Saturday, June 27, 2009

Anna Sui GG outfits Leaked!

My last post was talking about how designer Anna Sui has teamed up with target to create a line that was inspired by Gossip Girl. A few looks from a look book have been leaked so here they are!

Serena looks 1 and 2

Serena looks 3 and 4
Serena look 5

Vanessa looks 1 and 2

Vanessa looks 3 and 4


Jenny looks 1 and 2

Jenny looks 3 and 4

Jenny look 5

Blair looks 1 and 2
Blair looks 3 and 4

Blair look 5

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Anna Sui for Target

Target has officially teamed up with a well known designer: Anna Sui. The line will debut September 13 in Target stores. Interestingly enough, the line will be inspired by the cast of the CW show Gossip Girl.

“When I was in Asia last year, all the young girls kept asking me about the different locations in New York City where the characters from ‘Gossip Girl’ live,” Sui told WWD. “I liked the idea of creating a collection reflective of each characters’ style, sensibility and unique approach to fashion. By combining the elements of art, city, spirit, punk and glamour, we created a collection that exudes New York City fashion.”

I'll keep you posted!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Stripping Down the Controversy of the Fur Industry

*NOTE: There are pictures in this article of caged animals but none are gruesome.*

Centuries ago it was very common to wear fur, especially in cold climates because of its excellent insulation properties. In the 19th century European men ventured into the North American wilderness in hunt of the fur of animals such as beaver, wolf, marten, mink, fox and lynx. The men went up the Saint Lawrence, over the Great Lakes, through the Canadian Plains and north to the Yukon in search of these animals. The first fur farms in North America appeared in the 1860s. A fur farm is the practice of breeding or raising certain types of animals for their fur. Some economic historians and anthropologists say that fur farms and the fur trade played an important economic role for many countries. Fur was in great demand especially back in Europe and fortunes were made in the fur trade industry.

Back then it was acceptable to kill animals and use their fur because they didn’t have a lot of fibres and fabrics we have now. They had to use what was available to them. However, now there are more fibres (natural and synthetic) that are available for us to use so we can keep warm. The demand of fur has gone down because of these newer fibres. Starting in the later half of the 20th century, producers and wearers of fur have been criticized because of the perceived cruelty involved in animal farming and trapping.

So the debate is: Is it humane in this day and age to kill innocent animals to wear fur? Yes, some find it fashionable but is there a price to be paid, that has nothing to do with money, for this fashion statement? Let’s look at where these fur clothing items come from and what goes on in the fur industry.

The manufacturing of fur clothing involves obtaining animal pelts where the hair is left on. Fur processing involves an array of chemicals from soaking and degreasing agents, to enzymes, oils and greases, bleaches, dyes, reinforcing agents, toners, tanning and finishing chemicals. To kill the animals without damaging their fur, trappers usually strangle, beat, or stomp them to death. Animals on fur farms may be gassed, electrocuted, poisoned, or have their necks snapped. According to the International Fur Trade Federation in “Fur Farming” 2006, eighty-five percent of the fur industry’s skins come from animals living captive in fur factory farms. The animals—who are housed in very small cages— are known to develop physical and psychological problems. Zoologists at Oxford University who studied captive minks found that, despite generations of being bred for fur, minks have not been domesticated and suffer greatly in captivity, especially if they are not given the opportunity to swim. Life in a cage leads minks to self-mutilate — biting at their skin, tails, and feet — and frantically pace and circle endlessly. Foxes and other animals suffer equally and have been found to cannibalize each other as a reaction to their crowded confinement. According to the International Fur Trade Federation, seventy-three percent of fur farms are in Europe, 12 percent are in North America, and the rest are dispersed throughout the world, in countries such as Argentina, China, and Russia.

The animals most commonly killed for fur trim are foxes. 90% percent of the foxes raised on fur farms are killed for the fur-trim market. Arctic or blue foxes are the primary type used, followed by the silver or red foxes. As of 2000, the total number of foxes killed on fur farms worldwide was 4.3 million.



In the countries like the United States and China there are no federal laws governing the care, treatment, or killing of animals on fur farms. There are countries that have banned fur farming or made laws on how to run a fur farm. Fur farming was banned in England and Wales by the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Act 2000 and in Scotland by the Fur Farming (Prohibition) (Scotland) Act 2002. Fur farming is banned in Austria and in Croatia starting January 1, 2007, with a 10 year phase out period.


People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) are known for going after celebrities who wear fur.


PETA has recently dubbed the Olsen twins Hairy-Kate and Trashley Trollsen.

Ultimately it is your decision to wear fur or not. If you have no problem with it and want to wear clothing that has fur there is nothing stopping you. If you want to find out more feel free to search and find out more about the fur trade or fur industry. PETA’s website is http://www.peta.org/

This article stated facts in an unbiased way.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Payless Helps Plant Trees


The Nature Conservancy’s goal is to plant 1 billion trees in The Atlantic Forest of Brazil. The forest is in trouble; only 7 percent of the forest is left from its original size. It is considered one of the world’s most endangered tropical forest. Coastal development, urban expansion, agriculture, exotic plantations, ranching and illegal logging have all contributed to the depletion.

This forest helps regulate the atmosphere and stabilize global climate. Forests are needed to store carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the air for us to breathe. The Atlantic Forest alone provides clean water and hydro energy to 120 million people in Brazil. It is also home to 23 species primates, 1000 species of birds and over 20 000 species of plants; many are found nowhere else on Earth.

The Nature Conservancy is working with local partners and government officials to restore 2.5 million acres of land and planting 1 billion trees over the next 7 years. This reforestation effort will not only help fight global warming but it will also remove 10 million tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year. At this moment according to their website, so far they have planted 1,565,279 trees.

Payless Shoe Source has teamed up to help! Payless ShoeSource® will contribute $1 to The Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion Trees Campaign for each resuable bag purchased from 4/13/09 to 12/31/09. Payless ShoeSource® will make a minimum total contribution for 2009 of $100,000 from the sales in 2009.


To learn more about the Plant a Billion Trees Campaign, visit The Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion

Friday, April 17, 2009

Celebrities Wearing the same Outfits

You decide who you think looks best.








Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Taylor Swift is L.E.I Gorgeous


Taylor Swift has teamed up with L.E.I. (Life Energy Intelligence) and produced a line of sundresses for Wal-Mart. “I love dresses,” Taylor told PEOPLE. “And I have always had this dream to make an affordable sundress line.” She first teamed up with L.E.I. last year to star in their denim campaign, and now the Wal-Mart brand has released her dresses on February 1st.



The singer, who also stars in the ads, looked to her own life for inspiration when it came to design. “I started brainstorming what I would wear this summer, on tour or hanging out at festivals when it’s hot outside,” Taylor says. The result: a collection of lightweight jersey dresses in bold colors and girly prints for just $14. “I was totally adamant that I wanted [the dresses] to be affordable. With my headlining tour, we are offering $20 tickets everywhere we go and I wanted to approach the sundress line in the same way,” says Taylor. “To have cute dresses under $20 is something I am really proud of.”


Each dress style comes in a variety of plain colours as well as coloured prints. What I am showing are just a few. I actually really like the dresses. The “Cindy” is gorgeous. Unfortunately I’m pretty sure Canada doesn’t sell L.E.I.
The “Nicole” is a print cotton-blend jersey. It has an eyelet bust and eyelet hem; smocked in the back, scoop neck and empire waist. The spaghetti straps are adjustable.
The “Miley” is a cotton jersey dress with adjustable spaghetti straps, empire waist and flounced hem. The scoop neck has an eyelet-trim inset to make it look like there is layering.
The “Cindy” dress has a square neckline and cap sleeves with elasticized cuffs. The back is cut out and has sash ties at the neck.


More:


Pictures courtesy of http://taylorswiftweb.net/ and Walmart.com

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Valentino

Valentino Garavani, best known as Valentino (born 11 May 1932) is the Italian fashion designer who founded the Valentino brand and company. His fashion house is among the world's most famous haute couture and ready-to-wear fashion empires.

Valentino studied fashion design and French at the Accademia dell Arte in Milan - he then went to the Chambre Syndicale de la Couture Parisienne. While still a student, he was awarded a prize for fashion design by the International Wool Secretariat (later won by both Yves Saint Laurent and Karl Lagerfeld).

Valentino became known for his red dresses, in the bright shade that became known in the fashion industry as "Valentino red".
During his 45 years of designing he dressed many celebrities including Jackie Kennedy and even designed her wedding gown when she wed Greek tycoon Aristotle Onassis.

On September 4, 2007 Valentino announced that he would retire fully from the world stage after his last Haute-Couture show in Paris. He delivered his last women's Ready-to-wear show in Paris on October 4. His last haute couture show was presented in Paris at the Musée Rodin on January 23, 2008. At his final show he received a standing ovation from the entire audience, which included hundreds of notable names from all areas of show business. Many models returned to show for Valentino's last haute couture show, including Eva Herzigova, Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Karolina Kurkova and Karen Mulder.
Valentino was presented with the Medal of the City of Paris the following day Thursday January 24, 2008 for his services to fashion in the city where he was educated.
The new designer at Valentino's brand is Alessandra Facchinetti, the former designer at the House of Gucci.

Valentino movie - "Valentino: The Last Emperor"
Valentino: The Last Emperor, a feature-length documentary on the designer premiered at the 2008 Venice International Film Festival. Produced and directed by Matt Tyrnauer, Special Correspondent for Vanity Fair magazine, the film follows Valentino and his inner circle throughout various events, including last year's anniversary show celebrating his 45 years of career. In production from June 2005 to July 2007, the filmmakers shot over 250 hours of footage with exclusive, unprecedented access to Valentino and his entourage. "We were let in to the inner circle, but we had to stick it out for a long time, practically move in, to capture the truly great moments", says Tyrnauer. "Valentino is surrounded by a tight-knit family of friends and employees, but, eventually, their guard came down and they forgot there was a camera crew in the room."
The film had its North American premiere at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival.

As of late, Valentino has been making his rounds among the media including Oprah and The View to promote the documentary. It is open in select theatres this week.