Try This!: MAC's New Dual-Ended Mascara, Haute and Naughty Lash

Yes, Glamazons, we know all about the controversy swirling around MAC cosmetics right now with the whole Rodarte makeup collection. While I'm glad to hear that the brand has decided to turn it around and rename products in the line, I was more excited about this new mascara they recently launched! (Sounds vain, I know, but I am a beauty product whore, so I just couldn't help myself in being enamored with what's laying in front of me instead of a collection that I haven't even touched yet!)

I also have to say that while I usually love everything that MAC comes out with, their mascaras usually suck. The formula is either too goopy for my liking or the brush just does nothing to accent my lashes. However, the Haute & Naughty Lash is a winner!

The mascara features two different sized wands in one container. The skinny wand located at the top is hot pink and is perfect to achieve a more natural, less glam look. The fat wand has a sparkly purple cap and gives you va-va-voom lush lashes. Because I have long, lifeless lashes that stick out and do nothing, I start with an eyelash curler. Then, I use the fat wand to add definition and volume. I end the process by brushing along the tips of my lashes with the skinny brush to add a bit of separation.

MAC Haute & Naughty Lash ($18) is available now on maccosmetics.com and nordstrom.com. However, it won't hit your nearest MAC counter until September 16.

xo

Ferocia

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.

Sole Mate: Glow in the Dark Heels by Nicholas Kirkwood for Rodarte

Nicholas Kirkwood's latest creative invention for Rodarte lets women light up the room with every step. His glow-in-the-dark heels made their debut on the runway at Rodarte's Fall 2010 presentation to glowing reviews.

Designed by the Shoe Master, Nicholas Kirkwood, these luminous masterpieces were the talk of the Rodarte show.

I can't get enough of the stunning heels because they remind me of a pair of sneakers I had as a child that lit up with a pink glow whenever I walked. Rodarte's heels are like a grown-up, high-fashion version.

And let's face it, they're a lot prettier to look at. The heels have Nicholas Kirkwood's signature, futuristic touch juxtaposed with the warmth of a cozy Rodarte knit.

When the lights dimmed, the models appeared as if fireflies had gathered at their heels.

What do you think, Glamazons? Are they odd or brilliant?

Kisses,

Coutura

Photos: High Snobette

Vogue Italia Launches Vogue Curvy and Vogue Black

Curvy women and black culture are officially en vogue.

Vogue Italia has relaunched their website to include channels for Vogue Curvy (for full-figured women), Vogue Black (for black women) and Vogue Talents (for up-and-coming talents).

The site, which is available in English, boasts video interviews, photo galleries, articles and images---all the features fashion lovers spend hours dissecting on the web.

Vogue Curvy currently features an interview with plus-size model of the moment, Crystal Renn, while Vogue Black offers an exclusive talk with model/mogul Tyra Banks. Vogue Black also includes a profile on Grace Jones and an article "Know Your Fro" by amazing beauty blogger and friend of The Glamazons, Afrobella. Vogue Talents presents an interview with the Rodarte sisters, Kate and Laura Mulleavy, and footage from their Fall 2010 Fashion Show.

The content is pretty exceptional. The concept, on the other hand, has caused quite the controversy.

In general, everyone agrees that it's great that Vogue Italia recognizes that curvy women and black culture are worth celebrating. But some argue that presenting them on separate channels is still divisive. It's like saying 'You deserve attention, just not on our main channel. Here's a section just for you.'

Similar complaints were made during the launch of the Vogue Italia All-Black issue and V Magazine's Size Issue. To some, it perpetuated separatism. Instead of incorporating women of color and women with curves into these magazines on a regular basis, groups are given an issue where it's all about them...one month out of the year. They're celebrated, yes, but still marginalized.

On the other hand, people are arguing that ESSENCE Magazine, Ebony Magazine, Latina Magazine, Sister 2 Sister Magazine, etc. are just as separatist, focusing solely on a particular ethnic group. Sure magazines like Ebony were created as the answer to exclusion from the mainstream, but now those magazines have set the tone for what "inclusion" means. It seems Vogue Italia is just following suit using that same, proven formula.

Which leads me to my next question...can a wide range of cultures, sizes and ethnicities be represented (regularly) in one book? Is it even possible?

Judging from some unfortunate comments about the Vanity Fair controversy, if a magazine is not overtly associated with a race, people believe it should be assumed that it's a "white magazine." Which presents the need for a "black magazine." Perhaps, that's the thinking behind Vogue Italia's separate channels.

When will the pages of a magazine, or the screen of a website, be big enough to fit all of us? Do we even want it to? Discuss.

Kisses,

Coutura

Video Glam: Teen Blogger Tavi Teams Up with Rodarte for Target

Hey Glamazons!!

So I attended the Rodarte for Target preview months ago and I was as thrilled to see the amazing collection as I was to meet Tavi Gevinson, the 13-year old blogger of Style Rookie, who has truly blown the industry away with her intelligence and fashion sense!

Check out her fab video project of the editor preview event (that I attended), the lookbook shoot and the ad campaign shoot below. She also interviewed designers, Kate and Laura Mulleavy, and chatted with celebs like Elijah Woods at the Rodarte runway show.



Fab!!! Here are some images of the MAJOR collection including a sequin dress that is everything!










Sequins, lace and leopard, oh my! Rodarte for Target is perfect for the young, fashion-forward dresser who is a romantic at heart.

The collection ranges from vintage-inspired looks with feminine flourishes, like the charming tulle skirts and swingy dresses lined with lace, to party-ready standouts like the leopard print minis and sequined frocks.

Remember Rodarte for Target is all about layering so have fun piling a knit over a lace cardigan over a leopard-print dress. Take off the knits and cardigans and you have a look that is still fabulous once the temperature rises.

Just in time for Christmas, the Rodarte for Target line hits stores on December 20th and is priced at $10-$80!

What will you add to your wardrobe when the collection hits stores??

Happy Shopping, Glamazons!

Kisses,

Coutura

Photos: Target. Nitrolicous.com.

NEW!! Rodarte for Target

Glamazons,

Start saving NOW! The infamous Rodarte designers (sisters Kate and Laura Mulleavy) are creating a collection for Target's Go Series, which also includes Anna Sui and MCQ Alexander McQueen. Available December 20th through January 31th, the feminine, fashion-forward collection promises to be as ethereal and elegant as their signature line (see my fave Spring 2009 piece above), which won the sisters the top design award at the CFDA awards earlier this year. Even better? The 55-piece collection is priced from $10-$80, yes you read right, $80 is the most expensive piece! This is almost too good to be true!!!! I'll have to touch (and purchase) the clothes to know I'm not dreaming; fortunately, due to my fashion assistant gig, I was invited to the preview next week! Ahhhh!! Rumor has it I'll be touching a leopard-print jacket (you know I love leopard print - I won't leave the showroom without it)! Joshua Thomas of Target gave the scoop on what Rodarte lovers like me can expect from the new collection:

"What you'll notice is an amazing eye for detail. It's very feminine, yet very modern. The collection incorporates a rich mix of patterns and fabrications and everything from sequins and bows to faux fur. The key with Rodarte is layering."

Sequins? Bows? Fur? And you'll still have money left over to go out and show it off! Doesn't get any better than this (unless, Karl Lagerfeld is designing a Chanel for Target collection as we speak...or maybe Marc's the next one to join the mass retailer train! A girl can dream, right?!). Which collection are you more excited about: Rodarte for Target, Anna Sui for Target or Jimmy Choo for H&M? And yes, options are a beautiful thing.

Stay tuned for pics from the preview! In the meantime, check pics of the sisters and their Spring 2009 collection below.










Kisses,

Coutura