Winter 2011-12
FashioniSTA File: Oscars 2012
Feb 27th
One of the biggest fashion nights of the year has finally happened, and we are so thrilled that there was actually some glamour walking down the red carpet. From the style winners to the weirdest walking down the carpet (ashes, anyone?), there were plenty of gorgeous and gaudy gowns from which to choose. Yes, white dresses did seem to reign supreme, on the likes of Shailene Woodley and Rooney Mara, but we saw a sneak peek into the Fall 2012 world with touches of gold lamé on Stacy Keibler and Meryl Streep. Obviously the best dressed of the night was Miss Piggy, with Kermit her always-in-style arm candy, but we’ve racked our fashion brains to come up with those that we think are a close second, or third, or fourth…
Ashley’s Picks
Best Dressed: Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen hit a home run this year with Jessica Chastain. The ornate gold detail is very en trend without being temporary, and it fit her like a glove. I loved that her stylist kept her hair loose and picked neutral jewelry, it was the perfect complement to an intricate dress. Glenn Close also looked phenomenal in Zac Posen, and had she removed the jacket for a red carpet pic or two, she might have rivaled Jessica.
Worst Dressed: While there were definitely gaudier dresses on the red carpet, Anna Faris in Diane von Furstenberg missed her fashion potential entirely. For a young girl with great features, she ended up looking old in the dress silhouette and dated with the short blonde bob.
Best Red Carpet Rookie: In probably the most flattering gown I’ve ever seen, Octavia Spencer looked unbelievable in Tadashi Shoji. The silhouette made wearing white possible on any body type, and the contrasting metallic sparkle against her skin was breathtaking. It’s not easy to look good in close-up shots, but Octavia proved that she has what it takes to be a style and Oscar winner.
Biggest Comeback: Kristen Wiig has almost fully recovered from her choker incident at the SAG Awards. While her J. Mendel tiered dress wasn’t a style grand slam, it was a welcome improvement and definitely a step in the right direction. With the right accessories and an up-do, this look could have been sensational.
Best Couple: Jean Dujardin and Alexandra Lamy looked effortlessly glamorous without being boring or over-the-top. I guess it pays to be from France.
Leslie’s Picks
Best Dressed: Octavia Spencer in Tadashi Shoji. She looked spectacular top match her well deserved Oscar award. It showed that even woman with real curves can still have an Oscar winning red carpet moment. I felt that her look was flawless with the pull of the dress coming towards the front extenuating a smaller form waist and giving the puppies some love! Her hair pulled back with a small beehive bump was adorable and makeup was light and natural. I loved everything about her choice down to her Neil Lane clutch, xxxxx.
Worst Dressed: Melissa McCarthy in Marina Rinaldi. The Grecian inspired gown didn’t strike me as flattering nor glamorous. Plus- size fashion is hard but with, a knock out of the park like Octavia Spencer, I can’t say its impossible! I’ve never been a fan of ¾ sleeve nor am I a fan of a bell sleeve period. I find it cuts, if not worn correctly, people off and make their arm shorter and stubbier. The rhinestone encrust on collar and empire waist put too much attention to her front. I would have loved to see her in something a little more subtle. LESS IS ALWAYS BETTER.
Biggest Comeback: Meryl Streep in Lanvin. She’s always been an Oscar nominee favorite but her fashion…not so much. I really think she hit a home run ( all these baseball analogies?!). The gold lame wrap was elegant and a new color to add to her older subtle color choices. Bravo, more than well deserved.
Best Red Carpet Rookie: I’d like to give a shot out to Rose Byrne in Vivienne Westwood. The hilarious Bridesmaid star was astonishing in her black one shoulder sequin get up. Making a statement is key; she nailed it. I believe her hair did it for me, superb!
Best Couple: I hate couples.
Kim’s Picks
Best Dressed: Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford. She looked like she was emerging from a milk waterfall and I loved it. So sleek and effortless.
Worst Dressed: Sacha Baron Cohen in character from his new movie “The Dictator.” The Oscars are no time for publicity stunts, good sir. Emma Stone, who chose an overstated Giambattista Valli dress, was a huge disappointment. She looked flawless on the carpet all season, and now this.
Biggest Comeback: Melissa McCarthy in Marina Rinaldi… while the choice is still questionable, and I can certainly understand the perils that plus-size women face with formal wear, this ensemble is absolutely a step in the right direction.
Best Red Carpet Rookie: Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen. Completely glamorous… in fact, she might have been the MOST glamorous of the night!
Best Couple: George Clooney & Stacy Keibler (who wore Marchesa). She looked so appropriate for the event and they both simply sparkled. The Pitt-Jolie team just looked soooo severe. Booo, hiss.
Kristen’s Picks
Best Dressed: Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab was the epitome of old-Hollywood-turned-modern glamour. She has the perfect complexion to pull off a dress like this with a deep red lip and a classic wavy up-do.
Worst Dressed: Sherri Shepherd’s bright blue Grecian number was not flattering on her. It was too much boob that it ended up looking kind of messy up top.
Best Red Carpet Rookie: Although Kate Mara wasn’t nominated, she donned the designer of the night - Elie Saab - and looked great!
Best Couple: Jean Dujardin and Alexandra Lamy. Classy and sophisticated…plus he’s extremely handsome, that doesn’t hurt.
That concludes awards season! Tell us which celebs made your best and worst dressed lists on Facebook (www.facebook.com/staconsignment) or on Twitter (www.twitter.com/staconsignment)!
NYC’s Mott Street Fur Event This Weekend!
Feb 15th
Stay warm in style this winter with our NYC Fur Event!
Join us on Friday, February, 17th through Sunday, February 19th at our Mott Street store to score amazing cold-weather pieces before the chill hits the city.
From coats to vests to capes and more, over 50 designer furs become great deals for one weekend only!
Don’t miss it!
Second Time Around
262 Mott Street
New York, New York 10012
An Inside Look at NYFW with Eila Mell
Feb 15th
Want to know what happens behind-the-scenes at New York Fashion Week runway shows? Just look online. But you want to know what went on behind the camera during the Bryant Park years (1994-2010)? There’s only one place to get it: Eila Mell’s book New York Fashion Week: The Designers, the Models, the Fashions of the Bryant Park Era. From fun facts to fashion rundowns to photos worth more than a thousand words, this book gives us all an inside look into a world of style that became a legacy. We sat down with the author to get her perspective on this year’s shows and all the industry itself.
What are you doing now for NYFW?
This week is an especially crazy week. I’m covering all the shows for FashionWatch.com, and in the meantime I’m working on a new book which will be out in September that is also related to the fashion industry.
Why did you become a fashion journalist? What was your path to getting where you are now?
I’ve had a really crazy career, I started out as an actor and I was unhappy doing that. I decided that I had a passion for writing but wasn’t exactly sure of what my focus was. My first book Casting Might Have Beens was about the film industry. After eight years of research and persistence it was finally published. It’s a real lesson about working hard and it paying off. I’ve always loved fashion and was able to merge my two interests in 2010 when I began working on my third book, New York Fashion Week.
As a fashion journalist, how did you see your role change in covering the shows?
I think that it has evolved. First it was just writing about the shows themselves, and I was writing [New York Fashion Week] at the same time, so I was more of a historian. Now I’m covering the shows with a focus on the current fashions, and what’s going on this season. It’s about the designers, and not so much the history.
What is your favorite part of NYFW?
I love seeing the shows, but I think even a little, tiny bit more than that is seeing people you don’t get to see the rest of the year.
Do you have a favorite designer that you like to see at the shows?
My favorite is Narciso Rodriguez, and Michael Kors, of course.
How do you feel about the newer lines that make it onto the runways?
I love discovering a new designer. I just saw an amazing show by a new designer named Misha Nonoo and she’s incredible. She had a beautiful collection, what I really loved and respected was that her price point was affordable. And there’s no sacrifice of quality. I also think Theodora & Callum is fantastic.
You seem to be very interested in anecdotes, where did you learn about the fashion trivia sprinkled throughout your book?
I interviewed a lot of people in the industry, and that was definitely the main source of information. To round that out, I also combed the archives of Women’s Wear Daily.
These photos are awesome, where did you get them?
My photos were actually going to be [a huge expense]. Then I was interviewing Kelly Cutrone, and she asked who was doing my photos. [When I explained what I was doing], she said, “No you can’t do that.” She called up Roxanne Lowit and Randy Brooke, and told them about the project and asked them if they wanted to work on it. It was such an honor to work with two top photographers.
Bryant Park was always synonymous with NYFW, and it gave a certain air to the shows. To me, Lincoln Center exudes a different vibe as a location, do you agree, and what do you think this means for NYFW?
I think of Bryant Park as one thing. It was in the heart of the fashion industry, right in the center of the city, and it brought in the crowds and a lot of excitement. Once it moved to Lincoln Center, it had a different air. It’s more about the arts. It’s not [necessarily] better, it’s just different.
Besides the obvious creative differences, what do you see has been the biggest (or most shocking) change to NYFW since the beginning?
Absolutely the biggest change has been social media. It’s changed how the industry works, [now] everything is immediate. Before we had to wait for photos, now as soon as the [show happens we get to see it]. Designers have to keep up with it; some of them are even putting [runway] looks immediately into production.
A look from Christian Siriano's NYFW Fall 2012 show
What do you think about live-streaming the shows, is it making them less exclusive?
I think that it’s making fashion more accessible, which is ultimately a good thing. I mean who do you want to reach? The customer. If I’m in Chicago, I can go [online and see the show]. I think it’s fantastic, why not?!
What do you think about Project Runway’s presence in the shows?
I think it’s really had a huge impact on the industry as well as across the country. The show has opened up a dialogue, making people aware of fashion, who probably didn’t know much about the industry before. Christian Siriano has totally broken out, and people don’t even associate him with Project Runway anymore. Daniel Vosovic has broken out as well, the show has given him a great opportunity, and he’s taken seriously by the industry. Emilio Sosa, he’s fantastic, [he debuted] his collection for ESosa [last Friday]. And he just did the costumes for Porgy and Bess on Broadway.
Where do you see fashion week going in the future, whether it’s the look of the clothes, the feel of the show, the way it’s reported (more commercialized, more editorial, etc)?
I think that eventually it might all be through social media. I don’t know, if in 10 years we’re going to have to go to the shows.
Your book includes a lot of discussion on supermodels. We don’t seem to see the same supermodel mentality that we once did in the ‘90s, is that just because we are glorifying the past?
I don’t think so. I think each era has its own personality. There are top models working now, but they are not household names [like in the ‘90s]. The supermodels of the 90s were reflections of their time, which was a time of excess. I am a huge fan of fashion magazines, and I used to always love to see which model got the cover. Now they all use celebrities [to sell magazines].
What do you think of the celebrity culture at the shows? You can almost judge a show before it even starts based on its audience.
That’s right! It’s true, you have to be careful as a designer which celebs you put in your front row. [Celebrity relations have] existed for a long time, it’s not going away. It’s a way for a designer to get his or her name out there, so I understand it.
An Ode to Our Valentines
Feb 14th
Between the multiple outfit choices, floral arrangements and gifts, Valentine’s Day is a very style-oriented holiday. So to celebrate this, we’re announcing our love to our very own style valentines. Won’t you be ours?
Louboutin (the man and the shoe)
There’s a reason that the sole is red, it’s the color of eternal love, the kind you can only feel for a shoe. Louboutin, you have captured our soles (we couldn’t resist).
Sparkle
Who doesn’t want to shine a little brighter? No one we know. We’re thrilled that a little sparkle has made its way into a multitude of the Fall 2012 NYFW shows this past week. From Erin Fetherston to Alice + Olivia, the designers doled out the sequins, glitter and shine (even Theysken’s Theory had a gold piece). What do we say to you, sparkle? After seeing the dresses at Reem Acra, “be mine” only touches the surface. Sparkle, you will always be our brightest valentine.
Andy Cohen
The most fashionable man in our hearts may only live in our TVs, but we’d like to think that if we ever got the chance, Andy Cohen may reciprocate our style love. We give you this valentine mazel, Andy, as a thank you for being your incredibly stylish self, now five nights a week.
Children at NYFW
For a series of such high-profile events, sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the seriousness of it all, especially when all of the models look so depressed. That’s why we’d like to make the kiddy fashionistas at NYFW our valentines. What’s better than a wide-eyed child sporting a tiny designer handbag?
STA Consignors
This could be an entire blog post in itself. There are no words to describe some of the people who have brought their pieces into STA stores. As avid shoppers, we would like to take a minute to thank the people who may not even know how deeply they have touched our hearts. To the consignors who outgrow their classic, black Ray Ban wayfarers, we salute you. To the consignors who have brought in special occasion sequin dresses and make another girl’s dream of the perfect party dress a reality, we honor you. And to the consignor who brought in a pair of black patent Louboutin pumps, if one of us could hunt you down and give you a hug, she would.
And Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you, our special valentine fashioniSTAs. You are our best valentines, we love you all!
FashioniSTA File: Grammy Awards
Feb 13th
There’s no doubt that Whitney Houston reigned supreme at last night’s Grammy Awards. To say that I wished everyone had come dressed in her signature sparkles and amazing ’80s hairstyles is an understatement, but I guess I’ll have to settle for what actually walked down the red carpet. This awards show is known to bring out the wild side of the red carpet, so at this point we’re all prepared for anything (I think). Some of the out-of-the-ordinary are nice surprises - like the two adorable, can’t-get-enough Ellen (or “Eh-lenn” as they say it) Superbass singers - some (fashion) surprises are not so welcome.
For those who opted to not look like lunatics, there were a few trends of the night, namely going-for-the-gold motif that popped up everywhere. From full-on metallic gold dresses (Taylor Swift and Miranda Lambert) to heavy gold jewelry (Fergie and Alicia Keys), this trend managed to stay afloat, but where it really shone was on the stars who donned it around their waists. These stiff, heavy gold belts, on stars like Gwyneth Paltrow, Paris Hilton and Giuliana Rancic, were the perfect accents to modernizing gauzy dresses. Call it Grecian-inspired without going over-the-top.
Best Dressed: Rihanna in her custom Armani Privee gown was stunning. I still can’t wrap my head around how hot Rihanna looked. Her low V-neck, high slit gown could have been borderline trashy on anybody else, but she came out true to her rocker/sex kitten and pulled it off.
Best Dressed Man: You get to wear sunglasses on the red carpet when you look like Bruno Mars. He dished out some serious style in a Thom Browne suit, channelling the classic zoot suit with a modern edge.
Worst Dressed: Trying to decide between Snooki and Robyn is difficult, but somehow Robyn knocked out the Jersey Shore “star” with her mullet dress and platform sneakers. Between the posture and the ensemble, the whole thing is uncomfortable.
Biggest Comeback: Paris Hilton showed up like she actually knew what awards show this was and how to dress for it. Her monotone reaction to every interview question aside, her Basil Soda dress was such a breath of fresh air compared to what we remember of her, and stepping it up to this extent is beyond impressive. She knew her place, and shone in a white, ethereal dress accented perfectly by a heavy gold belt and light gold detailing.
Most Offensive: Had Nicki Minaj left the Pope lookalike at home, maybe she could have gotten away with this as a reference to Little Red Riding Hood. However, adding a religious figure to the mix and suddenly her allegorical fairy tale is now an unspecific religious costume, as well as incredibly offensive. Why on earth did Versace agree to design this? The fashion house was probably told it was a costume for Once Upon a Time.
Stay tuned as we round out awards season with the Oscars!
West Hartford Grand Opening Celebration!
Jan 31st
We’re welcoming West Hartford into the STA world!
Join us on February 2nd from 5-8pm as we toast our newest location with music, wine from Wine Cellars 4, light fare from The Burger Joint, and an additional 20% off all items!*
Stop by for a new outfit, to scope out the designer pieces or just to meet your new neighbors!
Second Time Around: West Hartford
977 Farmington Ave
West Hartford, CT 06107
*Does not apply to 50% off clearance items.
FashioniSTA File: SAG Awards
Jan 30th
Awards season is in full force, and we’ve spent the last 24 hours taking in all the highs and lows of last night’s SAG Awards. While this awards show was pretty subdued - read: boring - there were a few stand-outs (and fashion stand-offs). From the cut-outs to the dramatic drapes, just because the fashion wasn’t as exciting as other awards shows, doesn’t mean we can’t dissect it…and hope that the Oscars really brings the style drama that we’ve been craving.
One of the biggest trends of the evening was white/off-white dresses. It says something about an awards show when even the main trend of the night is colorless. From Kristen Wiig’s ill use of neckwear to Viola Davis looking stunning in a sweetheart neckline, this trend ran the gamete from the bad to the good. Naya Rivera’s silver-shaded, plunging neckline number made this Glee girl look her best yet, while her costar Lea Michele donned a less shiny version of the same shade in a Versace molded gown with a high slit. Sarah Hyland also wore an almost identical shade with her dove Temperley dress, featuring just the right amount of beading. Then there was Julianna Margulies and Katrina Bowden wearing practically the same dress, Zoe Saldana in haute couture, and Linda Gray in an off-the-shoulder gown. We lost track counting how many people wore an almost identical shade of off-white. Did everyone confuse this event with a wedding?
Best Dressed
Enough of the fashion analysis, we’re going with Rico Rodriguez as our best dressed. This little man has the charisma of a true Hollywood star and the manners of a Jane Austen character. And since everyone else decided to leave the glamour at the door, Rico has stolen our hearts.
Runners-Up
Emma Stone in a girly Alexander McQueen (lose the bag and it would look even better) took a fashion risk and came out on top. And Kyra Sedgewick’s bright cut-out Pucci number was a slam-dunk for the actress, going fashion-forward while showing off her new tattoo (and amazing body), all without going over-the-top.
Worst Dressed
Busy Phillips in SIMONE by Katie Nehra really took the cake for worst dressed, wearing a caftan-like dress that belongs more on a beach than a red carpet.
Best Newcomer
Ahna O’Reilly in Nha Khanh was the perfect addition to the red carpet this year. With the dramatic back and the crimson color, this dress certainly wasn’t boring, but wasn’t too showy for someone not directly nominated.
Best Couple
Emily Blunt and John Krasinski were the perfect couple on the red carpet, with just the right amount of attention paid to their outfits and each other. Emily in a bright green Oscar de la Renta lit the carpet on fire, while John was her perfect counterpart in a classic tuxedo.
Hot Toddy Tuesday at Mott Street!
Jan 30th
Shop, sip and SAVE!
Escape the chill with a cozy hot toddy and our winter clearance sale this Tuesday, January 31st from 7-9pm at our Mott Street store!
Winter items are 50% off, and we’ll be giving away a $50 gift card to one lucky shopper!
Second Time Around: Mott Street
262 Mott Street
New York, NY
212-965-8415
www.secondtimearound.net
www.facebook.com/STAMottStreet
www.twitter.com/STANolitaNYC
Dress to Impress & STA
Jan 23rd
The ultimate style challenge is finding new ways to wear the same pieces that you have in your closet. Suz Stephenson, a very special FashioniSTA friend, has taken this challenge on to the greatest degree, and has enlisted STA’s help.
For the entire month of January, Suz will wear the same dress each day, using it to create 31 unique, individual outfits. Through donated accessories, she has reinvented this L.L. Bean dress into an outfit for any occasion. Whether you’re going to a job interview, a night out, a normal day at the office or a networking event, Suz is successfully proving that it doesn’t take a wonder-closet to pull off style. And one of the best things about this endeavor? At the end of the month, Suz is giving all of her donated pieces to Dress for Success, an organization that helps women reenter the workforce.
Maybe it’s our STA mantra, but we really connected with this project as a way to show people how to be frugally fashionable. Suz has encouraged women to watch their wallets while building a career-appropriate wardrobe, and we love that she’s also a fan of resale! She told us, “Shopping second-hand allows you to determine which higher-end qualities are worth spending money for… without making a large investment.”
We provided Suz with some STA-approved pieces to help her create two work-appropriate, yet stylish looks, including a belt in the first photo and the statement necklace in the second one. Check them out!
This Thursday and Friday: Westport and Greenwich Girls’ Night Out Events!
Jan 18th
What’s better than a Girls’ Night Out? Adding shopping!
Join us this week as we host two events especially for our Connecticut ladies, complete with wine, light fare and 20% off your entire purchase!
On Thursday, January 19th, stop by our Westport store from 3-6pm to partake in the STA festivities.
Then on Friday, January 20th, we’re heading west to Greenwich for another event from 3-6pm!
Thursday, January 19th – Second Time Around: Westport
135 Post Road East
Westport, CT 06880
203-557-3733
Friday, January 20th – Second Time Around: Greenwich
6 Greenwich Ave
Greenwich, CT 06831
203-422-2808
www.secondtimearound.net