Kara Ross, enchanted by her travels to the Sahara, introduced a Moroccan inspired collection for Fall 2012. Using vibrant colors such as deep purple, emerald green, indigo and sand she invokes the feel of foreign lands. The collection is true to Kara’s style, statement pieces using beautiful stones and exotic skins. These over-sized jewels are not for a wallflower! A bold theme throughout the collection was the carved stone scarab, an ancient beetle indigenous to the Sahara.
Scarab Ring Photo: Kara RossCrescent Necklace Photo: Kara Ross
Her classic handbag collection is offered in vibrant colored skins, which are custom died for the collection. Debuting a new style with the working professional in mind the “Trinity” bag offers plenty of space for necessities as well as a designated spot for an iPad.
Trinity Bag Photo: Kara Ross
What I appreciate most about Kara Ross is that she has unique investment pieces. You wear a Kara Ross, chances are that’s going to be the accessory you’re getting a compliment on for the evening. Look a these beauties:
Are you excited for latest designer collaboration for H&M? I sure am! Set your alarms and get ready to wait in line. Come March 8th at 8am, H&M is opening their doors to their exclusive Marni collection.
Featuring an eclectic collection filled with quirky pieces, the Marni collection at H&M is a modular wardrobe for women and men, complete with accessories. It is composed of elegant items selected by Marni’s creative director and founder, Consuelo Castiglioni, from her extensive repertoire to create a playful range of style possibilities. Famed for their original prints and bold colors, this collection is unmistakable Marni with the juxtaposition of shapes, patterns and materials. Price points for the line ranges from $19.95 – $149.99, and they look half as good as they appear in the look-book (photographed by fames photographer, Josh Ollins!), I very well would like to get my hands on as many pieces as I can! Ahhhhh I’m such a Marni fan, I’m so happy to see that this partnership hasn’t impeded on their sense of style or need to tone down their patterns for a more mass appeal.
Going backstage for the alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet is always a treat. Getting a peak at her Fall/Winter 2012 collection before it’s being released and watching all the action backstage as the models are transformed into works of art. Playing off this diverse Lolita-inspired collection which puts a fresh, mix-and-match twist on dressing up for a dinner party, Bendet collaborated with Sebastian Professional lead stylist Anthony Cole to create a swept-back, loosely constructed chignons. Coupled with a dark, bold lip and black smokey-eye from Stila, the look balanced this combination of feminine and edginess we saw throughout the collection.
Sebastian Professional lead stylist Anthony Cole touching up the models backstage at A+O
HAIR LEAD STYLIST: Anthony Cole for Sebastian Professional
HOW-TO:
1. On damp hair, apply a palmful of Sebastian Professional Whipped Crème throughout. Then, layer in a palmful of Mousse Forte. This combination will give the hair long-lasting, defrizzed body.
2. Blow-dry smooth using a large round brush. Once dry, divide hair in half horizontally, from recession to the back of the crown. Pin aside the top section and pull the bottom into a tight ponytail at the occipital bone.
3. Twist the ponytail around the base and pin to secure. Spray with Sebastian Professional Shaper hairspray for shape and hold.
4. Take down the top section and create a middle part. Taking one side at a time, smooth back each section to twist and pin around the chignon in the back. Be sure to keep the hair loose in the front so the hairline does not show.
5. Detail random pieces of the chignon with Sebastian Professional Craft Clay for matte hold. Pull pieces from under each top section loose to frame the face.
6. Once in shape, lightly spray Sebastian Professional Trilliant over the finished look for a touch of shimmer and shine.
SEBASTIAN PROFESSIONAL PRODUCTS USED:
Whipped Crème – Ultra-light styler that nourishes and liftscurls and waves for a silky, shiny finish ($18.95)
Mousse Forte – Strong hold mousse that creates strong-lasting de-frizzed curls and waves ($13.95)
Shaper – Brushable working hairspray to create direction, lift and control with a medium hold ($15.95)
Craft Clay – Re-sculpting clay that redefines matte-hold styles to separate and re-style texture (15.95)
Trilliant – Thermal Protection and Shimmer Complex for ultra-light body and a glamorous shiny finish ($19.95)
{DJ Mia Moretti getting her hair done backstage before performing at the presentation}
The alice + olivia by Stacey Bendet F/W 2012 presentation was a visual wonderland! The Lolita-inspired collection had a feminine edge that made me absolutely fall in love with fashion. With a focus this season on outerwear and chic knit dressing, Bendet puts her own fresh twist on ultimate party dressing, including the launch of the alice + olivia Gown collection. This season’s palette features a modern mix of bold jewel tones – rich emerald green, deep ruby red, midnight blue, lush plum, strong metallics and Bendet’s signature black + white color-blocking.
Complete diversity throughout the entire collection, mixing bright button down shirts with floor-length knit dresses, fun mini-dresses, and everything in between. In a world where collections are supposed to be cohesive and consistent, it was really fun to see a complete mix of personalities and silhouettes and have it work! Walking that presentation felt like a museum exhibit that was pure energy and fun!
What’s more fun then getting a Roxy bathing suit? Getting one to decorate one! At the recent Roxy Summer 2012 preview, my fellow bloggers put our DIY skills to the test and pimped out some bathing suits. I went for some fancy stitching, coupled with a whole lot of shells on the bottom. Provided my new pink bikini will probably self-destruct in the washing machine, I’m still quite proud of myself!
In between stitching my new suit, I perused the room draped in the Roxy Summer 2012 Collection. It doesn’t matter the temperature outside, there’s nothing that puts me more in the mood for Summer, then Roxy. Board shorts, rompers, beach cover ups… the collection makes me want to move to beach and never look back. Although I’m past the stage in my life where I could ever pull off tie-dye or more of the hippyish styles.
{My new customized pink Roxy original}
The collection is themed ‘Let the Sea Set You Free’, and to celebrate Roxy is launching a global social media campaign and competition to win a life-changing adventure which includes a trip to France for the Roxy Pro surf competition, the opportunity to learn to surf and additional prizes including a mystery trip! Girls over the age of 18 can enter by submitting videos, photos and essays that creatively demonstrate why they embody the ROXY spirit on the “Let the Sea Set You Free” contest site, www.roxy.com/seaforyourself to enter.
Last night, was a big day for Hugo Boss (and me)! As some of you saw the invite (I posted earlier this week), Sunham Home Fashions was celebrating the launch of the new BOSS Home bedding collection at Bloomingdale’s. Hosted on the 7th floor, guests had the opportunity to shop the collection and enjoy a musical performances by Mia Moretti & Caitlin Moe. I’ve seen those girls do their violin/DJ set probably 15 times in the past year and it never gets old! BOSS Home will be exclusive to Bloomingdale’s for the next 3 months, so go check them out!
I stopped by with Lorna from The Fabulous Report and we met up with the super fun Fashion Indie team to check out the collection; then headed down to the 3rd floor, where Hugo Boss continued the party with the launch of the new BOSS Black women’s shop. If upstairs was all about the jams, downstairs was all about art, with a special appearance by renowned artist, Jeff Koons! Apparently Koons is a big fan of the brand and to mark the new opening, he designed a limited edition shopping bag for Hugo Boss. And guess what? Jeff Koons drew me an original drawing (in front of me) on the bag! It was kind of the best ever!
Jeff Koons drawing me a pic!
I’m freaking out that I have a Jeff Koon’s original, complete with my name on it and his autograph! This bag is totally getting framed. Side note: Samantha, Editor-In-Chic of FashionIndie had this awesome Samsung Galaxy Note phone and was able to pimp out photo with comments after she took the shot (as seen above with her fancy penmanship)! Wish my iPhone could do that.
{HOME Collection}
{Mia Moretti & Caitlin Moe Performing}
{BOSS Black women’s shop (Bloomingdale’s 3rd floor)}
Since making a splash state side with an exclusive partnership with Sephora; the UK beauty line Illamasqua, known for it’s dramatic looks and subversive inspiration, offers a wide variety of unique shades, professional finishes, and versatile application options. After posting about the nail varnish, and loving it last month– I was excited to play with the rest of the color line. Lucky for me the team was invited to meet with product development head David Horne and learn about the line, complete with make-up application.
Makeup artist, Kim Anderson took the lead and gave me a natural, daytime shimmery look, focusing on my eyes for extra emphasis.
Me, Illamasqua Make-Up Artist Kim Anderson, and Lara
After using Satin Primer on my face and applying Rich Liquid Foundation, Kim went to work on my eyes using a mix of Powder Eye Shadow in Fatal and Cream Pigment Eye Shadow in Mould to create a look that was intense in color but muted in tone and finish. After succeeding in making my eyes intensely green by using a shadow with purple in it, she highlighted my cheeks with Cream Blusher in Rude (the brands top seller).
Sharing a few tricks of the trade (that I will be using from now on) she rubbed the heel of her hand in the cream blush and applied it to my cheeks, she then blended it with the opposite side of her hand creating a perfectly symmetrical look. I really like the Rude blush shade as it’s so versatile and works on so many different skin
Recently, I posted about the exciting GOODNESS pop-up restaurant I was apart of during New York Fashion Week. Founded by Supermodel/environmentalist, Elettra Wiedemann and presented by The Daily Front Row and CIRCA, GOODNESS is a full service pop-up restaurant that provides fresh, healthy and delicious food to the fashion community, while showcasing regionally sourced seasonal cuisine created by local culinary talent. This season the chef line-up included Mario Batali, Alain Allegretti, Leo Forneas and Julian Medina and GOODNESS earned the CFDA’s Health Initiative Stamp of Approval.
In addition to launching the pop-up restuarant, GOODNESS also hosted the GOODNESS Lounge by Renaissance Hotels, offering guests a comfortable “living room” atmosphere for reporters, models and editors to relax and recharge. And for guests in attendance there was a an amazing gift bag which we’re giving away to some lucky readers!
Now for the fun part… WIN THE GOODNESS GIFT BAG ($225+ value)!
VITACARE Whitening Gum in Cool Mint Freshness + Pomegranate flavor
HOW TO ENTER:
We’re giving away three GOODNESS gift bags, one on this blog and two others on twitter! There are two ways to enter:
1. Leave a comment under this post and tell me what word(s) comes to mind when you think of “Goodness”. Any (non-spam, happy) comment automatically enters you into the drawing.
2. To enter on twitter, follow @GOODNESSpopup and @DailyFrontRow and tell us what word(s) comes to mind when you think of “Goodness” using the hashtag #WinGoodness. Or tweet the following message to be automatically entered, “Fill in the blank: @GOODNESSpopup @DailyFrontRow when I think of Goodness I think of ____ http://ow.ly/9mwh2 #WinGoodness“.
Two lucky winners that entered on twitter will be chosen at random when @GOODNESSpopup reaches 800 followers.
For the past week, I’ve been raiding my closet and putting everything I don’t wear into boxes and downsizing like a mad women. The only cure for my ‘maybe-I’ll-wear-this-someday’ pack rat condition is knowing that someone else can appreciate (and actually wear) the item more than me. Two big boxes and a suitcase later, I’ve decided to donate to them to non-profits that focus on helping disadvantaged women regain economic independence by providing them with business attire and career skills. Two great organizations that do so are Dress for Success(which is international) and Bottomless Closet (which is NYC based).
And amidst all my organizing, one of my blogger friends sent me this info! Women’s apparel retailer, Dressbarn, is hosting a suit drive this weekend in benefit of Dress For Success.
What: S.O.S.-Send One Suit-Weekend.
7.6% of women today remain unemployed, with many of them lacking the most basic necessity: a job interview suit. You can make a difference by donating to the March. 1-4 national ‘Send One Suit’ event conducted by to Dressbarn.
When: March 1st – 4th, during regular operation store hours.
Where: All of the 825 Dressbarn stores. A complete list of stores can be found at www.dressbarn.com.
As a thank you, Dressbarn will offer donors an additional 15% total purchase savings for their generosity.
I should also note for all you beauty bloggers and brands that read my blog, the other thing I really love about Dress for Success is they accept unopened products — both personal and corporate donations. And for someone like me that gets more gift bags of products that are the wrong skintone or type then I know what to do with, it’s wonderful way to donate them.
How fun is this???? For spring, Keds and Madewell are joining forces on a limited edition capsule collection which includes 3 new prints to their classic canvas sneaker.
Welcome the new Keds for Madewell collection: Champion Colorblock Stripe, Champion Blanket and Champion Polka Dot (photographed above, in that order). Did you notice from the picture the Champion Blanket print has leather laces? Ah and how cute is the perfectly vintage polka dot print with the tan piping? Inspired by elements from the Madewell spring 12 collection, each print is so unique I WANT THEM ALL!
All three styles will retail for $50 each and are available at select Madewell retailers, Madewell.com and Keds.com.
Which is your favorite? Leave a comment or tweet me @PrettyConnected
