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Misc.

Jimmy Choo and Project PEP

Posted by Vanessa Kuo

Wednesday, November 25, 2009 01:20 PM EST

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Jimmy Choo has partnered up with the Elton John AIDS Foundation to announce the launch of Project PEP, a collection that will support the funding of the Simelela Rape Centre in South Africa. 25% of net sales from this limited edition collection will go directly to this worthy effort - also the proceeds raised by Project PEP will enable the centre to stay open all day, thus providing 24/7 access to victims.

Jimmy Choo and the Elton John AIDS Foundation has launched a joint photo competition to support Project PEP and the theme of the photos is "You, Your Shoes and 72". It's open to everyone and to participate, all you have to do is snap a pic with the number 72 in the shot somewhere (no, you don't have to use Choos in the pics!) The significance of the number 72 is that it's how many hours rape victims have post-attack to be given the HIV-preventative treatment, PEP.

Jimmy Choo

Project PEP

Jimmy Choo

Project PEP

Jimmy Choo

The grand prize for this project is seven pairs of Choos and two Choo handbags! The closing date of the competition is December 7th, 2009, 2pm GMT. The overall winner will be announced 72 hours after this date, on December 10th.

Tags: choo

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Fashion

Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony

Monday, November 23, 2009 07:31 PM EST

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In Spring 2008, Opening Ceremony launched an ongoing design collaboration with actress and style icon, Chloë Sevigny. Inspired by nostalgia for her early days in New York, high school thrift store finds, and music by Depeche Mode, the line featured body-conscious gingham check skirts, mesh jersey party dresses, and floral prints from the renowned textile maker, Liberty's of London.

Opening Ceremony brought together emerging American talent along with both young and established designers and artists from abroad.

In Fall 2009, Chloë Sevigny continues her collaboration by designing a line of her favorite menswear pieces. The unisex collection looks very comfy, simple, modern and classy-chic at the same time.

And this isn't the end of her work with Opening Ceremony. She wants to continue designing for them, but would also consider other projects. Maybe I'd do a very small collection for one of the big luxury brands, she said. But right now, Opening Ceremony is right - we have a shared aesthetic.

Chloë Sevigny made her film debut with a leading role in the controversial 1995 Kids, which was the beginning of a line of roles in critically acclaimed independent films in which she starred in throughout the past decade. It wasn't until 1999 that Sevigny gained serious critical recognition for her first mainstream role in Boys Don't Cry. For her performance in this film, Sevigny received Oscar and Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actress.

Chloë Sevigny is one of the best fashion icons who inspires me a lot. She has a strong personality, a great sense of humor, a fancy side and I admire her professional choices. Most admirable of all, she has her own style philosophy.

Chloë Sevigny

Tags: sevigny chloë menswear

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Trends

Extreme Pumps are the New Thing

Posted by Vanessa Kuo

Friday, November 20, 2009 11:50 PM EST

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It seems like extreme footwear is "in" right now what with Alexander McQueen's now-infamous Spring 2010 "lobster claw-ish" alien shoes, and now Louise Goldin's badass Spring 2010 spiked pumps. The shoes scream fierceness and yeah, you could probably seriously hurt someone while wearing these, but who cares?! They're crazy and hot! You definitely won't need to bring your Mace out with you when you're out on the town; these pumps are already weapons.

Below are some pics of the Alexander McQueen shoes, (in case you may not know what they look like):

And here are pics of the Louise Goldin heels:

Louise Goldin heels

Tags: 2010 spring mcqueen

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How to...

How to Mix High-End with Low End Like Kate Moss

Thursday, November 19, 2009 12:32 AM EST

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By Vanessa Valiente of V-Style

With Kate Moss as its mascot, the idea of mixing high and low-end brands to create a stylish and untraceable look has been shouted by the rooftops. From designer advice to magazines, every fashionista knows by now that your closet is not complete without a thrift store find and a runway jacket.

Besides that fact that not everyone has money to bathe in, not every American woman quite grasps the concept of high-low. Easy enough for Kate Moss, to create her look she just has to lower herself to the cheap stores. For everyone else the idea of shopping higher can be scary. Here are some tips:

First, high-low dressing doesn’t necessarily have to have haute couture as the high (although wouldn’t that be just divine!). The idea of high-low is knowing when to spend money and when not to. The high portion can mean spending $200 on a dress instead of $20.

Second, when buying low end try to avoid stores like Marshalls, Ross and so on unless you have an incredible eye for fashion, pattern and colors. Often these stores sell very dated silhouettes and patterns with obviously cheap fabrics (not always though, hence the good eye). Instead try Target, Forever 21, H&M, Loehmanns, Nordstrom Rack and other stores that are taking on trend items and making it cheap.

Third, quality is key no matter what you buy. Whether its $5 or $500 it needs to look good, fit right and feel fabulous – no matter what! Look at the seams and feel the fabric. Does the fabric feel nice to the touch? If not put it down and walk away. Do the seams appear strong and even? If not dump it.

Fourth, scour the Internet for great deals. It's always possible to find some high quality goodies at reduced prices. Remember to not look at the labels and focus on the styles and fits. You are not looking for labels; you are looking for high quality pieces in fashion forward styles.

Lastly, high and low dressing is about budgeting. Stop buying something and saying, “Well, it was only $20.” That’s $20 you could have put towards a BCBG dress or a Diane Von Furstenberg top. Add up all those cheap things you never wear or don’t care about and you could have three amazing pieces … or more if you were really bad.

Purchasing tip: You can find a fabulous anything for cheap if you hunt with a good eye, but in general, items you should spend more than $50 on are boots, heels, blouses, suits, jeans, cocktail dresses, and that item you saw in your fashion magazine that you just love!

Items you can find on the cheap: day dresses, flats, accessories, basics, and tees. Obviously though, sometimes you will find the perfect day dress at a high price and a pair of incredible heels at a tear dropping low price.

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Misc.

Sesame Street Turns 40 with Fashion Bang!

Posted by Vanessa Kuo

Monday, November 16, 2009 01:43 PM EST

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I grew up with Sesame Street -- it had and still has a very special place in my heart. The children's tv show that has touched the hearts of so many turned 40 this year on Nov 9th and I didn't want to let this significant birthday pass us by. Sesame Street has been visited by hundreds of celebrities in the past. Check out the adorable pictures below:

Alicia Keys

Ellen DeGeneres

Jenny McCarthy

Jessica Alba

Jodie Foster

Julia Dreyfus

Julianne Moore

Queen Latifah & John Mayer

Sandra Oh

Sarah Jessica Parker

David Beckham

Jake Gyllenhaal

For Sesame Street's 40th birthday, the famous street was also visited by top designers as part of its bday celebration (featured in Harper's Bazaar Sept '09 issue). Shows that the tv sensation may be old, but it definitely has NOT gone out of style.