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SAG Awards 2010 Risk Taker: Christina Hendricks Wears Red Dress Chosen By Fans

Filed under: Fashion, Celebrity, News, Celebrity Style, Red Carpet

Proving she's not afraid to make a bold fashion statement, "Mad Men" actress Christina Hendricks stayed true to her siren image and stepped out in a red Carolina Herrera dress for the 2010 SAG Awards.

And talk about playing it brave, Hendricks' vivid red asymmetrical dress with a giant bow at the shoulder was chosen by fans in an online poll sponsored by Degree deodorant. Now, that's a style risk that would really make us sweat.

Then again, Hendricks turned to "Project Runway" alum Christian Siriano for the custom-made peach number (which received mixed reviews from critics) that she wore to the Golden Globes last Sunday.

Some pundits suggested that the Siriano dress made the buxom actress look as if she had packed on some pounds and that it washed out her creamy complexion.

Tonight, though, her red dress, which was undeniably more figure flattering, was chosen in a fan poll as part of a charity contest sponsored by Degree Women Ultra Clear in 'Red Satin.' The other two scarlet dress choices were by designers David Meister and Catherine Malandrino.

In addition to her obligatory swipe of deodorant, the actress wore a rose-cut diamond pendant and earrings by Irit Design.

While we don't know which dress Hendricks would have chosen for herself, we have a hunch she was probably quite smitten with the popular vote-winning frock considering she wore a Carolina Herrera gown for her New York City wedding last year.

"I'm not one to shy away from making a fashion statement on the red carpet," Hendricks said about her decision to leave her red carpet fate in the hands' of the masses in exchange for a $50,000 donation made to Clothes Off Our Back.

The charity, founded by married actor/philanthropists Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whtford, supports causes benefiting children around the globe

After the ceremony, Hendricks' dress will be auctioned off by the organization.

Love it or hate it, you can't call it an unattractive wardrobe mentality.

Plus, see which actress did a complete style 180, successfully rebounding from her panned Golden Globes getup.

SAG Awards 2010 Risk Taker: Christina Hendricks Wears Red Dress Chosen By Fans originally appeared on StyleList on Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yummie Tummie Creator Heather Thomson Answers Our Shapewear Questions

Filed under: Accessories, Fashion, News

For us, leaving the house without body slimmers and shape smoothers is like a day without a skinny cinnamon dolce latte or a lazy weekend without a "Jersey Shore" marathon. So, we were anxious to check out the newly redesigned Yummie Tummie Website.

The shapewear brand's tank can be worn by itself, or as a layering piece, and no one ever has to know you spent last night with a ham sandwich and chips watching Snookie, when you probably should have been sweating it out at the gym.

In light of the new and improved Website, we checked in with celebrity stylist and Yummie Tummie creator Heather Thomson for answers to five burning shapewear questions that will keep you looking hot.

StyleList: So, we went a little crazy over the holidays, and things are a bit squishy. Will a slimmer really smooth things out?
Heather Thomson: I personally found that the words sexy and shapewear simply could not be used in the same sentence, and my question as a designer was 'why not?'

Shapewear that chaffed, rubbed, rolled up, pinched and pushed was antiquated and my answer was and always is ... if you gain a few extra pounds after the holidays ... Yummie Tummie is your new best friend -- a modern and innovative product that will make you look and feel great. You don't have to compromise comfort or style while improving your womanly silhouette.

SL: Now that Valentine's Day is around the corner. Is there lingerie that smooths -- even after we scarf down half a box of chocolates?
HT: Our top seller that brings any woman from the boardroom to the bedroom -- even after a box of chocolates -- is our sexy, sophisticated and slimming 'must-have' 'Teddie.' This piece is both alluring and comfortable and creates an hourglass figure while giving you all the coverage and confidence you need.

SL: Speaking of lingerie, which slimming styles get the job done yet are hot enough to be seen?
HT: I only want to wear what makes me feel good - my 'Camie Pantie' is both sexy and has built-in moderate control to slim the tummie, my 'Peek-a-Boo Cami' is a full body slip that looks so good you could wear it as a dress, all three pairs of my Yummie Tummie bottoms -- 'Shortie,' 'Briefie' and 'Thong' -- slim, smooth and, if worn over a pair of tights, make you feel like Lady Gaga or Beyoncée performing on stage!"

SL: We see you've added some apparel to the site. How does that work when it comes to slimming?
HT: We have been expanding since we launched and our latest collections have added elements of ready-to-wear that literally take the shapewear category to an entirely new level.

Our fashion meets function mission, our patented technology and innovative designs are what the spring collection is all about. From fun and flirty tops to beautiful prints and colors, each piece is designed with a hidden slimming midsection panel on the inside layer so no one will ever know you are being slimmed and smoothed.

SL: What's the one Yummie Tummie item no woman should live without?
HT: I get dressed everyday and use Yummie Tummie as my third essential - your bra, your panties and your Yummie Tummie. Our Yummie Tummie tanks were designed to match the personality of the women buying them. Regardless of your body type, bra size, comfort level and style -- don't get dressed until you put on your Yummie Tummie.

From the 'Original Tank,' to the 'Strappy,' to the 'Undercover' or our latest addition, the 'Natalie' - you will need one for everyday dressing. The slimming midsection panel will give you the smoothing and slimming you need to make an everyday outfit become your favorite look.

Crazy about shapewear? Cynthia Rowley and Victoria's Secret both have new lines.

Yummie Tummie Creator Heather Thomson Answers Our Shapewear Questions originally appeared on StyleList on Sat, 23 Jan 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Why Fashion Trends Will Never Die

Filed under: Fashion, News, Designers & Brands

Fashion trends are dead? What?!

The Wall Street Journal reports that, according to various fashion veterans, trends are no longer in style.

Wait, does that mean we can all just pack up and go home?

Um, I don't think so. In fact, I think trends are more prevalent than ever. The difference is that in today's culture we are fortunate enough to not have to follow one singular trend to be fashionable.

Being trend-conscious in the 21st century no longer means wearing one designer or one look from head-to-toe, but instead mixing high and low; masculine and feminine; preppy and edgy -- and isn't that a trend in and of itself?

The Journal says, "Rather than fuss about skirt lengths or the season's silhouette, people now dress the way they see themselves, choosing looks that flatter their bodies and fit their lifestyles." But that doesn't mean that the style-conscious among us will stop paying attention to the most current proportions, fabrics and colors.

"Trends are diluted," Doris Raymond, owner of Los Angeles vintage store The Way We Wore, told the paper. "In the past two decades, 'designers have referenced every possible fashion period for inspiration.'"

Though I agree with the inspiration part of her statement, after all one just has to look at the past few seasons' runways -- teeming with riffs on everything from '80s to Mod -- to know what she is alluding to, it doesn't mean that all designers are just glorified copycats.

Last season, shows including Balenciaga (above left) and Rodarte (above right) featured innovative construction, futuristic fabrics and unparalleled craftmanship.

Yes, fashion trends are referential and recurring, but at the same time new ones pop up, allowing us to visually reflect the world around us.

The WSJ blames fast-fashion retailers like H&M, Topshop and Zara, who take trends from the runways and sell them for much less and long before the actual designer looks hit stores, for helping kill trends.

But aren't these more affordable chains doing just the opposite? They actually popularize trends by making them accessible to the masses. While I don't condone copying an exact design, inspiration for the season's hottest looks, or what I call trends, has been put out there by the high-end designers. And no longer do you have to be an Upper East Side heiress to look like you stepped right off the pages of Vogue.

Fashion democracy may be the new 'trend' and one that's here to stay, but that certainly doesn't mean the death of trends as we know them.

I, for one, can't wait until next month's fashion week to see what trends I will be wearing at the start of this brand new decade, even if many of them draw inspiration from decades, or even centuries, past.

And how do you explain explain three top actresses all wearing the same shade of purple to last Sunday's Golden Globes? Is that not proof that trends are alive and kicking?

Why Fashion Trends Will Never Die originally appeared on StyleList on Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How Much to Tip at the Beauty Salon?

Filed under: Cuts & Style, Hair

How many people know you as well -- and have as much influence over your looks -- as your hair stylist? There is, perhaps, no one more important to your beauty regimen, so it only makes sense to treat them as well as they treat you. Even though tipping is a customary way to end your beauty salon session, many women still wonder about who to tip what. Our friends at iVillage.com have offered some tips about, well, tipping:

In an informal poll from Aveda, iVillage.com reports on their site that tips ranged from 10 percent to 25 percent, but most women said they stick with 20 percent. Geography had some influence on this number, as those in bigger cities often left more, even though the cost of the service was more. Women who frequent the salon every four to six weeks tended not to give as much because their annual bill was so high already. Stylists in smaller towns or mall salons were likely to get smaller tips.

According to the salon experts though, hair stylists want everyone to start at 20 percent to be fair. Those who arrive late, have a toddler in tow or get squeezed in at the last minute should give more. Also, if your service includes a scalp or shoulder massage, you should increase your tip. Handing out at least 20 percent helps build a positive relationship with your stylist. Plus, it may just give him or her an extra incentive to spend more time on your mane and get you in when you really need it -- even if it's Friday at 5:00pm.

Another frequent question for salon-goers includes: Should we tip the shampoo person, and if so, how much? The answer is "yes". Don't assume your stylist shares tips. Instead, thank everyone individually. As a rule of thumb, try to give $3 to $5 to the shampooer.

And lastly, the age-old rule of not tipping the owner doesn't apply anymore. Give him or her the same 20 percent.

To help stretch dollar and your salon visits, try this advice for your highlights.

How Much to Tip at the Beauty Salon? originally appeared on StyleList on Sat, 23 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kardashian Sisters to Show Their Bebe Collection During New York Fashion Week

Filed under: Fashion, Celebrity, News, Designers & Brands, Celebrity Style

As if there aren't enough spectacles to cover during New York Fashion Week, here's one more to add to our calendars: On Feb. 16 at 10 am, the Kardashian sisters (Kim, Khloé and Kourtney) are set to show their new line for Bebe in NYC.

Instead of being held at the Bryant Park Tents, the presentation will take place at Stage 37 on Manhattan's West Side.

"This will be a perfect venue for Bebe to feature a 'sneak peek' of our Bebe-Kardashian Collection launching in stores mid-February," a company spokesperson told StyleList.

The Bebe-Kardashian unveiling, co-hosted by Elle magazine, is part of STYLE360 -- a two-day event featuring emerging and independent designers -- which runs during the NYC shows.

In its seventh season, the fashion showcase -- where last September Avril Lavigne debuted her Kohl's line, Abbey Dawn -- will put on 10 shows this season.

Onlookers should expect to see a part of each girl's personality reflected in the kick-off collection for the Kardashian's five-season collaboration with Bebe, Life & Style reported back when the collection was first announced.

"We each have our signature pieces," Kim told the magazine. "Khloé has her collection, Kourtney has hers and I have mine. It's so exciting."

Kim's enthusiasm for the project also spilled over onto her Website, where she exclaimed: "This is honestly a dream come true! We have always loved fashion and have wanted to design for such a long time and now we finally are! I love Bebe and wear their clothes all the time so I can't wait for our collections to come out in the spring! You guys are going to love what we've come up with!"

Hmmm... we think it's safe to say there will be some super short, curve-hugging pieces. (Bandage dresses perhaps?) And maybe one of those one-shoulder dresses that Kim has been raving about on her site.

Tune in for our full report during New York Fashion Week to find out!

In the meantime, see which other Kardashian sister (yes there are more) recently made her own entrée into the fashion world.

Kardashian Sisters to Show Their Bebe Collection During New York Fashion Week originally appeared on StyleList on Sat, 23 Jan 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Milla Jovovich to Star in Ann Taylor Spring Ad Campaign

Filed under: Fashion, Celebrity, News, Designers & Brands, Celebrity Style

That Ann Taylor is full of surprises.

The formerly staid retailer is anything but boring since its repositioning last fall.

On the heels of supermodel Heidi Klum's turn as star of the retailer's holiday ads, model/actress/singer/designer Milla Jovovich has stepped in for the spring campaign.

Jovovich was photographed by legendary fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh, wearing trench coats, dresses and blouses paired with tons of bling-y accessories.

Interestingly, Lindburgh considers Jovovich, more than any other model or woman he's photographed, to be his muse.

"When Milla comes in, you feel like something is going to happen," he said of her last year. Indeed.

Stay tuned for the actual ads.

Plus, catch up on other celebrity ad campaign news.

Milla Jovovich to Star in Ann Taylor Spring Ad Campaign originally appeared on StyleList on Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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