Blog posts about Fashion, Fashion Design, Style, Shopping, Beauty, Fashion for women, Fashion Dresses, Fashion Shoes , Fashion Celebrities - by PaulineM & more - Stylehive

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Velvet Is Back, And It's Here To Stay!

When I hear the word velvet I think of three things- red velvet cake, the '90s and Stevie Nicks (not necessarily in that order!). Lately though it seems that velvet has entered my fashion vocabulary in a way that isn't making me cringe -- it's fashion forward, colorful, and surprisingly cool. This fall, the fuzzy fabric goes way beyond the basic little velvet blazer or velveteen rabbit bow headband. Marc Jacobs origami-folded bright yellow velvet into '80s space-age bustiers and dresses. Ralph Lauren gave us neutral toned draped jodhpur pants and Miuccia Prada incorporated hints of velvet into tweed skirts and jackets. If you must go the blazer route, try a different shape like Surface to Air's 'Bleys' jacket or go for a slouchy version like Gryphon's smoking jacket. Alexander Wang peppered his runway show with black velvet, in a super rock and roll way; try the cool oversized vest for a totally unexpected velvet touch. Still scared of all the heavy fabric and shine? You can still stick to a touch of velvet with a cute pair of ballet flats. For more ideas for wearing velvet, check out the slideshow.

Brighten Up Your Fall Beauty Routine With Yellow Eyeshadow

Bright primary colors and neon shades are perfect for waking up a winter wardrobe, and this trend is making its way into the beauty department as well. Pastel yellow is too weak to stand up to the bold clothing shapes that we're seeing right now-- these yellows are anything but mellow; they're bright, bright, bright. And while they may seem hard to wear, in actuality yellows and golds accent blue and green eyes and bring out the gold flecks in brown eyes. Sweep some over the entire lid for a look that's shiny and bright. Or, take a cue from the Marc Jacobs runways and pair with some smoky black liner for a high contrast look. You can even sweep it on the brow bone and out to the temple. Check out the slideshow for some products to get the look.

Menswear-Inspired Trousers Are Sexy For Fall '09

While I love all the options that women's fashion brings, sometimes I wish it was just a little bit easier. On those cold and dark mornings I am so jealous of the guys who can just wake up and throw on some nice pressed trousers and crisp shirt and look sharp. Good thing menswear trousers are super chic for fall '09, and these aren't your basic work pants either. Keep your cuffed, wide-leg, crease-front pants in rotation, they're perfect work basics but pants are going way beyond the basic this fall. To take the menswear pants from day to night, try experimenting with some luxe fabrics and fashion-forward shapes, like the cropped tapered trouser, one of fall's hot silhouettes. They're loose around the hips but skim the calf and show a little sexy skin at the ankle. No matter which way you go, please ladies, don't steal them directly from the boys department. It's all about the fit here, and men's pants are cut to fit all our of lovely lady lumps. Check out the SLIDESHOW to see some sexy menswear-inspired trousers that will have the boys lining up behind you.

Get Your Own "Little Miss Lanvin" Doll

Jeanne Lanvin founded the fashion house we know as Lanvin in 1889. In 2001, Alber Elbaz took over as artistic director and the house has never been the same since. His designs grace the red carpet and hang in fashionista's closets everywhere. Along with the gorgeous gowns, he incorporates cute "Little Miss Lanvin" illustrations on some cheeky t-shirts and sweaters. Now they're stepping into 3-D. Lanvin has partnered up with the porcelain company Franz to make "Little Miss Lanvin" dolls. Each season there will be 6 new limited edition porcelain dolls, with just 800 released. Priced at $345 each, they each come packaged in Lanvin's signature pale blue box. The idea is homage to Jeanne Lanvin's part in the post-war Theatre de la Mode show, in which French couturiers showcased their designs through miniature dolls, due to the lack of fabric. Spring '08 and Spring '09 dolls are out now, and the newest collection will be out soon. Check www.franzcollection.com to find out where you can buy them!

What's Next For Alexander Wang?

You all know Alexander Wang by now, the fashion wunderkind who started his namesake line by his second year of design school in 2007. In 2008 he conquered the shoe and handbag market- how's an 800 person waiting list for proof? In 2009, he added t-shirts with his coveted knitwear line T by Alexander Wang. What's next-- world domination? Maybe not quite, but as far as we're concerned he's getting pretty close. With the success of his T line, he's adding more styles that go beyond the perfectly fitted slouchy tee and tank. He is debuting some men's styles too-- think well-worn t-shirts, casual tanks and button-downs, and some cool leather shorts. As if that isn't enough to have our tails wagging, Spring 2010 also brings us a new line of shades in collaboration with Linda Farrow, which Wang unveiled during his Sept fashion week show. Check out the slideshow to see some of the sunglasses and men's looks!

Alexa Chung Loves House of Holland Tights

The fancier, the better seems to be the trend for legwear these days. From crazy colors to hearts and polka dots and even floral print and bedazzled, tights are anything but basic black. House of Holland, most famous for their oversized logo slogan tees, has collaborated with the hosiery line Pretty Polly and came up with some crazy ones at a really great price (10 GBP or about 15 USD). They have already been spotted on it girl Alexa Chung and singer Little Boots. The kooky line of legwear comes in four "look at me" shades and five different designs that range from a sheer "alphabetights" motif to a cheeky take on stockings with the "mock stock." The major hit from the line? The color blocked tights that are right off of Holland's Pantone-inspired runway show. Going from opaque to sheer in bold color blocks, they're available in basic black or blue, pink, green and lilac for the more adventurous. As if these could get any cooler, each pair comes in a little House of Holland paper coffee cup! Get them before they sell out at www.mytights.com or www.johnlewis.com.

Become A Jewelry Party Hostess With Stella & Dot!

Tupperware parties are so retro and Mad Men chic. But do you really want to try and sell tupperware to your friends when they have kitchens the size of a broom closet? Why not throw a new type of party where you can share your expertise on super cute inexpensive jewelry instead? Started in California, Stella & Dot has been popping up all over the states now. Sign up to be a party hostess and a Stella & Dot stylist will come to your house and provide a free personal shopper experience by letting you and your friends find some fun jewelry. Prices for the jewelry range from $29 to $250 and they have everything from dainty stackable rings and charm necklaces to large statement chains and beaded bibs. As a hostess you get a percentage of sales to use towards Stella & Dot (say hello to free jewelry!) as well as the option to buy some half-priced items. Check out the slideshow to see some of the jewelry and log on to www.stellanddot.com to find a stylist to book a party.

Get Erin O'Connor's Neon Look At London Fashion Week

The fall runways were splattered with bright hues and neon shades. Erin O'Connor showed us how to do it best at the Vivienne Westwood Red Label fashion show during London Fashion Week, by adding just a splash to an all black or neutral outfit. The model strutted her stuff front row at the show in a sexy fitted sequin blazer and with some slouchy black trousers. However, what took her outfit from chic to extraordinary was the large neon pink purse. Neon can be a hard trend to tackle (like the Michael Kors highlighter yellow trapper hat) but when done in small doses it can really pack a punch with out making you look like your dressed for an '80s party. Check out the slideshow for how to get Erin's look as well as some other neon accessories. Photo credit: PR Photos

Get The Sexy Nerd Look Inspired By Jenni Kayne Fall '09

Jenni Kayne is best known for her classically chic pieces that are a perfect fusion of wearability and edge. For Fall '09, she added some nerdy touches to her designs, including large rimmed glasses, menswear inspired pants, and boyfriend blazers that look oh-so-cool and perfect for fall. A loose fitting leather mini skirt paired with opaque tights is sexy enough for night, yet the roomy fit and the covered legs make it totally day appropriate as well! Pair the skirt with a bone colored draped tee and a black boyfriend blazer when the winter chill starts to roll in for the perfect sexy nerd look. The final touches? A large wooden bead necklace and some totally sexy nerd round-framed spectacles. Check out the slideshow to see how to get the look yourself!

Fall 2009 Trend Report: Leather Leather Everywhere!

Unless you've been living under a rock, you've noticed that leather is coming back in a major way. It dominated the fall '09 runways and will make a huge statement this fall. It's the perfect way to add some rock and roll style to any outfit. There are the old standbys like leather (or faux leather!) jackets and leggings, yet the best way to wear leather this fall is in non-traditional shapes. Try a loose fitting menswear trousers (like the pleated trousers from Geren Ford). Leather skirts have a bad rap and aren't usually considered to be the most classy choice, but can look totally chic when it's artfully draped or cut like pencil skirt. Want something even more non-traditional? Then leather shorts are for you. Paired with some black tights and killer heels, you have a look that's tough, quirky and chic! Charlotte Ronson's high waisted shorts are your best bet. Check out the slideshow for more ideas!


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