Scene Seen: Mandy Moore & Wilmer Valderrama

They may not be so adept at choosing partners, but at least Mandy Moore and Wilmer Valderrama have good taste in shoes.

Yesterday, H&B spotted the pair (with another unidentifiable) hanging on the couches in Jeffrey's shoe department. What does it mean? Are they back together? Are they just really good shopping buddies? Inquiring minds want to gossip.

An Allure-ing Splendicity Contest

Tuesday's Scavenger Hunt :

*Guess the designer who designed this beautiful dress pictured here. One of our member blogs is featuring this designer today as well.

*The first person to find the featured designers first and last name, along with the name of the blog that this designer is featured on today will win. The correct answer, including the full name of the designer and the member blog that they were featured on, must be left in the comments of today's Splendicity blog contest post to win.

The prize for winning today's contest is a one years subscription to Allure Magazine, and a $10 e-gift certificate to Sephora.com. The total prize has a retail value of $48.

Thank you to our wonderful company, b5media, for donating the prizes for todays contest.

Please read the contest rules before entering. Cheers pretty ladies!

Need it. Want it. Gotta Have it.

We plead guilty as charged! Flattery Operated tee by Queen of Suburbia, $23

Dramedy of Errors

Despite any chic-aspirations I may possess, it would seem the universe has entirely other plans in mind. Take yesterday. I was invited to Brunch at Tiffany's (like breakfast only not) for a press event introducing its 2008 Blue Book Collection. On a whim, moments before leaving, I decided to try one of the Go Smile whitening samples I had received a day earlier from Sephora. In what can only be a mean mean joke of the powers that be, my teeth remained the exact same shade but my gums turned this awful white giving the impression that I had large bits of chicken stuck between my teeth. In a panic, I scraped furiously at my gums - which only made the situation worse - and eventually I gave up, determined not to smile and certainly not to be photographed. Go Smile my @$$. UCH. Not haute. Just bothered.

Quote of the Day: Nicole Miller CRESTFALLEN

Oh, Fashbots!


"Backstage at Nicole Miller’s spring collection show on Wednesday night, the designer was raving over the shoes worn by models arriving in their street clothes, guessing they were the latest from Yves Saint Laurent. She was crestfallen to learn they were from Nine West, a division of the American giant Jones Apparel Group." - "The Knockoff Won’t Be Knocked Off," NYT, Sept. 9


THE HORROR! Devastating indeed.

An Emotional Ralph Wows at 40

When one of your contemporaries - in this case Donna Karan - jokes, "I'll tell you what I'm not going to do: After that, I'm not going to have a show," you know you have a hit on your hands. And Ralph Lauren's celebratory tour de force was certainly that. Staged at the Central Park Conservatory, the show was a tribute to Lauren's 40th anniversary in business (is anyone not having an anniversary this year?).

"I drew upon everything I ever loved, and that was it," said Lauren of the collection which featured his signature black and white gowns, floral frocks, equestrian prints and tailored suits. After 72 looks, Lauren stepped out to Frank Sinatra's "The Best Is Yet to Come," and a standing ovation (by Robert DeNiro, Dustin Hoffman, Michael Bloomberg, Diane Sawyer, Vera Wang, Carolina Herrera, Anna Wintour and Bruce Weber to name a few) before continuing to a black-tie after-party at the Conservatory.

Haute & Boozin'

Friday eve found H&B at the tents for a little snooping and Snoopy-ing. The absurd yet funny Met-Life sponsored Snoopy in Fashion was called for six, and the tent was packed with a less than fashionable crowd. (FYI - Fashion shows never start on time, but instead have you waiting velvet-rope style for a minimum of 30 mins only to attend a show that lasts no longer than 15 mins. Anyway, rawther than herd up, I walked around the various sponsor booths (much less exciting than previous years although Judith Ripka remains a perennial fave - who wouldn't want to be dressed in diamonds???), collecting custom Havainas, and other assorted junk. By 6:30 the crowd was reaching biblical proportions and still wasn't moving, so I made my way to the Moet Hennessy VIP suite to wait in a far more civilized fashion. Having the advantage of a seat assignment inside, I didn't need to queue, and from where I was seated I could sip bubbly and keep an eye on the line. When the line seemed to be down to its final 50 people, I got down from my perch and ducked underneath the ropes to make my way inside. Much to my shock, I was denied entree as the doors had already closed - the room had reached capacity. "But I have a seat," I implored. "Lady, I'm just security, take it up with them - it's THEIR problem." Apparently, while I was busy avoiding waiting, I missed out on getting through the door - and even worse on the gift bag which included the very haute snoopy sno cone machine. Hiss! Bothered much. Thankfully, I didn't care about the actual show and have more to cover. None-the-less, word to the wise - don't drink and take five.

Of all the times for WWD to not be up

WWD.com is apparently "unavailable for maintenance." Um, perhaps Fashion Week isn't the best time for that???

Come Spring '08, Everything Coming Up Roses

An evident runway trend has editors and buyers alike exlaiming, "say it isn't so." And that trend would be the oversized SATC fleur. It's shown up on several runways so far including:

Abaete

Alexander Herchcovitch

L.A.M.B.

Erin Featherston Runway

Why you should care: Her frocks are frilly and wearable AND she'll be designing a GO International line for Target at year's end. Check it:

Perry Ellis Runway & Interview

Vena Cava Runway Video & Interview

Derek Lam Sample Sale Online NOW!

Derek Lam bags that are selling for full-price in stores now are up to 60% off at theartofshop.com

Cheers!

L.A.M.B.'s Target Audience

Just asking: Does Gwen want to Go, as in Go International with Target? The dress below has a certain pick me subtely to it.

A Look At Marchesa

Victorian romance merged with Indian tradition and sensuality at the Chelsea Art Museum when Georgina Chapman (girlfriend of Harvey Weinstein) and Keren Craig showed their Spring '08 line. The collection included one signature unfurling flower number in their runway show yesterday, but they managed to stray from their usual array of "wear me celebs" gowns with some seriously fab cocktail frocks and a whole lot of color. "We looked at the British Raj, the fusion of Indian and Victorian England culture," said Craig. "When we decided to launch Marchesa four-and-a-half years ago, we were in India."

But if the focus was on India, the Greeks weren't totally forgotten. "That's a goddess dress," gushed Candy Pratts Price, executive fashion editor at Style.com, regarding a long, black, lace-and-tulle slipdress with embroidery, an ivory underlay and ribbon detail at the empire waist(third from top). Looks like Marchesa has found its stride.

New Day, New SPLENDICITY Contest

To enter today's contest:



*Find a post written by one of our Splendid Members, that was written today, that features the Tarte Cometics Dual Look ready-to-wear/prêt-à-porter Palette.
*Leave a comment on that post, saying that you found it. You can find our complete member blogroll, on the Splendicity.com homepage.
*Next, go to Splendicity.com, and leave a comment on today's Splendicity blog contest post saying that you found the Tarte Cometics Dual Look ready-to-wear/prêt-à-porter Palette, to be entered to win.

All readers that complete the tasks, will be entered into a drawing to win. DO NOT PUT THE NAME OF THE MEMBER BLOG IN THE COMMENTS, or you will be disqualified!

Today's prize:

Tarte Cometics Dual Look ready-to-wear/prêt-à-porter Palette, valued at $44.

This limited edition palette wrapped in faux croc (a must have fabric for Fall) provides 2 complete looks inspired by fashion week in New York and Paris, including eyeshadow, lipstick and blush. The Ready-to-Wear palette also includes the basic necessities accompanying every look: mini lights, camera, lashes mascara, all over eyeshadow brush, eyeliner brush and a mini rest assured eyeliner. All products are created using natural, good for you ingredients because healthy skin is always in fashion.

i love new york:
lipsticks: muted pink beige, muted peach-beige
blush: warm honey-peach
eyeshadows: soft-shimmery bone, shimmery olive, deep-shimmery moss

paris, mon amour:
lipsticks: warm burgundy rose, currant red
blush: rose coral
eyeshadows: soft-shimmery pink, shimmery grey-purple, shimmery deep plum

Thank you Tarte Cosmetics for sponsoring today's contest!

Be sure to check out the all new, fabulously redesigned Tarte website, featuring their all new health couture beauty products.

Going Fete-a-Fete with Jin Soon

H&B kicked off the holiday weekend in the most fabulous of manners. With two of her closest friends in town, she paid the divine nail salon Jin Soon a visit for sinfully indulgent pedicures made all the more so by the accompanimient of a delicious bottle of Ruinart Brut Rose champagne (so we drank it out of green tea mugs - that's just how we roll!).

Jin Soon herself, renown in the worlds of celebrity, fashion, beauty and magazine, was on hand and could not have been more down to earth or accomodating. Allowing us to treat the salon like our overly pristine living room, the spirit was jovial and relaxed, as if we'd all known each other forever.

The pedicures themselves were heaven-scent (pun-intended) with wonderfully aromatic essential oils and a warmed lotion massage. And as one fickle friend exclaimed, "Look how they bleach the tubs. I'm so turned on!"

All in all, I give the salon and Jin Soon herself an A++. With a variety of different pedis to choose from, it can totally be squeezed into any budget. H&B says, Go. Go, now!

In Tents: It's a BIG DAY!

10:00am: BCBG Max Azria
11:00am: Fiandaca Couture
11:30am: Dana Buchman
12:00pm: Generra; Toni Maticevski; Jolibe By Joel Diaz; Y & Kei Celeste
1:00pm: Jason Wu; Rachel Roy
2:00pm: Jackie Rogers ; Alexandre Herchcovitch; Yigal Azrourel
3:00pm: Erin Featherston
4:00pm: Rag & Bone; Rock & Republic
5:00pm: Adampluseve; Vena Cava
5:30pm: Charlotte Ronson
6:00pm: Chris Han; Marchesa
7:00pm: Nicole Miller; Sue Stemp; Gen Art: New Faces in Fashion
8:00pm: L.A.M.B.; Zang Toi Charity Fashion Show

Just gettin' warmed up

H&B *gasp* wasn't at the tents reporting live for herself yesterday (don't worry, she'll be on scene dishing on, well, the scene) later this week. Til then, enjoy WWD's Tuesday roundup:

Ellen Tracy: A trendmonger the Ellen Tracy woman is not. But after two seasons of straitlaced classics, she could use a little flair. To that end, creative director George Sharp jazzed up the house's wardrobe staples with "couture" details — beading, smocking, pintucks, sequins — on safe-yet-stylish silhouettes. The strongest looks drew on a glamorous safari theme — an ikat sheath dress and wide palazzo pants shown with piled-on accessories — while ombré A-line jackets and maxi dresses looked fresh.

Grey Ant: Grant Krajecki went fierce and feminine at Grey Ant with striped ticking details on bra tops paired with easy high-rise trousers. Salvador Trinidad: Judging from his highly polished sheaths with architectural details, you'd never guess that this was Salvador Trinidad's first showing.

Jen Kao: Rookie Jen Kao showed a terrific lineup full of suspendered pantaloons and sequined rompers, but it remains to be seen whether customers will pay such high prices for all those quirks.

Josh Goot: Save for a handful of interesting printed looks, Josh Goot's sexy, streamlined tank dresses and tops were repetitive in their metallic colorblocking.
Bradley Scott: In a conspicuous presentation among the shiny new cars at Audi's Park Avenue showroom, Bradley Scott showed a mix of girlishly frilled fare and racier patent motorcycle jackets and metallic trenches.


Mara Hoffman: Mara Hoffman and Klee Van Schoonhoven sent out a pretty, yet repetitive, lineup of Brazilian-inspired tropical print dresses and sexy beachwear.

Gilles Montezin: Montezin designed with five digits on the brain — 10021 — and his ladylike collection, perhaps a bit too polite, will take his customers from lunching afternoons to cocktail-swilling nights.

Isn't it Splendicity

H&B is part of a fab new fash and beauty community launching today. Splendicity.com, the destination for splendid style is kicking off its launch with a month's worth of contests.
The Splendicity contest for today, September 4th:

To enter to win an official Splendicity T-Shirt, a one year subscription to VOGUE Magazine, and a $25 Gift Card to shopbop.com, you must do the following:

*Visit 5 Splendid Member blogs, post a comment saying hello. You can also view the Splendicity member list right at the homepage: Splendicity.com
*Go back to Splendicity.com and report the Splendid Member blogs that you commented on in today’s Splendicity blog contest post.

All readers that complete the process are entered into the drawing to win today's prize.

Be sure to check back here each and every day for the rest of September to enter to win some splendid prizes - over $2000 worth!