944

The e-tail geniuses over at Gilt have done it again - this Friday, the online fashion flash sale giant is holding a Lady Gaga inspired sale, curated in part by Gaga fashion director (and personal hero) Nicola Formichetti. Offerings include pre-orders of the superstar's latest album, Born This Way, two Formichetti curated fashion sales, a one-of-a-kind Mugler dress worn by Gaga with proceeds benefiting the Robin Hood Foundation, and VIP access to special events including dance classes at Broadway Dance Theater and Gaga listening parties. The sale starts at noon on Friday and is sure to draw tons of traffic, so little monsters will want to make sure to register at www.gilt.com/ladygaga asap.

Watch a video of Nicola Formichetti at the shoot for the Gilt sale here:

Written by: Rebecca Voigt

How cute is this bike?!?! G by Guess, the latest brand extension from denim giant Guess, created this limited-edition, retro-inspired bike just in time for summer. A singlespeed Dutch bike with step-through frame, balloon tires, a center kickstand, and colorful paint job, this bike is eye catching, fun and flirty. A matching guys version, modeled after cafe racers of the 1960s, is also available.

Want to score one for yourself? All PULSE members, customers enrolled in G by GUESS’ loyalty program, can enter for a chance to win a bike by emailing a childhood photo of themselves on their first bike to facebook@gbyguess.com with their full name and e-mail address associated with their PULSE account. All photo submissions will be uploaded to the “G by GUESS Bike Giveaway” photo album on Facebook, where two winners will be selected. Don't have a pic to email? No sweat - all PULSE members who make a purchase in stores or online between now and May 23 will be automatically entered to win a G by GUESS bike.

And if you really, really want one and can't wait to see if you win, the limited edition bikes ($399 each) are available for purchase now on www.GbyGUESS.com while supplies last. Written by: Rebecca Voigt

Target is at it again, formulating the next must-have designer collaboration. This fall, the mega retailer will debut a collection by Italian fashion house Missoni, and with 400+ items set to hit stores, it is set to be the biggest yet. Everything from apparel for women, men and children to dinnerware will be available September 13-22. Learn more at http://www.vogue.com/vogue-daily/article/next-up-from-target-come-september-a-collaboration-with-missoni/. Written by: Rebecca Voigt

The annual Costume Institute Gala at the Met was held last night, and the fashion was absolutely incredible! Since this year's exhibition honors the late Alexander McQueen, there were obviously many attendees honoring the designer and his successor, Sarah Burton, who is fresh off designing THE dress of the century (if you don't know what I'm talking about, you live under a rock). Stella McCartney, another British designer, also made an incredibly strong showing, with everyone from a glowing Kate Hudson to an adorable Hailee Steinfeld wearing her designs. See the full gallery here and leave your picks for best and worst in the comments!

http://www.style.com/peopleparties/parties/scoop/redcarpet-050211_Costume_Institute_Gala/ Written by: Rebecca Voigt

Everyone can rest easy - we FINALLY know who designed Kate Middleton's wedding dress! No big surprise, it was Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen. I was hoping this would be the case as McQueen is arguably one of the greatest British design houses of all time, with an insane attention to detail and craftsmanship. The late Lee McQueen was a true fashion visionary and artist in the purest sense of the word, and Burton is carrying out his legacy beautifully.

Anyway, back to the dress. It was a rather conservative design, as to be expected at a royal wedding steeped in so much history and tradition, but the lace detailing on the bodice, skirt and veil was exquisite. In all, it was vaguely reminiscent of Grace Kelly's wedding dress, fitting since she was also a "commoner" (what an awful word! let's just call them "citizens," shall we?) marrying a royal.

Congratulations to Kate Middleton on looking gorgeous in McQueen, marrying her Prince charming, and living a real life fairytale! Written by: Rebecca Voigt

I love Ines de la Fressange. She is so French, so chic, and so cute. Just read this excerpt from a recent interview with New York Magazine's fashion blog, The Cut, on walking in a recent Chanel show:

How did you end up closing Karl Lagerfeld's spring 2011 show?
Listen, it was a stupid idea of pure vanity. The thing the most difficult to get rid of is vanity. When somebody tells you, "You’re just gorgeous, you’re beautiful, I would like you to do my show," how do you say, "Oh no no, thank you, not for me." You say, "Oh really? Thank you!" And you do it. Even with my old age, no wisdom at all. I was there, and I had flat shoes, because Karl knows I usually wear flat shoes, and I had all these Ukrainian, huge giants around me. I was feeling so much like a granny … And then it was impossible to escape, it was too late. I had to go on the runway, and then two or three friends of mine started to clap, in a very nice way. Maybe they felt bad for me, it was very, very kind of them, but it gave the idea to others to clap. And usually at fashion shows, nobody claps anymore. I mean, you clap at the end but not at the fashion show anymore — you tweet, you phone, you put your eyeglasses on, whatever, but you don’t clap, not anymore. But they were clapping and smiling. [So] it was fun to do it like this, just also because it was a symbol that even the big Karl Lagerfeld himself could appreciate a woman that had a bit of a tummy, wrinkles, all the things you get after a while.

So adorable! And humble and honest! As is her new style manual, Parisian Chic. Pick up a copy now for Ines-isms and invaluable advice on attaining her enviable French style.

Parisian Style, $18 | amazon.com

Read the rest of The Cut's interview with Ines here: http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2011/04/ines_de_la_fressange_talks_kat.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+nymag/fashion+(The+Cut+-+nymag.com's+Fashion+Blog+-+New+York+Magazine) Written by: Rebecca Voigt

I've said it before, but the Olsen twins really are the best, most successful example of "celebrity" designers. I know, who would have thought? Those little cherubs from Full House have grown up and created a fashion empire with their labels The Row and Elizabeth and James. A large part of their success is that their names aren't on the brand, allowing them to transcend the "celebrity designer" stigma. Of course there's more to it than that, and in this week's Newsweek, fashion writer (and Detroit native!) Robin Givhan explores the secrets to their success. Read all about it here, and start saving for those $1,700 leather leggings:

http://www.newsweek.com/2011/04/24/look-ma-we-re-fashion-moguls.html Written by: Rebecca Voigt

The internet has gone wedding crazy. Seriously.

Online bridal boutiques are all the rage right now. It started with brick-and-mortar retailers like J.Crew expanding their offerings into bridal on their sites, then Gilt got in on the action (their next sale is starting soon). Shopbop and Net-a-Porter have both added online bridal boutiques, not to mention BHLDN, the online bridal concept recently launched by the company that owns Anthropologie. The online sample sale format has also jumped on the bandwagon - Rue La La has a sale starting later this week - and so has The Outnet, the sale arm of Net-a-Porter, which has a sale going on right now.

All this begs the question: Are brides comfortable buying their dresses online? I mean, online bridal boutiques make sense for lots of things (thank you cards, shoes, accessories, lingerie, and even bridesmaids dresses, for example), but are women willing to make arguably the most important wedding purchase - the dress - online? Granted, most of the wedding gowns available online are RTW, not the custom-order creations available at bridal salons, which does eliminate a lot of the guesswork, and the business model must be working. After launching bridal online, J.Crew opened a brick-and-mortar bridal store, after all.

Tell us what you think fo the trend in the comments section below. Written by: Rebecca Voigt

There is nothing like the ease of throwing on a dress and pair of sandals in the summer. You look "dressed" without even trying. It's something I look forward to literally all winter, when I can't seem to wrap myself in enough layers to keep warm in the bitter Detroit cold.

Now that it's officially spring, warm weather is just around the corner, and, thanks to Banana Republic, so are plenty of dresses!

BR's Signature Summer Dress Collection, which launched in stores earlier this week, includes more than 70 options, ranging from black tie to beach ready. The colors, textures and prints are inspired by lush rain forests, vibrant gardens, and deep lagoons, and the dresses are available in luxuriously easy fabrics such as silk, linen and cotton. And with a price range of $69.50 to $298, with the majority of the collection priced under $100, there's absolutely no reason why I shouldn't get a new dress for each day of summer.

Sounds like a dream come true, you say? According to Creative Director Simon Kneen, that's exactly the point. "The collection was designed with the greatest of intentions: to fulfill every woman's fantasy of opening a closet and discovering on dreamy dress after another - each a vision destined to dress life's every occasion."

www.bananarepublic.com Written by: Rebecca Voigt

Alice + Olivia's adorable spring shoe collection debut's on Shopbop today, and to celebrate, the e-tailer created a video that is pure fashion fantasy. Pretty models, pretty dresses, pretty cakes and pretty shoes!

Watch the video here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNyfzlbMGiA

And shop the new collection at www.shopbop.com Written by: Rebecca Voigt

You gotta love Gwen Stefani. From her music to her fashion to her signature red lipstick, she is 100 percent a style icon. Japanese culture - particularly Harajuku culture - has always been one of her personal style inspirations, so it's no surprise that she has stepped up to help the victims of the recent earthquake and tsunami. Not only did Stefani donate $1 million for relief efforts, but she is also leveraging her successful fashion lines, L.A.M.B. and Harajuku Lovers, to raise more funds for those affected by the disaster.

From April 11-25, Stefani is holding an online auction of vintage L.A.M.B. items straight from her own closet as well as limited edition t-shirts with special custom labels, signed and numbered by Stefani. The ultimate auction item, however, is a chance to have tea with the icon herself at a Harajuku-themed tea party at LA's Japanese-style cosplay cafe, Royal/T. Proceeds from the auction and event will benefit Save the Children's Japan Earthquake-Tsunami Children in Emergency Fund. For more on the auction, visit http://members.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=gwen_stefani_auction

Stefani has also designed a limited edition Harajuku Lovers t-shirt, on sale now, with 100 percent of the net proceeds benefiting the American Red Cross' Japan relief and recovery efforts. Click here to buy the shirt, $40, with the option to add an additional donation: http://gwenstefanijapanfundraiser.shop.bravadousa.com/Default.aspx

UPDATE: The auction is live, so log on to bid now! Written by: Rebecca Voigt

It is so exciting how much world class dance has been through Detroit this year. And it's particularly exciting that Complexions Contemporary Ballet is next on the calendar. The good people over at Music Hall asked me to share this great deal with 944's uber cultured readers. Purchase tickets through ticketmaster.com or the Music Hall box office, use the password DANCE, and get your tickets for half off! Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to some incredible dance this spring - you'll thank me for it later!

Check out a preview of what you can expect to see on the Music Hall stage here: http://complexionsdance.org/videos/

Written by: Rebecca Voigt

This is by far the most sartorially exciting way to support relief in Japan so far. This Thursday, 3.1 Phillip Lim is hosting a sample sale with proceeds going to the American Red Cross to aid Japan's relief efforts. Men's and Women's ready-to-wear, accessories, and shoes, as well as Kid by Philiip Lim, will all be available far below retail prices. The sale will be held at the NYC 3.1 Phillip Lim Showroom at 260 W. 39th St., 17th Floor (between 7th & 8th Ave). New Yorkers, get out your credit cards and shop for a good cause!!!

3.1 Phillip Lim Sample Sale
Thursday, March 24
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
260 W. 39th Street, NYC
www.31philliplim.com Written by: Rebecca Voigt

One of my fave stylists of all time, W Magazine's Alex White, is using one of my fave iPhone Apps, Hipstamatic, for an insider fashion blog that is pure eye candy. It's super cool to see the details that catch her eye, especially during the just passed fashion week in Paris. I mean, after looking at the above pic, don't Vuitton's rubber fetich wellies seem like a good idea? See more at www.wmagazine.com/w/blogs/alexwhiteedits. Written by: Rebecca Voigt

I am loving these wedges from Rosegold's S/S '11 collection. The graphic laser cut details and zip back give the Carlee an edge that will perfectly balance all the girly frocks I plan to rock once the temperature finally rises. Bring on the sunshine!

Rosegold Carlee Wedge Sandal, $168 | www.shoprosegold.com Written by: Rebecca Voigt