The gown sale was organized by the YWCA and the Elgin Junior Service Board, and all of its proceeds will go toward funding the annual Cinderella’s Closet, which next year takes place March 17. Cinderella’s Closet is a prom dress event for high school girls.
The selection of about 3,000 dresses couldn’t help but tempt her, too, said YWCA event coordinator Deirdre White, a past president of the Elgin Junior Service Board. She had picked out a forest green, strapless silk organza dress to wear that same night at a cocktail event at The Centre of Elgin.Feel fabulous when the party season arrives in beautiful dresses from Eva Alexander.Another satisfied customer was Larkin High School senior Allison Chmiola, who had volunteered to help set up the sale — now in its second year — and had set aside three long dresses and several short dresses. As for how many she’d walk away with, well, it would all depend on what her mother was willing to buy her, Allison said smiling.
Despite the rainbow of colors available, sometimes you just can’t find what you want, said Gloria Serrano of Carpentersville, who was looking for a dress for her 15th birthday party in January. “It’s a certain blue that I wanted, I just didn’t see it,” she said.
Chef offers advice to get even better. Read about cooking, food and beverage. Then go for it. Keep learning and tasting, he says, accept tough opinions, adjust.Stulp's business showcases local southern Ontario and gluten-free produce and products. It has a deli counter and arranges catering.Grand Oak also has a year-round cafe-tea room and offers meals to go."It's a work in progress," he says. "Part of it is bringing together people who were my customers at the winery. I want to give them access to the ingredients I always had access to as a chef."

Nov 9, 2011

Oliver Tolentino dresses Gwendoline Ruais for Miss World

Gwendoline Ruais became the highest Miss Philippines to rank in 37 years when she was named "1st Runner Up" (Miss Venezuela won). Gwen wore a red flowy chiffon Oliver Tolentino gown with a slit in the leg that was made expressly for her for the pageant.The gown had a bodice beaded with red Swarovski crystals and a nude skin back. This was a personal honor for Oliver because it's the first time a Filipino designer has been allowed to create clothes in many decades under new country manager Cory Quirino.
Coincidentally, the first "1st Runner Up" 37 years ago was Evangeline Pascual who hails from Orani, Bataan. Oliver, also from Orani, is a distant cousin of Ms. Pascual.For the pageant, Gwen also wore an Oliver Tolentino pina & abaca modern terno for the national costume portion of the TV show. In addition, Gwen was photographed in about a dozen of Oliver's outfits while she was in London.
She wore Oliver's dyed-blue pina skirt and blouse outfit to depart Manila and arrive in London, a silver sequined long gown when contestants were photographed along the Thames River, a green chiffon for the first charity event, and a raw silk cocoon cocktail dress at another event, among others.Oliver somehow found time to make Gwen's outfits before returning to Los Angeles from Manila where he was honored as the Samsung 2011 MetroWear Icon of the Philippines by Metro & Metro Society magazines, in conjunction with the ABS-CBN TV network, last October 24.
As the MetroWear Icon, Tolentino presented a 75+-piece collection at the Sofitel Hotel Harbor Tent in a solo gala attended by the rich and famous of Manila society. Oliver chose charities Bantay Bata and Sagip Kapamilya to benefit from the invitation-only event. Ironically for Oliver, a designer from Bataan province who now dresses celebrities in Hollywood, this was his first gala in Manila.Spotted at the show were former First Lady Imelda Marcos, the Princess of Brunei, actor Sam Milby, and members of the Lopez, Henry Sy, Lucio Tan, Pangilinan,and Tantoco families. Celebrity walkers included Tessa Prieto-Valdes, Venus Raj, Jake Cuenca, Pinky de Leon, Joan Bitigco, Marina Benipayo, Ria Salgado, Tutay Maristela, Empress Shuck, Divine Lee, Megan Young, Victor Basa, members of the Azkals football team, and a once-in-a-lifetime walk by Kuh Ledesma.

Nov 7, 2011

The Proper time to Wear Formal dresses

Formal dresses, as the name suggests, should be worn to formal occasions. When it comes to formal attire, it is still very particular. However, do you know when you should wear the formal gowns? Generally speaking, the events for specific formal wear have been divided into several categories. Read on and the following content will show you.
Wedding & funeral,Referring to formal events, it is easy for us to think of the wedding as well as funeral. The two events are bracketed together, that is because the same black dresses will work well for them. Just as the fashion experts say that a black formal dress is a must to collect in the closet for any woman. Of course, the difference between the two occasions is the dresses for wedding are not just limited to the black gown.Handcrafted cocktail dresses take center stage. What is the best color usually depends on the theme of the wedding.
In traditional thinking, when talking about formal dresses, you might connect them with the floor-length gowns. In a general way, the length of the dress lies on the formality of the occasion, the more formal the occasion is, and the longer the gown will be. So in a certain way, the short formal dresses are also being as long formal dresses. If you plan to attend a party, what you need to choose is a formal cocktail dress rather than a gown. Party is considered as a semi-formal occasion so that a short gown in any color matching your skin tone is great.Both of them worth the name are the formal events. The dresses should be simple and elegant instead of being big and puffy. There are numbers of styles of formal dresses available, however, it is a good idea to opt for the A-line or sheath style. Of course, the gowns are not enough for your perfect appearance, it is necessary to add some beautiful accessories to complement your beauty.
Whatever you are going to wear, the key point is that you should make sure the formal dresses will flatter you well and they can highlight your charming sides. Once you have made up your mind to get a formal gown, you should consider where to purchase. On the one hand, you can search for it at any dress shop instead of a department store where it is much harder to find your ideal formal dress. Of course, they might be in a bit expensive price. On the other hand, it is easy to find them in the bridal stores. The reason is that the bridesmaid dresses are also thought of as formal gowns. If you really look forward to getting a cheap formal dress, it is advisable to look for it online when you keep your body shape in mind.

Nov 2, 2011

David Walliams transforms into all five members of One Direction

He's known for his hilarious Little Britain characters including an obese spa enthusiast, an insanely jealous Prime Minister's aid and chavtastic teenager Vicky.But David Walliams has channeled real-life boy band One Direction in his latest interview. The comedian dressed as all five members: Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson.
With Niall's blonde hair, Harry's bow-tie and Zayn Malik's quiff, the resemblance to the former X Factor contestants is uncanny. David, 40, says he met Niall when he went to see the show last year.'Niall came up to me and told me that he’d been to see Matt and me in Little Britain Live when we went on tour,' he told Heat magazine.
'I was sitting there in the audience and they were on stage at the end of the show and I saw him pointing me out to the rest of the band, so I gave him a wave.'The newlywed actor also spoke about rumours he would become a judge on Britain's Got Talent.He said he hadn't been asked but would like to do the show.'I’d think about it. But the chemistry with the other judges would have to be right. Ant and Dec are the stars of that show for me. I’d love to work with them again – I wrote for them years ago and they’re such a laugh.'
He says he has been watching this year's X factor religiously.'I'm a big fan of Gary Barlow. I think he’s amazing on it. I did wonder whether the show would work without Simon Cowell, because he’s the one whose opinion we all trusted. He’s generally right.'But Gary is so assured and so knowledgeable about the business that he’s perfect. He also looks so good. I want his stylist and nutritionist.'
David revealed camp 'over' contestant Johnny Robinson was his favourite. Last night, David dressed up in his spooky best for Jonathan Ross' Halloween party, joining a host of celebrities including Alan Carr and Michael McIntyre.The couple reportedly signed a deal for a reality-TV show with Roy Bank, the president of Merv Griffin Entertainment. Krista Stodden, the teen's mother and manager, told Radar she thinks Bank will find the show a home on a "the best network for her."In her signature collection, dresses go from $650 to $1,000. The dresses in the Marie Saint Pierre for Reitmans collection will sell for $85 and $95.
Though manufactured in Montreal, the line is made from fabrics, such as a stretch polyester jersey, from Asia. The lower price is also made possible by a larger production run. Though Reitmans is not revealing exactly how large that is, Saint Pierre will say that quantities are higher than what she is accustomed to.

Oct 31, 2011

Tips on Finding Cheap Prom Gowns

Look for a cheap dress for your important prom? Don’t know where to find the cheap yet stylish prom dresses? Well, you are in the right place. Although prom gowns are becoming more and more expensive, there are still ways and tips to find a beautiful dress at a low price.Shopping online is a good way. Browse through different online bridal shops to find the affordable prom dresses. Look at the reviews presented by other customers to know whether the dress is good or not. Usually, dresses sold online are cheaper. What you need is to find a reliable website which sells high-quality prom dresses at low prices.
Check the Yellow web pages for stores that specialize in affordable prom dresses. Call the store manager and ask if you can buy or rent a dress for that prom. Make sure that you know your exact size, color and style of dress. Ask if you can obtain an electronic mail owning a photo attachment belonging toward dress.Fashion Houston: 5 questions with Barbara Tfank. Be ready to negotiate a lot more compared to price. Anticipate that a prom dress could be less expensive excellent if you are paying a less expensive price.
You also can go to shop a prom gown with your mother as well as a friend. Try on many prom dresses. Do not make a fast choice about your purchase. Looking at yourself inside the mirror and get the advice from your mom or your best friend. After you have made a decision, buy that dress and get a receipt. Possess the dress dried out cleaned and take satisfaction in the prom.
Moreover, you can take a look at your local thrift or second hand bridal shops. These places usually receive lots of donations of no longer used gowns and in turn sell them at a low price. Contrary to some well-known perception a great offer from the objects that will be found at second hand or thrift stores are in relatively good and normally barely used circumstance and no one will know where you got your prom dress unless you tell them.There are still other tips in finding cheap prom dresses. Planning ahead and then you can find what you want easily.