First Fashion Look: YSL Resort 2012

Nautical a la Francais

Ahoy Mademoiselles: YSL Resort 2012

Stefano Pilati, Head Designer for the House of Yves Saint Laurent, just showed the YSL Resort 2012 Collection. It was Nautical in its theme. And as stated by Style.com:
The designer pointed out that Yves Saint Laurent did a nautical collection of his own around 1982. "He showed it with sheer stockings and pumps, and I loved the 'why not?' factor," Pilati said. Sheer hose and pumps were out for 2012, though, and bared legs and high wooden wedges that had commercial hit written all over them, were in.

Where's my Yacht: Looks from the YSL Resort 2012 Collection

Retro Vacation: Looks from YSL Resort 2012 Collection

Strong vibrant colors, such as lipstick red, canary yellow, royal blue, deep black. Prints were abundant in stripes (Nautical theme n'est pas?), as well as over-sized poppy flowers. The collection was indeed, sellable, commercial and on-mark with the 40's and 50's influences many fashion designers are into (including moi!). It was all very Très Chic and I am sure many a young Hollywood actress will be urging their stylists to have a look...

Poppy Love: Printed looks from the YSL 2012 Resort Collection

Procurement!!

Yes, this Proenza Schouler PS1 large Mauve satchel is procured with a good deal of 20% off! It is shipped in a super sonic speed from Italy after I posted its picture couple days ago.

For some reason I love to pair green with white which is the same philosophy I'd pair blue and red together.

Head to toe impromptu again...I didn't notice until Pei pointed out that each color, pink, green, and white is coordinated with each other in my whole outfit...no wonder they go so well with each other!!

My instinct, it must be!! ^O^

 

This is the real color of PS1 large mauve!

• Never miss good eats... Macaroon inside Ferry building.
• Cathy, Pei and I went to Jewelry trade show in San Mateo today. 
• Left below: A pic. of Tony Lindsay and me .... hopefully I get to see the final animated production of his MV soon!!

This was the shooting for Tony Lindsay's single album "Fun in the sun" yesterday near Ferry Building.


Today is Heidi's picture day for her dance recital on 6/17!

I even do Chantecaille Emerald eyeshadow and YSL yellow nail polish to match the bag!!

My Outfit Du Jour

1. Top:

Hugo Boss pink shirt 

floral print cropped top {I got this in ROME more than 10 years ago}

(all past season)

2. Bottom:

Marni 09/10 cropped, textured pants

3. Accessory:

Proenza Schouler large Mauve PS1 satchel

Crazy dog beaded necklace (bought at Bettina in SF city)

4. Shoes:

Christian Louboutin Pigalle Plato 120 Patent White

Have you found your pink?
xoxo Rachel

MTV Gifting Suites: Nick Verreos goes to "Melanie Segal's Red Cross Prepare LA Trend Lounge" MTV Awards Gifting Suite!

MTV Gifting Suites 90210...

Nick Verreos at the Melanie Segal's Platinum Publicity Red Cross Prepare LA Trend Lounge for the MTV Movie Awards 2011, Luxe Hotel Penthouse

Yesterday, I was invited to attend several of those fabulous Gifting Suites in lieu of the MTV Awards--Because of my hectic schedule, I could really only get to one, Melanie Segal's Platinum Publicity Red Cross Prepare LA Trend Lounge at the Luxe Hotel in the heart of Beverly Hills, on Rodeo Drive.

As you may know, these "Lounges" are PR and Marketing to events held in LA during Awards Season to, highlight brands and show off anything from beauty products, clothing, liquor, make-up treatments, shoes, jewelry, tooth whitening and spa treatments, super-flossy resort vacations ,the latest-and-greatest in technical gadgets, to well, even cup cakes!

Actor Frankie Muniz, with his NeilMed Sinus Rinse bag of "goodies", Melanie Segal's Red Cross Prepare LA Trend Lounge, Luxe Hotel Penthouse

The point is to get Celebs to come, check out the products, pose and take a photo with the product so the vendor gets something for their Publicity/PR page, and hopefully, the invitee gets a "gift" of a product as a "Thank You". The bigger the Celeb, the bigger their "gift", as you can imagine.

The scene at this Platinum Publicity "Lounge" at the Luxe Hotel Penthouse (above photo) was, appropriately enough, lounge-y. This was the first day and guests/Celebs were just trickling in as I arrived. Sometimes it's a bit odd to come to these events--for several reasons, including the fact that you might have to deal with that dreaded "And You Are???"--but it's always nice when immediately, the "Door Girls" recognize you and are UBER sweet...as they were here to me.

There was a "red carpet" section for photo-ops, a DJ playing fun "Lounge-Club-Pop" tunes and immediately you were "drawn" into the various vendor tables. Usually you are escorted by one of the Gifting Suites pr people who leads you from table to table to check out all the fun...

Nick Verreos posing with UniqueVintage.com Retail Store Manager Kelly Edwards, Melanie Segal's Red Cross Prepare LA Trend Lounge, Luxe Hotel Penthouse

Platinum Suites had everything for everyone: Manicures from Bellacures (I got one!), Ed Hardy tees and hats, Artá Tequila, Wine Tasting, DDF Advanced Eye Firming Concentrate Cremes, Paciugo Gelato (I had a cup!)...

Great tanks and vintage-inspired clothing from UniqueVintage.com, great printed shirts from Nuco Clothing, Dulcerama Lingerie (Thongs anyone?) to NeilMed Sinus Rinse products. This last one I was excited to find out more info. since I had just returned from San Antonio Texas and had a bad case of that city's infamous Cedar Pollen Allergies.

As soon as I said "hello" to the NeilMed Sinus Rinse booth people (above photo), they were above-and-beyond excited to see me! I guess they are BIG Project Runway fans and well, before I knew it, I spent half an hour giving them DISH on the show and all the behind-the-scenes stuff! My "handler" was so over me that she done left me!

During my stay, I spotted the beautiful actress/singer Samantha Mumba (I LOVED that song of hers, "Baby Come On Over" back in the day!) but in the end, I had to hightail it back to my studio and run my business and make some dresses...

But of course, I couldn't leave without stopping by two particular "booths": First, the Friandise Pastries, where I picked up some DELICIOUS macaroons, cupcakes and cookies. And finally...

Nut Lover: Nick Verreos loves MyMixedNuts to-go bags, Melanie Segal's Red Cross Prepare LA Trend Lounge, Luxe Hotel Penthouse

I had to stop by MyMixedNuts.com--I love their to-go bags of nuts and they were so kind to give me one "for the road", as well as for my many travels on a plane--they're perfect for that--and perfect for when I don't get that Upgrade and get seated waaaay back in Coach!

Thanks Melanie Segal and Platinum Publicity for another fun Trend Lounge. event.

Miss Universe Ximena Navarette wears Louis Vuitton Spring 2011 to FIFA World Cup Draw in Mexico City

High Fashion Universe...

Ximena Vuitton: Miss Universe 2010 Ximena Navarette in Louis Vuitton Spring 2011

A couple of weeks ago, the beautiful Ximena (or Jimena in some circles) Navarette, the current Miss Universe (from Mexico), traveled to her home country to announce the FIFA U-17 World Cup Draw at the Sala Nezahualcoyotl (that's a mouthful darlings!) in Mexico City. For this special appearance, Ximena wore not Tadashi , and not Sherri Hill (the official Miss Universe sponsor), but...(wait for it), Louis Vuitton by Marc Jacobs! She even tweeted about it, thanking the Louis Vuitton Mexico City Boutique for the dress (borrowed, I am assuming).

The cotton printed dress--Look # 26 (above photo)--was from the Louis Vuitton Spring 2011 Collection, retailing for thousands. I think it's great when you see a Miss Universe--or any beauty pageant contestant--for that matter-- wearing actual FASHION!! With a Capital "F".

She Smiles: Ximena Navarette, Miss Universe 2010, FIFA U-17 World Cup Draw Mexico City

The dress itself featured a very PLUNGING neckline, shoulder-covering details and it's length--a very NOW, below-the-knee--or "tea-Length" as they say.

Pretty With The Suits: Ximena Navarette Miss Universe 2010, FIFA World Cup Draw Mexico City

I also love that she wore the same shoes as on the runway model. Very Good Ximena--or maybe it was the Louis Vuitton Mexico Style Team. I'm sure they were the ones who were like "Um, Ximena, you're going to wear this with this...no questions asked...". It's good to listen to the professionals darling...
Felicitaciones!

Pageant Gown Two Cents: Miss Indonesia 2011 is Crowned!

Indonesia Likes a Similar Gown...Read on...

Ball Gown Sandwich: Miss World 2010 Alexandria Mills and Miss Indonesia 2010 crown Miss Indonesia 2011, Astrid Ellena

Tonight, a new Miss Indonesia was crowned. A lovely woman by the name of Astrid Ellena Indriana Yunadi won the title of Miss Indonesia 2011 and she will go to the Miss World pageant in London this Winter.

In case you are wondering, there is a whole separate contest to crown the girl who goes to Miss Universe and that one is called Puteri Indonesia or "Princess of Indonesia". They are different franchises and different beauty pageants. One can argue, until the "bathing suits come home", which Pagaent is better---Miss Universe or Miss World--but who cares? More Gowns and more to comment on!!!

Anyhow, in case you didn't know, The current Miss World, Alexandria Mills from the good ol' US of A was on hand to crown the winner. Hope the Miss World Organization flew her First Class. It's a LONG way from the Miss World Org. headquarters in London to Jakarta Indonesia!

Color Ways: Finalists of the Miss Indonesia 2011 in their colorful gowns

Now, of course what interested me where the gowns. There were ten Finalists for the crown and what was fascinating to me-- as a Fashion Designer--and "Style Watcher" was the fact that the finalists ALL wore ALMOST the SAME gown!!! But in different color ways (see photo above). There were slight detail differences, but the colorful organza "Mermaid"-shaped gowns were extremely similar. Very interesting...

Indonesian Quinceañera: Miss World 2010 and Miss Indonesia 2010 crown the new Miss Indonesia 2011, as other contestants look on

As you can also see in the above photo, the reigning Miss World, Alexandria Mills (on the left) wore a BIG OL' Gown--and last year's Miss Indonesia who was passing on the crown, also wore a very similar BIG OL' Gown--this time in silver. I guess, Indonesia and Indonesian beauty pageants love similarities. I guess, it makes it easy in terms of cutting, pattern-making and cost purposes. at least, all the "we-didn't-make-it-into-the-running" girls in the back had DIFFERENT gowns--Yeayyy for that!

Laras new website

http://www.larabingle.com.au/

Makeup Crush: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley & Maxi Dress Lust

The weather in Aberdeen over the past couple of days has been incredible!  It has been 25oC and blistering sunshine...when you're walking around in it, it kind of feels like you're in a foreign country!  The only down side is that when I go to the gym, it's hotter in there than the surface of the sun! It's at times like these I wish I was a runner.

When summer comes around, the makeup looks I am drawn to changes slightly to more natural looks with glowing, bronzed skin, minimal eye makeup and natural lips.  I love the simplicity of the makeup on Victoria's Secret model, Rosie Huntington -Whiteley on the cover of this month's UK ELLE magazine...

Her skin looks radiantly golden but not overly bronzed, the eyebrows are reasonably thick and lightly groomed and there has been alot of contouring and highlighting in all the right places.

In my mind, this is the perfect summer makeup look for my holiday...just slap on a hydrating coral lipstick for night time glamour and you're good to go!

What do you think of Rosie's look here?

I have been thinking about what I need clothes-wise for my holiday and it dawned on me that many people site maxi dresses as their summer staple but I have never owned one!  I love the way they look laid back but paired with some accessories, you still look stylish.  Now that I have lost the excess weight, I feel confident enough to slink into one without any lumps or bumps showing.  The only problem is deciding which ones to buy!

I really like this one from coral and pale blue one from Roxy for £65, the colours appeal to me and I feel like they would look good with a tan...

Another one that caught my eye recently was this taupe one from Next (£35) with beaded detailing...

OR there's this patterned one I spotted today in Dorothy Perkins (Uttam) for £35.  It looks like it would give a nice shape to my figure.

Have you got any recommendations for where to find gorgeous maxi dresses? What is your summer/holiday staple piece of clothing?