Looking for Gold

Once the growth engine of the beauty business, mass market skin care is showing signs of aging. After hitting historic highs in 2007 the market managed to stay alive through the recession due to the fact that value-conscious consumers traded down from the prestige market. Noe however luxury skin care companies have come roaring back with a wave of innovation that has changed the face of the business. “We have found a model to source people from mass,” says Fabrizio Freda, president and chief executive officer of the Estée Lauder Cos. Combining with new products and increase in television and digital advertising by more than 60 percent in fiscal 2011, Estée Lauder’s brands have successfully drawn shoppers back to the prestige channel. In 2011 Prestige skin care sales grew 14% and 8% in 2010, which outsold the mass market for 2 years in a row. “Prestige is feeling more like the innovation lab. Every brand is working well,” says Grant. “Consumers are concerned about price and if they’re spending it has to be worth it. They’ve come to recognize that there is some intrinsic value in prestige.” One of the biggest reasons that the mass market is taking a hit is  the prices have rocketed upward and shelves are bursting with product, making it difficult for the consumer to shop, particularly without the help of a beauty adviser. So to truly get the best value for your money, you have to know what you are looking for. Knowing that spending a little more will over help you in the long run will always pay off for you. 

LA Fashion week schedule

• 9am-5pm. Showrooms open for Market Week through March 15 at the intersection of 9th & Los Angeles Streets in downtown LA. Open to the trade only. @LAfashiondist /  www.fashiondistrict.org
• 9am-6pm. Coeur Trade Show opens with 60+ core accessories collections at the Cooper Design Space through March 14. Open to the trade only. @coeurshow /  www.coeurtradeshow.com
• 9am-6pm. SELECT (contemporary women’s wear) FOCUS (accessories), TRANSIT (shoes), and LA KIDS MARKET (children’s wear) at the California Market Center through March 14. Open to the trade only.  @calmarketcenter/ www.californiamarketcenter.com
• 6pm-9pm. Style Fashion Week LA opening night at Vibiana. Runway presentations 7:30 STOP STARING! and 8:30 INA SOLTANI. Invite only. @StyleFW / www.stylefashionweek.com
• 7pm-9pm. British Fashion Council opening party at Smashbox Studios for London Show Rooms LA. Invitation Only.  www.britishfashioncouncil.com

Here we have todays schedule for fashion week today! I will be posting up to date information on what is going on and a break down of some of the shows. 

Mantyhose

With the recent article that came out with the newest Billionaire, the creator of spanx. With her net worth reaching a billion, men are starting to wear them as well. "A growing number of men have been buying tights at emiliocavallini.com since a unisex collection was introduced in June 2009, purchases by men account for 2 to 3 percent of the company’s annual production of one million tights." said Cavallini. With this said how do men wear them or what is the purpose for men wearing them. mantyhose are being worn for warmth under pants during cold weather months and also at home to lounge around in. Explains Cavallini. Different patters for retail are  skulls, stripes, stars and an allover checkerboard pattern. The unisex tights retail for $27. With this said look out for not only women now but men wearing spanx as well.  

Virtual Try-On!

Marc Ecko has teamed up with ClearVision Optical to bring you a virtual try-on (VTO) Web site at Marceckoeyewear.com. This site allows you to upload pictures of yourself and then it virtually adds in glasses or sunglasses of your choice, to see if you like the look fit and feel of the glasses. “With a technology like VTO, it’s all about sharing with your friends and family and asking them what they think before you dive in for the purchase,” said designer Marc Ecko. With that said it makes it allot easier to share the look you like and get quick feedback!!

Tommy Hilfiger & American Idol?

In this coming week of American Idol, Tommy Hilfiger Well be lending his fashion eye to the show giving it a new look and feel. “I thought it would be exciting and challenging and different, a place where I could use all of my experience in fashion and music,” said Hilfiger.  “If you look at what makes a star, it’s not only musical talent, it’s the complete package. And that includes image. If you look at great superstars from Michael Jackson to Madonna and Lady Gaga and Katy Perry today, they each have a unique style and that adds to their persona. It’s the icing on the cake.” said Hilfiger. This is so true, in todays market of a celebrity you look at the components and then the whole. You may be able to sing and dance but what is your style, and Tommy joining the show allows them to not only define them as a singer but helps them define themselves as a style. you have to look and consider every factor when it comes to finding a style for someone. the factors Tommy says he is going to focus on are ages, color preferences, sizes, what types of music they will be performing, what they wear on their feet and how they wear their hair. So lets tune into Idol and see what his creative eye has styled for the contestants. 

The Smell of a Man

Every major design house this season has introduced a sports line to there already ever grown expansion of fragrances. Some such Designers include Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Givenchy, Issey Miyake and Dior. “Designer brands are looking for ways to get guys to use fragrance not only for special occasions, but every day,” says Karen Grant of  NPD’s. In a recent study about 28 percent of the men’s prestige market of fragrances are Gucci Guilty Homme and Chanel Bleu. “Men are embracing a new masculinity that is both sporty and sophisticated,” says Grant, “which can help drive the concept that yes, you can wear fragrance every day.”

Clockwise from top: Issey Miyake L’Eau D’Issey Pour Homme Sport, Chanel Allure Homme Sport Eau Extrême Eau de Toilette Concentrée, Dior Homme Sport Eau de Toilette, Dolce & Gabbana The One Sport Eau de Toilette, Givenchy Play Sport Eau de Toilette.

Photo By David Lewis Taylor

Bold Colors at Moda and Fame

The trade shows, which were held from Feb. 21 to 23 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York, were bursting with bright vibrant colors. According to Britton Jones, president and chief executive of Business Journals, who runs the trade shows. “Retailers, mindful of the lessons of the recent past, still purchased carefully and many, wanting to do the bulk of their buying closer to season, were not entirely ready to fully embrace the fall/winter season,”he said. 

The reason for this he said was because in Fall the colors were more muted, but incorporated knits and wovens for texture. As a result, buyers filled immediate orders.

Colored denim from Just USA.

Cover up without the jacket

One of the biggest upcoming trends throughout all the fashion shows, Pairs, Milan, New York, London, is covering up with a cape VS. a jacket. Whether cozy, sexy, quirky or sleek, capes are shaping up to be fall’s coolest topper. Personally I love the cape, it adds flow to your look and is a great option that is never really seen yet. from chic sexy to over the top and stand out, there is a cape cover up for every type of look, style, and personality.

One of my favorite Colors pink/coral which is so in this season. 
Moschino RTW Fall 2012




Roberto Cavalli RTW Fall 2012



Jason Wu RTW Fall 2012







Temperley London RTW Fall 2012



L'Wren Scott RTW Fall 2012

Accessories Trend

Switzerland’s Basel watch fair kicks off today. here is a little preview of whats to come. 
Hublot’s Boa Bang watch, this watch caught my eye for 2 reasons 1. the vibrant colors make it stand out and 2. Would go stunning with black, white or any monochromatic look that is in this season. 





Bulgari’s Serpenti watch. Any accessory with multiple purpose is a winner in my book. this watch not only functions as a bracelet, but also as a watch. The multi wrap design of this watch makes this a truly unique Accessory. 







Rado’s Hyperchrome watch. This watch grabbed my attention for its simplicity, and it is made for every day use. The chic white with the rose gold time markers make this watch very versatile in what you can wear with it, and is a perfect choice for an every day look. 

pump up without the heel

Not going to lie, who doesn't love a a good wedge or heel? but you can wear them all the time? some good flatware to rock next to any pump and still get you noticed! Anything from bright vibrant colors to the chic black, how will you rock them this season?