Gossip Girl made me in love with Matthew Williamson. Every time I’d walk by this store I’d fall for his colorful prints and whimsical long maxi dresses –although the $2,500 price tag generally kept me from walking inside. Why torture myself? So when I received an invitation from Refinery29 to the exclusive launch party of his new diffusion line MW Matthew Williamson, I was all over it!
With Dree Hemingway on his arm (looking stunning in her MW mini dress), Matthew Williamson walked the store mingling with guests and posing for pictures.
“The aim was really to offer a broader collection, with more units than we have in the line–I think it spans about 250 pieces in the diffusion line,” Williamson told Racked. “The idea is to have it at a lower price point, more accessible, and offer a slightly different slant on the main line. The main line is known more for print and colour and that sort of red-carpet aesthetic, glamour and jet-set and all those kind of ideas. So whilst those ideas have some synthesis within the diffusion line, I wanted to make it more about an urban wardrobe and less about speciality pieces.”
MW Logo and CollectionGuests at the MW launch partyYou don't have to text me MW, I'm right here!
The collection ranges from $200-800, and is available in their Matthew Williamson store located at 415 West 14th Street, NYC
Welcome YouBeauty.com, a new interactive beauty website developed by Dr. Mehmot Oz and Dr. Michael Roizento arm women with proven tools that use science to measure and improve inner and outer beauty. It offers specialized quizzes on everything from nutrition, relationships, to skincare, forums, and content from celebrity hair and makeup experts and tackles questions like ‘what’s the perfect haircut for your face shape’? Check them out!
Andean Collection will expand beyond jewelry with the introduction of their Antisana line which includes hats, scarves, and belts.
Swarovski Nirvana ring
Swarovski is celebrating their iconic Nirvana Ring with a sweepstakes. Enter to win one HERE (or don’t better chance for me!). It’s kind of the most amazing ring!
French Connection is giving away a $1,000 shopping spree to their store + round trip fare and hotel from August 2-3 to NYC and VIP access to Christina Perri’s “lovestrong” summer tour. Enter for your chance HERE.
Mary J. Blige is introducing her new fragrance, My List Blossom exclusively on HSN on 8/13. To celebrate, Carol’s Daughter is running a sweepstakes and giving one lucky fan and a friend an all inclusive trip to meet Mary J. Blige at the HSN premiere and a $250 gift certificate to Carol’s Daughter. For details and the enter click HERE
The NEW Kiehl's spa!
Kiehl’s finally launched their first spa! Located at 64th Street and Lexington Ave in NYC, they’ve taken their downtown charm to the UES. The full services spa includes facials, massages, face, body and hair treatments as well as men’s grooming services.
L’OCCITANE will open its first boutique in NYC’s Meatpacking District on 48 Ninth Avenue (at 14th St.) and will be hosting a consumer event at 6:30pm on July 28th complete with a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by a small reception. The first 100 customers to make a purchase will receive an exclusive Meatpacking set featuring the brands most iconic products.
Brut (you know that men’s line in the green bottle?) launched BNN, a part sport/humor/fratty video series on their Facebook page, hosted
Playing dress up! Nicole Miller dress, Express glasses, scarf, beaded bracelets, Jeffrey Campbell shoes
Ever wanted to be a model and walk the runway? Or watch a fashion show live? Well here’s your chance! This Saturday, 7/23 Express is taking over Times Square (NYC) and is opening their runway to the public in an attempt to break the Guinness World Records for most people modeling on a catwalk (current record is at 521). From 9am-5pm, models (that’s you!) get an exclusive Express tee, a surprise savings card, and a chance to win a $250 Express Gift Card. Then at 9pm Express will host their Holiday 2011 Runway Show. Can’t make it? Watch the show live at 9pm at Express.com.
And yes, I’ll be there! Last night Lucky Magazine and Express hosted a little soiree to celebrate the campaign and asked 8 bloggers to partner with them –myself being one of them! So I’m throwing out my camera fear and going to rock that runway! I hope you’ll join me! I’ll also post pictures from Saturday’s event and how I styled the Express collection so check back!
More pictures from last nights Lucky/Express event…
Caroline from sweetcarolineinthecity.com and I we’re jazzing up our outfits with Express accessories. I’m all about this Express Necklace!
I was getting Parisian nerdy-chic with Express while
Paying a little tribute to my alma mater, Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT)… check out the FIT winners of the Keds competition. On July 21st, Lord and Taylor 5th Avenue, will be offering on-site Keds customization, cupcakes, live music and your chance to meet the winners and check out their designs. As a bonus, Lord & Taylor will be giving away a GWP tote bag with every Keds purchase.
Style experts Lindsay Kroll and Paige Smith and co-owners of Cake Plate Boutique in Napa, CA are opening their doors to Benefit Cosmetics this summer. Through September the Napa Valley fashion hot spot will serve as a pop-up shop for the makeup brand serving favorites as Bella Bamba, BADgal lash, Ultra Radiance Facial Re-hydrating Mist, Benetint and Stay Don’t Stray Eye Primer.
It doesn’t get too much better then one stop shopping for fashion and beauty! Now my only request is they open in NY. I’ve been playing on their website and there are so many summer dresses I want!
Although get excited new yorkers, Benefit will soon be opening their first store in NYC at 454 West Broadway in SoHo!
Disclaimer: A complimentary sample of Benefit Stay Don’t Stray given to Pretty Connected by a company representative. Pretty Connected was under no obligation to write this review. See my About/Disclosure tab for more information.
Nicole Miller and Indego Africa collection. Additional patterns and colors available on NicoleMiller.com
Nicole Miller recently re-partnered with Indego Africa to launch a limited edition line of fair-trade shorts and sarongs ($65). The designer had previously worked with the non-profit (which works with more than 250 artisan women in Rwanda to teach them skills and opportunities to provide for their families) to created a collection of woven and textile bracelets (still available) last fall.
“I am so proud to have had the opportunity to partner with such an inspiring organization that empowers African women and to help spread the message of Indego Africa. I’ve always loved
In his first show in 8 years, Azzedine Alaia was back on the runway for the Fall Couture 2011 showing this past week. The designer, who supposedly was offered to head up the house of Dior, appeared to be going nowhere but up as the crowd (including Sofia Coppola, Donatella Versache, Kayne West and Victoire de Castellane) applauded his triumphant finale.
Proving to be a vast success (I’ve been cowering the internet for images and reviews), the collection has been revered as well worth the wait. And apparently the long standing ovation, which didn’t end until French Minister of Culture Frédéric Mitterrand went backstage and persuaded the bashfully shy designer to face his supporters.
For all of you who have dreamed about wearing a Vera Wang down the isle, then hesitated at the price tag check out the White by Vera Wang collection exclusive to David’s Bridal.
Now in their second season (they launched in Spring 2011), their Fall 2011 collection has arrived! And it’s unbelievable –or at least the price tag is. I was floored when I attended their presentation and saw the wedding dresses priced at $600-$1200, bridesmaid dresses all under $200 (in a variety or short and long silhouettes and colors) and shoes ranging from $58-$98. Additionally White by Vera Want has launched a line of accessories from hairpins (which can also be worn as a lapel) to headbands and sashes.
“It gives me great pride to be able to bring my design to more women through White by Vera Wang. With the addition of bridesmaid dresses and shoes, I am excited to provide an array of romantic, classic and whimsical fashion for the entire bridal party” says Vera. And not only is she making her collection accessible through the affordable price point and extension in the collection, but also in sizing. Select styles are available in size 16-26.
For additional styles and to learn more about the White by Vera Wang Fall 2011 Bridal Collection visit DavidsBridal.com
I’m really glad to be in with Lucky Magazine. Since last year the publication has been very supportive of bloggers. In addition to hosting their semi-annual Fashion and Beauty Blogger Conference (FABB), they regular feature bloggers in their issues and have a whole Style Collective on their website.
Last week Lucky Magazine hosted their Summer Jam Cocktail Party for their favorite bloggers *blush*. I wasn’t about turn down the opportunity to meet the staff at Lucky and mingle with my fellow bloggers.
Being rated by The Bumbys
I was greeted by the wonderful Colleen Call (Lucky’s Fashion Merchandising Director) and prompted to see The Bumbys! Do you know The Bumbys? They’re team Gill and Jill who sit behind a desk and offer honest appraisals of your style. No bias here, the duo’s face is covered and they don’t speak. Of course the first think out of my mouth was, ‘do the sunglasses work for me? I want you to know I grabbed them at the bar, so if they give me extra points add it in, if not I can take them off”
“YES. Yes to the sunglasses. They remind me of the little shock of color that was streaked in the bangs of the emo girl that I sat behind in High School. But that’s coupled with, in your case a kind of debutante meets Steffi Graff thing. And let me just take this opportunity to tell you, that girl from Algebra 2 is looking fiiiiiiiine. Also, don’t take the Steffi Graff thing out of stride, I just meant sporty. Not horse-like.
Average Rating: 9.7”
Woohoooo a 9.7!! Which rocked, because I worked that room and it was the highest score of any blogger I met! That was a serious ego boost, although I credit the dress. From the moment I left my apartment to the final event I attended that evening, I don’t think 15minute went by without someone complimenting me on it. It’s a good thing I went for it! I was debating between that outfit, high wasted shorts with a tucked in vintage shirt and snake-print leggings. Apparently there is no consistency in my wardrobe these days.
If you’re a fashion and/beauty blogger looking to get in with Lucky sign up for their FABB Conference! Tickets go on sale this week so
The Sartorialist is one of my favorite fashion blogs. I mean how could it not be? Scott Schuman (aka ‘The Sartorialist’) is not only an amazing photographer, but basically pioneered the broadcasting of street fashion and turned photoblogging into art form.
For Father’s Day, he’s partnered with skincare brand, Kiehl’s Since 1851 to shoot their Father’s Day campaign showcasing a series of images honoring the relationship between dad’s and their children. Scott also collaborated with the brand to create The Sartorialist for Kiehl’s Limited Edition Dopp Kit for Men($55.50). The set features Scott’s must-haves from Kiehl’s and travel essentials and includes their Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash (2.5oz), Facial Fuel Energizing Moisture Treatment (2.5oz), Facial Fuel No-Shine Lip Balm (0.17oz), Ultimate Brushless Shave Cream White Eagle (2.5oz) and “Ultimate Man” Scrub Soap (3.2 oz ), packaged in a chic, functional travel case (created by Italian fashion House Luca Roda!).
The Sartorialist for Kiehl’s Dopp Kit for Men
Recently, having the opportunity to meet with Scott, I had a few questions…
Tell me about the The Sartorialist for Kiehl’s Limited Edition Dopp Kit for Men and how you picked the products.
I felt very comfortable with Kiehl’s because it was a product I already used, so I knew what I wanted. It’s all based on how you travel. I designed the kit and I was asking Garance [Dore] to draw it out for me so of course she had her own design input. I hate when you just throw everything in a bag and you can’t find anything –like a women’s purse, so I put a lot of pockets in it so you could put things away. I like to put my cuflinks in them.
What was the part about working with Kiehl’s?
They kept sending me free products! That, and being able to celebrate dad’s and shoot that story. I was a stay-at-home dad for two years and I met a lot of dad’s that have a really great relationship with their kids and I really wanted to celebrate that.
What was the creative process for this campaign?
We did a casting and picked a certain amount dad’s, and then went to the park [Bleeker Street Park] that I go to with my kids all the time and I said ‘okay guys, just play. Don’t worry about me, don’t worry about the photographs. I’ll make you look good, you just have fun with your kids’.
What makes you smile?
My girlfriend Garance Dore and my little kids.
Now who’s taking pictures of who Scott?
Scott Schuman holding 'The Sartorialist for Kiehl’s Dopp Kit'
Looking very official interviewing The Sartorialist
My "I only have one more question for you" face
Okay fine, technically someone else took the pictures, but still!
The Sartorialist for Kiehl’s Limited Edition Dopp Kit for Men is available exclusively at the Kiehl’s New York Flagship store (109 Third Ave., NYC) and Kiehls.com
