I’m a sucker for fast fashion, especially designer collaboration fast fashion (Lanvin for H&M anyone?). There’s something poetic to me about mixing a ’90s Dries van Noten jacket with Isabel Toledo for Payless platforms and my mother’s chunky gold jewelry from the ’70s. So I’ve got a giant red circle on my desk calendar around March 13, the day Target releases its GO International Designer Collective. It’s a retrospective of sorts, a re-release of 34 of the best dresses from 17 past GO International collaborations, in honor of the five year anniversary of Target’s GO International program. The limited-edition collective features dresses from Asian American designers Thakoon and Richard Chai, as well as Luella Bartley, Behnaz Sarafpour, Proenza Schouler, Alice Temperley, Erin Fetherston, Jonathan Saunders, Rodarte, and Zac Posen, among others.
If you missed out the first time, now’s your chance. The funny thing is these dresses are so on trend for spring — yet another testament to the cyclical nature of fashion. Thakoon’s tie-dye print dress and Rodarte’s lace prints are spot on for spring. I’ll be wearing mine with Jonathan Saunders’ neoprene yellow belt from his collaboration with Target a few years back and my floral fedora Eugenia Kim designed for the retailer.
Thakoon for Target printed tie-waist dress.
More styles after the jump.
Summertime is one time when I do not feel like fussing and preening. When the weather’s this nice, I don’t even feel like shopping! Of course, that doesn’t mean I’m just going to let myself go. Thank goodness for these quick fixes that’ll make the hottest season just a little bit cooler.
Goody Pro Volumizing Comb and Simple Styles Spin Pin
Be forewarned: I’m not a hair person. That is to say, I’m a lazy hair person. I can’t straighten, pin curl, or do anything requiring bobby pins. I’ve never been a very good French braider. That’s why I love the messy ponytail seen on spring runways — I know no other kind.
Shu Pei Qin in Vera Wang, spring 2010. Photo courtesy of Style.com.
Liu Wen in Alexander Wang, spring 2010. Photo courtesy of Style.com.
On the other hand, a messy updo is a bit trickier and generally far too complicated for my unskilled paws. To get it just unkempt enough, but still chic, one needs a whole lotta bobby pins, more than a pair of hands and apparently eyes on the back of one’s head. To wit, Filipina-Irish-Native American Vanessa Hudgen’s wonderfully undone updo:
Vanessa Hudgens at the Night of Fashion & Technology with LG Phones event held at Soho House on May 24, 2010. Vanessa is wearing an M.C.L. by Matthew Campbell Laurenza big pave blooming flower pyramid ring. Photo courtesy of D'Orazio & Associates.
Goody Simple Styles Spin Pin.
But I have to admit. Goody makes it pretty easy. Their Pro Get Volume comb features several rows of tines of variegated length, so all it takes is a couple of backcombing swipes for instant volume.
Then use their Spin Pin, which is fairly easy, even for me. Just twist your hair into a bun, then spin the pins in. The twisting action magically keeps your hair in place, but not so much so. Instant undone! It gives you that perfectly undone chignon we all covet on actresses on the red carpet. And best of all, no bobby pins.
Goody Pro volumizing comb.
Available in blonde and brunette shades. Get it at Walmart or Target, starting at $2.50, or at Goody.
We Love Colors shoelaces
Versace, spring 2010.
One of my favorite things to do is tweaking my existing wardrobe with little DIY projects that instantly update for the new season.
Case in point: last year’s booties. The easiest update for last year’s lace-up booties is with bright neon laces. Whether in black, cognac or grey, a pop of neon color instantly gives your shoes a modern twist.
I like We Love Colors splash color laces in every color from pastels to neon. It’s a little bit surfer chic a la Proenza Schouler and Versace, a little futuristic a la Balenciaga.
We Love Colors laces, starting at $2.
We Love Colors splash color laces.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar AI
I never believe those testimonials in beauty magazines anymore — “dab it on your blemish and it’s gone tomorrow!” Sure, that may work for the occasional teeny tiny red spot that models swear they get. But for those nasty, hormonal, once-a-month, deep-down painful, rock-hard bulbs, there is little one can do. You just have to wait for the angry mass to run its course. And use plenty of cover-up.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar AI intensive acne spot treatment.
Now, I’m a big fan of La Roche-Posay. Nothing beats their sunscreens. But when I came across the brand’s Effaclar AI — an “intensive acne spot treatment” — I was skeptical. Like I said, I’ve tried quite a few products as an Audrey editor. But this one not only had a higher percentage of benzoyl peroxide (5.5%) than I’ve ever seen, it also claimed to treat the residual reddish brown spot that lingers long after the blemish itself has actually healed.
So I gave it a shot. The minute I felt that painful lump, I dabbed Effaclar AI on it. No, the lump did not magically disappear the next morning. But the pain was gone, a miracle in and of itself. And the lump did magically disappear in three days.
The ultimate proof? I dabbed it on my husband’s angry little blemish for a couple days, and then forgot about it. A week later, I asked him about it. He couldn’t remember where it was.
La Roche-Posay Effaclar AI intensive acne spot treatment, $29.
What’s your favorite quick fix style secret this summer?
In our Spring issue, I highlighted one of my favorite trends for spring: the techno alien.
Chanel Iman in Nathan Jenden.
It’s what I like to call a hybrid of digitized prints, alien anatomy and tie dye gone awry.
Liu Wen in Alexander McQueen.
I love the way the embellishment on this Leyendecker tank mimics the alienesque print of Alexander McQueen.
A lot of designers showed variations on the theme, from Proenza Schouler’s surf-inspired looks that had a distinct alien-reptilian bent.
Proenza Schouler.
Emilio Pucci’s shine directly referenced the trend, but it’s the abstract, alien pattern that makes it a real contender.
- Tao Okamoto in Emilio Pucci.
Even the more classic Carolina Herrera got into it, showing a ligamental print on an otherwise ladylike silhouette.
Liu Wen in Carolina Herrera.
Of course, if you don’t want to beat around the bush, nothing beats Rodarte’s goth alien.
Liu Wen in Rodarte.
Now, you don’t have to go as extreme as any of the above to get the look. A touch of tie dye gone askew, some slashed cut-outs here or there, or some melting Jolly Rancher-like watercolors will suffice. Try pairing a tie dye tee with an abstract print floral skirt (just make sure the floral print has a similar hue in it for a perfectly clashing-matching look).
Riley tie dye tee.
Leyendecker beaded tie dye tee.
Laeken "Saga" top in granite.
Add a space age-worthy shoe, and you’ve got the look down.
La Rare "In & Out Metal" shoe.
For a more subtle reference, pick an accessory with a techno detail, whether it’s a knotted rubber necklace or a bag with spacey detailing.
Mothe knotted necklace.
Rebecca Minkoff tie dye bag.
- Bryna Nicole “Willow” clutch.
The ultimate way to get the techno-alien look? Add these leggings. It’ll definitely get you noticed.
Wanted snakeskin print leggings.
Get more info on the styles above at: Leyendecker, Riley, LaRare, Mothe, Rebecca Minkoff, Bryna Nicole, Wanted, and Laeken.
What do you think of the techno-alien trend? Are you a fan like I am? Talk to me!
