ELLE: The Little Black Dress Boutique at Rue La La

Shopping for all the upcoming holiday soirées can incite vertigo, even for the posh, assured fashionista. This season, as you’re prepping for the party circuit, evoke soigné sophistication donning the ultimate in signature style: the LBD.

Rue La La will launch the exclusive ELLE Little Black Dress Boutique on Monday, November 23 at 11AM…available for 48 hours only at RueLaLa.com. Shop chic selections at 30-80% off retail!

Rue La La partnered with Violet Moon Gaynor, Senior Fashion & Accessories Editor at Elle.com, to hand pick 16 dresses from top fashion designers creating a covetable selection of LBDs.

Here's just a sampling of the amazing names that will be on sale:

Badgley Mischka
Carmen Marc Valvo
Laundry
Robert Rodriguez

“How do you like to accessorize a LBD?” Violet advises: "For day, pair with a slightly shrunken blazer, tights, and lug-sole booties. For night, stack a set of bangles up your arm and throw on a pair of sexy platforms."

Not yet a Rue La La member? Join now! And don't forget to give and get this holiday season - refer a friend to Rue La La from now through December 24 and not only will you receive a $10 referral credit*, but Rue La La will credit their account with $10 too!

*$10 referral bonus credited to account after first purchase.

Almost Famous

I'm famous! Well, not really. Not even a little bit, to be honest. So here's what had happened...

I was perusing the New York Magazine website, and came across this video of behind-the-scenes beauty at Carmen Marc Valvo's Fall 2008 show.

Well, at the very end of the video, you can see me in the background, having a convo with Victor C from MAC - I'm the super-short one with a steno pad in my hand (I appear 1:25 into the video).

OMG! Just had to share.

Fashion Week: Carmen Marc Valvo Fall 2008

This past Friday, I returned to New York for another dose of Fashion Week. I just couldn’t stay away. This time, I got the skinny on Carmen Marc Valvo’s Fall 2008 Ready To Wear collection.

I spoke to Lead Makeup Artist, Tom Pecheux, about his inspiration for the makeup look. He told me he was inspired by the collection, which was based on lingerie. “There is a sensuality about the collection, so I didn’t want to go too sexy for the makeup – or else it might look too boudoir,” he said. “Emphasis on a strong, perfect mouth keeps it couture.”

Foundation was natural and matte, eyes were defined with a simple swipe of mascara, and models wore no blush. Pecheux explained, “The essence of the look is ‘sophisticated woman with a touch of masculinity.’”

The vibrant lip was achieved by lining the mouth and filling in lips with MAC Magenta Lip Pencil. The finishing touch was a dab of MAC Russian Red Lipstick in the center of lips. It was a sporty, modern take on the classic red mouth.

My BFF Victor was there, and he offered a little insight to trends for Fall. “Fall 2008 will be a big lip season. You’re going to see an emphasis on technically astute lips. We’re moving away from women haphazardly swiping at their mouths with a tube of lipstick. Women are going to have to wake up a couple minutes early to replicate this look. And for all of those ladies who have misplaced their lip pencils, it’s time to go out and purchase a new one.”

Models’ hair was smoothed into a sleek low ponytail and separated into two sections. Each piece was braided; then the two plaits were intertwined and pinned at the nape of the neck. To finish off the look, stylists applied a generous helping of Redken Hardwear 16 Super Strong Gel – for a glass-like effect.

CND artists were also on hand (pun intended), painting models’ nails in Clearly Pink, a creamy neutral that compliments all skin tones.


Lead Makeup Artist Tom Pecheux strikes a pose


MAC Senior Makeup Artist Nadine Luke lines model's mouth in Magenta


Victor doing his thang


A model shows off the finished look


CND artists make sure models' nails are perfectly polished