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Category: Ann Taylor

Your morning fashion and beauty report: Lady Gaga offers bracelet to aid Japan, Emma Watson fronts for Lancome, Jillian Michaels teams with K-Swiss

Lady Gaga lends her name to aid efforts in earthquake-and-tsunami-ravaged Japan with a wristband for sale on her online store that reads "We pray for Japan" in red letters on a white background. It's on sale for $5, and customers can add an extra donation, with all proceeds going to relief efforts. [Time]  

Aemma Emma Watson just gets more fashionable by the day. The "Harry Potter" star has been designing eco-friendly fashion in collaborations for a while, and she was the celebrity face of a couple of Burberry campaigns. Now she's signed on as a brand ambassador for Lancôme. [Telegraph]

Tough fitness trainer Jillian Michaels of "The Biggest Loser" displays her softer side in a new line of activewear for K-Swiss. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Another fashion house has lost its creative director, but in a much less dramatic way than the kerfuffle that led to John Galliano's split with Christian Dior. Clare Waight Keller resigned quietly as creative director of Pringle of Scotland, sending a letter to select fashion editors saying she is leaving with a "mixture of sadness, pride and anticipation." No reason was given, but it is believed to be at least partly personal since she is expecting a third child in May. [Telegraph]  

Ann Taylor is losing its surname. The company, whose transformation to a more youthful vibe has been chronicled by our Booth Moore, henceforward will be known as Ann Inc. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Emma Watson will be a new brand ambassador for Lancôme. Credit: Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images


Frugal Fashion: Emma Roberts goes girly at an Oscar soiree

EmmaIf British fashion goddess Alexa Chung and American golden girl Michelle Williams had a style-child, it would be Emma Roberts. This DNA wonder mash-up is the result of Roberts' slightly indie wild-child style artfully whirled around her super girly outfits. And let's not forget who her aunt is - pretty woman Julia Roberts, who comes from the same favorable real gene pool.

The 20-year-old actress, singer and songwriter, who has already mastered the art of captivating the tween movie audience, is moving on to become a well-dressed style leader for the rest of us with fashion choices that would rival the likes of Serena Van der Woodsen and Blair Waldorf. Frequently featured on InStyle magazine's Look of the Day feature, Roberts can always be found looking fab in the latest designer wear on a red carpet somewhere.

She looked ultra girly at the Chanel and Charles Finch pre-Oscar dinner party celebrating fashion and film at Madeo restaurant in Los Angeles. The young starlet wore a cream-colored bow-tie blouse, black shorts, a dainty cardigan, weather-appropriate tights and black satin pumps. The bows on her blouse and shorts are ultra feminine and chic, the look is age appropriate and the tousled hair and red lipstick are a double win.

Roberts' outfit would be perfect for any spring fling and according to our own very stylish Melissa Magsaysay, shorts are definitely in for spring. Roberts chose a simple black pair with a bow, a great addition to any wardrobe. The Limited makes a similar pair, also with a bow, called the Cassidy elastic waistband short for $39.90. If a bow doesn't suit your taste, maybe some lace will? Urban Outfitters carries the Nom De Plume Kit short with pretty lace trim for $19.99.

Emmashorts

Roberts' blouse evoked a feminine feel without resembling the outfits of your childhood dolls. For an equally flirty blouse with a bow, try the Asos short sleeve chiffon mix pussy bow blouse for $35.86, Cooperative Peter Pan bow blouse from Urban Outfitters for $44.99, or the Asos pussy bow blouse for $53.79. These blouses will add character to any outfit without going overboard with the bow detail.

Emmashirts

A simple black cardigan is a great piece to have on hand for any occasion. To wear with a dressier top and shorts a shorter cardigan will work nicely. Old Navy makes a satin-trim rib-knit cardigan for just $10.50, Ann Taylor Loft has a long-sleeve crew neck cardigan for $39.50 and J.Jill makes the essential cardigan for $29.99. A small price to pay for a piece that will complement 90% of your existing closet.

Emmasweaters

Put on your new frugal finds with some basic black tights and heels you already own, and you're ready for a soiree of your own.

Happy shopping!

Have an outfit you're dying to buy but need a frugal alternative? E-mail us a picture. We're up for the challenge.

-- Jenn Harris
Twitter.com/Jenn_Harris_

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Frugal Fashion: Christina Aguilera flubs her lyrics in style during Super Bowl XLV

Photos from top: Actress Emma Roberts arrives at the Chanel & Charles Finch pre-Oscar Dinner Celebrating Fashion & Film at Madeo Restaurant. Credit: Scott Kirkland /Getty Images.

Cassidy elastic band short from the Limited. Credit: TheLimited.com; Nom De Plume Kit short from Urban Outfitters. Credit: UrbanOutfitters.com.

Asos short sleeve chiffon mix pussy bow blouse. Credit: Asos.com; Cooperative Peter Pan bow blouse. Credit: UrbanOutfitters.com; Asos pussy bow blouse. Credit: Asos.com.

Satin-trim rib-knit cardigan from Old Navy. Credit: Oldnavy.com; Long sleeve crew neck cardigan from Ann Taylor Loft. Credit: Anntaylorloft.com; Essential cardigan by J.Jill. Credit: JJill.com.


Ann Taylor, CFDA/Vogue fashion fund designers partner on size zero looks being auctioned on eBay

VOGUE_AT_DESIGNER_05_005 Ann Taylor, the great American mall-based retailer in the midst of a fashionable turnaround, has partnered with the Council of Fashion Designers of America/Vogue Fashion Fund on a design challenge.

Ten finalists for the 2010 award for emerging designers (including Prabal Gurung, Joseph Altuzarra, Christian Cota, L.A.'s own Gregory Parkinson and Billy Reid, winner of the $300,000 award) have made one-of-a-kind looks now being auctioned on eBay.  

The designers were asked by Ann Taylor's head of design Lisa Axelson to create "a look for a modern, professional woman," and the results include trench coats, shirt dresses, statement accessories and more. 

The only catch? That modern, professional woman must be a size zero. 

Which doesn't sound like much of a design challenge to me. A bigger challenge would have been to create a look for a modern, professional woman who is a size 8 or 10 or 12 or 14. Guess they worried that the photos wouldn't look pretty. And from the photo at left, you can see the stylist had to clip model Karlie Kloss' size zero Prabal Gurung dress to make it even more form-fitting.

For those who are not sample size, there are accessories on offer, including a pair of Moss Lipow sunglasses, which have the lowest starting bid of anything in the lot--$450.

The auction runs through Feb. 10 and all money raised will go to support the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund.

--Booth Moore

Model Karlie Kloss wearing the Ann Taylor-inspired look by Prabal Gurung, with the designer. Courtesy of Ann Taylor.


Your morning fashion and beauty report: Katie Holmes, Rumer Willis, Amanda Seyfried do their part in luxe ad campaigns

Akatie Ann Taylor, in the midst of a campaign to revamp, has picked Katie Holmes (pictured) as the face of its spring ad campaign. She succeeds Heidi Klum. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

The ubiquitous Kardashian Klan is set to do a collaboration with that granddaddy of mass marketers Sears. Go Khloe, go Kourtney, go Kim. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Meanwhile, the Kardashians are reportedly being sued for more than $12,000 in hairdressing expenses. ... That's right, the upkeep of the 'do. Well, it's a long story. [StyleList]

Jessica Szohr must have gotten tired of her "Gossip Girl" costars (current "it" girls Blake Lively, Leighton Meester, Taylor Momsen) getting all the fashion ink -- so she got inked, in a way. She's appearing in a new series of SoBe Lifewater ads wearing nothing but body paint. [People]

OK, it's kind of scary when Women's Wear Daily asks: Is fashion dead? Let's hope not! These days, we need the diversion, if nothing else. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

British designer Katharine Hamnett has been named a Commander of the British Empire, one of those royal-bestowed titles that sound unspeakably classy. But better yet, she has a collection debuting on Net-a-porter in March. [Telegraph] 

The first shots of Amanda Seyfried in Clé de Peau Beauté ads are making the rounds, and she does indeed look flawless. [People]

And Rumer Willis, actress and daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore, looks just as beautiful as that gene pool suggests in her new ad campaign for Badgley Mischka. [People]

Vionnet boutique on North Robertson in Los Angeles got into a bit of a trademark kerfuffle with high-fashion label Vionnet -- to which it's not connected -- so has changed its name to Les Pommettes. [Mondette] 

Vogue.com is getting the likes of Tom Ford, Claudia Schiffer, Kate Moss, Victoria Beckham and  Manolo Blahnik to help celebrate its 15th anniversary -- 15 years is an age in the dot-com world! [Vogue UK]  

Fashion blogging has more than reached the mainstream. We mentioned on Monday that Swedish blogger Elin Kling was in a fashion collaboration deal with H&M. Now Rebecca Minkoff, the handbag maven, has hired blogger Daniel Saynt of the Fashion Indie blog, as head of marketing. [The Cut] 

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Katie Holmes. Credit: Fred Prouser / Reuters 


Frugal Fashion: Camilla Belle in winter white at the Hollywood Style Awards

LdcxswncAll year we watch enviously
as celebrities parade down red carpets in gorgeous and sometimes outrageous gowns. Awards shows and movie premieres give us a close-up look at designer collections as actresses bring their A-game. And since Hollywood glamour is all about presenting your best self, why not have an entire awards show devoted to those who do it best?

It seems there really is an awards show for everything, and there's no exception when it comes to style. The entertainment industry’s fashion elite gathered Sunday at the Hammer Museum for the Hollywood Style Awards. Instead of pops of color or even black, Hollywood stylemakers started a new trend of snowy white tones on the red carpet.  Maybe the unseasonably warm temperatures prompted the actresses to create their own white winter. Whatever the reason, they put the “don’t wear white after Labor Day” rule to shame.  

Kate Bosworth covered up in a casual white tee and pale green floor-length skirt, and "Glee’s" Lea Michele went for a white patterned strapless dress, but the belle of the night was none other than actress Camilla Belle.

Belle looked perfectly chic in a curve-hugging Kimberly Ovitz architectural ivory dress with a pleated high-necked collar and cinched waist. She paired the structured dress with black satin Stuart Weitzman heels, an ivory-colored Maia N clutch and white gold jewelry by Cartier. Check out more photos from the awards.

Our frugal alternatives are winter white chic, and because we have your holiday shopping budget in mind, they're under $100.

Whitedresses

On the left is a Jessica Howard Sheath dress from Kohl's for $84.99 and on the right is the pleated neck sheath dress from Ann Taylor Loft for $89.50. (Online shoppers at Ann Taylor Loft can take advantage of a 40% off promotion on this dress, too.) 

Have an outfit you're dying to buy but need a frugal alternative? E-mail us a picture. We're up for the challenge.

-- Jenn Harris

jenn.harris@latimes.com

Top photo: Actress Camilla Belle arrives at the 2010 Hollywood Style Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday. Credit: Dan Steinberg / Associated Press

Left photo: White dress from Kohl's. Credit: Kohl's

Right photo: White dress from Ann Taylor Loft. Credit: Ann Taylor Loft

 


Frugal Fashion: Carey Mulligan gets festive in red

Lcyyinnc The name Carey Mulligan is synonymous with the terms chic, alternative and all-around fashion it-girl. Wherever the petite, pixie-haired actress goes, she is sure to be dressed in stunning designer frocks that are far from ordinary. With the sparkling, cosmic Chanel sequin dress and jeweled cape at the Vogue Fashion Fund Awards and the countless gowns and dresses she’s worn while promoting the film “Never Let Me Go,” Mulligan shows it’s a good thing to break away from the classics. 

Mulligan's style choices exemplify a fearless free spirit, one that has the fashion world taking notice. Not only is she a regular on best-dressed lists for numerous fashion magazines and websites, but she also earned a spot on Vogue's coveted 10 Best Dressed list of 2010.

At the Moet British Independent Film Awards, Mulligan owned the red carpet in a Prabal Gurung poppy-colored dress with a large flower detail on her chest and a cinched waist. She paired the stunning red dress with a sparkly sequined Roger Vivier clutch and black peep-toe heels. The actress officially took home the award for best actress for her role in "Never Let Me Go," but she gets our award for best dressed of the night. The color of her dress and the chest detail speak for themselves, and the sparkly clutch is the perfect, delicate finishing touch.

Reddresses

A tasteful red dress is a way to stand out -- in a good way -- at those upcoming holiday parties. Here are a few rouge-colored frocks for less than $100 that will have you relishing the holiday spirit:
T Tahari red dress from Nordstrom for $99.50, one-shoulder red French Connection dress from Bluefly.com for $89.59, Sparkle and Fade chiffon dress from Urban Outfitters for $69 and the Winter Rose strapless dress from Ann Taylor for $99.99. 

 

  Cluthces

For just a touch of sparkle, pair one of these clutches with a holiday party outfit or evening wear: Lulu Townsend sequined clutch from DSW for $36.95, Kate Landry "peacock" clutch from Dillards for $35 or the Sequin slouchy bag from Express for $39.90. Since the sparkly clutch is the essential party accessory, you'll need to find the perfect one for you, so check out more frugal finds from resident stylist Melissa Magsaysay.

Now that you're set with a new red dress and sparkly clutch, all you'll need is a pair of super simple heels to finish the look. A pair of solid-colored black heels from your own closet should do.

Happy shopping.

Have an outfit you're dying to buy but need a frugal alternative? E-mail us a picture. We're up for the challenge.

-- Jenn Harris

jenn.harris@latimes.com

Photos, from top: Actress Carey Mulligan attends the Moet British Independent Film Awards at Old Billingsgate Market in London. Credit: Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images. Tahari dress from Nordstrom. French Connection dress from Bluefly.com. Sparkle and Fade dress from Urban Outfitters. Winter Rose dress from Ann Taylor. Lulu Townsend clutch from DSW. Kate Landry clutch from Dillards. Sequin bag from Express. 

 

 

 


Frugal Fashion: Emma Watson's magical mini at the 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 1" premiere

EmmaIt's been nine years since Emma Watson first starred as the lovely, know-it-all Hermione Granger in the first "Harry Potter" film. The cute 11-year-old is now a 20-year-old screen goddess.

For those of us who grew up with the books and the films, it almost feels wrong to call the woman who played Hermione sexy, but with Watson's Burberry ad campaign and the dresses she’s been wearing to recent public appearances, you have to. Watson is smart and daring in her fashion choices and tends to artfully amp up her sex appeal in couture on the red carpet.

For the much-anticipated world premiere of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 1,” Watson sported a hot pixie haircut and a revealing Rafael Lopez for Atelier Mayer black lace cocktail mini and black heels. She looks a little Twiggy-esque with the hair, and the feathers channeled a playful 1920s flapper attitude. 

We searched everywhere for a frugally priced lace dress with feathers but decided sans feathers was the way to go. We love Watson's dress for a movie premiere but thought a more conservative version would work for office holiday parties or your next night out.

Retailers such as Macy's, Bloomingdales and Kohl's all have their own versions of a chic, affordable black lace mini.

Dresses

Here are our picks for the top five dresses under $100: From left, the INC INternational Concepts sleeveless lace dress with an exposed zipper sheath for $48.99 from Macy's, the Aqua black lace sleeveless dress from Bloomingdales for $88, the Lace Scallop dress from Ann Taylor Loft for $98, the AB Studio lace sheath dress from Kohl's for $59, and a lace dress by Marc New York on Bluefly.com for $99.45.

Happy shopping.

Have an outfit you're dying to buy but need a frugal alternative? E-mail us a picture. We're up for the challenge.

-- Jenn Harris

jenn.harris@latimes.com

Photo, from top: Emma Watson attends the "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 1" premiere on Nov. 11, 2010, in London. Credit: Gareth Cattermole /Getty Images. Bottom, from left: Macy's, Bloomingdales, Ann Taylor Loft, Kohl's, Bluefly.com.


Heidi Klum and Ann Taylor deck the halls

Heidiklum 

Heidi Klum hosted a dinner at Pali House on Thursday night to celebrate her holiday ad campaign for Ann Taylor, the mall brand that is getting more chic every day. The centerpiece of the room was a tree trimmed with the retailer's sparkly gems, including pearl starbursts ($128), snowflake necklaces ($98), and snowcap stretch bracelets ($88).

Debra Messing, Maria Menounos, Rachel Zoe, Pippa Black and Michelle Alves joined in the fun, bedazzling themselves with sparklers from the tree. And in case you're wondering, that's the winter white tuxedo jacket ($218) and modern pant ($128) that Klum is wearing, both at anntaylor.com.

With all the pieces I've collected during the lifespan of the current statement-jewelry trend, I may just bling my own tree.

- -Booth Moore 

Photo: Heidi Klum at the Ann Taylor holiday dinner. Credit: Alex Wyman / Wireimage


Your morning fashion and beauty report: Earthquake shakes Oklahoma, leads to T-shirts. In more normal news, Julianne Moore and Heidi Klum have new fashion deals.

Moore
Julianne Moore will be the face of Talbot's spring campaign, following super model Linda Evangelista, who fronted for fall. [People]

And Heidi Klum is repping Ann Taylor's holiday collection. [InStyle]

Seems like everyone really does want to be like California. There was an earthquake -- an earthquake!-- in Oklahoma -- in Oklahoma! -- on Wednesday, and already the T-shirts are out. Alternative radio station Radio OKC is selling "I survived the Oklahoma earthquake" tees for $17.95 (a portion of which goes to support the station). [Radio OKC] Though the magnitude 5.1 quake was felt in five states, it caused only minor damage and a few minor injuries. 

Rumors abound that L'Oreal is going to buy -- ding, dong -- Avon. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Meanwhile, Alexander Wang denies rumors of a Nike collaboration. [WWD] 

Consignment boutique Decadestwo is finally launching an e commerce site. [People]

Ralph Lauren is opening a women's flagship on New York's Madison Avenue on Thursday. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Paris-based Faith Connexion has opened a branch on Melrose in L.A. [Mondette] 

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Julianne Moore. Credit: Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times


Your morning fashion and beauty report: Philip Treacy hats inspire 'Project Runway.' Miss Universe costume capers. Chrissie Hynde's fruitful romance.

Chrissie

We've been on the bandwagon about the return of hats for some time now, and on Thursday night, "Project Runway" jumped on too with a challenge inspired by sublime Philip Treacy headwear. [EW]

The Miss Universe contest will be taped in Las Vegas next week, and maybe it's the Vegas ultra-glitz, uber-tacky influence but the national costumes the contestants will parade in are causing some flaps back home. A British beefeater wearing wet-look leggings? Miss USA as the presidential seal? Miss Australia in a get-up described as "a dingo's breakfast?" It won't be fashion, but at least it should be entertaining. [Telegraph]

Tommy Hilfiger's new fragrance brand, Loud, goes in a new direction, based on gritty Gen Y music. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Rocker Chrissie Hynde's romance with much, much younger Welsh singer JP Jones inspired songs, an album, a new band and now an eco-friendly clothing line, Fairground Luck, which the two are launching. [WWD]

Ann Taylor, in the midst of a reinvention that Times' fashion critic Booth Moore explained on Sunday, swung to a profit for the second quarter of this year, with same-store sales up 6.1% after a big loss in the same period last year. The new strategy seems to be working. [Wall Street Journal] 

When Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week gets underway in New York on Sept. 9, it will move from the familiar tents at Bryant Park to new digs in Damrosch Park and Lincoln Center. [Wall Street Journal]

Model Miranda Kerr, a.k.a. Mrs. Orlando Bloom, is expecting. What does this have to do with fashion (as opposed to my crush on all things Orlando)? Um, we can expect to see her wearing some cute maternity clothes in the next few months! [StyleList]

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Chrissie Hynde will launch a fashion line. Credit: Joel Ryan / Associated Press


Your morning fashion and beauty report: Madonna dishes on Material Girl line. 'Eclipse' star Kristen Stewart does the red carpets in style. And is Lady Gaga channeling a male model?


Material-girl10
 Madonna talks more about the new Material Girl line that we told you about last week, which she and daughter Lourdes Leon are launching at Macy's in August. A Material Girl is "an adventurous human being," she says. No surprise there! [WWD]

Rumors are swirling that new male model Jo Calderone, picked up recently by SHOWstudio in Sicily, is none other than Lady Gaga in disguise! I dunno; seems to me the lady has enough on her plate, but then again..... [Huffington Post]

J.C. Penney inks a deal for Aldo shops-in-shops, another step as the mass-market, middle of the road retailer tries to go more fashionable. [WWD] (Subscription required) 

"Twilight" fans, rejoice! The new film in the series, "Eclipse," opens Wednesday and to get in the mood take a look at how stunning Bella...oops, we mean Kristen Stewart...has looked on the red carpets. [FabSugar]

Kristenstewart  Meanwhile, find out how Stewart got her new red locks for an upcoming film role in "On the Road." [In Style]

Turkish designer Hakaan, a star at London Fashion Week, wins the Andam fashion award in Paris and will present there in October. [Telegraph]

Proctor & Gamble, looking to relaunch its Pantene hair-care line, has done massive psychological research into, well, bad hair days. [Wall Street Journal]

Even man's best friend isn't safe: Photoshopping "fiends" at Ralph Lauren put an entirely new head on a polo-wearing dog. [Huffington Post]

LOFT Style Studio (formerly Ann Taylor Loft) shows off its fall collection at the Chateau Marmont. [Mondette]

The scene was summery at the opening party for Louis Vuitton's redesigned St.-Tropez store. [Vogue]

--Susan Denley

Photos:

Top: From the Material Girl line:  Motorcycle jacket in denim and PVC, cotton and cotton poly suspender T, tulle mini, metal multi-chain necklace, ballet flats in rubber and PVC. Credit: Thomas Iannaccone / Women's Wear Daily

Bottom: Kristen Stewart sports red locks. Credit: Stefano Paltera / For The Times 


Ann Taylor previews its trend-right fall collection at the Soho House

ActressSo_Donat_60440208_600 Everyone knows that when you're looking for a basic black suit, Ann Taylor is a good place to start. But — surprise, surprise — the mid-priced chain is also becoming a destination for fashion-forward looks.

The brand has been on a rejuvenation kick since hiring new designer Lisa Axelson in 2008, and seems to have hit its stride in terms of transitioning from a house of mere "basics" into a mid-priced bastion of ladylike style.

The brand's ultra-feminine fall 2010 collection was on full display last night at West Hollywood's Soho House during a preview party that lured actresses Sophia Bush, Eve, Anna Kendrick and Taraji P. Henson, among others.

Hung on racks and scattered on tables and artful stacks of books, the retro-tinged collection jibed beautifully with the club's old-world decor.

Christine Beauchamp, president of Ann Taylor, said the brand has been working to spiff up its image since 2008, adding, "We love what Ann Taylor stands for as a heritage brand. We believed there was an opportunity to make the legacy modern."

Much of the collection reinterprets classic pieces, added Beauchamp, such as the shirt dress and the pencil skirt. "We're responding to our clients' desire to be more fashion-forward."

The collection, rendered in black, gray and a selective palette of metallic neutrals and jewel tones, features fantastic chunky knit sweaters (including a Norma Kamali-esque cocoon cardigan), cocktail party-ready wool coats and leather jackets, smart pencil-skirted day dresses, black ankle boots with Victorian-style button detailing and a dazzling array of blingy '20s-inspired jewelry  — from trinket-heavy rhinestone-and-pearl necklaces to Art Nouveau-esque silver-and-rhinestone wrist cuffs.

"We're exuberant about accessories," noted Beauchamp with a smile. "We always say, 'A little sparkle goes a long way, but a lot of sparkle makes you happy.'"

-- Emili Vesilind

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Photo: Sophia Bush and Eve at the Ann Taylor previews. Credit: Donato Sardella/Wireimage.




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