Quote of the Week

"Style is a simple way of saying complicated things." -Jean Cocteau

2012 CFDA Awards

Every year, the Council of Fashion Designers of America, gives out the most prestigious American Fashion awards. The past winners have included Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein, Tory Burch, Diane Von Furstenberg, etc. etc. The awards only go to the best of the best, and can truly launch a career. (To learn more about each designer, click the link in their name.)

This year's nominees are:

Womenswear Designer of the Year

• Ashley Olsen & Mary Kate Olsen for The Row
• Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler
• Marc Jacobs

Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen in The Row

Menswear Designer of the Year

• Billy Reid
• Patrik Ervell
• Simon Spurr

Simon Spurr with Stephen Moyer

Accessory Designer of the Year

• Alexander Wang
• Jack McCollough & Lazaro Hernandez for Proenza Schouler
• Reed Krakoff

Michelle Obama with Reed Krakoff bag

Swarovski Award for Womenswear

• Chris Peters and Shane Gabier for Creatures of the Wind
• Erin Beatty and Max Osterweis for Suno
• Joseph Altuzarra

Swarovski Award for Menswear

• Antonio Azzuolo
• Phillip Lim
• Todd Snyder

Kanye West in Phillip Lim

Swarovski Award for Accessory Design

• Irene Neuwirth
• Pamela Love
• Tabitha Simmons

Octavia Spencer wearing Irene Neuwirth  jewels to the SAG Awards

2012 Honorees

• Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award- Tommy Hilfiger
• Founders Award-Andrew Rosen of theory
• International Award-Rei Kawakubo of Commes de Garconnes
• Media Award-Garance Dore Blogger, Scott Schuman of the Sartorialist
• Fashion Icon Award-Johnny Depp

Tommy Hilfiger

Quote of the Week

"Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the world." -Marilyn Monroe

Cannes Sightings and Red Carpet

This last week, movie stars and celebrities alike flocked to the French Riviera for the annual Cannes Film Festival. This international affair previews and premiers movies and documentaries from around the world. A winner, or "Palm d'Or" is presented at the end of the festival. Last year's winner was the American movie "Tree of Life" starring Brad Pitt, Sean Penn, and Jessica Chastain.

Cannes is also a great time to preview beautiful fashion. Being in France, celebrities embrace couture and luxurious apparel. The famed red carpet at the Festival leads up a long staircase, where some of the most spectacular black-tie wear can be seen.

Jessica Chastain in Giorgio Armani

Naomi Watts wearing a feather embellished Marchesa gown.

Jane Fonda in a stunning copper Versace gown

Eva Longoria in a plunging Emilio Pucci gown

Diane Kruger in a sea foam Giambattista Valli

Freida Pinto in Michael Angel dress with crystalled bodice

Eva Longoria in a show stopping Marchesa gown

Salma Hayek in a beaded Gucci Premier  gown

Freida Pinto in acid green Atelier Versace

The festival is packed full of events-premiers, photo calls, parties, and just enjoying what Cannes has to offer. These outfits are more casual, but sometimes just as memorable. 

Cannes 2012 had so many mouth watering creations-we could've talked about them for days! In the end, my Cannes Fashion MVP has to be Diane Kruger. She had beautifully styled gowns on the red carpet, and her wardrobe throughout the week was completely fashion forward. Bravo!

Jessica Simpson Launches 24th Category-Maternity Wear

Only weeks after giving birth to her daughter, Maxwell Drew, Jessica Simpson has launched a Maternity line under her Jessica Simpson Collection brand. This will be the 24th category in her empire. The Collection is the most successful celebrity line to date, earning $1 billion in annual revenue.

Simpson said her "vintage 70's maternity clothing line is for moms to proudly show off their baby bumps." It will be carried in Destination Maternity and Macy's stores.

Quote of the Week

"Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief that she is beautiful. "
-Sophia Loren

Spring 2013 Bridal Trends

We may be in the midst of the 2012 wedding season, but many bride-to-be's are busy planning their 2013 nuptials. Here are the big trends from the runway, which are sure to be seen in weddings across the country.

Color | Whether it's an accent, splash, or a colored gown, bride's will be steering away from the traditional white.

Mark Zunino for Kleinfeld

Maggie Sottero

Sheer Backs | Brides want gorgeous pictures from every angle, and a delicate and decorative back will take beautiful pictures. 

Amsale

Peplums | Bridal designers have borrowed from the high fashion runway in this trend. We often see current trends appear in bridal gowns, and this is the perfect way to do so.

Alfred Angelo

Angel Sanchez

Lace Nouveau | Kate Middleton's wedding dress proved it's influence in 2013 collections. Nearly every designer featured at least one gown with lace. With modern variations on this romantic classic, it is sure to please every style.

Marchesa

Ines Di Santo

Convertible Gowns | More and more brides are buying two gowns for their big day. This year, designers have responded with an all-in-one gown that has layers you can peel away.

Monique Lhullier

Oscar de la Renta

(Images courtesy of Brides.com)

Princess Perfection

The Duchess of Cambridge-Kate Middleton, stepped out to the BOA Olympic Concert in London looking like pure perfection.

In a Jenny Packham chiffon gown, the Duchess once again turned heads for all the right reasons. The teal gown has soft pleats, dainty lace cap sleeves, and a simply stunning lace back. This fairy-tale frock confirms her status as a true modern day princess.

We Remember Vidal Sassoon

"The only place success comes before work is in a dictionary." -Vidal Sassoon
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The beauty and fashion world lost an icon yesterday with the passing of Vidal Sassoon. Sassoon is probably most famously known for his hair-care products and salons. His real contribution to the world were the revolutionary haircuts he created: The Bob and the Five-point Cut.

Vidal Sassoon was once called the "Chanel of Hair", with a career spanning six decades. He took cutting hair from a craft to an art form. We remember his work and contributions to the fashion and beauty industries. 

Sassoon cut Mia Farrow's famous Bob for "Rosemary's Baby"

Sassoon cutting Mary Quant's bob

Vidal Sassoon | 1928-2012

The 2012 Met Costume Gala

 Last night was the annual Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Gala, and this year they celebrated Prada. This of course led to the majority of attendees wearing the designer, especially the men.
There were lots of other standout designers, and interesting trends popping up. The most noticeable were Hair/Feather dresses, sheer skirt gowns, and the colors lavender and tangerine (the "it" color of the season, as we previously mentioned).

We love the tangerine trend, and the gowns from last night, so much that we want to share each of them:

Wendi Deng Murdoch in Vera Wang

Tory Burch in Tory Burch

Kristen Bell in Tommy Hillfiger

Katherine McPhee in Elie Saab

 

Kristen Wiig in Stella McCartney

Ginnifer Goodwin in Monique Lhullier

The rest of the evening had beautiful gowns (from good to bad), here are what we thought to be the most notable:

Beyonce in Givency

Carey Mulligan in Prada

Elizabeth Banks in Mary Katrantzou

Amber Heard in Zac Posen

Amy Poehler in Fotini

Karolina Kurkova in Rachel Zoe

Scarlett Johansson in Dolce & Gabbana

Amy Adams in Giambattista Valli

Leighton Meester in Marchesa

Florence Welch in Alexander McQueen

Nina Dobrev in Donna Karen

Melania Trump in Marc Bouwer Couture