Kara Laricks, NBC’s Fashion Star Winner

Photo via: AfterEllen

via racked.com:

Tonight’s grand finale was a showdown between Kara Laricks, Ronnie Escalante, and Nzimiro Oputa. Each designer was asked to create a full capsule for each retailer: H&M, Saks, and Macy’s. And the Season 1 Fashion Star winner is: Kara Laricks!

For her Saks runway collection, Laricks showed a cream jacket with tan leather piecing, a bib-front evening gown with ribbon detail, and spants. The final Saks capsule includes all those pieces, plus an LBD and a cream shift, retailing for between $150 and $425. Click over here to shop it.

For H&M, Laricks chose a oversized geometric print to send down the runway on a tiered maxi dress and a pair of blood orange shorts and a tan suit. The geometric print was created fairly faithfully for the final collection, which includes a full-length black evening gown, several blouses, and an handful of dresses. It’s running from $14.95 to $49.95 and you can shop it right here.

And for Macy’s, Kara showed a shorts-blouse combo, a varied hemline dress in black, and a suit. The collection was produced with a romper and jumpsuit added in, a graphic t-shirt, and slightly watered down prints. Prices for everything stayed under $100 (the cheapest piece is the T-shirt for $29.99, the most expensive is the blazer for $99). Shop it right over here.”

I would do just about anything to get my grubby paws well-manicured hands on THIS:

Front

Dramatic back-view of The Tailcoat Jacket by Kara Laricks – $395 – Exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue

EXCLUSIVELY AT SAKS. A striking cut-away tailcoat defines this fitted jacket, cinched at the back by a vibrant satin sash.

Satin lapels; Three-quarter sleeves; Button front; Princess seams; Mock flap pockets

Back sash is detachable

About 42″ from shoulder to hem

Cotton

Dry clean

Imported

Model shown is 5’10″ (177cm) wearing US size 4.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Former fourth-grade schoolteacher Kara Laricks always told her students to be true to themselves. Finally, she took her own advice and pursued a career in fashion. Today she designs androgynous clothing for men and women, inspired by her love of menswear and an avant-garde Japanese design aesthetic. Best known for her hoodie scarves and collar-and-ties, Laricks puts a new spin on traditional women’s fashion.

In all honesty, Kara Laricks’ pieces SPOKE to me.  I absolutely adore her aesthetic sensibility and complete understanding of how women like to mix up our wardrobe with feminine and masculine elements.

BRAVA!!

Louboutin told WWD: just like stilettos, “beauty products also have to do with empowering women.”

Monsieur Louboutin is quite busy as he just announced his collaboration with Disney to re-create Cinderella’s “glass slipper”. Expect to see Christian Louboutin Beauté out next year!

Kristen Stewart wore a gorgeous Marchesa gown to the ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ premiere. The dress should have won me over to her…quirky…fashion sense. It would have been stunning on someone who didn’t seem to resent the fact she wasn’t allowed to chew gum, wear a dirty pair of Converse and was forced to shower. Contrarily, her co-star, Charlize Theron, wore a similar Dior garb.

Sometimes the success of the dress depends on your attitude. This is a prime example of owning a look. I could have gotten behind Kristen if she behaved herself on the carpet. Just an FYI – she is in a movie in which she is supposed to be a beauty threat to Charlize Theron so it makes no sense to sell it by dressing Charlize up like a super model while Stewart runs around flipping people off.

I am not a fan of the granny panty peek-a-boo look, so both dresses get a miss for me.

Individual Polishes – $8

The collection boast 4 bright tropical colors, a la starburst candies! These are perfect for creating our favorite neon manicure designs. Summer nails never looked so good!

MARC BY MARC JACOBS Colorblock Halter Bikini Top – $89 (each piece) -Nordstrom

A halter bikini top is gathered and shaped by a contrasting knotted bow at the center and is finished with contrasting straps that wrap behind the neck and back.

Ties behind neck and buttons behind back.

Removable padding.

Not for use in hot tubs.

Nylon/spandex; hand wash.

By MARC BY MARC JACOBS; imported.

Women’s Active & Swim.

******

A flouncy, contrasting peplum ruffle hugs the hips and back of hipster bikini bottoms that offer full back coverage.

Not for use in hot tubs.

Nylon/spandex; hand wash.

By MARC BY MARC JACOBS; made in the USA.

Women’s Active & Swim.

Of course there are advantages to being able to buy bikini tops and bottoms separately, but at $89 for each piece?  Pricey.  But…and this is a big butt but…we all know how vital a good fit is–top and bottom, and sometimes we just have to dive in for the perfect fit, don’t we?

Kristen Stewart amplified her look in a chic and edgy Pre-Fall 2012 BCBGMAXAZRIA Runway jacket, while promoting her highly-anticipated film Snow White and the Huntsmen in the UK.

For more information, please click on the link: BCBGMAXAZRIA

Hit or Miss?

• Stiletto Jungle explains five common self-tanning mistakes and how to avoid them.

• Allie is Wired has a look at Terry Richardson’s pictures from the opening night of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Ball Tour.

• What does Mom want? A bag of course! But not just any bag will do for Mom, which is why BagSnob is giving away the JET SET tote bag from Michael Kors!

• When it comes to drugstore mascara, L’Oréal has always been BeautySnob‘s favorite, but does the L’Oréal Paris Double Extend Eye Illuminator Mascara keep the eyes on the prize?

• Coquette’s still in the mood for white and chooses her favorite white heels and sandals for spring and summer.

• Talking hair: More fromThe Jet Set Girls interview with Zooey Deschanel!

• Second City Style wonders If Your Ex-Boyfriend Was A Pair Of Shoes… because nothing captures a lady’s heart more quickly than truly fabulous footwear.

• Shopping and Info loves the David Yurman gold cuffs and bracelets for an arm party this summer.

• The Beauty Stop explains how to score beauty discounts and freebies via Facebook.

Katy Perry’s “Goth” Look

I actually really love the dress–and for the life of me, I cannot find anything about who designed the gown.  (That really irritates me, too.)  I do see that she’s wearing Louboutins and is wearing a necklace resembling a rosary.  So?  Katy has had purple hair for ages, donned cupcakes and whipped cream boobs in photos and videos, and people are wigging out over this?  (Spoken as a former goth-wannabe…)

I’m going to come right out and say HIT!!  I love this look on Katy.  So there.

This cult favorite provides catwalk-length lashes that are oh-la-la! I love when Sephora does deluxe samples, especially of mascara, because it’s a great way to try new products. You never know, this could be THE mascara.  Use code: DIORLASH at check out!

The B.Zero1 Marble Ring Collection by Bvlgari – $1150

B.Zero1

B.Zero1, the must-have Bulgari jewelry line, contains all the key elements of BVLGARI style: the central spiral, a reinterpretation of Tubogas jewels, and two lateral rims with the double logo engraved. B.zero1 is informal and elegant at the same time. Spirals, with their movement, give the objects a peculiarity that makes them unique.

I love a ring with weight and makes a statement.  I do wish black marble had been offered in the collection…but I’d certainly be happy with any one of these colorful rings.

Oh, boys??  There I go, living in a dream world again.

]]> http://thebeautystop.com/mothers-day-gift-opulence-bvlgari-b-zero1-marble-and-gold-ring/feed/ 0 http://thebeautystop.com/must-have-for-spring-printed-denim/ http://thebeautystop.com/must-have-for-spring-printed-denim/#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 14:34:30 +0000 Janelle http://thebeautystop.com/?p=22260

Disclaimer: This post is a sponsored post for which The Beauty Stop received compensation.

Just as promised, I’m letting you in on who you can save tons of cash by using Facebook!

‘The Social Network’ has shown us that Facebook is a massive success and a worldwide connection. That connection translates to a very useful tool that has made the internet age even easier to communicate on a spectrum that made Mark Zuckerberg a very, very wealthy man.

What started out as a way to connect friends, family, co-workers and alumni has broadened. Companies are using the addictive network to reach customers in a new medium. This is where it benefits you. Brands are utilizing the word-of-mouth appeal to stir interest and awareness. Coupons, offers and even freebies are all on Facebook. All you have to do is find them.

Most companies will ask you to “like” them or simply share a comment about their product in exchange for savings. You can get everything from free cans of paint to free cereal. For example, right now you can score a FREE sample of the new Garnier Sleek & Shine Fortifying Shampoo & Conditioner. All you have to do is hit the company’s Facebook page. Those samples usually come with coupons to entice you into buying the product which, they hope, will create a loyal and returning customer.

You can also score my favorite and most overlooked beauty product for free right now. Vitamins! Simply “like” Sundown Naturals on Facebook for a FREE Fish Oil Sample Packet. Vitamins are so underrated when it comes to beauty secrets. FYI – fish oil contains the OMG3 EPA, which is good for skin. It can repair sun damage, keep your skin healthy less dry in the winter, help with acne, protecting against premature aging and help improve hair’s shine and luster! *Check with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.*

Many other brands and products are available through Facebook. Try looking for your favorites in the Facebook search bar and see what you can find!

Click HERE to see last week’s secret: Stacking and Stocking!