fabsugar exclusive

The Victoria's Secret fashion show is just around the corner on Wednesday, and last week I got to peek behind-the-scenes to watch Adriana Lima's fitting. The supermodel will be the show's opener, and I was able to see all three of her costumes — she'll start with a heart-shaped top and enormous wings, before changing into an athletic-inspired costume, and, of course, the $2 million bra. Once she changed back into her civilian clothes (black leggings and sweater, paired with ballet flats), Adriana and I chatted about her legendary workout regimen, sneaking candy into her diet, and how she plans to celebrate afterward. Hint: It will involve lots of chocolate.

FabSugar: Is it fun working with so many of the same girls again?
Adriana Lima: It is a big family. I enjoy it very much — the girls are very cool. It’s always fun, we travel, we’ve spent so much time together — so many trips! We always enjoy it. It’s not like work. We love what we do. We try to hang out as much as we can, but it’s not easy with our busy schedules. And me being a mom, it’s not easy to find time. But they’re all great, they all have different great personalities and we enjoy being together. We learn with each other very much.

FS: Has your 11-month-old daughter Valentina seen your wings?
AL: She already has a set of wings! A friend of mine sent it to me. I cannot believe, at the baby shower, she got hers. I was like, "It’s so small! It’s cute." But she hasn’t seen mine, because she isn’t going to understand. But someday.

To hear more from Adriana, and to see some more pics, read more

Jenni Kayne is a quite force at New York Fashion Week. Her sharp cuts, feminine silhouettes, and cool girl aesthetic are always on my radar. For Fall, the LA-based designer brought equestrian chic to her sportswear. Striped blankets, mud cloth, and aged leather were reworked for the city. Utility played a big role — jodhpur shorts and boxy coats rocked my world. The sleek suede platforms were also designed by Jenni, and leather gloves added the final sporty touch. I caught up with the designer, and she told me about her inspirations, challenges, the difference between East and West Coast style, and what she wears to keep warm. Listen up.

Let's talk Fall 2010 inspirations.

Equestrian culture was a major inspiration. Ochre, British racing green, and mud brown feel like Fall in the English countryside.

What was the biggest challenge with this collection?

Timing is always a challenge.

Proudest piece from this collection?

The Mud Cloth Anorak. I love the versatility of it and the weightless quality of the silk.

To read the rest, 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

Model Amber Valletta's clothing collab with Monrow has dropped, and everyone's talking about it. Rachel Bilson was in attendance at the LA launch party at Ron Herman (in a white Monrow dress) — as were we! We got some one-on-one time with the gorgeous model-designer, in addition to codesigner Lia Davis and actress Lori Loughlin. Shop the collection and watch FabTV on location!

Like what you see? Watch more FabTV.

So close, so exciting! New Moon's US release is Friday. The Sugar Network has been following every premiere and party. Fab's been voting on Kristen's red carpet looks, but all the other ladies of New Moon have some serious style going on too. I'm keeping my eye on bombshell Ashley Greene and cutie Dakota Fanning as well, but hear celebrity stylist Nikki Pennie break down each girl's style.

Like what you see? Stay tuned for more FABTV!

We caught up with Alexis Bittar at his Neiman Marcus trunk show recently. He's super dreamy, as you can tell from his photo (center). And so friendly, it was comfortable, like we'd met before. Read what he had to say about his biggest fans — Fab fave Cameron Diaz and the Gossip Girl stylists — as well as how he got his start.

What sparked your interest in jewelry?

I sold antique jewelry on the street [at the 26th Street flea market in Manhattan] for 15 years. I started working with Lucite, I just pounded it, started carving it. I actually don’t know how I put it all together in my brain, but I liked that you could sculpt it. It’s pretty cheap — in the beginning I had no money. It seemed like an experimental medium. And I like working with mediums that aren’t typical. When I first saw it, I loved it and I still love it. Guys like it, too; they’re into the science of it, they’re trying to figure it out. It took a long time — the beginning was a bit difficult, then certain key people used it, and it slowly took off. When the millennium happened there was thing of perceiving everything differently and it became the new.

See what else we discussed.

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