Stila | POSHGLAM

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010 | News

Robbers, Gamblers and Cowgirls, Oh My! Betsey Johnson Fall 2010

By Jessica

A hay-covered runway? Kelly Osbourne in a mustache? Only one designer could present a show that quirky: the one-and-only Betsey Johnson. No matter how eccentric the presentation (Moncler had models stand out in the cold) or odd the fashions (glow-in-the-dark heels at Rodarte), no one tops Betsey’s funky, free-spirited approach to design, which has earned her the label, “Fashion’s Wild Child.”

With her Fall 2010 runway show, Betsey proved she is more than worthy of the title. Betsey Johnson took the fashion industry on a tour of the Wild, Wild West with a gang of robbers, bandits, gamblers and saloon girls. Though the runway show could have easily been a live play, the fashions were more wearable than theatrical. The Western bad boys—gamblers and robbers—embraced the menswear trend (also seen at the Rebecca Taylor show) with top hats, tuxedo shirts, suspenders, camouflage dresses and lots of stripes. The fair ladies wore fur-lined frocks, corsets, ruffled dresses, printed hot pink jumpsuits and voluminous prairie skirts.

The make-up was just as adventurous and uninhibited. Backstage, the head makeup artist, Sarah Lucero for Stila, chatted with me about the inspiration for the show. “The inspiration is Brigitte Bardot, a French Western film [Las Petroleras, 1971] that Betsey was inspired by,” Lucero said. “It’s all about that smoky, blacked out eye. Lashes are very straight and exaggerated. It’s like a doll eye.”

To create the sexy 60’s look, “the skin was kept bare with a matte foundation using Stila one step makeup and a peachy pale lip.” To get those sexy, smoky eyes, “apply eye shadow in Chinois all over your lids as a base. Use Espresso on your lids and crease and Ebony to line your upper and lower lash lines.” Finish the look with “black cream liquid liner and loads of mascara.”

The bad-ass sign directing editors to Sarah Lucero, head Stila makeup artist. How cool is that!

No Brigitte Bardot look is complete without sexy, voluminous hair. Sebastian Professional lead stylist, Thomas Dunkin, spoke with me about the direction for the hair. Also inspired by Brigitte Bardot, the look was “60’s cowgirl with pigtails and lots of volume.” To recreate the style, “spray Sebastian Professional Volupt Spray” for volume and texture. Blow dry hair and “set it with rollers,” for height and body. Channel your inner cowgirl by separating hair into “loose, messy pigtails.” The pigtails should be “sloppy and asymmetric. Nothing too perfect,” Dunkin added.

Models hanging out backstage.

While messy pigtails are the perfect hairstyle for the saloon girls, the models dressed as banditos wore a different “hair” look: fake mustaches. The leader of the pack was a newly svelte, Kelly Osbourne, who walked with puppy in hand wearing full robber garb complete with a bandana and a pistol. The spectacle did not end there. In a beautiful tribute to Alexander McQueen, a model walked the runway holding a “Long Live McQueen” sign. And since Betsey Johnson held her runway show on Valentine’s Day, the models spelled out “LOVE” in sequins on their backsides.

And to end the show with a bang, Betsey hit the runway at the finale wearing a mustache, a striped suit and a sequined heart on her behind. She even treated the audience, which included actress Melissa Joan Hart and Fefe Dobson, to her signature final cartwheel. Her acrobatics were followed by a line of models carrying giant hearts.

With the recession looming, and the fashion industry struggling to cope with the death of Alexander McQueen, we all needed the fun, free spirit that Betsey captures at her show every season. Here’s to love, guns and cowgirls!

Jessica

Runway Photos Courtesy of New York Magazine.

Tags: Alexander McQueen, Betsey Johnson, Brigitte Bardot, Fall 2010, Fashion Week, Fefe Dobson, Kelly Osbourne, Melissa Joanhart, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Sarah Lucero, Sebastian Professional, stila, Thomas Dunkin

Monday, February 8th, 2010 | Accessories, Beauty, Fashion, Holiday Gift Guide, Shop

POSHGLAM's Valentine's Day Gift Guide

By Samantha

Hallmark’s favorite holiday is here again. Though Valentine’s Day means getting a gift for that special someone, it is also a great time to show friends and family your appreciation with little tokens of affection. POSHGLAM put together the ultimate Valentine’s Day Gift Guide, chock full of gifts for the ladies and even a few for the men.

One of the most popular Valentine’s Day gifts is jewelry. However, not every relationship is in the diamonds and pearls phase quite yet. Here is an array of fun gems to get your loved ones that will put a smile on their faces without breaking the bank.

Links of London Limited Edition Fuchsia Valentine’s Day Friendship Bracelet is the perfect gift for mothers, daughters and girlfriends. Sterling silver heart details trim the edge while the toggle can be engraved with a personalized message. A portion of every bracelet sold will be donated to the OneXOne organization.

Links of London Valentine’s Day Friendship Bracelet $215 Links of London

For the chic sophisticate that is always ahead of the trends, turn to Tom Binns for outrageous jewels that are both fashion-forward and feminine. His “Alice in Wonderland” inspired collection is full of Valentine’s Day wonders that any girl would be thrilled to own.

The “All Heart” and “Roses are Red” necklaces, inspired by Alice in Wonderland’s Red Queen, are absolute stunners. They retail for $1000 and $875, respectively. Since the movie is about to hit theaters, the jewelry is the perfect accessory to wear to the premiere. Visit Tom Binns for more information.

Even the edgiest girls can rock hearts, like this fabulous spike heart necklace from Gasoline Glamour. It is 4″ tall and wide so it is sure to make a statement. The necklace retails for $495 at Gasoline Glamour.

So these aren’t exactly jewels, but Jessica Elliot’s oversized keys are truly gem-worthy. Upon seeing these keys, I instantly fell in love. The keys are engraved with romantic phrases, including “To My Heart” or “To My Bedroom” depending on your mood. So, if you are a single lady out on the town, carry this in case you meet a special someone. And for a hot date idea, feel free to pass a key off to your boyfriend to give him a little hint of the night to come. The keys retail for $35 each at Jessica Elliot.

Celebrity favorite jewelry line, Dalla Nonna, boasts the perfect personalized gift with their beautiful calendar necklaces and bracelets. Your hubby can pick a special date, like your anniversary or the date of your first kiss, which is then accented with a sapphire on the date of the calendar month charm. Each elegant, vintage-inspired piece is executed in 14k gold (rose, yellow and white) or sterling silver. Prices range from $150-$600. Shop Dalla Nonna Jewelry.

Tarina Tarantino is a costume jewelry master and her latest Tuxedo Lingerie collection is the perfect gift for loved ones. Full of black lace, bows and hearts, the Tuxedo Lingerie collection is as romantic and refined as it gets. The Tuxedo Lingerie Satin Garter is perfection for the sassy chick in your life. The Puff Heart Stretch Ring is fabulous for friends while the Heart Drop Earrings are an essential to any glamour girl’s wardrobe. These pieces are priced at $105, $45 and $75, respectively. Shop Tarina Tarantino.

Patricia Field, the genius behind the wardrobe for HBO’s Sex and the City, has her own Valentine’s Day worthy wares. Her Heart Mirror is a great gift to give any loved one. On sale for $19, the mirror is a chic find that can’t be beat. Also available on Patricia Field’s site is White Trash Charms’ “Cute as a Button” necklace, which is perfect for the pre-”I love you” relationship status. It retails for $135. Timmy Woods’ “Lip Purse” in hot pink is also a stylish accessory that any girl would love to carry around yearlong. With the perfect burst of color, it will instantly transform any outfit. Priced at $248, it is a real steal. All of the above are available at Patricia Field.

There are also plenty of Valentine’s Day beauty goodies to go around. Kiehl’s is a beauty wonder brand and they have fantastic gift sets for both men and women. For the boys, check out this Valentine’s Day Men’s Set, which includes Ultimate Man Scrub Soap, Facial Fuel, Facial Fuel Energizing Face Wash, Ultra Facial Cream and Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate (packette). For the ladies, the Overnight Lavender Renewal Set provides the latest and greatest from Kiehls’s including Midnight Recovery Concentrate, Lavender Foaming-Relaxing Bath with Sea Salts and Aloe, Ultra Facial Cream and Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate (packette). The men’s set retails for $42 and the women’s for $72, available at Kiehls.

What better gift to give your lover than a smell that you find delicious and know will smell even better on her? Infusion Organique’s “Acai Rain” Eau de Parfum has an exotic flavor and the pink bottle is beautiful for display purposes after wearing of course. The perfume retails for $35 at Infusion Organique.

What’s more romantic than a candle-lit bubble bath? Philosophy’s “Sending My Love” Gift Set comes with Red Licorice and Raspberry Sorbet Shampoo, Shower Gel and Bubble Bath and retails for $24. Philosophy also sells the Candy Hearts Lip Duo, two tubes of pink bubbly and angel food cake-flavored lip shines for the tastiest kisses ever. The tubes retail for $20 each and are both available at Philosophy.

Not Soap, Radio has some great beauty gifts for Valentine’s Day as well. First up is “Bath and Shower Bubbles in The Stuff that Cupid Dips his Arrows In (because sometimes fate needs as assist).™ This pheromone activated bubble bath and shower gel has a ginseng and passion scent, meant to soothe, empower and reinforce. It retails for $15.

Not Soap, Radio’s “Spa Chocolat” (because sometimes indulgence is a necessity and not a simple desire) includes a sugared body polish, with cocoa butter and brownsugar crystals, a whipped body souffle with shea butter, sweet cocoa and viola, and a purifying face mask with kaolin and cocoa. The products are perfect for all skin types and retail for $22. Both items are available on Not Soap, Radio.

Anastasia, famous brow-expert, launched her first skincare line at the end of 2009. One of the most popular products is the Hydrating Oil, which will leave you refreshed, hydrated and glowing before your big night out. Loveage oil is one of the 12 oils in this potion and provides an invigorating aroma-therapeutic scent that helps lift the mood. The Hydrating Oil retails for $40 at Anastasia.

Stila’s Yumberry Crush Lip & Cheek Stain is in stores just in time for Valentine’s Day. With the perfect pearly pink coloring, your lips and cheeks will look healthy and flushed. It also boasts the new superfruit, Yumberry, which contains the highest amount of potent antioxidents and helps slow the degeneration of collagen. It is available for $24 at Stila.

Another fabulous lip duo is from Estee Lauder. The company’s Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick comes in 12 shades and there are 4 brand new Kissable Lip Glosses to provide the perfect color and shine. All of the pieces are stamped with “LOVE” which he will surely feel once he sees your perfect pout. The lipstick retails for $19.50 and the gloss is $18 at Saks Fifth Avenue.

Celebrity interior designer, Tobi Tobin, has gifts that will set your heart on fire this Valentine’s Day. To start, Tobi Tobin’s signature candles are a natural, fresh-smelling blend of soy, palm and coconut waxes and are decadently wrapped to a tee. Next up, the sophisticated designer created gourmet chocolates that are dressed to impress in beautiful, elaborate wrapping. The candles retail for $85 and the chocolates are sold individually, 1 oz $3.25 – 2 oz $4.25 at Tobi Tobin Design. My mouth is watering already.

Last but certainly not least is this adorable shirt from AMI. The purple rhinestone shirt is kitschy but festive for February 14th—and any day you want to put a smile on your husband’s face. The shirt retails for $12.99 at AMI.