As per usual, my Halloween costume will be thrown together last minute, which is why I tend to end up in costumes like a flapper, an Olsen twin, or a detective. These are costumes that can be pieced together with a rummage through my closet and last minute trips to a thrift store and a Rite-Aid for makeup. Perhaps my favorite version of the lazy costume is to simply go “dressed up” like the year I went as “Blue”. I wore a blue outfit, blue wig, blue fake eyelashes… you get the idea. It’s an excuse to do your hair and makeup all crazy and dress wild without the stress of trying to think of something really creative to be or going as a “sexy blank” (my least favorite type of costume). Luckily for all us lazy girls out there, the spring 09 runways had some theatrical hair, makeup and clothing to use as inspiration for Halloween. And if you are lucky enough to be at a party with fellow fashionistas, your outfit may just end up deemed “genius” rather than haphazard.

To do the Maison Martin Margiela look keep it simple in a black or white oversized blazer (or go wild with the shredding if you are really feeling zany), with hosiery over your face (tie at the back of your head) and bright red lips. I’m not promising that this look is going to be comfortable, or that you will be able to see out of it. Maybe cut out the eyes and mouth and paint your real lips red rather than the hosiery for more functionality…

Recreate the huge red lips at A.F. Vandevorst and allergy red eyes at Viktor & Rolf and you can go as “Red”.

All you need is three dark wigs and some hosiery to get this freaky look from the Margiela runway, and you’ll definitely be a contender for the scariest costume at your Halloween party. The wigs can be cut up (you may need a few more) to create the funky body-head that came down the Jean-Charles de Castelbajac runway. If you can’t find a tee with a huge face on it, just draw your own on an oversized mens undershirt.

Rat out a long blonde curly haired wig and use a whole can of Aqua Net to get the ghost-of-Marie-Antoinette hair that came down the Comme des Garcons runway. A bright curly wig, fake eyelashes and a whole lot of makeup will give you John Galliano’s pretty clown. I would finish this look off with a girly dress, just like he did.

Skeletons in your closet? Take a cue from Rodarte cut up a bone colored dress to look like a ribcage, pairing the look with like-colored tights and heels. You can get the oversized ribcage necklace from the Christian Lacroix collection by cutting up manila folders, and gluing the pieces together to resemble a skeleton. Take it a little further by going down all the way to the sternum or even down to each of the 10 toes. I like the idea of keeping it a little abstract, like it is seen here, but you may need to get a little more literal for those who have been hitting the witches-brew punch a little too heavily.

Inspired? You can click on any of the underlined links above to get the wigs, eyelashes, makeup and clothing to get started on your own runway inspired costume. Still haven’t found what you are looking for? Try our Halloween Shopping Guide. Get your tricking and treating on (why do only one?) and, as my mother would say, have fun and be careful!

Image Source: New York Post, Style.com

I’ve mentioned the return of the supermodel to major campaigns here on Chicshopper before. Their super-comeback shows no sign of slowing down. The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute has announced it’s next exhibit will be titled “The Model As Muse: Embodying Fashion”. From the first supermodel Lisa Fonssagrives; the faces of the fifties such as Dorian Leigh; sixties icons Twiggy and Veruschka, Iman and Jerry Hall in the seventies; the trinity of Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, and Naomi Campbell; all the way to Kate Moss, Shalom Harlow and Gisele Bundchen, models have not only displayed the trends and fashions of the twentieth-century, but have also influenced them. It is impossible to imagine the world of fashion without these gorgeous ladies in it. The theme of the event seems a natural progression from this year’s theme of superheroes, as the curator Harold Koda explained, “We look at the power of clothing, fashion photography and the model to project the look of an era. With a mere gesture, or the line of her body, a truly stellar model can sum up the attitude of her time, creating an alluring synergy between herself and the clothing to communicate a designer’s message to the wider world.” The icing on the cake is that Anna Wintour’s gala celebrating the opening (otherwise known as the Oscar’s of fashion) will have Marc Jacobs as the honorary chair, and Kate Moss and Justin Timberlake as co-chairs. Is it May already?!

Learn more about the influence of the model on fashion with Catwalking: A History of the Fashion Model

Source: Telegraph

It seems like it’s been forever since Alber Elbaz sent exposed zippers, applied unexpectedly on pretty chiffon dresses, down the Lanvin runway and started a craze. Infact, it was the Fall 2003 collection, which in fashion trend years, might as well have been forever ago. Yet, exposed zippers and zipper trim keep appearing on clothes and accessories season after season. I suppose it almost isn’t even fair to consider this a trend anymore, perhaps Elbaz changed the face of fashion for good. My favorite recent zipper looks from Versace, Narcisco Rodriguez, Yves Saint Laurent and Proenza Schouler:

The best part is, that the trend has been around long enough for brands that I an actually afford to adopt it, and even get it right (unlike some trends that don’t translate well from designer to discount duds).

L.A.M.B. makes quite a few zipper trim shoes, but I love these because they incorporate the entire zipper tape, not just the teeth.

Not only does this Charlotte Ronson dress zip-up the front but also has cute exposed zipper detailing on the front pockets.

The zipper detailing on this Anne Klein skirt adds a fun touch to a conservative and office friendly skirt.

Image Source: Style.com, ELLE.com

Last winter I bought myself a chartreuse coat at Forever 21. Chartreuse had been popping up on the runways and I couldn’t resist taking a chance on the color, especially at an affordable price. Although a bright and unexpected color, it actually looked great with tons of pieces in my closet and turned a basic jeans and t-shirt ensemble into something fun. The best part, I got a compliment on it every time I every time I wore it. Fast forward about 2 months and the coat was finished. A few buttons had fallen off, the cheap material was pilling, and although I have told myself for almost an entire year that I should go find some cute buttons to sew on theZ coat and re-vamp it, it still sits in my hall closet untouched. Today I stumbled across this gorgeous coat from French Connection:

Swoooon. Not only is it the same bright chartreuse, but has a ton of cute details my old coat only dreamed of. The black toggles add the perfect contrast to the vivid color, and the Peter Pan collar, pleats and yoke detailing are the kind of girlie touches I am always a sucker for. You’ll stand out in the sea of drab winter coats, and the color will take you straight into spring, as I spotted chartreuse once again in more than a few of the spring 09 collections. The best part is, with the superb quality of French Connection, this coat will actually survive the journey from winter to spring… year after year.

Los Angeles is always a dry place to live, but this time of year, it really gets out of control. The havoc the dry weather has been wrecking on my skin is not pretty. When someone as pale as me gets ashy, its not a sight you want to see. I have been on the lookout for a new body lotion as I am bored of my usual Eucerine routine, and I don’t trust frou frou perfumed lotions to really get the job done. While looking at ELLE.com today I read a post on the natural skincare line Terralina, the line won ELLE’s Green Star Award for Best Face Wash this year and they also swear by the lightly-scented body lotion which moisturizes without leaving behind any annoying residue. Even better, the line is donating 15 percent of sales from all items to the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation which focuses on womens health issues. All natural ingredients, the seal of approval from ELLE and shopping for a good cause? I’m in!

Natural Beauty Terralina body lotion has a light scent, which I like, but there is also a fragrance free option if you prefer.

Source: ELLE.com Image Source: Pharmacy Mix Blog

I keep hearing the theory that designers will be filling their upcoming ad campaigns with “safe” commercial models in these uncertain economic times. This theory makes sense to me, when profits are bleak and competition fierce, avant garde is perhaps not the way to go when trying to sell your brand. Therefore, I was surprised to hear that DKNY was replacing Vlada Roslyakova with someone I had never even heard of. Thanks to Google, however, I quickly learned that I was pretty much the only one who hadn’t heard of socialite and New York and internet it-girl Harley Viera Newton. Thanks to my favorite internet search engine, I can tell you that her dad worked in music and her mom in fashion (I feel like I have heard this before, no?) and that she keeps herself very busy as a budding photographer ( having done an internship at Mario Testino, no less), she helms the DJ booth at Lit and various parties, plays bass in Lissy Trullie’s band and still finds time to attend NYU full-time and work a job in retail. Phew! I need a nap just thinking about all the running around she must do. Most importantly for our purposes here, her sense of style is young and quirky, sometimes vintage-girly and other times rocker-chic and always completely covetable.

Not only do I love her style but her attitude towards it. According to Refinery29 she’s influenced by effortless people she’ll see on the street, denouncing trends in favor of confidence. “If you’re not comfortable and you’re aware of wearing an outfit, everyone else is going to be aware that you’re wearing an ‘outfit.’ That’s not style, that’s trying to be stylish.”

Harley counts Tom Binns as her top fashion icon, declaring him her “favorite, favorite, favorite”. These Classic Safety Pin earrings from the jewelry designer (and former CFDA Fashion Award winner) are a very cool feminine take on punk rock’s favorite accessory:

Source: Refinery29

I love this image from The Satorialist because it illustrates that wardrobe staples such as great fitting slacks, a good quality white t-shirt and a cashmere cardigan can be paired with different accessories to become innumerous different looks. I absolutely love this bright scarf and the turban-like way that she has wrapped it around her head, yet these pieces could just have easily been paired with statement jewelry such as a large stone necklace, or a bright blue oversized clutch to take this look from The Gap to The Satorialist. My advice is to invest in these wardrobe staples and great timeless accessories like this scarf, and to go the inexpensive route when it comes to the trendy pieces you covet. A perfectly fitted pair of black trousers you can wear season after season while harem pants come and go.

Here’s how to get the look:

These “Classic Pants” from Theory are cute and the brand is known for having great quality. They have a slight slouch which makes them look a little bit relaxed, but they still come off smart.

You can’t have too many basic tops like this crisp white Gap “Essential Tee” .

This Inhabit cotton-cashmere basic cardigan is the kind of sweater that is a go-to when you want to be comfortable but still look cute.

I love the contrast of the bright yellow and black on this Emilio Pucci Diamante Silk Scarf.

Source: The Satorialist

Built by Wendy is the super-cute label of New York designer Wendy Mullin (pictured here), and probably one of the best known independent fashion brands, with cool-girl fans such as Kathleen Hanna, Sofia Coppola and Parker Posey. Now Wendy is offering you the chance to make her designs your own with her simple how-to sewing books Sew U and Sew U Home Stretch. The books are perfect for both the novice and experienced sewer and come with patterns from Wendy that you can switch-up with your own fabric choices as well as different collars, rows of buttons, and personal flair. Getting to choose your colors and trims means that you can make clothing that is flattering to your body type and coloring, as well as to your aesthetics. These guides not only allow you to truly personalize your wardrobe, but are a perfect tool for the recessionista, with the small cost of these guides plus fabric, you can make countless one-of- kind designs for less than a trip to Zara. The fact that your instructions and patterns come from such a hip source as Wendy Mullin sweetens the deal.
Unleash your crafty side with Sew U and Sew U Home Stretch.

Image Source: Built by Wendy

On Tuesday night, Diane Von Furstenberg celebrated the launch of her Wonder Woman inspired holiday collection, and the coinciding comic book The Adventures of Diva, Viva & Fifa, at her studio. NY Magazine’s “The Cut”, asked Diane what superhuman power she’d have if she could, and she said, “I would destroy all weapons” while in a jersey dress calling herself Super Diane. Love it. The very cool comic book, about three women superheroes whose initials cheekily match those of the designer, is illustrated by Konstantin Kakanias and published by DC Comics. It features a letter by the original Wonder Woman Lynda Carter and an introduction by my personal favorite wonder woman Gloria Steinem, with 100% of the proceeds going to Vital Voices, a organization that seeks to empower women to find inner strength on a global scale. You can purchase the comic book in stores or online for $25. The title to this post, in case you are wondering, is taken from the Wonder Woman theme song… which is totally awesome. I think I may have found my Halloween costume…

You too can be a stunning superhero in a jersey dress with this navy beauty from Super Diane:

Source: The Cut, Fashionista

I’m always on the look-out for a new playlist for my iPod, and if fashion is my inspiration for such, all the better. The bf recently alerted me to an article on Vanity Fair’s website where they compiled the songs from 50 different shows during New York Fashion Week. The article is a dream come true for musically inclined fashionistas, fashionable musicologists as well as all those just looking for some new music to get into. I’m happy to see some of my long-time favorites such as Radiohead and Mazzy Star, new loves such as Santogold and Lykke Li and, best of all, artists I have never heard of and am going to look into the second I am done writing this post, on this list. For the entire list, you MUST visit Vanity Fair, but here is a little snippet of the good stuff (alphabetical order because I am simply too indecisive to choose favorites):

3.1 Philip Lim
The Chromatics, “In the City”
Radiohead, “Weird Fishes/Arpeggi”
MGMT, “Electric Feel”
The Chromatics, “Hands in the Dark”
M83, “Kim and Jessie”
Alan Braxe, “In Love with You”

Abaeté
The Ting Tings, “Shut Up and Let Me Go”
Cut Copy, “Nobody Lost, Nobody Found”
Hot Chip, “Ready for the Floor”
Cut Copy, “Far Away”
Black Kids, “I’ve Underestimated My Charm Again”
Santogold, “Say Aha”
Foals, “Hummer”

Alexander Wang
Kelis, “Handful”
Foxy Brown, “Hot Spot”
Santogold, “You’ll Find a Way”
Busta Rhymes, “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See”
N.E.R.D., “Lapdance”
Jay-Z, “Jockin’ Jay-Z”
Stereo MC, “Connected”

Anna Sui
The White Stripes, “Conquest”
The White Stripes, “Conquest (Acoustic Mariachi Version)”
Guns N’ Roses, “Double Talkin’ Jive”
The Pixies, “Cecilia Ann”
The Bookhouse Boys, “Mariachi La”
Havana 3AM, “Hey Amigo”
Oasis, “Falling Down”
Oasis, “Falling Down (Chemical Brothers Remix)”

Badgley Mischka
FM, “Always the Sun”
Ra Ra Riot, “Can You Tell”
Ra Ra Riot, “Ghost Under Rocks”
Tussle, “Night of the Hunter”

Band of Outsiders
Stereolab, “Anonymous Collective”
Broadcast, “Arc of a Journey”
The 6ths with Miss Lily Banquette, “Oahu”
The Magnetic Fields, “Absolutely Cuckoo”
The Magnetic Fields, “All My Little Words”
Mazzy Star, “Happy”
Stereolab, “The Light That Will Cease to Fail”
The Magnetic Fields, “Abigail Belle of Kilronan”
Yaz, “Midnight”
Stereolab, “Au Grand Jour”
The Magnetic Fields, “Grand Canyon”
Devendra Banhart, “Noah”

The Blonds
France Joli, “Come to Me”
Donna Summer, “I Feel Love (David Morales 2008 Remix)”
Donna Summer, “I Feel Love (Timo Maas Remix)”
Roisin Murphy, “Movie Star (JRSNCHZ)”
Bonnie Tyler, “Born to Be a Winner (12‘ Instrumental Mix)”
Donna Summer, “I Love You”
Roisin Murphy, “Movie Star”

Brian Reyes
George Sarah, “Source Cue 3”
Grand Popo Football Club, “Men Are Not Nice Guys”
Amy Winehouse, “In My Bed (Bugz in the Attic Mix)”
Vanity 6, “Nasty Girls”
Seiji, “Second Nature”

Carlos Miele
Seu Jorge, live.

Carmen Marc Valvo
Layo & Bushwacka!, “Next Level”
Murr featuring Rosina, “Fables and Fairytales”
In Flagranti, “You Love Her Coz She’s Dead”
Dub Kult, “Bip”
White Light Circus, “Up to Rot”

Catherine Holstein
My Morning Jacket, “Why Don’t You Love Me”
Blonde Redhead, “Silently”
Spiritualized, “Good Dope/Good Fun”
My Morning Jacket, “Dream a Little Dream of Me”

Charlotte Ronson
Set mixed by Mark Ronson.
Mystery Jets, “Two Doors Down”
Ladyhawke, “Paris Is Burning”
Cryptacize, “Peg”
Lily Allen, “Stop There”
The Pipettes, “Because It’s Not Love (But It’s Still a Feeling)”
Metronomy, “Heartbreaker”
Foals, “Big Big Love”
Foals, “Olympic Airways”
Fujiya & Miyagi, “Sore Thumb”
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, “Ertrinken”
Sigur Rós, “Inní Mér Syngur Vitleysingur”

Chris Han
Djuma Soundsystem, “Les Djinns (Trentemoller Remix)”
Ladyhawke, “Paris Is Burning (Cut Copy Remix)”
Moloko, “Familiar Feeling (Timo Maas Main Mix)”
The Presets, “This Boy’s in Love (Kim Mix)”
Sebastien Leger, “Bambou”
Sebastien Leger, “Talisman”
Ida Engberg, “Disco Volante (Sebastien Leger Mix)”
Sebastien Leger, “Cosmonite”
Eurythmics, “Here Comes the Rain Again (Freemasons Vocal Mix)”
MGMT, “Time to Pretend”

Costello Tagliapietra
Fad Gadget, “Lady Shave”
Section 25, “Dirty Disco”
Pylon, “Cool”
Bush Tetras, “Things That Go Boom in the Night”
Klein & MBO, “Dirty Talk”
Loose Joints, “Tell You (Today)”
D-Train-You’re, “The One for Me”
Spizz Energi, “Soldier Soldier”

Cushnie et Ochs
ElectroCute, “I Need a Freak”
Leon Jean Marie, “Bring It On (Little Boots Remix)”

Cynthia Steffe
The Charlatans, “You’re So Pretty”
Kooks, “Ooh La”
Slow Runner, “Everything Is Exactly What It Seems”
London Suede, “The Beautiful Ones”

Diane von Furstenberg
Vangelis, “Rachel’s Song”
Vangelis, “Love Theme”
Primal Scream, “Loaded”
Gotye, “The Only Way”
Friendly Fires, “Lovesick”
Diana Ross, “I’m Coming Out”

Dolce & Gabbana Men
N.E.R.D., “Yeah You”
N.E.R.D., “You Know What”
N.E.R.D., “Windows”

DSquared (Men)
Missy Elliott, “Back in the Day”
Electric Boogie, “West Street Mob Break Dance”
Lisa Lisa & The Cult Jam, “Let the Beat Hit ’em”
Snap!, “The Power”
Herbie Hancock, “Rockit”
Rene & Angela, “Save Your Love (for Number One)”
Sugarhill Gang, “Rapper’s Delight”
Kurtis Blow, “Breaks”
Maurice, “This Is Acid”
House Master Boyz, “House Nation”
Ralphi Rosario, “You Used to Hold Me [Kenny Jason Mix]”
Frankie Knuckles Presents Marshall Jefferson, “Move Your Body”
Run DMC vs. Jamie Levins, “It’s Like That”
Run DMC, “It’s Like That”

Leifsdottir
Art of Noise, “Approximate Mood Swing No. 2”
Susumu Yokota, “Blue Sky and Yellow Sunflower”
Lykke Li, “Let It Fall”
Jem, “Come On Closer”
Perry, “Blake This Life”
Jem, “Wish I”
Ladybug Mecca, “Leaving It All Behind”
Beck, “Tropicalia”
Lykke Li, “Little Bit”
Lykke Li, “Dance, Dance, Dance”
Susumu, “Yokota Symbol of Life, Love and Aesthetics”
Jem, “They”
Au Revoir Simone, “Night Majestic”
Air France, “Beach Party”

Lela Rose
Lykke Li, “I’m Good, I’m Gone”
The Epoch, “Love Complete”
Lykke Li, “Breaking It Up”
Dr. Buzzard OSB, “Sunshower (Rico Uno Remix)”

With all this new music, you may need to upgrade your music player. The 80 GB iPod should do!

Source: Vanity Fair