Posts from — March 2011

Back when this blog was just a little side project on Posterous, I wrote about a few brands that I thought have a strong online presence at the time. While all of those brands are still going strong, and some (in the original post) are more known than others- Marc Jacobs intern meltdown via Twitter anyone?- I decided to revisit this question and check in with other brands to see how they are embracing social media, technology, mobile, among other things. Each brand highlighted here has a useable, friendly website, active social media (requirement: Twitter and Facebook accounts updated regularly), and e-commerce capabilities. Each brand also successfully uses each of those attributes to connect with customers, make the shopping experience easier for them, and uses social media as more than a way to sell product (i.e., customer services).

Check out my thoughts and those suggested by my friends, and let me know what you think or what you would add!

Coach (suggested by Meghan Butler and Bonnie Lynn)

Kate Spade

LOFT (suggested by Mikinzie Stuart)

Clinique (suggested by Bonnie Lynn)

Tiffany’s (suggested by Kerry Graue)

Lancôme

[And yes, my theme on Firefox is Harry Potter themed. Both at home and at work. I'm awesome.]

Hollywood, and humanity, suffered a great loss yesterday. Elizabeth Taylor passed away from congestive heart failure at the age of 79. The remarkable beauty had a career that last over seven decades and was full of style, glamour, jewels, scandal, sickness, health, and charity.

Ms. Taylor’s impressive career began in the 1940s as a child, with the film “National Velvet” in 1944 putting her on the map. She swept the entertainment industry by story after that with such films as “Little Women” in 1949, “Father of the Bride” in 1950, “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” in 1958, “Butterfield 8″ in 1960 (for which she won an Academy Award),  and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf?” in 1966 (for which she won her second Academy Award). She was the first female actress to ever make $1 million in a film when she was cast as the title role in 1960′s “Cleopatra,” a spectacle film with a budget of $44 million (according to CNN, that would be more than $300 million today, which is more than “Avatar”‘s budget).

She was married eight times to seven different men (she married actor Richard Burton twice), including a very public affair with Debbie Reynold’s husband (well, ex-husband…), Eddie Fischer, in the 1950s.

Aside from her notable film roles, piercing violet eyes, and intelligence, Ms. Taylor will be remembered for her enormous heart and philanthropy. She was an immense advocate for AIDS awareness and research, and she was one of the founding members of the American Foundation for AIDS Research.

Words like this simply do not do her justice. Ms. Taylor was true legend, activist, style icon, humanitarian, and actress. May she rest in peace.

One of her many jewels, a 33.19 carat diamond ring.

The infamous Taylor-Burton 69.42 diamond necklace. Please file this under “I’M DYING.”

(all photos from nymag.com, vanityfair.com, dailymail.co.uk, cnn.com, life.com and dameelizabethtaylor.com)

Things I love in online and digital form: paying bills, shopping (a little too much…), photographs.

Things I DON’T love in online and digital form: magazines.

Generally, I am a big supporter of all things digital and online. Every day, I’m running into my boss’ office to let her know the newest news in digital PR and journalism, reading the world’s events from the New York Times and CNN apps on my smartphone, and wondering when I should finally buckle down and get an iPad. I am a graphic designer and manage social media accounts not only for myself, but for my organization as well, maintain my organization’s website and contribute to two blogs in my spare time. So naturally, I spend a lot of time in front of a computer or digital device.

That’s where print magazines come in.

Image from glamour.com

After spending most of my day on the computer, online, on a digital device, the last thing I want to do is read a magazine on one such device. I love nothing more than turning the cover page of a new magazine after a day at work and feeling the glossy, coated pages between my fingers. I fold over pages so I can write about them here, or talk about it with my sister. I tear out print advertisements that catch my eye or editorials and features that inspire me. You definitely can’t do that on an iPad.

(Yes, I actually do that. I have a Fall 2011 Michael Kors advertisement tacked to my bulletin board at work and I saved Tina Fey’s feature and photo spread from the March 2010 issue of American Vogue [and was able to reference her interview in a post last month]. Judge away).

I’m glad to see that the print magazine industry isn’t failing as much, or as quickly, as originally planned. Let’s hope that the print magazine industry doesn’t follow in the foot steps of its cousin, the printed (or lack thereof) newspaper.

I guess what I like the most about print magazines is the physicality of it all. In addition to the long download time, digital magazines are just…there. Nothing to hold but a piece of metal and swiping a screen to turn the page.

One thing I learned as a graphic designer is that things always look different on screen than printed, and the same goes for digital and print magazines. Sure, the colors might look beautiful on your fancy new color Nook, but nothing compares to print.

Nothing.

To me, no color says spring more than green. You see the color sprouting out everywhere you look as the warmer months come, giving us reassurance that the dog days of winter are over. With St. Patrick’s Day this week, and the first day of spring shortly after that, it’s time to update your wardrobe with hints of green. Here is some inspiration (or green-spiration, if you will) for doing that:

Cowl-Neck Halter Dress by BCBG MAXAZRIA, $154.80 (photo from bcbg.com)

Tami Wedge by DV by Dolve Vita, $79 (photo from piperlime.com)

Pretty Edgy nail color by Essie. (photo from essie.com)

Trench Coat by LC Lauren Conrad, $49. (photo from kohls.com)

Decade-by-Decade skirt by Plenty by Tracy Reese, $128. (photo from anthropologie.com)

Ladies, get ready, get set for March 14. That’s the day when Target will relaunch some of its GO International collection’s most fashionable pieces from the past 5 years. The best part? Each piece is $50 or less. I’m setting my alarm now (I’m not kidding).

Target’s GO International collection collaborates with designers like Zac Posen, Anna Sui, Proenza Schouler, Rodarte, and more to bring us the style of high fashion and couture at Target prices. I own quite a few pieces from various collections- some will be relaunched on March 14 (see Rodarte and Zac Posen)- and I have to say, the quality is great for the price.

Here are a few dresses that I’ll probably run out and buy right after work on Monday. I think they’ll all go nicely with some of the spring’s hottest heels, don’t you?

All photos courtesy of fabsugar.com

Libertine for Target, $25

Thakoon for Target, $40

Jonathan Saunders for Target, $35

Thakoon for Target, $40

Jovovich-Hawk for Target, $40

Jovovich-Hawk for Target, $40

This past weekend I watched Date Night. Random start to start this post, right? Not so random when you hear the quote that inspired it.

“Everything you’re doing, I’m doing in heels.”

That line, uttered so perfectly by Tina Fey as she and Steve Carell are climbing up an emergency fire escape, got me thinking about what heels I will be (or would like to be) emptying my bank account for this season.

My favorite trends for spring shoes include natural, neutral colors like white and beige with cork incorporated into the heel or wedge. Of  course, I love a good pop of color to put me into a spring-like mood and you can’t go wrong with  a basic black heel with a spring-like twist. If anything, this post is nothing short of inspirational when it comes to spring wardrobe purchases. Commence day dreaming….now.

Ruffle sandal by Oscar de la Renta, $595. (photo from oscardelarenta.com)

Bottos by Nine West, $99. (photo from piperlime.com)

Evening Bow Sandal Platform by Marc by Marc Jacobs, $450. (photo from marcjacobs.com)

Mesh Bootie by MICHAEL Michael Kors, $160. (photo from michaelkors.com)

Buffy Heel by Coach, $198. (photo from coach.com)

Things have been a bit hectic here- that’s why I haven’t updated in almost a week- but so much has happened this week in the industry! Rather than pick and choose what to write about, here is a round up of some things going on that I would have blogged about if time permitted this week. Look for your regularly scheduled blogging back next week!

Photo from nymag.com

• Anne Hathaway’s 8 ensemble changes at the Oscars won her the “Best Dressed” of the evening for me, especially the deep red Atelier Valentino gown picture above. MAY-JOR congrats to Rachel Zoe for the amazing styling! [New York Magazine]
• Lady Gaga made her runway debut AND debuted a new song in today’s Mugler show in Paris. Talk about working over time. [Gaga Daily]
• Blake Lively, who has attended many Chanel shows in past seasons and is the face of the brand’s new Mademoiselle handbag line, thinks it’s tacky for celebrities to sit front row at runway shows and might not attend Chanel’s show next week. Um, what? [Fashionista]
• See how to wear the sheer trend correctly, how to get your wardrobe ready for spring, getting that pop of color in your closet, and the perfect eye shadow for day to night (written by yours truly!). [Loyola Looks]
• Karl Lagerfeld is the only high-power figure in the fashion industry to speak out about John Galliano’s anti-Semitic remarks last week. Well said, Mr. Lagerfeld. [New York Magazine]
• Check out this sneak peak of Christina Hendricks’ new campaign with Vivienne Westwood jewelry! [Catwalk Queen]

What do you think about this week in fashion?