Chic Moroccan Djellabas...May the Fashion Force Be With You

Traditionally worn in Morocco by men - and more recently adopted in the mid-1950s by local women - this long, hooded North African kaftan was even thought to have inspired the Jedi and Jawa robes of Star Wars.  On the streets of Rabat, where they pass by in a sea of striped, printed, and colored linen & silk, it's hard not to look at these chic, hooded figures and figure that the Force is indeed with them.  GlobalPost.com recently shot this fun video of the stylish Moroccan locals rocking their robes:

Happy 4th of July!

Live. Love. Laugh. Dream. Create. Celebrate. It's Independence Day and the Front Porch is calling at Alabama Chanin.  This handmade American flag was quilted by their talented local artisans living in and around Florence, Alabama and showcases the positive side of US craftsmanship: high quality, organic & recycled materials, and grown-to-sewn locally...from farmer to fiber to artisan to home. 

- Lesley Scott

An Exclusive Clip of Coco Before Chanel

Finally - a sneak peek at "Coco Before Chanel" in English!

Based loosely on the book by Edmonde Charles-Roux "L'Irreguliere: Ou, Mon Itineraire Chanel" with a screenplay co-written by Christopher Hampton (Dangerous Liasons), the movie focuses on her early stint as a cabaret singer and her lovers who helped her break into fashion.  Translation: a fashionable helping of juicy tidbits on Miss Gabrielle.

And casting the fabulous Audrey Tautou as Mademoiselle...genius!

- Lesley Scott

Green Fashion That's Not Wack

Slacker environmentalist Josh Dorfman goes beyond earth tones and shapeless hemp with a celebrity stylist in an attempt to unearth some eco-chic fashion that exceeds the criteria: if it's wack, it has to go back.  To check out the promo, CLICK HERE.

See if they end up dressing in corn...or actual fashion on The Lazy Environmentalist, Tuesday, June 23 at 9 pm on the Sundance Channel.

- Lesley Scott

Ari Tabei Chosen as Inaugural Sprout Emerging Artist 2009

Wrapped protectively in an array of organic materials - including bags, garments, newspapers, and even eggshells - the Brooklyn-based artist evokes memories and traditions of her native Tokyo, Japan.  A prestigious panel of judges from the Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and CITY magazine's Fashion Director, Julie Ragolia recently chose Tabei's work from hundreds of submissions in Sprout's first-ever emerging artist competition.  Digital prints of her work are on sale through SproutArt.org/Gallery and RebeccaAndDrew.com. (via CITY)

- Lesley Scott

Refreshing, Fashion Designer Cocktails for Summer

NYC's trendy downtown speakeasy Death & Co. recently challenged some of fashion's most stylish designers to take a tipsy trip down memory lane and reinvent beloved cocktails of the past, using HINT Essence Water as a tasty, no-calorie mixer.  Tory Burch revisited the Beach Blanket Bingo era with her Tory Tiki Tini, while Marc Jacobs retooled the iconic 20s Mint Julip into a modern Mint Martini.  The winners of the Mixology Cocktail Contest - including a fruity 90s-inspired Raspberry Rum by Ralph Lauren and colorful Pucci Punch - will be available from July 1 - September 15 as part of the Death & Co. summer menu.

- Lesley Scott

Alanis Morissette's Premium Reco Chic, Recycled Denim

Morissette and Woody Harrelson are both investors & spokespeople for Reco Jeans, a premiere line of super-soft denim made with the highest percentage of recycled denim fibers in the industry (much so-called "recycled" denim actually has only 1-3% recycled fibers) and produced with almost 60% less factory waste.  However, it's the hip cuts and savvy styles that are winning friends and influencing people.  Available starting mid July; first pre-orders start on June 21st and come with extra goodies, such as the signature reco denim iPod case. Available at RecoJeans.com.

- Lesley Scott

Star in a Short Film & Meet Candace Bushnell, Just for Being Fabulous

Perhaps you started a thriving business based on a personal passion, or you're everyone's go-to gal for advice on everything from what to do to what to wear. Perhaps you dedicate your time and energy to a cause, or use art as a means of creative expression.  The enter the Maybelline New York and MORE Magazine contest celebrating America's Most Colorful Women. If your tale of how you exude confidence, optimism, and personality while balancing a variety of roles with grace, flair & style is beguiling enough, you could be one of 3 lucky Grand Prize winners.  Loot includes a fabulous, all-expenses paid trip with a guest to NYC, starring in a Maybelline New York short film plus a makeover, the chance to meet Candace Bushnell at her new Webisode Premiere Party, along with appearing in a behind-the-scenes webisode.  Contest ends June 30, so hurry and enter at Maybelline.com/ColorfulLife.com.

- Lesley Scott

One Stop Shopping for Luxe Fashion'y Gifts Online

What do you get that discerning fashionista friend who has everything...including extremely picky taste? Faced with just this dilemma on a regular basis, the stylish and enterprising Princess Kasia Al Thani decided to found her own luxury gifting emporium and bring together everything fabulous in one place.  "We've spent months finding the best quality products and most exciting brands, designers and craftsmen," she explains about Savoir-Faire.com, a sort of Net-a-Porter.com but for gifts. "We offer something totally unique: a simple service to send beautiful and memorable gifts that anyone will treasure."  Look for Gaia Repossi jewelry, celeb-fave Kotur bags, Maire Daage porcelain painted like fine art, adorable kids threads by fellow princess Marie Chantal of Greece, fab gifts for your fave fashionisto such as Ghiso's poker set containing crafted wood chips in a calfskin-lined ebony box, and the upcoming fragrance launch of Oud from Kilian Hennessey, the grandson of the founder of LVMH. 

Give good gift at Savoir-Faire.com.

- Lesley Scott

The Summer "It" Accessory: an Everything-Proof iPod Speaker Case

Hanging out by the beach/lake/pool sans tune-age is no fun, but neither is accidentally drowning your hapless iPod. 

Instead, pack this clever water-/spill-/shatter-proof "Ego Ice" iPod Sound Case which also floats!  Fits the iPod Classic, iPod Photo, iPod Video & all iPod Nanos. Available at Otterbox.com.

- Lesley Scott