Red Carpet Hits & Misses – Academy Awards 2010

The Academy Awards are one of my favorite nights of the year! This year the stars went all out for the 82nd annual awards ceremony with many more hits than misses.

Sandra Bullock was the golden girl of the evening taking home the Oscar for best actress in her stunning golden Marchesa dress. The embroidered lace and cut of the dress are reminiscent of Old Hollywood and look great with her new award.

One of my other favorite  gowns was worn by Sarah Jessica Parker.  The golden yellow Chanel gown with gray floral accents at the top was fitting for her style and looked stunning on her. The dress may be a bit unusual for some, but Sarah Jessica Parker is the perfect woman to pull it off.

Meanwhile, Tina Fey looked fierce in her Michael Kors leopard print dress. The asymmetrical cut and waistline looked great on her. Another shining star was Cameron Diaz. She dazzled in her Oscar de la Renta strapless embellished gown.

Some misses this year included Miley Cyrus’ Jenny Packham gown that was beautiful, but not quite age appropriate. Zoe Saldana from “Avatar” looked like she was trying to do to much in her Givency gown that was sparkly on top with a gradation of purple ruffling out on the bottom. Separately they may have been a hit, but together they were a mess.

Overall there were a lot of ruffles and glitter that turned out to be big hits.

Borris Powell at London Fashion Week

London Fashion Week 2010

Our very own Borris Powell debuted his Fall/Winter 2010 collection entitled “The Rise of an Empress” at London Fashion Week on February 19th. His show was a part of the “A La Mode” showcase at the Charing Cross Hotel. The event showcased some of the best independent designers from around the world.

His collection featured empire lines, structured bodices, and flowing silk to incite power and beauty. The show included regal gowns as well as cocktail dresses. A trip to Rome was the inspiration for this collection. He truly succeeded at his wish to “make women feel beautiful.”

Powell will bring his Fall/Winter 2010 collection to Chicago on March 19th.

Photo by Giuliano Correia, courtesy of Borris Powell

Style Studio – Designer Interview Melissa Baswell

In 2010, we will be getting down to business….And that’s the business of designers. Our next chat session is with Chicago Designer, Melissa Baswell who dishes on her inspirations, the world as an eco-focused designer and what she is doing for Spring…

Ava Cami paired with Chloe Pants - Spring 2010

Who are you as a designer?

Well first and foremost I’m a woman who appreciates chic, timeless style.  Since I was a child, I’ve been drawn to classic fashion icons like Audrey Hepburn.  She wore clothing with simple lines, but she always stood out because she had an eye for what worked for her body and the female form in general.  I think that as a designer, my particular design aesthetic is a result of this admiration for simple but striking beauty in fashion.  I find myself creating garments with clean, graceful lines that complement the body.  I want the woman who wears my designs to feel effortless and elegant.  Sustainable design is also very important to me.  From my start as a designer, I have only used eco-friendly fabrics and materials, and have always produced locally in sweatshop-free environments.

Morgan Dress - Spring 2010

What is your inspiration for your current/upcoming line?I named my Spring 2010 collection “Etendue Sauvage dans la Grande Ville”  which translates to “Wilderness in the City” or “Urban Wilderness.”  My line in general has always drawn inspiration from the concept of discovering nature in urban environments, and I really wanted to touch on that for this collection.   The designs are elegant and slightly romantic, but with an edge.  Fields of wildflowers and ocean waves are represented through draping , ruffled detailing and floral prints, and are contrasted with symbols of urban landscapes, represented through tiered detailing and sharp lines.

Who is your design muse?

Like I mentioned earlier, I’ve always been incredibly inspired by Audrey Hepburn.  This goes beyond just the way she dressed and her role as a style icon.  She was smart and graceful, had a very care-free, undemanding demeanor, and managed to make simple feel glamorous in everything from the way she spoke to the way she moved.  These are the kind of qualities I want to convey through my designs.

How can customers find your line?

Online at www.mountainsofthemoon.com, and at select boutiques throughout the country, as well as in Canada, Australia, Sweden and Japan.

Fashion at the Olympics

Women's Closing Ceremony Shawl Cardigan from ralphlauren.com

From Ralph Lauren to Vera Wang, fashion is everywhere you look at the 21st Winter Olympic games. As usual the U.S. Olympic team was dressed head to toe in Ralph Lauren for the opening ceremony. His jackets and accessories continue to pop up during ceremonies and interviews. Nothing says American quite like Ralph Lauren.

If you want to get your hands on some Olympic gear check out www.ralphlauren.com or the Ralph Lauren store on Michigan Avenue.

Another designer to hit the Olympic scene is Vera Wang. Wang was the designer behind gold medalist Evan Lysacek’s short program costume. The black costume featured feathers from Paris and was a perfect representation for his music choice and choreography.

In regards to what it was like to design Lysacek’s costume Wang explained, “As a designer it’s a huge huge challenge. Hopefully the costume lives up to the choreography.”

Lysacek in his costume designed by Vera Wang.

Wang, formerly a figure skater herself, has also designed for skaters Nancy Kerrigan and Michelle Kwan. This was her first time designing a men’s costume.

Not only is Wang the mastermind behind Lysacek’s costume, but she is one of his biggest fans.  She flew into Vancouver immediately after her fashion show at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York to watch him skate his short program. She was also in attendance when he won gold on Thursday night.

New York Fashion Week Recap

Photo courtesy of Christopher Free

There will be plenty of metallic fabrics, full skirts, and asymmetrical cuts coming this fall. These were the predominant trends at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York this week.

Diane von Furstenberg featured a collection described as “menswear meets femininity.” “I always say I’d love to have a man’s life in a woman’s body,” von Furstenberg explained before her show.

Christian Siriano pleasantly surprised us with a collection of ready to wear separates and cocktail dresses. This was a big change for the designer who is known for his extravagant ballgowns.

Of course we have to mention Naomi Campbell’s Fashion for Relief show on Friday night. Designers featured included Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren, and Christian Dior. Celebrities to hit the runway included Kelly Osbourne, Dian Von Furstenberg, Donna Karan, and Chris Brown. The show ended with a moving tribute to Alexander McQueen with a collection of his designs worn by the show’s most well known models including Naomi Campbell.

Watch clips from the Fashion for Relief show.

Style Studio – Designer Interview Brynn Capella

In 2010, we will be getting down to business….And that’s the business of designers. Our next chat session is with Chicago Designer, Brynn Capella who dishes on her inspirations, Fall 2010 show plans and what she thinks will be hot this year…

Who are you as a designer?

I am a Southern California native, who now makes the windy city of Chicago
my home. I like mixing my laid-back Southern California attitude with my
new urban Chicago lifestyle. The result is a line that embodies the spirit
of individuality, while combining classic elegance with everyday casual.

Brynn Capella Heather Clutch - Metallic

My love of pop and modern rock music, understated color hues, nature,
architecture and geometric shapes all influence my designs.

I am in love with simple, clean lines that still make a statement, just
not over the top. I have a philosophy that less will always be more. And I
feel that my collection is a welcome break from this trend of super-styled
(and often over-styled) handbags.

I simply don’t believe in mass-production. Every design is produced in limited quantities to keep each piece personal and unique.

Brynn Capella Eddie Tote - Magano Varu Leather

What is your inspiration for your current/upcoming line?

I am inspired by simplicity. My desire is to create collections that
could have come out 10 years ago or 10 years from now. I love mixing
genres as well; for example, a hard edge leather in a clean classic style
mixed with beautiful colored linings.

My inspiration for Spring 2010, came from my love of rock ‘n roll
(I worked in the industry for almost 10 years), my upbringing in California
(for the colors), my girly-girl nature and my sense of sophistication.

Who is your design muse?

hmmm that is a good question. I like to think I am. But I guess if I had
to name someone famous, I would say Jennifer Aniston. I love her sense of
laid back sophistication. Otherwise, it’s my friends, I name all of my
styles after the friend who inspired it.

What are your upcoming events?

Battle of the Boutiques @ Lumen on February 26th and One of a Kind Show in December
(I don’t do a lot of Spring events…)

How can customers find your line?

brynncapella.com, Studio-808.com, ebags.com,
fine boutiques and trunk shows/events

THANK YOU BRYNN!
-STUDIO-808

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week 2010

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week kicks off this week at Bryant Park in New York City. The event takes place from February 11th through the 18th. Notably this will be the last season taking place in Bryant Park. Starting in September 2010 the iconic white tents will move to Damrosch Park.

Designers showing their Fall 2010 collections include Calvin Kline, Badgley Mischka, Carolina Herrera, Diane Von Furstenberg, Charlotte Ronson, Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang, Zac Posen, and Project Runway season four winner Christian Siriano. All the biggest names in American fashion will be showing their collections.

One of the biggest events happening this year is Naomi Campbell’s Fashion For Relief on February 12th at 7:00 PM. It is a star-studded charity fashion show and auction to help raise relief funds towards rebuilding the healthcare system for mothers and children in Haiti. The show will include a compilation of clothes from the world’s most respected and renowned fashion designers. Rachel Zoe is styling.

We will keep you posted on all the glitz and glamour coming out of Bryant Park this week. Right after Mercedes-Benz Fashion week ends London Fashion Week kicks off. We are excited to see our own Borris Powell show his collection in London on the 19th.