Currently Coveting: Oscar de la Renta’s luxe headphones

During my recent holiday travels I spotted a lot of people at the airport here and abroad wearing Beats by Dre headphones and deemed it the travel accessory of the season next to the ubiquitous iPad.

While the traditional Beats by Dre headphones (created by producer Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine, chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, to deliver the same sound quality that recording industry pros hear in the studio) would make me look like a cartoonish wannabe DJ, the way in which they punctuated people’s streetwise airport style inspired me to search for a more chic way to listen to pre-flight tunes.

The Beats by Oscar de la Renta may be just the accessory. They have the same technology as regular Beats by Dre and come in a punchy shade of plum with delicate furry poufs covering each earphone. They’re pricey ($695) and clearly over the top, but for anyone looking to mix fashion and technology at a luxe level these may be just the thing.

Beats by Oscar de la Renta $695 at www.oscardelarenta.com

RELATED:

Suno launches colorful sneakers for Resort

Pantone says "Tangerine Tango" to be tops for 2012

Sneakers that might inspire you to work out more in 2012

-- Melissa Magsaysay

Photo: Beats by Oscar de la Renta headphones. Credit: Oscar de la Renta

Fashion News: The bunny lends an ear on Lindsay Lohan Playboy cover

Somebody leaked a copy of Playboy's Lindsay Lohan cover, and on it she seems to be wearing nothing but a chair -- a chair shaped like the bunny logo, whose ears help cover what needs to be covered for newsstand sales. [Los Angeles Times]  

Is the Duchess of Cambridge getting too predictable? Maybe so, says the Telegraph. The former Kate Middleton wore a dress by Zara (sold for about $110 at today's exchange rates) to a concert at Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday night. It looked somewhat similar to (though somewhat shorter than) an expensive designer dress by Erdem that she wore on her summer trip to Canada and California. Could she be in a rut? [Telegraph]

More than $60 million worth of diamonds were used in WSJ magazine's shoot for its feature, "Portrait of a Lady," in the December issue. The piece features four notable women, all over 55, showing off their senses of style -- and the diamonds. (Pretty formidably, too.  They include Joan Juliet Buck, 62, former editor of French Vogue, and famed art dealer and curator Clarissa Dalrymple, 70.) All of that bling required 16 security guards for protection. [WSJ]

A photo from model Karlie Kloss' nude Vogue Italia shoot, the one in which she was dubbed the new "body" (replacing Elle MacPherson), is popping up on pro-anorexia websites. [Fashionista]

Rooney Mara, star of the upcoming "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," has helped design a necklace for Kora, the company that specializes in jewelry made from items found in and crafted by people in developing communities in Africa. (Think of things like cow bone polished into beautiful bracelets.) Kora is the enterprise of the L.A. design duo of Amy Walker and Maxandra Short, whom our Melissa Magsaysay wrote about over the summer. [People]

Speaking of "The Girl," a first look at costume designer Trish Summerville's capsule collection for H&M inspired by the title character came out Wednesday. We posted video, in case you missed it.

Stella McCartney celebrated the opening of her first store in Rome on Tuesday. [WWD] (subscription required) 

Oscar de la Renta is developing his first in-house children's collection. [WWD] (subscription required)

Lauren Scruggs, the model and fashion blogger severely injured when she accidentally walked into a plane propeller on Saturday, is able to walk and talk again, but faces a long recovery. [People]

RELATED:

Jenni Kayne launches lifestyle blog

Designer clothes for kids: Nothing too good for baby

Frugal Fashion: Tilda Swinton at the Gotham Independent Film Awards

-- Susan Denley

Photo: The Duchess of Cambridge in her Zara dress Tuesday night. Credit: Chris Jackson / Getty Images

Fashion News: Julianne Hough in Rachel Zoe at 'Footloose' screening

Julianne Hough attended the Cinema Society's screening of "Footloose" in a black tuxedo-style dress designed by Rachel Zoe -- a nice blend of two of today's hot talents. [Huffington Post]

What was up with Ron Paul's droopy right eyebrow during the Republican debate Tuesday at Dartmouth College? Those obsessed with looks over rhetoric wondered if it was a fake, applied ineptly -- the glue a victim to the hot lights. The idea is "stupid" and "insulting," says a campaign spokesman, who blamed seasonal allergies for the look. [NYT]

Aerosmith frontman and "American Idol" judge Steven Tyler is scheduled to appear along with daughters Chelsea and Mia in the windows at Macy's Herald Square in New York City on Friday evening to promote the new rocker-chic sportswear line Andrew Charles. The line, for men, women and children, is exclusive to Macy's. [WWD] 

The Duke and Duchesss of Cambridge hosted a dinner at St. James's Palace on Thursday to raise about $1 million for charity. The duchess looked stunning in a long, V-neck red gown, with a bow at the waist and modest long sleeves. [People] 

Liz Claiborne, sold at JCPenney, has sold itself to the retailer for a reported $328 million. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Oscar de la Renta, launching his new fragrance, "Live in Love," at Lord & Taylor in New York City on Wednesday, said what I've been thinking for a long time. DON'T buy a scent because it has a celebrity name on it. "Fragrance is not about the moment; it’s about the life. Fragrance is not about, 'Oh my goodness, I’m going to wear this fragrance because Jennifer Lopez had it on.'"   [The Cut] 

--Susan Denley

Photo: Julianne Hough, wearing Rachel Zoe's tuxedo dress. Credit: Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images

RELATED

New "Footloose" could dance circles around rivals

Frugal Fashion: Rachel Zoe at the Veuve Clicquot polo classic

Fashion News: Kanye West, Miranda Kerr to star in Victoria's Secret show

New York Fashion Week: Oscar de la Renta

Maybe it was the blaring Led Zeppelin soundtrack, or cute Justin Timberlake sitting in the front row, but it felt like a wave of cool washed over Oscar de la Renta's collection this season.

The look was 1970s rich hippie with wide-legged pants and poppy print bow-tie blouses, silk georgette dresses trimmed in tassels, and airy silk taffeta skirts worn with lace overshirts, or colorful fur vests a la Rachel Zoe (she was also in the front row).

While the ladylike suits of yore were still here, they had a new, more contemporary sensibility, in acid brights or crochet. Necklaces worn in the hair, and Lucite lace-up booties paired with frilly ankle socks added a flower child vibe, which culminated in a string of stunning finale gowns, including one in daffodil print silk faille, with enormous blouson sleeves, that seemed made for the mythical May Queen.

RELATED:

New York Fashion Week: Calvin Klein

New York Fashion Week: Marc Jacobs

New York Fashion Week: Ralph Lauren

--Booth Moore, reporting from New York

Photos: Looks from the Oscar de la Renta spring 2012 runway collection shown during New York Fashion Week. Credit: Jason DeCrow / AP Photo; Peter Michael Dills / Getty Images.

Your Morning Fashion and Beauty Report: Emma Watson, J.K. Rowling, Helena Bonham Carter wow at 'Harry Potter' premiere.

 

 
Fans gathered in Trafalgar Square on Thursday to glimpse the cast of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2" on the red carpet for the London premiere of the final film in the series. And the celebrities didn't disappoint. Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) stole the show in a pale blue, ruffled Oscar de la Renta ball gown. Author J.K. Rowling wore a green floral print, also by Oscar, and the always fashion-provocative Helena Bonham Carter (Beatrix LeStrange) was clad in a rather severe dark-green dress topped by a sugary confection of a fascinator. Among other notables, Clemence Poesy (Fleur Delacour) and Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood) wore short white minis, and Maggie Smith went the practical route, much as professor McGonagall might, in black pants with a white coat topper.  [People]  [Los Angeles Times]

The gown Watson wore is from de la Renta's fall 2011 collection. "Our inspiration for the Harry Potter world premiere was 'Grace Kelly with a twist,'" said Anita Patrickson, Watson's stylist. Patrickson finished Watson's outfit with Giuseppe Zanotti slingback peep-toe shoes and jewelry from Boodles. [InStyle]

Later, for the afterparty, Watson changed into a knee-length, flirty white dress from Elie Saab's spring-summer 2011 couture collection. [Telegraph]

Vogue Editor Anna Wintour decided to attend the Potter premiere instead of Azzedine Alaia's inaugural haute couture show in Paris. Snubbed, Alaia responded by barring all U.S. Vogue staff from the show. Alaia and Wintour, have been feuding for a while. [Telegraph]

PHOTOS: Magical fashion at the "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows -- Part 2" premiere

Photographer Terry Richardson got a rap on the knuckles for posting candid shots from the Kate Moss-Jamie Hince wedding on his blog, "Terry's Diary." Doing so seems to have violated Vogue's exclusive rights to show the wedding in a spread shot by Mario Testino and planned for the September issue. As soon as Richardson heard he had erred, the photos disappeared from the blog. Of course, some photos have already been published -- including on our blog! [Telegraph]

At the wedding, John Galliano, who designed Moss' gown, ran into Philip Greene, the mogul who owns Topshop, among other enterprises. Now rumors are circulating that Galliano will design a line for the high-street retailer. [The Cut] 

Lady Gaga made a stop in Singapore on Thursday as part of her Asian tour promoting "Born This Way." It looked as if she took a hairstyling cue from Marge Simpson. [People]

Tavi Gevinson, the 14-year-old fashion blogger, is booked to do some kind of performance as part of a talent show at Littleton's, a  performance-art space in Brooklyn, N.Y. Her piece is titled  "A Tribute to Sassy Magazine," and is scheduled for July 27. [The Cut]

Rachel Weisz, recently married to Daniel Craig, is making her debut as the face of Bulgari's Jasmin Noir fragrance in an ad campaign shot in Pasadena by photographers Mert Alas and Marcus Piggot. In one shot, she's shown with her head resting on a lion, her arms snuggling a giant bottle of perfume. [People]

RELATED:

Harry Potter: Emma Watson's Hermione Granger through the years 

Golden Globes: Helena Bonham Carter's shoe surprise

The Tao of Tavi Gevinson

 --Susan Denley

Upper photo: Emma Watson, left, shares a laugh with J.K. Rowling at the "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallow -- Part 2" premiere. Credit: Dave Hogan / Getty Images

Middle photo: Helena Bonham Carter strikes a pose. Credit: Jonathan Short / Associated Press

Lower photo: Lady Gaga makes an appearance in Singapore. Credit: Stephen Morrison / EPA

Your Morning Fashion and Beauty Report: Julianne Hough, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood get noticed at Academy of Country Music Awards

The stars at Sunday's Academy of Country Music Awards were nothing if not eclectic in the way they dressed for the red carpet. From Taylor Swift in a demure frilly designer gown by Elie Saab to Joey Martin Feek of Joey + Rory in jeans, there were plenty of looks to ooh and aah over or to rip apart. Among them (and draw your own conclusions about applauding or booing): Miranda Lambert in a white belted goddess gown that, more than just plunging, barely contained her assets (at left);  Carrie Underwood in a bright statement purple; Julianne Hough in a soft orange sherbet with sweeping skirt; and Marg Helenberger in a black knee-length bandage-inspired dress. See our photo gallery here.  And there's more over on StyleList.  

At the Kids' Choice Awards on Saturday, Kim Kardashian looked somewhat similar to Lambert, though her plunging, belted white dress was a flirty ruffled mini. But the assets were still spilling. At a kids event? Poor Katy Perry was edited off Sesame Street for a similar display. [FabSugar]

Heidi Klum was more kid-appropriate at the same event in a LBD with short sleeves, though I thought the beading details around the neckline looked as if it would stab anyone brave enough to give her a hug. IMO, Kim actually looked better (if a bit out of place). [FabSugar] 

Sofia Vergara was super-casual at the Kid's Choice Awards, arriving in jeggings and a floaty blue tank. Honestly, I'm liking Kim's dress more and more! [FabSugar] 

Oscar de la Renta is using Facebook and Tumblr to launch Esprit  D'Oscar, its first new fragrance in a decade. [BellaSugar]

Hermès has a series of scents reminiscent of gardens in Egypt, along the Mediterranean and in India. Due out this month is Un Jardin Sur Le Toit, a scent that's based on the experience of standing in the rooftop garden of the Hermès building in Paris. [BellaSugar] 

Noted British fashion journalist Hilary Alexander is semi-retiring in June, cutting back to one page a month for the Telegraph. [The Cut] 

Uniqlo’s Designers Invitation Project is back this spring. The nine collaborations will include Charlotte Ronson, Vena Cava and Costello Tagliapietra. [WWD] (Subscription required.) 

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Miranda Lambert. Credit: Jason Merritt / Getty Images

Your morning fashion and beauty report: Lindsay Lohan's courtroom dress sells out, but her fashion line isn't doing so well

Lindsay Lohan, now charged with theft of a necklace on top of her substance abuse and other problems, has retail woes, too. Her clothing and accessories line, 6126, has "quietly receded from the shelves of department and specialty stores," Women's Wear Daily reports. [WWD] (Subscription required.) 

But meanwhile the skintight white $575 Glavis minidress, above, that Lohan wore to court Feb. 9 to answer the grand theft charges has sold out online, says a rep for designer Kimberly Ovitz. Not sure whether there is a cause and effect here. [StyleList]

Everybody has been speculating about what Kate Middleton will wear when she weds Britain's Prince William on April 29, but what about the man himself? There's a new clue. The prince has been named a Colonel of the Irish Guards in the British army, Buckingham Palace announced Thursday. So perhaps he'll wed in the ceremonial uniform of the post, a scarlet jacket and black trousers with piping to match. [People]  

Kirsten Dunst will be the new face of Bulgari's fragrance Mon Jasmine Noir. [People]  

Vogue creative director Grace Coddington says her memoir is going to be delayed awhile because her co-writer Jay Felden has to get settled in his new job as editor of Town & Country. [New York Post]

Oscar de la Renta has taken over control of his fragrances from YSL Beauté (which had held the license) with plans to reinvigorate the brand. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Fresh from buying skincare line Ole Henricksen last week, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton has acquired another natural luxury line, Nude skincare. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

--Susan Denley

Photo: Lindsay Lohan on her way to court wearing the white minidress. Credit: Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times.

Your morning fashion and beauty report: Michelle Obama's Alexander McQueen gown might not have been politically correct

Oscar de la Renta is fretting over the red and black Alexander McQueen gown Michelle Obama wore to this week's state dinner for People's Republic of China President Hu Jintao. Not that the frock by McQueen creative director Sarah Burton wasn't lovely. But it should have been made by an American or Chinese designer, not a Brit, de la Renta says. Who knew fashion was so political? [WWD]

A couple of my favorite celebs are announcing product deals as this week nears its close. 

New papa Orlando Bloom (it was a baby boy for the actor and wife, model Miranda Kerr, on Jan. 6) will be the frontman for Boss Orange Man, due out Feb. 1.  [WWD] (Subscription required.)  

"Project Runway's" Heidi Klum signed a deal with Coty to create her own fragrance, Shine, scheduled to hit stores in September. [WWD] (Subscription required.) 

Actor Vincent Cassel and director Darren Aronofsky of "Black Swan" worked with Yves Saint Laurent on a short film promoting YSL's La Nuit de L’Homme. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

Speaking of "Black Swan," here's a fun fact for you: Swarovski provided more than 250,000 crystals for the film's costumes and chandeliers. [People]

Rihanna has become the girl with the most talked about hair over the last year or so -- not counting Willow Smith! Rihanna's hair has been long, it's been short and edgy, it's been different colors. And this week, thanks to a wig, it was wild, red Afro style curls spiraling around her face like a mushroom cloud. Kids, don't try this at home! [StyleList] 

Kat Von D has been spotted wearing a Neil Lane engagement ring from fiance Jesse James. The 4-carat-plus sparkler is a large diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds in a dome shape. [People]

Foley + Corinna has closed its Los Angeles shop on Melrose. [Mondette]

--Susan Denley

Photo: First Lady Michelle Obama, wearing the Alexander McQueen gown, with President Barack Obama. Credit: AFP/Getty 

 

Your morning fashion and beauty report: Vera Wang, Oscar de la Renta or both for Chelsea Clinton's wedding? And do you want to fake Rihanna's hairstyle?

-- Chelsea Clinton has been trying to keep details of her pending wedding to investment banker Marc Mezvinsky under wraps, so it made news when she was seen ducking into Vera Wang Tuesday afternoon, hidden under an enormous floppy hat to try to ward off nosy reporters. She met mom Hillary Rodham Clinton there, and the secretary of State also stopped by Oscar de la Renta. How many changes of clothes do we think the mother-daughter pair will go through during the reportedly three-day, $3-million-plus festivities in Rhinebeck, N.Y.? [WWD]

-- One thing we do know about the Clinton wedding is that French hairdresser Isabelle Goetz, who recently bought a Georgetown salon, will tend to the secretary of State's tresses. [WWD]

-- Essence magazine is being criticized by some readers due to rumors that it has hired a new fashion director who is white. The lady in question, Ellianna Placas, has worked for US Weekly and O: The Opah Magazine. Essence has made no announcement, but rumors -- and outrage -- are bouncing around the Twitter-sphere.  [Clutch]

-- Do you dream of getting away from it all on a well-deserved summer vacation to de-stress, unwind and soothe your soul? Fugiddaboutit. A new study says vacationers are no happier than those of us (that's right, All the Rage isn't getting a summer vacation) who slog right on through at work.  [Newsweek]

-- Tommy Hilfiger prepares to celebrate the brand's 25th anniversary. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

-- Vogue doyenne Anna Wintour is opening her home to President Barack Obama Wednesday night for a Democratic National Committee fundraiser. [WWD]

-- With the pending launch of the Material Girl line, Madonna and daughter Lourdes Leon were hands-on, styling budding rocker Taylor Momsen for the ad campaign. [People]

-- A budding trend that's a throwback to the dandy era: ballet flats for men. [Telegraph]

Soccer is called "the beautiful game," and its practitioners in the Chelsea Football Club should look pretty good when they are out on the town in Dolce & Gabbana: The fashion label and club just signed a three-year "fashion partnership."  [Telegraph]

If you like the look of Rihanna's edgy undercut but don't want to lop off half your hair, not to worry. With some gel and a blow dryer, you can fake the look. [BellaSugar]

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Rihanna's undercut: You can fake it.  Credit: Max Nash / AFP/Getty Images

Your morning fashion and beauty report: PETA proposes a replacement for the fur hats worn by Britain's royal guards. Katy Perry signs a fragrance deal. And happy birthday, Oscar!

It seems like every day another celeb launches a fragrance. Now it's Katy Perry. [WWD] (Subscription required.)

There are trends we just hold off on writing about, but this one seems to be gaining some momentum: padded panties to round out your booty. Full-figured celebrities (like Kim Kardashian) are inspiring fans to give up the Spanx and plump up the backside. [Wall Street Journal]

Lulu Kennedy, whose Fashion East has promoted young London designers, plans to launch a new line, Lulu & Co., made up of key pieces from Fashion East's talent stable. [WWD]

Online fashion shopping sites have been a hit with women. Now cyberspace is trying to woo male shoppers too. [Wall Street Journal]

It's hard to measure how green a piece of clothing is, despite some brands' claims. But there could be some clarity on the horizon: A group of 100 apparel and shoe manufacturers are experimenting with a software tool to help them measure the environmental impact of their wares. [Wall Street Journal]

Michelle Obama hosted the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt National Design Awards luncheon on Wednesday and seemed thrilled to sit next to "Project Runway's" Tim Gunn. [Huffington Post] The awards recognize outstanding designs in a number of fields. But Rodarte's Kate and Laura Mulleavy, winners of the fashion design category, had to cancel at the last minute -- by e-mail -- due to a "family obligation." [WWD] 

Oscar de la Renta turns 78 on Thursday. Many happy returns! [FabSugar]

The Brazilian Blowout, which All the Rage previewed at the International Salon and Spa Expo in February, is one of the hottest hair treatments around right now for frizzy-haired gals who want to de-frizz for awhile. [StyleList]

PETA proposal: Replace the bearskin hats worn by Britain's Army Guards for two centuries with synthetic headgear designed by Stella McCartney. [Telegraph]

-- Susan Denley

Photo: Katy Perry. Credit: Bob Chamberlin / Los Angeles Times