Get Nostalgic With Fantasia-Inspired Rings

When we were kids, Disney movie Fantasia was on heavy rotation when it came to after-school entertainment. Even though we've grown up a little, we still totally dig the dreamy classical music and whimsical imagery. Our inner 8-year-olds were delighted to learn that nOir Jewelry and Walt Disney Signature are collaborating on a collection of cocktail rings inspired by the classic film. The glamourous jewels come in several styles, each reflecting a different scene from the movie (we've been drooling over the epic gunmetal Pegasus one). The limited-edition pieces will be available for pre-sale on nOir's website starting today for $235-285.

Get Down And Give Back At NYC Hearts Pakistan Tonight

We're always, always up for a party no matter what the occasion, but we especially like to get down when it's for a good cause. So we'll be boogying in the name of charity tonight at NYC Hearts Pakistan, a fundraiser at the Tribeca Grand Hotel hosted by Paper to benefit Pakistan Flood Relief and Doctors Without Borders—please say you'll join us! In addition to free cocktails, limited-edition t-shirts designed by Catherine Malandrino, Preen, and Nanette Lepore will be on sale at the event, with all proceeds going to benefit Pakistan Flood Relief. Meet the designers, sip some free booze, pick up a rad new t-shirt that no one else will have, and give back to those in need all at the same time. We...heart this.






Tuesday, October 26th, from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m; RSVP to NYCHeartsPakistan@papermag.com. $25 minimum donation, payable by cash or check.
Tribeca Grand Hotel, 2 Avenue of the Americas (between Walker and White streets).

Trend Challenge! We Want To See You Do A Bright Eye

For everyday looks, we tend to favor a fresh-faced approach for our makeup. But once the sun goes down and the party frocks go on, it's all about something that really pops. On the runways, brightly colored eye makeup let your lids do the talking—from a severe swipe of neon at Yigal Azrouel to a more subdued wash of electric color at Oscar de la Renta, bright eyes inspired us to up our own nighttime makeup game. We want to see your take on this eye-popping trend! Show us your version of the bright eye on Maybelline's Facebook Fan page, and we'll pick our favorite. The gal who we think painted like a master scores an evening clutch worth $200. May the brightest beaut reign!

Fabulous First Ladies at the 2010 Women’s Conference

At the crack of dawn over 14,000 women lined up outside of the Long Beach Convention Center with only one goal in mind– the chance to see Michelle Obama in person. The First Lady took to the stage at The Women’s Conference 2010 where she was introduced by her close friend and the First Lady of California, Maria Shriver. This was not Obama’s first time in attendance; she appeared alongside three other candidates’ wives during the election campaign in 2007. “The conference gave us the chance to step back and to breathe and actually have a conversation,” she said. But now that the White House is her home Obama has other things on her mind like the need to speak up on behalf of military spouses. “Supporting them is our solemn obligation as a grateful nation,” she said before urging the crowd to find ways to get involved at serve.gov.

Hibernate In Style With Mohair Sweaters

Ok, maybe we've beaten this subject into the ground a little, but we're so, so excited for sweater season. There's just nothing like curling with a good book and a warm drink, especially when you've got on a snuggly sweater—especially especially when it's mohair. In addition to its warmth and durability, mohair adds an unexpected texture to your cold-weather basics, perfect for those frigid days when you're too cold to think about what to wear. Here's our round up of fuzzy and functional mohair sweaters, in all price-points.







Above, from left: Alexander Wang Mohair Boatneck Sweater, $475, available at ShopBop; Paul by Paul Smith Double Breasted Mohair Cardigan, $232.74, available at ASOS; Brora Mohair Sweater, $125, available at Brora."

Boogie At The Boom Boom For Marriage Equality

Never been to the Boom Boom Room? Always dreamed of going? Well, if you don't know the doorman and you're not BFFs with Andre Balazs, your club luck just hit the jackpot. Tomorrow night, you can rub shoulders with celebs at one of New York's most glammed-out clubs, a pean to '70s decadence with quite possibly the sickest views in the city (the bathrooms are vertigo-inducing, in a good way). Though the top of the Standard may feel retro, it will be looking fully to the future with a benefit aimed at bringing legal acknowledgment of gay marriage to New York. The Human Rights Campaign, Cornelia Guest and Andre Balazs will welcome co-hosts including the likes of Julianne More, Kevin Bacon, Fran Drescher, Joan Rivers, Ethan Hawke, Mark Ruffalo (swoon), and Whoopi Goldberg. And with a star-studded cast of lobbyists rallying for the cause of marriage equality, there's never been a more well-heeled way to appeal to the New York government for change. Addressing voters at a grass-roots level, the event will coincide with a media campaign featuring 20 short videos starring the hosts and other iconic New Yorkers all repeating the same statement: "I am a New Yorker and I Support Marriage Equality." We know the tickets are expensive, but change doesn't come cheap—and neither do those killer cocktails.



Wednesday, October 27, 6:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m; tickets, from $250, available here.

The Room formerly known as The Boom Boom Room, 848 Washington Street (at West 13th Street); 212-645-4646.



Above, top left picture via Daily Beast. "

Naomi Campbell’s Gas Station Fur Ads Are Out

Over the summer, scintillating images emerged of Naomi Campbell leaning seductively against gas pumps with shocking bald patches glaring through her mane. The model was posing in fur vests and coats for the fall Dennis Basso campaign, the final images for which are out! And it must be what women who buy $30,000-to-$60,000 fur pieces want to see: a hot lady in a bra, fur slung about her elbows, pumping her own gas.

Photo: Dennis Basso

Then rubbing, with utmost sex appeal, her fur-clad back against the gas dispensers, and helping herself to a cold beverage that sadly does not appear to be an orange mocha frappuccino — unless what she's holding is windshield-wiper fluid, and she's more car-savvy than we thought. See, fur buyers can be frugal, do-it-yourself-ers in These Times. They can pump their gas and scrimp on tops so that they can invest in fancy outerwear. Hopefully she doesn't smoke cigarettes, because if any gas got on these shaggy things it sure wouldn't take long for them to burst entirely into flames. But that only adds to the intrigue here.

Has Naomi Gone Too Fur? [Sun UK]

Tomorrow’s Events and Sales: Kim Kardashian at Macy’s; 90 Percent Off at Selima Optique

EVENTS

• Meet Kim Kardashian as she debuts her new fragrance at Macy’s. The first 300 customers to purchase the four-piece fragrance set ($116) can have a picture taken with Kim. 151 W. 34th St., nr. Seventh Ave. (212-695-4400); 6 p.m.



• Meet jewelry designer Anne Woodman and see pieces from her new collection at Henri Bendel. Through 10/29. 712 Fifth Ave., nr. 56th St. (212-247-1100); (noon–4).

SALES

STARTING TOMORROW

• Sleepwear is up to 50 percent off at the Olivia Feldman lingerie and pajama sale. Through 10/28. 40 E. 34th St., nr. Madison Ave., Ste. 417 (212-213-1822); W–Th (11–5).

• Eyewear, vintage clothing, and accessories are 30 to 90 percent off at the Selima Optique sample sale. Selima Optique eyewear is $50 to $100, Tsumori Chisato clothing and accessories are up to 90 percent off, and Hermès vintage bags are 30 percent off. Through 10/31. 7 Bond St., nr. Lafayette St. (212-677-8487); W–S (11–7), Su (12–6).



• John Hardy jewelry is up to 60 percent off at the brand’s sample sale. The Hudson Hotel, 356 W. 58th St., nr. Ninth Ave., Gallery B, Level 1M (212-219-4283); (8:30–7).

Alessandra Ambrosio and Anna Dello Russo’s Love Affair Continues in December’s Japanese Vogue

Japanese Vogue fashion director Anna Dello Russo styled famous Victoria's Secret hottie Alessandra Ambrosio for the fall 2010 Moschino campaign. After that, Ambrosio began appearing in a slew of Dello Russo–styled Japanese Vogue spreads, and hasn't missed an issue since this month's. She has a good amount of real estate on the December pages as well, shot by Giampaolo Sguro, which is where these new images come from. Ambrosio, who could not be more deliciously sparkly for the holiday season (what's up, J.Crew?), wears her hair big, like she did in the spring 2011 Marc Jacobs show, which is a nice complement to the monolithic jewelry.

Giampaolo Sguro for Japanese Vogue

Speaking of which, this woman's evidently got some seriously resilient earlobes. ADR and Ale seem like a pretty winning (and sparkly!) combo. Thoughts?

Will Halloween Be the Thing That Finally Puts Jersey Shore–Themed Parties and Other Stuff to Rest?

Even things as wonderful as Jersey Shore get tired. But when will the nation's citizens reach that point of oversaturation in which they don't find jokes about fist-pumping and GTL funny, and don't want to go to Jersey Shore–themed parties or partake in Jersey Shore–themed anything, aside from watching the show quietly at home? November 1 just might be that day, since this Halloween, Jersey Shore characters have, according to a 6,000-person poll, surpassed Lady Gaga as the 'No. 1 Halloween costume chosen by young adults ages 18 to 24,' The Wall Street Journal reports.

MTV has created a line of Shore costumes in the likenesses of Snooki, Pauly D, and 'the Situation' in an attempt to profit even more off the show. The real-life people will receive an undisclosed cut of all sales of their costumes, which shops can't even keep on the shelves.

In a pinch, they're finding that they can put together a pretty good Snooki kit with skin bronzer, furry pink slippers, and one of last year's unsold Amy Winehouse wigs, imitating the troubled singer's beehive do.

Jersey Shore-themed Halloween parties have swept college campuses and young adult festivities. Party invitations often call for hair gel, spray tans and bikinis. Italian food, spiked punch and temporary tattoos are suggested by several websites advising viewers how to host a Jersey Shore party.

Oh, researching how to throw a Jersey Shore–themed party must not take the fun out of it at all. That's the beauty of the Internet: Someone's always there to remind you not to forget the baked ziti milkshake cocktails! But the scariest part of the Shore Halloween-costume explosion, though random 31-year-old lawyers in Texas see them as an 'escape,' is that they're bound to make this Halloween sluttier than ever.

In an effort to make the Jersey Shore costumes as realistic as possible, Viacom Inc. executives scrutinized the length of Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi's skirt—very short — and the height of her poof wig — very high — to ensure the utmost accuracy. The Snooki costume includes a metallic leopard-print dress that is barely longer than a shirt.

'When you look at what Snooki wears on the show, sometimes there are some wardrobe malfunctions because of how short she likes her dresses,' says Sherice Torres, senior vice president for MTV Networks Global Home Entertainment and Adult Brand Licensing. 'We needed the costume to be representative.'

Snooki is pretty much the new Playboy Bunny. How does that make us feel?

Ghosts Aren't Nearly as Frightening as These Characters [WSJ]

Michelle Obama Wore Crushed Velvet Last Night

Michelle Obama was in San Francisco last night, where she spoke at a Democratic National Convention fund-raiser. She wore a leopard-print dress made of gray crushed velvet and accessorized with drop earrings in a similar shade. Earlier yesterday, the FLOTUS attended a fund-raising luncheon in Bellevue, Washington, to support Senator Patty Murray, where she spoke in a printed Peter Pilotto blouse. See both looks in the Michelle Obama Look Book.

Sea of Shoes Is Selling Her Clothes at What Goes Around Comes Around Tonight

Jane and Judy Aldridge (the mother-daughter duo behind Sea of Shoes and Atlantis Home) have paired up with What Goes Around Comes Around to sell some of their own vintage clothing alongside pieces they've pulled from the store's archives. And while the Aldridges certainly have clothes to spare in their temperature-controlled garage turned closet, Jane is a bit reluctant to let go of certain extra-special pieces. “It’s like fostering puppies! I hope they go to a good home," she said.

The Cut tagged along on their visit to the vintage mecca's Jersey City warehouse this weekend, where Jane geeked out with the store’s photographer over his fancy wide-angle lens and Judy coaxed her daughter into posing in different hats. They then beelined straight for the fur and sparkles. "I think my mom and I went for the most over-the-top, opulent pieces," Jane explained afterward. "I started working with a lot of gold at first, and a lot of Victorian brocade details." While bigger is usually better for the Texans, they were also able to practice some restraint, at least by their standards: "I was going to pull that feather boa, but it was just too much of a commitment," Judy explained. "Feather boas are a commitment!' Jane sighed. 'You have to party if you wear one.'

Speaking of commitments, Jane has just obtained her Wildlife Importation License so that she can have exotic bugs shipped to her from Indonesia for the beetle belts and pendants that she makes. The design process also involves putting the bugs into an 'insect relaxation chamber' so she can rearrange their limbs for optimum leg and antennae exposure.

And while Shoes shows no signs of slowing down, she confessed that she's starting to feel the weight of her Internet age. "I feel like a grandma! I'm like Meemaw blogger. Susie Bubble must be like great-grandma — her blog is five years old.' Not old, vintage! Click ahead to see some of Jane and Judy’s picks, along with pieces from their own collection, which they will personally debut at What Goes Around Comes Around tonight.

Women in a Small Italian Town Could Be Fined for Dressing Slutty

Guess this Dolce look is out.

Luigi Bobbio, the mayor of the Italian town Castellammare di Stabia located just south of Naples, is being called a 'chauvinist' for a ruling approved by the town council this week that bans skirts that are too short and tops that are too low-cut. Police in the town can now fine offenders €300 for violating the new dress code. But this does not necessarily give officers a legal right to ogle women at length:

Bobbio said he had faith in officers to make snap decisions. 'They won't need to carry out checks up close,' he told Corriere del Mezzogiorno. 'One glance will be enough to judge.'

The 'very short' skirts comprising the ban, Bobbio explained, are those that do not fully cover underwear. The new rulings are meant to improve the town's decorum, though they mostly seem to have outraged citizens. Among the new regulations is also a ban on dog leashes longer than two meters, though it's unclear whether 'one glance will be enough to judge' the length of those or whether officers must carry measuring tape.

Miniskirts ban planned by Italian resort [Guardian UK]

Jessica Biel Dyed Her Hair Dark Brown; M.A.C. Made Plaid-Inspired Makeup

Before (left), and after (right).

MAKEUP

• M.A.C. released a new makeup collection called A Tartan Tale, which is composed of four six-color palettes in plaid packaging. [Refinery 29]

HAIR

• Jessica Biel ditched her ombré hair for a dark shade of brown. [Beauty Counter/Style]

• Eva Mendes wore a sparkly barrette clipped behind her ear last night. [Girls in the Beauty Dept./Glamour]

SKIN

• Natural skin-care brand Weleda has dispatched a biodiesel-fueled truck to drive around the U.S. and Canada and give out free products and mini-spa treatments as part of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. [BellaSugar]

• Davines has come up with a two-step hand treatment, the Hammam Hand Kit, inspired by a Turkish ritual of steaming and massaging. [Beauty Counter/Style]

HOW-TO

Try Julianne Moore’s redhead-friendly makeup look, which she wore to the London Film Festival screening of The Kids Are All Right. [BellaSugar]

Hairstylist Mandy Lyons Loves Vivienne Westwood and Going Gray

Mandy Lyons and her daughter Hattie.

Hairstylist Mandy Lyons may be best known for teasing Sarah Jessica Parker’s curls into gravity-defying styles for the Sex and the City movies, but she’s been getting extra buzz lately for the hair makeovers she gave the cast of The Tempest. Lyons even convinced Helen Mirren, who plays Prospera (Prospero is female in this update), to chop off her bob. “I found some amazing pictures of Vivienne Westwood in her heyday when her hair was hacked off, and I showed it to Helen after meeting her for about five minutes and she went, “I love it. Do it,” Lyons says. “It really helped her get into character.”

It makes sense that Lyons looks to fashion’s greats for hair inspiration, considering Karl Lagerfeld gave her one of her first big breaks. “It was his cruise collection, and Amanda Harlech was his muse at the time, so I had to meet with her. I made these tiaras out of hair, they were kind of punky-looking. I just left the models’ hair natural and down and added these hair tiaras, and he thought it was genius.” Despite creating elaborate looks for designers and directors, Lyons prefers simpler styles when it comes to her clients at Sally Hershberger. “I’m not into extensions and blowouts and trying to make things perfect. I think if you have a high forehead, don’t hide it. If you have a wide jaw, pull your hair back and show it off. Everything looks so mannequin-y now, I find it quite scary.” We caught up with Lyons to talk about Vivienne Westwood, gray hair, and Justin Bieber.

How did you get your start?

I wanted to do hair for the BBC, but they turned me away. You had to be 25 and I was 18 at the time. I ended up going to a salon and doing an apprenticeship.

What are you working on now?

I’m working on a new Jason Reitman movie starring Charlize Theron. She’s playing a very interesting character: Her hair and makeup is like a mask for someone she becomes when she’s in front of men, while her real life is kind of a mess.

How do you style your own hair?

My hair is so low-key, you would die. I have a heavy fringe and it’s messy and layered. I have a crazy crown that people think I’ve blow-dried, but it’s just a cowlick. People say it looks like a hurricane from the back. I’m also an advocate of letting your grays come in gracefully. I put foils in so I’m letting some gray show but also covering a bit up. That way you’re not tied down and having to get your roots done every four weeks.

Who are your favorite designers?

I love Margiela and Helmut Lang. There’s a lot about Stella McCartney that I like. We’re both influenced by people like Marianne Faithful and Anita Pallenberg, they just looked so effortlessly stylish.

What was the first designer item you ever bought?

I saved up my pocket money to get a Buffalo Girls Vivienne Westwood skirt. It was such a big deal. I was into the music and the fact that she came from punk. She’s a rebel, and I love that. I’ve always like outsiders. She’s a little bit naughty.

Where do you like to shop?

I love ABC Carpet. I find it incredibly expensive, but it’s so eclectic. I especially love all of the mid-century modern furniture.

How would you describe your personal style?

Simple, comfortable, and a little boyish. I’ve always been a fan of looking a little rock and roll.

What trends do you like right now?

Do-it-yourself. That inspires everything: hair, clothes, makeup. Anything really authentic and really from the gut.

What trends do you wish would go away?

Man-made bands where people can’t play an instrument. That Justin Bieber, I just can’t stand it.

What is something that you’re saving up to buy?

I would love to have a photograph by William Eggleston. That would be amazing.

What is one thing every woman should have in her closet?

A pair of jeans that fit you really well. And I love worn-in boots. I have this gray pair from Frye that I wear every year. I like a good cardigan, too.

What's something you never leave the house without?

I am a hand-cream freak, because my hands are always in water or hair products. I also take magazines and water everywhere.

See Olivier Theyskens’s First Full Collection for Theory

Yesterday Theory announced that former and much-celebrated Nina Ricci designer Olivier Theyskens had been appointed artistic director of the entire label. Theory had previously hired Theyskens to design a capsule collection for the brand, called Theyskens Theory, debuting for spring 2011. The Theyskens Theory line, which the designer has called 'quite personal,' will continue under the designer's new expanded role as a collection that's a little bit fancier and more expensive. Theory has released the full look book of the first Theyskens Theory line, which you can view in the slideshow. Theyskens's first full Theory collection (not the Theyskens Theory line, but the rest of it — don't let the complex nomenclature trip you up) debuts for fall 2011. But the truly important thing, you guys, is ... he's BACK!

Check Out the Furry Jackets and Sequined Berets That Rachel Zoe Will Be Selling on QVC Tomorrow

If you've been dying to sink your hands into the fuzzy depths of the coat Rachel Zoe wore to the Elle Style Awards last week, tomorrow's your chance: It's one of the many items in her latest collection for QVC, which she'll start hawking around dinnertime tomorrow night (also available in burgundy!). If the wearable shag rug isn't your thing, there's also sparkly berets, ideal for perching atop your head to cover up growing-out hair extensions. Click ahead to see more items from the collection.

Kanye West Isn’t Following Any Models on Twitter Anymore

Kanye, the media recently noticed with much excitement, followed only fifteen people on Twitter, all models he names in one of his new jams. But one of those lucky girls, Coco Rocha, just tweeted, 'Its over. I'm no longer following @Kanyewest and he no longer follows me. We parted on amicable terms. Thats my statement at this time. ;)' In fact, Kanye is following NONE of those hot fifteen women anymore. They'll probably sleep just fine tonight. But will the rest of us? [kanyewest/Twitter]

Milla Jovovich Wore a Pumpkin Dress on the Red Carpet

Milla Jovovich wore a floor-length orange dress to the 14th Annual Hollywood Awards Gala last night, which is right on trend, according to the spring runways! And very much in the Halloween spirit, of course. She accessorized with a matching bedazzled belt and white shoes encrusted with turquoise.

Do you think Milla's pumpkin-colored outfit is perfect for this time of year, or does it clash with the red carpet?

Domestic Violence Awareness Month: 5 Ways to Take Action

Reese Witherspoon, honorary chairperson of the Avon Foundation for Women, models the organization's Empowerment ring.

While reading the novel Backseat Saints (Grand Central Publishing, 2010) by Joshilyn Jackson, we got caught up in protagonist Rose Mae Lolley’s struggle to escape her violent husband. But it wasn’t until we came across the website of real-life domestic abuse survivor Nancy Salamone, author of Victory Over Violence: Nancy’s Story and the Business of Me (AuthorHouse, 2010), that we truly realized how unsafe many women are in their own homes.

The site asks, “Are you safe? If not exit this site now,” with a reminder to clear your browsing history. This is a chilling reality for many, as one in four women will experience domestic violence during her lifetime, and one-third of female homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). Worldwide, an estimated 1.3 million women are victims of domestic violence, something that people are being made aware of during Domestic Violence Awareness Month this October. Below are a few things you can do to raise awareness about domestic violence.

• Donate an old cell phone to NCADV. Simply print this mailing label and follow the directions for placing your deactivated phone in the mail. The phone is then reused or recycled, with proceeds going to NCADV’s mission to end violence in the home.


• The Avon Foundation for Women supports awareness about domestic and gender violence, with Speak Out and Empowerment fundraising products, including an Empowerment T-shirt ($15) and an Empowerment pendant ($5) and ring ($5). The Avon Foundation also offers a downloadable Domestic Violence Resource Guide, which includes warning signs and statistics.


• Support the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) Say NO — UNiTE to End Violence Against Women campaign by creating an online profile, then letting people know what you’re doing to stop violence against women. Action ideas for individuals include signing a petition asking the U.N. Security Council to support the implementation of resolution 1325, which calls for the prosecution of those who commit sexual violence, an increase in the number of women involved in international peacekeeping efforts and ensured participation from women in peace negotiations and post-conflict decision-making institutions.


• Download a Facebook badge or a Twitter background from the Pixel Project’s Paint It Purple campaign. Each virtual badge, button or banner downloaded and placed in a social media account counts toward UNIFEM’s goal to reach 1 million actions to end gender-based violence by November 2010.


• Use GoodSearch to support Break the Cycle, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit that addresses teen dating violence, aiming to educate and empower youth to live free from partner violence. Simply use the search engine, which is powered by Yahoo! to surf the internet, and 50 percent of the revenue generated from the sponsored search advertisers will go to the nonprofit.

How do you plan to speak out against domestic violence?

Five Style Tips From BCBGeneration Creative Director Joyce Azria

LOS ANGELES–BCBGeneration, the sister brand to BCBG aimed at a younger, hipper audience, celebrated the grand opening of its first LA boutique at the Century City mall on Sunday afternoon.

The brightly lit store reflects the energetic, savvy vibe of the brand, something that creative director, Joyce Azria says was their main goal in designing the free-standing boutiques. “Our vision for the store was to design something really uplifting and bright. It’s a feel good brand at the end of the day, so we wanted something that illuminates people, so there’s a lot of light, and a lot of white.”

The latest collection includes great nighttime options (we spied a ton of sequins), neutral basics like slouchy sweaters, and in keeping with the BCBG spirit, killer cocktail dresses and stand-out accessories. In particular, we thought the word bracelets featuring popular ’90s phrases like “dude,” “psych” and “righteous” were pretty awesome.

Proving to be the true embodiment of the brand, Azria was on hand all afternoon greeting fans and doling out styling advice. We picked her brain for the top five tips she thinks every girl should know right now:

1. “My number one tip is always self confidence. Whatever makes you feel good is what you should wear.”

2. “Invest in a good leather piece for fall because I think leather is a timeless fabric. Whether it’s a great leather jacket or a leather legging, I think it’s really important to have in your closet.”

3. “When it comes to shoes, go for a wedge because they are a good mile shoe. It’s something you can really walk in and be comfortable in, but it’s very, very fashionable and really forward right now.”

4. “A denim shirt paired with leather leggings is an amazing look because it dresses everything down. I also love the idea of wearing one of your more dressy dresses and then throwing a little denim shirt on over it. That’s a really casual way to approach fall.”

5. “A great military looking coat with great buttons can definitely add more personality to any look.”

Fashion News Roundup: The Rise and Fall of The Hipster, Tracking Down Those Gap Wedges and Ally Hilfiger to Design

Investigating The Hipster: High-brow literary journal n+1‘s investigation of the rise and fall of the Hipster started with a panel at The New School and has culminated in a text entitled “What Was the Hipster?: A Sociological Investigation.” You can purchase it here for $10. {The Moment}

Wedding Bandz: Katy Perry and Russell Brand are married now. Katy wore Elie Saab and the wedding gift bags included custom “Katy” and “Russell” Silly Bandz. {Styleite}

A Gap in Inventory: Leave it to Racked to track down the highly anticipated Pierre Hardy for Gap wedges. Unfortunately, the results of their NYC findings were pretty dismal. Apparently, Fifth Avenue and 54th Street only received five pairs (all of which are probably gone by now). Times Square had “a few sizes” and 34th street had nothing. All stores are hopefully awaiting more shipments. {Racked NY}

Tommy’s Girl: Ally Hilfiger, who we loved on Rich Girls but hasn’t done a whole lot since, is working on a clothing line. She’s collaborating with Nary Manivong, whose collection she styled for the past two seasons. The collection, set to launch for Fall 2011, will be a range of shirt dresses and will be manufactured entirely in New York. We look forward to seeing what she comes up with and we have to give her props for not riding on her father‘s coat tails as much as she could have, even if she is following in his footsteps. {Fashionologie}

What Leibovitz Lacks: We were all shocked last year when it was revealed that Annie Leibovitz was millions of dollars in debt. It’s hard to understand why one of the highest paid and most in-demand photographers ever would have that kind of financial trouble. Unless…no one wants to buy her work? {Financial Times}

Kitson Countersues Nicole Richie’s Clothing Line, Claims Richie Bailed On An Appearance Worth $500K. Is Richie Worth It?

Kitson, every pop tart’s favorite LA boutique, has filed a countersuit against Majestic Mills, the manufacturer of Nicole Richie’s Winter Kate line, WWD is reporting. In the suit, Kitson claims that because Majestic Mills dropped the ball on getting Richie to appear at the launch party for Winter Kate and House of Harlow 1960 shoes, the store was “deprived of profits in excess of $500,000.”

Richie’s manufacturer, Majestic Mills, filed the initial suit against Kiston in August claiming that the retailer owed $225,000 worth of merchandise.

What’s striking about this increasingly messy legal battle, is Kitson’s claim that one Nicole Richie appearance is worth $500K. Could that be right? Sure, she’s got cute hair and cute babies and dresses cute sometimes, but $500K? That seems like a lot. Maybe not, though.

We consulted Jo Piazza, author of the forthcoming book, Celebrity Inc. Inside the Business of Being Famous, which examines how celebrity business models work, to break down that number.

“Yes, they’re saying a Richie appearance would have generated $500,000 in profit,” says Piazza. “While a Richie appearance fee is probably only around $20,000, her appearance would have generated a lot of publicity for the shop, even up to half a million…you have to look at it in terms of advertising dollars.”

- $60,000 in print advertising. A Kitson appearance is going to, at best, get her a quarter page single pic in the weeklies. That real estate is worth about $10,000, and there are six big weeklies (People, OK!, In Touch, US Weekly, Star and Life and Style). But, Piazza qualifies, “events like this are a dime a dozen and Nicole Richie is at best a C-list star who is photographed everywhere so the space devoted to the event would be pretty small.”

- Up to $500,000 Television spots are where the real money comes into play. E! news, Access Hollywood, The Insider, Entertainment Tonight, and, if something crazy happens, TMZ, might all cover the event. And the average 30 second ad that runs during these kinds of shows costs around $100,000, says Piazza. That kind of coverage requires an excellent team of publicists. But it’s possible.

“I think it is totally plausible that with the exposure Kitson would have gotten from a Richie appearance,
one that was publicized and managed properly, they could have generated a quarter million in sales based on the publicity they would have gotten,” says Piazza.

Richie’s failure to appear could have done serious damage to a store like Kitson. The LA-boutique has built their business on celebrity. We’ve all seen countless paparazzi photos of celebrities like Paris Hilton and La Lohan and Richie leaving Kitson, their arms weighted down with those blue bags that scream “KITSON” across the side in bold lettering. Those images flash across the store’s website. It’s part of their brand. Kitson depends on these images for business.

“Kitson started [getting celebs snapped at their store] around the time the number of celeb weeklies went from two to six (between ’02 and ’04) and the news hole for celebrities started gaping so wide open that they needed to fill it with fake celebrities. Enter Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie,” says Piazza. “Kitson also evolved as those C-list celebrities created their own clothing lines and then became the go to spot for those.”

So if celebrities stop showing up for appearances, stop shopping at the boutique followed by a hoard of paps, or people lose interest in bad celebrity lines, where does that leave Kitson?

Makeup Artist Collier Strong Teaches Us How To Use L’Oreal’s Magical New Primer

When I see a product that bears the word “magic” on the label I generally have two competing reactions. First, I get really cynical and snarky. Then I want to try it immediately.

This was the case when I stumbled upon L’Oréal Paris’ new Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base. A few weeks ago I was finally cleaning out my goody bags from NY Fashion Week. As I emptied out the bag from the Project Runway finale show, I wasn’t surprised to see some L’Oréal Paris and Garnier products in there. We all know who the show’s sponsors are by now (no Piperlime shoes, unfortunately).

A small little pot of opalescent pink potion caught my eye. I don’t usually wear any base, foundation, or concealer, but for some reason I was intrigued by this. I swiped some on and swooned. Swooned, I tell you! I haven’t had a reaction like that since I tried Bobbi Brown’s pressed powder many moons ago.

I’m not usually a gusher and I strive for objectivity, but this product is worthy of a gush. It looks like a mini pot of Duncan Hines frosting, and feels like a thick moisurizer when you first touch it, sort of like Crème de la Mer. That is where all comparisons end, though.

When I put it on, it made my skin feel beyond smooth and silky. Then I looked in the mirror. Every fine line and pore had disappeared. My face was like Nicole Kidman’s in the Tom Cruise days. I quickly ran to every harsh and natural light source I could find. Yep. Perfect skin. And no heavy greasy feeling.

I wanted to know more about this product, so I rang up L’Oréal Paris. None other than the dashing Collier Strong, Consulting Makeup Artist to L’Oréal Paris–and Project Runway make-up guru–answered my questions. Unfortunately he didn’t come to my home for a makeover, so I settled for these tidbits via email:

First and foremost, depending on the condition of your skin, you can use this product alone to illuminate your skin and show a supple, hydrated finish. I like applying it with a sponge all over the face for a nice, even application. If you wear foundation, it is the perfect primer to apply beforehand, as it glides on the skin seamlessly. If you don’t wear foundation and only wear a touch of concealer, the same applies. If you wear both foundation and concealer, after you apply the Magic Perfecting Base, apply as little foundation as necessary for the amount of coverage needed. Then apply concealer only if more coverage is needed, for instance under the eyes, around the nose, etc. And finally, apply a light dusting of translucent powder on the skin to create a flawless finish.

In its October “Best of Beauty” issue, Allure named it the best primer, so clearly I’m not crazy. It retails for about $12.99, and a little goes a long way. I’m hoarding it in case it ever gets discontinued.

Win a Foley + Corinna Bag! Yipee!

This fall, all we can think about is ladylike handbags. From Celine to Chloe and back, every great label made a version of their own.

And that includes Lower East Side staple Foley + Corinna. Best known for their City Tote, the brand has created one of the most covetable cross-body bags out there.

The “Chainy Crossbody,” as they like to call it, is quite possibly our favorite bag of the season. Especially in that gorgeous ruby color (shown).

And guess what? The generous team over at F + C wants to give away the ruby Chainy to one lucky Fashionista reader. (Retail value: $450.) Just click here to enter. The deadline is Friday, October 29. Bonne chance–we’re jealous!

Becka Diamond Gets Fitted For Vogue?

“On my way to Vogue for a fitting,” reads a slightly misleading tweet from Becka Diamond. The party-goer/DJ/occasional NYLON TV person is a regular on street style blogs like Altamira and had a blip in Vanity Fair.

Vogue.com even named her an It Girl a while back, but we never expected to see her in the pages of the actual magazine. (She’s just a little too downtown for Anna, don’t ya think?) And, we won’t. It turns out Becka was just being fitted in a Craig Lawrence dress that she will wear tonight to a Vogue event honoring London designers. We’re maybe even more jealous about that than a Vogue feature–Craig Lawrence is amazing.

Cameron Silver Gives Decades Shoppers Something to Wear With Their Chanel Jackets

Last week, we stopped by the Decades Denim showroom to meet Cameron Silver and see how his collection had evolved since last season’s launch. Holiday 2010 and Spring 2011 were both on display, allowing us to witness the line’s progression from a few basic denim pieces to a nearly full-fledged collection.

Some vintage inspiration is to be expected from the owner of an L.A. vintage mecca and, naturally, Cameron chose the denim-crazed seventies. The influence is subtle in both collections. Holiday pant styles include basics like a pocketless skinny jean, a straight leg, a boot cut, and a jean legging. There are also more frivolous options like a cropped cigarette jean, a jodpur-seam jean legging and a really great-looking cropped cargo jean. There were also a few dressier options like a trouser, a velvet skinny jean and my favorite, a tuxedo pant with a rounded hem that is a bit shorter in the front to reveal a great pair of shoes. The washes available include indigo, light blue, white, black and my favorite, Ox Blood, a deep bordeaux red. Every pair is clean and timeless–devoid of distressing and obnoxious logos. It all has the kind of dressed-down glamor that L.A. is known for, but also definitely has a place in a New Yorker’s wardrobe.

Spring’s expanded range of safari-themed wares was still small, but full of casual wardrobe essentials like the perfect chambray tuxedo-front shirt dress, a sleeveless jacket that can be worn alone or layered, and some great high-waisted shorts. There were also more jeans, including a chic take on the boyfriend jean, which Cameron calls “the boyfriend jean that will actually get you a boyfriend,” and a classic seventies flared number.

The line, which ranges in price from $99-$120, is sold in 150 stores, including Cameron’s own. While $100 jeggings might seem odd in the midst of $6,000 vintage Dior gowns or even $600 Marc Jacobs jackets, it has turned out to be a great fit. When assisting clients (that place is too fancy to call them customers), Cameron would always find himself saying, “That would look great with a great pair of jeans.” (It is L.A., after all.) Now, he can direct those clients right over to a rack of jeans that already have his seal of approval. We love this concept because it promotes the kind of high/low or vintage/modern dressing of which we’ve always been a fan. It’s a hallmark of great personal style.

Brood Spring 2011: Serkan Sarier Impresses the Heavy Hitters

Stepping into Brood’s Spring 2011 presentation was like stepping into an elite club where only the fashion industries heavy-hitters were welcome. Sally Singer, Vera Wang, Zac Posen, and Mario Grauso were all in attendance.

Honestly, nothing less should have been expected. After all, Brood is is the brainchild of Serkan Sarier, a graduate from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp–one of the most prestigious fashion schools in the world. Some notable grads of the Royal Academy include Ann Demeulemeester, Dries Van Noten, and Martin Margiela, so you can imagine what editors expect from an Antwerp scholar.

After graduation, Sarier went on to assist Emanuel Ungaro, and later began working under Giambattista Valli, Haider Ackermann, and Olivier Theyskens.

For his debut spring 2011 collection, Brood presented women’s evening wear made of fine washed and distressed silks in various shades of yellow, light blue, and off-white. There were several short draped one-shoulder dresses as well as a few long dresses with plenty of ruching. Every piece seemed to have what looked like draw strings to hold it together, making for easy, effortless looks.

Over all, the collection was aesthetically refreshing. Give Brood two or three seasons, and you might see the line on the same ranks as some of Antwerp’s most noticeable graduates.

Chanel Private Sale on Rue La La

There was a buzz behind the scenes at Rue La La when we all laid eyes on the Chanel pieces that New York-based Madison Avenue Couture painstakingly curated for our Members. Just a few of the statement-making offerings that had us all talking: the classic quilted flap bags with the famous “CC” interlocking logos in different colors, beautiful bouclé tweed jackets with logo buttons that work with jeans and pencil skirts, a rare coat from the famous “Devil Wears Prada” collection, funky boots that turn leggings into a fashion statement, hard-to-find necklaces and earrings from the 1980s, cozy winter coats and scarves to brave the cold in high fashion.

Only one of each coveted piece will be featured in our Boutique, so we suggest arriving early (we’re all setting our reminders and postponing meetings as we speak). The Madison Avenue Boutique opens at 11AM on October 27th and lasts just two days.

Here’s your exclusive invite: www.ruelala.com/fashionistacom