Store Appeal

Karen Millen: The Little Black Dress

Karen Millen is a glamorous and chic clothing collection brought to you from the UK. Founded in 1983, you can see the European tailoring and style that make Karen Millen special. All of their gorgeous clothing is designed in house, and the collections range from day, work, weekend, and formal wear.

I was especially attracted to the lovely party dresses in the Karen Millen collection. You can see the beautiful couture type details and craftsmanship in each one. Here I’ve picked out a few signature Little Black dresses, a key staple for every woman’s wardrobe. Take a look below:

Karen Millen Ruffle Prom Dress, $160.00. Strapless tutu dress with contrast silk satin panel corset bodice.

Karen Millen Satin Dress, $99.00 (Original price $380.00!). Satin fitted pencil dress with deep v-neckline ruffled small cap sleeve detail. The necklace is detachable so you can wear it with or without depending on the occasion!

Karen Millen Cupro Dress, $59.95 (Original price $350.00!) Soft cupro dress with deep v neckline and shoulder drape detail. I especially love the wonderful draping details on this dress. It’s chic and a bit asymmetrical for a unique twist on the little black dress.

Shop more Karen Millen here.

Gypsy 05 Celebrity Fashions

Hollywood California: Celebrities, fashion, glamour and… Gypsy 05? What exactly is Gypsy 05? Gypsy 05 is a clothing company founded by brother and sister duo Osi and Dotan Shoham. Born and raised in Israel, they gather inspiration from life, culture, the beauty of their foreign ancestry to create unique and colorful garments. They have gone on to receive lots of attention from celebrities and the media, and you can see their fashions in the wardrobes of tons of Hollywood lovelies. Check out some of their creations below:

Who doesn’t want to look like Blake Lively? Get closer to celebrity status with this stunning Gypsy05  Marlee Silk V Tunic, $79.00. The blue is absolutely gorgeous and would look amazing this summer!

Add some texture and pizazz to your outfit with this unique Gypsy05 Talya Scarf, $49.00.

And feel like an off-duty celebrity in this flowy Bella Silk Flutter Maxi Dress, $125.00, seen here on Jennifer Love Hewitt.

See more Gypsy 05 here.

Marc by Marc Jacobs: Online Bargains

Marc Jacobs is infamous for being creative director with Louis Vuitton, as well as his Marc Jacobs and Marc by Marc Jacobs brands. Seen in the arms of tons of celebrities and stylish people alike, you can’t go wrong with one in your arm too. But, you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for the Marc Jacobs bag you covet. I’ve been finding tons of really great bargains online. Here are some Marc Jacobs bags I found that won’t leave you feeling broke.

This is an adorable classic, in a color that would go with any outfit in your closet. The Marc Jacobs Natasha Q Crossbody bag, only $138.99 (60% off of $348.00 original price) at Saks Fifth Avenue.

The perfect small classic leather saddle bag, in a trend forward olive green. The Marc by Marc Jacobs Turnlock Bell Saddle Bag, $90.99 (60% off of $228.00) at Saks Fifth Avenue.

This one is my favorites that I found, with it’s adorable slouchy silhouette and sleek grey color. The Marc by Marc Jacobs Little Ukita Satchel, $347.99 (30% off of $$498.00)

Find more deals from Marc Jacobs here.

Calypso St. Barth

 Store Appeal: What’s most likeable about Calypso is the simple fact that it’s chic beachwear for every day (well, almost every day). It’s very wearable and functional for weekend jaunts and errands or if you’re just looking for something comfortable to wear during warmer days when the idea of wearing clothes is just too uncomfortable to bear. Calypso is a fun brand, which is confirmed by the online store which features video lookbooks and “flicks” to get shoppers in the mood for fun in the sun. And like any good lifestyle brand, Calypso does not just do clothes, but shoes, purses, fragrances and even jewelry. While at first sight the ethereal beach bunny wear may look more suitable for a California girl [read: Cameron Diaz], rest assured these frocks are compatible with any glamazon’s warm-weather wardrobe.

Our Vote:  If I could choose anything to wear all summer long, it would be linen tunics and dresses in bold, yet calming colors that resonate with the season. Luckily we have Calypso! The line is a wee-bit pricey given its beachwear, but keep in mind the quality of the materials such as fine linen, cotton and silk. Possibly the greatest benefit to this line is just about everything matches every other piece in the collection – from shoes to shorts, jewelry to tops – this is truly the effortless chic beach style women have been seeking.

Our Favorites:

1.)    Samantha Shirt – $165

2.)    Boyfriend Capris – $225

3.)    Eugenia Dress – $95

4.)    Calypso Mandala Jumpsuit – $475

5.)    Ruvuma Ring – $195

Alice + Olivia: Funky + Contemporary

Store Appeal: So if there’s one thing Alice + Olivia are good for – and known for – it’s their impeccable selection of party dresses. The youthful, contemporary line represents the “quirky style” of its founder, Stacey Bendet. In addition to the dresses, the line expands into tops, pants, jackets and even basics (read: white tees with a flair) and some accessories. A kids line and a charity tee selection makes this hipster fashionista brand quite likeable.

Our Vote: With over 60 dresses on their site to choose from, it’s a virtual closet of young Hollywood. Priced well between the $200s and $500s, it’s a great online destination to find that killer cocktail dress that most likely no one else in your circle will have. But probably what’s more entertaining that sifting through the well-stocked online showroom is the “4AM Finds” which truly represents that quirky nature Stacey confesses to have. These pieces include oddball frocks and accessories from other stores like Sephora and Amazon.com that not only make it a pleasure for the online shopper, but make the brand that much more…appealing!

Our Favorites:

1.)    Alice + Olivia Tabitha Dress – $198

2.)    Alice + Olivia Sydney Faux Wrap Dress – $368

3.)    Alice + Olivia CeliaVest – $264

Be&D Handbags, Shoes and Accessories

Store Appeal: Very rarely does an American designer craft handbags that could pass for the Old World glory that is seen in Chanel and Balenciaga – with the exception of Marc Jacobs.  But many American handbag designers have a very streamlined, modern interpretation, which is not a fault, but they find it hard to recreate what’s already been so successful in Europe for over a century.  American designer handbag line Be&D does a brilliant job of melding the two for modern twist on an old favorite, though this is not by accident.  Be&D, which was founded in 2004 by Be Inthavong and Steve Dumain, is now helmed solely by Dumain, who grew up with an affection for antique luggage and in college studied international business, Spanish and art. The handbags, shoes and other leather goods are modern and sexy, but carry elegant and flattering lines. Just what every woman wants.  My personal favorite is the Be&D Kan Kan Tote.

Our Vote: While the online store is easily navigable, the photos are only one-dimensional and can be a bit lackluster, particularly when trying to demonstrate the detail of the fabrics, materials and hardware used on the products. Nonetheless, the shopper still gets a decent idea of what the product might feel and look like in hand, and fortunately, the dimensions and vivid descriptions of the materials used in each product are listed.

Our Favorites:

1.    Be&D Kan Kan Tote - $1,390

2.    Be&D Rizzo Shoes – $458

3.    Be&D Dallas Tote - $895

Alexander McQueen – Legacy through Fashion

Store Appeal: In no capacity is it an overstatement to say that Alexander McQueen was a genius. He did more with clothing than most others could dare to dream. His collections mirrored the boundlessness of his imagination. While I’ve never been one for the oddities of fashion, something about McQueen’s visions, which often left the earthly realm, resonated favorably with the general public. It seems insulting to call his runway theatrics mere “fashion shows,” as they were performance art in every sense of the word. The fashion world lost a leader and a visionary – but his legacy lives on through his fashion. I have written about McQueen several times since I began fashion blogging in late 2008, and am privileged to continue doing so. His works of art became my immediate favorites because of his impeccable attention to tailoring and subtle detailing, like the sunbeam stitching found on his shoes and purses, and the hour-glass inducing curvature of his dresses. The McQueen brand is currently offering its spring/summer sale – 60% off – which in the world of high-fashion is both a steal and a crime. Nonetheless, if you are a fan of the McQueen brand, you do not want to forgo the Alexander McQueen sale.

Our Vote: There are less than a dozen McQueen boutiques in the world, so the majority of your McQueen shopping must be done online or in high-end department stores. This leaves many shoppers, such as yours truly, troubled with selecting a size, but luckily they have a generous return policy and customer service to assist. The website is a treat to navigate as it, unlike many other brands of the same nobility, provides high definition, multi-angle product shots of the products. The shopper may find it a bit laughable to click on “trousers and skirts” only to be met with geometric-print lycra leggings – not the typical “trouser” I’m used to, but the Brits are famous for their wry sense of humour. If you have a moment, check out the Alexander McQueen Experience which houses videos of his runway collections and a very moving tribute video.

Our Favorites:

1. Alexander McQueen Draped Jersey Dress – $750

2. Alexander McQueen Purple Skull and Bee Cocktail Ring – $280

3. Alexander McQueen Skull Brittana Clutch – $1,350