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She’s got legs! And she knows how to show them. You wouldn’t guess from Mischa Barton’s teensy miniskirt at a Manhattan bash for Charlotte Ronson’s I “Heart” Ronson JCPenney collection on Thursday night that she had been struggling with body issues recently. “The skirt is from Topshop and the shoes are (Alexander) McQueen,” Barton told PEOPLE at the Chelsea Piers fete. After a stint in a psychiatric ward last month, the 23-year-old former O.C. star has been focusing on getting in shape and filming her new CW show The Beautiful Life. “Filming is going great. It’s really good,” Barton told PEOPLE while mingling alongside stars like Hilary Duff and Sophia Bush. But the actress came out to support pal and fellow designer, Charlotte Ronson. “She’s such a talented girl — and a friend,” Barton smiled. And what can less-famous buyers expect of Ronson’s JCPenney fall line? Lower price points than her original eponymous label, for one. (Items range “from $14 to, maybe, up to $80 or $90 for a coat,” Ronson said.) But look forward to the same, I’m-chic-and-sexy-without-trying-too-hard vibe, with lots of plaid, layering, and toned-down color. “It’s not so much about glitz and stuff. It’s about wearing the clothes again and again,” she told reporters before the party. “We’re recession-friendly, in a sense, because the more you wear it, the better it looks.” Check out the I Heart Ronson line at JCPenney.com. –Laura Hahn

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We love when warm weather arrives so we can whip out the bright colors and experiment with our clothes, accessories and even our makeup! There are tons of options, but lately we’ve been loving hot pink polish on our toes and a bright yellow statement necklace to go with an otherwise subdued outfit. It’s the perfect segue into summer. Mischa Barton must’ve been thinking the same thing with her head-to-toe color including matching neon yellow jacket, tassel scarf and shoes. The bold look works for the former O.C. star, but we don’t know if we could pull it off ourselves. The editors at StyleWatch want to know if you’d give this hue a try. Tell us: Would you wear electric yellow head-to-toe? — Archana Ram

Courtesy of Stacey Lapidus

Style icon Mischa Barton might be known for seamlessly shifting from retro-cool street style and red carpet elegance, but regardless of where she’s headed, Mischa tells PEOPLE.com, “Accessorizing is oddly my favorite part of dressing up.” It comes as no surprise then that the actress has been having fun developing her headband collection with designer Stacey Lapidus. Mischa says that she found inspiration for the hair accessories, which range from $50 to $200, in her jet set lifestyle. “I’ve been working in the likes of India, Milan, Paris, London, Montreal, L.A, and NYC,” she explains. “My style has been somewhat boho chic, which I think is a result of having traveled so extensively throughout the course of the past year.” And she’s about to get even busier! In addition to her headband line and a collection of handbags, Barton is waiting to hear whether her pilot for the CW, A Beautiful Life, will get picked up for a series this fall. “It was a blast to film and though I’ve only seen bits and pieces [of it], I’m proud of the show and hopeful that I’ll get to shoot some more,” she says. “Since I have an obvious passion for fashion, it was also incredible for me to be offered a role that’s immersed in the industry.” Check out Mischa’s collection, available now at staceylapidus.com. – Lisa Ingrassia

Flynet

Sparking an all-out fashion frenzy, stylish stars turned out in London last night to help designer Matthew Williamson celebrate his collaboration with H&M. The British designer, who kept pal Sienna Miller close by his side, told PEOPLE just how nervous he had been while heading to the launch of his capsule collection with the cheap-chic retailer: “In the car on the way I said to Sienna, do the heart test, feel my heart, and she did. It was pounding!” But it turns out Williamson had nothing to worry about. As VIPs like Mischa Barton and Pixie Geldof grabbed his signature vivid color pieces off the rails of the Regent Street store, he looked on with disbelief. “I was so nervous that no one was going to be here. I’m watching the rails being emptied, literally, it’s freaking me out — in a good way!” For her part, Mischa seemed to agree, congratulating the designer with a huge hug as she arrived in one of his new designs — a studded leather waistcoat and blue tulip skirt. “This is amazing,” she said pointing to a cropped leather jacket, while Sienna Miller, having completed her mission of support, sipped champagne quietly with a few friends. You can finally nab some of Williamson’s must-have looks for yourself. His collection, which ranges from $25 to $349, launchs today in H&M stores. –Reporting by Monique Jessen

Richard Young/Startraks

No one could every accuse Mischa Barton of having a fear of fashion, and in her video blog, the fashion muse does a little on-camera musing of her own, contemplating what style means to her and reflecting on the influences that led to her unique look. “I think that personal sense of style is all about being individual,” she says, “and wearing whatever makes you feel comfortable — as quirky or as normal and safe as you want to be.” How would she describe her own look? “It’s just kind of eclectic and all over the place,” she says. And although the jet setter counts her travels as a major influence, ultimately, it’s all about the rock ‘n’ roll: “I think my favorite fashion icons have always been women of the ’70s – real rock & roll chicks like Anita Pallenberg and Marianne Faithfull.” The actress finds it a little more difficult to get inspired by today’s stars, however. “I like quirkiness in people,” she explains. “And I like people who just dress like what suits them and their personality.” Her choice for a modern fashion tastemaker? Fellow actress Zooey Deschanel, she says, “has awesome style.” Click here to see Mischa’s video blog. Then tell us: Which Hollywood star do you think has the best style?

PA Photos /Landov

Mischa Barton is all about the accessories right now, whether it’s those strutting down the catwalk at the Temperley London spring/summer show or her own ever expanding accessory line. At her friend Alice Temperley’s catwalk show in London on Monday, the actress revealed what prompted her to add to her eponymous line of handbags with a hair accessory line: “I’m in between films right now. When I have free time, I have to do something creative,” she told PEOPLE. “So I’ve been designing a headband line with Stacey Lapidus — it’s really fun.” Temperley who showed a collection of feminine draped dresses mixed with edgier studded waistcoats, belts and towering heels certainly has a fan in Barton who gushed about, of course… the “amazing” accessories. “I love the way she puts things together. And if there was one look to covet? “I’m all into the studded belts and the shoes and vests.”

Richard Young/Startraks

Mischa Barton’s known for showing off every possible permutation of designer headgear — from dazzling barrettes to that ubiquitious hippie headband. And now, WWD reports, the former O.C. star has inked a deal for a signature line of hair accessories. Barton is partnering up with designer Stacey Lapidus to create a luxe range of bejeweled and feather-adorned accessories that will range in price from $40 to $200. Moving from her purse line into accessory design was a natural choice for the style-loving star, who says, “Accessories are fun and they’re easy to wear. I’ve always loved headbands and have worn Stacey’s headbands for a while.” Tell us: What do you think of Barton’s newest enterprise?

Alpha /Landov; courtesy Asos.com

The latest celebrity to try her hand in fashion design is Mischa Barton. The former O.C. star brings her signature quirky hippie style to a line of handbags designed exclusively for online retailer ASOS.com. The fourteen bag collection offers a variety of vintage-inspired styles from clutches to totes, with prices ranging from $43 for a clutch to $323 for a leather satchel. The bags even have their own signature emblem! Check out all Mischa’s bags at asos.com. We can definitely see the vintage-loving star wearing her own designs, but would you? Tell us: Would you buy one of Mischa’s bags?

Jemal Countess/WireImage

Despite the N.Y.C heat and thunderstorms, the city’s most fashionable and famous came out to help Saks Fifth Avenue support charity: water which is a non-profit organization that builds freshwater wells in developing nations. Supermodel Jessica Stam, Mischa Barton, soap star Leven Rambin, Nigel Sylvester, designers Diane von Furstenberg, Ashleigh Verrier and 800 others packed into the department store’s 10th floor for food, drinks and entertainment to raise money for the cause. Founder of charity: water Scott Harrison was on hand to rally the crowd to help the cause in a big way. Freshwater wells, which can provide clean water to 400 people for 20 years, were being sold auction style for $5,000 a shot. Those who couldn’t attend — or can’t shell out $5,000 — can help in a small way by purchasing a charity: water bracelet, $5, exclusively at saks.com. With just one bracelet you can provide clean water to one person for five years.

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty

Mischa Barton, in a glorious one-sleeved ivory blouse and ruffled black skirt — Chanel, no less — accepted the InStyle Germany VIPer award from legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld on last week in Berlin. The high lord of fashion gushed over the former OC star, saying: “So many girls want to look like Mischa Barton. She is a fashion role model for an entire generation. I am so happy to be able to present her with the VIPer Award.” Barton, in town with her mother, gushed right back, reports Bunte. “For so long I’ve wished that I would receive an award from Karl. Today my dream came true.” The VIPer Award, says Patricia Riekel, editorial director of InStyle, “was inspired by the VIPer Room in Hollywood. This club, which Johnny Depp founded, is the top address for all stylish and famous personalities.”

Photo Credit

Mischa Barton is one of those stars who always seems to be changing up her look, whether it’s her wacky fashion sense or her ever-evolving hair. We just saw the actress in N.Y.C. with dark red hair curled into a retro ‘do — but only days later, she turned up in Ireland with bright blond curls! We love the lighter locks on Mischa, but we want to know what you think! Tell us: Do you love Mischa’s new blonde ‘do? Or do you hate it and prefer her as a brunette?

BAUER-GRIFFIN

Mischa Barton went for a decidedly grown-up look for a N.Y.C. Keds event. Her makeup artist, Nick Barose, describes it as a modern take on a 50’s pin-up, starting with matte but luminous skin. Then he brushed on a shimmery warm Dior Blush in Peachy Keen, $34, using the matte shade on the apples of her cheeks and dusting the shimmery shade to the tops of her cheekbones. He added a little sparkle to the eyes with Clarins Soft Cream Eye Colour in 01, $18 to her lids, brow bones and inner corners of the eyes. Then added a coat of Clarins Wonder Length Mascara in Black, $22, to her lashes, adding an extra coat to just the tips. To elongate her eyes, he lined her upper lashline with Dior Liquid Eye Liner in Black, $30. And for the truly retro touch, he created an intense, opaque mouth by using a lip brush to apply Clarins Rouge Appeal in Scarlet, $22. Barose really made the color pop by dabbing a light reflective concealer around the edges of her mouth.

Rob Loud/Getty

Though Ashlee Simpson caused quite a stir at Wednesday’s BCBG show, nothing could have prepared us for yesterday’s Miss Sixty show. Just as we were getting settled, Maggie Gyllenhaal descended the stairs and sat directly in front of us! The actress and newlingere model, clad in sexy high-waisted trousers, had to put her gold wire aviators on to shield herself from blinding camera flashes. But total chaos broke out when a jeans-clad Hilary Swank entered — being led by Demi Moore! Hilary greeted Maggie with a kiss while gorgeous Clive Owen slipped into his seat next to Demi. With everyone going so crazy over that fab foursome, Mischa Barton’s entrance was hardly noticed. When the show finally started it was hard to tear our eyes away from the front row, but the Italian design house’s bold all-over logo prints, electric colors like yellow, mauve and steel blue, patent bags, wide brimmed hats and super short-shorts inspired by Andy Warhol’s pop art kept the audience wrapt. When the lights came up, Demi, Hilary and Maggie were gone in a flash, to the safe haven of backstage!

Jeff Vespa/WireImage; inf; Roger Wong/INF

Vests made a comeback last fall — and from menswear-inspired to open cropped styles, we thought we’d seen them all. But then some fashion-forward stars have come up with a new twist on the wardrobe staple — cropped, multi-colored vests. From Mischa Barton’s all-sequined number to Jessica Simpson’s bright macrame version to Sienna Miller’s metallic patchwork, the trend seems to be taking hold of some pretty stylish women! Besides the cropped length — which is tough for most women to pull off — there is something about these that seems more costume-y than retro-cool. But maybe that’s just us! Tell us: Would you wear these multi-colored vests? Is this a trend you want to try?

Anthony Dixon/Wenn

The California friends took their fashionable lunches to the east coast. Catching up in New York City the starlets made quite a spectacle in their summer dresses and designer bags. We have the scoop on how to get their outfits and the look for a whole lot less!

Get Mischa’s Look!
See by Chloe color block dress, $505, neimanmarcus.com. Try an American Apparel color block dress, $32, americanapparel.net for a more affordable option.

Miu Miu nude and nutmeg multi-colored patent flat, $395, at select Barney’s stores and for an immediate purchase get these “Tuti” multi flats, on sale $20, at ninewest.com

Chanel ‘CC’ Punk Handbag, $4,750, from Spring Summer 2006-07 Collection and no longer available at Chanel stores, but you can nab other celeb favorite and Chanel look-a-like, Moe Camy bag, $165, at couturecandy.com.

Get Nicole’s Look!
Mason by Michelle Mason Richie halter bubble dress, $285, for pre-order at blaec.com or go with this floral bubble halter, $38, forever21.com

Givenchy medium “Nightingale” satchel, $1,295, barneys.com. Try this Merona black tote bag for a budget friendly option, $21, target.com

Christian Louboutin wooden wedges, $525, check saksfifthavenue.com for availablity. Get these look-a-like Steve Madden wedges, on sale $50 from $90, now at stevemadden.com.

Macpherson/Isabella/Splash News online; Jon Kopaloff/FilmMagic

We knew that Mischa Barton loved her Juicy Couture lace dress so much that she had to have it in two colors, but now we can add Ashley Tisdale to the list of stars who have this airy frock — we’ve spotted Debra Messing and Molly Sims in the style too! Part of the fun of multiple stars wearing the same outfit is to see how differently they accessorize, and this Fashion Faceoff is no different! Mischa adds a touch hipster flair with her straw fedora, while Ashley goes luxe with her multi-colored Louis Vuitton bag. We want to know what you think! Tell us: Who wears their green lace dress better: Mischa or Ashley?

Love the dress? Get it in white at neimanmarcus.com, $328.

Click here to see more Fashion Faceoffs in our gallery.

Humberto Carreno/startraks; INF

If you find a piece of clothing that you really love, why not snag it more than one color? We’ve seen Hayden Panettiere and Fergie both do it with their favorite dresses, and now Mischa Barton’s showing off the same Juicy Couture lace dress in multiple colors. We spotted her wearing the trendy white version a few weeks ago, and she hit the streets of downtown N.Y.C. this week in the mint green version, topped with a straw fedora. And she’s not the only star who loves this particular dress — we’ve seen Debra Messing and Molly Sims in it, too! We think it’s great to find a style you love and stock up. Tell us: Do you buy in multiples?

Get Mischa’s dress in white at neimanmarcus.com, $328

Daniele Venturelli/WireImage

Mischa Barton recently took a breather from all the glamour of Cannes to catch up on a little bit of reading — on Roberto Cavalli’s yacht, natch! The actress tells PEOPLE that she’s reading The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini right now because, “I’ve been reading a lot of books about Afghanistan and Pakistan recently for some reason.” Kudos to Mischa, but my beach reading is a little bit lighter. Besides reading the new Tim Gunn book, I’m spending the weekend with the new paperback edition of Free Gift With Purchase, the view-from-the-top book written by witty Lucky Beauty Director Jean Godfrey June (think of it as the flip side of The Devil Wears Prada). Tell us: What’s on your summer reading list? Any books you are dying to read? — Melissa Liebling-Goldberg

INF(2);FAME

What says summer like a little white dress? Britney Spears, Mischa Barton and Kate Hudson are already showing off this season’s latest twist on the classic — airy crochet and lace. We’ve got the styles that the stars are wearing, and of course, how to get their look for less!

Love Britney Spears’s front pocket 3.1 Philip Lim crochet shift dress? Get it for $396 at pinkmascara.com. Get the look for less with this Patrick Robinson for Target eyelet shirtdress, $30 at target.com.

Love Mischa Barton’s simple Juicy Couture dress? Get if for $328 at neimanmarcus.com, or get a simple eyelet tunic for $25 at forever21.com.

Love Kate Hudson’s Ella moss dress? Unfortunately, so did a lot of other shoppers! Kate’s dress is all sold out online, but try this similar looking Vince dress, $290, at bloomingdales.com, or get the look for less with this eyelet shift dress, $40, alloy.com

Click here to see our Ultimate Guide to Summer Style. Everything you need to beat the heat — from the hottest shoes to the coolest shades and the sexiest bikinis!

Ramey

The stylish way to keep cool down to your fingers and toes is to paint on an icy, metallic shade of polish like Mischa Barton, as seen in the June/July issue of StyleWatch. This summer, it’s all about metals in every shade—think metallic black like Hit Me With Your Best Shot from Lippmann Collection, $15 at lippmanncollection.com, and the cool bronze of L’Oreal Paris Goldy Lucks, $5 at ulta.com. And Essie’s Loophole, $8 at essie.com, paints on like liquid mercury. So what’s the secret to rocking the metals? Before you go metallic, keep in mind that short nails look best — too much shine could be blinding — and skip the matching mani-pedi. To control the wattage of your shine remember that one coat of polish will be subtle, while coats two and three might have you seeing your reflection! Layer it on according to your mood — it’s the summer to shine.

C
lick here for our Ultimate Guide to Summer Beauty. See how to look great
all summer long – from quick hair tricks to must-have makeup to the newest
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