Live Beautifully, LIV GRN

Eco-friendly insiders are wild about LIV GRN, a unique lifestyle brand dedicated to perpetuating the health of our planet. LIV GRN merges style and comfort with sustainable materials to create a look that is both stylish, sophisticated and easy to wear.

LIV GRN garments are made in the U.S.A. using 100% organic cotton yarn and all elements of the garment including the labels, handbags and packaging are also made using recycled and organic materials.

The line is the brainchild of Larry Frazin, a music industry veteran, fashion industry insider Sydney Holland, and NBC news correspondent Maria Men0unos.

LIV GRN also donates 10% of profits to GLOBAL GREEN, an organization focused on fighting global climate change by creating green buildings and cities. The line has been featured in People StyleWatch, Life & Style, Women's Wear Daily and OK! Magazine. Celeb fans of the line include Cameron Diaz, Ellen Degeneres, Jessica Alba, Reese Witherspoon, and more. For a list of places to shop for LIV GRN click here.

Fast Fashion at Goddiva

UK-based fast fashion and celebrity inspired shopping site Goddiva has everything you need to look and feel like a star. You can shop by celebrity or by category for everything from dresses, handbags, and shoes.  Shopping is easy.  You can simply pick a celeb (the list includes notables such as Heidi Klum and Jessica Alba) and Goddiva will select a piece that has the essence of the star's style but at a price you can afford. 

Goddiva is currently looking for a Goddiva Girl and offering contestants a chance to win a new wardrobe valued at over 500 British pounds.  To enter simply send a picture of yourself wearing a Goddiva purchase to jacqui@goddiva.co.uk and receive a 10% discount code to use on your next purchase.  In the email you must include your name, phone number and a note saying that you give Goddiva permission to use your picture. The contest ends April 30, 2010. 

CovertCandy Changes Clothing Swap Community

If you're looking for a stylish way to Go Green this month look no further than brand new, UK-based community CovertCandy. The site is the best of both worlds, a way to be Eco-friendly by swapping clothes with people from all over the world instead of letting them pile up in land fills and a way to be budget-friendly since you don't have to pay for the clothing you swap.  Let's face it, fashion is a perpetual cycle so the clothes we no longer wear may be just exactly what someone else is looking for. CovertCandy provides a trading platform so you can swap clothes you don't want while earning credit that you can use to buy clothing and accessories from other users. The site is all about helping you locate people with similar tastes and building a network of friends to swap with.   

In addition to being a thriving community for exchanging second-hand clothing and accessories, CovertCandy also sells unique and affordable vintage clothing from Paris. All vintage clothes within the shop are sourced from wholesalers across Paris and are selected for their quality and originality. 

Join the CovertCandy community now and start swapping clothes for free today by clicking here. Or check out the latest CovertCandy news on their blog. This truly is guilt-free, risk-free and environmentally aware shopping just in time for Earth month!

Zac Posen + Target

The countdown to the April 25th debut of the limited-edition Zac Posen Go International collection for Target continues and no one is more excited than I am!  The regular Zac Posen Collection ranges in price from $900-20,000 so the Target line is a bit more realistic for the masses with prices ranging from $34.99 for a pair of pants to $74.99 for a brocade tie dress.  With this new line Zac wanted to address a larger demographic and create a wardrobe that was suitable for giving women something to wear during the best summer of her life.  

"This was an opportunity to build the image of a cool girl on the go," Posen told Women's Wear Daily. The collection will be available at Target stores nationwide and online at Target.com from April 25th through May 30th.

Future plans for Zac Posen include opening up his own stores when the time is fiscally responsible (reports indicate that Posen will break even this year) and working to build a fully vertical lifestyle brand. For more on the Zac Posen for Target Go International collection click here. 

Barney's Trunk-A-Palooza Begins Today

Just having a single trunk show isn't enough for Barney's Co-Op.  Today the retailer will stage ten trunk shows simultaneously on the Co-Op floor of their Madison Ave. flagship store.  Customers will have a chance to see limited edition items, preview and order fall goods and meet designers including Andrea Lieberman, Alexander Wang, Richard Chai, and more.  Scheduled trunk shows include A.L.C., 3.1 Phillip Lim, Rag & Bone, Richard Chai-LOVE, Helmut Lang, Shipley & Halmos, Vena Cava, VPL and Wayne. Barneys is encouraging customers to get first dibs on Fall '10 looks by stopping by the Trunk-A-Palooza event. Designer personal appearances will take place from 5:00 p.m. onwards. 

Fashion's Night Out Offers Limited Edition Merchandise

Label something "Limited Edition" and it flies off the shelves. (Because who isn't a sucker for limited edition merchandise?) That's the strategy being used by Fashion's Night Out who is offering retailers in the U.S. and Canada a full collection of merchandise to help build a major buzz around the shopping event taking place on September 10th. Merchandise includes t-shirts, tank tops and hoodies and retailers can place orders between now and April 30th to guarantee an August delivery by emailing fnocollection@fashionsnightout.com. Retailers don't have to participate in the event to sell the collection, plus 40% of the proceeds from the collection will benefit the NYC Aids Fund. 

Fashion's Night Out was started in 2009 to help generate retail traffic and more than 800 stores in New York participated.  According to an independent study by ShopperTrack, foot traffic in stores during the last Fashion's Night Out jumped by 50%. Fashion's Night Out has now become a global initiative to celebrate fashion, boost consumer confidence and generate excitement for the fashion industry.  In the U.S., Fashion's Night out is a collaboration between the Council of Fashion Designers of America, NYC & Co., the City of New York and Vogue.

Don't forget to check out the CBS Fashion's Night Out Documentary which will air on September 15th at 8pm. 

Designer Debut: Michelle Salins

During last month's Miami International Fashion Week, Indian designer Michelle Salins made her US debut. “I am thrilled to have been chosen to represent India,” says Michelle. The theme of the collection was 'The Jewel Tones of India' and included 22 total looks.


“I love luxurious bling, so my designs contain that element. The embellishments I've incorporated include Swarovski and Czech crystals, sequins and beads, and the popular Indian hand zardosi work,” says Michelle. The collection featured a vivid color story that featured  fuchsia, amethyst purple, sapphire & turquoise blue, gold and silver.


Michelle was born in Hyderabad, India and her love of fashion began as a child when she would dress up her dolls. Later she began mixing and matching clothes using clippings from fashion magazines as inspiration. Michelle went on to attend  a design school in Mumbai where she received the ‘Best Designer of the Year’ award with a special award for her color implementation. After graduating, Michelle started her own Interior Design firm ‘Salins Designs’ and went on to launch her own fashion line in 2006. 

See Michelle's products and full collections online at www.michellesalins.com.

Seattle Casting for Bravo's "The Fashion Show"

Calling all designers! Casting for Season 2 of Bravo's "The Fashion Show", hosted by Isaac Mizrahi is coming to Seattle on April 24th. The Fashion Show will give designers a once in a lifetime opportunity to have their work seen by icons of the fashion industry…and viewers around the world. In order to apply for the show, you must be 21 years of age or older. You can be a fashion school grad or you can be self-taught; you can specialize in haute couture or streetwear. What matters most is that you have a creative vision for your designs and the technical skills (sewing, sketching, etc.) to back up that vision. The winner of the competition will receive a cash prize.

What: Open Call for Bravo Season 2 Casting "The Fashion Show"

When: Saturday April 24th from 10am-5pm

Where: The Art Institute of Seattle, North Campus, 5th Floor, 2600 Alaskan Way. (Corner of Alaskan Way & Vine St.)

What to Bring: Your portfolio, three articles of clothing that they have created and which best showcase their designs, a current resume, one piece of government-issued photo ID, a non-returnable photo of themselves, and a completed application form. To download an application form go to www.BravoTV.com/casting. You must bring your completed application and all other supporting materials to the casting call.

Top 5 Accessories for Spring

This season it's all about going Back to the Basics but let's face it, no outfit is complete without the finishing touch of some fabulous accessories. Whether you're in the mood for some authentic handmade jewelry or simply a great pair of studded earrings the right accessory can definitely complete any outfit. Here are my 5 must-have jewelry picks for the season. Don't forget- for great prices on all kinds of accessories check out Overstock.com. 

# 1- A pair of colorful, fun earrings will be all you need to add a little personality to a basic outfit. These Betsey Johnson earrings have adorable bows, a baby rosette and a little bit of bling. 

#2- A statement ring with distinguishing features is a must-have in my book for Spring.  This gold plated princess crest ring from Banana Republic is adorable and would make any style maven look and feel like royalty. 

# 3- This yellow Marc by Marc Jacobs signature namesake bracelet will add a bit of color to any outfit (which is essential when you opt for an outfit that revolves around a neutral color story.) Any colorful bracelet will do just make sure it's the right size for your wrist and don't be shy to layer on multiple bracelets if you're in a playful mood. 

# 4- I might not possess all the traits of my astrological sign but I defiantly bear enough to distinguish myself as a Virgo. That's probably why I'm so into necklaces like this one from Elizabeth Cole that can add interest to any outfit. This necklace maintains a vintage vibe without looking dated. 

# 5- Last but not least this season you'll want a good pair of global-inspired earrings that can help authenticate a seemingly basic outfit.  These gold enamel earrings are so versatile they'll go perfectly with everything from a taupe trench coat to a pair of stilettos and some skinny jeans. 

Spring '10 is all about great jewelry. Accessorize accordingly. 

Sandal Season is Here

I'm all about sandals for spring and this year Seattle-based Report Shoes has given shoe addicts a million reasons to run out and get a pedicure so they can plan out their footwear wardrobe for the season. 

There's seriously something for every occasion whether you're all about dressing up or toning it down. 

From fully embellished to simple flats Report has you covered for spring. 

And if you need a little color in your life, this purple number should do the trick. 

Shop online by clicking here. 

Fact or Fiction: China's Labor Shortage

Just as fast fashion is taking over the fashion industry for better or worse, labor shortages in China are proving to be problematic for many retailers and designers who are trying to get product into their stores faster and at lower prices than ever before. As a sourcing manager for numerous brands I can tell you that the media isn’t blowing this story out of proportion, the problem is real and it's been on the horizon for a very long time. Labor shortages surfaced when factory workers began to return from the Chinese New Year holiday and factory managers started to realize that not all workers planned to return to work, favoring jobs closer to their villages even if those jobs meant reduced pay. Meanwhile, factory wages in China have risen as much as 20% in recent months in an effort to bring back workers but it appears that the wage increases aren't enough to attract workers to return to work allowing their employers to get back to their pre-Chinese New Year productivity levels. 

Experts say that the labor squeeze could fuel higher apparel prices for manufacturers that will ultimately result in higher prices paid by consumers. As the shortage for workers grows companies will need to decide if they can risk placing future orders in China knowing that they’ll eventually have to deal with delays in lead-times and inconsistent quality from new workers who are being brought in to supplement the existing staff. Moving production to alternate countries isn’t as easy as it sounds. Prior to making a shift companies will need to seek out new resources, line up terms and agreements, do thorough development and sampling of their products, and of course, work out a calendar that allows them to thrive in the speed-to-market conditions that are crucial for the company to maintain a competitive edge.

It remains to be seen whether or not the current labor shortage will have lasting effects on the apparel industry but one thing is certain the problem will inevitably get worse before it gets any better.

Tara Lacey Online Boutique Now Open

Newly launched online designer boutique Tara Lacey  sells an array of women’s brands from all over the world, specializing in beautifully designed clothing, stunning accessories, stand-out swimwear and statement jewelry.  Accessories include jewelry from Fiona Paxton, beautiful fringed bags from accessory designer Sam Ubhi, and exquisite leather belts from Jlynch. 

Tara Cowland, the savvy young website founder and style director says, “The collections available from Tara Lacey have been hand picked to appeal to women with a certain lifestyle and attitude. Quality and styling take precedence over household ‘designer names”.  

Tara Cowland, 23, is a graduate of the London College of Fashion and has worked in fashion retail, PR and on online fashion publications. She has utilized her varied fashion experience to gain an overall insight into online fashion retailing with a view to developing and establishing a website appealing to a niche market: affordable luxury for women confident enough in their style to recognize quality and cut rather than being swayed by big labels!

Alexander McQueen's Final Project

One of Alexander McQueen’s last projects was a collection of men’s underwear and pajamas which was licensed to Italy’s Albisetti SpA and slated to arrive in stores for a June delivery. Prior to his death, McQueen was reportedly involved in all aspects of the brand extension including the marketing and sales campaigns. The underwear includes signature skull design details on the waistbands of the boxers and briefs plus all over prints of feathers, x-rays and bones. Retail prices will range from 35 pounds, or about $52.50 at current exchange, for basic boxer shorts up to 370 pounds, or $555, for a silk jacquard pajama set. The launch collection will include a limited edition red boxer short with skull details, with a percentage of profits going to various AIDS charities, including the Terrence Higgins Trust in the U.K. and Lila in Italy.
The McQueen underwear will make its debut on alexandermcqueen.com and in about 120 doors worldwide, including Barneys New York and Saks Fifth Avenue in the U.S.; Selfridges, Harrods and Harvey Nichols in the U.K.; Galeries Lafayette in France; Restir and Barneys New York in Japan, and La Rinascente in Italy.

Saks to Close Portland Stores

The rumors are true. Saks Inc. is closing its regular and men’s stores in Portland, Oregon. Saks expects to shut the 23,000-square-foot men’s store in the Pioneer Place Mall on April 25 and the 60,000-square-foot main store in the center by July 31. Women’s Wear Daily reports that about 100 employees will be affected and Saks said they would be offered transfer opportunities or receive appropriate severance packages. “It wasn’t a great fit with Portland even before the economy,” said Julia Bentley, a Saks spokeswoman, adding that the store’s lease expired this year and that it wasn’t meeting the company’s “profitability standards.” Sak’s may stay in the area by opening up a Sak’s Off Fifth discount store in Bridgeport Village but that is still unconfirmed.