Met Gala 2012 Fashion Wrap Up

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Arguably the biggest night in red carpet fashion happened here in New York at the annual Met Gala Costume Institute Benefit on Monday. Celebrities, designers and who's who turned out in pieces that pushed the envelope for better...or for worse.

Starting with the best of...

Bright hues continued to trend on the carpet this year, as Katherine McPhee chose this shimmering piece by Elie Saab. *Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Ginnifer Goodwin continued the orange alert in this bead embellished stunner by Monique Lhuillier. *Photo courtesy of Getty Images.


Emma Stone pulls off sweet chic in Lanvin.
*Photo courtesy of The Associated Press


Glee's Dianna Agron wears a gorgeous green gown by Carolina Herrera.
*Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Black is always chic and Christina Ricci turns it up a notch with this piece by Thakoon.
*Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Rooney Mara looks flawless in lace by Givenchy.
*Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Cate Blanchett chose to walk the carpet in a chic ostrich feather gown by Alexander McQueen.
*Photo courtesy of Associated Press


Rihanna wears a sleek, long-sleeved crocodile number by Tom Ford.
*Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Gisele stuns in my favorite dress of the night by Givenchy.
*Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Metallics also made a strong showing as Jessica Alba demonstrates in this one shoulder dress by Michael Kors.
*Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Nina Dobrov looks incredible in this black metallic ombre piece by Donna Karan.
*Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Sofia Vergara wears a gorgeous silvery gown by Marchesa.
*Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Camilla Bell chose a sleek silvery number by Ralph Lauren.
*Photo courtesy of Getty Images


As always, there were some questionable choices on the carpet this year...

Beyonce in Givenchy. I'd really like to love this, but...(no pun intended)
*Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Karolina Kurkova in Rachel Zoe is a bit late to the Star Wars Day party.
*Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Donald & Melania Trump forcing the future in Marc Bouwer Couture
*Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Mary-Kate Olsen as the crypt keeper in The Row.
*Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Chloe Sevigny goes disco DIY in Miu Miu.
*Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Kristen Stewart confused in Balenciaga.
*Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Sarah Jessica Parker in Valentino for The Secret Garden.
*Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Jessica Chastain in Louis Vuitton channeling Prom - 1995.
*Photo courtesy of Getty Images.

Eva Mendes as a Jetson's ice cream cone in Prada.
*Photo courtesy of Getty Images.



Kirsten Dunst looks older, but not necessarily wiser in Rodarte

Marc Jacobs being Marc Jacobs in Commes des Garcons.


That's the wrap up, so what made your hits and misses list from this year's Met Gala?

Spring 2012 Fashion Trends on Etsy!

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Since Spring has officially sprung here in NYC, I thought it would be fun to feature some of spring's hottest fashion trends.  Check it out below to see how you can snag these trends on Etsy!

1. Bobby Pins // 2. Rock Candy Drop Earrings // 3. Pleated Silk Clutch // 4. Triangle Necklace

Mint is everywhere right now and this color just screams "Spring!" to me!  Adding mint-colored bobby pins would be a nice way to jazz up a hairdo or you can accessorize with mint earrings or a mint necklace.  You can also knock out two trends in one with this lovely green colorblocked clutch- so fun!

1. Medium Journal // 2. Becca Necklace // 3. Neon Stacked Bar Necklace // 4. Cluster Dangle Earrings

Brighten up your cubicle or office space with this amazing woven journal- no more boring office supplies!  You can also add a little bit of bright colors/neons to your life with any one of these pretty jewels.  Trust me, people will definitely notice that bit of color- in good way! :)

1. Credit Card Holder // 2. Apple Blossoms Photo // 3. Vintage Floral Ribbon // 4. Crochet Flowers

Florals is one of those spring trends that reappears year after year, but what is more springy than flowers in bloom? :)  You can carry your business cards in this pretty floral card holder or add a bit of floral decor to your home with this beautiful photograph.  Also, you can use this floral ribbon or these crochet flowers as hair accessories or even to finish off a package prettily!

Tell me: Which of these Spring trends is your favorite?

 
By Nnenna of star-crossed smile





Fall Colors Make Me Swoon

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Only a couple more weeks until autumn officially begins! I love the deep browns, olives, and vibrant oranges that come into fashion when the weather turns chilly. You can get dressed from head to toe with a handmade outfit from the talented designers of the {NewNew}.

Start off with a brown Pillowcase Tunic by BShorr

Paired with this lovely Plaid Skirt by Rocks and Salt

Slip on this beautifully tailored Olive Herringbone Jacket by Jesswitaj

Pin a Cameo Brooch by KnitKnit on your coat

Bring along a Dark Green Neckwarmer by MellowBeing for when the weather turns chilly


And hang The Jackie Shoulder Bag by LolaFalk on your shoulder as you head out into a brisk fall day.

For more fall fashions, be sure to check out the Fall Fashion Preview at the Brooklyn Indie Market in Carroll Gardens on September 18, from 11am - 7pm.



Karina

Fall Fashion With The {New New}

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Autumn Plums

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I will admit to a bit of a weakness for fashion magazines. My sister collects soda bottle caps and about the only thing you can really get with them is lots and lots of magazine subscriptions. That being said, the fall issues of "Lucky," "W" and "Vogue" have made me a very happy girl when it comes to color pallet.

Previous seasons of grays and pastels and muted neutrals - BLETCH! I hate beige. I'll say it. I hate it, I hate beige. So, I was quite thrilled to see all the gloriously deeply hued and fully saturated jewel tones all over the fall page spreads. Plums and purples are two of the most important, so they say.

The great thing is, especially when it comes to playing with the colors of fall, you don't have to have the latest designer dress--or even dress up! That's one reason I wanted to feature {NewNew} member, KimmChi 's etsy shop. Kimm Alfonso, creator, is a Brooklyn-based artist who uses silkscreening to add strong, bold and abstract designs to American made clothing.

She also has several shirts in gorgeous shades of purple! A personal favorite, accented with an art deco inspired design in pink, is shown here. (A cap-sleeved variation is also available at her Etsy shop.) And don't worry, if purple's not your color, she has plenty of variety, too.


-Izile
Izile's Oddities

Just a Seamstress? The Museum at FIT Showcases Isabel Toledo's Fashions

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If you are in need of cultural inspiration but are short on time, the oft forgotten Museum at FIT has the perfect dose. The current exhibit “Isabel Toledo: Fashion from the Inside Out,” showcases work by the Cuban-born fashion designer Isabel Toledo who is described as "a designer's designer." Isabel is admired for her experimental techniques and unique vision of wearable American sportswear: A section of the exhibit entitled "Origami," a current runway trend, shows sculptural elements of her garments while another grouping described as “Liquid Architecture” displays jersey dresses.


Many may be familiar with the wonderful Nordstrom store advertisements in fashion magazines, all drawn and executed by Isabel’s husband Ruben Toledo. This exhibit is wallpapered with his fashion sketches. Isabel describes her role in her close collaboration with Ruben as that of just a “seamstress” and Ruben as the “artist/illustrator.” An example of their process, she explained, is that sometimes she articulates a design vision of which he renders a sketch. The sketch above is a portrait of Isabel by Ruben.

As Isabel stated to the museum's director, Dr. Valerie Steele:

I really love the technique of sewing more than anything else…the seamstress is the one who knows fashion from the inside! That's the art form really, not fashion design, but the technique of how it's done.
I find it refreshing for a designer to discuss the technical art of sewing. As portrayed in Bravo TV’s The Fashion Show, too many design contestants whine that sewing is so hard and that they see themselves as visionaries not seamstresses. Their scariest assignment was to dress real women!!! Kudos to Isabel who insists that she does not "want to be radical," and finds that "weird is not smart," and yet creates stunning, innovatively constructed garments.

This small museum’s exhibits are always free and this show is on now through September 26, 2009. Click here for more details.
- Talita for Fairywallah