It Girl on a Budget 2.0

All of us Fein Girls understand the great pleasure that comes with affording a great luxury handbag. But what happens when you are unable to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on the latest Marc Jacobs, or timeless classic such as a Chanel?

Well, it is said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so by going with a designer-inspired bag we are actually eulogizing a great piece of fashion.

So praise-be the Internet! Because there are many sites that can delight our in-vogue senses while we are on a temporary “saving mode”. We recommend fashionjunkee.com or shopsueyboutique.com to provide you with fashionable handbags inspired by the great ones for quite the reasonable price. Your options range from Marc Jacobs and Chanel to Balenciaga’s stylish “Motorcycle” bag.

And the It Girl, being the resourceful minx that she is, will explore different options and take advantage of them. Obviously, it will never replace an original, but we should not let the current economic situation limit our chances of looking trés chic, so why not indulge?

Designer Highlight: Sita De Vesci

This week the Fein Girls wish to showcase Italian-Indian designer Sita De Vesci, whose youthfully chic sense of glam highlights an Indian tradition of embroidery, combined with Western European notions of color and style.

Having launched her first collection of resort wear in 2004, De Vesci’s handmade kaftans and tunics reflect a timeless blend of traditional and contemporary elegance.

Now, having recieved rave reviews at Delhi Fashion Week for her 2009 Resort Wear Collection, De Vesci has branched into the realm of accessories: sandals and bags now compliment her collections.


The result?
An intricate balance of unique meets bold.

So, whether you’re off to the tropics of the equator, or basking in the warmth of these final pre-winter days, all you really need to compliment these creations is a mai tai and slight tendency toward to the impulsive.

Visible Panty Lines (VPL); Why are they not a thing of the past?

Ok ladies, here we go.

Fess up, we have all seen and most of us have committed this heinous crime. We must take a stand against this. The temperature for most of the United States is dipping and we are loving this legging trend (I’m totally on board) but I am finding as I pound the streets in my over the knee boots (I was hooked by the trend too) that Visible Panty Lines (better known as VPLs) are running rampant.



C’mon now ladies, this is not ok. Calvin Klein and Victoria's Secret have spent endless hours making a countless amount of seamless, no show and second skin undergarments to assist us with the stopping of this vile crime.

But regardless, we have yet another solution… DuMi shape wear! It is constructed of organic cotton and will shape, smooth, and sculpt without being seen underneath the legging. So, let us all look great this fall and kick the VPL habit for good.

check it out!: http://du-mi.com/

IT Girl on a Budget

Fein girls understand that we are in a recession, a period where we have to stop and consider our dear wallet. But that doesn’t mean that our inner "IT Girl" has to suffer due to our current economic situation. Knowing that by moving a few dollars here and there we are actually keeping, not only the economy in circulation, but our closets as well. By using some imagination and being resourceful, we can still enjoy the pleasures of shopping!

Following this idea, Spanish retailer Mango has come up with a new concept for Fall called Think Up. Mango is offering a new collection at cheaper prices and these 90 pieces are available at any of their stores. Make sure to look for the special “Think Up” tags when shopping or check out their website and search for the Think Up collection online.

Look at this wonderful dress for only $39.90 or this jacket for $79.90; both items are perfect for fall!

Happy shopping everybody!

Fashion Travels: Destination DC

The first stop on our fashion road trip is our state capital, Washington, DC. This bustling metropolitan full of ambitious young professionals, with a strong urban, bohemian counterculture that plays amidst the city's many landmarks.

The Washington Post has created a small series of short, beautifully shot videos called "Scene In," each one painting a vivid picture of the unique culture and style that exists in DC's different districts, which so far include Dupont Circle, Capitol Hill, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Jazz in the Garden and U Street, each one an artistic arrangement of shot-on-site images and short interviews with locals exploring how they express their personalities through their sense of style.

While Washington, DC conjures up images of the White House and Lincoln Memorial and suited types bustling around, the Dupont Circle, U Street, and Duke Ellington School of the Arts episodes give a real insight into this diverse city's style. Recessionista hipsters in edgy streetwear or carefree bohemian styles give advice on prowling the flea markets for chic ensembles and unique finds to make a statement on the streets.

The Capitol Hill and Jazz in the Garden episodes highlight the interesting ways in which those caught in the rat race spruce up their professional attire with their own unique twist, or how they allow their real selves to show through their after-hours style.

The Capitol Hill episode really shows off the diversity of the city, and proves that people of all ages, genders, races, and religions can create their own signature style! Follow the video and check out all of the great episodes, and check back on Fashion's Feinest next week as we try to gain similar insight into another destination city's style!

The Fein girls want to introduce you to a new section where you can support various unknown designers. This is a great way to expand and entertain your personal fashion addiction by feeding your intellect with new ideas and alternative creations by up and coming young minds!

Introducing EQUINOCCIO + EQUINOCCIO

This Miami-based team is made up of the Venezuelan fashion designer Alejandro Crocker and Colombian creative visionaries, Elias Maida and Patricia Rivadeneira, who together created the clothing line under the name of EQUINOCCIO + EQUINOCCIO, which means Equinox in Spanish.

EQUINOCCIO + EQUINOCCIO is a timeless clothing line with a strong emphasis on different Asian concepts fused together. Its ready-to-wear items include Kimonos, Caftans and Fajins embroidered in copper threads, crafted with 200 year-old preserved fabrics and laces. Authentic Saris from the legendary India that have been rescued and fused together with contemporary silks; a minutely and calculated reconstructive labor, making EQUINOCCIO + EQUINOCCIO a clothing line with high exclusivity standards.

Fashion with Conscience.

EQUINOCCIO not only satisfies our fashion intellect but also our conscience. Let us inform you that every single item is made of recycled and preserved fabrics. By leaving aside a large percentage of petroleum based products, EQUINOCCION + EQUINOCCIO contributes to the preservation of the environment and successfully demonstrates that it is possible to contribute toward the conservation of the environment through the use of high fashion! Now that is something to celebrate!

The Dos and Don'ts of Emmy Fashion

We Fein girls have been having a good time since Monday discussing who we loved/hated at the Emmys this year. Needless to say, the fashion was leaps and bounds better than that of last year (yawn)...but what we believe is appreciated most are the risks that were taken. At times they paid off (hey, Mila Kunis)...others it didn't (I'll deal with you later, Leighton Meester), but all in all, it was an enjoyable red carpet affair. Now, without further adieu...

The Best Dressed

Julie Benz! How cute is Julie Benz? Seriously. She looked adorable in this George Chakra silver mini.

Secondly....

....... When I first saw Blake Lively, I was so excited! She looked amazing! Yes, the slit in her red Versace gown was a little bit high, the neckline: a little bit low, not to mention an open back, but girlfriend looked fantastic. I put her on my automatic best dressed list!
But then someone pointed out dear Blake's hair

'What about it?' I thought to myself? 'It is a classic chignon, it fits perfectly!'

No. It was a long, messy braid of fake hair.
Blake. I'll have you know, you came oh so close to not making this best dressed list. But, oh well, here she is, Serena herself.

And lastly, Mila Kunis looked beautiful, ethereal, and most importantly, the young age that she is in this tulle Monique Lhuiller gown- there was no other color on the red carpet like it!

The Worst Dressed List

Speaking of age appropriate. Hayden Panettiere rarely is.

Here she is in a J. Mendel Gown that just doesn't seem to fit her correctly.

Also making their way onto the Fein Girls Worst Dressed List are:

Christina Applegate in Basil Soda (which makes me sad because Samantha Who is a really funny show).

And our favorite Gossip Girl: Leighton Meester in Bottega Veneta.

(Too much Leighton, too much)

Honorable Mention
The Honorable Mention of the night goes to Mary Louise Parker, for being the hottest 45-year old on the planet. It is nearly impossible not to like Nancy Botwin.

Fashion Travels: Destination Style

One of our Fein Girls is leaving on a cross country road trip, and is going to be documenting the sights and styles from her stops along the way, right here on Fashion's Feinest! Become a follower, because starting this Thursday, you wont want to miss each weekly Fashion Travels update, examining the style and scene of a different destination each week! Leave a comment and let us know if there are any particular destinations with style you'd like to see spotlighted! And of course, keep coming back for your regular fix of the latest fashion news, trends, designers, events, and goings on to maintain your savvy style. ;)

Toni Francesc Captures the Brilliance of Water with his Debut at MBFW 2010

Traveling all the way from Spain, Toni Francesc shared with the masses his beautifully detailed Spring 2010 collection, Water's Mood. Murky greens, deep blues and touches of white captured the beauty of water in all it's forms.

The show began with an homage to water projected onto the white backdrop of the runway putting the audience into a tranquil state and setting the mood for what was to come. The lights went up and the creations glided down the water like runway, featuring the most exquisite draping techniques, enhancing a woman's figure perfectly. Seen in the front row enjoying the collection, Alex McCord, Simon van Kempen, Leanne Marshall and Suede.

Toni Francesc made quite the first impression to the American market and we look forward to see what is shown for his return in the Fall.

CoSTUME NATIONAL!

Our top stop for Fashion's Night Out is going to be CoSTUME NATIONAL! The iconic Italian fashion house was founded by designer Ennio Capasa in 1986, and has been the definition of edgy chic ever since, with collections of men and women's ready-to-wear, streetwear, and accessories. The luxury goods brand features has been recognized as a leader of the "new Italian design" movement, creating an innovative style that updates the classics by merging street and couture with day and evening wear elements, with the end result being the impeccably architectural design of cutting-edge casual wear and couture.

You can get your fix of culture and couture, and special event T-Shirts, at CoSTUME NATIONAL's boutique at 160 Mercer Street, New York, NY from 6-11 pm tomorrow night! The chic SoHo space will complement their artful clothing with an exciting visual art installation by Shinique Smith from the Yvon Lambert Gallery created specially for the event. You wont want to miss it!

Thou Shalt Not Wear White After Labor Day!

Is this a tried and true fashion commandment? Or is considering white after labor day as fashion faux-pas really passe?? Style maven Coco Chanel didn't seem to have a problem with it, and we're not sure we do, either!

Traditionally, Labor Day is seen as the official end to summer, and a signal to pack away the light whites that kept us cool through the summer heat and pull out our darker, more serious hues as we shift back into gear starting back at school or work. However, as fashion evolves the newest trends seem to come about by breaking the rules, and in this case, even Miss Manners herself has given the go-ahead. Check out the white hot looks designers Alexander Wang, Chloé, and BCBG sent out at the runway at their Fall 2009 ready-to-wear shows, and if fall's somber colors get you down take a respite with some white!

Fashion Stimulus Package

Wrapped up neatly from 6 pm to 11 pm on this Thursday, September 10th, and kicking off this year's New York Fashion Week is the fashion industry's stimulus package: Fashion's Night Out! Quite possibly the biggest event on the fashion calendar promises consumers the shopping experience of a lifetime, with special deals, designer appearances, live entertainment, snacks, sips, beauty services and other goodies during special extended hours in stores throughout NYC and around the globe!

Put on by American Vogue, NYC & Company, the City of New York and the Council of Fashion Designers of America, Fashion's Night Out is a "global celebration of fashion," which aims to give NYC's second largest sector, the fashion industry, a boost out of its recession blues. Over 700 retailers, from mega-department stores to little boutiques, will be participating in the festivities. Another highlight of the event will be the sale of the special-made stylish commemorative event t-shirts, pictured at the right, 40% of the proceeds from the sale of which will go to benefit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, and a city-wide clothing drive taking place at many participating retailer locations. You can find a complete listing of retailer participants in Fashion's Night Out, t-shirt retailers, and donation drop-off locations at http://www.fashionsnightout.com/

Also, check out the Fashion's Night Out facebook page for participants posts from around the world about some of the special events going on.

And check back here thursday for our pick for the top stop for the night!!

Put Your Hands Where I Can See Them!

You have the right to remain stylish! Jump on the paddywagon and score one of these saucy Cuffz by Linz handbags. Your favorite celebutantes, like Paris Hilton, when not sporting the real deal, have been rocking this latest trend. The bags come in sassy styles like the Barfly, Party Girl, Jailbait, and Oh bondage! each decorated with cute cuffz, with the newest lines featuring some styles swathed in some serious bling! Linz has even extended her line of cuff couture to include stylish wallet chains, bowling bags, pet and other accessories. And you don't have to worry about anyone stealing your style! Purse snatchers can keep on walking... just cuff the bag to yourself and even the dizziest dancing diva is all set for her night on the town. Fashion police beware- there's a new sheriff in town!