You know how much I love designer collaborations. Designer inspiration at fast fashion prices — it doesn’t get better for me. Now Banana Republic is finally getting in on the game. The retail giant has teamed up with jewelry designer Chan Luu to create a 17-piece collection of limited-edition bracelets. The collection showcases Luu’s signature wrap style, incorporating custom-dyed thread or leather with unique semi-precious stones, gold or sterling silver.

We’ve featured Vietnamese American designer Chan Luu  many times in Audrey Magazine and have always loved her organic, global-luxe aesthetic. After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, she opened her own boutique in 1982 and began designing accessories in 1996. She more recently expanded her line to include women’s ready-to-wear, available on her online boutique.

Chan Luu for Banana Republic limited edition bracelets.

In a press release, Luu stated: “It is such a pleasure for me to collaborate with Banana Republic, a classic brand whose timeless collections provide the perfect canvas for my own. What makes our partnership even more extraordinary is our shared belief in celebrating the power of personal expression.”

The 17-piece collection consists of four different styles in a range of colors, and will sell for $95 to $225. Luu’s collection will launch exclusively tomorrow, May 20, at Banana Republic’s San Francisco accessories-only test concept store, Edition by Banana Republic. A wider roll out will begin August 10 to other select Banana Republic stores in the U.S., Canada and Japan, and online.

Summer is the one time when it gets really difficult to think about dressing up.

The sun is beaming, the air is seductive … you just wanna sit and soak and melt away.

That’s when a romper like this one by Ishii New York comes in handy. With its silk lamé trim, it’s dressy enough under a boyfriend jacket and open toe wedge booties. It’s also easy enough on its own — a summer barbecue, a weekend escape, or just running errands. (Granted, you’ll be the chicest shopper at Target.)

Ishii New York rayon jersey romper.

Now that’s a dress.

It’s the contour mini dress, the signature piece from Althea Harper’s Spring 2010 collection.With structured paneling, precise stitch placement and a two-toned graphic, contour print that accentuates — and hides — all the appropriate places. And in forgiving 100 percent stretch cotton jersey, it’s a dress that can make anyone look good.

Althea Harper contour mini dress.

Need more convincing? Just check out the back view.

The back view of the contour mini dress.

It makes you look amazing and it’s on sale? It’s a no brainer.

It’s almost swimsuit season and I’ve finally made it back to the gym after a five-year (yes, you read that right) hiatus.

Of course, I know the benefits of exercise (staving off PMS and depression, preventing osteoporosis, etc.), and I swear, I’ve been meaning to go. But other than that nagging in my conscience telling me I’m getting older, I’ve got to start exercising, I was able to maintain my weight thus far through healthy eating and running after my nieces. But when I strained a muscle in my lower back last month — just vacuuming, of all things! — I knew I had to return to the gym.

Marika "New Wave" v-neck racerback tank.

It helped, I admit, that I had just gotten some workout clothes from Marika. Marika specializes in lifestyle-driven activewear designed for everything from the gym to Pilates, from yoga to cardio. But it’s not just clothes for the gym. Their Balance line is stylish enough to wear around town, and their Miracles line features shape-enhancing, technologically advanced materials which help you look good while you work out.

Indeed, to my surprise, workout gear has come a long way. Balance by Marika’s “New Wave” color block v-neck racerback tank features a built-in shelf bra and is long enough to cover the dreaded muffin top. The matching yoga capri has a wide, slightly low-rise waistband and flat lock stitching along the side seams for a flattering fit. Other styles feature Marika’s signature “Dry Wik” fabric to wick wetness away from the skin, as well as removable padding and super breathable “Cool Max” lining.

Marika "New Wave" color block capri.

So now that I’m back on the treadmill, I wanted to share some of the wealth with you. Marika is giving three lucky readers not only a workout outfit, but one from their Miracles collection.

Think of it as Spanx-meets-workout wear that magically improves your posture, lifts the butt, controls the tummy and otherwise contours every other part of your body before you even take a single step on that elliptical machine. The miracle is in the construction — the piecing, construction and stitching — as well as the technology. Marika uses their exclusive two-way stretch fabric, Elasta-Tight, which provides body-enhancing support without any of the constriction.

So now you’re not only working out to get hot, you’ll look hot while doing it.

We have one small set, one medium set and one large set (each set contains one tank, either waist cincher or uplifting, and one tummy control capri), so just tell me what size you need by commenting below. You have till May 19, 11:59 pm to enter. (You must have a U.S. mailing address in order to win.)

Good luck and happy exercising!

You love your denim. You know you do. You own like 200 different pairs (hey, a skinny dark wash is completely different from a straight leg indigo — I feel ya). But sometimes you feel … maybe, just maybe … you’re getting into a denim rut.

That’s when you go out and get yourself Voom by Joy Han’s “Dove” off shoulder dress. It’s made of your favorite material — denim! But it’s a light, easy denim, in the perfect hue. Completely do-able for a 24-7 denim aficionado. And with a sassy off the shoulder neckline and artsy-crafty embellishment, you may … just may … forget your vintage wash bootlegs.

Voom by Joy Han "Dove" off shoulder dress.

Buy this Voom by Joy Han dress now at our exclusive, one-day only, guaranteed low price.

Claudia Chan is obsessed with shopping. But she’s even more obsessed with fun, deals and especially sharing.

You’re in luck. Because Chan will be sharing some of her shopping finds with you when she brings Shecky’s Girls Night Out to Los Angeles next week.

Some L.A. shoppers with their Shecky's gift bag.

From May 19-20, the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium will transform into a shopping wonderland. Grab your girlfriends (or your mom for a belated Mother’s Day!) and get your summer glow on at The Body Shop, and then snag some entertaining tips (and the latest beach-chair beverage) at Shecky’s Haute Hostess Lounge. Try some of Polka Dot Wine’s refreshing Rieslings before meeting author Andrea Syrtash to score an autographed copy of He’s Just Not Your Type.

Shecky's Girls Night Out Los Angeles 2009.

And of course, all the while, the deejay is spinning tunes as you discover that perfect, must-have necklace of the season, a cool cocktail or beer in hand. Shopping, girlfriends and cocktails? It doesn’t get any better.

Some of the goods at Shecky's Girls Night Out.

So much jewelry to choose from ...

Ethnic details at Shecky's Boston 2010.

Don’t be left out. Buy tickets in advance ($25) and get Shecky’s Famous Goodie Bag packed with fresh products from Suave Naturals, Venus Embrace, Kiss, The Body Shop, Listerine and Colgate.

Shoppers at Shecky's Girls Night Out New York City in March.

The Deets:

WHERE: Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St. (Pico Blvd. & Colorado Ave.), Santa Monica, CA

WHEN: Wednesday – Thursday, May 19th – 20th, 5pm — 10pm

Shecky's president Claudia Chan.

One of many stylish vendors at Shecky's Girls Night Out.

Photos courtesy of Shecky’s.

I love designer collaborations. I’m a total sucker for them. I practically went broke buying up Eugenia Kim’s hat line for Target, scooping up H&M’s Garden Collection, and most recently, clearing out the Target near my mom’s house of most of their Zac Posen collection.

It’s a guilty pleasure, I admit.

So I was surprised to see that Spain-based brand Mango launched a new collaboration this month, and it’s with Korean designer Lee Jean Youn.

Lee Jean Youn for Mango.

Lee Jean Youn for Mango "Tatjana" dress.

Lee is a Korea-born, award-winning fashion designer. A graduate of the prestigious Hongik University with a degree in fashion design, Lee has received numerous awards and accolades during his 12-year career. He’s shown his collections around the world, including at China Qingdao Fashion Week, Hong Kong Fashion Week, and most recently the Paris haute couture shows.

Designer Lee Jean Youn, second from left, and other finalists at the El Boton-Mango Fashion Awards.

Last April, Lee’s submitted his collection to Mango’s second edition of the El Botón-Mango Fashion Awards. His line was exhibited, together with those of the other finalists, for one week in Barcelona’s Passeig de Gràcia. The lavish exhibition consisted of 20 Perspex cubicles, each cubicle containing four mannequins dressed in the collections of the 10 finalists.

The designer and his collection at Passeig de Gràcia in Barcelona.

Lee Jean Youn, second from left, and the other finalists in Barcelona.

Needless to say, Lee’s simple forms, exaggerated volume, and traditional motifs won over the judges. And now you can buy Lee Jean Youn’s limited edition collection (ranging from $49.90 to $169.90) at Mango stores and online.

Check out some of his collection here:

"Esmerald" T-shirt.

"Perla" T-shirt.

"Seul" one-piece jumper.

"Camelia" jacket.

"Tore" cardigan.

"Peonia" shirt.

"Onyx" T-shirt.

"Azucena" shorts.

"Lebon" jeans.

"Spiral" sandals.

Photos courtesy of Mango.

Getting geared up for summer? We here at Audrey are trying to give you all the help you need. Keep an eye out for our upcoming Thank Goodness It’s Free Fridays giveaways. We’ve got all sorts of summer goodies lined up for you.

Meanwhile, catch a deal on this TLé strapless maxi dress. Can’t you just picture it on a beachside resort? Made with featherweight chiffon and lined in georgette, the dress’s ombre sunset hues will make anyone look tan. It’s a great beach cover-up that you can then wear to dinner with some ethnic earrings and jangling bangles.

And if you think you can’t pull off a maxi dress because you’re not statuesque, don’t worry. Vietnamese American designer TLé specifically makes clothes for shorter women.

TLe strapless maxi dress.

Buy it now at our one-day only, guaranteed low price at AudreyShops.

Oh, yellow.

I bemoaned the inability to wear the wrong yellow in a post last week, thanks to our golden Asian skintones.

This, however, is not one of those wrong yellows. This, my friends, is a good yellow.

Shorty Clothing "The Celeste" blouse.

And thank goodness because it is just so dang cute. It shows off everyone’s best feature (shoulders) for a sexy kick to a flirty, feminine top.

It’s the aesthetic of the Asian American women behind Shorty Clothing. With backgrounds in fashion, music and entertainment, Janna Boyd, Catherine Hudon and Chalcea Park know what we want because, well, they’re living the life we want.

Mark has launched its most recent collaboration with award-winning handbag designer Carlos Falchi, and it’s available now! Called the Rio Beauty and Fashion Collection, the collaboration is inspired by Falchi’s native Brazil, which of course means it’ll feature plenty of sexy beachwear, globetrotter-inspired jewelry and glow-inducing makeup, shoes and handbags!

Carlos Falchi & Mark Present Rio "Brazilian" bikini, $22 each piece.

And to celebrate, celebrity makeup artist and mark beauty expert Mai Quynh gives you her tips on how to rock the Rio Beauty look.

Mark beauty expert Mai Quynh.

Mai: “Glowdacious — these luminizing powders are perfect all year round. They add a subtle radiance to the face. You can wear it alone or on top of your blush. I like adding it on top of blush because it gives an added glow to the face. Try applying it above the cheekbones for a nice highlighting effect too. These powders are great for someone who doesn’t normally wear highlighters and wants to add dimension to the face.”

Mark Glowdacious illuminating powder, $12.

Mai: “My favorite shades of Totally Balmed are Totally Cute and Totally Hot. These new tinted lip balms moisturize your lips while adding a subtle wash of color. They’re also great because they have an SPF 15. I love applying this to my lips first and then adding lip gloss on top. Totally Balmed makes my lips feel so soft, it helps my lip gloss go on smoothly.”

Mark Totally Balmed in Totally Cute.

Other products in the Instant Vacation Rio collection include lip lacquers with a hint of spearmint oil, cream eyeshadows in bold shades, and two different fragrances (Rio Rythms features jasmine petals, gardenia and vanilla, while Rio Bikini blends flirty kiwi, melon and coconut).

All available at meetmark.com.

To see more of the Rio fashion collection, keep reading.

Flora dress, inspired by a painting by Falchi, $34.

Golden sandals, $26.

Brazilian Bazaar earrings, $14.

Take Me to Rio bag, $40.

Rock to the Bead necklace, $16.

Rio Ready mini bag, $20.