November 17, 2009 (Los Angeles, CA) – Rihanna unleashed the Black Cage dress by Funktional last night in London at the Nokia X6 launch party. On sale tomorrow exclusively at StyleQ.com, this dress proved to be the perfect red carpet look for the newly ‘Rated R’ songstress and fashion icon.
StyleQ.com is an innovative online retailer that offers the unique service of shopping with the stylists to your favorite celebrities and getting intel on their next look before their clients do.
Be the first to get Rihanna’s dress today at StyleQ.com for $85
Pierre Hardy has been quietly influencing shoe design for a couple of decades now. The quiet French designer has worked for Christian Dior, Hermes, and Balenciaga before going it on his own. He once told the Independent in London that when he designs shoes, he tries to envision what a girl walking into a shop would love to find there. So far, the approach has worked: his shoes are coveted by the wealthy and the typical high street shopper alike.
Unfortunately, the average high street shopper would have a hard time affording a gorgeous pair of shoes from one of Pierre Hardy’s boutiques. However, in a stroke of brilliance, Hardy has teamed up with that quintessentially American supplier of affordable clothing, The Gap, to bring the masses versions of his shoes that are more affordable.
Two of his designs include these boots that are so chic and gorgeous that you’ll wear them from now until next spring, and you’ll be sad when the weather finally gets too warm for boot wearing. Here’s an ankle boot in a dark sand color that goes with everything.
Don’t they just totally inspire confidence? Can’t you see yourself demanding (and getting) a raise while wearing these? They’re simply divine.
You can also get it in a mid-calf shearling version in a steely gray that will actually make you wish for weather cold enough to wear them in:
Found your winter boots, have you? Excellent choice!
Just in time for fall, the new TransFOURmer coat from the Rachel Rachel Roy collection is not only super chic, but smart and thrifty too! As seen in Real Simple magazine, the Transfourmer coat is one coat that can be unzipped and worn in 4 different ways.
Remove the bottom for a chic motorcycle jacket look or take off the sleeves and bottom for a twist on a vest. The inside is lined with Rachel’s signature graffiti print, for an unexpected pop of color.
Edge of Urge is a boutique that specializes in handmade creative designs in jewelry and clothing, many by designer Jessie Williams. Edge of Urge is now a boutique and Jessie Williams’ design label. The Edge of Urge store is located in historic downtown Wilmington, North Carolina on the Cape Fear River, but you can purchase their items online at edgeofurge.com
Here is a pair of asymmetrical feather earrings handmade by Jessie Williams. Multi-textured clusters of feathers fall along a sterling chain, with Austrian crystals and vintage charms for added sparkle. Attached to sterling silver French hooks, the longer of the two earrings is approximately 9.5 inches long. $100.00
Here is a pair of long, asymmetrical vegan feather earrings handmade by Jessie Williams. They are hand cut from mesh and vinyl feathers and braids on a sterling chain. Each pair is on sterling silver french hooks. Since all are handmade, they will all vary some. Available in white, black, red, navy blue, or bright orange. Longest earring is approximately 9.5 inches long. $88.00
Here is a pair of asymmetrical leather and feather earrings where hand cut leather feathers underlie vibrant real feathers. Attached to sterling silver French hooks, each pair is slightly different since they are handmade. They’re available in Purple & Pewter, Black & Blue, and Electric Youth (hot pink, electric peach, red) and cost $42.00
Daniella Siri believes that every woman has a right to stylish denim wardrobe pieces, and to make it easier, she created a denim line called Recession Denim. The styles included in the Recession Denim pieces are very similar to the styles seen on the runway in 2009, yet they cost much less than what high-end designer denim is going for these days.
Recession Denim was launched in April 2009, with a collection featuring high quality classic jean silhouettes that should be in style for a long time. The line starts at $85 and goes to $120. Couture jeans cost quite a bit more than that. Good material and great fit are the focus, and Recession Denim has only a small white label announcing the brand.
The idea is that you can buy classic denim that will last many seasons, and then splurge on new tops or other new pieces. There are over 50 Recession Denim boutiques, with most of them in the US. The latest collection features motorcycle jeans, denim leggings, and denim skirts and dresses.
Motorcycle jeans, pictured below can be found at Bloomingdales and other Recession Denim boutiques for under $100. Super skinny jeans like these can go with graphic tees, chunky sweaters, or even this fall’s “boyfriend blazer.”
A slightly dressier look can be had with tuxedo pants like those pictured below:
As you can see, they don’t sugarcoat your figure, so you have to be fairly brave to wear them. Again, however, longer tops can help balance out your narrow-fitted bottom half. And of course since they’re black, they go with everything.
DKNY has designed a tee with a cause, which is called the “Chari-Tee.” DKNY’s Chari-Tee, is an interactive program between DKNY and those who love and wear it!
DKNY’s Chari-Tee retails for $65 and benefits a menu of NYC organizations. Each hangtag lists five NYC charities to which you can donate. Once you’ve decided on the organization, log on to dkny.com, and select your choice. DKNY will then donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of your Chari-tee. It’s a fun, cool way to send instant love to NYC!
In addition to the Chari-tee, DKNY has produced eight different “eco-friendly printed” totes featuring artwork of eight NYC students, created for the CITYarts “portraits of peace” initiative There are 5 of each style – 40 unique bags in total. The totes were printed using an eco-friendly digital printing process. The resulting water-based design is printed without screens or films utilizing less ink with no excess ink waste.
The totes are only $25 each, with all proceeds going back to CITYarts. The totes will only be available at the DKNY store on Madison Avenue.
Rome, May 20, 2009 – Bulgari celebrates the 125th Anniversary of its founding with the first retrospective in the brand’s history. It is scheduled to open on May 20 at the prestigious Il Palazzo delle Esposizioni in Rome; it will be open to the public from May 22 to September 13, 2009.
The exhibition, titled Between History and Eternity: 1884-2009, will cover the evolution of Bulgari design, and the most significant chapters of Bulgari’s history – from the opening of the first shop on Via Sistina in 1884 to the present.
Over five hundred spectacular works of jewelry, watchmaking and objets d’art will be displayed. Although most belong to Bulgari’s Historical Archives, others have been lent by private collectors from all around the world, and many of the pieces have never before been displayed in public. The retrospective will also feature a collection of never-before seen sketches, drawings and photographs of artists, aristocrats and celebrities who have worn Bulgari over the years.
The exhibition will be organized in eight chronological galleries. The first will feature a collection of silver works from the late 19th century crafted by Sotirio Bulgari, the ingenious and enterprising Greek silversmith who founded the company. He moved to Rome in search of fortune, and in 1884 laid the foundation for what would become one of the world’s premiere jewelers. These artifacts are the only existing examples of Bulgari’s earliest production.
Next will be a section dedicated to a series of Art Decò-inspired diamond jewels from the 1920s and 1930s that demonstrate the great success the company had achieved under the leadership of (Sotirio’s sons), Giorgio and Costantino Bulgari.
The third gallery will feature creations from the 1940s and 1950s, a period when Bulgari was heavily influenced by French jewelry design.
Then there will be a section dedicated to the 1960s. This decade marked a momentous shift in Bulgari’s identity: they began creating jewels with distinctive and stylized designs, bold volume and unprecedented color combinations – all characteristics that have henceforth remained unmistakable Bulgari style.
The three subsequent galleries will host, respectively, the creations of the 1970s, strongly influenced by Pop Art; the 1980s, distinguished by bold and innovative design; and the 1990s.
The last section of the exhibition will be installed in the main gallery of the Palazzo, and will highlight some of the most magnificent creations of the new millennium, including a sumptuous diamond necklace valued at over 20 million euros. These pieces attest to the fact that Bulgari, now in its fourth generation, has achieved timeless continuity and success.
Several of the galleries will feature special sections devoted to particularly significant moments in the evolution of the Bulgari style. These include the gemme nummarie, or coin jewelry, the serpent motif, and the BVLGARI logo, all historical classics that Bulgari has masterfully reinterpreted over the years.
Another will be dedicated to the la dolce vita years, and will illustrate the close ties between Bulgari and the film industry that date back to the 1940s. It will include spectacular jewels worn by famous actresses of the time, including Anna Magnani and Gina Lollobrigida. An entire room will be reserved for Elizabeth Taylor’s personal Bulgari collection: sixteen extraordinary, one-of-a-kind pieces of enormous value, each with its own story. Especially noteworthy is the diamond and 18ct emerald brooch that Richard Burton gave Taylor as an engagement present in 1962.  It would become the only piece of jewelry that the actress wore for her first wedding with Burton on March 15, 1964.
The exhibition’s curator, Amanda Triossi, has been Director of the Bulgari Historical Archives since 1997. She is the author of two editions of BVLGARI (1995 and 2007), the book dedicated to the company’s history.  Triossi is also the author of the exhibition catalogue, which includes 320 richly illustrated pages of documentation and photographs, published by Skira.
There is no better time to buy a watch right now! And especially at Smartbargains.com! As you know this value for your buck site, is loaded with all kinds of discount designer apparel! Today I am featuring a few key jewelry pieces from their 75% off sale! This is a great time to get that designer watch and for less! From D&G, Betsy Johnson, and BCBG. Smartbargains.com has many delectable brands to choose from. And from $79.00-$199.00 on sale, you can’t beat these prices right now! So visit Smartbargains.com and start shopping for your favorite designer brand!
This D&G watch is no exception when it comes to class and style. Lovely looking with it’s regtangular dial and leather band. You can’t go wrong with this timeless piece.
This goldtone bracelet watch features a ferocious and fashionable leopard print dial and rows of orange crystals for a look that’s distinctively stylish and stunningly original. Just like you.
Stand out with bright white style when you’re wearing this exquisitely designed women’s watch from BCBGMAXAZRIA, featuring shimmery crystal accents around the bezel and a croc-embossed white leather bracelet.
What a great way to end fashion week than with designer Michael Kors. I really loved his fall collection. And I really felt that it offered everything a women will need in her fall wardrobe. From great dresses in an assortment of refined and classic cuts. You can wear any of these fine ensembles for work, travel, vacation or evening event. I loved the belts which accented the dress, as well as the fantastic neutral colors. (Gray’s, black’s, white’s, khaki and pink). Which really are so down to earth and so very easy to wear for the everyday women. But that is what Kors is famous for, keeping it simple, but adding the touch of class which isn’t overbearing to wear. The collection was uplifting – from cool casual to puffy cashmere coats. Including some very hot and bright colors in oranges and lime greens. A very well executed fashion show with every look included. Michael knows how to dress a modern women, while keeping it down to earth, but fun as well. What a great way to end New York fashion week for fall 2009! Michael we applaud you with standing ovation my dear!
The Mulleavy sisters are more often than not a highlight of the week. This season, they did not disappoint their loyal following of editors and front row celebs including Kirsten Dunst and Elijah Wood (both “friends”). But I am really enjoying this very ‘futuristic’ slash ‘Blade Runner’ edge that we are seeing at this collection. I am not too sure what is inspiring designers these days. But we are for sure finally seeing us going technotronic in our clothing. With high heel leather boots that straddle up the thigh, to amazing graphic designs on the very sleek dresses. I don’t know about you, but we are for sure entering into what the ‘Mayans’ called the fifth sun cycle of 2012? Or finally our entry into space travel? Well my Aquarius mind is going array with me! I always knew I was way ahead of my time. But it looks like I am not the only one. But back to the fashion – the collection featured strong leather jackets and incredible knitwear – this season more maximal than the last. And back to those ‘thigh high boots’ – their collaboration with shoe designer Nicholas Kirkwood brought their hip-high strappy boots to complement our ’star treking’ days ahead. Which I dare to say – will be quite wearable as 2009 spins into fall fashion.
Couture in the City does not claim credit for any images featured on this site, unless otherwise noted. All visual content, video's and images, are copyright to it's respectful owners. If you own rights to any of the featured images and do not wish it to appear here, please contact me for removal.
