FabSugar interview

Watch out San Francisco, there's a new hostess in town. Model Maggie Rizer moved to our foggy city last Fall and she's already making the fashion rounds. We caught up with her at Derek Blasberg's book party recently and talked about her wedding to real estate developer Alex Mehran. We got the juicy details about the dress, designer, and accessories. Her nuptials are taking place September 18 in Lake Placid, we can't wait to see pics, but in the meantime . . .

The wedding dress — was it easy to find or was it a struggle?

I had everything else planned first, and finally the wedding dress was the last thing. I was kind of freaking out because in my mind I’ve worn all the most amazing dresses in the world and I didn’t think I was going to find something that lived up to those, something I was going to be excited about. That was my problem, I wanted to be really excited and I couldn’t get excited about any of them because I was like “Yeah, it’s a dress.”

Who’s the designer?

Oscar de la Renta. I’m really excited about it, so it worked out.

What does it look like?

It’s classic, strapless, very fitted here [points to the waist], and then goes out and goes long. I have a cathedral veil, it’s cool.

Chanel Iman is a sweetheart. So it's perfectly fitting I caught up with her on Valentine's Day. Wearing a tank that proudly stated "I Heart My Boyfriend" the Modelinia magazine cover star just arrived for New York Fashion Week — best friend and boyfriend in tow.

Today, the model/skateboarder is walking in the Diane Von Furstenberg show, tonight she has romantic plans with her man. Want to hear all about Chanel's obsession with Chanel bags — she even has a design idea for one, Karl — and who she's looking forward to walking for this week? Here she is . . .

What's new and exciting with you?

I'm just happy it's Valentine's Day and I get to spend it with someone I love and we're in New York. We're both from LA so we're going to make the best of it.

And is this your red Chanel bag to match your Valentine's Day outfit?

Yes, and I had red lips on, like my best friend over there (points to her), but I took it off because it smeared in the taxi. But I'm going to put it back on.

And then it will come back off later when you're with your boyfriend . . .

Exactly.

For more, read more

What was most interesting about interviewing Roland Mouret was how in tune with the zeitgeist he his. For instance, we talked about Twitter — are you following me, BTW? — and he realizes the importance of it, is even fascinated by it. But will he be tweeting anytime soon? No. But someone at his empire will. He is also super savvy about his costumer. He recently announced launching menswear and has had fun trying on the demos himself. Clearly, he's on top of his game. No wonder his dresses look so damn good . . .

You mentioned you’re against cocktail dresses?

I’m against the way we live now — just one dress for one thing. I wanted to try to bring the outfit to another level. I was offered for Christmas two years ago, an amazing phone, really expensive phone. But it was just one function, just a phone. And it was impossible for me to let go of my phone — you know my music. And I realized we are living in a technology world, where clothes must have the same relevance as technology. You must be able to transform your clothes to have a different life. But you have to be really eccentric to wear it in the daytime with a pair of Doc Martins. I like evening wear, but I like to do really understated evening wear. Not this in-your-face evening wear. Even as evening wear, you want to be able to wear it again in three or four years and have people think it’s a new dress. You know it — you know it better than me. Would you buy something dated?

To hear about his menswear news, read more

It was about a year ago that Roland Mouret and Victoria Beckham were supposedly in cahoots. It was a flicker of gossip, right around when Victoria Beckham was launching her namesake label. After we talked to Monsieur Mouret about his most recent Rainbow collection, we talked a bit about his famous relationship with the driven celebrity designer. Then, he brought up another accomplished woman: Oprah! But, take note, neither lady is his muse. Here's what went down . . .

You were a big influence on Victoria Beckham.

She’s a friend of mine. I respect her for what she’s doing. I think she’s fighting to do a job. Her clothes are really well made. I like what she’s doing. When she started she wanted to have some information. I introduced her to the factory, it was an old little factory of mine, she needed some people to work for her, all the people that worked for me in the past. After all, I’m happy with her collection.

To hear the rest, read more

Roland Mouret's cuts may be classic, but this is one designer who embraces change. It's been a big year for the designer. Not only did Victoria Beckham, Heidi Klum, and Beyonce constantly model his tailored creations, but the designer embraced the web runway show trend showing his Spring '10 collection to the masses. And, just last week, he announced his plans for menswear.

But it's his minidress Rainbow collection for Net-a-Porter that has everyone lusting. Funnily enough, it was Beyonce who initially inspired him to cut his mid-calf hemlines. He celebrated the endeavor with some famous friends in LA, and we had the chance to chat with him before he jetted down for the event. Here's what the fabulously tall designer explained about the collection over brioche buns and lobster bisque soup . . . stay tuned for more Mouret scoop!

We're so excited about the Rainbow collection with Net-a-Porter; how did it begin?

It’s a collaboration with a couple things. I tried to develop quite a private or specific relationship [with Net-a-Porter]. With Neiman Marcus, we’re doing limited edition for Neiman Marcus, where we create special colors, a special outfit for them. And at Net-a-Porter, we have created this Rainbow project because Natalie [Massenet, Chairman and Founder of Net-a-Porter] told me, "We want a minidress collection for an attitude," and I said, "OK, let’s create that collection." I am going down to LA tomorrow to launch that collection — to do a dinner there.

For the rest of the interview, read more

All good things must come to an end. And that includes Rachel Zoe's work relationship with her platinum-blond style associate, Taylor Jacobson. You either loved her or hated her — but you have to admit you loved her wardrobe. I couldn't shut up about her awesome jackets; Chanel, Dries van Noten, Balenciaga, sigh. You may recall I spoke with Rachel at the beginning of this last season of The Rachel Zoe Project and she shared that Taylor has a heart of gold. I'm sure Taylor's leaving Rachel Zoe was melancholy for all parties involved — the two have worked together since January 2005. I know I will miss drooling over her jackets and watching her and Brad's banter.

We caught up with Taylor this week, and though she didn't divulge details about her departure, she has a positive outlook on life — something we seldom see from the show's supposed villain. And, can I just add, Taylor gives Fab favorite Diane Kruger props for having stellar style — great minds . . . Listen up.

What should we expect to see from you in the next year?

I look forward to exploring styling on my own and the new opportunities and experiences it is going to bring.

Who are your go-to designers right now?

Chris Benz, Alexander Wang, and Prabal Gurung.

Whose style do you admire?

I think Diane Kruger has great style and even more impressive is that she does it herself.

To read the rest of the interview and to see a gallery of Taylor on TRZP, read more

Thrilling. That best describes The Rachel Zoe Project premiere last night. The glamour, the gowns, the jewels, the tension — I knew I would be hooked the second time around, what about you? Last night we witnessed the countdown to the Golden Globes, saw Team Zoe's new studio, met some new staff, and bit our nails over the lost pink Chanel haute couture dress. Or was that just me and Rachel? I caught up with the stylist extraordinaire this morning for some coffee talk. We mostly gushed about the gorgeous gowns on last night's show, but we also chatted Brad and Taylor. Here's last night's rehash . . .

Eva's white Dior was my favorite from this year's awards season. It wasn't on the runway, how did you find it?

"The PR people sent me photos even though it wasn't sent down the runway. I'll know that Eva has something coming up, I call it a check note. That necklace is probably my favorite piece of jewelry — ever. When I worked with Keira Knightley for the Oscars in '06, there was this vintage Bulgari piece and this brought that memory back to me. There's nothing like an incredible blob of turquoise. It's a dream scenario."

Speaking of jewelry, how did emeralds call out to you for Debra's navy Vera Wang?

"I love to see color. I don't want to do anything expected, or odd. The idea of emeralds with the navy is a younger, modern way to make something glamorous. You don't need diamonds for glamour. I love mixing colors, the less perfect the better."

To read about asking Karl to alter the Chanel and for some Brad and Taylor scoop,

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