Best offer of the month

BUY luxury, buy quality, buy something that will become an iconic piece in your wardrobe – from Miuccia’s Prada’s chandelier dresses, to Jil Sander’s raw and ripped chiffon, to Dolce’s knickers or McQueen’s metallic snakeskin marvels, to Lanvin’s most beautiful dresses ever, to Peter Pilotto’s prints, to Burberry’s trench dresses, if you buy one thing for spring/summer, make it a big story. If the recession isn’t letting up yet, buy one thing and the thrill will last.

If hemlines are to be believed as the rule of all things financial, though, things are certainly looking up – skirts are creeping up the thigh and bottom-revealing bloomers, henceforth known as hotpantaloons, first appeared in New York and bred across the fashion cities fast.

While there was a touch of sparkle in the front row of every single show, it’s a trend that is built to last and whether you wear it on your tights, on lamé socks with high heels, around your neck, woven into your chiffon evening gowns or tied to your handbag, a little bit of glitter always does a girl good. Shoes are still big statements but heels are coming down too; kitten heels have even been mentioned and so have clogs (Chanel, Celine, Louis Vuitton).

The big story for summer though, is nudity – the vast majority of shows opened with nude, ice-cream colours, making cut and drapery the big style statements as opposed to eye-popping colours. Where last summer we obsessed about colour blocking, next will be about subtleties of tone: nude with peach with washed out nutmeg, or grey with icy blue. A general lack of clothing will be approved of too – your underwear must look its best next summer because if it’s not on show it’s not worth wearing – only to be covered by swathes of knotted and ruffled sheer chiffon – and a touch of lace will keep things interesting (Stella McCartney, Fendi).

White is always a trend for summer, but 2010 is expecting a full washout – bleached cotton came tailored and masculine or bulging and ruffled. And if you want colour, make it a check (Christopher Kane, Louis Vuitton).

So what to buy, if you will be shopping? Party dresses – lots of them, to be worn day and night: with interesting (and forgiving) folds around the hip for added shape. A jumpsuit – single shouldered or strapless if you dare. Loose trousers that taper to the ankle, preferably in silk. Bring shoes down a level or two, and if you venture from the washed out palette, make it a bold, tribal or ethnic print (Dries Van Noten). A trench coat, long or short (or turned into a party dress at Burberry). A belt – skinny ribbons or wide leather versions; the waist intends to allow you to show off your curves next summer. And if your curves are that good, swimwear is teeny weeny as can be.

And everybody’s new favourite model? Australian model Abbey Lee Kershaw appeared in all the key shows, surely with plenty of ad campaigns to follow. Certainly no recession hangover for her.

It’s something that isn’t really talked about, but we know it’s true. There’s lingerie for every aspect of your life and phase of your relationships. After all, the lingerie you wear at the start of a love affair isn’t necessarily going to be what you wear when you’ve been together for five years and have a baby. And who hasn’t devoted a section of their underwear drawer to first-time-with-a-new-guy bra and panty sets?

We consulted with Jennifer Carroll, co-author of the new book, Underneath It All: A Girl’s Guide to Buying, Wearing, and Loving Lingerie ($11.16, Harlequin), to come up with a guide to lingerie that matches your relationship status. Whether you’re single, seriously involved or happily married, here are your options:

Single and Not Seeing Anyone Right Now
So what if no one else will see your underwear? “Dress for the love life you want, not the one you’ve got,” advises Carroll. Here are some simple pieces that you can wear on a solo night at home to make you feel more sensual and in touch with your feminine side without feeling ridiculous. Looks like this will give you an extra boost of confidence, “just in case you meet Mr. Right,” says Carroll.

From left: Jenna Leigh Maroma Deep Red Nightie ($125, jennaleighlingerie.com). Alfani Chemise, Back to Basics Modal ($7.99, macys.com). Kimchi Blue Polka Dot Slip ($48, urbanoutfitters.com)

Single and Dating
When you’re dating but not fully committed to someone, it’s a good idea to keep the more complicated items safe in your naughty drawer until things start getting serious. For the time being, stick with classy yet sexy separates. “Make sure your bra and panties match,” says Carroll. “Your date will appreciate the effort!” And in these styles, he’ll want to stick around to see what else you’ve got in your repertoire.

From left: Striped Ruffle Bra ($7, charlotterusse.com) and Polkadot Two-Tone Ruffle Boyshort Panties ($3.50, charlotterusse.com). Felina: Harlow Full Busted Demi Bra ($32, barenecessities.com) and Felina: Harlow Low Rise G-String ($14, barenecessities.com). Flirty Lace Balconette Bra in pink ($24, express.com)  and Flirty Lace String Thong in pink ($12.50, express.com)

In a Relationship
Now that you’ve found someone, it’s time to up the ante. If you’re in a relatively new relationship, don’t bother with complicated closures and ties because your guy won’t wait long enough to delicately take these pieces off of you. Instead, stick with pieces that are hotter than your average bra and panty set, but are just as easy to remove. Carroll likes the simple addition of a garter belt and stockings, too. “Add them to any bra and panty set to heat things up on date night,” she says.

From left: Brazilian Lace & Mesh Flyaway Babydoll ($32, fredericks.com). Leopard Babydoll Set ($21.95, yandy.com). Cut-Out Halter Babydoll ($35, victoriassecret.com)

Engaged
He proposed! Or you proposed! Either way, now’s the time to show your fiancé what he’s committed to for the rest of his life – and that’s you in all your sexy glory. Carroll says, “Engage him with the promise of things to come in bustiers, corsets and thigh-highs.” He will instantly know he’s made the right choice when he sees you in one of these scandalous little numbers.

From left: Love Red Love Basque ($370, agentprovocateur.com). Reversible Satin Corset with Dot Net Ruffle ($49.90, lingeriediva.com). Lace Garter Set ($42.99, yumdrop.com)

Married or Living Together
Sure, the honeymoon may be over, but that doesn’t mean you should retire your collection of negligees. The bedroom only gets boring if you let it, says Carroll. “Ditch the fun run T-shirt for sleeping and go for a silky chemise or gown. Also, invest in some lacy, racy bras and a fantasy outfit — like a naughty maid — for dress-up!”

From left: Farr West Lace Trim Full Slip ($80, nordstrom.com). Tickle Me Maid ($39.95, 3wishes.com). Gilda and Pearl Garbo Underwired Demi Bra ($43, figleaves.com)

Thank you Source: BettyConfidential.com, shine.yahoo.com

About Lucky

Rooted in rock ‘n ‘roll with a signature sense of humor, Lucky Brand stands for independent thinking, individual style and a feeling as authentic as love. Friends since youth, creators Gene Montesano and Barry Perlman shipped the first order of Lucky Brand in 1990, and have been renowned for their great-fitting, vintage-inspired jeans ever since.

Gene and Barry’s life long passions were blue jeans and rock ‘n’ roll. While experiencing the hippie-counterculture movement in the U.S. in the 1970s, the then-21-year-old Gene teamed up with 17-year-old Barry, and friend Bill Rudnick, to open a jeans shop in Florida called Four Way Street. It was 1972 and they were officially in the jeans business, “During the evenings, we’d head out to the local Laundromat with our pockets full of coins and some bleach. A few hours later, we had a stack of great washed jeans — one of a kind and 100% authentic!”

Gene moved to Los Angeles in 1978 “with $100 in his pocket” and entered the burgeoning Los Angeles fashion industry. He started Bongo Jeans with partner Michael Caruso and helped run the Bongo brand for 15 years, helping it grow into a multi-million dollar company. In 1990, Gene left Bongo to launch his dream, Lucky Brand, and asked Barry to become his business partner once again. The Goal? To create a denim company without compromise, about great quality and good humor.

Lucky Brand became instantly recognized for its attention to fit, but there was one more detail to follow. Gene wanted to put a message in the fly, and came up with the catch phrase “Lucky You.” The irreverent play on words and strategic placement of the “Lucky You” message bucked the 1990s politically correct climate, attracting some unfavorable advice, “Don’t do it. People won’t buy it, they’ll be offended!”

As promised, Gene refused to compromise and his good-humored “Lucky You” signature was a gamble that paid off. In next to no time, the phones were ringing with people demanding those jeans with the “Lucky You” in the fly.

Lucky Brand is built on moments like these, of irrefutable attitude and vision without compromise. Los Angeles and the free-spirited Southern California lifestyle continue to inspire the company’s style. The story of Lucky Brand is the story of two great friends moving to California and starting a jeans brand. The rest is history.

Lucky Hollywood

Over the years Lucky Brand has garnered a strong celebrity following. Fans include Ben Affleck, Halle Berry, Abigail Breslin, Brad Pitt, Salma Hayek, Sandra Bullock, Ellen DeGeneres, David Grohl, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Mandy Moore, Jessica Simpson, Gwyneth Paltrow, LL Cool J, Matt Damon, Will Smith & John Travolta, just to name a few.

Lucky Brand works with the wardrobe departments of Hollywood movie studios and has been featured on numerous TV shows including Ugly Betty, How I Met Your Mother, Criminal Minds, The Unit, Scrubs, Medium, Ghost Whisperer, Without a Trace and CSI.

For the past ten years, Lucky Brand has sponsored the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, a prestigious event that honors the artists behind filmmaking, hosts premiere screenings and supports aspiring filmmakers.

Lucky Foundation

Created by Lucky Brand founders Gene Montesano and Barry Perlman, The Lucky Foundation is committed to bringing happiness, comfort and hope to disabled children. The Foundation believes that its donations can truly impact the quality of life and well-being of children and make a difference in their lives. Since its inception in 1996, the Foundation has been successful in raising approximately $6 million through its annual Black Tie & Blue Jeans Gala for numerous children’s charities including: Smile Train, Camp Sundown, Island Dolphin Care, Shane’s Inspiration and The Bridge School. The event consistently draws over 700 guests from the fashion and Hollywood industries including; Anthony Edwards, Sela Ward, Emily Procter, Alyson Hannigan, Laura San Giacomo and Neil Young. The Black Tie & Blue Jeans Gala has been hosted by such marquis names as Jay Leno, Dennis Miller, Dana Carvey, Howie Mandel, David Spade and Craig Ferguson. Musical guests have included B.B. King, Jackson Browne, Stephen Stills, Loggins & Messina, James Brown, Chris Isaak, Bonnie Raitt, The Fab Faux, and Chris Robinson.

Lucky Business

Lucky Brand designs and produces denim, sportswear, knits, wovens, outerwear, T-shirts and active wear. Additional Lucky Brand licensed products include swimwear and accessories for men and women. The Lucky Brand collections are carried at better department and specialty stores, and at over 110 company-owned stores nationwide and three internationally.

May 1999 marked another stage of the Lucky Brand development when Liz Claiborne, Inc. acquired 85% of the company. This strategic partnership positioned Lucky Brand for major growth, focusing on expanding its retail locations, e-commerce site (www.LuckyBrand.com) and increasing its foreign distribution. Lucky Brand will continue to license its brand in other major product categories.

Lucky Worldwide

Lucky Brand’s global presence has expanded with free standing stores in Canada, Asia and the Middle East.  Wholesale presence in Selfridges, London is just the beginning of European expansion.

Source :luckybrand.com

by: simplydresses.com

by bloomingdales.com

by afashion.net

by unique-vintage.com

Record of the Year

• “Halo” – Beyoncé
  • Beyoncé Knowles & Ryan Tedder, producers; Jim Caruana, Mark “Spike” Stent & Ryan Tedder, engineers/mixers
• “I Gotta Feeling” – Black Eyed Peas
  • David Guetta & Frederick Riesterer, producers; will.i.am, Dylan “3-D” Dresdow & Padraic “Padlock” Kerin, engineers/mixers
• “Use Somebody” – Kings of Leon
  • Jacquire King & Angelo Petraglia, producers; Jacquire King, engineer/mixer
• “Poker Face” – Lady Gaga
  • Lady Gaga RedOne, producer; Robert Orton, RedOne & Dave Russell, engineers/mixers
• “You Belong With Me” – Taylor Swift
  • Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift, producers; Chad Carlson & Justin Niebank, engineers/mixers

Album of the Year

• I Am… Sasha Fierce – Beyoncé
  • Bangladesh, Ian Dench, D-Town, Toby Gad, Sean Garrett, Amanda Ghost, Jim Jonsin, Beyoncé Knowles, Rico Love, Dave McCracken, Terius Nash, Radio Killa, Stargate, Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, Ryan Tedder & Wayne Wilkins, producers; Jim Caruana, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Toby Gad, Kuk Harrell, Jim Jonsin, Jaycen Joshua, Dave Pensado, Radio Killa, Mark “Spike” Stent, Ryan Tedder, Brian “B-LUV” Thomas, Marcos Tovar, Miles Walker & Wayne Wilkins, engineers/mixers; Tom Coyne, mastering engineer
• 
  The E.N.D. – Black Eyed Peas
  
  • Apl.de.ap, Jean Baptiste, Printz Board, DJ Replay, Funkagenda, David Guetta, Keith Harris, & will.i.am, producers; Dylan “3D” Dresdow, Padraic “Padlock” Kerin & will.i.am, engineers/mixers; Chris Bellman, mastering engineer
• 
  The Fame – Lady Gaga
  • Flo Rida, Colby O’Donis & Space Cowboy, featured artists; Brian & Josh, Rob Fusari, Martin Kierszenbaum, RedOne & Space Cowboy, producers; 4Mil, Robert Orton, RedOne, Dave Russell & Tony Ugval, engineers/mixers; Gene Grimaldi, mastering engineer
• 
  Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King – Dave Matthews Band
  • Jeff Coffin, Tim Reynolds & Rashawn Ross, featured artists; Rob Cavallo, producer; Chris Lord-Alge & Doug McKean, engineers/mixers; Ted Jensen, mastering engineer
• 
  Fearless – Taylor Swift
  • Colbie Caillat, featured artist; Nathan Chapman & Taylor Swift, producers; Chad Carlson, Nathan Chapman & Justin Niebank, engineers/mixers; Hank Williams, mastering engineer

Song of the Year

• “Poker Face” – Lady Gaga
  • Lady Gaga & RedOne, songwriters
• “Pretty Wings” – Maxwell
  • Hod David & Musze, songwriters
• “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” – Beyoncé
  • Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles, Terius Nash & Christopher Stewart, songwriters
• “Use Somebody” – Kings of Leon
  • Caleb Followill, Jared Followill, Matthew Followill & Nathan Followill, songwriters
• “You Belong With Me” – Taylor Swift
  • Liz Rose & Taylor Swift, songwriters

Best New Artist

• Zac Brown Band
• Keri Hilson
• MGMT
• Silversun Pickups
• The Ting Tings

A poetically nocturnal palettes with deep black, slate gray, inky blue and deep purple completed by flaming garnet, blushing pink and hallucinogenic green.
Flashes of copper and gold.

Sumptuous materials are deteriorated to evoke the wear of time. Accent on natural mixing “patched” effect. Some ultra feminine materials: dobby silks, quivering acetate etc.

New parade jackets, Rock spirit, Patchwork grunge.

Nocturnal, muffled colors from night blue, cold brown and Cyprus green all
the way to grayed parma and intenser touch of oxblood. Base color remain in the somber register of deep blue, almost black.

Emphasis on sophisticated, warm, light, soft-touch fabris like wool and cashmere blends or brushed and sanded suitings.
Mat or slightly shiny looks for synthetics. Knits are thin and generous.

Wool shawl-collared, dark and strange prints, product focus on bloomer and punk style jacket.

The Retro English style of this theme is evoked by muted tones, luminous
camel, greenish-blues, taupey-gray, rich burgundy. Add British cakes colors: cupcake pink, acid marmalade, electric anise, milky blueberry.

Noble materials and traditional men’s wardrobe codes ( jacket for example) are feminised : recolored tweeds, marled wools, Prince of Wales knittings etc.

A certain form of opulence is favored with an ornamental style ( jewellery),
tapestry style (exuberant motifs) , precious weaves (silk twill, lame voile).

Finally very basic “chino” cottons and raw denim.

Sumptuous colors with patinated velvet shades: violet, brick red, ochre, Prussian and faded blue. For bases, revolutionary inspiration with red and bronze alongside dark gray.

Reworked shabby baroque mood: 18th century upholstery, tapestry and
brocade motifs are enlarged, recolored and covered in lines and stains. Parade mood illustrated by tone-on-tone crests and braids or old gold embroideries.

Circus stars style and polka dot motifs, colourful club stripes… a delirious
register: lively jacquards, tartan plaids with tie prints and reworked paisleys.

Neo-military style, baggy chic spirit, Perfecto circus, barocco prints.

Michelle Williams, Mariska Hagerty and Jessica Simpson

Nicole Richie, Charlize Theron and Jennifer Lopez

Rachael Leigh Cook, Christina Ricci and Alyssa Milano

Alyson Hannigan, Charisma Carpenter and Calista Flockhart

source – hairstyle.com