Fashion's Night Out...

Fashion's Night Out 2010 PSA from Fashion's Night Out on Vimeo.

Ladies and gents, mark your calendar, and save the date! The second annual Fashion's Night Out(FNO) takes place Sept-10. This year it's not just for New Yorkers; it's globally! Retailers, designers, fashion-houses, singers, artists, all the creatively inclined will come together to put on the biggest fashion event this century! And it's all for a great cause; to benefit AIDS/ HIV patients and local charities.

FNO began as the brainchild of, Fashion's Highness, Anna Wintour, Editor of Vogue Magazine. It's purpose was to promote the fashion industry during Fashion Week in a recession-climate economy. It worked! This year promises to be the biggest fashion party on the planet! Coast to coast, country to country, many retailers will be open late with entertainment, prizes, fashion shows, hors d'oeuvres and sippy-sippies to lure you in to shop! And prices will be way below norm!! Many celebs are scheduled to make in-store appearances/performances!(Heck many celebs will be out and about shopping!!!) Late night fashion shows are also scheduled from some of the most respected fashion houses!(Click here to see if any events are scheduled near you.)

So set your mark, get set, and go to Fashion's Night Out 2010!!! Shop like a rock star, with the rock stars, for one night only!!!LOL Happy Shopping!!!

Meanwhile, Back on the Beach...

I'm not quite prepared for fall just yet. I've got one last summer fling in Jamaica. So I'm not mentally ready to think about all the deep rich jewel tones, leather, lace, fur embellishments, and vintage jewelry to come! LOL. My mind is still on bikini or one-piece, wedges or flat sandals, maxi or mini-dress??? So meanwhile, as I get back on the beach, I put together my top 5 seasonal transition do's to get you through this odd weather of what to wear....

#1) DO wear white after Labor Day!!!Pair it with dark jewel tones and basic black. Add textures of leathers, furs, and tweeds to create a warm elude to fall.

2)DO layer, layer, layer. Keep out those soft, drapey dresses, wrap dresses, and muted florals. Add your favorite cardi-wrap, blazer, leather jacket for texture.

3) DO wear your leggings/jeggings year-round...

4) DO wear open-toe shoes in transition and into fall; (unless there's a blizzard, temp is below freezing. Use common sense!) On colder days, pair them with opaque tights...

5) DO continue to rock pastel and nude tones. These will be your neutral foundation to pop with the rich, bright jewel tones for fall!!.. Do have fun! It's not rocket science. If you feel good in it, wear it with confidence!!!

THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE

Please forgive me for staying away so long. I'm back now!!! What better time to come back than pre-season to fall fashion. Which brings about the beginning of the biggest time of year for American Fashion; Mercedes-Benz New York Fashion Week (MBNYFW)!

My hubby came in last night from the mailbox and laid it on the kitchen counter(*_*)...The mother of all September issues; the "Queen-Vee" of all fashion mags; The September Issue>>of Vogue Magazine.! I've been waiting for this issue all year! I tweeted a few weeks ago of my excitement for the uber-beautiful Halle Berry making the cover. Alas, it's here! All 726 pages of fashion elation!!!! For those that don't know the significance of the September issue, let alone the historic meaning of THIS issue, let me break it down...

You may, or may not have noticed the most important fashion mags> ELLE, Cosmo, InStyle, etc., are all extra thick this time of year. However, none are as respected as the one that started it all>Vogue! Heck they made a movie documenting the drama behind this proverbial issue titled The September Issue. September marks the start of fall fashion and the showcasing of the upcoming spring collections. It's the time for new. It's like the New Years for the fashion industry. The September issue introduces Fashion Week and forecasts all that's to come for fall; PERIOD!

This issue of Vogue, featuring Ms. Berry, is only the second time a Black woman made cover at this time of year(the first was Naomi Campbell). And it's also special to note that Halle is not in the fashion industry; she may be a fashion-icon(on the red-carpet), but totally out of the box for Vogue's September Issue!!! I love it and I love her as well!!! If you are not a subscriber to Vogue, (and you call yourself a fashionista *_*smh) you must run out and pick up this issue!

I'm moving>>>>>But still will be here!!!

Hi All!!!!!!!!!!!

It's truly been a while I know, but I'll be back.. My site is under construction. But soon my blog, web store, shopper services, and social networking will all be in one! Hold on; the wait is almost ova!!!!!!!!!!!!!...The new url will be http://www.christian-michaels.com/ But meanwhile, I'm still here!

See you at the new location!

The Look for Less...

Here we have the uber chic Alexander McQueen black and red striped hooded dress.. Available at Net-a-porter.com ...$1655.00

OR......

This very similar and savvy-chic black and red striped hooded dress by Voom... Available on Rumor.com...$196.00

Happy Shopping!!!

Statement Dress of the Year..

Last night Glamour Magazine honored Rihanna, among others, as a triumphant woman of the year. I'd like to honor her for wearing the best statement dress of the year!!!

She's never afraid to take a risk and embodies all that fashion and style is all about. As I am always saying, "fashion has rules; style does not". Rih-Rih (or should I say Mariel Haenn, her stylist), knows how to take basic fashion rules and incorporate them into a style of her own. She knows how to break the rules and make it work...

Last night, Rhianna wore this most intriguing, drama-filled, statement gown; yet it was still very elegant and sophisticated. The gown is by Stephane Rolland from the '09/Spring-Summer collection.

On the runway....

Speechless!!! I love it!!! What do you think?

Top 5 Ways To Dress for the Holidays

Can u believe it's already November??? I went to visit an old friend recently(last month), and she had her Christmas tree up and decorated!!(I'm not joking)... It seems as if we busily rush through the days and months to get to this most wonderful and festive time; no matter how you celebrate it... Fall and winter fashions are my favorite; so full of drama and possibilities. Leather, fur, lace, and layers- oh my!!! Most of all, it's the time of year to party!!!!!!!!

Families come together to give thanks. Students have long holiday breaks. Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa; no matter what the occasion, we all have one thing in common when we party and celebrate. We all want to look fabulous!!!! Therefore, I came up with 5 must-have options to be at your best for this time of year.

Embellished Jackets

First up......The Office Party..... Dazzle in the office with a sleek embellished, jacquard jacket. Pair over a sheath dress or those basic tailored trousers for a festive, yet professional, holiday ensemble.

One Shoulder Dress
Secondly...The Cocktail Party....One shoulder dress, no matter if it's long or short, is the perfect option for the holiday cocktail party. If it's a gathering of co-workers or mingling with the girls; this look says sexy and sophisticated, but still fun and mysterious.

Draped Jumper

Next up... The Dinner Party...An easy party alternative is the draped jumper... Pair with ballet flats and bold statement jewelry for a casual look as hostess of that holiday dinner party. Or rock some strappy stilettos as a guest. Look for satin fabrics and jewel tone shades of the season.

Statement Dress
Next up...Bell of the Ball...For the seriously-formal affair, make a statement without uttering a word! Go for a "statement" dress that embodies all the trends of the season: hues of red and gold, embellishment, drama, and shine...Speechless!!!!

Metallic Ice

And finally... Toast of the Town.... Ring the alarm and party like it's 2010!!! Part long, part short, all the way hottt!!! Look for that perfect touch of sparkle to light the halls...

Happy Shopping!!!