Tennis Club Polo Dress

Cute both on and off the court!

$48 at Fred Flare.

March 27th, 2006

Billion Dollar Babe: Shelli-Anne Couch

 Billion Dollar Babes: Kate Nobelius and Shelli-Anne Couch

Photo Credits: Billion Dollar Babes

Even if you’ve never had the pleasure of attending a Billion Dollar Babes sample sale, you’ve probably heard amazing things
about it from friends who have. A two-day, invitation-only event held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and
London, Billion Dollar Babes attracts roughly 4,000  fashion lovers, who
compete with other shoppers for styles by more than 40 designer labels like Alex Gaines, Blue Cult, Chaiken, Catherine Malandrino, Costume National, Christian Dior, and more. 

Not to burst any
shopping bubbles, but did you think the tons of fabulous outfits get
there by themselves? A lot of hard work goes into organizing an event of such scale. Shelli-Anne Couch
of parent company Couch Nobelius is
a major reason for BDB’s success thus far. She and partner Kate
Nobelius handle every aspect of the process, including event
strategy, sponsorship, sourcing, guest list compilation,
pre-event publicity and celebrity outreach (it’s a tough job but someone’s gotta do it!).

How did you start your business?
In a one-bedroom apartment in Hollywood with the grand total of one laptop, two phones, one fat contact book and a lot of chutzpah!

What did you have to do to get started?
Operationally,
we just bought items (ie: a printer, another computer as we could
afford them). Strategically, we solidified our film premiere event
production stable while nurturing a fashion idea (that was to become
the global brand of Billion Dollar Babes).

What are some challenges you face as a fashion event organizer?
That
common sense is underated. Seriously. People put square pegs in round
holes all the time! Also, people are never on time.

What’s a day in the life of a fashion event organizer like?
Liaising
between the fashion client and the media, setting up interviews pre- and
post- runway show, and setting up shoots of the collections.

What do you do to satisfy your clients?
It’s
all about setting and maintaining expectations. When a fashion client
signs on and part of the wishlist is two celebs wearing their clothes
per month and one fashion cover, then by golly, you have to achieve that.

Would you say fashion event organizers wear multiple hats? If so, what are they?
Oh golly, yes. You’re the creative director, publicist, nursemaid, best friend, disciplinarian, and accountant.

How much can one expect to earn as a fashion event organizer?
The sky’s the limit. Some events cost upwards of $500,000 to produce and you’re earning 20 percent of that.

Do some fashion event organizers get paid more?
Absolutely. Why? They’re better! Their client liaison skills meet their creativity
and execution skills, all within the fiscal parameters. They bring an
event in on budget, on time and it looks wondrous.

The  Billion Dollar Babes San Francisco sale will run 8am-6pm on Saturday, April 8 at Dogpatch Studios. Everyone is welcome to attend but guests must RSVP online at www.billiondollarbabes.com.

2 comments March 27th, 2006

Anna Necklace

The iridescent quality of the verdigris over brass on this necklace is Gorgeous.

Designed with love by Jade of We Dream in Color.  Plus, it’s Made to Order!  Allow two weeks for shipping.

$55 at We Dream in Color.

March 24th, 2006

Friday Fashion Hotlist | 3.24.06

Issue XXXIII of the Friday Fashion Hotlist: a weekly compilation of the
cutest and coolest stuff Style Intelligence Report saw out there this
week.

This
week, we’re all about Neutrals (remember the Spring 06 collections?) and shoes. 

For women:

 Wedge sandals are In for Spring!

MEDIUM Minimalist Shoe in Sahara | $90 at Revolve Clothing

Versatile sporty chic!

3 comments March 24th, 2006

[Sponsored Post] Ready Made Outfit: By Land or By Sea

Whether you’re going out to sea or just going out to see a friend, we’ve got a nautical inspired outfit handpicked just for you!

At CoutureCandy, you can shop all the hottest designers
in one place.  You can read the latest industry news, get the inside
scoop on the designers, and even keep up on (and purchase) what celebrities are wearing. You can share ideas and connect with other members of the CoutureCandy community via the exclusive "Couture Talk" Forum or get inspiring wardrobe advice from their "Personal Stylists."

2 comments March 23rd, 2006

Handcuff Lariat

Brass handcuffs at the end of a 22" brass chain. This adjustable length necklace is beautiful…with somewhat of an edge. Love it!

From the Erica Weiner Collection.

$30 at Cut+Paste.

March 23rd, 2006

Stepping Out with Class: The Slim Shoe

Pop psychology tells us that shoes define the man, so don’t be afraid to spend a pretty penny on a pair of dress shoes. And when purchasing the perfect pair, think “slim.” 

Yes, gentlemen, long gone are the days of those platform-like clunky shoes you wear with a suit.  To go along with the European-style chic of Western fashion, men should avoid the severe square toe.  Instead, opt for the more slender and subtle square tipped footwear.  But no matter what you choose, be sure that it defines you.

Kenneth Cole New York Pay Day Oxfords | $141 at Bluefly.com

Prada Patent Leather Oxfords | $396 at Bluefly.com

Salvatore Ferragamo Lerwick Square-Toe Lace-up | $445 at Neiman Marcus

Gucci Lace-up | $495 at Bergdorf Goodman

March 23rd, 2006

Washi Pendant: Daisies on Red

It’s artwork…to wear around your neck!

And best of all, no two are exactly alike.

$75 at Blend Creations.

March 22nd, 2006

Designer Profile: Rebel Yell

One might think that a designer whose line is sold in
the celebrity-magnet boutique Kitson might be a bit of a diva, but Andi
Ballard of Rebel Yell is as down-to-earth as they come. Even despite
her living in the crazy city of Los Angeles, the Virginia-born Ballard
admits to being a bit of a homebody and doesn’t get star struck by her
celebrity clientele. Omiru got a chance to chat with Andi while she was
sitting through LA traffic.

How and when did your interest in fashion design start?
This
is going to sound so corny, but I knew what I wanted to do my whole
life. I would make clothes for myself, and they looked so ghetto
because I’d make them out of towel and whatever I could find around the
house. It was quite a spectacle. I graduated from high school at 16 so
I could start my fashion thing quicker, and I went to FIT in NY. I
graduated from college at 18, and I worked various design jobs in NY
for about 4 years.
 
What makes your collection unique?
Every
designer is going to interpret something differently. So I would say
that the uniqueness is mainly the way I see things and the way I decide
to interpret them. I love bold colors, I love really really simple
clean graphics, really simple easy clothes.

Do you follow trends?
I follow fashion because
I’m a girl and I shop like crazy. In that sense I know what’s going on
trendwise, and I also know when I want something and it doesn’t exist.
It’s very helpful when you’re a designer because you can then design
it. But do I follow trends? No. My previous experience as a designer
when I was in New York was all about using the trend books to do all
the forecasting. A few of my bosses actually told me ‘You cannot do
your original design. You have to knock off blah blah blah.’ And so now
that I have my own company, I definitely made a conscious decision to
not follow trends.

Can you describe what pieces are in your collection and who wears your collection?
The
pieces in my collection are causal, mainly made out of cotton:
T-shirts, different types of cute sexy tops for women, and hoodies. We
have really cute coordinating hoodies with sweatpants that are coming
out. It’s mainly a casualwear collection. But it’s definitely for
someone with style. I don’t really want to see it on people that just
wear what’s on the mannequin. I want someone with their own personal
judgment.

If you were to design a new product line to add to your current business, what would it be?
I
am dying to get into sweaters and into underwear. I’m itching to do
that, and that’s the next step.  I just want really cute … the problem
is that companies put out really fun and cute stuff, but it feels
cheap. On the other hand, a company can put out really good quality
stuff but it’s so boring and typical. I want to do a hybrid.

What’s
your definition of style?
I
think everybody can have style if they want to, but I think there’s a
lot of people that don’t right now. I would define style as when
someone puts an outfit together and it looks good even if it’s not
something that you would necessarily put together.  Style is when you
look at the outfit on them and it matches their personality.

If your house was burning down, and you could only keep one thing in your closet, what would you keep?
Ok, am I naked when my house is burning down or am I fully clothed?

That’s a very good question. I think you’re naked.
A
bath robe (laughs). I don’t know if I’m naked. I would say because I’m
such a simple girl, and I’m always in a t-shirt and jeans, I would grab
my Mr. T gold chain. It jazzes up any outfit I’m wearing.

What does Rebel Yell mean?
It just popped into my head. My favorite rollercoaster as a kid was called Rebel Yell [in Virginia]. It fit.

I noticed you did your Spring launch party at Kitson in LA. How did you go about making that happen?
We’ve
just gotten great support from very successful and talented people and
[Kitson owner] Fraser [Ross] is one of them. He’s one of our biggest
supporters. We were having lunch with him one day, and he suggested the
idea of a party.  It’s something we had been thinking about too, so it
just made sense.

What stores is Rebel Yell in?
Kitson, Lounge, Intermix. We’re in all the boutiques I’ve ever wanted to be in.

Do you have a website?
We don’t. We’re
debating about whether or not to do one. I think we will eventually, but
I don’t know.  Something about having a website weirds me out. I feel
like all of a sudden there’s no mystery left if people know too much
about Rebel Yell.

Like what you see?  Shop for Rebel Yell gear at Kitson!

2 comments March 22nd, 2006

Shopping Guide: Structured Hobo Bags

Question of the moment–are Hobo Bags In or Out?  Weigh in on our oh-so-amusing poll!

Prada Brown Lock Hobo | $1,180 at Bluefly

Our Splurge Pick:



Lolli Mud Flap Bag byReincarnation | $495 at Shopbop

Our Cheap Chic Pick:

Merona Hobo Bag | $19.99 at Target

March 21st, 2006