Give Your Home Modern Elegance With Black And White Decor

imageBlack and white is a favorite color combination of mine and is the basis of everything in my closet. I love it so much that I translate it to my home decor as well. The great thing about black and white is that it’s extremely versatile and can be the backdrop to various design styles, but the contrasting colors are stimulating and give any design a modern edge. While a whole houseful of just black and white patterns everywhere would lead to eye seizures, the right touches around the house give your living arrangement an instantly chic upgrade. The stark contrast and sleek lines make the room seem more orderly and clean. Plus, black and white is a classic, and just like in your closet, it’ll never go out of style! Click on the slideshow to see my favorite examples!

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Stylehive’s Stylescopes: Which Nude Are You? (We’re Serious.)

imageWe all have a favorite color that we love to wear because it makes our skin glow, or our eyes pop, or it brings out the natural highlights in our hair. Whatever the color and reason, one thing that everyone looks good in is in the comfort of their own skin. Wearing something similar to your own skin tone is super flattering and elongating, regardless of what it may be. A pair of nude heels is as versatile as they come and make legs look a million miles long. How about a darker tan cardigan to layer over basics? A quick look to the stars shows us which flirty, fun or fashionable nude item would be perfect for your sign this week. Are those the pumps that are going to give you the edge you need, Leo? And nude leggings would certainly turn more than a few heads in your direction, dear Aquarius, but that may not be what you need this week. Click on the slideshow to see what the stars have chosen for your unique week ahead!

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Madly Bags: 2010 Collection

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The Madly, a new line of sturdy leather bags, puts the emphasis on crude, functional designs and hand-crafted production. Directed towards the male market, the bags share a simplicity and rough-hewn charm perfect for travel or as an everyday carryall and designed to get better with age.

Produced in the Philippines, the line was founded by Jake Quellman and Melanie Dizon (the latter had an eponymous line of women’s shoes and bags), who travel extensively and take a conceptual approach to their work. While the couple’s first collection took its cues from American literary heavyweights (the bags went by “Salinger,” “Burroughs” and “Hemingway”) the latest, “King’s Highway,” channels the Coppola epic “Apocalypse Now.”

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The slightly asymmetrical “Kilgore” (top left) features handwoven webbing on the shoulder strap, and the “Willard” (top right) has a heavy leather roll-closure not unlike a paper lunch bag, which makes sense: Dizon mocks up each bag using paper. The vegetable-tanned leather of the “Kurtz” backpack (above) contrasts with the cracked leather straps, which the Filipino tanners make using a local treating method.

The globetrotting founders have their sights set on manufacturing in South America next, but in the meantime you can find the current crop of bags in NYC at Steven Alan, Buckler and Save Khaki and in Tokyo at Edition. Check out their soon-to-relaunch website or look at more images from the new collection after the jump

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Who Was Most Fashionable At The Elle Style Awards?

imageAt the annual Elle Style Awards, which took place last Monday in London, we were expecting plenty of famous faces — both in the guest list and the guests’ labels. After all, with a name like Elle and a night dedicated to a subject like style, you can’t help but expect nothing but fashion’s finest. We certainly weren’t disappointed in that respect, as the red carpet boasted the likes of Claire Danes, Claudia Schiffer, Naomi Campbell, and other beautiful style icons from all over the globe. While some of the get-ups looked worthy of Lady GaGa’s next award show appearance, others played it safe yet sexy, providing a red carpet parade full of variety. Alexa Chung looked like her usual elegant yet I-just-rolled-out-of-bed self in a blue Chanel dress and messy ponytail, and Best Actress nominee Carey Mulligan was quirky in a belted top and knee-length skirt. As a pair, Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen looked fashionably yin-and-yang in contrasting tulle-covered gowns, while Kristen Stewart gave off her signature awkward vibe despite the sexiness of her Pucci minidress. Vote below on which celebrity stylista really pulled out all the stops! Photo Credit: PR Photos
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And The Winner Of The Jawbone ICON Bombshell Headset Is…

imageYou’re picky about what goes near those ears. Gold, diamonds, Tiffany silver – you don’t need an occasion to get your glam on. The Jawbone ICON “Bombshell” Bluetooth headset was made for your stylish life. Designed by Yves Behar, it features all of the top notch specs you want from an earpiece, like NoiseAssassin technology and wind reduction, in one pretty little package that looks more like contemporary jewelry than a necessary tech tool. The tiny headset will whisper caller ID, tell you how much battery life you have left, and even let you download apps to your iPhone that allow you to update your Twitter account, send texts, or record reminders- all by using your voice, not your freshly manicured (or otherwise occupied) hands. Jawbone was rated #1 headset by CNET. The “Bombshell” is sold for $99.99, but we’re giving one away!

Gadget Of The Week: Zumreed Headphones

imageZumreed’s headphones are hardly new, but ever since I saw this photo on the Sartorialist, I can’t get my mind off of them. I don’t normally like clunky tech toys, but something about this candy-colored pair makes it more of an accessory than a gadget, and that is something I can definitely wrap my head around (err… around my head?). There’s an adjustable strap, cushioned earpads, and a stereo plug for top sound quality, so you know they’ll work as beautifully as they look. Get your own pair at Fred Flare!

Price: $65
Who Found It: lisannebee was the first to add the Zumreed headphones to the Hive

Photo credit: The Sartorialist

Go Down The Rabbit Hole In These Alice In Wonderland-Inspired Looks

imageI have to admit that Alice In Wonderland wasn’t my favorite childhood tale, but give it the Tim Burton treatment, put it in 3-D, and you know I’ll be waiting in line on March 5th. In the meantime, there are plenty of equally whimsical Wonderland-inspired accessories to keep me entertained. Tom Binns has teamed up with Disney Couture to design charm bracelets, earrings, and pendants featuring characters and motifs from the film – I’m loving this subtly inspired Queen of Hearts necklace with cascading resin heart charms. Swarovski’s Cheshire cat necklace is equal parts elegant and imaginative, and Stella McCartney’s exclusive necklace and bracelet are perfect for true Alice In Wonderland devotees. If the jewelry doesn’t do it for you, check out the dresses that Sue Wong has designed for Disney, inspired by characters from the film. See the slideshow for nine picks inspired by the surreal story!

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Bag Of The Week: Marc by Marc Jacobs ‘Bow Wow Wow’ Slingdoodle Shoulder Bag

imageNo matter what anyone says, a girl can never have to much black in her closet. The Marc by Marc Jacobs ‘Bow Wow Wow’ Slingdoodle Shoulder Bag not only has a super cute name, but it’s versatile design makes it perfect to tote everything you need everyday. It’s similar to the ‘Bow Wow Wow’ Clutch, but if the cutesy bow was just a little too much for you, the Slingdoodle is the solution. Made of a black pebbled leather and featuring a sweet twist design, this handbag has ample room and extra pockets so you can carry your life around in style. Running a little late for work? Pretty and professional enough to be worn with a suit or pencil skirt, the Slingdoodle makes it easy to just throw everything you need over your shoulder and head out the door, but looks just as nice with jeans or a dress for a weekend get together or casual date.

What: the Marc by Marc Jacobs Bow Wow Wow Slingdoodle Shoulder Bag
Price: $458.00
Where to Buy: Shopbop.com
Who: Idabone was the first to add the Bow Wow Wow Slingdoodle Shoulder Bag to the Hive.

Limelife Can’t Wait For The Jean Paul Gaultier/Target Design Collaboration!

imageWhat’s one thing we live for? Target’s design collaborations! And now that Jean Paul Gaultier is coming out with a line for Target, all our dreams could be coming true. We never thought we would hear Jean Paul Gaultier and affordable in the same sentence, but it’s actually happening. Lots of the pieces in the collection look to be a little out there, which is exactly what we expect from Jean Paul Gaultier. And they’re still totally wearable, with a bunch of more down to Earth, for everyone, pieces. According to Gaultier, “My collection with Target pays homage to the wide range of personalities that make up the diverse styles of American women… From ingenue to rock ‘n’ roll, this collection celebrates women of all ages and a host of distinctive, iconic American styles.” The preview of the dresses I’ve seen for the Jean Paul Gaultier collection are absolutely stunning. I want all of them and they can be mine for less than $59.99, most of them for much less (like $34.99). But what I love most about the Gaultier collection the way the pieces can be paired together in so many different ways. I keep imagining purchasing the whole collection and having enough full outfits for the rest of my life (or a year at least). The khaki striped trench coat is to die for, and is only $59.99. It will definitely be a spring-time wardrobe staple. Do you get excited about Target’s designer collaborations? Jean Paul Gaultier’s collection is set to be available at Target on March 7 and i have a feeling it’s going to be selling out fast!

Brought to you by our friends at Limelife.

Fashion Jewelry: Catwalk and Couture

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An in-depth exploration of jewelry design, “Fashion Jewelry: Catwalk and Couture” focuses on the designers and their working methods for creating distinct accessories for fashion shows and personal collections alike.

Author Maia Adams—a contributing writer for publications such as Vogue, Elle and Wallpaper—highlights 33 designers in all. Each gets their own chapter packed with an informative biography, insightful quotes, and a photo spread of their jewelry and sketches. While the styles and materials run the gamut, Adams chose each highly-skilled designer for their particular impact on the fashion industry and overall influence on 21st century fashion.

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From the oft-bizarre ornate pendants by Yoshiko Creation Paris (pictured top right) to the equally subversive sculptural pieces by Florian (pictured above), each accessory’s look is as intriguing as the process for its design.

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Designer Natalia Brilli (above left) provides a fuller understanding of the effort that goes into her leather-wrapped necklaces. Taking at times two days to create, the Belgian works hard not only on each piece but on developing the full story, often leading to limited-edition jewelry that entertains both when worn and when on display at home. Also reinterpreting the classics, Australian designer Michelle Jank (above right) explains her dream client would be the Queen of England, for whom she would make “seriously big, elaborate diamond rings.”

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Fully defining jewelry envisioned for the runway, designer Naomi Filmer works between art and jewelry to create showstopping multi-dimensional pieces that expose her highly conceptual thought process. From gold-plated shoulder pieces (above left) to her hand manipulation piece (above right), Filmer regards jewelry as “an extension of our identity.”

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“Kooky, kitsch and prettily punk” well describes Yazbukey, a collaboration between two sisters using bright colors and unconventional shapes. With a rigorous process of research and an impressive history working with designers Christian Lacroix and Givenchy, Yazbukey creates well-crafted pieces that exude a carefree attitude. Previously highlighted on CH, their works include cartoon shapes of items like hot dogs, telephones, Jackie O and the Jetsons.

Due out next month, sign up online to be alerted about availability.