Posts Tagged ‘Fashion’

Remember that style is very different from fashion. Find what works for you whether it be classic, eclectic, edgy, romantic and go full throttle.

Wear only the trends that suit you. If pink is the color of the season (like it is mine) then by all means, buy plenty. But if the newest color drains your face sallow yellow then walk away - fast!

Creator and Designer Bisou Bisou, Miss Bisou and XOXO
Co-owner of Hale Bob

1. The designers that intrigue me: Azzedine Alaia has been a big influence on me because he knew how to value the real shape of a woman. Jean Paul Gaultier for his amazing silhouettes and prints. John Galliano for his fearless showmanship and architectural approach in his design.

2. My muse /or the person I design for is an ageless modern woman with a positive attitude and high level of confidence. She’s smart and not afraid to be noticed.

3. I’ve been inspired by everything around me. Youthfulness is very inspirational to me. I love freshness and newness and like to see how the young interpret style. Music and Hollywood also bring great inspiration to me.

4. In my own closet I gravitate towards my most versatile pieces because I never know what type of activity I will be doing that day. I love a comfortable stretchy bottom and sexy top which later I can add some accessories to and a leather jacket and be set for the evening.

5. The best person I’ve dressed is my daughter on the day of her wedding. No celebrity could ever beat that!

6. I learned most from my mistakes. Fortunately for me, I make a lot of them, so I’m very smart.

7. My biggest fashion faux pas was a snow hat I designed that I swore everyone needed to have. It looked like something out of a cat in the hat or like a wind sock…so scary. On top of it they were multi colored stripes and I made them in two different lengths! Our warehouse was full of them and never sold one piece. I ended up giving them away as gifts, which was equally as embarrassing.

The best dressed people mix it up. Experiment by pairing designer duds with cheap trendy pieces and something borrowed from your mom or grandma’s jewelry box.

Haute Couture Designer

1. Biggest indulgence…was celebrating my birthday with an extra, extra large strawberry a la crème cake and enjoying it all by myself.

2. What is your advice for a woman seeking to define her own individual style?
She has to identify WHO she is as a woman; what story she wants to tell with her second skin and who she is seducing because inevitably we are sending a message to the world with what we wear.

3. You’ve dressed countless celebrities like Hayden Panettiere, Paula Abdul, Natalie Cole, Katy Perry, Felicity Huffman, Gwen Stefani, if given the opportunity who would you like to design a dress for? And whom would you consider a muse?
I would love to dress Charlize Theron because she embodies femininity with strength, glamour with confidence, sophistication with discretion and most of all subtlety. I have several muses that represent the many goddesses that inspire me when I am designing. Strength of character and boldness in expression as a personal brand are what I am attracted to the most in a muse.

4. Elegance is…truly understanding that less is more.

5. What are your fashion obsessions? And what’s the last item you bought that truly makes you happy?
My last purchase was a dozen bespoke dress shirts from London with French cuffs to showcase my vintage cufflink collection. I am obsessed with those little touches that say so much about who you are and how you feel about yourself.

6. I’ve been told you are quite the gourmet cook. What is your favorite meal to prepare for guests and who receives an invite? And what restaurants in LA (and beyond) do you enjoy for fine food?
Anything with a touch of caviar. I love to experiment and add my personal touch to the food I prepare. My favorite hors d’oeuvre is Bouchees a la Reine, the favorite of Louis IVX – it’s very couture and a pleasure to see as well as taste. I enjoy making small bites for a group of 5 people including myself, anything more than this is too high maintenance. And when L’Orangerie closed last year I resigned myself to good sashimi bars like Ketana.

7. You design sophisticated, coveted couture dresses, ready to wear suits, knitwear, and accessories that include leather bags that surely last so long in one’s wardrobe that a granddaughter will end up wanting to carry it—so what’s next for the House of Lloyd Klein?
One of my dreams is to design Lloyd Klein Hotels de Luxe that would be found at the four corners of the world. Modern tributes to old world luxury with couture details that would make them destinations like my Castle in Los Angeles.

A few of the celebrities who love to wear Lloyd Klein:

Kate Beckinsale Eva Longoria

Toni Collette Marissa Miller

Initially trained in architecture, Lloyd Klein ventured into the world of fashion design after becoming mesmerized by a Givenchy haute couture runway show. Using his extreme interest and self-taught knowledge, Klein’s talent as a dormant designer erupted in 1994 when he presented his first runway collection in Paris. After just two seasons he became the appointed head designer for the legendary Maison Mme. Grès. Upon the successful completion of his contract with Grès, the designer went on to showcase his own signature label. In 1999, after his first of many New York Fashion Week runway appearances, Klein made a solid imprint in fashion by creating his base of couture operations in the United States.

Reflecting on his training in architectural detail; Lloyd Klein’s designs are unexpectedly classic and contemporary all at once. Each piece differs, but remains consistent with his technique as they preserve a bold balance of broad masculinity and edgy femininity. His mastery of drapery shows in many of his pieces as delicate fabrics flow on the female form, adhering to the most flattering curvaceous hot spots with meticulous precision. His mixing and matching of a variety of textural fabrics creates fine garments that foresee the direction of the industry. Constrictive, yet flattering corset-like bodices provide a modernized classical look while flowy gowns wisp through the air with elegance. Precision tailored suiting with waist flattering proportion, however, is his strength and is what his customer seeks.

The charismatic designer travels between his home in Paris and his business in Los Angeles. He has been featured on numerous popular television shows including appearances on America’s Next Top Model, the Ali G. Show, as well as cameo appearances on several other televised programs. In addition to developing an outstanding celebrity following, his collections have been featured on numerous films and television properties including the standout fashion hit “Ugly Betty”. A Documentary style reality series about the “House of Couture” is in the development that will offer a glimpse into what goes on in that beloved Fashion Castle that sits between the Hollywood sign and Rodeo Drive….stay tuned!

The Lloyd Klein Flagship

Lloyd Klein’s two-story Flagship located in one of LA’s most charming shopping neighborhoods, serves as a creative workshop and retail space for both his ready to wear and couture clientele. The historic landmark building, which locals refer to as, “the Castle”, is replete with a gothic turret. The 1928 “petit chateau” features a wildlife pond and wood planked “moat” entry-way leading into the mesmerizing 7,700 square foot space.

The interior, designed by Lloyd Klein, has an elegant ambience that reflects his overall lifestyle vision and has the feeling of a true old-world Parisian Salon. The layout includes a private VIP consultation lounge and fitting room for his couture clients; editorial and sales showroom; conference room; and chic retail space to showcase a full range of Lloyd Klein products including accessories, jewelry, handbags and ready-to-wear. The space also includes an archive library featuring over 4,000 runway sample garments that chronicle the history of his work.

Host of The Dish on Style Network

1. Being the host of a show that gives us some of the best truncated snapshots of reality television, what are your favorite shows to pick on?
Project Runway, because it is such a great show anyway.
America’s Next Top Model gives us plenty of material with Tyra and it’s cast.
Tool Academy, clearly no explanation necessary. (Although I’ve sadly known someone on each season)
And just about anything on The Hills once it’s in full swing.

2. Tell me about the set up of the show and do you really laugh as much as we presume?
We have just finished our first full year of shooting and we love it. We have so much fun and I hope it shows. We have the green screen backdrop that we fake with a pictured studio and we’re lucky with an early shoot time on Friday mornings that we even get about 10-20 people as our audience.

3. We met at the Race for the Rescues to help bring awareness and raise funds for seven rescue groups in LA. Danielle ran in the 5k race and later brought her 10 year old dog, Anna around to the different booths. Her reason to run?
Simple, in this economy more dogs are ending up in shelters and my hope is that these organizations can give them a voice. If you have a home and a job then it’s time you consider giving some love to a dog in need.

4. Last splurge?
I’m pretty good on not splurging, oh no, I take that back. I totally splurged on a pair of Christian Louboutin heels, but bought them on a gift card that The Style Network gave me.

5. Go to item in your wardrobe?
Black knee high leather boots. They work under jeans, over jeans, with a skirt or dress-anytime I put them on I say ”that works.”

6. My best beauty product?
No question, Bobbi Brown tinted moisturizer. I won’t leave anywhere without it. I can wear it anywhere. I can even wear it to the gym so I don’t have a completely naked face, but don’t have to wear a full face of makeup while working out.

7. What’s next?
Hopefully, a second year of The Dish.

Danielle and me at the Race for the Rescues, check out more info at RacesfortheRescues.org or TheRescueTrain.org

As host of the Style Network’s The Dish, Danielle Fishel is always ready to rock with sassy commentary and quick wit as she wraps up the week’s best and worst in fashion and celebrity lifestyle.

Danielle is into fashion and living glamorously but is much too smart to be duped by ridiculous trends, weight-loss schemes or tabloid gossip. She’s not afraid to make fun of the latest Hollywood hairdo—and then admit to maybe trying it herself. Whether it’s reliving the must-see moments of Project Runway, dishing on red carpet do’s and don’ts or chronicling the latest celeb baby bump, Danielle can be counted on to tell it like it is.

Growing up in Southern California, Danielle started acting in TV commercials and series at age 10. Best known for her work as Topanga Lawrence from seven seasons of the hit series Boy Meets World, Danielle was cast originally as a guest star but brought a spark the show needed and was added as a series regular. Danielle has appeared on Yes, Dear and served as a special correspondent for The Tyra Banks Show. She was also a spokesperson for NutriSystem.

When she’s not doing The Dish, Danielle can be found studying for her degree in psychology (with a focus in marriage and family therapy) or hanging with her dog, Anna, a Maltese who does all kinds of cool tricks.

Q. How to know what color clothing is best for you? And what colors to stay
away from?

Alison: This largely depends on skin tone and hair color. This can be figured out a bit through trial and error. A person with very pale skin should avoid pastels. I find that many blondes look great in a range of blues and pinks while dark and olive skin tones look enhanced in jewel tones like purple, burgundy and deep greens and generally don’t look washed out in browns like some of us.

You walk around the department store to test drive shoes, why not do the same for clothes? Sit, twist, bend, reach up-test the fit and comfort of clothes you’re considering buying, if it doesn’t pass the test, put it back on the hanger.

Q. Do tight clothes make you look thin or are baggy clothes better?

Alison: Avoid baggy and tight—neither is appealing. Wear clothes that fit your shape and size. Baggy looks sloppy and doesn’t define a shape of the body. Tight clothes will only show off any bulges or flaws. Every designer cuts differently. There is no universal size or cut of clothing. And with the creation of vanity sizing where designers/retailers will cut larger yet put a smaller size on the label means you have to try the clothes on whenever you shop. Shopping should not be a chore. When you have the right skills, shopping can be uplifting and confidence building and needn’t take hours to accomplish a task.

Spend time trying on clothes from a variety of designer or retailers with prices that fit your budget. When you find the right fit and a variety of choices that fit your lifestyle, make those retailer the initial go-to on your list when you need to replenish pieces in your wardrobe or need something new. Shop the inexpensive shops like Forever 21 and H &M when you want to try out a trend. These shops offer “disposable” fashion at a low price. Spend more money on the classics that should last in your closet for years and keep the trends for under $100. When you spend money on quality pieces think in terms of the cost per wear ratio—the price comes down the more often you wear and longer you have the item in your wardrobe.