Stylish with Substance

Everybody AND her MOM are becoming designers. No really...

Ella M — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:59:05 EDT

This is not a renewal of the old joke, although it's only partially true. You know it's more fright than funny, partly because some famous new designers don't even design. It seems every singer, or not, wants to be a designer. And then famous non-singers think they can sing. Why does everyone whose name is up in lights think they can design?

Fashion bloggers, too, are crafters, entrepreneurs and even designers. But we work hard to forge our own ways, usually sewing to boot. This is what Ella is doing, but I won't talk too much about my line that's merely upcoming. ;-)

Back to those spoiled celebs...

A while ago Lindsay Lohan debuted her leggings collection, under her own label, and recently started collaborating with another. Now her mom, Dina Lohan, has previewed her shoe collection. It's named after their famous surname in an oh-so mindless, embarrassing take on a pun, "Shoe-Han".

And you guessed it, Dina won't be designing, only having some part in the creative direction. Oh boy...

The name just makes me think of more puns relating to the slang term, "ho". It can be combined with so many other words that would suit Dina. In a way it makes talking about, if not wearing, "her" shoes oh so versatile.

Now for that peep-toe boot that wonderful role model tried on for the cameras - it's no more stylish than a cast.

You'll be sure not to purchase a pair for your own mommy dearest this Spring, when the line debuts around Mother's Day.

Chanel, or Karl Largerfeld, Cleaned Up Lily Allen

Ella M — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 14:34:55 EDT

Karl can put Chanel on Lily Allen, but can we really put Lily Allen in Chanel, if you know what I mean? What I mean is, could this makeover stick on the girl who refuses to not sunbathe topless what-seems daily in her classless crusade nearing as bad as Amy Winehouse?

That is why Lily Allen as a model for Chanel surprises me. Yes, Lily is a huge Chanel fan, uh--so are witless teenagers. The difference is this recording artist has money, and those teens aren't truly carrying Chanel with their pink cambon totes.

So what I mean is anyone can be a fan, but that doesn't mean The Man will "fan" back. The singer makes a cute model of some sort---Allen is quite beautiful and a great writer with a great mind, but ... girl needs work.

Or - usually. One couldn't tell from these amazing photographs.

Here Allen advertises and sports Chanel's upcoming handbag collection, "Coco Cocoon" due this October 10th (2009).

Stay tuned for a gallery devoted to the bags next week!

Photography by Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel's designer, himself.

Credit: Collective of the Interwebs & I-D Magazine

& Now Blake Lively & the Jovi Bag - Gossip Girl Approved

Ella M — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 13:31:37 EDT

So it appears the Jovi Cross-Body and its contemporary designer company, Treesje, have been declared Gossip Girl chic level by the stylists of the show. Here is Blake Lively sporting the bag we just blogged & raved about - and she's on set filming, no less.

Treesje Jovi Cross-Body

$368.00 by Treesje at Endless.com

Photo via Purse Page

One note: Turquoise and royal blue? NO!

Is this fab or fug? We say, change out of that tunic dress, or just trash it!

Shoo Shopping? Shoe-In Club by Kim Kardashian (UPDATE)

Ella M — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 01:26:35 EDT

*Update* 7/15/09 (Originally 3/23/09) I've seen a lot of Google searches* and website questions about criticism or complaints about ShoeDazzle - and so far I read some say the shoes are not attractive to members, and may be cheap either for the cost or in keeping with the $39 per pair price.

Kim Kardashian, with a team of "fellow" stylists have started the company ShoeDazzle.com. It's literally, literally a pair of shoes of the month club, and for only $39 monthly for fabulous shoes, with any month skippable.

Weird? Yeah. Kim Kardashian, stylist, CEO - weird? Yeah. The concept is intriguing though, and it just might work well. I'd like to hear reviews (or get a little free membership to review!).

The process starts with a free and fun quiz, but one must register to see results. The stylists see them too and hand-pick (for now at least) personalized selections. My worry would definitely be comfort and a desire for flats and wedges amongst a sea of killer heels. Heck, I'm starting to alter/make my own shoes - starting with a wedding I'm attending. But I digress.

Another worry we'd all have is what brands, what designers?! The only one quoted is Michael Antonio.

Hmmm. I'm just going to have to review him, that's all. ;-)

The bottom line is that any shoe that will fly with fashionistas will cost more than the $39 monthly fee. And in this recession that actually sounds affordable for those who have any spending money. One way it could help budgeting is that the ladies are not shopping, browsing, on Zappos.com... Not tempted to spend even more. It's almost saving!

Still for now this is in the questionable category, however at least the service seems totally risk-free with returns, cancellations, skipping months, etc.

Unless I were really brave, I'd wait and see.

View a preview gallery below!

*I wanted to post an update to this, because it's become a popular page. I want to promote it because it's moved and is causing a 404 from direct links, so I didn't want to without more info.

Lady GaGa on "Music, Art, Fashion, & Expression"

Ella M — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:11:49 EDT

“

My brain doesn’t function in a way to permit me to have any other kind of life outside of music, art, fashion, and expression.

”Lady GaGa to Songwriter Universe Magazine

Neil Patrick Harris Wore Liquid Suit to Host Tony's

Ella M — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 17:50:04 EDT

All you fashionistas know about liquid leggings, and possibly liquid other things. But now the "trend" is branching out to men, or at least gay men ... or at least gay men at the Tony Awards, which is of course different from real straight men life, but anyway.

Photo: Socialite Life

Neil Patrick Harris hosted the Tony Awards in a black "liquid" suit. (No wardrobe change, either, hmm. Budget!)

So what do you think of this look?

No Surprise about Speidi Here; "I'm a Celebrity" is ABOUT Them Wanting to Leave

Ella M — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:12:00 EDT

Well this season's first week of "I'm a Celebrity..." is over (and wasn't it like an entire week, too?). The blog attention has been all about Speidi leaving the set/show(?). Spencer Pratt actually said,

"I'm too rich and I'm too famous to be sitting with these people." and went on to bash the rest of the D-Listers, also saying that he shouldn't be treated this way.

So away they went.

And on went the bloggers.

But this is just scripted TV and it's what this show is supposed to be about, right?

Also, of course, Mr. Pratt is trying to make more money and fame (never enough) by capitalizing with a rap song and video. (Above)

Some words to mull over, "Counting on the haters every day to keep me going, 'cause without the haters, baby, I would be no one."

Dear Miley Cyrus, You Need Sleep

Ella M — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:19:24 EDT

It took me a while to think of how I should communicate this properly, if I could or should at all.

This post is about last weekend's MTV Movie Awards' thank-you speech by Miley Cyrus - or rather, her appearance. (There is actually more to be said regarding her nutty speech, itself, but might need go un-worded to us who are adults.)

I'll form it in the classic blog-letter style, because Miley's the one who needs help, and that's how we "do".

Dear Ms. Cyrus,

Take a note from your alter-ego character and realize you need some real life and childhood. I'm not even really all that upset by your dress, yes it is mature, but not in a tarty way.

And your make-up, it's too much. Teenagers love dark eyes or heavy liner, even though heavy make-up is for adults, if anyone (and actually it should be for no one). So yes, I know it's a teen thing, but all teens, honey, want to grow up too fast. And mob mentality is usually wrong.

But I'm mostly writing about your obviously tired eyes. You need more rest.

Perhaps being two people is seriously too much. I don't know if you actually produce more product or perform longer concerts. I'm just not your demographic so I do not follow you But something is making you look older. By many years.

Please take care of yourself, girl. And enjoy that dear puppy, too.

With concern, your elder,
Ella

P.S. If you are seriously interested in fashion or want to be taken seriously, avoid Wal-Mart like the plague. Or like you might avoid your parents.

(P.S. to readers, the Jonas Brothers put out a line of ... sweater vests??? ... There are no communicable words.)

(P.P.S. to readers. I knew Max Azria was not so hot, that story's proof.)

Photo credit: E!

Ella M — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 13:00:00 EDT

Magazine Cover Lies Decoded - Link <3 to Jezebel.com

We've recently discovered the women's issue & sexuality blog, Jezebel. Our favorite feature, by far, is their "Cover Lies" category in which their bloggers "translate" magazine cover headlines.

I love it so much, I wish we could steal it. But these ladies do a better job than I could - with some of these mags, I'd be speechless. (It might help that they probably have subscriptions and thoroughly read. Get on that reading, Elle.)

So Jez-Girls, what do you think about our cover?

Lady Gaga, looking more "Lady" than Gaga-Crazy

Ella M — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:05:34 EDT

It's not that I don't enjoy watching the "show itself" of Lady Gaga's out-there stage-and-life costumes, but here is the Lady looking more like an edgier (and blonde) Posh.

And she has a bag - what is it??

Enjoy!

Credit: Neon Limelight