the it lists – fashion & trend blog

What is the best part of being Madonna’s daughter?  Probably 100 things!!!  But this week it’s because you get to own your own clothing line!

Inspired by Lourdes,  Madonna has signed a deal this week to create MG Icon (which stands for Material Girl) to be launched in 200 Macy stores in August 2010.

This is just the start for Pop Icon Madonna. She wants to start in the junior brands and then work her way up.  Material Girl is fast-fashion junior collection that Lourdes will help design that will launch exclusively in August 2010 for the back-to-school season.  It will include footwear, handbags and jewellery and will retail from $12.00 to $40.00!

I wish my mom and I could dress like that!

So the first spring 2010 fashion trend starting to come out of hiding – camouflage prints.

Khaki and camo rock the military inspired clothing. … pants to military jackets to cargo pants, and camouflage print dresses. Even Converse runners.

But if you’re like me and not quite into jumping on this trend then take Balmain’s lead “patching together seventies M*A*S*H and early Versace chain-mailed goddess-dressing…from camouflage to sequined camouflage to patchworked gold-sequined camouflage without a flicker of irony or the slightest fear of treading on politically sensitive ground (Elle).”

I’m scared to see all the camo leggings that will likely appear, but I have to say this Kenzo dress is pretty fun.

Since fashion is REALLY just our own expression of personal style, we’re seeing more people buy something generic from high-street labels and turn it into something completely different by the time they wear it.

You may not even recognize the same top! Of course designers started making clothes that are meant to look like you customized it yourself – which is almost the same as rocking a knock in my opinion…

• Any shirt you want.
• Thread & sewing needles of different sizes.
• Studs, jewels, badges, mini-locks, etc.
• Scissors.
• Salt.

Easy Tips:

-For a vintage look add loads of salt to the washer for exaggerated fading.

- For an update on a shirt you already love cut the inner and outer seams and add a small strip of cloth (preferably lace or silk) fix it between the seams and put it back together.

-Not sure where to put those add-on’s? Mix them all together and put them in line at the edge of the collar or sleeves.

If we want it done right we have to do it ourselves.

I’m still in love with the bold shoulder Balmain dress Madonna wore in her music video for Celebration. Luckily for me, designers are embellishing the shoulders even more for 2010. Goes beyond the ‘80s power suits with the shoulder pads (not a personal fav). Now, we’re seeing shoulders grow upwards into more futuristic, space age look from Balmain.

Not to mention, Lavin’s aim for sculptural ruffles  High shoulders give women a sense of power. Chick Power! I’m down with that. A history lesson: big shoulders date back from the Victoria era, as high society European women would wear tailored dresses to emphasize that part of their body. Shoulders speak volume. Trust.

Photo: Lanvin’s Spring 2010 Ready-to-Wear (designer Alber Elbaz)
Photo: Madonna in a Balmain dress for her Celebration music video

Not satisfied with your boyfriend’s style? Plus, you have a tough time taking him out shopping.  Hmmm, how to change his style in 10 minutes?

Answer: Shirtsmyway.com. This user-friendly site can help you customize a dress shirt to your liking.  There’s over 25 different fabrics to choose from, plus any colour for the collar and cuffs. Apparently, there are 7 trillion different dress shirts to pick. You’ll become an instant fashion designer.  Now, you’ve earned some bragging rights.  Shirts ranged from $75-$85USD and that includes customization.  And it’s FREE shipping worldwide.

Your boy is worth it, right?

Ladies, only five more months until Sex and the City 2 is out in theatres.

What will Carrie Bradshaw be wearing? Let’s be honest, SATC2’s storyline is not the main reason we enjoy the movie series. We get a fashion high just by living vicariously through Carrie, Charlotte, Samantha, and Miranda.

Soon, you can get your hands on jewelry inspired by these sexy ladies. Yes, Dogeared is coming out with a SATC jewelry line. You can choose from either a gold or silver chain adorned with charms like a diamond, the Eiffel Tower, or stilettos. Each piece is accompanied by a famous quote from the show, like when Charlotte York said, “I’ve been dating since I was 15. I’m exhausted! Where is he?”

Prices range from $55 to $200. The line will be available this Spring at HBO.com and Dogeared.com. Please be fashionably patient!

I don’t know a single woman who will turn down a great pair of jeans when she puts them on…  No matter how much our credit card may want us to!  But as we know all too well finding that perfect denim fit can be beyond frustrating – which is why many of us stick to what we know works best for us.

This season dare to break your denim rules and source out these top premium jean picks:

• Hudson Jeans – they will be releasing a higher-end range with prices ranging from US$100 – $450
• Dior Homme Jeans – will FINALLY be available in women’s styles
• Victoria Beckham Denim – will relaunch in more modern cigarette silhouettes
• Vivienne Westwood – has teamed up with Lee Jeans for a range due to hit stores late spring/early fall

So over Boxing Day I did only a few purchases worth mentioning: one was the cashmere wrap that my dog proceeded to chew. No seriously, he took actual bites out of it (and he doesn’t even chew shoes!) So he has good taste?

The other purchase is a pair of jeans from Citizens of Humanity. Now I’ve been perplexed at the branding they’ve been trying to do with the simple acronym of COH. Pretty blah, COH what the heck is that? But OMG is the other acronym I’ll use – as it’s what came out of my mouth when I touched them.

I’ve found a few JBrand that were this velvety soft that they don’t even feel like denim, but this one topped it. It was love at first touch. The Matrix wash is pretty grand.

Can’t wait to roll these softies up and go wandering on a beach like in this pic!

Despite many having to succumb to shopping on a tighter budget in 2009 – it was an absolutely fantastic year for fashion nonetheless.
The 2009 top fashion trends that stole my heart and robbed me of all my money:

• Bold shoulders
• Military Inspired Jackets
• Statement necklaces
• Over-the-knee Boots
• Menswear Inspired pieces
• Return of Distressed Denim
• Biker Brigade (studs, leathers, hardware)
• Jewel encrusted/sequined clothing
• Feathers (’cause they’re plain fun)

Trends I hope to never see again…

• Celebrity designers that know nothing about the art of clothing
• Mismatched denim on denim
• Harem pants… I tried, I failed-and by the looks of it so did everyone else.

Global bean counters predict that 2010 will bring brighter days – and we should see fashion rise back up to where it belongs! Happy New Year!!

Love love love this velvet dress for the holidays.

Velvet instantly makes me think of a few things: Royalty, 1970s paintings on velvet canvas and of course, the holidays. This season, velvet is all the craze. Velvet holiday dresses, velvet leggings, velvet blazers, velvet accessories, in all colours of the rainbow.

Cynthia Steffe Cap-Sleeve Crushed Velvet Dress is on the top of my list. The silhouette is very fitting to another trend this season, Ruching. The cinched waist, creates beautiful drape lines and softly defines your waist, all the while, hiding holiday dinner tummies. Available in this rich, deep crimson, accented with angled exposed zipper pockets and an exposed back zipper (another ‘it” trend this season).

The runner up: Victoria Secrets’ Velvet One-Button Tuxedo Jacket. (It surprised me too!). Perfect fit for special occasions, like the work party, or a cas’ weekend brunch with the girls. And can easily be switched up, for an evening cocktail for a date.

My Velvet Haiku:

Velvet. My new love.
Timeless, perfect addition.
Don’t wear head to toe.

Sequins are ‘it’ right now and if you are going to step up to this fashion trend either go hard or don’t go at it at all!  Keep in mind that doesn’t mean to go head-to-toe in sparkles (unless it’s a sexy dress), but keep it to one item per outfit – just make sure that item is a statement!

Favorite ways to wear this trend are:

• A sexy sequined blazer over a mini (like this one on LC)
• A sequin vest over jeans and a tank.
• A sequined mini skirt with a dress shirt and blazer.
• Inside a suit (yes suit!) with the blazer sleeves rolled up to reveal lining the same color as the sequins!

Gone are the days where full-on sequins were only used as some sort of costume or ‘in moderation on special occasions’. You will still get stares and whispers, but instead of ‘why is she wearing that?’ the whispers will be ‘where did she get that!’

This season has been a showcase for dramatic over exaggerated style.  From over-sized jewellery, to structured shoulder pads and spikes, fashion is screaming LOOK AT ME.  The short sleeved coat is an example that fits in quite well with the fantasy and optical illusions trends.

Not to mention the fact that the short sleeve coat, like this one from Comme Les Garcon can also help you showcase your love for long leather gloves ( I know every girl loves the long leather glove c’mon!)….or big chunky sweaters.  Another bonus to the trend is that you don’t have to worry about your thicker tops bunching up at the elbows.

Cropped sleeved coats seem a bit impractical at keeping you warm, but think of all the fun you’ll have coming up with warm contrasts to fill the gap of the killer cut offs.

Juicy Couture will always be known for the velour tracksuit – whether you love it or hate it, chances are you own it. Maybe their new Bird collection will be more up your aisle.

Juicy pieces have always aired towards the West Coast woman who is known to have a more laid back style but now they are targeting that East Coast flair as well with their new line Bird.

Juicy truly did a great job with this line which is said to be inspired in part by a vintage find from London’s Portobello Road.  It is a bit more chic, has a bit more edge, and is all together more urban.

The vintage influence is obvious in the silhouettes of Bird’s outerwear, cashmere, tops, denim and leather pieces but still have the playfulness Juicy is know for. Bird can be found in all major department stores now!

Who doesn’t love the designs of Badgley Mischka? And now they have a lower end line: Mark & James. Seriously…how gorgeous is this dress?!!

Don’t know many ladies who don’t c0vet the Badgley Mischka line and I know just about as many how can’t quite afford it – until now.

Badgley Mischka has had a loyal following of glamorous celebrity clientele for years, and now will have a loyal following of fashionistas with their release of the Mark & James collection their first contemporary price conscious line!

All dresses have the obvious Badgley Mischka influence that we love and a price point of $300-$500 with is very loveable too!  This collection is right on trend with the exaggerated shoulders, wide legs and chain details for those with an edge and features gorgous signature cocktail dresses.