Style Fix

Last weekend it was perfume, this weekend it’s dresses that Victoria Beckham is launching.

Dresses designed by the former Spice Girl are now complete, but not yet completely public. The line has been very exclusively shown to only select media, and includes ten dresses that are being described as very much Victoria’s style (do with that what you will).

Before the collection was complete, Victoria said that “they will be very upscale dresses and likely will start at around $1,200 retail. I’m going to be using very expensive fabrics and finishes, lots of embroideries.” Priced at $600 and up, the dresses didn’t all quite make the thousand-dollar mark she was aiming for, but seeing as how they are only available through private appointments they should still retain the feeling of elitism she was going for.

The dresses will not be on the runway in New York Fashion Week (which starts today, September 5), but we are promised that they will get shown off in some way.

A blog about Victoria and David Beckham has two pictures of dresses from the collection, which are the only previews I’ve found online so far. Check out two of Victoria’s ten new dresses.

Turns out that I am not the only one interested in sewing my own clothing: the men of Coldplay (including Gwyneth Paltrow’s husband, frontman Chris Martin) have quietly confessed that they all enjoy sewing.

Read what Chris Martin had to say about stitches bonding the group together over on Female First.

Oh so pretty!

What do you think of Mariska Hargitay’s new, lighter hair coloring?

Here’s the deal of the year … and I can’t partake in it, so you have to go out and take advantage of it for me, okay?

Head to any Lucky Brand or Lucky Kids retail store (outlets not included), with your valid student I.D. in hand, and you will receive $25 off any purchase of at least $100.

Now there’s the leverage you need to convince mom to let you do your back to school shopping at Lucky!

Being on the cover of Vogue means you have officially made it. This honor is reserved for members of an exclusive level of chicness. So why, then, is the soon-to-hit-stands May issue donning a no-name?

What?

That’s supposed to be Gwyneth Paltrow?

Are you sure?

Maybe it’s a new version of Ms. Coldplay … like a Stepford’s Wives edition or something.

Surely Vogue cannot expect me to believe that this is an actual photo of Gwyn…

If I had $300 dollars I would buy________.

What would you buy with $300? Or even $200 or $100? Now is your chance to find out! Comment on any 451 Press site during the month of August and you could win! Three comments will be chosen at random to win a cash prize of $300, $200 or $100. The more you comment the more chances you have to win. So start reading and let those fingers fly.

Parting is such sweet sorrow. But as I look at my “to-do” list which threatens to take over my home office, I am left with the unmistakable realization that I just cannot continue running six blogs (six! criminy) - at least not well. And so, today’s my last day here at Stylefix - sniff, sniff. Not to fret, though: this means there’s an opening, and the 451 Press stable of writers is lookin’ for one more horse!  They’ll have someone brilliant in here to take over within no time, I’ll bet.

You’ll still be able to catch me at Blog News Watch, and at my blog The Inspired Solo, and two practice blogs. I’ll also be debuting a brand new blog soon enough … major excitement there! It’s been in the making for several months now.

Take care, and stay stylish.

Chloe, that house of fabulousness, has dumped the fall goodies on NeimanMarcus.com. You can start here, and browse shoes, bags, apparel and more.

I dig these boots …

($985.00)

… and this bowler bag …

($1,130.00)

Use code NMSHIP to get free shipping for your purchase.

Technorati Tags: chloe fall line

While I wish the braided handbag handle thing would die, already, I still dig the whole chain vibe, especially on this Chevron Lux Dome Bowler …

That’s pretty sweet. Check out the rest of the handbag lineup here, shoes here.

Technorati Tags: prada fall bags

At least, here’s the party line, from the CPO of Steve & Barry’s in a NYT interview. Thanks to Brown 712 for the head’s up on this.

Technorati Tags: sjp, sarah jessica parker, bitten

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And another lovely note in my email inbox - this one from Peter Epstein, President of PJE Los Angeles:

Wanted to give you a heads up on the summer tee sale from Hollywood fave PJE Los Angeles!  In celebration of this week’s July 4 holiday, selected men’s and women’s styles are 20 to 50 percent off.  The sale is this week only.

Combining superior fabrics, stunning Swarovski rhinestones (on some styles) and killer graphics, our shirts are more badass than the Pelican Bay shower room and way, way more fun.  Launched this February, PJE has rapidly earned worldwide plaudits (e.g. OK! Magazine, Gawker, Urban Junkies) for our casually sophisticated and knowingly irreverent designs. 

Check out our Web site at www.pjelosangeles.com for all the sale info and celeb photos …

People, I am digging the “Bad Ass Mama” tee:Go check ‘em out!

Technorati Tags: PJE Los Angeles sale, tee-shirt sale

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I just got a lovely note from Susan at ModCloth - they’re offering all Stylefix readers 10% off any order! Just use coupon code “stylefix10″ (without the quotes, of course) at checkout! Check out my post on ModCloth here, then go shop!

Technorati Tags: modcloth promotion code

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Susan Scafaldi writes a really interesting blog called Counterfeit Chic, in which she explores the crossroads of style and law - hey! My two passions! No wonder I love that blog so much. Specifically, she looks at the hot topic of fakes, knockoffs, and other pieces that either directly or indirectly copy another (usually more well-known) piece’s elements of style.

In this post, “Lovin’ Lanvin” Susan picks apart the differences - sometimes way subtle ones - between a 9 West bag called “Lanvin” and a classic style by the fashion house of the same name. She also points out the similarities between one style element - the front strap - common to both bags and the more famous Hermes Birkin, and then explains how both bags get a pass under intellectual property law for incorporating that element into their own designs.

I highly recommend adding Susan’s blog to your feeds - stylish and educational at the same time!

Technorati Tags: counterfeit chic, lanvin, 9 west, hermes birkin

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Check out SJP’s new sideline - you know, in case that acting thing doesn’t work out for her - in conjunction with Steve & Barry’s. Now, I really wanted to like this line - the demographic appeal (sizes up to 22, low price points) was significant and made my little Democratic consumer-lawyer heart sing. But …

*sigh*

These pieces aren’t bad, not by a long shot. And part of me’s wondering “What the heck did you expect for $15?” But I have to agree with The Budget Fashionista: this is Gap Redux.

Is it the colors? The styles? The line or cut? Yes, to all. Nothing extraordinary - that’s what I would have hoped for from Ms. Parker’s inimitable sense of style. And I think that’s the problem with the Bitten line - SJP’s raised the bar so high for the rest of us that we were inevitably going to be disappointed.

But would I buy it for the weekend? Yes, I think I would. Maybe this line can be saved - not head to toe, but mixed in with other pieces. But overall - in the words of the immortal “farty Michael Kors”: I’m underwhelmed.

While I cannot in good conscience embrace the consumerist life without at least giving a solid nod to quality over quantity, I just have to say: sometimes, there’s nothing better than just dropping cash for the pretties.

Here’s a new feature for StyleFix. We’ll call it “Let’s Shop.” I know. Boring. If you have a better idea, let me know!  My creativity apparently just went on vacation to Martha’s Vineyard.  In it, we’ll check out new or new-to-me online stores that might offer something more than just the usual ‘net stylefare.

First up - ModCloth! They describe themselves as offering “Mod Retro Indie Clothing & Vintage Clothes.” How fabulous. From the home page:

We carry not just one-of-a-kind vintage clothes, but also vintage inspired creations from up and coming designers like Soundgirl Clothing, Tulle, Blue Platypus & more.

Mod clothes abound, but don’t pin us down. We have indie and retro, cute and emo; sexy dressestops and unique jewelry & purses. Whatever your style, we have vintage and indie clothes that will work for you! New items added all the time. &

Why Mod Cloth? Stores like this help you explore new looks, new pieces, and new images without dropping a bundle or taking the (sometimes calculated and well-worth-it) risk of overhauling the whole enchilada. Sometimes, all it takes to update your personal style is just one new piece.

Say … this “Chiclets” necklace …

.. .or the Unicorns in Space scarf.