Aug 07

Amsterdam International Fashion Week Spring/ Summer 2010: Elsien Gringhuis

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imageThis has been Elsien Gringhuis’ first show at Amsterdam Fashion Week that she presented individually. Gringhuis studied at Artez in Arnhem and works for G-Star Raw denim at the moment. The collection she showed at AIFW 2010 looks rather strict, with straight lines and a minimal, clean cut silhouette, in addition to lots of shiny fabrics with very well made details. “Focus” is the theme of her collection, a collection about all the stress and chaos we go through all day and the need to focus on what really matters and what makes a difference in our day-to-day lives. Although it’s not certain if she will produce her collection (she is still looking for ateliers) you can buy a real Gringhuis soon at Hema (www.hema.nl). She won the Hema design contest with a raincoat she made from biological cotton and rubber coating. Click the slideshow to see her show at Amsterdam International Fashion Week!

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Jul 30

Fiercely ’80s Eye Makeup Straight Off The Marc Jacobs Runway!

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imageIt was hard to ignore the ’80s makeup that dominated the runways for Fall. Marc Jacobs sent his girls down the runway with a fierce-looking club kid eye makeup look and Versace and Zac Posen both featured “Debbie Harry meets Jerry Hall”-inspired makeup. Marc Jacobs wanted the eyes to take center stage — so much so that he asked makeup artist Francois Nars to create 65 different makeup looks on the 65 models! What makes this eye makeup look different than just a normal smokey or dark eye? Unlike a heavy-lined eye, these ’80s-inspired looks take it a step further, with the shadow up to the crease and often all the way up to the eyebrow, creating a large oval around the eye. To cop the look yourself, accentuate your usual blacks and browns with cobalt blues, deep greens, bright purples, reds, fuchsias, and even some glitter (not too much — we’re not going for Boy George here). An easy way to get a more street-appropriate version of the look is to shade the eye all over with a sheer eyeshadow of peach, gold, or soft blue. Lightly rim the entire eye with a black eyeliner (no need to be perfect since you will be covering and blending with shadow), then use a darker highly-pigmented shade like an espresso or navy on the lower lid and blend towards the crease and outer corner. Check out the slideshow for some great products to get the look, and click “See Video” to watch Marc Jacobs’ makeup master Francois create the looks for the Fall ’09 show.

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Jul 24

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SWIM Runway: Poko Pano

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imageSummer is the perfect season to show off sweet and sexy styles and what better way to do it than in a Poko Pano swimsuit! At Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SEIM in Miami, Poko Pano showcased their new, slightly whimsical, borderline quirky and definitely provocative line of swim and beachwear. From light, bright colors perfect for a sunny day, to patterns like plaids and polka-dots, Poko Pano promises a fun-in-the-sun feel to their daring bikinis and monokinis. Strapless tops and plunging halters ooze feminine sensuality while interesting details and deliberate mixing and matching makes each piece different and eye-catching! To see more flirty and fiery designs by Poko Pano, check out the slideshow of their runway collection from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SWIM! Photo credit: Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

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Jul 23

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SWIM Runway: Tommy Bahama

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imageSummer is all about resorts and relaxation. Borrowing from this mind-set, Tommy Bahama introduced their latest collection of luxury resort and swimwear. Tommy Bahama has long been a leader in high-end cruise and resort wear, known for their pretty prints of tropical foliage and classic and elegant lines and silhouettes. The prints were a little less fun-in-the-sun and a little more sleek and sophisticated (which I think works better), but still featured the signature tropical plant patterns. Shadows of palm leaves and bunches of wild flowers were showcased on bikinis, maxi-dresses and flowing tops. Colors were rich and fun, but not acid or overly bright. Sherbet orange, ocean blue and jewel-toned fuschia were mixed in with basic black and white and other neutral tones. The swimsuits and resort wear for women featured halter necks and tube-tops or loose, flowing tops and dresses and were sexy without showing too much, making them appropriate for those looking for a little more coverage. The menswear featured classic cuts and lengths in their shirts and trunks, made more interesting with fun colors and trendy gradient prints. Topping off the look for both sexes were wide-brimmed, floppy sun hats that only added to the feel of laid-back luxury and effortless resort chic. Check out the slideshow to see more from Tommy Bahama at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week! Photo credit: Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

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Jul 23

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SWIM Runway: Red Carter

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imageA swimsuit is a swimsuit is a swimsuit, right? Not if it’s a Red Carter design! They challenge your idea of a conventional one-piece or bikini and have you lusting after the interesting and daring details of their suits. Red Carter isn’t tentative or apologetic about there extreme and avant-garde details that have never been seen on any other swimwear. There are, of course, colorful and lively patterns that stimulate the eye, but it is the over-sized asymmetrical ruffles or Renaissance-inspired Leg-o’ Mutton sleeves that are the real attention getting pieces. It is the tailored feel and the emphasized princess seams or the pleather and feathers on 1920’s inspired cuts and lines that make you sit up a little straighter and stare a little longer. Barely there metallics and reversed-cowl necks could cause double-takes and possibly neck injuries! Beach coverings were just as extravagant and featured ties at the waist, bold patterns and colors, pleated detailing and very current runway silhouettes. One could imagine many of the pieces translating easily into a more professional setting. Men in speedos and barely there briefs have never been my thing, but if all men looked like the male models did in Red Carters solidly colored “trunks” of red, white and black, then I may just have to re-think my stance! For more crazy, but completely wearable and desirable swim looks, check out our slideshow! Photo credit: Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

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Jul 22

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SWIM Runway: Pistol Panties

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imageI’ll admit it, I’m a sucker for anything retro. From pin-ups like Bettie Page and Dita von Teese to paintings by Alberto Vargas, I love them all. Best of all, they’re a great source of inspiration for swimwear! For the latest swimwear collection from Pistol Panties, it’s easy to see all the retro pin-up references! Deborah Fleming, the British/Colombian designer behind Pistol Panties is committed to designing “glamorous swimwear to make you feel like a superstar.” In fact, Deborah’s first job was designing costumes for film and theater where she found vintage film costumes as inspiration. I can imagine almost every swimsuit flattering all shapes and sizes (which is quite a feat!). A variety of prints were featured from classic polka-dots and houndstooth to a bold print that reminded me of stained glass windows. Some of my favorite looks had giant floppy hats which provide much needed sun protection and privacy on the beach. It’s hard to please everyone, but I think Pistol Panties may have done it! Take a look at my slideshow for the latest runway looks from Pistol Panties. Photo credit: Photo credit: Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

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Jul 22

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SWIM Runway: Luli Fama

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imageMy first thoughts upon seeing this year’s Luli Fama swimwear collection? Pageant bikini competition protestors obviously have never seen one of her runways! Decked out in fluffy sausage curls (sounds like something at IHOP, I know), plenty of red lipstick, and exuding the feminine confidence of Rosie the Riveter, the show’s models were a perfect balance of girlie-sexy and in-your-face tough, putting a fresh new spin on the pin-up girl that frankly could probably kick your butt. The collection itself boasted a fun and flirty variety of retro prints like black-and-white polka dots with modern twists like neon ruffled trim.. and of course the looks wouldn’t be complete without red pearl necklaces, giving the collection a sort of overall “June Cleaver lets her hair down” vibe. Check the slideshow to see some of the runway highlights! Photo Credit: Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

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Jul 21

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SWIM Runway: Custo Barcelona

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imageWhile I love to keep up with everything that’s new in fashion (especially during Fashion Week!), swimwear isn’t very high up in my list. Maybe it’s because I live in a city with some of the coldest beaches ever. Anyway, while I don’t follow swimwear closely, there are always exceptions to the rule! Known for their bright and bold designs Custo Barcelona did not disappoint on the Miami fashion runway. From the trendy monokini to the classic triangle bikini, brothers David and Custo Dalmau delivered it all! Their trademark bold colors and prints were found everyone on swimwear, dresses, and coverups. One of my favorite looks was a bright blue bikini underneath a cropped purple leather bomber jacket. The mix of tough girl meets St. Tropez was punctuated with the wind tousled hair, lace-up peep toe wedges, and larger than life sunglasses. Wearing this collection would definitely make you the center of attention on any beach or poolside. Take a peek at my slideshow for the latest from Custo Barcelona! Photo credit: Photo credit: Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

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Jul 21

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SWIM Runway: TIBI

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imageIf there’s one thing a Tibi runway never fails to lack, it’s plenty of color… and this year’s Miami Swim show was no exception! While there was little variety in the cut of the suits, which mainly alternated between minimal-coverage bikinis and one-pieces bearing deep necklines (with a couple one-shoulder numbers thrown into the mix), the abundance of bright, tropical prints seemed practically bottomless! If the tribal-gone-funky theme was not apparent enough with the models’ cuffed forearms, gold metal sandals, and idol symbol jewelry dangling from their ears and necklines, the suits’ many patterns — from neon geometric tribal designs to tropical orchid-inspired florals — cleared up all possible doubt. Even among the sea of shocking pink and turquoise suits, a particularly gorgeous magenta tunic dress stood out, trailing a flowing train of silk in its path and closing the show in the fiercest way possible. Check out the slideshow for some highlights straight from the runway! Photo Credit: Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

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Jul 20

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week SWIM Runway: ViX Swimwear

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imageAside from all the sparkles and sequins, if there’s something you can’t help but love about a ViX swimwear runway is its wearability… and the fact you can actually find it all in stores! Don’t get me wrong, I love a good wacky high-fashion show, but every once in awhile I appreciate an exhibition that can not only wow, but also instill within me the urge to buy everything that parades down the catwalk. And that’s saying a lot from someone who already owns all things swimwear… and shiny. With its procession of varied cuts and patterns, from teensy tie-waisted bikinis to bedazzled one-shoulder suits, the show maintained a sense of excitement that is often lost in more wearable runways. I loved how the line added sex appeal to one-pieces with plunging necklines cut-outs, and uniqueness to similarly ordinary patterns like ombre and floral with stones and studded trims. Check out the slideshow to see some of ViX’s sexy swimwear (that you can actually buy in stores)! Photo Credit: Getty Images for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week

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