Fashion Scoop: Rihanna Sets Her Sights on the Fashion World

Everybody's favorite Bajan Belle is hinting at starting a new clothing line...Rih Rih, don't tease us! The celebutante told WWD, "I can't say when it will be released, but it's definitely going to happen. I'm not one to rush into anything. I want to take my time."

Well, time is something she seems to have plenty of. Her reign at the top of the charts lasted from the summer anthems, "Umbrella" and "Take A Bow" to fall's newest hit, "Live Your Life," with T.I. And with the haircut of the millennium (werk, Ursula!), that cool tough girl panache, a rebellious tattoo obsession and those KFC trips with a certain friend*, it doesn't look like Rihanna's going anywhere. I say she rides the fame to the wheels fall off!

*And you say he's just a friend...

All together now...Awwwww. They're too cute!

And clearly, Rih has style to spare...

But...

at the same time, I have to say a prayer that her line is more L.A.M.B. and Topshop (which is debuting in the U.S.!) than House of Dereon and *grimace* Sweetface (that's JLo's line in case you forgot). We've all seen it happen: the fabulous It-girl with impeccable fashion sense decides to put her money where her style is...and the clothes end up being either too expensive, or just plain ugly. You can always tell if the line's worth your time if the star herself actually wears it. If it's not good enough for you to wear (on the regular, Bey, not just in the ads!), than it's not good enough for me either.

Which leads me to the inevitable pitfall of designstars like these: their stylists. Here's where the disconnect happens: the stylist that's responsible for your glamorous looks is nowhere near the design room. Therefore, the collection that bares the name of [insert star here] looks nothing like what [insert star here] actually wears. SO though I love Rihanna and like I said, I'm saying a prayer, I'm really waiting for Rachel Zoe's clothing line to come out (for those who haven't seen her show, The Rachel Zoe Project, on Bravo, she's the stylist du jour for stars like Nicole Richie, Anne Hathaway and even Joy Bryant). But please, Rachel, no scary-looking furs...

Ahhh!

What do you think, glamazons? Would you wear Rihanna's designs?

Talk soon.

Kisses,

Coutura

Fashion Scoop: Estelle to Create Jewelry Line with Rachel Roy

Our beloved British belle and designer du jour are joining forces for a jewelry line, according to Rachel Roy's Twitter page and WWD.

Judging from the accessories in Roy's expertly-designed line for Macy's---and Estelle's phenomenal taste in jewelry, we're in for some beautiful pieces! To be honest, I'm not surprised. Estelle's been flirting with the Fashion world since designing a handbag with Johnathan Kelsey and most recently, her fab t-shirt for H&M.


Here's the tweet:

I’m excited to be working with @EstelleDarlings on a jewelry collection, which will debut in Spring 2010. –RR10:00 AM Jul 21st from web

rachel_roy

Rachel Roy

Rachel Roy also enlisted the British pop star to host the opening party for her New York pop-up shop during Spring 2010 Fashion Week (which I fully plan to attend btw). Sidenote: The store, which is located on 111 Spring Street, will be open starting September 10th. Rachel Roy shoppers can snag clothing, footwear, jewelry and accessories from the Rachel | Rachel Roy Fall collection in the 1,800 square foot space for a limited time only via WWD.

Quite honestly, I couldn't think of a better pairing. Are you all excited for the collaboration? (Let's just pray that the jewelry is moderately priced...)

Estelle has fashion sense to spare. I saw her wearing this gorgeous necklace at the Fall 2009 Zac Posen show. She told me via Twitter it was Balenciaga. Glam!

And here are some stunners from Rachel | Rachel Roy. I love that RR's jewelry always makes a statement, whether it's alluring Bohemian beauty or edgy, attention-grabbing chic.

Kisses,

Coutura

Fashion's Night Out PSA Featuring Chanel Iman, Jourdan Dunn, Lara Stone, Liya Kebede and More!

Fashion's Night Out 2010 PSA from Fashion's Night Out on Vimeo.


It's that time of year again!

To promote Fashion's biggest party, Anna Wintour gathered the top models in the business to run rampant through New York City streets and sidewalks for the event's PSA. Lovelovelove the shot of them in brilliant billowy skirts and Fashion's Night Out official tees.

Chanel Iman, Jourdan Dunn, Joan Smalls, Liya Kebede, Miranda Kerr, Lara Stone, Doutzen Kroes, Lily Donaldson and more were filmed at NY's hot spots like the Bronx Zoo and Lincoln Center by Peter Lindberg for the PSA---AND they played David Bowie's "Fashion" in the background, pretty cool right?

The gorgeous PSA will play in Times Square from September 3rd to the 10th, and the rest of the world (aka non-New Yorkers) can catch it on Network TV.

Check it out below: what do you think? I do wish my darling Sessilee Lopez and Arlenis Sosa were tapped for the festivities, but overall, it's a great video.

Kisses,

Coutura

WIN IT: Payless Wants to Send YOU to Fashion Week

Disclosure: I'm beyond excited about Fashion Week this season...like, more than normal. Maybe it's because the couture collections were so breathtaking (more on those later) or because I already have my outfits picked out (Lanvin fur, leopard print turban, black...everyday), but I cannot wait for February 10th to arrive.

In celebration, I have a surprise for you! As you know, Payless has the insider hookup to Fashion Week through designers Lela Rose (below) and Christian Siriano (above) who both pen collections for the famous shoe/accessories retailer.

Well, Payless is using those relationships for good; they're giving away a trip for two to NYC to attend Fall 2011 New York Fashion Week. Just log onto the Payless’ Facebook Fan Page to enter the "VIP in NYC" sweepstakes and here's what you could win:

Grand Prize:

·         A Trip for two to NYC from February 11 to February 13

·         Admission to the Lela Rose Fashion Show at Lincoln Center

·         Shop at Payless with a $150 Gift Card

·         Get $500 in spending money to enjoy the Big Apple’s not-to-be-missed experiences

First Prize:

·         100 Winners will receive $25 Payless Gift cards 

Hot! Love that you get seats to a fashion show AND spending money - what more could a girl want?

 

Kisses,

Coutura

Photos: Getty Images.

Nine West Runway Relief for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer with Nigel Barker, Coco Rocha and Jessica White

One thing Ferocia and I don't get tired of reporting? Fashion for a cause. Nine West is the latest brand to exercise compassion in fashion with their Runway Relief initiative.


The project will raise funds and awareness for Fashion Targets Breast Cancer, a cause close to my heart as I have one aunt who is a breast cancer survivor and have lost another to the disease. The concept is just as great as the cause.


Participating models were asked to wear the limited-edition Nine West Runway Relief boot, which has an Omron GOSmart Pocket Pedometer (HJ-303) that tracks how many steps each model takes while going from casting to fittings to shows during New York Fashion Week. That's a lot of steps, people (especially for Coco Rocha and Jessica White!).

Each mile will equal a $10 donation to Fashion Targets Breast Cancer. Don't you just love it?




Last week, famed photographer and CW's America's Next Top Model judge, Nigel Barker, hosted a live photoshoot where he shot Coco Rocha, Jessica White, Michelle Alves and more for the initiative. 

As you can see, the photos are just fabulous (love Coco!).

The boot isn't just for models though --- a limited supply of the Runway Relief boot (which costs $199) is available NOW for Nine West Facebook fans exclusively.

Cheers to Nine West for stepping up in the fight against breast cancer. Here's to finding a cure!

Kisses,


Coutura

Out with the Old, In with the Newly Organized

Before

After

Who: Moi @ilovecollins
What: Spring Cleaning/ Closet Organizing
Rating: Something old, something new!!

My closet space is limited, so I need maximum organization and I was well overdue for some spring cleaning. I can't function when my closet is out of order. I get frustrated while I'm getting dressed and everything seems to be jammed in and my divided sections all run into each other... I can't!


With a lil help from baby-sistah (@elstylesLA) and a full day we were able to bring some life back to my "petits placard" (small closet) . Coats, Dresses, skirts, pants, tops, and jackets from left to right. That's my order. That works best for the way I get dressed and I'm sticking with it.  It was the perfect time to go through and delete some items that I've either not worn, had way too long, or I'm just over. Not to mention the two storage bins of vintage pieces I've been avoiding. Yupp, I even handled that stuff too.

Throughout the process I tweeted a few of the tips I use when organizing clients closets. Check them out:

1. Add sweet yet mildly scented potpouri pouches to your lingerie drawers or satchels.

2. Use plastic grocery bags or tissue paper to stuff and preserve the shape of bags, boots, and even sleeves.

3. Short on drawers? Cute drawstrings bags are great for swimwear, socks, hosiery, and lingerie.

4. Neatly fold heavy sweaters and scarves an store away until the cold weather returns.

5. Hang or fold sequence, beaded, and other intricately embellished garments inside out to preserve delicate details.

My closet is usually off limits. although friends and family try to get their eyes and hands on vintage pieces I've been collecting from my grandmothers closet, her friends closets, my favorite vintage stores, and just treasures that I've come across. And baby-sistah (real name Erin) frequents although I have to enforce my strict (not really) rules for borrowing. (1) All items must be returned cleaned. (2) All items must be returned in the same condition as borrowed. That's reasonable right?!

Throughout the day baby-sistah decided to play dress up. Here's what she came up with and what we snapped pics of.

Totally Obsessed xoxo, Love

Love Collins 4ply Silk Crepe De Chine

I wore this one in my cousins wedding. 

This jumpsuit is so 70's with the bold color, terry cloth fabric, and the wide leg pant!

This one belong to either my mom or aunt.

The pieces she walked away with, but the hat stays with momma!

Vintage (Ain't Frieda!!) Polyester Mini
Originally full- length, i chopped this one up because it way too hot.

Polyester in the summer time is not cool. 

Thought of the Day: KLS-Hounsou

"There is a time for love. and a time for work. That leaves no other time."

Kimora Lee Simmons Hounsou

Street Art is Freedom

Who: Art in the Street
What: MOCA at the Geffen
Wear: Expression
Rating: Color + Shape + Texture = Beauty. That's my formula



Shame on me for waiting too the last minute to catch MOCA's most successful exhibit Art In The Streets. I did an intro on the exhibit a while back and let my schedule get the better of me. But luckily, and just in the nick of time, I mozied my way little Tokyo.

Outside the line was ridiculous, inside pure joy! I have so many great pics i won't delay with my on going banter.  Enjoy.

Totally Obsessed, xoxo Love

When first walking in there was a wall dedicated to memorabilia about the statistics, rewards, and legal warnings for graffiti.  

When I was a kid getting a fresh box of Crayola's was like Christmas. Seeing this display of spray paint colors and brands took me right back to that happy memory. That crisp smell as soon as you opened the box, just made my imagination run wild. Oh the possibility of color!

The shadowbox display of the inside of a NY subway car (above) and the wallpaper display of exterior graffiti painted subway cars (below) put me in a New York state of mind.

Fashion imitating art. In 2001 Creative Director Marc Jacobs commissions Stephen Sprouse for the Louis Vuitton Graffiti collection.

A total Molly Ringwald, Pretty In Pink Moment

(above) Sir Jean Michel spraying words on a new york city street. (below) A video o the man in action.

For pictures of Art in the Street, click here. 

The Kardashian Kollection Launches w/ Sears

Who: Kourtney, Khloe,  & Kim Kardashian
What: Kardashian Kollection Launch
Wear: Kardashian Style @ a Sears price point.
Rating: Brand Management!!



The Kardashian girls recently launched their much anticipated new collection, in Los Angeles. The 41-piece collection sold exclusively at Sears was made available on August 11. If you want true Kardashian style you can shop dresses, tops, skirts, intimate, shoes, handbags, and jewelry. The trio have been tweeting and blogging the "behind the seams" of the process on their persona social media pages.

Sorry guys, I don't have any personal pics. A tummy ache kept me away from the festivities, but here are few of the pieces from the collection.

Totally Obsessed, xoxo Love