Blog posts by category: Fashion
Category: Fashion
Posted by Kara Morrison on Tue, Sep 2, 2008 at 9:07 PMMost Michigan Steve & Barry's stores to stay open
If you've wondered what will happen to the many local Steve & Barry's stores now that the company is undergoing financial restructuring following bankruptcy, we finally have some news. Most of the stores will stay open!
Of all the local stores, only Steve & Barry's at Eastland Center in Harper Woods will be closing. That store is currently having a store-closing sale, but no word on its final closing date.
The rest of the stores will remain open, including Steve & Barry's at Fairlane Town Center in Dearborn, Frenchtown Mall in Monroe, Lakeside Mall in Sterling Heights, Macomb Mall in Roseville, Oakland Mall in Troy, Port Huron Outlet Center in Kimball Township, Summit North in Waterford and the University of Michigan Steve & Barry's in Ann Arbor.
What this really means to local fashionistas is that Sarah Jessica Parker's cute sportswear remains available for under $10 at local Steve & Barry's stores.
Category: Fashion
Posted by Kara Morrison on Sun, Aug 31, 2008 at 1:22 AMDraft your dream team at FantasyFashionLeague.com
Fantasy football is underway, and in a few short weeks, so will fashion's answer to the sports version. Sign up for free at www.fashionfantasyleague.com to join. Then, draft your dream team before the Emmys on Sept. 21. That night marks the official start of the season. Depending on how often and flawlessly your chosen designers and celebrities flaunt their style, you'll be rewarded with "points." I admit I haven't played for a couple of years, but this is a great game for anyone who loves fashion. It's also a fun way to get or keep in touch with gal pals. You can set up your own league and have a blast playing together online.
Category: Fashion
Posted by Kara Morrison on Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 2:11 PMFashion industry greets Michelle Obama; Vogue features Cindy McCain
Everybody knows about Michelle Obama's Wednesday morning appearance on "The View." But you may not know the night before her big TV hosting gig, dozens of fashion designers and stars greeted her at a private fund-raiser in Chelsea.
According to Women's Wear Daily,Vogue's Anna Wintour and celebrity stylist Andre Leon Talley hosted the reception. Afterwards, attendees had a private dinner at Calvin Klein's home.
Zac Posen showed up wearing an Obama T-shirt proclaiming, "YES WE CAN" under a tuxedo jacket. Peter Som, Behnaz Sarafpour, Catherine Malandrino, Erin Fetherston, Cynthia Rowley, Yigal Azrouel, Nicole Miller, Iman and Tory Burch were just some of the fashion bigs who paid $1,000 to $2,300 to be there.
Som and others complimented Obama's sense of style and grace. For the night, she wore an all-black ensemble by Isabel Toledo. And for her "View" appearance, she chose a black and white dress from White House Black Market (a store owned by Chico's), adorned with a floral pin.
Meanwhile, Cindy McCain is profiled in the June Vogue, professing her love of German luxury label Escada, but saying she'll likely switch her loyalties to American designer Carolina Herrera if she becomes first lady. For the story, McCain was photographed in a Michael Kors sweater paired with Lucky jeans, and in a white Ralph Lauren trench coat.
Category: Fashion
Posted by Kara Morrison on Thu, May 15, 2008 at 2:56 PMShane and Shawn Ward unveil new Detny collection
Remember twins Shane & Shawn Ward? The duo behind Detny is back with a brand new collection of stylish and comfortable shoes for men and women. You can find (and purchase) the whole collection online at www.shaneandshawnstore.com.
The Detroit twins have been busy as usual since I last caught up with them. They've opened a flagship store in New York and have a full upscale line called Shane&Shawn, which is where you'll find four-inch stilettos you can wear all day.
Their philosophy has always been that comfortable shoes shouldn't be boring, so they design for the modern-day jet-setter and "boardroom rockstars." The real secret is that they incorporate the comfort of athletic shoes into their dressier collections. For a pair of comfy heels with style, the price is as high as $240 on their Web site. Keep in mind, their designs aren't exactly plain; most of the heels and boots feature metallic fabrics to metal studs in some fun combinations.
For the bargain shopper, you can find a pair of Detny flats on their Web site for as little as $55. And some of their more expensive heels are a little more affordable at the online shoe site www.zappos.com.
If you're a fan of the handsome duo, you might catch a glimpse of them today at the MGM Grand, where they're hosting a special VIP (sorry, it's not open to the public) party to showcase the new collection. Locally, their shoes are sold at the MGM Grand's Essentials boutique, Nordstrom at The Somerset Collection and Sole Sisters shoes in Detroit.
Category: Fashion
Posted by Kara Morrison on Thu, May 1, 2008 at 8:05 PMSarah Jessica promotes "Sex and the City" at Steve & Barry's
Today, Steve & Barry's stores across the country were busy stocking "Sex and the City" T-shirts and tank tops, helping promote Sarah Jessica Parker's movie that hits theaters May 30.
The shirts make sense for Steve & Barry's. After all, their collaboration with Parker really put the sportswear and athletic apparel store on the fashion map. Today's New York Times ThursdayStyles section leads with how Steve & Barry's "became a $1 billion company selling celebrity style for $8.98." The chain just opened a new store in the former Tower Records space in the heart of New York City.
On a quick trip through Steve & Barry's today, I was surprised to find all the merchandise in the store is still under $10. Last year, their highest price tag was $19.98. The company lowered that to $8.98 just before Christmas as a special "limited time" savings.
While the "Sex and the City" shirts hadn't yet been put on display, the store was playing the movie trailer and selling cute dresses, T-shirts and shoes from Parker's spring Bitten collection.
The best finds: definitely a strapless Bitten sundress -- the very same one the Times featured -- fully lined and nicely tailored, for only $8.98. The second steal was a pair of black wedge heels decorated with subtle square metal studs for $8.98.
In two weeks, the store introduces its latest celebrity collaboration with surfer Laird Hamilton. His Wonderwall line of beachwear hits stores May 15.
Category: Fashion
Posted by Kara Morrison on Tue, Apr 15, 2008 at 12:19 PMPhillip Lim shirts and designer gear lands at Gap
The Gap Design Editions collection is finally here. For the second time, Gap has collaborated with the Council of Fashion Designers of America and Vogue to give emerging fashion designers a taste of the mass market.
This year, CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award finalists Phillip Lim, Band of Outsiders, Michael Bastian and Three AsFour created looks based on the classic white shirt. They're on sale now at Gap.com for $58 to $88.
The women's pieces include a cut-out dress by Three AsFour, a Western-inspired shirt by Michael Bastian, a patchwork shirt by Band of Outsiders, and four shirts (including one with horizontal tiered layers across the chest) by Phillip Lim.
The collection also features several pieces by jewelry designer Philip Crangi, including studded resin cuffs and chain bolt necklaces for $45.
Michael Bastian designed two men's shirts for the collection in a classic roll-up sleeve and a Western style for $58.
Unfortunately, the collection is available only in select stores -- none of which are in Michigan. Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Chicago are the closest. But you can buy any of these pieces online.
Category: Fashion
Posted by Kara Morrison on Sat, Apr 12, 2008 at 12:20 AM'Project Runway' will move to Lifetime; NBC sues
Is anyone following all the 'Project Runway' controversy, now that Season 4 is over?
Turns out the Weinsteins, who produce the show, have accepted an offer from Lifetime TV. That means 'Project Runway' will move from Bravo after its fifth season. A sixth season is supposed to start on Lifetime in November, which has people scratching their heads about when Season 5 would air. Auditions were underway this month for the next season, which ultimately has to wrap up after New York Fashion Week in September.
Adding to the drama, Bravo network owner NBC has sued the Weinsteins, wanting to keep the show. Today, even more buzz over a 'Project Runway' star, when Women's Wear Daily reported Nina Garcia, a 'Runway' judge and Elle magazine's fashion director, may be parting ways with Elle magazine. If only we could get all this stuff on camera, Season 5 would be extremely interesting.
Category: Fashion
Posted by Kara Morrison on Thu, Apr 3, 2008 at 12:04 PMComme Des Garcons to design for H&M
Stop the presses! H&M, the Swedish fast-fashion store, has finally announced a new designer collaboration. This fall, they'll roll out an affordable, limited-edition collection by Comme Des Garcons.
The label's head designer, Rei Kawakubo, will create a men's and women's collection along with a few children's pieces, accessories and a unisex fragrance for H&M.The collection will launch in November in Tokyo, Japan, which is Kawakubo's native country. In the past, H&M has teamed up with Karl Lagerfeld, Stella McCartney and other huge designers to create affordable, limited-edition collections.
Comme Des Garcons is the most avant-garde collaboration yet. Kawakubo's work explores fashion as art. The costumey shows are always a Fashion Week spectacle, and her work has been called "deliberately demented." We can't wait to see what she comes up with for H&M!
Category: Fashion
Posted by Kara Morrison on Wed, Apr 2, 2008 at 2:45 PMMeet Peter Soronen on Saturday
Farmington Hills native and designer-to-the-stars Peter Soronen will be in town Saturday (April 5) for a special fashion show fund-raiser.
A handful of tickets are still available for the event at Oakland Community College's Orchard Ridge Campus. Tickets are $45, and can be purchased by calling (248) 473-1848.
Soronen is known for beautifully constructed gowns with corset bodices, and counts Sarah Jessica Parker and Hilary Swank among his clients.
On Saturday, several of his gowns will be featured at a runway show and will be auctioned off to support arts programs in Farmington Hills. The "Celebration of Creativity" luncheon features food by OCC's award-winning Culinary Institute, plus the fashion show and live auction of seven Soronen designs. The designer's mother and former Farmington Hills mayor, Jody Soronen, is also being honored for her contributions to the community.
Category: Fashion
Posted by Kara Morrison on Mon, Mar 31, 2008 at 7:53 PMKimora Lee Simons to design JC Penney collection
One month after it launched American Living -- its exclusive brand of classic American sportswear and home decor by Polo Ralph Lauren -- J.C. Penney has announced a deal with Kimora Lee Simons.
Simons, a former model and president of Baby Phat, is designing a Juniors collection called "Fabulosity." The collection will be carried exclusively in J.C. Penney stores in July, just in time for back-to-school shopping.
Meanwhile, at www.jcp.com,the store's Web site, several pieces of the America Living collection are on sale, including an elegant matte jersey one-shoulder dress. Originally $90, it's now $39.99.
