Celebrity: September 2009 Archives

Homecoming Style: Retro Glam

lucy

on September 29, 2009 5:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Homecoming is almost upon us, so today we'll present you with the final installation in our homecoming guide to style. Of course, a guide is just that: The whole point is to take the tips you like, ignore the ones that are of no use to you, and wear whatever makes you feel good. When I was getting ready for my homecomings and proms growing up, I always liked to play off of the fact that my aesthetic didn't totally fit in with the current high school trends, and go for a look that was less of-the-moment-cool. Here are some tips on the classic and cool look that is...

RETRO GLAMOUR

Say what you will about her taste in men, Evan Rachel Wood has great style. She's constantly experimenting (so... be careful when google-imaging for further inspiration; the girl has been through some interesting phases), and is obviously not afraid to take the sartorial risk or two. Which, do not forget, is a good thing. Lately, she's been taking some cues from the ever-Marilyn-reminiscent Scarlett Johansson, rocking the retro-glam aesthetic in a very serious way. It's a specific look, which is all the more reason that it has a completely stunning effect when done right. Plus, it's actually just as much about hair and makeup as it is the dress you choose. Here a few basic guidelines:

In terms of dresses, keep things relatively simple. Patterns and colors are great, but avoid sequins and sparkles for the most part. Think full skirts, cinched or high waists (women back in the day had ridiculously small ones. See: Grace Kelly), elegant, even strapless, tops. The bodice can be snug all the way down, or blossom into a full skirt -- just remember that the point is to emphasize your curves, not hide them.

You also get a chance to have a lot of fun with hair and makeup. Rule number one is: DO NOT GO TO THE TANNING BEDS. (You should not do this anyway, just FYI. It's horribly bad for you.) Accentuate your pale skin, if you have it, and contrast that with bright red lips and a little body wave. AND, if by any chance you still need inspiration? Stay tuned for our next installation of FASHION IN FILM.

Gossip Girl Recap: Blair and Chuck Go To Sotheby's

lucy

on September 28, 2009 5:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

There is a long history of shows about high school coming to a brutal, abrupt, crash-and-burn style demise once they hit that great uncharted teen sitcom territory that is... Life Beyond Senior Year. Some shows (okay, just one that I know of) awkwardly skip over that whole "four year period" deal and move on into adulthood. (It's easier to do this when the characters started off approximately 10 years older than they were supposed to be in the first place, and also if a time warp is, like, the LEAST crazy plot point ever to have taken place on said show. Ahem.) With the CW's Gossip Girl, it's a little bit different. After all, the show is only in its third season, so there's still room for plenty of room for growth and change when it comes to things such as: characters, plot devices, fashion statements, etc.

Which brings us to Gossip Girl Season Three. You'd think that the whole point of introducing the college element at all would be to offer all sorts of opportunities for change before things got stale and superfluously crazy things had to start happening in order to merely avoid the monotony of dead-end high school relationships. Move the action downtown, say, or at least give the characters new hairstyles. (We're talking NYU, after all.) And yet, here in episode three of the season we have been introduced to only ONE new person (Nate's various random girlfriends don't count) -- who was actually introduced, via preposterous plot device, last season -- and entire episodes are still being devoted to Blair trying to get into uptight and totally not-fun-sounding secret societies.

Oh! That reminds me: On to the recap. In this episode, Blair and Chuck have more fake leading-up-to-hooking-up drama, Carter Baizan has found his way into the ample, um, heart of Serena VDW, Dan has outed himself as a laughable sleaze, and Vanessa's remarkably short boyfriend a) tells her the truth about his prenatal origins, b) skips town without revealing these rather crucial details to anyone else, and c) fully sets up the scenario for what is sure to be a dramatic return. Georgina Sparks is, as usual, at the center of a complex web of diabolical activity. But don't you sort of wish that there was someone other than Georgina driving this entire series? I'm totally sick of her. And I feel like the show's stylists must share my opinion; poor Michelle Trachtenberg is by far the most poorly-dressed member on the show. (Speaking of which, much though I'm tiring of Blair's whole UES satin-prepster schtick, I can sense a NYU-fueled downtown-rebellion thing coming on, and I...am excited about it.)

The episode wasn't all bad, though. For instance, I liked the idea that Georgina had enlisted what was presumably a sniper-style paparazzo to snap that picture of Dan that she then immediately made her ominously stalker-esque desktop wallpaper. Also, Chuck "has a guy at the precinct." Of course. And finally, Vanessa is wearing what appears to be a safety patrol vest-inspired t-shirt. I guess some things just shouldn't ever change. And on that note, until next week!

Homecoming Style: Southern Influence

lucy

on September 28, 2009 10:26 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Perhaps your school-dance fashion tastes run along more traditional lines than those we've previously covered? Try taking some notes from the always-appropriately-attired Taylor Swift (see also: Carrie Underwood), who does a rare thing among her peers in the country music genre -- she keeps that classic Country style from getting either too over-the-top, or too Grandama's-Debutante-Dream... Her secret weapons? Sparkles, stilettos, and ... hair. The girl loves her formalwear, but even in floor-length dresses she manages to keep things and light be ensuring that whatever dress she's wearing, she is the one wearing it, and not vice versa. Whether short or long, that means: metallics, sequins and tulles are totally cool -- but try to keep the material light and the cut simple. For the shorter dresses specifically, think simple tops with full, fun skirts. Do not shy away from high heels. (Unless you are in the mood for cowboy boots, which may often be substituted.) Embrace your curls. And most importantly? Don't forget to smile big.

Fashion in Film: Coco Avant Chanel

lucy

on September 26, 2009 2:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Personal style is not a thing that can be acquired overnight. Sad (or maybe just frustrating) but true. After all, the way that you present yourself is an inevitable statement about how you want to be perceived -- be it low-key and casual, or high-fashion, high-cost, and high-heeled. Of course, style evolves. I mean, a quick glance back through your Facebook photo archives from last month (or even - gasp! - last year) may reveal some shockingly unflattering sweaters (why did no one tell you?!) or "unique" hair experiments, or straight-up unfortunate footwear disasters. (Hi, anyone remember THESE?) Let's face it: Often, what we wear is reflected by trends that are unfolding in the world around us - and these days, thanks to blogs, gossip magazines, and reality television, the effects of the immediacy and influence of pop culture can take on very visceral properties when it comes to... how you get dressed in the morning. Which is totally cool, because a) you know what? Back in the day, those shoes were probably cool, and b) no one's putting a gun to your head and forcing you to dress like whoever happens to be on the cover of the latest In Touch. Trusting your instincts is a huge factor in developing your own aesthetic.

However. It can be fun to remember, too, that there are other sources from which to draw some inspiration as well. (Fashion did exist before The Hills, don't forget.) Which is why we at TIZA are introducing a weekly discussion of fashion in some of the most sartorially inspiring movies of all time. Yes, there will be Audrey. But there will also be Sofia, and Wes, and Anjelica, and much, much more. First up?

COCO AVANT CHANEL

Audrey Tatou stars as the young designer in Sony Pictures Classics' Coco Avant Chanel

For our inaugural column, we just couldn't resist a discussion on the recently-released biopic about one of the industry's most iconic figures: Coco Chanel. Of course, these days we all know her as the woman who would eventually be responsible for some of the most beautiful dresses ever created, basically ever. But, as the film (which stars Audrey Tautou and was released on September 25) points out, Coco was not really the type to be often seen strutting around in lacey dresses and low-cut tops; actually, Chanel (who originally aspired to be an actress) spent a great deal of her time dressed in trousers, a simple, white button-down blouse, a hat, and occasionally, a tie. You could call it a very chic, very sophisticated, and way-ahead-of-her-time sort of tomboy look. She used the resources she had (in this case: some old guy's clothes) to develop a style completely unique to the time period -- and which, incidentally, still holds up today. In many ways, the resulting aesthetic has probably influenced basically every runway look ever to follow Coco's first collection down the catwalk. Suffice it to say, the lady certainly was doing something right. Just look at the evidence:

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Or, for the more ladylike among you:

And if you're still not convinced, just stay tuned for next week's edition of Fashion in Film, where we will present you with yet more fashion inspiration.

Wanna Get Fresh?

lucy

on September 23, 2009 2:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Yesterday in New York City, Gossip Girl starlet Taylor Momsen helped kick off Clinique and Teen Vogue's National Fresh Faces Tour. The tour, which gives girls all over the country a chance to get not only a free makeover (which is pretty good in itself), but also to enter into the makeup company's annual Fresh Faces Contest, will be touring the greater United States all through November, making stops everywhere from New Jersey to Ohio to Florida to California. And get this: Professional photographers will be on-site at each location to snap participants' post-makeover photos, for their own personal submission purposes. See below for exact dates, or check out the website for additional details.

New York, NY - September 22, 2009
New Brunswick, NJ - September 24-25, 2009
Columbus, OH - September 28-29, 2009
University, MS - October 1-2, 2009
Orlando, FL - October 6-7, 2009
Tallahasse, FL - October 13-14, 2009
Austin, TX - October 22-23, 2009
La Jolla, CA - October 28-29, 2009
Los Angeles, CA - November 4-6, 2009

Homecoming Style: Rock'n'Roll edition

lucy

on September 22, 2009 2:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Recently, we gave you the full rundown on the Angelina Jolie-esque Siren's Guide to Dressing for Homecoming. Not totally the look that you're going for? Don't worry; we here at TIZA know the importance of individualizing your style - which is why we're providing advice for girls of all different aesthetic preferences. Now, get ready for our latest installation on....

ROCK'N'ROLL CHIC, HOMECOMING STYLE

Maybe you are not the kind of girl who is into dresses involving too many sparkles, chiffon layers, or even pink frills. That is okay. There are still many options for you. Case in point: Kristen Stewart, the 19-year-old Twilight star, may portray your everyday jeans-wearing, fleece-ridden, Vampire-smitten teen in the wildly popular film series -- but in real life, the California native has a definite hard-rock edge to her look. She's proven herself the master of adding a personalized tough-girl touch to some of her red-carpet party-dress looks. (See above.) But even this style doesn't require a hard-ass sensibility or a bad attitude: it's all about balancing the balancing the soft and hard elements.. Even a super-feminine dress (short usually works best, in this case, and beading, bright colors, and bold patterns are good too) can be tempered by pairing it with an artfully tousled mane, as well as angular or contrasting shoes and accessories. A leather biker jacket (which, by the way, goes with basically everything) and thick layer of black eyeliner never hurt either. Of course, the primary goal here? Be yourself, experiment, and don't forget that even punk-rock girls are allowed to have a little fun.

**Click on the links for some inspiration from TIZA

Homecoming Style: Sirens calling

lucy

on September 21, 2009 5:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As most of you can probably attest, finding the perfect dress for any occasion is never easy. (Certainly not as easy as it looks, once achieved.) But sometimes, making a splash in the ensemble that's Just Right can give you the confidence you need to make it through the beginning of the fall semester. That's why we're presenting you with a whole slew of inspirational styles (corresponding celeb icons included), to help you channel your inner royalty - Homecoming or otherwise.

First up: The Siren

When it comes to dressing up, do you tend to favor all things plunging, hugging, slinking and accentuating? Perhaps bold (see: red) or sheer; backless or cut-out?** Is there a chance you admire the red-carpet tendencies of, say, Angelina Jolie or Megan Fox? If you find yourself answering mainly YES to these questions, go ahead and consider yourself a classic type A siren. Sirens (a mainstay of Greek mythology, FYI) are historically alluring; they're known for possessing a strange - almost mystical - seductive power that's nearly impossible to resist. Fashion-wise, that basically just means that you don't have to do a ton of work when it comes to getting dressed - your attitude and innate appeal will speak for itself. Bold colors and classic, curve-hugging cuts are all you'll need to make a dramatic entrance. Accessorizing is easy, too; keep it simple with elegant earrings or a necklace, and think minimalist when it comes to hair. (Sirens, after all, have often been portrayed as mermaids - and do you recall Ariel ever sporting any sort of elaborate updo?) Once you've hit those basic marks, your confidence will speak for itself. And what could possibly be better than that?

Stay tuned for our next installation: Homecoming dresses go Rock'n'Roll Chic

**Click on the links for some inspiration from TIZA

Fashion Highs and Lows at the 2009 Emmy Awards

lucy

on September 21, 2009 11:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Last night at the Emmys, some questionable choices were made. Both by the Academy (I'll keep my mouth shut, but really! There were some shockers!), and - on a more sartorial level - a number of the nominees themselves. There were strange appendages, and unflattering ruffles, and some ill-advised, seemingly figure-skating-inspired relationships with flesh-toned mesh. But not everything was a miss. Take a look at Tiza's picks for the night's fashion highs and lows. Plus one that we're legitimately undecided about. What do you guys think?

THE HIGHS:

Chloe Sevigny

Can we just talk for a second about how Chloe Sevigny was totally passed over in re: the nominations this year? Her character on Big Love is easily one of the best in television these days -- not to mention the fact that the girl works Mormon-chic like nobody's business. Clearly, however, Sevigny wasn't too torn up about the snub: This polka-dot number is subtle but fun, and perfectly suited to her figure to boot. She also makes excellent use of the shocking red lipstick.

Ginnifer Goodwin

Again with the Big Love girls! I love everythinng about Goodwin's look here: the color, the cut, the simple, and in some angles almost pixie-like hair. Maybe she's taking notes from her co-star?

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore always loves a good princess dress - and this one (thank God) is a good one. She looks radiant but not overdone. Not an easy feat, either. I believe even Ms. Barrymore has had a few run-ins with the cupcake dilemma in previous years...

Leighton Meester

The Grecian goddess look is a very tricky one to pull off. After all, it is a fine line between "gown" and "sheet." And yet, Gossip Girl's Leighton Meester hits the nail right on the head. As usual. Sigh.

THE LOWS

Padma Lakshmi

Padma Lakshmi is beautiful, smart, funny, nice-seeming, and has a well-documented love of food. So we will forgive her this one monstrosity. But TIZA girls, please take note: Fake roses cannot just be thrown onto any old dress. And if you are going to use them, perhaps you can at least do so to cover up the part of your straps that were apparently attacked by dogs immediately preceding this event?

Olivia Wilde

Classic case of the Fake Flesh in Weird Places problem. Usually one finds this more in the winter Olympics than on the red carpet, but... to each her own? Also, is it just me or is does Wilde's dress seem slightly reminiscent of Bjork's most notoriously avian-inspired look? (Sans said look's auadacious awesomeness, unfortunately.)

Sarah Silverman

How is it that Silverman could make a fake-mustache look good last night, but was unable to pull off a seemingly simple blue dress?! Answer: Too much rouching in all the wrong ways. (That was not a rhetorical question.)

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

January Jones

Mad Men star January Jones's look is definitely adventurous. There's something almost "futuristic robot-wife" about it. The problem is that I can't decide whether or not that is a good thing! What do you think?

What to Watch: Upcoming Fashion Events

Tiza

on September 15, 2009 7:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Staying afloat on fashion is kinda like trying to swim in a velvet gown with a six foot train. Purely pointless.

But Tiza knows the best way to surf the fashion scene. We're busy and buzzing with our own designs, so Tiza keep an eye on competition safe and dry from the Internet. We dive straight to the sauciest sources on the hottest catwalk events of the season. Want to keep up with us? Grab your shades and pink sparkly flippers: we swim to the farthest of couture kingdoms--virtually speaking.

Upcoming fashion events to watch for via Internet...

September 10-17: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, New York

23-30: Milan Fashion Week-Milano Moda Donna

October 1-8: Paris Fashion Week

January 28-31: Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Berlin

February 11-18: Mercedez-Benz Fashion Week, New York

March 25-30: Moscow Fashion Week presented by VISA

Get ready gals, we've got serious seas to sail. Hmm...what would a fashion-savvy pirate wear, anyway?

Top 10 VMA party dresses

lucy

on September 15, 2009 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

As you may have heard by now, some serious drama went down at MTV's Video Music Awards the other night. (Oh, Kanye...) Luckily, Taylor Swift bore the on-stage interruption with characteristic class. Also: style. Here are TIZA's picks for the ten best dresses that made their way onto the red carpet.

1. Taylor Swift

Not a pity vote! Swift's dress is perfectly glamorous, playful and (importantly!) age-appropriate for the occasion. Excellent use of bangles.

2. Alexa Chung

Is it just me, or is MTV personality Alexa Chung channeling Jenny Humphrey with the whole good-girl-gone-goth look?

3. Leighton Meester

Speaking of Gossip Girls...Leighton Meester once again strikes the optimal balance of uptown chic-meets-downtown glam

4. Amerie

Pulling off the pre-attached dress-plus-capelet combo look is no small feat. But Amerie rocks it. Great color, and even better job accessorizing: note the simple hair and makeup + appropriately utilized ankle bracelet (which helps balance those wings up top!).

5. Beyonce