Editors Notes: Diamonds are forever. They are all I need to please me. They cant stimulate to tease me. They wont leave in the night have no fear that they might, desert me. Case in point blaynistas? This month’s highlighted piece from Tiffany’s: Diamonds By The Yard® pink sapphire necklace in sterling silver by Elsa Peretti for Tiffany & Co. This is an ideal gift for a special friend in the upcoming holiday of love that we call Valentines Day!
Terrence Phearse
Our very own Fashion Entertainment Editor launches his new blog called lowefactor and we have an exclusive interview with our one and only Jared Michael Lowe.
World Wide Web – Jared Michael Lowe has two passions: film and fashion. And here at The Blay Report Lowe gets to display his love for both as our Fashion Entertainment Editor. “Film was and is my first love,” says 22-years-old Lowe, who has a major in Public Relations. “I was the proverbial theater kid and studied acting and directing for five years. Fashion is second. When I was little, I used to collect my mom’s Vogues and stuff them under my bed until bedtime when I would skim through editorials shot by Mario Testino and Steven Miesel featuring Naomi, Christy, Cindy and Linda.”
Lowe then adds he wanted to be part of that world, and as our Fashion Entertainment Editor and with the recent launch of his own fashion blog called lowefactor, he is definitely making that happen. Lowe, who has written for Addicted 2 Glamour and Cash & Caviar, says he wanted to develop a blog that would allow him to share his interests in fashion and beauty to a wide audience. lowefactor began as “a hope, a dream and a prayer” for Lowe, and with the help of graphic designer King Shahka and his beauty and lifestyle writer Serena Sams, Lowe’s hope, dream and prayer were answered after two years in the making. Check out for our exclusive interview with Mr. Lowe, himself, after the jump.
Blaynistas! Another fab opportunity at being a multi-millionaire has passed Z by: Spanx for men! Literally. The company – adored for creating body shaping undergarments which can make a size 8 look like a size 2 – has done it again , this time for those men with flab and moobs OR those who simply want to look extra svelte. They will run from $55 to $58 and are avail for pre-order right now at Spanx online. Find it at NeimanMarcus retail stores starting March 15th. Between you and me – I love the man who would wear this – but not necessarily sure I want to date him. Just sayin’!
Image source: Nymag.com
Jessica Alba glistens in 3.1 Phillip Lim for her appearance on the Jay Leno Show.
Los Angeles – Alhough technically not a “red carpet moment,” we really loved Jessica Alba’s S/S 2010 3.1 Phillip Lim sparkly blazer dress on the Jay Leno Show on Tuesday, Feb. 2. Her whole look was straight off the runway, with side swept bangs and black wedge bootie included. Plus her red lip really pops on her. What say you, Blaynistas? [Style.com / Celebrity Gossip.net]
Jared Michael Lowe
Nathan Jenden ends his time as the creative director at Diane Von Furstenberg to start on his own collection, will be replaced by Yvan Mispelaere.
World Wide Web – Diane Von Furstenberg’s creative director Nathan Jenden has decided to leave the company, and on this Valentine’s Day Diane Von Furstenberg and Jenden will take their last bow together at New York Fashion Week. Jenden, who has worked at DVF since 2001, launched his eponymous collection in 2006 and he will be leaving DVF to put all his focus on his own line. In his replacement is Yvan Mispelaer, who has worked with designer Phoebe Philo at Chloe and joined Gucci in 2006. While it may be a sad show to watch Von Furstenberg and Jenden take their last bow together this weekend, Von Furstenberg insists it will be a show to celebrate their collaboration. “This show is really a celebration of Nathan and I, and of our collaboration,” Von Furstenberg said. “It’s sad because we are going apart, even though we are staying close, and exciting because he is going to do his thing and focus on it.” [UK Vogue, Fashionologie]
Kristina Bustos
French label Louis Vuitton designs handbags that resemble trash bags.
World Wide Web – Yes, you read that right Blaynistas. Louis Vuitton has designed handbags that resemble trash bags, even complete with the straps you would pull to tighten your traditional trash bags. But this LV bag is called Raindrop Besace as it’s actually made from raincoat material. In addition, the bag features removable shoulder straps so you can carry it like a trash bag because there’s nothing more chic than carrying it like one while out in the public. The Raindrop Besace retails at $1,960. So Blaynistas, is this LV bag something you would “get glad” about? [Trendhunter, Refinery29]
Kristina Bustos
Get your Twitter and Facebook together, Blaynistas! Designer Rachel Roy will be sharing her love to you for the month of February through the two social networks.
World Wide Web – How sweet does this sound Blaynistas? Yesterday (Feb. 3) fab designer Rachel Roy announced she will be celebrating the month of love, February, by doing weekly Wednesday Twitter giveaways. Dates and times are February 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th starting at 1 PM through minight with gifts ranging from totes to trenches.
But wait there’s more from Ms. Roy. She has teamed up with Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter Estelle to create a limited edition jewelry collection. Launching February 9th, for three days only, Roy and Estelle will host a digital pop-up store on Roy’s Facebook page, which will debut the collection weeks before it hits stores. Items include funky rings, unique ear cuffs and statement necklaces, with prices ranging from $34 – $50. For more details on Roy’s twitter page about the Wednesday Twitter giveaways go to Rachel Roy’s Twitter. Also, don’t forget about her collection with Estelle on her Facebook page. We will most definitely be front and center for what goodies Ms. Roy has in store. [Story/Image: Attention]
Jared Michael Lowe
World Wide Web – Anyone looking for their next book to read this year? How about House of Versace: The Untold Story of Genius, Murder, and Survival? With that title alone you know it will be a spicy read. Deborah Ball, who has been a Milan correspondent for the Wall Street Journal since 1997, conducted 220 interviews to write House of Versace, which goes into details on the Versaces’ spending habits, Donatella’s drug addiction, her daughter Allegra’s battle with anorexia and why Gianni, who founded the company, left his 50 percent stake to his niece. House of Versace is the first book written about the family that the Versaces approved, and Donatella was even willing to be interviewed for the book. Other people who Ball interviewed include Donatella’s brother Santo Versace, Gianni Versace’s partner Antonio D’Amico and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour. The only person in the glamorous family who declined to be interviewed was Allegra. Fashion blog Fashionologie reveals several tidbits that definitely makes the House of Versace a spicy read. Here is a glimpse of those tidbits:
1) Donatella spent more than $150,000 a year on hair extensions.
2) Karl Lagerfeld was considered to take on the role as the designer of the label after Gianni was murdered.
3) Ball reports that while Gianni and his partner Antonio were faithful to each other, they were open with sleeping with other men on the side.
To red more on what to expect inside the House of Versace, go on to Fashionologie.com.
Kristina Bustos
Fame photographer Annie Leibovitz shoots actresses Abbie Cornish, Kristen Stewart and Carey Mulligan among others for Vanity Fair’s March ”Hollywood Issue.” But where’s the diversity?
World Wide Web – Vanity Fair’s March “Hollywood Issue” hits newsstands on Feb. 9th but we have an early glimpse of the cover. Actresses Abbie Cornish, Kristen Stewart, Carey Mulligan, Amanda Seyfried, Rebecca Hall, Mia Wasikowska, Emma Stone, Evan Rachel Wood and Anna Kendrick are all featured in the fold shot by photographer Annie Leibovitz. But we have one question to ask Blaynistas: where is the diversity? Yeah, all the actresses look gorgeous in their spring finest, but where is Zoe Saladana (a Latina actress who was in two big movies of the year – Star Trek and Avatar) or Best Actress Oscar nominee Gabby Sidibe. Couldn’t they have been part of the spread? Sound off Blaynistas, what do you think? [Red Carpet Fashion Awards]
Jared Michael Lowe
World Wide Web- The new season of Project Runway marked the second year the reality-television program was filmed at its new home — Los Angeles — and aired on its new network — Lifetime. Unfortunately, the ratings have dropped for the Emmy-nominated show. Only 2.9 million viewers tuned in to watch the Season 7 premiere, a third less than Season 6’s premiere of 4.2 million viewers. Last season’s premiere was the highest rated reality series premiere on cable in 2009 and it was also the highest premiere for Project Runway; however, the show’s ratings peak was in Season 3 with 5.4 million viewers who watched the finale. Fashion blog Fashionista asked pop culture expert Robert Thompson why Project Runway didn’t do so well with its new season premiere, and he said it’s all in the cast. “With reality television, you’re just one great cast away from higher ratings,” said Thompson. “In Season 6, you didn’t have those break-out, interesting characters like in the past.” [Fashionista, AP via CBS News]
Kristina Bustos