Gabriella Cilmi: New fashion trends for spring/summer 2010

From sexy denim to floaty and romantic, the Sweet About Me singer, 19, rocks the hottest looks for the new season

Her debut single Sweet About Me was a smash hit in the summer of 2008, and if you don’t count her contribution to the Co-op’s festive adverts where her soulful vocals could be heard belting out a cover version of Warm This Winter, Gabriella’s been keeping a low profile since. But still only 19, she can afford to chill a little.

However, with a new album out next month, she is keen to prove she’s no ‘one-hit wonder’ and is back with a new look to boot. ‘My style has changed a lot in the last 12 months,’ says the Aussie singer-songwriter. ‘I used to wear a lot of jeans and vintage T-shirts and now I dress more femininely.’

Modelling this season’s new trends, Gabriella proves she’s a style chameleon, capable of rocking many a look – just don’t ask her to wear anything romantic, flowing or ethereal. And despite claiming her biggest fashion faux pas was wearing head-to-toe denim, we convinced her she can actually get away with it. ‘I cringe when I think I used to wear so much denim. I had the jackets, the jeans, the shoes – the whole works. So, today, when your stylist put me in a denim shirt and some denim shorts it brought it back for a second, but I needn’t have worried because it looked cool. There’s obviously a fine line.’

Citing Brigitte Bardot and Sophia Loren as her style icons, ‘They are glamorous in a powerful, sexy, un-polished way,’ Gabriella lives by the mantra, ‘you can never have too much bling’. Although she has a weakness for accessories, she insists she doesn’t splash out on clothes if she can help it, and confesses to being a bargain hunter at heart. ‘I love looking in vintage shops and places like TK Maxx,’ she says. ‘You have to be prepared to spend a while searching, but there are some little gems to be found. My best TK Maxx find was a gold Luella handbag, which was less than half price.’

But the most treasured item in her wardobe, she explains, is an original Vivienne Westwood pirate hat she discovered in a vintage shop. ‘It’s so beautiful,’ she sighs. ‘I do love it – but I have no idea how to wear it without looking like I’m going to a fancy dress party!’
DENIM'Double denim’ – head-to-toe – is how to wear the perennial classic this season

Shirt, £30, Miss Selfridge; shorts, £39.99, River Island; bra, £7, Peacocks; necklace, £25, Dogeared at Asos.com; ring, £15, Freedom at Topshop; shoes, £60, Office
MILITARYThe khaki craze can be seen all over the high street – an army jacket is essential this spring

Jacket, £45, New Look; hat, £30, Rokit.co.uk; necklace, as before; tights, £12, Jonathan Aston; boots, £90, Faith
ROMANTICMax up your romance factor with pretty sorbet fairytale chiffon and ruffles

Dress, £60, Topshop; necklace, as before; long charm necklace, £45, NW3 by Hobbs
WHITEDitch the dark colours, white is the new black...

Dress, £45, Asos.com; belt, £20, Miss Selfridge; necklace, £55, Dogeared at Asos.com; bangle, £35, Anna Lou of London; ring, £18, Aldo
PRINTS
Break the rules when it comes to clashing prints this season – more is more

Silk dress, £79, Tutublu.com; hat, £84, Helene Berman; ring, £10, Freedom at Topshop; shoes, £49.99, Schuh
Gabriella’s new single Mission is released on 8 March and her album will follow on 22 March
Fashion: Charlotte Adsett assisted by Michelle Howard, Gemma Loke and Michelle Winter. Photography: Martin Macchina. Hair: Liz Taw using Aussie Hair. Make-up: Emma Osborne using Elemental Herbology Placements.
resource:  http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/celebs-on-sunday/2010/02/28/gabriella-cilmi-new-fashion-trends-for-spring-summer
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Vitamin C is a Dress

Last season they tried to make orange the "IT" color, but I didn't find much of "it" in the stores.  According to fabsugar.com they are trying again.  What do you think?  Is orange your color for spring/summer 2010?
Who are they?  Personally anyone with a website can pick an "it" color and promote it.  What's your favorite color?  See my post about color and skin types. Thanks for coming to LifeStyle for Blondes.

Beach Bunny Spring/Summer 2010 Swimwear Collection

You may think there is no need for your swimsuit radar to be up considering the winter weather, yet the Beach Bunny Swimwear 2010 collection might just inspire a tropic trip of some sort. Yes, Mexico is looking mighty fine right now, especially with all the snow we have gotten this year.

Modeled by the ever-beautiful Irina Sheik, the Beach Bunny Swimwear 2010 collection is sure to add enough heat to your frosty nights even without the prospect of going south for spring break. If you like what you see here, visit Beach Bunny’s website for more inspiration.

Britney Spears does Candie's | Candie's at Kohls for Spring/Summer 2010

New York, New York—(February 17, 2010)—Iconix Brand Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICON) unveiled today its spring 2010 marketing campaign for its junior brand, Candie’s®, which is exclusively available at Kohl’s Department Stores (NYSE: KSS) and Kohls.com. The campaign entitled, “Britney Spears Through The Lens,” showcases international superstar, Britney Spears, as seen through the lens of three famed photographers, Annie Leibovitz, Mark Seliger and Terry Richardson. Each iconic photographer shot Spears at Paramount Studios in Hollywood late last year.

Britney Spears, commented, “Annie, Mark and Terry are three of the biggest photographers in the world, I am honored to be working with them for my Candie’s Only at Kohl’s ads. It was an amazing shoot and I know my fans are going to love the cool images.”

The campaign, a series of photographs of Spears as seen through the lens of each master photographer will debut with a four page insert in the April issue of Seventeen Magazine as well as online at candies.com and Kohls.com. Each photographer has their own unique and trademark style. Annie Leibovitz’s photograph features Spears against an industrial backdrop, Terry Richardson photographed Spears on a plain white set with colorful props, while Mark Seliger created elaborate sets. Seliger’s first set was a French burlesque inspired pink dressing room and the second was custom designed pink Harley-Davidson motorcycle against a perfect blue sky and green grass background.

“This is the most exciting shoot we have ever produced for Candie’s. We have three master photographers; Annie Leibovitz, Mark Seliger and Terry Richardson shooting the biggest pop star in the world, each in their own iconic style,” stated, Dari Marder, chief marketing officer, Iconix Brand Group.

Julie Gardner, Kohl’s executive vice president and chief marketing officer, stated,

“The new Candie’s spring advertising campaign is innovative, authentic and provides a unique brand expression in the marketplace. We are confident this will resonate with our junior shoppers who trust Candie’s to provide style and value.”
The “Britney Spears Through The Lens,” campaign will be seen in fashion magazines, outdoor billboards, in-store, circulars, online and direct mail.

The Candie’s Only at Kohl’s marketing campaign was created by the Iconix in-house marketing team in partnership with Annie Lebovitz who is famous for her celebrity portraits, Mark Seliger who is recognized for infusing music and fashion in his photography and Terry Richardson who is known for his ability to capture the true essence of his subjects.

During her 10 year career, Britney Spears has had 5 albums debut at the #1 spot on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart, as well as 23 Top 40 hits on the Billboard Pop Singles chart.

Spring/Summer 2010 Fashion Trend: Tie Dye

Tie Dye is showing up on the runways for Spring/Summer 2010. Fun and flirty these colorful prints will brighten up anyones wardrobe.   

 

  

 

TJ Maxx Sells More High End Retail

Phil Wahba - Analysis reuters.com


NEW YORK (Reuters) - Off-price retailer TJX Cos Inc has capitalized on the woes of its higher-end rivals in the past year by snapping up tons of their unsold merchandise and winning a new contingent of shoppers.

But that success to some degree means that TJX relies on the miscalculations of its competitors and could be short-lived if full price chains cut back too far on orders and limit the amount of excess supply, analysts say.

The presence of fancier brands at TJX stores, which include the T.J. Maxx and Marshalls chains, is also drawing it into more direct competition with the likes of Saks Inc and Macy's Inc, whose upscale Bloomingdale's chain is set to open its own off-price outlets later in 2010.

"We are actually seeing better vendors and more product than ever that is pretty high quality at T.J. Maxx," said Laura Champine, a Cowen & Co analyst.

TJX buys merchandise, usually returns from department stores, at below-wholesale prices and sells it at deep discounts. That has helped the company cultivate a loyal following among fashionistas and it wants to appeal to them beyond the random "find" at a discount store.

"We are extremely confident that the paradigm has shifted, that we have been able to cull an entirely new group of customers," said Sherry Lang, a spokeswoman for TJX.

T.J. Maxx and Marshalls will hold an industry preview in Manhattan on Wednesday of their spring and summer lines that are being touted as having new merchandise from top designers.

Already, a T.J. Maxx shopper may find brands such as Theory, Ralph Lauren, Tahari, Seven for all Mankind, Rock & Republic, and BCBGMaxAzria. More designers are finding TJX to be a reliable way to sell their wares in a weak economy, rather than just a place to dump rejects or overproduction.

But as TJX ups its fashion quotient, it could face potential product shortages. Upscale retailers have become extra cautious in how they place orders, reflecting the newfound frugality of luxury consumers.

"Certainly that supply chain is tightening up first, and that is where you would see an issue first," said Barclays Capital analyst Jeff Black, referring to a potential shortage of higher-end products TJX can tap.

Black lowered his price target on TJX shares last month, saying in a note "it's hard to argue that we'll see a better environment for TJX to purchase its apparel and home categories." That could limit TJX's margin growth, he wrote.

IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT

Nonetheless, analysts including Black say TJX sales and profits will grow in 2010, with consumers still under pressure and vendors desperate for sales they can bank on.

"They are going to be in the driver's seat for a while," said Candace Corlett, president of WSL Strategic Retail.

TJX's ability to clear a lot of product and its easier sales terms have led vendors to ramp up production specifically for the chain, analysts suspect.

Full-price retailers typically negotiate tough return privileges, markdowns and advertising allowances, terms that add up and eat away at the manufacturer's margins.

TJX, in contrast, negotiates more advantageous prices for itself. But its simpler terms give vendors the peace of mind of knowing that once they've sold an item, it's sold.

"They'll pay me cash and they'll pay me right now, so it's actually a pretty compelling way to do business," said Cowen's Champine.

That position of strength is also shared by its main rival Ross Stores Inc, whose annual sales are about a third of TJX's expected fiscal 2010 sales of $20.3 billion.

If full-price retailers cut back on their orders too much, it could erase that advantage, putting pressure on the prices TJX can charge, said Madison Riley, a managing director at retail consulting firm Kurt Salmon Associates.

And the arrival of the Bloomingdale's outlets later this year will add to that pressure, he said.

"It does spell more competition between off-price places as they all vie for a lower level of excess inventory," he said.

For now, though, TJX seems to coping well with the tighter inventory control of its rivals.

Sales at its stores open at least a year rose 14 percent in December, far outpacing most rivals, and analysts on average expect TJX to report fourth quarter revenue of $5.95 billion for the fiscal year 2010, up 10.6 percent over a year earlier, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

TJX shares have nearly doubled in the past year, reaching a ratio of nearly 13 times fiscal 2011 profits. That puts TJX in about the same range as Ross and Macy's, with ratios of 12 and 11 respectively, but less than J.C. Penney at 17 and upscale retailer Nordstrom Inc at 15.

Analysts agree with the company that a dismal 2009 for retail sent more top-end shoppers into its stores.

But WSL's Corlett cautions TJX not to go too far upscale, saying it could confuse TJX's traditional bargain-hunting shoppers and blur its brand, even as luxury retailers such as Saks move further toward lower price points.

"TJX has been bringing in a lot of $200 bags -- when they bring in high priced items, they have to be careful about how it impacts the T.J. Maxx image," Corlett said.