Star Style: Kardashian Edition

Like mother, like daughter! Kris Jenner made news this week for wearing the same Givenchy top-and-skirt combo that daughter Kim had worn on a trip to Thailand. It's not the first time that Kim and Kris have rocked the same look.

Kim and Kris both donned a red lace Valentino number last year.  (And for the record, Kim doesn't just share clothes with her mom; she also made headlines when she posted a photo of herself wearing a bikini on loan from younger sister, Kylie, age 16.)

Kim's not the only daughter to share clothes with mom. Khloe borrowed Kris' Valentino dress to wear to Kim's recent pre-wedding brunch at the estate of the designer of the dress himself:

Susan Says: Read These Books Now

One author, two amazing, must-read books for women of every age! 
 

Let's Just Say It Wasn't Pretty @ Barnes & Noble.com

First, Let's Just Say it Wasn't Pretty is Academy Award- and Golden Globe-winner Diane Keaton's account of her life in front of the camera. In a world obsessed with beauty, Keaton believed that she was outside of the "conventional" standards. To overcome this, as well as her struggle with bulimia, Keaton created her own personal style and fought through many insecurities and became a style icon. 
After romances with notable men including Warren Beatty, Al Pacino, Woody Allen and Sam Shepard, Keaton chose motherhood through adoption at age 50. 

Keaton recounts how beauty ideals change as we age and how important it is to love your style and, above all, to love yourself.

Such a great message... but don't just read this book! 

You also must check out Then Again, Keaton's memoir about her mother and herself. 

Then Again @ Barnes & Noble.com

In this book, Keaton presents an elegy to her mother, Dorothy Hall, through journals her mother wrote -- almost like a memoir within a memoir.  In addition, she chronicles the life of her entire family in a tale that encompasses four generations. Underscoring it all is an enduring faith and love which reveals how the bond between a mother and a daughter defined both their lives.

SJP's New Collection a Fashion "Shoe-In"

"People should dress the way they want. Any rules for age or shape are silly.  If you walk out the door feeling good about yourself, that's what counts."

So stated Sarah Jessica Parker - aka SJP - during a recent interview featured in InStyle Magazine.  

Parker is, of course, famous for the stunning clothing and shoes during her years as the star of Sex and the City, as well as her highly coveted "real-life" style.  She's famous for donning ultra-high-end labels like Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo, and now SJP is bringing that high-style to the mass market through a partnership with George Malkemus, CEO of Manolo Blahnik, to create a more affordable line of shoes and handbags.

Vogue UK describes the SJP collection as "pared-back, simple and elegant" with pumps and flats priced between $200 and $300 and bags for around $700 and reports that the SJP collection will be produced entirely in Europe and New York City, and will be sold exclusively at Nordstrom.

The shoes debut on February 28 at selected Nordstrom stores and at Nordstrom.com.  Meanwhile, here's a first look at  a pump from the collection, the "Diana", which was featured in Lucky magazine and will retail for $365.

Star Style: Kim Basinger & Ireland Baldwin

Basinger Then & Baldwin Now / People

Ireland Baldwin, age 18, has credited her mom, Oscar-winner Kim Basinger, with inspiring her to get into modeling.  Now, it seems that Ireland is inspiring Kim, who just turned 60 earlier this month:  Basinger has signed a contract with her daughter's modeling agency, IMG.

Reporting on Basinger's IMG contract, Variety wrote, "The perception of who is an acceptable spokesperson is changing; Basinger, who is 60, can help challenge the stigma that only youth works for sponsorships."

Variety continues to note that, "Recent months have seen partnerships like Jerry Seinfeld, 59, for Acura, Michael Bolton, 60, for Honda, and Helen Mirren, 68, for British retailer Marks and Spencer."

Fabulous at Any Age

Courtesy Harper's Bazaar) Bazaar celebrates its "Fabulous at Every Age" winners in New York / Stylebistro.com

Style at any age is one of our favorite fashion topics, so we were excited to see Harper's Bazaar's Fabulous at Any Age feature, honoring stylish women of different generations.

"At Harper's Bazaar, we celebrate women who are fabulous at every age, because great style is timeless," said the magazine's Editor-in-Chief Glenda Bailey in a statement about this year's "Fabulous at Every Age Contest." When the winners of the contest were announced, actress Brooke Shields hosted the celebratory event, which was sponsored by Estee Lauder.  Shields, recognized by Harper's Bazaar as being a symbol of ageless beauty herself, commented, "I think we should just own what we see in the mirror with absolute confidence."

The grand prize winner was Teruko Laura Burrell, age 55, who was awarded the grand prize of $10,000.  The other winners each received $5,000.  The Fabulous at Any Age winners are pictured with Shields above.  You can read more about them on Harper's Bazaar's web site.

And it's worth noting that it was recently announced that Shields is publishing a book on another one of our favorite topics - mothers and daughters!

At Harper’s BAZAAR, we celebrate women who are fabulous at every age, because great style is timeless,” said editor in chief Glenda Bailey. - See more at: http://www.magazine.org/harper%E2%80%99s-bazaar-and-est%C3%A9e-lauder-launch-2013-fabulous-every-age-reader-search-find-five-america%E2%80%99s#sthash.kGaPrssN.dpuf

At Harper’s BAZAAR, we celebrate women who are fabulous at every age, because great style is timeless,” said editor in chief Glenda Bailey. - See more at: http://www.magazine.org/harper%E2%80%99s-bazaar-and-est%C3%A9e-lauder-launch-2013-fabulous-every-age-reader-search-find-five-america%E2%80%99s#sthash.kGaPrssN.dpuf

Be Seen in Green

From "A Year in the Emerald City," WSJ

 

According to an article by Christina Binkley in today's Wall Street Journal, the color green will be the color pick of the year for 2013 --- a retro throwback to the 1980's in fashion, jewelry, housewares, furniture and even cars!  

 

Green was designated the "it" color by Pantone, a company who sells codes that manufacturers use to replicate colors that will determine the "it" color each year based on surveys, sales of color swatches and the opinions of the general public.

Deep greens were seen on fashion runways of the spring 2013 collections of labels such as Valentino, D&G, Marni and Roland Mouret.  

 

Akris Spring 2013 Runway / WSJ / Getty

 

Accessories such as sunglasses by Oliver Peoples will also be making you green with envy this spring:

 

Oliver Peoples / WSJ

 

For some emerald inspiration, check out Jennifer Connelly (below) and other celebrities in green in this Marie Claire gallery.

Susan Says: Narciso Rodriguez for Kohl's

 

Katie Holmes in a Narciso Rodriguez for Kohl's Dress ($70)

 

On November 7th Kohl's DesigNation will launch a line by Cuban-American designer Narciso Rodriguez. This limited-time collection will be available exclusively online at Kohls.com and in Kohl's stores.

 

In 1996, Rodriguez garnered international fame when he designed Carolyn Bessette's wedding dress for her wedding to John Kennedy, Jr. On November 4, 2008, Michelle Obama chose to wear a dress from the designer’s Spring 2009 Collection to celebrate her husband's election. For the Kohl's line, Rodriguez was inspired by his love of Istanbul. Pattern interplay and minimalist design make the line irresistible and the pieces are crafted to fit flawlessly and gracefully. 

 

 

 

 

 

Stars such as Katie Holmes, Emma Roberts and Julianna Margulies stepped out in New York City in gorgeous dresses from the new line to celebrate the imminent launch.  Margulies, who wore a two-tone dress (retails at $64), is such a huge fan of the designer that he even created her wedding gown. Margulies told InStyle, "(Rodriguez)... cuts dresses to look best on a woman's body.  He loves a curve. And this dress?  It's just not going to go out of style." 

Juliana Margulies in Narciso Rodriguez for Kohl's /Jemal Countess/Getty Images North America

 

There are lots of great, wearable styles in the Kohl's collection.  A black peplum top is  on my immediate wish list.

Fall for Burgundy

This Fall, the color of the season is burgundy, which was widely featured on the Fall 2012 runway, so much so that Marie Claire magazine, in their report on Fall 2012 runways, declared, "Burgundy is the new black!"

 

DVF Fall 2012 Runway Look (Credit: Imaxtree, as seen in Marie Claire)

 

Jason Wu Fall 2012 Runway Look (Credit: Imaxtree, as seen in Marie Claire)

Alexander Wang told InStyle Magazine, ""Burgundy is neither a brown nor a red, but it has the best qualities of both."  "Think of it as a new neutral.  Try it in place of beige, navy, gray or black," the designer added.

 

The color looks good with most complexions and was seen on Natalie Portman at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and on Emma Stone at the Golden Globes.  

 

Natalie Portman at the SAG Awards 2012

 

Emma Stone at the 2012 Golden Globe Awards

 

Proving that burgundy is not just for young starlets, Helen Mirren, age 67, donned a burgundy dress and looked stunning at a movie premiere last year:

 

Helen Mirren at film premiere

The color works well with shades such as ebony and white, sky blue, cobalt blue, forest green, burnt orange, peony and peach.  Try the trend with an investment handbag in burgundy which will go beautifully with either black or brown outfits or go for burgundy shoes to add a pop of color in lieu of black shoes.  For a monochrome look pair with a light blue pashmina.

 

Try the trend with these possibilities:

7 For All Mankind Jeans $189 @ Nordstrom

Rag & Bone Harrow Boot $495

Butter London Polish in Shag $14

Mom-Inspired Celebrity Launches

This week two stars announced new product launches- inspired by their mothers!

Nicole Richie and her eponymous perfume, as featured in InStyle

Nicole Richie is a reality star, author, mother to Harlow and Sparrow, and the designer behind House of Harlow 1960 and Winter Kate. She is now a fragrance creator, too. Richie told Women's Wear Daily that the scent was inspired by the layered scents her mother wore when Nicole was a child. “I have a very traditional Southern mom — you never left the house without lotion,” said Richie during a phone interview with WWD.   The fragrance, which is named Nicole, is a blend of blackberry, orange, and amber, with undertones of cashmere and vanilla, InStyle reported. Look for ads for the new fragrance to appear in the September issues of fashion, beauty and lifestyle magazines, with the product hitting 2,000 department and specialty stores that month.

Photo of Nikki Reed from report in InStyle

InStyle Magazine reported yesterday that Twillight actress, writer and newlywed Nikki Reed has partnered with Pascal Mouawad’s Glamhouse to launch her first jewelry collection which will be called Mattlin Era and will be available this fall.  She too was inspired by her mother, saying in a press statement, "Some of my earliest memories are of my mother sitting behind her sewing machine making clothes for my brother and I when we couldn't afford to buy the cool stuff that was sold in stores." She adds, "When I was old enough to help, we would go and buy fun colored beads to string on elastic and- voila!- I had my first 'jewelry line.'"

Who Wore It Best - At Any Age

We always check out the latest edition of US Weekly and of course we always love the "Who Wore It Best?" feature which appears in every issue. This week we noticed that the "Who Wore It Best?" column could be entitled, "Who Wore It Best- At Any Age!"

In the photo above, iconic supermodel Christie Brinkley, age 58, and accomplished actress Amy Adams, age 37, both wore Roland Mouret's Herbert dress.

In the photo below, the legendary Jane Fonda, age 74, wears the same sequin Roberto Cavalli gown as George Clooney's ex, Elisabetta Canalis, age 33.

Also on this page, Good Morning America anchor Robin Roberts, age 51, is wearing the same Alexander McQueen dress as actress Erika Christensen, age 29.

Regardless of their ages, we think all the ladies all look equally amazing in these gorgeous fashions!

Star Style: Kate Moss and Lila Grace / Sadie Frost and Iris Law

Kate Moss and Daughter Lila Grace in Vogue

Lila Grace, the nine-year-old daughter of iconic supermodel Kate Moss, could be ready to take to the catwalk in the near future, and she may be joined by another young celebrity daughter.  

According to People Magazine, the rumor that Lila is an aspiring model was fueled by Moss's goddaughter, Iris Law (the daughter of actor Jude Law and his ex, Sadie Frost), by way of an essay Iris wrote for U.K.'s aMUSE Magazine.  

Sadie Frost and Iris Law in aMuse Magazine

Iris Law, age 11, said of her god-sister, Lila, that the two enjoy creating photo shoots of one another whenever they are together.  Law's take on modeling is, "I enjoy this. It's everything I love in one go:  it's creative, it makes you think . . it's fashion".

Lila did already appear in one very special photo shoot- her mother Kate's July 2011 wedding to Jamie Hince. Lila was a bridesmaid for the event, which was photographed for and featured in US Vogue.

Star Style: Liv Tyler, Bebe Buell and Dorothea Johnson

Photo Credit:

Victor Demarchelier / Harper's Bazaar

Most of us know that Liv Tyler has a famous father, Aerosmith singer and American Idol judge Steven Tyler. But Tyler, who didn't know the identity of her biological father until she was 11, was raised by her mother, grandmother and her aunt, and Harper's Bazaar has a profile of Liv Tyler, age 34, her mother Bebe Buell, 58, and maternal grandmother Dorothea Johnson, age 82. 

While the three generations of women are very different from one another- Buell is a rock singer, while Johnson is an etiquette expert and Tyler is an actress- according to Bazaar, "the three women can be sure to find common ground in some pretty fabulous fashion..." 

In addition to fashion, all three generations share an affinity for skincare and fitness; Buell and Johnson imparted all their beauty secrets to Tyler, including the importance of moisturizing, which, says Bazaar, "in this family is practically a religious commandment."  And when it comes to working out, no one is more inspiring than Johnson; Tyler tells the magazine that, at age 82, her grandmother, "...always sets a good example- she does 100 situps in her nightie. Every. Single. Morning." Pretty impressive!

Star Style: Diane Keaton

She started a fashion trend in the 1970's in the movie "Annie Hall."  Now at 66 Diane Keaton remains a highly acclaimed actress (she won an Oscar for Best Actress in "Annie Hall" and was subsequently nominated for a Best Actress Oscar every year for four consecutive decades), an eccentric dresser and the poster child for being sexy in your sixties.   

Keaton was recently interviewed by AARP, The Magazine, and demonstrated her eclectic style, arriving at the interview wearing a pouffy miniskirt over leopard-print leggings and black patent pumps and sporting nails covered in plaid appliques rather than polish. She also often wears gloves, since she claims that at her age it is best to "hide anything I can."

 

While she may want to cover up her hands, Keaton is not adverse to revealing herself in the interview. She talks about her struggles with bulimia, which left her with 26 cavities, as well as a deep emotional hole and her romances with such luminaries as Woody Allen, Warren Beatty and Al Pacino.   When the romances faded, Keaton took the plunge into parenthood at the age of 50, adopting an infant girl and then an infant boy.

"I never understood the idea that you're supposed to mellow as you get older," Keaton told AARP. "Slowing down isn't something I relate to at all.  The goal is to continue in good and bad, all of it.  To continue to express myself, particularly. To feel the world.  To explore.  To be with people.  To take things far.  To risk.  To love.  I just want to know more and see more." Such inspiring words for people of any age!

Keaton says that she has never had plastic surgery.  "My thinking about plastic surgery is this.  I haven't had it, but never say never.  I've done all kinds of things I said  wouldn't do."

Diane Keaton is an inspiration to all ageless beauties as the face for a line of clothing by Chico's and the spokesperson for L'Oreal Paris.  Look for her in upcoming movies "The Wedding," co-starring Robert DeNiro, and "Darling Companion," co-starring Kevin Kline. 

Star Style: Carrie and Carole Underwood

Carrie and Carole Underwood

Country music superstar Carrie Underwood and her mother, Carole, seem to have a wonderful close relationship; Carrie even cast Carole to star in her music video for her song entitled, "Mama's Song."

Now Underwood has teamed up with Olay to launch a new initiative called “Beauty by Example," which invites people to visit Olay’s Facebook page and sign a declaration acknowledging their mothers for being beautiful, both inside and out. For everyone who participates, Olay,  the skincare company renowned for its long tradition of cutting-edge, "these-really-work" products, will donate one ounce of product (up to one million ounces) to Look Good...Feel Better, a national organization that boosts the self-esteem of women undergoing treatment for cancer.

Underwood says that she wishes she would have heeded more of her mother's beauty advice. “If I could go back and talk to my 15-year-old self I’d be like, ‘Seriously, listen to your mom,’” Underwood told People magazine.“Drink more water, put more sunscreen on, moisturize. There are a lot of people like me who wish they did more.”

“My mom is a great example to me and my sisters, she’s just the best,” she says. “If I ever had one of those days when it’s like, ‘I don’t feel so great about myself,’ she’d always tell me, ‘You’re beautiful, you’re funny, you sing well.’ She was always a positive person in my life, which is important,” she adds. “People need more positive influences.”

Underwood isn't the only celebrity to credit both her mother and Olay with helping her achieve great skin. Actress Leven Rambin, 21, who appears in the hit movie, The Hunger Games, told People that her mother started her on Olay moisturizer at age 10. "She'd say, 'If I'd used that when I was young, I'd look 10 years younger,'" says Rambin.

Star Style: Patti Hansen, Theordora Richards & Alexandra Richards

  

Former model Patti Hansen, age 56, and daughter Theodora Richards, 27, star together in this recent add for Net-a-Porter.com. Both women look amazing modeling maxi-dresses. 

It's not the first time the mother and daughter have modeled together; in December 2011 Patti appeared with Theodora on the cover of Town & Country magazine, along with daughter Alexandra, 25, as well.

Patti survived a health crisis when, two years after being diagnosed with breast cancer, she got a shocking diagnosis: bladder cancer, a form of the disease which typically afflicts men but which also affected roughly 18,000 women in the U.S. last year. Patti has since become an advocate of raising awareness among women about this form of cancer. 

Her health now thankfully restored, Patti and her friend Molly Madden recently launched a line of "rock and roll chic" handbags called Hung On U, based upon the women's "unbridled lifestyles during the Studio 54 era in New York."  The hands-free bags, which range in price from $260-$580, are meant to be slung messenger-style across the body and are available in a range of materials from mesh to leather to exotic skins:

 

Patti says the inspiration for the bags, which are sold at Barneys, was her daughters: the Hung on U website says, "... it wasn’t until watching Patti’s daughters, Alexandra and Theodora, regularly exploring Patti’s closet for these great bags that Patti and Molly remembered how much they loved these fabulous bags."  

The launch of the handbag line at Barneys last fall as a family affair, with Patti's husband/ Alexandra and Theordora's dad / Rolling Stones legend Keith Richards in attendance:

At the event, Patti told a reporter that she is influenced by her daughters' style: "they are wearing the new designers and they're out there in the fashion. I get to see it on them and go 'oh, alright, that's cool.' it's switching, I'm borrowing their stuff now," she said.

Star Style: Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, and Carol Middleton

When on March 19th, Kate Middleton, The Duchess of Cambridge, age 30, was set to deliver her first public address in Ipswich, England, where did she go to find the perfect dress for the important occasion? Her mother's closet, of course!

The Duchess' mother, Carol Middleton, 57, wore the identical dress, paired with the very same thick black belt, back in 2010.  Duchess Kate styled her dress differently by omitting her mother's fascinator.

The dress, which has done double-duty for the Middleton women, was designed by Reiss. Known as "The Trina," the garment was first seen on the racks in 2008 and retailed for around $200.

Kate is a big fan of the designer; she wore the same white dress by Reiss - a style called The Nanette- in both her official engagement portrait and again on Canada Day, proving that not only timeless style but also being economical, recycling outfits and sharing clothes are indeed royal virtues!

Star Style: Heidi Klum and Erna Klum

Supermodel/entrepreneur/TV star/mother of four Heidi Klum, age 38, recently posted this photo of herself and her mother, Erna Klum, sporting similar new haircuts. The ladies look lovely with their matching bright blond color and side-swept bangs.

Along with the photo, Klum posted on her Twitter account, "My beautiful Mom and I got a new haircut!!! Thank you Michel Aleman. We love you!'

Heidi and her mother are very close, and Heidi actually grew up entrenched in the beauty industry; according to an article in Good Housekeeping, her dad, Gunther, was a cosmetics-company executive and mom Erna was actually a hairdresser herself.

The hairstylist responsible for the mother-daughter duo's cut and color, Michel Aleman, is Heidi's stylist as well as an expert on her awesome AOL website.  In addition to Klum, Aleman, who is one of the most celebrated hairstylists, also is responsible for the lovely locks of stars such as Charlize Theron, Drew Barrymore, Elizabeth Hurley, Faith Hill, Kiera Knightly, Natalie Portman, and Scarlett Johansson. Check out his recommendations for top hair products here.

Beyoncé and Tina Knowles

When it comes to celebrity mother-daughter duos who share a mutual love for fashion, few can rival superstar musician (and new mom herself!) Beyoncé Knowles and her mother, Tina.  

We've previously blogged about their fashion label, House of Dereon, which they launched together, and how Tina, a skilled seamstress, designed the costumes for Beyoncé's former group, Destiny's Child.  And when Beyoncé married Jay-Z in 2008, mom Tina designed her wedding gown.

Recently Beyoncé told Glamour magazine that her number-one genius beauty tip is, "Listen to your mother."  

“My best beauty advice came from my mother,” says Beyoncé. “She always says that outer beauty fades and inner beauty has a lasting effect. She also told me to wash my makeup off before going to bed. I don’t always, but I’m trying!"

Susan Says: Asymmetrical Dressing

While the Oscars were the focus of the fashion world's attention, the First Lady made a glamorous appearance at the Governors' Dinner.  The asymmetrical cream colored gown with crystal embellishments rivaled anything seen on the Red Carpet. 

From the Governors' Dinner to the Oscar Red Carpet to regular day wear, asymmetrical dressing is an unbalanced cut that is all the rage.  I noticed one of my co-workers at work wearing a dress with a short front a long back and it was an elegant, unexpected look that could never go unnoticed in a world of the symmetrically fashionable.  She advised me that the style sold out almost immediately.  

It's time to integrate some angled pieces into your wardrobe.  Slanted skirts, dresses and tops can be worn by everyone, regardless of age or size.  Asymmetrical skirts are much more flattering to the wearer as the uneven sides sweep into motion.  They are a perfect way to accentuate one's assets and detract from problem areas.  The skirts are seasonless and can be worn for most occasions.  Pair them with opaque tights and heeled boots and monotone sweaters for cooler climates. Keep accessories simple so as not to detract from the design of the skirt.  For summer, a simple tee shirt or tank top and sandals and simple jewelry will complete the outfit.  Avoid shoes or accessories that will detract from the skirt.  A popular blouse design is having one side sleeveless and the other side sleeved.

Sarah Jessica Parker was recently seen wearing Stella McCartney's cream-colored asymmetric lace dress (one shoulder and asymmetric hemline; she was the toast of the town). 

A similar look was seen on Bar Refaeli in Emilio Pucci asymmetric lace in a shocking shade of blue.

 
Freido Pinto's asymmetric one shoulder lace dress in that similar shocking blue was another standout at the Oscar ceremony.

The look can be found at any price point; check online and the racks and find a stunning look of your own.

Star Style: Meryl Streep and Daughters

In the wake of her Best Actress win at the Academy Awards last night (her third!), we wanted to honor Meryl Streep not just for being a much-celebrated actress, but also for being the mother of three beautiful lookalike daughters! (Streep also has a son who is a musician.) In this photo from InStyle magazine, Streep, age 62, is pictured with daughters Mamie Gummer, age 28; Grace Gummer, age 25; and  Louisa Gummer, age 22.

Notice in the photo above how all of the ladies share a similar smile, and how eldest daughter Mamie is coordinated with her mom in similar cream colored dresses. Meryl also sported coordinated styles with youngest daughter Louisa at the Academy Awards back in '09; their looks matched right down to the bronze clutch bags they both carried!

In addition to sharing their mom's style, it seems that at least some of the Gummer girls also share their mom's passion and talent for acting- Mamie Gummer has even acted alongside her mom, playing Streep's character as a girl in a film called Evening. According to New York Magazine, audience members at a New York theater performance could be heard whispering about Mamie, "She looks just like her mother!"