Inspired by Phillip Lim’s raincoat in his 3.1 Phillip Lim Spring 2012 collection, CND’s Angi Wingle designed and mixed a special color just for the designer, mimicking the see-through jackets from the runway. Lim wanted a color to emulate those on the nail bed, which CND then custom blended a new mixture that will enhance the color that is naturally there. CND mixed a few drops of Raspberry Parfait and Guava, which resembled the raincoat in the collection, with a Speedy Top Coat to create a semi sheer coverage that matches the models’ nail beds. CND’s Speedy Top Coat and other colors can be found on their website and at various retailers around the country.

For makeup, NARS National Makeup Artist, Francelle, created a metallic eye in a gray-ish blue with pink lips for Lim’s runway show.  Edgy, but soft, Francelle was inspired by the evolution of working with geometry and athlethism of Lim’s collection, concentrating on the freedom and fragility of kites.  The inner rebel look of a matte blush on the models’ lips was romanticized with six coats of mascara on their eyes.  All the products used can be found at narscosmetics.com:

PRO-PRIME Pore Refining Primer: $32.00

Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer (Available in Spring 2012)

Copacabana Illuminator: $29.00

Eyebrow Pencil: $21.00

Duo Eyeshadow in Paris: $33.00

Night Series Eyeshadow in Night Life: $23.00

Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner in Rue Bonaparte: $32.00

Larger Than Life Volumizing Mascara: $25.00

Gaiety Blush (Available in Spring 2012)

- Ambika Makin

Subscribe to Fashion Pulse Daily’s Newsletter

An image from "In Light of Tokyo"

With the recent Earthquake & Tsunami tragedy in Japan, many organizations, businesses, and individuals are jumping at the chance to lend a hand with the relief; now you can too with a simple purchase made from the following designers and brands.  Assouline Publishing will donate 50% of its profits from the tome In Light of Tokyo, a tribute collection of photographs inspired by Tokyo’s landscape, to the relief efforts.

Shop online at Josie Natori, and 10% of sales will be donated to the Red Cross through April.

All proceeds from Phillip Lim’s March showroom sample sale will go to benefit the American Red Cross’s aid efforts -  shop March 24^th-25^th to participate (located at 260 West 39th Street in NYC).

Brooks Brothers has created a Customer Giving Campaign from which 100 percent of donations will go directly to the American Red Cross recovery and relief efforts. In addition, the Brooks Brothers Golden Fleece Foundation will match donations dollar for dollar up to $50,000.

UNIQLO via their parent company, Fast Retailing has pledged 700 yen worth of clothing to disaster victims, and has set up monetary donation drop boxes throughout retail locations. With these easy ways to donate to the relief effort in Japan, there are plenty of options to help do your part.  After all caring IS always in fashion.

-Dana deBoer

Subscribe to Fashion Pulse Daily’s Newsletter

[Images via Style.com]

3.1 Phillip Lim’s F/W 2011 collection was a strong mix of both sporty and functional elements with examplary items including cropped pants and well-cut coats. The best pieces of the collection were mostly outerwear, a change for Lim whose complicated dressed and cuts reined supreme in the past.

-Dana deBoer

Subscribe to Fashion Pulse Daily’s Newsletter

[Images via Style.com]

Spilling off the resort runways this season is surprisingly non-other than chic menswear. From Armani to Viktor & Rolf to 3.1 Phillip Lim, stream-lined trousers and strong blazers are the must haves for resort, that more and more blend in with the other seasons. While such pieces sound very masculine and rightfully so, the tailored looks however are a keen match for the feminine physique (read: very sexy). Armani showed an edgy take on the trend, with black and navy pin-striped suits with  high-waisted, tapered pants and cinched, slightly shrunken blazers. If this sounds a little intimidating, look to outfits like those of Moschino, which works in more feminine, ethereal pieces into the menswear lineup.

Try pairing structured trousers with a flowing blouse to provide a yin and yang to the masculine/feminine balance; try Alloy’s Twill Blazer ($54.50)with something lightweight and slightly boho, such as this Voile Ruffle Trim Top ($39.50) from Express. The pants? Go for a mid-slightly higher rise in pants, something with a slight sheen, definitely a bit baggy yet tailered, or a twill will work. Start out with these Everywhere Wide-Leg Trousers in dark steel or black ($25) at Old Navy. So now that you know the trick of casual menswear is balance — taking something your boyfriend would wear and mixing it with the most feminine piece you own — is a tried and true fashion recipe to ultra-chic style!

-Jaimie Sanita

Subscribe to Fashion Pulse Daily’s Newsletter

Go Green Go is a 10-piece collection of tanks,  pants, and tunic dresses, all created from  natural cottons, lined in organic silk by Phillip Lim. In order to reduce his company’s carbon footprint, Lim emphasizes hand versus machine detailing, washing with tennis balls for a worn look versus using dyes, and other measures. Inspired  by a sobering documentary he had seen about  polar bears and the loss of their natural resources in the North Pole, he was inspired to start a line of products that would be gentler on the earth and its many precious and irreplaceable resources. Lim also designed a $20 canvas grocery bag that reads “Smile, you have just reduced your carbon footprint.” Remarkably, all of the proceeds go directly to Al Gore’s Climate Project. Can you immagine the impact if every designer started a line that was reflective upon the environment? Go Green Go can currently be found at Barneys.

[Images via Style.com]

I ended up with a bad cold, so please forgive me for the dealy in fashion week recaps!

Richard Chai  (Womens):

Fur’s the word at Richard Chai this season, although he still knows how to make a mean print work in a variety of ways.

Mackage:

True to their heritage, Mackage stayed focused with absolutely incredible jackets — I would be glad to wear every single one of them – leather bombers, parkas, long wool cream overcoats- you name it!

Milly:

Milly designer Michelle Smith runs the lbd department for fall 2009 — seriously, and that’s a good thing.

Marchesa:

A true fantasy in eveningwear, 100% red carpet-worthy, and I’m sure to see a few of them tonight at the Oscars

3.1 Phillip Lim:

The ’60s inspiration was quite evident; the coats were quite exquisite.

Proenza Schouler:

These boys can do no wrong; McCollough and Hernandez sent out a bevy of coats, tweeds and dresses without forgoing their signature, accentuated modern bustier silhouette.

Subscribe to Fashion Pulse Daily’s Feed