The Spring/Summer 2009 pant trend that has style savants dreaming of Jeannie will be stepping fashion forward into Fall. The "Harem Pant" is a wide-legged pant that billows out around the hips and thighs and tapers at the ankle, a style that is seemingly more forgiving of those typical trouble areas, but tends to be hard to pull off by those without a giraffe-like figure. The quirky trend has evolved quite a bit since its introduction during the 80s, with an array of updated designs allowing you to pull off the look without looking like MC Hammer. Choosing a style with a high waistline, and pairing the pants with sky-high heels and fitted tops are your best bet for creating a chic look.
If harem pants are not the wide-legged look for you, you can try the "Palazzo Pant" on for size. This style sits tight on the waist and flow outwards all the way down to the ankles, and can also be paired with a form-fitting top for a stylish ensemble. The versatile pant can create both relaxed or polished looks depending on the fabric and tailoring.
In either style you can channel the aesthetic of a skirt in the relaxed feel of a comfortable pant, creating an all around unique look and making wide-legged looks a pant-astic choice for fall!
John Schoemann is the creative visionary behind the John David Collection.
Schoemann worked for thirteen years in the medical field before writing himself a prescription for a career change to pursue his creative calling. Schoemann began to fine-tune his fashion finesse twelve years ago with a move to Miami, which he now considers his second home. He graduated from Miami International University with a degree in fashion merchandising in 2005, and began work in 2004 as a stylist for an array of fashion publications. As he closely examined the collections of the top designers with which he worked, Schoemann began to develop an interest in construction, and recognized his keen eye for fabric trends and detail as he began to imagine how he himself would make them on his own.
“I don’t want to recreate fashion, I just want to make beautiful pieces that are fashion forward, wearable and look amazing on a woman’s body.” In March 2008, when Schoemann bought his first pieces of fabric in New York City, he began to do just that.
Schoemann is inspired by Miami’s sizzling style, but translates it into his own signature style that can be worn the world-around. Schoemann specializes in smaller collections of unique and special occasion pieces, in a range of styles from short party dresses to full evening gowns, and made to fit a range of clients, from their 20s to their 50s. “The clothes are easy, elegant, and timeless- perfect for Miami and the woman who travels the world.”
Check out his collections at http://www.johndavidcollection.com/
The first-season Apprentice runner-up who embodied executive elegance has decided to share his signature style with his new line of neckwear. As one of People magazine's 50 most beautiful people and 50 hottest bachelors in 2004, and an accomplished and credentialed businessman, Kwame Jackson, like his ties, is a perfect hybrid of personal power and presentation. Krimson by Kwame, appropriately inspired by the crimson color associated with his MBA alma mater Harvard Business School, is a premier neckwear line designed to make the statement for savvy businessmen who TRUMP the competition with both their skills and style!
The Executive Striped and Dot Tie Collections, the Floral and Cube Tie Collections, the Paisley Tie Private Collection, and the Designer Woven Tie Collection are all made from luxurious, hand-finished silks, featuring bold colors and vibrant designs, and retail for $75-$100. You can pick up Oprah Magazine O-list's Father's day gift pick at select Macy's and Belk's stores across the country or online at www.krimsonbykwame.com. In a business climate where who you know can be just as important as what you know, you're bound to make some ties that bind when you're dressed for success in one of Krimson by Kwame's executive neckties.
Give your style some sugar with sweet separates, shoes, and accessories from darling designer Jamie Kreitman! Her candy-colored confections are deliciously decorated with jewels, ribbons, and whimsical woven finishes to satisfy your craving for some sugar. You might catch more bees with honey, but Kreitman's sumptuous style is guaranteed to catch you compliments!
Give yourself a sugar rush http://www.jamiekreitman.com/
At a couture crossroads? Desperately in need of a closet clean-out? Let Crossroads Trading Co. help you get out with the old and in with the new, by turning your trendy trash into someone else's treasure, and then by picking up something else chic on the cheap! Crossroads is a Berkeley-born retail adventure, with locations throughout California, Chicago, Seattle, and Portland. They offer new and recycled fashionable clothing and accessories at reasonable prices, and an opportunity to sell back your tired threads for cash or store credit.
Sellers beware, Crossroads buyers are super picky, and will only accept clothes that are in-style, and in-season, and in good condition, but this is why Crossroads is your one-stop shop for stylish steals! You'll need to take some time to sort through the racks, but unlike your typical thrift store, you're not in search of a rare treasure, just something in your size! Brands like Banana Republic, American Apparel, J Crew, True Religion, Rock & Republic, Bebe, Diane Von Furstenberg, and Betsey Johnson are the rack regulars, and every once in a while you'll come across a valuable vintage find. In addition to a guaranteed different selection at each location, the clothing you'll find at each store is uniquely reflective of the local style scene and the savvy scenesters who come to trade trends!
If you're lucky enough to have a Crossroads in your area, or be visiting where one is located, check it out. It's great for the environment, great for your wallet, and great for your closet!
It's time to put on makeup, it's time to dress up right, it's time to raise the curtain on the Muppet RUNWAY show tonight! Jean-Charles deCastelbajac's "Be Pop Ma Lola" Fall 2009 Ready to
Wear Collection at Paris Fashion Week showed these furry friends as the latest fall fashion.
With a personality to match, scintillating songstress Lady Gaga is a definite fan of Castelbajac's dexterous designs. She's been spotted twice rocking the creative collection, in the Muppet mug of Animal at the Apollo in Manchester, and donning a Kermit-covered cape and cap to match for an interview in Germany.
One might think Miss Piggy would be green with envy of the singer's ode to her favorite frog, but she's been busy making a style statement of her own with the help of designer Marc Jacobs! Jacobs created a custom gown for the porcine style icon to wear to the recent Glamorama event in Chicago, and invited her to his studio to review some looks for upcoming New York Fashion Week. From Muppet models to critter couture, Fashion Week keeps upping the ante for avant-garde!
The end of summer leaving you already in need of another vacation? Arm yourself, and your wardrobe, against the back-to-school blues with some R & R- relaxation and retail! Here's the loew down... select Loews Hotels are offering special packages with the recessionista in mind, each location wrapping up its own unique grab bag of luxury accommodations, spa treatments, cocktails, fine dining, and of course, retail therapy at its finest. Here's some of the shopportunities these loew-cations have to offer...
Complimentary Poolside cabana and poolside amenity.
With a $99 Treatment- Swedish Massage or Holistic Facial, you receive your choice of a complimentary Moulay Buff, Waxing Service, Spa Moulay Manicure, or Blow-Dry Style.
2 for 1 well drinks in all outlets.
$50 Food & Beverage credit.
10% off sales at the hotel's boutique Karima.
Rates starting at $189 per night based on double occupancy.
New Orleans, LA- TheLoews New Orleans Hotel is offering a Recessionista Girlfriends Getawayincluding:
Two $35 (CDN) gift cards with round-trip shuttle service to Place Laurier Shopping Center, which boasts over 375 stores including The Bay, Canada’s most famous department store, Jean-Paul Fortin and H&M.
An eco-friendly shopping bag.
35th anniversary specialty cocktails for two and 360 degree views from the hotel's rotating restaurant and lounge, L'Astral.
Rates starting at $444 per night based on double occupancy.
All of these offers are valid through the end of December, so grab your girlfriends for one last summer blast, or wait until you've had it with the daily grind and head out to get yourself dressed and de-stressed!
For most of you who probably missed it, there was an explosion of international eye-candy in Nassau, Bahamas last night as the bevy of beauties competing for the title of Miss Universe enveloped the 2009 pageant stage in layers of chiffon and silk. Perhaps one of the most notable feats of this showcase of global gorgeousness was the behind-the-scenes beautification of the 84 contestants using a single full-length mirror!
While the show held some definite don'ts... (for most of which it was not the contestants responsible!) there were some dazzling dresses befit to be accessorized with a crown. Most of the night's dresses were characterized by flowing skirts and fitted bodices, and of course no pageant dress would be complete without the requisite beading, embroidery, sequins, or some other form of bedazzlement! White dresses were a popular choice in true pageant tradition, but intricate detailing and creative cuts allowed some to stand out. Others, like the pageant's winner Miss Venezuela, who was ravishing in red, chose bolder colors that made their outfits pop.
Here are some of of AOL Latino's picks for best dresses of the evening:
The performances may have flopped, and the crown may have dropped, along with the pageant's ratings... but at least there's no threat of a global beauty shortage!
Don't think you've got one? Not a problem if you've got an iPhone or iPod touch! Click on over to the iTunes app store and pick up one, or seven! Your dreams of a digitally organized wardrobe a la Cher from Clueless are finally realized, or you can view the latest runway shows, locate your favorite stores, or find the perfect outfit for your body type with these top fashion apps, many of which are brought to you free by your favorite fashion magazines and designers!!
Style.com- FREE
Your instant access to the most up-to-date coverage of runway shows, from ready-to-wear to couture, and from New York to London to Paris to Milan. Also view the Style File blog, the look of the day, and the latest reports and pics from the New York and global party scenes.
Seventeen Fashion Finder- FREE
Seventeen Fashion Finder is your pocket stylist, allowing you to search for the hottest looks by style vibe (boho, girly, classic, or rocker) or item type, then enter your size and color preference to find it in a store near you! The newest trends are added
monthly, including the cover celebrities top picks!
Ralph Lauren Collection- FREE
View video highlights from the Fall 2009 runway show, and get a closer view of your favorite styles with the Lookbook feature. Get insider looks at special events and backstage at the shows, and connect with personal shoppers as you browse the new collections.
Pocket Closet- $0.99
For the hard-core style savant, keep your wardrobe at hand with a digital closet where you can upload photos of your fashion favorites and put together outfits using a three panel slider, see how online finds will fit into your existing wardrobe, and avoid being seen in the same thing twice by creating a fashion calendar to plan and track your outfits!
CHANEL- Ready-to-wear cruise 2009/10- FREE
View the most recent Chanel fashion shows, stay up-to-date with the latest news on the brand, and locate your nearest Chanel boutique, right on your phone.
D&G Fashion Channel Winter 2010- FREE
Explore the Dolce & Gabana luxury "Lifestyle" for video highlights from the Winter 2010 shows, peruse the products that make up the D&G "World," and locate "Stores," all with the touch of a button.
Fashion Sense- $0.99
Fashion sense will teach you how to dress for your body shape,
with expert advice on nine classic wardrobe pieces every woman should own. Fashion sense is designed to grow with you, so once you've got the basics down, you can keep coming back for additional wardrobe pieces and fit advice.
Keeping your wardrobe in hand has never been easier!
