Jennifer Lopez rocked a one-piece Michael Kors jumpsuit during American Idol ;ast night.  It had a deep V-neckline with sparkling embellished details throughout.  The figure-hugging look was enhanced by the ruching at the waistline.  A harem-styled hem made it fresh and new.  Her gold sandals matched the flecks in her outfit, and so did her bangles.  She opted for lots of volume in her hair, and her skin was radiant in a soft neutral color palette.

Olivia Wilde covers the June 2011 issue of Glamour magazine in an Eres Paris bikini and an Enza Costa striped Tee.  The actress took on the nautical theme in her photo shoot with great success.  She rocked a red Michael Kors halter gown in her editorial with a lot of fluidity in the skirt.  The Marc by Marc Jacobs striped bikini with a bandeau top was the perfect companion to the white Christian Dior coat.  Her wardrobe had the All-American colors and embodied the active and sporty lifestyles we live during the summer months.

Michael Kor’s Spring 2011 ad campaign is sexy with neutral colors and beautiful clean lines; the white and camel colors were perfectly suited for the models’ tanned skins.  The ad is sporty and active, and fittingly set on the high seas.  Photographer Mario Testino captured this enticing lifestyle on film. 

Michael Kors – Resort 2011

Ralph Lauren – Resort 2011

Calvin Klein – Resort 2011

Crystal Renn worked it for the cameras at her Harper’s Bazaar shoot for the December  2010 issue.  The model showed-off her skills while wearing looks from the Resort 2011 collections of various designers; here we have Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein.  From the looks of these pieces, we are in for an incredibly chic resort season.  Crystal rocked this editorial, I loved the movement in each photo, it made the clothes come to life.   The pieces were gorgeous on their own, but Renn totally sold them.  Even her hair was an active participant in the shoot

Cocktail Dresses by Preen
Platforms by Stella McCartney

Here is an example of accessorizing one cocktail dress to make two distinct, but equally edgy looks.  We have a Preen turquoise dress that’s unfortunately sold out, but is a great example of the perfect little turquoise dress.  Hopefully it will inspire you to find something similar and put a ring or necklace on it.  

My main goal was to show you how a necklace, cocktail ring and the right shoes can alter your look.  We went for for a high-low concept because that’s the mark of true style, and that’s how we all shop.  In the gold look, the Preen dress is at the higher price-point, while the gold N.Y.L.A. cut-out booties are only $89.  It was paired with the Max & Chloe necklace with multi-colored rhinestones at $250, that’s more than the shoes.  The clutch is a Michael Kors’ marine colored python at $696.  Here we used the  gold peep-toe booties to take this look from safe to edgy.

For the second look we went with color.  The turquoise dress was acessorized with a pair of fuchsia satin platform sandals by Stella McCartney and it’s sold for $525.  The pleated satin tie-die evening clutch and cocktail ring are at the lower price-point; the clutch retails for $98, Lori’s Shoes and Kenneth Jay Lane blue beads and crystals ring with a turquoise stone also retails for $98.

Get inspired, go and shop your closets, then go out and find the right accessories to give them new life.  Remember to have fun and to mix and match,  these looks are also interchangeable.

Michael Kors delivered a Resort 2011 collection that was clean, simple and chic.  The designer was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the CFDA Awards this week for his 30 years in the fashion industry.  He has consistently delivered inspired work and this collection was no different.  Neutrals in taupe, white and black with a splash of tangerine would describe the color palette.  I felt a vibe of the most sophisticated safari.  Animal prints were used as subtle accents for variety and visual interest.  The shapes and colors readily provides an air of simple elegance to collection.

The beautiful people came out tonight at Lincoln Center to hear the winners announced at the CFDA Awards.  There were very few surprises.  The big winner of the evening was Marc Jacobs for Womenswear Designer of the Year.  Take a look at the list of winners and nominees below to see if you agree with the outcome.

CFDA Winners:

Womenswear Designer of the Year: Marc Jacobs

Menswear Designer of the Year: Rag & Bone (Marcus Wainwright and David Neville)

Accessory Designer of the Year: Alexis Bittar

Popular Vote Award: Ralph Lauren

The Swarovski Award for Womenswear: Jason Wu

The Swarovski Award for Menswear: Richard Chai

The Swarovski Award for Accessory Design: Alexander Wang

The Jeffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement: Michael Kors 

CFDA Special Award Tribute: Lee McQueen of Alexander McQueen

The Eugenia Sheppard Journalism Award – Kim Hastreiter (Paper Magazine)

The International Award – Christopher Bailey (Burberry Prorsum) 

The Eleanor Lambert Award – Tonne Goodman (Vogue)

Icon Award: Iman

Nominees:

Womenswear Designers of the Year – Donna Karan, Alexander Wang and Marc Jacobs

Menswear Designers of the Year - Michael Bastian, Tom Ford and Rag & Bone (David Neville and Marcus Wainwright)

Accessory Designer of the Year - Alexis Bittar, Proenza Schouler (Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez) and Marc Jacobs

Swarovski Awards For Womenswear - Joseph Altuzarra, Prabal Gurung and Jason Wu

The Swarovski Award for Menswear – Simon Spurr, Patrik Ervell and Richard Chai

The Swarovski Award For Accessory Design – Dana Lorenz, Alexander Wang and Eddie Borgo

CFDA Special  Award Tribute – Alexander McQueen

The Geoffrey Beene Lifetime Achievement Award – Michael Kors

The Eugenia Sheppard Journalism Award – Kim Hastreiter (Paper Magazine)

The International Award – Christopher Bailey (Burberry Prorsum) 

The Eleanor Lambert Award – Tonne Goodman (Vogue)

The Fashion Icon Award – Iman

Related Updates: CFDA Announces Fashion Awards Finalists

When I say sweatpants you think, the gym.  That would usually be the correct answer, but we now live in an alternate universe where sweatpants are associated with luxury.  If designer Michael Kors has his way, you will be casually chic in a pair of cashmere sweatpants for $995.  I remember a time when the money crowd would rather be caught shopping the sales rack than be seen in public with sweats.  What’s changed?  Maybe all they needed were for said item to be made by top designers in the finest fabrics.  Kors is not alone, Alexander Wang was among the first to start this trend along with Isabel Marant for Spring 2010, then Rag & Bone and Bottega Veneta.  The trend appears to be catching on judging by the reported sales from designers and stores.  Will this be more than just a fad?  I doubt it, we have far too much history with sweats to fully find them acceptable for anything other than lounging or exercise.  It should go without saying that sweatpants should not be worn on a date, even if they are paired with Louboutins, your date will be left underwhelmed.  There’s a time and place for everything, and sweats may be fine for shopping, but not for fine dining.

The $1,000 Sweatpants  [WSJ]

Louis Vuitton Fall 2010

It appears the increase of curvey models in magazines and on the runway may become a more dominant trend than was first realized.  A few days ago Vogue’s Editor-in-Chief, Anna Wintour, designer Michael Kors and model Natalia Vodianova were panelists at a forum regarding the overall health of models.  Of course the topic of eating disorders was a central theme.  Major news that will affect the fashion industry came from that event.  One is the promise by Ms. Wintour that Vogue will use models of various sizes on its pages.  That is big news indeed because her proactive stance on depicting positive body images in the fashion bible can have a rippling effect on the industry.  The other big news is Michael Kors’ announcement that he will no longer use models under the age 16.  He also intends to call on his peers to do the same.  Change has definitely come to this industry, and I say it’s about time.  Many young girls grow up emulating the girls they see in magazines, and seeing images of models of various body sizes will have a profound impact.  It sends a message that our society is ready to celebrate the beauty of real women.  Let’s face it, the industry benefits when girls and women feel better about themselves.  Should you doubt that last statement, remind me of the last time you went shopping while you were feeling self-conscious about your own body image.  If you can’t remember it’s because it doesn’t happen very often.  In the end, everyone benefits from a positive body image in this industry, and the industry will see it reflected in their bottom-line. 

Anna Wintour Says Vogue Does Not Photoshop Girls Thinner, and Now Aims to Show a Wider Variety of Body Types  [The Cut]

3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2010

Vera Wang Spring 2010

Michael Kors Spring 2010

There is nothing like the perfect little black dress.  It is a must have in every woman’s closet.  Chic and sophistication are two words that comes to mind when you think of this wardrobe staple.  Luckily Michael Kors, Vera Wang and Phillip Lim have updated the LBD for spring 2010.  They’ve managed to keep it chic, while making it more relaxed for the warmer weather.

3.1 Phillip Lim added oragami pleatings in taupe and lavender.  The pleatings create visual interest, and instant sophistication.  Vera Wang inserted a beautiful print at the neckline.  The print elevated it from traditional to modern.  Michael Kors went for a more overtly sexy cut-out at the waist and straps.  It is the most daring of the three, but go ahead, don’t be shy.  There is a LBD for everyone this season.  Each designer had their own interpretation of the little black  dress for spring, and they gave it a little more personality.