Spring & Clifton for Reformation

Last summer, in Montauk, Reformation designer Yael Aflalo was hanging out with Spring & Clifton designer Michelle Zacks and the two discovered a mutual love of something unlikely: Bajas.
Both hail from California, where they’d grown up watching surfers hop out of the water and throw Bajas over their board shorts.  The colorful toppers, which hail from south of the border, may be fun to look at but they’re far from flattering.  Enter Reformation.  The Lower East Side brand’s already mastered the art of re-working fabric, so why not this one?  Together, Aflalo and Zacks paired Baja fabric with buttery leather for a capsule collection of hot pants, mini skirts and leather paneled jackets starting at a very reasonable $105.
“We took Michele’s idea of doing bajas and fit them with zippers so they’re not boxy and weird; they’re really comfortable [and] all different because they are all repurposed,” said Reformation’s Maria Matis.  You can snag the pieces at Reformation’s (newly expanded) boutique at 156 Ludlow Street, or online!

Lea Michele Follows in Britney Spears’ Footsteps

Lea Michele’s the new face of Candie’s.  Like the pop culture luminaries before her—Jenny McCarthy, Britney Spears, Vanessa Hudgens, Hayden Panettiere—she poses provocatively, in pink.  Though we want to know what the tattoo on her foot says, we’re so much more interested in the green juice in her hand.  Given the candy and pink lemonade in the background it almost looks as though they forgot to Photoshop the kale and spinach out and sub the neon pink liquid in.  In this behind the scenes video Michele says she’s thrilled to work with the brand, “It’s really exciting; Candie’s is such an iconic brand.”  As for her favorite predecessor?  “Britney Spears, definitely!”

Winter Products to Save Your Face (& Hair!)

Come winter—and we do mean winter, when weather.com issues bare skin warnings and tears stream down your cheeks from the cold—we tend to reach for different products in our medicine cabinets.  When your skin’s screaming for moisture and your hair’s whipping around in the wind all day, it needs a little bit of extra love.  Below, three editors share their cold weather secrets.

On Second Thought, Don’t Put A Ring On It

According to a new study in the February issue of the Journal of Marriage and Family, marriage offers little benefit over couples who just live together in terms of health, self-esteem, and psychological well-being. The study researcher, Kelly Musick says “It’s the relationship itself, rather than its official status, that’s key to its benefits.”
The findings seem to suggest that living together may even be better than putting a ring on it, since cohabitating participants were found to be happier and possess greater self-esteem than their married counterparts.
Researchers followed 2,737 single ladies and gents over six years to see what happened when they began a romantic relationship or got hitched. Participants rated their overall health and happiness and were also asked questions to assess their self-esteem, depression and the strength of their ties to friends and family. Over the study period, close to 900 participants married or began living with a romantic partner.
The results? Those who got married or started living with a partner experienced higher levels of happiness and lower levels of depression than those who remained single—but only at the start. Those advantages faded with time.
Of course, the study doesn’t say that marriage will make one unhappy by any means, but it’s saying what most of us already know: that though the idea and purpose of marriage is changing, it’s not a game changer.

Céline Cancels Runway Show

Only Céline, the brand that has, in just two years, had a ripple effect on style across the globe, could get away with canceling its Paris runway show at such a young age and still be the most exciting collection in Europe.
LVMH announced today that staging a show next month is out of the question; designer Phoebe Philo is pregnant with her third child.  The compnay’s CEO told WWD, “A runway show is a very demanding and personal engagement for a creative director. The objective is to simplify.”
Instead, they’ll stage a presentation somewhere in Paris during their time slot (March 4, 1PM).  We’re guessing this means a bash in honor of Céline’s new Madison Avenue store, opening within a month, is absolutely out of the question.

One Night’s Worth of Highlights

Those sherbet-colored streaks that made their debut on Proenza Schouler’s surf-inspired runway years ago aren’t quite going anywhere. They resurfaced during spring’s collections—see Peter Som, Thakoon, Mulberry—and even trickled down to the Lauren Conrads and Avril Lavignes of the world.
Before you get carried away with a jar of Manic Panic’s Hot Hot Pink, may we suggest Alterna’s new hair mascara?  In the early-to-mid ’90s, the beauty marketplace overflowed with temporary hair color mascaras—gargantuan versions of the cosmetic staple intended to impart blonde or red streaks that would last through a glowstick-lit rave, though not much longer. The color payoff was moderate at best and the mascara consistency yielded that same sticky, gloopy Tammy Faye Baker lash lengthening effect on your mane.
Twenty plus years later (and many only slightly more impressive temporary hair color solutions later), California-based hair care brand Alterna has finally nailed not-so-permanent pigment. The formerly hemp-based brand introduced 1 Night Highlights, a temporary color mousse in Shimmering Blonde, Sweet Caramel and Ravishing Red. An iron-shaped plastic brush applicator dispenses mineral-based color on the surface of your hair.  After it dries completely you give your hair a once-over with your brush and voila!  Quick, easy-to-use color that won’t rub off on clothing or cost hundreds of dollars to touch up. Best of all? It washes right out under warm running water.
Alterna 1 Night Highlights are available at Sephora.com, Beauty.com and Ulta.com for $29 each.

Report from Milan: For Boys & Girls

Consider it common knowledge among the fashion community that when it comes to predicting trends in womenswear, the menswear collections in Milan and Paris can act as a sort of editor’s crystal ball.
Designers model their men’s wares nearly nearly a full month before women’s ready-to-wear hits the New York runways in the second week of February.  Of course, one can never predict with 100% certainty that a trend will transcend the genders, but, having just returned from a fast and furious Autumn Winter 2012 season in Milan—where we saw some very directional and very strong decisions by the most influential designers—I think we can make a decent case.

A Winning Team: Adidas & Opening Ceremony

In the UK, Stella McCartney’s been working with Adidas for years to create the perfect uniforms for Great Britain’s Olympic teams.  Stateside, we’ve finally entered the Olympic fashion game: Adidas is partnering with Opening Ceremony.
Technically, everyone’s favorite boutique has been charged with revamping the collection of Adidas originals.  Between the men’s and women’s collection they’re expected to offer about 100 different products across their stores (New York, LA and Tokyo) as well as within the larger stores that carry OC starting this fall.
Considering the Olympic origins of the name Opening Ceremony, as well as the store’s rotating international focus, it’s a match made in heaven—even if Adidas didn’t realize the connection until signing on the dotted line.
Adidas’ Creative Director told WWD, “Adidas Originals has a long history of working with some of the best artists, brands and designers in their field. What attracted us to Opening Ceremony in the first place was their way of supporting upcoming talent as well as their design philosophy for their in-house collection…Once we delved deeper, we discovered Opening Ceremony’s close ties to the idea of the Olympics, and with London coming up this year, it was just the perfect fit.”

Jumpsuits Get (Super) Casual

Trend reports talk about jumpsuits every season, and always with the same reaction, “Really! They’re so in!”  But on the runways they come in slinky black jersey, crisp cotton or decorated silk, meant to be a quirkier take on an evening gown or the playful alternative to a cocktail dress.  This season, however, we’re noticing an uptick in the casual jumpsuit.  They’re basically onesies with labels that say McQueen or Michael Kors instead of Osh Kosh B’Gosh.  About ten just hit net-a-porter (in one day!) so we finally have to ask, are you wearing these?  If so, where?  When?
Michael Kors’ jersey number, at far left, looks ridiculously comfortable—and ridiculously inappropriate for anyplace other than one’s couch.  The Philosophy version in the middle is begging for a part in South Pacific and the quilted denim look by McQ, at right, looks kind of uncomfortable.  To be sure, we just asked a co-worker what he’d do if we popped into the office wearing the monogrammed onesie we got for Christmas.  His answer?  He walked away.

All’s Right in Fashion Week Land

Who knew New York would prove to the be the least stubborn fashion capital?  The almost year-long debate over which spring 2013 fashion week would be when has finally ended thanks to New York’s decision (and London’s agreement) to move their shows up by a week.
The catfight started when New York and London claimed a calendar decision made three years ago in a meeting of the four fashion councils was in fact a three year agreement.  Milan claimed otherwise and refused to push their show dates later in September.  As a result, Milan and London would have overlapped by three days—one publishing company went so far as to reprimand Milan by swearing none of their editors would attend the city’s major shows.

Kate Bosworth’s Launching A Denim Collection

In this weekend’s New York Times story about Hollywood’s “power stylists” there’s a little nugget of interesting news: Kate Bosworth is working on a denim collection with her stylist, Cher Coulter.
It’s the second design venture for Bosworth and Coulter. The two kicked off the Mint craze with JewelMint, their monthly jewelry club that sells layerable, feminine costume jewelry at crazy reasonable prices and spawned the Olsens’ BeachMint and Rachel Bilson’s ShoeMint.  Last week, JewelMint premiered the first in a series of videos showcasing its collection, shot by Bosworth’s boyfriend, Michael Polish.
Since the denim collection is in the works, there’s no word on whether it will launch as a Mint venture, or a totally separate entity, but anything Bosworth touches—fashion wise—seems to turn to gold.

Giles Deacon On His New iPad Prints

Giles Deacon‘s brought his pre-fall collection to New York for the first time.  Though the collections’ full of ladylike dresses and rich peplum coats, he walked straight to his bright silk pajama-like pieces what I asked him to pick a favorite.  “I did all of them on my iPad,” he said of the prints.  “There’s an application called drawing pad and I just do it with my finger.  It sounds really retarded, but it’s super, super good fun.  They were iPad size and then I emailed them to Jenna who works with me on all my prints and she put them in a very nice 50s-esque repeat for me.  They work super well and we blew them up on t-shirts and did some really sweet little jewelry pieces.  They retail for like $120!  They’re good little go-with-everythings,” he said, holding one up to his neck.  “Well, not so good on me, but on the right girl!”

Mia Wasikowska’s the New Face of Miu Miu

It looks like Miu Miu‘s gone back to its roots.  After a season of surprisingly natural ads starring a young Hailee Steinfeld, the brand’s spring campaign follows their otherwise signature glossy style.  While Steinfeld was shot outside, by Bruce Weber, their new face, Mia Wasikowska, sits inside a studio.  It’s Wasikowska’s first campaign—what a way to start!—and it looks like Miuccia hired Mert and Marcus, her usual Miu Miu photogs, to do the honors.   The images that leaked on The Fashion Spot are quite stiff, but the brand’s spring collection almost demands a formal portrait.  Click through for another shot.

The Coolest Nails You Will Ever Have

Stick-on nails may be nothing new, but these aren’t your average Lee Press-Ons. Nail Rock Nail Wraps launched last year in the UK and now founder Zoe Pocock—who counts Adele, Daisy Lowe, and Lara Stone as fans—has brought her winning designs to the U.S. (they’re currently available at nordstrom.com). Most exciting, however, is Pocock’s spring/summer Nail Rock lineup. In Nordstrom and CVS stores next month, the collection is arguably her most creative.

Taylor Tomasi’s Lane Crawford Inspiration?

The Internet goes crazy when Taylor Tomasi Hill breathes—and for good reason. Moda Operandi’s Artistic Director has cultivated a loyal following of fashion fans thanks to her vibrant style, laidback layering and brilliant red hair. So her first attempt at design, a seven-piece capsule collection for Lane Crawford is being met with a frenzied response—even though it can’t be purchased stateside.
A sneak peek leaked yesterday, but the Hong Kong retailer released the full campaign today, featured Tomasi Hill modeling neon, lace and her signature bold prints.  If we thought there’d be anything left by the time we arrived, we’d book a flight to Hong Kong.  There is, however, one dress that you could probably get your hands on here (and by here, we mean eBay).  The navy blue strapless number above left, with black piping and an asymmetrical ruffle, is nearly (actually?) identical to one Marc Jacobs sent down his Marc by Marc runway in 2008, above right.

Baby Collections Are So Hot Right Now

Two very different designers have announced plans to launch pint-size collections this year.
Roksanda Illincic, who’s currently in New York showing her Lego-inspired pre-fall collection, surprised editors and buyers with a ten-piece collection of dresses and shirts.  She was inspired to create the children’s versions of her ready-to-wear pieces by her nearly two-year-old daughter and they’ll hit stores early summer, ranging in price from $300 to $500.
Meanwhile, Isaac Mizrahi, who’s tried nearly every design venture under the sun, is introducing a line of baby clothes.  It’ll be produced and distributed by bon bébé and include apparel and accessories.  WWD says that the 25-piece debut collection “includes a black and white group that is meant to be a funny take on sophisticated adult clothing.”
So, which will Blue Ivy wear first?

Which of Blue Ivy’s Fancy Cribs Is Fanciest?

This morning, WWD reported that online shelter magazines are doing quite well—maybe baby Blue Ivy Carter can give them an even bigger boost?  In the past two days (of the three she’s been alive) it’s come to light that the world’s most famous baby has at least two cribs in which to rest her head at night.
The lucite one, at left, looks like it’d fit in well inside Jay-Z and Beyonce’s Tribeca loft (granted, we have no idea what that actually looks like inside).  Though US reports its $3500 price tag, the website selling the crib says it costs $1000.  The limited edition design is from Nursery Works and comes with an ID number etched into the bottom.  Blue probably has a few years to grow into the Cinderella carriage at right; the “Fantasy Coach” is handcrafted in England and sold via PoshTots.  It costs $47,000—not including shipping.
When she’s not sleeping, Blue will be riding her solid gold rocking horse.  Papa Jay picked it up from Japan for a cool $600,000 making her $15,000 Swarovski crystal-covered high chair look like a piece of cheap plastic from Toys’R'Us.

Cavalli Spring: Three Supers & A Baby

If there were a prize for stuffing the most supermodel star power into one ad, Roberto Cavalli would win for spring.  The Italian designer just released his campaign images, shot by Steven Meisel at New York’s Pier 59 Studios. They feature three three supermodels—Karen Elson, Kristen McNemany and Naomi Campbell—and one newbie (in comparison at least), 17-year-old Daphne Groeneveld.  The behind-the-scenes video after the jump is full of wind machines, sequins and yes, plenty of animal print.

Is Tom Ford the New Karl Lagerfeld?

We don’t expect to see Tom Ford collaborating on ice cream cones anytime soon, but the designer has taken the first step toward Karl Lagerfeld-ization—shooting his own campaigns.  The designer dropped his spring ads today.  You’ll remember that this collection was his first to receive less than 100% rave reviews (and we mean first, like, ever), but it looks great on Mirte Maas in the two campaign images.  Ford shot the pictures in Palm Springs (but does that matter?) and they’ll hit magazines starting this March.  As for the boy biting Mirte’s ankle?  That’s Mathias Bergh.

Tod’s, Jil Sander Release Spring Ads

Tis the season for spring campaigns! Though brands like Prada and Balenciaga released their ads before the holidays, there’s been an onslaught of glossy new images this week from bigwigs like Chanel and Proenza Schouler. Today, both Tod’s and Jil Sander dropped their new ads.  Anne Hathaway’s the face of the former for the second season in a row. The newly engaged actress wrapped herself into a sort of pretzel to show off two bags at once—and a pair of red snakeskin ballet flats. Mert and Marcus shot Hathaway under the creative direction of Fabien Baron.
Meanwhile, the Jil Sander ads are very Hitchcockian.

Willy Vanderperre shot Daria Strokous and Natasha Poly in Raf Simons’ couture inspired spring collection. If Sienna Miller‘s baby bump doesn’t get in the way of her playing Tippi Hedren next year, the film’s costume designer should pay her local Jil Sander store a visit.

Simon Doonan on Gay Food & Tilda Swinton

Simon Doonan’s spent this week celebrating the release of his fifth book, Gay Men Don’t Get Fat. It’s a riff on the famous self help book, Why French Women Don’t Get Fat, and sets out to prove the superiority of gays over gamines—in a terribly funny, not at all PC way of course.
Yesterday, he hosted a breakfast at Barneys to talk about how the book came to fruition—he wrote it in just six months—and what he plans to do next.  The best bits below (and you can get the book on Amazon now).
On Gay Vs. Straight Food
I can’t believe people ever thought there were four food groups when it’s so obvious that there are two! There’s gay food and straight food. The gayest food, I think it’s got to be macarons.  Right?  A little box of macarons in all pastels. I think if you lived on macarons you would just explode in a sort of nuclear cloud of gayness.
On Red Carpet Dressing
People always go back to Bjork and the swan dress simply because nobody’s worn anything that interesting in the intervening years—and that was how many years ago?  We haven’t had anything fun like that in ages.
On Lessons He’d Like to Teach the Fashion Industry
I’m always very uncomfortable if I feel people are very self critical.  There’s plenty of those people in the fashion industry who are very self critical, very masochistic in the way they approach their style, their bodies and I think, maybe, that will be what they learn, just to be reckless and have fun and not be self conscious.
On Stereotypes
I hope it’s playing to stereotypes! I love stereotypes and sweeping generalizations and anything that’s un-PC.  In a way you sort of diffuse them if you throw them around.
On His Favorite Celebs
Tilda Swinton, I always looking forward to seeing her.  And that chick from the Dragon Tattoo; she’s pretty great. [Though] it would be terrible if she showed up looking groomed and appropriate.

Drew Barrymore Glows in Engagement Photo

Though rumors of Drew Barrymore’s engagement to Will Kopelman have been swirling all week, the actress finally confirmed them this morning via the glowing picture above.  Kopelman, an art consultant, popped the question in Sun Valley, Idaho over the holidays (where the two were vacationing) with a 4 carat diamond ring from Graff.  So now the real question—what will she wear for her third walk down the aisle?  If she needs help, Kopelman’s dad was the head of Chanel…

Nailed It: Lomasi Unveils DIY Gel Nail Kit

Here’s an analogy that wasn’t on the SATs: Gel manicures are to nail care junkies as Keratin hair treatments are to chronic blowdryers. The instantly dry, chip-resistant polish process has shaved off countless grooming hours for busy bees. The downside? A steep price tag.
Enter the brand new Lomasi Mani/Pedi Gel System.  Ricky’s has the exclusive on the kit, which retails for $84.99.  That may sound steep, but it guarantees 20 manicures, which comes to less than $4.50 per manicure (they usually run around $50).
The system is not uncomplicated, but there’s a DVD and manual included along with tools like the Curing Light, Rose Cuticle Oil and a nude color called Sincerity (24 colors are available from teal Spritely to bubblegum pink Snort). You’re basically polishing your nails per usual, but a bit more meticulously since it will be on for weeks.  And when you’re over it, there’s no need to head back to the salon for removal.

Dior Signs Mila Kunis

Few people go from starring in Glitter Barbie commercials to representing the house of Dior, but Mila Kunis isn’t like a lot of the actresses in her ‘genre.’   She’s probably best known for her comedic, one-of-the-boys vibe, but proved, via last year’s Black Swan, that she’s just as comfortable in the dramatic realm.
Kunis channels some of the drama (without the crazy) in her new Lady Dior ads.  Her Swan co-star, Natalie Portman, fronted the Dior Cherie campaign before taking a break from the public sphere to have her first baby (and issuing harsh words against John Galliano), but Kunis wears a new version of the bag made famous by actresses like Marion Cotillard and Grace Kelly.
The campaign was shot by Mikael Jannson and will break in international magazines starting next month.  Delphine Arnault told WWD that the brand is, “looking forward to a long relationship with her.”  Kunis sounds OK with that, “I can’t say it was the hardest thing to do.”

APRIL77 X CALLA JEANS HIT ALL THE RIGHT NOTES

Denim may be a wardrobe mainstay, but rarely does a perfect pair of jeans lead to a designer collaboration. Consider the joint project by April77 and Calla Haynes the exception. “I bought a pair of April77 high-waisted jeans about five years ago, and they are still my favorite jeans,” says Haynes, a Paris-based designer with her own label, Calla. “I strive to create a ‘complete wardrobe’ for my client and jeans are definitely an essential part. As April77 was already my favorite brand I decided to contact them and see if they’d be interested in a collaboration.”

First Look: Jason Wu for Target

H&M dominated the mass collaboration category in 2011 with its Versace extravaganza and news of an upcoming partnership with Marni and Sofia Coppola, but Target’s kicking things off in 2012. Yesterday they released a first look at their collaboration with Jason Wu as well as the line’s ad campaign. It features a pink and yellow dress with black trim, as well as Milu, the cat who played muse to Wu’s Target collection. The clothes and bags hit Target next month, but next week the mega-store will reveal what they’re calling “the next chapter in Target’s design partnership model.”  Though details are scarce, WWD reports that it will definitely vary from the Go International concept they started with, even extending into food categories.  Mario Batali for Target anyone?