Archive – Style News - StyleWatch

Dec 18 2009 05:00 PM ET

Whitney Port Dishes on N.Y.C. Style, Her Line and the ‘Hills’ Competition

Frazer Harrison/Getty

After the successful Bryant Park debut of her fashion label Whitney Eve in September, The City star Whitney Port is busy delivering the Spring collection to retailers, but still found time to chat with WWD about the challenges she faces as a young designer. “Obviously, it’s scary,” she said. “I think it’s really hard to break out right now since the fashion industry is struggling. I mean, people don’t want to spend their money on clothes right now–it’s a luxury … I think my biggest competition is myself.” The 24 year-old is quick to distinguish herself from her former MTV castmates: “I put myself in a different sort of realm as them,” referring to Hills star Heidi Montag, whose line, Heidiwood, closed just months after its debut, and Lauren Conrad, who designs for Kohl’s after her high-priced line was also unsuccessful. The ambitious New York transplant, who says her new hometown is “a lot more sophisticated and a lot more forward-thinking” than L.A., is even toying with venturing into accessories: “I would love to but I don’t know how talented I’d be at it,” she said. “But eventually, I think that would be a cool option.” Tell us: Are you excited to see comes next at Whitney Eve? -Kristin Larson

Dec 18 2009 02:00 PM ET

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Julianne Hough Wants You to Dance the Pounds Away!

With holiday treats tempting you at every turn, it may seem hopeless to keep the calories at bay — but Julianne Hough wants to help! The Dancing with the Stars pro and country singer has released her first workout DVD, called Dance with Julianne: Cardio Ballroom. And the adorable star stopped by the PEOPLETV studios to tell us all about the workout routine, her cheat foods and her holiday plans. Pick up a copy of the DVD for yourself (or as a last minute gift for a pal) at amazon.com, $11.

SEE ALL THE STARS ON PEOPLETV!

Fitness

Dec 18 2009 12:35 PM ET

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Audrina Patridge, Demi Lovato and More Design Charity T-shirts for Forever 21

Courtesy Forever 21; Abaca; INF

Stars like Audrina Patridge, Demi Lovato, Paris Hilton, Corbin Bleu and more are joining forces with Forever 21 to get charitable this holiday season. The celebrities have partnered with the retailer to create a line of charity T-shirts and tank tops to benefit Starlight Children’s Foundation, an organization that helps educate, entertain and inspire seriously ill children. Starlight spokesperson Corbin Bleu says, “I am excited to be designing a T-shirt on behalf of Starlight and Forever 21. As a Starlight ambassador I have been inspired by the children and families I have had the privilege of meeting along the way, and by the strength they’ve shown in the hardest of times. I encourage everyone to get involved with Starlight and help lift the spirits of these brave children.” And with T-shirts and tanks retailing for $13 and 100% off the proceeds benefiting the charity, everyone can help. The star-designed T-shirts will hit Forever 21 stores and forever21.com tomorrow Saturday, December 20 — just in time for the holidays! –Andrea Desimone

Dec 18 2009 10:59 AM ET

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Beyoncé Launches Her First Fragrance: Beyoncé Heat

Courtesy of Coty

Beyoncé‘s first fragrance, Beyoncé Heat, doesn’t arrive in stores until February, but the singer says her fans already love it — and she loves it, too! “I’m so happy with it,” the singer tells WWD. “I’ve been working on it for a while now. I was on tour for a year, and I have meet-and-greets with fans. I’ve never in my life gotten so many compliments. Coty has their own testing, but that was my testing! The fans loved it. They were like, ‘I love that, I’m getting that, why isn’t it out right now? I need it!” The singer took inspiration for the fragrance’s name from previous tours, explaining, “A lot of my performances have had fire involved, so we thought ‘Heat.’ Also, red is one of my favorite colors, as is gold.” The singer looked to the past for the bottle’s design. “I wanted something with an antique yet modern feeling,” she said. “Even with my wardrobe, I always try to find things that have a little bit of something vintage, yet still timeless and classic.” Beyoncé, who has been the face of Tommy Hilfiger’s True Star and Giorgio Armani’s Emporio Diamonds fragrances, said it was the first time she started from scratch on a project. “Everything, from the bottle design to the name and the ideas for the commercials–that’s me. When I commit to something, I do it 100 percent,” she said. Beyoncé Heat, with top notes of red vanilla orchid, magnolia, neroli and blush peach, will include eaux de parfum in three sizes, as well as a sparkling body lotion, priced between $39-$59. Look for it in department and specialty stores, like Macy’s. Read more about Beyoncé at WWD.com. Tell us: Will you buy Beyoncé’s first scent? –Kristin Larson

courtesy of Coty

Dec 18 2009 10:00 AM ET

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Christina Ricci Takes the Lead in a New Fashion Flick for Donna Karan

Courtesy Donna Karan

If you ever questioned Christina Ricci’s versatility as an actress, her latest role knocks away the doubts as she stars as four characters in a just-released short film for Donna Karan. Created to highlight the fashion brand’s new Eldridge bag, which is equipped with modular straps and buttons so it can be carried four different ways, the film was shot on location at New York City’s Soho Grand Hotel, and is directed by 24 year-old newcomer Jake Sumner (who also happens to be son of Sting and Trudie Styler). “I have been a long term devotee of Donna Karan. This was the perfect opportunity for me to work with a wonderful new director, wear amazing pieces, be in New York, and make a cool film. It was really fun,” says Ricci, who is shown primping, dancing, and lounging in a hotel suite in a myriad of flirty cocktail dresses, spiky heels—and at one point, nothing but a skimpy black bra and panties. The company’s DKNY label is also getting in on the video action, with a short featuring the line’s Cozy wrap sweater in rainbow colors worn by an army of models parading all over the city, which you can see below. Tell us: What do you think of Christina’s new film for Donna Karan?–Emily Hsieh

EXCLUSIVE: Charlize Theron Designs Shoes with TOMS for Charity

Courtesy TOMS shoes; Carlos Diaz/INF

Charlize Theron is putting in some serious footwork to help kids in her native South Africa. Today she debuts a new, limited-edition collaboration with do-gooding company TOMS Shoes. The result, slip-on sneakers made for men and women embellished with an image of an African baobab tree, will benefit the star’s non-profit, the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project, dedicated to improving the health, education, and social development of high schoolers in South Africa. Additionally, 10,000 pairs will be given to impoverished children living in remote communities in her home country. “I’m thrilled to have TOMS Shoes as a partner. We are so grateful for their generous donation of shoes to the students we work with,” Theron says, “It’s exciting that we’re able to come together in such a cool and creative way to bring attention to the needs of many South African youth.” This month, the actress traveled abroad to start distributing the footwear herself in the far-flung KwaZulu-Natal Province. The eco-friendly canvas shoes ring in at $54 and are available exclusively at TOMSshoes.com. –Emily Hsieh

Dec 17 2009 01:50 PM ET

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Christian Siriano on His Fierce Maternity Collection and Dream Client

Janet Mayer/PR Photos

Project Runway season 4 winner Christian Siriano is back with a new maternity collection, and it’s his fiercest yet. Siriano’s Spring 2010 Fierce Mamas line, his third for the Moody Mamas brand, features playful party frocks, feminine details, eye-catching patterns, and ultra-wearable jersey Ts and dresses. “It’s about making it really, really wearable, accessible and still really comfortable,” says the designer, who also has his own namesake ready-to-wear label and a shoe line for Payless. His must-haves for great pregnancy style? “A great T-shirt and a signature party dress,” Siriano tells PEOPLE. “When you’re pregnant you still do the same things that you would normally do — go to events, baby showers and weddings. Not every brand does sweet, fun party dresses like this.” While his celeb fans already include new moms Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, Heidi Klum and Jessica Alba, Siriano says he hopes to some day design for his dream client: “Drew Barrymore, because she’s so chic and fun and so interesting fashion-wise.” Fierce Mamas for Moody Mamas by Christian Siriano ranges from $50 to $250 and will be available this spring at moodymamas.com. Check out Christian’s entire Q&A at celebrity-babies.com. –Nina Tyler