RUNWAY STYLE     CELEBRITY STYLE     |
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Question:
“What’s wearing black and white and spray tan all over?”
Answer:
“The star-studded audience at the debut of Chanel’s Resort Line 2008.”
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Karl Lagerfeld brought high fashion to Los Angeles last Friday night when he debuted Chanel’s Resort Line 2008 in, of all places, a Santa Monica airplane hanger.
Leave it to Lagerfeld, the same man who showed his last resort collection in NYC’s Grand Central Station, to come up with yet another extreme, dramatic location to showcase his art.
“Cruise collections are about dreams of freedom” Mr. Lagerfeld told Vogue magazine just prior to the show, and “L..A. is about the dreams of private jets and beautiful cars and glamor.”
Well, there is no denying that the night was packed with all of the above mentioned…the stars were out in droves, and Style.com reports that the collection received a standing ovation before even the first model stepped a peep-toed boot onto the runway. Now that’s a loyal fan-base!
Mr. Lagerfeld has found extreme success since taking over the Chanel label in 1983, and I’ve always admired his ability to keep a finger on the pulse of how a modern day woman dreams of dressing, all while keeping his design feet planted firmly in the stylish past of the Chanel Label.
In the case of his resort collection, I think Mr. Lagerfeld used color to speak to the adventurous hearts of women. While the designs are beautifully modern and sexy, it was the salmon pink, blood orange, army green, soft gray, and flesh-toned fabrics that caught my eye and I believe captured the modern spirit of the evening. Some looks were monochromatic, others had the color palettes deliciously combined together.
All in all, his use of color was edgy and exciting.
Even the evening looks, though predominantly black, allowed splashes of white, gold, and even a pair of red coquettish stilettos to act as a breath of fresh air for an otherwise classic color silhouette.
Now, to get back to my little quip at the top of the page about the audience…
Well, I can’t help but mention that the the famous crowd were mostly bathed in black. I have to give them some slack - it was an evening show - and Mr. Lagerfeld himself was wearing black head to toe. Besides, black and white have been the colors most associated with Chanel throughout the ages. So when you think about it, wearing black was a pretty safe bet.
Yet, it will be really interesting to see if this show’s use of color has at least a slight trickle-down effect on how the stars dress for future Chanel and other high profile events. Perhaps they will find a little stylish “freedom” and add some color.
To view the entire collection, visit Style.com
All photos from Style.com
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I knew that abalone is one of the most sought-after sea ingredients in Chinese cuisine, but didn’t know that it is judged by its color - until today.
According to Michael Au Kam Wo, the award-winning chef who has spent almost a lifetime researching this mollusk, “Fresh abalone is graded according to the color.”
“The best is the green-lip abalone from Australia, followed by the yellow-lip and then the black lip. The color comes from the seaweed that the abalone feeds on.”
“And green seaweed is found in clear, unpolluted waters, so naturally, the abalone is also of better quality.”
But, having said that, Au maintains that he is dedicating his life’s work to creating cooking methods that will make cheaper abalone taste as good as the expensive stuff.
Are you a fan of this tasty mollusk ?
More on abalone at GoodBites.com
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French beauty company Guerlain and Italian fashion house Emilio Pucci have collaborated to create an unprecedented dual-branded makeup collection - Guerlain by Emilio Pucci.
With Paris-based Guerlain, a leader in the premium beauty world, and Florence-based Emilio Pucci, an icon of luxury fashion, both brands share a passion for beauty, femininity, sophistication, and, above all, glamor.
The two-year project is a fusion of both spirit and talent. The two brands reached a perfect equilibrium, where they brought out the best in each other.
The collaboration was first realized with the creation of an exclusive Pucci scarf for the project. Its unique print and vibrant colors adorn Guerlain products in a completely unconventional way, sprinkled with the Pucci touch.
Olivier Echaudemaison, Guerlain’s creative director, worked directly with Emilio Pucci’s image director Laudomia Pucci. Together, they beautifully translated the mood and evocative imagery of the scarf into a remarkable eight piece makeup collection.
“One of the favorite parts of my job is creating something that is immediately recognizable,” Echaudemaison said. “I was inspired by the Pucci scarf with its unique color palette. This, of course, excited me.”
Makeup is not neutral for Echaudemaison. “Neutral is boring, it has no life. Color is life. For me, to translate this into color is exciting and makes me giddy and happy,” he said, adding he wanted to see the nude trend replaced by very colorful ambiance.
It is clear this collection is not runway makeup. “You know, on stage, things are very theatrical and extreme. But life is not a fashion show. I am careful to separate those two worlds. The most important thing is making women more beautiful,” Echaudemaison said.
Thus, he created a fresher makeup with light colors that also enhances it as a summer accessory. The look was inspired by the Pucci scarf and Mediterranean colors turquoise, coral, and pink.
“I wanted a fresh and colored makeup but a very light one with pastel colors.”
(more…)
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For the past 34 years, the Kip’s Bay Showhouse has been a pairing of two great ideas: allowing interior designers to create dream rooms that give the audience an awesome insight into the current trends for home decor and raising money to support the Kip’s Bay Boys and Girls Clubs.
The Showhouse, located on Manhattan’s upper east side, will be open for viewing until May 22. Those not in the immediate NYC area often miss out on the experience; that’s why I was so pleased to discover that House Beautiful has a pictorial on their website dedicated to the Showhouse.
Not only do you get to do a virtual walk-through, the layout also includes interviews with the designers, many talking about their choice of colors and a detailed list of resources so you will be well on your way to creating your own version of high style.
What are some of the color trends of note? Well, it’s hard not to notice the metallic silver molding running up the grand staircase or the fantasy pink and lavender lacquered closet in the lady’s bedroom. There are also blue walls of the top floor “pad” and the prevailing neutrals and greens in the rooms designed as spaces of serenity.
Intensity of color was used to create drama - the deep, dark plaster walls of the formal dining room are lush and unexpected as was the black, red, and white color palette for the sitting room.
See all the Showhouse has to offer at House Beautiful.com
Which room do you think made the best use of color?
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From a super sparkly top to the soft matte finish of a leather handbag, metallics heat up the season.
Take a look at metallics looks we love for fashion…
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