Velvet Angels Are Amongst Us

The "Queen" Stiletto

{You should see these in copper! Sizzling !}

So, my fabulous friends and I were out at Maxim's recent Hot 100 event in LA, where we  stumbled onto a little slice of heaven... Velvet Angels - a sensational new luxury footwear & lifestyle brand! After a preview of the Summer 2010 collection, inspired by "Hot Hot Hollywood", we instantly fell in love with the sultry yet edgy line with a touch of Rock & Roll flavor {and a hint of "superhero" appeal}...

The "Royal Bar" Bootie

{Features an ankle draped in little leather guitar picks! Genius! Also available in pink!}

Sky-high stilettos, architectural platforms, peep-toe booties & sandals with fighter-style ankle wraps in soft leathers, punctuated by clever detailing in an interesting mix of colors {like pink, copper & royal blue} round out this sought-after collection that has already caught the attention of Hollywoodland.  

Velvet Angels has been featured in Elle, InStyle, in music videos by Pink & Keri Hilson and walking red carpets all over tinseltown by some of fashion's finest - Tyra Banks, Katy Perry, Fergie, Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian and Lady GaGa, among others.

"La Loco" Platform in Natural

{How terrific would these be with a fitted tank top, tucked into a slim, knee-length pencil skirt?! Delightful !}

The official launch was in the Spring of 2008 with fashion veteran Jeff Yarchever at the helm.  Jeff began in the apparel business with Jet Apparel back in 1984, and through his recent collaboration with shoe designer Joe Ponce, a bold new women's luxury footwear brand was born.

This daring line pushes the envelope, serving up fresh, original options in a market saturated with so much of the same! There is something for everyone in each collection and I am loving the fact that nothing about this label is predicatable! Upon meeting, Jeff explained that the logo for the brand {a single rose resting atop a hand grenade} represents the concept of "Explosive Love", which is what happens anytime someone lays eyes on a woman in a smoking hot pair of shoes!! I love it ! Surely we can all use some explosive "Velvet Angels love" in our lives!

Available at Nordstrom, Intermix, Diavolina and over 200 retailers nationwide as well as in Australia, Eastern Europe and Tokyo.

Of course something extra-special is in this for you...

Velvet Angels has spread their heavenly wings over The Roni Report with an exclusive offer: 20% off any online purchase all summer long!!  Use our promotional code "RONIREPORT" to have the offer applied to your order from June 1st to August 1st.  Visit www.velvetangels.com to shop for some explosive new additions! 

LTLY,


Roni♥

COVETING C.Z. FALCONER

We all know that feeling we get the moment we've laid eyes on a gorgeous and luxuriously decadent item of clothing ...the dramatic gasp, the cheshire-cat-grin while caressing it and trying it on, the knowing nod that screams that you just KNOW that this was meant to be, and then the uncontrollable obsession with the item that will usually follow. This is precisely what happened to me on one fine day, when I first became aquainted with breakout luxe loungewear line, C.Z. Falconer.

C.Z. Falconer once found herself fresh out of college and in a hedge-fund analyst position in San Francisco, far away from the glitz & glamour of the fashion world! She headed off to New York where she made a name for herself over the past decade as a major player in the fashion industry working for the likes of fashion giants Ralph Lauren, Coach, Kate Spade and Guess, where she held roles on the product development and design sides of the business. She later returned to her native California, where she would later launch her own line.

In 2009, after years of searching for what she always thought was an obvious need in fashion, Falconer decided to take matters into her own hands to create the line that she was so desperate to find – the perfect collection of luxury loungewear. The collection was going to be comfortable, yet luxurious – the perfect option for women looking for key pieces that were a cross between the laid back look of everyday LA-style and chic European vacation-wear.   In the back of her mind, was cashmere that could be worn year-round and beautiful resort pieces that would travel easily while globetrotting to fabulous destinations! With this one simple idea,  a namesake niche lifestyle brand made it's debut in the independent fashion label mecca of Los Angeles!

"It all began with a group of friends, a large dining room table, some champagne, and a dream. The dream was to create a lifestyle brand that channeled elements of European jet set sophistication, blended with Californian poolside glamour."

C.Z. turned to her friends and things that they all love for the inspiration behind the label - fabulous parties, stylish travel, swimming in fancy pools, french polynesia, luxurious loungewear, delicious cashmere, soft velour, flowy see-through numbers we can wear over our bikinis, foreign languages, palm springs, gstaad, harem pants & apres-ski.

All sorts of delights {with really clever little names} can be found in the debut collection, which includes harem pants, butter soft leggings with ruching at the ankles {Athena Legging}, zip-front hooded sweaters, vests & ponchos {a long-waisted zip front version is affectionately named the "Barbarella Deep-Throat Zippie"}, teeny tiny little shorts, a swimwear Cover-Up Tunic and more -might I add, all in the softest lightweight cashmere with gold-toned logo hardware on the zippers and straps! Adorable! The color palette offering is uncomplicated with black (basic), milk (white) , honey (natural) and berry (pink/red) selections available.

The showstopper of this collection is the Emmanuelle Halter Suit - an unbelievable wide legged, plunging neckline, halter jumpsuit{shown above in black}! I went absolutely beserk when the stylist for a fashion show I was doing{the sweet & talented Melinda Tarbell}, pulled it out for me!! It felt so wonderful on, that I could barely bring myself to take it off after the show! I was already envisioning lounging around the house in it, wearing it out, and even wearing it to bed! It's DELICIOUS, super sexy, glides when you walk, and has an amazing view from the rear {it's backless}!  The honey color is my favourite.  I can't wait to see what C.Z. has up her sleeve next!

Visit C.Z. Falconer on the web at www.czfalconer.com !

{Available at Pink Lagoon in Solana Beach, California. }

LTLY,

Roni♥

FINALLY... a peek.

After following the Sonia Rykiel-H&M partnership since last fall {& snagging a few pieces of lingerie from December's launch}, I've been bursting with anticipation for the actual CLOTHING collection {the 2nd round of the collaboration} that will drop in February.  Look what I found while doing my daily rounds...

These bright, colorful knits are oh so current and chic and just happen to look like classic Rykiel in the yummiest way.  With a perfect 'French' twist!

Courtesy of HipCandy & New York Magazine!

LTLY,


Roni♥

DIVINE DESIGN 2009

Last night's Divine Design Gala was held at the elegant Beverly Hilton Hotel {where the Golden Globe Awards are held} in Beverly Hills, CA.  The annual affair kicked off what has become the biggest retail shopping event on the West Coast!

Giada DeLaurentis (Princess of The Food Network) sat at the table next to mine.  Also in the house was the voluptuous red-headed Mad Men hottie, Christina Hendricks who was honored with the 'Woman of Style' award, Rachel Zoe (who presented the 'Fashion Icon' award to Barbie - yes, Ken's girlfriend), Steven Kolb (Exec. Director of the CFDA & winner of the 'Man of Style' award) and a host of other Los Angeles fashion designers & fashion followers.  The dinner was capped off with a Barbie fashion show, with pieces from the FIDM Debut 2009 alongside special designer renditions of a Barbie look, circa now! The pink runway and Barbie-look-a-like models were enough to incite the crowd. Loved it.

Divine Design is a 4-day shopping fest with goods by designers galore, that are sold at 50% off of retail on day one, going to 60%, 70% on day two & three, to finally go to 80% off on the last day of the sale.  It's a shopper's delight, located in the old Robinsons May building on Wilshire Blvd. right next to The Beverly Hilton! All proceeds of the sale benefit Project Angel Food, a heavenly organization that prepares & delivers over 1,400 meals per day to people in LA living with illnesses that pretty much leave them restricted to their homes. This just adds to the goodness of it all! My family and I have volunteered several times at Project Angel Food, and I can say firsthand that it is both overwhelming and heartwarming to see what they do on a daily basis for so many people.

Gala guests were also treated to VIP passes good for in & out privileges during the entire sale event, and a preview before the sale was officially opened to the public.  So many good things were begging to be bought, with the retail floor divided into various departments from home to luxury fashion to mens, children & gift items. I spotted Sonia Rykiel striped sheets (that look just like her signature stripes as currently shown on H&M's website), thick & lush Matteo LA towels in midnight black, gorgeous Capiz trays & accessorie by Dillon Wells, dapper knit neckties by Henry Jacobson, ridiculously delicious baby clothes by Lola et Moi, teeny bikinis by Peonie Swimwear (which I'd never heard of until last night), Berliner C shirts that were absolute must-haves! Elizabeth and James (the Olsen twins latest fashion venture) also represented with a collection of  lust-inducing tops including a tiger print situation that I don't think I can survive without. 

An entire section was devoted to Barbie with framed poster art photos of Barbie through the years - so cute, and limited edition items up for auction:  Barbie Loves Rachel Zoe (Should I mention that Rachel's Barbie was rocking one of her signature looks - striped Missoni sweater, wide-legged jeans & an Hermes Birkin Bag!?! OMG!), and the Jonathan Adler Barbie Dream House (modeled after her real-life Malibu Dream House that he designed for her 50th Birthday - see photos under my Barbie posts).  Can I just say how incredible ADORABLE these items were??  They are up for auction (Zoe is currently @ $550 & the Adler house opening bid starts at $800) on www.charitybuzz.com .

LTLY,


Roni♥



Ps... also spotted last night were about 2 "Santa Babys" {two very tall & dashing gentlemen in the red corduroy Faconnable suit that was featured on TRR at the beginning of the week}! How about that?!

SONIA: I WANT IT ALL & I WANT IT NOW

Sonia Rykiel pour H&M {the lingerie line} hits select stores this Saturday, December 5th. Find your way there. {Trust me on this!} The collection was previewed at a spectacular event in Paris this week {see video below}.

Is this the end of high-fashion as we know it? Or better yet, is this the beginning of a personal style mixed with high-fashion reaching the masses revolution? Priced at $12-$120, six themes are featured in the collection: stripes, pink satin, black chiffons & satins & black velvet & lace {with strategically placed pink rosettes!}, and a hot pink & midnight blue group.  With signature stripes & feminine detailing on panties, bras, garter belts, bodysuits, robes, slippers & even a velvet pillow - this line is purely Rykiel. 

My favourites:  the stripes and pink satin groups. This is so bittersweet.  The bitter? How dare they launch this collection during the holidays when your supposed to be buying gifts for others but you want all of this for yourself! The sweet? Sonia Rykiel for H&M... need we say anything else? 

LTLY,

Roni♥

Images Via: H&M

Sean John Friends and Family Event

Sean John Friends and Family Sale through 11.12.09.

 

Visit http://www.seanjohn.com/ for more details.



LTLY,


Roni♥

Shopping Money

Shopaholics, listen up!
A $10 coupon for the Billion Dollar Babes sale in Los Angeles today and tomorrow.  Remember, you must {RSVP} first.  Print and enjoy. Repeat.

Billion Dollar Babes Los Angeles Sale

11/6/09 ~ 11/7/09

Petersen Automotive Museum | 6060 Wilshire Blvd. | LA, CA  90036

LTLY,

Roni♥

BEHOLD the BILLION DOLLAR BABES!

RSVP RIGHT HERE!

{Check in with me first thing Friday morning before heading to over to BDB for "Shopping Money"!}

LTLY,


Roni♥

STELLA McCARTNEY DOES BABY GAP!

Who doesn't love the Gap? Well, Stella McCartney + the Gap = a baby! On November 2, 2009, Stella M. & Baby Gap/Gap Kids will launch a capsule collection by the famous British fashion designer! The line {perfectly timed for the holiday shopping season} will hit select stores in the U.S., Canada & online on 11/2, and will follow in the U.K., France, Ireland & Japan on 11/3.

[One exception to this are the peeps in NYC, who will get to see an early preview "in the 'white space' adjacent to the 680 5th Ave. location in Manhattan." {according to Stylist.com}]

The line features bite-sized versions of some of Stella's popular ready-to-wear pieces and celebrates her use of cruelty-free fabrics & natural fabrics {No leather - per usual for McCartney}.  In sizes that will range from newborn to age 12, the collection, priced at $14 - $128 includes:  

• Skinny gray jeans with ankle zippers  {To be worn with baby Louboutins or Choos.}
• Military|marching band style jacket {I have no words for this. Need to see it in the smallest size possible to believe it!}
• Navy wool peacoat  {For the crisp & fashion-forward NYC & other East Coast bambinos!}
• Organic denim jeans
• Organic cotton t-shirts
• Navy blazer {Where is the baby going in this? To a job interview? I LOVE it!}
• Silk collarless shirts  {Tucked into a pencil skirt, maybe? Wait... do they even MAKE them for babies? }
• Snug gray cable-knit cardigan dress {Note to Self. Yes, I can shop in the kids section sometimes. Don't hate.}
• Gray knit sweater dress with intarsia leopard design {Note to Self. Yes, I can shop in the kids section sometimes. Don't hate.}

High fashion for children is a BRILLIANT concept. Why not?? Fashion is an art form, and a visual way of expressing a mood, feeling or point-of-view.  Why should one have to wait until adulthood to partake in the process?  My fashionable little nieces S&M and nephew R are about to SCORE (and so am I, perhaps)! This is just insane.  Stella M. has outdone herself. What's even cuter about it all, are the models in the Gap's campaign for the collaboration.  She found them on FaceBook! 



LTLY,




Roni♥  



{Photos via:  Gap, WWD & Nitrolicious!}

NIGEL RAMSAY: SPRING|SUMMER|FALL|WINTER|RESORT

View highlights from fashion designer Nigel Ramsay's 'The Butterfly Effect', a showing of his FW2009|SS2010|Resort collection shown at the City Hall Atrium Lobby in Hartford, Connecticut on October 10th.

Fluid maxi-dresses {including a stand-out red signature model}; elegant jumpsuits in tafettas, cottons and knits and versatile tweed pantsuits stood alongside the showstopper finale piece de resistance:  a vintage Nigel Ramsay ethnic-inspired gold couture wedding gown.  NOR, the designer's menswear label was also featured in the show on a small handful of chiseled male models

An eclectic & multi-cultural mix hit the runway in this beautiful and unique show {including several statuesque African, Jamaican & Latina models}, with an array of physical shapes & sizes-many rocking full, ethnic afros adorned with butterflies.  Ramsay is known for embracing the beauty of women of all ages, shapes & sizes. {One of the designer's stunning models is over 50 years old! See if you can guess which one}!

Visit www.nigelramsay.com to view the full collection and limited edition items.

LTLY,


Roni♥

FASHION'S NIGHT OUT 2009

On Thursday, September 10th, there will be a global celebration of fashion! Vogue, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) & NYC & Company have partnered to create what could be the biggest event in fashion!

In an effort to encourage consumer spending and revive lagging sales in the fashion industry, retailers in fashion capitals across the world will keep their doors open late to host special sales & events, sweepstakes, celebrity appearances, musical performances, trunk shows and such. Some designers are even creating limited-edition pieces that will be available on FNO!

Fashion's Night Out - exactly two weeks from today, on the first evening of New York Fashion Week.

LTLY,


Roni♥

I'M FALLING FOR THESE SHOES

Valentino.
Fall 2009.
Their shoe game is completely up-to-par...

These are delicious.

(above)

Paper-shredder leather. Terrific.

Not as hot as the previous two pair, but I'm liking this ankle-drama theme they have going on.

Not sure what to call this feather/d'orsay fantasy, but it's hot!

LTLY,

Roni♥

Via: Vogue & Coco+Kelley

Sensational Sandals at Piperlime

PUCCI'S SUMMER SALE - 50% OFF!

LTLY,



Roni♥

Kira Plastinina ... the Sequel

My mother always told me to never ever, under any circumstances, give up.
Apparently, someone has also given this advice to Kira Plastinina.

The teen fashion mogul from Russia launched her girly fashion line at age 15, financed by her dad, a successful dairy magnate. She opened a bevy of stores across Russia in 2007, and then last year, opened 12 locations across the U.S. with lots of fanfare (including Paris Hilton as an admirer of the brand). After less than a year in business, things went south and all of Kira's U.S. boutiques were closed. Despite hard times in the U.S., all 70 locations in Russia continued to thrive.
Six months later, and she is back. Yesterday, staff were spotted dressing the mannequins in what was the former Robertson Blvd. location in Los Angeles, preparation for the store to open today. Kira Plastinina went back into the lab to reinvent herself, and has emerged as a completely new entity! The new company is called Pink Square, the stores will be K. Plastinina, and the new fashion brand is Lublu by K. Plastinina (Lublu means "I love" in Russian). Lublu is a premium line which will showcase higher-end fabrics and sophisticated designs. Kira's original line (Kira Plastinina) will return in select locations (The Beverly Center in LA, for starters).Loving these looks from the Spring/Summer 2009 LUBLU collection.
The white dress in the center looks like a birthday cake, with textured rosettes framing each flowy tier. How perfect for summer (I could even see this working as a wedding dress)! Too adorable.


LTLY,


Roni♥


Via: TSUM & RackedLA and Stylecaster

JIMMY CHOO JOY

Jimmy Choo, meet H&M!

Brilliant. Tamara Mellon, founder & president of the glam shoe brand has partnered with H&M to translate the stylish and luxurious cache of those coveted stillettos to recessionista price points! Fabulous.

The launch is 11/14/09. It is almost certain that these will sell out in minutes. Get yours.

JIMMY CHOO SAMOA SANDALS ($628)



JIMMY CHOO FOR H&M (starting @ $160)

LTLY,

Roni♥

H&M's Official Press Release

I WANT THESE...

I love how these suede thong booties channel a pair of moccassins, and just could not resist these little cuties by Dolce Vita:
Cute, right?? I'm SO getting these!




LTLY,



Roni♥

REALLY GOOD BAG GAME

Bag lust.

I was already so in love with exclusive luxury goods purveyor Goyard, and was quite thrilled to see a new clutch situation happening... Audrina Patridge from MTV's The Hills brought her A-game in the bag department... she was spotted rocking the Goyard Bois Chevron Pochette Clutch in this fabulous orange hue!

Very fun. Unfortunately, she didn't score so high in the jumpsuit department. I am the official jumpsuit enthusiast, however, not so enthusiastic about this one.

The Bois Chevron Pochette is also shown here in black. This is SO rockable!

LTLY,

Roni♥

MATTHEW W. CAN DO NO WRONG!

As a serious lover of both high and low fashion, I must give full props to the powers that be over at H&M AND to the amazingly colorific fashion god, Matthew Williamson for the sheer goodness they have given birth to this year!

Just when we thought we were over the debut, peacock-inspired capsule collection, they give us this...

(WHATTT??!! The ruffled maxi-dress part deux and floaty goddess mini kimono tunic)

and this...

(Gorgeously glam & curvy colorful bikini - Rock it out, Daria!)

and they keep it coming with this....

(The boho-chic shirt/jacket... I'd pair this with tight skinny jeans or leggings & stillettos - hot!)

and I want it ALL!! A few pieces in this collection channel Pucci, Etro even (except with a very youthful twist & MW spin) ... MW did not disappoint. Fashion's new accessibility reminds us that the designers that we love, feel our economic pains, and have shifted the tides to reflect that. Thank you to them!! More fashion for us all!

Click the link in the title above (or here) to see the Lookbook showcasing the full Spring/Summer collection that hits stores on 5/14!

LTLY,

Roni♥

ps... a special thank you to Nitrolicious and Fashionising for some of the photos!

THIS ONE IS FOR THE ARCHIVES

Archive Agency Sample Sale in LA this weekend!

This luscious boutique/loft space carries an assorted mix of high-end designer pieces alongside ready-to-wear, dazzling statement pieces & one-offs by the indie labels we love.

Archive Agency hosts bi-monthly sample sales .... a true Roni Report Favorite!!

LTLY,

Roni♥