Everyone with the slightest interest in fashion was shaken at the terrible news of Alexander McQueen’s untimely death last month. Not only were most grieving over the loss of a life, but most were also concerned with the future of his incredible line.

Thankfully, Alexander’s Fall 2010 Ready To Wear line was 80% complete at the time of his passing, so his staff members were able to finish his work. The Fall 2010 collection was presented last week in an intimate show with only a few attendees.

Alexander’s Fall 2010 collection channeled the Medieval era. A regal color palette of white, gold, red, black, and blue was used to add to the historic, gilded age feel. In addition, ornamental details and military silhouettes were reminiscent of the orient. All of the models donned gold-accented platform shoes, and a few even sported fierce over-the-knee boots. Turtlenecks and black belts were frequently used accents.

On the beauty front, makeup was kept to a minimum and looked very natural, except for the models’ eyebrows, which were very bold. The models’ hair was slicked back, and some models even had rooster-like faux hawks that looked like feather headdresses.

A few of the looks

All of the photos are courtesy of Style.com. Click each image to enlarge.

What do you think?

For more on Alexander McQueen and his incredible legacy, don’t miss our article, Designer Spotlight: Alexander McQueen.

Now you tell us – how do you like Alexander McQueen’s RTW collection for Fall 2010? Was the collection what you expected from Alexander, given his past collections? What are your favorite and least favorite pieces? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Top 5 Best-Dressed

Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab Haute Couture

Although she was just a presenter at the awards, Rachel McAdams definitely wins as my pick for best-dressed of the night. Her tie-dye printed Elie Saab gown was not only a fresh change from what everyone else at the Oscars was wearing, but was also incredibly flattering on her. It’s not always easy to pull off patterns on the red carpet, but Rachel absolutely killed it.

Sandra Bullock in Marchesa

It was truly Sandra’s night, and she took home the Best Actress award looking like one of the statues herself. Her glittering metallic Marchesa gown was so classic – the perfect choice for a night she’ll look back on forever.

Carey Mulligan in Prada

Best Actress nominee Carey Mulligan rocked this nontraditional Prada gown with bold accessories while looking flawless from head-to-toe. Look closely at the detail of the gown – it’s covered in mini knives and forks! Overall, it was a hip, fun choice for a talented young actress.

Demi Moore in Atelier Versace

Some people just do NOT seem to age, and Demi Moore is one of them. She was stunning in a peach Versace gown that fit her like a glove and made her skin glow.

Amanda Seyfried in Armani Privé

Amanda Seyfried is another example of a gorgeous young actress who knows how to dress! She looked age-appropriate and beautiful in a sparkling princess dress by Armani Privé.

Love it or Hate it?

There were a few dresses that were totally polarizing – you either loved them or hated them, there was no in-between!

Zoe Saldana in Givenchy

While you have to hand it to Zoe for taking a risk, was her Givenchy dress “too much”? Personally, I thought the color made her skin glow and I was happy to see a bold choice on the red carpet – it seemed like most stars played it safe last night. That said, I can totally see why some people hated it – the bottom definitely is a little much! What do you think?

Sarah Jessica Parker in Chanel Haute Couture

Everyone was talking about SJP’s lemon Chanel gown last night – it was most definitely a “love it or hate it” look. While I have to admit that the gown embodies everything I usually dislike in a dress, I thought it somehow worked for her. SJP can pull anything off, and when you have Karl Lagerfeld on your side, you can’t go too wrong.

Other Notable Looks

There were so many fabulous looks on the carpet last night – it’s impossible to talk about them all! That said, here are a few more looks that had people talking. Which one is your favorite?

Cameron Diaz in Oscar de la Renta

Queen Latifah in Badgley Mischka Couture

Maggie Gyllenhaal in Dries Van Noten

Jennifer Lopez in Armani Privé

Worst-Dressed

Sadly, for every best-dressed celeb at an awards show, there is a fashion disaster to balance things out. Here are my picks for the two worst-dressed celebrities at the Academy Awards.

Charlize Theron in Christian Dior Couture

My pick for worst-dressed celeb at the Academy Awards was definitely Charlize Theron. While I normally love her style, this dress just was not working for her, and was inappropriate for the event. While the strategically placed rosettes on her chest might have worked in a tongue-in-cheek way at a fashion function, the overall “look at my boobs” effect was way too much for the Oscars.

Miley Cyrus in Jenny Packham

While I like Miley, the overall look of the dress and hair was too old for her – it’s easy to forget she’s only 17! Had the dress been a different color, it might have worked, but the nude shade made the corset top look like accidentally-exposed underwear! It was not exactly the most flattering look.

What do YOU think?

You’ve heard my thoughts on the Oscar red carpet fashion… now tell me yours! Which celebrity do you think was best-dressed? Which girl was worst-dressed? Do you agree with my picks? Cast your vote with a comment!

At the age of 19, most of us are in our sophomore year of college, maybe living in our first apartment, and probably struggling to pass calculus. Instead of studying derivatives, 19 year old Pedro Lourenco, who debuted his Fall 2010 collection on March 5 at Paris Fashion Week is taking the fashion world by storm.

Pedro Lourenco is fashion royalty. He is the son of designer Reinaldo Lourenco (pictured above, right) and their resemblance extends far beyond physical. Pedro’s Fall 2010 collection had much of the same aesthetic as his father’s. Both Pedro and Reinaldo’s Fall 2010 collections were futuristic and architectural. Both had the same geometry, and the same shapes.

Pedro sent some of his models down the runway in above-the-knee boots that were punctuated by thick black lines. His father sent some of his models down the runway in flared rain boots that were punctuated by thinner black lines. Despite the similarities between them, both were distinct collections. Naturally, Pedro’s collection was younger, more avant garde, and had a lot more leather. His father’s was more classic and traditional and stuck to a very feminine, nude color palette. Both collections, however, were spectacular.

Pedro has shown so much potential that even Paris Vogue Editor in Chief Carine Roitfeld has taken notice. “I think it was very personal,” she told reporters. “An amazingly personal vision he showed there.”

Photo Credit

Photo Credit

What do you think about Pedro Lourenco’s Paris debut?

What do you think about Pedro’s Fall 2010 collection? What do you think about Reinaldo’s Fall 2010 collection? Do any of our CF readers design clothes in their spare time? Do any of you aspire to be fashion designers? Are you surprised that Pedro is designing his own collection instead of designing for his father? Whatever your thoughts, please leave a comment!

Supermodel turned designer Erin Wasson has just released a few new pieces for her jewelry line Low Luv x Erin Wasson, and we’re in love.

While she may have gotten some bad press due to admitting she takes style cues from homeless people, you can’t deny that Erin has the cool-girl grunge look down. She effortlessly translates her personal style into her designs, which feature hammered and oxidized metal in edgy, geometric shapes.

So if you have a grungy or edgy sense of style, these pieces could be the perfect investments to add a finishing touch to your look.

Interested? Buy the snake hinged cuff, tribal necklace, and two tone scarab ring at Shopbop.com. Or check out the rest of the collection here. While some pieces are extremely high-priced, others are more reasonable (yet still, obviously, investment pieces) and could be worth saving up for.

So what do you think? Love any of the pieces? Think Erin Wasson is worth the hype? Go ahead and give a shout out in the comments!

While all the insiders of the fashion world were busy viewing the shows in London last week, another international event was taking place: the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.

Even though most people, including myself, usually do not equate the sporting world with the glitz and glamor of high fashion, these Olympics featured many fashionable surprises, from the athletes’ outfits at the Opening Ceremony to designer figure skating costumes.

Ralph Lauren Team USA Gear

Photo Credit

Ralph Lauren designed the Opening Ceremony outfits for the US athletes again this year, just like he did for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The outfits reflected his classic designs and captured the spirit of the states, from the flag design on the knit hats to the red and blue jackets. What makes this design even more remarkable is that it flatters both genders equally. You can support Team USA and score your own Ralph Lauren Olympic gear at the Official Team USA Shop.

Evan Lysacek’s Vera Wang Costume

Vera Wang Fall 2010 on the runway, Evan’s costume from his short program. Photo Credits: 1, 2

Designer Vera Wang created costumes for American figure skater Evan Lysacek to wear during his short program and gold medal-winning free skate. Once a skater herself and a member of the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame, Wang understands the elements of an appealing and functional skating costume.

Since Evan was skating to Firebird by Stavinsky, I love how she incorporated the feathers into his outfit without making it look too cheesy. You can watch Evan’s gold medal performance here, in which he also wore a Vera Wang design with a snake motif.

More Medal-Worthy Fashions

Shaun White wins gold in men’s halfpipe, Julia Mancuso and her signiture tiara, the Vancouver Olympic mascots, and Kim Yu-Na skating her James Bond-themed short program. Photo Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4

What do you think?

Were you glued to the TV over the past few weeks watching the Olympics, too? What Olympic looks were your favorite? We’d love to hear from you in the comments!

This week’s Designer Spotlight focuses both on a well-known designer and the even more famous label she created. Adele Casagrande, founder of Fendi, founded the line a little over nine decades ago. Her chic, well-tailored garments, as well as the aid of her fashionable family, helped make her company the established brand it is today.

Photo Credit

Early Days of Fendi

Adele Casagrande was born in 1897 in Rome, Italy. A designer from a young age, she opened her first leather and fur workshop in 1918. After marrying Edoardo Fendi in 1925, she immediately re-named her workshop Fendi, after her husband. The house of Fendi cultivated a devoted following of private clients, and quickly became known throughout Italy for its furs.

A Family Affair

Over the years, Adele’s five daughters (Paola, Anna, Franca, Carla and Alda) each decided to work for the family business. When Edoardo Fendi passed away in 1954, the five Fendi girls, with Adele’s assistance, took over the company and decided to take a more in-depth creative approach. With that very approach in mind, Karl Lagerfeld, who later created the double F logo, joined the company as creative director in 1966. After Adele Casagrande died in 1977, the brand steadily began to emerge under the inventive eye of her daughters and the assistance of Karl Lagerfeld.

In the years following Adele’s death, Fendi became a major player in the fur industry, increasing in popularity season after season. After establishing a strong name for itself and its well known fur collection, the company expanded to various other lines, including ready-to-wear.

Worldwide Fame and Success

Over the years, Karl Lagerfeld and the Fendi sisters worked extremely hard within the company to create a “perfect” luxury image. This emphasis on craftsmanship and attention to detail is part of what separates Fendi from other designer labels and keeps the line strong today.

In 1999, during a time of turmoil for the company, 51% of Fendi’s stock was sold to Prada/LVMH as a joint venture. But the Fendi line is still as popular as ever. Today, the company runs over 100 stores worldwide, and that number is constantly growing.

What Fendi Has to Offer

Photo Credit

Fendi rapidly evolved from a small fur and leather business into one of the world’s most popular luxury labels. Today, Fendi’s lines include:

• Ready to wear
• Fragrances
• Eyewear
• Luggage
• Home furnishings
• Perfumes

Fendi Today

Pictures courtesy of Elle.com

Above are a few of my favorite looks from Fendi’s Spring 2010 ready-to-wear collection. I love this collection because it caters to its market with a feminine, chic aesthetic. The collection incorporates LOTS of black and neutral tones, (which is a “safe” look I don’t mind going with for most social events) as well as dresses with contrasting cuts. Overall, Fendi’s Spring 2010 line was one of my favorites of the season.

For more information on Fendi, take a look at their website, Fendi.com, or browse different shots down the runway at Elle.com.

Your thoughts?

So, what did you think of Fendi’s Spring 2010 Collection? Overall, do you think Adele Casagrande’s daughters successfully continued her legacy? Are you a fan of the Fendi brand? Share your opinions by leaving us a comment!

I know I wasn’t the only one who thought Alexander McQueen the brand had died along with Alexander McQueen the person. But this was before I read a profile of the late designer in the latest issue of LOVE Magazine. Towards the end of the profile McQueen said,

I’m 40 now, but I want this to be a company that lives way beyond me, and I believe that customers are more important to making that happen than press. When I’m dead, hopefully this house will still be going. On a spaceship. Hopping up and down above earth.

And it seems as though McQueen’s requests have been granted because this past Thursday The Gucci Group announced that Alexander McQueen the brand would long outlive its creator.

At the time of his death, McQueen had finished at least most of his fall 2010 collection, which will still be shown at Paris Fashion Week this coming March. So much of the line depended on the distinctive vision and personality of McQueen that many in the fashion community seem to have put an expiration date on the line. But Coco Chanel was and still is a defining force in the Chanel brand and she has been dead for a lot longer than Alexander McQueen. I hope that McQueen’s line will continue just as Chanel continued after Coco’s death.

What do you think?

Do you think that anyone can step into Alexander McQueen’s shoes? Are you happy to see the Alexander McQueen line continue? Did you read the Alexander McQueen profile in LOVE Magazine? Do you think that the line can continue to be as successful as it was before McQueen’s death? Leave a comment.

Check out Christian’s collection below, along with videos of the show, our review, and a cliff-notes-style breakdown of the trends we saw on his Fall 2010 runway.

My Videos of the Show:

I took some videos of the show from my seat to make sure that even if you guys couldn’t attend, you could still watch the show here! Be on the lookout for Amber Rose, Mena Suvari, Leigh Lezark, and Caridee from Top Model – they were all in the front row, directly across from me, and appear in most of the videos.

Runway Show – Part 1

Runway Show – Part 2

Final Dress

This dress elicited a cheer from the audience – the entire place went nuts at the sight of it!

Runway Show – Finale

Watch for Christian’s little bow at the end – so cute!

Runway Photos:

Photos from New York Magazine. Click on each photo to enlarge.

CF Runway Review:

We were very impressed with Christian Siriano’s Spring 2010 collection, but the designer truly topped himself this season, while still keeping things simpler than ever. According to the program, Christian’s Fall 2010 collection was inspired by “1960s European women – particularly Parisian women – who got dressed every day.” Whether or not they were reminiscent of the ’60s, the clothes certainly gave off an undeniably glamorous (and certainly a bit Parisian-chic) vibe.

While we were in love with every piece, from leather jackets with sideways zippers to ruffled dresses reminiscent of his Project Runway days (everything was extremely wearable), it’s impossible to talk about Christian’s fall collection without mentioning THE SHOES! The footwear, from Christian’s Fall 2010 collection for Payless, truly stole the show. Our favorite was the Rocaille heel, a platform pump with a heel reminiscent of a silver clawfoot from an antique chair. Other styles we loved included the Chinoiserie Boot, a mid-calf, high-heeled patent boot with a metallic platform. As soon as we get high-resolution photos of these shoes, you’ll see them here!

Overall, we were very impressed with Christian’s Fall 2010 collection. While it was perhaps a bit simpler than what he has shown in the past, this restraint led to a line of extremely wearable yet fashion-forward clothes perfect for any glamorous woman. In addition, his shoes were to die for, and we can certainly see them selling out en masse at Payless come fall.

Fashion Cliff-Notes:

Overall Themes:

• Glam, glam, glam
• 1960s Parisian women
• Modern idea of “getting dressed”
• Shoes inspired by antique furniture

Key Trends:

• Metallic dresses and tops
• Ruffles
• Leather jackets
• Draped dresses
• Sideswept, wavy hair
• Magenta
• Zipper details
• Strong shoulders

Your thoughts?

Check out the rest of the photos of Christian Siriano’s fall 2010 collection here, and let us know what you think! Which pieces would you wear? Are you a fan of Christian and his designs? Let us know with a comment!

The couture shows are always a spectacle and full of creativity, and while we all may not be able to afford the pieces, they definitely offer fashion inspiration! As it is only mid-February and spring is not quite here yet (at least for us in the snowy mountains), why not shake things up and get a head start on spring’s hot new trends? Here is a list of some of my favorite Couture shows and the trends we saw on the runways.

Show 1: Chanel

Karl Lagerfeld never disappoints with his timeless and feminine designs that make Chanel such a popular brand. While the Spring RTW show had a country chic vibe, the couture show was more romantic and streamlined, with lots of ruffles, bows, and many gleaming silver accents. Each model’s hair was even infused with glossy silver streaks and arranged in an adorable heart-shaped updo. I loved their classic suit done in a pretty peach color and the intricate silver beading on the last look.

For more about the Chanel couture show, check out Jessica’s post, Karl Lagerfeld Reinvents Chanel Couture.

Show 2: Christian Dior

For this collection, John Galliano drew lots of inspiration from the Victorian Era and elegant equestrian attire. In a palette of bold reds, deep purples, and soft pastels, all of the garments seemed to have a personality of their own. The hats on the second and fourth outfits go perfectly with the white dresses full of lace and ruffles. The ballgown in the middle is simply stunning; the beaded tiers of the skirt make it fit for any princess while the giant bow keeps it fun. You also can’t miss the models’ bright red lips- proof that the right red shade can completely transform an outfit and give you an extra boost of confidence, whether you’re working the runway or walking to class.

Show 3: Thimister

Even though this collection is technically Fall 2010 Couture, the military-inspired look is still a big trend right now and works just as well for spring. Thimister took this trend to new extremes, however, by sending out some models seemingly straight from the battlefield, with “bloodstains” splattered all over their white clothes. He was also very inspired by Russia, from the long fur coats and white military suits to the dress in the third look that recalls the shape of a matryoshka doll. Staying true to the military vibe, he sent out an army of models clad in green jumpsuits for a valiant end to the show.

For more on choosing the right military jacket for you, check out Kristina’s post, College Fashion Trend: Military Jackets.

Show 4: Alexis Mabille

Full of black garments accented by bright colors, for this collection, Alexis Mabille had the colorblock technique down to a science. Even the models’ hair was not exempt from this style: each one had her hair in an exact middle part with one side dyed a bright hue to match her garment.

While this look might be a little extreme for everyday, you can still join in on this fad by buying some temporary hair color to add a few key streaks to your hair. I loved how far Mabille took the colorblock look- some models even had different colored shoes! Of course, this collection still included other hot trends like ruffles, fur, sequins, and sheer fabrics, but it proved that they look just as great done in bold colors as they do with spring’s typical pastels.

Show 5: Jean Paul Gaultier

This show was full of so many different colors, patterns, and silhouettes that I had to watch it again and again to fully comprehend it all! Full of Mexican, South American, and even Avatar-ish influences, this collection was unlike any other this season.

I loved the floral accent on the hat in the first look as well as the weaving pattern in the last black and white ensemble. My favorite look was the blue dress in the middle above. Gaultier didn’t just put a few silver bangles on that model- he put them all the way up her shoulder and leg! The headpieces were also very unique model to model, yet still seemed to flow together. For more on this tribal type of look, see College Fashion Trend: Aztec Inspiration.

Show 6: Elie Saab

As usual, Elie Saab’s collection is the one that I would consider the “prettiest”. Each of Saab’s models looked positively angelic wearing flowing dresses with florals and ruffles galore against a molten silver runway. Each one also had a distinct French braid on one side that I wish I could do on my own hair! (You can attempt it yourself by following these steps from Glamour). Besides florals, there were lots of dresses in nude tones that are so chic for spring. This was definitely a show that made the little girl in me swoon at the sight of so many beautiful dresses!

Get the Look!

Now that you’ve seen a few of the couture runway looks for this spring, check out these pieces to see how you can incorporate these trends into your own wardrobe!

Trend 1: Lace and Sheer

Product Information: Black Lace Dress: Target, Shirt: Modcloth, Headband: Forever 21, Cami: Urban Outfitters, White Dress: Urban Outfitters, Ring: Forever 21, Black Dress: Modcloth, Blue Blouse: Nordstrom, White Blouse: Lulus.

Trend 2: Military

Product Information: Tights: Modcloth, Cardigan: Forever 21, Boots: Nordstrom, Jacket: Urban Outfitters, USB flash drive: Fred Flare, Coat: Modcloth, White Jacket: Arden B. ,Flats: Lulus, Jacket: Topshop, Sweater: Net-A-Porter.

Trend 3: Nude Shades

Product Information: Cardigan: Topshop, Headband: Lulus, Sweater: Urban Outfitters, Dress: Topshop, Clutch: Sondra Roberts, Necklace: American Eagle, Vest: Modcloth, Bow: Lulus, Blazer: Topshop.

Trend 4: Colorblock

Product Information: Shoes: Modcloth, Dress: Urban Outfitters, Shirt: Pacsun, Dress: Forever 21, Tights: Modcloth, Shirt: Forever 21, Hat: Betsy Johnson, Dress: Nordstrom, Shoes: Urban Outfitters, Watch: Nordstrom.

What do you think?

What did you think of the couture shows? Do you have a favorite couture designer? Do you plan on incorporating any of these trends into your spring wardrobe? Let us know with your comments!

*All runway photos from Style.com.

Our first show was Ports 1961. For those of you not familiar with the line, it was launched in 2004 by Canadian designer Tia Cibani under the Canadian sportswear brand Ports International. The signature Ports 1961 look is structured, elegant, romantic, and a little bit exotic. Celebrity fans of the line include Olivia Palermo, Sienna Miller, and Nicky Hilton.

Runway Photos:

Photos from New York Magazine. Click on each photo to enlarge.

CF Runway Review:

Designer Tia Cibani explained in the program on each seat that her fall collection for Ports 1961 was an exploration of “discovery and invention”, and the “tension between nature and technology”. While the opening look, a white overcoat reminiscent of a plastic cutting board strapped to the model’s chest, did not quite hit the mark with onlookers including City stars Whitney Port and Olivia Palermo (seated apart and shooting sideways glares at each other, of course), the majority of the collection felt appropriately earthy yet innovative.

Some of our favorite looks included draped dresses in painterly prints, nubby wool jackets with futuristic details, and leather leggings worthy of any model (or scripted-reality TV star) off duty. Similarly noteworthy were neoprene dresses that looked like liquid satin, while accessories such as bold statement necklaces and knee-high boots gave off an easy glamour vibe. By the end of the show, we “got it”, and were even loving the cute little leather caps and 80s-fabulous blown-out hair.

Fashion Cliff-Notes:

Overall Themes:

• Nomad appeal
• Earth tones
• Futuristic, minimalist silhouettes

Key Trends:

• Tweed
• Shiny fabrics
• Statement necklaces
• Draped dresses
• Big, 80’s-style hair
• Leather caps
• Colorful and patterned tights

Your thoughts?

Check out the rest of the photos of Ports 1961’s fall 2010 collection here, and let us know what you think! Which pieces would you wear? Are you a fan of the line? Can you see the girls from The City rocking some of these looks? Let us know with a comment.