Friday, May 22, 2015

The Dos and Don'ts of Las Vegas Fashion

The Dos and Don'ts of Las Vegas Fashion:

Photo: iStockphoto
Photo: iStockphoto
Las Vegas brings out people’s wild sides. It’s why the phrase, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" is so ubiquitous. And when it comes to fashion, the uninhibited, over-the-top glitz of this desert paradise can often translate into some wacky choices. But once your crazy adventures on The Strip are over, you don't want to look back at photos and think, "Who let me wear that?"

GIF: "The Hangover"/Warner Bros.

So to prevent the sartorial equivalent of "The Hangover," here are the do’s and don’ts of dressing, primping and shopping in Las Vegas this summer.

Nightclubs

Don’t: Look like everyone else

The Las Vegas nightclub scene is legendary and everyone dons their bottle-popping best for a night out. Yet somehow we all end up in the same dress. You know the one: tight, short and sometimes *shudders* sequined. This old reliable will be hard to put down, but save it for New Year's Eve — the Vegas party gods want you to stand out from the crowd.

Do: Wear something that you can move in

With each hotel resort offering their own lavish party spaces, you and your crew will be in for a long night of dancing and strutting down The Strip. Do you really want to be falling out of your dress or tripping over your heels all night? Your eveningwear should be able to keep up with you. I’ve been partial to well-tailored jumpsuits that look chic, show off your shape but are comfortable. Plus, it’s the perfect outfit to wear from a show to dinner and onto the dance floor.

Beauty

Don’t: Go contour/eye-shadow crazy

The Kardashians have built their careers off of Las Vegas club appearances, but that’s no excuse to overdose on highlighter and bronzer. The Kardashian Krew’s preferred makeup style has its merits but it can be tricky to master and you probably are going to sweat it all off anyway. The same can be said for heavy eye makeup. A smokey or super rich color may seem like the perfect dramatic look to match the intensity of Vegas, but wearing it (especially in the daytime) makes you look like the next act in a Cabaret.

Do: Slather on the sun screen

We interrupt your glamorous, carefree vacation for a little reminder that you are in the desert. According to LasVegas.com, the city gets over 300 days of sun each year. That means that your trip will most likely be filled with lots of sunshine. It sounds like the dream vacation but the desert sun can be brutal, especially in the summer months. You may be ready to get your tan on alongside some of Vegas's renowned hotel pools, but even a short swim without SPF could result in a serious burn, that unfortunately won't be one of those things that stays in Vegas.

Concerts & Shows

Don’t: Dress like you’re going to a nightclub

It’s clear that Las Vegas is a destination for one-of-a-kind shows. The numerous concerts and other entertainment events that happen year-round provide visitors and locals alike with unforgettable experiences. That being said, most of the daytime shows are low-key for audience members. While the dress code for night time shows is slightly more dressed up, you can leave the elaborate outfits to the performers.

Do: Show off with a statement accessory 

Casual doesn't have to mean boring. Concerts and shows are the perfect opportunity to trot out that flashy statement accessory you've been dying to show off. An elaborate necklace, bold earrings or a kitschy clutch are all great ways to make a simple outfit pop.

Footwear

Don’t: Walk around all day in heels

Did you know that the Las Vegas Strip is 4.2 miles? That’s a long walk in high heels. You’ll be doing a lot of sightseeing, so give your feet a break and save the stilettos for your night out on the town. If you just can't live without them, opt for a low-heeled version or a block heel that gives support.

Do: Pack your sneakers

As I mentioned, you’ll be doing a lot of walking — not only down the Strip but around downtown and even inside the massive hotel resorts. Take advantage of the "athleisure" trend and rock your most fashionable sneakers while out and about. Your feet will thank you while you dance the night away.

Shopping

Don’t: Only shop on The Strip

Although massive, there's more to shopping in Vegas than The Strip. Don't get us wrong — with everything from Forever21 to Gucci there is something for everyone. However, if you're a real shopping aficionado, you'll want to see all your options. That includes Las Vegas's growing local retail scene. Just like New York and LA, Las Vegas has it's own bustling world of up-and-coming fashion that's worth exploring. Take home a stylish souvenir from your travels but don't be afraid to explore stores off The Strip.

Do: Browse the downtown Container Park

This is where you'll find that unique souvenir. The Container Park is an open-air space made of repurposed shipping containers where you'll find indie boutiques, restaurants and even an entertainment area for live performances. It’s a one-of-a-kind Las Vegas experience and a welcome getaway from your usual shopping routine.

Posted by Nelio Inacio at 8:21 AM
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H&M's 'Biggest Store Ever' Feels Like a Full-Fledged Department Store

H&M's 'Biggest Store Ever' Feels Like a Full-Fledged Department Store:

H&M opened its largest store ever in Herald Square on Wednesday. Photo: H&M
H&M opened its largest store ever in Herald Square on Wednesday. Photo: H&M
On Wednesday at noon, H&M opened its 13th store in New York City with the headline-generating detail that it's the retailer's largest store in the world. (At the time of writing, John Legend is leading an actual ribbon cutting ceremony at the new flagship, where he will also perform.) It's located in Herald Square across the street from Macy's, a heavily trafficked area that could draw enough people to fill much of the store's 63,000 square feet.

Here are the numbers. The store is 6,000 square feet larger than H&M's second-biggest location, on Fifth Avenue. It has a 35-foot modern glass facade with LCD screen, mirror and terrazzo tile details, as well as an approximately 30-foot high atrium on the second level. There are 40 fitting rooms, nine of them for men, 31 for women. There are four floors, 34 registers, two entrances and two elevators.

I got to tour the imposing structure on Tuesday before it opened and I was struck by not only the size, but also how many types of products H&M makes nowadays, which are fully represented in the store.

From lingerie to kids' clothing to maternity to footwear to home, not only was every imaginable product category present, but each one had a huge designated section. I didn't even know H&M made lingerie, and there it was in a mini shop-in-shop the size of a small lingerie store, where bras were available in a full range of cup sizes plus a full selection of shapewear.

A small portion of the shoe section. Photo: H&M
A small portion of the shoe section. Photo: H&M
The size of this store's home section rivals that of a Nordstrom, and includes everything from napkins to full bedding sets to tablecloths. Sections dedicated to shoes, kids' clothing and even kids' accessories were also shockingly large. There will like be plenty of space dedicated to the retailer's expanding beauty range when it launches in the fall. Collaborations, like the one H&M recently announced with Balmain, will also be sold here, and we hear collaborations in the home space could soon become a reality.

H&M calls this a "full concept" location, meaning that it carries every collection the retailer has; a press release even refers to these sections as "departments," which is fitting as I truly felt like I was in a department store. The location puts H&M paces ahead of all other fast-fashion stores, at least in the U.S., as it sells so much more than just fast fashion.  Zara has home and children's categories, yes, but they're hard to find in the States.

A glimpse at the home section. Photo: H&M
A glimpse at the home section. Photo: H&M
Still, the store doesn't alienate shoppers who just want to pop in to grab a cute dress to wear out that night — trend-driven women's items are in the first section you encounter upon entering the store.

H&M isn't heavily marketing the store's technological features — perhaps because that didn't work out so well last time — but we were impressed to see a that the fitting rooms were outfitted with their own cash registers as well as heat sensors, which allow sales associates to gauge whether a room is occupied.

While I liked the store a lot, I doubt I'll be back much. The best way to shop an H&M store is when it's completely empty, and given this location's touristy midtown location, that will never be the case once it's open.

Browse more photos below.

Posted by Nelio Inacio at 8:21 AM
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Meet the New Multi-Step Mascara Regimen

Meet the New Multi-Step Mascara Regimen:

A model backstage at Berlin Fashion Week. Photo: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images 
A model backstage at Berlin Fashion Week. Photo: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images 
It's no secret that makeup has become very specialized lately, and with specialization comes multiple steps. People think nothing of using six products to contour or slathering on 12 products in a Korean-inspired skin care regimen. Now this "more is more" philosophy is moving up to the eyes, and more specifically, to lashes.

It all started with Latisse, the prescription eyelash growth promoter that launched in 2009, and subsequently inspired a thousand over-the-counter copycat serums. Not coincidentally, that’s about the same time the Kardashians, in all their false-lash-wearing glory, got really popular. According to Karen Grant, beauty analyst at NPD Group, mascara is the number one product used by women across makeup categories, and is number three in sales for prestige brands, behind foundation and lip color. Bottom line: women want nice lashes.

Mascara does a really good job of enhancing lashes, but it’s far from perfect, as evidenced by the endless number of formula and brush combinations that currently exist. It was only a matter of time before adjunct products popped up to fill the perceived void. Eyelash primers, which are applied as a base layer pre-mascara, emerged shortly after eye shadow primers got really popular, according to Grant, and they’ve been around for a few years now. A rep for the product development team at Fiberwig, a popular Japanese mascara brand, wrote by email, “Depending on the product, it may be necessary to use multiple products in your application routine. This has been a common practice in Japan for years.”

Clinique and Lancome both offer popular versions of lash primers. Urban Decay had one and discontinued it, but the company has since re-released a newly formulated version called Subversion Lash Primer due to popular demand, according to founder Wende Zomnir. The company calls it “foreplay for your lashes.” It adds weight to your lashes and conditions them.

Makeup artists swear by primers, and I’ve become a convert too. Nick Barose, Lupita N’yongo’s makeup artist, wrote in an email that he uses them to enhance volume. Marni Burton, a celebrity makeup artist, calls it a “regular” step in her usual application process, and she recommends that you use one if your mascara is more drying. Generally, primers coat and soften and help the mascara stick better. I’ve been rotating a few different brands and I’ve noticed that my lashes are softer and more supple throughout the day. By day's end, my lashes no longer feel like they're so stiff and brittle they might actually crack off.

The newest innovations in mascara currently, though, involve products that you use after mascara application. Beauty categories often borrow ideas from each other (see: skincare principles applied to haircare), and mascara seems to be borrowing from nail polish in this case, in the form of so-called mascara top coats. Anastasia, the brand that Grant says helped catapult the brow category into the stratosphere, has been dabbling in other eye products, one of which is a clear waterproof topcoat. It claims to “refresh” your mascara as well as make it waterproof. Affordable brands Nyx and Elf also offer waterproof top coats, as does Bare Minerals.

Urban Decay also just launched a really unique product called Resurrection, which you use to refresh and de-clump your mascara throughout the day. “The one thing I’ve always hated about touching up my makeup before a night out is that I couldn’t refresh my mascara,” Zomnir says. “With Mascara Resurrection, this clear serum brings your mascara back to life so you can keep piling it on. I also use it as a ‘liquid lash comb’ if I need more lash definition.”

Aesthetic top coats, meaning products that add some pizzazz to regular mascara, are also getting some play, but it’s too soon to know whether they’ll take off. Eva Mendes’s new cosmetic line, Circa, which is carried at Walgreens, features a double-ended mascara with a bronzey, subtly shimmering topcoat. I was skeptical, but it makes your eyes shine without looking like you’re at a rave. (Benefit and Milani used to have over-the-top sparkly mascara top coat products, but they’re no longer available.)

Right now, these extra mascara products are a micro-trend, but the NPD’s Grant says that in the beauty industry now, micro-trends are important to watch. “While it’s not yet a mover in our market, I don’t necessarily think that means it should be discounted as something that is unimportant,” she says. “When a brand like Urban Decay, which has really honed its reputation as an eye expert, [promotes new products like this], they literally can help to create a whole new dimension to something that people didn’t think about.” Zomnir certainly feels like women are ready for multi-step mascara regimens. “Beauty customers will do multi-step regimens, and the trend is going to continue,” she says. “If the regimen works and she knows how to recreate the effect, she won’t mind taking the time to get a great result.”

Here are some vetted mascara add-ons to try:

Posted by Nelio Inacio at 8:20 AM
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Anna Wintour, Marc Jacobs and More Fete Parsons's Graduating Class

Anna Wintour, Marc Jacobs and More Fete Parsons's Graduating Class:

Marc Jacobs, Anna Wintour and Robert Duffy at the Parsons Fashion Benefit. Photo: Parsons/BFA
Marc Jacobs, Anna Wintour and Robert Duffy at the Parsons Fashion Benefit. Photo: Parsons/BFA
Of the more than 900 guests at the Parsons School of Design's 67th annual Fashion Benefit on Tuesday night, it felt like the majority were part of the fashion industry elite. Anna Wintour, Marc Jacobs, Robert Duffy, Donna Karan, Public School's Dao-Yi Chow and Maxwell Osborne, Lela Rose, Wes Gordon, many LVMH executives, and too many more designers and editors to name were in attendance. And yet, as Vanessa Friedman of The New York Times put forth in her keynote address, fashion no longer belongs only to established insiders.

"I like to call it the 'fashion-ization of life,'" she said. "It's a kind of mass recognition and understanding that fashion is one of the most universal narratives we have." There are opportunities for fashion in places no one ever though about before. "The NFL draft is a fashion story and the Mayweather Pacquiao fight is a fashion story and 'Mad Men' is a fashion story... Everyone wants in on the telling, so suddenly actors and rockstars and athletes are creative directors and political consultants are stylists and guys in Tevas and hoodies are retailers."

Vanessa Friedman gave a keynote address as the Parson Fashion Benefit. Photo: Parsons/BFA
Vanessa Friedman gave a keynote address as the Parson Fashion Benefit. Photo: Parsons/BFA
It is a brave new world, as Friedman calls it, into which Parsons fashion students are graduating, and certainly a very different one than Jacobs entered after showing his senior collection at the school's final show in 1984. During the benefit dinner, 26 students presented 127 looks spanning womenswear, menswear, childrenswear and accessories. After the runway show, Wintour presented Jacobs with an honorary award on behalf of his alma mater.

"He moves in a world where there is a lot of hype and a lot of superficiality, but his feet always remain very firmly on the ground," said Wintour about her longtime friend. "Whether he’s pondering the Victorian street urchin or classic American cool, there's always been something wondrously nostalgic and almost childlike about his clothes."

Jacobs kept his acceptance speech brief. He thanked Parsons for teaching him how to work hard and be passionate and called his final show at the school "the luckiest night of my life" because Robert Duffy was in the audience. The two soon became business partners and friends, which Jacobs described as "the longest and most wondrous relationship I’ve ever known."

LVMH was also honored by Parsons after the student runway show. Chantal Gaemperle, director of human resources at LVMH, accepted the award presented by Saks Fifth Avenue President Marc Metrick on behalf of the luxury conglomerate.

The evening concluded with final awards for the graduating students, presented by outgoing dean Simon Collins, members of faculty and Jacobs, who won the Designer of the Year award when he graduated 31 years ago. Lucy Jones took home the prize for womenswear, Jon Max Goh and Sungho Kim both won for menswear, Jennifer Lia Kim won for childrenswear, and Steffi Tsz Wing Lau nabbed the award for accessories.

See the gallery before for our top 15 looks from the 2015 Parsons Fashion Benefit runway show.

Posted by Nelio Inacio at 8:20 AM
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Karlie Kloss Reminds Us That It's Okay to Like Mermaid Dresses

Karlie Kloss Reminds Us That It's Okay to Like Mermaid Dresses:

Karlie Kloss at Cannes. Photo: Mike Marsland/Getty Images
Karlie Kloss at Cannes. Photo: Mike Marsland/Getty Images
Is there any red carpet trend as persistent — and persistently maligned — as mermaid dresses? Though they're typically pretty and flattering, they're ubiquitous to the point of being dead boring. But on Tuesday night, Karlie Kloss actually sort of resurrected our faith, thanks to one very good Oscar de la Renta gown.

As with so many dresses of its kind, there's not much to be said for the styling here. Diamonds are nice. The turquoise looks killer against Kloss's honey-colored hair and tan, so there's styling tip number one: Be tawny. Also, have toned shoulders.

It is a good dress, though, with wonderfully playful little flowers tumbling down it — made all the more special by Kloss's relationship with the late designer. The gown is from Peter Copping's first collection for the house, and it's nice to see the model, who opened and closed so many of de la Renta's shows during his lifetime, showing her support. For that especially, we'll give this mermaid a pass.

Posted by Nelio Inacio at 8:18 AM
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Can Justin Bieber Use the Fashion Industry to Repair His Reputation?

Can Justin Bieber Use the Fashion Industry to Repair His Reputation?:

Justin Bieber with Olivier Rousteing at the Met Gala. Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Justin Bieber with Olivier Rousteing at the Met Gala. Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images
The fashion world is no stranger to scandal. Some of the biggest talents in the industry have faced intense public scrutiny for their personal behavior — from Kate Moss, who famously lost dozens of modeling contracts after photos of her doing cocaine surfaced, to Dolce and Gabbana, for long-alleged tax fraud, to John Galliano, who was fired from Christian Dior when he was caught on video making anti-Semitic remarks.

While most of these players emerged relatively unscathed on the other side, there was a period of time where their futures were uncertain. Would the mainstream media, fans and, perhaps most importantly, consumers who shop the products attached to their names forgive them? Considering how Moss's earnings reportedly doubled after her scandal and that Galliano is back with a critically lauded debut at Maison Margiela, it makes sense that one of the latest pop cultural figures to be rocked with accusations of misconduct would turn to the fashion industry to help him make a comeback: none other than Justin Bieber.

At just 21 years old, the former teen pop heartthrob has made headlines for a number of unsavory situations he's been involved in, including underage drinking, drag racing, drug possession, soliciting prostitution, an alleged hook-up with Miranda Kerr, fighting and being generally nasty to everyone around him. Bieber had more run-ins with the law in 2013 and 2014 than most people have in a lifetime, and his reputation as a talented, respectable musician has been completely destroyed. In 2015, he's clearly embarked on a comeback tour — which culminated with his roast on Comedy Central in March — but in a surprising strategy, Bieber chose to seek redemption by first winning over the fashion industry.

In January, Bieber was named the face of Calvin Klein underwear, showing off his newly buff bod in a campaign alongside Lara Stone. He appeared in the 2015 music issue of V magazine in a black and white spread shot by Karl Lagerfeld, and he's the cover star of the newest edition of indie magazine Hero, with an editorial shot by Saint Laurent's Hedi Slimane. Vogue dubbed him as a member of Hollywood's new "Brat Pack" and was featured in the April issue, shot by Mario Testino. To top it all off, he was Olivier Rousteing's date to the Met Gala, where the Balmain designer addressed him on the red carpet as "the future of fashion." There are even rumors that he will guest star in the upcoming "Zoolander" sequel.

Justin Bieber by Hedi Slimane for "Hero" magazine. Photo: Hero
Justin Bieber by Hedi Slimane for "Hero" magazine. Photo: Hero
But what is it about Bieber — who's never really been known for his personal style or for being a trendsetter — that has led the industry to accept him so fervently, despite his widespread reputation for being so unsavory? "People are genuinely intrigued about where he's going next; he's a global phenomenon already, but he's almost starting from scratch again," the editors of Hero, Fabien Kruszelnicki and James West, wrote in an email when asked why they decided to put Bieber on the cover. "That's an exciting place to be in your career, and that determination and electricity is infectious. He's also finding a new identity, setting out who 'the new Bieber' is and clothes and style are a massive part of that."

Bieber's former demographic (aka the "Beliebers") is likely very different — in age and in income — from the high fashion one he's trying to reach now, but according to Sylvie di Giusto, a New York-based corporate image consultant, that's part of his appeal. "Fashion is a 'grown up business;' when you’re working in fashion, you're likely not a youngster anymore with a fan base around 12, 13, 14 years old," she explained. "It’s a money business, and what we tend to forget is that not only is Bieber growing up, so is his fan base. They’re a very important target market for all of these designers who are working with him."

Casting Bieber earned Calvin Klein millions of social media followers. While his fans might not be able to afford items by Karl Lagerfeld or Balmain quite yet, they might be able to 10 years down the line, and Bieber can be credited with the beginning of their relationships with these high-end brands. In addition, they're likely not worried about alienating existing customers who might be turned off by seeing Bieber in these ads and editorials. "These brands are thinking about building out a followership for the future — attracting more followers that they don't have right now," di Giusto said, and Bieber is the key getting these new eyes on their brands.

Photo: Mert and Marcus
Photo: Mert and Marcus
Despite how hiring or shooting Bieber may seem random or disingenuous for a high fashion label, di Giusto claims it's a more natural fit than some might think. "The fashion and music industries are very close to each other — if you’re in the music industry, the way you dress yourself becomes so important because there's so much press around you," she said. "He was already 'in the business' even if he’s a musician, so this brand ambassador relationship makes a lot of sense."

No matter how tarnished his reputation may be, the fashion industry is likely to give Bieber just what he needs to emerge with a brand new image. This means Bieber's going to be sticking around awhile. "Fashion always embraces rebels, the anti-heroes, risk-takers and outsiders," Kruszelnicki and West added. "Maybe they make us feel more alive. Once you have the support of the fashion crowd, everything else follows."

Posted by Nelio Inacio at 8:17 AM
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Fashion Students Find A Way Around Schools' Juried Runway Shows

Fashion Students Find A Way Around Schools' Juried Runway Shows:

Models walk the runway at the "Salon des Refusés" organized by Parsons students. Photo: Corbin Chase/Getty Images
Models walk the runway at the "Salon des Refusés" organized by Parsons students. Photo: Corbin Chase/Getty Images
On a hot afternoon on the west side of Manhattan, a group of Parsons seniors got together to stage a runway show. They had gathered donations and rented out the Westway, an about-to-be-shuttered nightclub that gave them a good rate and free reign over the space for a few hours in the early evening. The show was supposed to start at 6:30, and by 6:15 there was a line of parents, pierced guys and bare-faced industry types in baggy jeans waiting to get in.

Inside, the organizers rushed around in a harried but good-natured way. Someone's mom was up by the DJ booth taking photos on a point and shoot camera, while Maxim Editor in Chief Kate Lanphear and the milliner Gigi Burris, with whom one of the students had worked, sat chatting on one side of the makeshift runway.

The show began without warning: no dip in the lights or change of music signaling its start. The models, a mix of professionals and friends of the designers, went by at a rapid clip; sometimes it seemed intentional, but more often it looked like nerves. There were beaded evening gowns, wonderful quilted pants and conceptual shoes that spread out under the foot like translucent lily pads. Somehow nobody tripped, and afterward the designers and models emerged from the backstage area looking pleased and relieved, riding their performance high. In that moment, none of them seemed to have Parsons or the official student runway show taking place that same night at the Javits Center on his or her mind.

The show at the Westway was very much organized as a reaction against the school's end-of-term show, for which a small group of students was selected by a panel of critics to present their senior theses at a benefit attended by industry luminaries like Anna Wintour, Vanessa Friedman and Marc Jacobs. (That the unofficial show was cheekily titled the "Salon des Refusés: The Graduates of 2015," after the exhibition of paintings rejected by the established Paris Salon in the 19th century, might suggest as much.) Out of a few hundred graduating seniors, just 26 were chosen for Parsons's juried show this year. Parsons did not provide comment for this story.

"We didn't think it was fair that such a small number of graduates had the opportunity to show their work to the industry or show their work in a runway format," says Michael Freels, one of the organizers of the Salon des Refusés. "We wanted to create a platform for those students and show them that their work is just as valid as other people's work because we all worked just as hard."

Freels and his collaborators came up with the idea of doing an unofficial show at the beginning of the year, having seen how harsh and disappointing the selection process can be. The plan was to invite all graduating seniors in the department to participate and to reach out to industry contacts made in the course of work and internships. 28 students decided to join in, and collectively they showed 70 looks.

Parsons fosters a very competitive environment, Freels says, though that isn't what he takes issue with. It's more a question of the institution supporting all of its students equally. And on top of the matter of fairness, you have to wonder whether those who make it into the final show — those who get the industry's eyeballs on their work — are given a distinct career advantage upon graduation. After all, people as high up as Anna Wintour are sitting in the audience.

The Savannah College of Art and Design held a runway show for its own graduating class this past Saturday, cut down to a manageable number of collections through a jury process the weekend before. 37 students made it through to the final show — about 30 percent of the undergrad class, according to Michael Fink, the dean of the School of Fashion. Those who aren't selected have one look from their thesis collection displayed in a static exhibition.

"We try to instill in [students] that [the show] is not going to make or break your career," Fink says, explaining that the jury weekend is an opportunity to meet professionals in the field and get their feedback regardless of whether or not a student gets picked. He also points out that 93 percent of students in the class of 2013 were either employed in their field of study or pursuing higher education one year after graduation, so being rejected from the show clearly isn't an impediment to getting a job. ("We're animals," Fink says of career services at SCAD. "There's no glory in being a starving artist.")

But the visibility associated with being in the school show can give a young designer a lift — or at least heighten the probability of being in right place at the right time. Audra Noyes, who graduated from SCAD in 2010, says that she met André Leon Talley the evening of her own senior show. He later recommended her for an internship at Lanvin.

"But I have to say that being in Paris, Lanvin didn't ask me if I was in the fashion show or not. That was irrelevant. What they cared about was my book, my point of view and my skills," Noyes says.

It's not too surprising that Noyes suggests that success in the industry boils down to talent and doesn't come contingent upon participation in one student show. Two of the most renowned fashion designers in the world, Donna Karan and Alexander Wang, famously dropped out of Parsons and therefore didn't even complete a senior collection. But on the other end of the spectrum, Proenza Schouler comes to mind, whose senior thesis at Parsons was purchased in full by Barneys New York immediately following graduation. And Noyes, who came back to SCAD this past weekend for the student presentation, does see a certain utility in the competitive process.

"I can understand [students'] protests, but I think the show gave us motivation. I think it was something to desire for and not just something to prove our capability but to stand out amongst our peers," she says. "I saw portfolios of people not in the show, and I think that they have promising careers. There are some people who were in the show my year who aren't working in fashion."

Some SCAD students are organizing and financing their own show, too, set to take place the day before commencement at the end of the month. Oliver Zachary Selby, a graduating senior who showed his work in Saturday's presentation, said he hasn't yet decided whether he's going to participate.

"I did the SCAD show, but another opportunity would be great, just to showcase what we've done for the past four years," he says. "It's a great way to end senior year and really celebrate what you've accomplished."

When the Salon des Refusés let out at the Westway, the scene was a flurry of hugs and camera flashes and hollered congratulations. If the students wanted a celebration, that's exactly what they made.

Posted by Nelio Inacio at 8:16 AM
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News Brief: Tavi Snaps Back at The Sartorialist, What David Letterman Has Done for Fashion

News Brief: Tavi Snaps Back at The Sartorialist, What David Letterman Has Done for Fashion:

Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
These are the stories making headlines in fashion this morning.

Tavi snaps back at The Sartorialist

The always frank Tavi Gevinson made her name as a fashion wunderkind at the very young age of 13. In an interview on The Talks, the now 19-year-old discusses the success of Rookie and grudgingly being a role model for young girls. On the topic of Scott Schuman of the Sartorialist and the comments he's made about her immaturity in the past, Tavi minces no words, saying it stems from his own insecurity and “the fact that he’s shorter than [her] in real life.” Oh, snap. {The Talks}

What David Letterman did for fashion

David Letterman bid a bittersweet farewell to the "Late Show" on Wednesday night. The nationally broadcasted program provided a platform where celebrity and fashion rubbed shoulders prior to the rise of social media. Let's hope that Stephen Colbert will follow Letterman's legacy. {style.com}

The next £20 note could feature Alexander McQueen

The Bank of England is asking the public to nominate noted British figures in the arts for the next  £20 note and McQueen’s name has been tossed around. The Governor of the Bank of England, however, will make the final decision. If McQueen is selected, printing of the note would begin in 2020, which will be the ten year anniversary of his death. {The Washington Post}

Can Justin Bieber stage a comeback via the fashion industry?

After a spate of run-ins with the law and a tarnished public image, Justin Bieber is trying to make a comeback via an unlikely route: fashion. The Biebs starred in a Marky Mark-inspired Calvin Klein ad, covered indie mag Hero and accompanied Balmain creative director Olivier Rousteing to the Met Gala. Time will tell if the pop star and teenage heartthrob will find redemption through his work within the industry. {Fashionista}

Bloggers bring home big bucks on IG

Ever wondered how bloggers make money from Instagram? As it turns out, brands pay them handsomely for product placements. We Wore What founder Danielle Bernstein, who has nearly a million followers, can bank $5,000 to $15,000 for sponsored content on her Instagram feed. {Harper’s Bazaar}

Posted by Nelio Inacio at 8:15 AM
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Chris Benz Tells Us What to Expect from the New Bill Blass

Chris Benz Tells Us What to Expect from the New Bill Blass:

Photo: Meghan Uno/Fashionista
Photo: Meghan Uno/Fashionista
Fashionista has been affectionately following designer Chris Benz's career for years, from soliciting his advice in our "Ask Chris Benz" column, to poking around his studio, to getting him to chat with guests during our first-ever "How I'm Making It" conference. As he embarks on his next journey as the creative director of Bill Blass, set to relaunch Nov. 1, we were so pleased when he agreed to join us at our third Fashionista meetup. There, he spoke with our Editor-at-Large Lauren Sherman about how he got into fashion, "winding down" his namesake clothing line, his advice for aspiring designers and his innovative plans for Bill Blass.

Benz knew he loved fashion at an early age, but wasn't sure how to turn that passion into a career until a fateful evening in his (and my) native Seattle, where Donna Karan staged a fashion show while he was in high school. "I just marched right down and was like, 'Ms. Karan, I think I want to be a fashion designer. Do you have any tips for me?' And she said, 'You have to go to Parsons, you must go to Parsons, it's where everyone goes.' I was like, oh, my life is set. I’m only going to Parsons."

That he did. In fact, he got permission from his high school to go a year early. "I ended up at Parsons for almost five years. It’s as rigorous a curriculum as you could imagine." Interestingly, despite getting a coveted scholarship from the CFDA as a junior, Benz did not have any looks in the school's senior show. "As senior in fashion school, you, like, might as well kill yourself." Clearly, those shows must not carry too much weight.

Benz decided not to start his own line right out of school. Instead, he followed up an internship at Marc Jacobs with a job at J.Crew. "I didn’t feel like starting my collection was right when I graduated from school because what could I possibly have known at 22 years old?" he said. "I really wanted to go and work at a place where I could understand more about the industry — more about how the whole system worked because it’s something that I just didn’t really learn in school."

Thanks to "lots of encouragement" and a pre-2008 economy, Benz got a business partner — a design marketing major from Parsons — got some money together and did start his own line in 2007 when he was still only 25.

Photo: Meghan Uno/Fashionista
Photo: Meghan Uno/Fashionista
"I feel like one of the biggest pitfalls in the industry is overdesign. I would rather make fabulous, gorgeous clothes that people will want to wear and aren’t confusing and that was always the philosophy behind the Chris Benz collection," he said. As buzzy and well-received as his collections were, running a business did not come without its challenges, the biggest of which, he said, was "having to churn out hundreds of new products every few months from scratch."

After five years and 20 collections, Benz started to "wind down" the label, as he puts it, something he had never really discussed publicly before. He compares that period to the end of "Seinfeld." "In some ways we had told all of the stories with that girl...As we wound everything up, it was Rick Owens, Alex Wang. The aesthetic [of the time] didn’t support what the aesthetic of the brand was. So we were all fabulous actors on a great TV show for five years and then actors go on to work on other shows that are just as good."

His advice for designers who want to start their own lines? "Don’t do it without the money; make sure that you have multiple millions of dollars to start because don’t think that the selling of clothes is going to support and propel the business," he said. "You could be two years out before seeing one dollar from a dress that you sold."

Benz took a year off, moved to Brooklyn, did yoga — and then Bill Blass President Stuart M. Goldblatt came calling. Given the brand's storied past, Benz was hesitant at first, but became more receptive to the idea when he realized he had the opportunity to "create an entirely new company."

One way he's doing things differently is by eluding the traditional fashion calendar, which he said he's grown exhausted with. "We’re approaching it from a cerebral way, where maybe it’s only 10 looks, maybe it’s only shirt dresses in one capsule...The goal is to give women fabulous product on an ongoing basis and that’s the way women shop. You don’t care if it’s resort '14, spring '15, you just want to go on e-commerce and buy something cool for a party you’re going to on the weekend." He continued, "We want to build a wardrobe for our customer over 20 or 30 years." He didn't give too many specifics, but it sounds like there will be a lot of accessories, with items available at a range of price points. "We really want to be accessible to people and I want the most amount of people to get our product," he said. "We’re developing product in a huge range of categories."

As for where those products will be available, head to Billblass.com on Nov. 1 (or right now, because there's a really cool splash page up). Benz says a lot of energy is being invested into the brand's e-commerce site, and that they're "having ongoing conversations with retailers as well." Stay tuned.

Posted by Nelio Inacio at 8:14 AM
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News Brief: Size 22 Model Covers 'People', Marc Jacobs Shares His Feelings About Kanye West

News Brief: Size 22 Model Covers 'People', Marc Jacobs Shares His Feelings About Kanye West:

Photo: John Lamparski/Getty Images
Photo: John Lamparski/Getty Images
These are the stories making headlines in fashion this afternoon.

Rihanna offers Cara Delevingne career advice

When Cara Delevingne was turned down for a part in the upcoming Beach Boys film, she looked to her BFF Rihanna for support. Rihanna told her, “Everything happens for a reason. You are going to call me back up in a week or two, and you are going to say to me, ‘You are right.’” As it turns out, Delevingne landed a role in John Green’s "Paper Towns" soon after. {Page Six}

What did Marc Jacobs have to say about Kanye West?

"Kanye is so intelligent, so creative, and so driven." The two met while working on West's sneaker collaboration with Louis Vuitton and immediately hit it off. Jacobs sang his praises, saying: "He has passion. He is always dedicated to his work, creatively. And I really like him." {Elle}

Size 22 model Tess Holiday lands People cover

Full figured model and social media sensation Tess Holliday has been incredibly successful this year — she signed on with Milk Model Management and booked a campaign with plus-size clothing brand Torrid. Now the size 22 model graces the cover of June's People. {People}

Gucci changes the location of its men's show

Since Alessandro Michele took the creative lead at Gucci in January, there have been major changes in the direction of the heritage brand. News broke on Thursday that the spring 2016 men’s collection will be shown in an abandoned railway station in Milan. This is quite a departure for Gucci, which has shown at a theater in the Piazza Oberdan in the past. {WWD}

Chris Benz dishes on his new role at Bill Blass

We at Fashionista have followed Chriz Benz's career from the very beginning. At our meetup on Wednesday night, Benz opened up about "winding down" his namesake brand, offered advice to those interested in launching their own labels and shared what we can expect from the new Bill Blass. {Fashionista}

Posted by Nelio Inacio at 8:13 AM
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All the Models Came Out for the Amfar Gala in Cannes

All the Models Came Out for the Amfar Gala in Cannes:

Anja Rubik. OMG. Photo: Gisela Schober/Amfar15/Getty Images
Anja Rubik. OMG. Photo: Gisela Schober/Amfar15/Getty Images
As I type this, all of the best looking people on the planet (at least in my humble opinion) are gathered together at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, where the Amfar Cinema Against AIDS Gala is taking place. Thanks to Carine Roitfeld, who's staging a black and white-themed fashion show for the occasion, models like Karlie Kloss, Adriana Lima, Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner traveled to Cannes with their best black tie ensembles in tow, and the one of a kind looks that come down the runway will be auctioned off to raise money for the cause. The 2014 edition of the Amfar Gala raised a record-breaking $35 million for AIDS research, and if the showing on this year's red carpet is any indication, we're thinking Roitfeld and her stunning model entourage might have what it takes to surpass it.

Click through the gallery below to see the best looks from the Amfar red carpet in Cannes.

Posted by Nelio Inacio at 8:13 AM
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Marissa Webb's First Designs for Banana Republic Aren't Hitting the Mark With Shoppers

Marissa Webb's First Designs for Banana Republic Aren't Hitting the Mark With Shoppers:

From Banana Republic's New York Fashion Week presentation in February. Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images
From Banana Republic's New York Fashion Week presentation in February. Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images
Earlier this month, Gap Inc. reported some disappointing sales figures for April, the same month that Marissa Webb's first collection for Banana Republic hit stores. Sales at Banana Republic had slumped 15 percent, although execs partly chalked that up to the early timing of Easter this year.

On Thursday, Gap Inc. CEO Art Peck fleshed out the reasons why Banana Republic isn't hitting the mark with shoppers. Peck says that while Webb has done a good job of beginning to establish some fashion credibility for the brand — she's started holding Banana Republic presentations at New York Fashion Week, for instance — that hasn't translated into commercial success yet. And in some ways, the desire to push Banana into slightly more fashion-forward territory can be at odds with appealing to the mass market. Webb's first collection is heavy on black and white; Peck says it needed more colors and prints.

For the first quarter, which ended May 2, Banana Republic's sales were down 8 percent to $621 million. Gap's sales were down 10 percent, totaling $1.3 billion.

It takes time for a designer to establish a new creative direction for a brand, so it's unsurprising that Webb's collection wouldn't be a hit right out of the gate, though the 15 percent drop in sales the same month she arrived doesn't exactly bode well. Her collection for fall 2015, presented at Fashion Week in February, does seem to lean more toward the colorful — if in a way that's very, very similar to J.Crew's well-established aesthetic. (Webb was formerly the head of womenswear design for J.Crew.) Fingers crossed that it wins out with shoppers.

Posted by Nelio Inacio at 8:12 AM
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Dhani's Striped Sundress

Dhani's Striped Sundress:

Whit Two Rehoboth Stripe Mini Dress, $168, available at Anthropologie.
Whit Two Rehoboth Stripe Mini Dress, $168, available at Anthropologie.
One of the best things to happen to my wardrobe in recent years is Whit Two, designer Whitney Pozgay's ongoing collaboration with Anthropologie, all of which is made in petite sizes. As I am 5'2" and very into the Whit #aesthetic, the line has become my go-to for summer dresses that actually fit me properly, and my next purchase has just landed on Anthro's site.

This dress combines my love for all things shoulder-baring and blue-and-white-striped. The shoulder straps make it a bit more secure and appropriate for the office, and as I tend to wear nothing but dresses in the summer months, I'm sure to get a lot of wear out of it. Happy Memorial Day Weekend to me.

Whit Two Rehoboth Stripe Mini Dress, $168, available at Anthropologie.

Please note: Occasionally, we use affiliate links on our site. This in no way affects our editorial decision-making.

Posted by Nelio Inacio at 8:12 AM
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Thursday, May 21, 2015

SARA SAMPAIO at Soiree Chopard Gold Party in Cannes

SARA SAMPAIO at Soiree Chopard Gold Party in Cannes:



SARA SAMPAIO at Soiree Chopard Gold Party in Cannes


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Posted by Nelio Inacio at 10:09 AM
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ISABELI FONTANA at Soiree Chopard Gold Party in Cannes

ISABELI FONTANA at Soiree Chopard Gold Party in Cannes:



ISABELI FONTANA at Soiree Chopard Gold Party in Cannes


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Posted by Nelio Inacio at 10:01 AM
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YAEL GROBGLAS at 2015 CBS Summer Soiree in West Hollywood

YAEL GROBGLAS at 2015 CBS Summer Soiree in West Hollywood:



YAEL GROBGLAS at 2015 CBS Summer Soiree in West Hollywood


The post YAEL GROBGLAS at 2015 CBS Summer Soiree in West Hollywood appeared first on HawtCelebs.

Posted by Nelio Inacio at 9:59 AM
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EMILY RATAJKOWSKI – Derek Kettela Photoshoot for The Editorialist

EMILY RATAJKOWSKI – Derek Kettela Photoshoot for The Editorialist:



EMILY RATAJKOWSKI - Derek Kettela Photoshoot for The Editorialist


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Posted by Nelio Inacio at 9:57 AM
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VIRGINIE LEDOYEN at Enrages Photocall at Cannes Film Festival

VIRGINIE LEDOYEN at Enrages Photocall at Cannes Film Festival:



VIRGINIE LEDOYEN at Enrages Photocall at Cannes Film Festival


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Posted by Nelio Inacio at 9:57 AM
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HAILEY BALDWIN at Soiree Chopard Gold Party in Cannes

HAILEY BALDWIN at Soiree Chopard Gold Party in Cannes:



HAILEY BALDWIN at Soiree Chopard Gold Party in Cannes


The post HAILEY BALDWIN at Soiree Chopard Gold Party in Cannes appeared first on HawtCelebs.

Posted by Nelio Inacio at 9:56 AM
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EMILY BLUNT at Sicario Premiere at Cannes Film Festival

EMILY BLUNT at Sicario Premiere at Cannes Film Festival:



EMILY BLUNT at Sicario Premiere at Cannes Film Festival


The post EMILY BLUNT at Sicario Premiere at Cannes Film Festival appeared first on HawtCelebs.

Posted by Nelio Inacio at 9:56 AM
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