Of course, with your fashion goggles on a new moon can mean taking on a new style perspective. Note, this doesn’t mean you have to (necessarily) change your fashion profile altogether, but if you’ve been feeling like you’re in a sartorial rut now’s the time to climb your way out of it.

Leo lends this period of newness a particularly royal flavor. Even if only in his own head, the lion is the king of them all: proud, dramatic, extroverted, magnanimous, and utterly sexy. If you’ve been hiding behind your work dress code, blending in with easy trends, or otherwise playing it safe, use the Leo moon to step into the spotlight with attention-getting style statements. Photo: photobucket @maharani_r

If the leonine energy weren’t enough on it’s own (it generally is), this month it’s supported by a conjunction from none other than the planet of beauty herself: Venus. This contact between the two celestial bodies gives us licence to truly lay it on thick. Save modesty for another time and revel in your own beauty and that of those around you. Be free and generous with your compliments (but sincere!) and expect to receive plenty as well. Try your best to receive any praise thrown your way with confidence and never deflect. Remember that you are beautiful and deserving.

The Cult’s favorite fashion tip is, as always, to strive for the highest quality obtainable. This in right is line with the royal tone of a Leo moon, but whereas high end isn’t always so conspicuous, the Lion craves visibility so much as to even border on gaudy. A piece of costume jewelry is just the thing to indulge in at this time. Balance out any potential kitsch with clean-lined apparel basics. Click the photos below to explore.

Red is a good luck color for Scorpio and of course a slinky red dress is incredibly sexy. Seek out a dress with fluid lines and material – silk or beautifully draped jersey, like the lovely examples below (click the photos for more info). Once you dip your toe into the intense waters of Scorpio’s alluring realm, you’ll feel more comfortable to take a dive into the deep. You don’t have to stay there, but it’s a useful card that you can pull out at any time of the year. Enjoy.

top image: dailyhoroscope.com

For the next month the sun will be sharing the Aries portion of the sky with Jupiter, the planet of expansion. This means the inclination for new things is especially strong right now and the energy of abundance is raining down on us. BUT WAIT! This doesn’t (necessarily) mean it’s time for a shopping spree. Rather, now is the time to expand by trying new things, exploring new cultures, maybe even gaining some new knowledge. So instead of falling back on old patterns or buying into the predictable trends, now’s when you need to add something fresh and different to your routine and your wardrobe.

In fact, you may find this refresher happening whether you like or not. This is because Uranus has also moved into Aries, as of March 11. This planet is the one that comes around to stir the pot, and it’s not always an easy turn to take. Uranus will remain in Aries until 2018 so its effects will be long lasting and wide reaching. You may feel the urge to start being more authentic. Pretentious and plastic just aren’t “in” anymore and you can now allow yourself to more fully express your true self.

There’s nothing wrong with having knowledge of fashion fads, but now’s the time that you’ll be more choosy about about which you participate in. Or maybe there’s something completely strange and different that you’ve not seen anywhere, but just feel like trying in your look. Go with it! Trust instincts and allow your style to experience a surge in evolution. Now’s not the time to try to fit in. You might even that find your willingness to break free from the norm gets you noticed in a way that will foster positive growth in your career, your love life, or your social standing. This might mean breaking with situations and people that have been the norm for you until now, so keep that in mind and embrace the change even when it hurts a little.

In fact, the energy of Saturn in Libra (Aries’ opposite) means that your close relationships are likely to be tested. Your new commitment to authentic style might rub your significant other or your boss the wrong way. This will expose “issues” that have been there all along, but were covered by the paper veil of dressing as you are expected. Face the resulting confrontations with courage and patience. It might be time to write that resignation or Dear John/Jane letter. On the other hand, if you are able to work through it, the relationship will be stronger than ever.

Aries energy encourages freedom and action, which means it prefers to be unfettered by limitations… and baggage. You know what this means: it’s time for Spring Cleaning. Tackle that closet with the fierce Mars energy of Aries. It’s time to let go of all those items that you’ve outgrown – physical, mentally, and emotionally. Have you been hanging onto a dress that no longer fits your body or your lifestyle? Chuck it! Remove that dead weight from your life and bring in the delicious crispness of the fresh and new. The good news is you’ll find it easier to do this right now as Uranus inspires you to make changes and Jupiter propels you forward to new things. Right now you are a wardrobe warrior and you take no prisoners!

Though these energies might be felt more acutely in those born around this time of the year, they are relevant to everyone and we can all take advantage of them. Stay tuned for the re-launch of the Haute Horoscope sun sign series coming April 2011. For personal consultations please write to webmistress@thefashioncult.com.

artwork: astrotheme.com

For example, you might be riveted by these exaggerated platform wedges by Charlotte Olympia. I agree that they’re kind of charming and the 50%+ discount is attractive. But in two years – or even next season! – will you truly be happy that your dropped upwards of $600 on these? Think about how many wears you’ll realistically get how of these. They are currently on sale at Matchesfashion.com, but the store has plenty of wiser winter sale options. See a few of them below.

For dresses, look for classic silhouettes, in durable colors (neutrals and standards like red), and natural fabrics. From left to right:

• GIAMBATTISTA VALLI silk & wool dress
• CHARLES ANASTASE crepe silk dress
• MARC JACOBS cashmere mix dress
• THEORY pleated silk dress

Similar guidelines can be applied to coats. These winter items tend to require a greater monetary investment, making it even more important to make thoughtful choices. From left to right:

• SONIA BY SONIA RYKIEL double breasted coat
• CHLOE wool mix coat
• MARC JACOBS three-quarter wool mix coat
• BALENCIAGA tweed coat

The final Alexander McQueen collection designed by the label’s founder was seen in Paris today. Just sixteen pieces were shown to an intimate guest list in a gilded room at Francois Pinault headquarters. Though the collection was short, the impact was enormous – both because McQueen delivered a stunning couture-like pieces with immaculate embroidery and prints, and because the entire room (the entire world, in fact) knew it was the end of an era. Although his namesake brand will live on, these are the last works of the late Lee Alexander McQueen. According to WWD, the moment and the music (opera) produce tears in the eyes of many of those in attendance.

“It was a very moving experience to take a deep and serious look at his last collection. It showed Lee’s unique talent to create pieces of beauty that touch many of your senses, leaving one enriched,” said Robert Polet, CEO of the Gucci Group. “Although the sense of loss afterwards, I found overwhelming.”
[Gallery not found]

Unlike the short Fall proper collection (one wonders if that’s was really planned), McQueen’s pre-fall collection was a hulking 55+ pieces. Though still packed with McQueen drama, the collection seems more accessible to the average consumer than the one above. Almost as if this were RTW, while the main presentation were Fall 2010 couture. Hmm…

[Gallery not found]

Photos: wwd.com & alexandermcqueen.com via ana @tFS

The nominees for best dressed include women that didn’t play it safe in pretty, but managed to be gorgeous and forward with their fashion. They are

Zoe Kravitz
It’s too bad Zoe Kravitz isn’t a bigger “name” because her amount of coverage was nil compared to many of her more famous red carpet counterparts. Zoe was on trend and very chic in a red velvet-trimmed cream gown. With more pap attention we might have gotten better views of that dramatic bow in the back, with really makes the dress extra special. Another reason to love Zoe: her dad is hot.

Maggie Gyllenhaal
Maggie has the kind of style that looks like the result of authentically good taste, rather than a high profile stylist and access to the best dress. Her silhouette is elegant, but the dress is keep fun by beautiful blues and a paint-stroke print. She tops it off to perfect with jewelry pieces that don’t rely on bling for their appeal.

Carey Mulligan
Carey Mulligan has been a standout on the red carpet all (awards) season. She always takes it a step or two farther than pretty and is willing to take risks. Tonight she doesn’t disappoint wearing a mid-length dress with a train. From a distrance the bodice looks like it has your average beading. A closer inspection, however, show tiny forks and scisser intersperse among more tradition floral shapes. Mulligan, though she’s nominated for a best supporting Oscar, is a relative unknown for her acting until now, but her style has gotten her plenty of attention. Anna Kendrick take note! Just a touch of quirky can go a long way.

Zoe Saldana
Zoe Saldana looked beautiful wearing Givenchy couture. Her tiny frame is able to carry off the massive volume of the skirt, which is topped with a shimmery bodice. Unfortunately, she chose to wear the clunky shoes worn with this dress on the runway. A more delicate or streamlined shoe would have been in order considering all the weight of the dress. She still looks amazing!

Honorable mentions include Kate Winslet, Rachel McAdams, Sarah Jessica Parker, Nicole Richie, Meryl Streep, Virginia Madsen, and Susan Downey. See them and more stars in the gallery below.
[Gallery not found]

WINNER: Maggie Gyllenhaal

In a world that online sample sales are becoming more common and more trashy, Gilt Groupe stands out as one of the best. The members-only shopping site originally offered mostly women’s fashion, but now has dedicated sites for mens fashion, lower-priced brands, and travel packages. Now Gilt has something for art lovers, with a series of exclusive prints by painter Katherine Bernhardt.

Kate Moss. Gisele Bündchen. Agyness Deyn. Katherine Bernhardt has painted them all, transforming magazine images into stunning whirlwinds of eyes, lips, legs and color. Gilt has partnered with art consultancy Art & Advisory to create two exclusive, limited-edition screen prints by the Pop Expressionist. The first, Mangocita, features an intense Penelope Cruz as pictured in her Mango clothing ad. The second, La Parisienne, is an image of Moss inspired by her campaign for Yves St. Laurent’s Parisienne perfume. Printed on archival cotton paper, the signed and numbered works are each capped at an edition of 100.

‘Metallic Star’, 2006. Saatchi Gallery, London

Lizard Woman, 2006. Saatchi Gallery, London.

Bernhardt’s art resonates with me in it’s fixation on the subject of fashion, yet it’s recognition of these subjects as grotesque. The women in her paintings are alternately sad and monstrous, all the while carrying the haughty attitude of the modern model. Click here for an invitation to the sale.

photo credits: saatchi-gallery.co.uk

I’ve spent plenty of time in my personal conversations and on this blog defending fashion as an art. But now I’d like to propose that fashion is also a sport. And in that sport Christopher Bailey is London’s star quarterback.

For the A/W 2010-11 shows live streams are a common thing. But yesterday Burberry Prorsum took the live stream to an entirely new dimension. While the actual show was going on in London, the company staged events in New York City, Tokyo, Dubai, Los Angeles, and Paris where spectators gathered to watch the show in 3D. And the streamed show wasn’t just a quick catwalk. Burberry staged an entire presentation complete with celebrity interviews and Anna Wintour herself, proclaiming that the Burberry show was the only one of the London Fashion Week that she was attending and she flew in just for that reason. How’s that for an endorsement!? Combined with super-closeups of exquisitely made accessories and outwear, it’s easy to see how one who usually wouldn’t would be tempted to drop a couple grand on a trench coat. And they make it very easy for impulse buyer to indulge. Watch the video of the presentation below and you’ll see at the end there direct link to purchase items from A/W 2010 right now. Some of my favorites from the lengthy collection in the gallery below.

A decent showing, minus the VPL issues seen on some models. Is this Bailey trying to make some sort of statement? Let’s hope it doesn’t catch on.

Private shopping pioneer ideeli.com has partnered with Style Coalition to create the Fashion 2.0 Social Media Awards, which seeks to recognize labels and brands that are doing the best job at utilizing social media. Winners will be chosen with the help of online shoppers, blog readers and fashion lovers en generale. There are 7 awards up for grabs and my favorite is for Best Online Video By A Fashion Designer or Brand. See the nominated videos in the playlist below, then vote here.

Visit the following links for a complete list of all awards and to vote:

The Innovator Award, Fashion 2.0
Fashion 2.0, Social Media Awards

Voting ends February 8 at 11:59PM, Eastern.

]]> http://www.thefashioncult.com/2010/02/fashion-2-0-social-media-awards-best-video-more-poll/feed/ 0 http://www.thefashioncult.com/2010/02/the-dark-side-of-the-cult-denim-bandits/ http://www.thefashioncult.com/2010/02/the-dark-side-of-the-cult-denim-bandits/#comments Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:38:06 +0000 high Priestess /?p=7070

To every Cult there is a dark side, and the Fashion Cult is no different. I remember stories in the 90s of kids getting shot on the street for their high-priced sneakers. Are a pair of Jordans really worth your soul? Crazy. Now it’s denim that inspiring folks to a life of crime. The boom of premium denim has sparked an epidemic in the Atlanta area – of thieves ganking blue jeans like they were diamonds and pearls. Sure, we drool over Loewe handbags and Proenza Schouler boots, but followers the bottom line is that style comes from within. So if you think you have to steal or buy stolen merchandise to be fashionable, think again. You can’t shine with that sort of blood on your hands.

From WWD:

Thieves drove a stolen van into a Nordstrom store at Perimeter Mall near Atlanta early Monday and fled with armloads of premium denim valued at $13,000, police said.

It was the second time in recent months that the mall — owned by General Growth Properties Inc. and located in Dunwoody, Ga., about 20 miles north of Atlanta — has been victimized by denim thieves. In October, robbers took an estimated $17,000 in premium denim from Bloomingdale’s.

The Dodge Caravan crashed into one of the store’s exterior entrances about 6 a.m., and three men grabbed 87 pairs of jeans. They left the van behind and escaped on foot.

It was unclear whether the latest robbery could be linked to the Blue Jean Bandits, a gang that has stolen more than $1.5 million in premium denim from some 70 Atlanta-area stores since 2007, said Detective Robert Bentivegna of the Dunwoody Police Department. The heists began as after-hours smash-and-grabs and escalated to brazen armed robberies during the day.

photos: theoffside.com, webblogseize.com

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