CRUSH: The World at Your Fingertips

Jewelry designer Matina Amanita uses architectural influences and wanderlust to take individuality to a whole new level with the launch of a new collection of cocktail rings named ‘Globetrotter.’ Inspired by her world travels to fashioned landmarks such as the Shibuya Triangle in Tokyo, each ring reflects a different, city, country, or landmark and features vertical stacks of gold, silver, and precious gemstones. My favorite pick: the ring reminiscent of New York’s Chrysler Building ($660). These statement pieces define elegance and convey a world savvy sense of style. Visit Matinaamanita.com.

REVIEW: 3 Fashionistas + 1 Miami Store = Happy New Year

Time to turn in your Ugg boots and head down south to Florida for a warm, sunny vacation over the holiday break. While basking on the sandy beaches of Miami, take some time to visit the latest shopping must. The Webster Miami, a 20,000-square-feet high-luxury, multi-brand fashion store, opens in January. Located in the heart of Miami Beach, in a historical art deco building designed in 1939, this three-level store will carry only the best men’s and women’s ready-to-wear and accessories: Balenciaga, Dolce & Gabbana, Marc Jacobs, Givenchy, and Miu Miu to name a few.

A trio of fashion veterans founded The Webster: Milan Vukmirovic, who worked with Lacroix, Lanvin and Tom Ford at Gucci; Laure Heriard Dubreuil was at Balenciaga and YSL; and Frederic Dechnik helped Hermès, the Gucci group, and YSL. Capitalizing on their fashion connections, the store offers items that other stores can’t. For example, “the recently resurrected and smoking hot label Balmain and Mason Margiela’s new, much-coveted jewelry line,” reports W magazine.

Currently located at a temporary store in Miami Beach while awaiting the renovation of its new digs in the Hotel Webster, the store focuses on fabuluous clothing paired with photography and art (including a mural by French artist Christophe Brunnquell). So if you happen to be in Florida after the New Year, don’t miss seeing this retail haven. In the meantime, visit thewebstermiami.com.

OBSESSION: A Mighty Mini

Finding the perfect bandage-esque skirt is a challenge. We’re all body-conscious. Anything super-tight and skinny must look irresistible (the line between sophisticated snug and tramp tight is a very thin one). Thankfully American Apparel created the perfect solution. Their Herve Ledger knockoff bandage skirt, the Interlock Mini Skirt, is cute and comes with a friendly price tag ($25). But beyond price, it deserves adoration because of its versatility: It does fashion duty on a night out with four inch stilettos or tucked in to a tank or longer tunic (tip: look for one that hits about an inch or two above the bottom of the skirt). For a day look, throw on a loose-fitting white tank or graphic-print shirt and add a pair of t-strapped sandals. Either way, the skirt looks fabulous. Other notables: It’s made from 100 percent cotton and comes in six different colors. Visit store.americanapparel.net to purchase.

LOOK BOOK: Black By Popular Demand

Fashion reflects our cultural mood, and the recent run of the austere combinations of black and white reflect the world’s contemplative disposition. But these classic looks of Spartan hue prove you don’t need the flash of color to look strikingly glamorous.


Oscar de la Renta, Pre-Fall 2009 Collection


Actress Blake Lively


Limi Feu, Spring 2009 Ready-To-Wear Collection


Marc Jacobs, Spring 2009 Ready-To-Wear Collection


Actress Kate Hudson


Lanvin, Spring 2009 Ready-To-Wear Collection


Doo.Ri, Spring 2009 Ready-To-Wear Collection

PROFILE: Double Shot of Vintage Cool

Every girl wants to accessorize. Adding that hint of gold, silver, or a jewel-encrusted stone creates a focal point and helps create a signature style. But who has the time or energy to rummage through Carousel Mall or vintage stores around Syracuse looking for those one-of-a-kind standout pieces?

Enter, Kristen Lubsen and Kaitlyn Carpenter, two S.U. students who are redefining vintage jewelry on campus. Lubsen, a painting major, and Carpenter, a fashion-design major, combined forces to make costume jewelry. Their new line, Double K Vintage, features earrings and rings that are simple, vintage, and unique, and the pieces sell for a steal. Earrings come in two sizes small ($5) or large ($7), and all rings cost $10 and feature adjustable bases to fit any size finger.


The idea for the company began when Carpenter couldn’t find earrings to match a dress for her junior fashion collection. After a fruitless search, she decided to create her own. Lubsen loved the look of the earrings she found, taking clip-on earrings and transforming them into unique rings and pierced earrings. She thought many students would purchase similar ones. So the two began creating big and bold jewelry from second-hand pieces.


On the first day the line debuted, Double K Vintage sold more than 15 pairs of earrings and seven rings. Demand was high, and Lubsen and Carpenter scurried to make new pieces for their sale at the Schine Bookstore on December 10.

Even though Carpenter leaves in January to study abroad in London next semester, the two plan to keep the business going. Lubsen takes over operations until her business partner returns in Fall 2009. Send requests for pieces to doublekvintage@gmail.com

SNAPS: Fresh Furs

Senior Advertising and Retail Management major Tori Berdelle displays her winter wear before heading to a holiday party. Her fur scarf is a signature piece to take any outfit from ordinary to extraordinary.

REVIEW: The Armory’s Asian Secret

Finding a store in Syracuse that offers unique jewelry pieces that hail from around the globe is about as easy as answering an essay question when you forgot to read the 400-page book. Consider this your accessory Cliff Notes. Tucked in a quaint ally off Walton Street, Way Off the Beaten Path is truly a gem in Syracuse.

Store owner and designer, Angelique Mango, draws upon her bohemian sense of style by showcasing printed silks, batiks, and jewelry with hand selected semi-precious stones like brownish yellow garnets and purple amethysts straight from Jaipur, India. Silk scarves adorn the store’s walls adding a colorful flair to the small room accented with multi-colored furniture. Printed fabrics range from bedding to clothing and the store also features hand selected scarves and pashminas in every color of the rainbow.


Mango says her travels around the world to places like India and Morocco serve as inspiration for what she offers in her store. Each jewelry piece is hand crafted and accented with silver so that no two items are alike. She carries jewelry items as cheap as $15, perfect for anyone’s budget.


Besides the exceptional selection of pieces, Mango also offers SU students a 10 percent discount off all purchases. Visit Way Off The Beaten Path at 136 Walton Street; 315.701.5950

LANDMARK LOOKS: Zipped Magazine Launch Party

Zipped Magazine Launch Party
Fall 2008 Issue
Some Girls Boutique
Decemeber 2

HOW TO: Rock Sienna’s Braids

Leave that lust for Hollywood hairstyles behind. You can create Sienna Miller’s braided updo with these simple steps.

1. Wash your hair either the morning of or the night before you want to wear this sexy updo. The natural oils in your hair help create the look and hold the hair in the place.

2. Pull the hair back into a low messy bun and use bobby pins (whichever color suit your hair) to secure the bun.

3. Purchase one of Braidies Thick Braided Headbands, available for $10 at amazon.com
Insider tip: measure around the perimeter of your head to see what length braid to buy.

4. Set the braid in place by using bobby pins to connect the braid to your scalp.

5. Loosely pull out stray strands on the sides of your head to give your hairstyle a more laid back feel.

TRIPLE THREAT: Model Citizens

High fashion has gone granola. But don’t expect hemp couture dresses anytime soon. Think soft soy pants, silk blouses, and organic cotton dresses and consider these three items forerunners in breaking the crunchy mold by offering high-end, chic pieces that look good and sustain the earth.

1. Larsen Gray, a clothing line by Project Runway season one contestant Nora Caliguri and ex-Chanel alum Rachelyn Porter. Larsen Gray’s Zippered Pencil Skirt is made from 100 percent recycled wool. Available at shopbop.com for $260, this skirt offers a body-hugging fit for a sexy night out with a date or a modest dinner with co-workers.


2. Another new sustainable friendly company: Only Hearts. They live by their motto ‘inner outerwear’ and produce one-of-a-kind cocktail dresses. My pick: Organic Cotton Chemise. Don’t be fooled by the title though. The dress is the best little black dress you’ll ever own. With a deep v-neck, ruffled hem, and skinny spaghetti straps, it delivers knock-out sexiness. Made from 60 percent organic cotton and 40 percent organic hemp, this dress retails for $72 and is available online at onlyhearts.com


3. English Retreads Bags features the newest line of hip, trendy, eco-friendly bags. For a night out, choose the Mini Luxe because it’s large enough to hold all your essentials but small enough to fit under the arm. Available at t englishretreads.com in green, toffee and chrome for $109.

LOOKS FOR LESS: Posh Yourself Up

I tell you what you want, what you really, really want: Victoria Beckham (a.k.a Posh Spice) sense of style (and her husband would be pretty sweet too). Get Mrs. David Beckham’s look and spend less coin. Nabbing a soccer star knock-off is up to you.



1. Start with Jolt Skinny Stretch Jeans in Jet Black from Nordstroms ($42; www.nordstroms.com).


2. Invest in a classic staple. This white collared shirt from The Gap is destined to be an outfit regular ($39.50; www.gap.com).


3. A Black Tuxedo Vest by Forever 21 ($17.80; www.forever21.com) adds some va-va-voom to the ensemble.


4. Bring height and power with high black pumps from Steve Madden, $99.95 (www.stevemadden.com).


5. Finishing touch: a black headband from Aldo ($5; www.aldo.com).

STREET STYLE: Casual Cool

Junior Communications Design major Justine Signore stuck with basics to build her look and to ensure her hand embroidered scarf makes a statement. By pairing grey stretch pants with a v-neck black wool sweater, she created an effortless ensemble for class on a cool fall day.


What shes’s wearing:
- Grey HardTails, $80 available at www.hardtailforever.com
- Frye Campus 14L Boots, $278 available at www.thefryecompany.com
- Men’s V-Neck Wool Sweater, $20 available at www.oldnavy.com
- Hand Embroidered Scarf from Rome

Who’s your fashion icon?
- “Kate Moss, she can wear anything and look amazing. I also love her clothing line for TopShop.”

What your fashion faux pas?
- “When people wear pants that are too short. It’s important that pants hit right at the bottom of your sneakers or sandals.”

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.

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.

TRIPLE THREAT: Fringe Benefits

Pocahontas inspired tasseled trims sashayed the runways this fall from high-end chic designers like Gucci to low-end bargain buys like Mossimo (available at Target). They adorn everything from a one-shoulder dress to a pair of strapy sandals, and designers are using fringe in ways we’ve never seen before — especially with accessories. This season, bags, shoes, and dresses all receive flapper reinventions. Check out three fall-fringe favorites below:

For an upscale, high-end bag, turn to Prada’s Napa Fringe Hobo ($2,190; neimanmarcus.com). Made with the softest Italian leather, this bag in ivory (shown) or black swings perfectly from every shoulder with the cash to land it.



Take the town by storm in Steven by Steve Maddens Bijoux heels ($129.95; stevemadden.com). Available in three colors (black, brown and pewter), this sassy open-toe sandal boasts a 3.5-inch heel and an adjustable ankle strap.



Go full-frontal fringe in Urban Outfitters Lace Shawl ($34; urbanoutfitters.com). Throw on the floral rose patterned shawl over any solid tee and take an outfit from boring to bold.

Looks For Less: Color Me Glam

Forget spending big bucks taking your look from day to night. With a couple of drugstore finds, you can go from ordinary girl to sultry seductress with the swipe of a brush. Consider this your Glam Plan.

1. Make-up is all about radiance and a healthy complexion. So leave that moisturizer and sheer, pressed powder you put on your face before class and freshen the glow by adding a simple dusting of bronzer. My favorite pick: Almay’s Sunkissed Bronzer Powder ($9) goes on smooth and minimizes any caking on your skin.

2. To amp up that tinted skin, add a swipe of metallic shadow. Application tip: use a brush and sweep the entire area from the lash line to brow. Make sure if you use more than one color to blend thoroughly. Don’t worry if you mess up or use too much shadow. A quick brush with a q-tip fixes any problem. For extra pop, add a top and bottom line of eyeliner. Cap off the look by using Clinique High Impact Mascara ($14) to volumize and lengthen those lashes for a bolder look. First apply a white base coat, then a brown or black coat.

3. The finishing touch: that glossy lip your date can’t resist to kiss at the end of the night. For a color that’s perfect for all skin tones, use a shimmering pink gloss like Smashbox’s Lip Enhancing Gloss ($18). It delivers shine for up to four hours without re-touching. Avoid wearing lip liner because the glitzy lip delivers ample shimmer.