Category Archives: Fashion & Style

Celebrities and Google Glasses

Google is reportedly looking to bring its own futuristic  glasses to market as early as this year. The long-rumored glasses are said to feature integrated connectivity and navigation features.

According to a New York Times report, employees familiar with the project have said the glasses will be publicly available before the end of the year and will be priced in the region of current smartphones. The glasses will reportedly have a 3G or 4G data connection, motion sensors and GPS.

In December last year, 9 to 5 Mac reported that the so-called Google Glasses, or Google Googles, were in late prototype phase and that they resembled ordinary “thick-rimmed” glasses with a few buttons on the arms. The same report also said the glasses connect directly to the cloud over IP to tap into various Google services.

Step Aside Lady Gaga, Madonna Halftime Show Creates Material Girl Resurgence

With a very Vogue Modanna’esque approach, she tantanlized her Super Bowl audience with middle-finger flinging M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj for “Give Me All You Luvin’. She also got in the groove as a cheerleader, cheering on L-U-V and LMFAO.

Of course we can’t give all the credit to Madonna herself, as her dancers and acrobats seemed to be on cue point with their choreography, nailing every strut with percussional chime or backbeat.

In disregard to popularity amongst her immediate audience, “Madonna was defiantly unconcerned with the more conservative red state wing of the football fanbase who’d never be caught dead singing along to one of her songs,” the Los Angeles Times noted about her performance. “And her halftime show was pure spectacle by the Cleopatra of the game.”

With her next album MDNA arriving shortly, Madonna quickly reminded her fans and Super Bown audience that she won’t be exiting the limelight anytime soon.  According to the Chicago, “This was Madonna’s party, and besides breaking off bits of her greatest hits to remind people of a time when she was the biggest pop vixen on the planet, she had important career-advancing work to do,” the review noted. “Madonna, after all, never does anything unless she’s got something to sell, and with a new studio album due out in March and a tour to follow, she had plenty on her to-do list.”

Whats new in Fashion: All the latest fashion news:Chic in Review

Baby G
Taps Rebecca Minkoff for a watch collaboration with a “downtown romantic aesthetic.” It’s a black bracelet with a pink dial, and it’s $200. Meh.

Barbie
Goes all natural, Afro-style, this holiday season.

Cruise, Suri
Dons a fur (faux, we can only hope), heels and blue eye shadow while walking with Tom and Katie in New York City.

Dior
Throws a new front-runner into the mix: Raf Simons. Of course, nothing has been signed yet.

Donna Karan
Haiti-inspired spring 2012 ad campaign has the Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima sitting next to two young Haitian boys. Thoughts?

Jacobs, Marc
Is rumored to be dating a Brazilian porn star.

Lagerfeld, Karl
Kampaign on Net-a-Porter.kom is kompletely ridikiulous, asking shoppers to join a “karl kult” and to “karlify” themselves — a k a, upload a pik that is then treated with a white wig, sunglasses and a white kollar. Karl will pik his favorite look-a-like on Jan. 25. (Oh, and apparently the letter “C” is so last season.)

Lanvin
Petite pop-up shop, geared toward little girls ages 2 to 8, hits New York. (Read: 6-year-olds crawling around in $1,000 dresses.) Nevertheless, it’s a sure Suri Cruise sighting.

Law, Jude
Takes his dad to “The Book of Mormon” musical. They got stuck in traffic, so had to run to the show. News!

Levi’s
To show for the first time during New York Fashion Week? Heck yeah!

Louis Vuitton
Teams up with the Swiss horologists La Fabrique du Temps for a new 18-karat white gold timepiece, the Tambour Minute Repeater.

The luxury brand acquires an “inspiring” theme song.

Proenza Schouler
Is opening its first store on Madison Avenue next year.

Spears, Britney
Is engaged to boyfriend Jason Trawick. Sigh.

Time Magazine
Is bringing back its biannual Style and Design glossy come March.

Vera Wang
To enter men’s wear with a tuxedo line. Here come the grooms.

Victoria’s Secret
Promises to investigate its fair trade cotton company in Burkina Faso, which reportedly abuses its child employees.

Are Black Shoes and White Socks Acceptable Fashion?

According to the public there are many reasons why men and women alike shouldn’t wear white socks. Some people suggest issues ranging from mismatching and dirtiness to sportswear association and a fashion give up. But what happens when they’re combined with black shoes?

From a fashion design perspective, white socks with black shoes is a style faux pas and they generally suggest avoiding light-colored socks with dark shoes. With this being said, it’s interesting to note how celebrities like Michael Jackson changed this fashion notion. He used his black and white combination’s to gain more attention towards his feet and more importantly his moonwalk which in effect heightened his already robust marketing gimmick for Billy Jean. While most of us don’t walk around trying to mimic MJ, he reinforced the black and white trend, that would be trialed and attempted past his legacy.

Perhaps it’s not about color coordination or fashion protocol. Maybe it’s all about walking and strutting with confidence with disregard to contrast.

Dubstep Style Music Inspires the Dancer At Heart

While originating in London, England the newly inspired Dubstep genre has gained the attention of dancers around the world. Described as ‘tightly coiled productions with overwhelming bass lines and reverberant drum patterns, clipped samples, and occasional vocals’, this subtle reference of a widely popular dance movement has stemmed off from the 2-step, whose vibes and vibrations can be felt in the recent pop hit, ‘Party Rock’.

Confessions of a Shopaholic: My Visit to Sophistikate in Bethlehem, PA

After my quick visit to the Lehigh Valley Mall for a bit of some foreplay shopping, I met a few friends of mine at Bonefish Grille for a few cocktails and prepared myself for the rest of my binge shopping for the day.

My next adventure towards ‘shopping bliss heaven’ took me towards downtown historic Bethlehem to a great upscale women’s retail store called Sophistikate. Their wide range of clothing at all price points and convenient personal fittings with an on-site seamstress make it one of the best fashion consultation outfits in the Lehigh Valley.

There are plenty of options here for the retail shopper and fabulous collections that include pieces by Autumn Cashmere, Three Dots, Willow and Clay, dresses by Nicole Miller, and denim by DL1961 and A.G. Jeans. For fall 2011, Sophistikate recently launched the Robert Graham collection for men.

I was impressed by the exemplary customer service and the whole retail therapy process. Whether you’re new to the fashion scene or an avid follower of fashion trends and style, Sophistikate of Bethlehem is sure to meet your needs and keep up with your lusting fashion desires (as I’m going there again next weekend:-)).

For more information visit their website at: http://www.sophistikatebethlehem.com

SOPHISTIKATE
574 Main Street / Suite 100
Bethlehem, PA 18018

Women’s Fashion Trends for 2011

Fur clothing

It’s a fabric that divides people through its controversy, and one that has been a small part of autumn / fall / winter collections in recent years. During autumn (fall) / winter 2011 it all changes and fur clothing plays a large role in many of the collections from the world’s biggest fashion houses. Follow the link to find out how both faux and genuine fur are being worn in fall 2011.

Plunging neckline

It doesn’t automatically lend itself to the cold weather of autumn / winter 2011, but none-the-less the women’s plunging neckline has captured the imagination of designers from the likes of Gucci to your local artisan. Follow the link to see how this fashion is being designed and worn, and how to carry it over into next year.

Pleats

Able to be worn softly or with an edge, they’re a style that might seem ever-green – but don’t let that fool you. Pleats are at the fore in 2011 with the cut being carried effortlessly from spring in autumn / fall. As such they’ll also be one of the major influencers upon next year’s fashion trends, so be sure to follow the link to read our guide to what’s in and what’s not for this wardrobe staple.

Women’s tuxedo

Thanks to the likes of Tom Ford and the re-rise of 1970s fashion, the women’s tuxedo makes its comeback in autumn / winter 2011. But given it was also on-trend as recently as 2008, this is one fashion trend you could definitely get wrong this season. Follow the link to read our guide on how to wear it this season and how to make sure you don’t make it look like something from a few years ago.

Bell bottoms

With skinny pants and jeans now so common that they no longer make a statement it was inevitable that a different style would emerge as a trend. It didn’t necessarily have to be this one, but with the come back of all things 1970s it was inevitable that fashion forward people would turn to bell bottoms and flared pants as a style of choice. Follow the link to find out more about this fall 2011 fashion trend including some key styling tips.

Wide leg pants

As it is with flares, so it is for the overall cut of women’s pants in fall 2011: there’s a lean away from the dominance of the slim cut. And that means not just a flared hem but that wide leg pants and jeans emerge as fashionable in autumn / winter 2011. Follow the link to read our guide on how to wear a fall fashion trend that’s easy to hit and miss with.

Sheer maxi dress

Taking all its cues from spring / summer 2011, the sheer interpretation of maxi dresses and maxi skirts continunes into autumn / winter 2011. Naturally it’s heavier, but perhaps not in cloth in so much as it is in colour. Take a look at our guide to the sheer maxi dress to find out how to wear it in fall 2011 and carry it through into 2012.

Autumn / fall 2011 accessory trends

Leather harness accessory

It’s an autumn/ fall 2011 accessory that works with so many of the seasons’ other fashion, and yet it’s a controversial accessory none-the-less. That’s because its origins lie with the sexualisation of fashion. But it doesn’t have to be sexualised, and it needn’t be downplayed either. Read our guide on leather harness accessory for more on the fall / winter 2011 the accessory trend, including styling inspiration.

Choker necklaces & cuff bracelets

If you’re looking to make a statement with your accessories, one that you can carry over from 2011 into 2012, then be sure to turn to the accessory that has more than caught our eye. It’s the solid jewelry trend and it includes everything everything from cuffs to collars. Follow the link to find out all the details, including how to wear it and who is designing it.

Men’s autumn (fall) / winter 2011 fashion trends

2011 suit styles

They never actually go out of fashion, but they do evolve over the course of several years. So what suit styles are in fashion for autumn (fall) / winter 2011? Fashionising.com has put together a thorough guide on the modern men’s suit that will take you through cuts and colours, and help you decide all the elements you’ll want in a good quality suits for autumn (fall) / winter 2011. Follow the link to read more.

Relaxed tailoring

For so long it’s been all about slim and skinny cuts for men. When fall 2011′s fashions roll along, that won’t be the case. Skinny won’t be out, but something else is certainly in. Read our guide to the men’s relaxed tailoring style to find out about how it applies to autumn / fall 2011′s outerwear, jackets and trousers, including inspiration on how to wear the look.

Fashionable workwear & overalls

Casual streetwear turns to industry in autumn / fall 2011 with a men’s take on fashionable workwear seeing the likes of overalls and boiler suits hit the catwalks of fashion forward designers and the wardrobes of fashion forwards men. Follow the link to learn more about the trend and find out which fashion labels are designing it.

External pockets

You shan’t find them in our suit guide, but none the less you’ll find them on the autumn / fall 2011 catwalks and you’ll find them as an option for your winter wardrobe. Riding the line between street fashion, being a casual trend and being inspired by something a bit more tailored, the men’s external pockets trend is something of a statement feature for autumn / fall 2011. A feature suited to more then just outerwear, however. Follow the link for more.

Is Kate Middleton the New Queen of Fashion?

Move over Lady Gaga as it appears The Duchess of Cambridge is stealing the spot for Queen Bee of Fashion. With her myriad of fashion successes lingering throughout the year including making Vanity Fair’s International Best Dressed List, Kate’s earned her title of Queen of Fashion.

Choreographer Jasmine Meakin and Mega Jam Productions Create Hip Hop Videos

Jasmine began dancing at the age of 3 and studied tap, jazz & ballet.  As the years went on, Jasmine Meakin expanded her repertoire to include hip hop & funk which she is now renowned for. Jasmine has been performing, choreographing & teaching intensive workshops throughout Queensland since 1998.  Industry credits include dancing & co-choreographing Mega Jam instructional DVD’s, RAQ Fashion Awards, Dancer & choreographer for the Qld Reds & Brisbane Broncos dance teams & seven years as a dancer & character performer at Warner Bros. Movie World.  She is currently enjoying performing as part of the dance troupe ‘Allure’, and looks forward to spending more time in LA training with some of the USA’s leading choreographers.

Funtown Marketing and Talent Agency Creates Hooping Sensation

Funtown is a marketing and talent agency that focuses on nightlife entertainment. We book talent for festivals, art galleries, nightclubs, music videos, fashion events and more. Funtown has an exciting cast of artists on its roster that includes hoop dancers, fire performers, belly dancers, live painters, fan dancers, VJs, and other hard-to-find artists in the ever changing world of entertainment.

Funtown is dedicated to spreading fun across the globe. They accomplish this goal by encouraging people to embrace their inner child while adopting a “new state of mind”. This new lifestyle is based around a positive, progressive, and earth conscious way of living. Funtown provides their friends with an outlet for creativity and personal enjoyment.

http://www.funtownproductions.com