Backstage Beauty: Alexander Wang Spring 2011

Now here's a fun ingredient that I've never seen used backstage during the five years that I've been covering backstage beauty during Fashion Week: clay!

Alright, so maybe it's not really that fun because all I could think about while watching the models get this stuff put into their hair is what would one use to get it back out?! Would it be just regular 'ole drugstore shampoo or something fancier? What if you had to use something weird like pure alcohol?! Did the models sign consent forms ahead of time to get this stuff put in? And what about the ones that had shows immediately afterwards?! Well, I guess all those thoughts are really besides the point. The more important point at hand right now is why the clay was even used in the first place. (Leave it to Alexander Wang to even think of such a thing. Apparently he was channeling the punk rock skater girls found in the East Village here in NYC. Thrilling.)

Of course, it wasn't like pure clay (or at least I don't think it was). According to hairstylist Guido Palau (for Redken), the stuff was "fuller's earth with white pigment." (So that's not officially clay, right?! Maybe this would be classified as a "clay-like mixture" then? Hmmm....)

Palau, who described the look as the "new-age traveler" pulled all of the models' hair back into messy knots and then created spikes. The white clay mix was used to block out any sort of natural looking hair color and painted onto the models' hair in streaks as well as onto the spikes of the hair. He finished the look with Redken Forceful 23 hairspray followed by a blast of heat from the blow dryer to "bake" in the clay. (Yes, he used the word bake. It took all I had not to start giggling.)

Over in makeup, Diane Kendel (for MAC Cosmetics) described the look as "very cool." So cool that all she used to create this look was moisturizer and brow bleach. (Or maybe the correct verbage would be bleached brows?) That's it. Weird, right? (That's what I thought anyways.) But, don't let me be the judge of this: what do you think? I mean, I obviously wouldn't wear a look like this ever in life (my skin shudders at the thought of having clay put into my perfectly dyed blonde hair) but what about you?

xo

Ferocia

*Getty images..because they look so much better than the ones that I took on my camera phone lol

Would you...Wear Your Bra as a Top Like Rihanna and Solange?

Though it's Labor Day and summer is technically coming to a close, the weather is not freezing just yet. That gives luminaries like Rihanna and Solange more time to rock their beloved fashion statement: an exposed bra.

Letting a bra peek under a dress or through a slightly sheer top is nothing new. But these ladies are taking it to a new level.

Rihanna let her Alexander Wang sports bra get all the attention at the airport. Solange, on the other hand, chose to rock hers under a see-through lace top where it was clearly visible.

When you've got a great body---and better lingerie, it's tempting, if not necessarily appropriate, to show it off. But is rocking a bra as your top taking it too far?

I'm headed to the West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn where bras will be exposed (as part of the Carnival outfit on the floats) for all to see. Fabulous for a festive occasion like today's, but is it suitable for every day?

Would you wear your bra out? Discuss.

Kisses,

Coutura

Image Source

AD GLAM: Zoe Kravitz for Alexander Wang

Of all the many amazing sightings at the MET Gala, I was happiest to run into Zoe Kravitz and Alexander Wang...because who could imagine a better pairing?

Young, edgy, free-spirited and beautiful in that natural "I don't put in a lot of effort" way, Kravitz is the perfect muse for Alexander Wang's design aesthetic.

After wearing his design to the MET Gala (a sure sign that a designer has chosen you as a celebrity favorite), Kravitz nabbed a spot modeling for his T by Alexander Wang campaign.

In t-shirts and smokey-eye makeup, Kravitz showed why she's a Fashion IT girl. She's sexy, a little mischievous and dangerous, and effortlessly cool.

Her fashionable mom, Lisa Bonet, and rockstar dad, Lenny Kravitz, must be proud. What's your take? Do you love the new ads? Was Zoe the right pick for Alexander Wang's campaign? Discuss.

Kisses,

Coutura

Alexander Wang Sample Sale

Alexander Wang Sample Sale

August 5-8, 2010

93 Mercer Street

Between Spring & Broome

Up to 80% Off!

Runway Review: Alexander Wang Resort 2011

Has Alexander Wang lost his edge for the 2011 Resort season? Don't bet on it.

But do expect a more reserved, polished cruise collection this time around. The Alexander Wang girl has left the gritty downtown streets for a country house or a posh suburban neighborhood complete with freshly-cut grass, butterflies and squirrels.

Turtleneck sweaters, pleated skirts, cropped tops and crisp pants defined the collection. The aesthetic was overwhelmingly simple and classic in a departure from his previous collections, which were more trendy than timeless.

Though I'm hesitant to yell that he's abandoning his target, fashion-crazed, young demographic altogether (the patent-leather jacket, mesh tights/gloves and socks with sandals are anything but conservative), he is obviously on a mission to expand his market and appeal to conservative shoppers by mixing in wardrobe basics.

Understandable, sure, but basic and Alexander Wang should never be in the same sentence...except this sentence saying they shouldn't.

What do you think of Alexander Wang's new reserved collection?

Kisses,

Coutura

Photos: Style.com.

GLAM OR SHAM?: Gisele Bundchen in an Alexander Wang Minidress at the Met Costume Institute Gala

Okay. Let's be honest. Anything Gisele Bundchen wears is going to look exquisite. She has the perfect body even post-baby.

And Alexander Wang, the mind behind her sexy minidress, is one of the most talented young designers in the business.

But why come to the MET Gala in a less-than-festive dress? If you ask me, this was suitable afterparty material.

Between the fringe detail and super high hemline (I mean, it could have been a long shirt), it seems a bit out-of-place at the ball...especially next to, let's say, JLo's Cinderella gown.

They are one handsome couple though. (Her husband, New England Patriots' quarterback, Tom Brady, wore Tom Ford. Naturally).

What do you think of Gisele's dress, Glamazons? Glam or Sham?

Kisses,

Coutura

GLAM OR SHAM?: M.I.A. and Zoe Kravitz in Alexander Wang for Gap at the Met Costume Institute Gala

Of all the celebrity muses at last night's MET Gala, I was most excited to see M.I.A. For one, she was dressed by one of my favorite designers, Alexander Wang (for Gap). But more importantly, she's M.I.A. The same funky, free-spirited artist who wore a sheer, polka dot top during her performance at The Grammy's---while she was nine months pregnant.

So I was super curious to see how Alexander Wang and M.I.A.'s creative point-of-views would blend. The result? Hmm...I'll let you decide.


I think the design is exquisite, but I would have preferred to see an explosion of color on M.I.A.---or something, anything, that hinted at M.I.A.'s exuberant, youthful style.


On the other hand, Zoe Kravitz was perfect. Who's better than one of the most beautiful actresses (blame it on those glamazing Lenny Kravitz/Lisa Bonet genes) to display the menswear trend? 


Her tuxedo look was clean, sophisticated and chic. And I love the juxtaposition of the feminine bangs and supersexy red lips. (I'm slightly biased. I met her at the afterparty and she's so sweet!)


What do we think of M.I.A. and Zoe's looks, Glamazons? Glam or a Sham?


Kisses,


Coutura


MET Gala Photo: Style.com.

The GAP, Anna Wintour and M.I.A.? The Democratization of the MET Gala

What do M.I.A., Alexander Wang, The Gap and Anna Wintour have in common, you ask? They are all participating in this year's Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Gala. And I couldn't be happier about the seemingly odd mix of fashion icons.

Stay with me.

The theme for this year's Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala is the American Woman. And you can't pay tribute to the American Woman without discussing democracy. For example, our First Lady, Michelle Obama, the quintessential American woman, regularly mixes high and low-end designers in her wardrobe from Alexander McQueen to J.Crew.


So it's fitting that affordable retail chain, The GAP, is sponsoring the MET Gala this year with Patrick Robinson, Oprah Winfrey and Anna Wintour as co-chairs.

But that's not all.

GAP is collaborating with past and present CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winners to design gowns for the MET Gala worn by today's celebrity fashion darlings. The result? True democracy.

Designers, Alexander Wang, Rodarte, Sophie Theallet and Thakoon are creating gowns for The Gap as part of this unique collaboration.

And as for the fashionable celebrity muses, Alexander Wang will dress M.I.A. and Zoe Kravitz, Thakoon will design for Kerry Washington and Riley Keough, Sophie Theallet will outfit Jessica Alba and Vera Farmiga and Rodarte gets Kirsten Dunst and Jamie Bochert. (See a few pics of the starlets below in their past red-carpet splendor. I live!)

Love it! Starting May 5th and spanning the entire month, Gap will display the gowns at their pop-up shop at 680 Fifth Avenue at 54th Street. Gap is also hosting a silent auction of the gowns at www.gap.com/gownauction with all proceeds benefiting The Costume Institute.

Since I am in no place to bid on an original, one-of-a-kind Alexander Wang gown, I'll be looking out for the Gap's limited edition t-shirt collection in celebration of its sponsorship of the MET Exhibition: "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity."

The styles blend Gap's classic aesthetic with the unique fashion sense of celebrated American women past and present. Here's what Patrick Robinson had to say about the t-shirt line:

"As I worked on the collection of t-shirts with the team, we were very inspired by how relevant the themes of the exhibition are to the way women dress today, even though they celebrate women's style from the past. It's a collection that takes the simplicity of that classic American piece of sportswear – the t-shirt – to a new level that is still very easy to wear."

Styles include The Heiress, The Haute Bohemian, The Suffragist, The Patriot (shown below), The Flapper and The Screen Siren. (I'm going for the Haute Bohemian, I'm in a free-spirited, boho mood this summer). The t-shirts range from $34.50-$44.50 and are available at Gap stores and on Gap.com.

How fabulous! Can't wait to see how these gowns turn out! And I'm thrilled to see the industry leaders (aka Anna Wintour) democratizing one of the most elite traditions in Fashion.

Now true democracy would be giving The Glamazons an invite to the event, but I am totally content and psyched to attend the afterparty! (One step at a time, Glams). Especially if it means I get to see M.I.A. in Alexander Wang for Gap in person --- that's all I need to be satisfied, hehe.

What collaboration are you most excited for, Glamazons?

Kisses,

Coutura

Photo Courtesy of The Gap.

WOULD YOU WEAR?: Sweatpants and Heels

I know, I know it sounds crazy. But it was all over the Spring and Fall 2010 runway from Bottega Veneta (above) to Alexander Wang to Michael Kors. And even Rihanna hit the TV circuit in a sweatshirt dress by Alexander Wang.

The gym has finally gone glamorous.

The look takes the same sweatshirt material that I lived in during my days as a college bum and cuts it in sleek, sophisticated and sexy structures. And the outcome is comfy material with a modern, fashion-forward spin.

Alexander Wang

Sure the thought of sky-high stilettos and sweatpants sounds insane, but the look is confident, effortless and easy breezy, perfect for the impending Spring season.

Sweatpants (and sweatshirts reborn as dresses) have gone from lazy to luxe. How to wear it? Look for close-fitting silhouettes (no pants with a droopy crotch or butt, please) and pair them with dressy tops and accessories to glam up the look.

Michael Kors

What do you think? Would you wear the new dressed-up sweatpants trend? Beyonce would...

Oh, and since I love you, here are some inexpensive options to sway your opinion from Splendid:

Kisses,

Coutura

Images: Splendid.com; Style.com; The Fashion Bomb.

Sole Mate: Rihanna Goes Rock and Roll in Alexander Wang’s Freja Lace Zipped Boot

Leave it to 25-year old, CFDA-nominated Alexander Wang to turn a motorcycle jacket into a bootie!

The Alexander Wang Freja Lace Zip Boot has all the makings of a cool leather jacket: layers, zippers, drawstring, metal studs and even a top that folds over like a collar. Oh and I can't forget the football-inspired lacing as the whole Spring 2010 collection seemed to pay homage to America's favorite sport!

It is the hottest tough luxe bootie on the market, retailing for a cool $675! And I'm dying to own it! The boot has just enough bad-girl attitude and sex appeal to glam up any look!

The hot shoe appears in the March 2010 issues of Elle, Vogue AND Harper's Bazaar. And of course, budding Fashion icon, Rihanna, rocked a pair with a gray sweatshirt top with shoulder pads, a pair of black shorts and some fierce red lips. I live!

What do you think of the shoes, Glamazons? Don't you love them?

Kisses,

Coutura