FabSugar

Sneak Peek! Simply Vera by Vera Wang Spring '09

FabSugar — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 03:00:22 -0700

I saw a commercial for Simply Vera Vera Wang last night and immediately went online to see the selection up close. The Spring line has bloomed at Kohl's and I already have a long wish list. The designer usually delivers nothing short of stellar, so I'm not shocked at her latest offerings. In true Vera nature, there's lots of funky jewels and clothes conducive to heavy layering. I can see her wearing each and every one of her creations. Cropped trousers, graphic tops, sporty cool jackets, and breezy dresses dominate. One word of advice: If you want to maximize your style, mimic the looks head-to-toe.

To see more from Simply Vera Spring '09, read more.

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I Want This Wardrobe: Gossip Girl, Blair Waldorf

FabSugar — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 03:00:22 -0700

On the latest episode of Gossip Girl, Blair went off the deep end, and I loved every bit of it. The Archibald's family soiree was the perfect opportunity for the Yale reject to behave badly in a body-con navy spliced dress by Herve Leger, a beige embellished Joie cardi, and patent pumps. For accessories, Blair adorned herself with a stand-out anchor pendant necklace by Urban Minx - I like how the pearls are intertwined with the gold chains. Don't you love badass Blair?

Herve Leger Strapless Dress ($1,590)	Nanette Lepore Women's Amazon Cardigan ($185)
Philip Crangi Anchor Pendant Necklace ($1,670)	Forever 21 Pearls ($8)
Aldo Black Patent Pumps ($50, orginally $70)	Forever 21 Patent Clutch ($20)
Kohl's Heart Ruby Ring ($200)	10K White Gold Stud Earrings ($40)

To get even more looks from the latest episode, visit CelebStyle!

Photo courtesy of the CW

March Shopping Madness! Stones in the Rough

FabSugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 08:00:22 -0700

Polished gems are fine and dandy, but there's something about rough stones that give off a cool, ethereal aura. These little - or large - nuggets look 100 percent organic and provide stunning contrast against tailored ensembles. This wondrous Roberto Cavalli Stone Ring ($390) has me swooning for days. It has not one, but two matte, rough-cut stones. Rough perfection.

I Want This Wardrobe: Confessions of a Shopaholic, Rebecca Bloomwood

FabSugar — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:00:08 -0800

It takes a seasoned stylista like Rebecca Bloomwood to pull off this perfectly mismatched ensemble. Underneath her orange plaid Jerold cape lies a complicated yet cunning outfit. On top, Rebecca layered on a purple Danny button-down body suit with a luxurious Vince cashmere sweater. Her bottom half consists of a cobalt blue Balenciaga skirt cinched in with a wide purple belt. For accessories, Rebecca adorned herself with her favorite green scarf - which brings her change, love, loss - red earrings, orange leather gloves, cool mesh slingbacks by Christian Louboutin, and a yellow Marc Jacobs quilted bag. Funky and fabulous, no?

Photo courtesy of Disney

The Look For Less: Madison Marcus Ruffle Leather Jacket

FabSugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 12:00:22 -0800

In case you haven't noticed, I have a soft spot for leather jackets. Upon perusing my collection, I noticed a lack of feminine details in my leather goods. This epiphany led me to find this beautiful Madison Marcus Universe Ruffle Leather Jacket ($572). The ruffle detailing is divine but the price tag is way out of control.

To see the look for less, read more.

Thanks to faux leather, this ELLE Leather Biker Jacket ($29, originally $72) has the same feminine detailing and cropped cut without the expensive price. The patent sheen isn't as bright in real life but the fit is superb. I own the gray version and I love it!

The Budget Shopper's Guide to Fall

FabSugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 07:00:22 -0700

I shared my 10 Fall Essentials, but now realize it was a tad insensitive to dangle gorgeously expensive items at you when the economy is dire. To make up for it, I present the budget shopper's guide to Fall. It has similar items to my original list, only cheaper versions. You'll find nothing over $50. Does that sound good? Let's get the shopping festivities started with a jeweled stunner that adds spunk to any outfit.

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Trend Alert: Finger Blinging Good

FabSugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 03:00:22 -0700

It's finger blinging good this season so go ahead and stack those rings! How, you might ask? Just revert back to childhood days when you played dress-up and stacked a ring on each finger on your hand. Just remember to keep those rings funky and chunky like the famous girl named Mischa pictured to your left. Oh, and yes, you most certainly can mix and match metals and stones - there are no rules here.

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On Our Radar: Avril Lavigne For Kohl's

FabSugar — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 13:00:22 -0800

Is Avril Lavigne more like Heidi Montag than we knew?

Heidi is launching a juniors line with Anchor Blue in April, and now Avril is launching her own junior apparel line, Abbey Dawn, for Kohl's starting in July.

Lavigne's collection will feature new pieces every 60 days, with a blended aesthetic of rock 'n' roll with a feminine edge. Since the initial collection is created from the pop singer's own closet, expect lots of bold colors, iconic prints, tartan plaids, checks, and stripes in prices ranging from $24-$48.

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On Our Radar: Machine Washable Suiting

FabSugar — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 03:00:22 -0700

The power suit is back: but with a new power. It's now machine-washable and with a flattering cut. For all you young professionals out there whose suits are like a uniform, take a breath of fresh air. No more hauling piles of blazers, pants, and skirts back and forth to the dry cleaners on a weekly basis!

Nicole by Nicole Miller has an affordable "Smart Suit" at JCPenney: $132 for jackets, $72 for pants, and $60 for skirts. Erin Fetherston for Target has the more feminine washable skirt suit at left coming out in mid-November, and Kohl's Apt. 9 label offers a washable tweed pantsuit. Some are also wrinkle-resistant, so you can just wash and wear.

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The Challenges for Vera & Her Kohl's Collaboration

FabSugar — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 13:44:49 -0700

Not too long ago we flashed the news about Vera Wang's collection for Wisconsin-based department store Kohl's - a far cry from the designer's concrete jungle of NYC. A recent article in the NY Times revealed some interesting challenges the queen of bridal couture is facing with her midmarket retail endeavor.

The most obvious concern with creating mass market collections is that it undermines their prestige amongst affluent customers. They cited Halston as the classic example, who was dropped by luxury retailers after signing a deal for a line at J.C. Penney (remember them?!). However, times have changed and after cheaper lines at H&M for Karl Lagerfeld and Stella McCartney, to name a couple, I don't think Chanel or Stella's reputations have suffered. Then again, I am not (yet) an affluent customer. Vera feels this risk was outweighed by the resources and business expertise Kohl's brings to the table.

The other challenge was that Vera simply needs mo' money. She has reached a crossroads after her business rapidly grew and she lacks the resources, ie. cash, to keep expanding. A lesser known fact is that designers need a lot of funding to keep afloat. Wang puts it, "We need a lot more to play in the sandbox, so to speak." She reached out to Kohl's in an effort to keep her business bountiful.

Lastly, perfectionism has a price when exploring new territory. Wang had a hard time adjusting to the requirement of producing fewer styles in greater quantities. No more chucking extravagant fabric that isn't perfect to the curb Vera! The good news is compromise was achieved and a gold brocade skirt that is a $68 replica of a $890 one from her Fall collection made the cut. Yay!

Sorry for the long update but I thought all of this was very interesting since we're in the midst of a high-low fashion revolution. Look out for Simply Vera at Kohl's stores in September.

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Multichain Agate Pendant Necklace - $34.50	Winstanley Social Wrapped Shapestone Ring in Peach - $35.00
Barse lapis cross necklace - $70.00	1928® Jet-Tone Sapphire & Montana Drop Earrings - $16.00
Delilas Necklace - $38.00	Mashka black faceted agate drop earrings - $49.00
Zads Wired Wrapped Stone Ring - $16.00	Jan Michaels Giant Kryptonite Ring - $48.00
Geode Necklaces - $28.00	RHEANNA LINGHAM - Ceramic stone pendant - $47.00
Etho Stark Chain - $25.00	Roberto Cavalli Large stone ring - $390.00

Hooded Plaid Wool Toggle Coat - $47.80	LS V-Neck Sweater - $24.80
PINKO Mini skirt - $214.00	Wrinkle-resistant stretch blouse - $69.00
Nine West Women's Blitzen Platform Slingback - $88.95	Marc by Marc Jacobs Hobo shoulder bag - $430.00
Belt Reague C - $29.00	Simple Jersey Scarf - $4.50
Sterling Silver Carnelian & Swarovski® Crystal Drop Earrings - $30.00	NINA PETER Gloves - $203.00
Jacqueline Courier Hand Bag - $99.99

Three Ring Set - $5.80	ASOS Wrapped Wire Detail Ring - $12.98
Paloma's Sugar Stacks Ring - $1,700.00	Sterling Silver Large Filigree Marcasite Ring - $14.99
Rachel Leigh Topaz Oversized Ring - $110.00	H81 Triple Ring Set - $3.60
ASOS Stone Set Star Ring On Mesh Band - $17.30	18k Sterling Silver Green Amethyst & Diamond Accent Ring - $275.00
Sterling Silver Tri-Color Ring Trio - 7 - $22.99	Sterling Silver Moon & Star Ring - $25.00
ASOS Large Square Stone Ring - $17.30	Coiled Serpant Ring - $16.00