Kara Laricks Fashion Star Winner

Were you watching NBC’s new hit Fashion Star on Tuesday night? I couldn’t help but feel immense admiration for Kara Laricks who is the first winner of the reality show. Laricks, who is a former fourth grade teacher, followed her dream of becoming a fashion designer and made it through the competition to earn the grand prize of Fashion Star- a $6 million deal for her collections with Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and H&M.

The exclusive collections are available in stores now and online at Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue. Laricks stayed true to the menswear elements that helped win the attention of the buyers from the three retailers.

I love that all of  the pieces are very versatile, and will probably pair nicely with items you already have in your closet. My favorite piece is a long black skirt with sexy slits on both sides of the legs. It’s a cool look with a contemporary twist that can be dressed up or worn casually. It’s available at H&M now! I hope to see much more from the talented designer and a Fashion Star winner!

Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images

Fashion maven Nicole Richie will design a capsule collection for Macy’s to debut in September, according to WWD. The line will consist of 24 to 30 pieces for her new project, Nicole Richie for Impulse. The collection for women will be available in about 100 Macy’s locations and at Macy’s.com.

I’m especially excited that the personal bohemian style of the Fashion Star mentor and judge will be reflected in her affordable line at Macy’s. I love her inspirations for her fashion labels Winter Kate and House of Harlow 1960. As a designer she knows how to incorporate the styles of the 1970′s, and she embraces the music, fashion and flavor of the era. Her enviable fashion sense is something that I look forward to every week on the NBC hit show Fashion Star.

Images of the Nicole Richie for Impulse collection will be posted later this summer. Will you be shopping for Nicole Richie’s line at Macy’s?

Happy May Day! There are so many exciting events to look forward to this month- The Kentucky Derby, Cinco de Mayo and of course, Mother’s Day. Shop for the perfect Mother’s Day gift at Lucky Brand this week. For a limited time you can save 30 percent on all accessories, including scarves, handbags, jewelry and belts. The offer is valid on accessories purchased online at Lucky Brand. The discount will be applied automatically.

Show your Mom how much you appreciate everything that she has done for you. Make your Mom’s day extra special with a new handbag or a gorgeous necklace with shell charms in turquoise hues reminiscent of the ocean.

Every season I look forward to the latest fashion from Vera Wang’s popular Simply Vera Vera Wang at Kohl’s, so I was pretty excited to learn that she collaborated with the department store again, this time in the beauty department.

The line of makeup essentials includes an illuminating tinted moisturizer, lip primers, eye shadow duo kits, eyeliners, luscious lip colors and more tools to enhance your natural radiance. Prices start at $16.50.

For a limited time, you’ll get a free “Simply” tee with a $25 purchase of Simply Vera Vera Wang cosmetics.

If you are like me, you probably have been wondering who is Target’s next fashion collaborator. The retailer will continue to make great design from specialty stores and boutiques accessible to all fashion mavens with a new design program, The Shops at Target.

The ongoing partnership will begin with The Webster, a high-end boutique located in Miami, Florida. Target teamed up with shop owners Laure Heriard-Dubreuil and Milan Vukmirovic to create an affordable collection that reflects their shop’s unique perspective.

The limited edition was inspired from the Webster’s artistic décor. The shop’s iconic wallpaper is re-imagined into the banana leaf print seen on items, such as the maxi dress or the belted shirt dress. The collection includes apparel and accessories for women, as well as items for men, children and babies.

You can shop for the colorful Spring collection at all Target stores and at Target.com when it arrives on May 6.

Are you excited about this latest collaboration?

Earth Day is April 22 but we are celebrating all month with an amazing contest from Pangea Organics. The certified organic body and skincare line is offering you the chance to score a year’s supply of the so-good-for-your-skin products. Enter the sweepstakes by visiting Pangea Organics on Facebook and selecting the “Free Product Fridays” link. The contest will end on April 26 at midnight PST.

You can also enjoy 20 percent savings on the entire site for the month of April. Good luck!

Festivals are popping up almost every weekend this summer. No matter what your taste in music – you could be raving it up at Creamfields, rocking out at Reading or jetting off to Coachella across the pond – music festivals are much more than great live music. Of course, catching the best bands and artists from around the world is top of the agenda, but with a growing emphasis on fashion, you’re expected to look like you’ve just stepped out of GQ whilst you’re doing it.

It’s hard to look stylish when you’re living in a tent with no facilities apart from a pack of wet wipes. But fear not, it can be done! Here are some tips for you fashionistas:

Get your boots on

We all know that a festival trip with mates during the unpredictable British summer can only mean one thing – mass mud baths! Keep trench foot at bay with a good pair of hard-wearing boots. Timberland have a great tradition of making stylish and weatherproof boots to help you deal with whatever the weather may throw at you!

Zip up in style

Fight the elements and avoid festival flu with a smart, lightweight jacket. Try a cool Harrington or umpire-style blazer from Fred Perry, and really stand out in the festival crowd.

Bags

Somewhere to store those festival beers is essential – you need both hands free to pump your fists in the air to Kasabian after all! Get a stylish canvas backpack that won’t weigh you down too much while you’re walking to the burger stall.

Watch your favourite band

Don’t let time run away with you. You’ll need a watch so you can tell just how late on stage the headliners are. But make sure you don’t take an expensive brand – you don’t want your 21^st birthday present to be ruined with festival mud and rain. Leave your Rolex at home and don a summery day-glow watch – cheap and funky, and it’ll match your wristband too!

Heads up

We all know standing in the sun all day boozing is hard work. Avoid that lobster look and stay cool with a straw trilby to recreate that indie rock star look – just don’t forget your sunscreen. Follow the festival fashion trends and really stand out from the crowd this summer. Now all there is left to do is relax with a few beers and listen to the best music around.

Visit Peppermint Park for 20 percent savings on your entire order starting today, April 6. Shop for Spring style from your favorite brands, including Mavi, Rebecca Minkoff and Cult Candy. Use code ‘Bunny’ at the checkout.

New members of the shopping site can use my email address, bridget@stealfashion.com. Register today at peppermintpark.com. But you better hop to it before the sales event ends on Sunday, April 8.

Boston Store and M Magazine,  Milwaukee’s Lifestyle Magazine, will be hosting  a fashion show to showcase the Spring 2012 Anne Klein collection. Guests will be treated to an evening of music, hors d’oeuvres and shopping, and the excitement of a runway show. The event will be held at the Pritzlaff Building in the Historic Third Ward, located at 143 W. St. Paul Ave in Milwaukee.

Visit M Magazine for additional details and to reserve your seat for the show. The launch of Anne Klein’s looks for Spring will start at 5:30 p.m. RSVP today as space is limited for the fashion event of the season!