Headlines This Week 4/17

• Crystal Renn’s voluptuous figure was recently featured in the Australian edition of Harper’s Bazaar, giving curvy fashionistas some long overdue editorial love. “62% of all American women (18 or older) wear a size 12+, and yet the plus size market is still overlooked.” FashionTribes.com
• Wearing a suit to walk the dog? Even if you’re President of the United States, the style is somewhat jarring. On Tuesday, when the First Family unveiled their Portuguese water dog, Bo, to the world, the President made good on his promise to bring a canine into the White House — and perhaps displayed why suits shouldn’t be worn for exercise. WWD.com
• The new French Elle features eight European celebrities on its multiple covers, un-retouched and wearing no makeup. Well, “Stars Sans Fards” loosely translates to “without makeup” but suggests a sense of openness in French. NYMag.com

• VANS has just re-launched its VANS Customs shoe site, now you can choose from three VANS favorites- the Slip-On, Era or Old School. You can customize by inspirations that VANS came up with or start on a blank slate on a white or black shoe, there are 48 colors and patterns to choose from. Nitrolicious.com
• Rapper and Dancing with the Stars contestant Lil’ Kim might be better known for her friendships with hip-hop superstars like P. Diddy and the late Notorious B.I.G., but in an interview with stylist.com, the Grammy-winner talks about her enduring friendship with star designer Marc Jacobs. People.com
• Throughout the past year, the term “shop your closet” has become ubiquitous with these gloomy economic times. I don’t know about you, but I’ve often dreamed of shopping other people’s closets—Kate Moss’s, Charlotte Gainsbourg’s, my mom’s circa 1963. Gwyneth Paltrow has now made my dream a reality—sort of. Elle.com

Trend Report: Neon

What’s hot this Summer and Fall 2009? Neon and it was evident as it  showed up brightening the runways at New York Fashion Week. And while European lines on the other hand featured less of these bright shades, they certainly enbraced the neon trend in last month’s issue of VOGUE. 

“This season’s explosive new shades pack a powerful punch. Tangerine, citrine and dynamic neons make for a tangy combination, as bold colour- block dresses light up the night.”

See one of their neon dresses below, combining two of the latest trends, bright, bold color and geometric patterns.

 If you have read anything in the past couple months in industry publications you can see all the fashion influential designers such as Gucci, Dior, Chanel, Balenciaga, Diane Von Furstenberg experiment with these styles and color.

Neon bright hues of orange, yellow, pink and blue are everywhere for summer, for those that enjoy the spotlight and all the attention that comes with it. Ranging from bags, jewelry and clothes, this shiny hue will be the highlight of our closets whether we chose to indulge in a little or a lot of this fashion heat wave. 

According to my very credible and unidentified sources;  “Bold colors will continue to dominate fashion trends. Bright oranges and blues were present on most catwalks. Whether worn as part of the outfit or as an accessory, these statement colors will undoubtedly help fashionable women and men express their style and personality.”

Yes, don’t let your boyfriends or gay husbands escape this trend, embrace it! I especially loved the neon pink scarf seen at fashion week wrapped around a very handsome Hilfiger model. Hot neon scarfs are a guarenteed way to stay warm on cool fall nights. And oversized geometric jackets and shalls were seen draped around the female models stretching neon into (count it) three seasons for fashionistas with vibrant, vivd florescent color.

 The LA Times recently reported on the neon craze, “A trend that started on the street, it’s now filtered up to the runway with Michael Kors’ sporty, traffic-cone-orange sweater and fox fur coat, Narciso Rodriguez’s acid-yellow bandage dress and Marc Jacobs’ electric-blue scuba-inspired poncho. A pop of color is all you need to liven up the neutrals in your wardrobe. No cash for flash? Hit the drugstore and pick up some neon lipstick or nail polish instead. Viva the 1980s.”

While I am not so sure about the neon lipstick, I do know that a splash of neon color can instantly update and refresh your wardrobe. This is also an ideal way for ladies used to blacks and neutrals to try out hints of color through accessories or a new skirt with a white/neutral top.   

One fashion writer consurs and gives caution, “Neon is on the rise. But don’t get too excited, you don’t want end up like nineties roadkill. Instead, what you’re aiming for is a subtle flash of neon, a wonderful spring glow. Chances are you’ve already thrown out brightly colored scarves, blouses maybe even your neon Pez dispensers. You only need a small amount of color to make a statement. Bright colors can be mixed and matched too for a bolder look.”

Wow Pex dispensers, I don’t think they will make a big come back this year but now you all have been educated on the neon trend, not just for Spring 2009 but Summer and Fall as well.

I’ll leave you with this last comment on how this bright trend can instant dull your fashion sense.

If you aren’t all over neon, start by mixing and matching becasue even the most confident diva can have a hard time puilling off a complete neon outfit. Be smart, use age appropriate colors and ladies, it feels “wrong” in front of the mirror, chances are you might be right.  

XOXO

Headlines This Week 3/20

• If you’re the boss, you get to bring your dog to the office. Make that dogs plural. Valentino Garavani, the Italian fashion designer who reigned for 45 years before his retirement in September 2007, never went anywhere without his six adorable pet pugs. They, along with celebrity fans such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Anne Hathaway, Elizabeth Hurley and Sarah Jessica Parker, all turn up in Valentino: the Last Emperor, a fascinating new documentary about the designer. People.com
• Marc Jacobs and Lorenzo Martone are engaged. The designer and his ad executive boyfriend, who have been together for about a year, will go public with the news beginning Thursday, when they arrive in Brazil wearing rings. The couple is headed to Martone’s native Sao Paolo for a fete celebrating the Marc Jacobs multibrand store there, which opened in January. They have not set a wedding date. WWD.com
• I don’t need to be a bride to know the importance of wedding attire, and neither does Net-a-Porter. The site has just launched a cool wedding boutique and it’s filled with beautiful offerings for everyone in the bridal party. Each category — bridal, bridesmaid, mother of the bride, and guest — provides an in-depth selection of designer dresses and accessories. Think of it as an upscale online bridal salon minus the frumpy frocks. FabSugar.com
• An UPSIDE to the financial crisis: The auditor of Crocs has “substantial doubt” about the company’s ability to stay in business amid falling revenue. Praise! NYMag.com
• So you’re in Austin. Whether you’re there for South by Southwest, taking in the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo or live there permanently, you might get a sudden itch to go Texas on your wardrobe. Statesman.com
• A Project Runway finalist is accused of using her cat as a weapon during a spat with her ex-fiance. Kenley Collins told the New York Post that the Brooklyn police report exaggerated the incident. She calls it “a miscommunication.” USAToday.com
• It’s amazing what a little contorted posing and photoshop (I’m assuming) can do for an overweight songbird. Adele is the latest chunk monster to get Voguefied. Annie Leibovitz shot this image of the recent Grammy winner, creating a shape that is a far, far cry for her normal build. FashionIndie.com

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