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Guess the Designer Muse!

FabSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:00:22 -0700

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to be a muse for the world's most talented designers? I have, and oh the excitement! Most designers know a slew of gorgeous women that excite them, but there's always one or two favorites. Some muses are around for decades while others only for a season. Either way, they play an important role - sparking creativity so designers can create beautiful clothes. Are you familiar with fashion's most famous muses, both current and past? Find out below.

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CFDA Designer Tribute

FabSugar — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 13:00:22 -0700

The winners have been announced, the Fab faves have been judged. But what the CFDA awards really comes down to is the designers. Last night an eclectic mix of designers gathered - many with models and starlets standing by - at Lincoln Center in NYC. Familiar faces shined, and really, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. Here's our tribute to those designers who won and those who continue to win our fashion hearts, award or not.WireImage

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Shoes! Bags! Jewels! Guess the Designer Specialty

FabSugar — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 08:00:22 -0700

Some designers choose to create within one category, while others dabble in a few. Some start off doing a specialty then branch out. 2008 was the year many designers expanded their repertoires. Are you familiar with designers and what they create? Find out by reading the designers below and deciding which fashion category (or categories) they design for.

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School Smarts: Guess the Designer Alma Mater

FabSugar — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 10:00:22 -0700

While some old-school designers - Karl, Yves, Coco - are self-taught, most have a formal fashion education. Parsons The New School For Design in New York City is most well-known (it was where Tim Gunn once served as chair of fashion design and where Project Runway contestants worked). Central Saint Martins in London, Fashion Institute of Technology, and Otis College are a few other alma maters of today's famous designers. Take my quiz to find out which designers are not too cool for school.
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Guess the Mastermind Behind the House

FabSugar — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 08:00:22 -0800

You know the names - Lanvin, Burberry, Marni, Balmain - but do you know the designer behind them? While with some brands, like Prada, it's obvious who the creative director is, it's not so obvious for some other greats. New blood is appointed when the original founder has passed on or simply moved on. Don't be intimidated if you're not familiar with who's where. This quiz is meant to be a learning tool. Here's how it works: Read the name below and guess which label he or she designs for.

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Best of 2008: Designers Branch Out

FabSugar — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 07:00:22 -0800

If you think you were busy this year, wait until you see how many designers expanded their businesses in 2008. Hint: It took me a crazy long time to round them all up. Majors like Diane von Furstenberg, Alexander Wang, and Stella McCartney added more to their plates, as did smaller brands such as Members Only and Paige Denim. From jewelry and shoes to entire contemporary lines, these companies did what they could to boom their business.

Agent Provocateur dives into swimwear.
Alexander Wang adds shoes to his diffusion line.
Proenza Schouler expands its world to include handbags and footwear.
Handbag designer Devi Kroell designs clothes.
Banana Republic introduces its own line of sunglasses.

To see who else branched out this year, read more.

Members Only launches denim collection.
Seven For All Mankind delves into shoes.
Vince goes from t-shirt line to contemporary wear.
Adidas launches new sportswear.
Prada introduces a limited-edition line of costume jewelry.
Yigal Azrouel accessorizes his brand.
Brian Reyes adds lingerie to his brand.
St. John created a contemporary line.
See By Chloe launches footwear.
Rebecca Taylor adds shoes, bags, and jewels to her line.
Matthew Williamson decks Pucci out with accessories.
Vena Cava partners with Via Spiga to design shoes.
Ella Moss dips into swimwear.
John Galliano eyewear.
Nicole Miller legwear.
Juicy Couture slips into bed with innerwear collection.
Thomas Pink makes room for the ladies.
Maison Martin Margiela debuts a line of modern adornments.
Alpinestars enters women's sportswear business.
Hussein Chalayan steps it up with a collection of shoes.
Sophia Kokosalaki ventures into the world of denim.
Paige Denim starts a contemporary line.
Karl Lagerfeld creates a handbag and luggage collection.
Alber Elbaz creates Lanvin jeans and bridal collection.
Marchesa creates a capsule collection of wedding gowns.
John Galliano rounds out diffusion line with accessories.
BCBG introduces BCBGeneration.
Catherine Malandrino designs jewels.
Botkier launches footwear line.
Rachel Pally does swimwear.
A.B.S. By Allen Schwartz steps into the jewelry world.
Stella McCartney expands her business to include lingerie.
Mulberry goes from bags to shoes.
Diane von Furstenberg designs shoes.
Betsey Johnson produces a full collection of outerwear.

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Best of 2008: Fashion Comings and Goings

FabSugar — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 13:00:22 -0800

This year we experienced a lot of fashion comings and goings. Granted this is nothing new for the fast world of fashion, but it's always fun to learn who's in and who's out. Creative directors jumped ships, brands were revitalized, and others got the boot. Were you paying attention to the fashion industry switcharoos of 2008? Take my quiz to see if you're up on your news.

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Snap Judgment: Subtle or Loud Design?

FabSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:11:22 -0700

Dries Van Noten is considered a quiet force.

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Fab Read: The Fashion Designer Survival Guide, An Insider's Look at Starting and Running Your Own Fashion Business

FabSugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 14:00:22 -0800

If you've noticed that there are insurmountable fashion labels out there, you're onto something. Apparently, the employment rate for designers is expected to outpace all other professions through 2008.

If you're thinking of joining the fickle but fabulous industry, The Fashion Designer Survival Guide: An Insider's Look at Starting and Running Your Own Fashion Business ($23) should be your next read. Author Mary Gehlhar, who has consulted on labels like Milly and Alicia Bell, gives behind-the-scenes advice and business information on starting a career as an independent designer.

The book also provides case studies from designers in different stages of their careers and advice from several veteran designers. Once done, you'll be ready to tackle the designer world head on.

Michelle! Claudia! Two More Celebrity Fashion Lines in the Works

FabSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:00:22 -0800

The celebrity designer wheel keeps on turning. The latest star to join the club is Gossip Girl Michelle Trachtenberg. She is teaming up with Coach to design a costume jewelry line under its Poppy label - faux pearls and colorful crystals hit stores in the Spring.

Though there isn't an official deal in the works, Super Claudia Schiffer has also expressed interest in designing. "I have no definite first product in mind, but I would love to do cashmere. It's something I wear all the time myself, but I'd love to do something a bit more price-friendly. . . . Or I could imagine doing handbags," she said. Cool, but not everyone is thrilled with these celebrity designer deals. According to fashion writer Robin Givhan, "I can't imagine Donna Karan saying I'm going to cut an album because her friends say she can sing karaoke." Ouch. Do you agree?