Gorgeous Casual Gowns

Max Mara Elegante for Fall-Winter 2010-2011 Collection

The campaign for the fall/winter 2010-2011 collection from Max Mara will feature several famous female and male models. The Max Mara Elegante collection is presented by Arthur Sales, Blaine Cook, Matthew Coatsworth, Nate Gill, Sean Harju, Dorothea Barth Jorgensen, and Jacquelyn Jablonski.

Photographer Dewey Nicks was the author of this campaign. He created concise and very clear studio images by making major emphasis on the clothes on the models.

From the name of the collection alone, Elegante, it is easy to guess that this collection offers elegant and stylish outfits, which will be perfect choice for special occasions.

The Max Mara Elegante fall-winter collection features small black dresses, long evening gowns, cocktail dresses, elegant blouses with ruffles, satin overalls, mini and maxi jackets and skirts.

Shoes Problems Women Face

34 minutes is the time after which most women wearing new shoes begin to flinch with pain… And as often as not find their evening out ruined by killer heels.

Researchers from Insolia who conducted a poll of 4,000 women, discovered that, once the woman gets out of the taxi, her new shoes begin to act like a time bomb, and in half an hour she is facing a feet problem.

40 per cent of women, aware of the danger, habitually take along a pair of pumps and change into them as soon as the chafe gets beyond endurance point.

Over 50 per cent of sufferers get back home with their shoes off, either barefoot or having borrowed a pair off their friends.

Every tenth woman experiences so much pain or gets so frustrated that she just kicks the new shoes off and leaves them behind.

In spite of these recurring troubles 20 per cent of women insist that they are not going to give up wearing heels no matter what – notwithstanding even the comment from a spokesperson for Insolia who said that spoiling fun on so many nights out because of shoes is “ridiculous”.

$46 Million Worth Pink Diamond

he diamond is surely worth its latest price of £29 ($46) million, though it has set a new record for gems at the latest Sotheby’s auction in Geneva. David Bennett, chairman of Sotheby’s Europe and the Middle East jewelry department, when announcing the auction’s world record price for a gem, compared it to pink champagne.

It’s a rare kind, considered to be flawless, of a color described as “fancy intense pink”, and weighing 24.78 carats. The stone is set onto a platinum ring.

London-based diamond dealer Laurence Graff turned out to be the lucky buyer, having put in a bid of the breathtaking sum over the phone. Interviewed about his new acquisition, he said that he is delighted with it because it is the most “fabulous” diamond he has ever come across.

Actually the jewel’s new owner is so besotted with it that from now on the stone is to be known as the “Graff Pink”.

Christian Louboutin New Limited Satin Shoes Collection

Christian Louboutin, the most wanted shoe brand, created a special limited edition collection of shoes. All proceeds will go to poor families to help them start their own businesses.

Mr. Louboutin was inspired by the book ”Creating a World without Poverty”, which was written by the Nobel laureate and founder of the Grameen Foundation, Muhammed Yunus. The celebrity designer was so touched by the book that he decided to promote the author’s idea by releasing an exclusive collection called “Peace of Shoe”.

Pumps in this collection are covered with luxurious silk satin and trimmed with Indian ribbons. Only 33 pairs were produced and each was numbered and signed by the famous designer himself. Champagne-colored pumps are available in Los Angeles and Miami, while lavender-colored ones only in Miami, and pink – only in Los-Angeles.

The price of those special pumps is set at $1,495. 100% of proceeds will go directly to charity.

Stylish Winter Scarves

Scarf is a great accessory, isn’t that so? Besides, it keeps us warm even in a fierce weather, it gives the image of uniqueness and individuality of course, if you choose your winter scarf with utmost seriousness.Do you want some ideas on scarves for the Winter 2010/2011 season?

A big, wide and long scarf is a great stuff for warmth and comfort, and you can replace the jacket if need be. You can fasten with a beautiful brooch.

And how about a bright accessory? Such a method of tying is possible if the texture of the scarf is silky, and easily draped. Choose wool with linen.

If instead of the usual fringe, you decorate the scarf with gathered edging, it will be a very feminine version.

Fur accessories are still in fashion. You have a child coat left or bought a piece of fur? Why not use them? By the way, the version with artificial fur will be fit for conservationists.

A stylish handkerchief around the neck is also a scarf! It is important that the quality of the material is excellent. Then it will be easy to drape and pleasant to touch. Silk fringe adds style.

And, of course, bright geometry! It is also at the height of fashion. See how dressy it looks in this case, the usual office dress!

Marc Jacobs Awarded 2010 FIAF Trophee Des Arts

Marc Jacobs was awarded 2010 FIAF Trophee des Arts on Thursday night by French institute Alliance Francaise, for his contributions to French Fashion.

Marc Jacobs was one of the two honorees that night, the other being Total CEO Christophe de Margerie.

“I’m lucky to have this great job at Louis Vuitton,” said Jacobs adding, “I can’t put what I love about Paris into one thing. It’s an ephemeral feeling, I feel happy and comfortable there. It’s the physical city, the lifestyle, the wine, the art.”

Other guests of the evening included actor Michael Pitt, painter and author (and Picasso muse) Françoise Gilot, artists John Currin and Rachel Feinstein and designer Fe Fendi.

Expensive Bracelet at Sotheby’s

Sotheby’s saw off the most expensive item ever to be hammered away at an auction – the historical bracelet from the Duke and Duchess of Windsor jewel collection. It is a beautiful diamond panther that belonged to Wallis Simpson, the romantic reason behind Edward VIII’s abdication.The panther bracelet broke auction records with its sale at £4,500,000 ($7million). It is also a new record for a Cartier jewel to be auctioned off. The total Windsor 20-piece collection went for £7,975,550 (around $12,5 million).

Prada To Launch Its Retail In Spain's Largest Department Store

Prada is to launch its retail in Spain’s largest department store, with the rollout of a 645-square foot shop-in-shop in the store on Barcelona’s luxury heavy Avenida Diagonal.

The new location, which is designed by Roberto Baciocchi, features wall coverings in Prada’s signature pastel green and a graphic black-and-white checkered floor edged in marble. The store will carry women’s handbags, accessories and travel goods.

“We decided to expand Prada’s retail network in Spain based on strong sales for 2009 and 2010 in our Madrid flagship stores,” said Sebastian Suhl, chief operating officer of Prada in Milan.

Additional accessories shop-in-shops for Prada and Miu Miu are planned for El Corte Inglés’ Madrid flagship on Paseo de la Castellana by early 2011, Suhl confirmed.

Avril Lavigne Steps Into Fashion With Her Abbey Dawn Line

The music sensation, Avril Lavigne, who launched her juniors line ‘Abbey Dawn’ exclusively at Kohl’s two years back, is expanding her brand by introducing rock-inspired tops for men and women directly to customers on the web and in boutiques worldwide.

Kohl’s was a great way to start my line and a great home for it for two-and-a-half years” said Lavigne adding, “The thing with me is…I really want my clothes to be available internationally.”

Abbey Dawn, which is basically a nickname Lavigne’s father gave her when she was young, is all about Lavigne’s personal rock style.

“I’m designing it for me, really,” Lavigne said. “I learned a lot about myself with designing the stuff. I was really excited about [for Kohl’s] did well. It gave me the confidence; you don’t have to be perfect. It’s about having fun. It’s a lot of fun. It’s another way to be creative. It’s all the same. It comes from me.”

The line Abbey Dawn will include men’s section, which will cover basics including t-shirts, hoodies and caps in a dark palette of grey, black, white and red, which is Lavigne’s favorite hue for men.

“I think about my brother [Matt] and I think about my band,” Lavigne said. “It’s for the guy who’s into brands like Metal Mulisha — just edgier.”

Other than that Abbey Dawn will include women’s fashion such as high heels plastered in skull print, studded handbags lined in zebra print and dresses inspired by pin-up girls. The full line will make its debut next June at the Bread & Butter trade show in Berlin. Retail prices will range from $20 to $40 for loungewear and active wear; $20 to $60 for wallets and handbags; $25 to $60 for dresses, skirts and pants; $30 to $50 for bikini sets; $30 to $80 for sneakers, platform heels and wedges, and $40 to $70 for denim. Anderson hopes to land Abbey Dawn in major department stores.

While talking about the theme of her fashion collection Lavigne said, “The inspiration for my line comes from my personal style; I’m not a huge fan of floral. I like stripes and plaid and polka dots and allover prints of skulls.”

Abbey Dawn is bold and colorful, it’s for that girl who has an edge and has fun expressing her through fashion,” Lavigne added.

Angelina Jolie To Collaborate On A Jewelry Line

Along with acting, directing, being a mother and U.N goodwill ambassador, Angelina Jolie is collaborating on a line of jewelry.

‘The Tourist’ actress has teamed up with Robert Procop, the former chief executive of Asprey, who now makes bespoke pieces under the name Robert Procop Exceptional Jewels, to create a collection of jewelry with statement stones.

The due began their collaboration last year and Procop has been designing jewelry for Jolie for the past decade. The actress also wore on of his jewelry pieces, a faceted black spinal necklace bezel set in rose gold to the premier of her film ‘Salt’ in Berlin last summer. Besides Jolie also wears Procop designed pieces in her new movie ‘The Tourist’ including a vintage diamond choker and a pair of yellow sapphire, rectangular cushion cut earrings.

“Angelina has very classic style,” said Procop adding, “These are pieces she wears herself.”

The jewelry collection includes pebble-size, pale green 353-carat beryl pendant, in a rose gold setting and worn on a chain of cushion shape beryl stones, and a graphic, tablet-shape 12.02-carat vivid green emerald ring set in rose gold.

The pieces from this collection will not be sold in stores but will be sold privately through Procop’s network of clients with all the proceeds from the collaborative designs going towards Angelina’s charity, the Education Partnership for Children of Conflict. Each piece will be priced individually.

Phoebe Philo wins 'Designer of the Year' Award at British Fashion Awards

Pheobe Philo, the creative director of Celine, won the ‘Designer of the Year’ Award at British Fashion Awards organized by British Fashion Council on Tuesday night.

Other nominees for this category included Christopher Kane and Erdem Moralioglu. Other winners were Mulberry for Designer Brand; Nicholas Kirk-wood for Accessory Designer; Patrick Grant of E. Tautz for Men’s Wear Designer, and Meadham Kirchhoff for Emerging Talent, Ready-to-Wear.

Husam El Odeh won for Emerging Talent, Accessories, while Nicola Formichetti won the Isabella Blow Award for Fashion Creator. Lee Alexander McQueen was posthumously honored with the award for Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Design.

In addition to that, there were two new awards this year: Naomi Campbell won the Special Recognition Award for her 25-year career, and Burberry walked off with the Digital Innovation Award.

And finally ‘Model of the Year’ award was grabbed by Lara Stone, who said, “I’m hoping it would finally give me some public recognition.”

Fashion House Gucci Opens a Museum

The Italian fashion house Gucci continues to introduce many buyers with its more than rich history. Not so long ago, Gucci experts showed old techniques of making accessories by hand in the biggest fashion capitals of the world, a museum, which Gucci plans to open in Florence will be the place to assess vintage home accessories next year.The main exposition of the museum will be an impressive collection of Gucci vintage accessories repurchased by the company from collectors through a service launched in cooperation with auction house Christie’s. The service launched earlier this year will enable owners of Gucci accessories receive expert assessment of auction value of models sometimes transmitted from generation to generation.

Steve Madden Lookbook for Fall-Winter 2010-2011

The hottest season for fashionistas and clubbers is coming. Are the forecasts surreal? The Lookbook from Steve Madden for this fall-winter 2010-2011 season definitely confirms those forecasts.

Steve Madden’s friends are busy 24/7. On a cold November morning, the stylish high leather boots on heels proudly walk along the granite paving of the quay. The suede ankle boots with cuffs also perfectly fit this urban scene.

The hottest trends this fall include: wide calves, gaiters, and strong heels. Velour textured suede and leather will keep your feet warm. At the same time, the colors of untreated wood and charcoal, chocolate, and latte will provide inspiration and optimism.

Steve Madden lets ladies choose whether they want to be romantic or daring. As for young men, they can choose between the image of experienced style-lovers or tough guys.