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Lindsay Albanese, Shopflick Style-Scout

Celeb-Stylist Lindsay Albanese To Report on Emerging Trends

As one of the leading style experts and celebrity stylists today, Lindsay is able to pick and influence emerging trends in the fashion world.

Shopflick is very proud to announce that Lindsay will be contributing regularly to the Shopflick Style Scout Blog. Her columns will be inspired by latest trends and emerging style and will help Shopflick readers to pick on-trend items from our selection of Shopflick sellers.

Lindsay believes wholeheartedly that her clients can dress on trend while still expressing their individuality and personal style. She has styled music videos for Britney Spears and Mary J. Blige and has also dressed Maria Menounos, Paula Abdul, Fran Drescher, Lara Flynn Boyle and Wilmer Valderama.

Lindsay is one of Hollywood’s most regularly quoted style experts. She has been featured in US Weekly, Access Hollywood, Life and Style, E!, The Style Network and Shopbop.com.

Lindsay’s Latest: Kate Moss

Kate Moss Rockin the Blazer and Sequin

I always turn to Miss Moss for fashion inspiration. When it comes to true style, this girl’s just got it! From the runways to the streets, she always looks effortlessly cool and put together without trying too hard.  She’s the master of pairing subtle detailed pieces with timeless basics and with her as my muse, I’m going to show you how to get this look.

Robert Rodriguez Structured Blazer

THIS ROBERT RODRIGUEZ CROSS-OVER PIECE will have conservatives and hipsters high-fiving.  It is truly a  classic black staple with the structured shoulders providing a cool 80’s vibe. Best of all, it’s a grab-and-go addition to your wardrobe because of its compatibility with all your basics. I personally love pairing embellished or striped tops underneath depending on what mood I’m in.

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Some may find it a little outrageous to deck themselves in sequins and sparkle. That’s where THIS ADORABLE MR. LARKIN NUMBER comes in…a splash of sequin give it a hint of glitz and glamour without making you look or feel like a disco ball.

Eco-Friendly Fashion, Los Angeles Noir, Scandal, Murder and Unsolved Mysteries Come Together in popomomo’s Fall 2009 Collection

popomomo, the Los Angeles-based sustainable fashion line, debuts new collection inspired by famed Nancy Drew book series, alongside a T-shirt design partnership with the mysterious Source Family Cult

About Nancy: She becomes involved in mysteries without always being a welcome presence. She is more courageous than her friends and undaunted by the money or time spent in investigating a clue.

Lizz Wasserman, designer of the popular Los Angeles-based eco-friendly fashion line popomomo, confirmed that her fall 2009 collection will pay homage to Great Depression era book series heroine Nancy Drew; dressing women in pieces akin to Los Angeles “who done it?” noir. The budding designer, who recently showed as part of Gen Art’s Sp09 runway presentation, also unveiled her new partnership with the Source Family Cult, to release a limited run of hand-drawn T-Shirts.

“I’ve always been interested in the idea of women solving mysteries, chasing suspects and sleuthing.” said Wasserman. “The popomomo fall collection has details that are perfect for hiding clues and has prints that feature hawks, trees, coyotes, and objects that Nancy could spy from the popomomo studios. I actually bought tons of Nancy books at thrift stores, and I thought to myself, what would Nancy do? What would Nancy wear?”

popomomo will debut the collection on Thursday March 19, at 9:00pm via a short film that Wasserman commissioned from award winning director Peter Shanel at the Mandrake bar in Culver City, CA. The short takes it’s narrative and style directly from the inspiration behind the collection, taking a knowing and intelligent look at Los Angeles film noir, and showcasing, beyond the typical runway show, the meaning behind the designer’s work through film.

Wasserman has taken a modern interpretation of the book icon, flipping her known-look of sophistication, smart suits, matching hats, gloves and handbags, and adding a contemporary edge. “This is not 1940s vintage Nancy,” says Wasserman, “this is Nancy in Los Angeles, in 2009.”

Also on display on Thursday evening will be the results of the popomomo partnership with the Source Family Cult, a hippie-centric commune family who made their name in Los Angeles during the 1970s from scandal and of course style. Founder Jim Baker, was a restaurateur who owned and operated the popular Sunset diner and was accused of bank robbery and murder. His women wore long gowns, kept their hair long, meditated in their Griffith Park mansion, drove around in a Rolls Royce and were part of a rock band called Yo Ha Wha 13; sparking much interest and urban legends surrounding their lifestyle and dealings.

Popomomo has teamed up with Isis Aquarian, Source member and author of the book, The Source, to create a limited run of hand-dyed unisex T-shirts inspired by Aquarian’s memories, which will debut at Los Angeles’s March Market. “I was focused on the idea of aesthetic utopias, and really got inspired by the Source,” said Wasserman. “They were so specifically true to their time and place, and in search of something transcendent.”

Check out both concepts this Thursday – 3/19!

Event Information: The Mandrake is located at 2692 S. La Cienega Blvd, Culver City, 90034. The screening starts at 9:00pm, with DJ Cielo Alano spinning before and after the screening, and noir drink specials throughout the night.

rsvp: list@popomomo.com

And now the icing on the cake – you can purchase one of these exclusive designs on Shopflick.

Not a lot of extra spending cash? Put it where it matters: Shopflick presents the top 10 must-haves right now! Mix & match with what you already own – these simple purchases will give an instant update to your wardrobe & leave you feeling ultra stylish!

Drum Roll, please:

10. Over-sized Cardigan: Give your grandpa’s back and purchase your own – this comfy knit looks great with all your wardrobe staples.

9. Versatile Leggings: The legging is hanging on for dear life – so don’t hate – just figure out the best style & way to wear these spandex treasures. Once added correctly to your wardrobe mix – you’ll wonder how you had functioned.

8. Floor-length Dress: A trend-worthy style that offers a new perspective when matched with flat boots and a boyfriend blazer. Bonus- this piece gives you a head start on summer ‘09.

7. Faux Fur Jacket: The faultless way to channel your inner Rachel Zoe – keep your outfit simple and let this timeless piece work its magic. This is a goody you’ll pull out of your closet year after year.

6. “Layer-able” Jewelry: Simple rings, necklaces & bracelets perfect for layering and stacking. Mix materials, sizes & colors to achieve an individual look all to your own.

5. Signature Scarf: Just what the doctor ordered- a functional winter accessory that gives you an accessible way to add personality to the coldest of outfits.

4. Plaid Shirt-Dress: Working hard or hardly working – the plaid shirt-dress gives one unquestionable impression – you’re serious about style. The classic print and practical cut works well for all!

3. Go-to Booties: Paired with tights, leggings or your favorite pair of skinnys’ – this style of boot can take any outfit from day to night.

2. Essential Wrap: Ideal for traveling, dining out or at the office – like a fashionable blanket- the essential wrap is the perfect go-to for warmth & style.

1. Everyday Leather Bag: Invest in one bag you’d – gasp- “die for” and go for it. Pick from the classic backpack, functional messenger or go-to hobo & say hello to the bag your will carry everyday.

Shop this look >>

What could be more versatile and feminine than scarves? They are the stuff of memorable anniversary presents and invaluable mother-daughter heirlooms; and who hasn’t heard of the (very imitable) French twist, that singular trick to freshen up an outfit (and personal appeal) through the addition of a little colorful detail around the neck. Shopflick favorite Candice Held takes scarf adoration to a whole new level, crafting a bevy of beautiful and unique scarf dresses that keep her runway shows punctuated by near-constant noisy adulation. She designs not only the dresses, seamless conglomerates of different scarves combined with unexpected twists and ties and wraparounds, but also the scarves themselves, creating prints that range from the pretty to the whimsical. A-list celebrities Halle Berry, Beyonce, Christina Aguilera, and others have all been reliable devotees of Candice Held stylized casual elegance, but anybody who enjoys studies in sweet, bohemian beauty will relish her one-of-a-kind stock of the accessory-inspired: mini dresses, halter dresses, bandeau dresses, floral ponchos, silk pocket squares, and vintage scarves, the last free with the purchase of any item from her store. Double the scarf, double that “je ne sais quoi.”

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KidViskous designer Tiffany Lee has her finger on the pulse of cult imagery, and the rare genius to translate it into broadly wearable pieces. Case in point: PAPER Magazine Publisher and Editor Kim Hastreiter ordered a custom red “spex” (top left) to match her signature red shades. It’s no wonder, because with jewelry that is both futuristic and retro, KidViskous demystifies pop-culture symbols with youthful and stylish irreverence. This is jewelry with a humorous flair, but the line, Collection 03, is just too memorable to not be taken seriously: geometric outlines of diamonds in gold or silver; mirrored cranes; vintage-inspired locks that feature bears and deer in cork; also guns, eagles, and beer cap pendants; not to mention the collection’s trademark necklaces with neon and lucite cutouts of “blinders,” a particular style of nu-rave eye wear that is here worn ironically like your grandfather’s chained spectacles. The only prerequisite is a love of fun fashion. Many items, like the Silver F-15 Fighter Jet Necklace, are now on sale, but others, like the Neon Pink Bubblegum Suicide Pistol Necklace, merge flash and satire too impressively to pass up.

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A few of us at the ‘flick recently went though a fun yet scrutinizing process to determine the Top 9 Emerging Designers to watch for 2009. As a marketplace featuring a vast range of talent- we looked at style, innovation and momentum, as well as overall individual feel to the work.  Keep a pulse on these fresh faces & check out Shopflick Editorial Director Davida Hall countdown the Top 9 for ‘09:

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Top 9 for ‘09 Press Releases >>

Read More & Shop these Designers >>

No one wants to wear boned corsets or oversized mutton sleeves, but many (myself included) are attracted to the pretty embellishments of Victorian dress. Ornate ruffled blouses with embroidered or lace trim, feathered hair accessories, waist-accentuating dresses and skirts, queenly brooches, and the occasional bow or tie. The fashion of the early 20th century saw the first tailored suits, the start of ladies professional wear, but it was dominated by the most feminine of feminine details. Luckily for those of us with a liking for pretty vintage-inspired fashion, it still is, especially as available throughout Shopflick. After making a thorough search, I found a handful of perfect finds: blouses by Naven that are curve-hugging and elegantly made with flirty neck ties; granny boots with updated heels and hardware; KidViskous frame necklaces featuring a cork portrait of deers, bears, and mustangs; a beautiful Grey Antics bolero-like jacket with a floral motif; and, instead of an wide brim hat with lavish toppings, colorful feathered headbands. Best yet, there’s much more to be found for the determined and uniquely stylish.

The post-punk fashion of today is easily recognizable but tough to single out from the spectrum of similar rock-influenced styles of the past. There’s the undeniable foundation in punk with black everything, hand cutouts, metallic embellishments, and subversive shout-outs. But that’s hardly it: also present is a dose of 80s new wave style with brash colors, spandex, and otherwise oversized fits; a little mod appeal in solid hues and the ever-recurring mini; and a bit of disco with unapologetic glitz. The result is counter-intuitive: a surprising mix of clean lines, black with contrast brights, and that one rebellious detail, be it lace tights, sassy booties, barely there hemlines, or ironic jewelry. British post-punk revival fashion may be a long-winded coinage (and yes, a tad pretentious to spell out), but it is the style of now, edgy and streamlined. Check out these Shopflick culled picks for some, you guessed it, rockin’ inspiration.

Former Los Angeles women’s boutique Jane Doe got hitched last Wednesday. Among the changes that will confront patrons of the hip, emerging designer friendly warehouse are: the new moniker Jane Doe/John Doe, menswear, and the addition of several lines from Project Runway alumni. Jerrell Scott and Korto Momolu, of Bravo fame, were there to oversee the nuptials, and host the reception party.

I had the pleasure of speaking to Jerrell, now co-owner with designer Ani Lee, and Korto about the revamped store. Aside from some signature sassiness from both (Jerrell: “You can rock a bag until the handle breaks, you know what I’m saying?” and Korto: “You can eat burgers and wear my clothes.”), they made impassioned statements about the boutique’s amazing hidden treasures.

This is what Jerrell had to say: “It’s really a showcase of the smaller designer in general. I went through and hand-selected all of the designers that we’re featuring here and there is an artistic quality to all of their work. They’ve all put in so much inspiration into all of their pieces. It’s a showcase of all things beautiful, unique, and interesting. Even if you don’t come here to buy a piece, just come here and look and you’ll come away and be inspired. In all of the pieces here, it’s all about the artist.”

Korto, wearing a stretch jersey bandeau dress of her own design, added, “If you go mainstream, you can compromise yourself as a designer. In a boutique, you can be yourself. And if people love you and love what you do, they come and get what’s truly you.”

Jane Doe/John Doe will also feature the lines of Stella Barbarella and 4^th season winner Leanne Marshall, among other up and coming designers. Highlights, as given by Jerrell: Micha Kuechenhoff’s jewelry line and particularly “this necklace/wallet chain/purse adornment with a key on it that I REALLY LOVE” and also “every piece by Korto who really brought it. She brought down the house. The dresses are stunning and the bags are extraordinary.”

When pegged to choose a favorite, though, Jerrell admitted, “honestly, it would be crazy for me to choose just one thing because I feel an attachment to them all.”

You can crash the honeymoon at 8478 West 3rd Street. Event Photos by Allen Zaki.

Bold, ageless, vivid, and colorful: who else but Shopflick favorite Petro Zillia? The designer who admits it is hard for her to separate her life from fashion offers a little slice of her retro-lovin’, whimsical mind with a selection of wares for Shopflick from her rainbow-bright House of Petro Zillia. Established in 1996, the store is an unexpected and heady mishmash of Petro’s high regard for fearless vintage trends, flirty feminine designs, and modern innovation, all slow-cooking into a fresh take on high fashion for the woman who thrives on bold, fearless statements.

Take the Ankle Boots from Parisian designer Martine Sitbon. They’re the granny boots of yesteryear (think: 1870), revived briefly in the 60s, and now reappearing to the buoyed joy of that particular breed of fashionista that delights in raiding grandmother’s closet. But, now, they’re in a deeply saturated olive green, with buckled straps for that added pomp, and sexily streamlined wood heels. Or consider the Martine Sitbon Suede Boots in rich forest green: shiny patent leather mary janes transformed into a knee-high boot with wrap around suede. Now 25% off. Isn’t it clear why Petro would approve?

The Denim Jumpsuit from Brazilian designer Colcci is another lesson in Petro Zillia fundamentals. The jumpsuit, that one-piece get-up of skyline astronauts and ground-level tradesmen, has occasionally graced runways since the 60s but has never approached mainstay status, even in the clutches of the 80s. This jumpsuit is different, though, because it’s sexy. Full denim coverage, but with an allover skinny fit, sun-friendly tube top, and over-sized button closures. Daringly retro but flirtatiously updated: only Petro Zillia.

Just entering REVOLVEclothing feels like you’re about to participate in a glam-rock showdown. Leggings that go on for miles in retro combinations of bright hues and metallic stars and stripes, sequined tuxedo tops and shirt dresses and mini blazers that playfully suggest you take your party attire to work, and suede mini skirts with studs in geometric patterns that marry prep-school mischeviousness, 60s go-go dancer, and rock-chic. Not to mention the hot wool cocktail dresses in cool white, eye-popping gold lame everything, understated flannel tunics with cinched waists, tropical print dresses with oversized beads bordering the collar, and smatterings of fringe on dresses and biker vests. You get it. REVOLVEclothing goes for broke, both in the clothes they carry and the parties they host. Last Saturday, the Costume Dept. unveiled 6 new styles of leggings exclusive to the store; and in celebration, there were complimentary drinks, a custom scarf-making booth, a snow-cone stand, and two DJs who balanced jungle grooves with slightly inebriated sips of champagne. The message of the evening seemed to be: leggings are here to stay, but wackier versions are center stage. Consider it an audition for your next glam-rock gig. The louder the singing and the more outrageous the clothing, the likelier you are to cause a stir.

Last Tuesday night, herald of Hollywood “It-girl” trends, Intuition, hosted—guess it!—a book signing. Between the cutesy stalls filled with billowy, bright smocks and leather riding boots were tables stacked with the debut copies of photographer Nicole Maloney’s RARE. With a foreword by Cindy Crawford and a preface featuring the Alice Walker poem “In Everything I Do,” the aim of the collection of photographs was to uncover some unknown facet of a public or symbolic figure—politician, glitterati, or, say, New York firefighter—by juxtaposing the portrait with an animal. Half an attempt to celebrate personal beauty, especially of the unexpected sort, the other intention of the project was to enlist the aid of recognizable faces on behalf of humanitarian initiatives. All of the royalties from sales of RARE will be donated to the International Rescue Committee. On the night of the book signing, Intuition owner Jaye Hersh chipped in by also donating 25% of the proceeds from all smock and boot purchases to the IRC. A book signing, a charitable cause, and some shopping all in one evening? I don’t see a reason why not.

The trends of Spring 2009 will be volatile: hedge fund short hemlines, color and print mergers, international acquisitions that suggest supply shortage, a newfound appreciation of transparency, and international trading of African tribal and traditional Asian prints. The stuttering economy was the theme of Fashion Group International’s “Fashion 101, Spring 2009” trend report, and for good reason: off the runway, there is no better indicator of what will seize the public spirit.

The fashionistas or, rather, recessionistas, arrived at Saks Fifth Avenue last Thursday night in droves. An assembly of fashion majors and stylist wannabes from FIDM, clothing designers from LA’s fashion district, and industry folks like yours truly nibbled on fashion tidbits the size of the single serving shrimp cocktails and flutes of champagne that circulated. Braving rush hour traffic in Beverly Hills, the most stalwart of the Shopflick crew finished our annual pilgrimage to the oracle of the New York, Milan, London and Paris runways.

What were we told? Here’s the condensed version: to jumpstart the economy, you’ll need–what else?–a jumpsuit, like the Petro Zillia Colcci Denim Jumpsuit. Buckle down on your finances during the on-and-off again peekaboo economy recovery with the Double Buckle Cutout Boots. Just remember there are fringe benefits to a recession, like a sale on this Suede Fringe Passport Bag; and to ensure future financial transparency, become intimate with see-through undergarments like the Elle Macpherson Sheer Contour Underwire Bra and Elle Macpherson Intimates Sheer Ribbons Bikini. Finally, if money worries still have you distressed, it doesn’t hurt to don a cape, but forget the dramatics and go with Raquel Allegra’s Sheer Cape Dress. Spring 2009, Shopflick has you covered.

Appropriately named the House of Petro Zillia, this welcoming space set the scene for a trunk show last Thursday…a house party of sorts. Inside, Nony, the head of household and generous host, introduced company to the guests of honor, designers Massimiliano (Max) Musina and Karen Zambos. Meanwhile, as some patrons (houseguests?) were slipping into Musina belts and Zambos dresses in the back dressing rooms, others gathered in the back patio, sipping cocktails. At one point, Max helped a woman coordinate his belt with a Zambos piece, a fitting summary of the well coordinated event.

Pictured above are Karen (left), Max (center) and Nony (right).

Want to visit the House of Petro Zillia and meet Nony as well? Check out her store (and fun videos!) here.