Brazil's annual four-day Bacchan festivities, CARNIVAL, is over tonight - the day before ASH Wednesday, when people are supposed to give up stuff they love - drugs, food, children - who knows.
Anyway, the Brazilians created this ubber-party to compensate for the delicious bubblegum they will foresake for the next long period of time. The tomfooolery in Brazil gets pretty wild, here are some highlights:
Brazilian president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, threw condoms to the crowd (both racy and totally practical) in an effort to promote his AIDS awareness campaign:
Carnival Queen, Viviane Castro, body painted President Obama on her mostly un-clothed body (she is wearing sandals). Nice.
Departing from their usual youth-obsessed view of beauty, according to the Associated Press, two Brazilian schools chose women in their 40s as "Samba Queens" to lead high-profile parades during Carnival. You know WE love this!!!!
The BIG question is: What do women (who have loads of cash and access to any designer/jewelry/hair people on Earth - the ENTIRE friggin' EARTH!!!) choose to wear when everyone's watching?
Check out these ball-gown babes! (Who were your top picks?)
It seems lots of them fancy mermaid tails, chiffon ruffles and belts on ball gowns. This year seemed to be particulalry uninteresting - except for a few. Of the celebs I saw on the red carpet,
These are my top 5 picks:
1. Amy Adams 2. Penelope Cruz 3. Natalie Portman 4. Tilda Swinton 5. Taraji P. Henson
And my least favorite:
1. Sarah Jessica Parker 2. Heidi Klum 3. Miley Cyrus 4. Melissa George 5. Freida Pinto
New York Fashion Week ended on Friday - closing seven days worth of fairly low-key parties (Prada had a simple cocktail hour, unlike its lavish bashes from years past); celebs making their rounds in support of their fave designers or designers who pay them to advertise (see Eva Mendes at Calvin Klein) and then there was the almost funny battle between the Retro depression-era- and Retro 80s-inspired frocks. Yawn. An interesting juxtaposition...in any event, I'm not sure any of us really want to return to either decade - why can't we just keep the "Green" movement alive or invent some new look that incorporates solar-powered Harem pants???
Here are a few designs that really caught our attention - including Christian Siriano's new line of shoes for Payless! (This IS exciting.)
The William Rast show at New York Fashion Week was full of model-esque clothes, simple with a dash of edge - big shoulders, short skirts, leather and fringe. I loved the cut of the skirts - flattering on both skinny and curvy cuties.
See some of the show and hear what Mr. Timberlake has to say about his line:
Etsy.com - the website for t-shirt designers, jewelry makers, shoe cobblers and anyone who makes stuff and wants to sell it - is the online version of FLEA-MARKET HEAVEN!
Except on Etsy there are fewer stalls selling crystals and incense and more fashion-forward stuff that just might end up in mass-market chains like Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie.
As of this month, here are my top 10 favorite things on Etsy!!! What I love about Etsy is that you can find awesome cute and clever stuff for your home AND also one-of-a-kind (or at least very limited edition) clothes for women, men and kids. It's the perfect place to pick up affordable (and unique) gifts - plus you're supporting independent craftspeople, artists, etc.
C'est cool, indeed.
Let me know if you find anything else to add to the list - I'd love to start an ongoing Etsy roll call. There's just so much stuff to sift through - a lot of incredibly cool things mixed with a lot of "what-the-eff-were-you-thinking?!" crapola, too. +++++(I've included the name of the shop - so just go to Etsy.com and search the shop name!)+++++
Hugh Jackman (far left) and Vincent Maggio (far right) with his lovely date at Donna Karan's dinner for Australian Aboriginals.
With 6'2" of tanned and sculpted muscle, personal trainer to the stars and aspiring actor VINCENT MAGGIO cuts a striking figure - even on the streets of Manhattan where hundreds of people compete for attention or just become part of the inevitable and indistinguishable mass of bodies all dressed in NYC black.
Part good looks, part unique style and part je ne sais pas quois - Maggio has a sort of ineffable quality that compels you to root for him. It's no wonder then that the Florida native snagged Calvin Klein as one of his A-list clients.
La Florida Chic chatted with Mr. Maggio about a number of very important things, such as his favorite brand of denim. It's okay, you can thank us later. ;)
Vincent Maggio dressed as the "Naked Cowboy" posing it up with Bethenny Frankel of reality-television fame - she's also super funny (see her on Bravo's Real Housewives of New York City).
La Florida Chic: How did you become interested in health and physical fitness? Vincent Maggio: Arnold Schwarzenegger was actually my inspiration as a young kid. He represented to me what a man should be like, all the courage and confidence. He had a great attitude and a lot of determination; his charisma really won me over.
LFC: As a personal trainer and aspiring actor, do you find that you need a high level of self-discipline to achieve your goals? VM: Absolutely. You have to be disciplined. For Halloween, I went as the "Naked Cowboy" and I had to cut back to 1700 calories per day to get the results I wanted, for my height that's not a lot of calories. My goal this year is to stay relatively lean all year-round. My other goal is to indulge my creative pursuits in everything I do - whether it's personal training or working on a book.
LFC: What would be your advice to the average person who wants to look better in a bathing suit this summer? VM: For someone who really wants to make an aesthetic change, you have to restrict your calories. You can work out until you're blue in the face - you'll get stronger, but it's not going to make an aesthetic difference. Ninety percent of the people who come to me want to lose excess body fat. Beyond 1500-2000 calories a day, the body doesn't need more to function.
LFC: Do you think it's true that there are just "skinny" people who can eat whatever they want and never gain weight? VM: I think the people who seem genetically blessed just don't indulge in food as much. They're not emotional eaters. Those people are rare. As far as a genetic predisposition to being skinny, I'm not sure about that. The fact is even skinny people can get fat.
LFC: So, let's say you were one of those rare species of humans who just never ever get fat (despite eating fried peanut butter and sausage pancakes all day), what would be your food of choice? VM: Oh boy, I've got so many. Anything sugary and sweet. Authentic Mexican food and authentic Italian. I love my Nana's lasagna.
Vincent with La Florida Chic writer, Natalie Campisi
LFC: On that note - what are your favorite restaurants, in New York and Florida? VM:That's tough. Oh man. One each? LFC:Yup. One each. VM: Okay, in Florida it's gotta be Prime One Twelve in South Beach. They have fantastic steaks. My favorite restaurant in New York...this is hard. It's a tie between Charles in the West Village and Pastis in the meatpacking district.
LFC: So for a night on the town in New York and Miami - what's a typical outfit you might wear? VM:It's important to have a great pair of jeans that stand out. I like Energie jeans, boot cut. But I've also gotten great jeans at Banana Republic and Puma. Short-sleeve shirts that show off my body are important, too. In the city, I like wearing cowboy boots. It's too damn hot for boots in Florida. In New York it's about a good coat. In Florida it's more about showing off your body.
LFC: Are you brand conscious or do you just go for what you like? VM: I don't buy into the whole brand thing. If it looks good, it looks good. I wore a great trench coat the other day I bought at H&M eight years ago and the head of Cole Haan loved it - I got great compliments. That's the perfect example. Someone who's in great shape and is confident is going to look better in a cheap pair of jeans than someone who's out of shape and doesn't feel good about themselves wearing an expensive pair of jeans. I can put a shirt on from Target and look dynamic and turn heads. Tar-zsay is one of my favorite places to shop actually.
LFC: Any other favorite shopping destinations? VM: I've gotten a lot of clothes in South Beach. Source Paris on Lincoln Road is one of my favorite places down there. I like to dress unique.
LFC: How would you describe your overall style? VM:I like to stand out, but not like the Ed-Hardy, Rock-and-Roll look. I don't like sequins. Last night, I had on what I call my "Wild Bill Hitchcock" look. LFC: I'm pretty sure our readers will want you to elaborate on this. VM: Okay ... basically, it's a trench coat with fur on it, cowboy boots, jeans and a red bandanna tied around my neck. People love that look. LFC:Really? VM: Oh yeah...that's in contrast to my Neil Armstrong jacket I wear. It's all silver and puffy, it looks like I just landed on the moon.
LFC: Do people tend to notice you more in New York dressed this way? VM:No question about it. People are always asking me where I'm from, a lot of people think I'm from L.A. I definitely have more of a Florida, Miami style. I don't have that conservative look New Yorkers have. It's just my personality.
Washington Square Park, NYC
LFC: What about the ladies in Florida vs. New York - is it easier dating one over the other? VM:I always felt it's easier to meet women in Florida - less competition. There are so many men in New York, it's much harder to get noticed. In Florida, you still gotta be charming, handsome, funny - but I think in places like South Beach it's all about the sex, people go there to show off, the women are more open and receptive. In New York, I think women are more on their guard.
LFC: So, then what's your idea of an attractive woman? VM:A woman who has passion for something. A woman who's independent but still in touch with her nurturing side.
LFC: Any celebrity crushes? VM: Eva Mendes! As far as having a lot of sex appeal, Eva Mendes definitely. And Megan Fox.
LFC: If you could work with any actress and actor in a movie... VM:That's easy, Harrison Ford. Blade Runner is one of my favorite movies of all times. It has everything in it and it's a good love story, too. Jack Nicholson. Robert DeNiro. The leading lady would be Meryl Streep. She's incredible.
LFC: Who would you love to train? Any dream clients? VM: Oh sure. Harrison Ford. LFC: You've obviously thought about this. VM: Harrison Ford is in great shape. Or Hugh Jackman - I've met him personally. He has a great body. He understands the importance of lifting heavy weight.
LFC: What's it like working with someone as successful and famous as Calvin Klein? VM: When you're around someone like that you're always trying to be the best. He's an icon. He expects the best - he's used to perfection. It shows in all of his work. He's taught me to make sure everything I do is excellent. But he's also so laid back. He's so comfortable with himself. He doesn't judge anyone. I have a lot of respect for him.
LFC: Is there a big difference between your male and female clients? VM: I think men are more into numbers - women are more interested in how they look and feel in clothes. Men want to know how much they're lifting. Women, for the most part, aren't interested in how strong they are.
LFC: If there was something you could tell people who want to get into better shape, what would it be? VM:Understand that it's a lifestyle change. Don't eat just to eat. When you make the right food choices you're in control - that alone makes you feel empowered
Check out his appearances as "Officer Pierce" on Guiding Light!
We all collectively swooned during the first scene of the "Sex and the City" movie - not because we couldn't wait for our neurotic, lovestruck Carrie to be swept away by Mr. Big, where she would gaze into his bushy eyebrows - er, dark brown eyes, for all eternity. NO. Not at all. Our hearts melted a little because of the incredible dress she was wearing: a serene bone-colored, knee-length jersey number with an Amazon-Rainforest sized posie covering her right shoulder, detailed with a bit of gold. The power of a dress is not lost on us.
And how about all of the other movies that are so well-groomed...without the impeccable "costumes," the entire feel is out the window. In "Casino Royale," the debut of the new and rugged 007, Daniel Craig is absolutely dreamy - but it really isn't just the abs and eyes - he also has a damn-fine style...thanks to whom?
Because this is the time of the month to give love, spread love and receive love (even if you have to yank it - from measly compliment to single carnation - from your amour's heart) - La Florida Chic is sending a Valentine to our favorite Hollywood Costume Designers of all time!
These five women have distracted us from key plot points, clever little lines and even sloppy on-screen make-out scenes to contemplate a flattering neckline, a genius color combination and a whimsical touch that can take a dress from pretty to legendary.
So, thank you ladies, from our hearts! And Happy Valentine's Day!!!
LINDY HEMMING
Born in Wales, Lindy Hemming has worked on some of the most high-profile and high-octane American movies. The careful combination of action, amazing visual effects and a bigger-than-life style is what gives these flicks their punch - and Hemming is responsible for 1/3 of this equation.
Here are some of her memorable on-screen designs:
Vesper Lynd and 007, Casino Royale
Lara Croft, Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life
Bruce Wayne, The Dark Knight
LOUISE FROGLEY
Ms. Frogley has worked with some of the most talented (and incredibly attractive) actors in Hollywood today, namely George Clooney. Hailing from the U.K., she has been in the American movie business for a couple decades, lending her talents to such films as Siriana, Traffic, Leatherheads, Good Night and Good Luck and recently Quantum of Solace - the latest in the James Bond franchise. Here's some of her memorable on-screen work:
Quantum of Solace
Ocean's Thirteen
Leatherheads
EDITH HEAD
The question is not which movies has the incomparable Ms. Head worked on - it's which ones didn't she? The list seems made up, actually: A Foreign Affair, The Great Gatsby, Blue Hawaii, The Man Who Knew Too Much, Barefoot in the Park and - of course - Breakfast at Tiffany's, among dozens more.
An homage was paid to her in Pixar's "The Incredibles," as the costume designer Edna E. Mode was based on her.
Funny Face
Barefoot in the Park
Love With the Proper Stranger
PATRICIA FIELD
A native New Yorker, Patricia Field has come to define over-the-top glamour that breaks the mold, giving women license to be creative, funky, daring and darling - all at once. It's as if she has a direct line to all of our little-girl fantasies: ballerina skirts, princess shoes, grand tiaras and makes them over into womanly wearables. She is nothing less than a design diva.
Trainer to the Stars, VINCENT MAGGIO, Dishes to LFC. Read the FULL Interview Here:
Dude Has Awesome Hair
What John Fairchild Said
"Style is an expression of individualism mixed with charisma. Fashion is something that comes after style."
Comfy & Stylin' Tees...Click on Pic!
Hair We Heart
Swipe These Leading Lady Looks
What Karl Lagerfeld Said
"What I hate most in life are people who are not really the peach of the day but who want to be young and sexy. You can fool nobody. There is a moment when you have to accept that somebody else is younger and fresher and hotter. Life is not a beauty contest.”
My DREAM Closet Would Include THis amazing swag (CLICK to See Each Item):
Posts
