Jewel & Jewel

The Sleek Side-part

One could argue that the side part never goes out of style. But having just had a 70s revival of long flowing hair with centre parts, it’s worth noting that sleek side parts were big on the runways for Spring / Summer 2008.

Masculine

On the other extreme to the super-soft and feminine hairdos, masculine styles also hit the runways as as forerunner to 2008. Agyness Deyn’s trademark boyish crop was the perfect playground for creating masculine styles, and Yves Saint Laurent slicked the hair of their models back into 50s rockabilly men’s dos. We’re not expecting this to be too mainstream, but to be picked up by the more alternative types on the street.

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There are five fashion essentials for 2008. Whether these pieces have already found their way into the closet or a shopping trip is needed, each of the following is a must-have for their versatility and freshness.

1. The Sheer Shirt

Spring (and now summer) fashion this year has embraced sheer fabrics as well as lace, cut-outs and eyelets. The go-to shirt for summer is a sheer one, whether in girlie gauze or more sophisticated linen. Pick a light, neutral color that compliments the warm climate. These shirts are perfect to wear over a tank top – embracing the coolness of a tank without being so exposed. If the shirt gets worn, by the end of the summer, use it as a bathing suit cover-up. But sheer shirts can last a long time if they’re treated gently and hand-washed.

2. The Floral Dress

Yes, the summer staple: a floral dress. For 2008, the shape of the dress doesn’t matter so much – it can be a shift, a full skirt or belted at the waist. What’s important and what makes the dress modern is the pattern itself. Dainty little flowers are out; bold patterns are in. Bigger, brighter flowers (as long as they’re not gaudy) look sophisticated and elegant. Pick dark flowers on a light background – dark gray or navy on white, for example – for an extra grown-up look.

3. Casual sparkles

The shimmery trend from the past year continues – but for summer, keep sparkles from being too glitzy by making sure the piece of clothing is a casual one. Pair a sequined top with jeans or khakis or a lightweight jeweled cardigan over a plain shiftdress. Sparkles have even been showing up on the beach. Teen Vogue recently featured a beach-wear spread that included a sparkly shirt. Who says shine has to be limited to the city?

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Your wardrobe isn’t the only thing that may need updating this spring and summer. Trendy new cosmetics can also be a great way to add some new life to your look. One of the best things about the new makeup trends is their versatility and wearability. No matter what your fashion sense, skin tone or hair color, you can find a new makeup trend that works for you.

Texture is important for cosmetics, and never more so than in 2008. The new crop of mineral makeups are smooth and nurturing for every skin tone and type. Mineral makeup comes in a powder form, which is gently buffed onto the skin using a soft puff or large, fluffy brush. The finely milled powder works to cover imperfections and even skin tone while imparting a healthy glow. Pigment powders are also a hot trend. These powders, such as those offered by MAC Cosmetics, can be used as loose eyeshadow or mixed with a blending medium and used on the cheeks, lips, even nails.

Step 1: Moisturize, moisturize and then moisturize some more! With such a basic palette, glowing skin is the basis of any good makeover. Rub a good face cream all over and then blot anywhere it looks shiny.

Step 2: Put a dab of foundation on any area of the face where skin tones need to be evened out. I just blended in a tiny bit on my friend’s t-zone.

Step 3: Apply concealer to any red marks or pimples. Also, you can use concealer for dark circles under the eyes, but make sure to dab gently, rather than rub it in. I like to use a brush instead of my finger for blending.

Step 4: Apply a little concealer to your lips. No, that’s not a typo. Put just a bit of concealer on your pout. It will help lipstick stay on longer.

Step 5: Get a big blush brush and apply a peachy blush (or light pink if peach isn’t your color), to the apples of the cheeks and up to your temples. Make sure to blend so it looks natural. Not trying too hard is the look we’re going for here.

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Spring is a great time to renew your image and try out new things. What items should you have in your cosmetics bag? Make-up artists and designers suggest a bold and bright image for the spring 2008. The colors dedicated for make-up are so playful and bold that you need to be a real fashionista to wear them. On the other hand: let the spring be colorful and bright!Flushed cheeks is one of the loveliest trends of spring 2008. Soft and cute flush is recommended for both daytime makeup and evening makeup. Pinky peach blush fits even the most bold lip color for that special occasion; it also works well to enlighten natural looking makeup for the day. It’s the best way to highlight face features and make you look fresh.

Three big tendencies dominate the lip make-up area. Nude lips effect is still very popular, especially when combined with smokey eyes and natural-looking blush. The trend of nude lips does not mean you can’t use lipstick or gloss; feel free to add some color and a bit of shimmer, but keep it natural. If you’re not into natural look, you won’t miss if you choose classic red. This color is right for every season, that’s why it’s called classic. If the image of fatal woman doesn’t attract you at all, try sheer red lipstick. Be careful about other makeup details while wearing the classic red lipstick: it’s a very strong accent and you really don’t need black eyeliner or strong blush. The third tendency is the funniest one, because it suggests candy-colored lips. This trend won’t look good on elder women, however if you’re a teen or if you feel young forever, orange, pink, hot coral and even fuchsia are the hottest colors of spring 2008. A candy color on lips is quite a bold statement, so one shouldn’t overdo other details.

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 Oscar de la Renta covered all the bases in his Spring 2009 bridal collection, showcasing an ambitious array of 30 gowns that featured exquisite workmanship and fabrics at a Park Avenue church during Bridal Week in New York .

“I only do one bridal collection a year, so we have to have a lot of choices,” said de la Renta. “I try to make different gowns for different locations.”

And there were gowns for different characters, as well: Southern belles, Spanish dancers, high school sweethearts and classic Cinderellas, to name a few. Whatever the narrative for the bridal fantasy, however, a wedding dress by Oscar de la Renta is a must for any Park Avenue princess or those who just want to look like one for a day.

For a bride looking for the ultimate glamour gown, Hollywood-style, then Badgley Mischka should be at the top of their lists. Carmen Electra, Tori Spelling and Kristen Davis are just some of the celebs who have worn their wedding gowns.

James Mischka and Mark Badgley, known for their red carpet couture and Old Hollywood sensibility, kept the bridal silhouettes for their Fall 2008 collection classic and simple, whether a full ball gown with train, a strapless empire-waist chiffon gown or mermaid gown. There was a traditional shape to suit any bride’s fancy.

Rather than all-over embellishment, Badgley Mischka focused on a single highlight for each dress, whether a bead-encrusted neckline, simple rhinestone straps and belt or carefully placed embellished lace on the hem of skirt.

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I read something interesting about parada and wanted to share here. When Prada has heading towards a downward spiral, Mario Prada handed the business to his granddaughter Miuccia . She was going on a completely different road, receiving a PhD in Political Science and displaying active communist tendencies. Nonetheless she accepted the challenge to resurrect the Prada name. She succeeded in building a billion-dollar empire by introducing a line of nylon Prada handbags which faultlessly combines refined form and limitless function. She created a style icon for the fashion elite, which critics have come to dub work of art.

She creates her bags from a nylon fabric – Pocone – which give Prada handbags an appearance of sleek elegance and simplicity. Tote bags and backpacks were added the diverse collection that satisfy every taste and style.

The worldwide empire revices massive publicity from celebrities and personalities who pay a really high price tag to be seen carrying a Prada handbag. Quality and class define Miuccia’s products that made her one of the 30 most powerful women in Europe.

Prada nylon handbags are simple, classic and practical with a multitude od sizes, colors and shapes. Some of them have been so successful that are equaled to a Prada statement of commitment for excellence. They are so popular that they have become the most counterfeited fashion accessory, which has made Prada handbag adepts to rapidly increase in number.

Parada handbags 2008

Just when you thought sunglasses couldn’t get any bigger or any more over-the-top, leave it to Jimmy Choo to come out with a glam version with almost goggle-like proportions.

t’s no wonder that these face obscuring glasses are being worn by Jennifer Lopez - they’re perfect for remaining incognito (if that’s even possible anymore for someone like J. Lo).

The new sunglasses - the “Boo” - are a part of the latest addition to the Jimmy Choo accessories empire, a full sunglass and eyewear collection created with Safilo Group (who also just produced frames for Balenciaga) that launched this March.

Inspired by oversize frames from the ’70s and ’80s like Linda Farrow, they’re perfectly in keeping with the Jimmy Choo vibe of fame and fabulousness, being one of Hollywood’s favorite labels for completing a red carpet look. Other fans include Jessica Alba and Kerry Washington.

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