Olympic Fashion Games: The Opening Ceremony Clothes & The Winner

London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony

I hear the Olympic Opening Ceremony divides people in those who just thought it was plain weird and to those who thought it was brilliant. I can see it both ways, but we had so much fun watching the Opening Ceremony, that I’d probably lean on calling it Britishly brilliant – I especially liked the James Bond and Her Majesty parachuting from a helicopter (which I missed first but luckily saw later!), Mary Poppins, kids jumping in beds, Rowan Atkinson as Mr Bean, the 80s and 90s dance moves and David Beckham on a boat. And then judging all of the Olympic fashions as each country’s team walked on the stadium. Good times.
There has been a lot of hype about the Olympics Fashion this year, several countries had amazing designer names such as Giorgio Armani for Italy, Ralph Lauren for USA, Stella McCartney for UK designing the team uniforms. Surprisingly none of these big names were not a big hit at the Opening Ceremony. Overall I think many outfits would be great for either Halloween or for flight attendants. Italy’s Opening Ceremony outfit was great design, UK’s outfit was white and gold and NOT designed by Stella, and more about Ralph Lauren in a bit. The real winners are below.

The Winners: The Top 3 Opening Ceremony Fashion

Photo: REUTERS/Jorge Silva / FOX
THE BEST NATIONAL COLORS & OLYMPIC SPIRIT: I love how Brazil incorporated their flag colors in the team outfits, and the colorful yellow and green miniskirts just work! Preppy with the blazer, Harry Potter go rugby with the scarf, and the shoes say “let’s go and have great Summer Games” with their neon shoe laces. Sporty, fun and yet dressy enough for Opening Ceremony.

Photo:Paul Gilham/Getty
THE BEST DRESSED TEAM: My favorite team was the Team Netherlands – they wore the navy blue blazer & white pants combo the best – the blazer his well fitting, has great white detail, the belts on women’s outfit are very trendy, and the women’s blue dress isn’t too bad either. The blue ballet shoes are brilliant, dressy but not stuffy, like everything in their uniforms. Sporty, preppy, colorful, ready to take over the world. Classic idea done very trendy, and incorporated their national color orange (that happens to be the color of the year!) extremely well. I also like that there were different options to choose from for each athlete and how the entire team looks uniform – even when the individual outfits are not the same. The Netherlands clothes were designed by Suitsupply.


THE BEST DRESS/ONE PIECE OF CLOTHING: Team Paraguay’s dresses bring sexy back to the celebrations of the nations. The red dress is absolutely stunning, as is Leryn Franco, the team’s javelin thrower wearing it. While the men’s blue blazers are questionable, and the they could have left the straw hats home too, the dress was absolutely one of the most fashionable pieces of clothing in the Opening Ceremony showing that it’s possible to wear something sexy and flattering and still make it look fresh for a sporting event.

Team USA and the Ralph Lauren Criticism

Let’s just say, I love Ralph Lauren, and even when RL got slack for having large polo pony in the Beijing Olympics, I was all over it, and loved the outfits. I completely agree with the un-patriotism of manufacturing the Olympic clothing in China, but I also think that we have to put our money where our mouth is – when is the last time you even checked where the garment you bought was made in?
I think when we as consumers make purchasing decisions based on ethical questions like this, we can have our voices heard much better, but if we only criticize once the decisions have already been made, it’s too late. If you truly care about what kind of image RL is giving to the Team USA and our country by showing up in the Olympics in China-made clothes, please start making better purchasing decisions and start supporting clothing made in teh USA.

But let’s get back to fashion and simple look at the clothing.. Did you like the look of the team USA’s Opening Ceremony outfit? The blue blazer is always an Olympic classic, but this time it lacked both sophistication like Italians, and making the statement like the Netherlands, and it also didn’t stand out in the sea of red, white and blue outfits this year. The hat looked very Roots/Canadian to me, and while the women’s white skirts were very nicely cut, I didn’t care for the men’s pants as much. The shoes – not a big fan, especially with the socks. Over all a cute look, and it doesn’t look BAD, but it doesn’t look as good as in the last Olympics, nor meet the expectations I had.

Blue Blazer & White Pants Stroke Again

Wearing the blue blazer for the Opening Ceremony is a classic move, white pants another one. Perhaps because of the host country UK’s red, white and blue Union Jack several countries had chosen the same colors for their own team outfits this year to respect the host nation. I actually liked the ones that added a little national spin to it the best and who were not afraid of adding color to the classic look.

Photos: Stu Foster/Getty Images, The Associated Press Photo By Mark Humphrey/The Associated Press
French team took minimalism to the top, and the simple blue and white just works. Maybe lacking some Olympic spirit, but not style. I don’t care for the men’s white shoes – but women’s red ones looked fantastic.

Photo: Lars Baron/Getty Images Europe
Russia and Austria were among the teams dressed in red, white and blue, and I don’t know if it’s possible to pick a real winner from these two. These two teams sum up what several teams looks liked. Blah.

The Scandinavians

Photo: REUTERS/Murad Sezer – via FOX
Where the heck was the famous Scandinavian design?
The Finnish team wore printed jackets and white bottoms, designed by Martti Kellokumpu for Halti. While the print represents Finland well and I like the idea, too bad you can’t really see what the print looks like on TV or in the stadium. The blah tennis shoes and skirt make the entire outfit very unmemorable.
I didn’t know Swedes actually wore their flag colors, I thought the tacky Swedish tees I see in the shops were only for the tourists. They are absolutely making an impression, I’m just not sure if it’s a positive one. It is said though that all PR is good PR and I can tell Sweden is getting to many of the fashion posts written all over the world right now.
I can see both outfits worn at Scandinavian homes while watching the Olympics games, but despite the sneakers I don’t know if they would qualify to even run to the store quickly to buy more beer. At least Finland tried, but I might be biased. Do we have a winner here either?
Enjoy the Summer Games – and leave in the comments which part of the Opening Ceremony was your favorite!

Summer Beauty Steals

Summer is a season for having fun, which means when all is said and done, you probably don’t have a lot of expendable cash lying around. Never fear, though. With today’s Beauty Buys story, you can still treat yourself to a beauty fix, no matter your budget, because we have rounded up an entire supply of summer beauty steals. Yes, it’s true! For instance, if you want to change up your look with a new signature lipstick shade, there are 13 shades of L’Oreal Colour Riche lipstick to choose from—and they are just $10 each. If you are looking to update your signature scent, we have found a handy-dandy budget-friendly rollerball perfume that features a range of scents. If it is a mini manicure you are looking for, Forever 21 has a huge range of budget-friendly nail polishes. And that is just the makeup! If you are leaning towards skincare, you’ll find a mango-scented body butter that will leave you smelling gorgeous, a margarita-scented shampoo, blotting papers to rid you of any excess oil buildup, and a set of bronze-boosting sun stones. Phew. Click through to check out all our favorite summer beauty steals. Nothing is priced over $15, which means you can grab the whole lot for less than $85. How is that for guilt-free shopping? Read on!

1. Roller Ball Parfum ($15) by Infusion Organique
2. Colour Riche Caresse Stick Lipstick ($10) by L’Oreal
3. Face Brush ($8) by Maybelline
4. Nail Polish ($3) by Forever 21
5. Senorita Margarita Shampoo, Shower Gel & Bubble Bath ($8) by Philosophy
6. Green Tea Blotting Linens ($10) by Boscia
7. Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Sun Stones ($15) by Physicians Formula
8. Mini Body Butter ($6) by The Body Shop
9. EyeStudio Color Plush Shadow Quad ($7) by Maybelline

Today’s Top 5 Fashion News Stories

 

Actress Kate Hudson will star in Ann Taylor’s fall campaign, marking her third season as the face of the retailer. The new ads were shot by Tom Munro. [WWD]
Monique Lhuillier is launching her first shoe collection for spring with a capsule of 15 styles. The collection will include day, evening, and bridal styles. [WWD]
Model Selita Ebanks is at the center of a court case, as a women prepares to sue over injuries received when Ebanks reportedly punched her. [NY Daily News]
Makeup guru Francois Nars will launch a skincare line in August that aims to make skin look luminous using reflective light and brightening properties. [WWD]
Although Gisele Bundchen is yet to confirm her second pregnancy, recent photographs snapped of the Brazilian model do appear to confirm the news for her. [Mail Online]

Channel Emma Stone, Kate Bosworth and Lauren Conrad with 10 feminine picks under $100

Left: Emma Stone shot by by Christopher Polk/KCA2012/Getty Images for KCA. Middle: Kate Bosworth shot by Russ Elliot/Keystone. Right: Lauren Conrad shot by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images

By Randi Bergman and Paige Dzenis
Designers are not the only ones on a sugar high this spring: pretty pastels and lovely touches of lace were first spotted down the Spring 2012 runways at Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Christopher Kane, and now have been spotted on stars such as Kate Bosworth, Lauren Conrad and Emma Stone. But don’t think you need to have a red carpet event on the agenda to wear this look—lace-lined dresses and pale shades of green, pink and yellow are a perfect fit for garden parties or weekend cocktails.

 



















Source : http://www.fashionmagazine.com/

Caroline Flack is face of Apricot’s denim range

British TV presenter Caroline Louise Flack, who has co-presented the eighth series of ‘The Xtra Factor’, is the face of Apricot’s new Transformer range of denim.

Caroline is best known for presenting ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! Now!’ from 2008 to 2010.
Apricot’s new innovative range of jeans comes in Skinny, Bootcut and Skinny Flare styles, which are especially designed to flatter and flaunt natural curves of the legs. All styles are made from ultra-stretch fabrics that take the shape of the legs as soon as they are worn.
Each of the three styles is available in three fits – Peachy, Electric and Juicy – designed to suit different body shapes. Peachy Fit is low cut at the top, Electric Fit is still lower, while Juicy Fit has slightly higher cut.
These different styles and fits will help shoppers to ‘mix and match’ and find out the jeans that look good on them.

Swarovski Elements continues to spark for Victoria's Secret ‎

For the ninth dazzling year, SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS, the premium brand for the finest crystal elements manufactured by Swarovski, and Victoria’s Secret, the company with a passion for fabulouslingeries, have partnered on the show stopping Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

The collaboration between the two global brands is proof that when it comes to Swarovski, there is virtually no limit to creative possibilities. This year, two million SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS embellished one-of-a-kind creations for The Victoria’s Secret Fashion show including iconic Angel wings, exquisite custom-made lingerie, designer couture pieces, shoes and even stockings.

SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS was seen on six key looks from designer Jenny Manik Mercian, who created an awe-inspiring masterpiece as well as glistening footwear by Giuseppe Zanotti, encrusted with SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS, creating head-to-toe looks.

Reinhard Mackinger, executive vice president for Swarovski North America is also inspired by the collaboration. “Both brands stand for creativity, inspiration, and complement each other in the creation of new products as well as lend an aspirational appeal to the customer. We are thrilled to continue expanding our collaboration to reach not only the Fashion Show viewer but the consumer as well.”

Another stunning display of creativity and craftsmanship was evident in the matador inspired piece, as seen on model Bregke Heinen. Also created by Manik Mercian, the costume was part of the Passion theme.

A key highlight of the show included the stunning Passion Play Fan Wings by Jenny Manik Mercian made over five months with approximately 105,000 SWAROVSKI ELEMENTS and weighing 22 pounds. The 23 carat gold-plated antique copper Passion Play Fan Wings were inspired by a jewel box of luxurious, opulent gem tones making each wing distinctive and dramatic on its own.

Stunning combinations of poppy oranges and reds mixed with fuchsias, vibrant turquoise, royal blue and chartreuse are contrasted with shocking yellows and dazzling hues of metallic gold. Romance, desire and sensuality are captured in the luxurious detail of lace, brocades, embroidery and beading reminiscent of Haute Couture.

Erin Wasson Unveils Zadig & Voltaire Collection

Last night in Paris, Texan model Erin Wasson unveiled her latest foray into design: a ready-to-wear capsule collection in collaboration with French lifestyle brand Zadig & Voltaire. Unsurprisingly, Erin injected the collection with her own brand of cool, drawing inspiration from rock music from the 1960s and 1970s. So what will you find? The 15-piece collection includes a cashmere jumpsuit, jewelry, leather pants, a python bag and boots, and a studded suede jacket, among other items. The full Erin Meets Zadig line will launch exclusively on Net-A-Porter in September, before arriving in selection Zadig & Voltaire stores. Prices will start at around $120

Celebrity Style: White Fairy Tale Love Ball

Last night, Russian model Natalia Vodianova hosted the White Fairy Tale Love Ball at Valentino’s Château de Wideville on the outskirts of Paris. Unsurprisingly, the who’s who of the fashion world were out in force—including Eva Herzigova, Daphne Guinness, Anne Hathaway, Anna Dello Russo, Olivia Palermo, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld, and Margherita Missoni, among others. While many—including Natalia herself—eschewed the dress code, which called for white or silver gowns, the red carpet was nevertheless a vision to behold. On that note, click inside to see all the celebrity style statements from the event and make sure to tell us your favorites in the comments section below!

L-R: Model and muse Margherita Missoni wore a white gown. Editor Anna Dello Russo wore a white gown. Actress Anne Hathaway wore a white vintage Valentino gown and a floral tiara by Stephen Jones.

L-R: Model Natalia Vodianova wore a red Valentino gown. Model Eva Herzigova wore a black gown and accessorized with a black feather in her hair. Fashion insider Daphne Guinness wore a rainbow Alexander McQueen kimono gown and accessorized with chopsticks in her hair.

L-R: Stylist Carine Roitfeld wore a white Givenchy gown. Socialite and reality star Olivia Palermo wore a silver dress. Model Julia Restoin-Roitfeld wore a white gown.

Fall 2011 Campaigns From Chanel, Valentino & DKNY

Another day, another round of fall 2011 campaigns trickles in! Today you can click inside to see Freja Beha Erichsen posing for Chanel—styled by Carine Roitfeld, no less. You can also sneak a peek at the Valentino campaign, which stars American model Ruby Aldridge, Danish model Caroline Brasch Nielsen, Polish model Monika Jagaciak, and Swedish model Sara Blomqvist. In addition, you can catch a glimpse of Russian model Anne Vyalitsyna, Brazilian model Aline Weber, and Brazilian model Izabel Goulart, who star in DKNY’s campaign. Plus, Guess by Marciano, Loewe, and Mulberry!

Chanel
Danish model Freja Beha Erichsen stars in Chanel’s fall 2011 campaign. The campaign was photographed by Karl Lagerfeld and styled by former French Vogue editor Carine Roitfeld.

DKNY
Russian model Anne Vyalitsyna, Brazilian model Aline Weber, and Brazilian model Izabel Goulart appear in DKNY’s fall 2011 campaign. The campaign was shot by Inez & Vinoodh.

Guess By Marciano
American model Heide Lindgren and German model Eugen Bauder star in Guess by Marciano’s fall 2011 campaign. The campaign was photographed by Alix Malka.

Loewe
Italian model Mariacarla Boscono stars in Loewe’s fall 2011 campaign. The campaign was photographed by Mert & Marcus.

Mulberry
Argentinian model Tati Cotliar and Swiss model Julia Saner appear in Mulberry’s fall 2011 campaign. The campaign was shot by Tim Walker.

Valentino
American model Ruby Aldridge, Danish model Caroline Brasch Nielsen, Polish model Monika Jagaciak, and Swedish model Sara Blomqvist appear in Valentino’s fall 2011 campaign.

Princess Kate Middleton Fashion Pics

How does she do it? After wowing the crowds at Trooping the Colour, Kate is surprise guest at wedding of her ‘royal matchmaker’

The man credited with saving Prince William and Kate’s romance got a surprise guest at his own wedding today – the Duchess of Cambridge.

Just hours after she proudly watched her husband take part in his first Trooping the Colour, Kate joined guests at the wedding of close friend Sam Waley-Cohen, who married party organiser Bella Balin today.

The jump-jockey was branded the royal matchmaker after apparently helping Kate and Wills rekindle their romance after their brief split in March 2007 – a claim which Mr Waley-Cohen has modestly denied since.

The pair chatted with friends, villagers and wedding guests outside St Michael and All Angels Church in Lambourn, near Hungerford in Berkshire, before the ceremony began.

According to onlookers, the future Queen drove herself to the wedding and had apparently changed into a new outfit since her appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, where she wore a fitted white coat.

Prom Dresses 2011 Color Trends

Prom Dresses 2011 | Oscar de la Renta
“You have to make a woman fall in love with your clothes.” That was Oscar de la Renta backstage before his pre-fall show, talking about how to woo the customer during the recession. Take a look at some prom dresses 2011.

The color trends for prom dresses 2011 are shinny popping colors. Striking pink, amazing orange, deep purple and bold blue are used 2011 prom dress colections. Insight these colors you can find all sorts of lovely shades and hues.

You can find the perfect shade to match your coloring to complement your personal style whether you are a brunette, blonde, or somewhere in between.

Keep in mind that classic white or black formal prom dresses are always in style and always a good choice. So if have been desiring for a stunning silky black gown or a fresh white dress, you will definitely shine.

It doesn’t matter how amazing and beautiful your prom dress looks on a mannequin or model, if the dress is not fitted for your body style, it will just not complement you.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t find the perfect prom dress for your prom party. What really means is that you have to take the most honest friend or relative you have and hit the shops, to be patient and calm, to try on a lots of different designs and see what color, style, length,.. makes you feel and look special. That’s it.

Introducing Kelly Love

Song Of The Rainbird, the fall 2011 collection from Australian-born, London-based designer Kelly Love, is as dreamy as the title suggests. Teeming with intricate details and textures such as sand-washed silk, hand-printed prints, painted fur, felted wool, and lightweight suede, the collections pays homage to the silhouettes of the 1960s but is not without a modern charm. Key pieces include (from left to right): the Dance of the Peacock dress, a silky cocktail dress with a pretty print that instantly evokes thoughts of Miu Miu’s infamous cat print; the Little Bird Dress, an electric violet shift; and, the Giselle dress, a slinky boho sheath that would look right at home on Sienna Miller.

Another Fall 2011 Preview From Topshop

Although we are still only getting in to the swing of things with summer, fall will be here in no time. Happily, Topshop has just released another preview of its fall 2011 collection, which makes the countdown to fall slightly less lackluster. In fact, if Topshop has anything to do with your fall wardrobe, you’ll be set for a colorful and electrifying season! Look out for faux fur in bright colors and bold prints, retro pencil skirts, boxy tomboy coats, ankle-grazing trousers, graphic print sweaters in neon brights, and more. Click inside to check out the entire fall 2011 collection. The fall 2011 collections will begin to arrive in Topshop stores, as well as online at Topshop.com, later this month.

Swimsuit Designer Swimwear by Meriell Club 2011

You know you want it! Callisto short jumper features crochet cut out detailing at shoulders and a low cut back. Ties at back. Dropped waistline. Roomy back pocket. Shorts are cinch at each side.
Availability: In stock
Style: CAJU11
Item: 130-017
Ships from: Canada
Material: 80% Nylon, 20% Spandex
Collection: L Space Swimwear 2011

Jessica Alba with Maternity Dresses in CFDA Fashion Awards 2011

This is how to look chic when pregnant!Jessica Alba with Maternity Dresses in CFDA Fashion Awards 2011.

Jessica Alba with Maternity Dresses in CFDA Fashion Awards 2011. Jessica Alba opted for a modern, but muchos flattering Diane von Furstenberg custom made dress for today’s fashion festivities at the CFDAs.
Jessica Alba with Maternity Dresses in CFDA Fashion Awards 2011. Jessica teamed her tangerine and magenta colour-blocked maxi with statement making pearl and gold drop earrings, a coordinating cuff, and finished it off with a hard cased gold clutch.

What’s your call on this yummy mummy’s style?