Prada's new smoking lips heels. Photo courtesy of NordstromWe've heard of statement heels, but the latest stilettos might be saying a little too much. Last week we saw celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover model wearing Christian Louboutin's Sex heels. The five inch pumps literally spell out "SEX" in crystals across the toes. As if either of those famous ladies need to drill that message home. We're guessing they'll only wear the attention-grabbing heels once but they cost a whopping $1,395 on ChristianLouboutin.com and Net-a-Porter.
Then today we saw Sea of Shoes blogger Jane Aldridge debut her new Prada "Lips" sandals, which feature hot pink lips smoking a cigarette on the toes. There's even a little leather puff of smoke coming out. "I love Prada for doing this smoking lips shoe," Aldridge wrote on her blog. "It's for girls who just don't care anymore...haha! Very disco."
Very stupid, we think. Who wants their toes to smoke a cigarette? Or fashionable items that endorse smoking in general? We found
Blog Posts by Joanna Douglas, Senior Fashion and Beauty Editor
Fashion that Makes Us Sad: Rebellious Heels
By Joanna Douglas, Senior Fashion and Beauty Editor | Fashion – Mon, Apr 2, 2012 1:04 PM EDTEXCLUSIVE: Free StriVectin for Yahoo! Shine Readers
By Joanna Douglas, Senior Fashion and Beauty Editor | Beauty on Shine – Mon, Apr 2, 2012 10:31 AM EDT
Read More »from EXCLUSIVE: Free StriVectin for Yahoo! Shine ReadersGet a free full-size tube of Strivectin-SD just for reading Shine!Here on Shine we try to always feature affordable beauty products, but the truth is there are a few fancy cosmetics and skincare items we can't live without. One of them is StriVectin-SD. The award-winning, clinically proven anti-aging product fights off wrinkles, saggy skin, stretch marks, and skin discolorations as if it's a magic wand. Clearly many women have caught on to our beauty secret because one tube of StriVectin-SD is sold every 1.6 minutes!
At $34.50 an ounce, StriVectin-SD is out of most of our beauty budgets. But that all changes today!
StriVectin wanted to give all Shine readers a chance to have a healthy looking, ageless appearance. So starting today, StriVectin-SD Intensive Concentrate for Stretch Marks & Wrinkles is now available exclusively to you for FREE. For a limited time, all Shine readers can head over to strivectin.com/freetrial and receive a free 1 oz. tube. All you pay is the $6.50 shipping and handling. Act fast while supplies last!
Rules: Offer onlyVIDEO: Should Madonna’s New Fragrance Ad Be Banned?
By Joanna Douglas, Senior Fashion and Beauty Editor | Fashion – Fri, Mar 30, 2012 4:04 PM EDT
Read More »from VIDEO: Should Madonna’s New Fragrance Ad Be Banned?Madonna's new fragrance ad has been deemed too racy for TVMadonna loves pushing censorship boundaries ("Like a Virgin" anyone?), and the video for her latest single, "Girls Gone Wild" was slapped with a YouTube restriction warning. Now, according to the New York Post, the raciness of her new Truth or Dare fragrance commercial is also up for debate. Apparently ABC thinks her skimpy lingerie is unfit for TV and is refusing to run the ad unless one suggestive scene is cut and her bra and corset are Photoshopped to be less revealing. Even if Madonna's team makes those changes to the ad, ABC is still refusing to air the spot until after 9 p.m.. The one weird exception: the ad can run during airings of "The View." Apparently their viewers can handle Madonna's writhing around.
While we agree, the undies and grinding could be a bit much for young audiences, we've seen sensual Victoria's Secret ads that were far more provocative run during prime time TV hours. We've seen steamier scenes on daytime soap operas!
As much as Madonna's career thrives onFashion that Makes Us Sad: $11 Million Diamond Laptop Sleeve
By Joanna Douglas, Senior Fashion and Beauty Editor | Fashion – Fri, Mar 30, 2012 2:38 PM EDT
Read More »from Fashion that Makes Us Sad: $11 Million Diamond Laptop SleeveThis laptop case costs $11 million. COurtesy of CoverBee.comDesigner baby clothes, solid gold handbags, and precious jewels are no longer enough for the top 1%. Now there's a $11 million diamond laptop sleeve and some insanely rich people are probably going to buy it.
The Dutch tech accessory company CoverBee crafted this laptop sleeve out of 8,800 diamonds and a fur trim covered in rare black sable fur from Siberia. It took over two years to make and they companies ensures that any fur they use comes from "animals who died of a natural cause."
"We are a little crazy here, but only thanks to this attitude we can design brilliant products," says Peter van Soldt, CEO of CoverBee in a statement. "History has proven that the more extravagant and crazy the product is, the more likely it is that there will be someone out there who appreciates it and will want to buy it. Besides... accessories have always been popular across all cultures and ages, and so has fine jewellery. This makes our new Diamond Laptop Sleeve design a must-have forStyle Picks of the Week: Cute Floral Sandals, Dazzling Statement Earrings, and Perfect Summer Wedding Attire
By Joanna Douglas, Senior Fashion and Beauty Editor | Fashion – Thu, Mar 29, 2012 2:27 PM EDTAs part of our ongoing partnership with Amazon's flash sale site, MyHabit, we have exclusive preview of their Friday designer sales. Spring is in the air, so this week we're bringing you amazing deals on warm weather attire. Floral footwear, everyday handbags, and event-worthy dresses by big name designers (hello, Nanette Lepore!) are all up for grabs at incredible prices. Check them all out in our slideshow! Click here to sign up for MyHabit and click over on Friday at 12 noon EST for the exclusive discounts. By Joanna Douglas, Shine Staff
Read More »from Style Picks of the Week: Cute Floral Sandals, Dazzling Statement Earrings, and Perfect Summer Wedding AttireAbercrombie & Fitch Ad Features Gay Kiss
By Joanna Douglas, Senior Fashion and Beauty Editor | Fashion – Thu, Mar 29, 2012 12:31 PM EDT
Read More »from Abercrombie & Fitch Ad Features Gay KissA new Abercrombie & Fitch campaign features a guy-on-guy kissAbercrombie & Fitch has become known for their shirtless male models, but a new series of videos shot by famed fashion photographer Bruce Weber has taken things to the next level. One clip called "Other Sports Require One Ball. Wrestling Requires Two," shows several guys wrestling, yes, but also showering together in minimal wet clothing, and groping each other while in compromising or highly suggestive positions. The steamy clip is not all innuendo--at the end one of the models kisses the other on the forehead.
We've always felt A&F ads and catalogues featured gratuitous nudity, but the sexualized nature of the campaigns is often what appeals to young men and women. But now it appears A&F is finally acknowledging--and supporting--their gay customers. We think that's a good thing, and a really bold move, but we wonder how this ad may impact the company. For starters, it could definitely increase their gay fanbase. But were sure this ad may upset or offend some people.
JC PenneySpring Skirts Under $100
By Joanna Douglas, Senior Fashion and Beauty Editor | Fashion – Wed, Mar 28, 2012 4:41 PM EDTSpring is here, and what better way to celebrate than with a flippy skirt. Whether you prefer a floral maxi, a pleated midi, or a colorful mini, we've found the perfect, affordable attire for your bottom half. Check out our slideshow and prepare to shed those winter layers. By Joanna Douglas, Shine Staff
Read More »from Spring Skirts Under $100Bebe Launches Bridal Collection Designed by “Project Runway’s” Rami Kashou
By Joanna Douglas, Senior Fashion and Beauty Editor | Fashion – Tue, Mar 27, 2012 6:06 PM EDT
Read More »from Bebe Launches Bridal Collection Designed by “Project Runway’s” Rami KashouBebe has launched a new bridal collectionBebe has launched a new bridal line, and we were skeptical until we learned "Project Runway's" draping master, Rami Kashou, designed the collection of 12 wedding gowns. Prices range from $189 to $2,500 and include many ruffles, rhinestones, feathers, taffeta, and lace. There's a Kate Middleton-esque gown with a lace bodice (classic), a jeweled plunging halter (flashy), a tiered fish tail gown (fancy), and a silk one-shoulder wrap gown (our favorite). Click here to see Rami's complete gown collection.
Bebe's velour Bridesmaid tracksuit looks a little datedBebe has also planned for all your other bridal needs. Their Bridal Essentials area includes veils, crystal headbands, teardrop earrings, facinators, lingerie, satin pumps, flower-adorned clutches, and... um... bedazzled velour tracksuits and platform flip flops?! Those items must have come via time machine from 2001. Also, who wants to pay $187 for a velour outfit that says "Bridesmaid" on it? Before you say "Britney Spears," we urge you to check out the other items, which are actually
Club Monaco is Now Available Online! Our Must-have Items
By Joanna Douglas, Senior Fashion and Beauty Editor | Fashion – Tue, Mar 27, 2012 3:11 PM EDTClub Monaco is finally available online. Hooray! If you're unfamiliar with the brand, it originated in Toronto, Canada in 1985 and is now owned and operated by Polo Ralph Lauren and carries clothing and accessories for both women and men. Today there are around 70 Club Monaco stores in North America as well as locations in Canada and overseas in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. But since we like our fashion anytime, any place, we're delighted to report that Club Monaco's e-commerce site is now open for business with free shipping and free returns through April 30. Check out the site before it officially launches by becoming a Facebook fan or by clicking here.
We've already combed through the site and picked out our favorite items up for grabs. Take a look! By Joanna Douglas, Shine Staff
Read More »from Club Monaco is Now Available Online! Our Must-have ItemsDesigner Shoes Are Pricier Than Ever. What's the Most You've Ever Spent?
By Joanna Douglas, Senior Fashion and Beauty Editor | Fashion – Mon, Mar 26, 2012 3:55 PM EDT
Read More »from Designer Shoes Are Pricier Than Ever. What's the Most You've Ever Spent?Designer shoes, like these Manolo Blahniks, are skyrocketing in price. Photo courtesy of Neiman MarcusIf you thought designer stilettos were getting treacherously high, you should see their current prices. Women's Wear Daily dug into this unsettling retail phenomenon by examining the shoe closet of Carrie Bradshaw, the ultimate high heel junkie. In an episode of "Sex and the City" called "A Right to Shoes," the protagonist mourns the loss of her $485 silver Manolo Blahniks (pictured at left) after they're stolen at a house party. We remember watching the episode back in 2003 thinking, good God, that is a LOT of money to spend on one pair of heels. And we weren't alone, because this was the focal point of the TV episode.
Fast forward nearly a decade later and the same pair of Manolo Blahnik Sedaraby Silver Bejeweled Pumps is selling for $755--almost $300 more than Bradshaw's pair. And this is not just regular inflation. We couldn't find a single pair of Manolos under $495 and these beaded snakeskin sandals selling for $1,995.
As the consumer, it's depressing and hard to understand why
