In the aftermath of the attack on the Boston Marathon last Monday many people – both in Boston and across the nation – were left with questions. What can we do to help those affected? What can we do to begin to ease the pain and loss caused by an event that we still do not – and may never – understand?

This drive to help – to combat the darkness with light – mobilized businesses and individuals alike to set up foundations, throw benefit shows and events, and donate what they could to the countless funds for the victims that sprang up in swift response to the visceral call to action the tragedy spurred. One such business is Ctrl Alt Design, a Boston-based creative agency that specializes in graphic design, branding, and experimental marketing. Robert McElaney – Ctrl Alt Design’s creative director – designed an image representing his love for Boston that became the logo for their line of “Boston Love” t-shirts, sold on their website for a limited time only.

The screen-printed tees (the design is printed on American Apparel or Bella cotton shirts) feature a simple yet evocative image of a large red heart, the top arcs of which form Boston’s skyline. Ctrl Art Design is donating all proceeds of the shirt’s sales to One Fund Boston, a non-profit organization set up by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Thomas Menino to benefit those most affected by the attack.

“When the tragedy struck, witnessing all the pain and confusion, I felt compelled to create something to convey not only strength, but also compassion, something to bring people together,” said McElaney of the inspiration for his design. “While walking across the Mass Ave Bridge, and viewing the skyline, it hit me.”

As of 5 pm on Sunday, April 21 they’d already sold 267 t-shirts, raising roughly $2,400. It’s an impressive figure, one that speaks to the power of community in Boston, considering the fact that a brief post plugging the shirts appeared on Ctrl Alt Design’s website just two days earlier. McElaney said that the response has been overwhelming, so much so that they’ve extended their campaign through May 1. “We had a lot of people asking [me] to make sure they had the option [to buy] through the week, until they get paid,” he said. “Which somewhat blows my mind. Paycheck to paycheck and still wanting to give…Boston is awesome.”

The positive response to “Boston Love” reflects the anthem the city has adopted following the Marathon attack: ‘Boston Strong.’ “I moved to Boston in my early 20s from the suburbs, roughly 15 years ago. During that time, I’ve been lucky enough to meet a wide range of friends and acquaintances,” said McElaney. “Over time, some have moved out of state, some out of the country. When a tragedy like this strikes they all have responded with care, strength and support. Boston is what ties us all together. That’s what ‘Boston Strong’ means to me.”

“Boston Love” tees can be purchased at ctrla.lt/design or teespring.com for $18. All proceeds benefit onefundboston.org.

The post Ctrl Alt Design’s ‘Boston Love’ t-shirts are a stylish way to donate to Boston Marathon victims appeared first on Metro.us.

See what celebrities wore to listen to their favorite bands under the hot desert sun.

The post Coachella 2013: celebrity fashion appeared first on Metro.us.

Name: Chiara Totire
Spotted: Milan

What she’s wearing:
“I’m wearing a Jil Sander hat, a TPN jumper, MaxMara coat, Sportmax shoes, Cheap Monday jeans and a Chanel bag.”

The one item of clothing that she would wear every day for the rest of her life:
“A maxi dress. It makes me feel comfortable, elegant and if there is some defect in your body it hides it perfectly.”

The one trend that she would banish from existence:
“I would banish Bon Ton. I like more indie or rock styles.”

Her style:
“I like to mix and match different trends.”

– Giia (Tonics)

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

OK brides-to-be, here’s one more detail to cross off your list: Your perfect wedding invitation needs the perfect stamp, of course. And let’s face it, like your fiance’s reluctance to get involved with planning, the ubiquitous red heart and wedding cake stamps are getting a little tired. Knowing the importance of details — and the fact that most invitations cost more than the average letter to post — the United States Postal Service released two new love- and wedding-themed stamps today, just in time for spring wedding season.

First up is a heart-shaped floral stamp featuring the words “Yes” and “I Do” which is priced at 66 cents, perfect for those letterpressed works of art.

The second, a more humble floral design titled “Dreams of Blossoms,” goes for 46 cents and is perfect for the RSVPs.

Both are available in panes of 20, and customers can purchase these stamps by visiting www.usps.com, calling 800-STAMP24 or stopping by their local post offices.

The post USPS releases 2013 new wedding stamps appeared first on Metro.us.

Name: Leila Yavari
Spotted: Milan

What she’s wearing: ”I’m wearing a Margiela for H&M, a Proenza Schouler skirt, Chloe boots, a Zara top and the bag is by Jil Sander.”

The one item of clothing that she would wear every day for the rest of her life: “I would wear the embroidered jacket from Prada. I think I can wear that jacket over any look at any time.”

The one trend that she would banish: “I would banish cork wedges because it’s almost impossible to look good wearing them.”

Her style: “I have a very refined and polished look.”

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

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs will release their fourth album, “Mosquito,” next week. And with it comes a new look from the band’s chameleon of a front woman Karen O. For one, she’s now blonde. And she’s into crystal-encrusted Elvis Presley style suits, the latest in a long line of wonderfully weird stage outfits designed by her bestie, the designer Christian Joy. We look back at some of our favorites (fishnets! zigzags! giant headdresses!) from Yeah Yeah Yeahs gigs past.

The post Our favorite Karen O looks appeared first on Metro.us.

From Pinterest to backyard weddings to the hip restaurant in your hood, Mason jars pretty much rule the cute scene. Jarden Home Brands, makers of Ball canning jars, are even reporting a 31 percent increase in jar sales — most of which have nothing to do with canning jam. To add more fuel to your precious projects, the company just released a new limited-edition line, the Ball Heritage collection, consisting of pint-size jars in their original vintage blue color and embossed logos. The reason for the reissue:  to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the “Perfect Mason.” So pour some bubbly and raise a jar, to well, the perfect Mason jar.

Bar Heritage Collection pint jars, $12.99 for pack of 6, www.freshpreservingstore.com

The post Editor’s Pick: Ball jars get even cuter appeared first on Metro.us.

Laura Mvula’s anthemic single, “That’s Alright,” is a declaration against all of the unrealistic beauty standards promoted in magazines that make women second-guess themselves: “I will never be what you want, and that’s alright. Cause my skin ain’t light and my body ain’t tight. And that’s alright.” So it’s not surprising that the Brit, who is often described as this generation’s answer to Nina Simone, would be equally secure in her personal style. As she prepares to go on tour for her new album, “Sing to the Moon,” she opens up about her natural hair, crush on Vivienne Westwood and weakness for big heels.

On styling around her natural hair
“My hair is very short, so it’s important for me to feel soft and feminine. I like to think I’m a warm person. I  like to soften my image as much as possible so that my short hair isn’t overly strong or intimidating.”

Figuring out her look
“I’m an explorer. My dad used to say that I was always the kid in the wardrobe trying on ridiculous pieces together and thinking somehow that they would work. I think a lot about my style and my image, which is really important to me, even though I do feel like a baby when it comes to fashion. I still feel very much at the beginning of it all.”

Her stage persona vs. her off-duty one
“I think the two go alongside each other. Even things like being practical, which isn’t my strongest point as a person. Sometimes I’m standing at a keyboard, and I want to wear my big heels. I love my big heels. But even though I might have a specific image and vision in my head. It also has to be comfortable for me to wear. I think what I wear will change as I work with bigger ensembles. At the moment simplicity is really important to me. I want to come off the stage feeling comfortable, like I’ve been able to move and not think about this wrap falling off my head or the length of my skirt.”

Her ultimate fashion fantasy
“I dream about Vivienne Westwood. When I was getting married, I spent a lot of time dreaming about her dresses. But to have this kind of [professional] opportunity makes [her clothes] more attainable. I’ve worn some of her pieces before. They’re so elegant, pretty and feminine.”

The post Laura Mvula on her personal style appeared first on Metro.us.

The post Eley Kishimoto does Clarks appeared first on Metro.us.

Name: Jennifer Avins
Occupation: Makeup artist
Spotted: Milan

What she’s wearing: “I’m wearing head-to-toe Three Floor.”

Her style: “I try to dress in both a practical and stylish way.”

The one trend that she would banish from existence: ”I wouldn’t get rid of trends; just embrace what works for you.”

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

The bubbly blonde who stars in Uniqlo’s new Celia Birtwell campaign, hates creasy foundation, loves a red lip. She tells us about her favorite products.

1. Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder
“Thick foundation that gets really cloggy is a big no-no. I’m scared of getting the creases! Powder is a must for me.”
lauramercier.com

2. Benefit they’re real! mascara
“I’m a massive mascara addict. I’ve had a love affair with it for such a long time. I’ve just discovered Benefit’s and it’s amazing.”
benefitcosmetics.com

3. Chanel Rouge Allure in 99 Pirate
“Once I’ve put lipstick on, I feel like I don’t need to do anything else.”
chanel.com

4. MAC Liquid Eye Liner in black
“I love being able to do a good flick!”
maccosmetics.com

5. Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Intensive Lip Repair Balm
“It keeps my lips nice and moist and it lasts forever.”
elizabetharden.com

*Portia Freeman is the face of the Celia Birtwell for Uniqlo campaign and the ambassador for Global Kids’ Fashion Week. *

The post Inside model Portia Freeman’s makeup bag appeared first on Metro.us.

Just when you thought her maternity choices couldn’t look any more uncomfortable, Kim Kardashian goes shopping in a body-con dress, its leather stretched to the absolute limit, and stilettos — an outfit that would make even the average not-pregnant woman look like she’s trying too hard. But before we get into Mother Kimye’s pregnancy wear, let’s establish these facts:

1. The Kardashians are unbeatable at the game of being famous for being famous.
2. The Kardashians have been known to mine their personal life for reality TV and publicity in general.
3. Kim is a Kardashian.

Now that we’ve gotten those out of the way, let’s look at that leather. The tighter the squeeze around her bump and the higher the heels, the more we talk about it. It’s a pop culture moment that advances the plotline of Kim’s celebrity as clearly as an episode of “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.”

The average pregnant woman dresses for comfort. But increasingly, the average famous pregnant woman dresses strategically as the bump becomes another opportunity for personal branding (Jessica Simpson), record sales (Beyoncé) and public obsession (Miranda Kerr). Yes, Kim claims that flats hurt her back and that heels are the most comfortable shoe for her to wear. But the tape wrapped around her feet says otherwise. It’s not hard to imagine the ways she’ll push this idea further as her final trimester approaches. What next? Hot pants and a bustier? Somewhere, her marketing team is probably taking notes.

The post A look at Kim Kardashian’s pregnancy wardrobe appeared first on Metro.us.

Don’t have time to rifle through estate sales for pretty vintage gems? Try this new feminine, antique looking jewelry collaboration between Rebecca Taylor and the San-Francisco-based jewelry designer The 2 Bandits. The line, ranging in prices from $115 to $155, melds sweet gold and silver pieces with with pearly, opaque stones.

The post Editors Pick: Rebecca Taylor collaborates with The 2 Bandits appeared first on Metro.us.

Acclaimed London-based designer Duro Olowu charmed fashion insiders with his mix-match of riotous prints and bold colors — inspired by his native Africa — and he’s now bringing his eye for the dramatic to JCPenney for the store’s first designer collaboration. The Nigerian-born talent created a collection true to his statement-making aesthetic, which includes accessories and home goods ranging from $10 to $100.
“I wanted to add an element of art and surrealism but in a really possible way,” Olowu says. “Because I think the general public, which we’re all a part of, need to be inspired. I need to be inspired.” He tells us more about his spirited print-happy collaboration, sure to inspire your wardrobe choices all summer long.

What was your starting point for the collection?
I’ve always loved American design, from Claire McCardell in the ’30s to Willi Smith. American style is a bit underrated in that respect, as high fashion. So, I said I’m going to think of American classics and give them global flair.

What was the design process like?
I wanted this to feel like a collection, not like my greatest hits rehashed. I want to walk in and think, “Oh, I would buy this,” if I saw it. What I love about it is that I feel that it’s age-appropriate for any age. It’s like “funky granny” — you mix it up, you mix it down. [Laughs] Also, these are not disposable pieces, they are classics.

The post Duro Olowu and JCPenney appeared first on Metro.us.

You can always count on Rent The Runway to help you get glam for weddings and last-minute fancy affairs. Now, the rental service is making sure you stay clear of typical black dresses this summer with its new capsule collection with New York-based designer Bibhu Mohapatra.
The Indian-born talent looked to his roots to create six evening-wear looks, including gowns and cocktail dresses, that marry vibrant Indian colors and textiles with art deco-inspired silhouettes. The collection ranges in rental price from $200-$400. See the entire line below.

The post Bibhu Mohapatra for RentTheRunway.com appeared first on Metro.us.

Name: Greta Carla Arienti
Spotted: Milan
What she’s wearing:
“I’m wearing a MaxMara coat, a Stefanel jacket, vintage trousers, a Salar bag and Paola Grande Giolleria earrings.”

The one item that she would wear every day for the rest of her life:
“I love my denim jacket because it’s always fashionable.”

The one trend that she would banish from existence:
“Needle point patterns. I don’t like the cushion effect that it creates.”

Her style:
“Chic but experimental.”

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

Name: Hanneli Mustaparta
Spotted: Paris
Occupation: Fashion blogger

What she’s wearing: “The dress, coat and shoes are all by Valentino.”

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

This is what we have to say about Derek Lam’s collection for Kohl’s DesigNation: We pretty much want it all. The CFDA Award-winner is the second designer to participate in the department store’s effort to bring the runway to the masses. For his turn, Lam drew inspiration from a trip to Rio de Janeiro to create his collection of feminine, sophisticated staples in bold jungle-inspired prints and bright colors. Retail prices for the line range from $36 to $88 and will be available at Kohl’s stores nationwide and on www.kohls.com on April 5.

The post Derek Lam for Khol’s appeared first on Metro.us.

The post What to wear to Coachella: Music Festival Fashion appeared first on Metro.us.

Name: Eva Wigert
Occupation: Brand manager
Spotted: London

What she’s wearing: “I’m wearing Helmut Lang leather pants an Acne shirt, a Michael Kors blouse, a Sister Jane bomber jacket, Christian Louboutin shoes and a Celine bag.”

Her style influences: “I dress more formal for work than what I do in my spare time, but I always try to mix it up with some edgy accessories or shoes.”

The one trend that she would banish from existence: “I’m not a huge fan of the mini dress and stripper heels combination which is so common in London. In my home city of Norway, you never see that – it’s just way too cold.”

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

Name: Ceylan Atinc
Spotted: Milan

What she’s wearing:
“The coat and jumpsuit are made by my best friends and the shoes are by Celine.”

The one item of clothing that he’d wear every day for the rest of her life:
“I’m loving jumpsuits at the moment. They’re just so comfortable.”

The one trend that she would banish from existence:
“Leopard or animal patterns. I think that those trends are a little tasteless.”

Her style:
“Sophisticated and elegant.”

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

Name: Tiany Kiriloff
Occupation: Journalist
Spotted: London

What she’s wearing:
“I’m wearing Kenzo pants, a Fille Papa shirt, a WANT Les Essentiels clutch and Rupert Sanderson shoes.”

Her style:
“I work in fashion, so I’m constantly surrounded by many beautiful clothes, shoes and accessories, so yes, my job really influences what I wear.”

The one trend that she would banish from existence:
“I’d probably get rid of the wedge sneaker.  They’re all over the place in Belgium and I’m kind of sick of seeing them.”

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

Drew Barrymore’s new makeup line for Walmart, FLOWER, is made up of BB creams, eyeshadows, mascaras, bronzers and lipsticks with trippy, hippie names like “Camelia Charm” and “Awesome Blossom.”  “I’ve been in a makeup chair my whole life playing with every product, from prestige to budget. But I think every woman should be able to afford a more inexpensive experience,” she says. And with 181 products to choose from, all priced between $5 and  $14, you can take your pick. She shares her beauty wisdom with us.

Barrymore’s daily beauty routine
“I wash my face three or four times a day. And I’m being conservative with the estimate! I like to keep my skin clean, because if I let it get dirty I can get breakouts. When you’re in film or fashion, you have to wear makeup for up to 16 hours a day. So when I have time off in my real life, I wash obsessively.”

Her sleepless nights with baby Olive
“I’m definitely going to search more rapidly for a dark-circle corrector. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror the other day, and I couldn’t believe what I saw. It was just a fast glimpse so I went back and was like, ‘No, yeah. I did see that!’ I looked like I’d gotten punched. But in a weird way, it made me happy. At least these dark circles mean I’m a new mom as opposed to other reasons.”

Her ongoing search for “the one”
“I’m still searching for ‘the one’ when it comes to the best skin-care product. I play around a lot. I would love to curate a skin line for people like me, who want the benefits of the intense stuff without the negatives of the strength, because my face doesn’t react well to it.”

Inside her makeup bag

“My makeup bag changes from week to week,” Barrymore says. “I like putting different combinations together.” Right now, she’s using the following:
1. FLOWER Color Play Creme Eyeshadow in   Orchid-ing Around: “It’s got this wonderful grayish, purple, smokey hue to it. I’m mad about it. All you need is one swipe and you’re done.” $8, www.walmart.com

2. Shu Uemura eyelash curlers and Tweezerman Slant Tweezers: “I definitely still rock the good old Shu Uemura curler ($20, www.shuuemura-usa.com) and Tweezerman tweezers ($22, www.tweezerman.com).”

3. FLOWER Extreme Measures Lengthening Mascara in Brown: “I’m in a brown mood. This mascara has a gorgeous mocha color to it. It looks rather light on the wand, but once you put it on it does everything you’d want a dark mascara to do!” $7, www.walmart.com

The post Drew Barrymore on her new makeup line appeared first on Metro.us.

Trend: Leopard print

Move over bold florals — the slightly cheeky yet sophisticated animal print was on everything from gowns to puffer coats to accessories on the Fall 2013 runways.

The post Fall 2013 trend: Seeing spots appeared first on Metro.us.

After four grueling fashion weeks — New York, London, Milan and Paris — we distilled the biggest themes that came down the runways. Here’s what you can expect to wear next fall

The post 10 fashion trends from Fall 2013 appeared first on Metro.us.

The post LFW revisited: Michelle Bobb-Parris never met a biker boot she didn’t like appeared first on Metro.us.

Watch as the fashion icon, breathily channels Anastasia Steele. and then cutely erupts into giggles after.

The post Watch Kate Moss read from ’50 Shades of Grey’ appeared first on Metro.us.

In her book “The Venus Week,” gynecologist Dr. Rebecca Booth contends that women have awesome hair days and glowing skin in their pre-ovulatory period, when their levels of estrogen and testosterone are highest. With Dr. Booth’s simple tips, women can trick their bodies into producing that Venus glow all month long.

How can women figure out their “Venus Week”?
The easiest way is to understand where you are in your cycle, the first day being the first day of your period. About day 10 or 11 women start to experience some hormonal highs. Another simple way to do it is a temperature chart, which can give a woman a reflection of her hormones throughout the month if she’s not on the pill.

How can women achieve the hormonal boost that will help them look their best?
The way that hormones control our emotions is by altering the mood regulators in our brains, like serotonin and dopamine. During that peak hormonal time, those chemical levels are pretty high. Women can offset the drop in these chemicals with exercise and meditation. Nutrition is also important. Plant proteins like nuts, lentils, soy and seeds contain phytoestrogens that mimic our bodies’ estrogen and boost metabolism.

What can “The Venus Week” teach women about beauty?
Women should limit foods containing carbs and sugar that raise the body’s insulin level, which upsets the body’s ratio of estrogen. Cycle-related acne is also related to a dip in estrogen, which decreases pore size. Omega-3 fatty acids are a great natural lubricant that offset the decline of collagen.

VENeffect
Dr. Booth created a line of products with her sister Cecil Booth, a skin care expert, to reverse the signs of hormonal aging. The products — ranging from $85 for the anti-aging lip treatment to $195 for the firming serum — are sold at Neiman Marcus and at www.veneffect.com.
“VENeffect stimulates the production of collagen and supports elasticity  to help sustain that glow so that we don’t just have a Venus Week, but the Venus effect,” says
Dr. Booth. “Our product line uses a very high level of plant-derived estrogens that are safe and prescription-free.”

The post Tapping into your ‘Venus Week’ appeared first on Metro.us.

The 50-degree temperature today has us dreaming of spring and everything the warmer weather promises: garden parties, popsicles, cocktails alfresco, outdoor weddings, the list goes on. This lace open-back romper in poppy orange by Dolce Vita would be perfect for any of these future plans. Dolce Vita Accordance Lace Romper, $168, www.anthropologie.com

The post Editors pick: Dolce Vita lace romper appeared first on Metro.us.

Diet Coke’s 30th anniversary adds some fashionable fizz with designer Marc Jacobs. The toy soldier-sized New Yorker talks sex, Kate Moss and not being able to compete with Tom Ford.

Next month you’ll turn 50, what do you have planned for your midlife crisis?
My midlife crisis has been going on for twenty years. I don’t see it as a crisis at all. I think it’s quite an adventure – not a crisis for me. I’m not going to buy a Corvette or anything like that – I guess that’s someone else’s midlife crisis.

You’ve said before that you don’t have any big party plans but you seem to enjoy wearing some pretty outrageous outfits like that pink polo shirt dress. Do you enjoy getting dressed up?
I do enjoy it. I love attention. I’m very honest about it. There were years where I just didn’t want to do press and I didn’t really care about my appearance and I sort of shied away from things like that. But in order to enjoy them, I have to be me and sometimes that means wearing a pink dress, a lace dress or a kilt. Also, I feel like I need to relate to that joy and that ritual of going shopping and finding something to wear and then wearing it. I think being connected to that makes me a better designer: it’s sort of like practising what you preach. I wouldn’t really be doing my job if I didn’t do that.

What’s your relationship like with Kate Moss?
Kate Moss? She just texted me. We’ve been on holiday together. We were in Ibiza a few years ago with her daughter [Lila Grace], [photographers] Mert [Alas] & Marcus [Piggott] and some friends of mine. I’ve spent a great deal of time with Kate over the years; we genuinely like each other – we just click.

She regularly closes your show, do you ask her or vice-versa?
It works both ways. She’s expressed interest and of course, I’ve expressed interest in wanting her in a show. Over the past few years, it’s kind of like the Vuitton show is the only show she’ll do. It’s kind of just become this thing.

Your last few Louis Vuitton shows have contained sexual undertones. How does sex influence your work?
Sex is a big part of my life. It’s a very big part of most people’s lives whether they want to admit it or not. I don’t know, sometimes when collections feel more personal there’s more of an undercurrent of things that are of an emotional nature. When I dream, there’s this darkness, this melancholy side, there’s this sexual tension and then there’s this kind of identity thing that goes on: an element of role-play and honesty. In the collections that I feel most proud, there are personal feelings and emotions that make it human.

Speaking of sex, you’re in great shape and so is Tom Ford. Who’s the bigger stud and why?
I don’t know. I don’t compete with Tom Ford. Tom’s a friend of mine and I think Tom’s terrific. He’s a great looking guy and all of that but I certainly don’t set out to compete with Tom [laughs]. I wouldn’t compare anything of mine to anything of his.

How does the inspiration and working process for you differ between your Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton collections?
The New York collection is very personal to my life growing up in New York. My collection in Paris is very much about my life in Paris, which is a bit of more of a fantasy life: that of being a French designer and working with the great ateliers of Paris – it feels a little bit like I’m looking in on a different world.

Are there too many designer collaborations?
No, no. It’s always a two-way street. If nobody had any interest in designers doing cans and bottles for Coca-Cola, then Diet Coke wouldn’t ask designers to do it. It’s about supply and demand.

Do you think that fashion houses are creating too many collections these days?
It is too much but I don’t actively participate in all of it to the same degree. I know when I’m most needed and that’s when I rise to the occasion and I don’t think any one person does do that much. They might say that they do but they don’t.

Cigarettes, coffee and Diet Coke, would you say that you’ve got an addictive personality?
Well, let’s not put cigarettes in the same category as Diet Coke. Hmm, cigarette smoking is my bad habit, I’d say. It’s my biggest vice and bad habit – I don’t recommend it.

How many do you smoke a day?
I don’t know, I don’t count – I try not to.

 Diet Coke through the decades

Eighties girl power

The Nineties go glam

The sporty Noughties

The post Marc Jacobs on sex and soda appeared first on Metro.us.