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New York Fashion Week, Spring 2008: Abaete

FabSugar — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 10:00:22 -0700

Whisking us away to Miami circa 1940, Fab has a new favorite! The Abaete Spring collection was polished, colorful and youthful. A mix of art deco and screen siren style, here is a collection to covet. Silhouettes were form fitting but also flowy in fabrics like stretch silk and cotton. Color blocking added some sportiness, while rhinestone embellishments added sassiness; this is very reminiscent of Coco Chanel's seaside separates. One would wear these wares while playing a game of badminton and then lounge around sipping a Tom Collins. Refreshing and bold, the colors were a cool mix of neutrals, black, white and standouts like teal and cornflower blue. I could do without the rosettes, but the cool plastic shades and sparkling clear bangles added bling.

Oh, and if you noticed the lovely ladylike shoes, they will be available come February at Payless via the Abaete for Payless collection!

To see more sirens and video from the Abaete Spring collection, read more

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This Week's Fab Favorite: Paz de la Huerta

FabSugar — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:00:22 -0700

Sometimes all it takes is a killer pair of shoes. You know this. A rockin' bod and an unexpected slit help, too. It's all in the details with this one . . . After a week of seeing enviable gowns and glamour at the Cannes Film Festival, there's something fresh and perfect about actress Paz de la Huerta's (not so) minimal look. Earth tones never looked so sexy, and little flesh is exposed here. But you can still see Paz's curves and slender stems. But let's talk about those exquisite black tribal sandals! No info on the genius who designed them yet (anyone know?), but they are little pieces of art. With shoes like that, paring everything else down is key. Paz was promoting her film Enter the Void and she has my undivided attention. P.S. Honorable mention of the week is Brad Pitt in pink Tom Ford - totally pulls it off.

For more of hot Paz, read more.

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Bodacious Beauties of the BAFTA Awards

FabSugar — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 03:00:22 -0800

Despite torrents of rain at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards, also known as the BAFTAs, celebrities played dress-up yet again. After inspecting a slew of Hollywood hotties, we've narrowed down our favorites. From Angelina Jolie's neon sliced Armani Prive to Freida Pinto's layered Osca de la Renta loveliness, we were impressed with the diverse selection of frocks. Click on through . . .

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This Just In: eLuxury.com to Close Up Shop

FabSugar — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:00:08 -0800

It's with utmost sadness that I report that one of our favorite online retailers, eLuxury.com, is planning on closing its retail operation over the next six months. While many shops are closing due to the recession, it is said that eLuxury's closure isn't due to its financial performance. Rather, it's because many of the brands it carries have their own online presence.

But it's not all tears over at the LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton-owned company. “Starting in mid 2009, eLuxury’s new mission will be to create an ‘e-window’ into the world of luxury, by serving as an information reference for luxury in fashion, art de vivre, leather goods, wines and spirits, watches and jewelry, gastronomy, cars, yachts, and services,” said a spokeswoman. We will miss shopping from the high-end retailer, but look forward to what sounds like an exciting online magazine.

Fab Ad: Oscar De La Renta Spring '09

FabSugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:00:08 -0800

Oscar De La Renta's Spring '09 campaign featuring Raquel Zimmermann is nothing short of exquisite. The ethereal ad, shot by Craig McDean, features Zimmermann looking fabulous in Oscar's layered silks and pointelle knits. The juxtaposition of the picturesque background and Raquel's strong features is genius. Soft but not overly feminine. There's no doubt this man has his art form down to a tee. Are you loving this as much as I am?

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Fab Field Trip: The Yves Saint Laurent Exhibit at the De Young Museum, San Francisco

FabSugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 13:08:52 -0700

Thursday morning, I was enlightened. Since Yves Saint Laurent's death this past Summer, the fashion world has been paying tribute and speaking praise. Perhaps one of the best ways to do both is to showcase an extensive collection of the artist's work. And so, the de Young museum of San Francisco gave me a sneak peek of Yves Saint Laurent's highly anticipated exhibition, spanning 40 years and 130 ensembles. The exhibit is open to the public Saturday.

The most special guest was there: Pierre Bergé, Yves's partner and business associate since 1961. Pierre spoke to a small group of local press and was humble and heartfelt. His words about Yves tugged on my heartstrings and got me really excited to view the exhibition. "Today is the first collection after his death." He referred to Yves as "one of the greatest of our time." He pointed out that "in our world women are more and more important" and Yves recognized that. "The collection is just a part of Yves's work," reminding us of the 5,000 plus YSL pieces that are preserved and kept in Paris. Can you imagine? He also called San Francisco "a beautiful city" and was proud to have the foggy city house such a collection. Side note: Pierre was wearing an Obama pin.

To read more about my enlightenment and to see loads of wonderful Yves Saint Laurent creations, read more

As a fashion journalist, I am aware of the importance of Yves Saint Laurent. But personally, I haven't had much experience with the house's clothes. Yves showed his last collection in 2002. Only now can I actually purchase pieces from the house, but today's pieces aren't touched by the originator. I have admired vintage YSL, but no, I have never worn an original Yves Saint Laurent. My enlightenment emerged upon viewing precious pieces from "Le Smoking," his homage to Africa collection, the famous Mondrian dress, and representations from his Ballets Russes collection. These were all familiar, as seen in textbooks and pictures, but in real life they are incredible.

The massive collection, curated in an organized yet unique fashion, made my head spin. Another realization was how many of today's designers draw inspiration from these ideas that were presented decades ago. I saw Giambattista Valli in a voluminous LBD, Armani in sleek beaded evening wear, Marc Jacobs in quirky party dresses, Michael Kors in jetsetting separates. YSL Haute Couture was presented through a glass display, and videos and runways shows played throughout. It was a YSL feast for the eyes.

While everything impressed, I had a few favorites I went back to admire a couple more times. First off, the body revealed collection of evening dresses. Yves pushed the envelope with revealing flesh, but he did so with taste. These are key examples. The Africana pieces were super fun; the intricate beading and the exotic cuts were stunning. This famous knit wedding gown made me chuckle. Lastly, his art inspired pieces were pretty magnificent.

This exhibit is both a proper homage and a destination for any fashion lover. On this spooky holiday, this Yves quote felt rather fitting: “My profession is the loving dialogue of this naked woman with all the magic spells of the wrapping of my fabrics.” Consider me spellbound.

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New York Fashion Week, Spring 2009: Oscar de la Renta

FabSugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:30:08 -0700

Oscar de la Renta. Pure, defined, elegant. No matter what your personal style, one has to admire the works of art that is Oscar. And admire I did, from the balcony of the Upper East Side venue, overlooking top editors, socialites, and Jennifer Lopez. The collection kicked off with some colorblock bathing suits - that was a surprise - and eased into tie-dyed skirts, white silk crepe blouses, silk sweaters, linen pantsuits, and ruffled blouses. Almost everything was cinched with Alaia-resembling perforated leather corset belts. These pregown treats were paired-down elegance, but architectural shapes and prints were thoroughly modern. Navy, white, and yellow pieces had a nautical flair, and de la Renta's favorite print of all - ikat - was reinvented yet again. Then came the gowns, from all directions on the runway, creating a stir of decadence. A navy embroidered backless lace gown was breathtaking, Coco's white silk peplum gown with navy Harlequin embroidery was stunning, and the finale dazzler: a silver maco bead embroidered strapless gown was heaven on the catwalk.

For lots more Oscar, read more.

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Be sure to check out the runway video of Oscar's latest collection.

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Countdown to the Zoe Show: "I Probably Have a Bit Too Much of Everything"

FabSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 09:00:22 -0700

Whether you love her, hate her, or aren't sure yet, it's soon to be judgment day for celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe when her docudrama premieres Tuesday, Sept. 9. We're kind of loving her and all her Zoe-isms ("bananas") and fashion advice she's given us via our countdown to The Rachel Zoe Project. One thing's for certain: this woman lives a fabulous life. Here's more of it . . .

How many pairs of shoes does Zoe have?

"I haven’t done a count in awhile, but I probably have a bit too much of everything. And that’s not in a sort of extravagant sense as much as it’s from a standpoint of, my rationale is being a collector of things. My vintage collection, and things like that, those are things I can’t ever part with and therefore, it just keeps growing. Instead of getting rid of things and then replacing them, I just keep adding. I am a shopper. I am a collector and I am a shopper, and I can’t really make an excuse for it other than that it’s my art and it’s what I do. And it’s something that in the back of my mind I hope someday my daughter will benefit from, you know what I mean?"

For more, more, more, read more.

Confessions of a shopaholic:

"I don’t really ever shop with intention, if that makes any sense. I’m never really out looking for a specific thing. And Lord knows I have enough in my closet to probably wardrobe me for several seasons of television. I think how we all dressed in the show was really how we all dress in our day-to-day life. It’s sort of about fashion meets function because we work on our hands and knees all day. It’s trying to look decent and still be comfortable because when we get dressed at 7 a.m., we’re in those clothes for 20 hours in a day."

Zoe on '80s style:

"The '80s is a huge trend right now, it did come down the runways a lot. Is it something that I’m a huge advocate of? Not necessarily. I think it works on certain people. It doesn’t work on me personally. For certain people, I think it’s fantastic. But I think it’s about not getting too literal into the '80s. If it means a sharp shoulder and a cropped leather jacket, and a spiked heel and a skinny pant or a leather legging, then I think that’s great. But I think little bits at a time."

See you at Fashion Week:

"I will be attending parties. I will definitely be at many fashion shows. I will also be promoting the show during Fashion Week, so it’ll be juggling that. I love to support my friends when I’m in New York and I would never miss Marc Jacobs. I would never miss Oscar de la Renta, Diane von Furstenberg, Zac Posen, Peter Som - all of them. Rodarte, of course. It’s always fantastic."

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On Our Radar: Designers Pay Tribute to Dorothy's Ruby Slippers

FabSugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 12:00:22 -0700

In celebration of The Wizard of Oz's 70th anniversary next year, Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Swarovski, and 19 designers have teamed up to create their own version of Dorothy's magical ruby slippers.

The list is packed with heavy hitters: A. Testoni, Abaeté, Alberta Ferretti, Betsey Johnson, Botkier, Christian Louboutin, Diane von Furstenberg, Giuseppe Zanotti, Jimmy Choo, L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani, Lisa Pliner, Manolo Blahnik, Moschino, Oscar de la Renta, Roger Vivier, Sergio Rossi, Stuart Weitzman, Tibi, and Tuleh are the chosen ones who will be creating their very own rendition of these magical shoes using Crystallized Swarovski Elements.

After the official unveiling at Saks Fifth Avenue NYC on Sept. 4, the collection will stop in Bryant Park for a viewing and is then set to tour the country in different art exhibitions. I wonder if I tap my feet twice, a pair will magically appear before me . . .

To see the fun sketches of Dorothy's shoes from more designers read more.

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Friday Fab News Roundup!

FabSugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 10:00:22 -0700

The blingtastic $10,000 pair of jeans - The Cut
H&M's new look - Vogue UK
She dresses to win - NY Times
Summer's must-have shoe - Marie Claire UK
When conscience and closet collide - IHT
Crazy About Coco - Vogue UK
Topshop recreates legendary Helmut Newton machines - Marie Claire UK
Collecting vintage dresses like art - WSJ
Autumn Choos - Vogue UK
More on Lindsay Lohan's leggings! - ET Online
Inès de la Fressange: Karl Lagerfeld's muse will get the Légion d'honneur - Times UK