The Style Lookout: Fashion Editor Edition

As a fashion magazine junky it always interesting to see what the people behind the pages of the magazines look like. Kate Lanphear and Carine Roitfeld are both coveted for their sense of style. Although the have very different senses of style they have a few things in common black is there uniform, they keep it simple yet chic, and they love the mix of masculine and feminine pieces.

Kate Lanphear is the Style Director of U.S. Elle magazine and widely recognized for her street style. She is often captured on the streets of New York looking boyishly chic. Her platinum hair draws as much attention as her style. I must say I like her style. Her look always appears effortless. Her infatuation with gray cashmere, black, and studs never seems to bore me. She takes the simplest of pieces and pairs them with just the right thing. Kate says of her style "My style is really Pot Luck, whatever has just come back from the dry-cleaner."

Carine Roitfeld is the Editor-in-Chief of French Vogue and a style icon. She has been on the best dressed list of countless magazines and a deemed a fashion muse by Womens Wear Daily magazine. Carine in her 50's dresses with a sense of fashion freedom that most women her age lack. She doesn't look perfect her hair is untamed, her brows are thick and her style is simple and always chic.

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Project Runway Season 5 Finale

The long awaited season finale of Project Runway has come and gone. After viewing the final collections live I was extremely torn between Korto and Leanne. I quickly eliminated Kenley because I felt her collection lacked cohesion. I think Leanne's collection was amazing but it did become a bit repetitive continually seeing the same look come down the runway. Korto, I absolutely love her personality and design skill. I disagreed with the judges I didn't feel that any of her pieces were over designed. I think her collection had the most wearable pieces it was truly "ready to wear." There was cohesion but every piece didn't look the same. After seeing the collections live I think Korto should have won. I can see why the judges chose Leanne because she does make technical designs look effortless. Congrats to Leanne. I am already waiting for season 6!

Forbes Most Powerful U.S. Fashion Magazine Editors

Forbes.com ranked the top ten most influential and powerful fashion editors at U.S. magazines. To compose the list the site did some number crunching based on ad sales, circulation, and online readership. Forbes included all U.S. based magazines that produce a significant amount of fashion editorial pages. According to the Audit Bureau of Circulations the magazine industry has suffered a 8% decrease in the sales of a single copy from 47.3 million in the first half of 2007 to to 43.5 million for the first half of 2008. As digital publishing continues to rise in popularity it is important for magazines to focus on their online editorials as much as their print publication. The magazines that have are the magazines that have seen increases in their numbers. To read the entire article click here.

1. The number one spot goes to Cindi Leive Editor-in-Chief of Glamour magazine. Under Leive's command the magazine has a circulation of 2.4 million, a 4.1% increase from last year, with equal success online Glamour.com saw a 118% increase in online traffic.


2.Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour and Elle Editor-in-Chief Roberta (Robbie) Myers tied for the number two spot. Wintour is unarguably the most noted fashion editor on this list she is famous for launching the careers of designers. The decision of Robbie Myers to sponsor Bravo TVs Project Runway has given Elle more exposure and readers on and offline. Since it's sponsorship Elle has seen an increase in advertisements and circulation.



4. Kate White the Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan magazine produces about 20 pages monthly of fashion editorial and tips on the seasons hottest trends. Cosmo's website is ranked the highest of any magazine on Forbes list.



5. Charla Lawhon the leading editorial force behind In Style magazine has been apart of the In Style team since it's launch in 1993. In Style best known for it's celebrity fashion has seen 2.64% rise in circulation since last year.



6. Linda Wells founding editor of Allure magazine a beauty publication made the list because it produces about 12 monthly pages of fashion editorial. Wells is known for making what some may feel a "silly subject serious journalism".



7. Glenda Bailey Editor-in-Chief at Harper's Bazaar has seen an increase in revenue but the circulation numbers still fall short in comparison to other publications. Bailey has quite the impressive resume, she launched British Marie Claire and later became the editor of the American version before leaving for Bazaar.



8. Amy Astley has been the editor of Teen Vogue since it's beginning in 2003. Astley worked for Vogue for 10 years before launching the teenage version. Teen Vogue has been able to continually rise in popularity because it can appeal to a crowd that has passed "teenager" status.



9. Anne Shoket left CosmoGIRL for Seventeen in 2007. Under her lead Seventeen became the # 1 selling teenage magazine on newsstands in 2007.



10. Joanna Coles Editor-in-Chief of Marie Claire has taken the publication through alot of changes the most recent was the hiring of former Elle Editor-at-Large Nina Garcia. Marie Claire will be sponsoring season 6 of Project Runway.





Image and Info Credit: Forbes.com

Runway Report: Chicago Fashion Focus Week 2008

The city of Chicago is trying to make it's fashion mark with its annual Fashion Focus weeks. The 2008 week included over thirty events for designers and retailers including runway shows. Melissa Turner the city’s director of fashion arts and events says “I think we are think we're really developing a strong sense of fashion community.” “We have a lot of students coming out of school and deciding to stay, to start their business here instead of going to New York.” To read more about Chicago Fashion Focus click here. Here are a few pieces from the runway shows.


5P1T


Steven Rosengard former “Project Runway” contestant


Eskell


Columbia College student Reginald Ilagan.

Image Credit: suntimes.com
Info credit: elle.com

Cheap and Chic

The economy is at its worst economic state since the Great Depression. Most Americans are experiencing budget cuts in every aspect of their lives including the wardrobe department. With a little budget shopping we can become “frugal fashionistas” and stay abreast of the seasons current trends within financial limits. After a little shopping around I was able to put together complete looks for falls hottest trends for under $115. You can be cheap and chic!

Beauty Bargains

As much as I love shopping, I love a good bargain. When I find a good bargain I like to share it with others. Here are a few great beauty buys I found.

I am a beauty addict and more specifically a MAC addict. I have been in a committed relationship with MAC for the past five years. I have this infatuation with the highly pigmented eye shadows. Of course when L’Oreal Hip became the rage I was not interested because of my commitment to MAC. I must say all the talk did get me a bit curious if all the hype behind L’Oreal Hip was true. Last week Walgreen's was offering a promotion on L’Oreal Hip, buy one get one free. Needless to say I couldn't’t pass up that bargain so I bought Gilded 806 and Platinum 906 both for under $10. I am impressed with the high intensity of the pigments. The colors showed up beautifully against my skin which is always a fear when you have brown skin. I am still addicted to MAC but now I am a little more open to trying other brands.


My friend Brittany over at Clumpsofmascara always gives me a hard time about my brushes. I am fully aware of the importance of a good brush. I think the quality of the brush is as important as the quality of the makeup. I just couldn't’t see paying $30 plus dollars for one brush. I tried Sonia Kashuk's brushes exclusively sold at Target and I was quite impressed. The brushes are high in quality and low in price. Here a few must haves for your cosmetic collection.

Womenswear as Menswear

Menswear inspired ensembles for women have been a trend in the fashion industry for decades. Women have incorporated slouchy trousers, suspenders, ties, and suit coats into their everyday wardrobes. The new age man has abandoned overly masculine fashions and opted for a more feminine style. Men are now incorporating popular female fashion trends into their daily wardrobes.

Man bags vs. Murses

Most people use the terms “man bag” and “murse” interchangeably. I however see a difference in a “man bag” and a “murse.” A “man bag” by my definition is any bag that a man carries for the purpose of being fashionable or stylish. Examples are premier label backpacks, leather backpacks, messenger bags, and leather satchel style briefcases. I am intrigued by a man that carries a "man bag". A “murse” on the other hand is a male purse. Examples are male evening clutches, handbags, and shoulder bags. I am all for a man that is stylish and up to date with current trends but a man that is carrying an evening clutch to dinner serves as a problem for me. Let me know your thoughts on the “man bag” vs. the “murse”. Is there a difference or are they one in the same? Is it fashionable or taking it too far?

"Man bags" and "murses" have been quite the rage among the celebrities here are a few followers of the trend.







Scarves

Scarves on men is not a new trend, it is however among younger males. This trend is one that I love. It can have an urban edge or a more sophisticated feel.

Here are a few male celebrities that wear their scarves well.





Skinny jeans

Male skinny jeans and pants are quite popular. I must say I am not a fan of this trend. I think a man’s jeans should be fitted and not sagging to the floor, I also think there is a fine line between fitted and skin tight. Skin tight being the male skinny jeans. Let me know your thoughts.




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