H&M Collaborate with Jimmy Choo

Photo credit: Supermodels

"Wait! I lost my Choo!" - Carrie Bradshaw, Sex and the City

For the first time, Swedish retail giant H & M will collaborate with an accessories designer. JIMMY CHOO! Woohoo! The London-based luxury brand will debut it's H & M collection this fall on November 14 in over 200 stores. Women have the opportunity to coordinate a complete outfit with shoes, handbags and clothes while men can shop for a variety of shoes and accessories at a fraction of the retail cost. Prices for women's shoes and handbags will range from $59.95-$299.00 and clothes will be priced at around $69.95-$249.00. Did I mention that Choo's retail normally for $600.00 and up? With prices like these, it won't be hard to be the "it" girl in Chester French's breakout hit who's "...got Jimmy Chooooooos."

Source: Associated Press

Camilla and Marc Dress

Besotted!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay I'm in love. Like seriously... I WANT THIS CAMILLA AND MARC DRESS! And I can't find it!!! ....ANYWHERE! I am considering calling every single Planet Blue in California to inquire if by some miracle they have it in stock for me... Please oh, pretty please, please, please.

In 2003, Marc Freeman, an engineer, and his sister, Camilla, a starlette graduate from the Whitehouse Institute of Design, collaborated to create a line of clothing and bathing suits... And thus, the brand Camilla and Marc was born. Their debut at Australia's Spring/Summer Fashion Week was received with enormous praise. Since then, their pieces have garnered attention from various celebrities including Ginnifer Goodwin, Lindsay Lohan and Kirsten Dunst.

Ultra-feminine, flirty and just plain fun, the inspiration for their clothes were to design for a woman who "Knows what she wants, knows how to put an outfit together, doesn’t need to be styled. Strong sense of self but never over confident.” - Camilla Freeman

Photo credits: PlanetBlue

Fiona Paxton

Besotted!!!

Midas Necklace
Photo credit: Flickr

I am officially obsessed with FIONA PAXTON. Her jewelry is just beautiful, stunning, gorgeous... I can't praise her enough. Her creations stem from her love for ancient Indian jewelry craftmanship and thus, are hand-made. I LOVE her signature chunky metal necklaces! A simple tee shirt and jeans outfit can go from boring rags to fabulous riches by pairing it with any of her pieces. I love them all- So exquisite and regal! Celebs like Paris Hilton, Drew Barrymore, Isla Fisher and Hilary Duff are among the many stars who have been spotted wearing Fiona's glam accessories.

Lane Necklace in Silver and Gold ($398 at Intermix)
Photo credits: Nina and Lola


Miller Necklace ($425 at ShopBop)
Photo credits: ShopBop

Sylvie Necklace in oxidized silver, silver and gold ($298 at Intermix)
Photo credits: Nina and Lola

Vanya Necklace ($340 at ShopBop)
Photo credit: ShopBop

Paxton graduated in 1992 with a degree in textile design from the Royal College of Art in London. After graduation, she spent the next 15 years of her life working for fashion houses and retailers with notable designers such as Chloe, Armani and Moschino. Several years ago, her interest in Indian jewelry inspired her to design a line that embodied these ancient techniques. Her collection of jewelry and scarves was first introduced in 2008 and was favorably received by the fashion community. Today, Fiona Paxton continues to work in East London drawing her inspiration from all spheres of life including street imagery, art galleries and vintage patterns and designs.

Harley Necklace in Silver & Black
Photo credits: Nina and Lola

Milly Cuff ($225 at ShopBop)
Photo credits: ShopBop

Fiona Paxton
www.fiona-paxton.com
Shop online at ShopBop, Intermix, or Singer22

Jewelry by Alanna Bess

Turquoise Circle Cuff

As I browsed through today's sales on HauteLook... I just couldn't resist posting something about this designer! I mean her name is ALANNA with 2 n's like me!

After a life-changing trip to Italy, Alanna Bess created a line of jewelry inspired by things she enjoys wearing herself. With an array of accessories like wooden beaded bracelets, thick gold embellished cuffs, and necklaces adorned with everything from hamsahs to peace and zodiac signs, her jewelry line is ethnic, diverse and appealing to a wide demographic of shoppers. Many of her statement pieces incorporate the use of semi-precious stones (turquoise, topaz, garnet) with hammered gold and silver toned hoops.

I love love love accessories. I love to browse, love to buy and recently...Even love to create jewelry! So I must admit I was just a little disappointed with my fellow name-bearer's collection. :( Her designs are beautiful, clean designs all of which are very wearable, but there was nothing I saw that was spectacularly original. Then again, who am I to judge? Alanna Bess was picked up by Henri Bendel and has frequent trunk shows at the high-end department store. As for press coverage, celebrities like Rihanna and Anne Hathaway have been photographed wearing her designs!

Some of my favorite pieces below:

Green Mystic Topaz Necklace and Wood Sets Coin Pearl Bracelet

Fresh Water Pearl Clover Ring and Katie Peace Necklace

Hamsah and Mop Necklace and Cancer Charm Necklace

Photo credits: Hautelook

Alanna Bess
www.alannabess.com

u m e e

Little Black Muu Muu ($160)

Deena White, designer for Umee, has created a line that is both elegantly chic and flirty fun! When I look at her clothing, it's the detailing that's important - with the embellishments of a few ruffles, pleats or bows. I actually saw her clothes at a trunk show at the Contemporary Museum a few weeks ago and they are stunning. Her clothes are quality and her prices are reasonable. Best of all, it's made here in Hawaii.


Ruffle wrap skirt in green ($85) Just LOVE the kukui nut buttons

I guess why I'm so drawn to her clothing is because she puts a fun twist on business casual attire! I hate to buy work clothes! Some of my friends know this... I'll drop $$$ on a cute cocktail dress, top, shoe... But when it comes to what I wear five consecutive days a week I pinch my pennies. Strange, I know... I guess I feel it's because simple skirts and suits are all too generic. I can't wait to be my own boss and wear whatever I want. However, Umee's ruffle wrap skirt (pictured above in green) is far from generic. It comes in various colors so it's appropriate for the office yet beachy chic and can easily transition from work to happy hour play time!


Sarong skirt ($90)

For any future brides-to-be, Deena is coming out with a wedding line this coming summer, July 2009!

Ruffle Strap Dress ($145)

More from Umee:

Red Hibiscus Top ($60)


Pearly Plumeria Strapless Tank ($70)

Photo credits: Umee
Look out for smaller sizes (size 0s) coming soon to her website! Right now Umee is only available online - check it out!

Umee
www.umee-brand.com

Mad about Shoe(s)

SHOE SALES!

Barneys New York
with designers like Christian Louboutin, Manolo Blahnik, Lanvin, YSL, Fendi and Stella McCartney!


Alexandra Neel $429 (was $720) & Manolo Blahnik $599 (was $995)

Christian Louboutins $599 (was $995) & $719 (was $1,195)

Givenchy $969 (was $1,620) & Fendi $379 (was $640)

Yves Saint Laurent $539 (was $895)

Photo credits: Barneys

eLuxury
with designers like D & G, Balmain, L.A.M.B., Jean Paul Gaultier, Dior, Loeffler Randall and Tods!

Dior $450 (was $750) & Jean Paul Gaultier $531 (was $885)

Loeffler Randall $357 (was $595) & Nina Ricci $425 (was $725)

Photo credits: eLuxury

*Happy shopping/window browsing!*

Model as Muse @ The Met

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder"

Marc Jacobs and Kate Moss in Marc Jacobs

LOVE the back!  Drapey back!!!

Photo credit: JustJared

First Paris and now NYC... Anyone want to pack me up in their carry-on and trot around the globe to peruse fashion exhibits?! Takers???

Tonight was the MET's Annual Costume Institute Gala.  This year the exhibit is entitled "Model as Muse: Embodying Fashion" and focuses on how social changes have defined our culture's view of feminine beauty which have been personified by the figures and faces of iconic models.  "Model to Muse" specifically captures the progression of these changes over a span of five decades from 1947-1997.  Magazine covers, various photographs and garments made famous by the models who strutted down the catwalk will be on display to characterize these diverse time periods and the constant evolution of beauty.  The exhibit opened today and runs till August 9, 2009.

Ashley Olsen in her own line, The Row

Again, drapey back (I'm a fan if you haven't noticed)!!!

Love that black, embellished chain going down her back... 

Photo credit: NewsDay

With over 13 pages of photos on WireImage, you know the event huge.  And who wasn't there?!  Let's try to put things into perspective with a little bullet-point list (though this does not do justice!):

• The Planners:  Co-chairs Anna Wintour, Justin Timberlake and Kate Moss arrived with daughter Bee Schaffer, paramour, Jessica Biel and primary sponsor Marc Jacobs, respectively
  
• The Models: Tyra Banks, Bar Refaeli, Heidi Klum, Elizabeth Hurley, Cindy Crawford, Iman, Claudia Schiffer, Brooke Shields
• The Fashion Doyennes:  Stella McCartney, Carolina Herrera, Donna Karan, Donatella Versace, Tory Burch, Diane Von Furstenberg... And then there was John Galliano ;) 
  
• The Musicians: Rihanna, Madonna, Kanye West, Bono, Ciara
• The Actresses: Renee Zellweger, Eva Mendes, Anne Hathaway, Liv Tyler, Marisa Tomei
• The Starlettes:  Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Emma Roberts,  Katy Perry
• The Trump Card:  Donald and Melania Trump, Ivanka Trump and Ivanna Trump
• The Power Couples:  Tony & Eva Longoria Parker, Tom Brady & Gisele Bündchen
• The Attack of the Kates - Kate Beckinsale, Kate Bosworth and Kate Beckinsale 

Some of the fashion highlights/lows:

Our girl! Always the fashionista...Rachel Bilson in Bally

Photo credit: Just Jared

Anne Hathaway in Marc Jacobs... What's up with her hair?

Photo credit: NewsDay

Kate Beckinsale in Marchesa...Can't decide if I love/hate the train

Photo credit: FabSugar

Rihanna in a Dolce and Gabbana tuxedo jacket and capris... Mixed feelings?

Photo credit: NewsDay

Madonna in Louis Vuitton... Uhh... What was she thinking?!

Photo credit: NewsDay

Again, I love Kate Hudson in her gold Stella McCartney gown

Photo Credit: FabSugar

Eva Mendes in Calvin Klein... Classy and sophisticated

Photo credit: FabSugar

Kate Bosworth in Stella McCartney... So 50's chic in the red lipstick and black lace

(Bruce Willis likes it, I guess)
Photo credit: FabSugar