FabSugar

Rachel Roy Breaks Down Her Favorite Color Combinations

Chi Diem Chau — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 04:00:48 PDT

Rachel Roy is a designer who likes to show her cool designs and styling tips on and off the runway. The beautiful California native has an enviable and seemingly endless array of rainbow-hued pants, and a keen ability to pair some of the most offbeat hues together turning them into sleek ensembles. Remember when Rachel wore all of these vibrant ensembles? Amazing. That said, we asked the designer to share with us some of her current favorite color combos and styling secrets. Click through to see her genius color pairings, then shop our inspired looks.

Victoria's Secret Show Opener Adriana Lima Chats Angels, Babies, and Chocolate!

Allie Merriam — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 04:00:04 PST

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,

View 5 Photos ›

FS: Does your husband, professional athlete Marko Jaric, share fitness tips as you prep for the show?
AL: Yes, he does. But our workout routine is so different. Honestly, I have no clue how he works out. How he gets ready for a basketball game, I have no idea. If you asked me do they lift weights, do they run? I don’t know!

FS: What are your plans for post-show?
AL: It’s not that I’m not eating after the show, but I’m definitely going to get together with my friends. I’m going to Mr Chow’s. I’m gonna have some sesame chicken, some cod. I would love to have - oh, I want so many things. I want to have Pinkberry with chocolate and blueberries. And I want to have a coconut hot chocolate. . . I’m gonna tell you that it’s going to have plenty of chocolate involved.

Photos courtesy Victoria's Secret

Fab Exclusive! Jenni Kayne Speaks Equestrian Chic For Fall

FabSugar — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 13:32:36 PST

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,

What kind of woman wears your clothes?

Modern women who value practical fashion.

What's the main difference between West Coast and East Coast style?

Style on the West Coast tends to be less buttoned up than on the East Coast.

What are your favorite clothes to help keep you warm?

My husband's socks and a Jenni Kayne fox fur vest.

What are your snow shoes?

Sorel Boots

Don't forget to check out all of our New York Fashion Week coverage and follow my Fashion Week adventures on Twitter!

FabSugar Exclusive! All Roland Mouret Wants For Christmas Is Understated Evening Wear

FabSugar — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:00:22 PST

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,

Has your menswear foray been a long time development?

I’m launching menswear, it will develop in the new year. What I’m more interested in developing now is being close to my customer. As a designer, it pays off to be close to your customer. You get that relationship, and what they show you about themselves is important in your business and in your creativity, because they are the final point of your work. It’s quite interesting to see what works and what’s doesn't. This season I’ve done 10 days, five cities – great cities - New York, Dallas, Miami, San Francisco, and LA. To see the difference of customer and discovering new themes in sizing, there’s a new kind of person now - big busted, but small hips - and it’s become an interesting challenge to make clothes for that kind of woman. Creativity is the reaction to what’s happening around us.

FabSugar Exclusive! Mouret Mentions Victoria Beckham, Muses, and Oprah

FabSugar — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:50:22 PST

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,

Who are your muses?

I don’t think like that. I don’t have muse with the women and I don’t have a muse with the men. What I’m getting is how we react to our society and what we like from the past, but what we want to adapt for the future. So far, you’ve seen the womenswear with shoulder pads and everyone said shoulder pads would never come back, and they came back. Or leggings . . .

Never say never.

That’s the interesting thing - it’s not to have a muse. I start out more with reflection of people or influence of people about their frustration or their ambition - what they hate about themselves or what they love about themselves and that’s my starting point. Mens is the same thing. It’s talking to women about what they think about men that I will create my menswear, more than to be inspired by someone, what’s in style, let’s be influenced by this person, it’s more I’m researching groups of different people and . . . I dress myself.

What are some current challenges for you?

Every project I start will be the same way - it’s trying to understand how to be creative, how to bring a product to the customer. I was watching a program yesterday about Oprah and I love her philosophy, she has such a sound philosophy, but she loves her product. But she was trying to find the balance. I find that quite fascinating. I think we are living in a world, where yes, we are trying to have a philosophy and trying to do the best with the world we live in and the people we are living around, but that need for the world to carry on, for business existing, is important and I think that’s where I find pure genius.

FabTV: Fab Gets 1:1 With Amber Valletta for Monrow

FabSugar — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:00:22 PST

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.

FABTV: The Ladies of New Moon's Mystical Styles

FabSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:30:11 PST

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!

FabSugar Exclusive: Alexis Bittar Is Gossip Girl's Favorite Accessory Designer

FabSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:00:22 PST

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.

FabSugar Exclusive! Taylor Jacobson, A Lady Who Lunches . . . With an Edge

FabSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:45:22 PST

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,

How would you describe your style?

Ladies who lunch with an edge.

Has being on TV changed your style at all?

No. I think I have always been true to my sense of style.

What was your last big splurge?

I’m trying to be recession savvy at the moment.

What are the most ridiculous trends right now?

I don’t think that anything is ridiculous, you can always make something work with the right styling.

I will never be caught dead in . . .

There is nothing I won’t try.

Most overrated designer? Most underrated?

I respect the art form of design, and I think they should all be respected for sharing their art with us.

Have you ever considered designing your own line of clothing or accessories?

At this point I’m entertaining all ideas. I am walking into this new chapter with an open mind.

View 11 Photos ›

Photos courtesy of Bravo

FabSugar Exclusive! Catherine Malandrino's Tips For Holiday Dressing

FabSugar — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 05:00:22 PST

One thing's for sure about FabSugar in 2007: Catherine Malandrino was a fan favorite. From celebs, to you guys, to us guys, I think we can all agree that Malandrino is a fabulous fashion house and the woman is an icon. One fine day, Madame Catherine and I had a chat over eclairs in a chic cafe in Paris. She enlightened me on how to dress for the holidays and I for one am taking her advice to heart. Ok I fib! CM and I didn't chat over eclairs - Fab can dream right? - but she did provide us with some holiday dressing insight. Kiss kiss!

How can you dress for a holiday party without looking like every other festive girl in the room?

Never wear black, be daring and wear a BOLD color. Always wear heels.

What are holiday dressing “do's” and “don’ts?”

Holiday Do’s: be sensual, wear textures from feathers to paillettes, and mix it with light fabrics such as tulle, chiffon and organza. Always prefer a dress. Holiday Don’ts: no sneakers, no black, and no jeans, never go casual!

How can you modernize your favorite old party dress?

You can modernize your favorite old party dress with bold graphic colorful accessories, an oversized necklace or cover your arm with big bangles. Wear colorful high heel sandals.

To learn more,

What are some fresh holidays colors you can work with? Not your typical, red and green...

Fresh holiday colors are yellow, turquoise, and orange. Think holidays in the Tropics, bare feet on the beach under the sun.

What’s a good dress up alternative for girls who don’t like to wear dresses or get all fancied up?

A good dress alternative is mini shorts or Bermuda shorts.

What are you doing and wearing on New Years?!

I will be in Paris celebrating in an old Parisian Palace with friends, music and champagne.

What are some cold weather style tips?

Wear a fur hat and fur accessories to add a touch of glamour to your winter season.