Tag Archives: Stella McCartney

7/12/2012 Darling Of The Day / Basics For A Bargain: Anne Hathaway’s Cropped ‘Do, LBDs, & Audrey Hepburn Inspiration!

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Anne Hathaway has hit the red carpet with a reinvented classic retro vibe, cad with her pixie cut (for Les Miserables), little black dresses, basic black shoes, & elegance pendant necklaces.  The Oscar-nominee is in full swing promoting her latest film, the major summer blockbuster The Dark Knight Rises. The Style Darling‘s looks are elegant, contemporary, youthful, & worth making her the Darling of the Day.

Since I couldn’t pick just one look that I loved, I decided to share the four most recent images of her Audrey Hepburn-inspired style.  Her short ‘do is perfectly understated while these leg-baring frocks reveal that the actress isn’t slowing down her glamour game just yet.  Included in these images are dresses by Dolce & Gabbana, Stella McCartney, & Givenchy, paired with Tory Burch ankle strap sandals.

Since there are so many fabulous details in the dresses above, I’ve found some affordable LBDs to help recreate Anne’s breathtaking noir turn.  First from Forever 21, we have the shawl collar surplice dress ($27.80) & the mesh yoke bodycon dress ($24.80), which is available in sizes XL – 3X. H&M has this belted dress ($34.95) which moves beautifully & can be dressed up with peep toes or worn casually with flats.  To show off your shape, I recommend the ponte knit sheath dress ($48.93) from Express.  If you’re looking to imitate the feel of Anne’s forth look above, head over to Lulu’s for the Motown black dress ($38.00). Lastly, since we are talking about one of the most sought after actresses in all the land, we need to step up our style game just a little & share the Jessica Howard sequin cap sleeve dress ($70.00) @JCP. 

Lastly, to help complete the look, I’ve searched high & low for some of the best accessories. This includes the Forever 21 oval locket necklace ($5.80) & floral pendant necklace ($1.50).  In addition, my shoe choices include the Brash Gemini flat ($26.99) from Payless (which I’ve previously featured in champagne), Charlotte Russe‘s fabric mouse ballet flat ($30.00), sueded ankle wrap pump ($35.50), & Michael Antonio Loveme patent pump ($40.00) @Zappos.

Which of Anne’s looks do you like the best? Would you ever rock a pixie cut? How do you feel about all the black-on-black? All comments & suggestions are always welcome, so please share! Check out more posts like this in Basics for a Bargain, Luxury Look-Alikes for Less, & Red Carpet Review! Happy Styling!

Runway Rundown: Stella McCartney’s Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection!

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One of the benefits of sitting at the computer practically 24/7 is getting exposure to all the latest & greatest that’s going on in the world of fashion.  Typically I don’t feature entire collections, but one particular posting on Facebook made my Stella McCartney caught my eye, especially since I’ve been feeling a lot about separates this season.  As you can see by my previous blog about the lovely Solange Knowles, it’s never too late to put that frock back in your closet & mix a menswear-inspired jacket with a frilly dress & edgy heels.  Here, the famous British designer has brought a refreshing new twist on her signature androgynous looks.  Surely, big name celebrities like Cameron Diaz, Gwyneth Paltrow, & Kate Hudson will be donning some of these pieces, which are already so perfect to mix & match with other wardrobe staples.

Of course, these are not inexpensive items & do not fall under the category of “bargain,” by any means, but as always, I think it’s important to keep up with what trends are hitting the runways, opening up yet another opportunity for some style inspiration!  What do you think of the Spring 2013 Ready-To-Wear Collection by Stella McCartney? Do you have any favorite pieces?

For more from Runway Rundown, be sure to check out my previous posts, which includes male celebs hitting the runway for Prada, Zac Posen’s Z Spoke for Lord & Taylor, & Mischa Barton’s debut clothing collection!

Red Carpet Review: Solange Knowles Breaks Out In Style!

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Solange Knowles is often the butt of every Beyoncé joke made by Joan Rivers on E!‘s Fashion Police, but there’s nothing to laugh about when it comes to this singer’s style. She’s been a serious contender on the red carpets & during various other appearances, teaching Style Darlings everywhere a thing or two about how to make separates work in the most unexpected ways.  Her rebellious & flirty style are becoming her signature, clad in ankle-strap shoes, mixing prints & colors, as well as playing with proportions for her hair.  As iconic as big sister Beyoncé is, there’s no doubt that Solange is an individual force to be reckoned with.  Check out the gallery below to see Solange’s best looks this spring! Happy Styling!

Red Carpet Review: Your All-Access Pass To The Cannes Film Festival!

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My sincerest apologies to my followers for my lengthy absence, but life has been throwing me some very tiresome curveballs.  As a consolation, I’ve dug up the best images that I could find to share with my readers & created a gallery of all of the amazing looks that sparkled at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.  So many of today’s most stylish stars turned out for the prestigious event, including Eva Longoria, Jessica Chastain, Salma Hayek, Heidi Klum, Kirsten Dunst, & so on! However, my overall favorite is the very daring & elegant Diane Kruger, who very obviously dominates this gallery.  Not to mention that I was happy to get a sneak peek at the latest designs by Atelier Versace, Emilio Pucci, Louis Vuitton, & Gucci. There’s no such thing as too much sparkle & the stars proved this.

Take a look at the gallery & share with us who wore your favorite looks! If red carpets are your thing, be sure to check out more from Red Carpet Review, including the Met Costume Institute Gala! Happy Styling!

Red Carpet Review: Brooklyn Decker Sports Stella McCartney, Christian Louboutin, & More During The ‘Battleship’ Press Tour!

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I wasn’t very sure about Brooklyn Decker when she first hit the big screen in Just Go With It, but her recent red carpet appearances have been making think otherwise.  The star of the upcoming Battleship is showing off her best assets in designers like Stella McCartney, Theory, Christian Louboutin, & Jimmy Choo during her international press tour.  Check out the gallery below to see Ms. Decker in all of her leggy glory! Happy Styling!

Luxury Look-Alikes For Less: Black & White Inspiration from Stella McCartney & Carolina Herrera Found @New York & Company!

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We know that colorblocking is a big trend right now & Alicia Keys proves it as she struts her stuff in a black & white Stella McCartney design.  We’ve seen this cute before by McCartney, but it looks brand new, fresh, & super stylish every time! Kate Winslet, Liv Tyler, & Penelope Cruz have all been seen in it.

I wasn’t able to find the particular dress that Alicia is wearing in stores, but Neiman Marcus has a similarly designed frock by McCartney, costing nearly $1500.00, which can be viewed here.

Also, while I was flipping through the pages of the new April 2012 issue of Harper’s Bazaar & saw the Carolina Herrera colorblock dress ($2290.00), which is available @Saks.

However, I gasped when I saw these black & white versions b/c they reminded me so much of the black & white ponte colorblock sheath dress ($11.99) that I featured in Inside A Style Blogger’s Closet from New York & Company last month! The dress is now marked down significantly from its original $59.95 price, which is an incredible bargain! So it’s no secret that this design is figure-flattering & just about every hand in fashion & retail is trying to reach the stylish consumer with it.

For more Luxury Look-Alikes For Less, check out the last post about recreating Golden Globe looks worn by Charlize Theron, Angelina Jolie, & Jessica Alba!

What do you think about the colorblock dresses by Stella McCartney & Carolina Herrera? Which version is your favorite? Do you like the New York & Company version? Happy Styling!

Red Carpet Review: Menswear Inspiration from Jennifer Aniston, Lady Gaga, & Evan Rachel Wood!

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Menswear inspiration has made quite a comeback over the last few years & it looks like it’s not going away.  We have some amazing celebrity inspiration on how to recreate these looks, embracing the androgynous trend in the most chic & elegant way.  Evan Rachel Wood made a big splash this year in a Dolce & Gabbana suit with Salvatore Ferragamo heels at the Venice Film Festival & also a white Yves Saint Laurent suit with Neil Lane jewelry at the Ides of March premiere.  Fashionista Alexa Chung showed off some color-blocking & layering with a long-sleeved sweater, a button-down shirt, with gray skinny jeans & a red quilted Chanel crossbody bags.

Supermodel Kate Moss wore all-over gray in a slouchy top & trousers with cap toe heels for a Rimmel London event.  Naomi Watts sported her own interpretation of the vest & pants look in this all-white Stella McCartney design.  Jennifer Aniston shows a sultry black version in Dolce & Gabbana for the New York premiere of Five, with a peek-a-boo bra.  In a surprise turn of fashion, Lady Gaga showed up at New York City’s Beacon Theatre in this mustard Viktor & Rolf suit with a mini tube bra & plastic square sunglasses.

To shop for some menswear pieces like blazers, vests, trousers, & button down shirts, check out New York & Company, Express, Ann Taylor LOFT, & H&M.  For accessories to complete your look like belts, necklaces, bags, & shoes, check out some of my favorite stores like Payless, DSW, ALDO, & Steve Madden.

For more on Red Carpet Review, check out the looks from last month’s Emmy Awards, the top looks from the 2011 Toronto Film Festival, & Jessica Chastain’s Summer of Style.  Happy Styling!

Basics for a Bargain: Dispell Those Turtleneck Myths with Inspiration from Claudia Schiffer, Keira Knightley, & More (Dedicated to Laurie)!

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My dear friend Laurie, who I’ve dedicated a past blog to, has inspired this post with a question about the myth that turtlenecks = frompy.  However, here is the evidence that they’re not!  Of course I’m not a turtleneck-donning Style Darling myself, or anything with collars for that matter, but I can say that looking at the celebs below, there’s no way turtlenecks can be so wrong when they look so right- especially on my dear Laurie who always looks fashionable in a turtleneck.

Over the last few years, we’ve seen turtlenecks come back in style, in the most classic way, just like a good pair of trousers, dark denim jeans, a pencil skirt, & a button-down shirt. Jennifer Connelly layers her turtleneck with a blazer & pleated Balenciaga mini skirt & opaque tights.  Supermodel Claudia Schiffer makes a spring-like tunic fall-ready with a turtleneck, leggings, & heavy cardigan. Kristin Chenoweth looks super cozy in a furry sweater jacket, skinny jeans, & knee boots with her classic gray turtleneck underneath.  Reese Witherspoon multi-tasks in a black mock turtleneck, aviators, straight leg jeans, & embellished flats with a Rebecca Minkoff crossbody bag.  Amanda Seyfried covers up in the cold with a black turtleneck under a bright red romper dress for a TV appearance & matching red lips.  Keira Knightley looks like a modern-day Audrey Hepburn in a belted pencil dress & turtleneck ensemble with round toe Sergio Rossi pumps.  Disney darling Selena Gomez downplays her printed pants with a short-sleeved turtleneck & layered chains from LOFT.

And now the basic we’ve all been waiting for…. here are some turtlenecks, in stores now! @Old Navy, the ‘tropical storm’ turtleneck ($17.94) is available in five other colors & can be mixed & matched up with a skirt suit or puffer vest with white skinny jeans.  Each color is available in sizes XS – XXL for Style Darlings of all shapes! Try out some jewel tones & primary colors with the classic turtleneck sweater ($34.93) from The Limited, marked down from $49.90.  Take a skinny belt, like shown on the model, & add some modern edge to the underestimated basic piece that would look contemporary with classic stud earrings & bangles.  Style&co created this gray & black colorblock turtleneck ($21.98), available @Macy’s, also in black & red. It’s prefect for a pair of leather shorts & hoop earrings. Add some straight leg cigarette pants & platform boots to create an mod / equestrian look.

If you’re a mock turtleneck kind of gal, check out Target‘s short-sleeve mock in black which can help you recreate Keira’s look, or would be fabulous with a houndstooth pencil skirt for work! Also, this turtleneck reminds me of a Fashion Flashback post featuring Marilyn Monroe with white pants & bouncy blonde curls.

Work a built-in belt with a sweater turtleneck ($17.80) like this from Forever 21 for a denim skirt & boots when you grab some hot chocolate with your gal pals on weeknight.  Probably my favorite of all the turtlenecks is the shirred turtleneck in deep teal ($28.00) by Jennifer Lopez for Kohl’s.  Also available in heather gray & black, this top is marked down from $40.00!

For those of you who still need some extra convincing, celebrities like Zoe Saldana, Emma Roberts, Lake Bell, Beyonce, & Cameron Diaz show that covering up in a turtleneck dress can be just as sexy & polished like a cocktail dress on the red carpet.  Check out a previous Basics for a Bargain post, featuring sweater dresses to see stars like Heather Graham, Eva Mendes, & Nicole Richie sporting fall-ready turtleneck style sweater dresses without any worry about if it’s a do or don’t.

Turtlenecks have come a long way.  Stay away from anything too festive, adorned with holiday-themes, & you won’t look like a fuddy-duddy.  Look for a turtleneck in a strong solid color, or in a modern print. Remember: Since turtlenecks are a must-have basic, you’re setting up the foundation to a really fashionable ensemble that could be accented with with long necklaces, a vest, belted bootcut jeans, a leather corset, mini skirt, or figure-flattering pencil skirt.

Also, for a final persuasion to any nay-sayers, check out these stunning runway looks from Chanel, Proenza Schouler, Michael Kors, Valentino, Stella McCartney, & Donna Karan.

Do you have any style myths that you just can’t figure out?  I’d be happy to show off how some celebrity-inspiration can translate into an affordable look.  Do you have any turtleneck stories?  Laurie, I hope this blog does the trick! Happy Styling!

Red Carpet Review: 2011 Venice Film Festival Featuring Kate Winslet, Abbie Cornish, Madonna, & More!

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At this year’s Venice Film Festival, the stars walked the red carpet, made appearances at screenings, & promoted their films in pure style.  There were some very exciting style surprises, as well as back-to-back hits on the red carpet.  Menswear inspiration, minimalism, vintage Hollywood, & sleek separates were among the trends dominating the fashion world right now. Among these stars were Marisa Tomei, Kate Winslet, Diane Kruger, Madonna, Keira Knightley, Cindy Crawford, Bar Rafaeli, Abbie Cornish, & Evan Rachel Wood.

Marisa Tomei, co-star to George Clooney & Ryan Gosling in Ides of March, was colorful, wearing a sheath dress by Erdem, an embellished top with an orange Preen skirt, & a pearl-accented neon yellow draped Marios Schwab gown.  And then there was Kate Winslet, the unofficial spokesmodel for chic.  The Carnage star wowed in a mocha Victoria Beckham dress with strappy Jimmy Choo sandals.  Then for day, she chose a classic LBD with a gray blazer, thick-strapped sandals, & House of Lavande‘s Panetta gold & diamante bracelet.  She once again stole the show in a stretch cotton multi-colored Stella McCartney dress with drop earrings & peep toe pumps at the Mildred Pierce premiere.  Then for another day event, she kept her all-black ensemble simple with a tank, shorts, a blazer, & the same peep toes!

Younger up and coming stars like Abbie Cornish turned some heads with this ombre silk organza tiered Atelier Versace stunner.  For a more movie star-esque day look, the W.E. star continued to earn raves in this Elie Saab a-line LBD with polished touches of gold in the House of Lavande choker.  Abbie isn’t shy when it comes to print either, as we can see in the keyhole maxi dress while attending the Venice Film Festival’s Movie Star Lounge.

Also making a splash, especially with the menswear trend was Evan Rachel Wood who’s shown above a whopping four times, just like her Mildred Pierce co-star, Kate Winslet.  She suited up in an outfit by Dolce & Gabbana with Salvatore Ferragamo houndstooth pumps (which I just drooled over on the Nordstrom website, for $950.00!).  Then she brought new meaning to shirtdress with this flowing white Alessandra Rich design with jewel-studded black ankle strap heels.  Then she returned to her black & white suit look, but with a vest over a feminine white blouse with some serious black Christian Louboutin pumps.

Diane Kruger stepped out in a textured Chanel dress with a matching striped clutch, but kept her German-girl-next-door look with a messy side braid.  Then she stepped up her look in this Grecian-inspired cascading nude Elie Saab bustier gown.  Madonna also made an appearance in support of her directorial debut, W.E., wearing a black & white L’Wren Scott dress with a gold cross & platform pumps by Yves Saint Laurent.  To show that she’s still got it, Madonna choose a custom-made butterfly-embellished Vionnet dress with Miu Miu sunglasses for the film’s premiere.

Also, Keira Knightley stepped off a gondola in a printed Mary Katrantzou dress for a photocall for A Dangerous Method.  Cindy Crawford proved that you don’t have to be a movie star to look like one in one-shoulder Roberto Cavalli gown with Chopard jewelry.  And last but not least, model / actress Bar Rafaeli opted for a lace-paneled jumpsuit by Emilio Pucci.

Who do you think was the best dressed during the festival?  Did Madonna get it right with all those butterflies?  Was Evan Rachel Wood too bland in black & white?  Do you think Kate Winslet stole the show?  Check out our last Red Carpet Review post with a look at The Help‘s Jessica Chastain & some of the best looks from the Cannes Film Festival back in May!  Happy Syling!

8/9/11 Darling of the Day: Anna Paquin in Black & White & Herve Leger!

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We all know how super hot True Blood is this summer, but take a look at the show’s star, Academy Award winner, Anna Paquin.  During a recent appearance at the L.A. Shorts Fest, the actress kept it simple in black & white.  She plays up her basic white tee with a Hervé Léger pencil skirt, cinching in her tiny waist.

Take a look at her layered statement necklace, something that you can achieve by wearing two of your favorite chunky necklaces & wear them at the same time.  Also, a simple black bangle keeps it simple since she’s wearing towering leopard print platforms.

To get this look for your next gal pal luncheon or night out with the beau, try out a tee like the crewneck by St. John’s Bay from JC Penney, available in small to extra large, or even something super basic like a double pack of White Stag tees (that go up to XXL) from Walmart for only $10.00. On the bottom, I’ve picked two different pencil skirts, one tiered bandage skirt to flatter your curves & another lace trimmed skirt from Torrid for fuller Style Darlings!

As far as accessories go, I’ve selected these fierce leopard & black leather slingbacks.  The mixture of the animal print with the black & white color blocking suggests a youthful spirit & some summer flair.  Anna is carrying a square textured clutch, but probably not in mesh like the $22.90 version from Windsor Store.

For some final touches, I found this bracelet with heart details, available in red & fuchsia for $2.80 @Forever 21.  Suggested layerable necklaces are the webbed chains necklace for $14.80 & a layered Singapore chain necklace for $8.80.

For more on Anna’s out & about style, as well as her ever fabulous red carpet looks, take a look at her in Prabal Gurung, Proenza Schouler, Marios Schwab, Stella McCartney, & Alexander McQueen.  Happy Styling!

Red Carpet Review: The Stars at Cannes Part Two!

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Just a few days ago, Style Darling featured some of the most gorgeous looks from the Cannes Fim Festival, such as Rachel McAdams, Uma Thurman, & Diane Kruger. The prestigious event is currently taking place in the south of France, but it seems that (thanks to In Style), the stars just keep a-comin’ & style, glamour, & elegance is all the rage on the red carpet, at the parties, & other fashionable press events. While my monstrous gallery for the Met Costume Institute Gala is getting a lot of hits, we can’t ignore what’s going on across the pond, especially when stars like Angelina Jolie, Gwen Stefani, Bar Rafaeli, Zoe Saldana, Sarah Jessica Parker, & Penelope Cruz are making a splash.  Those are just some of my favorites!  Designers like Versace, Marchesa, Emilio Pucci, Roberto Cavalli, The Row, Giorgio Armani, & Stella McCartney are just a few of the stellar visionaries behind the looks worn by these international beauties.  Take a click around & tell us who your favorites are! Happy Styling!

1/31/11 Darling of the Day: Rihanna in Stella McCartney- inspiring warmer weather!

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Rihanna took a stroll in New York back in August, doing what she does best- mixing & matching unlikely trends that work so well on here.  Here she is wearing a Stella McCartney boyfriend blazer over a sheer striped tee & cutoff shorts.  Her legs look a mile long with adorable polka dot Brian Atwood pumps that add a perfect touch of class to her edgy look.  Topped off with a bold red short ‘do & a single silver bangle, she’s a woman about town & no one can stop her.  Part of what I love about this look is that it mixes so many great pieces that most of us already have in our wardrobe.  If you’re at a loss for cutoff shorts, then maybe try a denim skirt, or if a sheer tee isn’t something you have, then layer up some tanks with a button down for the same casual chic effect.  Or if you don’t have polka dot heels, try something in an animal print or something striped.   

  

 

      

 

 

Although this was months & so many degrees warmer ago, it’s a look worth looking forward to honoring as soon as all this terrible snow in the Northeast clears up.  For more on Rihanna’s unbelievably fabulous no-fail style, check out these awesome links at InStyle, Elle, & Rihanna Daily.  Happy Styling!