Chanel iPhone App

Donna Karan iPhone App

When did it become so chic to be a tech geek?  Technology has gotten the fashion industry into the application arena, and we are addicted.  I can attest to this from personal experience; I’ve become obsessed with the latest applications for my Blackberry.  Admittedly, I’ve even suffered a bit from smartphone envy because of the hundreds of applications available for the iPhone.  A number of fashion designers have even entered the arena with their own applications for the iPhone, Chanel and Donna Karan to name a couple.  There are applications to alert you about sales, view runway shows and other types of fashion events.  Whenever I learn of a new application, my knee jerk reaction is to download it onto my phone and laptop.  My story did not start out this way, and I’m sure many fashion editors, buyers, bloggers and fashion lovers did not either.  Before I was a little apprehensive of computer technology, sure I had the computer, but I often used it for college and graduate school papers.  Let’s not forget e-mail.  It was a slow progression at first, but blogging has flung open the doors to technology.  Now I’m glued to my Blackberry.  Yeah, I’m sure they’re coming out with an app. for that.  Until then, I’ll be busy searching for new application downloads.  Who knew technology could be so stylish and fun?

Alexander Wang Fall 2010

Donna Karan Fall 2010

Marc Jacobs Fall 2010

The Council of Fashion Designers of America has announced the finalists for the 2010 Fashion Awards.  Who says social media is not a good source for breaking news?  Alexander Wang, Donna Karan and Marc Jacobs were each nominated for womenswear Designer of the Year.  Today has been a big news day for the CFDA, it announced earlier that Diane von Furstenberg would remain as president until 2012, and now the nominations.  Too bad we’ll have to wait until June 7th to find out who will walk away with the awards, but for now, we can always speculate.  Check out the list of other nominees for the coveted awards.

Other Nominees:

• 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

1. Rachel McAdams in Elie Saab

2. Carey Mulligan in Prada

3. Penelope Cruz in Donna Karan

4. Cameon Diaz in Oscar de la Renta

5. Sarah Jessica Parker in Chanel

6. Queen Latifah in Badgley Mischka

Red Carpet:

1. Rachel McAdams looked so lovely and ethereal in her Elie Saab gown last night.  It was made from a beautiful floral print that made us nostalgic for spring; it reminded me of a watercolor painting.   Rachel got high marks for the fit, fabric, its charm and her ability to wear it with incredible ease.

2. Carey Mulligan’s Prada dress was the perfect choice for the budding starlet.  It was young and avant garde while maintaining a sweetness.  The beading and embellishments could have gone tragically wrong, but she pulled it off beautifully.

3. Penelope Cruz got it right with this Donna Karan gown.  The rich color was perfect for her hair color and complexion.  I loved the asymmetrical pleating at the top.  Cruz has become one to watch on the red carpet, and last night was no exception.

4. Cameron Diaz rightly wore Oscar de la Renta to the Oscars and she glowed.  With Cameron, it was the whole package, the dress, hair and that winning smile. 

5. Sarah Jessica Parker can hardly do any wrong on the red carpet.  She looked stunning in Chanel Couture last night.  The gown reminded me of Audrey Hepburn look in “My Fair Lady,” that alone would have landed her on this list.  She embodies a certain grace that complements whatever she wears.

6. Okay, there are actually six picks on my best dressed list.  Queen Latifah makes the list because she was gorgeous in Badgley Mischka, and I could not let that go unacknowledged.  The fit of the gown was perfect, I loved the one shoulder and that the embellishment came across her body at just the right angle.  She looked beautiful and her posture says that she felt beeautiful as well.  That is the job of the right dress on the right star at the Oscars.

Photo: Courtesy of Donna Karan

Eva Mendes wore this Donna Karan look to her movie premiere of Bad Lieutenant.  There is nothing sexier than a white button up shirt with a luxuriously draped skirt.  The look is from the pre-spring 2010 collection.  Fresh and modern are two words that comes to mind.  The more structured nature of the shirt and the drapery of the skirt combines the masculine with the feminine beautifully.  It works because it’s simultaneously sexy and demure, and would be flattering on women of all ages.  An excellent choice for the woman who wants an option to the traditional one piece dress.

Jewelry designer Robert Lee Morris has been in the business for about 40 years. He’s worked with Donna Karan during the launch of her namesake line, and on her fall 2009 collection.  Rollcall selected Donna Karan’s fall 2009 collection as one of the best during fashion week partly for the fantastic accessories.  Mr. Morris has also worked with Calvin Klein during the eighties, and today he works closely with Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen on their jewelry line.  He gets much of his inspiration from his older works, and the fashion editorial community still looks to him for his unique pieces.  If you are an accessories fan, you will be glad you viewed these pieces.  Enjoy the feast, minus the calories.