“When I first started [antiquing] with her I was immediately drawn to the jewelry,” Jennifer said.

Collecting costume jewelry became a hobby. Like treasure hunting, most of the excitement was in the find but when it came down to wearing the pieces, she was a little overwhelmed.

“I would have this large collection and I didn’t quite know what to do with them,” the 25-year-old designer said.

Then Jennifer started layering. She would pile necklace upon necklace, letting strands tangle and turn into something new. As time went on, the creations became more intricate, adding crystals and scarves. Finally, she stopped and realized something: she had a product.

Besides necklaces, brooches took up a big chunk of her costume jewelry collection. However, she felt jewelry wasn’t the best way to show them off.

“I had all these brooches and they needed a better place to be showcased,” she said. “A great handbag is really simple and it’s a way to preserve these vintage pieces from the 30s, 40s, 50s…”

Starting out as clutches, now Madame Mathilde offers multiple sizes but they are always a chic, small bag, meant to be carried delicately by the hand. Python is the newest material of choice. In the past she used snakeskin. The python receives the...

In preparation for Fashion’s Night Out on September 10, on August 16 FashionNightOut.com released a list of participating celebrities, retailers, brands that will be part of the 2nd annual fashion event.

Celebrities include Victoria Beckham, Nicole Richie, Sean “P Diddy” Combs, Coco Rocha and world-famous models Jessica Stam, Heidi Klum and Lara Stone. The roster of designers is equally impressive with names such as Marc Jacobs, Jason Wu and Thakoon popping out of the never-ending laundry list.

Due to the success of last year’s Fashion’s Night Out, retailers are showing their support for the event by hosting exclusive events in cities all around the U.S. Now every fashion-loving gal can feel connected to the celebration, even if she doesn’t have a ticket to the NYC soiree.

“The enthusiasm and creativity with which retailers and designers have approached this year’s celebration in New York City, the country, and around the world, are truly inspiring,” said Vogue‘s editor in chief, Anna Wintour, in a statement. “I am delighted that shoppers will have such an extraordinary night to enjoy fashion.”

CBS is largely involved this year, making the exclusive event much more accessible to the public. Three days prior, on September 7, Fashion’s Night Out will hold “The Show”, the largest public fashion show in...

However, the hard part isn’t picking the wardrobe or jet setting stat, but getting a coveted spot near the presentations. Don’t fret, LadyLux is here to make sure you have a place to rest your head after a long day of runway-watching. These five luxurious hotels aren’t only super chic but also offer stylish deals you can’t pass up, especially if you’re a gal on a gawk-and-shop mission this F/W season.

1. The James, New York

The James in New York is a new addition to the Manhattan family. Newly built, with 114 stylish rooms, the hotel anchors the southwest corner of SoHo and beautifully illustrates the junction between SoHo’s artistry and Tribeca’s industrial qualities.  The hotel maintains a modern, downtown chic aesthetic as evidenced by the one-of-a-kind lighting fixtures, muted decor, wooden accents and trendy amenities. It is sophisticatedly designed, furnished with boutique finds and evokes a relaxed mood, making The James the perfect spot for resting in between the shows.

The James will be offering 10% off their best available rate as well as complimentary high-speed WiFi, complimentary in-room breakfast, 20% off at Buckler stores and a complimentary upgrade to the next available room category. The offer can be done over the phone or online. Simply enter the promo code FNOJNY to receive the special offer.

2. Mandarin Oriental, New York

Located superbly close to Fashion Week’s newest home, Lincoln Center,...

To handbag designer Wendy Stevens, manhole covers, the Flatiron building and industrial shapes are something to ogle and admire.

Her handbags, which are fashioned from sheet metal, have become a symbol of her city, New York, and the constant inspiration it offers her.

Wendy Stevens didn’t even start making anything until she was 30 years old. She found a piece of sheet copper, played around with it and realized she created something kind of cool.

When Wendy Stevens’ production facility burned down in 2004, the designer didn’t let her career go down in flames. Instead, she used the opportunity to completely change the way she handled her business and her designs, revitalizing her work with a more hands-on approach.

“It kind of wiped out the way I was doing things and I could reevaluate,” Wendy Stevens said.

The accident changed the look of the bags, Wendy says. She now designs her own patterns by etching onto the surface, creating much more intricate details than ever before.

Although metal is an industrial, hard object to work with, much different than the fine leathers that most luxury designers use to create their work, many of her pieces have a feminine feel.

“That’s sort of the unconscious goal… to make it kind of soft, feminine and usable,” Wendy says. “A lot of people have preconceived notions about metal. I want to change the context of how metal is interpreted.”

Her...

“The destiny of the gucci.com digital flagship store is that it will become our highest-volume store in the world,” Gucci’s president and CEO Patrizio di Marco told Women’s Wear Daily.

Their fashion show in Milan on September 22 will be the first of many to be streamed on the web site, which garners 2.5 million visitors a month. Just like their stores, the site keeps with the Gucci aesthetic, the classic G monogram is everywhere and gold shimmers, even in its pixelated state.

“Through the use of new technologies, I believe we have created a Digital Flagship destination, where our customers can truly experience the beauty, quality and craftsmanship of Gucci’s collections in a truly luxurious way,” said creative director Frida Giannini, reported by WWD.

Also, they’ve updated their shopping capabilities offering multiple views and higher resolution photos of their products. Shoppers can even click on “The World of Gucci” for a peek at what celebs are wearing the look. Always one step ahead, Gucci.com will also be iPad compatible, using horizontal navigation and easy one-page views. “Gucci Connect” is a new section on the site, which brings together all their social media feeds. A Twitter feed is visible in a gold scroll-down on the right, and a list of other networking sites—such as YouTube, Facebook, iTunes, iPhone and iPad—are only...

In his lookbook, cacti and the desolate California desert serve as the backdrop for models draped in Italian wool, revealing Roberts design paradox. Although Roberts is based in southern California, his clients tend to live in cooler climates, many of them in Philadelphia, New York and Connecticut. However, Northern California and California-based jet setters are popular clientele as well.

Roberts described his client as “someone that wears my product, travels around and takes it with her.”

Speaking of traveling, a recent trip to the northern tip of Africa gave Roberts his fall palette.

“The inspiration, in terms of color, came from a trip I made last year to Morocco,” Roberts said. “You’d see these beautiful mosaics but everything has a light coat of dust to it, so you have a very muted palette of colors.”

Although Roberts uses the finest Belgian yarns and has boiled wool knit made especially for him by an Italian mill, the classic lines still push the edges with thought-provoking design touches, a zipper here and ruching there. A modern open-front coat falls so daintily that you’d think it was made of silk.

Although Roberts received a lot of his education in women’s wear, he initially set out to only design for men. It was when one of his stores, MAC...

According to Kathleen Martin, a spokeswoman for the Navy Exchange Services Command, or NEXCOM, the Navy has not yet officially hired the company to redesign the uniforms, but she confirmed the two have started talking.

“NEXCOM has opened up an initial dialogue with Ralph Lauren, one of our top-tier manufacturing resources, who has offered to provide advice regarding women’s uniform sizing and help support current initiatives,” Martin said.

NEXCOM is the Navy family store that provides discounted quality goods and services to support the naval quality of life programs.

Judging from appearances, the uniforms Naval women wear now—as well as those of other branches of the military—are presentable, but just that; One could conclude that they definitely don’t make a fashion statement; if anything, they make just the opposite. But that’s the whole point of a uniform, to have one look, thus the “uni” in uniform. But fit is a whole other matter, and women in the ranks have complained about the lack of a rise in the...

Ladies, do you ever wish you get get the “guy perspective” on your relationship issues? Well, Dan and Mike are to the rescue!

Dan Lier and Mike Lindstrom have announced the release of their latest book, “Dan & Mike’s Guide to Men: 10 Secrets Every Woman Should Know From Two Guys That Do”, which answers some of the biggest questions facing single, dating and married women. The book goes on sale on September 1.

There’s no relationship rock left unturned in this book, which covers everything from jealousy and cheating, to setting proper personal standards.

Mike, a relationship expert, and his partner Dan, a dating coach, spent eight years researching and interviewing thousands of men for the book, to give women real, honest answers to make-or-break it questions. Topics include:

- Three steps to an intimate and trusting relationship
- How to read a man’s intentions on social networking sites
- What his text messages really mean
- How to make a compromise with different sexual appetites
- What to do when you have the urge to cheat, or when you think he may be cheating

Known for their to-the-point words of wisdom, Dan and Mike enjoy getting to the root of the problem and creating close bonds with their clients, as evidenced by their loyal following, such as Vicki Gunvulson of “Real Housewives of Orange County” and their ASK parties, where Dan & Mike spend hours counseling singles and couples in a fun and open environment.

“Dan and...

Her fall line similarly oozes with Love’s rough-around-the-edges appeal. Instead of calling New York as her city of inspiration, Love lives in Brooklyn, the jewelry designer hit the southwest for a new point of view.

“On my trip to New Mexico I was surrounded by all of the religious imagery that plays such a large role to the different cultures there,” Love said. “The symbol of the Milagros especially stuck with me as inspiration.”

Heavily influenced by Mexican mysticism and symbolism, images such as the skulls from the “Day of the Dead”, sacred hearts and crosses stick out as tangents from her usual obsession with snakes, birds and peacocks.

“I believe this collection is a departure from my more macabre signature pieces,” she said. “The inspiration is more focused directly on my travel experiences and the spiritual imagery I was exposed to.”

Love’s fall collection examines the dichotomy between traditional Mexican culture and their indigenous roots, as exemplified by the symbol of the cross, alongside the image of the skull.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Pamela Love has grown from a NYU Tisch grad with a creative habit, to a household name in edgy accessories, featured in some of the most reputable department stores in the world. Only three years young, Pamela Love’s designs are still produced in-house...

Enthused with a purple state of mind, LadyLUX brings you products that embody lush class and mature femininity—two characteristics often lost when blending charcoal hues with darker lines.  Follow these cues for It’s a delicate take on the classically ubiquitous smoky eye.  Then finish it off with kissably soft pink lips and a light, matte face.

1. Prime Time Eyelid Primer by Bare Escentuals BareVitamins
Before anything, swipe a primer across your lids. Try bareVitamins Prime Time Eyelid Primer as a preventable measure. It goes on sheer and lightweight, but provides a heavy-duty staying power perfect for all-night wear. Not only will it create a clean canvas to apply shadow on, but it will also prevent creases and help the color last longer. Basically, it will keep eyes smoky… and not smudgy.

2. Duo Eyeshadows by NARS  
First, apply two shades of purple eyeshadow, like NARS’ Duo Eyeshadows in sets like Violetta or Jolie Poupee onto the lids using an eyeshadow brush. When applying the shade, sweep the lightest shade onto the middle of the...

The best thing about this maxi by Mara Hoffman is that it’s not your typical jersey, spaghetti strap casual dress. This isn’t the same dress you wore in the Bahamas. Made in stretchy silk with a boatneck and a beautiful open back, these full-length look could easily transition from day to night. Just switch up the accessories, going for more metal, and opt for some pumps and you’re ready to party. Plus, who can turn down a hue called “Pow Wow Navy”?

Even though long dresses don’t show off the legs, you can still have height. Go for a espadrille, wedge or a pump with a touch of funk. These Opal Wedges by Diane von Furstenburg are an absolute style staple. They’re timeless in a classic style, yet modern with the gold zipper up the back. The wooden heel adds a tribal aspect, which is congruent with the printed geometric, Batik-look of the dress. They’re great with a maxi since they won’t be flopping around, making them practically trip-proof—which would be a total FW faux-pas!

Since the neck is off-limits, opt for accessories that play up the arms. Cocktail rings and bangles are good options...

Diane Von Furstenburg and the Council of Fashion Designers (CFDA) are funding and advising the fashion law center, which is set to start classes on September 8. Susan Scafidi will act as director of the institute’s programs. Besides CFDA, the institute will also be overseen by an advisory board that consists of fashion industry veterans and the bar.

Fordham’s Web site reads, “The Institute will provide legal services for design students and designers, train the fashion lawyers and designers of the future, and offer information and assistance on issues facing the fashion industry.”

Coincidently the law school is only a stone’s throw from Manhattan’s Garment District, which will allow students to pursue opportunities outside of the classroom, to help with their understanding of the discipline. Fashion Law is a unique discipline encompassing everything from intellectual property, business and finance as well as trade, regulation, civil rights and consumer culture. Students that go on to practice could likely handle copyright suits or make sure a manufacturer is adhering to factory workers’ rights.

Although the discipline is new, Fashion Law has always existed and Scafidi is a prime example. Her knowledge of fashion law in areas such as intellectual property and cultural property has...

Nordstrom.com, which launched in 1998 and was revamped in 2000, could be due for an overhaul in the rapidly changing technology climate, especially with the growing importance placed on social media. The retail chain, known for their dedication to customer service and their reputable return policy, could only benefit from the added customer interaction social media offers.

“Our number-one goal is to improve service. It’s really tied to everything we do,” Jamie Nordstrom, president of Nordstrom Direct, told Women’s Wear Daily. “We know the better service we give, the more [consumers] spend with us.”

The home page, which originally opened with the everyday shopping web site look, now features a merry-go-round of large images. Just as a stylist edits a wardrobe, Nordstrom’s new home page curates the most important aspects of the site, making it less overwhelming and more aesthetically pleasing.

The image of a cheerful brunette swivels to the forefront. In a leopard fur coat, the text reads next to her “Change Is Good”. With a click of a button, shoppers are brought to a page that describes the “brand-new look and feel” of Nordstrom.com.

It reads, “Nordstrom.com has taken on a new energy, marked by larger images, a wider format, cleaner more engaging design and increased interactivity.”

Besides the look, which is an obvious update, the site is also enhanced in...

Burberry is already an iconic brand, one known for its signature plaid and its staying power in the world of traditional fashion. The new line of cosmetics, debuting this summer, was inspired by the company’s recognizable check as well as the evocative British countryside with its ever-stormy cool. Aptly entitled Burberry Beauty, the collection will hit stores hard this fall when everyone is back to school and back to work and looking for the most polished product to stash in their bag. Dutiful schoolgirls and women who love the classics will flock to the four-tiered line, one that recalls the English rose, the girl with a peaches and cream complexion whom everyone longs to look like. Think Carey Mulligan as the young Jenny in An Education or Keira Knightley in Atonement (or in anything). Designer Christopher Bailey’s aim was to create the product everyone wants, the kind with staying power. Let’s admit it:  part of the fun of certain cosmetics is the package they come in, with the benefits they deliver of course.

Burberry Beauty contains products for skin, eyes, lips, and a category called “glow”—their word for blush. Hats off to the...

In LadyLux’s “Fashion Week style” series, we’ll examine looks for different events and times of the day so you’ll be camera ready all day and all night.

A Night Out is the perfect look when you’re walking from the runway to the red carpet. Perhaps you have reservations at Le Cirque or want to catch a club opening after a long day at the shows?

Fashion Week is unpredictable and it’s always best to be prepared. One can never go wrong with a black dress. However, black doesn’t have to be boring. This Asymmetric Twist dress by Halston Heritage shows off the arms and legs, but remains conservatively classy. Plus, the jersey fabric, which breathes easy and doesn’t wrinkle, makes it an all-day outfit.

Do I see a red sole? Yes, every Fashion Week attendee can’t forget to pack a pair of Louboutins. Animal-inspired prints are all the rage this fall, especially on accessories, so spice up your LBD with these Python Pumps.

Since the shoes do a lot of the talking, keep the jewelry and the handbag simple. The Alice Stingray clutch blends in but still catches the eye, with the stingray embossed leather in a light black. Since the neckline on the bodice of the dress is so chic, don’t distract it with a...

Men’s Vogue editor in chief, Jay Fielden, will supposedly offer Coddington a hand in the writing of the book. No strangers, Coddington and Fielden have worked together before. In 2002, Fielden and Coddington did their first project together when he helped write and edit her coffee-table book, “Grace: Thirty Years of Fashion at Vogue.” In the fall, the EIC of Men’s Vogue interviewed Coddington for a Q&A series for the New York Public Library.

“We’re just starting, and I think it’s going to be a really fun project,” Coddington told Women’s Wear Daily.

Elyse Cheney, literary agent for the likes of Dave Eggers and James Wolcott, might add Grace Coddington to his list of clients. Coddington and Fielden will draft a proposal for publishers this fall.

Since the news of their partnership and penning of her autobiography, the media has seen the dynamic duo out and about together. They hit the Paris couture shows in July and Fielden has been getting a taste of her social circle, interviewing her her friends, perhaps in preparation of the autobiography.

If you had to pick one word to describe her collection it would be colorful.

Her line of bright, nautical-inspired scarves and handbags look like they were plucked off a chic Nantucket housewife. Preppy yet whimsical, basic colors of blue and yellow become fun with a fish print and her handbags, shiny and structured, are fit for a day at the yacht club.

I’m driven by color,” Ellen said. “I love, love, love color, and it and the amazing patterns I see around me inspire me to create.”

The interior designer and former Nordstroms sales associate applied her knowledge of retail and design into the new creative endeavor.

“When I was working with all of my interior design patterns and fabrics, I always wanted to design and create a great bag, jacket or scarf,” she said. “During that time, fashion and accessory design was never far from my mind.”

It only took a while for Ellen to put her interior design business on pause and pay attention to her new passion. A year young, Ellen Allen Annapolis boasts a collection of six silk scarves and four handbags.

Although the collection is small, it’s the start of something bigger for the Maryland native.

“In terms of where the brand will go, I’ve always felt like I’m not just building an accessories brand, but a lifestyle brand instead,” she said.

Not a far cry from a...

Being chic is all about staying one step ahead of the stylish pack, and here at LadyLux, we never like to dilly-dally. This fall’s shoe collection is a stunner at best. From wedges and platforms to buckles and lace ups, the upcoming boot season takes a stab at utilitarian femininity while staying true to timeless beauty. In doing so, they simultaneously incorporate an androgynous edginess inspirational enough to awaken even the most self-conscious female!

1.Channing Wedge Bootie by Michael Kors
This season, summer sneaks its way into fall through wedged booties. By incorporating a wedge into this traditional fall piece, the bootie is elevated into cool heights and maintains a chic style that does everything but compromise comfort. With Michael Kors’ Channing Wedge Bootie, he mixes several fall trends together, only to embrace fall’s androgynous concept. 

2. Contrast Velvet/Leather Clogs by Fendi
Ugly Dutch wooden clogs are a thing of the past.  This fall, they’ve transformed from chic summer step-ins into edgy booties perfect to dress up even the most basic skinnies!  Fendi’s leather clogs revamp this retro style.  With a shaped heel, velvet contrast and sexy peep-toe, it’s the details that make this 90’s classic a modern favorite...

Looking to update your wardrobe for fall? Then head to the Thread Show in Orange County for an opportunity to get up-and-coming designer threads for outlet-worthy prices (almost 80 percent off!). Whether you’re looking for a geode necklace, screen printed tee, or a handmade silk sundress, Thread has something for everyone. The one-day fashion event introduces communities, such as San Diego, Seattle and San Francisco, to designers making a name for themselves.

LadyLux was lucky enough to head to the San Diego Thread Show in April, where we got to see designers we’ve profiled, such as Jessica Matrasko and the eco-home gurus at Tend Living. Danielle Gano, a spokesperson for the show, told us why it’s such an important event.

“We’re growing the opportunities for designers,” Gano said. “Beyond giving them a day to sell, we’re also trying to create a community of support for them.”

On August 22 at the Orange County Fairgrounds from 11a.m. to 6p.m., locals can head to Costa Mesa for a chance to see more than 100 indie designers, featuring men’s, women’s and children’s clothing.

Besides shopping, the Thread Show hosts an art gallery and a runway presentation featuring looks from some of the designers. Take a moment to spread the good karma and check out The Haiti Poster Project, which gives proceeds of their art sales to Haiti.

The Thread Show is doing a SPECIAL PROMOTION with LadyLUX readers. Simply follow LadyLux on twitter and tweet “#ilovethread” @LadyLUX and you could win free tickets to the Thread Show...

Guests can munch on Korean BBQ tacos by the famous Los Angeles-based Kogi food truck, as they talk about fall fashions and enjoy the last month of summer. A live DJ and a steel drum band will set the mood and liven up the afternoon crowd as they sip on champagne.

Of course, be prepared for a bit of fun too. Party-goers can practice striking a pose with the “peek-a-boo” photobooth and bring out their inner superstar at the Guitar Hero station. However, we’ll also let the pros strut their stuff in an informal modeling of the lastest season’s styles.

The party for fashion lovers and foodies alike will start at 11a.m. and end at 3p.m. Anyone interested in attending should call (714) 540-3233.

“I love materials that look raw and finished at the same time, that is why I love working with the geode agate,” Olia said of her new collection. “The oxidized brass and silver give the jewelry such an unusual look that is a little rough around the edges, but I kept it feminine by adding fine wire work and delicate chain details.”

Founded in 2003, this will be the designer Olia Gitman’s seventh holiday collection.

Known for her modern, yet one-of-a-kind pieces, it’s hard to believe it was only a decade ago when Olia was walking to work on Wall Street.

Upon graduating from college, with a degree in computer science, Olia became an analyst for government bonds.

“I knew it was not the right thing for me but I had no idea what the right thing was,” Olia said.

Determined to ditch the stressful career, she took advice from something she read.

“Something I was reading, I can’t remember if it was a book or an article, said that people usually like doing what they did as a little kid… because at that age there are no profit motives,” she said.

It wasn’t hard for Olia to put her finger on her new vocation.

If you ask Olia’s family, they’ll probably tell you that jewelry making is in her...

This year marks the third year in a row for the Seachange event, started by co-chairs Valarie Whiting and Julie Hill. As a new organization to the area, it was difficult to gauge the response to Oceana’s fundraiser off the bat (the organization’s main offices are located in Washington, DC).

“We initially wondered how much support we would receive from the community, since we are not a local organization but a global one,” said Nancy Christiano, Oceana’s Development Manager on the West Coast. As it turns out, their first year, 2008, was over the top.

“It was incredible,” Christiano said. “We were so lucky to have the celebrity support that we did, and had an incredible event as a result. Harrison Ford was our honoree. We sold out and raised $700,000.”

Last year saw an even greater outpouring of support, almost $900,000, with Glenn Close and Morgan Freeman as the evening’s special guests. There in great...

Target has asked Doonan to design costumes for Halloween, which is also Doonan’s birthday.

“This project really resonated with me,” Doonan told Women’s Wear Daily. “The holiday is huge and it’s growing.”

Aptly titled “Costume Couture by Simon Doonan for Target”, the collection isn’t your average mash up of witches, princesses and superheroes. Instead, The New York Observer writer uses his love of humor and the English language by incorporating innuendos and societal commentaries into many of his garments. One in particular looks especially familiar.

“I worked on this in the wake of the Salahi debacle,” he said regarding an off-the-shoulder red dress and another costume of a paparazzi emblazoned with the words “Say Cheese”. The Salahis, now fixtures on Bravo’s “Real Housewives of D.C.”, stirred the government’s pot by crashing the White House dinner. The red dress is very similar to the one Michaele Salahi wore to the dinner. He found their obsession with fame very entertaining, thus inspiring one of his looks.

Doonan found himself taking a “life is stranger than fiction” approach to his work. Instead of basing his creativity in figurative storylines, he found tons of material in reality TV. Well, the “reality” part could be negotiable.

“People on reality TV get to be exhibitionists,” he said. He noted reality TV celebs such as The Situation from “The Jersey Shore”, who served as...

In 2001, Julia was finding immense success in her career but she was still insatiable in one part of her life, she wanted a child.

Her fertility journey, which went from 2001 to 2006, inspired her to create a collection called Bump in 2005. The collection featured a charm on a necklace, the shape of a women’s body, with a large jewel on her lower half.

“I wanted it to represent the beauty of the journey,” Julia said. “From early menstruation all the way past menopause.”

The collection launched at fashion week of that year and Teachey gave 20 percent of all the proceeds to the What to Expect foundation, which teaches low-income families about pre-natal and post-natal care, dispelling common cultural myths.

For four years Julia tried to have a child and it wasn’t until she gave up and completely let go, that she and her husband became pregnant naturally. In 2007, she gave birth to Harper. Now three years old, Julia says her personality was clearly defined by her struggle to get here.

“She’s the feistiest. A super strong kid,” she said.

This fall, Julia is once again combining her passion for jewelry and motherhood in a new fertility inspired collection for Head First Doula Services, which will be called the “Head First Circle of Life Collection.” Julia herself used a doula after the birth of her daughter Harper, and believes there is something very powerful...

Launching today on her web site, Temple St. Clair will debut The Odyssey collection for fall 2010, which features her classic, antique, European aesthetic, combined with some new inspiration.

“Aesthetically, it tells a story of east meeting west… the richness of the Persian Empire meets ancient Greece,” Temple St. Clair Carr said.

One could remark that the new collection, although modern, is a call back to Temple St. Clair’s roots, which had a focus on ancient artifact-inspired pieces.

“There are allusions to my beginnings with my signature granulation, my archer’s granule and my ‘temple’ hallmark but, as they are often called, my work has a much more ‘modern classic’ appeal at this stage in its evolution,” she said.

When Temple St. Clair Carr started her line, she had just graduated graduate school, studying Italian literature and art history. Her passion for both disciplines revealed her love for the arts, but it was her study of ancient jewelry that really got Temple moving towards the role of a designer.

“I had met local Florentine artisans and was having them execute my drawings of what I imagined archeological jeweled treasures to look like,” she said of her earlier work.

As always, her thirst for historical knowledge served as...

One lucky reader will win the bag full of goodies, which features products from L’Oreal Sun, Epicuren Skincare and Zents (retail $246).

It includes:
- Epicuren X-Treme Cream Sunscreen SPF 45
- Epicuren Silk Mist Sunscreen SPF 15
- Epicuren After Bath Vanilla Bean Moisturizer
- Epicuren Papaya Pineapple Grape Seed Body Scrub
- L’Oreal Solar Sublime UV Protect HairCare-Advanced Protection Conditioning Spray
- L’Oreal Solar Sublime UV Protect HairCare-After Sun Shampoo
- L’Oreal Solar Sublime UV Protect HairCare-Shimmer-Protect Gelee
- L’Oreal Solar Sublime UV Protect HairCare-After-sun nourishing balm
- Zents Sun Fragrance Vial
- Pacific Waters Spa Logo Hat

To enter our contest, leave a comment below that describes why your skin is in need of some tender, love and care, AND subscribe to our newsletter.  It’s easy!  Just enter your email address under the word Subscribe in the right-hand column, under the LadyLux banner. That’s it! 

Contest ends Friday, August 13th at 5p.m. PST. 

Xo,

LadyLUX

At times, the game of corporate dress-up is a lost cause.  However, with a lackluster color palette, how does a girl look confidently chic while exuding professionalism at the same time?

Here at LadyLux, we calm these qualms by introducing several “mix and match” career pieces. If layered right, these pieces can easily go from day to night at a moment’s notice. When it comes to dressing for success, the trick is to be creative when putting outfits together, and to let your style shine while adhering to corporate expectations.  It never hurts to add a dash of style to an otherwise bland work environment!

Blazers

Blazers inspire professionalism in any outfit. Due to their power to tone down the brightest prints and the most vibrant colors, one can pair them with bright silk shirts or printed dresses to take them from casually cute to professionally chic!

1. Bruce Asymmetrical Blazer by Bruce
Try a silk blazer.  The subdued lilac of Elizabeth Charles’ blazer is perfect for toning down bright prints and colors, while the silk material is a beautiful contrast against the hardened twill of any corporate get-up.

2. Chardon Double-Breasted Tuxedo Jacket by Paul & Joe
Opt for a boyish take on tailoring with Paul & Joe’s form fitted...

“Five hundred High Net Worth individuals were interviewed to identify which brands they would purchase in 2010-11,” said a statement released by the company. Who are these individuals? The Luxury Brands Collection didn’t care to divulge their content but apparently these interviews take up the majority of the book. The tastemakers of the world, from Paris to New York, inform the public in this pricey piece of literature on what to buy for the 2011 year.

Luxury names such as Chanel, Louis Vuitton, De Beers, Holland & Holland, Porshe and Bentley will reveal their latest collections to this select group of readers. Instead of waiting for the next issue of Vogue or running to Japan for the latest trends, the book gives a select few the chance to see what’s coming before everyone else.

The first edition launches fall of 2010 and a second edition will debut in April or 2011. Every year there will be two editions for fall/winter and spring/summer.

“The books enable premier companies to showcase their latest collections, while discerning consumers can discover the season’s most fabulous products before anyone else, so they can lead the trends rather than following the crowd,” said the founder, Sir Charley Baouamina.

For more information about the extravagant purchase, go to their web site at www.luxurybrandscollection.com.

Annemarie Iverson is very familiar with what it takes to get to the top. The former Editor in Chief of YM and Seventeen magazines, and now the Senior VP, Creative Brand Development at Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, has written a book on the biz, IN FASHION:  From Runway to Retail, Everything You Need to Know to Break Into the Fashion Industry. Iverson’s latest publication makes its official debut August 31 but the author was celebrated last night at a swanky cocktail party held at a private residence in Manhattan. Many fashionable folk and fellow editors flocked to the event, where their picture was taken, which will then land in fashion magazines and influence readers, fashion editors, and designers alike. And so it goes.

Published by Clarkson Potter, the book is full of Iverson’s seasoned advice on how to snag that coveted job of a lifetime, how to get in, and once there, how to make it work for you. Iverson was also the Fashion and Beauty Director at Harper’s Bazaar, one of the most prestigious magazines in the industry. She knows of that which she speaks.

And her book aims to help readers know too. Novices can learn...

Unfortunately, due to the amount of time dedicated to planning the perfect soiree, gifts are the farthest thing from your mind!  Well, here at LadyLux, we try to make things a little easier for you.  We conjured up ten gift ideas sure to make your loved ones want to stay an extra stretch.  From luxurious bags to beautiful watches, what better way is there to bid a great friend farewell than through a one-of-a-kind “Bon Voyage” basket, filled with products perfect for a classy exit.  She’ll be gushing about you well into her next visit!

1. 15’ Laptop Sleeve by Louis Vuitton

This laptop sleeve by Louis Vuitton is absolutely timeless with the power to dress up any outfit, regardless of the fact that it’s merely a slim laptop sleeve.  It’s also superbly protective with a foam-lined compartment and a double zipper, making it the perfect going away gift due to its functionality and practicality.  This is a must, especially when you know she’s bound to bring her laptop everywhere.

2. Oversized Golden Chronograph Watch by Michael Kors

Recently, oversized gold watches have made an impact on the...