Photography by Ben Toms

CakeStylists can get you dressed perfectly for any profession or occasion. Then your stylist will hand-select four to six outfits just for you (paired with accessories of course), pack them up and ship them straight to your door. Each box is also accompanied by a video of your stylist explaining each look on a mannequin. Once you have your box, you can try on your clothes in the comfort of your home, keep what you love and send back the rest. It’s that simple! Shipping both ways, and your stylist’s services, are free, and everything else is priced at retail – the same prices you’d see if you shopped in the department stores on your own.

CakeStyle carries brands like Diane von Furstenberg, Elie Tahari, Theory and Rag & Bone and has a warehouse full of pieces for every woman’s taste. Boxes are valued between $2500 and $3000 and come once each season (with smaller supplement boxes in between!). CakeStyle, which is based in Chicago, also has a showroom for local clients where they can come in and try on a selection of clothes and get their stylists’ input.

If you’re ready to make style easy as pie and save tons of time and energy that you would have spent shopping and returning, go to www.cakestyle.com and fill out the brief survey. You’ll love getting fashion delivered straight to your door!

Marcus Wainwright, Gautum Dutta, David Neville, and Steven Kolb

What advice do you have for all the young designers showing at Lincoln Center this year? 

“Necessity is the mother of all invention.  Young designers are possibly more creative because they have to be. Don’t necessarily expect to come and show your first season at Lincoln Center, that is not what it is about. You’re going to show at a friend of your mum’s house sitting on folding chairs.”

What do you think are some predominant trends coming up this season?

“I think we’re going to carry on seeing a lot of color.  I do feel this sort of 30′s/70′s thing will continue.  A lot of color and a lot of print, it will be quite nice”

Do you have any tips on day-to-night dressing?

“I actually have some great tips on nigh to day dressing.  I used to work at Interview magazine and I remember hearing about all the socialites that would go out all night and come straight to work, be at the magazine all day, have a disco nap, get changed and go out all over again.  Therefore, instead of wearing your day clothes and throwing on a red lip and a heel, why don’t you wear your evening clothes, and wear something that will make it work.”

What are some of those pieces? 

“You can throw on a heather grey sweatshirt or a wacky clunky shoe or Converse.  Dress down an evening gown, that’d be my choice.”

Do you have any transitional weather tips? 

“In New York, your clothes have to go a long distance.  We’re very hard on our clothes, we are in and out of taxis, on subways, it is very hot, very cold, and it rains cats and dogs.  Always pack flats and a tiny little fold up umbrella in your bag, and check the weather before you go out.”

When the ten day long auction launches, bidders can win one of eight amazing prize packages that range from a head to toe Dolce & Gabbana style consultation and outfit to a dinner for two and roundtrip airfare to Italy to a full Superbowl 2012 package.  Visit gq.com, justkeeplivin.org, or dolcegabbana.com/dg/perfumes for more information.

The fragrance itself, described as “the ultimate connoisseur’s scent”, was a concoction of pepper, grapefruit, lavender, vanilla, and patchouli (aka light, cool, and a little intimidating).  Former NY Times Scent Editor Chandler Burr walked us through each individual scent in a fun and compelling sniff class that broke it all down.

Who is this man exactly?  GQ Style Correspondent Brett Fahlgren told us that the character behind the scent was “a contemporary charmer, with a spirit of masculinity– a man who is courteous, refined, and cultivated” while the designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana remarked “he is worldly, successful, impeccable, but also boasts something else such as an innate elegance that distinguishes him from the rest”.

More exciting news at the event was the launch of Dolce & Gabbana’s new iPhone app, “Rules for the Modern Gentlman” which was written by Dylan Jones, editor of GQ UK.  The app was designed to cover tips on etiquette (like asking a girl on a date properly), style & grooming (like how to match your patterns), and quick solutions for gentlemanly predicaments (sort of like the how to eat a pork loin off a rib without disturbing the passed appetizers peace).  Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana told us, “The application is a perfect reflection of the scenarios that the Dolce&Gabbana man may find himself encountering; as a modern gentleman he can approach each situation with a sense of poise and confidence that distinguishes him from the rest.”

When looking for the campaign’s face, naturally, the brand turned to Hollywood ladies man: Matthew McConaughey.  The campaign video showed off McConaughey, the one gentleman himself, the morning after an epic celebration (very a la How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days). Still tuxedo clad, he strolls through the party ballroom doing exactly what we would all do after a grand night at a ball, staring into a beach sunset.  How dapper. We recommend the scent for the young and elegant set, the gentlemen of our generation.

Regen Chen & Neil Snape ©2011 WestEast Magazine Benjamin Kanarek Blog Photo Contest

I have just posted the winners of the WestEast Magazine Benjamin Kanarek Blog Fashion and Beauty Photography Contest.

Thanks to all of you who participated and to those of you who didn’t, perhaps next time.

For those of you interested in the outcome of this contest you may visit this link:

WestEast Magazine Benjamin Kanarek Blog Photo Contest

The denim collection boasts every type of jean — skinny, boyfriend, drop crotch, straight leg — each treated with a burst of cosmetics  for a signature spin.  Whether it be a splash of purple eyeshadow on the butt or bursts of pink blusher throughout the thighs, the collection brought a bright, uplifting feeling into your Spring denim selection.

Here’s the amazing stylist Dani Stahl posing with the new collection — she was killing it in a pair of super skinny stretch teal jeans, heels, and a cute leather jacket.

Once you figured out what pair best suited you, Make Up Forever artists were ready to give you matching makeovers!  They were painting on bold lips and pops of eye color in magenta, teal, yellow, and blue, with their new liquid eyeliner.

The denim bar has fun spring colors including dusty blue, yellow, coral, teal, white, and railroad stripe. My personal favorite were the destroyed white skinny, which didn’t have much stretch but fit very true to size. A runner up were the super skinny stretch teal jeans, which were a powdery light color that once painted on your body, were surprisingly flattering.

Want to know more about the Powder of Diesel collection?  Tweet your questions at me @iamsamlim

I cannot count all of the Photographers that I have heard saying “If only I had a chance to be published in a serious Fashion Magazine I would…” Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah!  Well, here it is March 25th and the opportunity to BE published in a Highly respected Fashion Magazine is still up for grabs.

It is called the Benjamin Kanarek Blog WestEast Magazine Fashion/Beauty Photography Contest.

Closing Date Midnight May 2nd Paris time 2011. Free to enter. Just click on the above link for Rules and Regulations.

Some Very Important Hints Here

So…What Are YOU Waiting For?

…and finally each winner of the Fashion & Beauty categories will Win a great little compact camera, which they will receive 2 months after the publication of their editorial.

What’s your favorite thing to do in your free time?

I love gardening. I have a beautiful backyard in Chelsea which is such a luxury in NYC, and I take full advantage of it planting a great garden every spring. It’s so gratifying to watch the flowers grow, and I really enjoy getting my hands in the dirt. The best perk of having such wonderful outdoor space is getting to entertain often, especially in the summer. It’s a great way to stay connected and treat friends to being outside in nature.

What do you do to find calm during crazy-filled fashion days?

I go to a class called Intensati at Equinox.  It’s super high energy, but I feel great when I leave.  The woman who started the class is Patricia Moreno and she’s a real inspiration.  I also go to the spa.  I love getting a massage and go once a week.

What’s your guilty pleasure?

I love sweets: cupcakes, chocolate and ice cream.  I can never have too much chocolate.

What was your last indulgence?

I just got back from Istanbul and indulged in many of the local delicacies there. I especially loved the Turkish Delight, dried fruits, nuts and kebabs. I ate whatever I felt like eating and experienced amazing local cuisine. The restaurants were fantastic. Two of my favorite discoveries were Simple Restaurant and Al Jamal. At Al Jamal we had a huge traditional feast while watching belly dancers. They even had male belly dancers! Talk about fun!

I also did a ton of shopping. The Grand Bazaar was amazing. I got all sorts of local goodies like leather floor cushions and mosaic lamps. There was a fabulous jewelry store in the Sapphire Mall where I indulged my love of big statement rings.

What are you doing this weekend?

I’ll be spending it at the gym working off all the Turkish Delight!

For more on Mia, check out our team’s full interview with her.

Here are some really cool tips from Verdi:

1. Instant photos make great place cards- take your guests photo with a Fuji Instax camera as they arrive and set their spot on the table.

2. Cored apples can make great candle holders.

3. Mismatch dessert plates then mix with all white dishes for a change at the table.

4. Crayons and paper are a creative way to keep kids at the table.

5. Instead of preparing dessert yourself, serve mini cupcakes and have your guests decorate their own.

6. Use spread rose petals as your table runner.

7. Fill a glass bowl with pomegranates as decor or garnish your salad or soup with pomegranate seeds. Fill a glass bowl with pomegranates as decor or garnish your salad or soup with pomegranate seeds.

8. Make a red holiday treat station with red colored treats such as red Twizzlers, Swedish fish, red M&M’s etc…

9.  Have a Coca-Cola drink station because it is an essential drink mixer and stands deliciously on its own.

10. Gives guests a gift like Williams Sonoma hot chocolate wrapped in a parer bag and tied with a cute ribbon.

Check  out this hilarious and information of Robert giving more info on all his tips:

The company houses celebrity stylists, top-tier photographers and a host of others’ work you’ve seen in magazines and advertisements.

Here’s how it went down…

1. What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?

SLEEP

2. What do you do to find calm during the crazy-filled fashion days?

DRINK MORE COFFEE

3. What’s your guilty pleasure?

LET’S JUST SAY IT ISN’T WATCHING REALITY TV WITH A PINT OF ICE-CREAM

4. What was your last indulgence?

PROVIDING OVERLY SERIOUS PEOPLE WITH HARMLESS MISINFORMATION

5. What are you doing this weekend?

MAKING MY FIRST PUMPKIN PIE

We learned that…

Kirill is fast becoming a staple in nightlife photography.

Stylist Julie Matos has a solution for every fashion mishap.

Tavi is making the move from online blogger to magazine editor.

Lookbooks.com picked their next batch of Ruffian Streetstyle winners.

Even fashion designers have secret strippers pasts.

Sean works with Tim Howard Management where he styles for some of the biggest, top-tier luxury campaigns coming out today. He collaborates with noted photographers like Annie Leibovitz, Alexi Lubomirski, Dusan Reljin and Doug English, to name a few.

After hearing Sean’s schedule and upcoming projects, I felt very fortunate to meet him at West Village’s Sant Ambroeuse Café for a short interview. For about 15 minutes we sipped coffee, as I shot off questions on a warm and sunny Thursday morning. Here’s a snippet of our chat:

You’ve styled everyone from famous Rappers and Sports Icons to Top Models and Bono. Who were some of the most fun people to work with?

“I love Harry Connick. I met him on a job, and we became really good friends. I guess the Bono trip to Africa with Louis Vuitton was sort of a career high. I’ve worked with a lot of celebrities, but there’s some that you get there and you think wow. And Robert Redford, I did him for Vanity Fair’s Green Issue. All of a sudden I was in his kitchen, and I was completely stunned.”

What got you started in styling? Did you roll out of the womb with fashion sense, or did you learn it along the way?

“I think I always liked clothes. I had a very chic father and aunt, and I often traveled with my aunt. I was born in Providence, Rhode Island, and I grew up in Massachusetts; I went to Newport in the summers. There were a lot of people to be inspired by. I’m very traditional I think, and that brought me to where I am in my taste.”

What’s it like working with Tim Howard Management?

“Tim is amazing. Outside of modeling, Tim is one of the first people I met in the business, and we’ve had a great working and personal relationship ever since.”

What advice would you have for young, aspiring stylists who want to be where you’re at someday, working at a high professional level?

“I’m really big on training. I’m really big on working for an editor who you respect and whose work you like. It’s a lot more than just putting a dress on a model. Everyone thinks fashion is very glamorous, and it is to a certain extent, but I think it’s a lot of hard work.”

“When I was working under Camilla Nickerson, all the young girls at Vogue were always there late nights packing bags. It’s not just front row shows. I think they have to be prepared to learn and listen and really work hard. I never turned down a job, and I have huge work ethic. I think with most people in my field it’s a lot of work. They’re always on a plane. My advice would be get a master’s degree in business.”

We’ve seen your contributions in Men’s Vogue China. Fashion-wise, where do you think Asia is right now?

“I think they’re almost ahead of us. Right now Asia is so exciting, especially China. When I go to the shows, sometimes I feel completely underdressed because all the Asian editors are so spot on.”

In one of your latest projects you paid homage to the amazing Steven Meisel. How were you able to capture his spirit in your styling?

“I really had the idea for that story 14 years ago when I worked on set with Steven Meisel.  This season was so big about coats, and I shot with Dusan Reljin to capture the feeling. I had just shot Sean O’Pry for something else, and I thought he definitely looked very Steven. Ben Skervin did the hair, and it was perfect. Everything just kind of came together. He sent me a thank-you note, Mr. Meisel. He loved that story.

You’ve styled for celebrities like Kanye, P Diddy and Sean Connery. What can we find in your own closet?

“You’ll find about 25 to 30 white shirts. You’ll find too many pairs of black pants, navy blue sweaters, gray sweaters, a gray flannel suit from Prada, a blue flannel suit from Prada and a Valentino tuxedo. I get a lot of items, but I give them away. That’s what I always have in my closet. You’ll also find John Lobb shoes and Pierre Hardy shoes.”

Can you share a few secrets on what some of your favorite stores to pick up your styling pieces are?

“When I do advertising, I live by, swear by and am loyal to Barneys. Laura Mannix at Barneys is the queen of all of New York stylists. If you’re not in with Laura you can’t do your job.”

Being really, truly one of the world’s foremost stylists LookBooks is curious… what are some of your own commandments of style?

“I think you should be stylish, but you shouldn’t look overly-styled. My commandment would be classic – keep it classic.”

For more on Sean Spellman’s work, see his THM profile here.

Grace Styling Inc. takes over San Diego and Las Vegas one client at a time.

The company’s motto as the Premier Fashion Authority for any woman or man in need of a wardrobe revamp or life renewal has proved to be successful. Owner and executive stylist, Amy Grace Winn, celebrated her one-year anniversary of owning and operating the business in August 2010. Her fresh perspective and background in fashion merchandising and PR has helped launch Grace Styling into the forefront of the styling industry.

With a new website launched over the summer, Grace Styling has taken their fashion consulting viral. Utilizing their blog and newsletter, Grace is able to lend followers a free piece of fashion advice everyday.

These updates coincide with continuous Twitter and Facebook updates illustrating all things fashion focused.

Winn comments, “With the Blog, Twitter and Facebook we have been able reach out to a larger fan base and connect through constant updates and information about the latest in men’s and women’s fashion. But, it’s not about one post or blog that defines our style as a company, it’s a feeling that resonates throughout everything associated with Grace Styling… our business cards, the website, the feeling of luxury that encompass our motto and takes us beyond a typical styling agency”.

Grace Styling is busy with clients in Southern California and Nevada while also planning for multiple speaking engagements during the end of fall. With “Dress to Impress” as the theme, Winn will be attending and presenting at the Women’s Business Enterprise Council’s West Coast conference.

Visit GraceStyling.com for more information and a look into one of the most promising styling agency’s to hit the fashion world.

Also be sure to follow Grace Styling on Twitter and Facebook for style updates on the go.

The Maccabees popped by the Stylist Lounge for a quick wardrobe update before heading off to this year's Love Box festival in London. If you want to get the VIP treatment, head over to the Stylist area in Topman's flagship New York store!

LINK LOVE:Topman Stylist Spot…The Maccabees

Become a FashionIndie.com contributor. Subscribe to Envy.

Rachel Bilson came out to support French fashion designer Vanessa Bruno during a private dinner at Chateau Marmont on Wednesday (July 21) in Los Angeles.

The 28-year-old actress, who wore a super cute VB jacket, was accompanied by her stylist, Nicole Chavez (pictured above). What a cute twosome they are!

Check out Rachel’s look for less below:

More Red or Dead…

LINK LOVE:It Look: Rachel Bilson At Vanessa Bruno Fashion Dinner

Become a FashionIndie.com contributor. Subscribe to Envy.

Get ready for The Price of Beauty, a new VH1 reality series that will star Jessica Simpson and her hair stylist/close friend Ken Paves. Jessica and Ken will travel around the world and talk to dozens of women about the great lengths they go to for beauty. Not quite sure it will be a hit, but I guess you never know.

LINKAGE: People

With all of the runway shows taking place, it’s no surprise that someone would begin to wonder who was behind the scenes. Their answer is Peter Gray.  The hair stylist who’s worked for a number of talented photographers, fashion magazines and designers including Martin Margiela and Hermes, is on a mission to fuse hair and fashion; with his great talents and sculptural masterpieces, he seems to be doing a pretty good job.

LINKAGE: Cyana Trendland

And a here’s a total random Q&A with her:

[source]