(Sorry all, could not get the youtube video embedded. Link here to watch on youtube.com)
Chantal Young of chantal. and shopchantal.com appeared on the newest local television show, “The Brand New TV Show”, hosted by Matthew J McDonald (Twitter @mattmc13) and Chrystie Corns (Twitter @ccmaine).
“I wanted the audience to see that the trends for the season are much easier to wear if you take a look at the variations in the cuts and fabrics and most importantly, how you can incorporate the trends into your dressing style” said Chantal. She went on to say “For example, they are so many ways to wear the slouchy style and it doesn’t have to be limited to one piece of clothing such as the slouchy pant. Slouchy styles can be interpreted into many different variations including t-shirts, scarves and one of my favorite, the snood
A trending topic on twitter, the snood is a slouchy hat/hood that has many variations. It is made popular by celebs such as Lady Gaga, Blake Lively of Gossip Girl and even includes men in the mix. It has made a resurgence lately due to celebrity and television and has been referred to as a possible retail savior for the holidays. We prefer the slouchy hat version at shopchantal and offer it in a few variations.
See The Brand New TV Show (twitter @brandnewtvshow) locally on the WPME station (channels 17 and 3) and on youtube.com. The show will continue to feature what’s new and interesting in Maine and around. Make sure you check it out.
Their back! Team Zoe is back in full effect, and the first disaster of the season includes dressing 5 celebrities (Cameron Diaz, Eva Mendes, Demi Moore, Debra Messing and Anne Hathaway) for the Golden Globes. What’s the big issue? Due to the slowdown in the economy, designers have slowed their production of couture gowns, making Rachel’s job difficult to choose the perfect dress for her clients. Brad even referenced the difficulty with a metaphor that only he could conjure up:
“It’s weird to have an award’s season and not have any clothes to dress people in. Imagine if you were a doctor, but have no prescription pads so you just go without medicine. That’s kind of the same situation, maybe? Right!”
A bit of a dramatic metaphor, but for this fashion obsessed trio saving lives is just as important as saving celebrity fashion reputations. The team makes do, but not without some little trials and tribulations right before the celebs head down the red carpet: Eva Mendes spots a stain on her gown, and Zoe needs Karl Lagerfeld’s consent to cut a sleeve off a Chanel couture dress to fit her vision of Cameron Diaz’s look.
All in the name of high fashion! I’m thrilled for a new season from a group that never fails to disappoint with high drama, incredible fashion, and celebrity guest stars. Tune in next week for the Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo, Monday nights at 10pm (EST). To read a little bit more about Season 2 of the Rachel Zoe Project, visit the “About” page on Bravo’s website.
I love The Hills and it is fitting to write a blog about a character from the reality TV series considering the last season kicks off on April 6, 2009 at 10pm (EST). As a huge fan of The Hills, I am also a huge fan of the style behind the show and obsessed to figure out which designers all the characters are wearing both on and off the show.
Lo Bosworth, whom I adore for her no-nonsense approach to dealing with drama and how she tells it how it is (no matter how rude she may come off), was photographed with LC wearing a KAIN Label Pocket Tank in Grey. She pairs it appropriately back to a skinny, dark rinse jean that looks so effortlessly pulled together.
We just received a new delivery of KAIN Label Tee’s that will be available for purchase early next week at shopchantal.com, and in this shipment we received Lo Bosworth’s pick — The Pocket Tank in Pink. We suggest pairing this back to just about anything, but to get Lo’s street chic look we recommend pairing it back to the Earnest Sewn Harlan in One Rinse.
A big hit back in the 60’s, The Shaggy Vest is making a big come back for Fall 2009. We drooled over Rachel Zoe’s extensive collection of vests during The Rachel Zoe Project last year and now, come Fall, this look will be ours. Joie has created a dramatic, super shaggy, and fun version without hurting a single fluffy creature along the way. Expected to arrive in August, The Glimmer Vest will become a staff favorite as soon as we unpack it from the box. Leaving the only question: How will we wear this trend?
Rachel Zoe in Fur Vest
Shall we take some advice from the woman who helped launch the come-back of this look, Rachel Zoe? Most definitely, her choice of bottoms with this piece is right on trend for Fall 2009! A trend-setter, most definitely! Shopchantal.com will be offering up liquid leggings from Rock & Republic in late June along with our Splendid cotton/modal favorites! The silhouette of the legging is the perfect “skinny” accessory to the over-sized vest!
Rock & Republic Melissa Legging
Along with the heightened anticipation for the arrival of the Glimmer Vest from Joie, the anticipation for the Rock & Republic Melissa Legging is even greater! The stretch is amazing and actually holds the legs and rear in to give you a sculpted, long, and lean look. Did we mention, the zipper back detail is pretty sweet too?
Zipper Detail
Pictured below is the Glimmer Vest and Dary Tiered Skirt, both pieces will arrive at shopchantal.com and chantal. this summer!
Although I know my fellow blogger and assistant manager claims she is boycotting Project Runway because of the demise of Jerell (she adored his wedding dress), I still maintain that she will deviate from her plan to watch the final Presidential debate in favor of catching the last episode of Heidi, Tim and the talented trio Leanne, Korto and Kenley. She is a true fashion lover and faithful reality television viewer.
I’m torn. I want to hear the view of the two candidates, Barack Obama and John McCain, especially on the economy, but will Moderator Bob Schieffer make me regret my decision? According to him, No. Schieffer has vowed to make the candidates give answers to each question. That should be interesting.
My unfortunate hiatus last night from my beloved television was disappointing for me and my love of blogging. However, our assistant store manager/buyer, Selena, took on the challenge and wrote today’s The Rachel Zoe Project blog update. Thanks Selena! Love it.
Recently inspired by a pair of black leather clog-esque pumps from Joie’s Spring Collection, I began to daydream all the great outfits I could wear around that shoe: Pink mini dress from Shoshanna with my Streets Ahead Carrie Belt- a sexy, flirty look that is always fun to put together. Or how about my Current/Elliot Elephant Bells and a Ballet Neck Tee from Splendid—the easy boho style that never goes out of style.
Joie Spring 09
The possibilities with a shoe like this are endless! Especially when I tuned into The Rachel Zoe Project this evening (I could no longer watch the worst display of a biased moderator I have ever seen in a presidential debate). Rachel’s eagerness to re-style her sister, Pam, proved to be an excellent learning experience for women out there who relate to this lifestyle.
Not only were there lessons to be learned for every girl, woman, and senior (just cause your older doesn’t mean you need to loose your sense of style), but Ms. Zoe reaffirmed my take on black pumps being the ultimate accessory.
“Throw on a pair of black pumps with a white dress and boom—Coco Chanel” or something to this effect was spoken by this style genius.
Now the tough decisions need to be made—which shoe will be my new ultimate accessory when there are just so many good ones I’ve been seeing for Spring 09? Better yet, why am I asking myself to choose. I’ll take them all please!
My mother always said “if you having nothing nice to say, then just shut up” (she’s French, they can be so rude, you know).
Well, today I am ignoring my mother.
Kenley can not possibly still be there for her talent. She is there because people watch just to see her sass to Heidi and everyone else. She really deserves to be “auffed” not only for her poor design decisions, but for her bad behavior.
It is obvious that she grew up on a tug boat, on the ocean, alone, with no other children around her. She has way to much attitude, and I mean that in a bad way.
Okay. I’m done with my own rant on Kenley.
How about Jerrel? His dress had some really cool elements. I’d wear it.
Project Runway
I can’t wait for Tim Gunn’s home visits next week and to see who is in the final 3. Stay Tuned.
I am many things this a.m. as I review in my head last night’s episode of The Rachel Zoe Project on Bravo tv. I am dumbfounded, jealous, curious and much more. I want all the dresses she picked out at New York Vintage in addition to her ongoing Birkin bag collection. She is the ultimate collector as well as the ultimate shopper.
I have never seen someone shop with such vigor and excitement. Rachel Zoe may very well be the “Queen of the 20 Minute Shopping Spree”. And, to have a shopping partner like Brad in your corner is pure genius and luck. I mean really! to have someone give you the “oh yes” nod with such conviction and determination is what every girl dreams of in a shopping companion.
The rest of the show was awesome. I love that they had one-on-one meetings with Oscar, Diane, Marc and many more. It only solidified my belief that Rachel Zoe is truly respected in her field and beyond. I’m sure not just anyone gets to meet with designers before their show! Amazing. And Fashion Week was made more exciting by all her backstage meetings.
I look forward to next week. Lots of crying! What’s that all about?
The title says it all and it drew me in. Of course, Nina Garcia, the ruthless judge on Project Runway was also a huge draw.
Here are my highlights on the book:
Besides the amazing choices for the One Hundred things you must have in your arsenal, Garcia includes other noteworthy things.
Garcia has famous quotes almost on every page. I love the variations from designers to poets.
My fav:
“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous” Coco Chanel
My Garcia fav saying: “. . . it must be glamorous and gorgeous. . .otherwise it is pointless”. Although she is referring to wearing fake or real fur (I’m a fake fur wearer myself), I feel like the quote can really refer to anything you wear.
Other great tidbits in the book include “Fashion 101″ This is a quick guide to tell all those who don’t know the history of how a cardigan got it’s name or the details of the Chanel iconic bag the 2.55.
“Fun facts” is another quick tidbit that gives short details about specific items. One Mainer fav is number 50: the LL Bean tote. Apparently this tote was introduced in 1944 as an ice bag carrier. Who knew.
The “Inside Track” gives you hints on how to wear specific items or looks and also some helpful hints on where to find new and vintage (where applicable) versions.
Lots of other little tidbits make this a fun read and a “bible” for the modern girl. I love that it is so timely. She includes things that we’ve seen for next Spring in contemporary collections; making this a book we’ll keep at shopchantal.com for reference for now and some time to come.
I have to say, I was disappointed that Suede was “auffed” last night. Granted the outfit could have kicked it up a notch (why, why why! don’t they listen to Tim - the man is a genius). I still thought Suede had the basic elements to a well designed look for a rocker. The vest was very cool. It did need more though and especially since Jarell was wearing it. That man makes everything look good. I think it is part good looks and part sassy attitude.
So, I guess it’s another week with Kenley. Next week looks like an emotional episode. I’m looking forward to more drama and more attitude from Kenley. She better stop being disrespectful to Tim.
Although the characters are totally different, the vibe remains the same: Good Girlfriends are worth their weight in . . . shoes - in their world and mine, that is more than Gold
I think everyone wishes and dreams of having girlfriends like Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha and more recently like Brooke (what’s her characters name?), oh yeah, Wendy, Nico and Victory Ford (her fabulousness deserves both names at all times). Some of us are lucky enough to have these girlfriends and I think this is one of the reasons Lipstick Jungle works: we can relate to the relationships and the hardships these women face together as friends.
Even though a lot of the same themes carry over to Lipstick Jungle from SATC: working women, love and relationships, and children, it is different somehow. I can relate to the working woman/wife/motherhood thing for sure and the fact that Victory Ford is a fashion designer helps to pull it all together for me and I’m sure for lots of other women.
Back to tonight’s show– I thought the death of Nico’s husband was pretty predictable. I knew that was going to happen and I’m not sad about it.
I loved Mary Tyler Moore as the mother and thank you for bringing Andrew McCarthy back. After all, I am a girl who grew up with the Brat Pack and loved them all (even Ally Sheedy).
I look forward to next week. I’m concerned my tv schedule is gettting pretty full though. I think I’ll have to give up on 90210 for awhile. I really can’t give up GG, Rachel Zoe and PR and now with LJ back, my week is full.
I enjoyed tonight’s episode of Project Runway even thought it wasn’t my favorite of the season thus far.
Season 5 has been exciting and I am glued to each episode. Even though we are in NYC to view Spring 09 collections, we didn’t miss the late night repeat of the episode where Joe was “auffed”. I must admit, when Dustin Hoffman walked into our hotel restaurant last night, it was hard to leave just to go watch Heidi, Michael and the rest rip the designers to shreds, but we caught the show during the late recast and satisfied our Project Runway obsession for one more week.
I’ll let you know what I think about tonight’s show. Keep tuned in.
I still can’t believe I stayed up to watch it, but it was so worth it. I love the show.
The fast pace, the fashion, the shoes, the handbags, the shoes, the jewelry and, of course, the shoes were just the icing on the cake of this docu drama.
Camp Zoe consists of celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe, husband Rodger, associate stylist Taylor and assistant Brad in addition to celebs and designers alike.
A Taylor/Brad feud was short lived in the first episode. I’d like to think they will make it work, but something tells me it is going to be a catfight for the entire season with those two. It was interesting tv and I’m sure vital to the plot for the upcoming season.
Rachel Zoe is not the rude bitch I think she is made out to be. She’s a business woman trying to make her business more successful and she’s got ideas and people to make it happen. And, obviously, she has the eye and the talent. I love how she can put it all together and make it effortless.
I hope we get to see more of her styling talent in future episodes. We only got a nibble when she styled Joy Bryant, but it was such a small part of the show that it left me wanting more.
I’m looking forward to next week to see what she picks out and who she dresses.
I also loved how they did a little segment on Piperlime. She really does an amazing job with those picks on the site.
Camp Zoe is an impressive group full of talented, dramatic and beautiful people that makes me also super curious about the launch of of the Rachel Zoe clothing line. What will that be like? I look forward to the next episode to find out more.
