Catherine Malandrino Fall/Winter Sample Sale

What: The Catherine Malandrino sample sale hosted by Savvy & Co featuring the Fall/Winter 09 collection.

Where: Metropolitan Pavilion
123 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011

When: Monday 12/14/09 10:00 AM- 9:00 PM
Tuesday 12/15/09 8:00 AM- 8:00 PM
Wednesday 12/16/09 8:00 AM- 8:00 PM

Up to 80% off retail priced merchandise!

Enjoy!

Chic and Cheap Finds: Rompers

The romper is still very big for Fall/Winter 2009- and it's one of the Culturista's favs! Urban Outfitters takes a twist on the romper with cute studs on the shoulders. If it's getting chilly where you live- add a pair of sheer black hose.

Hot Trends for Fall 2009 PART 2

These next three trends are ALL about the decades. From Futuristic to the 1940's to the 1980's.



Many designers used the 1940's for inspiration this fall. From Lanvin's show recreating Dior's 1947 "New Look," to Hermes' showing women in menswear (women wore trousers for the first time in this decade). Grab a military- style coat (early 1940s) or a soft shouldered coat, nipped in the waist and back out at the hip (late 1940s) or buy a fur neckloops to wear over any jacket. Don't forget to accessorize with art-deco inspired jewelery.



The 1980's were all about neon colors, skin tight clothing, leather, embellishments and loud prints. The runway shows this season took 80's and made it updated for 2009. Rock an off the shoulder dress this season in a bright color. And don't forget to stock up on some leopard print items! This look is all about fun!



The futuristic trend has been seen on the runways for the past few years. But this year we see the cut-out trend being very popular as well as geometric shapes and zipper detailing. Try buying pieces that mix different fabrics or have great zipper work. And don't forget your cut-out boots!

Check out Part 1 of our Fall 2009 trends: HERE!

Hot Trends for Fall 2009 PART 1

Leather is a big trend this fall- from jackets, pants, and shorts, to gloves, and other accessories- it's all about leather. Designers such as Rodarte, Pucci and Jenni Kane showed tons of different leather options. So keep the jacket you bought last season- and stock up on some other leather goods to complete this look!



The ethnic look and the bohemian look have come together in this hot trend. Designers Diane Von Furstenberg, Matthew Williamson, Etro and Missoni exemplified this with their eclectic looks. Key pieces: a floppy knit cap, ethnic print clothing, long dresses, and funky jewelry. You can have a lot of fun with this look by mixing different prints and fabrics.



Fur is also popping up all over the runways and in stores for Fall 2009. From Forever 21 to Dolce and Gabanna you can stock up on real or faux fur. Other designers such as Christian Lacroix and Lanvin showed gorgeous pieces of fur that functioned like scarves or shawls.

Check out Part 2 of our Fall/Winter 2009 Fashion trends:HERE!

Cheap and Chic finds of the week: Stirrup Belts

Forever 21

Aimee Woven Trim Belt
$10.80

Forever 21

Double Braid Wide Belt
$8.80


Belts are still a huge part of Fall 2009 fashion. Wear these cute woven stirrup belts at the waist, over a jacket or a dress! Check out more Fall 2009 fashion trends here: Fashion Trends for Fall 2009

Trend Watch: Metallic Skirt and Cut Out Boots

Top: Alexander Wang, $70
Skirt: Dolce and Gabbana, $ 1,384,24
Shoes: Christian Louboutin, $1,295
Clutch: Alexander McQueen, $1,595
Bracelet: Roberto Cavalli, $735
Necklace: Roberto Cavalli, $665

Jump into Fall with a hot metallic skirt and cut-out boots ! Pair your outfit with black and gold accessories and a edgy clutch.

Bohemian Style

Dress Bohemian luxe on the cheap with great finds from Forever 21, Miss Selfridge, ModCloth, and American Eagle. The keys to dressing bohemian luxe: great textures (leather, suede, denim), extra details (studs, gold, fringe, feathers) relaxed attitude (wavy hair, natural makeup).

Dress: Forever 21 24.80

Vest: Miss Selfridge 55 Euros
Boots: ModCloth 52.99
Handbag: American Eagle 39.99
Floral RingModCloth 11.99
City of Angels Ring: ModCloth 11.99

Part 2 Boot Trends for Fall 2009: Cut-Out Boots

Another boot trend for this Fall season are the cut-out boots! Check out these styles from Forever 21, Camilla Skovgaard, Michael Kors and Halston- in all different price ranges.

Trend Watch: Peep Toe Boots

Peep-toe boots are popping up everywhere this season. And the great part is- you can find a pair in any price range! We can't wait to rock a pair this season!! Don't be afraid to wear opaque hose with peep-toe boots, when the weather starts to drop. Just stay away from the kind that has toe reinforcements.

Update Your Closet for Midseason!

Dressing for the end of summer and the beginning of Fall can be tricky! Here are some style tips to help you through! With these tips you can reuse what's already in your closet with some styling modifications to keep you on trend for PreFall 2009! Check out the Culturista style tips below!



Wear any of your miniskirts with a boyfriend blazer and peep-toe boots, both important on-trend pieces for the upcoming season! Accessorize with some great statement jewelry such as a chain necklace or cocktail ring.



Wearing a trench coat is a great way to take you from Summer to Pre-fall. Pair a light trench with any pair of shorts and sling back sandals for an in-between season look. Don't forget to accessorize with this seasons hottest necklace trend: the chain necklace!




Like a trench coat, a leather jacket will take you from Summer to the Fall season smoothly. It looks great paired with a floral print or any other summer dress. A long shoulder strap bag and cut out heels are hot trends for this fall!

Check out more Fall 2009 Trends here!

Madonna=the new face for Louis Vuitton?

Little bees are buzzing all around that Madonna is going to be the face of the Louis Vuitton campaign for fall 2009. We all know that Madge is in killer shape and has a propensity to try and not show any visible signs of aging and continuously embody sexuality. While she looks physically amazing in this ad, I just wonder when enough is enough? Is it still ok for Madonna who is in her early 50s to be so blatantly sexual? I am not quite sure where Louis Vuitton is going with this but if it actually happens I am curious to find out. What do you think...cultured or vultured?

Fall 2009 Jewelry Trend: Statement Necklaces

More jewelry trends for Fall 2009. It's all about the statement necklace. Wear them with a dressed up evening outfit or even just over jeans and a t-shirt for a fashionable look!

Fashion Week 2009: Boots are the new pants?

We have known for a while that pants are out. The ongoing debate for the past few years has been whether tights are pants. I personally concluded that leggings = pants. Tights on the other hand, are not. If lines can be seen and the texture is sheer, it is not appropriate to be worn with a tunic. Fashion week debuting styles and trends for Fall 2009 introduced a new substitute for pants- the thigh high boot. Cavalli, Gucci, Guy Laroche, and Rodarte are among some of the designers who displayed this trend on the runway.

Paris fashion week 2009: Under the Oriental Influence

In this past week, there has been one interesting theme found on the runway in Paris: Orientalism. While I'm sure this term is not quite politically correct, one very speicific name, Christian Dior, incorporated old time Asian themes into their ultra modern designs. Head designer John Galliano had the most dramatic presentation. Elaborate makeup,bobbypinned hairstyles, and intricate jewelery made for these ethnic undertones. While it looked awesome and was quite unique, it was somewhat distracting from the central focus- the clothes.








What do you think?

A. Cultured
B. Vultured

Fall 2009 Trend: Chains

The Fall 2009 runway shows have been going on in NYC, Milan, Paris etc. Here is a trend we have been seeing on jewelry, accessories and even on clothing:

Paris Fashion week Fall 2009: Balenciaga

I'm always interested to see what Nicolas Ghesquière for Balenciaga is going to come up with--since his collections are always very trend setting. His Fall 2009 collection at Paris fashion week does not disappoint. I LOVE the dress posted above--with that tough studded belt and sheer black hose. GORGEOUS. Also love the tulip skirt with front draping and lacy bandeau tops. But I don't know what possessed him to make the models look like they have no eyebrows..not hot.

Milan Fashion week 2009: Dsquared²

[Dsquared² Fall 2009 collection via style.com]

The Dsquared² Fall 2009 collection is all about layers and mixing and matching dressy and casual clothes. Each model walked the catwalk complete with tons of accessories--hats, glasses, scarves, oversize totes and even starbucks coffees, blackberrys and ipods. I love how they styled each look---it totally inspires me to play around with the clothes in my own closet.

Check out more photos of the collection after the jump

[Dsquared² Fall 2009 collection via style.com]

[Dsquared² Fall 2009 collection via style.com]

Milan Fashion week 2009: Roberto Cavalli

[Roberto Cavalli F/W 2009 via Style.com]

Roberto Cavalli, one of my favorite designers, had his F/W 2009 runway show this week in Milan. His women have always been synonymous with sexy, feminine and just having Joie de vivre. But for Fall 2009 Cavalli describes her as, "tough, aggressive, sexy, and young." And that is clear in this runway show---complete with awesome details such as studs, leather, chains, and sheer fabrics.

See more photos of the collection after the jump

[Cavalli F/W 2009 via style.com]

[Cavalli F/W 2009 via style.com]

Fashion Week 2009: Mad about Malandrino!

The Malandrino breakfast presentation of their Fall and Winter collection for 2009 was a unique and unconventional choice of venue at the renowned Rainbow Room. With an unbelievable view from the 65th floor and tasty selection of pastries and bellinis, the vibe was warm and effortlessly chic. Noted celebrities sitting front row were Mary J. Blige, Michele Trachtenberg, Sophia Bush, and Mena Suvari. The edgy designs displayed an array of intricately adorned dresses and some that even displayed a handprint as if wrapping around a woman's waist which was also done by Commes des Garcons in 2007. All in all, the daring collection and charming and unique setting made for an impressive and enjoyable showing.

NY Fashion week 2009: Jenni Kayne

I don't know about you guys but Jenni Kayne sure knows how I want to dress for Fall/Winter 2009. Her cool girl/geek chic aesthetic is one that I am very much into at the moment. Notice the statement necklace she paired her ensembles with. Again we see more opaque tights---guess those aren't going away anytime soon (hooray!). See more of the collection when you click "Read More"

This easy going collection is a Culturista fav for NY Fashion week.

Photo credit: Jenni Kanye FW 2009/style.com