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With Fashion, the Devil is in the Details

Ever wonder what's the difference between a designer dress and a fast fashion fix at today's mass retailers? The answer is: the devil is in the details. The Wall Street Journal's video, "Intricate Construction in Fashion" goes behind the scenes with top industry experts, John Mincarelli, professor of Fashion Merchandising at my alma-mater, the Fashion Institute of Technology, and David Wolfe, creative director of the Doneger Group, assess the construction and design qualities of a Lanvin dress by Alber Elbaz versus Vera Wang's chic and affordable line with Kohl's. So, what are you paying for when you purchase the $3,000 plus designer dress? It's more than the name. The fabric, construction, couture sewing details, and proportion are the key selling points that justify the extravagance. With less expensive garments you may capture the look for a steal, but you lose out with fabric quality, inferior stitching on shoulder seams, hems, and button holes. As a consumer you must weigh your options. At what costs are you prepared to go for style?

Watch the video below.

A Hip Hop Tale

50 Cent is the personification of Hip Hop's crossover appeal and success. The multi-platinum artist has successfully maneuvered his appeal into clothing, video games, film, and top-selling grape flavored Vitamin Water drink called Formula 50. 50 x 50 uncovers the story of Curtis Jackson (50 Cent) from the harsh streets of south side Queens, to his ascent as a top-selling rapper waxing lyrical street hymns to commercial success. Jackson's career has been fueled by controversy from his harrowing shooting in 2000, his frank glamorization of violence, menacing image, and numerous feuds with fellow rappers, have unbelievably added to his allure. 50 x 50 features handwritten lyrics, exclusive new music, personal essays, and family photos culminating into a provocative autobiography.

Fendi Shines on the Great Wall of China

Fendi staged a spectacular fashion show on the Great Wall of China catering to the China's burgeoning luxury market. Fendi's Fall/Winter 2007 collection featured cropped fur jackets, fifties-style dresses, and haute accessories from geometric belt buckles to Fendi's signature "Baguette" bags. The requisite celebrity quotient was on hand with actress Zhang Ziyi among China's top-stars and Hollywood actresses Kate Bosworth and Thandie Newton in attendance. Major luxury brands are increasingly turning their attention Eastward as China's booming economy and nouveau rich have an insatiable appetite for luxury.

Miracle Oil

Hairstylist Ted Gibson has styled the famous tresses of celebrities Angelina Jolie, Gabrielle Union, Keira Knightly, Amerie, Diana Sawyer to Jessica Alba. His work can be seen on the catwalks for Dolce and Gabbana, Prada, and Chanel. With a buzzing New York City salon that's an oasis from the hustle and bustle of the city, Gibson has a full haircare line that captures his amazing talent in a bottle and keeps your hair healthy, fresh, and shiny.

The Ted Gibson Goodnite ($200) treatment is a miraculous treatment for a dry scalp and lackluster hair. Goodnite replenishes, repairs, and strengthen the surface cuticle, inner cortex, and core medulla regions with superior moisturizers, vitamins, and proteins. Aroma-therapeutic essential oils and botanical extracts add an indulgent sensory appeal. Apply at night and awake to revived, lush locks.

Ted Gibson Salon, 184 Fifth Avenue, 2nd flr, New York, NY 10010  212.633.6333   www.tedgibsonbeauty.com

Wired in Style

Jazz up your tech style with Phillips Electronics  and Swarovski  collaboration of  technology and style. Spruce up your electronic accessories with crystal-studded USB devices and earplugs that are fashionable and functional. Available at www.active-crystals.com

 

From top right: Philips and Swarovski Amazone Headphones ($148), Lockout USB Memory Key ($178),  Heart Beat USB Memory Key ($178), and Mirage Headphones ($128).

An Inconvenient Fashion

Global warming is changing the fashion game. Increased temperatures have prolonged summer into autumn's territory with national unseasonable warm highs. The traditional seasonal collections are on the verge of extinction, with designers and industry experts in favor of "trans-seasonal" collections. Retailers and designers are employing climatologists as the new stylists to gauge what and when to sell.

So what does this mean for fashionistas who are teetering in style limbo as to what wear? Teeny minis don't feel quite right in October, wool pencil skirts and full knit tights are uncomfortable when the mercury is at 68 degrees outside. A stylish solution? Pair an above the knee skirt with luxe leggings and toeless tights with fall's hottest heels. You can mix up textures and spice it up with color to add a signature stamp. You'll feel cozy and chic, as we try to get a grasp on our new global weather realities.

left to right: Maria La Rosa Cashmere Leggings ($195), Maria La Rosa Ribbed Wool Legwarmers ($110), Marni Toeless Knee Highs ($81), Wolford Velvet Deluxe Leggings ($38)

Tee to a Cure

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Fashion retailer Saks Fifth Avenue shows their support for the fight against women's cancer with an exclusive limited-edition T-shirt designed by Juicy Couture emblazoned with screenprint motif "Viva La Cure" ($35). 100% of the sale proceeds will benefit the Women's Cancer Research Fund. Shop all Saks stores and Saks.com on October 18-21 and Saks will donate 2% of sales, and Off 5th will donate 1% of sales up to $1 million during the event to local and national women's cancer charities. Now, if that isn't more of a reason to splurge.

Renee Zellweger, the 2007 Ambassador for EIF's Women's Cancer Research Fund and Sak's Fifth Avenue Key to the Cure. Photo: Micheal Thompson

Kiera Knightly ad for Coco Mademoiselle

This Sandal is B-A-N-A-N-A-S!

Leave it up to Miuccia to throw a curve ball into the high-fashion shoe game. Prada's satin banana-heel sandal ($520) is the hottest heel for fall. Geometric color-blocks and the 4"curved banana heels are certainly the item to slip your feet into. At Prada boutiques.

MAC Cosmetics and McQueen

MAC Cosmetics and Alexander McQueen have collaborated since 1996 with the eminent cosmetic line interpreting the beauty look for McQueen's deliciously rambunctious, avant-garde designs. For McQueen's Autumn/ Winter 2007 fashion presentation, MAC created a bewitched colorful Egyptian cat-eye derived from the designer's cinematic inspiration of Elizabeth Taylor in the 1963 film "Cleopatra". Alexander McQueen and MAC Cosmetics have taken their longstanding backstage make- up and artistry support a step further with MAC McQueen, a 16 piece color collection plucked straight from the runway. The limited-edition collection is all about the eyes and brows. Powder and creme eye shadows in bright hues of sea foam green, sea blue, pearlescent royal blue, and lime green. Lipsticks are neutral with soft dusty pink and sheer light golds paired with frosted gold and pearl LipGlass. Kohl eye pencils in Jealous (blackish-green pearl), black karat (black-gold), and feline (rich black frost). The McQueen Mineralize Skinfinish, a high-frost metallic velvet-soft powder finish highlights cheekbones and brows. The MAC McQueen collection available at MAC counters in October.

top right: Elizabeth Taylor in "Cleopatra". (Courtesy 20th Century Fox) below: Backstage at McQueen Fall 2007 show.