Today was a chilly and gloomy one in New York City, but thanks to the fun and refreshing designs of Taryn Leigh Slawson, I’ve got hope that the sun will shine again! I had the pleasure of meeting Slawson at a party last winter and her bubbly and spunky personality is beautifully reflected in her designs. As a recent graduate from Colorado State University’s Apparel Design and Production department, Slawson had the opportunity to work with British designer Sue Stemp as well as women’s wear designer Diane Von Furstenberg…it’s no wonder why her collections are so colorful! Now, the proud designer of four collections under her name, Slawson is carving her name in Denver’s emerging fashion scene. Her designs range from girly and edgy to soft and romantic, a versatility so crucial for today’s young designers. Say hello to Denver’s future in fashion!

Check out more from Taryn Leigh Slawson here or shop her collection at Etsy!

Ok, glamettes listen up because this is for charity. We all know that only thing more glamorous than an amazing pair of heels is if the proceeds of those heels go to people in need. Yes, I have an inner Audrey Hepburn. This particular event is very exciting though, it involves the 70th anniversary of The Wizard Of Oz, the world’s best shoe designers and The Elizabeth Glazer Pediatrics AIDS Foundation.

I usually make it a rule to write all of my own posts word for word. However, I will make an exception this one time, as I want to make sure I convey all of the information correctly.

So, from the official website: http://www.rubyslipperauction.com/ here is the information, feel free to peruse the website and bid on your own pair of ruby slippers. xoxo

From Beverly Hills to Berlin; from big screens to home screens, Warner Bros. Entertainment has for the past year been celebrating the 70th anniversary of an iconic American classic The Wizard of Oz with spectacular festivities spanning the globe. As part of this celebration, Warner Bros. Consumer Products in partnership with CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements invited the world’s top shoe designers to reinterpret Dorothy’s iconic Ruby Slippers for modern times.

“If Dorothy were living in the 21st century, what would she wear?” was the question answered by The Wizard of Oz Ruby Slipper Collection, a creative re-interpretation of one of film’s most iconic and revered symbols which has captured the hearts and imaginations of people the world over. Designers, including A. Testoni, Abaete, Alberta Ferretti, Betsey Johnson, Botkier, Christian Louboutin, Diane von Furstenberg, Giuseppe Zanotti, Jimmy Choo, L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani, Lisa Pliner, Manolo Blahnik, Moschino, Oscar de la Renta, Roger Vivier, Sergio Rossi, Stuart Weitzman, Tibi, and Tuleh, were granted creative license and access to unlimited CRYSTALLIZED™ – Swarovski Elements to re-imagine Dorothy’s design with their own modern vision of the sparkling Ruby Slipper.

Since its debut one year ago in New York City to kick off Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, the Collection has toured more than 20 prestigious destinations around the world, including Los Angeles, Miami, Paris, Tokyo, Dubai and Melbourne. The Ruby Slipper Collection and original design sketches will now be auctioned online by Charity Folks beginning 10:00 AM EST on September 10 to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. The public has one final chance to view The Ruby Slipper Collection in entirety at the Swarovski CRYSTALLIZED™ flagship store at 499 Broadway in New York City from September 10th — 23rd; the exhibit will be run simultaneously to the online auction.

Also featured in the auction are select pieces from The Inspirations of Oz Fine Art Collection which premiered during the highly anticipated and revered Art Basel Miami Beach 2008. An acclaimed array of artists were among the chosen few selected to re-interpret The Wizard of Oz through their own unique visions and artistic mediums. Included in the auction are one-of-a-kind interpretive works of art including painting, drawing and sculpture from esteemed artisans Angelo Aversa, Romero Britto, Nelson De La Nuez, Todd White and Yakovetic.

The auction will culminate at 10:00 PM on Thursday, September 24, with the Warner Bros. Entertainment Emerald Gala, a glorious event at Manhattan’s historic Tavern on the Green hosted by its owner and CEO Jennifer Oz LeRoy, granddaughter of The Wizard of Oz producer Mervyn LeRoy; introducing Warner Home Video’s new benchmark The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition Blu-Ray release on September 29th.

THE WIZARD OF OZ and all related characters and elements are trademarks of and © Turner Entertainment Co.

Please, at least go to the website and have a look. It’s for a really good cause!!!

More pics and info here.

This season DVF gave us, as usual, many prints, bold colors, and best of all, tons of accessories!

An easy way to make a statement is to wear a bold, vibrant color. Incorporating just one of these items into your outfit is enough to stand out amongst a crowd and to grab some attention.

RED:
1. Diane von Furstenberg, $345, www.net-a-porter.com
2. TopShop, $30, www.topshop.com
3. Dior, $850, www.saksfifthavenue.com
4. Betsey Johnson, $55, www.betseyjohnson.com

BLUE:
1. Adam, $170, www.theoutnet.com
2. Steve Madden, $139.95, www.stevemadden.com
3. CC Skye, $495, www.couturecandy.com
4. Express, $29.50, www.express.com

GREEN:
1. Alberta Ferretti, $728.54, www.mytheresa.com
2. Collection Eighteen, $24, www.chickdowntown.com
3. Chie Mihara, $350, www.piperlime.com
4. Kenneth Cole, $103.60, www.macys.com

YELLOW:
1. Milly, $219, www.theoutnet.com
2. Delias, $109.50, www.delias.com
3. N.Y.L.A., $99.95, www.endless.com
4. Juicy Couture, $34, www.ssense.com

Just so you guys know…I saw this hat first, wanted to buy it in the Hamptons, and everyone laughed, and now it’s the must have item of the season!

Save 70% on summer goods from Diane Von Furstenberg! All of these items are final sale, but why on earth would you want to return them?

Shop this sale on DVF.com! (it’s online only, and there are a bunch of other things on sale too!)

LINK LOVE: The Cut

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will kick off with Michael Angel followed by BCBGMAXAZRIA, Duckie Brown, Ports 1961, Cesar Galindo, Cynthia Steffe, Yigal Azrouel, Charlotte Ronson, Nicole Miller, This Day/Arise: African Fashion Collective, Venexiana, Lacoste, Georges Chakra, Andy & Debb, Academy of Art University, Christian Siriano, Chado Ralph Rucci, Vivienne Tam, Lela Rose, Derek Lam, DKNY, Thuy, Hervé Léger by Max Azria, Diane Von Furstenberg, Rebecca Taylor, Tuleh, Custo Barcelona, Carolina Herrera, Carlos Miele, Jill Stuart, Tracy Reese, Donna Karan, Yeohlee, Tadashi Shoji, TonyCohen, Gottex, Badgley Mischka, Brian Reyes, Toni Maticevski, Pamella Roland, MAX AZRIA, Dennis Basso, Willow, Tibi, Narciso Rodriguez, Toni Francesc, Tory Burch, Michael Kors, Nanette Lepore, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Milly by Michelle Smith, Alexandre Herchcovitch, Anna Sui, Doo.Ri, Ralph Lauren, Isaac Mizrahi, Trias, Calvin Klein, Chocheng, Argentinean Designer Collections and Tommy Hilfiger.

Diane von Furstenberg (CFDA chairwoman) decided to have all designer nominees showing off their own work by wearing it and being photographed.

I can honestly say that Marc Jacobs looks better in his LV bunny ears than Madonna.

Naomi Campbell walked in a charity show at Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai over the weekend. Many designers like Anna Sui, Oscar de la Renta, DVF and Naeem Khan donated dresses for the event, to be auctioned on eBay to raise money for victims of the Mumbai attacks. Unfortunately, many of the bids are still going for pennies, which means no one is buying these amazing gowns.

Get your hands on one of the dresses here, you have seven days.

LINKAGE: NY MAG

TRESemmé signed on as the official haircare sponsor of this year’s spring shows for NYC Fashion Week granting the
brand with backstage access at one of the industry’s biggest events. TRESemmé Celebrity Stylist Nathaniel Hawkins, who led the hair teams for Tracy Reese and Cynthia Rowley, dishes his secrets for getting the look.

“This season, we saw a return to simple, yet beautiful hair. Whether the look of the show was
soft and feminine or exhibited more of an edge, the common thread remained the hair looks -
face flattering and pretty. And the best thing about these styles is that they are easy to achieve
with the right products and tools,” says Hawkins.

Here are the trends, right off the runways, courtesy of TRESemmé:

Wave of Independence
“Gone are the days of binding curls and waves. This season, it is all about laid back, yet feminine glamour,” adds Hawkins. Rachel Roy, L’Wren Scott, Rebecca Taylor, Diane von Furstenberg and Anna Sui all sent this look down their runways. To get these hot waves:

1. Scrunch TRESemmé Flawless Curls Curl Hydration Lotion Crème into damp hair.

2. Blow dry the hair with a diffuser using the fingers or let it dry naturally.

3. Part hair evenly down the middle and finger comb each side into a ponytail.

4. Taking each ponytail, twist the lengths of the hair until it starts to twist onto itself,
creating a bun on each side of the head; secure each bun with a hair pin.

5. Using the diffuser, dry each bun and let the hair sit for 20 minutes.

6. Remove the pins and finger comb hair, creating beautiful, tousled waves.

7. Run a dime-size amount of the TRESemmé Anti-Frizz Secret Styling Crème over the
lengths of the hair to tame flyaways and add shine.

Mixed Up
“A lot of shows this season featured a dual-finish hairstyle with either a mix of shiny and matte or rough and smooth,” notes Hawkins who created such a look for Cynthia Rowley’s show.  Other designers who showcased the look included:  Alexander Wang, Erin Fetherston, Thakoon and Richard Chai.

To copy the ponytail follow these simple steps:
1. Pull hair back into a ponytail using a boar bristle brush

2. Work TRESemmé Anti-Frizz Secret Styling Crème into the hair at the top of the ponytail
but not throughout the lengths of the hair.

3. Spray the mid-shafts and ends of the hair with TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat
Tamer Spray.

4. Blow dry hair against the natural direction of the cuticle to create a rough texture, which
will contrast the sleek, shiny top section of the head.

5. Finish this look with a touch of TRESemmé TRES Two Extra Hold Hair Spray
throughout the ponytail.

Hawkins and the TRESemmé Styling Team tied shiny black ribbon on all of the models at the Cynthia Rowley show to add a touch of glam.

Soft Around the Edges
“Stick straight locks had their moment on the runway, but the look right now is all about smooth hair with some bend and movement,” says Hawkins.  This chic style was seen on the runways of some of fashion’s biggest names including BCBG, Doo.Ri and Donna Karen.  Hawkins loved the way this styled complemented the straight lines at the Herve Leger show.

Getting the look is simple:

1. Apply TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray to hair, followed by a liberal application of TRESemmé Thermal Creations Volumizing Mousse from the roots of the hair to the ends.

2. Blow hair dry with a medium-sized round brush.

3. Spray Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray onto the hair again.

4. Take sections of hair twice the depth of the flatiron plate, pull the iron away from the head to create a slight curvature.

5. Add runway-worthy shine by lightly spraying the TRESemmé No Frizz Shine Spray.

Did you know Mena Suvari was 30? If you only remember her from American Beauty, you’d think she was several years younger. If you only go by her appearance at the 2009 Film Independent Spirit Awards, you’d think she was 50.

The hair and makeup are bland, and the busy, long Diane von Furstenberg dress doesn’t do her any favors.

Photo from Fashion Chips.

I’m sort of wondering if Diane von Furstenberg has gone completely bat-shit crazy being in this industry for so long. Her fall collection was out of control, featuring huge hats, overly-thick sweaters and print mixing like I’ve never seen before. I actually kind of love it. I could easily do without the pom-pom hats and asymmetrical ponchos, but the mini dresses, leggings and leathery pants are hands down a hit in my book.

If anyone knows fashion’s Darwinian dynamics, it’s von Furstenberg, a woman who has proven she can persevere. For fall, she flaunted those killer instincts.

GALLERY: Diane von Furstenberg RTW Fall 2009

LINKAGE: Diane von Furstenberg RTW Fall 2009

Nicole Miller’s Fall 2009 collection had me feeling a little like Natalie Imbruglia. Torn. With the structural trend in mind, Miller brought several architectural cocktail dresses, jackets, skirts and tops to the runways. Embellished beautifully with geometric lines, patterned sequins, tiers, pleats and zippers, Miller added sophisticated edge to her wide repertoire of design. Aside from the closing piece (pictured above) I was not a fan of the fascia spider-web designs. Sadly enough, the design reminded me of something Diane Von Furstenberg would do. Oh, and I don’t care if it’s big for the fall, that royal blue color has got to go. 

GALLERY: Nicole Miller Fall 2009

Thanks for the photos Elle!

Another face of the last generation passed with the death of 60’s fashion icon, Lucia Moreira Salles, on Saturday. Making her runway debut in 1957, Salles became the muse of both Valentino and Coco Chanel. Her fresh look and lovable personality made Salles the ultimate model, business partner and friend. Close friends Valentino Garavani and Diane Von Furstenburg say she will be sorely missed. 

For more on the model and her death, check out WWD.

I live about 5 miles outside of D.C. They started closing and detouring streets weeks ago. Everyone I know in the city is excited for the Inauguration, but wants out for the four-day weekend. And everyone else is trying to make a buck off Obama’s likeness. I don’t know if this is just a D.C.-area thing, but even our chain grocery stores each have an aisle of Obama merchandise snuggled next to the Valentine’s Day stuff.

A more organized effort to sell Obama stuff and support the campaign has been released, though. A collaboration with the Presidential Inaugural Committee, the Runway for Change Inaugural Collection features T-shirts and accessories from mainstream design houses like Tory Burch, Vera Wang, and Isaac Mizrahi; indie designers like Alexander Wang, Lutz & Patmos; and even celebrity designers like Jay-Z and Beyonce.

Several of the products are made from organic cotton and/or dyes, and proceeds from collection will go toward the $45 million projected cost of the inauguration ceremony.

If you’re in the District, you can nab some piece at the temporary Presidential Inaugural Store, at 625 E Street NW, or from the online store.

GALLERY: Runway to Change.

Marc Jacobs last Fashion Week Party....so long folks...

If you somehow manage to sneak into Marc Jacobs’ show at the Lexington Avenue Armory next month, don’t expect to be sipping bubbly at his after party. Why? Well, because there isn’t going to be one. The recession just about ransacked the fashion industry these past few months, sending some of our favorite designers home packing, laying off employees, shutting down stores, making the runway lonely and now erasing our reason to celebrate. Marc Jacobs, Calvin Klein and Alexander Wang, some of the designers with the most anticipated parties, simply won’t be having them this year. But what about the hundreds of other party savvy designers? If you’re not immediate friends or family of Diane Von Furstenberg, Narciso Rodriguez, or Matthew Williamson, don’t expect to be wined and dined at their parties either. Looks like Giorgio Armani’s flagship store opening is your best bet…good luck getting in. 

Thanks NY Mag! 

“Barry (her husband) respects me so much, we don’t live together during the week, although we go out together. I live on top of my shop; he lives at the Carlyle hotel. It doesn’t feel strange at all. I just need a little bit of space. If I can’t be alone a little bit, then I lose myself — and I cannot lose myself.”

From an interview in Town and Country Mag

LINKAGE: Racked

As his prize for winning the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, Alexander Wang gets $200,000 and business mentoring from an industry veteran. CFDA president Diane Von Furstenberg has been named as his mentor.

Via NY Mag

Also, WWD reported earlier that Wang will be hosting his show at Roseland Ballroom, which can house up to 1,500 guests and can cost as little as $18,000, but the designer will skip hosting an after-party this season