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Biggest Headline of 2008: Model Diversity Takes Center Stage

FabSugar — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:00:22 -0800

The issue of model diversity, or lack thereof, thrived in 2008. Good! The first concern was raised in February when a survey concluded that out of 1,584 modeling slots at New York Fashion Week, only six percent went to black models, six percent went to Asians, and one percent went to Latinas. Note that this was after Diane von Furstenberg, president of the Council of Fashion Designers, had urged designers to diversify their model selections the month before. At the end of the month, it was refreshing to see Hermes feature South Asian beauty Lakshmi Menon in its 2008 Spring ad.

To read more about the fight for diversity in the modeling industry, read more.

In April, more progress was made when Vogue Italia announced its quarterly July issue would feature almost all black models - this was groundbreaking. In late June, the Vogue Italia Black Issue was released and featured models Naomi, Jourdan Dunn, Liya Kebede, and Sessilee Lopez; each of whom had her own cover. If you haven't checked it out, believe me when I say it was all black, all fabulous.

Fast forward to September during the Spring showings at New York Fashion Week. Although there were more multicultural shows, the issue remained. This time, Bethann Hardison spoke on the epidemic and held a discussion, "Race on the Runway," which was attended by models and industry leaders. The battle is far from being over, and change is slow, but sure. Let's hope next year will bring us more Fab face diversity in the modeling industry.

Source, Source, and Source

Biggest Headline of 2008: Steve & Barry's Faces a Tumultuous Year

FabSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 08:00:22 -0800

I remember it like it was yesterday. In March '07, Sarah Jessica Parker announced her partnership with an athletics apparel store. That's when Steve & Barry's entered our stylish lives. I admit, at first I was confused by SJP's choice of distributer for her line, but boy did the retailer deliver. Besides SJP's Bitten, it also hosted Dear by Amanda Bynes, a Sex and the City Movie merchandise line, a Venus Williams sportswear collection, and more. All seemed well in the world of Steve & Barry's until we got hit with devastating news - the retailer filed for bankruptcy protection in July.

To hear more about Steve & Barry's tumultuous year, read more.

An update soon followed: Steve & Barry's officially filed a voluntary Chapter 11 petition in Manhattan bankruptcy court. Bitten, and all the other celebrity clothing lines, would now be homeless. Then, word came in August that Steve & Barry's would survive. Huh? The company had been purchased by investment firm Bay Harbour Management for $168 million. How I wish this story had a happy ending, but in November, Steve & Barry's had its final blow and decided to cut its losses. In the end, the flailing economy forced the retailer to file for its second bankruptcy. We have yet to learn if Bitten will make a new home, but Steve & Barry's, and the idea of fast fashion under $10, will be missed!

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Biggest Headline of 2008: All Fashion Eyes on First Lady Michelle Obama

FabSugar — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:00:22 -0800

2008 will be remembered for lots of intriguing events, people, headlines, movies - you know, the usual as the world turns kind of stuff. But, one woman captured the spotlight, ever so subtly, and we're only going to see more of her for at least the next four years. This Chicagoian is a lawyer, wife, and mother, but she is also a style maker. Throughout the year, I started noticing her more in publications like WWD and the New York Times, and when she made Vanity Fair's Annual International Best Dressed List in July, I was all eyes.
And the fashion flock took a quick liking to her, too. Also in July, several designers held a dinner in her honor in New York. She wore a black Isabel Toledo ensemble and adorned her neck with a Tom Binns piece. There, designer Peter Som said, "Michelle and Barack are hopefully the light at the end of a very dark tunnel. And she's fabulously styled. She seems that she has an amazing sense of self. She has impeccable taste, so she is not going to need any help from anybody else."

To read the rest about Michelle's rise to fashion fame, read more.

In August, the Democratic National Convention went down, and Michelle stepped it up in a couple notable looks. She stuck with her local favorite Maria Pinto in a turquoise sheath and you all agreed it was totally Fab. Then we saw her red and purple Thakoon floral shift. We loved it so much - it was so fun and unexpected - and Michelle was the Fab favorite of that week. To our surprise, Julianne Moore wore the same red and purple Thakoon dress in October, cementing the dress as a keeper.

Nov. 4 rolled around and one of the most highly anticipated elections in decades had everyone biting their nails. While Michelle's fiery Narciso Rodriguez dress wasn't my favorite, she made a statement. Nonetheless, the whole family was wearing the bold combination of black and red, and we were proud to have them represent our country. And, the idea of Michelle being a Vogue cover lady was very exciting.

Soon after, we caught up with stylist Robert Verdi and he talked about Michelle's controversial Narcisco dress and what he expects from the future first lady. Interesting stuff.

Most recently, WWD revealed numerous designer sketches that were drawn for Inauguration. From Oscar de la Renta to Christian Lacroix, our imaginations ran wild. Will she choose her local favorite Maria Pinto? An emerging American great like Peter Som or Jason Wu? Or maybe a creation out of left field by Moschino or J.Crew? Michelle has dabbled in all these designers. My guess is she'll wow us with something unexpected. Something modern, colorful, and hopeful.

Source, Source and Photo courtesy of NBC

Biggest Headline of 2008: The Fate of Project Runway

FabSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 13:00:22 -0800

Project Runway is one of our favorite shows. It has a little bit of everything: fashion, creativity, and drama. Although you didn't see it on screen, Project Runway was filled with backstage commotion this year. Highlights being the ongoing fight for Project Runway Season Six to Nina Garcia speculations. Don't worry, there was some good news, too. Click though our slideshow to reminisce Project Runway headlines from this year.

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Biggest Headline of 2008: Rest In Peace, Yves Saint Laurent

FabSugar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:00:22 -0800

It was a sad Sunday. I remember waking to the news of fashion great Yves Saint Laurent passing June 1; throughout the week the fashion world mourned. We put together a tribute slideshow, but that will never do the couturier justice. Looking back on Fab, before June 1, we featured Yves Saint Laurent on a regular basis. Most being new school YSL, under the direction of creative director Stefano Pilati, all being rooted in the man who popularized menswear for women, beatnik, and safari style. Even before then, Yves was thrown into the fire at Christian Dior, upon Dior's death, and kept the house afloat at the ripe age of 21. This man was arguably the first couturier to delve into ready-to-wear. His Rive Gauche stores sold his RTW creations, and he became an international sensation with actress Catherine Deneuve and icon Loulou de la Falaise favoring his clothes. Like many risk-takers, Yves's collections were often pooh-poohed by the press - but ended up setting the trends. Yves retired in 2002. Many of today's designers cite YSL as being an influence, and the designer left behind countless friends and fans. Here are some of our favorite stories about the late designer and the house:

To see the rest, read more

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Absolutely Fabulous

FabSugar — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 13:00:08 -0800

The City debuted this week! Take my exciting fashion quiz on episodes one and two.
Find out how I got icky gum off my shoe.
Check out all our end-of-year roundups to make sure you didn't miss anything on Fab.
Help us help you: Take the FabSugar reader survey (thank you).
Take a trip down memory lane with this year's biggest headlines on Fab.
The latest Girl on Film is Sasha Pivarova, looking Parisian punk.
Did you hear? Ferragamo is going green.
The results are starting to come in from our Best of 2008 polls. Check them out.
Guess the hot heel shape.
You don't want to miss Louis Vuitton's Beachwear look book. It's sizzling.

Absolutely Fabulous

FabSugar — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 14:45:33 -0800

Be sure to check out all our end-of-year roundups to make sure you didn't miss anything on Fab.
Dress to impress on New Year's with our Frock Me Baby series - don't forget your Fab accessories!
Help us help you: take the FabSugar reader survey (thank you).
Take a trip down memory lane and remember this year's biggest headlines on Fab.
Take our always-fun The Hills fashion quiz. Speaking of, which The Hills finale look was most Fab?
Meet the latest cool rocker spawn: Fabcon: Georgia May Jagger.
Pre-Fall is underway. Hooray! See what's in store.
The results are starting to come in from our Best of 2008 polls. Check them out.

Absolutely Fabulous

FabSugar — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 15:12:22 -0800

It was a fun week watching celebs in D&G battle it out.
Dress to impress for the holidays with our Frock Me Baby series - don't forget your Fab accessories!
Help us help you: take the FabSugar reader survey (thank you).
Take our always-fun The Hills fashion quiz.
Think you know your model blondes? Take our tough quiz and find out.
Gee, you all find doubling your tights interesting. You never cease to intrigue me.
Test your handbag knowledge with our latest celebrity handbag quiz.
We're obsessed with Jennifer Connelly right now; her Fabcon story was long overdue.
Pre-Fall is underway. Hooray! See what's in store.
Our Best of 2008 polls continue. Vote it up!
And, the results are starting to come in. Check them out.
Take a trip down memory lane and remember this year's biggest headlines on Fab.

Absolutely Fabulous

FabSugar — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 14:44:22 -0800

Take a trip down memory lane and remember this year's biggest headlines on Fab.
We lost a pinup legend this week. RIP, pinup queen Bettie Page.
Dramarama on Gossip Girl this week - good luck taking our fashion quiz.
Get inspired to dress to impress for the holidays with our Frock Me Baby series.
Help us help you: take the FabSugar reader survey (thank you).
Take our always-fun The Hills fashion quiz.
It's not too late: enter to win a fringe-tastic Botkier Morgan satchel!
Woah - you all had a lot to say about Emma Watson in navy William Tempest.
Get your shoe fix with our latest celebrity shoe quiz.
Check out my December most wanted!
Pre-Fall is underway. Hooray! See what's in store.
Our Best of 2008 polls continue. Vote it up!