FitSugar

Best of 2011: Which Runway Trend Was the Most Outrageous?

Brittney Stephens — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 03:30:48 PST

No year is complete without a few crazy fashion trends, and in 2011 there were a few that especially had us scratching our heads. Marc Jacobs sent moonboot-style wedges down his Fall runway, making for a far out, slightly space-age footwear trend. Burberry Prorsum and Christopher Kane showed '60s-inspired plastic and PVC pieces, great for keeping the rain at bay, but still a questionable everyday look. We also saw overstuffed, gorilla-esque fur sleeves at Peter Som and YSL and overtly sexy, undie-baring sheer skirts at Louis Vuitton, Givenchy, and more. Out of all the wacky wardrobe pieces we saw this year, which one was the craziest?

Celebrity Style: Brittany Snow

FabSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 10:00:22 PDT

Good girl, bad girl. You have to admire a girl who can do a fashion double take. Though risky, Brittany took a chance in her black PVC mini, white tank and killer Jimmy Choo studded heels at the Teen Choice Awards Pre-Party. Works for me. For those who aren't into kinky PVC, I provided another well lacquered black skirt.

Source

PVC Shower Curtains = Bad For Your Health

FitSugar — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 02:00:00 PDT

Air pollution affects our health, but most of us think about the air outside being polluted - not the air in our homes. There are many silent culprits polluting our air from odorless radon to stinky off-gassing PVCs (polyvinyl chloride). It seems that PVCs are in just about everything from household items like vinyl flooring, vinyl shower curtains, and children’s toys to beauty products like perfumes, nail polish, and lotions. Plus PVC is very difficult to recycle and never breaks down.

Since many "plastic" shower curtains are made from PVC which off-gasses plasticizers that are potential hormone disruptors. Plus, they are easier to throw away than to clean once they become covered with mildew. These plastic/PVC shower curtains never breakdown and they are difficult to recycle. On so many levels, plastic shower curtains are just plain bad news.

A simple way to improve the quality of air in your house is to replace vinyl shower curtains with cloth ones made of organic cotton or hemp. Of course you should use a nylon liner in stead of a plastic one. You can easily wash both a cloth shower curtain and the nylon liner, so they will be around in your bathroom for a long time, rather than clogging up landfills. Plus hemp is naturally mildew resistant and sturdy, there's a reason sailors made ropes out of the fiber. Some hemp curtains are so thick, they don't even require a liner!

The only downside that I can see is that hemp curtains only come in "natural" and "white" - not so fashionable. Since the green revolution has begun, I think we will start seeing fun colors in these shower curtains.

And you, what kind of shower curtain do you have? Let me know in the comments section below.

Put a Cap on It: Jessica, Gwyneth, Solange, and More Wear Spring's Ladylike Cap-Toe Trend

Marisa Tom — Thu, 03 May 2012 10:40:18 PDT

Some shoe trends come and go, but Spring's ladylike cap-toe pump trend is here to stay. Proving our point and the two-toned silhouette's styling versatility, A-list celebrities and fashion's It girls have been donning the latest Christian Louboutin, Louis Vuitton, and Yves Saint Laurent renditions to red-carpet affairs, private dinners, and even basketball games. Lately, we've spotted Jessica Alba in two different Giuseppe Zanotti iterations, Gwyneth Paltrow dressing up her menswear-inspired suit with gold-studded Louis Vuitton heels, and Solange Knowles playing up Spring's brights via minty-green Stuart Weitzman Mary Janes. Whether you're loving the classic black-and-white capped combo or are gravitating toward a more daring spiked and PVC-infused version, we've rounded up 15 chic starlets wearing the trend, 15 different ways. Click through for a closer look, then shop our editors' picks at the end of the slideshow.

Marni Collaborates With Ex-Colombian Prisoners For a New Chair Collection

Angela Swinderman Elias — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 12:00:11 PDT

This month, Marni's presentation at the Salone del Mobile 2012 will focus on a new collection of chairs crafted in Colombia by ex-prisoners. The collection includes 100 chairs featuring metal bases and multicolored PVC threads. The silhouettes reflect the popular seating style used by local Colombian families but have unmistakable Marni features like colorblocked patterns and on-trend colors.

The chairs are also a part of the "L'Arte del Ritratto" project, which features them in a photo exhibition created in collaboration with the photographer and filmmaker Francesco Jodice. The chairs are used as props for a series of portraits of Marni employees from different departments. The collection of chairs, along with the photo exhibition and accompanying video, will be presented at the Milan Marni boutique during Salone del Mobile from April 18-22. After Salone del Mobile, the chairs will find homes in various Marni boutiques worldwide, where the local employees will have a chance to pose with the famous seats to keep the exhibition going. Proceeds raised from the sale of the chairs will be donated to the institute ICAM of Milan, a project that supports children of imprisoned mothers.

For the full gallery of chairs, head over to Fashionologie.

Get in Gear: Eco-Friendly Mats

FitSugar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 02:30:00 PDT

Who wants to do their Downward Facing Dog on PVC (polyvinyl chloride)? It's a toxic plastic that's used to make many sticky mats. According to Greenpeace, PVC products that are being disposed of within a few years of use, are causing serious waste problems since these and other plastics don't biodegrade quickly. In response to this growing PVC crisis, many manufacturers are beginning to make environmentally friendly mats using natural fibers like jute, cotton, and rubber.

Not only are these mats biodegradable, and free of hazardous chemicals, but their makers say they provide more traction. Other mats made of plastic take a few washings and hours of practice to get rid of the chemical sheen, not to mention the stinky smell.

Since practicing yoga and Pilates is doing good for you, why not use a mat that does good for the environment as well? By choosing environmentally friendly products, you are doing your part to support the movement toward a healthier, sustainable planet. Here are some of my favorites:

Saka Studio Eco Yoga Mat	Cotton Rug
The Original Eco Yoga Mat	Jute Yoga Mat
prAna E.C.O. Sticky Mat	Natural Jute and PER Yoga Mat

Fendi Fall 2012

Brittney Stephens — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:07:29 PST

Karl Lagerfeld and Silvia Fendi joined forces to create an apocalyptic-chic collection for Fall 2012 - the wintery, forest-inspired vibe was evident, as models walked the runway in luxe layers of patent PVC and colored fur, looking gorgeously aggressive and ready for battle. Most of the pieces looked as if they had been literally cut from different cloths - oversize fur coats with contrasting sleeves, leather dresses with pleated bustles and wide corset belts, and tailored coats with cowhide bibs - all fashioned in a woodsy color palette of greens, navies, and neutrals. Models' makeup was left mostly natural, save for white wings painted on their eyelids to mimic Lagerfeld's "snow on branches" aesthetic, and hairstylist Sam McKnight created strong, severe coifs to further lend to the collection's Victorian warrior princess vibe. Get the full breakdown below.

Trends: Colored fur, leather and PVC inserts, exaggerated, armor-inspired shoulders.
Colors: Black, navy, maroon, forest green, slate gray.
Key Piece: The multicolored fur coat with bold, bright yellow sleeves.
Accessories: Wide leather corset belts; colorblock lace-up ankle boots; colored, crocodile-print tights; fur-covered handbags.
Who Would Wear It: Only the sartorially daring, like Kate Moss, Daphne Guinness, and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Christopher Kane Fall 2012

FabSugar — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 16:00:21 PST

For Fall '12, Christopher Kane brought a decidedly Gothic vibe to the runway, returning to the leather, leopard, and PVC detailing he's used in earlier collections. Known for combining the futuristic with classic feminine details, Kane showed many looks that could be considered signature - there were knee-length dresses with supersexy cutouts, paisley-print skirts teamed with chunky cable-knit sweaters, and sleek, pinstripe leather trousers that gave a dose of Dick Tracy-cool to an otherwise subversive mix. Get the full breakdown below.

Trends: Stripes, leopard, grosgrain prints, cable-knit sweaters, boxy jackets.
Colors: Red, black, purple, blue, white.
Key Piece: The leather cutout dresses in almost wood-like prints were sexy, yet sophisticated.
Accessories: Obi-style belts, chunky heels, simple colorblock clutches.
Who Would Wear It: Christopher Kane loyalists like Alexa Chung, Emma Stone, and Chloë Moretz.

I Love Your ShopStyle: Quirky Mix

FabSugar — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 04:15:00 PST

ShopStylist erindream didn't skimp on prints and patterns, and the result is an eclectic mix of color and texture. With Fashion Week on our minds, we can't help but think this satin-jersey harem pant, slouchy top, and braided raffia platform matchup is calling Zoe Kravitz's name. Add a bright PVC-infused Marni clutch for a luxe accessory twist, throw on an edgy silver necklace, and tousle your hair for an undone boho feel.

Don't forget to style up your own Fashion Week-worthy ensemble - just submit here and include "Fashion Week" in the title. We may just feature you on FabSugar!

Casual Pants by Balmain
Clutches by Marni

Grammy Awards: Alicia Keys

FabSugar — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 18:05:35 PST

Alicia Keys chose a super structured Alexandre Vauthier LBD, but it was her close attention to edgy add-ons that made this sleek ensemble pop. Her "Bis Un Bout" Christian Louboutin ankle-strap pumps featured PVC-infused panels, which evoked a futuristic feel, while her chunky geo-shaped gold choker injected a fierce attitude. To finish off the look, Alicia rocked a retro bouffant and minimal makeup. How do you think she did?

Vote on all of our Grammy Awards polls here!