Malan Breton. Fashion Week at Eli Klein Fine Art

Model at Malan's Fashion Week Show

Model at Malan's Fashion Week Show

Malan Breton Fashion Week 2008, Spring 2009

Jewelry 5 Great Expression
Click the gorgeous model for many pix and videos of behind the scenes glimpses of Malan Breton’s gorgeous Fashion Week show! :)

5 Tips for Shopping for Vintage Fashions

What is Vintage? Essentially, ‘vintage’ is just another name for second-hand clothing, but it can be expensive. Antique flapper dresses from the 1920s and original Raoul Dufy designs are gorgeous, but discovering unique pieces doesn’t have to be expensive.

  • Thrift Shopping If your funds are limited, but you are adventurous, try thrift store shopping. It sometimes takes effort, depending on how the shop is set up and organized, but the results can be very rewarding. My most recent finds were a full length Eileen Fisher silk skirt and a vintage Valentino Boutique Couture Blouse (tags still on) for $17.00, total. Another trip netted me several silk designer scarves (Echo, Ferragamo, Valentino, Liberty of London among them) for $20.00 total for the bagful. Even if I had the money for these at retail, I would choose to spend those 100′s of dollars on other things. I love owning a beautiful designer piece, but love even more that I own them, and spent so little.

  • The List The key to a successful shopping trip is to go with a piece (or pieces) in mind, otherwise it can be overwhelming. Do you need a skirt for a special event, a belt to freshen up a t-shirt and jeans look, or a silk blouse to brighten a dull business suit? This way you can scan shelves and racks for the colors and textiles you want, and only pull those items out. It is safe to say, if you are looking for a black slip dress, you can skip the obvious yellow neon plaid and green striped numbers.

  • Choose Well Build up a list of ideas whenever you go out and come up with your own thrift shopping rules. Steer clear of anything stained rather than just a little dusty, and things with the strong scent of mothballs should be avoided because that scent will never come out 100%. Tiny holes can be mended if they are not very visible, you want to look good not like a little rag doll (unless that is your personal look). Fabric and pattern choices should fit your current wardrobe if you want to incorporate it in everyday use. Choose the wilder looks for parties and special events.

  • Patience Give yourself time. You may not find the perfect piece the first time, or the second, but the third time you might. Take the time to build a perfect wardrobe. Explore the shops and flea markets and if you find yourself frequenting one shop, introduce yourself to the owner and ask if they will give you a call the minute new things come in.

  • Accessories If you’re still unsure about ‘second-hand clothes’, just shop for accessories. Bags, belts and scarves are easily incorporated into an everyday wardrobe. Finding pretty pieces sometimes takes as much dedication as scanning for clothing, but when you find that perfect pair of 1960′s pink rhinestone basket earrings for $2.00 you’ll be converted. Then you just might look around and take a chance on a new ruffled tuxedo shirt or a fun 1970′s mini skirt, and you’ll never see shopping the same way again. Look at it this way, it’s closet of fashion you can raid without mom and grandmom getting mad at you!

    Socially Responsible Shopping Thrifting and vintage shopping is also a great way to recycle. With so many beautiful fashions in thrift and vintage shops you may be able to find what you need and in essence recycle a well-made garment. If the current trends aren’t your taste, you may find past looks in great condition. If you are like me, and dress to express yourself, not follow the trends to the letter, then I think you’ll be very happy. Many thrift shops benefit charities too, so in some cases just by shopping, you’ll be doing a good deed. Just get out there and look!
    Photo, vintagevibes.com

  • Click here for more Vintage Fashion articles
  • A Splash of Vintage Style with Trina Turk

    003.jpgTrina Turk Visits the Preston Center Everything But Water in Dallas, Texas on April 12, 2008
    DALLAS, April 3, 2008 /PRNewswire/ – Designer Trina Turk will be appearing at Everything But Water at Preston Center to mingle with shoppers and sign autographs as well as showcase her swimwear collection licensed by Blue Water Design Group, a division of Apparel Ventures, Inc (AVI). The Trina Turk Swim and Spa Collection includes swimwear as well as beach/spa related sportswear. The first collection launched for Cruise 2007.

    The gorgeous signature prints draw inspiration from the Trina Turk ready-to-wear line with unique hardware details developed from Trina’s vintage jewelry collection. Known for the amazing fit, the suits are sold as separates to be mixed and matched. “My collections have become synonymous with the resort lifestyle as many of my inspirations are rooted in sun- drenched mid-century California,” says Trina. Prices range from $58 to $125 and customers shopping at Everything But Water will be able to enjoy refreshments as well as receive a designer necklace with a Trina Turk purchase.

  • Who: Trina Turk
  • What: Trina Turk shows her Swim & Spa Collection
  • Where: Everything But Water | Preston Center 6139 Luther Lane Dallas, Texas
  • When: Saturday, April 12th 1pm-4pm
    *10% of sales will be donated to the Dallas County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen For the Cure.

    About Everything But Water: The number one source for women’s swimwear and resort fashion, offering the latest trends, largest selection and an outstanding level of specialized service that inspires confidence and personal style.

    007.jpgAbout Trina: Trina Turk says she considers herself lucky. One of her favorite quotes is: “Luck favors the prepared mind.” But luck had very little to do with the phenomenal growth of her business.

    Her mother taught her to sew when she was just 11 and after years of hard work and creativity her line is now sold by Barney’s New York, Fred Segal, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Not to mention the celebrities wearing her clothes and the stylish women who put her pieces together in unique ways.

    Her Description of a “Trina Turk customer”: What’s the opposite of a wallflower? Why she likes thrift shopping: You can learn a lot about how quality things are made.

    Check out Trina Turk’s Website

  • Modern Lady, Vintage Style

    thandie-newton-picture-6.jpgThandie Newton has the right idea when it comes to fashion. In a recent news item she says vintage clothes are not only glorious, but a great way to recycle. Thandie is known for her passion in making the world greener. Why buy new things when there are so many lovely fashions in vintage and thrift stores already? Her tastes may be vintage but her ideas are very modern.

    Thandie Newton has said she can’t understand why people buy new clothes when there is so much great vintage material out there.
    She said that she loves buying secondhand clothes because of the benefits for the environment: “It is grotesque how out of control manufacturing has become, and the excess, the pollution that’s caused by it.”
    “Vintage [fashion] is not only glorious and stylish, it’s also the way forward in terms of recycling.”
    “Whenever I go into great vintage stores, I wonder why we ever buy new things.” Source: fametastic.co.uk

    Remember to check out Thandie in her new film Run Fatboy Run with Simon Pegg.

    Ancient Vintage Fashion Inspiration

    Don’t feel bad if you look to past iconic eras of fashion for inspiration, everybody does. The decades that come to mind instantly might be the 70′s or even the 20′s.. sometimes it might be the BC’s!
    egyptart8.jpg
    e-334.jpg
    paltrow.jpg
    Gwyneth Paltrow in Zac Posen at the 2007 Academy Awards

    Bratz cast interview for Bratz World!

    Just for you cool Bratz Worlders!
    “Hi Bratz World!



    Click here for the cute interview by the Bratz cast for Bratz World!

    Are You Model Material? Rock Your Prom Show MI

    show1orange2.jpgCheck this out if you are in the area and if you win have a wonderful time! You might become a famous model someday!

    “Are You Model Material? Seventeen Magazine and JC Penney are sponsoring a “Rock Your Prom” model call for girls and guys ages 13-21. Scouts from John Casablancas will be looking for fresh faces 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Thursday at Center Court at Lakeside Mall (14300 Lakeside Circle, Sterling Heights).
    No registration required.
    586-247-1590. www.shop-lakesidemall.com

    Pre-prom panic: Dressed for distress

    bildeshop.jpgPre-prom panic? Aversion to pantyhose? Mom stressing? Think it’s just you? Read this cool article and know you are not alone- and some cool tips too!

    When it comes to low necklines and high hems, Sucro said, “Most reputable stores will have prom gowns that are appropriate. This is the time to say, ‘I’m going to let her look more glamorous.’” She reminds mothers that as long as you are paying for the dress, you still have some say in the style, but ultimately, the person wearing the gown should be completely happy with the purchase.

    More

    Interesting Prom Mentions in the News 5

    thumb_1174090308867_0p70159.jpgParent outraged over glassware passed out as Prom momentos

    Some parents are outraged over junior prom souvenirs. Copper Hills High School students are getting glassware that look like beer mugs and champagne glasses. That’s what Gary Davis’ son brought home from school after he bought his prom tickets. Davis says, “I was shocked, appalled that this type of material was given out by the school to underage kids.” Concerned parents say these glasses send a mixed – and dangerous – message to high school students.

    More

    Interesting Prom Mentions in the News 4

    Taylor DiSantisSpeaking of Sweet Charity check out this cool story (and others!).

    Sweet charity

    Watching the excesses described on the MTV reality show “My Super Sweet 16″ last summer led St. Joseph Central High School sophomore Taylor DiSantis to turn his 16th birthday party on March 3 into a fundraiser for teen activities.

    DiSantis, with help from fellow St. Joseph’s students Ryan Storie, Eric Kulpa, Jessica Healy and Courtney Failla, raised $2,200 that they plan to use to provide financial and other mentoring assistance for Berkshire County youngsters between the ages of 5 and 18. More than 100 teens from four high schools attended DiSantis’ party, which took place at the Sons of Italy’s Itam Lodge.

    “I was expecting $1,000 at best,” DiSantis said.

    More

    Beautiful Modest Gown Contest Winner

    emmaline.jpg Modest By Design has their 2007 winners posted and they are wonderful entries. It will be fun to see the dress made real like last year’s black and white stunner. Congratz to all and hope you had fun!

    Read the cool article below for more about the Modest by Design’s fashion show which spotlights lovely designs and announces the winner of their competition.

  • Search for more Modest Gowns and Dresses

    Modesty finds a niche in marketplace
    By Brittanie Morris
    Salt Lake Tribune

    Backstage at Thanksgiving Point’s red show barn, girls hustled to slip into evening gowns of all colors, shapes and sizes before the Modesty in Motion fashion show began.
    More

  • Another Project Prom, in Boston!

    1172770575_3588.gif

    Welcome to Project Prom. Our judges chose the top four dress concepts submitted by local fashion design college students, and now each designer will have $500 from Fabric Place and one month to bring her sketch to life. Four high schoolers will win the custom gowns and get to show them off in a Macy’s fashion show and in the May 13 Globe Magazine.

    See the designs chosen to compete and see interviews with the contestants. Good luck to all! Any other contests inspired by Project Runway like this out there? Let me know!

    Project Prom has a Winner

    Bruce Graner/ bgraner@pnj.comBased on the mega popular show Project Runway, Project Prom has declared it’s winner this year.

    Check out this cool interview with the winner.

    Courtney-Cotrelle Cromartie isn’t being conceited when he says he “wasn’t worried about the competition.”

    The 22-year-old, named Saturday as the Top Aspiring Fashion Designer in the Pensacola Bay Area at the second annual Project Prom, said he was concerned about one thing only during the competition: making sure client Amber Matejka was happy.

    “That was very important to me,” he said. “I think it was important to all the designers.”

    Congratz! I am sure everyone had a great time on Project Prom and I am sure Courtney-Cotrelle Cromartie has a great design future to look forward to!

    The Prom On America’s Next Top Model

    americas-next-top-model.jpgAs reported on Reality TV Magazine, looks like we have some Prom themed fun to look forward to on the next America’s Next Top Model.

    “Runway expert J. Alexander makes a grand appearance and the girls get “schooled” in the art of walking the runway. The girls participate in a prom-themed fashion show and one model who thinks she rocked it gets some negative criticism.

    Later, the girls pose in a challenging photo shoot portraying high school clichés. The praise one model receives makes another model jealous. The judges eliminate one model.
    Special guests include runway show producer and guest judge Roy Campbell; guest photographer Carlos Rios; professional stylist, Hallie Bowman.
    America’s Next Top Model airs on The CW from 8PM to 9PM ET on Wednesday, March 7, 2007.

  • America’s Next Top Model Season 1
  • Find Wonderful Fashions for Less

    Daily photo by Jonathan PalmerYou’ll never know what you can find at a thrift or vintage store if you don’t look! Check out this amazing article to see the kind of wonderful fashions you can find, yes even for formal events and Prom! Imagine too the things you can get for everyday at amazing prices. You are also helping charities in many cases too. So if you can’t afford a gown or tuxedo don’t despair just get looking. Department stores are not the only places you can find fashions like these. Why miss a wonderful night because the mall shops are too expensive there are alternatives and as you can see by this article you can find wonderful things. You friends may even be envious you found so much for so little!

    Armed with fashion, Spring looks at bargain prices at Salvation Army fashion show
    By Patrice Stewart pstewart@decaturdaily.com

    Maythion Casteel of Falkville got his first chance as a fashion model Saturday and bought the Brooks Brothers suit he wore for just $6.

    To brighten the black suit, he spent another $3 for a purple dress shirt by D’Amante.

    This bargain buy and others could have been yours if you moved quickly after the fashion show presented by the Salvation Army’s thrift store in Decatur.
    More

    A Guide To Your Perfect Prom

    158816551501_aa180_sclzzzzzzz_.jpgCheck out these great tips on how to make your prom night fun and less stressful. This is a great article from Courier Journal and it’s an interview with Joanna Saltz, executive style editor of Seventeen magazine. She is quite an expert since you can say she literally “wrote the book”. That book is “Seventeen’s Guide to Your Perfect Prom — A Planner & Scrapbook”. Check it out!

    There’s no denying it, the prom is an enormous extravaganza for a high school student.

    That’s why Joanna Saltz, executive style editor of Seventeen magazine, decided to write a book about one of the biggest nights of a teen’s life. It’s called “Seventeen’s Guide to Your Perfect Prom — A Planner & Scrapbook” (Hearst Communications, 2007, $14.95).

    “Prom is a major milestone in a teenager’s life. … It is such a huge thing for a lot of our readers,” Saltz said. “Part of the mission with this book is to make sure that our readers understand that there is a lot of planning that goes into it, but it doesn’t have to be stressful.”
    More

    Great Prom Gown Shopping Tips and Tricks

    Emma HarrisMore great tips and tricks to finding that perfect A-list inspired gown. Read this article about how “Hollywood stars take their fashion cues from the latest runway shows, prom dress manufacturers take some of theirs from the A-listers.”
    It’s full of great tips and things to know like these:

    Think colors. Bright colors. Slinky and Ball Gown styles

    • Popular colors are baby pinks and blues also neon green, fuchsia, oranges, pinks, turquiose, royal blue and sea breeze.

    • Some multi-colored gowns will have a layer of pink over a layer of chocolate. Or pink over orange, they are called Creamsicle.
      More

    Pretty In Pink and Beyond

    9c830f2f0e6f0c21a7d8ee8cdc7f4a99.jpgJust wanted to point out some Pretty In Pink and Beyond! prom dresses the cool kids at Prom Girl have. They are fun and flirty and you won’t get too sweaty dancing all night in them if its warm weather. You’ll look sweet as cotton candy in these creations. Some under $100 so check it out. Barbie isn’t the only one who can rock Pink! I love it in all its shades, I also love a minty green.. for summer these are cool.

    Great Advice and Glam Gowns

    image_5168572.jpgCheck out this article from The Atlanta Journal Constitution on top picks for gorgeous gowns and what’s right for your body type. Seriously pretty pictures too. Click below for their tips!

    “Whatever style a girl chooses, the dress always needs a few nips and tucks to make it fit her perfectly,” said Thomas Tolbert, owner of Legends in Roswell. “Don’t be afraid of alterations. They only enhance the dress — and the wearer.”

    Get a head start and find a dress shape that’s best for your body type. Check out our picks for dresses and find yourself the belle of the ball.”
    More

    Previous Older Entries

    Follow

    Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.