FabSugar

FABTV: Madonna "Like a Virgin"

FabSugar — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 07:12:22 -0800

With Madonna serving as Louis Vuitton's Spring muse, my mind wandered into Madonna world. "Like a Virgin" is a very playful song, but it stirred up controversy. The lyrics alone made parents blush. While gliding around Venice, Madonna set her tone: rebellious, stylish, iconic. No wonder she got so big, so fast. From day one, girls (and some boys) emulated her too-cool style signatures - lace, layered necklaces (and bracelets and belts), cut out tees, leggings, feathered hair. Since you're not going to be able to resist singing along - we all know the words - revel in Madonna's early years. How cute is she dancing around on the gondola? Too cute, too cool.

2009 Fall New York Fashion Week: Marchesa

FabSugar — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:00:22 -0800

I knew Marchesa was going to be special when, as I ran into the entrance to escape the rain, Diane Kruger's and my eyes met. Only for a nanosecond, as she was on her way back into the rain, she slipped on her shades and was off like Cinderella. Many of the billowing gowns and fairytale frocks inside were fit for princess Diane. It was nasty outside, fantasy inside.

I was a Marchesa presentation virgin and I can never go back. Marchesa, always romantic and enchanting, served layers and layers of tulle, silk chiffon, ribbons, embroideries, bows, sequins, and lace. A celestial theme of shooting stars, sparkle, and unicorns felt fantastical. This lilac chiffon-draped dress with embroidered bodice can easily earn Kate Winslet a best dressed nod at the Oscars this weekend. The shoes, by Louboutin, were satin, super high, and sometimes glittered and laced. While Marchesa's gowns tend to steal the spotlight, a couple pant ensembles were sharp; tuxedo trousers paired with romantic ruffles blouses and sculptured jackets. Smitten yet?

For more gorgeous Marchesa, read more.

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Handbag Designer Spotlight: Bird

FabSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 17:00:22 -0700

If the name Liz Carey sounds familiar to you, it's probably because you've seen the model/actress walking the runways of Alexander McQueen or Versace. Or maybe you caught a glimpse of her in the movies Spanglish or The 40-Year-Old Virgin. Now fast-forward. Liz has taken a new role - handbag designer - and it looks like she's found her niche.

Her handbag collection, dubbed Bird, is all about the exotic. Taking pieces from her worldly travels, the budding designer has created a line filled with personality and culture. From ostrich to snakeskin to Guatemalan wedding shirts, Liz's rich-hippie aesthetic had me - and Lake Bell, and Rachel Bilson - at hello. Oh yeah, and if you're wondering why Liz named her collection Bird, it's because the word also means "girl" in British slang.

To see more handbags from Bird, read more.

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On Our Radar: New Sunglass Shop at Refinery29

FabSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 03:00:22 -0700

Sunglass addicts - that's including moi - that can't go to year-old optical boutique in NYC, Silver Lining, don't have to! Our friends at Refinery29 have just opened a virtual Silver Lining shop, so we can shop it from anywhere. May I add that this boutique is not for sunglass virgins; it stocks heavy-hitters like Balenciaga, Diane de Carlo, and Ray Ban, ranging from $275 to $425. Go on, take a peek.

Trend Alert: Handkerchief Hems

FabSugar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 11:00:22 -0800

Fashion is experiencing a hippie revival and I am not protesting this trend. However, I need your help deciding if I like handkerchief hems or not. I already confidently don wide-legged jeans and denim vests, but I'm not so sure about this nonchalant detail. This Jovovich-Hawk for Target Arabesque Halter Dress ($30) is something Lux would have worn in The Virgin Suicides but is it too '70s nostalgia. Thoughts?

Nieves Lavi Handkerchief Top - $198.00	Paisley Homecoming Scarf Dresses by eDressMe - $52.00
Nina Ricci Tie-Dye Scarf Blouse - $1,535.00	Sue Wong Empire Silk Slip Dress - $350.00
Solange Striped Tunic - $108.00	Lotta Stensson black knit 'Peace Best' flounce top - $48.00
Silk Macramé Trim Cami - $79.00	Handkerchief Caftan - $79.00

New York Fashion Week, Spring 2008: Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent

FabSugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 09:00:22 -0700

You may or may not know that many of the shows I saw at New York Fashion Week were not at the famed Bryant Park tents. A lot of designers showed off site, for a number of reasons; budget restrictions, an anti-sponsor preference or simply to present a no frills collection of clothes. We feature Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent often, so I was jazzed to see her Spring offerings...especially since the showroom setting was casual, filled with light and easy going.

With the feather weight clothes hanging on mannequins, Vincent also provided a viewing of her coveted shoes and accessories and an immense inspiration wall. The inspiration wall was really cool; images from Sofia Coppola's The Virgin Suicides, a young Patrick Dempsey, youthful beachy photo shoots via NYLON, all made sense of the clothes. And the clothes were in punchy colors of 70s suburbia with feminine details like jeweled necklines, crochet and ruffles. Sporty aspects like racer backs, hoods and tanks toughened things up. All in super soft fabrics like chiffon, silk, voile and jersey, I bet if models were wearing these pieces they would seriously flow. I guess we'll just have to wait for some of these to appear in Celebrity Styles to really know!

As for the accessories, buttery leather clutches were adorned with fun star-shaped beads. Colorful leather was preferred as was patent leather, on shoes that were colorblocked, banded and woven. Looks like Cynthia had fun with this collection!

To see Spring inspirations, more clothes and accessories from Twelfth Street, read more

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Fabcon: Sofia Coppola

FabSugar — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 03:00:22 -0700

Sofia Coppola's style can best be described as unfussy, cool and classic. We are talking about one of Marc Jacob's muses here (lucky!). While one may point out she wears a lot of black, 'tis true, but so do other icons such as Kate Moss and Diana Vreeland. Black is one of the truest colors of fashion, and as every woman knows, it's slimming too. But I just love it when Sofia does play with color; it's usually in the form of bolds such as red or pink, or understated with off-white.

The daughter of legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, Sofia is talented in other areas than fashion. She is an accomplished film director, actress, producer and Academy Award-winning screenwriter. I would also like to point out that she is the first American woman and third woman in history to be nominated for an Academy Award for Directing.

Sofia is just so cool. She is considered a pop culture icon within the indie music and film communities, in Paris and Tokyo especially. It figures she would have fashion sense - as a child she stayed in the wardrobe department of her father's films, and did you know that in high school, she interned with Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel? As well, in 1998 she co-founded the clothing line Milkfed in Japan with friend Stephanie Hayman and Sonic Youth's Kim Gordon. I so remember Milkfed! It was very Beastie girlie - it was sold alongside the Beastie Boys clothing line X-Large back in the day.

While The Virgin Suicides continues to be my favorite film by Sofia, it's just so beautifully melancholy, Marie Antoinette also provided some serious eye, and ear, candy. What's next for Sofia? I can't wait to see.

Check out Sofia through the ages, read more

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Bauer-Griffin & Source

Pucker Up: Sexy Lip Glosses

FabSugar — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 09:47:19 -0800

Woo-hoo, these super sexy lip glosses are too hot to handle. This Valentine's Day pucker up with these luscious lip treats. You won't believe what their gloss given names are! They will ensure you have the shiniest, softest and ready to kiss lips around. Smooches.

There is nothing subliminal in the message of this gloss! Imagine taking your Victoria's Secret Sexy Little Things Just Kiss Me! Glossy Lip Balm, $12, out at the dinner table just as you and your date are getting ready to decide what's for dessert? Available in little devil and sexy bomb.

For more uber sexy lip glosses, read more

e.l.f. Hypershine Gloss in Vixen, $1, is a wet, glass-like, sweet and juicy scented lip gloss. It has a smooth brush applicator that makes sure the sheer color won't clump and it conditions while you wear it. Just twist the bottom to activate the brush and apply. You can wear it alone or atop any lipstick.

Virgin Lux Lip Gloss by Vincent Longo, $22, is a high shine, full-coverage lip gloss created to spotlight your mouth! It has an alluring pearly opalescent sparkle and a silky texture to easily glide over your lips. Your mouth will appear fuller and brighter. Isn't the name kind of ironic? Available in four shades.