As I’m sure everyone knows by now, Jessica Simpson has finally birthed her daughter, Maxwell Drew. Yes there was only one…Really. Her pregnancy inspired a thought for her fashion-driven mind, resulting in a new Jessica Simpson maternity line “due” this Fall. The line and is expected to stock the shelves of 700 stores at its release including Destination Maternity, Motherhood Maternity and Destination Maternity shops within Macy’s.

“I’m [happy] to partner with Destination Maternity to design a collection of fashionable styles that make you look and feel great,” Simpson told reporters. “You want to wear clothes that are flattering to your baby bump; you want to show your bump off.” If you’ve watched Fashion Star or caught a glimpse of the dozens of magazine covers, you’ve seen Simpson in plenty of leggings, Jersey knit dresses or loose-fitting tops and her line is expected to carry just that and more. The line is said to be “designed with a vintage Seventies feel,” but still contemporary fashion at a decent price. Bottoms retail from $36 to $59 for printed and sateen denim. Knit tops are $36, dresses and blouses are $59 and sweaters and capes are $69.

Simpson is benefiting nicely from her pregnancy. In addition to her new clothing line, she is rumored to be partnering with Weight Watchers due to her famous extra pregnancy pounds and is looking to shed them soon. To top it off, Jess has just signed an $800,000 deal with People magazine for first photos of Maxwell Drew. Mommy’s doing well! We wish her the best in all her endeavors.

Article By:
Katie Campo

The Costume Institute Gala at the Metropolitan Museum last week attracted stars of all levels including Sarah Jessica Parker, Rick Ross and Valentino Garavani. Rihanna stunned the red carpet yet again wearing a Tom Ford crocodile appliqué leather gown donning minimal jewelry, long black nails and black Christian Loubotin heels to complement. The back of the dress featured a deep plunge, showcasing the star tattoo on her neck, which acted as a perfect accessory to her dark ensemble. Oddly enough she matched the red carpet perfectly!

Article By:
Katie Campo

We’ve all been to museums in the city at some point in our lives. For too many of us, trying to find the time to make it to the Upper East Side is more than difficult. Even more so to enjoy an exhibit like The Costume Institute at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that is not permanently open for display. This exhibit is home to more than thirty-five thousand costumes and accessories for men, women and children representing five continents and seven centuries of fashion dating back to the fifteenth century. Here, you’ll find pieces by Alexander McQueen, Yves Saint Laurent, and other works of art “fashioned” together by hand in 1692. Because so many of these items are extremely delicate, it is only open for specific tours or galas.

Tonight happens to be one of them. The 2012 Costume Institute Gala red carpet will be hosted by Reporter William Norwich and model Elettra Wiedmann welcoming the star-studded guest list including designers like Miuccia Prada and others like Vogue’s Editor-In-Chief, Anna Wintour. Since the exhibit is so exclusive, the Metropolitan, like millions of tech-savvy New Yorkers went online. The event will be streaming live tonight, May 7th from 6:30-8:30pm on Amazon.com, Vogue.com and metmuseum.org and will feature a Q&A session with stars via Twitter.
Check it out tonight at http://www.metmuseum.org/ and @metmuseum on Twitter.

Article By:
Katie Campo

I hate sport coats and button ups.” You mean like this one?

If you were anywhere in Manhattan on Saturday night, you might’ve fallen victim of Kanye West’s latest Twitter tirade. The 34-year-old hip hop star posted tweet after tweet of his expression of distaste for: button up shirts with hoods, hoods with sport coats, sport coats with button up shirts, jeans and dress shoes, khaki trench coats with jeans and off brand work out sneakers, khaki cargo shorts, “big a** striped scarves” and “long a** sideburns with line up RnB beard.” He finished his rant with “All this in 5 blocks. Detest. #I’m on my snob.” Really, we couldn’t tell…

Well to point a few things out, do you also hate when people are seen in public with the pants below their waistline? Or how about when people launch failing fashion lines? When they use hashtags (#) incorrectly on Twitter? We’ll stop there. “Those who live in glass houses should not throw rocks.” Nuff’ said.

Because big a** pink scarves are obviously cooler.

Article By:
Katie Campo

You might know JCPenney as the drab department store that grandma loves with a public identity crisis. Their constantly-changing taglines and commercial themes practically screams “Who are we??” Recently, however it looks like JCP has begun a transformation. Bringing in newer brands with kindof new ideas and partnerships, it looks like JCP might be onto something…

It seems they’ve taken some direction from Target’s shop-in-shop launch and after the success of Sephora, which made more sales per square foot than the rest of the store, it is said that more will soon join. New hires are another avenue JCP has taken with their controversial, but fitting spokesperson, Ellen DeGeneres. L’Amour by Nanette Lepore, Liz Claiborne, Nicole Miller as well as the Olsens and CEO Ron Johnson is hopeful that these recent acquisitions will make a difference.

The newest partnership is one with the Fun, Fearless Females of none other than Cosmopolitan magazine. It has been announced that Cosmo’s editorial staff will launch a line of bags, lingerie, accessories and jewelry to be sold in JCPs everywhere. It might take some time for the branding to change, but is there another department store that offers Cosmo-inspired merchandise? Not that we know of…

Article By
Katie Campo

As wedges are always a spring trend, this season they seem a bit more prevalent in all styles, shapes and colors. A newest design is that of Giuseppe Zonotti with his sneaker-type wedges donned by Ciara at a Knicks game last month. This specific design is retailed at $995. Other variations of this high-top leather wedged sneaker include gold snakeskin and leather patches of black, tan and peach tones. The laces are just for show, as you’ll see the zipper down the top right side. (Good thing, that could take an hour!)

Article By
Katie Campo

Left to Right: Nicole Richie (Petite), Taylor Swift (Tall), Jordin Sparks (Curvy) For the record – Three shades of yellow were pure coincidence.

Its sundress season again!! Every display window and every website is splashed with bright yellows and oranges waiting to brighten up the city streets and subways once more. Complimented with a pair of neutral espadrilles and a beach bag, you’ll be summer-ready almost instantly. Almost, that is. As long as you know the right shape to highlight your best parts and downplay the ones you don’t want to flaunt. We’ll explore lengths and designs that will flatter your shape, no matter what it is.

Petite ladies will find comfort in a mid-thigh length flowy dress, elongating the legs, giving the illusion of being taller. Take Nicole Richie for example.

Pear-shaped women need not fret – a tulip skirt that drapes will hide a fuller bottom half, equalizing your proportions.

Tall women like nearly-6-ft Taylor Swift, look fabulous in above-the-knee retro-inspired dresses like the yellow one in the photo.

Boyish and Athletic shapes are usually hard to highlight, since most dresses are made for curvy or petite women. However, a frilly-tiered, A-line skirt or tie-waist creates the illusion of curves where there might not be.

Curvy women can highlight their thinnest area with a clingy dress with a defined waist like Jordin Sparks. Her color-blocked and pastel shade dress showcases some of the season’s strongest trends.

So ladies, don’t be afraid of the dressing room mirrors any longer. Just know your shape and how you can highlight all the right places. It’s not sneaky, just savvy

Article By:
Katie Campo

In the last four years, Michelle Obama has become a worldwide fashion icon. Her slightly conservative wardrobefeatures fabrics that shine, shimmer and glow from silver sequins, bold oranges and bright aqua tones. She’s recently been featured on the cover of Vogue, showcasing her great taste in fashion that compliments her skin tone and body shape. She’s even made her way to Vogue’s 10 Best Dressed in 2009. Some might think it odd of the first lady to be so fashion forward, but this is what Mrs. O has to say about it: “In the end, someone will always not like what you wear — people just have different tastes.” Couldn’t have said it better. With this attitude, it is no surprise that Michelle earns the respect of many just by being herself. This might help with the re-election process for Barack as well. As many businesses would offer funds to business-forward Mitt Romney, the fashion industry puts theirs forward in honor of Michelle’s style and grace. Barack should be proud.

Article by:
Katie Campo

Tote bag made of Blow Pop wrappers
For more information, photos and links to designers’ websites,
visit http://ecofashion-week.com/
Article by Katie Campo

It looks like Beyonce isn’t the only one getting busy in producing more works for fans. Jay-Z and Rocawear just announced an upcoming partnership with the New York Yankees just days after running its first commercial. “A natural partnership” says Jameel Spencer, Rocawear’s EVP of Marketing. It is no secret that Hov has a long-standing love for the Bronx Bombers. He is almost always seen in a Yankee hat, regularly attends games and raps about his team.

“I put on for my city/so when I’m dead and gone/ I got one last wish/Put my Yankee hat on.”

He even recorded his own video of Derek Jeter’s 3000th hit last season from his front-row seat on the 3rd baseline. View the video below. “Rocawear, along with Jay-Z are very excited to be working with the Yankees for the 2012 season,” Spencer says. “We feel another championship in 2012!” And we hope that’s the case! If so, we know the crowd will be dressed in the finest of Rocawear’s new line-to-be. As soon as the line comes out, you know where to read about it.

Article By: Katie Campo