I think I say it every spring— if not, I should— warm weather makes me want to dress like a hippie. Many times, I don’t always achieve the look because it turns into an odd rocker/hippie mix. Today, was no exception. My look was slightly hippie, but more utilitarian rock fan.

I adore the Jimi Hendrix tee I found in the men’s section of Target years ago. I don’t often wear tops with images or writing on them, but for some reason, I feel it’s acceptable for me to display my undying support this genius across my torso. Plus, a new Hendrix album, primarily recorded in early-1969, came out yesterday entitled, Valleys of Neptune. I won’t turn this into an album review, but I will say, there are some guitarists who can stir your body, some who can stir your emotions, and some who can stir your soul. Only Jimi Hendrix can do all three.

The way music and fashion influence each other has always intrigued me. It’s a very chicken-or-the-egg situation, but after discussing this with various people in both industries, I often chalk the influencing up to being a sort of dynamic equilibrium. I do, however, sometimes say, fashion is my heart and my music is my pulse— I may need fashion to live, but music let’s me know I’m alive.

Talk Back: How does music influence your sartorial choices, and vice versa?

What I Wore:
Top: Target
Cropped Motorcycle Jacket: Alexander Wang for GAP
Sunglasses: Forever21

I need a small bag. The last bag I had that was smaller than eight inches in height and a few inches deep was in seventh or eighth grade— that’s almost seven years ago. The only thing that could convince me to downsize was this gorgeous little clutch by Diane von Furstenberg.

The DVF ‘Peggy Foldover’ is perfectly bohemian. The tan color is wonderful for spring and the gold accents remind me of sunnier days to come.

I, however, am more likely to splurge on shoes than a bag, so I’ve found less expensive bags that remind me of the DVF clutch. Some of the bags have great gold touches while others simply have that boho flair.

Multi Stud Pyramid Clutch Bag from Topshop, $60 • Metal Beaded Clutch by Ecote, $28 • Studded Quilted Clutch by Forever21, $16 • Double Pocket Cross-Body Bag from Urban Outfitters, $88

Though a smaller bag is totally clutch (pun intended), I’m going to have to figure out what I can live without because I won’t be able to fit my entire life in the cool little bags.

Talk Back: When you carry a clutch, what do you put in your bag?

The Style Scouts will be the face of American Rag and spread their goodness and promote positive self-image to all who will listen.

To enter, create a video that shows your personal style and music inspirations/aspirations and submit it here by March 16, 2010.

Three lucky ladies will win and all expenses paid trip to New York City or Los Angeles, the opportunity to model for an American Rag advertisement seen in the September 2010 issue of Seventeen, the chance to star in an American Rag All – Access video, and VIP access to report for a Warped Tour 2010 date of your choosing.

I’m not sure if I would be more excited about the ad seen in Seventeen or the VIP Warped Tour reporting. I guess it depends who is playing Warped this summer— why haven’t I checked yet? ]]> http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2010/03/09/contest-alert-american-rag-all-access-contest/feed/ 0 http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2010/03/08/truese-vallet-dress-giveaway/ http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2010/03/08/truese-vallet-dress-giveaway/#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:31:30 +0000 Chelsea Rae Simmons http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/?p=1766

The weather has finally warmed  in my neck of the woods and that means it’s time to break out every girls tried and true weapon, their great gams accentuated with a pair if sexy heels. What better way to show off your legs than a sexy, feminine and of the moment cocktail dress from Truese?

Truese is an Australian label best known for flirty, feminine cocktail dresses that range from $200 – $400. They only recently started selling in the US, and now one of you lovely readers can win this bold, and totally on trend ‘Vallet Dress’ ($215) as well.

If it were my dress, I’d go simple and pair it with my new black Calvin Klein platform and turquoise jewelry for a date, or I’d wear it with some brightly colored stilettos and gold jewelry for a night on the town with my friends.

This dress, however, will be the latest addition to one of your rockin’ wardrobes, and here is how to win it:

1) Comment: Below, tell me how you would wear, where you would sport, or who you would dazzle in this sexy silver dress?

For more entries:

2) Twitter: Tell your friends about the giveaway on your twitter page. Use #prcgiveaway in the tweet.

3) Blog: Tell your readers about the giveaway or simply add the giveaway badge to your website. Make sure to email me at pinkrockfashion@gmail.com to let me know.

<a href=”http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2010/03/08/truese-vallet-dress-giveaway/” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Truese-Vallet_GiveawayBadge.png”></a><a href=”http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/2010/03/08/truese-vallet-dress-giveaway/” target=”_blank”><img src=”http://pinkrockcandy.net/fashion/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Truese-Vallet_GiveawayBadge.png”></a>

YOU MUST LEAVE A COMMENT TO ENTER!

The dress comes in sizes: extra-small, small and medium, and the giveaway is open to everyone. The contest ends on Friday, Mar. 19, 2010 at 11:59PM EST. After that I will use a random number generator to pick a winner who will be contacted via email and will have 24 hours to respond until I randomly pick another winner.

Best of luck!

p.s.Truese has a sister line called Wish that is good day-to-day wear. The designs are just as girlie and fun, but the line includes separates. I prices anywher from $90 – $400.

However, when I got home, I was instantly brought back to Earth by my adorable, monster of a puppy Riley, who could care less about the “old thing” I was wearing and simply wanted to pull me down the street whilst chasing squirrels.

So, meet (re-meet) my puppy Riley…

Sometimes he likes to listen to me (especially if there’s a treat involved)…

Sometimes we like to box…

Usually, he’s just Riley the Destroyer…

But, who could get made at him with a face like this?

What I Wore:
Coat: H&M
Dress: Ella Moss (Received as a gift when I interned at Tractenberg & Co.)
Tights: Betsey Johnson
Boots & Necklace: Target
Scarf: Affordable Scarves (Received in IFB Evolving Influence goodie bag)

The Spring 2010 collections are officially on Bluefly.com for all to peruse and purchase. I had the opportunity to ask Bluefly Style Guru Tanesha Smith a few questions about what’s hot for spring, how to integrate the new spring trends into your winter wardrobe, and even what trends to wear, and not to wear, for your spring/summer internship interview.

1. What trends will we be seeing for spring 2010?
For spring 2010, we’ll definitely be seeing “all-weather leather”, pastels, neutrals, and ruffles. It’s a return to the Girlie-Girl after all the in-your-face color and aggression of the last couple of seasons.

2. What one item under $50 can you not live without, this spring?
A bracelet. Be it a wide cuff, thin bangle, or braided wrap it’s the fastest way to put your personal stamp on an otherwise ripped-from-Teen-Vogue look. Don’t be afraid to stack ‘em on.

3. What item is your one spring splurge?
A pair of wedges! The more outrageously funky, the better!

4. We may all be prepping for spring, but it is still very much winter in many parts of the US. What are some tips for working the new spring trends into your winter 2010 wardrobe?
Tell me about it! There is still snow on the grass parts in New York — but it’s melting.

For this end-of-winter-start-of-spring mode we’re in, I’d recommend incorporating spring’s lightweight leathers and military detail jackets into your winter wardrobe. A spring leather mini with a slouchy knit and over-the-knee boots works for me – as does a pair of skinnies worn with a military jacket and pocket tee. Don’t forget to wear knit tights!

5. Do you have any style tips for girls who may be interning or at least interviewing for an internship this spring? Are there any trends they should avoid, especially for interviews?
I remember those days! I say: know first what’s expected of you as far as the dress code, then make room for your personal style. If you’re interviewing for a super-corporate job, don’t wear the vintage Pucci you scored at a local flea – go for a skirt suit then sass it up with a pair of killer pumps. If you’re doing the rounds for a fashion internship, go ahead and show you know what’s hot right now, but don’t walk into HR looking like a fashion victim – one trend at a time please. Good luck!

Talk Back: What Spring 2010 trends are you excited to wear? What will you be splurging on?

At the age of 21, I have the under eye bags of a middle-age power bitch, and that is not— I’ll repeat that, NOT— acceptable.

The Cause:
“Fluid retention due to changes in weather (for example, hot, humid days), hormone levels or eating salty foods, sleeping flat on your back, not getting enough sleep, allergies or dermatitis, especially if puffiness is accompanied by redness and itching, [and/or] heredity,” are five causes of under eye puffiness according to MayoClinic.com.

The Fix:
There are a thousand and one ways to solve my little problem with unwanted eye luggage, I could try sleeping in an elevated position, but I would inevitable get no sleep because of the discomfort. I could change my college kid diet of fast food and green tea— for good measure— but, why would I want to do that? I could layer on tons of make-up in an effort to disguise them, but I’m a 1-2-3 make-up kind of girl, eyeliner, blush and lipstick. There are also the old-fashioned remedies of cold spoons, tea bags and cucumbers. I, however, am a modern power-bitch-in-the-making and would rather head to my local cosmetic store to get my hands on a quick fix— don’t judge me, it’s the American way— in the form of Bliss Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Eye Mask ($54).

The little de-puffing pads are soaked in “3 forms of glow-inducing oxygen, antioxidant vitamin C and puff pummeling cucumber extract.” Leave them on for 15 minutes and feel an odd cooling sensation, which, in my mind, means it’s working.

The Results:
After spending $86 on the eye mask and a tube of the Baggage Handler Eye Gel ($28) and 15 minutes processing time, I’m not fully de-puffed, some of my under eye luggage were definitely checked. My battle against the bag will be a continuous one, but I hate to lose, so bags beware!

p.s. In the picture, I’m only wearing a bit of blush, lipstick and eyeliner, and there was no retouching done— take that Vogue!

Currently, all I want is for it to be warmer so I can go out with friends in a to-die-for party dress without being hindered by a winter coat or tights that make my feet slip out of my shoes.

However, sometimes after a couple months of hibernating, this winter-spring middle ground is what we need. We still have to throw our parkas over our skintight dresses, but the tights we wear to prevent hypothermia can sometimes do double or even triple duty.

Much to my surprise, Spanx, the brand best known for sucking in the post-holiday gut with their body-shapers, also has a line of stockings/tights perfect for this transitory period. Whether you want to go for the basic black tight or a sexier fishnet, you can play the fake-it-til-you-make-it game and hide those extra winter pounds until you’ve convinced yourself the gym isn’t your arch enemy— or is that just me.

I don’t own a pair of fishnet stockings, but I’ve always like the idea of them. They’re stereotypically sexy and femme fatale similar to the way a corset— of which I only own one and never wear— is a sexy allusion to the pin-up girl. So, why not splurge for the shape giving ‘Finally, Control Top Fishnets’ found on MyTights.com?

Does the added support via a control top make them less sexy? When worn under a Hervé Léger dress, absolutely not!

Plus, if ever I find myself in a situation where the ideal Hervé Léger dress is to be removed, I’m reassured by the knowledge that guys my age care more about taking garments off than how they actually look on.

I may be a fairly thin girl, but I am not averse to getting a little help from science a.k.a. Spanx— there’s even an ‘x’ at the end of the word, totally scientific— when I feel Mother Nature (i.e. mashed potatoes and apple strudel) has forsaken me.

Today, I wore one of my new Twinkle by Wenlan Spring 2010 pieces. I tweeted about it, but the picture was , in my very self-critical opinion, horrendous.

I’ve loved the ‘Oil and Water’ print since I saw it being made— a lot of Wenlan’s prints are created by the design team and then sent to a fabric manufacturer. There’s something about the busy nature of the print that easily gets me through a gray day like today.

You can’t see the back, but it’s made of black and white striped fine gauge knit, adding an extra bit of pizazz without needing sequins, studs, chains, grommets, or any other glimmering details. It is the lack of necessity for such pieces of flare that make me love Twinkle as much as I do.

On a completely different but strangely connected note, there was an article on Fashionista about telling the world you’re wearing a sample.

“I’ve spotted at least three people proudly sporting their ‘Sample’ label. At ThreeAsFour’s show at Milk, a man took off his jacket to reveal a sample label pinned inside; a model threw a tantrum in sample-stamped shoes, and while waiting in line for Hakaan I noticed ‘Sample’ written across the back of of a woman’s army jacket in Sharpie,” writes Britt Aboutaleb.

It’s a known fact in the fashion industry many people wear loaned samples. It is also known that just  as many people, including models and interns, get “paid” in samples instead of cold hard cash. I’m not exempt from this process. While working at Twinkle, I had a clothing allowance and was able to convert my hundreds of labored hours into something similar to Twinkle Bucks to purchase samples or order pieces from the new season. This tunic is one of the many pieces I ordered using my allowance from Twinkle.

The question on Fashionista was whether it is “cool” to publicize that you’re wearing a sample?

In my opinion, there is no need to do so. It isn’t as if you’re sharing a great sale tip with a friend. I don’t think it’s a gold star on my shopping record to say I’m wearing a sample. I’d also like to note, I only used my allowance on items I would have actually purchased, not simply because I was jonesing for a Twinkle sample.

Samples are everywhere, and you aren’t in an exclusive club or making a unique sartorial statement simply because you’re wearing one. Think about it, a sample sale is called a SAMPLE sale for a reason, and there are hundreds of them each season. Not to mention, those hundreds of sample sales are attended by hundreds of people. I see no novelty in said situation.

That being said, I, obviously, have nothing against samples and will continue to wear them and trade labor for them as I see fit, but I won’t be leaving the sample tag in, sorry!

What’s your take on showing the world you’re wearing a sample?

p.s. Follow me on Twitter

Azn_Barbie

Congratulations!

I’d also like to thank Jackie Johnson and everyone at Folica.com!

Ethics…

I had a philosophy class about ethics, once, and my professor was promptly fired for calling another professor a douchebag and telling him to do Oedipal things to his mother. Needless, to say that class was more interesting than helpful. The next couple of years, ethics in terms of Journalism and Public Relations had been beaten into my brain, however the “Navigating Ethics Pane” at the Independent Fashion Bloggers Evolving Influence conference I attended on February 15, left me struggling internally.

“To be a good PR professional, you have to, first, be a good journalist,” is the mantra of my many public relations professors.

“Never, NEVER accept gifts from people or brands you are writing about. A journalist is supposed to remain unbiased,” tout my journalism professors all having either worked at Newsday, The New York Times or both.

“Getting free stuff for writing a blog post is like the barter system,” exclaims a semi-scandalous blogger at the IFB conference. What can only be described as a rant by said blogger, went downhill fast after making slightly anti-Semitic generalizations about the Jewish people (read about it here).

None of this information is helpful in the blogging ethics situation.

Even the discussion had between the panelist of the “Navigating Ethics Panel” at the blogging conference— The New York Times‘ Carl Hoyt (also, a Pultizer Prize winning journalist), What I Wore’s Jessica Schroeder, BlogHer’s Gina Garrubbo, The Business of Fashion’s Imram Amed, A Shaded View of Fashion’s Diane Pernet, Still in Berlin’s Mary Scherpe, and jewelery designer/blogger Wendy Brandes as moderator— left things quite unresolved.

Carl Hoyt takes the stance of The New York Times and the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) about accepting gifts.

“Refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment, and shun secondary employment, political involvement, public office and service in community organizations if they compromise journalistic integrity,” states the SPJ Code of Ethics.

Many will argue, bloggers aren’t journalists, and to be quite honest, when it comes to writing for Pink Rock Candy, I do not consider it journalistic writing. I consider writing on PRC more personal commentary, though I don’t believe this gives me leave to act unethically when it comes to honest content. So, why should I have different ethical standards in terms of gifts?

Others will remark, fashion editors are regularly gifted items, a notion Diane Pernet, who is also the co-Editor-in-Chief of Zoo Magazine, will not contest, however she does say these gifts are nice but never does she feel forced to write about said gift. Does accepting, but using personal judgment to remain unbiased make accepting gifts ethical? Is this practice too trusting of a blogger’s personal judgment?

I’m not regularly offered free goods for blogging, and if I am, either the offer seems like a bribe and I decline or the offer comes after I’ve already written a post and rarely do I ever write about a brand more than once.

If I am offered and do accept a gift after writing a post, do I have to go back and write an update saying I’ve received said item after this feature from the brand?

Also, I intern regularly, and have received items as trade/pay for my hard work. Is it unethical to omit that I did not buy said item with cold hard cash but a clothing allowance? (As a side note, I always admit if the brand I’m speaking about is a brand I’ve worked with.)

In terms of the larger blogging community, and not simply my little self-obsessed universe, would it be helpful to create some sort of blogging code of ethics? There may be no true way of enforcing it, but simply having said code written out and online so bloggers can refer to it if ever they have an ethical dilemma may be helpful. There is the FCC FTC regulation (Thanks, Wendy B. I must have PR class on the brain), but that doesn’t touch on ethics just disclosure two similar but very different things.

It’s obvious a longer discussion needs to be held about blogger ethics.

Were any of you at the panel or watching it online? What did you think? Also, what do you think should be done about the unwritten rules about gifts, disclosure, and blogger ethics in general?

A little over a week ago, I received an email from Jackie Johnson from Some Notes on Napkins, telling me one of her clients, Folica.com, was hosting a contest called the Folica Style-Off.

In the contest, you have to create a video showing how you use your favorite Sedu product to create your favorite hairstyle, whether it’s going from straight to curly, curly to straight, down to up, etc. The winner will receive “$1000 cash, a selection of Sedu appliances and a feature on Folica.com that will be promoted to millions of viewers!”

The contest started on Feb. 8, 2010, but I was a little sidetracked by my sick brother and fashion week to post about it earlier. All video submissions should be emailed to contest@folica.com by Feb. 28, 2010, and should be no longer than seven minutes.

Check out the Contest Instructions & Inspirationation above.

Also, in the spirits of contests, not only was I given a dazzling Sedu Pro Ionic Ceramic Tourmaline Flat Iron (1 1/2″) so I can create my contest video— when I get a bit of time, I’ll put post about it— but, I also received a Sedu Revolution Pro Nano Ceramic Tourmaline 1 Inch Styling Set ($140) to give away to one lucky Pink Rock Candy reader. To enter, comment on this post between now and Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010. Make sure to provide an email address, if you comment using your twitter or facebook login. US residents only. After that, I will randomly choose a winner, good luck!

Yes, I did say magic, and that’s because I loved the collection. I’ll even go as far to say I liked Fall 2010 better than Spring 2010, and I had some hand in the preparation for the Spring show.

The dark fairytale theme of Fall 2010 starkly contrasts this Springs 80s glitz, Blondie meets Ono aesthetic, and the normally trapeze and girlie silhouettes were replaced by a more form fitting and sexy shape, all while maintaining the essence of the fun, flirty, will-keep-you-guessing Twinkle girl.

The Hansel and Gretel print seen in the vanilla sleeveless number to the left, is something I would wear all year, but was smartly contrasted by a white Chunky Knit scarf wrapped to the chin. However, it was this Nostalgia long sleeve dress that was my favorite. The parchment color is so utilitarian, but the shape is sexy and feminine.

Oh, and did I mention the necklace, and the rest of the jewelry, for that matter? It was just my style, chunk, chunk, chunky!

All I have to say is, congrats Wenlan and all the other lovely ladies whom I adore and who worked so hard on this collection. It was a total success.

p.s. To see what I wore,

It was much too cold to wear any of the Twinkle dresses I have, so I went for warmth with a bit of sex appeal instead. I love a backless look, and think you’ll be seeing my back more often!

So what did I learn whilst waiting for and attending the Christian Siriano F/W 2010 show yesterday?

1. Paul Wilmot Communications, the PR firm that handled front-of-house, is super organized. They were doling out seating assignments before they even thought of opening the line. Good work guys!

2. Even if you are an eFamous ex-scenequeen, you aren’t getting into the Siriano show without an invite.

3. I miss my Twinkle by Wenlan girls. I bumped into another lady I interned with, and I miss her so much.

4. The Standing Section absolutely sucks, and taking pictures from Standing is even worse.

5. If you are in Standing and happen to be next to a tall guy with a video camera, you can sneakily watch the show through his view finder instead of not watching the show because of the person’s head in front of you.

6. Christian Siriano’s Project Runway win wasn’t a fluke. The Fall/Winter 2010 collection may have been a bit dark— the shimmery blacks and ink blues bled into hues of wine and a bit of fuchsia— but, it was beautiful, both in conception and execution.

7. If the Siriano collection is any representation of Fall 2010, everyone will be wearing the chic combo of black and navy.

8. I desperately want a short, navy one-shoulder bubble dress and black, half-wedge booties (left), of which a similar design will be available at Payless.

9. Even gorgeous models who open and close shows like Sessilee Lopez trip sometimes (she didn’t fall though).

10. Christian Siriano is as cute and FIERCE from 50 feet away as he is on TV. L-O-V-E!

Photo Credit: Photo by Arun Nevader/Getty Images North America from Zimbio

Thanks to Robert Duffy, my favorite new twitter-er, I have been fully inundated with Marc Jacobs fashion week prep, and made aware of the newest Marc by Marc Jacobs collaboration with Maripol, the wonderful woman who started Madonna on the path to becoming a style icon back in the eighties. The first time I heard the name Maripol was during an interview I did in 2008 with Rob Diament of Temposhark fame. This time around, having known her history, I was beyond excited to see the pieces from the line.

According to Mr. Duffy, the Maripol collection retails from $4-$25 for jewelry and $35 dollars for t-shirts. Though I wasn’t invited to last nights launch party— tears will be shed the first, and maybe second, third and fourth, time I receive an invite to a Marc Jacobs event— I do plan on getting my hands on this Maripol Plastic Spike Necklace ($25).

The rest of the line is full of bright, playful colors, geometric shapes and loads of atomic references. You can preview the pieces on the Marc Jacobs website and purchase them at Marc by Marc Jacobs locations— that means those in NYC for fashion week, or just life, should make their way to Bleecker St.

The ex-biology student in me can’t get enough of the atomic creations. They make me want to strap on a apron, don some gogs (i.e. goggles), and titrate something. Where’s my phenolphthalein?