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Style Icon: Duchess Catherine + Pippa Middleton In what was probably the most...

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:00:48 -0500

Style Icon: Duchess Catherine + Pippa Middleton

In what was probably the most watched event of 2011, both of these women became part of a cultural phenomenon by just stepping out of a car. One was about to become a member of the royal family and the other, a proud sister beaming with happiness. In that moment, two of the most-watched style icons were born.

Duchess Catherine and her sister Pippa Middleton both represent the ease of British style: mastering the pulled-together casual look as well as elegance and grandeur in their evening style. Growing up in a home with self-made parents, both women knew the hard work it took to be successful and both worked to have great careers individually. The fact that neither of them have lost sight of what life means and maintain a strong work ethic make them role models for so many.

Duchess Catherine’s story reads like a fairytale: beautiful, intelligent girl meets the man she wants to grow old with and marries him. It just so happens that this man is a prince - Prince William, the oldest son of the eternally admired Princess Diana. In many ways, the duchess reminds us of the late Princess: poised under pressure, graceful in the public eye and humbly giving her time and attention to causes she cares about. Since her marriage, she has had hands-on involvement with several charities and organizations. Last year she joined a British Girl Scout troop on one of their excursions, thrilling the children. In keeping with devoting her time to causes affecting young children, she is a Royal Patron of East Angilia’s Children’s Hospices, an organization that helps families of children with life-threatening illnesses. Having recently announced that she and the Prince will be welcoming a new life into their family, her steadfast support of children’s causes and her work with them indicate the devoted, hands-on mother she will be.

Pippa became a household name on the day of her sister’s wedding, and has used her newfound recognition to pursue her own dreams. After working for her parents’ party planning business, in which she still plays an active role, she has branched out on her own. The publication of her book, Celebrate: A Year of Festivities for Families and Friends marked her first foray into making a name for herself, using the experience she gained working with her parents to share her ideas for hosting and entertaining.

While both sisters are high on every fashion watcher’s radar, the Duchess is responsible for the worldwide “Kate Middleton Effect”- any time she wears something new; it is immediately searched for and sold out. Watching the two sisters give their takes on fashion’s hottest trends has also become a movement.

Eye-catching shades of sapphire and electric blue have been popular in recent years, so at the announcement of her engagement, the Duchess selected a sapphire blue Issa dress to compliment her sapphire engagement ring. The dress in that color was sold out within hours. Months later, the day following her sister’s wedding, Pippa emerged from the hotel with her family wearing an electric blue blazer over a neutral toned outfit.

While many like to discuss the Duchess’ frequent decision to wear certain outfits more than once, which we love about her humbleness, the gowns she chooses to wear to major events deserve to share that attention. Last summer, at a concert preceding the 2012 Olympic games, she arrived in an outstanding jade-hued Jenny Packham gown. Known for wearing very classic gowns the plunging v-neck and lace open back of this dress took our breath away. In December, weeks after announcing her pregnancy she made an appearance at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards in what has come to be one of her favorite designers, Alexander McQueen. The long-sleeved hunter green gown was perfectly tailored and showed off the radiant appearance of the expectant mother.

Pippa has become the quintessential street-chic icon. She effortlessly pairs denim with a blazer or a delicate dress with a leather jacket and boots in ways that women everywhere want to emulate. However, her street-chic aside, the custom Alexander McQueen gown she wore to her sister’s wedding is what sparked a phenomenon revolving around her. The simplicity of the ivory colored gown contrasted nicely against the ornateness of the event itself and complemented without overshadowing her sister’s dress.

Of course, no talk of the Middleton sisters and their great taste in fashion would be complete without mentioning the wonder that was the Duchess’ wedding gown. It had been speculated for months that Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen would design the dress but it was never confirmed. Then came the day of the wedding and we were all graced with the beautiful sight that was her gown. While some cried that the dress was too simple, it was a perfect reflection of the woman who wore it. It also sparked a trend in lace long-sleeved wedding dresses as opposed to the strapless style that has been a favorite for so long.

Duchess Catherine and Pippa are great examples of how to hold yourself in the public eye and still manage to live your life on your terms, while not without scandal at times, but always with quiet confidence, grace, and the support of a strong family.

Style Icon: Jennifer Lawrence “Teenagers only have to focus on themselves - its not until we get...

Thu, 06 Dec 2012 13:30:43 -0500

Style Icon: Jennifer Lawrence

“Teenagers only have to focus on themselves - its not until we get older that we realize that other people exist.”

- Jennifer Lawrence

Alicia Keys may have a song called “Girl on Fire”, but those of us who are devoted to The Hunger Games knows where she got the phrase, and we know who the original girl on fire is: Katniss Everdeen. Thrust into a world no teenager should ever have to endure, Katniss spent the books fighting for her survival and for her freedom. She is one of the ultimate literary heroines of the modern age so you can imagine the pressure placed on the young actress entrusted by a film company, a director, a franchise and most importantly the books’ fans to bring the character to life.

Said pressure and attaching herself to a project that would mean the end of the private life she knew almost made Jennifer Lawrence turn down the role. Thank goodness she did not, on behalf on fans everywhere. Certainly one of the finest young actresses of our time, Lawrence made a splash in 2010-2011 in the critically acclaimed film Winter’s Bone. Much like our other style icon Rooney Mara, Lawrence was in excellent company when auditioning for the role as Katniss. Young Hollywood heavyweights like Emma Roberts, Chloe Morentz, Abigail Breslin and Saiorse Ronan were in the running but even the trilogy’s author Suzanne Collins said that only Lawrence wholly embodied the character she had written.

Additionally,Lawrence is one of several young stars who earned a large fan following in X-Men: First Class. As one of the faces of that franchise and the face of The Hunger Games, it would be easy to pigeonhole her as an actress made for franchise films. Lawrence has fought against that by making sure her other film choices were incredibly varied. Most recently she has been making a strong impression on critics everywhere with her role as Tiffany in The Silver Linings Playbook, so much so many believe her to be the front-runner in the best actress category at the Oscars. She has also recently been named as the new face of Lady Dior.

A born and bred Kentucky girl, Lawrence is known for her easy going street style. Jeans and t-shirts, maxi dresses, flowing tops and skirts, anything as long as it’s comfortable. But she is also known for turning it on when it comes to dressing for red carpet events. While making the award show rounds in 2011 she quickly became a style star, but one of her best looks came at the SAG Awards. She emerged from her car an absolute knockout in hot pink Oscar de la Renta, with a black velvet bow highlighting her waist, a black box clutch and shoes. The contrast of the pink against the black made for the perfect combination.

By far, one of her most talked about red carpet looks is the gown she wore to the Oscars that year. It was the last award show of the season and the culmination of a whirlwind year for the starlet after being nominated for almost every award for her role in Winter’s Bone. In interviews after that night, Lawrence said that after months of being cinched and squeezed and primped and plucked all she wanted was to be comfortable. Comfortable she was, and so beautiful she set the bar high for the actresses who arrived after her. Lawrence wore custom-made Calvin Klein gown in a bright shade of red. What makes the look work so well aside from how well the gown fit her is that she kept everything else very simple: a simple Judith Leiber clutch, simple jewelry and face-framing hair. It was probably the one outfit that did not cause a fuss to put together but had a ton of fuss made over it because of how phenomenal she looked. The perfect ending to a season of award winning looks by Hollywood’s hottest commodity.

Lawrence is also a huge supporter of the Bellewood Home for Children in Kentucky. The program helps children in Kentucky who have been victims of abuse and neglect. Having seen members of her family reach out in support of this organization all through her life Lawrence is using her own star power to bring attention and support to the cause. Most recently Lawrence’s parents opened up their family farm to Bellewood for use in youth services.

Her star is bright and her talent has made the in demand actress of the most successful of our generation. Still, she remains humble and grateful for all she has been blessed with. Intelligent, funny and incredibly persistent to realize her dreams Lawrence has the recipe for a long, successful career in Hollywood and outside of it.

Style Icon: Rooney Mara “If there is one thing about my family that I do identify with, it is that...

Tue, 04 Dec 2012 13:30:37 -0500

Style Icon: Rooney Mara

“If there is one thing about my family that I do identify with, it is that everyone is extremely hardworking. Also, the people whom I grew up with all did things they really loved. And I think that’s an important lesson.”

- Rooney Mara

She went from being the pretty girl next door with brown hair and lively green eyes to shocking the world with her transformation into computer hacker Lisbeth Salander in the film adaptation of Stieg Larsson’s hit novel The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. Though not the first actress to take on the character Rooney Mara made headlines when she received the role. She was a relative unknown taking a part that some of Hollywood’s biggest names wanted, Scarlett Johanssen and Natalie Portman to name a few. Drastically changing her look to fit the character, she chopped off her hair and dyed it jet black, bleached her eyebrows, got several piercings and was marked with temporary versions of Lisbeth’s many tattoos. But her new look aside, Mara’s turn as in the film garnered her an Academy Award nomination and the respect of her peers and film icons.

Born Patricia Rooney Mara, she’s become a superstar in her own right. However many people recognize her name for something other than her acting skills. She is the granddaughter of Wellington Mara and the great-granddaughter of Tim Mara and Art Rooney, the founders of the New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Steelers respectively. While Mara calls football the “glue that holds her family together”, following a number of small film roles during college she decided to actively pursue her acting career after graduating from NYU’s Gallatin School in 2010.

Her acting ability aside, Mara has become one of the hottest names on the red carpet. Coming seemingly out of nowhere to star in last year’s most anticipated film and then doing such an amazing job with such a complex character, award season was filled with people waiting with bated breath to see what she would be wearing. Before she took to the red carpet however, we got a glimpse of just how ethereal she could look with her Vogue cover in November 2011. Fittingly, the cover image featured her in a Ralph Lauren dress, a dragon embroidered on the back but it was one of the images on the inside of the magazine that showed the world she could be a style dream. Perched on a statue against the backdrop of a mossy, slate-colored lake Mara wears a stunning cowl-back silver Marchesa gown. The styling, the setting, and the subject: it all came together to create an almost supernaturally beautiful picture.

When award season finally kicked off, few were disappointed with her gown choices. Mara and her stylist played up her new look by sticking to a simple color palette so they could put more emphasis on the detailing of her gowns. First was the black Nina Ricci gown she wore to the Golden Globes. With a deep-V front held by strips of fabric that were mimicked on the sides of the dress and a bustle on the back, it would have been very easy for this dress to look costumey on any other actress. But with her hair pulled into a sleek side-parted ponytail and makeup that only enhanced her beauty, Mara made the dress one of the best of the night. Following up her winning look at the Golden Globes, Mara’s white structured Givenchy gown at the Academy Awards perfectly capped off several months of watching her promote her film and take in all of the accolades she received.

Close to Mara’s heart is also her charity work. In 2006 after visiting Kibera, a slum in Nairobi where she saw first hand the living and health situations of the orphans who there, Mara founded the Faces of Kibera. Through her charity, which is now one with another nonprofit, Uweza, Mara works to provide food, shelter and assistance of any kind to the children of this region. She has stated in the past that now with her acting career taking off she finds it hard to manage both that and her responsibilities as board president. However she refuses to give up on providing any and all assistance possible. She wants to be a part of bringing change and hope to the region.

With deep family roots engrained in one of America’s favorite sports, a career full of promise that is opening more and more doors, and a charity seeking to make life better for thousands of children Rooney Mara has much to be grateful for. So much more than just a style icon for those very reasons specifically her charity work, she is living proof that taking a chance can effectively change your life for the better. And if she continues to work as hard at both of her passions as she has been, there is no doubt Mara will effectively change the lives of the people around her as well.

Style Icon: Marilyn Monroe “I’m selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am...

Thu, 04 Oct 2012 12:58:57 -0400

Style Icon: Marilyn Monroe

“I’m selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control, and at times I am hard to handle. But if you can’t handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best.”

-Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe is easily the most recognizable face of American cinema from the 1950s and 60s. That is due in large part to the ongoing fascination with her harbored by the media and film industry. Every year an article or profile on her life is written and published for the world to read, and sometimes we get lucky to discover photographs of her that have never been seen before. Earlier this year the fascination with her was at an all-time high with actress Michelle Williams’ turn as the icon in the superb film My Week with Marilyn.

Before she became Marilyn Monroe she was Norma Jean Baker, a bright-eyed girl whose early life was just as dramatic as her adult life. With a mother who suffered from a mental disability, she spent a significant amount of time in and out of foster care. But one of her caregivers, her mother’s best friend planted the seed in Norma Jean’s head that she would be a movie star one day. Fast-forward some years later, she signed with a modeling agency and went blonde. After a night of brainstorming with Fox executive Ben Lyon and the beautiful, talented Bebe Daniels, Norma Jean Baker became Marilyn Monroe.

In her first major film roles, Monroe became known for being the quintessential character whose purpose was to be looked at and to provide comic relief. In an effort to fight continuously being typecast as such she took acting classes and started to seek out new roles. Her turns in films like The Prince and the Showgirl and Bus Stop garnered her critical acclaim and a much deeper respect for her acting ability. But in the midst of making her mark as an actress Monroe became a bonafide screen siren. Her signature golden blonde curls, black lined eyes and red lips, and the sultry looks she gave the camera made her the object of many affections. She contributed to the ongoing popularity of curvy figured women accenting their bodies and not hiding them from the world. While we all agree she was absolutely stunning when she was dressed to the nines in that way, some of the most memorable photographs of her are photographs that showcase what a truly natural beauty she was. Although she was a sex symbol these pictures show off an innocent side to her and prove that beneath all the glitz, glamour and diamonds she was a woman living her dream.

Unfortunately, Monroe’s life ended much too soon. Amidst swirling stories of her disagreeable nature on the set of her films and her penchant for starting arguments, Monroe’s already problematic health began to deteriorate. Paired with a growing dependence on alcohol and prescription drugs these factors led to her death on August 5, 1962. She was thirty-six.

Despite her untimely death, Monroe has had a lasting effect on pop culture. Her iconic look has been recreated by some of the world’s most famous women. Madonna donned a hot pink dress and gloves, and draped her arms in diamond bracelets as she sashayed about in her “Material Girl” video. It was the ideal recreation of Monroe’s scene in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes singing “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend”. Christina Aguilera channeled her throughout the promotion of her Back 2 Basics album, and if you have ever gotten caught standing over a steam grate or wearing a dress on a windy day you have surely thought about having your own Marilyn Moment in a billowing white dress. Not that any of us would look as graceful as she did, surely there would be looks of pure terror on our faces as we tried to prevent it from happening.

See what I mean? Marilyn Monroe-graceful. Carrie Bradshaw- terrified.

She is a woman we will continue to be captivated by, one who will always represent an era of beauty and style whenever her name is mentioned. It is truly unfortunate that her life ended so tragically and we never got the chance to see what she might have done if she overcame her demons. But we are left with her great films alongside wonderful actors, stunning photographs and the iconic look of one of the movie industry’s most beautiful and controversial stars. She will always be emulated, but there is only one Marilyn Monroe.

Style Icons: A Model State of Mind Let’s face it, growing up we all admired the models that walked...

Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:56:00 -0400

Style Icons: A Model State of Mind

Let’s face it, growing up we all admired the models that walked the runways and appeared in print ads for fragrances and makeup. They got to travel the world, wear the most beautiful clothes and build friendships with some of the greatest minds in fashion. In the seventies and eighties, you loved women like Bianca Jagger and Christy Brinkley. Also in the eighties we had the birth of the supermodel, women like Naomi Campbell and Cindy Crawford becoming the biggest commodities in the industry. Then the world got its first glance at the woman who would change the modeling scene entirely, a five-foot-seven Brit named Kate Moss.

Today, the modeling world is dominated by women who got their start wearing the coveted angel wings made popular by Victoria’s Secret. Gisele Bundchen, Miranda Kerr, Adriana Lima, and several others have all donned those coveted wings and strutted in designer shows.

A common misconception of models is that they are simply pretty faces and idealized bodies meant to show off and sell clothes. In part that is true. They are beautiful and at times seem otherworldly, but the intelligence of these women is often times underestimated. Some of them have moved on from modeling to have successful careers as entrepreneurs, collaborating on clothing lines and cosmetics for the masses. Others pride themselves on interacting with their fans through social media, giving us all a glimpse into their day-to-day lives and backstage at fashion events. What is probably the most important way to impact the industry and those who aspire to be a part of it comes in the forms of those models that have broken down diversity barriers, becoming some of the most sought after faces for campaigns and shows alike. All in all, these are women we should all admire for the hard work they put in to become the best in the world at what they do and to make sure that they are remembered.

As New York Fashion Week comes to a close and we all lock away ideas and inspiration for next season (all in the midst of curating our Fall/Winter wardrobes) take a look at some of our favorite runway icons.

Jessica Stam & Coco Rocha

Stunning is an understatement. Stam has modeled for some of the biggest companies in the world and has a beautiful quilted Marc Jacobs bag named after her. Rocha is ever the style chameleon, never one to shy away from changing her appearance to suit her, and designers love that about her. She closed the Zac Posen show earlier this week, walking the runway in his gorgeous wedding gown.

Chanel Iman

Really, with a name like Chanel Iman can there be any doubt that this young woman was destined for greatness? At the young age of twenty-one she has already modeled for industry megastars Dior, Stella McCartney and Yves Saint Laurant. For the past three years she has walked in the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show, earning her angel wings last year. Having already proved that she could model both designer threads and lingerie, Iman’s stock just continues to rise. This past May she not only wore one of Tom Ford’s latest designs, but showed up on the arm of the man himself at this year’s Costume Institute Gala.

THE TRINITY

Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington & Naomi Campbell

They were the first models to fully understand their worth and demand the best. These three women dominated every major campaign in the nineties and it is easy to see why. Individually they were powerful but together they were a force. Who can forget the iconic George Michael video featuring the three of them along with several other top models, “Freedom”? But in spite of all their past success what sets them apart the most is that now, in the midst of business deals and raising families (and some scandal) they are still forces to be reckoned with. Turlington and Evangelista are faces of Maybelline and L’Oreal respectively and Campbell still dominates the runways. She in currently working on a television show with legendary photographer Nigel Barker and fellow models Karolina Kurkova and Coco Rocha.

Tyra Banks

She is the epitome of a successful model-turned-businesswoman. Banks made history by not only landing the lauded Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover twice (the first time sharing it with with Valeria Mazza) but also for being the first African-American model to do so. She modeled for Victoria’s Secret for several years before retiring from runway modeling to focus on her hit show America’s Next Top Model. But Banks’ most important role has been being a role model to legions of women. When critics ripped on her for not maintaining her thin model figure she shot back at them that she had no one to please but herself. She refused to be bullied and in turn she instilled a level of confidence in women all over the world. She has been working diligently to teach women how to love themselves for who they are, not what other people see. Take that, critics.

Cindy Crawford

An ageless beauty, Cindy Crawford is the embodiment of getting better with age. And her style radiates simplicity and grace. With successful home furnishing collections and a skincare line thousands of women clamor for, it is no surprise that Crawford has managed to have a fulfilling career in the years since she has stopped modeling.

Joan Smalls

In August the Puerto Rican-born Smalls was ranked the Number 1 model in the world. Coming from an island in the Caribbean, that ranking is just another accomplishment in Smalls’ story. She’s been a face of Estée Lauder for years, their first Latina model and recently graced the covers of Vogue Australia, W Magazine and Harper’s Bazaar UK. Smalls has obliterated several barriers and shows no sign of stopping to maintain her spot on the top. Smalls was also named the newest host of MTV’s House of Style reboot alongside fellow model Karlie Kloss. She is paving the way for young girls who are just like her, growing up with seemingly larger than life expectations. Nothing is too big if you work hard enough; she proves this with each show and campaign she books.

Style Icon: Charlize Theron There’s only so much you can do, but if somebody doesn’t...

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 12:58:10 -0400

Style Icon: Charlize Theron

There’s only so much you can do, but if somebody doesn’t give you a chance there is nothing you can do.

- Charlize Theron

This South African beauty has been on almost every best-dressed and most beautiful list known to man. Crystal clear blue-green eyes, blonde hair and a statuesque frame made to show off the work of the world’s best designers, Charlize Theron is the embodiment of the Hollywood dream. Today, Theron is one of the most highly acclaimed actresses of our time with a body of work up-and-coming actresses can only dream about. She is also a new mother to a beautiful baby boy she recently adopted. Prior to her acting career taking off, Theron started off as a model and then won a scholarship to study ballet at the prestigious Joffrey School in New York. She had aspirations to become a professional ballerina before an injury to both knees changed her future. It was at her mother’s suggestion then that she give the film industry a try, and as they say the rest is history.

After starring in a string of successful movies in the late 1990s to the early 2000s, Theron shocked audiences with her turn as Aileen Wuornos in the 2003 film Monster. It was one time that her beauty nearly cost her a role, and she had to fight to win the lead because producers and directors thought she was too attractive for the part. It was her unbelievable transformation into this woman and her superior acting ability in a film with an extremely difficult subject matter that garnered Theron her very first Oscar nomination. She had swept the 2004 award season, so when Oscar night arrived everyone was sure she would be taking home acting’s most prestigious award. They were also tuned in to see what she would wear on the red carpet. Theron did not disappoint, emerging fresh off a Brazilian vacation in an exquisite champagne-hued Gucci dress.

In all of its simplicity, from the silhouette to the front slit to the delicate beading to the beautiful open-back, the dress was one to be worn by someone at a very big moment in their lives. She was the picture of happiness on a night that turned out to be one of the most important in her career, and when she took the stage to accept her award no one deserved it more.

Proving to be the style chameleon we have come to know today, the following year she turned up on the red carpet at the Golden Globes with a drastically different look. Having gone from blonde hair to black for a film role, Theron played with her new style by making new, darker wardrobe choices as well. The iridescent fabric of her mermaid Christian Dior gown glowed and its navy blue color was the perfect compliment to her dark hair, which looks absolutely fabulous on her. Several years later, this is still one of her best looks.

Growing up in South Africa, Theron knew of the devastation that affected the country she called home. As she grew into a Hollywood megastar she created the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) in 2007 to support African youth in their fight against HIV/AIDS. The epidemic in Africa has been horrifying and Theron is working to do her part to help through education and providing free mobile health clinics. In only five years Theron, who is also a UN Ambassador of Peace and the CTAOP have been able to help thousands of young men and women learn more about this disease, how to prevent them and how to treat them. While the primary focus has been on South Africa, the CTAOP seeks to provide more support to the rest of sub-Saharan Africa, as they are the ones most susceptible to the disease.

Charlize Theron will always be known as one of the most talented women to walk the Earth. With grace and an unshakable sense of character and resolve she has paved the way for all young women with a dream. She is an icon who has worked with some of the best the film industry has to offer and who fights for the future of the youth in her homeland. She sees in them a bright future if we are able to get a handle on the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and where there is a bright future there is hope that anything is possible. Theron is living proof of that.

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Style Icon: Daphne Guinness “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people...

Thu, 02 Aug 2012 12:57:28 -0400

Style Icon: Daphne Guinness

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.”

- Oscar Wilde

They’ve called her eccentric. She detests the word eccentric. She prefers the term bohemian. You certainly know someone she whose look she has inspired and you are likely a fan of the designers who consider her a muse. And yet, you have probably never heard her name or seen her face. Few are as legendary in fashion as heiress Daphne Guinness. To many, she is the personification of what it should be because she takes risks and wears clothes that make her feel and look like her best self. She never goes after what is popular.

Her signature platinum blonde and espresso brown hair immediately make her recognizable and she has been known to go to great lengths in the name of her personal style. Guinness’ trademark look consists of fitted trousers, an avant-garde blazer and footwear usually seen on the runway. She has been known to paint her lips with nail polish to achieve her desired lip color, and she can often be seen wearing shockingly colored contact lenses when the situation calls for them. Karl Lagerfeld considers her one of his finest muses, and when Tom Ford made his big return to womenswear with his Spring/Summer 2011 collection he asked her to close his private show. The late Alexander McQueen counted her as one of his most devoted friends. It is a testament to her impact on fashion that these three men whose style and clothing are so different, all found inspiration in this one woman.

On a night celebrating the legacy of Alexander McQueen, the opening of the Savage Beauty exhibition last year, Guinness changed into her gown in the front windows of Barney’s. Donning a feathered McQueen gown, she captured the true essence of the designer and the fashion he gifted the world with more so than anyone else on the red carpet. In June, attending a dinner celebrating Tom Ford and GQ UK editor Dylan Jones she chose a more demure look, wearing a floor length white gown and cape combination from his Fall 2012 collection. The look is classic and adheres to Guinness’ go-to palette of black and white but upon her walking away, you notice the scorpion pendant necklace that she wears hanging down her back. It’s just one of the many ways she infuses her personality into everything she wears.

As big and bold as her fashion sense is however her heart, her desire to support up and coming talent as well as her friends, rivals it. In 2010 she purchased the wardrobe belonging to Isabella Blow, the iconic magazine editor and effectively blocked its planned auction at Christie’s. Guinness did not want her old friend’s belongings sold to various buyers around the world. She instead hopes for the archive, which includes McQueen’s entire graduate collection from Central St. Marten’s to be studied and viewed by students.

In the name of her friend Guinness is the founder and an avid supporter of the Isabella Blow Foundation. Created after her death in 2007, the foundation focuses on supporting young designers and artists as well as raising awareness for mental illness, which Blow suffered from immensely. In June of this year she agreed to put items from her enviable wardrobe up for auction. The auction of rare and one of a kind clothes and shoes brought in over $740,000, all of which benefited the foundation. This was not the first time she had offered up a portion of her wardrobe for auction either, doing so in 2008 to benefit women’s issues in Great Britain and across the globe through Womankind Worldwide.

A beautiful, enigmatic human being, it is hard to forget Daphne Guinness once she enters your mind for the first time. Admittedly a shy individual, the fascination we have with her mystifies her. All she strives to be is herself, and herself is a woman fond of gravity-defying shoes, daring style and viewing fashion as art. She wants to make the most out of the life she has been given and allot the same opportunities to others if she can. Perhaps that is why we are fascinated with her.

Style Icon: Blake Lively If you ever want something badly, let it go. If it comes back to you,...

Thu, 19 Jul 2012 12:56:04 -0400

Style Icon: Blake Lively

If you ever want something badly, let it go. If it comes back to you, it’s yours forever. If it doesn’t, then it was never yours to begin with.

- Blake Lively

It’s not every day a Hollywood starlet captivates some of the biggest names in fashion. With her effortless good looks and enviable fashion sense Blake Lively has become that starlet. We all watched her in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and were astounded by this beautiful California girl, but she truly got our attention as Serena van der Woodsen on Gossip Girl. Despite her success playing these characters what is admirable about Lively is her willingness to take on roles outside of her comfort zone, roles that challenge her as an actress. Making the difficult transition from prime time television to full feature films, Lively has broken out to become a bonafide movie star. Acclaimed roles in The Town and this summer’s Savages put her opposite some of the most celebrated actors of our time and not only did she hold her own, she stunned audiences with her performances.

There is no denying that at just twenty-four years old Lively has also become a full-fledged fashion icon. A few years ago while filming Gossip Girl in Paris she was invited by Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour to attend the couture shows with her. That invitation opened doors for her most industry insiders only dream of. She became fast friends with designers Karl Lagerfeld and Christian Louboutin, the later naming one of his iconic stilettos after her when she exclaimed how much she loved them. Lively has famously said that she does not use a personal stylist and in today’s world where everything a celebrity wears is analyzed, that is almost unheard of. But she has also admitted to snapping photos of her outfits and sending them to Louboutin for opinions on what shoes to wear. When you can text Christian Louboutin you do not really need a stylist, do you?

Since Lively has the good sense to know what looks good on her and how to dress for her body type, she seldom shows up to an event where she disappoints the fashion faithful. Case in point, the Savages premiere last month in Los Angeles. Lively stepped out in a gorgeous couture gown by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad. Nude with a black geometric overlay and paired with side-swept curls and bold red lips, her look was very old Hollywood with a modern edge. Attending the Met Gala in 2009, she made everyone’s jaw drop when she showed up on the red carpet in a teal Versace gown that boasted both a plunging neckline and a thigh-high slit. She carefully managed the daring display of skin to wow everyone in attendance that night.

To show that gowns are not the only way to wow a crowd, Lively is also very fond of bold colored pantsuits. Most recently she wore a vivid tomato red Michel Kors to promote her latest film on Good Morning America. Back in November she was seen in an electric blue version designed by Elie Saab. The classic look of a pantsuit taken to the next level in a brilliant color has been a trend for the past few years, and Lively shows just how well she can work the look.

While Lively has not come out to support any one charity, she instead lends her support to several causes that she believes in. One charity she has lent her time to is Oxfam America, an international relief and development organization. As an avid foodie and with one hundred percent of the proceeds going to Oxfam, Lively developed a specialty cupcake to be sold as Sprinkles bakery. Last year in the wake of the tragic Japanese Tsunami, she designed a t-shirt for Japanese retailer Uniqlo to raise money for aid along with fellow actress Gwyneth Paltrow and designer Victoria Beckham.

So far Lively has been our youngest Style Icon, but her persona makes her wise beyond her years. She is someone who appreciates the luxuries she has been afforded in life and seeks to live the best life she can, but also a young woman who is willing to lend her time to give back. She has wisdom from being in the film and entertainment industries for several years but the youthful desire to never stop challenging herself and learning new things. That combination of desire, determination and passion proves that her undoubtedly successful journey has only just begun.

Style Icon: Audrey Hepburn For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for...

Thu, 05 Jul 2012 12:53:00 -0400

Style Icon: Audrey Hepburn

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.

- Audrey Hepburn

From the first moment she appeared on movie screens all those years ago, Audrey Hepburn was immediately dubbed an icon. With a look so different from her fellow actresses at the time, Hepburn gave the world a new idea of what beautiful could be and continues to be ranked as one of the most beautiful women in history. Her film career is illustrious and filled with movies that we have all fallen in love with. She has played characters ranging from a princess in Roman Holiday to the lovely Eliza Dolittle in My Fair Lady to her most memorable role as Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. But Hepburn is equally remembered for her (at the time) unconventional beauty, her talent and her commitment to humanitarian work, which she devoted most of her time to later in her life.

Hepburn’s style was and has continued to be a sought after look. In comparison to actresses at the time like Marilyn Monroe and Lana Turner, Hepburn was very slight in figure and had very gamine features. She was not thought of as a bombshell, but a more refined, poised and elegant beauty. With dark hair, large brown eyes and her thick eyebrows, Hepburn was immediately noticeable in the sea of blonde-haired starlets of her time.

On film, Hepburn’s most memorable look comes in the form of the black dress designed by her good friend Hubert Givenchy from the opening scenes of Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Styled with thick strands of pearls, gloves and dark sunglasses it has long remained the iconic look people think of when Hepburn comes to mind. Equally impressive were the black pants and turtleneck sweater she wore in Funny Face. Those pants started a black ankle pant movement in fashion, one that has continued. We all remember just a few years ago when The GAP used the clip of her dancing in that film, set to AC/DC’s “Back in Black” none the less, to promote the reimagining of their skinny black pant. While some criticized the posthumous use of Hepburn’s image, GAP’s decision further proves the impact she had and still has on the fashion world. In the words of their creative director at the time, “Who better to showcase them than actress Audrey Hepburn—an iconic woman famous for dressing with sophistication and classic style?”

When Hepburn finally began to step back from making films, her own wartime struggles as a child prompted her to increase her involvement with UNICEF. She had been a supporter of UNICEF since 1954 but it was during this time that she traveled to Africa, South America and other areas of the developing world where people were living in difficult conditions. She often talked about the eye-opening trips she made as a Goodwill Ambassador and what she learned about the devastatingly neglected parts of the world that UNICEF was helping. Hepburn felt that some of the most important work she did was not done in front of a camera, but away from it when she did her humanitarian work.

Shortly after returning from Somalia in late 1992, Hepburn was diagnosed with a rare form of abdominal cancer. After an initial surgery it was discovered that the cancer was inoperable, and Hepburn and her family traveled back to her home in Switzerland so she could spend her final weeks in peace. On January 20, 1993, Audrey Hepburn succumbed to her illness. Her loss was one that was felt the world over, not only by her family but also by the people she had worked with and befriended, and to the millions of fans she had gained through her films, her style and her nature as a human being. A year later her sons Sean and Luca started The Audrey Hepburn Children’s Fund to continue their mother’s humanitarian work.

All of our style icons are icons in their own way, but every one of these women has had one thing in common, and it is their unfailing ability to impact the world. Audrey Hepburn is the most notable example of this. Twenty years after her death she is still a source of inspiration, still someone women and men see as an example of what a good person is. Hepburn never allowed her talent and fame to overshadow who she was as a human being. Helping underprivileged children was equally as important to her as winning an award for one of her acting roles, if not more so. She was graceful, ladylike, intelligent and timeless. Above all, she lived a full life. Hardly anything is more iconic than that.

Style Icon: Iman She is a Somalian bombshell who has graced the fashion world since the...

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 12:48:16 -0400

Style Icon: Iman

She is a Somalian bombshell who has graced the fashion world since the late seventies and is one half of one of the most iconic celebrity couples in the world. Serving as a muse to some of the most well known designers including Halston and Yves Saint Laurent, it is hard to find a style icon to match Iman’s stature. She began her career as a model after being discovered while studying at the University of Nairobi, and she has successfully transformed her good fortune from modeling into a business.

A statuesque beauty standing at five foot ten, Iman is usually one of the first people who draws the eyes of fashion watchers at any event she attends. Her relationships with designers, her great sense of style and her enviable figure guarantee us that she will show up in something fabulous. At the launch of the IMAN Home collection in 2010, she was the picture of casual chic in a simple black jumpsuit. Her satin purple heels just barely peeking out beneath the hem of the jumpsuit made the outfit pop and offered just a bit of color to the otherwise monochromatic look. Since she was launching her home collection which consisted of fabulous prints and rich colors she did not want to take away from what she worked so hard to develop. She wanted her new collection to be the centerpiece but still have a style moment for herself.

In 2011 while attending the DKMS Gala honoring musician Rihanna and Michael Clinton of Hearst Publications, she wowed on the red carpet in a floor length hot pink Jason Wu gown. The dress is made of a beautiful chiffon material and boasts a classic silhouette but the bold color stood out when paired with a matching clutch and turquoise earrings. Also on trend was her new chin length bob and trademark smoky eyes-nude lip combination. It is clear that Iman knows how to dress appropriately and fashionably for any occasion.

Iman’s most beautiful characteristic is her ability to see beauty in all forms and finding a way to showcase that beauty. Using her own modeling experiences, she developed IMAN COSMETICS, which is just one branch of her ever-growing brand. Iman has made no secret of how difficult it had been for makeup artists to match a foundation to her deep skin tone when she modeled. Her makeup line, now a premiere brand for women of several ethnicities has become home to several go-to products for women all over the world.

Aside from her modeling career and her lifestyle brand Iman is well known for her philanthropic work. Drawing on her childhood as a refugee in East Africa she serves as an ambassador for Save the Children, focusing on relief efforts in that region. She also works with Raise Hope for Congo through the Enough Project to bring awareness to the violence against women and young girls in the Congo. Iman understands the importance of bringing to the forefront the atrocities that they face in that region and is working with several organizations to put them to an end.

She started as a girl attending school in East Africa and Iman became a world-class model. She built herself a life, a career and a business while raising her children and caring for her twenty-year marriage. Her huge heart and astounding style make her a woman we can all learn from. She did not dream of becoming a model or a businesswoman but those were the blessings life gave to her, and she has used them to make a better world for the next generation of women.

Style Icon Spotlight: Celebrating Father’s Day Father’s Day is a special day for...

Sun, 17 Jun 2012 12:58:00 -0400

Style Icon Spotlight:

Celebrating Father’s Day

Father’s Day is a special day for the most important men in our lives. Whether our own fathers, the fathers of our children or in some cases special father-like figures, these men are usually the first men who love us unconditionally. They are also required to take care of all the “dad things” we come across. Checking under the bed for monsters, chasing away eight-legged pests and for women, our personal favorite: being the fashion expert to tell us when our skirts are too short and trying to convince us baggy jeans and t-shirts are the latest trend.

For women our fathers are the first men we fall in love with, the men that all others are compared to for as long as we live. For men they are the ones who taught them how to play sports, how to treat women like they should be treated and served as an example of the kind of man they should want to be. And as ever important, dad is the one who taught us all how to change a tire, something we have been or will be grateful for at some point or another. To put it simply, fathers are our examples of the best men. To those around us they have their flaws but in our eyes those flaws are what makes them who they are.

As we did for Mother’s Day, we want to share and celebrate some of our favorite celebrity dads. Some of them are first time fathers: a hip-hop mogul, an actor known to many as Thor and a football superstar who recently won the Superbowl. Others are seasoned pros, masters at the multitasking required of parents everywhere. One thing is for certain with each one of these men though. While they enjoyed their lives as bachelors, fatherhood has brought out a softness in all of them that makes it clear they would do anything for their children. They pride themselves on being there for them in every possible way and providing for them. Most of all, they love their children beyond words.

Hugh Jackman

Actor, Broadway star and father to son Oscar and daughter Ava Jackman

Idris Elba

Actor, DJ and father to daughter Isan Elba

Victor Cruz

Wide Receiver for the Superbowl Champion New York Giants and father to daughter Kennedy Cruz

Chris Hemsworth

Actor starring in the hit movie The Avengers and father to daughter India Hemsworth

Cash Warren

Film producer and father to daughters Honor and Haven Warren

Orlando Bloom

Actor and father to son Flynn Bloom

Jay-Z

Hip-hop mogul, entrepreneur and father to daughter Blue Ivy Carter

Eric Dane

Grey’s Anatomy star and father to daughters Billie and Georgia Dane

The love of a father is probably the most important trait of any father, and the best possible gift they can give to their children. We want to wish a Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there, and a very special wish to Dareen’s husband Shaival celebrating his first with his wife and their lovely daughter.

Style Icon: Beyoncé Knowles There is much to be said for Beyoncé. Mentioning that she has sixteen...

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 12:52:00 -0400

Style Icon: Beyoncé Knowles

There is much to be said for Beyoncé. Mentioning that she has sixteen Grammy Awards, three sold-out world tours and four number one albums is a good place to start but it hardly begins to touch on the woman behind all the success. One of the biggest stars of our generation, Beyoncé began her journey to stardom as a young girl and spent twenty years becoming the presence we see in magazines and on our television screens; the fierce, fearless, powerful woman we see on the stage. Just like there is no denying her beauty both inside and out, there is no shortage of proof that she is one of the most humble superstars in recent history. There is also no denying her immense talent. That she is only thirty years old lets the world know she has only just begun.

Whether she is performing or spending a casual day in New York City with her husband and her daughter, she is always chic. In past interviews Beyoncé has said that she likes to dress up every day because it makes her feel good. That is a rule all women can learn to live by: don’t dress based on how others perceive you, dress because it makes you feel good. And if there is one word to describe Beyoncé’s style, that word is bold. Crystal-studded platforms? Check. Tailored red tuxedo jacket? Definitely. Her daily outfits are usually casual and on trend, but there is always that unexpected punch that sends fashion lovers into a frenzy.

One of Beyoncé’s most memorable style moments came on the red carpet of the 2005 Oscars. It is an unwritten fashion rule that one should keep away from velvet of any sort on the red carpet. But on a night where she was given the honor of performing three of the five songs nominated for Best Original Song with very dramatic costume changes, she opted to start off the night on a high note. In a strapless vintage Atelier Versace gown, she let the velvet beauty be the star of the show by keeping her daring accessories to a minimum. Her performances on the show were the talk of the town the next day, but no one could stop buzzing about her dress. Of course, a conversation about her best red carpet moments would not be complete without mentioning the gorgeous orange Lanvin gown she wore to the 2011 MTV Video Music Awards to announce to the world that she was expecting her first child. Loose and flowing, it immediately sparked interest as out of character for her usual style but her simple, wordless announcement kept that dress on everyone’s mind for months to come.

While Beyoncé is undoubtedly a beautiful woman, her best feature would be her smile. Great style is great style, that goes without question but a smile can be a woman’s greatest accessory because it conveys confidence. She is all about projecting confidence from the inside, out. Similar to our other icons, Beyoncé has been and continues to be involved with several charities, one of the most notable being Feed America. In 2010 after spending time with addicts as part of her research for her role as Etta James, she opened the Beyoncé Cosmetology Center at Phoenix House in Brooklyn with her mother. She wanted to create a place where women recovering from addiction could learn new skills that they could use to find work and not be judged because of their past.

Beyoncé has made a career of groundbreaking live performances, powerful anthems and advocating female empowerment. Her strong sense of self and outstanding work ethic make her unstoppable, which attributes to her desire to be the best. She is a giving, talented and timeless woman, and is living proof that hard work, perseverance and fierce determination are the keys to helping you get whatever it is you want out of life.

Style Icon: Victoria Beckham She invaded our lives as one-fifth of one of the biggest all-girl...

Thu, 17 May 2012 13:01:03 -0400

Style Icon: Victoria Beckham

She invaded our lives as one-fifth of one of the biggest all-girl groups to ever exist, the Spice Girls. She was the Posh one, always in sky-high heels and daring dresses. While at the height of her success, she married the most well-known soccer star in the world and gave us a whole knew vision of a soccer mom. Victoria Beckham was always the tame one during her time with the Spice Girls. She let her classic style stand out in the wild sea of hair, platforms and accessories worn by her band mates. Today, Beckham is not only known for her past musical success but also as a force to be reckoned with in the fashion world.

Hardly ever a fashion miss on the red carpet, Beckham’s every day style is what garners the most attention. She has a long list of designers she loves, but is frequently seen wearing her own clothes. Since giving birth to her youngest and only daughter, Beckham’s look has softened. Her style remains classic with edgy details, but soft dresses, flowing hair and breezy tops have also found their way into her wardrobe. One of the most talked about items she has worn is a whimsical cat-print dress from her Victoria, Victoria Beckham collection. Paired with high-heeled platforms and a structured black bag Beckham showed that fun prints could be worn in a grown-up, sophisticated way. She also loved the print so much that she had a smaller version made for her daughter.

At a Fendi dinner in Milan a few years ago she wore a gorgeous low-neck red dress from her high-end clothing line, and the dress had an exquisite fit. While both of her clothing lines have been great successes it come as no surprise to learn that the very shy Beckham had not mentioned to many people in her circle of friends that she was starting her own collection. In a recent interview she discussed her good friend and fellow designer Marc Jacobs’ reaction to learning she was moving onto fashion and how surprised he was that she hadn’t told him. Another look that shows off her sophisticated, stylish but simple sense of style was the dress she wore to the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. At the time pregnant with her daughter, Beckham had been one of the people aside from the bride that the public was eager to see. When she appeared she did not disappoint with a billowing navy-colored dress, black platforms and a beautiful matching fascinator.

Along with her husband Beckham heads up The Victoria and David Beckham Charitable Trust. The main goal of the trust is to provide support to different charities fighting for sick and disabled children. Beckham also supports numerous other charities including the Elton John AIDS Foundation and Malaria No More. She has donated wardrobe pieces so they could be auctioned off to raise money. As a mother of four it is easy to see why causes that affect the well being of young children are held close to her heart and in 2009 she received an award recognizing her as a mother who fights to make a difference.

While she started off as a popstar, Beckham has evolved into not only a fashion icon but of the most celebrated fashion designers in the world. Her clothes can be seen on everyone and she makes no secret of the pride she feels when she sees fellow superstars in her designs. While she leads a busy life with her work and her children, her desire to be involved with charities that benefit children give us an insight into the kind of woman that she is: talented, intelligent and working hard to have it all.

Style Icon Spotlight: Celebrating...

Fri, 11 May 2012 12:48:00 -0400

Style Icon Spotlight:

Celebrating Mom, the Original Style Icon

Mother’s Day is a day of celebration for many families and this year it is even more so for the Dareen Hakim Collection. Almost seven months ago Dareen welcomed her little girl, Mila into her life. When you see Dareen with both her daughter and her mother, it is a beautiful picture of three generations of women who will all learn from and love each other beyond words.

For many women, our mothers were the ones who taught us the joy of getting dressed up and looking our best. To most little girls nothing was better than your mother allowing you to play with her make up or in her jewelry box, and no matter how humorous we looked with bright red lips and blue eyeshadow our mothers told us we were gorgeous. As we got older, mom taught us how to walk in high heels and how to carry ourselves as strong, smart women. It is the most difficult and yet the most rewarding job in the world to be a mother.

To celebrate this Mother’s Day and in honor of Dareen’s first with Mila, here is a look at some of our favorite stylish mothers. Whether cheering on soccer games, strolling through the park, dressing up for Halloween or simply spending a day with their families these women embrace motherhood and all it has to offer. And there is no doubt their little ones are on the fast-track to being style icons themselves like Dareen and Mila who, at seven-months-old is rocking leg warmers and Chuck Taylors. She’s our own trendsetter!

We hope you enjoy looking through this post at some of our favorite Style Icon moms, and we would also like to wish our darlings a very Happy Mother’s Day!

Victoria Beckham

Mom to Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper Beckham

Beyoncé Knowles

Mom to Blue Ivy Carter

Gwen Stefani

Mom to Kingston & Zuma Rossdale

Jessica Alba

Mom to Honor & Haven Warren

Jennifer Lopez

Mom to Max & Emme Muniz

Heidi Klum

Mom to Leni, Henry, Johan & Lou Samuel

Kimora Lee Simmons

Mom to Ming Lee & Aoki Lee Simmons and Kenzo Lee Hounsou

Style Icon: Jennifer Lopez ...

Thu, 03 May 2012 13:02:10 -0400

Style Icon: Jennifer Lopez

Jenny from the Block. J-Lo.

The nicknames are endless but they all reflect on the one and only Jennifer Lopez, one of Hollywood’s most inspiring success stories. She started her career as a dancer, dancing her way into the hearts of those who tuned into In Living Color during the 90s before pursuing her passion for acting. Lopez shined in small roles opposite Hollywood heavyweights before her big break came in 1997 when she landed the role of slain tejano superstar Selena Quintanilla Perez. Her real and relatable portrayal of the popular musician put the industry on notice that they had a real talent on their hands. Fast-forward more than ten years and Lopez is one of the most powerful actress-singer-entrepreneurs in the world, celebrated by her fans and peers alike. Yet, despite all of the things that have changed with Lopez’s life since she got her start in entertainment, one thing that has continued to get better as the years go by is her personal style.

Her style is very easily identifiable: glamorous, bold and ladylike. Lopez knows how to accentuate the figure she was blessed with and has always celebrated women with curves. One moment that stands out in her extensive style history is the gold Marchesa she wore to the 2009 Golden Globes. Just about a year after giving birth to her twins Lopez wowed all in attendance in the figure-flattering sensation. Her hair was kept simple, her jewelry was minimal but she knew she did not need to do anything over the top to solidify her spot on the best-dressed lists for the night. Lopez also stole the spotlight last summer while attending the BAFTA Brits to Watch event. Everyone in attendance was waiting for their chance to meet Prince William and Duchess Catherine, but before that Lopez’s green Emilio Pucci dress was all anyone could talk about.

Most recently, after her show stopping appearance at this year’s Academy Awards (where she wore two gowns by acclaimed Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad) she was spotted in a lime green Michael Kors dress that made headlines. Not one to shy away from body-skimming and colorful clothes, Lopez was right on trend with this neon colored dress and contrasting hot pink heels. As she did with the gold Marchesa, she kept her hair and accessories to a minimum to truly let her brilliantly bright outfit shine.

Right about the time that she became a mother, Lopez and her sister Lynda started The Maribel Foundation. Like the Icons before her, Lopez discovered an overwhelming need to help those less privileged. Growing up in The Bronx, she was well aware of the sacrifices many families had to endure to get through day-to-day life. Through her foundation, she is spearheading the fight to provide healthcare and nutrition to women and children less fortunate all around the world. To her, it does not matter if they can pay for it as long as they have access to it.

There is no denying that Lopez is one of the world’s biggest and most recognizable superstars. She has fought her hardships in the public eye but retains the admirable strength, beauty and determination people have come to expect from her. She believes in learning from your mistakes. In doing so herself Lopez has become more than a style icon, she has cultivated a life and a career far beyond her wildest dreams and she has earned her place among the most influential women of our generation.

Style Icon: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan She has one...

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 12:37:01 -0400

Style Icon: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

She has one of the world’s most recognizable faces and is one of the biggest movie stars to ever come out of Bollywood. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan never thought she would end up in the entertainment industry. Instead she was attending school to become an architect when she decided to pursue a career in modeling.

In 1994 she was crowned Miss World, but these days Rai Bachchan is known for being one of the busiest women in Bollywood. Between filming several movies at a time, being the face of both L’Oreal and Longines Watches and balancing a home life with her husband and their new daughter, it seems nothing will slow her down.

Her style is a chic mix of East and West, switching from a top and jeans to a stunning sari or evening gown in an instant and making it look effortless. A fixture at the Cannes Film Festival, she has had several special style moments there throughout the years. One of her best moments was from 2005, when she wore a stunning black dress festival’s opening night. The dress had a beautiful floral applique pattern on the front and a beautifully cutout back. The draping also falls on her figure as though it were a sari specially created for the occasion. Quite honestly though nothing beats her in a beautifully wrapped, colorful and figure flattering sari.

Rai Bachchan’s striking appearance has landed her on several most beautiful lists, but her most recognizable and most talked about feature are her aqua blue eyes. Like our previous Icon Angelina Jolie, they allow her to tell a story without ever opening her mouth to utter a word.

Coming from one of the world’s most poverty stricken countries, Rai Bachchan has made it her duty to help give back to those in need in her country through her namesake foundation. She was also appointed the first Global Ambassador for the Smile Train foundation that provides free cleft lip and cleft palette surgeries to children in need.

The Dareen Hakim Collection looks for certain characteristics when selecting women for these features. Being beautiful and having great style are a large part of it, but having a huge heart can transcend beauty and style and that makes you an icon.

Rai Bachchan is an advocate for the advancement for India and its people, and through her talent, beauty and grace she is doing just that. A rare mix of superstardom and humility, the fact that she is so beautiful and has such influential style is just a bonus.

Style Icon Spotlight: Celebrating Lebanese Designers When planning...

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 12:41:00 -0400

Style Icon Spotlight: Celebrating Lebanese Designers

When planning our Style Icons for this month, we wanted to focus on international icons. Last week we gave you Queen Rania of Jordan, a monarch for the modern age whose style and grace is an inspiration to us. Next week, we have another international icon for you who has made a quite a name for herself in the entertainment industry. It was in this vein, of thinking of international icons that we got the idea for Style Icon Spotlight, a series of special features here at Icons for Le Icon.

For those of you familiar with our fabulous designer Dareen, you know that one thing she is immensely proud of is her Lebanese heritage. In recent years Lebanon has become a hot bed for fashion, home to some of the hottest designers in the world. Four of the biggest names in Lebanese fashion are Zuhair Murad, George Chakra, Elie Saab and Reem Acra. They are also four of the most sought after designers for Hollywood’s biggest nights. In recent months their designs were seen on Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez, Zoe Saldana and Katy Perry just to name a few.

Icons for Le Icon celebrates the women that represent the boldness, class and beauty of our brand. These designers and their work represent the boldness, class and beauty that embody Lebanese design. With Dareen joining this growing pantheon of fabulous designers who are carving Lebanon’s place on the fashion map we want to celebrate them and their work. The starlet who wears it may give the dress a canvas to be displayed, but these designers are the true artists behind their breathtakingly beautiful looks.

Zuhair Murad

Jennifer Lopez

Taylor Swift

Blake Lively

George Chakra

Emily Blunt

Jennifer Lopez

Giuliana Rancic

Elie Saab

Mila Kunis

Rihanna

Beyonce

Reem Acra

Halle Berry

Eva Longoria

Olivia Wilde

Style Icon: Queen Rania of Jordan Queen Rania Al...

Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:00:00 -0400

Style Icon: Queen Rania of Jordan

Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan is considered one of the most influential women in the world. From her strong, reasoned and intellectual voice in matters of charity, peace, women and the Arab world, to her incredible grace, elegance and style, Queen Rania portrays herself as a queen without needing the title. She exudes strength in character, honesty, graciousness, intelligence and more… all packaged up in her eye catching and impeccable fashion sense. From smart dresses, stylish skirt and top pairings to casual jeans and a blazer, she constantly exudes luxurious style, class, confidence and strength. Born in Kuwait and having studied at the American University of Cairo, Queen Rania’s classic Middle Eastern beauty makes it easy to see why women look to her for style inspiration, and gives way to our new fascination with “royal fashion.”

Queen Rania is involved with several different organizations meant to better the world. As a mother of four, education and health are two of the biggest causes she fights for. She believes in giving children the proper chance to have the best education and all the tools to shape them into strong individuals. Globally, Queen Rania is recognized for encouraging a cross-cultural dialogue between people of different nationalities and faiths. She believes it is her duty to address and correct misconceptions about the Arab world and has done a stellar job giving people a new view and fresh perspective.

What also sets Queen Rania apart from several of her royal counterparts is her presence on and frequent use of social media. On both Facebook and Twitter, she connects with people all over the world and discusses the initiatives she that are close to her heart. In 2009 she conducted her very first twitter interview, answering questions posed to her by her more than two million followers. Her willingness to make herself easily accessible via social media has made Queen Rania a royal for the modern age.

With one of the loudest and strongest voices promoting a new view of the Arab world and the Arab woman and sharing her concerns for the future of her people and the world, several of the world’s most influential people have recognized Queen Rania’s work. So much so that Forbes magazine named her one of their 100 Most Influential Women in 2011. Her great influence, powerful work, grand style and her accessibility to the people of the world is sure to keep her on that list for many years to come. We are proud to share Queen Rania as our new Style Icon inspiration.

Style Icon: Angelina Jolie Her name alone...

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 13:00:00 -0400

Style Icon: Angelina Jolie

Her name alone is enough to fill your mind with images of a gorgeous grey-eyed brunette whose face many call one of the most beautiful in the world. Angelina Jolie has demonstrated her skill as an actress with her amazing body of work. She played a rebellious car thief in Gone in 60 Seconds, a mother grieving a missing child in The Changeling and a wild child mental patient in Girl, Interrupted for which she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. There is no role that Jolie can’t tackle, but the role that is most important to her is being a good mother to her six children.

Jolie is also a style chameleon. While she has always been recognized for her sense of style, it is only in recent years that she began to be known as one of the best-dressed women in Hollywood. One of her major fashion moments came at the Academy Awards in 2009. Jolie walked the red carpet in black strapless gown with a simple silhouette. She however stood out in the crowd because of her stunning jewelry choices: large emerald drop earrings and an oversized emerald cocktail ring. Paired with no-fuss hair and makeup that allowed her natural beauty to shine through she climbed her way to the top of several best-dressed lists.

One of Jolie’s most striking features are her eyes. It is an old saying that the eyes are the window to the soul and one thing that you notice when Jolie takes a picture are her eyes. They are at once happy, full of life, wonder and mystery; all factors that lend to her universal appeal. Jolie’s most fascinating work aside from being a brilliant actress and mother is her work as an ambassador for the United Nations. It is well documented that it was on one of these UN missions several years ago that Jolie fell in love with her oldest son Maddox. It is her unfailing willingness to spotlight poor conditions for children and women across the globe that make her one of the most influential and sought after actresses in history.

Jolie’s presence makes her a force to be reckoned with. Her personal strength and desire to have her children grow up in a better world cement her status as one of the world’s foremost icons.