Kirsty Hume collaborates with Cocodot on virtual stationary

Celebrities have their manicured hands in all sorts of collaborations these days. But it's been a while since we've seen a celeb partnership as charming as Kirsty Hume's line of virtual greeting cards for online stationary company Cocodot.com.

The statuesque Scottish model, who's hitched to actor and musician Donovan Leitch, posed for images for the cards (birthday invites and blank, all-occasion notes) with her 7-year-old daughter, Violet.

In the photos mother and daughter are dolled up in roller skates and loads of pastel-colored tulle, as though they were attending a fashion-y roller skating party. (Cocodot photographed the pair at Moonlight Rollerway in Glendale).

Getting in the birthday spirit was no big challenge for Hume, who said she thrills at planning her kiddo's birthday parties.

"I love making the day special for her," she added. "It brings back memories of my own birthday parties that my mum planned for me. We planned a bunny birthday for Violet's fifth birthday and had someone come with all different types of rabbits for the kids to pet. And Violet got to keep two baby bunnies at the end of the party. ... I cut bunny shapes out of cardboard and covered them in pastel glitter and made a garland with them in our dining room." It's no wonder the photos in Hume's collection boast a whimsical, homespun vibe.

Cocodot has always been a pay service, but users can get a free month of online cards and invitations in a promotion currently running on the site. Even better, if you key in the promotional code "EmilyGreen," you'll get a full year of cheeky/glamorous/stylish cards for free.

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-- Emili Vesilind

Shopping: Les Pommettes, Oliver Peoples, LensCrafters, Poketo sales

A few notable happenings for a more stylish week:

SALES

Les Pommettes Biannual Blowout Bin Sale Thursday through Sunday: Designer fashion shop Les Pommettes hosts a four-day mega-sale featuring merch from brands including Vera Wang, Megan Park, Clu and Shakuhachi. Prices will range from $5 to $150, with hundreds of pieces to choose from. Can't argue with $5 bins.

158 N. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 289-9202. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 12 to 6 p.m. Sunday.

Oliver Peoples Summer Session Thursday: Oliver Peoples' Sunset Boulevard boutique is hosting a summertime soiree with bevvies, music and deep discounts on select sunglasses from Oliver Peoples, Mosley Tribes and Paul Smith.

8642 Sunset Blvd. (310) 657-2553, 6 to 9 p.m.

LensCrafters Semi-annual Lens event Through Sept. 12: Get 50% off lenses when you buy glasses or sunglasses.

Call 1-877-7LENSCRAFTERS for the store nearest you.

Poketo Summer Sale Through Sunday: L.A. fashion and homewares brand Poketo puts its vibrantly hued summer merch on sale at 50% off through Sunday at midnight — online only.

--Emili Vesilind

Photo: Poketo Pink Lemonade top, on sale at Poketo. Credit: Poketo.

[Updated] Upscale bridal consignment store to open in West Los Angeles

A new boutique is opening in West Los Angeles for brides-to-be with champagne tastes on a Budweiser budget.

White Magnolia, a consignment bridal boutique featuring gowns from swanky brands such as Monique Lhuillier, Anne Barge, Stephen Yearick and Jim Hjelm, will launch this Saturday at 2500 S. Sepulveda Blvd.

All the dresses set to debut at the boutique have either been donated (with proceeds on the sale promised to charitable organization, Gowns for Good) or are on consignment. Each dress originally retailed for more than $1,500, is less than five years old and is in good-to-awesome shape.

“I believe that every bride should be able to find her dream wedding dress within her budget,” said owner Carolyn Tao, who is hosting a public Grand Opening event Thursday night from 7 to 9 p.m. for former brides, inviting them to consign or donate their dresses.  

All who donate dresses Thursday evening will receive a tax receipt as well as a gift bag valued at more than $100. To attend the shindig, RSVP to yes@WhiteMagnoliaDress.com.

White Magnolia is open Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and various hours Wednesday through Friday. By appointment only. (310) 560-5743; appointments@whitemagnoliadress.com.

-- Emili Vesilind

[Updated at 3:30 P.M. August 9, 2011. A previous version of this post incorrectly stated that the White Magnolia boutique was located in West Hollywood. It is located in West Los Angeles.]

Photo: Browsing through wedding gowns. Credit: White Magnolia.

L.A. casual brand NSF launches a high-end men's denim line

NSF, the L.A.-based clothing brand known for its casual, American-feeling sportswear, has debuted a luxury denim collection for men — and has tapped denim veteran Simon Miller as its house denim designer.

The collection uses Japanese selvedge denim, is made in Los Angeles and offers a single classic straight-leg silhouette available in six finishes.

Priced between $220 and $395 a pair, the jeans are miles more expensive than the majority of men's jeans on the market, but Miller claims they're worth it.

"The jeans are made with integrity out of the world's best denim from Japan and sewn by the world's best machinists here in the U.S.A.," he said. "And they're washed in the U.S.A.'s best laundry facility. We don't cut any corners in the production of the denim. Everyone claims to use the best, be the best, but we are able to back it up."

The $395 vintage-washed "Nash" jean, for example, is created through hand tooling and a multi-step process of adding and subtracting indigo dye and thread detailing.

Miller and NSF designer Nick Friedberg started with men's denim simply because "as guys working on a men's line, you get a gut reaction to things," said Miller, "an instinctive feeling when it's right. Neither one of us is in this for a quick dollar or so we can be fashion darlings. We do it because we've found something we love doing."

--Emili Vesilind

Photo: A pair of NSF jeans. Credit: NSF.

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Shopping: Lulu Guinness luggage for stylish summer vacations

Lulu Guinness, the British handbag designer known for her whimsical designs, which often incorporate her signature lip graphic, has launched her first luggage collection. And, as expected, it’s as pragmatic as it is playful.

Comprising carry-on and wheeled luggage sets, “The World is Your Oyster” collection employs Guiness’ famous lips in two different ways.

The line’s high-gloss, hard-shell rollers — available in lipstick red (naturally) and black — are peppered with dozens of 3-D lips, creating, in effect, huge rolling smooches. There’s also a canvas suitcase grouping, in black only, featuring the same repetitive lip print, only this time in a quieter textile print.
“I wanted the collection to be practical and light, [using] the standard size requirements for carry-on luggage,” said Guinness. “I also incorporated an element of wit, which I do with all my designs. The suitcases are sophisticated and subtle until you look closely and see that they are covered in my iconic red lips.”

To celebrate the collection, Guinness has collaborated with animation director Vicky Mather to create a short stop-motion film, which charmingly depicts the adventures and travels of the adorable luggage.

The collection is available at luluguinness.com. Prices range from $299 to $399 for the hard-sided suitcases and $259 to $299 for the fabric suitcases.

Helms Design District Vintage Boutique,  a vintage fashion show featuring 20 vendors, inhabits a loft space in Culver City three times a year.  Produced by Dave C. Temple, who owns the downtown vintage fashion showroom Clever Vintage, the next show takes place Saturday, Aug. 13, at LightSpace Studio — and, this time only, no single item will be priced over $50.

“I challenged all the dealers to bring their best, but things they’re willing to part with for $50 or less,” said Temple. “We’re all like-minded in that we don’t want vintage to be this exclusive thing that’s out of reach.”

The show features four primary categories: classic vintage from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s; designer garb from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s; vintage jewelry and accessories from all eras; and repurposed, or “upcycled” vintage, which is vintage that’s been reworked into new styles (for example, new handbags made of old scarves).

Vendors include stores and collectors such as Little Treasures, Timeless Vixen, Stephanie LeVanda, Maxine Goldberg, Rockstar Vintage Couture, Elizabeth Gabaldon, Clever Vintage, Mother Beeson Classics, Vintazia and Mariana De Sousa.

Saturday, Aug. 13, at LightSpace Studio, 8755 Washington Blvd., Culver City.  10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entrance fee is $5, but 100 free tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis via Goldstar.

 -- Emili Vesilind

Photo: Lip-embellished Lulu Guinness luggage looks like rolling smooches. Credit: Lulu Guinness

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Weekend Shopping: sales, openings, events

A few notable happenings for a more stylish weekend:

OPENING

Barbara Bui: Parisian clothing brand Barbara Bui has opened a two-story boutique on Rodeo, featuring the designer's feminine — sometimes edgy — collection.

405 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 275-4452. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

SALES

Bedhead Pajamas Warehouse Clearance Sale Friday and Saturday: Stock up on PJs marked down 50% to 80% off retail at this rare everything-must-go event.   

5200 Venice Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 634-0333 Ext. 104. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

Zero + Maria Cornejo and LD Tuttle Sample Sale: Nab merch from designer label Zero + Maria Cornejo and accessories brand LD Tuttle at up to 80% off during this two-day sale. For example, Zero's Evi Jumpsuit that was $898 is going for $200. Steal! 

8226 West 3rd St., Los Angeles. (323) 782-4915. 12 to 7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. 

-- Emili Vesilind

Photo: LD Tuttle boots. Credit: Saks Fifth Avenue.

Shopping: Bargains abound at Helms Vintage Boutique [Updated]

There’s no doubt that Los Angeles’ two big vintage fashion fairs — the Santa Monica Vintage Expo and the Vintage Clothing and Textile Show — are stockpiles of retro treasures. But with up to 100 vendors featured at every show, their labyrinthine floorplans can feel overwhelming.

Enter the Helms Design District Vintage Boutique, a far less daunting vintage fashion show featuring only 20 vendors that inhabits a loft space in Culver City three times a year.

Produced by Dave C. Temple, who owns the downtown vintage fashion showroom Clever Vintage, the next show takes place Saturday Aug. 13 at LightSpace Studio — and, this time only, no single item will be priced over $50. [Updated Aug. 9, 9:10 a.m. to correct date.]

“I challenged all the dealers to bring their best, but things they’re willing to part with for $50 or less,” said Temple. “We’re all like-minded in that we don’t want vintage to be this exclusive thing that’s out of reach.”

The show features four primary categories: classic vintage from the ’40s, ’50s and ’60s; designer garb from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s; vintage jewelry and accessories from all eras; and repurposed, or “upcycled” vintage, which is vintage that’s been reworked into new styles (for example, new handbags made of old scarves).

Vendors include stores and collectors such as Little Treasures, Timeless Vixen, Stephanie LeVanda, Maxine Goldberg, Rockstar Vintage Couture, Elizabeth Gabaldon, Clever Vintage, Mother Beeson Classics, Vintazia and Mariana De Sousa.

"I wanted to create an event that has more of a party atmosphere,” said Temple. “And it turns out that people do come and stay all day. They do a loop around the show, grab lunch, do another loop, then do one last loop to say goodbye to everyone.”

Saturday Aug. 13 at LightSpace Studio, 8755 Washington Blvd., Culver City.  10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entrance fee is $5, but 100 free tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis via Goldstar.

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-- Emili Vesilind

Photo: The scene at a past Helms Design District Vintage Boutique event. Credit: GlamAmor

Banana Republic launches a 'Mad Men'-inspired collection

 "Mad Men" continues to make its mark on the fashion industry. Only this time, the homage is on a more mass scale than the runway odes we've seen over the past few years (see Michael Kors' fall 2008 collection).

Banana Republic has partnered with "Mad Men" costume designer Janie Bryant on a limited-edition collection for men and women inspired by the AMC show — launching online and in stores Aug. 11.

The capsule collection, which features around 65 pieces, offers an updated take on the buttoned-up looks of the 1960s. Meaning, the bullet bra-shaped sheaths and boxy men's suits seen on the show have been softened into gently draped suiting, dresses and women's separates that can seamlessly integrate into modern work wardrobes — but still maintain a little '60s flavor.

For men there are slim knit sweaters, tailored suit separates and fitted trousers, along with Don Draper-esque accessories including a money clip, cotton pocket squares, silk ties, tie bars and fedoras.

Women's styles include a thigh-length trench coat, tailored dresses in solid hues and floral prints, high-waisted skirts, silk tie-neck blouses and the kinds of accessories we used to pilfer from Grandma: printed scarves, leopard-print heels, skinny belts and a multi-stranded pearl necklace. Prices range from $39.50 for a silk scarf to $450 for a men's suit.

“Janie was instrumental in helping us achieve the series aesthetic and standard of authenticity with this capsule collection," said Banana Republic creative director Simon Kneen, "offering sketches, her own inspirations and actual artifacts from the production set to help inspire the ‘Mad Men’ within all of us.”

-- Emili Vesilind

Photos: Looks from the Banana Republic Mad Men collection. Credit: Banana Republic.

 

Shopping: Satine pop-up; Stark waxing special; jewelry at Royal/T

A few notable happenings for a more stylish week:

Vintage jewelry pop-up at Satine Thursday: Satine hosts a single-day pop-up featuring vintage baubles from brands including Chanel, Yves St. Laurent, Christian Dior, Givenchy and Lanvin.

3184 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles. (323) 655-2142. 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Royal/T’s “Perfectasy” pop-up shop Thursday through Aug. 31: Culver City art gallery/boutique hybrid hosts a month-long pop-up featuring OnchMovement, an irreverent jewelry brand designed by local artist Onch, who counts Kelly Osbourne and Kate Moss among his fans. Priced from $12.99 to $1,000, the pop-up will feature one-of-a-kind items and patently subversive cult-favorite looks including the Fried Eggs and Bacon necklace. Yes, they look exactly like how they sound.

8910 Washington Blvd., Culver City. (310) 559-6300. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily

Stark waxing special: Silver Lake waxing studio Stark is celebrating its fifth birthday by taking $5 off bikini and Brazilian waxes, and $5 off any product priced at $25 or more — through Friday only.

3335 West Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. Call to book an appointment, (323) 666-3335. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

-- Emili Vesilind

Photo: The Meat-lace by OnchMovement at Royal/T. Credit: OnchMovement.

Beauty Buzz: 2 celeb stylists join Sally Hershberger's L.A. salon

 

Hair maven Sally Hershberger has added two new hairstylists to the bustling floor of her Los Angeles salon — and both come with solid celebrity credentials.

The first, Neeko, is the man behind Halle Berry's famous spiky crop and is a regular "makeover" stylist on TV shows including "The Oprah Winfrey Show" and "The Tyra Banks Show."

The second, colorist Corey Powell, apprenticed under Jose Eber roughly 20 years ago and was an early practitioner of Balayage, a free-style form of highlighting and low-lighting hair.

Known for his California beachy blondes, he counts Kate Hudson, Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen and Nicole Richie among his clients. Powell has also consulted on films, including "Walk the Line" and "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle."

He will no doubt be competing for clients with the salon's queen bee stylist, Negin Zand, who recently took Carey Mulligan back to blond from brunet for an upcoming role.

Of the process, Zand said, "I stripped Carey's brown color and gave her a dark blond base before highlighting it using Balayage — a mix of golden and baby blonde. I love the new color on her. Her hair now has a lot more dimension!"

-- Emili Vesilind

Photos, from left: Stylist Neeko; colorist Corey Powell. Credits, from left: Neeko; Corey Powell