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Best of 2008: Fabulous Fashion Week Shows

FabSugar — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:30:08 -0800

2008 spawned a tremendous flurry of fabulous Fashion Week shows. Let's see, there were New York Fall and Spring shows, Milan Fashion Week, Paris Fashion Week, London Fashion Week, and LA Fashion Week. Oh, and don't forget all of the ravishing Resort and Pre-Fall collections. Some of my faves were Proenza Schouler's Fall line, Alexander Wang's Spring offerings, and Balmain's Spring collection in Paris. All different, all divine. Which were your favorites? Jog your memory, and check out all of our 2008 Fashion Week coverage.

To see the rest of our Fashion Week coverage, read more

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Fab Flash: Donna Karan Agrees Not to Use Fur

FabSugarUK — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 03:00:10 -0800

The catwalk shows for Autumn 2008 have prompted many to ask, has fur become acceptable again? It seems the opposite is the case for Donna Karan who just announced that she has "no plans" to use fur in the future. Karan has been under pressure from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) who have protested outside her fashion shows and at her boutiques for some time.

Recently they set up a site (which is now offline) DonnaKaranBunnyButcher.com and Tim Gunn sent both Karan and Giorgio Armani a video showing animals being skinned alive for their fur. Karan follows Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and Calvin Klein who all recently stopped using fur and skins in their clothing lines.

It's interesting that PETA has managed to make such an impact on the American fashion industry. What do you think of the news, do you think designers should reconsider including the fabric in their collections?

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On Our Radar: New York Look Goes Online

FabSugar — Mon, 12 May 2008 02:00:22 -0700

New York Magazine has just launched New York Look online. This fabulous site is easy to navigate and offers a breakdown of the best 2008 Fall runway trends. There are a ton of web-exclusive goodies to look through including a Q&A with Karl Lagerfeld and model Chanel Iman. If you're a fashion photography buff, like me, make sure to check out Chris Anderson's amazing photo documentary of the New York and Paris fashion shows.

Fab Blab

FabSugar — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:00:22 -0700

During New York Fashion Week, a handful of attendees were asked a very important question: For whom do women dress? Here's what they had to say . . .

Carine Roitfeld (left): "I don't know for everyone else. For me, it's for myself. When you feel good about yourself, you feel good about everyone else."

Anne Hathaway: "Most women dress for their most fashionable friend."

Isabel Toledo: Women dress for men. I do dress for myself because it makes me feel empowered, but I'm definitely looking for [husband] Rubin's expression, not his approval. I do use clothes to speak - how I dress is a form of communication for me."

Sophia Bush: I dress for myself. There are days when I don't want to be dressed up so I'm not. And there are other days when I really want to be done from head to toe. You've got to dress for you."

So, for whom do you dress?

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Five Beauty Secrets of Fashion Week

BellaSugar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 08:00:19 -0800

Phew. It's been a long two weeks of fashion shows, but I'm definitely invigorated by so many of the hair and makeup looks. I'm also excited to share some behind-the-scenes secrets with you-the kind of stuff you don't usually hear about.

Fashion Week Fact #1: Runway hair isn't always expensive.
The Sari Gueron show (pictured) was running an hour late, so I had plenty of time to watch the hair and makeup teams prepare. Herbal Essences sponsored the hair for this show, and I was curious to see if the stylists actually used the drugstore brand's products, or whether they sneaked some high-end stuff in there. To my delight, the stylists used only Herbal Essences, proving that it's skill, not price, that lets you create a gorgeous look.

Fashion Week Fact #2: Model complexions vary.
You'll be glad to know that models, like the rest of us, have the occasional blemish, blackhead, and other skin problem. You just don't see it easily because their makeup is so professionally done. Then again, about 30% of the models had flawless complexions. Seriously, I couldn't even find a pore on this girl. Moral of the story: Models break out, too, except for a lucky few.

For two more secrets, including the $7.49 mascara that I spied at more than a few shows, read more.

Fashion Week Fact #3: Yes, you really can go cheap on mascara.
I went to three shows where a drugstore mascara was being used. The winning formula: L'Oreal Voluminous mascara ($7.49).

Fashion Week Fact #4: Using your fingers isn't such a bad idea.
While every makeup artist I saw was using brushes to apply eye color, some used their fingers to pat on cream blush, lipstick, and concealer. Yes, makeup brushes will improve your application of most products. But with some products, fingers are just as useful.

Fashion Week Fact #5: Thinking outside the box is key.
Lipstick used as eye shadow. Rosebud salve used as blush. A dot of Vaseline on the eyelids. All of these things worked on the runway, so they can work for you, too. Don't be afraid to experiment a little bit by using your favorite lipstick as a blush, and see where you go from there.

Fab Times at New York Fashion Week

FabSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 16:00:22 -0800

You heard about my fashion week fumbles, but that's just a result of the stars not aligning quite right this time around. Though it's a fast and furious week, it's a fabulous week. I wouldn't have it be any different, really. Although having a town car take me from show to show would be a-mazing. One can dream right? Now that I've sifted through the runway looks, chosen my favorites, started a mental wish list, and gotten over my jet lag, I can share with you the Fab times at New York Fashion Week.

Most Fab show? This one is always a toughie; either Rodarte or Oscar de la Renta. Rodarte felt like I'd stepped into an alternate fashion universe, and Oscar was just so beautiful and rich. Oh! The Project Runway finalist show was pretty exciting too.

To read all about the rest, read more

Hottest handbag sighting: Yves Saint Laurent Besace Flap Bag ($1,995).
Most Fab moment? Eating and drinking with Rachel Zoe at the DVF dinner; it was just really chill, and she was approachable and chatty.
Most awesome celebrity sighting? You can read all about the celebrity front rows on ELLE.com, but for me personally: Parker Posey at Cynthia Rowley. Seeing the original Party Girl was a very pleasant surprise.
Best swag: Fancy scented candles - because I absolutely refuse to spend $40 on a candle!
Item I really want to buy (and can maybe afford) come Fall: Anything by Shipley & Halmos.

Number of Anna Wintour sightings: numerous. Number of Carine Roitfeld sightings: only two.
Items I managed to buy between breaks (you know me): A pair of Juicy Fruit pink Guiseppe Zanotti python flats, two Marc by Marc Jacobs umbrellas, a gray woven leather Lauren Merkin clutch (on sale), and the perfect denim vest from H&M.
Three favorite shows overall, for the clothes: Bill Blass, Rodarte, and Proenza Schouler.

The Bags to Have at Fashion Week

FabSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 07:00:22 -0800

Who knew a fun way to kill time at Fashion Week was to snap pictures of fashionistas' handbags? I am more of a shoe girl, but fabulous bags were just dangling left and right and I had to give you a peek at the bags of New York Fashion Week. The most popular were Goyard, Marni, Mulberry, Prada, Chanel and, my personal favorite, Yves Saint Laurent. This is a good mix of It bags and classics; it goes to show whatever bag tickles your fancy works as a bag to have at Fashion Week. What caught my eye? This metallic handled black Givenchy Nightingale. Ashley Olsen is a fan of this bag - I love the contrasting handle and convertible strap.

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New York Fashion Week Trend Alert: Livin' on the Edge

FabSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 02:00:22 -0800

Some New York designers channeled their dark side for Fall. I wonder if this has anything to do with the dark get ups of fashion influencers Kate Moss and the Olsens. Perhaps. The cool touch of model/stylist/muse Erin Wasson at Alexander Wang (left) was certainly evident. This may not be the most uplifting raiment for dark and stormy days, but the fact of the matter is: On such days, don't we all sometimes feel like dressing like a bad ass?

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New York Fashion Week Trend Alert: The Velveteen Fashionista

FabSugar — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 05:00:22 -0800

Velvet is back, in a major way. The rich, heavy, but super soft fabric that conjures up images of Medieval Times, holiday dresses when I was five and the early '90s, has taken a turn for the better. As long as crushed velvet stays at bay, today's velvet evokes romance and richness; such was the case at Ralph Lauren (left). Nolens volens: Are you ready to be a velveteen fashionista?

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A Few Fab Words With Victorya Hong of Project Runway

FabSugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:00:22 -0800

Being aufed from this season of Project Runway didn't get Victorya Hong down. In fact, she came back full force and staged a whole runway show last week at New York Fashion Week - more than those still left on Project Runway can say for themselves, since they shared a catwalk. Just minutes before her label, Na-Be by Victorya Hong, made its runway debut, Bella (thanks doll!) caught up with Victorya for a few Fab words . . .

Is this the first time you've done a big show like this?
Yes; I'm scared.

Oh no!
And everyone keeps saying, "Scared? Well, okay, that means you're excited." And I say, "That means I'm really excited."

So a year ago, if someone had told you that you'd be showing at the Altman Building, what would your response have been?
I think a year ago that would have probably been something I never would have imagined. Even though it's happening now, it's still kind of hard to believe that it's happening!

To hear more from Victorya and see her debut fashion week collection, read more

How many different looks do you have?
I have 29.

Wow.
But it still looks small. When I look at the clothes and how much hard work goes into the clothes, and the eight minutes up on stage . . . I call it tightly edited.

What was inspiration for this collection?
It was definitely very '80s inspired. For me, that's the part of fashion that I really enjoy: doing the research, looking at images in archives, things like that. So that's what I did for a good month, I just looked at images galore from the early to mid '80s.

You're a child of the '80s, then.
Yeah! Were you?

How'd you guess?
[Laughs] It's hard for me to get away from that because I find myself listening to music from the '80s constantly, looking at films again from the '80s, looking at books, things like that. So I think it has had a pretty big impact on the way I look at things, and on my aesthetic in general.

Will people be able to buy the clothes tonight?
I hope so! This is my first really big collection. I've never really put things into production. I've done things here and there and sold them on the side, but I'm hoping this will be a breakout collection.

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