ShopTalk » Fashion

Love Sole-Killing Heels? Then Carry A Spare!

Rhonda Reinhart — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 20:51:44 +0000

Every woman has been there. The totally fabulous three-inch heels seemed like a good idea when you left the house, but now your pretty little pedicured feet have become swollen, aching hooves just dying to break free from their miniature torture chambers. If you never again want to walk barefoot on a dirty sidewalk, parking lot, or other germ-laden surface while carrying a once-wonderful pair of overpriced stilettos, then you need to peep these peep-toe-pain saviors. Spare Soles are travel-friendly ballerina flats that come in a variety of colors and sizes and are designed to be a rescue tool for situations just like this. The rollable, bendable flats come with a handy pouch that should fit nicely in most purses. Buy online, or head over to J. Renee Shoes and More in Preston Royal Village (214-368-8030). Right now Spare Soles are on sale there for $12.95.

Model Erin Wasson Victim of Fashion Crime

Rhonda Reinhart — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:08:52 +0000

FrontBurner just linked to this story about thieves robbing Dallas-born Erin Wasson’s L.A. home. Tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of designer jewelry and clothing were taken in the burglary. The saddest part is the list of items recovered: two left shoes.

For the Sports Fan on Your List?

Rhonda Reinhart — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 19:49:00 +0000

You have approximately five hours to make this Dallas Cowboys corset yours. The current bid is $30. I would make an undergarment-related football joke here, but I don’t know enough about the game to do so. Also, I think this speaks for itself. If you, however, have a good one-liner about this piece of eBay beauty, let me hear it in the comments.

Lady Looks From Decades Past

Rhonda Reinhart — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:46:53 +0000

Over on Jezebel, they’ve been posting pictures from the Life (and Time) magazine photo archives featuring women from various decades. They started with the 1930s and have now reached the 1980s, my personal favorite. Looking back on Brooke Shields’ eyebrows (see left), the Golden Girls’ shoulder pads, and Jamie Lee Curtis’ swimsuit and pantyhose combo, I remember the ’80s like they were yesterday, but at the same time, the people in the pictures look like they’re from another planet. Really, Joan Rivers, really?!? And Patti Labelle? I don’t even have words to describe that hair. Only one image from the whole bunch made me miss those days: the picture of Madonna from 1984. Remember when she didn’t seem so scary? Come back, ’80s Madonna, all is forgiven!

Item of the Day

Stephanie Quadri — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:17:01 +0000

If you read this blog regularly then you know I am a shoe aficionado. You can imagine my excitement when a co-worker introduced me to Omelle, a new fab luxe footwear line that a friend of hers designs. The architectually inspired styles are truly unique and certain to be a big hit. Featured in this month’s Vogue, these high-design shoes are not available anywhere in Dallas yet (fingers crossed someone will pick up the line), but you can check out the entire collection on their website now and will be able to purchase online come February (gift cards available now). I know what I want for Christmas!

Item of the Day

Stephanie Quadri — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:00:01 +0000

Belts are a great way to update your look and they don’t seem to be going out of style anytime soon. While shopping around the other day, I came across this stylish one from The Gap’s limited edition European collection. For only $40, this would make a great gift for your girlfriend or simply treat yourself!

The Better To See You With

Rhonda Reinhart — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 19:02:01 +0000

Doesn’t this picture make you want to buy some glasses? Or find a nice man rocking 5 o’clock shadow and close-cropped hair with his glasses? I can’t help you with the man part, but I can tell you where to get the glasses. Occhiali Modern Optics in Preston Center Plaza has a wide range of fashionable eyewear, including Tailored by Tom Davies, which you see there on the left. What’s cool about the Tom Davies line is that each piece is custom fit to the wearer, from the color to the distance between lenses. Sure beats the red Sally Jessy Raphael specs I sported in sixth grade. Yikes.

Jakks for Cracks

Kristin Hull — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 22:56:42 +0000

Speaking of butt cleavage/coin slots I too have tried a product that keeps your crack where it should be - hidden. Whenever I see someone’s “coin slot” peeking out from above their waistband I wonder, “Don’t they feel it sticking out?” I know I can tell when my pants have slipped down too far. Why can’t they? Maybe they’re butt cleavage-challenged. They sure could use JAKs, made by Miss Oops!, a company that has dedicated itself to helping us deal with all those unfortunate wardrobe malfunctions like lines of deoderant on our shirts and panty lines (even from thongs). Sorry, must make a side note here: One of my all-time pet peeves is thong panty lines! The whole purpose of thongs is so that no one can see your panty lines. However, with some pants you can still see the lines even if you are wearing a thong. THIS IS NOT OK! It defeats the whole purpose of the thong. Turn around and look in the mirror. If you can see any lines at all do not leave the house. In fact, try this Miss Oops product to solve the problem. Now, back to JAKs. As you can see from the photo above it is a stretchy piece of material that goes around your waist. When worn under a shirt, it looks like a cute little camisole. The material is soft and the lace is pretty. I’ve already worn mine several times and really love it. Plus, it keeps my middle warm in the winter and it holds my tummy in a bit too. Nice!

Quick Fashion Fix: isABelt

Rhonda Reinhart — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 21:15:06 +0000

The dreaded waistband gap is not pleasant for anyone. Coin slot, butt cleavage, plumber’s crack—whatever you want to call it, it ain’t good. Enter isABelt. This half-inch plastic belt is designed to eliminate back gap and belt bulk and provide a slimming effect at the same time. I don’t know about tucking in (even though the plastic is clear, you can still see it), but it will definitely smooth things over when a shirt is worn outside the pants. And besides all that, now you won’t need this.

Styling Tip #243

Kristin Hull — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:34:05 +0000

Yesterday Katie saw me pulling my socks over my skinny jeans so that they wouldn’t bunch up when I put my tall boots over them. She said, “Oh, so that’s the trick! You should blog about that!” So that’s what I’m doing. Jeans/pants tucked into boots is big again this year and yes, the trick is to carefully pull your socks over the bottom of your pants (but not so high that they show over the top of your boot - unless that is the look you are going for which is cute sometimes) and then pull your boots over them. Voila! Works every time!

Your Own Personal Stylist (Sort of)

Kristin Hull — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:00:15 +0000

Tired of trying to figure out what to wear each day? Bored with all your clothes? Then look no further than Closet Couture a web site that has come along at the right time. With the tough economy right now, few of us are spending as much as we’d like on new clothes. And the fact that the holidays are quickly approaching doesn’t help either. Most of us would rather buy goodies for our loved ones than ourselves. Well, Closet Couture is here to help! It is not only a web site chock full of fashion news, tips and style advice, it is a way to get help with your own personal wardrobe! Here’s how it works: download photos of your clothes onto the site (or choose from their “closet” of common wardrobe items) and then dress a virtual model to create new outfits with your old pieces. How fun is that? It’s like virtual Barbie with your own clothes - OR with your friend’s clothes. You can view what they’ve downloaded into their closet as well. That’s genius - and oh-so-helpful when you need a handbag or a pair of shoes at the last minute. Don’t let the thought of photographing and downloading your clothes scare you. Just lay each piece on a white sheet and snap away. Adding them to your closet on the site is as simple as dragging and dropping. Once you put an outfit on the model you can ask for feedback from your friends as well as other Closet Couture members, or for $25 you can hire a stylist to help create outfits using the items in your wardrobe. The site also offers a calendar that can keep track of what you wear each day, or you can create future outfits and set them for a specific day, like your anniversary or a charity event. Really helpful though is that you can save outfits in a “packing list” for upcoming vacations. If all of this sounds confusing, go to their web site and watch the tutorial. It will explain everything in detail and answer most of your questions. At first, this all seemed too time-consuming for me but after viewing the tutorial it seems really easy and worth the little effort it would take. The whole thing is free (unless you decide to hire a stylist) and I can definitely see how it could give your old clothes new life. If any of you end up doing it let us know what you think!

Stanley Korshak Fine Jewelry Sale

Jennifer Chininis — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 23:45:17 +0000

If you’re like me, you like to have a Christmas list, just so people get you exactly what you want. So I suggest sending your man a link to this blog–just as a little hint to say, hey, honey, I’d like some bling and you can buy me some at Stanley Korshak this week only for 25% off. We love the designs of Rachelle Dauphinee, which you can see in our 10 Most Beautiful Women in Dallas feature, and they’re also a favorite of designer Abi Ferrin. This will show that not only do you have good taste, but you’re also interested in saving him some cash. You know, because you’re thoughtful like that.

Diane Von Furstenberg Does Wonder Woman

Stephanie Quadri — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 22:56:49 +0000

One of fashion’s most influential women has looked to the iconic heroine for inspiration for her Holiday 2008 collection and a limited edition comic book (pictured at left). Von Furstenberg has collaborated with DC Comics to release “Be The Wonder Woman You Can Be: Adventures of Diva, Viva, and Fifa“. The book, written by Von Furstenberg herself, is available for purchase here for only $25 (fun gift for fashionista’s on your list!). Featuring art by Konstantin Kakanias, the 48-page book includes previous published material from William Moulton Marston, comic historian Les Daniels, television’s Wonder Woman Lynda Carter, and Gloria Steinem. “The collection and the stories that I have created are really about empowerment and finding our inner strength.” says the designer. “The truth is that there is a little bit of Wonder Woman inside each of us.” Bonus: Proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit Vital Voices, a non-profit organization dedicated to emporwering women worldwide. The comic-adorned tote ($165) or tee ($46) also make great gifts.

Confessions of a Movie Trailer-aholic

Rhonda Reinhart — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:48:21 +0000

If you haven’t already seen it, here’s a preview of the most fashion-fetishy flick since Sex and the City. Based on the best-selling novels, Confessions of a Shopaholic looks like one of those movies girls of all ages will be clamoring to see. Pretty leading lady, pretty clothes, pretty-boy love interest…it’s all there. Confessions hits theaters in February 2009. See you at NorthPark!

Stilettos & Sushi: Fashion, Fun, and Free Shoes

Rhonda Reinhart — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 18:56:28 +0000

ShuAddikt, a new local company catering to—you guessed it!—shoe addicts, is hosting an event on Thursday that just might be worth missing the finale of Celebrity Rehab 2. For one thing, you could win the Daker heels by Betsey Johnson pictured at left. You can also expect free appetizers, a display of ShuAddikt’s hard-to-find designer offerings, and a small parting gift. If you’d like to attend Stilettos & Sushi—it’s 6-10 pm at Fuse—RSVP to events@shuaddikt.com. You don’t have to let ’em know you’re coming, but those who do will be entered twice to win the Betsey Johnsons.

Chip the Chipmunk Charm Helps Hungry Children

Rhonda Reinhart — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 20:48:28 +0000

Here’s the charity-charged scoop: In support of the North Texas Food Bank, Ylang 23 is offering an exclusive Chip the Chipmunk charm with sales benefiting the Food 4 Kids school backpack program. The charm, designed by Catherine Michiels, is $110, and $50 of that price goes to Food 4 Kids. Buy online or at the Ylang 23 store at Galleria Dallas.

New Oscar Fierro Boutique and Trunk Show

Rhonda Reinhart — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 18:44:07 +0000

Designer Oscar Fierro, who will open his first boutique next month in Mockingbird Station, is holding a holiday trunk show to give Dallas fashion lovers a sneak peek at his store as well as his original pieces. The trunk show started this morning and will continue through 5 pm, but if you can’t make it today, don’t worry. The event will be going on tomorrow as well. Hours are 10am-5pm, and the shop is located between Cafe Express and Ann Taylor Loft. In addition to Fierro’s designs, which include his “To-Go” label featuring items priced at 30 bucks or below, expect to see new jewelry pieces from Austin designer Kendra Scott.

Celebrate the Season With Abi Ferrin

Rhonda Reinhart — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 22:42:38 +0000

On Friday from 10 am-8 pm, stop by the Abi Ferrin studio at 1409 S. Lamar St. for some holiday festivities and a meet-and-greet with the team. Everything will be 40 percent off, and drinks and appetizers will be served at 4 pm. If you want to learn more about the Dallas designer, check out the current issue of D Beauty, in which Ferrin tells us about 10 of her favorite things. Not surprisingly, this in-the-know fashionista has lots of cool tips.

More Stores Welcome Mistura Watches

Rhonda Reinhart — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:59:13 +0000

If you haven’t heard of Mistura watches, you should check out our story in the brand-new winter issue of D Beauty. The timepieces are made by a local company dedicated to using eco-friendly materials and sustainable processes, and each bold, attention-grabbing piece is fun and stylish. Every time I wear mine, it never fails that someone asks about it. Now, in addition to the retailers we mention in D Beauty, two more stores have picked up the line: Maribella’s and JB Jewelers, both in Plano. Maribella’s is in The Shops at Legacy (972-378-3883), and JB Jewelers is at 2411 Coit Rd., Ste. 100 (972-398-6417). If you get a chance, stop by one of these shops and try on a watch or two. You’ll have a hard time not admiring the craftsmanship. (Photo credit: Elizabeth Lavin)

Getting Fit With FitFlop, Winter Edition

Rhonda Reinhart — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 20:32:21 +0000

Over the summer, Sarah told us about FitFlop, “the flip-flop with the gym built in,” and its promises to trim and tighten legs while you walk. Well, now FitFlop has introduced a winter shoe using the same technology. The Billow, pictured at left, does double duty as a casual outdoor boot (cuff rolled up) and a thick, fluffy slipper (cuff rolled down). And it claims to do everything from firm your fanny to relieve lower back pain. The shoe is not terribly cute, but if it does what it promises, it might be worth wearing around town for shopping and errands and such. Somehow, though, I don’t think Stacy London would agree.

Sean Avery: Do We Care?

Rhonda Reinhart — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:40:33 +0000

I’ve tried really hard to become interested in Sean Avery and the recent drama surrounding him. The whole thing has all the elements of a good spectacle: trash talk, celebrities, pretty people saying/doing ugly things. But there’s one thing that keeps me from caring: sports. Every time I get into a story about this guy and his troubles, somebody starts throwing out words like “hockey” and “scores” and “NHL” and my mind wanders far, far away. That said, Avery does make some interesting style choices, such as the sunglasses you see here. What do y’all think? Is he a fashion-forward trend setter or an attention-seeking jerk? I would state my opinion, but it would be based entirely on this photograph, and I just don’t think that’s fair. (Photo credit: AP/Frank Franklin II)

More Friday Fun

Stephanie Quadri — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:19:26 +0000

This weekend (starting tomorrow) is a good time to get out and shop if you can. Stock up on great gifts and treat yourself to something chic but cheap while you’re at it. Here are a few we have on our radar. Feel free to let us know about others Talkers shouldn’t miss out on!

What: Designer Sample Sale
What you’ll find: Clearance items from local designers Abi Ferrin, Courtney Warren, Sarah Briggs, Eddie Jo Jewelry, and Nest Jewelry. Tons of items only $10-$25!
When/Where: Friday December 5th, 10-8 and Saturday December 6th 10-6 at West Village, 3839 McKinney suite 160 (the old Lucy space at the NW corner of McKinney and Blackburn).

What: The Warehouse Sale
What you’ll find: 80% off premium denim (Frankie B, William Rast, AG Jeans, Rock & Republic, Diesel, and more), tops, dresses, and pants.
When/Where: Friday December 5th, 2-8 and Saturday December 6th, 10-4 at The Dallas Market Center, Freeway Hall, 2200 N Stemmons Fwy.

What: MaryGold jewelry Trunk Show
What you’ll find: 14k gold-filled bracelets, necklaces and earrings that are dripping with colorful precious and semi-precious stones. Full line priced 30-40% below retail for this event.
When/Where: Friday December 5th, 11-6 at Betty Cupcake in Snider Plaza.

Sartel Revealed & LFT Final Sale Continues

Stephanie Quadri — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 00:03:10 +0000

Designer and boutique owner, Matthew Earnest will debut his 1930’s-inspired spring 2009 women’s line, Sartel at a trunk show tomorrow from 4PM- 7PM at V.O.D. Get there early and then hop over to LFT for some great deals, as the store closing (we’re still really bitter about this) sale continues, with 40%-80% off everything (but happy about this) in the store.

DKNY & Levi’s Jeans

Stephanie Quadri — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 19:43:38 +0000

DKNY is teaming up with Levi’s Jeans for their 20th Anniversary. Together they have designed 3 styles: a wide leg jean, a skinny jean, and a boyfriend jean (made popular by stars like Katie Holmes). The jeans come in several washes such as rivington blue, white, black, and dark schiller. Pick up a pair for $225 at Neiman Marcus or Macy’s this January.

Meet Jewelry Designer Emily Armenta

Rhonda Reinhart — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:09:44 +0000

On Thursday, December 4, jewelry designer Emily Armenta will make an appearance at Neiman Marcus NorthPark from 10 am-4:30 pm. Expect to see a large collection of the Houston designer’s fall collection as well as some limited-edition pieces. Armenta’s jewelry is all handcrafted, and prices range from $500 to $50,000. Go here to get a glimpse of her old-world style.

This Hoodie Costs $10,000!

Rhonda Reinhart — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:42:41 +0000

From the department of questionable style choices, here’s more from Sunday night’s American Music Awards show. That’s R&B singer Colby O’Donis, and the hoodie he’s wearing goes for 10 grand. Jump to read the full release.

KONQUEST PREMIUM MENSWEAR REVEALS $10,000 DIAMOND STUDDED HOODIE WITH POP/R & B SENSATION COLBY O’DONIS AT THE AMA’S
KONQUEST Clothing Unveiled a One-of -a-Kind Hoodie, Embellished with over 4,000 Hand Placed Swarovski Crystals and 3 Carat Diamond Zipper Pull to Launch New Line
(Los Angeles, CA) November 25th, 2008- KONQUEST premium casual menswear line revealed its one-of-a-kind diamond studded hoodie by dressing pop/r&b sensation, Colby O’Donis (Interscope/Geffen/Konlive) for the American Music Award’s Red Carpet and after parties. The hoodie was designed to draw attention to the new line and raise funds for building schools in Uganda. 30% of the profit will be donated, since proceeds from the line will go to charity. The hoodie will go on display at several stores which carry the line, to share its intricate design and decadent features with interested buyers.

Colby O’Donis is enjoying his recent success with three songs currently on the charts including last year’s hit “What You Got,” featuring Akon, “Don’t Turn Back’ and most recently his appearance with Lady GaGa on her hit single “Just Dance.” Colby rocked the $10k Hoodie while garnering compliments from Jamie Foxx, Akon and T-Pain on the decadence of his ensemble. After the AMA red carpet, Colby modeled the one-of-a-kind item on stage in a performance with Lady GaGa of her top hit single, “Just Dance.”

KONQUEST, described as “affordable couture” that is both masculine and stylish, launched its premium casual menswear line at its new showroom, ToolboxLA at LA New Mart last month. The debut line from the makers of KEY CLOSET, creator of the $10,000 jeans (www.keycloset.com ), features ultra-premium T-shirts with bold designs for the man who knows how to get what he wants in life. The original artwork is set off by foil accents, and soft water-based prints give the shirts a luxurious look and feel. KONQUEST’s original designs signify strength, power and precision and use premium dyes, washes and hand spray-painting to achieve its signature look.

Recognizing a gap in the market, KONQUEST was born out of the desire to offer an ultra-premium experience at a mid-level price point. Unrivaled in workmanship and design, KONQUEST will quickly capture the attention of the style-conscious man who longs to set himself apart from the crowd with his wardrobe. KONQUEST’s unprecedented mix of style and masculinity is poised to conquer the 21st century menswear market.

KONQUEST designs are the ultimate in casual menswear with unmatchable artistry and design yet at reasonable price points. KONQUEST can be viewed online at www.konquestcollection.com or visit them at the ToolboxLA Show Room at New Market in downtown LA. ToolBoxLA is located at 127 E 9th Street # 501, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Deep Discounts at Merge This Weekend

Rhonda Reinhart — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:24:50 +0000

The Merge boutique in Preston Royal Shopping Center is slashing prices this weekend, and it looks like there’s some good stuff up for grabs. The end-of-season sale, which is already in progress, includes up to 50 percent off on select items. But come Friday and Saturday, shoppers will receive an additional 25 percent discount on already-reduced merchandise. Discounted lines include Loeffler Randall, Mike & Chris, Rock & Republic, Seven, and many more.

Happy Holidays From The Gap

Rhonda Reinhart — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:28:02 +0000

This new Gap ad featuring inaugural ShopTalk Crush of the Week Jon Hamm makes me want to buy a sweater and scarf. Good job, Gap!

Today’s Fun Find: CC Skye Screw Bracelet

Rhonda Reinhart — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:54:37 +0000

Spotted on the likes of teenybopper Miley Cyrus, famous for being famous Kim Kardashian, and Gossip Girl Leighton Meester, this CC Skye leather screw bracelet is apparently hot with the L.A. “it girls” right now. Which means that by the time you finish reading this sentence, it will be très passé. Either way, I’m digging this combo of tough and sweet. The metal accents on the colorful band are pretty representative of CC Skye’s style, so if you like this, you’ll probably like her other stuff, too. To get your own screw bracelet, buy online or head over to Intermix.

2008 American Music Awards: What Were Their Stylists Thinking?

Rhonda Reinhart — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:25:03 +0000

Here are my top five most questionable style statements from last night’s American Music Awards show:

1. Rihanna’s eye patch; 2. Billy Ray Cyrus’ soul patch; 3. Alicia Keys’ forehead jewelry; 4. Tommy Lee’s shiny suit; 5. Donnie Wahlberg’s faux-hawk.

Did anybody else waste three hours in front of the television last night watching the AMAs? If so, who do you think got it right fashionwise? And whose duds were just duds? This photo gallery might jog your memory. (Photo credit: ABC)