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Fab Face: Amanda Laine

FabSugar — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:00:22 -0800

I've been waiting for months to hear who the winner of V Magazine's V A Model! search is, and that day has come — it's Amanda Laine.

That name may not mean much to you now, but it will in the near future. The 16-year-old Canadian has wasted no time delving right into the industry. She's signed a three-year contract with Supreme Management and already walked the European Fall shows: Prada and Marni in Milan and Balenciaga and Givenchy in Paris. Not bad for a newcomer. An easy way to spot her is to look out for those thick, dark eyebrows. Welcome to the fashion circus, Amanda!

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Celebrity Style: Mischa Barton

FabSugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 13:00:22 -0800

It makes me so happy to see Mischa Barton dressing Fab again. At Paris Fashion Week, the actress partied at Lou Doillon's party for Lee Cooper in a feminine purple, off-shoulder dress. Her pink satin Stella McCartney pumps add to the girlie vibe and provide some overall fanciness.

Source

Le Smoking at Hermès Fall 2008: Love It or Hate It?

FabSugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 08:00:22 -0800

Naughty Natasha Poly. Or shall I say naughty Jean Paul Gaultier for having his model smoke on the Hermès runway! I'm not so intrigued by the clothes, but I am drawn in by what's happening all around. I certainly don't condone smoking, but it works with the mature collection. And the Persian rug-covered catwalk takes me to an exotic place, far, far away. Though I wouldn't realistically wear this look, I dig the combination of the rug, cigarette, and belted coat. Do you? Source

Le Smoking at Hermès Fall 2008: Love It or Hate It?

Love It

Hate It

Undecided

Paris Fashion Week, Fall 2008: Chloe

FabSugar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 14:00:22 -0800

After two seasons of bringing his own point of view to the house of Chloe, Paolo Melim Andersson delved back into the archives. Back to the floral-printed chiffon dresses when Karl Lagerfeld designed for the house in the '70s, and back to the floaty embroidery of Phoebe Philo earlier this decade.

Amidst a sea of navy, tufts of fur, sheer tunics, blazers, and riveted halter dresses were punctuated with ivory, teal, violet, and royal blue. Spats covered pointy heels, and embellishment was omnipresent. I like this collection and its femininity, but somehow I can't help feeling like Paolo took one step forward and two steps back.

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Who Wore It Better? Black Ruched Fendi Dress

FabSugar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:00:22 -0800

Paris Fashion Week has come to an end (tear). Jessica Alba attended Fendi's fashion show in the same black ruched dress that Eva Mendes wore back in January. Eva went bare legged while Jessica wore tights. Whose version is better? Source

Who Wore It Better? Black Ruched Fendi Dress

Eva . . . she looks very feminine and pretty.

Jessica — her opaque tights keep things interesting.

Neither — gasp!

Both of them look nice.

Freaky or Fabulous? Mariacarla Boscono Gone Goth

FabSugar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 08:00:22 -0800

Freaky or fabulous, that is the question my Fabbies . . . The raven-haired model, Mariacarla Boscono, attended a Givenchy dinner at Paris Fashion Week in a polarizing, gothic-inspired outfit by the designer. Her overly layered necklaces make Nicole Kidman's L'Wren Scott diamond Oscars necklace look understated. It's layering on crack, but I think it's beyond fabulous. What about you — freaky or fabulous? Source

Freaky or Fabulous? Mariacarla Boscono Gone Goth

Freaky!

Fabulous!

Hussein Chalayan Creates "Big Bang" Mechanical Dresses

FabSugar — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 07:55:22 -0800

Hussein Chalayan Creates "Big Bang" Mechanical Dresses Hussein Chalayan is certainly no stranger to incorporating technology into his fashions, as he already showcased a series of LED laser dresses earlier this year in Tokyo. During this week's Paris Fashion Week , Hussein presented his Fall collection, which included high-tech dresses used to symbolize the Big Bang.

Paris Fashion Week, Fall 2008: Giambattista Valli

FabSugar — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 11:11:11 -0800

The river runneth red at Giambattista Valli. Blood red. Billowing red evening gowns, protruding red crepe necklines, toweringly high red heels, and even a red fox fur cocoon coat were all flowing. When it wasn't red, it was white, or black, or ivory — with lots of protuberances. Tufts of fox fur hang from the back of an otherwise simple ivory sheath. Architectural ruffles, poufs, and anemone-like brooches embellish other notable pieces.

The collection as a whole was a play on volume; and when I say volume, I mean Giambattista really turned up the dial. There was nary a piece in sight without the addition of something bigger . . . but better? Well, I'll leave that verdict up to you.

To see more Giambattista Valli,

Welcoming Karl With Folded Arms

FabSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:00:22 -0800

Folded arms are usually associated with nonchalance and/or moodiness.

While it was somewhat surprising at first glance, it's not entirely shocking that Karl Lagerfeld had the models for his Fall '08 collection walk down the runway with folded arms. It's ironic that the robot-like designer was the one to encourage human qualities in his models.

You will see cue cards backstage telling models to smile and have fun, but you rarely see them mentioning arm movements. It's about time they put those long limbs to use! Karl's girls — Anja Rubik (right), Natasha Poly, Isabeli Fontana, Raquel Zimmermann, Ali Stephens, and Karlie Kloss — all did just that and brought some real-life emotions to the otherwise stiff clothes. So is folding arms a new catwalking trend? I guess we'll have to wait and see . . .

To see more attitude on the Karl Lagerfeld catwalk,

Paris Fashion Week, Fall 2008: Chanel

FabSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:00:22 -0800

The house of Chanel has gone back to its roots. The carousel-ignited runway was awash with varicolored tweeds, black, denim, chains, and knits — quintessential Chanel. And there were all shades and treatments of Karl's favorite color: black tweed, black leather, black knits, black stockings, black jeweled berets. But, Karl never lets black bore.

To shake things up — and to keep catering to the youthquake of Hollywood, including show attendees, the Olsens — minis were every which where. As well, a rubberized leather dress and Matisse-like patterned vinyl brought a bit of the '80s back to the Chanel runway. The finale dresses even showed some leg and texture, and had dramatic cascading capes. All, will keep the drama-hungry youth happy.

To see what's in store for Chanel this Fall and to see a video of the show,

Paris Fashion Week, Fall 2008: Valentino

FabSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:00:22 -0800

Now that Valentino has officially stepped down, succeeding designer Alessandra Facchinetti made her catwalk debut for Fall.

Compared to the pale pastels, bright zings of color, and oodles of ruffles Valentino has infused into his designs the last couple of seasons, Alessandra's work lacked a little of the label's joie de vivre. It could be the more subdued, Fall-appropriate color palette of navy, neutrals, blush, and mustard giving off that impression, but the keen attention to detail wasn't there. It was definitely a safe first collection, but there were hints of good things to come — the requisite Va-Va red was in place. Besides, taking over a label after 45 years under the helm of one man is not a position I envy.

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Who Wore It Better? Chanel Willy Wonka Sunnies

FabSugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:00:22 -0800

From the streets of LA to Paris, Chanel's Willy Wonka-esque sunnies are going along for quite a fashionable ride. Nicole Richie wore them first throughout her pregnancy in LA, while Mary-Kate Olsen just sported them at Giambattista Valli's Fall '08 show at Paris Fashion Week. Both are linking arms with men, both are wearing black, but who wore the quirky Chanel sunnies better? Speaking of, what's your favorite sunglass style? Source and Source

Who Wore It Better? Chanel Willy Wonka Sunnies

Nicole! This style matches her perfectly.

Mary-Kate . . . she pulls them off effortlessly.

Neither — gasp!

They both look great.

Paris Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2008: Stella McCartney

FabSugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:55:22 -0800

Paris Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2008: Stella McCartney
This season, Paris Fashion Week has contained a slightly controversial level of fur (for example, Jean Paul Gaultier). Obviously Stella McCartney was not one to conform sticking to her morals and creating her usual vegan line.

Modeling Takes Beauty . . . and Mad Skills

FabSugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:00:22 -0800

Who says models are all beauty and no brains? Okay, I can't vouch for their brains, but I can prove that they have some mad skills. Wearing what looks like a suffocating bag around your face and having to walk down a long runway takes precision. Many models trip, even without such an obstacle, so I give the models who walked the Junya Watanabe Fall '08 show in Paris some respect. It looks like Paris and London, namely the shows of Watanabe, Maison Martin Margiela, Rick Owens, and Gareth Pugh, proved to be the most taxing for the models. Then again, signing on to work with such avant-garde designers, they probably expected a bit (okay, a lot) of craziness. Could you do it?

To see some more freakish runway productions,

Viktor & Rolf Just Say No, No, No

FabSugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 09:00:22 -0800

Amy Winehouse isn't the only one saying no, no, no to something. Designing duo Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren took their Fall '08 collection as an opportunity to be full-on negative. "We love fashion, but it's going so fast. We wanted to say 'No' this season," the duo said. And the message was loud and clear. From three-dimensional "No"s on trench coats, to comic-book style "No"s on tees, to "No"s on the models' faces, this collection was indeed negative. But luckily the clothes were all positive. The men continued to impress me with detailed frocks, wool corset tops, and satin skirts. I am a "Yes" woman myself so this is all rubbing me the wrong way, you?

Flower Powered Eve: Love It or Hate It?

FabSugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:00:22 -0800

Talk about flower power! Eve attended Ungaro's Fall '08 runway show at Paris Fashion Week looking bold and beautiful. In most instances, her Ungaro oversized rosette jacket would be considered too over-the-top, but in Paris, it's pure perfection. She smartly balanced the proportions by twining her voluminous top with lean black pants. The metallic sandals also work well. I admire women like Eve who pull out all the stops for fashion . . . Are you feeling this, too? Source

Flower Powered Eve: Love It or Hate It?

Love It

Hate It

Undecided

Jean Paul Gaultier Fall '08: Love It or Hate It?

FabSugar — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 09:00:22 -0800

Designers are choosing to present more wearable and less costumey looks for Fall. If there was one designer to confirm this retail-friendly trend, it's Jean Paul Gaultier and his Mongolian lacey lady. This look is a happy hodgepodge of autumnal colored fur, lace, animal print and velvet. And that fur hood? Fabulous! Some may pooh pooh this collection as tame, for the enfant terrible JPG, but I would rather be a Mongolian mistress than a pirate warrior. You?Source

Jean Paul Gaultier Fall '08: Love It or Hate It?

Love It

Hate It

Undecided

Paris Fashion Week, Fall 2008: Balenciaga

FabSugar — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 05:00:22 -0800

Structure, rubber, and slits: That's what Balenciaga Fall 2008 is made of.

Although the collection had continuity from previous seasons — cocoon-shaped jackets, cropped fitted pants, and greyscale color — surprises still abounded. Pearl-encrusted and rhinestone costume jewelry draped around necklines and wrists, deconstructed velvet bandage tops popped in primary colors, and hand-painted warrior armor closed the show.

But oh, the shoes! Silver on black pointy toe heels, white booties with sheer latex fluttering off the back and stilted square lucite heels all stole my heart.

This collection is definitely a more pared-down group than Nicholas Ghesquiere has sent down the runway in the past, but that's not to say that it doesn't deserve less attention . . .

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Paris Fashion Week, Autumn/Winter 2008: Balmain

FabSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 15:00:22 -0800

Balmain designer Christophe Decarnin certainly knows how to make a woman look and feel her sexiest. I can't help but think that his Fall '08 collection has hints of Roberto Cavalli in it. Animal prints dominated, as did metallics and sequins. Floor-length, one-shoulder frocks took center stage, thanks to slits that creeped up for days. Leather jodhpurs and fringe moccasins added an eclecticism to the mix. Christophe seems to really appreciate legs, so ladies who love theirs should take note. Hey, if you've got them, flaunt 'em!

For more sexy Balmain,

Paris Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2008: Vivienne Westwood

FabSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 13:55:22 -0800

Paris Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2008: Vivienne Westwood
You're never really sure what to expect from a Dame Vivienne Westwood collection. Her show in London a few weeks ago was surprisingly tame, and despite the occasional placard wasn't too political. This show, which was presented in the French capital last night, contained plenty of references to Westwood's eco concerns.

Celebrity Style: Lucy Liu

FabSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:00:22 -0800

Cashmere Mafia member, Lucy Liu, attended Christian Dior's Autumn/Winter '08 collection in Paris dressed a lot like her character in a white Dior skirt suit and Dior handbag. Her crisp look takes power suit to new, feminine heights. On a different note, did you know that Lucy is also a painter? So much so that she has an exhibit opening in Munich on May 8. Who knew the Fab actress was so multitalented!

Source

Paris Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2008: Christian Dior

FabSugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 05:55:22 -0800

Paris Fashion Week Autumn/Winter 2008: Christian Dior Galliano took inspiration from Barbie dolls producing a show of models with big hair, dramatic make-up and pretty party dresses. The collection drew from a varied palette of mainly bright shades, there was plenty of golden embellishment on head bands and sleeve cuffs.