Vivienne Westwood opens first U.S. flagship store in L.A.

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD:

A Store Is Born

Vivienne Westwood opened her first U.S. store and showroom on a prime stretch of Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood. This was a surprise location for her international brand because there is no NYC location yet. The store's spot is a 3-story building of 10,000 sq ft of retail space, the store has an expansive wholesale showroom and a rooftop patio.  It is beautifully inspired by gilded Parisian hotels. The store mixes Vivienne’s baroque-punk or punk-but-polite British style.

style.com_____Vivienne Westwood LA shopping alert

Donna Karan steps it up with a Tech-Savvy Trunk Show

Donna Karan is combing social networking and Neiman Marcus for a virtual trunk show for her Fall 2011 collection. On February 22, 2011 Donna Karan is offering an exclusive link from their Facebook page to Neiman Marcus. Customers will be available to pre-order and check out clothes Donna Karan selected that women need and want in their wardrobe. Her pre-fall line offers layer-friendly items including a T-shirt dress, a washed silk top, a jersey tee, a skinny pant, a biker jacket, and a shearling—all priced 25 percent lower than Karan's signature collection.

Donna Karan Fall 2011

earthy and urban color palette

every day clothes that have a street vibe especially for DK

WWD's article____DONNA KARENS VIRTUAL TRUNK SHOW

CARLOS MIELE- my favorite Brazillian

CARLOS MIELE

New York Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

Fall/Winter 2011 collection

"The Carlos Miele Fall / Winter 2011 – Fashion Show at Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week February 2011, was inspired by three-dimensional surfaces, overlays, playing with light and dark, satellite images, graphic stripes, clash of colors and textures." -NYCfashion.com

Carlos Miele is a talented Brazilian fashion designer and artist who is known internationally for his global brand. His designs are favorites of celebrities such as Beyonce, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jennifer Lopez,  Heidi Klum, Eva Longoria-Parker and Sandra Bullock. He's inspired by music, art, and architecture, that is reflected in his sexy highly constructed designs that are extremely detailed with Brazilian artisan work. He employs and brings business to the women in his country by using their patchwork, stitching, crochet, macrame, and leather detailing. Carlos Miele’s designs feature bold & festive colors and clingy silhouettes; his clothes celebrate confidence and make women feel beautiful.

 

Carlos Miele is very social conscious and loves giving back to Brazil. Some of his philanthropic endeavors are Copa Ropa which is a partnership with artisan women in Brazil. The women are able to watch their kids and make money. Carlos Miele empowers the women who wear his clothes but most importantly empowers the women who MAKE his clothes. The artisan women use techniques like the “frusheco” which is the Brazilian rosette, patchwork, and crocheting. Carlos is also passionate on helping the socially unprivileged children and environmental issues. 

Carlos donated all the funds for a children's emergency hospital, he made sure it had all new state of the art technology and was large enough building. The hospital cares for more than a 1,000 people a day. He also works with organizations to save the Rainforest.

Carlos Miele is an innovative fashion designer  who is extremely giving and high-minded.

Say heyyyy to my new mentor.

HOUSE OF HOLLAND - private apparel label

 House of Holland was launched in 2006 by Henry Holland, he started with catch-phrase T-shirts that were smashing with young London fashion. Henry is an international business man... writer, music DJ fashion designer, and entrepreneur. House of Holland is now racking in premium international sales, and Holland's dope London vibe has hit America. They are still producing the funny slogan T-shirts that first brought them to prominence featured in the pictures below.

Henry Holland is the brain and boy behind HOUSE OF HOLLAND in the UK. He is best friends with model and  fabulous fashion entrepreneur Agyness Deyn.

He designs for the cool, confident & savvy London girls who wears labels without letting them wear her and add their own individual style.

Spring/Summer 2011
'Something with a Fringe on Top'

HOUSE OF HOLLAND is sold at exclusive stores in the UK, Spain, Italy, Dubai, and France. House of Holland is also sold in New York at Barneys & Seven, and also sold online. ( Every true fashion warrior knows you can find anything online)

The price points range from $20 (tights, socks) - $1,800 (high-end apparel) 

Made in: UK

Similar brands: Marc Jacobs and Jeremy Scott

designer: Henry Holland

Henry Holland's blog for VOGUEuk... funny n fashion forward

and....

House of Holland blogspot!

art gives life meaning

David Adey. 'Custom Lamb'. 2006

David Adey. 'Flock'. 2010.

Ceramic lamb sculpture with neon halo light

I recently checked out the exhibit happening right now at Orange County Museum of Art. The most engaging and entertaining art work for my taste was DAVID ADEY's mixed media installation, 'Flock'. This installation is at the front of the museum, the 40 miniature ceramic lambs are all hooked up to the same power source.

The artist David Adey describes his work as an 'experimental resurrection parody'. His art subject comes from Christianity, identity, and consumption.

O.C.M.A. - museum website!

my mind is sprung on the notion of running away

COSTUME DEPT.
private brand apparel

S/S 2011

Photography by: Mason Poole

click herrrrre to check out The Costume Dept, Spring 2011 lookbook

Costume Dept. clothing line is designed and manufactured in L.A. 

Established in 2008.

These clothes are sooo often used for photoshoots, in editorials (Harpers Bizarre, Vogue, Elle, NYLON), and worn by stylish stars (Santigold, Leighton Meister, Chloe Sevigny).

I looove Costume Dept for their stylish and unique leggings, tops & dresses 

Prices: $40 - $800

Sold in boutiques and online on all on-trend apparel shopping sites (revolveclothing.com, shopstyle.com, etc.)

"Pop culture, emerging artists and the nightlife sub-culture are the inspirations behind COSTUME DEPT. The creative minds behind the line, Shaun Samson and Shawn Kelaka, have created a lifestyle brand that truly captures the eclectic style of the underground fashion scene. "

- 80spurple.com

check out more on the costume department right here, clothes so cool u'll shed a tear

I'd work better if I had an office like this....

 

Eclectic interior design

the only word to describe this room:

Perfection.

queen of the red carpet (S.A.G. awards edition)

Mila Kunis

Alexander McQueen dress from 2011 Resort collection

paired with Cartier emerald & diamond tiger bracelet

Mila was nominated for best supporting female actor but unfortunately did not win. Lucky for her... she did win my vote for best dressed.

NBA -Natural Bad Ass

 

3 Dollars.blogspot.com

tough-girl-chic leather jacket vibe

Beyonce

Textured leather jacket is to die for.

Rachel Bilson

Biker-chic in Burberry Prorsum

Foxy Lady who taught you to wear jimmy choos?

Ashley and Mary Kate Olsen

Both looking extremely fly

Launch party for TEXTILE elizabeth & james

Their new denim collections focuses on jeans inspired by their 1970's music muses.

Nail me

 

Chanel Nail Lacquer

Spring 2011

'Black Pearl'

This is beyond dope. 

Holographic nail polish that shines differently in the light. This is futuristic glamour at its finest. Coco Chanel would for sure approve,the perfect combination of her favorite color and luminous quality from pearls, the jewelry CoCo identified herself with best.

O.P.I
Serena William's Glam Slam Collection
Spring 2011
'Simply Smashing'
Glowing and bright green nail lacquer 
"Black Shatter'
Revolutionary new top coat nail lacquer
Apply top coat to dry nail color and it will leave behind an edgy texture
Superstar tennis player Serena Williams is combining sports and beauty with her partnership with O.P.I.. She is fashion savvy on and off the court.

sassy spring shoes

Irregular Choice shoe collection

Spring/Summer 2011

photographer: Kimberly Gordon