OBSESSION: Let Them See Red

Few clothing items say “I refuse to acknowledge the recession but I’ll plan for it anyway” like a pair of stiletto heels designed to last a lifetime (with a price tag that also seems unending).




At $575, the perfect curves and master workmanship of Christian Louboutin’s “Simple Pump” represent one of the few remaining bastions of luxury wear that might be worth the sticker shock. In times like these, label-encrusted Vuitton bags and chunky Cartier watches reek of unbridled decadence. Even the most well-off fashionista turns up her nose on a $10,00 bag that will be yesterday’s fashion news tomorrow.

By contrast, the Louboutin pump provides style for ages. Few things offer more sophistication or sexiness than that subtle flash of ruby sole.

And don’t worry: One high-end item doesn’t mean you must possess a closet of couture. Times are a-changing. Mixing high and low culture signals sophistication. And given the nation’s financial troubles, we predict more brand mash-ups than ever.

So go ahead and slip on these Louboutins with a Forever 21 shirtdress and H&M trench. And every now and then, cross your legs, revealing to admiring onlookers that lovely Louboutin sole. It’s the best way to be in the red.

REVIEW: My Beauty Runneth Over

For true cosmetics lovers, the concept of the mega-palette bewitches. These ginormous boxes of beauty come packed with an almost maddening array of cosmetics in almost every imaginable color, creating the opportunity for never-ending makeup playtime.

Unfortunately, what the mega-palettes offer in quantity, they often lack in quality. Makeup mavens know the disappointment of buying one of these giant palettes from Macy’s or Sephora, only to find that shadow pigments are sheer and short-lived on the eye. Lipglosses, meanwhile, smell funny and chap the softest chops.

Given the low-rent record of these products, it’s hard to believe that high-end makeup brand Smashbox would create a holiday gift set that bears an odd resemblance to the low-brow mega-palette. Called the Ultimate Makeup Palette, it costs $59 at Ulta.com.

Behold:

According to the folks at Smashbox’s customer service line, the 70 (!) eyeshadows, 8 cream eyeliners, brow wax, six brow colors, eight lip glosses, four lip colors, two blush shades, bronzer, highlighter, and four brushes included in the set all offer Smashbox-quality. This is quite the deal, especially in light of the fact that the company’s crème eyeliner palette (featuring the same shades and the same size as those in the Ultimate Palette) runs a sweet $32 for the eyeliner alone.

A two-day trial of the Ultimate Beauty Palette proves encouraging: the daunting selection of 70 eye shadows seems a little too heavy on the blue colors (who really needs five shades of cerulean?), but the pigments deliver dense and long-lasting. The two blushes – a shimmery plum and a brighter peach – are universally flattering. The matte bronzer provides a subtle tan; the “Soft Lights” highlighter creates an ethereal glow.

Unlike its low-end counterpart, the Smashbox Ultimate Beauty Palette lip glosses smell just fine – the moisturizing formula feels great on dry lips. Unfortunately, the pot style of these highly pigmented glosses makes an even product application somewhat difficult.

Regardless of this minor shortcoming, the Smashbox Ultimate Beauty Palette looks like a winner. Even the brow wax proves itself as one of those cosmetics you don’t know you need until you have it: it’s extremely effective at keeping pesky wayward eyebrow hairs in line throughout the day.

Salty Tip: Through November 8, enter coupon code SHIPFREE25 to receive free shipping on the palette (or any other purchase over $25).

SNAPS: Bedrock Beauties

This duo brought back the stone-age dressed in hand crafted costumes as Betty Rubble and Pebbles this halloween.

SNAPS: Halloween Happenings

Radiant Red-Lipped Dorothy and Fashionable Where’s Waldo

OBESSION: Pocahontas Passion

Tory Burch does not heart flats this season. Now, it’s all about the boots. The Walker Boot balances hippy and preppy with extreme style ($375, Toryburch.com). Made of suede with laces the run all the way to the top, these boots radiate Native American style in an innovative way. Fringe, another season favorite, lines the sides of the boot along with the large Tory Burch logo. In coconut or dark brown, wear them with a long skirt or a pair of jeans. These boots are sure to be the topper of all super stylish outfits.

D.I.Y.: Juicy Like Jolie

Angelina’s lips deserved top billing in her latest movie The Changeling. Framed by a series of stunning cloche hats and short, wavy brown curls, Brad Pitt’s wife’s lips, which received extra attention thanks to an unrelenting slathering of true-red lipstick, earned more screen time than the actress herself. Few smackers earn the four-inch vertical lip span of Angelina Jolie. But with some hints you can deliver luscious lips like hers. Follow these easy suggestions to amp up your look.

1. Moisturize your mouth. Most of us think that chap stick helps in the moisture department. Wrong. Chap stick only protects your lips. Make your lips as soft as cashmere with a lip moisturizer (Neutrogena Lip Moisturizer with SPF 15, 0.15oz., amazon.com).

2. Enhance those curves. Before heading out, use a natural colored lip liner to outline your mouth and make those lips pout.

3. Brush it on. To get an even look, put your lipstick on with a makeup brush. Be sure to sweep the brush across your lips in a consistent manner.

4. Plump it up. Make those lips even more luscious by applying gloss over your lipstick. Be sure to use colors that glisten and shine to make for a pucker no one can resist.

5. Really Desperate? If your still lacking the fullness you desire, add a lip plumper to your routine (Lip Fusion, 0.29 oz., Micro-Injected Lip Plump Collagen Shine, $20.55, amazon.com).

EXPERIENCE: Booted at Barneys

Sprawled out on the bed of the Hampton Inn Manhattan-SoHo, I insist to my father:

“Barneys is my closet.”

“Keep dreaming,” he snaps and throws me my worn-out leather boots. In my mind I think Louboutins! Daddy motions for me to get going for dinner. Lacing up my shoes, remnants of a purchase last year at TJ Maxx, I pine for the lavishness of my afternoon. Just hours earlier on this Friday afternoon, I pranced my way up the escalators of Barneys New York. Thumbing through Lanvin lace and Dries Van Noten minks, I believed the merchandise belonged to me. All mine. I felt at home.

Two months ago, it was home. I worked the Madison Avenue location over the summer and spent my time with the best of company: mass quantities of luxury goods. Proenza Schouler. Alaia. Givenchy. Versace. Rattling them off defined my job. Running around performing price checks on Prada and size exchanges on Miu Miu, I established an expertise in designer clothing. Up in the Studio Services department, an exclusive alcove on the eighth floor, I witnessed the behind-the-scenes action of stylists and costume designers. Packing garment bags for big names and television shows (let your imagination fill in the blanks: customer confidentiality), I embraced the fast paced nature of the fashion world. I also discovered my strengths: time management and reliability. And my weaknesses: a love for high-end footwear.

On my visit back to my favorite store, I pay respects to my friends on the fourth level-- Salon Shoes. A sucker for the red soles, I bypass the Manolos, dedicating my attention to the Christian Louboutin niche. I delve into my alter ego and decide on a pair of knee-high python stiletto boots. I check the bottom right foot: $2,600.

“Look who it is!” Chris, head honcho among the sales associates, exclaims. Dressed in a Dolce dress shirt, he swaggers toward me and kisses my cheek. I blush. He knows my schtick and escorts me to a love seat. Within moments, the objects of my affection adorn my feet.

“Take your time.” Chris assures me with a wink.

As soft as butter, the shoes melt around my feet. I tiptoe across the lush carpeting, pausing at every mirror. Two familiar young men poke their heads out of the stock room to catch a glimpse. A third chimes in, snapping a photograph with his Blackberry®. I kick up my heel and crack a smile for the camera.

SNAPS: Graveyard Grunge

Anonymous, Graveyard 10th St & 2nd Ave, NYC

SNAPS: Double Trouble

Kings Head Tavern, NYC
Day of the Dead

OBSESSION: Fashion Pass

Gilt Groupe makes New York-only samples sales accessible to shoppers across the country. Founded by two longtime friends, Alexis and Alexandria, Gilt Groupe (gilt.com) provides access to men's, women's, and children's coveted fashion brands at prices up to 70-percent-off retail. But there's a catch. The invitation-only website requires that you receive an invitation from a friend to join the members list.

Gilt Groupe features 36-hour sales every week. Past sales included pieces from Nina Ricci, Valentino, and Marc Jacobs. In preparation for each week's sale, you receive an e-mail that introduces each brand, provides designer bios, and offers a preview of the pieces available at half the cost. Just like your first job, that back-stage pass, and the right social organization, it pays to know someone. But in this case, a connex means a ticket to a much better wardrobe.

REVIEW: Charlotte for Penney

Yes, you read right. Charlotte Ronson, the young trendsetting designer, is teaming up with JC Penney to launch a line of affordable, and may we say, incredibly great fashion finds. If Charlotte’s devout clientele doesn’t make you turn your head - think Nicole Richie, Gisele Bundchen, Gwen Stefani and Kate Moss - the prices will. Ranging from $35-$65 , these steals make any fashionista weak in the knees. I Heart Ronson enters stores beginning February 2009.



NYLON has supplied your sneak peek at what’s to come. Get excited!

PROFILE: Kaiser Karen the Karl of Syracuse

Professor Karen Bakke, program coordinator of the Department of Fashion and Design Technologies at Syracuse University, opens her bottle of diet Pepsi. Beads of cool water drip down the plastic container and over her bijoux-adorned and frosted mauve-polished fingers. She licks her lips and grasps the blue plastic cap. She shares Karl Lagerfeld's passion for dark carbonated cola, but Karl only drinks diet Coke in a glass. With ice. Bakke, from her outfit to her beverage choice, exudes an efficient blend of high and low and epitomizes Karl's statement for his H&M ads: “It's all about taste, if you are cheap…nothing helps.” Her sweater might be from Penney's, but Karen, a self-proclaimed garmento, knows her fibers. (Always natural, of course.)

Karen's signature look consists of using liner as shadow, custom-made tri-focals made from oversized Ralph Lauren sunglasses, and frosted pink lips. Her hair, white and wiry like that of a feisty Norfolk terrier, falls only a few inches above her shoulder, too short to be tied back with a black ribbon like Karl's. The necklace she wears is bold, asymmetrical, and shiny. In a speech to the Fashion Communication students in spring of 2008, Karen said she uses her necklace as a beacon to attract friends that share her tastes. An aficionado of chunky precious stones and bold jewelry, Karen's best market might be big-haired Texans. (Karl, on the other hand, embellishes his fingers with Chrome Hearts jewelry and caters to the Parisian chic and a waifish clientele).
Groundbreaking and scandalous at 16 year-old, Karen bought her first pair of high-heeled red shoes while Karl was competing against Yves for a coat design contest. The similarities continue. Karl recently refurnished his Parisian living space with all new scientific textiles and industrial materials. So new, in fact, that he does not even know how they will abrade. The only entity that he kept through his many reinventions: the photograph of his lover Jacques de Bascher, who passed away in 1989. “I am whore,” he says, not referring to his love life, but his career, “I go where they pay me.” During class Karen once reminisced about her late husband. He was her painting professor in college, and she fell in love. Today, Karen continues to explore painting and drawing — just like Karl continues to pursue his photography and publishing company. Karl believes that designers must be interested in everything. "It's like being beyond; you don't have to care anymore, good or bad reputation; it doesn't matter."

CRUSH: Zac wants YOU!

After two years of pollsters, talking heads, SNL skits, and debates, the day is here. Since you can’t vote in the buff, keep it fashionable and take a cue from designer Zac Posen, who found a way to inject a little style into Election Day chaos WATCH ME!. Since fashion earned as much airtime as healthcare and taxes ($150,000 shopping sprees, Naughty Monkey red pumps, and Michelle Obama and Thakoon), it only seems fitting that you wear your best outfit to the polls. In return, Zac might give you the 15 minutes of fame you deserve. V.O.T.E., and look great doing it.

WARNING: Unfortunately, you can’t wear your fabulous creations to the polling stations in these states: New York, new Jersey, Delaware, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Vermont! But don’t let this discourage you from creating something fabulous.

SNAPS: Feathers Flying

Senior Fashion Design major Meredith Banzhoff displays all colors of the rainbow in her hand made creation of a bird costume for an SU themed jungle party.

SNAPS: Going All Out

Eyore and Tigger

Juno

Masquerade

Showgirl

CRUSH: Rings of Fire

With his signature cable look, David Yurman created a name for himself as an artistic designer of fine, classic, and contemporary jewelry. Yurman works in silver or a combination of silver and gold. From the New Albino Collection, this 14mm ring with a split sterling silver shank is faceted with a blue-topaz and pave-diamond bezel that weighs in at a 0.49 total carat. It costs $1,400 and makes the perfect 21st birthday present. Just in case the jewelry wasn't beautiful enough on its own, Yurman hired Kate Moss, Natalia Vodianova, and Daria Werbowy as the faces of his line.

OBESSION: Style To Boot

That rainy, slushy season before the torrent of snow arrives reaches Salt City residents at their most vulnerable. In the absence of good rainwear, we often revert to tennis shoes and sweatshirts and return home in a soggy, chilly mess. One day at J.Michaels on Marshall Street, I tried on Hunter rain boots, watertight rubber boots with a traction-gripping sole. They offer an adjustable buckle at the side and a one-inch heel that gives just the right amount of added lift. But don’t stop there. Hunter also makes fleece socks, which stand higher than the boot to show off the company’s logo. These socks deliver almost as much dry snuggleness as the boots.

SNAPS: Daffy Loves Her

And since she’s that cute, here is the outfit sans the beak...















Sarah Johnson, Madison Ave.

SNAPS: Trés chic

Sophomore Advertising major Sarah Glaser brings a touch of Parisian sophistication to a Syracuse Halloween party.

SNAPS: Halloweekend

Ali Torel

D.I.Y. : Pillow Talk

It’s Saturday evening and your closet looks sparse. When time or money constraints nix a quick trip to Marshall Street, look to your bedroom to find the perfect outfit. That old pillowcase transforms into a sexy shift dress. Gather these items: scissors, a marker, pins, needle, and thread. Follow these instructions:

1. Lay the pillowcase on a flat surface. Iron out any wrinkles. You need to make a head opening at the top of the pillow. The width of my pillow was 18 inches so I drew a neck opening that was 10 inches wide and one inch in height in the center. If you lack drawing-straight skills, use a French curve (A drawing stencil you can pick up at the book store), to help you get the exact shape you want. For the armholes, cut openings that are one inch into the pillow and seven inches down. Make the armhole and neck holes in whatever shape you desire.

2. After the holes, fold back the raw edges one-half inch into the wrong side of the fabric. Ironing this helps, but if you’re heat-averse, place pins to hold them in place. Thread your needle and sew the arm and neck holes to create a clean finished edge.

3. To create some wiggle room for your legs, use your scissors and split open the side seams. Then sew the two seams to create a clean “v.”

4. The fun part: Ornamentation. I sewed a long piece of vintage tapestry to center front to give my dress a retro feel. To belt the dress, I used a salmon-pink cumber bund I bought at Cluttered Closet for $3. Or, consider fabric markers, dye, buttons, or studs to assist you in achieving desired Saltiness.

EXPERIENCE: Some Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

What Syracuse lacks in tropical climates it makes up for in shopping options: The Carousel Center boasts more than 150 clothing stores. But despite that abundance of consumerist options, some of us crave more rarified style and personal attention. For those in need of something new, look no further than Some Girls Boutique (145 Marshall Street). Some Girls Boutique, aptly named after the Rolling Stones album, offers edgy contemporary wear.
Walk into the boutique and a strawberry-shortcake yellow and pink interior greets you. Style symbols such as Twiggy, Grace Kelly, and Bridgette Bardot cover the walls along with velvet embossed picture frames that hold precious gold earrings. The clothes hang like a rainbow made up of chiffon, taffeta, nylon, and cotton. Sifting through the racks, you find lacy Bohemian tops by Free People, Mod bomber jackets by BB Dakota, and the classic bold colored V-necks of American Apparel. A Look Book highlights this season trends so that customers can shop accordingly.



Beyond hard-to-find-in-Syracuse fashions, Some Girls also offers great customer service that creates a friendly atmosphere. While cheerfully helping girls in the store, Emily Mackay, a buyer and sales assistant, works the phones to secure the perfect black leotard for a customer on the other line. Some customers return two or three times a week to check out the new selection and chat with the sales assistants. Check out Some Girls Boutique website (www.somegirlsboutique.com) for member discounts and invitations to special promotional parties. Stop by Some Girls Boutique and mention Salty Style Blogspot to receive 15 percent off your next purchase. Some girls just know the best place to shop.

HOW TO: Smokey Eye

Nothing says sexy like the dark, smokey eye. With winter around the corner, this look adds a little bit of daring to your nighttime look. Done right, this drama demands attention, but too much black leaves you with panda eyes. Take these steps to make it perfect:

1. Start with a base that matches your skin tone. This helps smooth the surface of your eye so shadow stays put. Use either your regular liquid foundation or try MAC cosmetics “Paint.” This product goes on creamy and leaves a powdery finish, the perfect base coat.

2. Use a dark shadow (either black or dark brown) and apply to crease first. For black, try NARS “Night Clubbing.” For brown, try Bare Essentials Liner Shadow in “Bark." Use a brush like Sephora’s All Over Shadow Small Brush. Leave your eye open and place the brush in your crease and move in a half-moon motion, back and forth until the area is covered. Then fill in lid.

3. Using a contouring brush, like Sonia Kashuk’s for Target “Blending Brush,” blend the shadow above your crease, giving a faded look near the top of the eye.

4. For an extra kick, make cat eyes by extending the shadow in your crease to the outside of your eye at an angle. Fill in as you did your crease.

5. Finally, apply liner to the top and bottom of your lids. On the bottom, make sure to apply to the inner eye as well to keep the dark color balanced. Smudge with a brush sponge or Q-tip, and apply mascara. With that, you are ready to prowl the town.

PROFILE: The 12-Year-Old “It” Girl

Anna Wintour annoys her, she’s got a thing for Curt Cobain, and the French icon Madeline helps get her through the night. But the latest fashion blogger in cyberspace possesses a more notable trait: She’s a 12-year-old. Her name is Tavi Gevinson of Chicago, and her blog “Style Rookie” (tavi-thenewgirlintown.blogspot.com)delivers a captivating collection of writing and pictures that take readers into her pre-teen world of explore her definition of “fashion.” From the latest trends, thrifting, the eighties, Japanese Street style, a stark obsession with Karl Lagerfeld and Vivienne Westwood, to DIY fashion, the mature content and opinions Tavi possesses enable her to spark interest in readers from all ends of the age spectrum.

Here’s an excerpt:
I know it sounds corny, but to me, fashion is a form of art. I've said that on here before, but that's strictly what I find it: it's not necessarily about simply looking "good" or "chic". The designers that inspire me don't focus on designing clothes just to be clothes; the looks they design are art! WEARABLE art, which is more fun than pretty paintings in a museum that you can't touch. My ignorance aside, it really bothers me when silly ideas like "Fashion Do's and Don't's" and "Fashion Police" are established, because that takes all the fun out of putting together an outfit. In my opinion, the most interesting fashion is the Anti-Fashion. No rules, no restrictions, no normalcy, no pleasing anyone.

What’s remarkable about this outspoken fashionista — besides her age — is the amount of national attention she garners. Other high-profile fashion bloggers such as “Nova Style” and “Fashion Pirate” gush about Tavi. “Nova Style” writes: I am not exactly sure how old this girl is, but she has so much style it's ridiculous. I honestly think she's one of the most fashionable people I have ever seen. “Fashion Pirate” put “Style Rookie” on its list of top seven brilliant blogs: If we weren't already married I'd move to Chicago and adopt her as my little sister. True story. Is my rabid fangirlism bothering you yet?

In other publicity nods, the New York Times’ T Style Magazine featured Tavi in the August 17th, and she recently earned Teen Vogues “blogger of-the moment.” Move over Anna.

CRUSH: A Tan Fan’s Friend

When I arrived to school freshman year, loaded with graduation money, I decided to splurge on a $250 tanning package from Garbo’s that gave me 30 tanning sessions for the year. Throughout two semesters, I never ran out, and I cherished the warm bed to defrost from the Syracuse cold. But after reading story after story in Glamour, Self, and Cosmo, of young girls getting cancer from these heavenly beds, I decided to quit.

Since then, I have tried every product known to woman to make my skin look tan without the benefit of UV rays. Spray tanning: I turned orange. Gradual self tanners: smelled totally weird. Regular self tanners: left streaks on my legs and left my hands three times as bronzed as the rest of me. For a while I stuck to just bronzer, but caking too much on creates an oh-so-obvious appearance.

My roommate introduced me to Clarin’s instant tanning gel, and I found a way to conjure a faux tan without streaks or stink. This gel formula goes on clear and though it says it works within two hours, I found that it really works its magic overnight. After two applications on my face, I was noticeably tanner, but orange-free and without one streak. At $30, it was a cheap alternative to my previous habit. A few words of advice: Use an exfoliator to slough off dead skin so the product looks natural and stays on longer, and strive for even application.