If you didn’t read it already, I’d suggest skipping on over to GlamScene to read the Q&A with the stunning Christy Turlington. It’s hard to pick favorites in the ‘90s supermodel dream team (Linda, Naomi, Helena, etc) but in my book, Christy trumps all. I could go into all the reasons why she’s amazing (cool husband, thoughtful business sense, the fact that the Costume Institute modeled their mannequins after Turlington’s own visage, etc) but that would only slow you down from catching up on what the model-turned-business maven is reading, wearing, and shopping for.  x S.C.

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They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but can a few thousand words paint an accurate picture? That question (more of a random passing thought) prompted me to do some research (read: Googling) this morning and create this rather interesting (i.e. lazy) post to find out if a designer’s online status was equivalent to their street cred. Despite the post’s lack of journalistic, um, anything, I think the results are quite intriguing. (i.e. definitely something you should spend 45 seconds on while procrastinating some boring office tasks.) x S.C.

I started off comparing bold faced names in the international sphere. Gucci reigns supreme years after Tom Ford’s departure, while the recently feted Valentino trumped a fellow old school favorite Yves Saint Laurent.

Hedi Slimane, Nicholas Ghesquiere, and the Proenza Schouler duo have long been fashion industry favorites, yet the online talk tends to focus on the New York designers. Perhaps it’s Ghesquiere’s tricky surname that stops the presses as the storied house he designs for is name-dropped in many a story.

It’s no surprise that Chanel tops Lagerfeld in the search engine arena, but how interesting to see that the Kaiser enters online chit-chat more frequently than Mme.Chanel herself.

Vuitton in all its leather good glory tops out over its current maestro Marc Jacobs, but when it comes to Jacobs vs. Jacobs, it appears the designer’s secondary line is more popular. Maybe it has something to do with the collection’s friendly price-tags…

Sure Dior beats out Galliano (How could it not? Think of the history! The iconic couture! The beauty products! The handbags!; All favorites of the online masses!) but interesting to note that another British expat/bad-boy designer Alexander McQueen has earned almost as many hits. A few more collaborative collections (after Puma & Samsonite that is) and he’ll be on par with the multi-talented Galliano.

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Sure all those runway strutters are skinny to start off with, but with a few styling tricks, even everyday Janes can look as lithe as models. Here’s how:

Marc Jacobs Fall 2007

1) When pumping up the volume, drop the waist.
Come September, summer’s breezy baby-dolls will be pushed to the back of the closet while tailored tops and blowsy skirts will take their place. To elongate the silhouette, pair a full skirt with a slim-fitting top that hits at the hipbone.

Proenza Schouler Fall 2007

2) Cinch it, cinch it real good.
Forget about logging hours at the gym: A well-placed belt can take 5 pounds off anyone’s frame. Avoid narrow styles or those fashioned out of fabric, as they tend to emphasize love handles instead of hiding them.

3) Avoid wearing ankle-biters, except those in nude or metallic hues.
Dark ankle straps are sure way to make legs look stumpy–trashy too. For sylphlike gams slip into neutral colored shoes which seem to lengthen the leg.

Michael Kors Fall 2007

Same goes for fall’s booties: Wear with dark or opaque tights to avoid coming up short (legged).

Philip Lim Fall 2007

Carolina Herrera Fall 2007

4) Get a (slender) arm up with sleek leather gloves.
Try the season’s cropped sleeve jackets—fashioned in fur or any other luxe material—with a dark-colored glove to channel a dainty Hitchcock heroine look. A pussy-bow blouse further slinkifies the style.

Marchesa Fall 2007

5) Layer on the long lariats.
Ropes of beads add inches and intrigue to any outfit. A long scarf—with the tails dangling just below the waist—has the same effect.

Technorati Tags: Free Style Tips, Dressing Thin, Marc Jacobs, Marchesa, Carolina Herrera, Philip Lim, Michael Kors,

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Good morning. Short weekend, eh? Before you begin your day, start off with a scramble of style snippets:

Move Over Scarlett: Mikhail S. Gorbachev Stars in New Vuitton Ads
Frillr

Bush Anti-Sandals! And More White House Dress Codes
PapierBlog

Stella Launches Knickers
Catwalk Queen

Sienna & Sis Swing by NYC
WWD

Perez Hilton Charges $9,000 for an Ad on His Blog, and More Tidbits from His NYTimes Story
NYTimes

Sailor Chic Unraveled
IHT

More than Woven Bags: Behind the Bottega Veneta Ad Campaign
VogueUK

Get to Know Daisy Lowe
Who What Wear Daily

Tips on Pulling Off Fall’s Global Trend

Elle.com

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Here’s a fun fashion game: Think of your favorite designer separate, track it down online, and see if it’s offered in a size larger than an American 12. As you’ll find, many clicks later, fashionable separates sized in the full-figure range are few and far between.

For many of you, this revelation is nothing new, but nonetheless I thought it worth pointing out because puzzlingly enough, the clothing conundrum hasn’t been fully addressed by industry VIPS. (When recently visiting a fashion powerhouse I spotted a sign in the elevators asking their design team to come up with a new brand that filled a yet-untapped niche: Surely runway-worthy separates for the size 12+ crowd would work? Instead, said company decided to take the eco-friendly route. )

Anyhow, this morning I spotted a photo of the charming Jennifer Hudson wearing a Foley & Corinna dress. I’m familiar with the dress—and you should be too—as it’s a signature Foley style, one guaranteed to flatter and sex up its wearer, whether they’re curvy or not. Seeing Hudson looking so stunning and stylish made me think that a list of designers that offer their creations in a variety of sizes would make for a handy shopping guide.

I then encountered the aforementioned problem. Even the designers that full-figured stars sport for red carpet appearances don’t always carry their styles in all sizes. What’s a fashion-savvy girl that needs a size larger than 12 to do?

My first suggestion would be to head to Macy’s—either online or in real life. Though best known for their parade, the department store boasts an equally impressive “women’s” section. (Why any of the terms—women’s, full-figured, plus-sized, and others—are employed…especially when a large percentage of American women are over size 12…is a discussion for another post.)

An of-the-moment ombre touch found at Macy’s.

Lady-like Shape + Retro Print = Perfect Office Attire

At left, pretty-in-pink, at right, a rich-looking example of the season’s jewel-tone dress.

Nordstrom has an amazing selection too, especially of Michael Kors pieces. (As if his witty Project Runway antics weren’t reason enough to adore him, Mr. Kors’ full-figure styles are sure to attract a whole new roster of fans this fall.)

Michael Kors’ mod-inspired threads, at left and right.

The grecian-inspired gown: Wear it to dinner, to a wedding, or for a Rachel Zoe-inspired Hollywood Hills look, lounge in it by the pool.

The secret to making any jersey dress into something special? Killer heels. And FYI, Rachel Pally, the designer of this flirty frock, recently launched a plus-size line. Score her stuff at Nordstrom.

At left, a sleek DKNY jacket, at right a ’60s-inspired shift dress. Add a Burberry bag and it’ll look as though you’ve walked off the runway.

The ultimate fall essential: High-waist, dark tailored jeans.

Also, check out Newport News. Now, before you fashion snobs move onto the next post, give these pieces another glance. A statuesque college friend of mine from a very well-to-do family often wore NPN from head to toe. And thanks to her sophisticated styling, (classic silhouettes paired with luxe jewels) she usually looked better than her more petite sister, who was without fail, perpetually clad in country club classics.

Fall wardrobe must-have: The black cape.

A snappy velvet blazer–very Gucci circa 1995.

An another Anna Sui-ish version.

The denim shirt-dress: Pair with a bold-colored belt for the haute hipster look.

And so ends the first installment of our full-figure fashion finds. If you spot more, please send them my way so I can spread the word. X S.C.

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, GlamChic, Full-Figure Fashion, Plus-Size Fashion, Women’s Fashion, Designer Fashion Sizes

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Monica & Penelope Cruz

Monica & Penelope Cruz: Proof that style is in the genes. The ravishing sisters were recently seen promoting the line the designed for Mango. The collection will hit stores in September and the siblings are slated to star in the corresponding ad campaign.

While the Cruz sisters looked stunning on the red-carpet, I daresay they look better off: Monica was spotted on the beach carousing with her paramour (I’d love to show you those romantic snapshots but the folks at our friendly photo-agency are a little protective about it. Maybe they have a thing for the Spanish rose?) and later basking alone in the sun.

Monica Cruz 

Even wearing nothing more than SPF and a swimsuit it’s easy to see that the younger Cruz is one fashion-savvy siren. How? Behold the five ways to spot a stylish girl on the beach:

1) She’s not concerned with being seen in best possible perspective, ie NO POSING.
2) She hasn’t gone overboard with accessories: Killer shades, cool hat, OR a great sarong—not all three at once.
3) The swimsuit she’s wearing hasn’t been photographed to death in a magazine; she wears the suit she feels most comfortable in even if it’s not the trendiest style.
4) She isn’t burnt to a crisp.
5) She carries a surprisingly luxe beach-bag, and seen popping out of it are trashy tabloids, a hard-cover book, and a Blackberry-like gadget—the last of which she rarely picks up.

Technorati Tags: Penelope Cruz, Monica Cruz, Mango, Celebrities on the Beach

Photos from SplashNews 

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Dear GlamChic Readers,
Greetings from the far-flung locale of Montana! No exactly known for it’s sartorial splendor–though it must be said that snazzy cowboy hats and stellar vintage finds abound–the Big Sky Country is one of favorite my get-away destinations. But while I’m escaping the urban jungle for a few days, my fellow fashion-blogging pal, Elisabeth Fourmont–she of the clever, award-winning La Coquette –reports in on her favorite Paris shops. The Chicago ex-pat turned Belleville resident knows a thing or two about the City of Light’s hotspots after having lived–and blogged from–the French capitol for over three years. If Miss Fourmont’s picturesque lifestyle doesn’t inspire jealousy, her weekend shopping itinerary surely will. xS.C.

Ten French Stores That Make Me Happy
by Elisabeth Fourmont

Inside French Trotters

French Trotters
This shop in the Bastille shares a similar concept with New York’s Opening Ceremony in that each season the owners voyage to a city they’re interested in, cherry-pick their favorite designers
and local artists of that city, and bring it all back to Paris for your shopping pleasure. Always an inspiring mix of fashion and art here. 30 rue de Charonne, 75011 www.frenchtrotters.fr

Another view of French Trotters

Chez Mamie
What I like about this vintage store is that it’s full of
the type of classic things you want to wear, thanks presumably, to the finely tuned aesthetic of its owners. My most recent purchase? A small black croc bag with two straps: a longer chain and a shorter leather clutch. “Ca fait très Hermès Kelly,” said the saleswoman. Agreed. 73, rue de Rochechouart, 75009
01 42 82 09 98

A.P.C. Surplus
If you had a store that sold a constantly changing stock of discounted A.P.C. in your neighborhood, wouldn’t you visit all the time I can’t overstate how often I would lurk here when I lived in the area (it’s located just next to the Jardin du Luxembourg). I stalk marked-down A.P.C., it’s true. 4 rue de Fleurus 75006 01 45 49 19 15

Cadolle Boutique

Alice Cadolle
What is Alice Cadolle the woman is known for? Inventing the bra. What is Alice Cadolle the modern day shop is known for? Outlandishly priced made-to-measure lingerie. What a lot of people don’t know? They also sell off-the-rack bras for under 100 euro. Still not cheap, but these bras are so flattering and shape-changing that you won’t mind.
14, Rue Cambon , 75001 01 42 60 94 22

Free ‘P’ Star
This is my kind of thrift store. There is minor editing by the proprietors (most of what you see is on trend), but it’s still crowded, disorganized, and pretty darn cheap. It’s right in the heart of the Marais and open late by Paris standards (until 11 pm), so you can even go here to kill time before dinner. 8 rue Ste Croix la Bretonnerie, 75004 01.42.76.03.72

Guerrisol
This is where I head for true, down and dirty thrift shopping. At the beginning of the summer I stocked up on cotton dresses here, three euros each. 29-31, avenue de Clichy, 75017

Monoprix

Monoprix
When I’m traveling back to the states, I buy French candy and crackers that aren’t available stateside as gifts for my friends (lighter, cheaper, and more fun than jam). My favorite grocery chain stocks Berlin pizza apéritif crackers, Smarties, and Lions bars. All delicious. www.monoprix.fr

Maje
There are a lot of stores in Paris doing seasonal trends in this price range: Et Vous, Les Prairies de Paris, and Sandro come to mind, but Maje seems to be particularly good at the moment. www.maje-paris.fr

A find at Marche aux Puces

Le Marché aux Puces de Vanves
So much more doable than the famous Puces de Clignacourt, this particular flea market is very good for jewelry, tchotckes, and fabric. I got a chandelier here at the end of a rainy day for a steal.
Along avenue Marc Sangnier, between avenue de la Porte de Vanves and Avenue Georges Lefenestre http://pucesdevanves.typepad.com/

Le Bon Marche

Le Bon Marché
In A Moveable Feast, Hemmingway talks about going to look at Cezanne paintings to feed his soul. In the same way, I go to Le Bon Marché, the department store where all the brands I care about are under one roof. Don’t judge me!
24, rue de Sevres, 75007 www.lebonmarche.fr

Le Bon Marche

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Diamond Kickbars

She wore diamonds on the heels of her shoes, so the Paul Simon song goes. The lyrical style is about to get a remix thanks to Kickbars, a new accessory line based out of L.A. The label has created a line of diamond or emerald-encrusted sneaker baubles. No doubt the bar-shaped accents–which are made to fasten on shoelaces–will appeal to sneakerheads, as these glittering gems make Nikes and Bathing Apes even more precious. Of course these covetable accessories come with a cool price tag of about $6500. What a way to get your kicks! xS.C.

Photos courtesy of KickBars

Technorati Tags: Diamond Jewelry, Kickbars, Sneaker Jewelry, Sneaker Accessories

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As craftily pointed out by the folks at My Fashion Life, Sisley is including cocaine references in its fall advertisements. While some may consider the label’s “Fashion Junkie” campaign a bold, tongue-in-chic statement that recalls Guy Bourdin’s iconic imagery, my eco-minded self couldn’t help but think that the photographs might end up being a bit counter-productive.

How so? First, ignore the obvious drug implications. Instead, take into consideration that 2 ½ pounds of pesticide are used to make a cotton tee like the one those Sisley poster girls seem to be addicted to. Add to this a few more scary facts (as culled from the original fashion activist, Katherine Hamnett’s website): Cotton crops use 25% of the world’s pesticides but only accounts for 10% of global agriculture and those same pesticides—which are mostly made from WWII-era nerve gas—are responsible for 20,000 deaths a year. The moral of this style story?: Being addicted to disposable clothing has consequences too, and this edgy Sisley image may remind thoughtful fashion followers of this fact.

With all that being said, don’t get me wrong: I’ve long been a fan of Sisley, as well as the brand’s sexy silhouettes, festive frocks, and glossy images—especially their controversial campaigns. After all, fashion only becomes interesting when it makes you think about something new. For that reason, I say well done Sisley. X S.C.

Technorati Tags: Sisley, Fashion Junkie, Fashion Addict, Cotton Pesticide Facts, Katherine Hamnett

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This weekend I took part in one of Manhattan’s more joyless rites of passage: Moving Into a New Apartment on a Hot Summer’s Day. Granted the rewards—new, roomier digs with plenty of closet space—make it worth the effort, but it’s a mind-numbing, exhausting process none-the-less. (Especially if you’re dealing with a few cozy walk-up buildings like I was.)

Figuring out what to wear for such an important event proved to be daunting, even to a savvy fashion editor like myself. While most would recommend grabbing the grubbiest garb in one’s closet, I avoided my beat-up cut-offs and hole-y tees: All that cotton would be too stifling in July’s ceaseless humidity.

Stella McCartney for Adidas F/W 07 tank. I wore one like it in grey. The zipper is great for your keys when you’re moving. Just FYI.

Instead, I took a sportier route for my hauling and hefting activities. I plucked my grey Stella McCartney for Adidas micro-fiber shorts and tank from my gym bag, slipped on my sneakers and never looked back. And why not? These sleek ‘n’ smart numbers were made to let the body bend and stretch in every which way, and their high-tech materials (read: fabric that I don’t know enough about to even try to pontificate about) help keep the sweat off one’s heated body (unlike those old-school cotton duds). Plus, since they’re created by Miss Stella McCartney, you know they’re tres chic.

Stella McCartney for Adidas F/W 07 Sneaker. Makes feet happy.

Two non-stop days of painting, packing, boxing, lifting, stair-climbing, ladder-scaling, un-packing, and de-boxing later (all in air-conditioning-free climates thanks to one key, yet delayed shipment) and I was still comfy, and dare I say cool, all thanks to my sporty attire. When I have to re-locate again (which I’m hoping won’t have to happen for another 2 years at least) I’ll be sure to hire movers and shop for more Adidas threads. X S.C.

Technorati Tags: Glam Media, Free Fashion Tips, Stella McCartney for Adidas,

Photos courtesy of Adidas 

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