FashionTribes.com

We (& Stella McCartney) Are Loving a Low Shoe for Summer. Here Are Some Choice Picks.

Stella McCartney recently remarked: “I’m loving a low shoe.” And after a recent trip during which less-than-comfortable shoes almost killed our feet, consider us converted. Besides, during the summer months, getting dressed should be more easy & breezy, so why not give the stilettos a break until Fall and enjoy taking your heels down a notch - literally. With such cute lower-heels and flats to choose from, it'll be fun to follow in Stella's footsteps!

Here is our pick of the current crop:

Guerlain Cashmere Matte Lip Gloss: a Contradiction in Terms, but not Fabulousness

Sitting around thinking of Bollywood (as one does), my mind made the leap (as it often does) to my latest obsession: matte lip gloss. Although "matte" and "gloss" seem like a complete and utter contradiction in terms, just think lip stain, but one better. And, yes, matte lip gloss and Bollywood are related...the traditional lip powders once worn by Indian women on the sub-continent inspired Guerlain Cashmere Gloss Matte Lip Gloss.

Arfango - Cool Shoes with a Cool Name

Dating back to 1902, the Italian brand is named for "L'Harfang des Neiges," an elegant white owl considered to be a symbol of good luck. Actress Rachel Blanchard recently paired a strappy silver pair with a Garner Grace slouchy silk jumpsuit to the launch event for "Shift the Power to the People." Arfango.com

- Lesley Scott

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Glamorous Marion Cotillard in July Vogue

Although she's probably best known at this point for her Oscar-winning portrayal of Edith Piaf in "La Vie en Rose," the fab French siren is multitalented, and also plays in the Expressionist-Surrealist band Yodelice fronted by composer Mazim Nucci: “I play the bass guitar, keyboard, and tambourine—I’m their one-woman band and all-purpose maid,” Cotillard explains. She’s taken to appearing with Yodelice on tour, dressed as a man, and using the name of her maternal grandmother, Simone. “It’s pretty refreshing to be in a situation where the spotlight is on someone else.”

With a new film out this month, Cotillard opens up to Vogue about her passion for music, and the inspiration for her character in the musical "Nine."

Emerging TREND ALERT: Watery Mythological Muses

Throughout history, extraordinary myths involving deities, mystical creatures and elemental spirits have all celebrated the the emotional power of water. An element now endangered by climate changes and pollution, water is precious and revered, the cause of war, and the focus of stories which have long accompanied and influenced our collective psyche and evolution. Water carries the creative potential for transformation, both physical and spiritual - and Gaia, Venus, Athena, Adonis, Sirens, Narcissus, Ophelia, Fauns, Nymphs, Medusa and Calypso will all be helping bridge the imaginary with the physical in Summer 2011 & byond.

The spiritual and the scientific recently merged in Mythological Muses, a trend presentation by Emmanuelle Linard of Edelkoort Inc. who pointed out that the beauty and health sectors will be increasingly influenced by water, in particular funded scientific research which focuses on water preservation, cleansing and use, and understanding how its chemical and physical properties impact our lives.

How will the water concept affect beauty products, particularly ingredients, textures and packaging?

Orange Lip Color 101: Yes, You Can! Here's How.

While there's simply no such thing as having too many lipsticks - after all, my own lipstick carousel resembles a grown-up’s version of the Crayola crayons mega-pack - I must, however, confess that until now, the color orange has been conspicuously absent from my fabulously-hued collection of couleur pour les lèvres.

The First Law of Makeup clearly states that if the words "orange" and "makeup" are uttered together, unspeakable things occur. And yet, it graced the Fall 2010 Chanel Haute Couture runways as a pinky-coral (Rouge Allure Genial); has been seen on ScarJo for some time now (nab her look with MAC Morange, NARS semi-matte Heat Wave, YSL’s Rouge Volupte in Orange Shiver, or Rouge d'Armani in 401); and that thrill-seeker Rihanna beat us all to it with lips brighter than anything under Florida sun. (Fortunately, she wears it well.)

So, darlings, what to do about orange lipstick?

Luckily, orange runs the gamut from a peachy femme lusciousness to strong shades more suited for a Yo Gabba Gabba Muno camouflage, meaning there's something for everyone - even you!

How? Just follow these simple guidelines:

A Collection Comprised of a Single Little Black Dress...and Many, Many Looks

“I’ve seen so many women with closets full of clothes who say, ‘I haven’t got a thing to wear!" notes designer Eliza Starbuck of Bright Young Things, which is taking a more retro, less fast-fashion'y approach to the art of getting dressed and turning heads. In a nod to the Slow Movement which eschews mediocrity in favor of fewer, more versatile pieces that rely on the wearer's creativity (rather than a corporate brand identity), Bright Young Things offers only one item: a well-made, well-priced ($185) Little Black Dress. "I’m giving them one dress that they can wear forwards, backwards, open, again and again, with anything they like.”

Eva Mendes Sexes Up the Cover of W for July

  In the upcoming issue (on newsstands June 22nd), the sultry bombshell talks comedy, performing nude, and what it takes to be considered a "serious" actress.“I’ve never had a problem with nudity, but I don’t put it out there without a reason. I’m not an exhibitionist. But, honestly, for my art I’ll do anything almost. I’ll go there," she explains in the feature article. "I know I walk a fine line between being a respected actor and being what they call a sex symbol. It's a hard one to walk if you want to be known as a real, credible actor. But I've never felt objectified. Nothing you see me do is an accident. . . . I'm incredibly calculated when it comes to my career." Including her latest movie, The Other Guy - a summer comedy! “It’s very hard for me to be seen as funny. And the truth is, that’s where I’m most comfortable.”

- Lesley Scott

Surf, Sand & an Endless Summer! The Doneger Group Talks Trends for Summer 2010

As Coco Chanel so famously observed, fashion is in the sky. It's also in popular music, beauty products, sports, travel, color, and all the many other lifestyle products we enjoy. The fashion trend & forecasting experts at The Doneger Group have been reading the tea leaves and recently released the first in their series of seasonal trend insight pieces. They've dubbed the new kitschy-cool, yet upscale, aesthetic that has been emerging Endless Summer, after the iconic documentary from the mid-60s which tagged along with two Cali natives as they followed the waves around the world in a never-ending global summer of surfin'.

Here is how to catch the wave:

Cheery Lemon-Yellow Heels Made for Bike Riding in Style by CAMPER

Using pedal power to get around town is as good for the earth as is it for your girlish figure, and European fashionistas have elevated it to an artform: negotiating insane traffic while bumping over cobblestones - and all in stilettos. (For a fun tutorial on how to look hot and rock heels when you ride, check out TheFrisky.com.) For the rest of us, the fabulous designers at Camper have come up with a more practical yet wildly stylish way to cycle chicly: a bright yellow peep-toe featuring the brand's signature durability and rubber-soled comfort that's perfect both for bike riding as well as walking around once you arrive at your destination. Available at PublicBikes.com.

- Lesley Scott

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