Michelle Trachtenberg attends Clinton fundraiser at Brett Ratner’s home

Now, a simple red dress isn’t usually worthy of a sartorial aside, however Michelle Trachtenberg’s recent wardrobe choice requires thoughtful review for several reasons. Mainly because the setting in which this young starlet found herself—an intimate fundraiser for Hilary Clinton in director Brett Ratner’s Hollywood home—would cause anyone to have a wardrobe meltdown. Receiving an invitation to such a star-studded soiree would prompt all sorts of queries: Does club gear work for a political cocktail party? Do D.C. bigwigs get Tinseltown dress codes? Is there a Democrat look? And the big question—one that surely we all can identify with—that Miss Tractenberg faced was, How do you appear both fashionable and serious without sacrificing your personal style?

Ultimately, Trachtenberg did well with her ensemble. (And actually, she gets major props for just showing up at a political event, while all her peers are gallivanting in drunken, pathetic debauchery.) Opting for a sweet frock in an all-American red, she set a playful yet patriotic mood then tempered the look with black stockings—which put an appropriate limit the amount of skin shown. But the best part is that she didn’t look uncomfortable or out of place. Instead of trying to play dress-up with a suit and pencil skirt as her lesser peers might have done, Miss Trachtenberg dressed just as those in her teenage demographic do.

Jeremy Piven & Michael Kives

Eric Dane & Rebecca Gayheart

Meanwhile, more senior celebrity guests set the mood with their somber separates. As for the woman of the hour, Senator Clinton, made the curious choice of pairing a grey pant-suit with a coral tunic, then accessorized it with a belt under the blazer.

Senator Clinton

I, for one, will cut her some slack, as it’s obvious that the Senator faces greater clothing challenges than the average Jane or ingénue. After all, the question of what a female presidential candidate should wear to look both stylish and serious at once is a riddle without an answer. Hopefully Senator Clinton is open to suggestions, especially those from certain members of the young Hollywood set. X S.C.

Technorati Tags: Hilary Clinton, Clinton Fundraiser, Michelle Trachtenberg, Hollywood Party, Brett Ratner,

All photos Wireimage

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One of the perks of my job is learning about labels and designers long before they’re stocked in stores, snapped up by celebrities, or filed away in everyone’s wardrobe. Plenty of new collections come my way each and every day, but few stand out like the debut line from Chrissa. I’m so enamored with the line—comprised of billowing, fuss-free separates—that I had to post it immediately, even before I got all the info on it. I’ve been told it’s helmed by a mother-daughter duo, a fact of which ups Chrissa’s adorability quotient even more. Stay tuned while I find out more—including when and where you can get your hands on these goodies—and until then, try to pick out which piece is going to be your new favorite item. X S.C.

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Miss Universe 2007, Riyo Mori

With all the hoopla that surrounded Monday’s Miss Universe pageant, you might have missed the most dramatic moment of the night: Riyo Mori accepting her crown while dripping in Bvlgari jewels! The storied Italian jewelry house is known for decadent diamonds like those seen on Miss Mori, however what many don’t realize is that Bvlgari also boasts collections of equally indulgent accessories. I swept up to their new Fifth Avenue flagship not to long ago to get a sneak peek at the Fall handbag collection.

Bulgari’s Fall 2007 bags

As an added bonus, I got to glance at some of their archival Greek and Roman-inspired design drawings (see the house’s signature lion-head coil—first designed as a cuff—grace that delectable apple green bag).

Bulgari archival drawings

Bulgari’s green leather satchel

And I picked up a fun fashion factoid along the way: The house’s founder Sotirio Bulgari, was born into a family of Greek silversmiths. However, in 1884, he decided move to Rome, where he and his sons set up shop on the fashionable Via Sistina. Then, wanting to align his jewelry house with it’s new Roman home, Sotirio replaced the “U” in his last name with a “V.” Today, the international accessory powerhouse is known as both Bulgari and Bvlgari as are the house’s luxurious resorts, located in Milan and Bali. Should you be checking in anytime soon, be sure to book one of Bulgari’s signature spa treatments—it’s the ultimate indulgence. X S.C.

A bedroom in Bulgari’s Milan hotel

Bulgari Milan lounge

A view of Bulgari’s Bali resort

A bedroom in Bulgari’s Bali resort

Technorati Tags: Bulgari, Bvlgari, Diamonds, Hanbags, Fall Fashion, Miss Universe, Crown, Pageant, Bulgari Hotels, Bulgari Spas, Fashion

Photo credits, from top: WireImage, Editor’s Own, Bulgari

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Next week, the Council of Designers of America will hold their 25th Annual Awards, where the best & brightest of the US-based designers will be honored. The tony event—held at the New York Public Library—is strictly a VIP scene, as the RSVP list features only the crème de la crème of designers, editors, muses, and retailers. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get in on the fun: Inspired by Hollywood’s biggest awards night—the Oscars of course—I’ve created a little to CFDA quiz to test your fashion I.Q. Before next Monday eve, pick out which nominee you think will win, and after the evening’s results are posted here on Glamchic, see just how in the know you really are. If you’re really feeling competitive, get your friends in on the game. Perhaps the winner gets a new pair of Louboutins? Just a thought…x S.C.

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(From left, clockwise: Janneke Verhoeven, Me, style guru Kate Schelter, Lulu Frost designer Lisa Salzer, Liz Hehir, designer Sue Stemp, designer Magda Berliner)

After this holiday weekend, last week feels eons away, but I wanted to take a minute to revisit an important recent event. Last Monday, I joined a few fashionable faces—designers Ashley Verrier, Sue Stemp, and Libertine designer Johnson Hartig among others—for the sixth annual Tulips & Pansies, A Headdress Affair. For the runway show and auction events—which benefit the Village Care of New York, an HIV/AIDS healthcare program—fashion designers pair up with the city’s premiere florists to create, then present headdresses crafted out of fresh plants and flowers.

After waving to Heatherette’s Richie Rich and Traver Rains outside the event’s location (Bridgewaters hall tucked in lower Manhattan’s South Street Seaport) I hopped inside and quickly spotted the lovely Erin Fetherston and her dashing fiancé Hedi Ferjani enjoying the view on the Bridgewater’s balconies. Following the usual catch-up-chit-chat, Fetherston shared that she was one of the event’s judges, and then let it slip that she’s considering moving from Paris to New York. (Actually, she had bigger news than that, but I’ve been sworn to secrecy, so mums the word for now.) Later, while milling around before the show started, I said hello to the event’s co-host, Paper Magazine’s Mickey Boardman (who had experienced that amazing in-flight fashion show with me) as well as Rafe Totengco, who I thanked for his priceless sandal-buying tips. I was about to make another swing by the bar (those satays the waiters were serving are known to inspire thirst, fyi) when Kate Schelter—the evening’s other co-host, photographer extraordinaire, and one of the most stylish girls about town I know—whisked me and friends off for a chapeau-ed group portrait. (See above)

Bill Blass entry

Shortly after, the runway show began, and one awe-inspiring creation after another was sent down the runway. The Bill Blass confection was demure yet daring, as was Ashley Verrier’s coquettish bloom-studded parasol look.

Ashley Verrier (center) with a model wearing her design

Lela Rose’s veil-like creation

Lyn Devon’s look

Lyn Devon’s won The Most Original design with her dreamy trellis-like piece, while Magda Berlinger’s tapped into her Latina roots with her floral fiesta look, modeled after traditional Mexican comb. (The version earned Berliner the Most Engaging award.)

Magda Berlinger (right) with her winning design

However it was Libertine’s massive crown that garnered the loudest cheers—and more than a few gasps from nervous bystanders like myself, who feared for the model’s safety as she teetered down the runway.

Libertine’s entry

It was no surprise then, that Fetherston and her fellow judges awarded the creation the most outrageous design of the night. Shortly after, I tiptoed out the door and headed to bed, where I dreamed of hats, chapeaus, and crowns…x S.C.

Technorati Tags: Tulips and Pansies, Headdresses, Parties, Erin Fetherston, Mickey Boardman, Kate Schelter, Magda Berliner, Sue Stemp, Lulu Frost, Lela Rose, Ashley Verrier, Libertine,   Fashion Shows, Runway Show, Fashion , Flowers

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Elisha Cuthbert

South Beach has a reputation for being a party hot spot, but thanks to French fashion powerhouses like Chloe—which just opened its third U.S. outpost in nearby Bal Harbour—Miami is becoming an international shopping destination to rival New York, Tokyo, and Paris. And why not? With an average temperature of 75 degrees, the city’s climate allows for designer duds to be worn year-round. (Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Miami’s tan and toned residents can pull off all those fitted, flirty separates.)

Leticia Grendene

The Chloe store’s kick-off bash attracted the area’s most glamorous residents, as well as equally fashionable tourists including singer Cat Power, actress Elisha Cuthbert, and model Ines Rivero.

DJ Sky Nellor, Ines Rivero, Cat Power 

For most, the dress code was—what else?—Chloe, save for Miss Power, who opted for a cheeky Chanel clutch. (No doubt it’s been her must-have accessory since she became the face of Chanel several months ago.) If a stop in the Miami area isn’t on the docket anytime soon, you can easily co-opt Chloe’s breezy-chic vibe online, click here for a shopping shortcut. x S.C.

Cat Power

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Audrey Hepburn’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s dress

You don’t have to be a fashion insider to know what that Audrey Hepburn is one of the most influential style icons of all. (Gap, if you recall, recently created their “Audrey” pant in the same cropped, slim-fitting style as Hepburn wore both on and off screen.) So it should be no surprise to hear that her pink satin dress—a key look from her now famous Breakfast at Tiffany’s wardrobe—is expected to cause a bidding war when it hits the auction block next week at Christie’s. Her Holly Golightly frock is estimated to go for $20-30,000—a mere pittance compared to the $923,187 Hepburn’s iconic Hubert de Givenchy black cocktail dress (also from Tiffany’s) brought in last December when it was auctioned of for charity in London.

And while Christie’s London is auctioning off Hepburn ensembles and other Old Hollywood novelties in their Film and Memorabilia sale, here in the States (or rather here in the online universe) there’s plenty of retro finds to be found on Live Auctioneers.com. As one of Ebay’s online partners, the site always has a handle on fashion finds that are currently available at auction, and on June 7th, they’ll be hosting Freeman’s Semi-Annual Couture Sale. The sale will include nearly 300 vintage pieces from Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Roger Vivier, Louis Vuitton and more. Below you’ll find a sampling of the rare finds, so ready your credit cards and be prepared to click away! x S.C.

Lot # 25: Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche feathered collar cape, 1970s. Estimate: $500-800

Lot #246: Patent leather Roger Vivier chain-handle purse, 1960s.Estimate: $300-400.

Lot # 49 & 51: Emilio Pucci skirts and blouses, 1970s, size 6-8, Estimate: $400-600 each.

Technorati Tags: Fashion Auctions, Couture Auction, Celebrity Auction, Audrey Hepburn, Auction, CHristie’s, Vintage Auction, Fashion

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Who: Debra Messing

Where: New York, at the premiere of her Starter Wife TV show

Why It Works: The star strikes the right note—an age appropriate one too—with her floor-length Zac Posen gown. Neil Lane jewels finish off her glamorous red-carpet look.

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Should you find yourself in Manhattan this week, I suggest skipping on over to Sue Stemp’s sample sale. If you’ve been reading carefully, you know that in addition to being quite the charming blogger, the British designer is always one step ahead of the fashion pack. Scoop up her cut-out-shoulder silk frocks–a style that looks to be big this fall–for a song. xS.C.

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Yesterday, when going through my old photo files, I realized I had forgotten to mention something that happened in my whirlwind trip to Milan; Yet another sunglasses runway show. Although it could hardly compare to the in-flight fashion show, this one was just as unique. Showcasing summer’s sleekest sunglasses, the show featured a dozen or so deeply tanned models in black and white bathing suits.

Big deal you say? Try to picture this then: The show was not held in some exclusive address, but at spectacularly spacious Mido exhibition hall, right in the center of all the designer sunglass booths. Viewers (who ranged from editors to buyers and PR types) had the rare opportunity to stand a mere foot away from the runway, and models had the tough task of waltzing by the crowds—under unforgiving fluourescent lighting—in a few triangles of cloth.

Fortunately, given that it was an optical show, all eyes—well, some at least—were on the sunglasses.

Technorati Tags: Sunglasses, Italy, Milan, Runway Shows, Fashion

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