Blog Posts by Ariel Rivera, Style Editor

The Thread had the pleasure of chatting with actress and singer, Lucy Hale, who was in town kicking off the Duracell Power Holiday Smiles program to benefit Toys for Tots. She surprised the students of P.S. 64 in New York City with battery-operated toys for their holidays. As the holidays are fast-approaching, our conversation centered around family tradition and gift-giving, and then ultimately landed on our favorite topics: music and fashion.

Hale, the 23-year-old, Memphis-born singer/actress is probably best known for her role as Aria on "Pretty Little Liars," but not for long. She's got a Christian Bush-produced country album coming out that's sure to set her on the map. Especially since a) Hale claims Bush "really put [her] through the ringer," and b) she's Hollywood Records' first country artist. But country music is not all she loves; Hale says if you were to check inside her iPod, you'd find an eclectic mix of everything from Johnny Cash, to "Glee," to Carly Rae Jepsen. "As

Read More »from Lucy Hale On Her New Album, Holiday Giving, And Her Favorite Wardrobe Item

As P!nk sashayed across the red carpet on November 18th at the 40th Annual American Music Awards, her pompadour-slash-faux-hawk hybrid lightly ruffling in the breeze, we thought -- damn, she looks good.Her laser-cut leather shell bodice met an airy, knife-pleat skirt at her natural waist and benefited greatly from the thin bronze leather belt. Her shoulder-dusting earrings enjoyed a prime display.

But wait -- déjà vu! This was a dress we'd seen before! And on Kim Kardashian, no less. Yes, the female half of Kimye rocked the floor-length mixed-material dress in a bold cobalt color with loose hair and simple diamond studs at the end of September.

We love the way P!nk styled her dress. The color and the way that the shape fit her body was so warrior-esque, like P!nk herself. It hugged and fit just right, whereas Kim's wrinkled a bit at the waist and even seemed a tad too long. Lastly, we felt that the metallic color showed off the design better than the matte blue of Kim's dress.

Read More »from P!nk Recycles Kim Kardashian's Dress For 2012 American Music Awards Red Carpet

Even beautiful Blake Lively gets static cling. (Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic)In case you've been living under a rock these last few weeks, wild winter-like weather systems have been rocking our world left and right. It's quite apocalyptic out there, y'all! We're sincerely hoping that this isn't the norm, but as the temperature dips, we may as well fortify ourselves against the dangers that lay ahead. I'm talking about static cling, you guys. That horrifying thing that happens when you're just simply trying to EXIST out there, let alone present yourself in an aesthetically pleasing manner. Read on for the ultimate Static Style Survival Statutes.

1. When it's laundry time, think smart. After a wash cycle, keep your natural and synthetic fabrics separate as you tumble dry them, because when they rub together, they create massive amounts of static electricity.

2. For added defense, use fabric softener during the dry cycle. What seems unnecessary during the warm spring and summer months, is actually really useful when the temperatures drop.

 (Acme & Topshop)

3. Avoid outfits that

Read More »from Seven Ways To Fight Static Cling This Winter

Whitney Curtis/Getty ImagesOn Tuesday night, democratic senator Claire McCaskill triumphed over republican representative Todd Akin in securing the Missouri senate seat (we're guessing that "legitimate rape" comment may have sealed his fate). But as McCaskill gave her victory speech, our attention turned to two other success stories: her impressively stylish daughters. Maddie and Lily McCaskill stood close to their mother, beaming with pride through their downtown chic, red lipsticked smiles. Maddie’s crown of blonde braids was so killer matched with her crisp, on-trend marigold silk button-down under a simple navy crewneck dress. And Lily’s feminine waves and rosette-detailed, fine-pleat dress were edged up just enough by her black belt and dark manicure. In a sartorial sea of humdrum politically correctness, these two were a breath of fresh air. We look forward to following (and documenting!) their future style moments.

Read More »from Meet Claire McCaskill's Daughters, Our New Political Style Icons

Have you ever put on an outfit and asked a friend if it was "guy hot" or "girl hot"? Do you find yourself dressing more imaginatively for a ladies' dinner than a date with your dude? Leandra Medine, famous for her unhindered love of harem pants, voluminous pleating, and what she calls "offensive outerwear," most certainly does. "Fashion has always been about pleasing women," she says. "It just hasn't been identified as man-repelling, which is kind of liberating." We couldn't agree more.  We grabbed a couch in the middle of the chaos of fashion week at Lincoln Center and our host, Jessica Stam, talked to Leandra about what sorts of trends to expect next spring (lots of mid-length skirts over pants), how her blog came about (a revelation at Topshop!), and what fashion men absolutely HATE (and why we shouldn't care!).

Proenza Schouler skirt and shirt Finn Jewelry gold bracelet - http://www.finnjewelry.com Made Her Think silver ring and gold earrings - http://www.madeherthink.com

Read More »from Leandra Medine of The Man Repeller Talks Trends Men Hate and Women Love

(Sean Martin)They sprinted past me in clusters, squealing and clapping and punching the air. Clad in sequins, studs, shredded jeans, platform heels, hot pink mini skirts and clawing one another with their nail art, those who made it inside NYC's Roseland Ballroom for Nicki Minaj's promised free Pink Friday concert battled one another for a place close to the stage. Alas, the Young Money rapper promised and she delivered, opening dramatically in a black robe with "Roman's Revenge" and stripping down to a (Larry Busacca/Getty)skin-tight pink, black, nude, and blue striped leotard and her signature Barbie-platinum hair and doe eyes for "Did It On Em."(Larry Busacca/Getty)

After doing "Pound The Alarm," to a wildly receptive crowd, Nicki reappeared in a long white gown, and she didn't stop the wardrobe changes there. She hit us with a cotton candy pink wig and a slammin' corseted dress for her more emotional tracks and rocked a straight black wig and fitted red jacket for the way-more-hip-hop "Beam Me Up, Scotty."

(Johnny Nunez/Getty)The coolest thing about

Read More »from Nicki Minaj fans receive more than bargained for at NYC concert

Whitney Houston's professionalism and confidence in Ruth Carter made the costume designer "walk three inches above ground." Their relationship began during production for "Sparkle," a Detroit-based film starring Whitney Houston, Jordin Sparks, Carmen Ejogo, Tika Sumpter, Derek Luke and Mike Epps, that chronicles three sisters and the challenges they face as their rising Motown stardom begins to tear their family apart. "[It] started with me being excited about meeting her and dressing her," Carter says, "and it quickly transformed into a mutual respect. I would put the garments in her room and she would try them on and run straight to me -- not to the mirror -- and wait for my approval. You couldn't ask for more."

But lest you get the idea that it's her way or the highway, the veteran wardrobe designer, who has worked on many films including "Five Heartbeats," "Malcom X," "Do The Right Thing," and "Love and Basketball," is a true collaborator. "We create the arcs and it's motivated by

Read More »from Costume Designer Ruth Carter Makes Leading Ladies "Sparkle"

It's hard to believe that I've lived this long without jeweled headphones. Thankfully, a GENIUS company called Handcandy is rectifying that. With six styles for ladies (LadyBuds) and four styles for the guys (DudeTunes), listening to music and talking hands-free on the phone just got infinitely more stylish.

(Handcandy.net)

I'm partial to the Courtney, a clear resin-beaded necklace with a sleek, iridescent glow, because it's super-glamorous and goes with everything. And I can't be expected to remember to change it up everyday. However, if I could I'd stock a drawer with the Betty (a sweet hot pink necklace with alternating-sized beads) for adding interest to an all-black look, the Madeline (a sleek black seed bead version with real pieces of abalone worked in), and even the black, tan, turquoise and fuchsia Waimea, which is meant for the dudes, but I don't see why we can't share.

(Handcandy.net)

Now, for the ever-important particulars. The in-line microphone is great for talking on the phone, and the 3.5mm audio

Read More »from At last! Pretty headphone necklaces for all