Couture

THE DAILY TREND - MEN'S TENNIS SWEATERS

Stephanie S. — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:26:11 GMT

You don’t need to be a tennis pro in the slightest to wear a tennis sweater this fall. This Rosasen sweater has enough prep that, when paired with great-fitting jeans and sleek shoes, it will make you look better than Andy Roddick. Seriously.

CRAVINGS - PLATFORMS

Stephanie R. — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 23:04:16 GMT

How excited is Couture that there is such a plethora of choices of platforms this season? Very! We are mad for the ultra high heel peep toe variations, lusting after the stiletto versions (needle heel or not), submitting to our decadent yearnings with the hidden platform bootie choices and simply smitten with the chunky heel styles. And why not, platforms look great with skinny jeans and loose tees, edgy with leggings and belted boyfriend sweaters, or sexy with dresses and bolero leather jacket. Our picks: CoSTUME NATIONAL Peep Toe Platform, Be & D Evangelista Multi Strap Platform, Moschino Two-toned Wing Tip Toe Hidden Platform, CoSTUME NATIONAL Pointy Toe Platform Stiletto, DSquared2 Piercing Pump with Crystal Detailing and Silver Heel, Sergio Rossi Peep Toe Multi Strap Patent Leather Platform Bootie, L.A.M.B. Cap Toe Button Detail Back Zip Hidden Platform Bootie.

IT'S A WRAP!

Stephanie R. — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:00:11 GMT

Or so it would seem for Louis Vuitton with its latest design collaboration with film director Sofia Coppola. Hot on the heels of their extremely successful collaboration with Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons for their monogrammed leather goods in Tokyo (currently completely sold out), comes the announcement that Ms. Coppola was tapped to design a line of handbags and shoes. The products are said to be launching in Japan, Vuitton’s recent international test market, with the intention of selling worldwide. Of course Ms. Coppola is no stranger to fashion, as she is often front and center at several designer shows, in particular Marc Jacobs, the creative force behind the Vuitton label. Sofia’s choice should prove to be a very interesting one, both from her perspective and detailed eye from behind the camera, to her being a well known francophile, to her love of pretty ladylike flats. Both Sofia and her father, director Francis Ford Coppola, star in Vuitton’s ‘core values’ ad campaign. Viva la Vuitton!

THE DAILY TREND - ANTIQUE BRONZE

Stephanie S. — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 13:54:25 GMT

It’s not as in your face as gold, but antique bronze will still get you noticed. A subtle bronze bag like this one by Dolce and Gabbana gives a normal day-to-day outfit of skinny black pants and a cardigan a vintage feel.

AUSTRALIA NEEDS NEW SHOES

Stephanie S. — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 15:04:58 GMT

Baz Luhrmann’s new film Australia, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman, needed some specially made shoes for its characters. Set in 1930s and 1940s Australia, the movie’s wardrobe officials placed orders with Australian high-end bootmaker R.M. Williams for two pairs of custom made crocodile skin boots, with rock-hard horn back leather. Those don’t sound very comfortable – these boots are for serious hard work, which I guess is what Jackman’s character will be doing. The film is also collaborating with Salvatore Ferragamo, who designed shoes for Kidman’s character – an evening sandal, riding boot and a few wedge styles. Selected shoes of Kidman’s will be sold in Ferragamo stores worldwide.

If you can’t wait to see the shoes, wait just a few months – Australia will be in theaters this November.

YET ANOTHER SHOW ABOUT MODELS

Couture Team — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 14:51:31 GMT

Currently on national television we have in rotation at any given moment, America's Next Top Model, Make Me A Supermodel and Models Live, but my question is this, is there anything differentiating these shows from the other? Uh well, not really.

A surprising fact is that the grandaddy of reality television, MTV, has been noticeably absent from this beauty line up. Seriously, even VH1 had that behind-the-scenes show The Agency. Naturally, this is all about to change, as MTV wouldn't be MTV if they did not get in on this. Currently they are casting for Model Makers, where the contestants compete with each other for $100,000 and a modeling contract. And as with all of the shows, someone will be eliminated each week, naturally.

Wait, where have I heard this concept before? Ah, that's right, every modeling reality show I named in the first sentence of this blog. But wait, MTV is actually switching it up a bit. Contestants can only be between 130 and 190 pounds and the ages of 17 and 24. So hurry, if you qualify, you could be on one of the 27 modeling shows on TV.

CRAVINGS - BOOTIES

Stephanie R. — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:30:35 GMT

The Couture team is loving every moment of the fall season, what with all of the fashion offerings, how could we not. At this very moment, we are head-over-heels for booties. There's something about this almost-shoe that's just too cute, but not saccharine sweet, when paired with a skirt, but can also render that Avengers' Emma Peele cool yet tough persona with elements like washed metallics, studs, stitching detail or buckles. Our picks: L.A.M.B Camden bootie, Alexander McQueen black booties, Givenchy brown suede booties and Jean Paul Gaultier metallic booties.

TIMBERLAND OUT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Stephanie S. — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:00:51 GMT

Timberland's Earthkeeper program, a global online campaign to recruit one million people making a difference in the world, is going viral. Last month, Timberland promoted Earthkeepers on Facebook, YouTube and Changents.com, each with a different contest to inspire change. On YouTube, the company is hosting a video contest and Facebook users can take part in its Plant a Tree program. Although it sounds silly to use a social networking site to promote activity outside of the Internet, it apparently is working, as more than 80,000 trees have been planted so far.

THE DAILY TREND - DRAPING AND FOLDS

Stephanie S. — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 15:41:03 GMT

Draping and folds have a Greican-inspired look and inspire a different silhouette. This skirt is fit for a Greek goddess – or for work, when paired with a collared shirt, pearls and no-nonsense pointy stilettos.

THE WEEKLY BABBLE - PROJECT RUNWAY

Couture Team — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:16:43 GMT

In case you missed last night's episode, you may not want to keep reading. There was definitely a twist on last night's episode.

The challenge: The designers took a photo of something that inspired them at the New York Botanical Gardens, then made a gown that reflected that inspirational item. Georgina Chapman, co-founder and designer of Marchesa and Mrs. Harvey Weinstein, was a guest judge.

The winner:
SS: Jerell really is on a roll. I don't know if that's such a compliment since everyone's dress (including his) wasn't great. But, alas, his gown was the winner last night even though I wondered why he went with such dark colored fabrics, which were much different than his photo of bright pink and purple flowers. Still, I love the jewels along the bustline but, was it just me, or did the bustline look a tad low?

JF: Well, well, Jerell, it wasn't hard to pick a winner out of this last ditch effort to impress the judges. By far, your piece was the most interesting of these last four pieces, but was it the best we've seen? No. Everybody seemed to take a nose dive on the most important challenge ever, the last one. Runner up, Leanne. That thing looked like it belonged to an '80's bridesmaid. Judges called it a 'softer side' of Leanne, I say it was b-o-r-i-n-g, but it kept her safe.

The loser:
SS: Well, I guess technically there wasn't one, since no one got cut last night. Kenley's looked way too 'The Little Mermaid' um, with a blossom at the bottom. Leanne's and Korto's tied for '80s bridesmaid dresses, in my opinion. Whoever brings their game next week will be going to Bryant Park although, I have a hunch, producers want Kenley in there. So much drama surrounds her, and now the other designers want nothing to do with her.

JF: What a surprise, no loser, yet. Kenley gets a reprieve that she didn't deserve. Had Korto not bombed too, Kenley would have been 'Auf wiedersehen!' What in the world did Kenley make? It looked like a purple mermaid with fish scales around her ankles. A true travesty. I guess that haughty attitude came back to bite her with remaining designers shutting her down and out. You can make your own way in this world but you can't step on everyone and expect to remain untouched. Korto, too much pressure? What happened girl? Hopefully you bring your game for the final, final challenge and make it Bryant Park.

With one designer being auf'd right before Fashion Week (so harsh!) who do you think will get the axe next, and who will show in Bryant Park?

FALL TRENDS - THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN

Stephanie R. — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:06:01 GMT

'Tis the season... Fall has officially begun and there a few must haves for the season. The color purple is a big hit and looks great on almost every skin tone. Stacked heeled boots that slouch are another sure fire hit that can be paired with jeans tucked in and a funky tee. Espresso was percolating all over the Fall 2008 runways, so do add a dash to your accessory rotation. From the East Coast to the West Coast, sky-high high heel platforms are all the rage, do mix with colored tights and sheath dresses. Every Couturnista needs a dollop of effortless chic thrown in, what better way to do that than with a kid-skin slouch handbag. Who said the oxford could not be a sexy shoe? Clearly, they had not anticipated the stiletto heeled versions for Fall. Look for a smooth, supple leather or a patent leather version to add just enough sex appeal to any look. Cat calls are optional.

Our pics: Michael Kors Azurette Iris Patent Ostrich Print Pump, Furla Oxana Pochette Crocco Morbido in Lichene, Giuseppe Zanotti Cognac Patent Leather Shoulder Bag, L.A.M.B. Hamura Red Square Toe Hidden Platform, Marc by Marc Jacobs Black Calf Crinkle Cuff Stacked Heel Boot, Giuseppe Zanotti Menswear-inspired Oxford Pump, and Michael Kors Iris Colored Kid Skin Drawstring Satchel.

THE DAILY TREND - CROC-EMBOSSED

Stephanie S. — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:00:05 GMT

The current obsession of the fashion industry is croc. Croc-embossed that is. Combined with one of fall’s "It" colors, aubergine, these Donald Pliner heels look exquisite.

LOOKS OF THE WEEK - BRANDON A.

Couture Team — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 23:07:44 GMT

Whenever someone asks the question, "Who is fashionable?" people often name girls first. But the guys shouldn't get the shaft - take this week's Looks of the Week, Brandon A. He dresses up jeans with crisp collared shirts and balances shorts with casual long-sleeved shirts. Better be on your fashion game, girls - Brandon is right up there among the top fashionable here at Zappos.

DESIGNER SPOTLIGHT - TARINA TARANTINO

Stephanie S. — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 17:26:24 GMT

Skulls, bells and Hello Kitty aren’t what some people would expect to find on necklaces and earrings. But those are some of the things Tarina Tarantino's jewelry incorporates in its design. Tarantino’s jewelry may be unconventional, but she wasn’t even trying to design differently from everyone else, that was just her style.

“Our brand was born in the mid-90s, which was the height of minimalism,” Tarantino said. “It’s a time that I hope never returns to fashion, it was boring and made it difficult to express a unique point of view. It seemed that our pieces struck a chord in girls that were looking for something colorful and unique.”

Her jewelry line evolved over time – one order became three orders, which became 20 and so on and so forth – until it became a well-developed brand that everyone from teenage girls to women in the workplace were coveting. It was then that Tarantino and her fiancé decided to quit their regular jobs to focus on her jewelry and accessories line.

We were very excited when Zappos.com started carrying the line, as it meant we would be able to satisfy our Tarantino cravings on a moment’s notice. Our favorites are Bibarucci crescent stretch cuff, the Tokyo hardcore hoop earrings and the skull and bow chain necklace. Couture hopes Tarantino keeps getting inspired and creating fabulous earrings, necklaces, bracelets and hair accessories.

THE DAILY TREND - FITTED VESTS

Stephanie S. — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 14:02:08 GMT

For a long time, vests were just part of a three-piece suit, but now they’ve emerged as a solo star. Simple, fitted vests on men, like this solid C'N'C Costume National vest, make looking polished look easy. Wear it with slacks or jeans and a skinny tie for a hipster look.