- Lauren Conrad is launching her own beauty site, The Beauty Department, which purports to help “anyone who’s ever had a beauty question or gotten into a fight with a hair brush and lost.” On my behalf, I will say that I didn’t lose the fight since the hairbrush ended up handle first in my vanity mirror. [Fashionista

- Gianfranco Ferré's new owner, Paris Group, has given the label's creative directors, Tommaso Aquilano and Roberto Rimondi the proverbial boot, citing sluggish sales. A retailer admitted they bought " a minimal amount of the collection for the sake of carrying the brand" but noted that "[t]here was almost no daywear and eveningwear was fairy tale, like something for the Oscars. It may work for a small, niche brand, but not for such a global brand.” Ferré is expected to skip a season until Paris Group  finds it bearings, though those bearings could also be found in the John Galliano label, which the Group may consider purchasing from LVMH. [WWD]

A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz’s silk dress. Kelsi Dagger shoes.

Jovani’s polyester dress and Sequin bangles.

Tadashi Shoji’s polyester and silk dress. Kelsi Dagger shoes.

Sue Wong’s nylon and polyester dress. Carlos Falchi clutch; Pour La Victoire shoes.

Kay Unger’s silk and acetate dress. Nina shoes.

BCBG Max Azria’s silk jersey dress. Stuart Weitzman shoes.

Theia’s silk organza dress, $595.

In a world of celebrity worship and red-carpet obsession, it’s easy to forget that for most women a wedding, bar mitzvah or the prom is as dressed up as it gets. And those occasions, while special, don’t necessarily inspire the average attendee to shell out four figures for designer eveningwear — even if she has it. So how much are such women willing to pay for a one- or two-night-only dress?

All of the gowns featured in this story retail for $600 or less — not cheap but, at a fraction of designer prices, they fall into what many industry types deem “the sweet spot” between $300 and $800, where style and value converge. “Women are so intelligent and smart today. This dress retails for $490, but if it doesn’t look good and it costs $2,000, they’re still not going to buy it for $490,” says Kay Unger, noting that the dress pictured (see page 7), from her resort 2011 collection, has 11 tiers of silk organza and charmeuse. Her point is that customers want the runway and red-carpet trends but without a four-figure price tag.

That’s something that A.B.S. by Allen Schwartz has down to a science for the prom, black-tie and, increasingly, bridesmaid sets. “Retailers don’t really want us to be above the $500 mark,” says Lloyd Singer, president of sales for A.B.S. The key to hitting that price is volume and production. A.B.S. is manufactured domestically, but the majority of houses with prices in that ballpark outsource to Asia. Unger falls into that category, as does Sue Wong, who bills herself as “the everywoman couturier.”

“When the average woman out there opens up a Vogue, Harper’s or Elle and you have Valentino at $2,500 and Chanel at $3,000, it’s not realistic,” says Wong, whose prices average between $300 and $600. “They think that it’s a total fantasy for them, that only A-listers like J.Lo or Nicole Kidman get to wear it.” Wong doesn’t own her own factories in Asia but acts as her own agent, thus “eliminating the middle man so there’s no further markup. The customer loves me for it.”

Of course, there is a divide between what a few hundred and a few thousand dollars buys. “There are fabric and detail and finishes that are different between a $5,000 gown and an $800 gown,” says Joe Boitano, Saks Inc. group senior vice president and general merchandise manager, noting that the $400-to-$800 dress range has become a dominant business for Saks. “There’s never going to be the same detail and quality but there is a lot of value in the $800 or $600 dress.”

PHOTOGRAPHED AT THE AUCTION HOUSE IN NEW YORK CITY; MODEL: LIZ JELLE/MAJOR; HAIR AND MAKEUP BY CABIRIA ROSADO; FASHION ASSISTANT: ANA CALDERONE; ALL JEWELRY BY SEQUIN

(WWD)

LINK LOVE:Designer Trend: Eveningwear for Less

To show you what I mean, rather than go on a tangent about how much I adore one of the few department stores who respectfully cater to the plus size woman, I have rounded up some of my favorite finds, as well as pieces to complete the look- You gotta Accessorize to Maximize!

Here are a few of my favorite picks:

1. Halogen Sequin Tank
2. Kenneth Cole Asymmetrical Jacket
3. Cookie Johnson Denim
4. Faux Fur Shearling
5. Bernardo Leather Jacket
6. Jag Jeans

And the shoes that are either wide width or extended sizes!

1. Franco Sarto
2. Michael by Michael Kors
3. Calvin Klein
4. Nine West
5. Stuart Weitzman
6. Vince Camuto

What do you think?  While the extreme deals and savings only last for the last few days, the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale ends August 1^st!

LINK LOVE:Nordstrom Anniversary Sale for the Plus Size Fashion Forward

Become a FashionIndie.com contributor. Subscribe to Envy.

Miu Miu

See by Chloe Kors by Michael Kors

Alberto Fermani

Elie Tahari

Tory Burch

Diane Von Furstenberg

Stuart Weitzman & Company

Delman

prada

Kors Michael Kors

Diane Von Furstenberg

Alberto Fermani

(neimanmarcus.com)

LINK LOVE:"Step Lively"

Dolce Vita

Givenchy

Costume National

Jimmy Choo

Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent

Thakoon

Stuart Weitzman

Fendi

Dior

Dolce and Gabbana

Derek Lam

Chloe

Chloe

Ash

Alexander Wang

(saks.com)

LINK LOVE:"Sole to Sole"

Dolce Vita

Givenchy

Costume National

Jimmy Choo

Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent

Yves Saint Laurent

Thakoon

Stuart Weitzman

Fendi

Dior

Dolce and Gabbana

Derek Lam

Chloe

Chloe

Ash

Alexander Wang

(saks.com)

LINK LOVE:"Sole to Sole"

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.