502!

Wow - shows how much I pay attention...my Obama pants post was my 501st post on this blog. Go me!

Rue La La!

Last week I posted a link to Gilt Groupe, a great private sale site. This week, I'm inviting all Opalescent readers to join Rue La La.

Rue La La is... an exclusive, invitation-only online destination where Members discover premier-brand, private sale Boutiques, each open for just a brief window of time. Our focus is a well-edited collection of sought-after offerings from the best brand names in the world - combined with helpful service.

I found my Kooba Bailey clutch at Rue La La, and a fab Ellen Tracy angora and wool coat that kept me warm in New York during Fashion Week in February. This week's boutiques include Kitchen Aid and Betsey Johnson.

You really can't beat the prices...join now!

Obama's Jeans

What was President Obama wearing when he threw out the first pitch at the All-Star Game last night? Old-man jeans. You know, the baggy "comfort fit" ones with the elastic waist? Our esteemed leader looked like he was 47-going-on-80.

My 72-year-old father wears hipper, better-fitting jeans. And I never thought I'd ever say that.

Watch the video to see how truly horrid they were.

Elie Saab Fall 2009 Couture

Elie Saab channels Karl Lagerfeld's all-white Chanel Spring 09 couture collection with his own symphony in white for Fall. I think just about every one of the long gowns would make a strikingly different wedding gown.

Valentino Fall 2009 Couture

Here's a recap of recent Valentino history: Valentino retires. He appoints Alessandra Facchinetti to carry on his legacy. She fails and is replaced by accessories designers Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli. Their Spring collection was in the Valentino mold and pretty safe, but the Fall collection is something else entirely. A preponderance of black, plus grey and nude, keeps the looks somber, and lots of beading and wee details make it just a bit "too much."

I feel that the simpler pieces work best.

Whereas the ruffly, floofy ones are a bit of a mess. Ruffles on the blouse, skirt, AND shoes? Too much.

This is just plain unattractive.

As is this.

Lady, I think your slip is showing.

This is nice, but again, it's simple.

The opposite of simple = awful.

Ditto. The bust treatment looks sloppy and unfinished. (I feel like I'm judging Project Runway.)

Too much crap going on.

Ugh.

This I like, but not with the ruffly shoes.

This I hate. She looks like some mutated sea creature.

Twee, but mostly ok.

A close-up of the ruffled shoes. Do the ruffles brush against the ankles? I would find that annoying. Love the super-pointy toe, though.

An Invitation to Join Gilt Groupe

I want to share a find with my readers: Gilt Groupe. I got an invite last year and am so glad I signed up! I can't really afford to pay retail for designer goods, and with Gilt Groupe, I don't have to!

Here's the dirt: "Gilt Groupe provides fashion enthusiasts online access to designer fashion from top brands at sample sale prices. You'll find apparel, accessories, and jewelry for Women, Men, and Children at prices up to 70% off retail. All items are guaranteed to be authentic and sourced directly from the brand."

Brands include: Just Cavalli, Furla, John Varvatos, Michael Kors, Milly.

Click here to join. There's no obligation to ever purchase anything, but the only way to find out about the sales is to sign up. Think of it as belonging to an exclusive club.

I belong to other sample sale clubs...if you're interested, drop me a line and I'll send an invite your way.

Chanel Fall 2009 Couture

Is it me, or is Chanel getting a little...boring, peut-etre? I mean, apart from the wackier looks, it's all a little dull. Especially when compared to Lagerfeld's recent all-white collection.

Yawn.

Yawn.

Yawn.

Double yawn.

Not exciting, but better.

She's pooing fabric!

Ugly.

Insane.

Snore.

Beth Ditto for Evans

Calling all Fatshionistas! Beth Ditto, plus-size singer for band Gossip, is coming out with a line of fashions for U.K. shop Evans, available July 9th. Included in the collection are the domino-print dress and leggings she's wearing in the photo above.

And yes, they will ship to the U.S.

Heh.

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

A Trip to NY

I made a quick trip to NY last week in order to attend Bravo's The Fashion Show finale taping.

Merlin Castell being ushered into a white van after the show. No, it's not a van to the crazy house. At least I don't think it is...Johnny R was in there, too.

Of course I manage to squeeze in a few other fun things: a sniffing tour of the new goodies at Bergdorf and Saks; dinner at Otto with Laura K, David Dust, and the fabulous Roz;

(A white van, usually used to herd reality-show competitors from place to place, in front of Parsons. David and I snooped around but didn't catch Tim Gunn, Heidi Klum, or anyone who appeared to be a Project Runway Season 7 designer. Rats.)

lunch at Fraunces Tavern after the TFS show with Laura, Roz, The Scarlett, Nancy T, and Malan Breton; and shopping with Laura, Scar, and Malan.

Malan took us to Jeffrey, in the Meatpacking District. The store is a mecca for fabulous shoes, including Manolos, Louboutins, Gucci, Dior, Prada, etc.

I have no place to wear such shoes, so after trying on a few pair, I wandered over to the fragrance and cosmetic area at the front of the store, home to brands like L'Artisan Parfumeur, Chanel, and Comme des Garçons. I found a lone bottle of Six Scents No. 4 Gareth Pugh and snatched it up - I had been contemplating its purchase for a few weeks now and couldn't resist. As the Chanel rep applied some new eye and lip colors on me, we chatted about The Fashion Show and the Real Whoreswives of New Jersey. I don't watch that show (nor any of the Whoreswives) but I had seen the second part of the reunion and at least knew who the hated Danielle was. Plus she was at the TFS taping that morning, not surprisingly segregated from the rest of the Whores.

After Jeffrey, we wandered down the street to the Matthew Williamson store. His stuff is so gorgeous! Here are examples of his wares for sale, the first from Fall '09 and the second from Summer '09 collections.

Despite the fashionable fun, I was glad to get home to my darling hubby....

Resort 2010 - Badgley Mischka

Badgley Mischka is all about the party dress, and their 2010 resort collection is business as usual. Here are some of my faves.

Resort 2010 - Carolina Herrera

Carolina Herrera's Resort 2010 collection was full of elegance, 30s silhouettes, and lots of orange. I quite like everything, even if orange is probably my least-favorite color.

Here are my very favorites from the collection.

2009 CFDA Awards

The fashion world's Oscars, a.k.a. the CFDA Awards, was held on Monday at Lincoln Center. The place was teeming with starving models and fashion designers, and here's what some of them wore.

Actress Blake Lively wore a simple hot pink Michael Kors dress, a far more age-appropriate and less-slutty look than the one she wore at the Met's Costume Institute Gala.

Model Doutzen Kroes wore Zac Posen. It's a bit over-the-top, as Posen is wont to be. I find it tacky.

Heidi Klum in Michael Kors. Although she seems a bit matchy-matchy, I think it's a typical Heidi look.

Model Lydia Hearst is wearing Marc Bouwer. I think she looks like she should be auditioning for an ice dancing competition. Or maybe a part as a fairy in the Hobbit movie. She looks so fragile and skinny in that diaphanous material.

Maggie Grace wears Christian Siriano. I like it.

Molly Simms wears a Dolce & Gabbana Marilyn Monroe-print dress. I think she pulls it off, but wished she had done something more with her hair. It looks like she just came home from the gym and only had time to throw on the dress.

Padma Lakshmi wears a lovely J. Mendel gown that is far too long, and jewelry from her own line. Apparently peach/skintone is the new black.

Fabiola Beracasa is wearing Proenza Schouler under a horrible feathered cape and with purple suede booties. What was she thinking? She looks like a crazy person.

Robert Tagliapietra and Jeffrey Costello of Costello Tagliapietra (catchy) dressed as pot-bellied lumberjack bears.

The Lauren offspring - David, Dylan, and Andrew, dressed appropriately for the occasion, in tuxedos and a gown.

Meanwhile, Daddy Ralph only had time to dress his upper half, and Mommy Ricky Lauren borrowed something from Michael Jackson to go with her casual white jeans and platform wedges.

Resort 2010 - Isaac Mizrahi

Isaac Mizrahi sent out his 2010 Resort collection last week - it's a regular pastel-a-palooza, apart from a few black & white looks. I'm kinda loving it, apart from that yellow dress which looks like it's made from cellulite. What do you think?

Women In Film's 2009 Crystal + Lucy Awards

Judging by the lack of real star power (with few exceptions) at this event, it was a non-event. But still, there are dresses to rip.

Michelle Trachtenberg's shiny print dress reminds me of the foil wrappers on mini chocolate Easter eggs. And I think the black shoes and black goop around the eyes is so harsh. The whole look is just not working.

Not long ago I saw an episode of The Equalizer ca. 1985. Melissa Leo was really a pretty young thing back then. Today, well, I like her dress but think the color is too close to her hair and skin color. And I'd like to see her with bangs.

Mary McCormack looks terrific with her sleek hair and happy face. The dress is a little drab though.

I love Keke Palmer's dress - it's bold and bright and summery without being tacky or too casual...

...which is how I feel about Heather Locklear's dress. Looks like she threw it on after lying around the pool all day. Her hair looks kinda mangy, too. What happened to the Preference? Isn't she worth it anymore?

Jodi Foster looks gorgeous. Perfect. Love the darker hair. Holly Hunter looks painfully thin, and I think she's getting a bit too old to wear her hair that long. She obviously does not employ a stylist.

I''m not a big fan of Jennifer Aniston because, well, I think she's a big nothing. But she looks hot in this dress, and her usually too-stringy-looking hair looks good too. Well done.