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FALL 2009 FASHION WEEK - Backstage Beauty at Anna Sui - Pat McGrath for CoverGirl and MAX Factor

MAKEUP: Pat McGrath (not pictured) for CoverGirl and MAX Factor
BEAUTY SNAPSHOT: McGrath created a Gigi-inspired, "beautifully eccentric" look for the Anna Sui show, with thick black liner, rosy cheeks, shimmer, and luscious lips. Here's how to put it all together:

THE SCOOP: After prepping the skin with the usual basics, put on lots of black liner all around the eyes; use it on the inside edges of your lower and upper lashes, and smudge it outward. McGrath opted against mascara to keep the look "dreamy," and not too harsh. Use a subtle, shimmery eyeshadow, and also dab shimmer under the brow. Swirl a rosy creme blush onto the apples of the cheeks and blend toward the hairline just under the cheekbone. Then add shimmer to the cheekbones, too. Lastly, use a long-lasting stain on the lips, but hit it with gloss just before you go out!
GET THE LOOK: Use CoverGirl Lipstain, MAXeye Liner, and CoverGirl Wetslicks Lipgloss in Clear Radiance.
Backstage at Anna Sui
(click thumbnails to view gallery)
  
										  
  

  
     

 17th
 04 -
 2010
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Dpje FALL 2009 FASHION WEEK – A Minute With- Model
  










FALL 2009 FASHION WEEK - A Minute With: Model Jess Stam at the Catherine Holstein Show



By Annie Georgia Greenberg for Refinery 29

What is your fashion history with Catherine Holstein? Cate ... err ... sorry!Catherine and I are the oldest friends! I love to shop with her because she has a phenomenal sense of style, and it really comes through in this collection.If you designed a clothing line how close to Catherine's would it be? It would definitely not be as cool or as fashionable. 

Which of the newest pieces are are we most likely to see you wearing?Well, I'm actually wearing one of her shirts right now, not sure if it's new but other than that I love the low cut, black crushed velvet dress. 

Jess Stam on Refinery 29







  
										  
  

  
     

 17th
 04 -
 2010
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euqp Eva Mendes in Bill Blass – I Want That!_2919
  
Eva Mendes in Bill Blass - I Want That!

Lately Eva Mendes has been hiding under giant maxi dresses or channeling Lucille Ball in 50s frocks. But we know she isn't prim and proper so we welcome her new look - complete with a new darker do and short, strapless Bill Blass dress - with open arms. Hot! 

This just in: yellow is the "it" color for '09. Eva just confirmed. We also think blue eyeliner could really make it too, you know, on chicks as sexy as she anyway. 

Just one more thing before we part, did you fall off of your chair while checking out those Loub's? Oh the tears of Louboutin joy!
• Bill Blass dress, Priced upon request

• Christian Louboutin python pump, Barneys $890

Eva Mendes in Bill Blass
(click thumbnails to view gallery)

As actress Eva Longoria knows, good things come in small (and gorgeous!) packages. 

The sultry star of "Desperate Housewives" (which kicks off its new season this weekend) relies on perfectly-proportioned separates to elongate her petite frame. And although she's only 5' 2", her outfits always pack plenty of sex appeal, since she opts for fitted tops, deep necklines, and a curve-hugging skirt or pants. 

Fortunately, it's a look that can be achieved on any budget, even if you don't live on Wisteria Lane.

    http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=730581&pid=730580&uts=1257343950 http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swfLook for Less: Eva Longoria-ParkerSteal Eva Longoria's chic style...for less.David Aguilera, BuzzFoto/FilmMagicPhil Walter, Getty Images Look for Less: Eva Longoria-Parker
Even jeans and a simple top can be glamorous and sexy. To give your basic weekend look some va va voom, pair a fluid top in a soft, flattering color (like this sweet shade of pink) with shapely snug jeans. And don't forget a couple bold accessories, like Eva's snakeskin peep-toes and Valentino bag.
Jeff Vespa, WireImage

Forever21 Thick Square Plastic Sunglasses, $5.80, forever21.com

Kitson Boot Cut Jeans, $49, charlotterusse.com

Courtesy of White House Black Market

Talbots Bow-Neck Blouse, $69, talbots.com

Courtesy of Charlotte Russe

David Aguilera, BuzzFoto/FilmMagic

Miss Me Women’s Frances Open-Toe Platforms, $49.95, endless.com

Courtesy of Talbots

Forever21 Tina Rhinestone Ring, $6.80, forever21.com

Express Sexy Stretch Long-Sleeve V-Neck Tee, $19.50, express.com

Courtesy of Express

White House Black Market Plaid Pencil Skirt, $88, whitehouseblackmarket.com

Looking for an evening outfit that’s polished but still smoking hot? Start with a couple extra-feminine pieces — like Eva’s slim pencil skirt and décolleté-enhancing blouse — that are as sophisticated as they are sexy. To keep the look designer (instead of, um, desperate), choose classic, low-key accessories like diamond studs and a pair of sleek black pumps.

Courtesy of Forever 21

Chanel's 60W heels inspired by LA Lights - not so cheap thrills

When we first laid eyes on these sandals, we though for a moment that the heel contained a bottle of Chanel No. 5, tucked away for emergency use only. As it turns out, it's something much cooler than that -- a working light bulb. For $2,200 these Chanel Lightbulb heels will attract attention to your shapely legs by flashing each time you take a step. Hmm, where have we seen that gimmick before?

Of course, we don't think that LA Lights ever marketed a sandal, and we pretty sure the never priced a shoe above the $2,000 mark. So really, this gimmick is slightly original because it brings a kind of Wal-Mart toy aisle sense of cheesiness to a shoe that costs as much as a used car. Actually, we really like playfulness of this design, especially if the soles are made out of real aluminum (then you know they'll last).

Before trying these on, we recommend you have good health insurance. Wearing these heels, you run this risk of twisting an ankle, being electrocuted, and walking on broken glass -- all in the name of couture.

[via Haute Concept]

DIY Design - Patterns 101 Laying and Cutting Out a Pattern

A carefully cut out pattern is one of the most important steps to making a garment. Photo: Getty Images

One of the first things you'll need to know when you sew a garment is how to lay out and cut out a pattern. 

Laying and cutting out a pattern was once a basic skill taught in school home economics classes, but now more than a couple of generations have graduated high school without knowing the basics, and that can be a major roadblock to getting started sewing. 

If you are lucky enough to have a friend or relative to teach you, take advantage of it. If not, no worries. A quick search will reveal plenty of information on the Web.

Like everything else in sewing, laying and cutting out a pattern isn't that difficult; it mostly takes patience and common sense. Fortunately, it's a task that can be done separately from construction, so if you can find just an hour or two in the evening, you can get a pattern cut out while you're watching TV, for instance.

Often I'll set aside several hours and cut out several patterns at once. Either way, it's best to make sure that you can complete cutting out in one sitting, as once you get the pieces laid out, you'll want to finish.

You don't need a fancy cutting table; you can cut out a pattern on just about any large, flat surface -- an ample kitchen table or even the floor. Inexpensive cardboard cutting boards can help you convert any good-sized flat area into an even cutting surface. 

The more you sew, the more you'll realize that fabric grain is everything when it comes to creating a beautiful garment. While most pattern pieces are usually laid out on the lengthwise grain, there's also a crosswise and bias grain. Learn more about grain here.

Survival tip: On each pattern piece you'll see a big arrow and information on what grain to align the arrow with. 

After you lay out your fabric, you'll lay out your pattern pieces. Here's a great little step-by-step guide to laying out your pattern. Remember, your pattern instructions are your go-to, and while reading the symbols and diagrams may be a little confusing at first, just take your time. 

Pattern instructions come will lots of information and it's just a matter of reading carefully. Learn more about reading sewing patterns here.

Once you have the pattern laid out, it's just a matter of cutting the pattern out. This short video gives an excellent walk-through of cutting out a pattern.

A carefully laid and cut out pattern is one of the most important steps to making a garment you'll be proud of. If you watch experienced seamstresses, you'll notice how painstaking they are in this phase of sewing. But it's worth it!

You can learn more about using the Internet to further your sewing skills in this virtual sewing circle post. Next week: Get going in your sewing with some fast and fun projects.

Amber Eden is the former editor-in-chief of Threads magazine and founding editor of SewStylish magazine and CraftStylish.com. She has studied draping and haute couture techniques at The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), and according to her, will probably be a student there for life.

Backstage Beauty at Cynthia Steffe

Land of the Glossed: Shiny, happy models backstage at Cynthia Steffe. Photo: Laura Kenney
  
										  
  

  
     

 14th
 04 -
 2010
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9ace American Glamour Badgley Mischka Collection N
  
Next Wednesday, designers Mark Badgley and James Mischka will promote their new American Glamour Badgley Mischka collection that is being sold exclusively on HSN. The full range of affordable spring clothing and accessories includes blazers, silk tunics, bags, shoes, and even a blinged-out fedora as cheeky homage to Britney Spears. “This is our ode to certain celebrities that have shaved their heads, ahem, Ms. Spears,” joked Mischka at press conference yesterday. 
The collection – which is available for purchase now – is a follow-up to the mini version that they launched – and sold out – on the channel in November. This time around, the duo will are participating in twelve hours shilling session spread over 24-hours (two on, two off). And we fully plan on tuning in for pieces like this new version of their popular Randee shoe, which was voted “season’s best” by Bloomingdales.
The HSN version will retail for less than half of the price (under $100) and will replace the teeter-totter 5 inch satin stiletto for a much more balance friendly wedge. Much of the collection follows suit, offering more wearer-friendly iterations of previous hits from their namesake line. A $4,000 crepe tuxedo jacket has been morphed into a versatile belted knit jacket with removable Art-Deco glam detailing. Elsewhere chunky bejeweled red carpet bracelets are lightened up for day wear.
Also on the top of our wish list? The handbags. The duo used all of the same manufacturers and vendors but with different materials and you can tell in details like the stitching and soft leather on their Jackie Tote (a good value at $329.90). 
What do you think of the collection? Leave a comment and let us know!