Perhaps rapper Eminem could conjure several ways to turn a phrase, but here at BSSTW, we will flatly admit that we cannot think of anything out there that can be likened to Pantone’s color for 2012–it’s named Tangerine Tango, and the fashion and beauty world is eating it up. A bit of a visual oddity, the vivid, saturated, iconic orange is now everywhere. It seems as though you cannot escape it.
The tangerine tones are coming from the European runways. Irreverent, rebellious and bold by nature, they are sure to attract attention, and with any luck, a bit of controversy.
Bottega Veneta’s silk blend petal hip dress, $2,650, from Barneys New York, can be worn casually for day with bare legs, flat sandals and a pedicure in the aforementioned Essie polish, above, or dressed up at night simply with a cashmere shawl.
Even in intimate circles, orange is making its presence scandalously known, as in this coral-lined lace bodysuit by luxury lingerie I.D. Sarrieri.
So as you can see, orange can be naughty or nice, depending on just how far you want to take it. Did you see the article on Tory Burch’s fab accessories, crafted in saffron saffiano leather, here on BSSTW? They mean business.
In fragrance also, the sweet, unmistakable orange is leaving its trace.
Her Orange Blossom body oil, $65, gives your legs an irresistible sheen and delicious fragrance. You can get it at Nordstrom.
Keep your eyes peeled for this juicy citrus. You will see it again and again in fashion and beauty, and of course you will absolutely fall in love, and learn unrivaled respect, for this complicated, intense, rich, ripe hue. Now that’s a rap.
So many striking looks on the Red Carpet at the 2012 Golden Globe Awards. Here are my favorites. Each gown is unique with regard to fabrication, cut and color.
Angelina and Brad.
Angelina never disappoints, and her appearance at the 2012 Golden Globe Awards was not an exception. Looking ravishing in a champagne satin Atelier Versace off-shoulder gown with scarlet detailing, Angelina was accompanied by husband and Best Actor nominee, Brad Pitt, who looked dashing in Salvatore Ferragamo.
The stately actress, director, and mother of six was a stunner with her inarguable grace and elegance.
Crimson lips and matching polished toes were the bright accents, along with a satin envelope clutch.
Simple knotted hair showcased Angelina’s graceful neck, amazing bone structure, perfect skin and Lorraine Schwartz earrings.
With all eyes on Angelina, she kept the makeup glamorous but minimal, emphasizing her stunning jade eyes with corner lashes and neutral, smoky tones.
Evan Rachel Wood.
Alive with iridescence, Evan Rachel Wood wore custom Gucci Premiere, and she wore it well. Rich shades of moss and teal–embellished with fish scale paillettes and ostrich plumes–was an exotic departure from the rest of the gowns that graced the Red Carpet.
Natalie Portman.
Forever a lady, Natalie Portman, in Lanvin. Natalie was unique in pink, wearing a side-bustled gown with cranberry accent and burgundy clutch. Tiffany & Co. jewelry. Clean makeup, short neutral nails…a refined look for the new mother.
Dianna Agron.
This Glee girl looked glorious in a Giles red ruffle-tiered ensemble. The bodice is fabulously laser cut with swans.
A pretty little ribbon diamond bracelet from Fred Leighton is all she needs.
Helen Mirren.
Always the epitome of appropriateness, Helen, 66, wore a rich navy blue Badgley Mischka gown with just the right amount of décolleté and simple, platinum accessories.
Nicole Kidman.
Versace hugs every curve on this statuesque stunner. The shirred silver gown, from Versace’s Spring 2012 collection, is embellished with gold studs. Straight hair and a nude lip complete the Grecian Goddess.
Madonna & Andrea Riseborough.
Madonna’s new protégé, Andrea Riseborough, wore an innocent Vivienne Westwood corseted creation from the Gold Label Spring 2012 collection. Madonna, on the other hand, is clad in Reem Acra from the pre-Fall 2012 collection. Slightly Medieval in mood, Ms. M accessorized the gown with a single, leather fingerless glove and diamond bracelets by Neil Lane.
Going back to her roots, literally, Madonna wears a bold cross around her neck and deliberately dark roots.
You may have seen the stunning Miranda Kerr, 28, strutting her stuff at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in New York November 8.
Although Miranda is one of the original Victoria’s Secret Angels, she perpetually wears the smile of something slightly more mischievous. Another permanent fixture on her appearance is the loyal, cherry red purse that never leaves her side.
Saffiano leather is where it’s at. You’re going to see it everywhere. Prada, Michael Kors and Ralph Lauren are configuring saffiano into luggage, belts and wallets for both men and women. Saffiano purses are popping up constantly.
I am crazy for Badgley Mischka’s saffiano handbag in red with striking gold hardware, below. It sold out nationwide.
Tory Burch is using the unique crosshatched Italian leather elegantly when she fashions gorgeous goodies for gadgets, like this shimmeringly chic iPad case, $225, below.
Another coveted commodity, this product also sold out and can be difficult to find.
If you have your heart set on this statuesque golden guard, you will probably have to search online.
To dress up the rustic feel of the textured skins, Burch often applies metallic finishes or produces them with a high-shine glaze like patent leather.
There’s no mistaking these two in a lineup. When you’re on the go and reaching for something fast, the conspicuous accessories will most definitely stand out in a crowded purse.
And although they also come in other colors, the slightly scandalous, illicit inmate orange is by far my favorite. There’s something bold and deliberate and unapologetically glam about the bright tangerine hues that I just love.
Due to its unique texture, saffiano leather is water repellant and resists scratching. It ages fabulously, so unlike some things in this disposable society, your leather lovelies are guaranteed to last. They just may hold up for 25 years to life.
Albert Einstein said: “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.”
Busted Tees says: “Haters Gonna Hate.”
Busted Tees has distilled, in three simple words, what Einstein so eloquently stated about human nature and mankind.
Silhouettes of the famous haters from the Muppet Show, Statler & Waldorf–the caustic, cynical judges from the Peanut Gallery who never liked anything at all except themselves–are watching quietly for once, above the message on the t-shirt. It’s almost as though they have nothing left to say.
The irony is compounded by the fact that the two characters, who only go around criticizing the efforts of others, are really just a couple of puppets, controlled by someone else and devoid of a brain.
For the outspoken one or the controversial individual on your list, Busted Tees make a great gift. Printed on the shirts are iconic messages with an urban friendliness and hip joie de vivre that let you make a bold statement to everyone out there, for 20 bucks or less.
Busted Tees simplify everything in comfy, 100% combed cotton, and the company’s brilliant street approach to lofty ideas continues to amaze me.
Here are some more of my favorite Busted Tees.
This shirt makes the perfect Quinceañera present. I would love to see it on a Latina princess with a wit that’s quicker than a Butterfly knife.
Funny, but also true. Wouldn’t your kid look smart wearing this Busted Tee while walking home from school?
Give this tee to your therapist and maybe he will forget about all the money you owe him…Okay, maybe not.
I’m sure we all know someone this shirt would fit. Buy it in Economy Size for the bargain price of 14 billion dollars.
Look on the bright side, unless of course, this is the bright side.
It’s great connecting with old friends again, and being stalked by all your enemies. Let them know you care.
Busted Tees are printed on the softest, highest quality American Apparel t-shirts and make a funny, heart-warming gift that is sure to put a smile on everyone’s faces…except, perhaps, the haters.
I’m going to move away–somewhere far and distant–maybe Paris, maybe Rome. Wherever I end up, it’s going to be beautiful. The people will be kind, and it will rain every day of the year.
I won’t pack much. I’ll live simply and wear mostly black. But I’ll be sure to take a wardrobe of Pasotti umbrellas.
With 500 fabrics and more than 150 unique handles to choose from, the only hard part will be making up my mind which ones to order.
A dizzying array of inventive designs transcend utility, making precipitation an anticipation. Personally, I can’t wait for the rain.
“[Our designs] are the result of the imagination and creativity of my parents first of all and today of my husband, Mauro Begotti,” said owner Eva Giacomini. “In addition to designs and fabrics, we work on the handmade handles and on the trimming: from Swarovski crystals–sewn by hand–to garnets, just to give two examples.”
According to Eva, the Pasotti company was founded in Italy in 1956 by her mother, Ernesta Pasotti, who began producing one-of-a-kind umbrellas that she sold directly, sometimes riding her scooter to make the deliveries.
A small family business has grown into an international one with over 100 employees. Now they concentrate on limited-editions and their creations have been seen on the shoulders of such celebrities as Fergie and Hilary Duff, above, as well as Lindsay Lohan, Nicki Minaj, and the list goes on.
Surely you’ve seen Jennifer Lopez in her On the Floor video, stroking a Pasotti lion head cane while glistening in a gold feathered gown and regally watching, with authority, over a decadent fantasy night club.
Not just for girls, Pasottis are equally arresting on the male specimen, with stunning silver skull knobs on the tips of the umbrellas and their aforementioned canes, $150. The impressive scepters induce a powerful yet dark, Hamlet-meets-Alexander McQueen kind of vibe–as in Sean Paul’sGot 2 Luv U video.
And although the canes are quite stunning, it’s still the umbrellas that are more practical for most of us.
The company makes about 30,000 umbrellas a year, each produced with only the finest materials, sold in the most prestigious boutiques in 55 countries around the world; they range in price from $120-$450.
Pasotti umbrellas must pass three quality controls, so you won’t find yourself trapped in the rain with an ugly umbrella that doesn’t work, or that collapses at the slightest gust of wind.
The dual canopy of the Pasotti umbrella is made from a high-quality polyester fabric, which looks like silk. “We do not use silk because it’s too delicate,” sales director Nicola Begotti told me.
Handles are crafted from Italian leather, brass, and special woods like chestnut, beech, broom, ash, hazel and bamboo.
Hmmmmm…Maybe I won’t run away after all. Next time I need a change of scenery, perhaps I’ll just walk into my closet–ignoring all the skeletons within–and marvel instead at my fabulous collection of Pasotti umbrellas.
A timeless print with an antiquated name, polka dots are entering fashion again, and in a big way. They can look fun, quirky and casual, or drop-dead sexy in any season.
Chic and playfully retro, there’s something so innocent about them, but unabashedly glam at the same time. The dichotomy is disarming and offers visual interest and complexity to any occasion, from the beach to the ballroom. I just love them on formal gowns.
The couture world is resplendent with spots, but this is just a collection of what we deem the most profound in perforations.
The great thing about dots is that they’re universal, flattering on everyone, and limited only by your own creative imagination.
You can choose one bold piece, or mix patterns for a different effect, and you don’t have to spend a lot of money doing it. It’s a great way to stay looking fresh and current without breaking the bank.
The Jennifer Ouellette headband looks as if it was made to go with it. Isn’t the combo just darling? Dots are hot in lingerie and patterned legwear, too. Check out these fab accessories for your gams at wolford.com.
Knitters can find designs in all the mags, making dotted scarf-and-glove sets a great Christmas project for the crafty giver.
We predict you will be seeing spots for seasons to come, and in countless incarnations. Perhaps there’s a pattern developing here…
This piece is a real show-stopper from Betsey’s Dark Forrest Collection. A giant 2” crystal reindeer trophy head mounted on a duo shank–meaning, the ring covers two fingers–will most certainly capture the attention of everyone.
You must stop by a Betsey Johnson boutique; her adorable San Francisco staff, pictured above, made my holiday shopping a breeze.
Or go to the online store and check out Betsey’s collection of fabulously witty jewels. Right now there’s a killer sale and you can score 40% off during Black Friday Frenzy.
Betsey, always at the forefront of funny-meets-fashionable, has a bevy of bangles and baubles that are sure to bring cheer to your holiday wardrobe.
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