Sneak peek: Nicole Richie debuts for Macy's Impulse

Nicole Richie's exclusive limited-edition collection for Macy's Impulse is slated to make its runway debut at this year's annual HIV/AIDS fundraiser, "Macy's Passport Presents Glamorama," but we have a sneak peek pictured here.

This is the 30th year for the fundraiser, which combines fashion, music, dance and technology in a theatrical show.  Over the years, the event -- which was co-chaired by the late actress and AIDS activist Elizabeth Taylor --  has raised more than $30 million for HIV/AIDS organizations and research projects in Los Angeles and San Francisco, according to organizers.

Nicole Richie's collection includes 1970s-influenced silhouettes, prints and fabrications, with pieces priced from $49 to $149. Besides Richie's collection, other labels participating in Glamorama include Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein and Bar III.

The theme of the event is "British Invasion: The Music Then, the Fashion Now," with performances slated by Robin Thicke and Karmin. It's scheduled for 8 p.m. Sept. 7 at the Orpheum Theatre, 842 S. Broadway in Los Angeles. Tickets, starting at $75, are available for American Express cardholders now and go on sale to the public on Wednesday.

Glamorama  will be repeated at 8 p.m. Sept. 14 in San Francisco. 

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-- Susan Denley

Sketch credit: Macy's

Macy's Bar III hits the Rose Bowl flea market on Sunday

Macy's in-house Bar III brand has taken to the great outdoors -- or at least tented parking lots -- with a traveling pop-up road show that will be decamping to the Rose Bowl flea market in Pasadena on Sunday.

It's part of a tour that's taking the label's ready-to-wear, menswear, jewelry and home collections to hip, vintage street fairs, bazaars and flea market locales across the country and kicked off last weekend at the Hester Street Fair on Manhattan's Lower East Side. After departing Southern California, it will continue on to similar venues in Chicago and Denver before returning to New York City.

The only hitch is, if you pop into the branded Bar III tent and find something that strikes your fancy, you won't be able to take it with you -- the merchandise on hand will consist only of a run of sizes for customers to try on, with purchases being completed on site through Macy's website. (The upside is free shipping and the fact that dropping $100 or more earns you a free tote.)

Along for the ride is Los Angeles-based fashion blogger Aimee Song (Song of Style) who, in her role as event host/brand ambassador will be on hand to consult with customers.

Until as recently as last week, the notion of a gargantuan retailer such as Macy's trying to seem hipster-level cool and street-style savvy by tapping bloggers as brand ambassadors and setting up shop at flea markets might have struck me as kind of curious. Then, on May 6,  another massive retail chain -- Target -- took the wraps off its latest initiative: the Shops at Target, a collaborative effort with a handful of boutique retail brands from across the country (including Privet House, the Webster and Polka Dog Bakery).

Two days earlier, New York City-based publishing company Sandow Media announced that it had purchased worldwide rights to the Fred Segal brand -- a name that has become virtually synonymous with the carefully curated, style-savvy, Southern California shopping experience -- with plans to open retail centers like the ones here in Los Angeles and Santa Monica (which weren't part of the Sandow purchase) around the globe, as well as put the Fred Segal name and logo on a range of apparel, houseware and beauty products.

It feels almost as if the frenzied collaboration strategy of the last several years (Banana Republic wine bottles, anyone?) is shifting focus from the talents of the fashion designer to the talents of the boutique buyers and street-fair organizers in the quest for curating -- instead of creating -- the cool.

Given the ever-increasing clutter on the retail -- and e-tail -- landscape, it's not hard to see the appeal.

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-- Adam Tschorn

Photo: Macy's private-label Bar III kicked off a cross-country flea market tour at the Hester Street Fair in New York City last weekend. Photo: G. Ascencio

Sneak Peek: Alberta Ferretti's Impulse collection for Macy's

The capsule collection Alberta Ferretti is designing as part of Macy's Impulse series looks dreamy and ultra-feminine in a couple of sketches released Wednesday.

Macy's announced this week that Ferretti is its latest design partner in the series, and that her collection will go on sale April 17, just when we'll be wanting floaty, delicate clothes for spring and summer.

Prices range from $49 to $119. Colors will include orange, pink and teal offset by muted whites and tans, for a breezy feel, "reminiscent of the Amalfi Coast,"  according to press materials.

I'm ready! 

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Sketches courtesy of Macy's

Frugal Fashion: Golden Globes 2012 accessories

Watching the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards show last Sunday was a reminder of the power of a single accessory to transform a look.

Emma Stone, Charlize Theron and Michelle Williams expertly used accessories to add an extra touch of style and whimsy to their red-carpet gowns.

Stone accentuated her maroon and fuchsia pleated Lanvin gown by cinching the waist with a bold leather belt with jewel-encrusted buckle in the shape of an eagle. The belt, looking like something you might expect from a biker, was unexpected and a playful contrast to the ethereal quality of her gown. 

Add a similar punch of style to your next red-carpet gown with the Eagle belt buckle from Hotbuckles.com for $17.95 or the Rhinestone eagle belt buckle, also from Hotbuckles.com, for $19.95.

Theron wore a small Cartier museum piece jewel fastened to her Dior couture gown, proving that brooches aren't just for the over 50 set. They can be timeless pieces that add a hint of sparkle and elegance to any outfit, regardless of the generation.

For a similar piece, get the Monet brooch, crystal flower pin from Macys.com for $25 or the Austrian Crystal brooch - dogwood from Silverandjewelry.com for $49.

Williams looked 1920s glam with her jeweled, vintage Fred Leighton headband and Jason Wu gown. The small detailing on the headband was a perfect addition of sparkle to her pixie-cut strawberry blond hair and petite earrings.

Headbands can be a fun way to dress up a T-shirt and jeans or, like Williams, to add a youthful touch to an evening gown. For a similar piece try the Full Tilt rhinestone infinity headband from Tillys.com for $7.99, Candie's rhinestone headband from Kohls.com for $8, or the Cara Accessories masterpiece headband from Nordstrom.com for $32.

Have an outfit you're dying to buy but need a frugal alternative? Email us a picture. We're up for the challenge.

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-- Jenn Harris
twitter.com/jenn_harris

Photo: Actress Emma Stone arrives at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 15. Credit: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images

Photo: Eagle belt buckle, $17.95 / Hotbuckles.com; Rhinestone eagle belt buckle, $19.95 / Hotbuckles.com.

Photo: Charlize Theron. Credit: Chris Pizzello / Associated Press

Photo: Monet brooch, crystal flower pin, $25 / Macys.com; Austrian Crystal brooch - dogwood, $49 / Silverandjewelry.com.

Photo: Michelle Williams arrives at the Weinstein Company 2012 Golden Globe After Party at the Beverly Hilton. Credit: Katy Winn / Associated Press

Photo: Full Tilt rhinestone infinity headband, $7.99 / Tillys.com; Candie's rhinestone headband, $8 / Kohls.com; Cara Accessories masterpiece headband, $32 / Nordstrom.com

Fashion News: Chelsea Handler, Jennifer Lopez win Glamour awards

Designers Donatella Versace and Marc Jacobs were among the presenters and Tory Burch among the recipients at Glamour magazine's annual awards presentation Monday night. Other honorees included Chelsea Handler (shown here with presenter Jennifer Aniston), Jennifer Lopez, Gloria Steinem, Lea Michele, Cindy Sherman and three generations of Bush women: Barbara, Laura and Jenna (now Jenna Bush Hager). [USA Today] 

Dakota Fanning's advertisement for Marc Jacobs' Oh, Lola! fragrance has been banned in the UK. The ad shows Fanning looking younger than her 17 years wearing a sweet, dotted-swiss dress, semi-reclined with a large bottle of perfume in her lap ... kind of between her legs. She looked too young and too provocative for the British Advertising Standards Authority, which had received several complaints about the ad.[Telegraph]

Makeup maven Bobbi Brown celebrated her two decades in the beauty industry at a soiree at the U.S. ambassador to France’s residence in Paris on Tuesday night. [WWD]

For the first time, Macy's plans to open at midnight on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, the retailer announced recently. It joins lots of big-box and electronics stores in getting the holiday shopping season started earlier and earlier. [Huffington Post]

Now comes word that nearly 1,000 Gap Inc. stores, including Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Athleta locations and Gap Inc. outlets, plan to be open on Thanksgiving Day itself this year, really getting the jump on holiday competition. [The Cut]

I may be the only person on the planet who abhors this trend. I'd prefer for my family to relax together, not be thinking about heading to the mall to buy things on the most stressful shopping day of the year. What do you think?

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-- Susan Denley

Photo: At the Glamour Women of the Year awards, winner Chelsea Handler, left, with presenter Jennifer Aniston. Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images for Glamour Magazine

Fashion News: Ashley Greene covers Allure magazine

Ashley Greene of "Twilight" fame is on the cover of November's Allure magazine. And she dispels rumors of a feud with Demi Lovato, with whom she shares an ex-boyfriend, Joe Jonas. [Us]

Designer Doo-Ri Chung dressed First Lady Michelle Obama for a state dinner last week, and now she has been tapped to do a capsule collection as part of Macy's Impulse series (following in the footsteps of design stars Karl Lagerfeld and Giambattista Valli). Her collection is scheduled to hit stores in February.  [The Cut]

Italian Vogue has launched Vogue Encyclo, a kind of Wikipedia for the fashion-focused. Anyone can contribute, but Vogue editors will edit the copy before it posts. [Fashionista]

Calvin Klein gave a rare public interview Monday night, chatting with Fern Mallis in an installment of her  92Y lecture series. He spoke on a variety of topics, from his childhood to paragliding. “Every day is a new adventure and I enjoy life. It’s all fun,” he said afterward. [WWD] [Styleite]

Christian Louboutin is contesting the court decision that said it does not have exclusive rights to make red-soled shoes. [WWD] (Subsciption required.)

Rihanna has settled with photographer David LaChapelle for an undisclosed sum after he sued her for copying his work in some scenes in her video for the hit single S&M. [Telegraph]

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Photo: Ashley Greene. Credit: Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images

Sneak Peek: Giambattista Valli for Impulse Only line at Macy's

 
Giambattista Valli's capsule collection for Macy's, due to launch Oct. 26, features feminine fabrics and the bold prints for which the designer is known.

The line is being slowly unveiled, with a few photographs out now of flirty cocktail dresses, leopard print pants outfits and other items.

 
The line -- formally called the "Giambattista Valli for Impulse Only at Macy's" collection -- includes skirts, blouses, lightweight jackets, pants, graphic tees and dresses. Prices range on average from $50-$150.

It's the first venture into "affordable fashion" for Valli, who is the fourth designer in Macy's Impulse collaboration series, which started in February.

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Photos: Looks from Giambattista Valli for Impulse Only at Macy's, which is to go on sale Oct. 26. Credit: Macy's

 

Frugal Fashion: Evan Rachel Wood at the Venice Film Festival

Early September in Southern California marks the start of cooler, post-summer nights and for many, the sound of school bells. The beginning of a new school year is a time for fresh starts, hitting the books and the perfect first impression outfit.

Even women beyond school age are experiencing "first-day-of-school" outfit jitters as they plan their fall wardrobes. Finding a fabulous everyday outfit to wear is difficult enough, but if you're on a budget, it can be especially daunting.

Not to fret. Some key closet staples will have you looking your best through winter, into spring and beyond.

At the recent Venice Film festival in Italy, Evan Rachel Wood made an appearance at the "Mildred Pierce" photo call in what could be the quintessential back-to-school or start-of-fall outfit. She wore a white ruffled blouse, Dolce & Gabbana black vest with leopard back, black cigarette leg trousers and Christian Louboutin Bibi 140 Kid Pumps. Her menswear ensemble looked sophisticated and, most importantly, comfortable.

Each element of Wood's look can be a back-to-school or fall work staple, worn together or  paired with any number of items you might already own. For a similar ruffled blouse, get the Eryn Brinie ivory gauze ruffle blouse for $58 from Bluefly.com or the women's raw-edged ruffle top from Old Navy for $16. Pair the blouse with pants for fall, a maxi for spring or shorts in the summer.

Wood's vest adds a menswear twist to her ensemble, but can be a fun addition to any look. For a classic vest, get the slim vest from the Gap for $59.95 or for something a little funky, the BCBGeneration vest for $39.99 from  Macys.com. Kohl's also carries a fun, light weight vest, the LC Conrad pintuck ruffle vest for $28. Wear with trousers like Woods, or try with a pair of jeans and white T-shirt or over a dress.

Cigarette leg trousers are must-have items that will take you through the seasons. For a pair similar to Wood's trousers, get the Ponte cigarette trousers from Topshop for $40 or the Warehouse cigarette pant from Asos for $87.82. Wear with a sleeveless top and heels for a night out or a T-shirt and flats for more casual wear.

Grab some comfortable shoes, and you're ready for a fashionable first day of school.

Happy shopping!

Have an outfit you're dying to buy but need a frugal alternative? Email us a picture. We're up for the challenge.

-- Jenn Harris
Twitter.com/Jenn_Harris_

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Photos, from top: Evan Rachel Wood is shown at the  'Mildred Pierce' photo call during the recent 68th Venice International Film Festival. Credit: Claudio Onorati / EPA.

Blouses, from left: Eryn Brinie ivory gauze ruffle blouse, $58 / Bluefly.com. Women's raw-edged ruffle top, $16 / Oldnavy.com. 

Vests: Gap slim vest, $59.95 / Gap.com. BCBGeneration vest, $39.99 / Macys.com. LC Conrad niptuck ruffle vest, $28 / Kohls.com.

Pants: Ponte cigarette trousers, $40 / Topshop.com. Warehouse cigarette pant, $87.82 / Asos.com.

Karl Lagerfeld collection lands at Macy's, but is it any good?

The hotly-anticipated Karl Lagerfeld collection has hit Macy's stores, the third in a series of designer collaborations that the Federated department-store chain initiated in February as part of a strategy to reinvent and rebrand itself as a trendy fashion destination. And it's worth a look.

The limited-edition collection, $50 to $170, will be sold in the Impulse, or contemporary, departments of 235 Macy's stores nationwide, as well as online at macys.com. Lagerfeld, who has his own namesake line, as well as the top jobs at Chanel and Fendi, designed 45 pieces ranging from T-shirts with his mug on them, to party dresses.

When it comes to the design, it's all about Karl's stiff white shirt collar that is a trademark of the designer's personal uniform. Dramatic, high-buttoned collars appear on several blouses and dresses, but their severity is tempered by romantic details.

A lot of the Macy's merch is best left to the junior set, including a pale pink dress with puffy sleeves and a neckline edged in black fishnet; a mod (and cheap-looking) jersey shift with a low-slung wide belt, and metallic tweed shorts.

 
But there are exceptions. One of the most sophisticated pieces is a sleeveless black chiffon tuxedo dress with a crisp white collar, pin tucking at the waist and sparkly buttons. There are also two great blouses -- a pale gray floral print style with designer-y details, including close-fitting sleeves, and delicate buttons at the wrist. The other is charcoal gray chiffon with pin tucking and a stiff white satin collar. Faux leather pants look pretty good for the $99 price, as do the "Zombie" jersey shirt dresses (in raspberry or black, also for $99) with crisp collars and soft ruching at the middle. 

The misses? A white shirt with giant puffy sleeves and button panels cinching the waist. The fit is strange, and one of those decorative buttons literally fell off in the dressing room. A black jersey and pleather vest is another dud, one of a handful of items that just look cheesy. 

This isn't Lagerfeld's first foray into cheap chic. He was one of the first designers to do a collection for Swedish fast fashion giant H&M back in the fall of 2004, before designer collaborations became a everyday occurrence.

Macy's introduced its limited edition Impulse capsule collections in February with low-profile designer Kinder Aggugini. The next collaboration will be with Giambattista Valli, launching Oct. 26.

-- Booth Moore

Photos: The Karl Lagerfeld for Impulse Only collection. Credit: Macy's

Frugal Fashion: Catwoman Anne Hathaway on the 'Today' show

Anne Hathaway proved to be quite the fashion chameleon at this year's Academy Awards show. For her role as show host, she made a total of eight costume changes, including into a Valentino gown, fringed Oscar de la Renta, svelte blue Giorgio Armani and custom-made Lanvin tuxedo.

She's currently costarring with Jim Sturgess in the romantic film "One Day," and her next role involves suiting up in all black to play Catwoman in the film "The Dark Knight Rises," slated to open next July.

Hathaway made a recent "Today" show appearance to promote "One Day" looking like a girl on holiday in a peppermint candy-striped sheer sleeveless blouse and printed palazzo pants, both by Elizabeth and James. She accessorized with a pair of yellow strappy heels and a large blue and gold ring.

Palazzo pants are often thought of as pants worn only by the tallest celebrities and either too cute for the rest of us to wear or utterly ridiculous. They may resemble pajama pants in both shape and fabric (typically in a silk or other swoosh-able fabric). But the palazzo pant is meant to be grand -- as in, worn with oversized sunglasses and a glass of champagne in your hand while you frolic on a yacht. 

The style was all over the spring runways, looking modern, with Fendi showing a deep purple pair and D&G with a cropped denim version.

Whether you're on a lavish vacation or simply going to meet your friends for lunch, create your own grand entrance in the A | Wear floral print palazzo pant for $73.18 from Asos.com, or for petites, the Asos petite pleated floral palazzo pant for $29.27.

For a bold, mixed print look like Hathaway's, pair printed pants with the Rachel Pally Neva Top for $77 from Revolveclothing.com. For a fun cropped version, get the Striped crop tank for $8.90 from Forever21.com. If wearing palazzo pants and mixed prints seems too adventurous, get the more conservative Bar III sleeveless embellished front sheer top from Macys.com for $14.99 or the Hinge tie front tank from Nordstrom.com for $58.

Try out your new look with any pair of solid-colored strappy heels or espadrilles and don't forget to accessorize. Get Hathaway's chunky jewelry look with the Asos cocktail ring rectangular with cobalt blue enamel for $14.64 from Asos.com.

Happy shopping!

Have an outfit you're dying to buy but need a frugal alternative? Email us a picture. We're up for the challenge.

-- Jenn Harris
Twitter.com/Jenn_Harris_

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Top photo: Anne Hathaway appears on the "Today" show to talk about her new movie "One Day." Credit: Peter Kramer /Associated Press / NBC

Pants photos, from left: A | Wear floral print palazzo pant, $73.18; credit: Asos.com. Asos petite pleated floral palazzo pant, $29.27; credit: Asos.com.  

Shirts photos, from left: Rachel Pally Neva Top, $77; credit: Revolveclothing.com. Striped crop tank, $8.90; credit: Forever21.com. Bar III sleeveless embellished front sheer top, $14.99; credit: Macys.com. Hinge tie front tank, $58; credit: Nordstrom.com.  

Ring photo: Asos cocktail ring rectangular with cobalt blue enamel, $14. Credit: Asos.com.