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A Twinkle in the Eyes – Designer Launches $15,000 Diamond Contact Lenses

Talk  about a twinkle in your eyes! According to MSNBC, beauty addicts are eyeing a new trend — custom-made, gold-plated contact lenses featuring 18 twinkling diamonds. Yes — actual, real diamonds! They are part of an eye-jewelry line  from Shekhar Eye Research.

The effect is cat-like, luxurious, sexy, eerie, and mysterious all at the same time — and it doesn’t come cheap!

The lenses cost $15,000. Creator Chandrashekhar Chawan says that he also tried his hand at gold-dust contact lenses, but they lacked the “sparkle effect” he was looking for. Some people love the look, others hate it. “Look at Lady Gaga and her followers,” Chawan said. “People take time to digest [new fashion], until some celebrity starts using it.”

His hopes are that Hollywood and Bollywood celebrities alike will get on board with this extravagant and eye-catching trend.

Though this may be one of the more extreme examples of outlandish designer eyewear trends, it is not necessarily the first. You ay remember similar items such as designer lenses from Christian Diorcolored eye sprays, or Anthony Malliar’s crystal infused lenses.

So, what do you think of this sparkling new way to bling?

~~ Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Attention, Futuristic Fashionistas: Flashlight Heels Have Arrived at Chanel!

Remember L.A Gear’s line of “L.A. Lights” light- up sneakers that were all the rage in the 1990′s?

Well, light-up shoes are apparently back — this time, for the high-fashion crowd.

Karl Lagerfeld dazzled the runway with wild hats, uber-luxe frocks, and, yes, flashlight heels for the Chanel Fall 2011 couture collection.

These space-age kicks look like something straight out of a sci-fi movie or Lady Gaga’s closet — a tongue-in-cheek look  that’s perfect for futuristic fashionistas.

Tell us, what do you think of these avant garde shoes?

~~ Ashley Boynes-Shuck

Natalia Vodianova’s White Fairy Tale Love Ball

Having some trouble finding the perfect ensemble for our Wine on White Party? The celebration is less than a week away, so now is the time to be inspired by the very best in fashion. MANIACS take pointers from these fashionistas (and fashionistos) to help pull together a timeless, stand out look.

The most notable people in the world of fashion stepped out for a good cause this week and attended the ‘White Fairy Tale Love Ball’. Like our attendees, they were asked to dress in all white, and they most definitely pulled out all the stops.

The ball was held at Valentino Garavani’s seventeenth-century estate in the Parisian countryside to raise money for underprivileged Russian children, a charity that is close to model Natalia Vodianova’s heart. Guests like Anne Hathaway, Anna Dello Russo and Margherita Missoni enjoyed dinner and a fashion show, with designer looks from names like Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent.

Take note from this star-studded ball and we will see you on the 14th, dressed to the nines!

photos below!


~~ Cody Wiegand

Design Your Own Success: ‘Fashion Star’ comes to NBC

Sure, there are already a lot of fashion shows on television – but none on as mainstream of a channel as NBC.

The network has picked up “Fashion Star” starring host Elle MacPherson and celebrity mentors Jessica Simpson and Nicole Richie. The show, which boosts the tagline, “Design Your Own Success” will be a design competition for up-and-coming fashion designers – some seasoned, and some as green as they come.

According to the official website, the series will give 14 unknown designers the chance to win a multi-million dollar contract to launch their lines in three of America’s largest retailers. Each week, the show will kick off with an exhilarating fashion show unlike anything seen before featuring musical performances, dancers, and models in front of a live studio audience. Every fashion show will be built around a weekly challenge that is designed to further develop and expand the designer’s brand. Designers range from flea-market moms to Parsons School of Design graduates, and everything in between.

Simpson, who has a billion-dollar fashion empire, has been on board since the beginning; the signing of Richie for the show was just announced today.

Tell us: will you be watching when it airs this fall?

~~ Ashley Boynes-Shuck

 

Bridal Chic – Which Fashionable Wedding Gowns are your Favorite?

It’s finally summer and that means that wedding season is upon us! Whether you are a bride-to-be or simply love dreaming up your favorite wedding looks, these dresses will be sure to fascinate and impress.

What’s  your bridal gown style? What do you picture yourself in when you’re walking down the aisle? Do you prefer classic, like Kate Middleton’s dreamy gown designed by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen? Or, do you prefer some of the modern and romantic styles from Vera Wang? What about the iconic Vivenne Westwood gown that Sarah Jessica Parker donned as Carrie  in the Sex and the City movie?

Will your dress be sweet and simple — or will it make a statement as a work of art? Do you dream in color, or, do you prefer the traditional hues of white and ivory? Will you go for old-Hollywood glam, or fairy-tale princess fluff? A demure halter with a high neck? Or a naughty plunging neckline?

Nowadays, there’s so many options to show off your personality no matter what style bride you are! Maybe you’re like me and will try on 20 dresses before you find “the one!” Or, maybe you’ll have that “a-ha!” moment right away. Either way, it’s not an easy decision – but, it sure is a fun one! There are lots of awesome gowns out there to choose from!

….and you can check them out this summer! We’re getting excited for the July 31st Wedding Clickers bridal expo at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. Featured celebrities on board include former Steeler Jerome Bettis and Dancing with the Stars’ Kym Johnson. We’ll be sure to see exciting bridal fashions there, but, for now, enjoy these looks below and let us know which is your personal favorite by leaving a blog comment or tweeting us @ManiacMagazine with the tag #ManiacBlog! Feel free to also share photos of your sassy, classy, or sexy wedding dress – we’d love to see your gorgeous bridal looks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– Ashley Marie Boynes

Celebrity Fashion Designers – The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly

The Olsen twins have done it right. So have Jessica Simpson, Justin Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, and Victoria Beckham.

So, why do so many celebrity “fashion lines” go wrong?

Well, the first reason, in my humble opinion, would be that, in order to have a successful fashion empire, one must 1.) have input and be a part of the creative process and 2.) know a thing or two about fashion.

In a world where EVERY celebrity seemingly has perfume lines and clothing lines, where reality “stars” become ACTUAL stars, and where models become actors who become musicians who become fashion designers and business owners and authors, it’s safe to say that the lines are pretty….blurry….in Hollywood.

That being said, it’s easy to write off a celebrity’s clothing line simply because they are a celebrity, assuming that they have no business being in the business of fashion.

However, some do.

Justin Timberlake’s line, William Rast, has been very successful; well known for its Americana flair.

Jessica Simpson was recently called a “mogul” by Oprah Winfrey as her fashion empire of clothes, handbags, shoes, and jewelry has expanded to over $1 billion worth. (In my opinion, her fashion efforts are better than any singing or acting career that she may have at one time had.)

Victoria Beckham debuted her designs last year to rave reviews during New York Fashion Week and a coveted Women’s Wear Daily cover.

Gwen Stefani’s eclectic rocker look has taken the world by storm with her L.A.M.B. line.

The most shining example of celebrity-designers-gone-right, though, is that of the Olsen twins. They’ve come a long way from their “you got it, dude!” days playing Michelle Tanner on Full House. With the likes of fashion plate and First Lady Michelle Obama being a fan of their clothes, they must be doing something right. Recently, they were given high praises and critical acclaim by the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) in the form of being nominated as the year’s top womenswear designers, particularly for their high-end clothing line, The Row.

They also created the clothing lines Elizabeth & James, and Olsenboye, and have emblazoned their personal senses of style into mainstream pop culture forever: oversized clothes with oversized sunglasses and oversized bags, a slightly messy, modern-hippie, yet somehow sophisticated look they like to call Boho-chic.

They’ve graced a recent cover of Newsweek as America’s Next Billionaires, but even more impressive is their credibility. They’ve truly had a hand in the creative processes regarding their clothing lines and their business endeavors – and that, my friends, deserves some respect.

So, tell us – which celebrities do you WISH would come out with their own fashion line? Rhianna? Blake Lively? Fan Bing Bing?

Tweet us @ManiacMagazine or leave a comment below on which celebs you wish would enter the fashion world….and who you wish would just disappear.

 

— Ashley Marie Boynes