Free Republic

The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards greeted us with a wave of style and a flash of substance, revealing a bold gathering of the glitterati of the musical and celebrity worlds, united in an eye-popping display of entertainment couture and sass. The controversial ceremony, best known for Kanye West’s hijacking of Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech, delivered up a slew of trendsetting artists, in both music and dress. Katy Perry donned a corset Blonds dress. Lady GaGa brought her usual flamboyant style wearing a funky eclectic neo-Victorian Jean Paul Gaultier gown.

The editors of The Fashion Time Magazine present this week’s glamour girls, the most couture-pleasing, stylishly appealing, best dressed celebs that garnered our attention. Charlize Theron attended the Fashion Night Out bash held at the Dior Boutique. The Oscar winning actress opted for a light blue Dior dress and Dior heels.

Designer Jason Wu was already a rising star of American fashion, but when Michelle Obama chose to wear a gown he designed to the balls on Inauguration Day, Wu’s career soared. And when he showed his collection for spring and summer 2010 on Friday at New York Fashion Week, the industry elite — including Vogue Editor Anna Wintour — turned out in force for the show at the St. Regis hotel on Fifth Avenue.

Product Description From the Manufacturer This hand dyed tee shirt features a stunning screen print graphic on a preshrunk, 100% cotton tee. Dyed and printed by The Mountain. The Mountain uses only environmentally friendly inks and dyes, to bring you an incredibly durable and comfortable garment

Lizzie Miller is considered too large to model plus-size clothes. Is the reaction that followed the publication of this picture going to change that? 'It's a photo that measures all of three by three inches," gushes Cindi Leive, editor of US Glamour in a post on the magazine's blog, "but the letters about it started to flood my inbox literally the day Glamour hit newsstands." The picture in question, illustrating a story about body confidence, has generated more than 700 comments on the site, and featured on the US Today morning TV programme. What does it show? A beautiful, creamy-skinned...

Michelle Obama has been spicing up First Lady fashion all summer with bold colors and chic patterns. Check out the roundup of her smashing summer looks... Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/fashion/galleries/michelle_obamas_summer_style/michelle_obamas_summer_style.html#ixzz0QYlDfvRv

The Ebony Fashion Fair -- a catwalk show that traveled across the country, Canada and the Bahamas bringing designer fashion from around the world to predominantly black audiences -- has put its fall 2009 schedule on hiatus. The reason? The economy. -snip- The cancellation is also a big financial blow in West Palm Beach, where Delta Sigma Theta Sorority produced the show to raise money for its college scholarship program for local high school students. ``This was by far one of the largest fundraisers for us,'' said Charice Robinson, the president of the West Palm Beach Alumnae Chapter. ``It will...

Cherie Blair has revealed an unexpected upside to leaving Downing Street – her figure doesn’t get compared with that of Carla Bruni. Speaking of French president Nicolas Sarkozy’s wife, who was famously photographed from behind on the steps of a Spanish palace in April, Mrs Blair said: ‘I am very happy to not have been in Downing Street when Carla Bruni came on an official visit.

Liz Claiborne hires turnaround firm NEW YORK, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Liz Claiborne Inc said on Thursday it hired turnaround firm Alvarez & Marshal on a "short term basis" to help the clothing and accessories maker improve operations and cash flow. "We have a good relationship with our bank group and, as part of our ongoing discussions with them, agreed to hire a consultant," Robert Vill, Liz Claiborne's treasurer and vice president of finance, said in a statement. Vill said the company engaged the firm "on a short term basis to review our working capital and cost reduction plans in...

Georgia May Jagger: look at her now In August this year, Georgia May landed her first big modelling assignment. Chosen as the face of premium denim label Hudson Jeans' autumn/winter 2009 campaign, the 17 year-old was shot by Mario Sorrenti, the renowned fashion photographer famous for shooting a young Kate Moss topless for the Calvin Klein Obsession adverts.

In Megan for September’s Wonderland, lensman Mariano Vivanco adroitly pastiches a wonderful dance of earthly elements, cool, beautiful, and possessive along with the more lovely than life, hot, fiery Romani-esque sensuality of Megan Fox. Together, they make for a ying/yang wonderland of striking symbolism.

This is the best we’ve seen Tyra Banks looking in a while. The former top model looked stunning while attended the 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

Naomi Campbell attacks companies for 'dropping' black models in recession Never afraid of speaking her mind, Naomi Campbell has accused the advertising business of using the recession as an excuse to drop black models. By Richard Eden 29 Aug 2009 Naomi Campbell who is a friend of Nelson Mandela, has won support from Bruce Oldfield, the designer of the wedding dress worn by Samantha Cameron, the wife of the Tory leader Photo: Getty Images The 39-year-old supermodel, who is a close friend of Sarah Brown, the Prime Minister's wife, claims that major companies are refusing to use non-white women to...

When she was 16, Crystal Renn signed a $250,000 modeling contract and moved to the city. But after starving herself for years to stay at 95 pounds, she gave it all up to become a plus-size model -- and finally, at size 12, achieved major success. With her memoir, "Hungry," due out Sept. 8, Renn tells her story to The Post. Nine years ago, when I was 14 years old, a modeling scout spotted me at an etiquette class in my hometown of Clinton, Miss., and pulled me aside to show me a photo of supermodel Gisele in a clingy...

The editors of The Fashion Time Magazine present this week’s glamour girls, the most couture-pleasing, stylishly appealing, best dressed celebs that garnered our attention. Katie Cassidy regaled us with her sexiness at Nylon Magazine’s TV Issue Launch Party opting for an animal printed Nicole Miller dress. She completed her look with Rock & Republic raspberry pumps.

Personifying the rock’n’roll spirit of Kate’s attire, the collection is heavily inspired by the 60s, 70s and 80s, with a distinct groupie feel. A series of blouses and dresses in chiffon are voluminous with billowing sleeves and pointed collars or smock style.

I came across Paulo Reis’ photo of Raquel Zimmerman and could not resist talking about it. I had a surreal experience last Sao Paulo Fashion Week. As Raquel made her way through the catwalk, people would scream and clap, as if she were a rock star. I have never experienced anything like this in a fashion week, where people usually keep to themselves. It was madness. Raquel is now considered the Number One model these days. Move over Kate, move over Gisele. She’s appeared in the latest campaigns for Gucci, Hermès, Giorgio Armani, Jean Paul Gaultier and Viktor & Rolf...

When the First Lady attended a country-music event in July without a single strand of hair falling below her jawline, the blogosphere exploded with outbursts ranging from adoration to vitriol. Things settled down only when her deputy press secretary clarified that there had been no First Haircut. In the aftermath, a didactic post on MichelleObamaWatch.com proclaimed that anyone "familiar with the amazing versatility of black hair" would have known that the new summer look was simply "pinned up." Many Americans have dismissed this hair hubbub as simply more media-driven noise — like the chatter about Michelle Obama's sleeveless dresses, J....

We will soon see this photo recreated http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kennedy_Family_with_Dogs_During_a_Weekend_at_Hyannisport_1963.gif or maybe if the seas calm down we will see this photo recreated http://www.jfklibrary.org/Asset+Tree/Asset+Viewers/Image+Asset+Viewer.htm?guid=%7B99F5C193-AE7D-4DF7-BD71-23B15A91129A%7D&type=Image

'Vegan fashion' is not an oxymoron 'Vegan fashion' is not an oxymoron: Designers with vegan convictions are creating animal-free high style. VEGAN STYLE: Vaute Couture bamboo-organic cotton velvet and vegan satin lined coat, $2,000; Stella McCartney sequin dress, $2,135 at Stella McCartney, Los Angeles. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) Susan Carpenter They've given up eating burgers. And bacon. And anything else that used to have a pulse or came from something with a pulse. But just because they're vegan doesn't mean they're unfashionable -- only more selective. If an animal was harmed to make a material that goes into...

I would hate to be in the national spotlight when it comes to fashion — and I am submerged 24/7 in the field, as a fashion writer and representative for designers. The Obamas? They're under the media equivalent of an electron microscope. The president and first lady generally get high marks for their formal apparel. But when it comes to dressing down, the chief executive scores in the basement. Witness his "frumpy" dad jeans at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game last month. Michelle carries off casual with her usual flair — even if the thigh-baring shorts she sported earlier...

There's been a big fuss this week because Michelle Obama wore shorts. She's worn shorts before — to walk the dog, do stuff around the White House. But the photos of her wearing them in that iconic descending-from-Air-Force-One-onto-the-tarmac setting proved too much for the media. Obamas? Check. Summer news doldrums? Check. Controversy? Close enough. It was a story. * * * But the truth is there was a conflict. It is within each of us. While nobody would make Mrs. O wear couture in Arizona in August, the truth is, she just didn't look particularly good in shorts. Her arms...

Are you tired of all the focus on what Michelle Obama wears? Well, the good folks at the "Today" show certainly aren't, for they spent a lot of time this week discussing whether or not the First Lady was dressed appropriately when she got off Air Force One Sunday on her way to the Grand Canyon. As the nation grapples with such important issues as the ongoing recession and healthcare reform, NBC's morning show actually spent TWO DAYS days talking about Michelle's shorts. In case you missed it, here are some of the gushing highlights (videos embedded below the fold...

There's been a big fuss this week because Michelle Obama wore shorts. She's worn shorts before - to walk the dog, do stuff around the White House. But the photos of her wearing them in that iconic descending-from-Air-Force-One-onto-the-tarmac setting proved too much for the media. Obamas? Check. Summer news doldrums? Check. Controversy? Close enough. It was a story. And people reacted. The Today Show's poll on whether she should have shown that much thigh got one of the show's biggest responses ever, with 83% pro-shorts. Local papers found "experts" to discuss the implications of the shorts for the Obama White...

The Fashion Time predicted that jumpsuits would rock every fashionista’s wardrobe this summer and voila! Almost every celeb from Rihanna to Katy Perry to Dita Von Teese sported cute rompers and sexy playsuits. Some looked fabulous, some stupid and inappropriate, but the fact remains, jumpsuits were this season’s hugest trend. Here is a retrospective of who wore what. Bye-bye summer! Blake Lively, Dita Von Teese, Estelle

Finally, the Comme des Garçons for Converse collection will be launched next week! The shoes which retail for $100 each come in two styles: two high-tops and two low-tops embellished with Rei Kawakubo’s signature red heart.

There's a lot of important issues facing America at the moment. The biggest issue, judging by the amount of noise, is the fact the First Lady made the un-president-ed step of wearing shorts on vacations. However, no-one seems to be making practical suggestions for what Michelle Obama should have worn on a hike through the hot, dusty Grand Canyon. Short trip: Michelle steps off the plane, protected by some formally-clad, and presumably baking, guards In an outcry which (almost) overshadows the the debate over the U.S. healthcare system, critics came out en masse to condemn Michelle's choice of clothing. A...

Seems some people are actually outraged, outraged that First Lady Michelle Obama dared to bare so much leg by wearing shorts on a recent trip to the sweltering Grand Canyon. OMG. First she wears a sleeveless dress, now this? But think about this for a minute. What should she have worn to the Grand Canyon? A tweed pantsuit? A ballgown? What do you wear on your summer vacation?

The first lady with a right to bear arms is now exercising her right to bear her legs. That's what the chatty-o-sphere's saying about Michelle Obama's so-called "short shorts", which she was wearing when she strolled around the Grand Canyon on a family trip yesterday. But those aren't short shorts. They're shorts, period. What wizened, saggy chinned, fanny pack-wearing news anchor called them short shorts to begin with? What jealous, Dockers-clad, khaki-panted right wing zealot believed them? Who out there's really scandalized? For serious. Those aren't short shorts. They're mommy bloomers. Even webby bastion of liberalism The Huffington Post asked...

Don’t be too surprised if you see a dog wearing a No. 7 Michael Vick Eagles jersey because the NFL is allowing the sale of the customized pooch pullovers on their Web site. The story detailing a reporter's quest to buy a doggie Vick jersey appeared in an article by New York Daily News. The Vick jerseys weren’t being openly promoted by the NFL (like Vick jerseys for humans were being promoted) but can be obtained by filling out the customizable pet jersey form on NFL.com and asking for "VICK" to be put on the back of the shirt. The...

So here we are again. The biggest scandal to hit the White House: How much skin is really in? Hours upon hours have been spent talking about what a first lady should or should not wear. First, it was whether or not she had the right to “bare arms,” and now, pictures of Michelle wearing “short” shorts while on holiday with her family during yesterday’s trip to the Grand Canyon are sparking a similar debate. While most women would agree that shorts (at any length) are often tough to pull off, I think we should line up with hands raised...

Ah, the casual, comfortable flip-flop: A symbol of summertime, an emblem of relaxation — and a harbinger of death? OK, well, that may be overstating it a little bit — but not by too terribly much, health experts say. TODAY, with the help of the University of Miami emergency mobile flip-flop lab, tested some footwear and found that there were more than 18,000 bacteria on just one pair of flip-flops. Even more shocking than the number of germs were the types represented — bacteria from fecal matter, skin and respiratory germs. One pair of 6-year-old flip-flops had germs that cause...

My wife is not much of a political nut like her husband is, but I must say I was so very proud of this "fashion" tidbit she sewed up for the occasion. Hope I did this right... Mods if I broke any rules posting please delete this post.

You know what the real problem is with the town hall protesters according to writer Robin Givhan of the Washington Post? It's not so much their ideas, about which she writes almost nothing. What really irks Givhan is what she considers their lousy sense of fashion which she criticizes harshly in her "On Culture" article. Givhan starts out dripping with disdain on the subject of town hall protester attire: It seems safe to say that of the hundreds of thousands of style guides currently for sale on Amazon, not one of the didactic, shop-your-closet authors was prescient enough to outline...

Tracie Egan is a writer for Jezebel who has her own blog, "One D at a Time." In a post about why she doesn't fear competition from CocoPerez, Perez Hilton's new lady fashion site, she offers this aside: I think that gay men are actually the most to blame for many of the problems in the fashion industry, like the absence of womanly curves on the runway, and the hideous, figure-assaulting trend that is the tent dress, which no women who have ****, and no straight men who have an appreciation for ****, have any use for. It's hard to...

Downturn Pushes Escada into Bankruptcy Escada, the German luxury fashion brand, filed for bankruptcy protection with a Munich court, Bloomberg reported on Thursday. Escada was badly hit by the global economic downturn and had been negotiating with bondholders to restructure its debts, but the negotiations were broken off on Tuesday. Along with the recent bankruptcy of Lacroix, the French luxury clothing brand, the Escada case reveals the heavy toll the recession is taking on the high-end fashion industry. According to French newspaper Le Monde, Italian luxury fashion brands are also suffering from serious financial woes. Gianfranco Ferre, one of the...

A Paris swimming pool has refused entry to a young Muslim woman wearing a "burqini," a swimsuit that covers most of the body, officials said Wednesday. The pool ban came as French lawmakers conduct hearings on whether to ban the burqa after President Nicolas Sarkozy said the head-to-toe veil was "not welcome" in secular France. Officials in the Paris suburb of Emerainville said they let the woman swim in the pool in July wearing the "burqini," designed for Muslim women who want to swim without revealing their bodies. But when she returned in August they decided to apply hygiene rules...

A swimming pool in Paris has refused entry to a young Muslim woman wearing a 'burqini' - a swimsuit that covers most of the body. The ban came as French lawmakers consider whether to stop burqas - head-to-toe veils - being worn in the country. The debate follows President Nicolas Sarkozy saying the veils were "not welcome" in secular France. Officials in the Paris suburb of Emerainville had initially let the woman swim in the pool while wearing a burqini, in July. But, when she returned in August, they decided to enforce hygiene rules and told her she could not...

This autumn, cardigans are going to be big, short and cute or long and elegant Though I dare say Michelle Obama would prefer to be remembered for more than plumping up the sales of J. Crew’s knitwear, it is for her services to the cardigan that she will long be talked about on planet fashion. What she’s done is to show us how to wear it with panache. She’s made it look fresh, modern and perfectly capable of holding its own in the highest of places. So it was that when the distinguished but stately designer Oscar de la Renta...

Barbara Boxer said Tea Party protesters are coming to Town Halls in Brooks Brothers clothes. Today we provide you a link so you can dress for success for your next Town Hall protest. Don't forget to check out the Handkerchiefs so you are ready to cry when your congressman/woman votes you into Canadian(like) Healthcare. http://www.brooksbrothers.com/men/landing_men.tem

Who were the most glamorous celebs of the day, the best dressed stars? The Editors of the Fashion Time Magazine reveal all… Penelope Cruz attended the “Broken Embraces” Berlin Premiere in a stunning, super sweet green gown by Herve L. Leroux. What a beautiful lady she is!

Make some room, Brad and Angelina — heads of state are now elbowing out Hollywood glitterati as cutting-edge fashion plates. Barack and Michelle Obama look as good in the White House as movie stars do on the red carpet, which put them both on Vanity Fair’s coveted International Best-Dressed List, announced Tuesday on TODAY. President Obama finds himself in heady company among the sartorial splendor of Brad Pitt, Anne Hathaway, TODAY’s Tiki Barber ... and his own wife Michelle, who made the list for the third year in a row...

3 tongues what in god's name were they thinking. Someone left the tongue machine on semi-auto and they went with it.

don't know about you, but my eyebrows are a pretty integral part of my look. I've spent years taming their wily ways, too: careful tweezing, regular re-shaping and the vagaries of fashion have all had an impact on their thickness and shape, and not a day goes by without me sneaking off to the bathroom for a little look-see, just to reassure myself all is well. Oh, you know how it is. But why the obsession? It's simple -- I reckon brows are important. They're fundamental, in fact, to how you look, providing a framing mechanism for the eyes and...

Obama In Mom Jeans

When it comes to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's fashion choices, women often talk about her trademark pantsuits and speculate that she wears them to hide her "cankles" -- slang for chubby ankles. The takeaway from years of public comments about her ankles is that Clinton's leg coverage has made American women fixated on their own cankles and that they're resorting to plastic surgery and new workout regimens to get narrower ankles. The battle to get rid of cankles was a front page headline in The Wall Street Journal Thursday, which prompted this stream of pre-coffee emails from my girlfriends:...

First Lady Michelle Obama debuted her new 'do at a White House reception for country music stars Tuesday night. (Charley Pride, Brad Paisley and Alison Krauss and Union Station performed.) She stuck with sideswept bands, but the look is much shorter on the sides and in the back. Note: Can't post the pic of the new doo because of copyright restrictions (Getty Images), but you can peek at the chic by clicking HERE.

Michelle Obama continues to cement her reputation as one of the most fashionable women in the world with a new hairstyle. The First Lady used a celebration of country music at the White House yesterday to unveil her swept back tresses. Looking elegant in a white patterned dress, Mrs Obama’s bobbed hairstyle topped off a classy appearance. The pair's daughters Malia and Sasha were also at the event, which featured performances by country stars Charley Pride, Brad Paisley, Alison Krauss and Union Station. While the mother-of-two’s style stakes continue to rise, her husband, President Barack Obama has confessed he feels...