Pointy style statement

Wedges are back in vogue. Look around and you will find fashionistas showing them off in fab designs and colours. Brands like Prada, Versace and Louis Vuitton will be rolling out their wedges in brand new avatars this year. When singer Kelly Rowland stepped out on the red carpet for the X Factor UK press launch, her wedge booties grabbed eyeballs. JLo, Ashley Greene and Taylor Swift are self-confessed lovers of the chunky heels. Back home, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Genelia D’Souza and Dia Mirza are also flaunting them.

The comfort factor makes them very appealing. Fashion designer Prasad Bidapa feels wedges are for everyone, “Wedges look wonderful. Girls always like looking tall and this footwear is also casual enough for everyday use. Unlike stilettos, they support the foot better. Wedges are best suited for daywear and might not work for an evening outing, unless designed in a particular way. They suit any body type, though.” Shoes in metallic hues, particularly in gold and gilver are also trendy. “The must-haves this season are black stilettos and nude heels as they make your legs look longer, a pair of jewelled slippers that look pretty with ethnic wear and slippers that have a silver-gold colour,” he adds.

The versatility of the wedges is another reason people are queuing up to buy them. Veena Jain of One Stop Milano says, “Wedges are oh-so-comfortable. They are very stylish and can be worn with everything, right from party wear to casuals.” She recommends stilettos, wedges and knee-high boots as they are ideal for chilly weather. The fact that wedges are glamorous and comfy at the same time make them a compulsory buy for designer Neetu Gupta. “I love wedges! You can play around with the shape, add a little curve here and some colour there and make them fun. I have a multi-coloured one that is really cool. I bought several pairs of wedges this year. They are dramatic; definitely the heels of the new age,” she quips. Black wedges that are “comfortable when you have to dance long hours,” and shoes with gold and silver bling figure on her must-have list.

Anushka Sharma is turning heads

As they say, fashion can make you or break you. In case of actor Anushka Sharma, it has certainly worked in her favour. While the actor with her girl-next-door look got a lukewarm response from style watchers, when she stepped into Bollywood four years back, the later part of year 2011 saw her
emerge out as quite a style icon. From her designer chic gowns to her stylish hairdos, Anushka has wowed all with her stellar style, which has undergone a subtle but a very posh make over.

Talking about this transformation, stylist Ankita Jain says, “Anushka is opting for more sleeker outfits. She’s wearing dresses that flatter her body type and is also experimenting with her hair. All this goes on to show that she’s planning her looks more carefully Anushkanow.”

Nisha Kundnani, Anushka’s current fashion stylist agrees, “One of the finest quality about Anushka’s new look is that nothing about her is over dramatic. She is also experimenting with fashion. So one day she could do a grunge jacket with distressed denims and boots, the other day she can make a 40s pencil silhouette work for her, the next she’ll carry a red carpet gown like a Hollywood star.”

Fashion designer Alpana of designer duo Alpana Neeraj says, “Whether it is her straight hair, unkempt waves, messy bun or a ponytail, Anushka is coming across as someone who wants to try out new styles.”

Top 10 fashion trends of 2011

In 2011, fashion was more accessible than ever before. The world's newest fashion icon and royal, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, was photographed shopping at affordable chain stores. Designers talked directly to fans on TV and Twitter, and sold cheap chic collections on EBay, at H&M, Target and Macy's. There was so much information and so many opinions out there about fashion, that at times, it was difficult to find any consensus, much less a trend. But here are my picks:

1) Hot hues. Bright color is a trend that we saw simultaneously on the red carpet (Emma Stone, top left, in that pink-and-red Giambattista Valli dress at the "Friends With Benefits" premiere) on the runways (at Jil Sander, 3.1 Philip Lim, Prabal Gurung, Roksanda Ilincic) and on the streets, or rather, the fields at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival, where neon reigned supreme. And it's only going to get stronger for spring 2012.

2) Dip-dyed hair. Kate Bosworth, Katy Perry and Lauren Conrad are just a few of the celebs who sported rainbow-colored tips this year. But I knew it was officially a trend when the 10-year-old boy sitting next to me at Sally Hershberger was getting a (very expensive) blue streak put in his tresses. Only in L.A.

3) Colored denim. Are you seeing a theme here? Skinny jeans didn't go anywhere this year. In fact, they were more popular than ever thanks to a widening range of color options available everywhere from J. Brand (above) to Forever 21.

4) Native accents. Fair Isle knits and Native American prints were splashed across everything from 1980s-era cropped tops, to chunky scarves, leggings and sweaters. If you're looking for the source, think back to the fall 2010 D&G runway (a Fair Isle fest as seen in the top right photo), Proenza Schouler's fall 2011 collection inspired by Santa Fe, and the music festivals.

5) Women in tuxedos. Beyonce wore a sequin Dolce & Gabbana tux at the VMA Awards, and Kim Kardashian (who is not one to cover up) wore one to pose for her family Christmas card. Tory Burch custom made her first tuxedo for pal Kanye West to wear to the Costume Institute Gala in May, then debuted her own range of tuxedos for women. But really, on a woman or a man, tuxedos (or le smoking as Yves Saint Laurent called them) are timeless.

6) Designer duds for a song. Missoni at Target (above right) and Versace at H&M, both out this year, were two of the most successful cheap chic collections of all time, as designers continued to go downmarket to increase the visibility of their brands and bring their style to a new generation of shoppers. The Missoni collection was a zippity zig-zag joy, and the Versace for H&M collection -- more Gianni than Donatella, more South Beach than Milano -- may have been the best Versace collection in years.

7) The new sobriety. Thank you Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (above left) for bringing modesty and appropriateness back to the public forum with your demure shift dresses, tailored coats and classic pumps.

8) McQueen mania. It was the royal wedding of the century, and the bride wore Alexander McQueen. The bad boy British designer may have died last year, but his fashion label has never been more popular thanks to the stunning designs of artistic director Sarah Burton, who is carrying on his legacy. More than half a million people went to see "Savage Beauty," the retrospective exhibition of his work, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, kicking off a frenzy among museum curators the world over to come up with more fashion programming.

9) Fur and feathers flying. From feather hair clips to feather earrings, ombre fur coats to oversized fur handbags, this year we fawned over fauna. Except in West Hollywood, where last month, the City Council passed a ban on fur sales that will take effect in 2013 -- and could push some high-end fashion retailers out of the neighborhood.

10) Shock and awe. It was a clash of tutus, animal prints and fried chicken necklaces, as Nicki Minaj (above left) and Lady Gaga (above right) tried to out-weird each other with wacky outfits this year. But fashion's tolerance for weird is high (how else to explain the fascination with Daphne Guinness?) and we loved it.


News and Images Source : latimesblogs.latimes.com

Fashion: 8 Effortless Holiday Styles

The holiday season is such a wonderful time of year for many reasons, but of course one of my favorites is the clothing. There’s a certain excitement surrounding getting dressed, even when it’s just for every day, and adding that extra element of sparkle, texture and color can certainly transform the everyday into something special.

Instead of your basic jeans or trousers, why not try a pair of velveteen pants with a simple embellished sweater? You’ll add a festive flair to even your most casual outings.

Go Glam

This season, the feeling is luxe and glam, with texture capturing our hearts. The good news is that you can simply add in an item or two and even your most tried and true basics will be transformed. Instead of a black jacket, opt for something with some sparkle or a luxurious cashmere cardigan. Make simple swaps for high impact on even the smallest budget and see how much fun you’ll have getting dressed this holiday!

8 Holiday Wardrobe Updates

Whether you’re getting dressed for a fancy soiree or a quiet evening with loved ones, here are some effortless ways to take your basic wardrobe to new heights during the season (hint: leave your holiday sweaters at home!)

1. Bring in Bright – Jewel tones, incl. ruby red and emerald green. Or try a bold shade of pink in a skirt, shoes or even a scarf. Think outside the box and wear these hues in new ways. While black and red can be a perennial holiday favorite, it can also look harsh and matronly. Try red and winter white for a more subdued – and on trend – look.
2. Black and White and chic all over – Jazz up your black and white, or black and ivory, by adding in a pattern with a dramatic contrast. Polka dots, plaids, animal prints and other designs keep it looking anything but boring. Add in a dash of color in your shoes or accessories for a whimsical spin.
3. Metallics and Neutrals are a wonderful way to lend a festive touch to your most simple basics, a jacket in a metallic or a sparkly neutral (think winter white sequins, for example) is an easy way to update many outfits in your wardrobe. A metallic scarf is another quick and easy look. Whites and creams are red-hot this season and have never looked better!
4. Glitz and Glamour – Old Hollywood glamour is back this season and looks better than ever. Try some sparkle in the form of sequins, metallic trim, embellishments and inlays for an understated dash of elegance on a sweater, a jacket or even a scarf. Avoid overkill and treat your embellishments as you would jewelry and adorn yourself accordingly.
5. Velvet and velveteen – Try black velvet with rhinestones or metallic embellishments for a chic look. Jackets and tops with velvet accents, or burn-out velvet, lend a romantic touch to your holiday look. Velvet pants or jeans in a neutral or a bright add in a sensual touch. Select an unexpected color for a twist.
6. Dresses – What would the holidays be without dresses? Try a one-shoulder version, a maxi dress or an alternative to the LBD in a gray or your best bright.
7. Update your makeup to include smokey eyes using blue or metallic shades. Long eyelashes and smudged liner are a great way to embellish your everyday look and to be something more special. Try a lipcolor that is natural and has a little sparkle to it, or if you’re more daring, one of the season’s hottest reds.
8. Bling it on – Accessories are a great way to bring a festive touch to your look and pull it all together. Rhinestones, gemstones, ribbons and pearls are everywhere this season. Go all out but don’t go overboard.

News & Images Credit: carycitizen.com