Mara Hoffman Swim Resort 2011 Hits the Runway in Miami

For the second time during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Swim, visionary designer Mara Hoffman’s swimwear sizzled on the hot Miami runway!

The stunning collection was a colorful homage to raw sensuality, inspired by jungles, crystal caves, rivers, oceans, tribal women and spirituality. Filled with vibrant prints, sheer fabrics, and bold splashes of color, Hoffman sent eye-catching and unique silhouettes down the runway one after the other – and she did not disappoint!

Patterns and bold hues were certainly a focus in this collection with several gorgeous original prints, including a psychedelic “Batik,” “Mystic” (geometric, with crystal shapes and the All Seeing Eye), “Crystal Collage” (colorful kaleidoscope with dark and light crystals), “Chief” (Native American influence), “Jungle” (African influence), and “Odyssey” (fluid lines, lighter colors). One of my favorite looks was this striking “Jungle Red’ bandeau bikini – talk about making a statement!

Mara also partnered with Alternative Apparel for the first time in a special mini-collaboration for the show. Using a faded pastel version of the “Chief” print made in Alternative’s ultra soft and cozy Eco-Fleece fabric, Mara created a “Mara Hoffman for Alternative Apparel” poncho that debuted on the runway.

We’re still gushing over this collection and can’t wait to strut our stuff in one of these looks soon!

From: http://blog.myfashionplate.com/

Make Up For Ever Talks Makeup Trends for Fashion Week Swim

​Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim isn't just about hot bodies in teeny tiny swimwear. Okay, maybe it is. But these models have faces, people! And if you look up long enough, what you see may surprise you.

Caking on the makeup probably isn't the most realistic plan when trolling on South Beach's sand. But neither is wearing stilettos with bikinis, and we'll see plenty of that over the next four days.

MBFWS sponsor Make Up For Ever, spotted on beach-bound beauties like Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, and the Kardashians, designed the makeup looks for six runway collections this year. We've featured four of the looks below. Make Up For Ever Alliance's James Vincent, who's the lead makeup artist for MBFWS, spoke to the New Times about painting models' faces and how to look runway ready when hitting the beach.

Swimwear Anywhere takes their cue from the waves with bright, vibrant blues.

There are browns and lashes galore at the Group Show.

Nicolita channels old-world glam with '50s Cuban flare.

Ed Hardy goes dark with smokey eyes and bright lips.

New Times: Where did you get your inspiration for the looks for this year's MBFWS?
James Vincent: The looks are diverse in their origins with references to classic film and fashion as well as what's happening right now on the runways, red carpet, and the street. What ties all of the looks together is that they are about strong women, beautiful skin, and wearable color the lasts in all weather.

How did you decide which shows got neutral vs. dramatic looks?
I take a lot of my lead from the designer, but also from the real women who are wearing these swimsuits. Some make up looks are more edgy, and some are more fashion forward, while other are about more wearable beauty. During fashion week, the make up has to come across as having qualities that are both aspirational and attainable. Overall, the look has to express the energy of the designer and the collection and work to compliment that, but it also has to be representative of the women who will be wearing the designs.

Any tips for Miamians that want to glam on the beach?

The trick is to work with products that are made for all skin types and all weather. When it comes to the beach, great skincare is an important first step. You need SPF of course, but hydration is also key. Beach makeup can really just be a touch of waterproof mascara with some gloss to keep you looking like the best version of your natural self. But if you want to add some color, choose products that give you shine, shape, and definition that you don't have to worry about smudging in the heat. I really love Make Up For Ever's Aqua Cream, because the shade range is gorgeous, and the cream formula is completely waterproof and sweat-proof so the color really lasts even in extreme conditions.

From: http://blogs.miaminewtimes.com/

Coeur d’Alene Prepares a Vibrant Anniversary Auction

RENO, Nevada—Taos Art Colony artists are among the headliners at the July 24 Coeur d’Alene Art Auction, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. The Taos Colony was started by several artists who sought to recreate a European-style art colony in the vibrant and colorful landscape of Taos, New Mexico, and is represented in the auction by several lots from two of the founding members, Eanger Irving Couse and Joseph H. Sharp.
The standouts are Couse’s 1917 "Kachina Painter" and Sharp’s 1928 "Acoma Pottery Decorators," estimated at $800,000–1.2 million and $400–600,000, respectively. Both paintings feature the bold color palate the Colony is known for, as well classic Taos subject matter: American Indians engaging in traditional crafts that the artists would have observed firsthand during their stay in New Mexico.

"We have a great selection of the Taos Colony artists," said Mike Overby, auction partner at Coeur d’Alene. "This is the strongest in quite a few years." The auction will be offering 310 works in total, from other Taos painters as well as a vast selection of Western, historical, and sport-themed paintings, priced from $3,000 to $1.2 million.

Other lots to watch include Western stylist Gerard Curtis Delano’s "In Bonnet and Paint," estimated at $300–500,000, and fellow Taos artist E. Martin Henning’s "Riders in the Sage," estimated at $500–700,000. Famed Hudson River School painter Albert Bierstadt’s "Above the Timberline," a stunning depiction of a mountain landscape with horseback rider, is less pricey than the other notable works, at an estimated $100–200,000.

The sale also features a selection of contemporary works, several of them dated 2010. Realist painter Mian Situ’s depiction of weathered gold miners resting on rocks, "Moving on the Yuba River – Gold Seekers, 1849," 2010, tops the contemporary lots with its $125–175,000 estimate. This year, the auction house is putting an unusual spin on their contemporary offerings: collectors will be able to vote for their favorite painting and the winning artist will receive a cash prize.

From: http://www.artinfo.com/

Top-rated reviews of the week (photos)

Here's our weekly roundup of the new products our reviewers liked best.

Samsung Vibrant (T-Mobile)

Editors' rating: 4 out of 5

The good: The Samsung Vibrant boasts a brilliant Super AMOLED touch screen and comes preloaded with a number of entertainment goodies, including a full-length copy of "Avatar." The Android-based smartphone also offers 16GB of internal memory, full wireless options, and great call quality.

The bad: The phone feels plasticky and slick. Battery life isn't the greatest. There's no camera flash.

The bottom line: Sleek and fast, the Samsung Vibrant is one of T-Mobile's top smartphones for entertainment, but its feature set takes a toll on the battery life.

Samsung PN50C7000

Editors' rating: 4 out of 5

The good: Excellent black-level performance; accurate color overall; numerous picture controls and tweaks; sleek styling with inch-deep panel; superb streaming and widget content via well-integrated Apps platform; solid 3D picture quality.

The bad: Cannot properly handle 1080p/24 sources; less efficient than LCD models; duplication of Apps and widgets can be confusing; does not include 3D glasses.

The bottom line: Among the better 2D performers available, the Samsung PNC7000 series plasma also delivers 3D for less than the competition.

Motorola i1 (Boost Mobile)

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: The Motorola i1 has a responsive and intuitive capacitive touch screen, a rugged construction, and has decent call quality.

The bad: The Motorola i1 currently only has Android OS 1.5. Also, its photo quality is mediocre for a 5-megapixel camera.

The bottom line: Though it's far from the best Android phone, the Motorola i1 is a decent touch-screen smartphone for Boost Mobile customers.

Samsung HZ35W

Editors' rating: 3.5 out of 5

The good: Overall good features, design, performance, and photos for its price.

The bad: Mediocre low-light photos; confusing GPS setup; using ASM mode is a pain.

The bottom line: Samsung's HZ35W is pretty much an across-the-board improvement from its predecessor resulting in a GPS-enabled compact megazoom worth considering.

Asus Eee PC 1018PB-BK801

Editors' rating: 4 out of 5

The good: New slim, brushed-metal design; excellent touch pad.

The bad: Some annoying keyboard concessions.

The bottom line: Asus reboots the Eee PC series (at least aesthetically) with this slick-looking metallic Netbook, the Eee PC 1018.

Say No To These 5 Fall Trends

When it comes to trends, we definitely like to go the distance. Sheer dresses, big pants, leopard shoes...bring 'em on. And despite the sheer volume of fashionable themes that come and go every season, we love sussing out the trends that really do make an impact. On the other hand, there are always a few ideas some "daring" designers latch on to that seem doomed from the start. We're not talking the questionable ones that just require a bit of fearlessness. We mean the trends that are a downright recipe for disaster on anyone who doesn't bear the name Mary-Kate or Chloë. And with so many fun, inspiring additions you'll want to make to your wardrobe come September (stay tuned for our fall shopping series coming soon!), we thought it best to forewarn you of those fall trends you should pass on. Consider this cautionary tale: From kitten heels to unnecessary fur, here are five fall trends you definitely shouldn't fall for.

From: http://www.refinery29.com/

A First Look At The New Tommy Line

On Friday, Canada's coolest invaded The Gladstone hotel for the launch of Tommy. Greeted by taxidermy adorned in holiday accessories from Tommy (including this bespectacled bear), guests like Leslie Feist, Kate Lanphear, Jesse Giddings from Much Music, as well as top Canadian fashion editors and bloggers snuck a peek at Tommy's holiday collection. On the roster for are a wonderfully covetable collection of preppy separates with not-so-preppy details, like cargo pants in a body-conscious cut, a blue blazer that's perfectly shrunken, and oversized shirts and oxfords your boyfriend will want to steal from you. We've got the first look at their debut collection. Guys and gals—look closely. This is going to be what you're going to want to wear all fall long.

For more info http://www.refinery29.com/

Serena Van der Woodsen's Jenny Packham Gown

This week, the beautiful Blake Lively was photographed filming scenes for her hit CW show Gossip Girl on the streets of New York. From the looks of it, Serena Van der Woodsen will hit up yet another formal event in the upcoming season—and she's got a pretty amazing gown for the occasion.

Lively was outfitted in a bold black-and-white gown with a brilliant blue jeweled neckline and waist from Jenny Packham's Fall 2010 collection, worn with black-and-blue sequined pumps and a semi-casual updo.

The dress looks as if it was made for Blake, it fits her so perfectly—it would have been nice to see her wear this to a real-life event! Still, prints don't always work well as formal wear.

What do you think of the look?

From: http://www.stylebistro.com/