Fashion Heads up: Karl Lagerfeld for Macy's

     It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand why designer collaborations are very popular and often sought after. Remember the "stabbing" rumors the day of the Lanvin for H&M was launched in the U.S. back in November 2010? Thank god the rumors were false, but it does highlight the importance of designer collaborations -- SAVINGS. Consumers flock to the stores to get their hands on these pieces because they now cost about 1/10 of the price that they usually do! For example, with Target's five year celebration of their Go International designer collaboration, a customer can pay less than $50 for a Rodarte, Erin Fetherston, Proenza Schouler, and Zac Posen dresses, which would normally cost hundreds and even thousands of dollars. 

     Karl Lagerfeld, the famous designer for the house of Chanel, is definitely no stranger in the designer collaboration department. He's known to be a "mass elitist" due to these collaborations, meaning he loves to cater to people who can't afford couture. Like Lanvin, Lagerfeld also collaborated with the popular European brand H&M back in 2004. And in Fall 2011, Lagerfeld is going to release a capsule collection for the famous American department store, Macy's, which would debut in stores and online in September! His Macy's line is the first in the retailer's new designer series, through which designer lines will rotate in the Impulse section of the store every two months. The series will include names like Vivienne Westwood, Calvin Klein, and Versace. Finally! Why don't the marketing departments of these famous fashion houses do this more often, considering that a majority of their consumers are from the middle class?! So until the fashion riots and mayhem begins in September, enjoy these past Karl Lagerfeld for H&M magazine ads from Fall 2004. I can't wait for Macy's to release the official Karl Lagerfeld for Macy's photos! It's going to be amazing.  

Love, KB

Look Book: Spring 2011 Whitney Eve

     While I was devouring every page of my new Aprill issue of Teen Vogue that recently came in the mail, I stumbled upon a fashion workshop article featuring The Hills alum, Whitney Port. And then it had dawned on me, I have yet to feature her collection, Whitney Eve, in the Fashion Blog! After leaving The Hills and becoming the leading star of her very own reality show The City, which was based in New York City, Port launched her line with the help of her mentor and People's Revolution creator, Kelly Cutrone. And so in September 2008, six months after launching the line, Port debuted her Whitney Eve collection at the Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week. The first collection featured a lot of feminine and tailored pieces with very interesting details, like unconventional uses of zippers, ruffles, and very revealing bare backs! 

     Since its launch in March 2008, Whitney Eve has produced consecutive collections throughout the season and I must say that her Spring 2011 is my most favorite yet. The collection which was displayed at the NY Fashion Week on September 2010, featured so many bright and intricate patterns! My favorite pieces include the feather jumpsuit and coral colored dress. The spring collection contains dresses as well as separates like tops, blouses, and tapered pants. Her Fall 2011 collection actually just recently made its way down the LA Fashion Week runway (March 2011), but for now, let's enjoy the spring season and the Spring 2011 Whitney Eve line! 

Love, KB

Whitney Port shooting the look book for the Fall 2011 Whitney Eve collection

Book Review: Influence by Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen

     During the March 2011 CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) nominations, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen were nominated for the Swarovski Award for Womenswear for their designs in their fashion collections like The Row [their luxury bran],  Elizabeth and James [their contemporary brand], and Olsenboye [a line for JCPenney.] Which is a long time coming for someone, or I guess in this case, two someones who used to have a clothing and beauty line in Wal-Mart when they were just twelve! Do you remember that?! I do! I used to own a curling iron from that business venture. But before they became fashion icons and designers of multiple brands, they were child T.V. and movie stars, which is what they're famously known for. I distinctly remember watching their short role in the movie The Little Rascals and the short lived television series, So Little Time when I was just in my teens.  Although I have to admit that I was never a Full House fan and I've never owned any of their movies made for T.V. VHS tapes. Oh, the 90s. 

     Despite those above mentioned 'short' roles and statures, [Mary Kate is only while 5'1" while Ashley is 5'3"] you have to admit that they've had a lot a of success in the big and small screen,  as well as in the fashion industry. Unlike other actresses turned designer, the Olsen twins actually have a very successful and beautiful clothing line called Elizabeth and James which is named after their two other siblings. I'm obsessed with their tailored boyfriend blazers! Their love of fashion is the main focus of their 2008 coffee table, photography/fashion book, Influence. 

     The concept of the book is just that -- influence. In this Q&A-style book, Mary-Kate and Ashley traveled all around the world, from Paris, New York City, and Los Angeles, for a year to interview the biggest fashion influences in their lives, asking them about their very own influences and of course, inspiration and wisdom that they live their lives to. The book consists of interviews from the industry's big hitters -- clothing, shoe, and jewelry designers, magazine editors, and Italian fashion house heiress -- like Diane Von Furstenberg, John Galliano, Lazaro Hernandez and Mark McCollough of Proenza Schouler, Karl Lagerfeld, Christian Louboutin, Margherita Missoni, and Giambattista Valli  just to name a few. What's great about this book is that the Olsens know these people personally and it's just not another magazine or book company doing the interview and creating this book. The interviews are very candid and filled with a lot of wise words, fashion related or not. I think it's what makes the insight in this book more authentic. I love how the interviews were not edited or censored in any way. 

     What's more is that the book is filled with the most beautiful photographs of Mary Kate and Ashley's favorite pieces from those designers and occasionally, obscure items and images that are of importance to their interviewees. The inside front and back panels of the books is also filled with polaroid pictures of the people they've interviewed on the day when the interviews took place, complete with their signatures and the date. How many people can say that they have Karl Lagerfeld's John Hancock? 

     It's definitely a one-of-a-kind book that's worth investing in, because it has a little of everything that you would want from a fashion book like fashion history, word-for-word designer insights, and words about life, the importance of self worth and empowerment. It's essentially an all purpose book in one. Read it and be inspired!  

Love, KB

Spoiler Alert: Emma Watson for Lancome

     After dropping several hints in her official Twitter account, Emma Watson finally revealed her new project -- she is now the new face of LANCOME cosmetics! After the Pretty Woman, aka Julia Roberts, reference, I thought she was going to be part of the new Snow White movie where Roberts has been casted as the evil Queen. But I knew that it couldn't possibly be a new movie project, especially after the French related hints. What's more is that pictures of her new venture leaked online just a couple of weeks ago! The pictures revealed a very sophisticated and all grown up miss Granger sporting her adorable pixie cut and bright lips from the make up line. 

     Companies using the celebrity status of famous names is definitely not a new marketing strategy. Fashion and beauty companies alike have been doing this since celebrity faces replaced models as the new cover girls of Vogue. Okay, that might have been a bit of an exaggeration, but you get the idea -- a very long time. However, using younger celebrities to be the new face of a brand to attract a younger demographic of buyers is a much newer venture. But not 2011 kind-of -new, remember when Mischa Barton became the face of the canvas shoe company, Keds? Keds is a shoe brand known to be worn by much older women and by making Mishca Barton as its leading lady, the company was aiming to target a much similar consumer base -- teens and adolescents. 

     So Lancome may definitely be up to something similar after hiring Emma Watson to be its new marketing attraction. The cosmetics brand is known to be used by older women, after all. Enough fashion marketing lessons for the day, come take an exclusive look at new behind the scenes images of Emma Watson for Lancome! 

Julia Roberts for LANCOME

Love, KB

DIY Fashion Project: My Wonderful World of Fashion -- A Book for Drawing, Creating, and Dreaming

     I was never much of an artist when I was growing up, but I sure can produce the most colorful coloring books in the world. All colors are treated as equals in my crayon box. Sketching and coloring is still a favorite past time of mine today, so you can only imagine my excitement when I've stumbled across this book, My Wonderful World of Fashion: a book for drawing, creating, and dreaming. by Nina Chakrabarti. It combines the three greatest loves of my life: fashion, colors, and dreaming. This 272 page book is filled with so many creative activities -- from nail art to glove patterns. And along away, it integrates fashion history from different cultures and time periods, but giving you the freedom to do what you want with it. Who says that coloring books are only for children? Come check out what's inside the pages of this book and look at how I've colored in my pages. This is a great DIY (Do It Yourself) Fashion Project than anyone can do! Buy your copy today and have a fun time creating and coloring your one and only fashion coloring book! 

Love, KB

my colored page

my colored page