DC Fashion Week: Kuralai

The other Kazakhstani designer showing during DC Fashion Week was Kuralai Nurkadilova, who has won the Harper's Bazaar 2007 Person of the Year, a special prize from Ernst and Young for enterprise talent and she was a finalist for International businesswoman of the year by Ernst and Young. Kuralai has had shows all around the world including Russia, Paris and London. Her collection wasn't as ethnic-inspired as Kenje, but it was a little more wearable. I loved the sheer layers and trim shaped into geometric and spiderweb patterns.
Very menswear, but the sheer blouse adds a feminine touch!
I adore this minty color! Perfect for spring!
This skirt reminds me of one I saw at Terexov, but not as well executed - too stiff!
I can't explain it, but I am totally in love with this dress' dark print panels.

I'm feeling the green pops of color.

I dunno how I feel about a sheer skirt with pockets, I feel like sheer has to be left as simple and clean as possible.

Eyelet Leather Cape

This is a perfect finishing touch that would take a basic outfit into a fabulous gothic-inspired look! Once $114, it's now on sale for a mere $35 at Newport News.

Silk Brocade Skirt

This Michael Kors brocade skirt is so beautifully crinkly and shiny, like looking right into a sparkling fountain at noon. Buy at Style Bop (not to be confused with ShopBop!) for the sale price of $290 - originally $570!

Feathered Headband

Featered headbands by Pluma have been all over the place lately - I definitely saw a ton at NY Fashion Week. Get one of your very own at Polka Dots & Moonbeams for $48.

Large Print Houndstooth Tee

I loved the giant houndstooth print Marc Jacobs used for his fall collection, but since I can't afford it, this $17 tee from Target will do!

Bluefly Sale - Today Only

Get an extra 10% everything on Bluefly today only, so if you've had your eye on something maybe now is the time to snatch it up!

Beaded Evening Bag

What a beautiful evening bag! A lot of celebs from London have been rocking tiny art deco styled purses, like this one! Buy in black, gray or pearl for $110 at Nordstrom.

Active Endeavors New Items Sale Code

Yay! Get 20% off all new, full-priced items at Active Endeavors when you enter the code "hellofall" before midnight Oct 1.

Misplaced Heels?

These have an uncanny resemblance the the Marc Jacob's misplaced heels I obsessed over last year, but are actually Pour La Victoire. I know I saw a celebrity wearing a similar style recently, I think ones by United Nude. Buy at Zappos for $194 in black, red or beige.

Vintage Bead Tassel Necklace

This necklace make of vintage beads feels very "statement" without being in your face - tres hard to do! If you look close, the tassel is made of chains, giving it a subtle edge as well. Buy at Otte for $238.

Survival Silk Shirtdress

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Ok, technically it's still September, but we might as well get a head start, yes? Jenny Han is donating 20% of each dress sold to the Young Survival Coalition, a non-profit organization focused solely on the critical issues unique to young women under 40 affected by breast cancer. Buy at Blush for the sale price of $119.

DC Fashion Week: Kenje

Well, my photos are kinda dark so I was waiting to get the official ones, but I don't think they're up yet so here are mine.
For the special Kazakhstan show during DC Fashion Week, the first designer to show was Kenje. I really enjoyed this show, there were lots of hoods, interesting draping and shiny fabrics. I loved how the designer, Akkenje (who is the first Kazakhstan designer to show in Paris and designed the Kazakhstan Olympic outfits), mixed traditional elements and fashion forward details together.
I like this hood caplet looking top.

Shiny! But the way the dress is draped mkes the model look pregnant.



A lot of these hoods feel very "Lawrence of Arabia" to me.

I like the mesh netting over this dress.
These hats will be all the rage next season!
Looks a little go go dancer, but I adore the long braid on the hat!

Lust for Less: Leather Leggings

Want the whole leather legging look without spending $1,200 plus on a pair of pants? Here are some more affordable options!

These Helmut Lang leggings are still a pricy $875 at Barney's, but since those $1,200 Daryl K ones sold out in a few days I imagine these will be gone soon too!

These are called leather leggings on the site but are really more like leather pants. Either way, they cost $258 at Marciano.

Finally, Intermix has some pleater leggings for an affordable by comparison $195.

Drop Puff Sleeves Plaid Top

This is one of those tops that perfects the grunge / hipster look MK Olsen has perfected so well! I would definitely pair this with some faded, skinny black jeans tucked into over the knee boots for a chic casual weekend look. Buy at Steve Alan for $148.

Bruno Crashes Milan Fashion Week

Sacha Baron Cohen has crashed Milan Fashion Week. Parading around as one of his characters, Bruno the gay Austrian fashion-TV presenter, he managed to get backstage with his camera crew at Iceberg, Mariella Burani, and Roberto Musso, according to WWD, which describes the incidents thusly:

"Once inside, the comedian feigned a fashionista crisis, throwing himself on the floor, appearing to tear off his clothes. According to backstage photographers at Iceberg, Cohen was midinterview with a model agent when he began his act, dragging down a rack of clothes that stuck to his Velcro-trimmed getup. Security staff removed Cohen, and subsequently managed to block him from entering the Dsquared2 show on Thursday morning."

The New York Post reports Cohen tried to get into the Versace show by aligning himself with Marie Claire editor Joanna Coles, who denied any affiliation with him. The Italian Chamber of Fashion didn't like Cohen's shenanigans one bit and promptly sent out a press release to designers showing in Milan suggesting they not allow production companies Cohen's probably working with access to their shows. But security and that fancy press release couldn't stop Cohen. The photo you see here is of the prankster today on the runway of Agatha Ruiz De La Prada's show with a security guard chasing after him.

The movie Bruno: Delicious Journeys Through America for the Purpose of Making Heterosexual Male is supposed to come out next year.

Via NY Mag

Belted Striped Cardigan

I love the clash of the vertical and horizontal stripes on this LinQ cardigan! I think Miley Cyrus recently bought one, but I couldn't find a picture. Either way, find it at Green Apple for $168.

Lace Arm Warmers

Loved the look of the Chanel lace gloves but didn't want to spend $800? Why not get these cute lace fingerless gloves for only $8 at Cutsey Girl.

Hooded Romper

I saw a decent amount of rompers on the catwalk for spring '09, so I'm thinking they will still be rocked next season. If you debated over one, I recommend this fab piece with kimono-like sleeves and a hoodie! Buy for the sale price of $180 at Standard Deviation.

Over The Knee Boots

It all started with Serena on "Gossip Girl" last season, wearing those fabulous tall suede boots! Well, a fashion trend that chic (and expensive) almost always lasts more than one season, so break out your old pair or perhaps buy some new? I prefer flats or ones with a thick heel to avoid looking stripper-tastic, but all styles can be done well!

Side Saddle Pouch

I really like the small cross body bags that are so utilitarian and yet so chic at the same time! Buy this Foley + Corinna one on sale for $213 at ShopBop.

Bling Wolf Tee

This tee feels like the perfect level of cheeky and fun to me! Buy at Tobi for $55.

Faux Fur Zebra Trench

Winter coats are investment pieces, something you'll wear constantly for at least 4 months out of the year! The trench is flattering on almost everyone and this one is funk-ified with fauz fur and a zebra print! Buy at Twiggs for $395.

Elizabeth and James Soon To Have Footwear!

Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are planning to expand their Elizabeth & James line to include footwear! The duo has signed up with iconic U.S. shoe brand Steve Madden to design the range, which will hit stores and sites in American next year. Supposedly MK focuses on Elizabeth & James whilst Ashley focuses on The Row, but they will be co-creative directors for this.
Via Elle UK

Shawl Collar Jacket

This blazer looks very tuxedo inspired to me, and is actually affordable! Buy at Yes Style for $65.

Metallic Tweed Ballerina Skirt

Maybe it's because I'm so petite, but I'm totally obsessed with full mini skirts! I love this one's metallic tweed and waistband... I wish I could afford it right now! Buy at Owl's Lab for $275.

Tux Jumpsuit

Jumpsuits have been growing in popularity with celebs and were suddenly all over the catwalks for spring. I like this one by Mara Hoffman because it has a two piece feel and the tux details are tres chic. Buy it at She Boutique for $520.

More Lace Tights

I definitely recommend buying a pair of crochet, lace-style tights for fall. It's a completely affordable and very fun way to update a look! Here some options:

Couture Candy Walter Code

Get 30% off Walter pieces at Couture Candy with the discount code "WALTERGRAM" at checkout! If the site is working...

Bright Tunic Sweater

The days are getting shorter, the air a little crisp, fall is on its way! Keep your mood bright with this chunky knit tunic found at Net-A-Porter for $150.

Tulle T-Shirt Dress

I was browsing through t-shirt dresses and saw this one and fell in love!! The addition of the tulle layer adds such a unique, girly vibe, totally transforming the basic concept into something fun and sweet. Buy at Target for the sale price of $25.

Chiffon Sequin Top

All the new fashion shows are showing that we won't need to put away our sheer or sequined items for next spring, so why not get this beautiful Just Cavalli top? It makes me think of a phoenix rising from the ashes - pretty! Buy at eLuxury for the sale price of $249, originally $420.

Neiman Marcus Announces Fall 2008 Fashionista Event

WHAT: Neiman Marcus introduces its Fall 2008 Fashionista Event! Spend $500 anywhere in the store and customers will receive a copy of the book, “Fashion Questionnaire.” The book outlines the top designer’s take on fashion and allows the customer to fill in their own fashion point of view.

WHEN: October 2nd – October 4th

WHERE: All Neiman Marcus Locations

Statement Bib Necklace

Finally, a statement necklace that's less than $300!! Buy this beautiful bib necklace in turquoise or black at Banana Republic for $150.

Forties Style Blouse

This 40's style blouse by Anna Sui is just stunning to look at, what a fab mix of print and color! Originally $352, it's on sale for $176 at Chick Downtown. Better yet, get an extra 40% off any sale item with the code "ADD40" at checkout, making this blouse cost a mere $106! Could someone buy this before I do?

Sweater Sleeve Coat

I have a top with sweater sleeves, I get compliments on it's uniqueness all the time! This coat has that same unique flavor; when people ask you where you got it you can say ModCloth for $170.