Fashion Flavor of the Week!

Michael by Michael Kors Hamilton Large

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of Michael Kors Holdings Limited, here is this week's special feature. The Hamilton is a quality black leather tote with chained silver detailing that adds a final touch of luxury.

Retail Price (Michael Kors Website): $348.00
Lower Price Alert: $315.000 (Amazon.com)
One Day Price Special (12/4/11): $243.60 (Bloomingdales.com)

Friday is the New Black!

Fortunately for the economy and hopefully for our closets, Black Friday sales were up 7% from 2010. Of course the majority of the shopping focus is centered around electronics, but several clothing retailers lured shoppers into their various locations to benefit from the bargain mania.

Although some may turn their noses up at the mad dash that takes place in order to benefit from a sale, why is it considered poor taste to insist on buying below retail? From a strictly business perspective, a retail price is the sale of a particular product to the ultimate consumer. In other words, not only do we pay for the product itself, but also the travels of said product throughout some extensive supply chain. Therefore, when savvy consumers bargain hunt or take advantage of large sales, are they not just cutting out the cost of the middleman?

In honor of the economically stylish, silbrowne@blogspot.com will feature weekly items that are both in season and under retail. After all, paying full price is soooo overrated!

Kate Spade Connie - Red
Retail Price: $225.00
Kate Spade Sale Price: $135.00
Lower Price Alert: $107.62 (Amazon.com)

Tune in Next Week!!!!!!

(Picture provided by zappos.com)

Chicly Creepy!

On the one night of the year where the rules of fashion are cast to the night winds, many individuals go to wild lengths to express themselves in a way they ordinarily would not. Below are a some snap shots of a few familiar faces. You decide, were they able to execute a Halloween costume with the trendy creativity usually instituted by the help of stylists, or just take a less excusable misstep?

Debra Messing and husband Daniel Zelman paid homage to El Dia de Los Muertos in a frighteningly beautiful depiction of skeletal figures.

The cast of NBC's Today Show recalled the fashionable spectacle that was the royal wedding in their own display of the most memorable garments.

Bette Midler seems to enjoy the holiday, but the costume appears to be a bit undefined.

Heidi Klum, one of fashion's most recognizable faces, executed the peak of creativity by unveiling herself as a skinned corpse. When one is regularly draped in garments from the most talented designers, a princess costume just wouldn't do.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!

(Pictures provided by stylebistro.com)

Haute or Not?

By textbook definition, fashion is "a popular trend, especially in styles of dress, ornament or behavior". To state that something is "in fashion" is to indicate that a particular look or form of expression has a large following. Based on a few of these terms it is understandable to see the appeal of wildy popular public figures like Lady Gaga, Madonna or Nicki Minaj. Yet, although the masses may consider the style of these women to be entertaining, how trendy or stage transcending could they be?

In June 2011, Lady Gaga was presented with the Fashion Icon Award by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Most recently, Nicki Minaj was invited to accompany Anna Wintour, Ms. American Vogue herself, to shows for both Carolina Herrera and Oscar De La Renta during New York Fashion Week. Clearly the fashion industry has embraced these entertainers and their individual forms of expression. It is doubtful that Anna Wintor will be gracing the halls of Conde Nast with a dress constructed from raw meat and a Barbie pink wig, would you?

Listed below are a few of the more notable outfits from the closets of ground breaking performers. Stop - evaluate - maybe one or two could be trend inspiring...or not!

(Pictures provided by elle.com, whatshaute.com, and fanpop.com)

When It All Falls Down!

Typically a story of this nature would be reserved for the "News" section of this blog, but the potential for creative commentary is far too great.

As previously mentioned on the "News" page, rapper Kanye West, assembled a Ready-to-Wear women's line that was originally scheduled to debut at New York Fashion Week. Instead, West chose to reveal his collection during Paris Fashion Week - far from the semi-protective cushion of his home front. Judging from the stream of negative reviews that began before the chairs were emptied and the flashing lights dimmed, Kanye West could have used the home field advantage.

Without quoting fragments of reviews from other bloggers and journalists who were in attendance, the sheer imagery opens the critical floodgates. The amateur nature of West's collection beckons at the College Dropout's inability to attend to the basics. Perhaps if more time was devoted to his studies, West would have produced an innovative line that was both on trend and on season instead of a behind the times misstep. While more seasoned designers were showing beautiful patterns and warm colored fabrics relative to Spring 2012, Kanye West exhibited dark leathers, furs and other heavy weight materials. Although the fabrics were luxurious, they were cut and formed to the models in a way that reflected potato sacks rather than quality garments.

Granted, there were a few items in the line that were functional, yet they lacked both the creativity to stand out from shows of seasons past and an overall familiarity with the female form.

The verbal whirlwind surrounding this collection, the sheer pomposity of Mr. West and his rapid launch into the famously selective fashion industry promised a show featuring outstanding talents and creativity. Sometimes, even celebrities write checks they cannot cash.

For the complete collection, please click here.

(Pictures provided by daily.co.uk)

Dated Styles: Taking Men Back to the Future!

"So, OK. I don't want to be a traitor to my generation and all, but I don't get how guys dress today. I mean, c'mon, it looks like they just fell out of bed and put on some baggy pants, and take their greasy hair, Ew! And cover it up with a backwards cap and like, we're expected to swoon? I don't think so!" – Cher, Clueless

If one were to remove the "valley-like" tone from this quote, a very true statement is uncovered that doesn't just pertain to the more youthful of the male species. Although the ladies are guilty of hanging onto dated styles just a little too long or sporting the "rolled out of bed" look, it often seems that men are the greatest offenders.

It has been said that "men dress for women and women dress for other women." If this is so, there appears that quite a few folks have grown restless in their desire to impress. Quite possibly the men have grown weary of competing with other women, but there is no excuse for tight jeans, leather pants or anything reflecting glam rock. Additionally, the revival of muscle shirts and light denim jackets with popped collars could bring even the least known 80s characters back to life. Whether it's 1985 or 2011, Marty McFly will never know the difference.


(Picture provided by wildsound.com)

DC Fashion: Here Today, Gone By The Weekend!

It is a known fact that New York City is the fashion capital of the United States and arguably of the entire world. Though on Thursday, September 8th, various cities across the U.S. followed suit participating in Fashion's Night Out, the annual kick-off to New York Fashion Week.

The tiny but trendy corner of Georgetown was the center for Washington D.C.'s second annual Fashion's Night Out affair. A slew of style aficionados braved tornado-like weather to experience the many sales, raffles, fancy cocktails and sample giveaways provided by the participating boutiques. Although Georgetown may have lacked the celebrity foot traffic and high-profile coverage of it's New York City counterpart, D.C. more than compensated with it's Vintage en Vogue fashion show,the FNO Flash Mob performers and talented stylists offering advice to fashion enthusiasts.

With the success of Fashion's Night Out Georgetown, the momentum was set for September 10th's Fashion, Beauty and Lifestyle Expo that took place at the Washington Convention Center. Though, even the presense of industry representatives Nigel Barker, Korto Momolu and Jaslene Gonzalez, could not overshadow the sea of two-tone hairstyles, flammable fabrics and ill-fitting garments. Rather than exhibiting what D.C. could offer the competitive industries of Fashion and Beauty, the event took the form of an impromptu audition for America's Next Top Model.

Though best known for it's concentration in politics and legal affairs, Washington D.C. does have a network of fashion admirers. Yet, as rapidly as one event can come along and peak interest, another could follow and douse all hope.