Celebrity Colorist and Wella Brand Ambassador Aura Friedman is an industry innovator and particularly known for her adventurous use of color. With an artist's eye and an impeccable attention to detail Aura has quickly gained notoriety and prestige working with some of the biggest names in Hollywood as well as fashion models and musicians. She is regularly called upon to care for the tresses of such superstars as Lady Gaga, MIA, Sky Ferreira, Niki Minaj, Sophie Dahl and Caroline Murphy... just to name a few. Her penchant for a highlighting technique using unnatural, unexpected pop color -- something she calls "hair flare" -- has made her famous. Thus, when recording artist Aska Matsumiya had an idea for rainbow highlights she knew precisely who to go to.


However, Aska's choice wasn't simply a fashion statement but a charitable one. She created the Rainbow Project with Donielle Kaufman in light of the tragedy that has befallen Japan in order to raise charitable funds across the globe. By visiting the Rainbow Project site and making a donation, you may then upload your own photograph of a rainbow. Each photo will then become part of a unified rainbow, collaged together to form one harmonious piece representing cosmic solidarity. Donations made to The Rainbow Project will be allocated directly to Civic Force and Peace Winds Japan. Photographer Marissa Kaiser teamed up Aura and The Rainbow Project by donating her work to shoot for AOL Stylelist Network.

You can visit The Rainbow Project by going to this link: http://askamatsumiya.com/therainbowproject.html

or go to www.askamusic.com

AOL & StyleList was proud to co-sponsor Japan Rising, a silent auction and fundraiser held April 28, at Milk Gallery in NYC, to benefit the survivors of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami disaster. Event organizer Mayumi Tatsuta of A Good Gathering released a statement saying, "Thank you to all the participants and attendees who helped us make this more of a success than we could have imagined. It was so heartwarming to see how many people came together to support what is for me a very personal cause." The combined efforts of all involved raised over $40,000. Art is still available at 32auctions.

You need to add photos to this gallery.

When contemporary retail simply will not do; when we want to be the only one; when we need to feel absolutely unique, we look to vintage. What better place to initiate your search than the Manhattan Vintage Clothing Show? StyleList network blogger Ari Seth Cohen, of Advanced Style, and I went directly to the source. At the show, we traveled back in time to find the ultimate vintage styles from the ladies who do it best: the advanced stylists.

With our senior muses as guides, we combed through dresses dating back to the 1940s and hats a la Audrey Hepburn. We also found a finger purse from 1923 and the most perfect palazzo pant, one that could not be replicated if you searched the runways all season. We discovered items that defy time and trend, as exemplified by Tziporah's beaded kaftan and tailored men's pajama pants which, after 20 years, still garner compliments. "God willing in 20 years someone will still tell me they're fabulous," she told us.

After spending the day amongst such treasure it became clear that shopping for vintage isn't simply purchasing an item but continuing a story. The mystery behind each piece, the history it carries, creates a shopping experience like no other. Talk about retail therapy! Just as Rappaport tells us, "Style is healing. Each day you dress and you decide how you're going to feel." Why not make some days a throw back?

Longtime friends, advertising vet Mayumi Tatsuta and activewear guru Ben Pruess, came together altruistically to organize Japan: Rising, a silent auction and fundraiser being held on April 28, at Milk Gallery in NYC, to benefit the survivors of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami disaster.

By first partnering with Erik Lavoie of Vice and Milk Gallery -- Pruess and Tatsuta decided rather than reach for their checkbooks they would reach to their community. What they found was an outpouring of love and generosity by renowned and emerging artists and photographers such as AOL artist Mike Perry.

Serendipitously, while organizing Japan: Rising, Pruess and Tatsuta found a void in the events-planning industry. Hence A Good Gathering was born to unite the arts community for the greater good while enjoying each others' company. Their philosophy: Good people. Good cause. Great night out. And Thursday is their grand debut with Japan: Rising.

Want to show your support? Check out our fashionable round-up of charitable causes here and here. And don't think we forgot about beauty products.

When it comes to sheer gear, there is a great diversity of opinion, with only one thing being sure: it's all about confidence.

One of Spring 2011's biggest trends, this gauzy look is not for the shy or body-conscious.

So StyleList decided to test the trend on the streets of Soho, in NYC. Donning a sheer Kimono shirtdress by NAHM, we set out to hear just what people think of sheer gear. Stopping unknowing strangers we asked, "How appropriate is sheer on the streets?"

The response was mixed, with one fashion-forward girl exclaiming, "Anyone who doesn't like sheer is afraid of it." And another who vowed never to indulge the sexy trend. Conversely, all men seemed quite comfortable with sheer (of course) and lauded the NAHM dress as a tasteful approach to the trend.

There was an obvious split between young and not-so-young, with the younger set unanimously regarding the trend as a winner. While the older set felt it more for the young and fit.

But no matter how brave and confident you might be, it's probably best to layer your sheer look for the office. "Don't want to get anyone too excited," as one woman exclaimed.

But keep that attitude because that's what will give you the courage to bare it all.