FabSugar

New York Fashion Week Trend Alert: Quirk

FabSugar — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 10:00:22 PDT

I have come to realize that the trends are really all over the map for Spring. Which is cool, because this means we'll have variety and designers are doing their own thing, whether the outcome is good or bad. One direction a lot of designers did go was quirky. Whether they went the art route, like at Malandrino, the mad route, like at Marc Jacobs, or stepped slightly out of their comfort zone, like at Rebecca Taylor, quirk is the way of the Spring.

(L-R: Rodarte, Benjamin Cho, Tuleh)

Source

Rachel Comey Fall 2012

Chi Diem Chau — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:30:27 PST

Rachel Comey showed us her sophisticated side for Fall '12, streamlining her usual quirk factor with a modern, refreshing twist. "Normally for Fall we dive into print and pattern and color," said Comey. "This time, I pulled all of that out and cleared the air." With that in mind, the designer showcased laser-cut cotton dresses and wool felt tops, digital-print knee-length skirts, pretty prints, and shiny boxy leather tops. Color pops included an oversized bright orange coat and dress and even a heart-print dress doused in hot pink. Comey's shoes, a cult favorite amongst many, included quirky-cool black-and-white cap-toe loafers, flatforms, and chunky ankle boots. To finish, Comey closed out the show with an array of cocktail-appropriate black dresses, ranging from a simple, slinky halter-neck LBD to a shimmering full-skirted version. More details on the collection below.

Trends: Laser-cut tops, full-skirt dresses, metallic, digital and watercolor prints.
Colors: Black, gray, hot pink, bright orange.
Key Piece: Rachel's laser-cut tops and dresses exuded a light structural quality we can't wait to try on come Fall '12.
Accessories: Black-and-white cap-toe loafers, flatform boots, clear plastic skinny belts, sheer metallic socks.
Who Would Wear It: Girls who crave quirky yet sophisticated pieces like Kate Bosworth, Whitney Port, and Leighton Meester.

Zooey Deschanel's Nails Wear a Tux to the Golden Globes

Miriam Lacey — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:40:35 PST

Zooey Deschanel is queen of cutie-pie quirk, but for the Golden Globes she took things to a new level, tweeting this photo of her nails painted up to look like little men wearing tuxedos and cummerbunds. Zooey's birthday is on Tuesday, so she's got a couple good reasons to have such a festive manicure. This isn't the first set of "tuxedo" nails we've seen, either; Ruffian showed off a similar look for its Fall 2011 runway. Next time you have something to celebrate, will you consider whipping out your monochrome paint and putting your pinkies in formal attire?

Brad Pitt and Charlize Theron Bring Double the Glamour to W Magazine

Lauren Turner — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:44:08 PST

Brad Pitt and Charlize Theron grace the cover of two separate W covers this February. Brad got casual in an undone black tie look while Charlize went glamorous in a brightly colored gown and jewels. Both Brad and Charlize are being recognized for their roles in Moneyball and Young Adult, respectively, this award season and have best actor and actress nominations at Sunday's Golden Globe Awards - make sure to fill out your Golden Globes ballot before the big show. In the publication's Best Performances Issue, Brad talks about his experience watching movies while Charlize shares a funny quirk she brought to her big-screen character, Mavis. Here's more from Brad Pitt and Charlize Theron in W:

Brad on crying at films: "I’m not much of a crier at films, but there was one . . . I was coming back from Cabo on my way to Montreal, and I got hit with Montezuma’s revenge. I could not keep anything down. I was stuck in a hotel room with no windows and was just doing what you do when you’re sick. On day two of this extremely painful episode, I watched a film called Life as a House. I don’t know if it would still hit me the same way, but on my 27th hour of pure wretchedness, this movie just crushed me."
Charlize on Mavis wearing bra inserts: "I wear those! If you don’t have boobs, you wear those cutlets. It’s just the most bizarre, unsexy thing there is - so I added that to Mavis."
Brad on whether it's difficult to watch himself die in a movie: "God, no. I’m just checking the boxes. Hit that. Missed that. Hit that moment. Missed that one. God, I’d like to do that one again."

Look of the Day: Ladylike Luxe

FabSugar — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 03:48:06 PST

Fab reader JustPatience went full throttle with chic monochromatic pieces and an ultra ladylike vibe. Her black asymmetrical-hem sheath dress proved a classic silhouette, but when paired with polka-dot tights and patent-leather Mary Jane pumps, the look got a dash of girlieness and quirk. She topped the all-black outfit with a bright blue Celine statement bag, matching gold cuffs, cat-eye sunglasses, and a bold pink lip. We love her attention to detail and accessories - the finished result is polished and pretty.

Congrats JustPatience!

Everyone else, submit your looks, and we might just feature you on FabSugar!

Ask Savvy: How to Deal With an Annoying Co-Worker

Savvy Community — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 03:05:13 PST

This reader posted in our Ask Savvy group - she wants to know how to handle a co-worker that's getting on her nerves.

I sit next to a co worker all day on a switchboard, it's been me and her for the past two years, and we actually get along great. We are close friends and she was a bridesmaid in my wedding.

The thing that's driving me insane is that she is really loud while we're working next to each other, and I don't know how to address it without offending her, because she doesn't even notice it herself or mean to cause a disruption.

She breathes SO LOUD when she's eating at the desk, and it drives me insane, I've come so close to just telling her to blow her nose, because it sounds like the reason she's breathing loud is cause she needs to clear her nose. This is every day.

She's also always banging so loud on the key board when she types, slams phones down, slams cupboard doors, and is constantly chewing at her finger nails making noise

She also chews her food really loud.

It wouldn't normally bother me but it's been every day for the last 2 years, outside of work it's never a problem, just so annoying throughout the work day. What should I say without offending her to tell her that her heavy breathing and banging around is highly irritating.

Or should I just suck it up and realize people have their quirks.

Ask anything budget-, etiquette-, or planning-related - well, almost anything - by posting your questions in the Ask Savvy group, and I'll find the right expert to help you out.

Talking Imperfect Perfection With Deborah Needleman

Elka Karl — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:00:51 PDT

This year at High Point Market I was thrilled to finally meet Deborah Needleman, one of my all-time design heroines. The lovely Ms. Needleman led a design luncheon at High Point where she talked about her new book, The Perfectly Imperfect Home. It has risen to the rank of my favorite home decor book of the past year, and it sits atop my slant-top desk next to a small box filled with antique German coins, one of the "smalls" that Deborah talks about that make my home personal, happy, and perfectly imperfect.

The former editor of Domino magazine and the current editor of WSJ. Magazine, Deborah recently answered some of my questions about her book, decorating philosophy, and personal favorite decorating ideas and quirky pieces. Keep reading for the first half of my interview with Deborah Needleman!
CasaSugar: What inspired The Perfectly Imperfect Home?
Deborah Needleman: It was inspired by how uncomfortable I feel in overly decorated, everything-just-so houses, and how inspired and comfortable and happy I feel in houses that are stylish and real. I love houses that are portraits of their owners.

CS: How do you think the concept of designing imperfectly can spark creativity and growth in decorating?
DN: You can’t be creative if you are constantly just trying to keep everything neat and perfect. If the evolution of your life is reflected in your decorating, that means your decoration will not remain static. It changes as you change; it grows and morphs with you. I’ve never liked or believed in the idea of decorating as something that can be finished. Like life, it is a work in progress.

CS: Can you describe one of the stylish, welcoming, and imperfect homes you’ve visited and found particularly inspiring?
DN: The decorator and design writer Rita Konig is my patron saint(ess) of stylish imperfection. She was raised by a fancy decorator (Nina Campbell), has lived in and visited beautiful houses her whole life, and knows all the rules of decorating, but she is never hampered by rules or fussiness. She is inspired by the kind of life she wants to go on inside her house. It is always inspiring, exciting, and completely comforting to be in her home. Her home always smells fantastic. It has a lot of personality, quirk, and color. There are soft pillows on the sofas and chairs, lots of books you want to read, and interesting things on the walls. Plus, she’s a doting host, always ready to make you something nice to drink and eat.

All the top editors at Domino had homes like you describe - stylish, welcoming, and imperfect - and they inspired me enormously. I hired them so they could inspire others like they did me. The brilliant Sara Ruffin Costello (who now writes the best and cheekiest decorating column out there for the Off Duty section of the Wall Street Journal), Tom Delavan (who is now editorial director of the recently launched GiltHome), Dara Caponigro (editor in chief of Veranda magazine), and the aforementioned Rita Konig (who is European editor of WSJ. Magazine magazine)

Keep reading for more of our conversation with Deborah Needleman!

Community Popularity Contest: Which Characters Do You Love?

Lizzie Fuhr — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:58:48 PDT

The crew of Community may have started off as an informal Spanish study group, but this season Jeff has "officially" accepted that they've evolved into a group of close friends. While the group recently argued about the hierarchy of their social circle, each of these very different characters brings their own awesome quirks to the table. We've got to know: which characters are your favorites? Vote on which Community characters you love, and who you would rather see flunked out.

Photos courtesy of NBC

Fendi Spring 2012

FabSugar — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 11:29:11 PDT

For Spring 2012, Fendi embraces sexiness, humor, and ladylike dressing all at once. It's what might happen if more buttoned-up types let their hair down without really surrendering their aesthetic. Essentially, structures and silhouettes remain intact with shift dresses, suiting, coats, and evening dresses - but each gets an edgy update with cutouts or rich fabrics like suede and leather with perforated, dot detailing carried throughout. Exceptions, like furry textural vests and long, sheer black gowns make their appearance, but overall the work speaks mainly to modern, pulled-together types who favor modern-cut classics like stripes on their blouses and a great skirt suit.

Trends: Ladylike, cutouts, sheer, stripes, fur, suede, texture.
Colors: Gray, black, white, blue, red.
Key Look: The adorable white apron-front dress.
Accessories: Oversize, see-through sunglasses, perforated leather ankle-strap heels with multicolored straps, some with fur adornments, perforated leather totes and clutches.
Who Would Wear It: Ladylike types with a little humor and quirk; Michelle Williams, Carey Mulligan, Mia Wasikowska, and Alexa Chung.

Zooey Deschanel on Why New Girl Fits Her Like the Perfect Dress

Rose Curiel — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:40:33 PDT

New Girl, which premieres this week on Fox, stars Zooey Deschanel as a quirky girl who moves in with a group of guys after discovering her boyfriend has cheated on her. The actress recently spoke with reporters over the phone about making the transition from film to a full-time gig on TV, as well as what we can expect from future episodes of the show. The She & Him frontwoman also clued us in on whether she will continue to croon on the show and how her character, Jess, will move on from her broken heart.

When did you decide to do comedy?
Zooey Deschanel: I always liked doing comedies when I would do plays in school always. I would always play the comedic roles. I guess that's kind of how it started. But I always think of myself as a comedic actress. I guess later I found that I could do drama as well, but I really started out thinking that I was more of a comedic actress. That's what I really love to do, so I'm super happy and excited that I get to do funny stuff every week on the show.

Is any part of Jess's personality based on yours?
ZD: I think it was sort of an actor-writer kismet situation. I know it wasn't written for me initially but it was sort of a perfect fit. You know, you go to a store and you see a dress and it just looks like it was made for you, but it wasn't? That's sort of like what it was like. And now that I am on the show, it is written for me and it's wonderful to have all these great writers writing stuff for me.

To find out what else Zooey had to say, just keep reading.