Archive – Style News - StyleWatch

Nov 19 2009 02:29 PM ET

Alicia Keys Launches Jewelry Line with The Barber’s Daughters

The Barber’s Daughter; Kristin Callahan/Everett

As if her singing career doesn’t keep her busy enough, Alicia Keys is taking on jewelry design. The 12-time Grammy award-winning R&B singer is teaming up with The Barber’s Daughters designer Gisele Theriault for a collection of necklaces due out in fall 2010. Alicia first met Gisele while she was touring in Toronto through her bandmates, who happened to be buying the jewelry backstage at her show. “I fell in love with the individuality of the pieces, but more than that, the words that were written on them really resonated with the songwriter in me,” Alicia tells WWD about Gisele’s pieces, which are inscribed with poetry and prayers. “I knew at that moment, for the first time, that through a whole other medium I would be able to spread inspiration, and that’s what got me started.” Alicia’s collection of necklaces for The Barber’s Daughters will range in price from $85 to $2,500 and feature precious metals and gems inscribed with inspirational messages. And while the collection won’t be available until next year, New Yorkers will get a first look and chance to purchase her baubles next week during a two-day preview at a temporary shop at Collette Blanchard Gallery at 26 Clinton Street. Alicia’s jewelry has already gotten some celebrity love from Halle Berry, who purchased a one-of-a-kind piece for $40,000 at a charity auction! Tell us: Will you buy Alicia Keys’s jewelry?

Nov 19 2009 02:12 PM ET

Comments (6) Permalink

Beauty Queen Shanna Moakler on Turning Cosmetic Queen

Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

If you’re one of the lucky few to have been crowned Miss USA, chances are that you know a thing or two about beauty. And Shanna Moakler is making the most of her makeup know-how with a new line of organic pressed mineral makeup co-created with her personal makeup artist, Daniel McFadden. While the Smoak collection launched just this week, Shanna tells PEOPLE that her love of makeup started at a young age. “My mom is beautiful and had that ’70s kind of glamour,” she says. “My love of lip gloss comes from my mom, who always wore it — and from watching Charlie’s Angels.” Smoak does feature a rainbow of glosses, but it also encompasses everything from eyeliners and eye shadows to blushes and foundation, all based on the Miss California USA host‘s principle that makeup should be as fun as it as functional. When women come to her for beauty advice, Shanna tells them to take a carefree approach and experiment. “Don’t be afraid to try new colors,” she says. “If you see a look in a magazine that you like, try it. You know your face better than anyone. Find the tricks that work for you. When you take a little time to put makeup on, it changes your confidence level and you radiate that. It can change your whole day.” Buy the line, which ranges from $8-$39, for yourself at SmoakShop.com.–K.C. Baker

Nov 19 2009 10:00 AM ET

Comments (36) Permalink

Katharine McPhee Says Blonde is More Fun — and More Work!

Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic

“Yes,” it’s more fun to be blonde, Katharine McPhee told PEOPLE at a Calvin Klein Collection, Cinema Society and Sony Pictures Classics-hosted screening of Broken Embraces at the Crosby Street Hotel on Tuesday night. But is it more work to stay blonde? McPhee also answered with a decided, “Yes!” So how often does the singer have to visit her colorist to maintain her platinum locks? “Depending on what I have going on,” she said, “every three-and-a-half, four weeks. Right now I’m almost at the too dark roots stage. So I get to play around with hats.” The short coif is also relatively new. “Peter Savitt cuts my hair. This is the same haircut I had during Fashion Week, but it’s just been growing out and I’ve been flattening it.” But changing up her do has provided a surprising side effect — throwing off the paparazzi! McPhee revealed, “I’ve gone for a doctor’s appointment in Beverly Hills. And they say, ‘Oh, don’t go out that way. there are tons of paparazzi.’ And I say, ‘Don’t worry, they won’t recognize me.’ It’s been nice.” Vote on more star hair changes here!–Jeffrey Slonim

Hair

Nov 19 2009 07:00 AM ET

Comments (57) Permalink

EXCLUSIVE: Lauren Conrad to Author a Style Book!

Jill Johnson/JPI

She’s a successful TV star, fashion designer and fiction writer, but she hasn’t written a book on style — until now. Lauren Conrad will unveil her top style tips in Lauren Conrad Style, to be published by Harper Collins in the fall of 2010. The book will not only feature new and never-before-seen photos of the fashion icon, but the former MTV “Hills” star will show readers exactly how to interpret her classic and cool style into their lives. “I am really excited to write a style guide,” said Conrad, who designs an affordable clothing line for Kohl’s, in a release. “I think fashion should be fun and reflective of who you are. When you wear clothes you feel good in, it shows in everything you do. I know this guide will offer simple, practical tips to help anyone look fabulous.” This year, Lauren released her first book L.A. Candy, which was a #1 New York Times bestseller; her follow-up novel, Sweet Little Lies, goes on sale Feb. 2, 2010 (for more information on Sweet Little Lies and Lauren’s 10-city book tour, go to harperteen.com). Tell us: Are you excited for Lauren’s new style book?

Lauren Conrad

Nov 18 2009 03:30 PM ET

Comments (1) Permalink

Leighton Meester Gives Blair Waldorf Fashion Advice in British Glamour

Courtesy Glamour

If Leighton Meester could give just one piece of fashion advice to her Gossip Girl alter ego, Blair Waldorf, what would it be? “She could let loose a bit,” British Glamour‘s December cover girl says. “She’s always got every bow in the right spot and her headband perfectly placed. Tights to match her sweater to match her jacket to match her gloves to put on with her hat.” It sounds…exhausting. However, despite their different wardrobes, the Gossip Girl actress credits the show for her own edgy style. “This character has been an introduction to fashion,” she says. “I take my own cue and do something different. Blair’s much more classic – I like changing it up.” When it comes to her beauty regime, the actress ditches Blair’s rollers and irons for a more natural look. “I actually think I’m prettier without makeup,” she boldly states, and her favorite hairstyle is definitely headband-less. “I like it to be somewhat tousled.” Perhaps the only fashion item they do have in common is their love of gravity-defying high heels which, according to Meester, are responsible for her toned calf muscles. “It’s probably from walking in high heels — I’m not kidding!” –Monique Jessen

Nov 18 2009 02:37 PM ET

Comments (2) Permalink

Michelle Trachtenberg Partners With Coach for a New Jewelry Collection

Courtesy Coach; Dan Herrick/Zuma

First Brad and Angelina, then the Kardashians, and now Michelle Trachtenberg is stepping into the jewelry design business! The Gossip Girl troublemaker has teamed up with Coach to design a range of baubles for the brand’s fun and fresh Poppy collection. Michelle Trachtenberg for Poppy is described by Coach as embodying “refined-romantic with attitude, bringing a punky look to a lush mix of materials and inspirations.” Michelle says, “Getting the opportunity to design jewelry for Coach’s Poppy collection was too exciting to pass up. The collections are perfect representations of my whimsical attitude towards fashion and have that great mix of girly and edgy that I love.” While Michelle Trachtenberg for Poppy is slated to launch for Spring 2010, a small preview collection of bee motif pieces in emerald greens and cobalt blues will be available on December 1 at Coach.com and in Coach stores. Michelle’s holiday preview collection will range in price from $78 – $128 and will include a bracelet, necklace, ring and earrings while the spring collection includes five more pieces retailing from $128 – $328. Tell us: Will you buy Michelle Trachtenberg for Poppy?

Nov 18 2009 01:00 PM ET

Comments (12) Permalink

Love Katy Perry’s Soccer-Themed Lingerie? Buy a Set for Yourself!

Kevin Mazur/WireImage

Well, her boyfriend Russell Brand loved them. Now, lusty fans can have some too. Katy Perry’s soccer-themed lingerie, that is! Brand’s favorite soccer club, West Ham United, provided three shirts for 25-year-old Perry’s stylists to fashion into skimpy stagewear for her turn hosting the MTV Europe Music Awards earlier this month. And after the pictures raised eyebrows for her boyfriend, as well as admirers around the world, the club in East London has decided to make a limited number themselves. Initially, 50 sets priced at around $480 each will be made on a pre-order basis only. (If placed before November 20, they will be ready for Christmas and they are ordered before the end of next month, they will be perfectly timed for a Valentine’s Day surprise, the club says.) Perry’s get-up was the brainchild of freelance celebrity stylist and costume designer Siobhan Dillon. She told the West Ham United website Wednesday, “I thought it would be cool to try and make the shirt as football-oriented as possible. “So, I used the collars along the top of the brassiere and used the two badges on the front. I had a team of three girls working with me on the outfit. It was made entirely from the three shirts, but we had to take the Airtex out and replace it with some lining.” Contact West Ham United for your own set here. — Simon Perry