How to Rock the Right Fit
Jeans are the ultimate wardrobe staple so it’s so important to find the fit that’s right for you. For me, I’ll always be a die-hard skinny jeans girl. I tend to go for a low-rise pair with a little bit of stretch that are super tapered at the ankle. You can make this look work no matter what your body type. Here’s How:
Tall: You lucky ladies with mile-long legs can rock knee-high boots or cuff your jeans while still keeping your proportions. For summer, try cuffed jeans with an edgy gladiator sandal.
Petite/Short: Being a petite girl myself, I love to pair my jeans with a sky high pump. All you need is a sexy blouse and a cool clutch and you’re ready for a night out on the town.
Curvy: My best piece of advice for curvy ladies is look for pieces that accentuate your curves. A top with a cinched waist creates a beautiful silhouette to show off your figure.
Thin: To add a bit of feminine flair to a boyish figure, try embellishments! Shine, sequins, you can do it all.
“Kohl’s provided compensation to me as an incentive to blog about the Rock & Republic launch event. The opinions expressed herein are those of this author, and they have not been reviewed or approved by Kohl’s in advance.”
The Skinny on Denim: 8 Pairs for Now and Later
Jeans are an absolute mainstay in everyone’s closet and they’re now constructed in virtually every way imaginable! From colored to striped and leopard to solid, we scoured the expansive denim market to bring you some of the best fits, looks and trends this season has to offer.
1. J Brand 899 Niko in Bright Royal, $255
No denim collection would be complete without a little J Brand love! Started in 2004 with a vision to create a jean with so perfect a fit it followed the contours of one’s body the brand became an overnight success after begin sold exclusively in LA at Ron Herman’s Melrose Jean Bar. The 899 Niko in bright royal is their new mid-rise skinny and we just love the racing stripe detail—perfect if you want to get in on the colorblock trend!
2. rag & bone Khaki Tuxedo Skinny, $198
One of our favorite pant looks is the tuxedo stripe (it gives the illusion of a thinner leg!). These jeans not only look amazing on but are extremely comfortable and made of cotton, tencel and spandex stretch twill. Über stylish rag & bone was founded in 2002 by Marcus Wainwright and David Neville, both of whom had no formal fashion training— sure fooled us! We are huge fans of the brand and these jeans will certainly make a great addition to your wardrobe!
3. Joe’s Jeans The Skinny in Fiery Red, $158
Joe’s Jeans “The Skinny” comes in 55 fabulous colors— so you can count on them having your favorite shade! Sitting just above the hips, The Skinny has a 12″ leg opening and boasts a 2% elastin concentration for comfort. The Fiery Red is bold and bright and a perfect color for all skin tones. Rock them during the day with your favorite striped flats and spring sweater or at night with a slinky top and pumps! Joe’s Jeans are celeb favorite, spotted on A-listers like Natalie Portman, Halle Berry and Angelina Jolie.
Get The Look: ‘Mad Men’ Retro Style
One of our favorite shows on television, ‘Mad Men’ returned after an 18 month hiatus this Sunday and while everyone else can’t stop talking about Don’s new wife Megan, we’re still obsessing over the amazing retro style! From a figure-flattering dress that Joan would love to the products to get Betty’s 60’s look, here are our 10 ‘Mad Men’-inspired picks to rock for your next viewing party or anytime you want to capture the retro trend!
Image courtesy of AMC.com
How to Rock Your Personal Style: It’s In the Jeans!
I consider myself a little bit stylephrenic— I have multiple fashion personalities! One day I can go for a boho look, the next day it’s rocker chic and that night I might dress all-out glam…which is why I had such a blast checking out the new Rock & Republic line for Kohl’s! The collection has tons of different pieces for whatever fashion you’re craving.
I had the privilege of spending the day at a super fun photoshoot with some chic style bloggers where we got to try on looks that suited our personal style. Check out my video where I talk about my fave ensemble from the day!
While the first thing that comes to mind when you think Rock & Republic is jeans, this mint green dress was one of my faves from the runway, so I was so excited that Glam.com‘s Fashion Director Nola styled me in it. It’s a trendy spring shade and in the midi length that was all over the runways. My favorite part about it though is how easy it is to transition from day to night: wear it with a blazer to the office and glam it up with some sparkly accessories for cocktails.
But of course I love the look of a great-fitting pair of jeans paired with a laid-back and loose top and sexy heels (the pink pair is by Lauren Conrad), too! This look is great for a night out with girlfriends or for a weekend brunch. Comfy and chic!
How would you describe your personal style?
“Kohl’s provided compensation to me as an incentive to blog about the Rock & Republic launch event. The opinions expressed herein are those of this author, and they have not been reviewed or approved by Kohl’s in advance.”
Peter Davis on Style, New York and his new SCENE
Peter Davis, one of my favorite New York City blue bloods is certainly one to watch! I was so excited to hear about the launch of SCENE, his own society glossy backed by Jared Kushner of The New York Observer. The former Editor in Chief of Avenue Magazine and born and bred Manhattanite (he is related to the Mortimer family and his great grandfather founded The Davis Cup) gives us an inside look at NYC’s old and new elite–SCENE is unique because it is not just a magazine about them, but by them. In the first issue, biting features like Where in the World is John Galliano and The Socialite/The Shopping Site/The Scandal! are sure to ruffle a few feathers. I caught up with the stylish literati where he shares some of his insider secrets and the scoop on SCENE.
Melissa Meyers: Congratulations on the launch of SCENE. What can we expect from the publication?
Peter Davis: SCENE is all about insiders taking you inside every corner of New York. Next month, Carson Griffith’s monthly column “Haute Spot” for example gives you all the secret scoop on Super Linda, the boite of the moment – from where to sit and who to know and when to go. We also have three investigative features every month that are long and in depth – very Vanity Fair and though some are set in New York, they appeal to people all over the globe. They can be a tad scandalous and the hardest part of my job is that I by nature truly strive to be nice to everyone and I’ve had to make some hard decisions. I know that some of the articles I publish will rile people up, some of them friends, but I am an Editor in Chief and when I question how far I should push the envelope, I think of my hero Graydon Carter and say to myself, ‘Graydon would publish this story because it’s a great article and wouldn’t worry about pissing off the subjects.’ These are news stories – we are not a tabloid who goes through people’s trash, but when rich people behave badly, they need to be called out, especially when they break the law. And in addition to great features, there are plenty of party pictures, fashion, amazing things to crave and a great Pop Art influenced palate. The sharp eyes of our Creative Director Cricket Burns and Art Director Dean Quigley always blow me away. All of the covers will be supermodels (the next issue is my friend Hilary Rhoda). Celebrity covers and the puff pieces about them bore me. We will cover celebrities that fascinate us, people like the mysterious and talented Justin Theroux, but not just giving them pages as a platform to promote a movie and talk about how great they are.
Where in the World is John Galliano
MM: How did you come up with the idea of SCENE and then make it happen?
PD: Avenue was a great EIC training experience, but I grew frustrated with the creative handcuffs I was forced to wear. The magazine aimed to be best friends with everyone and that is fine and dandy, but doesn’t exactly make for compelling reading 12 months a year. I did skew younger with the magazine, putting Hannah Bronfman on one cover (dubbing her “Girl of the Year”) and Alexandra Richards on another cover with all the other hot DJ girls like Chelsea Leyland on the inside. But Avenue’s longtime publisher Julie Dannenberg and Cricket and I knew there was room for something bigger and better than Avenue. And also so-called “society” isn’t just limited to the Upper East Side, which is the only neighborhood Avenue is delivered. People who are social and interesting and innovators are all over the city from Harlem to Tribeca to the West Village and SCENE is distributed to every corner of the city as well as news stands. And it isn’t a magazine only for rich, but for everyone who loves New York, great writing (sharing offices and being able to use the amazing writers from The New York Observer is a huge plus) and beautiful, stylish visuals.
7 Sites That Need to be on Your Web Radar
We are living in a world of information overload these days so how do you know which websites and newsletters are worth your time? After scouring the e-world, I put together a list of my favorite online destinations that are perfect for fashion and lifestyle junkies.
1. Edition01:
Edition01 is the first online luxury experience designed to spotlight and sell limited edition fashion pieces from leading designers in one of a kind capsule collections. Collaborating with Vera Wang, Zac Posen, Narciso Rodriguez and Thakoon (to name a few), founders Estefania Lacayo and Jessica Wilpon Kamel offer you a unique shopping and lifestyle experience which has already been touted by Vogue, WWD and Marie Claire to name a few. Their minimalistic and inviting web site is blog style making it very easy to shop their collections which are grouped by designers and lifestyle categories (“Travel Boutique”). You can also have a personalized shopping experience by using their “My Edition” feature to track what you want, need and bought and get recommendations for building your perfect wardrobe. I love that Edition01 goes beyond just shopping and gives you behind the scenes fashion intel in their Journal, stocked with insider interviews, celebrity essentials and designer inspirations.
DIY: Oscar-Worthy Top Knots
Jennifer Lopez looked radiant at the Oscars donning one of the most highly sought after styles, the top knot. Utterly timeless and beyond chic, the style is great for special occasions and every day wear. Joshua Gambrell, stylist at Lotus Salon of Eufora International shared with us some of his insider tips on how to get the look without ever having to leave home.
A top knot should look effortless so make sure your hair is long enough to pull into a ponytail at your crown. Use a brush to pull hair into the ponytail for a smooth look. Secure the ponytail with a small clear plastic band. For a smooth top knot, wrap the hair around the band and secure with hair pins (not bobby pins). Complete the look with a finishing spray and a shine enhancer to add some glam to the look, I love Eufora’s Illuminate Shine Mist.
For an effortless, more messy top knot, use your hands and fingers as hair is pulled back into a ponytail at the crown. Secure the ponytail with a small clear plastic band, but for this softer look, don’t pull the hair all the way through the band. The hair that has been pulled through, pin loosely with hair pins. Complete the look with a flexible finishing spray to avoid a crunchy feeling and hold the messy look, such as Eufora’s Elevate Finishing Spray.
 Joshua Gambrell grew up with a talent for drawing and painting, but he was never really sure how he could transform his passion into a viable career. When a close friend suggested a career in hairdressing he knew there was nothing else he wanted to do. Now, nearly a decade later, Joshua is a respected stylist at the prominent Lotus Salon in New York City, the flagship salon for Eufora International. After receiving what he describes as “hardcore, old-school training” at cosmetology school, he became an assistant at one of the top salons in Lexington, Kentucky, upon graduation. Here he was trained in every aspect of hairdressing through the world renowned educators who often visited the salon.After leaving Lexington, Joshua started a new management position at another salon where his responsibilities as the educational and creative director included educating clients about various products and sculpting techniques. From there, he started working on runway shows during fashion week for designers such as Jillian Lewis, Nary Manivong, Lindsey Jones (Outlaws of the Border), Kati Stern (Venexiana), Adetacher, Caroline Siekaly, and, most recently, NAHM (Ally Hilfiger and Nary Manivong). He cemented the move to New York City when he began working for a salon developing an instructional program teaching haircutting to hairdressers from all over the country.
Joshua thinks the best reward from hairdressing is changing the way people see themselves. “As a hairdresser, you have the power to influence someone’s image. In the future, near or far, I always see myself making someone, somewhere feel beautiful,” he says. |
20 Best & Worst Oscar Looks
It may be the night of film but the real winners (and losers) are chosen on the red carpet. Here’s a list of the best and worst looks of the night.
Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Best: Jessica Chastain
The Best Supporting Actress nominee strove away from her simple red carpet looks and donned a black and gold Alexander McQueen gown. We love the contrast between the tight bustier and flowing skirt. She completed her look with loose curls and Harry Winston yellow diamond jewels worth $2 million!
Photo: Steve Granitz/Getty Images
Best: Emma Stone
Emma proved just how smart she is. She chose a gown that closely resembled Nicole Kidman’s Balenciaga from the 2008 Oscars. It was a hit then and it is a hit now. She paired the scarlet Giambattista Valli dress with Louis Vuitton rubies.
Catching up with Wonder Woman Avis Richards
Avis Richards’ dedication to philanthropy is paramount. The Founder of Birds Nest Foundation, a non-profit organization that produces documentaries, short videos and PSA’s for a multitude of well deserving and under-represented charities, Avis Richards brings passion, zeal and energy to every project she takes on–raising much needed attention to lesser known charities and promoting awareness for their meaningful causes. This New York based mother of two has teamed up with New Yorkers and A-list celebrities to produce films for the charities of Goldie Hawn, Michael Bolton, Andre Agassi, John Legend and many others. I met Avis last summer and was so impressed by all of her talents and love of giving. The award-winning producer shares some of her interesting history, opinions and lifestyle secrets.
MM: What inspired you to start the Birds Nest Foundation?
AR: Seven years ago, I noticed a lack of quality media content for non-profits. Many of these non-profits spent large sums of money on production companies to get their word out. That’s money that could be going to a good cause, so I stepped in. It’s really all about giving back through media and giving non-profits a voice.
MM: I love the foundation’s appellation. Is there a special meaning behind it?
AR: Well, “Avis” means “bird” in Latin, so that was part of the name. But also, Birds Nest is always “hatching” new creative ideas, both beautiful and impactful once they leave the nest.
MM: As a crusader for Healthy Movement, a primary focus is improving and educating Americans about proper nutritional habits, especially for our youth; why is childhood nutrition so important to you?
AR: 12.5 million children are obese. Diabetes has increased nine-fold in the past 25 years. As a parent with two wonderful children, nutrition is especially important. I’ve gone to schools; I’ve seen what children eat. We need nutrition education for kids and adults, as this problem is a national concern.
Rachel Roy: What Every Woman Needs in Her Wardrobe PLUS Travel, Style and Beauty Must-haves
Rachel Roy is a dynamic fashion designer whose pieces have been seen on every leading lady from Michelle Obama, Diane Sawyer, Jennifer Garner, Penelope Cruz and Kate Hudson. I met Rachel at a recent event and was blown away by her support of entrepreneurial women and charity. The gorgeous native Californian, whose personal beauty shines through every one of her designs has worked in the fashion industry since her teenage years as a sales girl– which she calls her early market research! Before designing her own line, she styled magazine shoots, music videos and was creative director for Rocawear. Since the launch of her Rachel Roy line in Spring 2005, Rachel has had a whirlwind of success including being inducted into the CFDA, appearing on Oprah, and launching RACHEL Rachel Roy, a diffusion line sold exclusively at Macy’s. Rachel shared with me what she has been up to lately and offered some of her best tips and products picks!
MM: You have a very interesting background. How has that influenced you as a designer?
RR: I’ve always loved fashion and taking risks in both what I wear and what I design as this has been a guiding principle for me. I’ve never let fear paralyze me but rather let my passion drive me. One of my goals is to help other women realize this as well.
MM: We are so excited about your new collection, what was your inspiration for FW 2012?
RR: My fall 2012 collection is inspired by the documentary Women in the Dirt which highlights the works of seven award- winning women who have made their mark in the field of landscape architecture and are changing our world. From this, the idea of modern landscape architecture and the influence of nature was really interesting to me– balancing the clean lines of landscapes and natural colors and interesting material combinations and details.
MM: What are 3 items you always have on hand during fashion week?
RR: Yoga mat- I practice yoga two to three times a week. The meditation helps me stay centered. Music- it’s one of the quickest routes to dream and always inspires me. Candles- the comforting and continuous glow of a Jo Malone candle while I work is a must.
MM: How do you unwind after such a whirlwind week?
RR: Take a breath, thank my staff and then off for some R & R. First I sleep and then I have a proper meal since I have been living off coffee and sugar for the past two weeks preparing for the show. I’ll spend some quality time with my daughters, visit the Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa at the Plaza Hotel for one of my favorite facial treatments, and lounge at home and watch re-runs of The Office or Modern Family. Then it’s right back into designing the next collection!
