Name: Alina Hachikyan
Occupation: Photojournalist
Spotted: London

What she’s wearing:
“I’m wearing Aldo shoes, All Saints jeans, a Zara shirt, a Miss Selfridge jacket and a bag from Debenhams.”

Her style influences:
“I dress for my mood and it’s usually something that reflects my personality.”

The one trend that she would banish from existence:
“I’d get rid of fast, cheap fashion like Primark.”

The post Street style: London appeared first on Metro.us.

Loeffler Randall
525 Broadway, 4^th Fl
Thursday 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.
Friday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Tibi Silk Faille Strapless Dress in Kelp, retail price $750, sale price $175

Tibi
Shop up to 70 percent off
May 21 to 23^rd
Hartford Studio
348 W. 36 St.

Theory Women’s and Men’s
Up To 60 percent off
Tuesday– Sunday
Three NYC locations:
Clothing Line- 261 W. 36th St., 2nd Fl.; 212-947-8748
Chelsea Market- 75 9th Ave.
Company store- 139 5^th Ave.; 212-398-2777

Reformation Warehouse Sale
Up to 80 percent off
Wednesday — Saturday
10 a.m. — 6 p.m.
412 Broadway, 5th Floor
www.TheReformation.com

Aloha Rag
Up to 85 percent off from current and previous seasons including items from Balmain, Martin Margiela, Lucien Pellat Finet and Herno
Thursday — Sunday
545 Greenwich St., #2A

The post Sample sales to hit this week appeared first on Metro.us.

1. The hipster
Most likely to be found in areas like Williamsburg, New York and Shoreditch, London, sporting a beard in an ‘ironic fashion’ – too cool for trends. Look out for square-framed glasses, novelty necklaces and baseball caps.

2. The artist
Overgrown beard from months of creative angst, teamed with a rolled tee, trilby and tattoos inked in by his arty mate. Frequently found hanging out in ‘creative spaces’ – i.e. warehouses and lofts.

3. The city professional
His beard will be as perfectly cut as his made-to-measure suit. Nothing wild here. But his fashionable follicles do separate him from his shave-a-day corporate city friends.

4. The eccentric
He obviously works in the media – nobody else could get away with Rasputin’s beard. The unkempt look takes hours of hair manipulation and the use of premium grooming products – but he’ll never admit to that.

5. The fashionably preened
Ah yes, the ‘fashion beard’. It is of course perfectly groomed, trimmed and runway-ready. You’re most likely to find this one on menswear editors and stylists, like our man Jeremy Langmead, Editor of Mr Porter. ​

The post Analyzing the male beard appeared first on Metro.us.

This morning it was announced that H&M will sign the binding Fire and Building Safety Agreement protecting garment workers in Bangladesh.

This decision to sign the agreement follows the tragic events that occurred in Bangladesh last week when the massive housing building Rana Plaza collapsed, taking the lives of approximately 1,126 employees.

“H&M’s decision to sign the accord is crucial. They are the single largest producer of apparel in Bangladesh, ahead even of Wal-Mart. This accord now has tremendous momentum,” said Scott Nova, executive director of Worker Rights Consortium, in Women’s Wear Daily.

He added the agreement is one that PVH (Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein) and German retailer Tchibo have already signed on to.

Organizations such as United Students Against Sweatshops have called on major brands including H&M, Wal-Mart, Children’s Place and Gap to sign the agreement.

“The agreement is a binding agreement between unions and brands to ensure safe work places,” said Garrett Shishido Strain, international campaigns coordinator of USAS. “It will require public, independent inspections of factories for fire and building safely, it will require brands to put money on the table to make their factories safe, and we believe very strongly that the best workplace safely program is a collective voice for workers through a union.”

Rep. George Miller, the senior Democratic member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, who has been working in Congress to fight sweatshops and improve working conditions in factories, also stressed that the onus lies with major fashion brands, not just the Bangladeshi government.

“Right now, [these retailers] must join other brands, unions and civil society groups in [signing on to the Fire and Building Safety Agreement] and begin the very affordable process of making their supplier factories safer. If they fail to sign an enforceable agreement, they are declaring that they accept blood on their labels.”

Although the news of H&M signing on is a major victory, there’s no time to stop and celebrate for USAS, which is continuing its efforts.

“We’re doing actions at Gap stores in over a dozen cities,” said Strain. “We’re targeting the Gap primarily because in 2010, 29 workers were burned alive at a Gap supplier factory in Bangladesh. After the fire the Gap had a chance to do the right thing and make a commitment to the safety of its workers by signing the binding Bangladesh Fire and Safety agreement with the Bangladeshi Union, but instead they announced their own self-regulatory fire safety program. That, in our opinion, does more to protect the company than the lives of its workers. Hundreds of workers have died in subsequent fire and building collapses and the Gap, of all the companies, has the blood of these worker’s deaths on their hands.”

Get involved: At gapdeathtraps.com people can find information about what’s happened in Bangladesh and how they can take action demanding retailers sign on to the Bangladesh Fire and Safety Agreement.

The post Shop at H&M guilt-free appeared first on Metro.us.

Massachusetts College of Art and Design’s Fashion Department showcases students work in an annual lavish pro runway show. Dubbed Studio 621, this year’s production takes place at the Castle at Park Plaza on Wednesday, May 15 and will spotlight the talents of a select group of students showing pieces that range in inspiration from Frida Kahlo to Korean architecture.

Designs in ready-to-wear, swim wear, bridal, and evening will vie with wearable found art pieces made from recycled CDs, egg cartons, can tabs, filmstrips, lottery tickets, and window blinds. Some designs incorporate original prints digitally created by students. An angle that takes precedence each year is sustainable practices in fashion, a hot-button topic in an industry not exactly known for being eco-friendly. Collections focusing on sustainability this year have incorporated organic and natural fabrics, some hand-dyed with colors derived from twigs and tea.

“This year’s showcase is about trendy, affordable, healthy fashion,” says MassArt Fashion Department Head, Sondra Grace. “You’ll see collections using hidden repurposed fabrics and natural dyes offering sustainable life styling for the individual and the planet. MassArt presents what young fashion designers can create with a message and a purpose.”

Studio 621: Wednesday, May 15 :: Reception 7 p.m./ show 8 p.m :: The Castle at Park Plaza, 130 Columbus Ave., Boston :: $40 :: massartfashion2013.eventbrite.com or 617-879-7676.

The post Fashion and function: MassArt’s Studio 621 fashion show to feature wearable art and eco-friendly design appeared first on Metro.us.

Name: Stephanie LaCava
Occupation: Writer
Spotted: Paris

The post Street style: Paris appeared first on Metro.us.

(For the record, Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci, who gave Kardashian the frock, said he was inspired to use the upholstery-like pattern because when someone is celebrating something like a birth, you give them flowers.

“She is a really good friend, and I am very happy she came to the Met for the first time,” he said to Women’s Wear Daily. “I think she looked amazing. She was the most beautiful pregnant woman I dressed in my career.)

The post VIDEO: Kim Kardashian’s carpet dress appeared first on Metro.us.

2. The tech-savvy mom will love this chic color-block leather iPad case, which features a tassel pull. $84, www.spartina449.com

3. This luxurious anti-aging lip treatment— with a sexy 24-karat gold-plated tip — help keeps mom looking her best. Hourglass N 28 Lip Treatment Oil, $42, www.hourglasscosmetics.com

The post Three last-minute Mother’s Day gift ideas appeared first on Metro.us.

Who’s next in the high-low collaboration world, you ask? On Thursday, Target announced its big fall collaboration is with none other than Phillip Lim.

The New York-based designer, known for his laid-back cool aesthetic, will create an exclusive line for women and men set to hit Targets stores Sept. 15. But why has it taken so long for the mass retailer to tap him?

According to the Wall Street Journal they’ve been trying for years, but the designer felt he wasn’t ready.

“The context and the scale, they’re huge,” Lim said in the article. “For us, a little tiny brand, there’s a lot more at stake working with Target.”

But now that Lim’s 3.1 Phillip Lim label has grown into a major force on its own, the designer felt good about stretching his boundaries even further. “I wanted to go in and say, ‘I don’t need to do this, but I would like to,’” he said in the story.

If you, like us, were obsessed with his motorcyclist-inspired mainline collection, here’s what you can expect from the capsule: According to the release there will be more than 100 pieces, including shoes, bags and travel accessories, in neutral tones and prints, ranging in price from $19.99 to $299.99. We’re keeping an eye out for Lim’s trench and motorcycle jackets, sure to be the standouts of the collection.

The post Phillip Lim to team up with Target appeared first on Metro.us.

Name: Tiany Kiriloff
Occupation: Journalist and TV host
Spotted: London

What she’s wearing:
“I’m wearing a Pucci vintage skirt, a Joseph coat, a COS jumper, a Marni necklace, Rupert Sanderson shoes and a High cap.”

Her style influences:
“Working in fashion inspires me to try different looks.”

The post Street style: London appeared first on Metro.us.

Cooking for mom this Sunday? Mauricio Banchieri of Puro Wine in SoHo — which specializes in wines from Chile— picked out three bottles to complement your grand culinary effort.

Brunch
Calcu Rosé, $17
“A blend of Malbec, Syrah and Petit Verdot, it’s floral with subtle notes of citrus, raspberry and fresh spice. It is a versatile wine that pairs equally well with cheese, fruit, seafood, eggs and grilled chicken.”

Lunch
De Martino Legado Reserva Chardonnay 2011, $17
“Aromas of almond, melon and peach make this perfect for an afternoon meal. Its bright acidity and apple, citrus and caramelized peach flavors work perfectly with salmon, shrimp and chicken.”

Dinner
2009 Tamaya Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature sparkling wine $30
“Made in the traditional Champenoise method, this sparkling wine spends more than two years in the bottle, developing wonderful ticklish bubbles. Aromas of green apples, pears and acacia flowers — with just a touch of brioche and hazelnut — make it a lovely aperitif and fabulous for dinner. Enjoy with lobster, sea bass, king crab or sea scallops — a meal fit for a queen.”

Wine class
Puro Wine offers classes where mom can taste wines, nosh on appetizers and receive discounts on bottles. $39, 161 Grand St.
212-925-0090

The post Treat mom to wines from Chile appeared first on Metro.us.

Not since Carrie Bradshaw hauled her collection of Manolos to the big screen has a film’s wardrobe received as much hype as Daisy Buchanan’s Prada-designed dresses and Jay Gatsby’s Brooks Brothers suits have. So as “The Great Gatsby” finally hits theaters, we’re revisiting our favorite fashion movies of all time — because the runways might give birth to the trends, but it’s the movies that determine which ones will become iconic.

1. ‘Grey Gardens’
“It’s very difficult to keep the line between the past and the present, awfully difficult,” Little Edie says in the film, ironically predicting how she’d impact the fashion world.  Depending on who you ask, “Grey Gardens” is not so much a documentary about two recluses related to Jackie O. as it is a 100-minute trend machine. Little Edie’s head scarves, Big Edie’s sorbet-colored house coats, the long furs, the wacky layering, the wild print-mixing: It’s all in style right now. And these women — not Anna Wintour — created the look.

2. ‘Rear Window’
It’s hard to overstate Alfred Hitchcock’s influence on fashion. Alexander McQueen famously built a collection around his movies. And you see hints of Grace Kelly’s Edith Head-designed costumes in “Mad Men.” In “Rear Window,” Kelly only wears five outfits, each one memorable and relentlessly copied.

3. ‘Funny Face’
“Take the picture!” Hubert de Givenchy and Audrey Hepburn sealed their relationship as one of the movie world’s greatest duos with a single scene: Audrey running down a staircase in the Louvre, her red sash floating above her mimicking Winged Victory.  Givenchy created costumes for four of Hepburn’s movies, all of which we were tempted to put on this list.

4. ‘Bonnie and Clyde’
Faye Dunaway’s mid-length skirt suits, knit tops, berets and silk scarves are iconic, making this the second most referenced movie in fashion history.

5. ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’
Coco Chanel is credited with creating the Little Black Dress, but Audrey Hepburn popularized it. The satin Givenchy sheath she wore as Holly Golightly was undisputedly the most famous LBD of all time.

The post The five most stylish movies appeared first on Metro.us.

Name: Sofie Valkiers
Occupation: Blogger and stylist
Spotted: Paris

What she’s wearing:
“I’m wearing a Bimba and Lola dress, Christian Louboutin shoes and a Delvaux bag.”

The post Street style: Paris appeared first on Metro.us.

Neil Blumenthal and David Gilboa, co-founders of hip online eyewear brand Warby Parker — which sells trendy, affordable glasses with prescription lenses starting at $95 — recently opened the doors to their stylish new SoHo digs. Gilboa gives us a tour and tells us why we should spring for, say, pink glasses this summer.

Your website is so successful. Why open a brick-and-mortar shop?
We wanted to create a much more refreshing shopping experience considering glasses are a really fun accessory. All of our glasses are out in the open, so you can try them on. We have full-length mirrors and a lot of room to bring family members and other people just to get feedback. The act of buying glasses is a pretty social experience.

The boutique feels like a modern library.
For the design itself we wanted people to feel like they were walking into a great library. The name Warby Parker came from two early Jack Kerouac characters that we discovered at the New York Public Library. We took a lot of inspiration from there with really high ceilings and bookshelves stacked with reading material. In addition to glasses, we have really interesting books from 14 different publishers, including McSweeney’s and Dashwood, and have books from a lot of these new generation writers. We wanted to relate the ties Warby Parker has to academia and literature and I think, in general, glasses have a natural tie to reading and learning, so we wanted to build that into the store.

What are some eyeglass trends that you are loving, and which ones are over?
For a while, really thick, chunky glasses were in vogue — and now a lot of those people are moving toward thinner frames.
And as we enter spring and summer, people can take a little more risk with color. In the past, people wore the same pair for two to three years. Part of the reason why we launched Warby Parker is because we realized that we could make glasses affordable. If you can buy more pairs, you can take more risks, and have more fun with color. [You can] have some frames that you wear to work and then some frames that are a little bit more fun, for weekends or when you’re going out.

Gilboa’s tips for finding the perfect frame for your face
•    You typically want the glasses shape to be the opposite shape of your face. If you have a really round face, you’ll look better in square glasses.
•    You don’t want your eyebrows to be covered up by the frame, [because] then the frames are probably a little bit too big.

The post Warby Parker opens in Soho appeared first on Metro.us.

For “Today” show style editor Bobbie Thomas, clothing does a lot more than keep you warm and covered — style is a major form of nonverbal communication that broadcasts a loud message about who you are and what you want. In her new book “The Power of Style: Everything You Need to Know Before You Get Dressed Tomorrow,” Thomas lays out a game plan to help ladies figure out how to capture their own personal essence with what they wear.

How does your book stand out in the ‘what to wear’ genre?
What makes this book unique is that it’s about what’s under the dress. Everything I have to offer about how to dress is about who you are. I wanted to put together this comprehensive self-help book about your self-image. It was a love letter to women to really inspire anyone at any age with any income. This isn’t about stuff — it’s about how you use what’s available to you to make an impact.

You have a background working with victims of assault. How did you end up working with fashion?
I was interested in empowering women. I want to tell girls that confidence is sexy, and not a boob job. Watching my friends build careers in entertainment, I thought, “Oh my God, what a powerful platform!”

Many women feel they don’t have the time to think much about style. What do you say to them?
The last time I checked, you can’t be naked. You are required by law to put something on before you leave the house. And that something affects your whole day. We need to realize we’re worthy and value our own image. If it takes 10 minutes to put something on before work, try taking an hour on Sunday to plan outfits for the week.

What style habits do you encourage women to break?
So many women, including myself, can rely on neutral, age-appropriate colors. A darker color is something that is safer – when you wear something bright, you’re saying, “Look at me!” You should be confident of being looked at. Often, we throw something on to just blend away. Once you figure out whether your palette is warm or cool, women can embrace colors that really enhance their own natural coloring.

The post ‘Today’ show style editor Bobbie Thomas on what to wear appeared first on Metro.us.

Forget the Oscars— the red carpet at the Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is where real fashionistas come out to play. This year’s theme “Punk: Chaos to Couture,” saw some interesting choices strut up the steps of the famous museum. Here’s a look at how some of our favorite celebs channeled punk.

So punk: Highlights from the Met Gala 2013

The post So punk: Highlights from the Met Gala 2013 appeared first on Metro.us.

Models and actresses aren’t the only ones getting pampered and dolled up for tonight’s MET Gala. We heard Zac Posen stopped by the Caudalie Vinotherapie Spa at the Plaza Hotel for its Divine Body treatment. And he wasn’t the only one: Designers Jason Wu and Alexander Wang also went in to the spa for body massages. Wang, indulging a bit more, added on the new Premier Cru facial. OK boys, you better be looking pretty tonight — we’re keeping a close eye out.

The post What Jason Wu, Alex Wang and Zac Posen did before the MET gala appeared first on Metro.us.

By now you’ve probably seen, tried or become addicted to all-in-one BB creams, which promise to protect, hydrate and perfect your skin, while covering your spots.
“Having a product do it all was a first in the world of cosmetics, where the color and function of the formula usually comes first and the treatment benefits take a back seat,” Kerri Bender, Manager of Global Product Development at Smashbox Cosmetics, says.
And maybe you’re excited to get into CC creams, which arrived this spring and are meant to even out skin tone, reduce dark spots and enhance skin radiance through optics and coverage. Now, the beauty industry is in a frenzy over the first ever DD cream, due to hit stores in June. Produced by Julep, it will target age spots, fine lines and, yes, cover flaws. But are all of these multi-taskers yielding results?
“To me they’re marketing hype,” says Mary Schook, a New York based celebrity facialist and makeup artist. “What’s good about all of this is that it forced the industry to work on building better foundations. Because we haven’t seen such a shift in the industry since Bobbi Brown first introduced yellow to foundation colors,” Schook adds. She and Bender help us look at the pros and cons.

Pros — Kerri Bender

A simpler makeup routine
“BBs are the baseline. You don’t have to be a makeup junkie to use one. If you’re looking for an all-in-one product, something that is going to prime, perfect, protect, hydrate and control oil, then it’s the right one for you.”

They mix well with your other products
“Both BB and CC creams work for any skin type.  If you require a little more hydration, use your BB or CC cream in conjunction with your moisturizer.  And if you have problems with shine, you can top off your BB or CC with a finishing powder.”

They’re good primers
“If you need higher coverage, most BB and CC creams function as primers and can be layered under your foundation for added benefits. And both offer strong sun protection.”

Cons  — Mary Schook

Clogged pores
“BB creams contain so many different ingredients that the skin can’t handle, such as silicone and avobenzone, which cause breakouts. BB creams are supposed to have sunscreen and avobenzone is the popular ingredient in that, hence the acne. And the silicone in BB creams create a veil over the skin that doesn’t allow it to breathe. It feels like it’s breathing, but it’s a false thing. It’s creating a barrier that’s not allowing the skin to perspire the way that it should. That’s what is trapping the bacteria.”

Heightened sensitivity
“CC creams do give a glow to the skin. But when you have a product that claims to color correct, the way CC creams do, you have to worry about skin character because you’re taking away things that protect the skin cells. When the cells want to cause any kind of pigmentation, it’s the body trying to protect itself. If you take away all of that pigmentation, or the ability for the body to do that, then the body cannot defend itself. You’re potentially compromising the skin and its protection from the sun.”

Skin irritation
“The new Olay CC cream contains a lot of alcohol and the regular breakout irritants. But, it also contains niacinamide (a form of Vitamin B), which is very good. This shows promise in the formula, but you’re still better off using an anti-aging serum instead of a product that is trying to be everything and irritates you.”

1. Julep DD Creme $36, www.julep.com

2. Smashbox CC creme, $42, www.smashbox.com

3. Dior Hydra Life BB Creme, $56, www.dior.com

The post What are BB, CC and DD creams? appeared first on Metro.us.

The Met Gala, known to the fashion world as the “Oscars of fashion” , will be held on May 6th, 2013 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Here is a look back at a few memorable looks from one of the most prestigious fashion affairs.

The post PHOTOS: Memorable looks from the Met Gala appeared first on Metro.us.

Name: Valentina Di Pinto
Spotted: Milan
What she’s wearing:
“I’m wearing a No.21 coat and top, Missoni pants and Jimmy Choo shoes.”

The one item of clothing that she would wear every day for the rest of her life:
“I love wide pants because they’re both elegant and timeless.”

Her style:
“Experimental but classic. I love trendy details and classics together.”

The post Street style: Milan appeared first on Metro.us.

Name: Eleonora Carisi
Occupation: Style Blogger for Grazia Italy
Spotted: Paris

What she’s wearing:
“I’m wearing a Stella McCartney dress, Sergio Rossi shoes and a Paula Cademartori bag.”

The post Street style: Paris appeared first on Metro.us.

Despite all the controversy with Hedi Slimane at Saint Laurent, Abrams is having a little fun with the storied house. To celebrate more than 40 years of the brand, the publishing house put out a whimsical coloring book based on sketches by the late great Yves Saint Laurent. “YSL: Pret-a-Porter” includes original color drawings by the designer and close-ups of prints from popular collections that readers can then decorate. It’s a perfect gift for the fashion lover in your life.

The post Editors Pick: YSL: Pret-a-Porter coloring book appeared first on Metro.us.

Name: Michelle Elie
Occupation: Jewelry Designer
Spotted: Paris

What she’s wearing:
“I’m wearing a Maison Martin Margiela for H&M jacket, Dolce & Gabbana shoes, an H&M bag and the skirt, gloves and top are by Balenciaga.”

The post Global street style: Paris appeared first on Metro.us.

She drives you crazy but can make everything in the world better. We rounded up the best presents for the most important lady in your life.

The post Mother’s Day Gift Guide: 2013 appeared first on Metro.us.

Elizabeth and James
Today and Tomorrow
233 Spring St.
10th Floor
11 a.m. to 7p.m.

Yigal Azrouel +  Cut25 By Yigal Azrouel
Thursday to Sunday
129 GRAND ST.
212-966-5080

Madeline Weinrib charity sample sale
40 to 70 percent off Weinrib’s famous rugs, fabric and furniture
The sale benefits Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
Friday to Sunday
1440 Third Ave.
212-535-1250

Shopping events
MILLY invites moms and their ‘minis’ to indulge in an early Mother’s Day treat with a makeover at the MILLY Madison boutique. There will be refreshments along with complimentary makeup applications and braids by Varin Salon.
Saturday
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

C.Wonder’s ‘Mom-O-Graph!’
With any purchase customers can have their picture taken with their mom on a card customized with their every one “momism”
Saturday and Sunday
12 p.m. to 5p.m.

The post Sales to hit up this week appeared first on Metro.us.

Planning a wedding means juggling tasks and managing things down to the smallest details. To help you pull off the biggest party you’ll ever throw, we asked various experts — from a caterer to a makeup artist — for some of their best tips. As for cutting that guest list, you’re on your own.

Stationer
“Set the tone with your invitation: It’s the first and most tangible thing your guests receive for your wedding. You are working hard to create a beautiful and fun, special day. So it’s important that your invitation reflects that same care and attention that you’re putting into the flowers, the food and the music. You want your guests to also have all the information they need, not just place and time, but directions, appropriate attire, additional activities and so on, so that the invitation also makes everything easy and informative.” Mel Morris, Lion in the Sun 

A boldly colored letterpress invitation from Lion in the Sun.

Caterer
If you’re on a budget, “make sure you find a caterer that is creative and happy to make the numbers work for you. I have been doing a lot of upscale weddings where we do high-end appetizers to start, and then we have a fun barbecue for the main dinner.” Kate Economides, Tasty Plates Catering

Makeup artist
“First and foremost, find an artist who will give you that timeless look. Trendy makeup styles may not hold up in pictures over time. And when deciding on an artist, remember to think of lighting. If you go to a mall, the lighting will be totally different inside than outside. It is worth the money to invest in an artist who can come to you and check your makeup in all kinds of lighting.” Kim Poutre, Owner, Special Event Beauty 

Personal trainer
“Planning a wedding can be a triple-decker stress sandwich with all the fixings. At least once a week, schedule a workout session as a couple with one major ground rule: no wedding talk. Hit up your favorite class, go for a bike ride in the park, book a joint session with a trainer. Whatever it is, it’ll bring you closer while getting you all sorts of sexy. Bring on the honeymoon!” Adam Rosante, Celebrity Fitness Trainer and Creator of The People’s Bootcamp

Wedding Planner
“I ask people to give me a few adjectives to describe the feel of their wedding. That helps me get in their head to see what they’re thinking overall. Really basic adjectives — soft, romantic, sophisticated, quirky, whimsical, casual. I think that’s a good idea for any couple.[It makes them think,] ‘What do I want to have?’ It helps [them] start to picture what it is that they want.” Ara Farnam, Rock Paper Scissors event planning
Photographer
“The most important thing for a photographer is time. People often don’t plan enough time in the day for pictures, and it can be a rushed affair. If you build time into your day, you can relax with your photographer, and you will love the results. The photographs are what you have left when the wedding is over, so you want to love them and have good memories of the experience.” Carly Abbott, Carly Abbot Photography

Dressmaker
“Make your first visit to the dressmaker on your own or with one of your very close friends or relatives. Having too many opinions often becomes overwhelming, as peoples’ opinions often focus on what they like for themselves. The process is far more effective when we can really focus on what works best for you. It is of utmost importance that [you and the dressmaker] have time to explore your personality and style. Once the process is narrowed down to two dresses, then you can have fun with a larger group for a final thumbs up.” Angelo Lambrou, dress designer 

DJ
“Beware of a DJ who knows what they’re going to play for you before you even talk to them. Even if the music is popular, it’s not a good sign if the DJ doesn’t want to communicate with you, and that means they won’t bring those moments that make a wedding really special.” Julie Covello, aka DJ Shakey

The post Tips to make your wedding day shine appeared first on Metro.us.

Abby Larson, founder and editor of StyleMePretty.com and author of “Style Me Pretty Weddings,” is the authority on all things beautiful in the bridal world. Her site posts about 75 gorgeous, modern, real weddings a week — the kind of artfully crafted affairs that’ll inspire you to start a “Barnyard Nuptials” board on Pinterest even though you’ve been married for years. So, naturally, we turned to Larson to get the scoop on what’s popular at the most celebratory of celebrations these days — besides the open bar, of course.

Ombre: Still going strong
“Some of the trends from 2012, such as watercolors and ombre, are really holding strong, which is surprising, but I think it’s because they are just so beautiful that brides can’t really let go. The great thing about the ombre trend is that weddings aren’t so matchy-matchy anymore. There are different hues and different textures and layers and people are kind of approaching wedding design as they would wardrobe design and home decor. It’s not all solid pink and navy blue, it’s a spectrum of pinks and a spectrum of blues that really come together to feel much more thoughtful. And [incorporating ombre] makes things easier because you’re not on the hunt for this perfect thing.”

Image courtesy of Jose Villa Photography

Romantic and loose floral design
“Really lush, over-the-top tall arrangements, which just screamed expensive, are becoming a lot more approachable. People are doing centerpieces that you might see on a dining room table as opposed to at a fancy hotel. The flowers and arrangements themselves are becoming lower, they’re a little bit more organic and loose. Things aren’t so tightly packed and monochromatic. They’ve kind of got this organic French vibe going — a really sophisticated, chic, from-the-garden feel.”

Fun prints
“People are using a lot of prints right now. In tablescapes ikat is really really popular. Chevron is still very popular. They’re doing table runners with a great pop of print, bridesmaids dresses that have a soft floral background or piping in a different color. It’s funny, two or three years ago you never would have seen a strong print incorporated into wedding design. I love it from a branding perspective because now rather than using a monogram, or two colors that are really strong, you can actually take that print and put it in the lining of your invitation envelopes and on the base of one of your cake tiers. You can really incorporate it and create a wedding brand.”

Details make the day
“Cute details that make something ordinary feel special are going to continue to be very strong, whether that’s in presentation, favors, gift bags — those little extra touches that take a wedding from an ordinary night to something really special.”

3 budget-friendly wedding ideas:

Elevate your rentals
“That means if you have basic brown chairs, you can drape crepe streamers from the back of them in kind of an ombre fashion and get a really striking result. If you have a little more budget, you can use ribbons. It’s just a beautiful way to gussy up something that’s standard.”

Personalize
“If you can only afford to have the stuff the hotel provides, scour flea markets and garage sales for a really cute array of mismatched dessert plates and layer them on top of those white rentals. Taking something basic and gussying it up is a really easy way to stay within budget but still have something that feels very bespoke and original.”

Value meal
“We don’t have to serve filet and lobster for wedding dinners. Serve chicken and do it in a really fun and fanciful way. Maybe it’s a Mediterranean theme with roasted chicken and vegetables and something really beautiful, but it’s more inexpensive cuts. Another thing you can do is just skip the open bar entirely and have one signature cocktail.”

The post 2013 Wedding trends appeared first on Metro.us.

Name: Vera Galli
Spotted: Milan

What she’s wearing:
“I’m wearing a Kenzo coat, Zara jeans, the shoes are handmade in Italy and I bought the jumper from a Korean shop.”

The one item of clothing that she would wear every day for the rest of her life:
“I love the patterns in Kenzo’s latest collection, so I would wear their long jumper dress because it’s a statement piece and makes a lasting impression.”

The one trend that she would banish from existence:
“I wouldn’t banish any trend. All looks and styles have their place.”

Her style:
“Eclectic and comfortable.”

The post Global Street Style:Milan appeared first on Metro.us.

Inspired by the striking lips at some of spring’s biggest fashion shows — including Burberry, Prada, Missoni and Oscar de la Renta — we decided to round up our favorite bold shades to wear now. Pair them with contrasting dewy eyes or barely there makeup for optimum pop.

 

The post Spring 2013 beauty trend: Bold lips appeared first on Metro.us.

Name: Simone Marchetti
Spotted: Milan

What he’s wearing:
“I’m wearing a TPN jumper, the coat and pants are both by Prada and Jil Sander shoes.”

The one item of clothing that he would wear every day for the of his life:
“I love my Prada pants. Their cut and fabric is so perfect that I would wear them everyday.”

The one trend that he would banish from existence:
“Total black and anything too anonymous. I think everyone should be distinguished by their style and total black doesn’t show off your personal style.”

The post Global Street Style: Milan appeared first on Metro.us.