Giorgio Armani Holiday Swarovski Crystal Collection 2008

The limited edition Holiday collection by Giorgio Armani is all about the glamour as the designer adds the irresistible sparkle of the Swarovski crystals. The collection is inspired by the use of the exquisite stones in Armani’s evening couture dresses which are a combination of delicate details and rich luxurious fabrics for the glamorous sophistication for which the designer is known. The Crystal Collection features four products; the Crystal Palette, the Black Shimmer Puff, the Armanisilk Lipstick, and the Silver Sparkling Mascara Top Coat.

The Crystal Palette is presented in solid black lacquered packaging with glittering details, all encased in a special black velvet pouch. The Crystal Palette is a double-level case that features four shimmering eye shadow shades on top - ranging from silver to gold – while the bottom holds an iridescent body powder in a versatile neutral shade. The four eye shadow shades are silver black (black with sparkling silver,) silver white (metallic light grey, with glitter effect,) golden beige (shimmering rose beige with golden pearl,) and golden white (iridescent golden white.) The price is $98.

The Black Shimmer Puff is black soft puff containing a delicate shimmering powder that adds an instant glamour to any look. The puff is adorned with a black satin bow and is encased in a matte black box. The price is $55.

The Crystal ArmaniSilk Lipstick comes in a precious black lacquered case embellished with Swarovski^® crystals. The lipstick comes in many shades and the exceptional blend of Micro silk powders™ creates a sensual, finely woven veil of rich color that glides onto the lips - dressing them like silk. The price depending on the shade is between $25 and $38.

The Silver Sparkling Mascara Top Coat creates an intense sparkle of light grey, resulting in a luminous and sophisticated silver shimmer effect on lashes. The limited edition Sparkling Silver Top Coat Mascara has a professional comb applicator that makes it easy to achieve perfect lash separation and definition. The price is $28.

The limited edition Crystal Holiday Collection is available at the Giorgio Armani beauty website at www.giorgioarmanibeauty.com and department stores worldwide.

Hot Feathers for Spring 2009

Walking around the stores and watching back at the Spring 2009 catwalks, one can see the “roaring twenties” motive all around. From sequins and heavy beadings to exotic fringe and feather trim, you can find everything to feel dazzling in this timeless style. And feathers are by far a favorite of the designers for the upcoming Spring. Louis Vuitton’s feather mini dress is a stunning piece and was worn by Madonna and designer Joanna Mastroianni combines transparent silky sheer with soft feather trim for an ultimate romantic feel. Shoes are also feathered up as seen at Chanel with the fun mix of PVC and pink feathers. Celebrities are falling for the feather fever also, and this dress on Rihanna is an absolute eye catcher! Many brands such as Marciano have their own feather mini dress versions for this hot trend and most are already sold out. The Marciano Milana Feather Fringe dress features a sexy bustier top with a beautiful feather miniskirt.

Roberto Cavalli Opens First Nightclub in Florence, Italy

Designer Roberto Cavalli opened his first nightclub in the beautiful city of Florence in Italy this past week. Cavalli chose a 15th century deconsecrated church as the location of the club which was in a desperate need for a restoration. The church, and now his nightclub, is near the 13th-century Basilica di Santa Maria del Carmine, and it is adorned with Renaissance masterpieces by artists such as Masaccio and Masolino. “I feel I helped recover a real jewel,” says Cavalli of the recovered church which is now turned into a luxurious nightclub. Cavalli along side with architect Italo Rota took full advantage of the high ceilings of the original building and also added additional level. A lounge bar is located on the ground floor; a stage with a piano is placed in a niche where the altar used to be, and a 50-seat restaurant is on the upper floor. The decor is greatly nature inspired including steel leaves decorating the columns, a huge twisting steel snake on the side of the bar, an aquarium, an oversize shell on one wall, and seats with the designer’s infamous animal prints. Cavalli will open two more nightclubs in the upcoming year, one in Dubai at the end of January 2009, which will have a “a huge stairway” and plenty of glittering Swarovski crystals, and the other in Milan in February 2009. The designer is also working on renovating Milan’s former Just Cavalli Café and turning it into a Club.

Louboutin’s “Barbie” Pumps

Barbie’s 50th Birthday is coming up next year and for her special runway show in 2009, the infamous doll is getting to ready to wear a fabulous pair of Louboutins. Christian Louboutin is designing a pair of pumps in the legendary Barbie Pantone 219 Pink that will make their debut at the Barbie Mattel runway show during New York Fashion Week in February 2009. As of now, 50 designers, unfortunately still undisclosed, will create Barbie inspired outfits for the extravagant show and each of the models will wear the special pink Louboutins. As for Louboutin, whose pumps are by far the most wanted worldwide, he is a longtime fan of Barbie, “I guess I always had a little “girlie side” who liked Barbie. Barbie needs to wear great shoes because every girl needs to wear great shoes.”

Coco Avant Chanel: New On-Set Stills with Audrey Tautou

The new edition of Elle France published new on-set stills from the upcoming film Coco Avant Chanel starring Audrey Tautou. The movie is currently filming in Paris and is said to be released in France in May of 2009 and will be available worldwide following later in the year. The film will center around Coco Chanel’s earlier years. Designer Karl Lagerfeld has collaborated with costumer Catherine Leterrier for the extravagant film costumes which will include classic Chanel designs and will show how Mademoiselle Chanel was “different from the ladies of her time” — “she was poor, but she had her own style.”

Roberto Cavalli House by Italo Rota

Designers create stunning pieces on the runway, but have you ever wondered what their houses must look like? Here is a small preview of Roberto Cavalli’s new house by Italo Rota. The house was especially designed for Cavalli and it is located on the beautiful hills of Florence in Italy. The house’s color can be changed to match the personality of the owner and knowing Cavalli’s love for wild prints and bright palettes, it is only natural that the exterior looks exactly like this. This wildly printed glass house has a modern interior and a breath taking view of the romantic Florence city.

Matthew Williamson to design a Collection for H&M

H&M has revealed their next designer who will create a collection for the much successful brand and it is none other than Matthew Williamson. I have to admit that I haven’t been so excited about anyone else as I am about Matthew as he has become one of my favorite designers. His work at Pucci was admirable and his own collection for Spring 2009 at New York Fashion Week was breath taking. Matthew’s sense of style is stunning and you can always expect beautiful patterns and explosive palette of warm, rich colors.

“It is an incredible opportunity to be working with H&M creating a ‘Matthew Williamson for H&M’ capsule collection. I love the fact that H&M has created a new phenomenon in fashion through the pioneering concept of collaborating with high-end designers to create one-off limited edition capsule collections. I am thrilled that my creations for H&M will be accessible to and hopefully enjoyed by so many people around the world,” says Williamson.

“Matthew has such a good eye and a way for working with prints that he mixes up in a new way. When he combines these things, you get a very contemporary London look,” says H&M’s creative advisor Margareta van den Bosch. “He is fantastic with piling on color - it’s a very stylish collaboration for H&M, and very much in line with the way we’re thinking about fashion for spring/summer.”

The collection is expected to hit stores from April 23 of 2009 and I certainly cannot wait! Below are some of the looks from his Spring 2009 Collection at New York Fashion Week.

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