Stylelist

Francis Kurkdjian & Liberty of London Team Up For Scent Installation

Posted by Phebe Hunnicutt on Dec 4th 2009 11:52AM

Fransic Kurkdjian scented bubble instilation in the grounds of the former royal palace of Versailles

This weekend, London will be bubbling over with beauty.

World famous perfumer Francis Kurkdjian (he's created scents from everyone from Jean Paul Gaultier to Giorgio Armani) will be treating the city's residents to a "scented bubble" installation. For the fragrant affair he has partnered with Liberty of London and jointly they will be presenting the event as part of the Very Important Pedestrain activities on Oxford and Regents streets.

If you are lucky enough to find yourself in the area, your nose will be treated to whiffs of Aqua Universalis, one of the signature scents from Maison Francis Kurkdjian.

But, if for some reason beautiful bubbles with notes of bergamont, lemon, lily of the valley and musky wood and car free streets aren't enough to convince to you brave the Saturday crowds, remember Sonia Rykiel for H&M is also launching on December 5th!

And if you like what you smell, Maison Francis Kurkdjian is available exclusively at Liberty of London.

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Michelle Obama Wears Lanvin Sneakers

Posted by Phebe Hunnicutt on Apr 30th 2009 2:00PM

The First Lady spent April 29th volunteering: She donated time filling bags with non-perishable food to be distributed at the Capitol Area Food Bank for Feeding America. An extremely worthy and commendable activity, and yet the photo has spurred a mini controversy. Why you may ask? Her fashion choices, naturally.

At first glance, there is nothing exceptional about her casual capri-and-sneaker combo, but upon closer inspection, it's obvious that these are no average kicks. Mrs. O rocked a pair of $540 Lanvin sneakers to the food bank.

Michelle Obama has previously been praised for her ability to mix high and low fashion, but are there limits to her mixology? Sure, the trendy low tops add a dash of flash to an otherwise dull ensemble, but one could also argue that the pricey footwear was inappropriate for the occasion. Vote in the poll below to let us know what you think about the First Lady's lasted fashion statement

Was it appropriate for Michelle Obama to wear those sneakers to volunteer?
Yes, the First Lady is expected to wear fashionable attire	5178 (3.3%)
No, those shoes could have filled a lot of food bags	61131 (38.6%)
Who cares? What she is doing is more important than what she is wearing	92174 (58.2%)

Style Evolution: Michelle Obama

This one-shoulder gown by Jason Wu was seen around the world. Proving her fashionable prowess, the newly-appointed First Lady boldly chose a dress by the relatively unknown designer. Knowing what works for her body, she eschewed anything too dowdy or cleavage-baring and instead focused on her favorite asset - toned arms.

Mark Wilson, Getty Images

Many a critic found Obama's Junya Watanabe cardigan rather unsettling. The controversial piece, worn over a teal full-skirted Jason Wu dress, should get points for blending brown and blue if nothing else. At least her clothes fit better than poor Sarah Brown's, wife of the British Prime Minister.

Joel Ryan, WPA Pool/Getty Images

While we're the first to embrace Mrs. O's style, we must admit that these clothes look like they spent too much time in the dryer. In comparison to the buttoned up Dr. Jill Biden, Obama's ensemble is more play school than preppy. Clearly, the argyle detail on a sweater is a recurring favorite.

Mandel Ngan, AFP / Getty Images

While walking through a the White House rose garden on April 28th, Obama showed her love for a new designer, Sophie Theallet, in a full-skirted 1950s-inspired day dress. WWD reported that the First Lady was introduced to Theallet's clothing vis-a-vis her personal style consultant Ikram Goldman, and not Azzedine Alaia, for whom she used to work.

Mark Wilson, Getty Images

Another day, another argyle cardigan by Junya Wantanabe. We don't think that kids would mind as much as we do this particular ensemble. Love the colors but, in the words of Tim Gunn, "make it work!" The belt has an awkward placement and the shirt bunches in all the wrong places.

Tim Sloan, AFP / Getty Images

For her visit with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace, Michelle Obama wore a black-and-white Isabel Toledo dress, an Azzedine Alaia cardigan, and pearls. Some thought the cardigan was not formal enough.

John Stillwell, WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Obama's first Easter egg roll on the White House lawn drew a record crowd. For the casual affair, mama Obama looked ready for spring in cropped light blue pants and a kelly green top with a sensible navy jacket.

Ron Edmonds, AP

Stepping out for church services with the President on Easter Sunday, Mrs. Obama wore a pretty floral frock from Peter Soronen accentuated with her go-to accessory, a double strand of pearls.

Aude Guerrucci, AFP/Getty Images

The First Lady debuted her spring wardrobe at the G20 Summit in London, pairing classic styles with light, airy brights. In Germany, Mrs. Obama wore a custom Thakoon floral silk jacquard dress with black kitten heels.

Christof Stache, AP

The First Lady poses on the red carpet at the NATO Summit in a black Azzedine Alaia dress full skirt dress.

Getty Images

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Jane Fonda - Still Sexy at 71

Posted by Phebe Hunnicutt on Apr 30th 2009 5:00AM

Just in case you needed an inspiration to get ready for swimsuit weather: See Jane go.

Jane Fonda stole the show at the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS 23rd Annual Easter Bonnet Competition in New York this week, throwing off a fur coat to reveal red and black exercise togs. We're talking real exercise wear -- not yoga pants and a baggy T-shirt, but a leotard and tights. She then led a mini-workout that showed age 71 can still look amazing.

Back in the 1980s, Fonda's workout videos sold millions of copies and women around the nation copied her high-cut bodysuits and spandex legging-looks.

She also always knew how to work a belt -- a great technique still for quickly "shedding" a few pounds no matter your age.

Fonda reports on her blog that she had a blast doing the show, and helping her team from "33 Variations" raise close to $200,000 for charity.

How does she do it? She reports a nap before the show was a good call.

If she's not inspiration enough for how to age gracefully, check out the photos in this gallery of sexy women in their 60s.

Sexy Stars in their 60s

Helen Mirren has played a royal so often that she could probably take over for a real one, but she apparently hasn't got a bit of the Queen's stuffiness. The Academy Award-winner has been everyone from a naked housewife (in "Calendar Girls") to a tough-as-nails detective (in "Prime Suspect"), and even at 63, is confident enough to walk the red carpet in this figure-hugging white dress at the premiere of her new film "State of Play".

Gareth Cattermole, Getty Images

Don't call her granny, gray-haired or anything that even hints that she's something less than fab. At 69, Tina Turner still has a great growl, glorious gams and gyrations that could kill. And the singer, who shimmered (and shimmied) in gold leggings and matching Christian Louboutin heels during her 50th Anniversary tour stop in London, is not alone. Click on for more stars who just keep on rollin' well into their 60s.

Jo Hale, Getty Images

Vacationing with her husband on Saint Barths, 62-year-old Soap star Susan Lucci showed off her fabulous bod in this itsy-bitsy green bikini.
Do you love Lucci? See her strut her stuff on the Heart Truth catwalk.

INFphoto

The one and only Grace Jones took to the stage at Camden's Roundhouse in London and wowed the crowd with both her performance and her physique! Now 60 years old, the former model and Andy Warhol muse still has to-die-for legs and a sense of style all her own.

Ben Yacobi / WENN.com

Once the princess of punk, Debbie Harry, at 63, is now the embodiment of Baby Boom chic. Of course, no matter how (um) old she gets, the Blondie front-woman will still rock out and will never give up her signature yellow mane.

Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images

Taking a dip during her Hawaiian vacation, Goldie Hawn looked sexy and much younger than her 63 years.

Fame Pictures

Don't call her granny, gray-haired or anything that even hints that she's something less than fab. At 69, Tina Turner still has a great growl, glorious gams and gyrations that could kill. And the singer shown during her 50th Anniversary tour at Madison Square Garden is not alone. Click on for more stars who just keep on rollin' well into their 60s.

It's hard to say if Mia Farrow is better known as an actress (everything from "Rosemary's Baby" to a baker's dozen Woody Allen films) or her spectacular romances (marriages to Frank Sinatra and Andre Previn, and a fabulously sordid split with Allen). Still, at 63, the single mother-of-14 shown at Hong Kong International Airport is so burrowed in humanitarian work as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and an activist against the genocide in Darfur, that Time named her one of 2008's 100 most influential people.

Andrew Ross , AFP/Getty Images

The most successful female recording artist ever, 18 No. 1 hits in the U.S. and 70 Top-10 hits since 1964, 64-year-old Diana Ross is still supremely cool. In 2007, she had the finalists on "American Idol" rocking her songs. In 2008, she not only captured a BET Lifetime Achievement Award presented by her five kids and Stevie Wonder but she also headlined at Radio City Music Hall in "Divas with Heart."

Larry Marano, Getty Images

She was immortalized as the delicately beautiful Lara in the 1965 romance, "Dr. Zhivago," and in the nearly 45 years since, Julie Christie pictured here at the 2008 Academy Awards -- has clearly lost none of her allure. The It-girl of her generation, she's kept a lower profile in recent years, making only a handful of movies. She returned to the spotlight in 2005's "Away From Her," winning raves for her haunting portrait of a woman lost to Alzheimers, and in 2007, at 66, marrying for the first time.

Lester Cohen, Getty Images

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Dita Von Teese for Wonderbra

Posted by Phebe Hunnicutt on Apr 24th 2009 1:00PM

Burlesque diva Dita Von Teese spends most of her professional life in little lacy bits of nearly nothing, so it should come as no surprise that she is the designer and face of Wonderbra's line, The Science of Sexy. These racy shots promote the second collection Von Teese has designed for the lingerie giant. Her first line stuck to gorgeous basics but with her second collection she has moved beyond bras and panties to designing more elaborate undergarments. Check out the gallery below to see more saucy shots of Von Teese's and other smokin' hot celebrity ads.

Celebrity Fashion Ads

Dita Von Teese is not only the model for this gorgeous vintage-inspired collection, she's also the designer.

Wonderbra

Another of Von Teese's flirty and feminine creations.

Wonderbra

Kate Moss sizzles in the new ad campaign for her TopShop spring/summer line.

TopShop

Scarlet Johansson is the golden girl for champagne manufacturer Moët & Chandon's new campaign.

Moët & Chandon

Bar Rafaeli, Leonardo DiCaprio's stunning model girlfriend, is the face of British retailer Marks & Spencer's new lingerie line.

Marks & Spencer

Pam Anderson's new campaign for Vivienne Westwood is surprisingly hot. The blonde bombshell and her heaving, inflated bosoms aren't usually found in fashion mags -- but the quirky combo of Playboy centerfold and designer threads seems to work.

Photo courtesy of Vivienne Westwood

Scarlett Johansson for Dolce & Gobbana.
A sizzling Marilyn Monroe impression that's sure to sell some makeup.

Dolce & Gobbana

Fergie for M.A.C.'s VIVA GLAM collection
Fabulous, feathered, and just a little airbrushed.

MAC Cosmetics

Katie and Posh's Dueling Ads
We know it's tough to tell the difference, but that's Katie Holmes on the left for Miu Miu and Victoria Beckham baring (nearly) all for Giorgio Armani. The campaigns launched within days of one another -- so the question is: who's hotter?

Miu Miu/Armani

Madonna for Louis Vuitton
Anyone else tired of the trademark Madonna crotch shot?

Louis Vuitton

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Ali Larter is "Obsessed"

Posted by Phebe Hunnicutt on Apr 22nd 2009 6:30PM

One look at the trailers for the new movie "Obsessed," starring Ali Larter as an office siren turned psycho stalker, and it's pretty clear the title is accurate. But the real-life Larter also was obsessed in the best kind of way -- she wanted her character's look to be absolutely perfect, right down to her underwear, says costume designer Maya Lieberman.

In one of the movie's hotter scenes, Larter's Lisa Sheridan surprises the object of her desire, played by Idris Elba, with the old nothing-but-silk-and-lace under the coat trick. Lieberman says Larter came up with the idea for the vintage inspired ensemble herself.

"The lingerie was 100% Ali's idea," Lieberman said. "She wanted to avoid anything stripper inspired because she felt strongly that her character would pick something high fashion and sophisticated."

Lieberman used two pieces from different sets and dyed them to match.

The final look? Classy, sexy and surprisingly demure. A nice change, no doubt, for an actress who first made headlines wearing nothing but a whipped cream bikini in 1999's "Varsity Blues."

Feeling fashion obsessed yourself? Head over to BlackVoices to enter their "Obsessed" sweepstakes. Grand prize is a a $1,375 Hermes "Garden Party" tote and a $1,000 spa package. Can you get any more obsession worthy?

And after the jump, more on how Lieberman created Larter's look and that of Beyoncé Knowles, who plays the woman wronged.

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