The Quest for "it"

LONDON: British Fashion Awards Designer of the Year Plus Last Night's Winners

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Stella McCartney

The best of the British and international fashion industries including BFC Ambassador Samantha Cameron, Valentino, Manolo Blahnik CBE, Stella McCartney, Sarah Burton, Zaha Hadid DBE, Christopher Kane and Alexa Chung gathered last night at The Savoy Hotel and Theatre for the British Fashion Awards, hosted by Gemma Arterton and Nick Grimshaw. 14 leading fashion figures were honored on the night.

Stella McCartney won the esteemed British Designer of the Year Award as well as picking up the Designer Brand Award, in recognition of her achievements in the fashion industry in 2012.

The hotly contested New Establishment Award was won by Erdem who has received critical acclaim for his collections from a global audience over the past year.

Erdem

The honor of Outstanding Achievement in Fashion was awarded to Manolo Blahnik CBE. This special award celebrates and recognises one designer who throughout their career has made an impact on the global fashion industry. Watch the video that screened last night in celebration of his career.

View the full list of winners here: www.britishfashionawards.com/2012winners

-Article by London C.

*photos from British Fashion Council

F L I G H T Closes The 50th New York Film Festival

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Fortunate to attend the recent closing night closing night gala of The 50th New York Film Festival I conclude, "F L I G H T” ‘Instinct’- saves lives. Airline Captain (Denzel Washington) denial of his substance abuse issues creates a spiral that will eventually ruin his career. Robert Zemeckis' direction is excellent and the use of John Goodman as comic relief is refreshing and reduces the tension of this intense drama.

Don Cheadle, as the Attorney who is determined to keep his client out of jail, despite his contempt, should win Mr Cheadle a Best Supporting Actor nomination. Kelly Reilly and Bruce Greenwood round out the cast. I hope the Academy will recognize the work of 3 incredible professionals. Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Director.

-Article by Nic E. Taylor, Freelance Radio Reporter, AURN

*photo courtesy of Robert Kim

Celebrity Style: Eva Longoria

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This week in Celebrity Style, we’re focusing in on one lovely Latina and everyone’s favorite Desperate Housewife—the one and only Eva Longoria!  The perfectly petite actress always looks totally put together when she’s at Hollywood premieres and red carpet events.  Although she’s famous for her gorgeous gowns in classic black, shimmery neutrals and bold jewel-tones, Eva Longoria always dresses for the occasion and looks amazing in whatevershe’s in!  

The above photo was taken at the 2011 Alma Awards in September, held in Santa Monica, California.  Eva Longoria co-hosted the show with funnyman George Lopez so you know our girl had several wardrobe changes!  One of my favorite dresses from the night was this gorgeous Oscar de la Renta gown from his 2012 Resort Collection.  The dress had a fitted shape and full dramatic train, and the coral red hue popped beautifully against her complexion.  Definitely one of the most gorgeous and glam Eva Longoria looks!

 

 In addition to those signature lust-worthy gowns of hers, fashionista Eva Longoria knows that some events call for more casual looks.  The 2011 Glamour Reel Moments Premiere took place back in October at the Directors Guild of America in West Hollywood, and Eva Longoria wore a gorgeous blue shift dress designed by one of her BFFs—Victoria Beckham!  The dress had an asymmetrical draped neckline, exposed back zipper and contrasting black belt.  Victoria Beckham’s dresses always feature simple and classic designs that are simultaneously innovative and fashion-forward, so despite the fact that this dress was from the 2010 Fall Collection, the look was still fresh and relevant.

Finally, we have to give it to the girl.  Despite a messy divorce, Eva Longoria was able to completely bounce back with yet another hottie!  If you haven’t heard, Eva’s now dating sexy Spanish singer, Eduardo Cruz, who also happens to be Penelope Cruz’s brother!  Over the summer, Eva was spotted enjoying some R&R with her man while cruising the coast of Marbella, Spain.  Eva proved that age is nothing but a number with that amazing bikini bod of hers.  She opted for a simple little white bikini—a classic look for a classy girl!

What’s your favorite Eva Longoria look?

-Article by Susan Bodack

*photo #1 courtesy of Griffin Bauer; photo #2 courtest of Micharl Buckner/ Getty Images; photo#3 courtesy of  SplashNews

Susan is a blogger for InStyleSwimwear.com.  To read more of Susan’s work, check out her swimwear and fashion blog, Beauty and the Beach.

Celebrity Style: Kristin Cavallari

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This week in  Celebrity Style, our focus if the one and only Kristin Cavallari.  Although this gorgeous blonde bombshell is known for her appearances on reality TV shows, she has also become famous for her cool Cali-chic style that always showcases her fun-loving personality.  Whether she’s walking the red carpet or posing for a magazine shoot, Kristin always looks like a 10.

*photo courtesy of fabulousbuzz.com

This recent photo of Kristin Cavallari was taken at Ubisoft’s Just Dance 3 launch party in Beverly Hills.  She wore a stylish red shift dress with contrast belt detail that hugged her body in all the right places.  Even when she’s attending fancier events, Kristin Cavallari tends to wear shorter dresses that show off her legs and elongate her petite figure.  Not only are shift dresses a huge 2012 trend, but a little red dress is a must in every woman’s wardrobe.  Steal Cavallari’s look with this red mini shift dress from Asos.

*photo courtesy of exposay.com

This photo is a bit older but it definitely shows how Cavallari's style has changed very little over time.  Over the years, we’ve spotted Kristin Cavallari in a number of little dresses with tons of sparkle, shimmer and bling, including this silver sequin mini dress that she wore to a past MTV Video Music Awards.  Although celebrities’ red carpet attire tends to vary at MTV functions, most celebs keep it pretty casual.  Cavallari’s sequin mini was perfect for the event and lucky for us, sequins are back as one of winter’s hottest 2012 trends.  Get the Kristin Cavallari look with this silver sequin mini from Nordstrom!

*photo courtesy of people.com

Finally, as a Southern California native, Kristin Cavallari is often spotted in itsy bitsy bikinis.  Over the summer, she did a photo shoot for People Magazine’s Bikini Confession spread.  She talked about facing her body bullies and how she prepped for Dancing With The Stars.  She revealed her workout secrets and even how she limits her alcohol intake to avoid unhealthy hung-over eating habits.  Cavallari tends to wear string tie-side bikinis to elongate her torso and to make her small booty look a bit more bootylicious.  Steal Cavallari look with the Bia Yellow bikini from ViX.

What do you think of the Kristin Cavallari look?  Who would you like to see in the next edition of Celebrity Style?

-Article by Susan Bodack

Susan is a blogger for InStyleSwimwear.com.  To read more of Susan's work, check out her swimwear and fashion blog, Beauty and the Beach.

The Beauty of Occupy Wall Street

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The documentarian who playfully created Hot Chicks of Occupy Wall Street illustrates a truly beautiful side to this movement. It just makes you want to stand up or ‘pitch a tent’ along side them and say God Bless America. Sophomoric in intent perhaps but like the old Benetton ads, it illustrates the beauty inherent in America’s diversity which is represented in Lower Manhattan at Zuccotti Park. This is truly what America looks like. These are not horrible caricatures of Americans.......Click here for the full story.

 

Celebrity Style: Kim Kardashian

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Kim Kardashian is arguably the most famous of all the Kardashian sisters.  Over the years, the gorgeous celebrity has not only become known for her sexy curves and voluptuous figure, but also for her killer sense of style.  In this new series of posts, we'll be dealing with coveted celebrity style and today it's all about Kim Kardashian.

Kardashian's celebrity style is definitely very eclectic and we love that she's always mixing it up.  Whether she's running errands during the day, on a romantic beach getaway or attending a red carpet event, Kim Kardashian always looks gorgeous and glam and women everywhere want to nail her celebrity style at a price they can afford.

*photo courtesy of shopambience.com

By day, Kardashian is usually spotted keeping it casual yet chic.  In the photo above, she rocked a bold pair of J Brand skinny jeans in cobalt blue, and topped it off with a white tee, black leather jacket and cozy scarf.  Like a true fashionista, Kardashian chose one bold statement piece (in this case, the cobalt blue skinnies) and styled around it.  Get Kim's daytime celebrity style for a steal with a pair of cobalt blue skinny jeans from Bebe.

*photo coutesy of US Weekly

We've all seen the Honeymoon photos and despite the fact that the trip was cut short, the star definitely made use of her massive bikini wardrobe!  Kim Kardashian is always caught by the paparazzi in her bikini and she definitely seems to love showing off those award-winning curves of hers.  Most of the time she opts for string tie-side bikinis in either funky prints (python prints definitely seemed to be the theme of her Honeymoon) or classic soli hues like black or aqua.  Steal Kim's celebrity style with a python print string bikini from InStyleSwimwear.com.

*photo courtesy of shopthetrendboutique.com

Last but not least, Kim Kardashian is definitely no stranger to nightlife or VIP red carpet events.  She's constantly making appearances and she always dresses to impress.  Although she mixes it up, a sleek black number is typical for her celebrity style.  In this photo, Kim Kardashian poses in a classic yet chic black mesh tank dress by David Lerner.  Steal her celebrity style with a classic LBD from Forever 21!

Who would you like to see featured in the next celebrity style post?

-Article by Susan Bodack

Susan is a blogger for InStyleSwimwear.com.  To read more of Susan's work, check out her swimwear and fashion blog, Beauty and the Beach.

LOS ANGELES: Ballet Bodies Looking Good!

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Ballet Bodies is a West Hollywood-based fitness studio that draws from and improves upon the basic fundamentals of Pilates, with an ultimate focus on achieving an aesthetic that is as long, lean and beautiful as a ballet dancer’s.  

Officially founded by former New York City Ballet dancer, Andie Hecker, in 2008, Ballet Bodies was developed with the idea that physical fitness should be imparted by those who have learned to master the art of body awareness and aesthetic change. In other words: NOBODY DOES IT LIKE A BALLET DANCER.

Whether performing a series of exercises on the Pilates Reformer, the Pilates Cadillac (see image left), or other various fitness apparatus, each movement is executed with a dancer’s form and line as inspiration. Improved muscle definition, tone and/or body lengthening can all be achieved through a highly personalized formulation of dance-inspired movements.

Ballet Bodies draws from and improves upon the basic fundamentals of Pilates, but where classic Pilates falls short in garnering quick, dramatic, and lasting results, Ballet Bodies succeeds by offering more intense, diverse and personalized workouts in a private one-on-one or group class setting.

Since opening its doors three years ago, Ballet Bodies has welcomed thousands of clients, at all fitness levels, both via walk-in and personal referral. Celebrity clients include Chelsea Handler, Miranda Kerr, and Ginnifer Goodwin, among many others.

So if you're in L.A. or will be soon, plan on stopping by Ballet Bodies at 8376 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA.  Click here  for class offerings, or for daily class schedules, click here.  For detailed roster of trainers, see trainer listing. 

-Article by Peggie Walker, Executive Editor

Malibu Station Invasion Tour Featuring Ciara Kicks Off

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Pop star, Ciara rocked the stage last night for Malibu Rum beach-themed Station Invasion Concert Tour at the South Street Seaport Beekman’s Beer Garden in NYC.  DJ Skribble got it started dropping Chris Brown, Drake, LMFAO and on and on.  With Malibu Liquid Sunshine Malibu, Pineapple Juice and Orange juice) in tow and a fireworks interlude, the show was in full effect.

Fashionably late but stunning, Ciara finally took center stage
with her dancers.  “Goodies”, “1,2 Step”, “Ride”, “Pretty Girl Swag” hit after hit the Grammy award winning singer-songwriter with the serious moves mesmerized the crowd. High energy, winding and grinding she finished with “Love, Sex Magic”. Station Invasion and the seductive songstress made for stellar summer vibes through and through.  It was an awesome event – *all smiles*

-Article by Dei Lewison

*photo of Ciara by The Quest for "it" via Blackberry

 

You Probably Think This Blog is About You....

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Let the chips fall where they may on this one people. It's been quite awhile since we've heard from Chris London but this one was too intriguing to pass up.  Filed under Cultural Narcissism, Social Studies, and Society and People is You Probably Think this Blog is About You--a dissection of a particular prominent New York City based male fashion blogger/writer.  Here's an excerpt...

"When I read you it's like watching General Hospital Cica 1980, falling asleep and then waking up tuning in 2005 and realizing that nothing has changed" or 'And yes you are one of the preferred walker's for fashionable young female socialites, nudging other male socialites aside, to society's galas and fashionable store openings and product launches."

Oh my! Believe us ...it gets WORSE! Click here for the full story in Chris' London in New York Blog.

 

 

 

Your Shopping Guide for Fashion Week

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It's true. Fashionista's from all over the world will converge on NYC for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week starting on February 10th. Many wannabe glamour gals will clamor to attend; few will be chosen. If you have the good fortune to snag one of the elusive and coveted invites to a designer's fashion show you're probably experiencing heart palpitations and acute nausea trying to figure out the most important detail of the night... what to wear?  

So how is a girl on a budget supposed to be fabulously fashionable? Simple. Use these four tips and I guarantee you'll look haute enough to strut on your very own catwalk.

 

 Here's your fashionista-on-a-budget cheat sheet:

1-Hit the sales rack: It is not too late to scour major department stores for discounted items. Don't let pricey tags intimidate you. Pop into Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and hunt for markdowns.

2-Try a blast from the past: Visit the thrift shops, consignment shops and vintage stores in your city. My New York City fave? Zachary's Smile (317 Lafayette Street, 212-965-8248)

3-Accessorize like a pro: You don'thave to go on a shopping spree to recreate your look. Update your classic pieces with modern and bold accessories.

4-Love your look: Make sure whatever style you decide to sport reflects who you really are. Own it. Nothing is worse than seeing someone look awkward and uncomfortable in an outfit that's "to die for.

-Article by Renessta Olds