Martha and Proenza Schouler Get Crafty!

Martha Stewart never fails to impress - ever. Her daily talk show includes a bevy of fashion segments to inspire fashionistas and even those fashion victims who would most likely be seen on an episode of What Not to Wear. A couple weeks ago Tory Burch was on the show answering audience members' questions about how to adjust an outfit in order to make it more fashion-forward. Great segment and Tory's insight was definitely helpful!

Yesterday, Proenza Schouler's Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez were on the show to do a tie-dye demo similar to what was seen in their Spring 2010 runway show. The scarfs look like an affordable way to embrace the tie-dye trend however make sure to follow the directions carefully so you won't end up with a hot mess like Jack and Lazaro did!

Enjoy the clip above.

Fall 2010 Trend Forecast

The Fall 2010 runways shows have come and gone and what's left now in the upcoming months is the analysis of the trends. I love the anticipation of waiting for my September magazine subscriptions to come in the mail where I can pour over all the trends. The best feeling for any fashionista.

Here's an assemblage of trends that we will be surely talking about in a few months.

School-Teacher Skirts and Longer Hemlines

The hemline war for Fall 2010 has been determined and it seems we're in for more fabric! The trend began in New York with Oscar de la Renta and Michael Kors showing longer hemlines than the norm. The entire Louis Vuitton collection was an ode to the past that embraced the full-figure and lengthy hemlines. The school-teacher skirt look is one that appears versatile for women of any size. Better start hitting the thrift stores now!

(From left: Jonathan Saunders, Nicole Farhi, Jonathan Saunders, Pringle of Scotland)

(From left: Calvin Klein, Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren)

Velvet

Designers revisited velvet this season. This texture is lush and always an attention grabber; Sometimes not in the best way though which is why styling is so important with this look.

(From left: Alexander Wang, Diesel Black Gold, Diane Von Furstenberg)

'70s Suits

The power suit is back with a revamped 1970's inspired pantsuit. The look demonstrates a great mix between masculine and feminine tones.

(From left: Gianfranco Ferre, Akris, Salvatore Ferragamo, Balmain)

Shearling

Shearling collars were popular in London this year where Christopher Kane and Burberry both showed looks using the winter time fabric. I like the sexier edge the designers have mastered by using shearling however I am a bit wary of this trend because of one reason alone - the mass market. I would love to capitalize on this trend come fall with fast fashion finds at Zara or H&M but am conscious of the fact that shearling looks cheap when it is ripped off. Seeing pre-teens rock this look with some Wal-Mart deal of the week may just make me abandon this trend before it hits its stride. Anyone agree?

(From left: Christopher Kane, Burberry, Unique)

Jason Segel Adds Another Credit Mention in Muppets Movie

Jason Segel is set to star in the upcoming Muppets movie as the sole 'human' lead. He co-wrote the screenplay with his friend Nicholas Stoller so it is only fitting that he would snag the role. If that's not enough, Jason is also one of the producers. Truly impressive!

Jason Segel's star is on the rise this year and I couldn't be more thrilled for him. He has signed on to star in Bad Teacher with Cameron Diaz and Jeff Who Lives at Home with Ed Helms.

I love Jason's charm and wittiness he displays as Marshall Eriksen on How I Met Your Mother. His creative talents have only just been realized when he worked double-duty in Forgetting Sarah Marshall as writer and leading star.

CFDA Award Nominations Announced

The day has come ladies and gentlemen for the 2010 Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Award nominees. The big-time award for Womenswear Designer of the Year may be handed to Donna Karen, Marc Jacobs or youngster, Alexander Wang.

The Swarovski award is given to an emerging designer who has excelled in the past 2 seasons. The awards ceremony will take place on June 7 where the late Alexander McQueen will be honored.

Here's the full list of nominees:

Womenswear Designer of the Year:
Donna Karan
Marc Jacobs
Alexander Wang

Menswear Designer of the Year:
Michael Bastian
Tom Ford
David Neville & Marcus Wainwright for Rag & Bone

Accessory Designer of the Year:
Alexis Bittar
Lazaro Hernandez & Jack McCollough for Proenza Schouler
Marc Jacobs

Swarovski Award for Womenswear:
Joseph Altuzarra
Jason Wu
Prabal Gurung

Swarovski Award for Menswear:
Richard Chai
Simon Spurr
Patrik Ervell

Swarovski Award for Accessories:
Alexander Wang
Dana Lorenz
Eddie Borgo

Trailer Roundup

It's been a busy day in movie trailer releases as Eat, Pray, Love, The Switch and The Greatest all introduced to the world what they are about.

Eat, Pray, Love

Eat, Pray, Love is based on the best-selling memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert which stars Julia Roberts. This looks to be a box office smash for Roberts and I couldn't be more excited. The scenery is beautiful as the film documents Gilbert's travels in Italy, India and Bali.



The Switch

Kassie (Jennifer Aniston) decides it's about time to have a child and seeks a sperm donor to make it happen. Unbeknownst to her, Wally ( Jason Bateman), her best friend who has always had feelings for her switches his sperm with the unknown donor. Flash-forward seven years and that mistake is blindingly evident to Wally.

The Greatest

Looks like a true tearjerker! The Brewer family are in the midst of heartbreak as they have learned of the untimely death of their son, Bennett. Carey Mulligan plays his girlfriend, Rose, who is pregnant with their child. She shows up to the family's doorstep and is kindly taken in. Her presence rocks the Brewer family but it ultimately brings them together. It's interesting to hear Carey Mulligan's American accent for the first time. Not bad, I might add. This girl's got a long career ahead of her so she can always improve!

Review: The Bounty Hunter

I was given passes to an advanced screening of The Bounty Hunter and figured I might as well check it out and post a review before the movie hits theaters Friday.

Simply put, this movie is a disappointment. The film bills itself as an action-comedy however few laughs are to be had and the action is cartoonish. The premise of the story is unbelievable from the beginning. Gerard Butler plays Milo Boyd, an ex-cop turned bounty hunter who must track down his former wife played by Jennifer Aniston and bring her to jail. Aniston's character, Nicole Hulery is an investigative reporter for the New York Daily News who misses a court appearance for a car accident because she was in search of a lead for a story. Due to her absence, the judge issues a warrant for her arrest.

How convenient, two lovers must forcefully reconnect. Their hatred for each other is apparent but these characters are not convincing enough as individuals. The script is weak and predictable. Every movement and slap to the face felt contrived. Avoid this movie if possible. Jennifer, better luck next time in choosing upcoming projects. I really want to root for you!

Glamour's June Cover Revealed

Being the magazine addict that I am, I was excited to learn that the June issue of Glamour will feature a threesome of today's hottest models. Crystal Renn, the mag's favorite new model who happens to be plus-size, Sports Illustrated cover girl Brooklyn Decker and Victoria's Secret angel, Alessandra Ambrosio shot the cover in St. Barths for photographer Matthias Vriens-McGrath. This will be the first time since May 2006 when a model graced the cover and coincidently Alessandra took that honor.

Here's a Twitpic of the girls on set.

'Wall Street' Sequel Pushed Back

20th Century Fox has decided to bump the release date of Oliver Stone's Wall Street sequel to September. Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps was scheduled to hit theaters on April 23 but audiences will now have to wait until September 24 . A reason for this switch is because Fox is hoping the film can debut at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

Oscar Fashions

The carpet was full of pastels, blues and ruffles galore. As a whole, the fashions were not as extravagant as days gone by but it was a hearty effort by the celebs.

THE BEST

Sandra Bullock channeled Old Hollywood in a beaded Marchesa number. Sarah Jessica Parker dazzled in a unique Chanel Haute Couture. SJP's hair was looking a tad 'madame' which aged her more than flattered her. Carey Mulligan on the other hand was age-appropriate in a black Prada gown embellished with hardware that included forks, knives and scissors. Maggie Gyllenhall embraced spring's print trend in a strapless Dries Van Noten. She owned the look and stood out from the crowd in a good way!



THE WORST

Poor Vera Farmiga. Where must I begin with her dress? I usually love anything by Marchesa but this particular dress with the sculpted cascade of ruffles was unflattering . It looked ill-fitting on Vera as it accentuated the wrong parts of her body. Another odd choice on the carpet was Charlize Theron in Dior. She made a statement no doubt but a questionable one. The rosettes looked like cupcakes on her breasts. Sorry, but since when was that fashionable?



THE RISK TAKER

I love, love, loved Zoe Saldana in Givenchy. She took a huge risk but it certainly paid off! Her dress was so original from anything on the carpet. The textures from sequin to ruffle are exquisite. Zoe's fashion radar is spot on and I cannot wait to see her next gorgeous red carpet outfit.

OSCARS!

What a night! The rightful winners claimed the coveted 'golden man' at last night's Academy Awards. There were a couple surprises in the writing categories for best screenplay (Mark Boal for The Hurt Locker) and best adapted screenplay (Geoffrey Fletcher for Precious). Geoffrey gave a truly heartfelt speech and you could tell he was certainly not expecting the award.

Sandra. Simply sublime. A well-deserved win! She looked wonderful in Marchesa and positively radiant all night.

Kathryn Bigelow - I smile every time I relive her moment on stage. What she has done for female directors is tremendous. Indeed, "The time has come".

As for the show itself, I was none too pleased with the outcome. The expectations leading up to the event were so high, and as the night ran on, the laughs slowly vanished. NPH did a good job with the opening number but it was nothing compared to what Hugh Jackman did last year. We barely saw enough of Steve and Alec together which was unfortunate because their true talents were not tested. Enough already with the supposed "young darlings" - they did not rise up to the occasion and made awkward attempts to cover up their blunders ( thanks Miley and Kristen).

24 Hours Until Academy Awards!

The night all movie lovers anticipate is almost upon us! The Oscars should be a real show-stopper with hosts Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin. Some winners are predictable as they have claimed hardware at the other events but this award show is like none other. Will it be a Hurt Locker sweep? One can only hope until tomorrow night where all eyes will be on the Kodak Theater. Fashion will be another focus as the stars walk the carpet. Here's to crossing our fingers that Tina Fey will get the right outfit with the help of Vogue . She deserves her moment to shine and what better way than at the Oscars! Enjoy the show everyone and stay tuned on Monday where I will recap the night.

Fashion Bloggers to Vote at CFDA Awards

Such an exciting and quite a defining moment in fashion! For the first time, fashion bloggers have a say in the annual CFDA Fashion Awards. The key fashion bloggers will be able to nominate and vote for the designers that excelled this year. The executive director of the CFDA, Steven Kolb explains this decision by saying, "We’ve been doing the CFDA awards for 28 years, and how we did it then is different than what we do today. We’re always evolving, always trying to be current, [all] without ever compromising the legitimacy or the integrity of the CFDA." As of today, Bryanboy has sent in his nominations! Congrats babe and all others alike! The nominations will be announced on March 17th.

R.J. Cutler to Direct Another Female Friendly Movie

Warner Bros. are advancing their plans to bring the sultry teen novel The Au Pairs to screen by announcing their director, R.J. Cutler. Coming off the success of The September Issue, Cutler certainly knows how to 'wow' his female audience. The fashion crowd will enjoy his new project as it takes three teenage girls to the Hamptons where they become au pairs for a wealthy family. Expect beautiful scenery and adorable clothes a la Gossip Girl. Drew Barrymore's Flower Films are set to produce.

Most Innovative Film & Fashion Companies

Fast Company has come up with the most innovative companies by industry in their latest issue to hit stands.

The best in Film/TV are:

1) Hulu
2) Netflix
3) Disney
4) Weta Digital
5) DreamWorks Animation
6) Rainbow Media
7) Funny or Die
8) Summit Entertainment
9) Participant Media
10) RealD

The best in Fashion:

1) Gilt Group
2) Fast Retailing
3) Net-a-Porter.com
4) Timberland
5) Dualstar
6) Norma Kamali
7) Fluevog
8) Stella McCartney
9) Coach
10) FesslerUSA

I'm happy to see Gilt Group at the top for fashion but fear the company is getting too popular! It's getting near impossible to buy what you want in those first few minutes when the online sample sale starts at noon. If anyone has got any tips, I'd love to hear them! On the film front, there is quite a diversity in each company, which is interesting and it is certainly a glimpse of where technology in headed in Hollywood.

Target Collaborations: Set your calendars now!

The next few months will bring us some of the best collaborations in Target history. Count 'em out ladies - Liberty of London to Jean Paul Gaultier and then Zac Posen! Could it not get any better? We are only a couple weeks away from the launch of the Gaultier line on March 7 and a week later, perhaps the largest storewide, high-end brand to hit the shelves will be the ultra cute patterns of Liberty of London. The line includes clothing items for women and children along with can't miss home decor pieces. Refinery 29 have got your first look on the fashions and Casa Sugar have found the home essentials. Don't forget to mark your calendars on April 25 when Zac Posen will take his turn as the next Go International phenomenon.

(Image features looks from Jean Paul Gaultier)

More Olympic Fashions: Marc Jacobs Hearts Canada

Adding to my Pretty Ballerinas post, I have found this adorable shirt designed by Marc Jacobs especially for the Vancouver Olympics. This limited edition t-shirt is an exclusive for Holt Renfrew, Canada's leading department store. The Miss Marc Ski Lift Tee is $65 and can be found at all Holt Renfrew locations (if they're not sold out already!)

Burberry to Live Stream Fashion Show Tomorrow

Why, welcome Burberry to the 21st Century! Tomorrow the British label will launch their Fall 2010 collection in a big way by live streaming their show online for the whole world to see. But they don't stop there - Burberry will also be screening the show in 3D in select cities like New York, Paris, Dubai and Tokyo for the special event. Don't forget to tune in online at 11am EST.

Natalie Portman To Star and Produce Stoner Flick

The lovely indie darling, Natalie Portman is set to star and produce the film Best Buds, a stoner road comedy. No director has been attached to the film that revolves around 2 girlfriends who embark on a road trip to save their friend at her wedding by bringing her weed. This is certainly a departure for Portman and it will be interesting to see how it will pan out!

Hurt Locker Wins Big at BAFTA Awards

The Hurt Locker decimated its competitors at the British Academy Film Awards winning a total of six awards for best film, best director, best original screenplay, best cinematography, best editing and best sound. What a night for director Kathryn Bigelow that will certainly be repeated again come the Oscars. The top acting honors were awarded to homegrown talents, Colin Firth and Carey Mulligan.

Cheer On With Pretty Ballerinas Flats

There's a week left of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver and what better way to show your pride than with a pair of Pretty Ballerinas "World Flag" ballet flats. You'll be sporting a truly unique pair of shoes that will be the talk of all your friends. They can be purchased online on the Pretty Ballerinas website or at the Montreal or New York boutiques.

New Spider-Man Cast

New reports have surfaced that Percy Jackson star, Logan Lerman will take over from Tobey Maguire in the multi-million dollar Spider-Man franchise. It's back to high-school for Peter Parker in the new installment that will hopefully attract a younger audience. The parts made famous by Kirsten Dunst and James Franco as Mary Jane Watson and Harry Osborn have yet to be cast.

Kristen Stewart to Present at Oscars After Declining Last Year

It's just been confirmed that Kristen Stewart will be a presenter at this year's Oscar ceremony with none other than her costar Taylor Lautner. Sad to see her without her reported beau and other costar, Robert Pattinson? Well, it was supposed to happen last year but Kristen just couldn't bear to represent a money hungry movie like Twilight. Access Hollywood caught up with her dad incidentally on the Oscar red carpet to ask about Kristen's absence. He said she would present at the Oscars, “When it’s a great movie, not just one that makes a lot of money.” Lucky for us, Kristen is no longer singing the same tune anymore.

Farewell to Bryant Park

New York Fashion Week has come to a close and we bid adieu to its longtime home, Bryant Park. Next season, the show will go on at the Lincoln Centre. The plus side to the change is the added space for designers to present their collections. Extended front rows for guests to gawk at the new collections? Who knows, but what I really hope to see less of next season are B-list or below celebrities. I was appalled when I read an article on Fashionista about the crazy amounts of money celebs are paid to sit at the New York shows. Amanda Bynes gets around $25,000 (since when do we look up to her fashion choices?) and thankfully Kristen Bell goes unpaid but needs airfare,makeup and clothes to be taken care of. In this economy, fashion houses should be looking to defray costs and by adding less of these girls to the front row, it seems to me like a good way to accomplish that. Invite more of us, the common folk who love fashion. You'll be assured a lovely blog post graciously thanking you for such kindness.

Sonia Rykiel for H&M starts today!

Get ready to hit your local H&M today for Sonia Rykiel's second capsule collection for the cheap-chic retailer. After launching a successful lingerie line for H&M in December, the famed French label is back to bring us more delights. The bright knits will instantly add some life to your wardrobe!

Film and Fashion. What a perfect mix!

Welcome to Reels and Heels. This blog is created to combine two of my favorite things - film and fashion. I love to read daily on both of these subjects online but find myself wasting plenty of time in the process. This is why I have created a blog to minimize that by including the best film and fashion stories of the day. Love reading about upcoming movie castings but also which fashion shows have soared to new heights, here's the place!