Fashion Faceoff: Eva Longoria vs. Jessica Alba

This ought to be good! Two brunette beauties who've each been known to rock a chic street style compete in casual sweaters for our latest fashion battle. In one corner, we have a former star of "Desperate Housewives," Eva Longoria, and in the other, film star and mom of two, Jessica Alba. Stiff competition, right?!

What they wore: An oatmeal-colored knit sweater from Stylestalker, with a loose fit and made to look like he has holes from wear.

When they wore it: Longoria sported her sweater at Los Angeles International Airport in August, while Alba opted for it in November while out and about in L.A.

How they styled it: The 37-year-old Longoria went with a summery style, adding white skinny jeans, shades, a fedora, and a neutral tote with a pop of color. When Alba sported the sweater, she bundled up in a gray scarf and Current/Elliott skinny jeans.

Judge's scorecard: Alba loses points for those busy pants. However, if anyone can pull them off, she can! Meanwhile, Longoria's look makes us want to lounge on a beach somewhere, although that doesn't necessarily mean she should win. What do you think?

Fashion Editor Calls Out Michelle Obama For Acting Like An 'Indulged Starlet'

A renowned fashion editor was not impressed with Michelle Obama's behavior leading up to the Inaugural Ball.

The first lady reportedly asked between 15 and 30 designers to submit looks before going with this red Jason Wu number, which was kept secret.

"Mrs. Obama isn’t an indulged starlet primping for the Oscars, nor should she behave like one,"  writes Bridget Foley,  executive editor of Women's Wear Daily . " Women everywhere have big events for which they select a single dress in advance of the moment."

Michelle Obama's behavior is high-maintenance compared with that of first ladies' past, such as Laura Bush, Foley wrote.

Foley speculates that Mrs. Obama liked the attention.

" But let’s say Mrs. Obama enjoyed the public guessing game; she must, or it wouldn’t have happened," Foley writes. "The rampant speculation should have been handled differently."

The First Lady's dress selection process was unkind to the fashion world, Foley said.

"At the very least, with five minutes of attention she could have cut the list to a couple of finalists," Foley writes.  "As it was, Mrs. Obama’s fashion team needlessly disappointed and possibly misled many hard-working people, some of whom hoped vainly for a much-needed commercial boost."

Rikers Island’s Most Popular Class: Fashion Theory

Rikers Island is a 413-acre spot of land in the East River, home to the eponymous and notoriously violence-ridden prison complex where beatings are the most commonly noted form of expression. In 2004, a group of concerned friends formed the New York-based Prison Education Initiative (PEI), a nonprofit aimed at changing that reputation by offering meaningful education to incarcerated women. Though classes on law or hip hop at Riker’s Rose M. Singer Center drew respectable amounts of students (generally 6-20 per class), none have matched the success of the Fashion Theory course, which boasts a 30-inmate roster. It’s no college lecture hall, but PEI is betting that smallest stitches of discussion can promote creativity and identity.

Chyiome handbag designer and Project Runway alum Anna Lynett Moss teaches the class, which tackles cultural identity and design process by narrowing in on provocative style and design approaches. “People with creative training are in a unique position to envision innovative alternatives to some of our deepest social problems,” she explained to Of a Kind. The designer and humanitarian—she is developing a socially—conscious accessories line with the UN–chooses talking points that range from fashion shows to magazine spreads to educate and enlighten.

Moss poked at cultural roots of design to develop the kind of creative training she feels is most effective. During one class, she examined the influence of Ghanaian wax printing on Burberry Prorsum’s Resort 2012 collection to help her students make sense of their traditions and heritage.

For another class, Moss challenged the inmates to interpret why The Row showed their Fall 2012 collection on exclusively Caucasian models. “What does it mean for my students of color not to see many icons of beauty who mirror their image?” she stated as the basis for the discussion. “Many of my students claimed they felt alienated by conventions they see in fashion advertising and on the runway.”

Edward Burtynsky‘s portfolio of  surreal industrial landscapes prompted a broader look at sweatshops and mass-produced, lower-priced clothing, Moss explained to Of a Kind. “This image stood out as a reminder of what kind of conditions must exist for communities in developing nations so that we can buy sweaters for $7 from fast-fashion retailers. A new sweater shouldn’t be $7. Many of my students said they prefer purchasing clothes second-hand, which is a smart alternative.”

She selected images of Maasai women on their wedding days from the November 1999 edition of National Geographic to illustrate cultural notions of beauty. ”It didn’t seem as if many of my students had conceptualized their personal standards of beauty in a larger context, so our conversation was very rich,” Moss said.

Moss’ diverse approach has visibly generated interest and participation. What remains to be seen is how well a prison sentence can incubate a creative spirit. The best indication is last year’s documentary “The World’s Most Fashionable Prison,” which showcased designer Puey Quinones mentoring prisoners competing for a chance to design pieces for a show on Project Bilibid Runway. Moss’ tutelage is more creative than competitive, but perhaps her caged wisdom can break through the same barriers.

Fashion, fillies and bubbles at polo open

Exclusive designer shows and a fabulous fashion lawn will put the focus on the BMW NZ Polo Open finals as the chic place to be this February.

For the first time in New Zealand polo’s 36 year history, the typically invite-only tournament will have some tickets available to the general public in a bid to increase national awareness of the sport.

Auckland Polo Club event director Amy Calway says February’s polo finals day will be the most glamorous day out this year and the club wants lots of people to get interested in the sport.

"In the past the polo has been ultra exclusive, but we want all New Zealanders to get into the game and to have more people experience the fun, interactive day out," says Calway.

A spotlight on style during the day will take place in the form of a fashion lawn showcasing designers such as Ted Baker, TK Store, Rodd & Gunn and Adrian Hailwood, and a fashion in the field competition.
Polo fashion director Lulu Wilcox says polo and fashion go hand in hand so it makes sense for style to take centre stage this year to attract more interest to the tournament.

"Style and sophistication, fashion and glamour have always been a part of a day at the polo so these new attractions fit perfectly, with the added bonus of appealing to a wider crowd," says Wilcox.
The fashion in the field celebrity judges, Colin Mathura-Jeffree, Owen Glenn, Aja Rock, Myken Stewart, Sophia Nash and Oliver Driver will be on the lookout for not just those dressed to impress but also for people in polo appropriate attire.

"There will be a prize for the best shoes for stomping the divots, so the judges will be looking for wedges and even glam sandals as opposed to high heels and skinny stilettos," says Wilcox. "Think Julia Roberts at the polo in Pretty Women."

Helicopter flights, an afternoon cruising on a super yacht and high value goodie bags are all up for grabs for those who make the right impression on the judges.

Alongside the polo, fashion shows and style-spotting there will be the hugely popular BMW vs polo pony vs jockey race, the opportunity for guests to test drive BMWs and a hair and make-up powder room to keep spectators looking polished all day.

Tickets and Corporate Packages are available to the public now through iTicket.co.nz.
The BMW NZ Polo Open is proudly supported by Veuve Clicquot, Bayleys, Rodd & Gunn, Vodafone, Heineken, Verifone and Mitavite.

First Family of Fashion Dresses for Inauguration

The first family of fashion showed up for President Barack Obama's second Inauguration in style.

The first lady's early morning outfit consists of a navy and black checkered Thom Browne coat. Under her overcoat, Michelle is wearing a dress by the same New York based designer and a cardigan by Reed Krakoff. She is accessorizing her outfit with a J. Crew belt and shoes, and a necklace by Cathy Waterman.

According to the White House after wearing the outfit for a service at St. John's Episcopal Church before the ceremonial swearing-in at noon today, the first's lady's outfit is expected to go to the National Archives.

See How the Obama Girls Have Grown Throughout the Years
The fashion bug must have bit the Obama daughters, too. Malia Obama is also wearing J. Crew, like her mother. And the younger, Sasha, is wearing a Kate Spade coat and dress.

Tune in to the ABC News.com Live page on Monday morning starting at 9:30 a.m. EST for all-day live streaming video coverage of Inauguration 2013: Barack Obama. Live coverage will also be available on the ABC News iPad App and mobile devices.

Chinese High-Fashion Womenswear Brand Invited to Who's Next Paris

As a high-fashion original designer brand in China, SUNFED has been invited to the Who's Next Paris fair this year. With its crossover collaboration with the well-known sculptor Gao Xiaowu, SUNFED will give a fashion show themed as "Moving Boundary". As the only Chinese high fashion brand to be invited, SUNFED will definitely act as a positive example of brand internationalization for the Chinese fashion world through its trip to Paris.

The Only Invited Chinese High-Fashion Womenswear Brand
Known as the trends lab of the international fashion scene, Who's Next is not only a professional exhibition for fashion designers to showcase their works, but also an important platform to reveal the next season's prevailing trends. The increasing proportion of emerging brands joining the exhibition shows the professional standards of Who's Next in exploring the rising stars. These emerging brands are also new sources of inspiration and procurement targets for global professional buyers. The honor of being the only invited Chinese high-fashion womenswear brand is another step for Sunfed after its design director Helene Zhou becoming the first Chinese jury member of an international fabric trends exhibition, which symbolizes a brand-new milestone of Chinese high-fashion brands entering the international stage.

Extracting Dunhuang Spirituality, Transforming the Fashion Landscape
At a time when global design is being "sinicized", SUNFED perfectly interprets the theme of this show - "Moving Boundary" - with contemporary art techniques in Paris. The head portrait of a traditional lady with oriental beauty made by renowned sculptor Gao Xiaowu brings out the demeanour and elegance of SUNFED's costumes.

SUNFED will present its 2013 Fall/Winter collection in the show, including the highlighted series of "Dunhuang" and "Dragon Robe". The "Dunhuang" series evolved out of the magnificent paintings in the Mogao Grottoes, inspiring the vivid colors of women's life by using bright-colored silk fabrics and specially stitched tailoring. The "Dragon Robe" series derives from the five traditional Chinese colors (black, white, red, yellow and green) extensively used in the daily wardrobes of crown princesses of the Qing dynasty, as well as the four patterns symbolizing auspiciousness (richness, dignity, longevity and happiness) which were commonly used by the Chinese royal family.

The Chinese name SUNFED is a transliteration, originating in the traditional Chinese Kunqu opera "Torn Down" ("Si Fan"), which was one of the last performances by Peking opera master Mei Lanfang. In the opera, a detached young lady yearns for the beautiful ordinary life and longs for the freedom of life and self-redemption. SUNFED is not simply a brand name. It is a symbol of the feminine culture, advocating the noble spirits of purity, perfection and dignity, proposing a bourgeois lifestyle and pursuing an elegant and noble realm of life.

Founded in 1997 as an original Chinese designer brand, SUNFED inspires the inner perception that "I am inherently a pretty woman" with its unique clothing style, distinct spiritual pursuit and cultural system, as well as extraordinary value communication. It is the dream of every female who pursues the perfect life.

SUNFED Design Director Helene Zhou
As the soul and style builder of the SUNFED brand, Helene Zhou has created a unique style of magnificent atmosphere. With rich experiences of studying abroad in Japan and Chambre syndicale de la couture Parisienne, as well as her "percipient hands", which can precisely tell the fabric's proportions, she became the first Chinese jury member of "the PV (Premiere Vision) jury of the World's Premier Fabric Show Trends Exhibition" in 2011. In 2012, Helene Zhou set up a design department in London. With her world-class capacities, she goes out of her way to observe and judge the fashion trends led by Chinese oriental elements and presents Chinese national characteristics on the international stage. Helene Zhou and SUNFED draw strength and absorb spirits from each other, while helping each other constantly go beyond themselves to create miracles.

Fashion designer John Galliano starts comeback -Vogue

Disgraced fashion designer John Galliano is making his return to the industry with a temporary residency at Oscar de la Renta's studio in New York, Vogue magazine reported on Friday.

The British designer, who was fired by Dior in 2011 after he was caught on camera making anti-Semitic remarks in a Paris cafe, will spend the next three weeks with de la Renta as he prepares for his forthcoming New York Fashion Week show, a report on vogue.co.uk said.

"John and I have known each other for many years and I am a great admirer of his talent," de la Renta was quoted by Vogue as saying.

Galliano's sudden departure from the star position at one of the multi-billion dollar global fashion world's most recognised labels shook the industry and left LVMH, Dior's owner and a leading international luxury goods conglomerate, without a creative leader at its top couture brand for months.

Dior's new lead designer, Raf Simons, presented his first ready-to-wear collection in Sept. 2012.
A French court handed out a 6,000-euro ($8,000) suspended fine to Galliano in 2011 after he was found guilty of anti-Semitic behaviour. Galliano said an addiction to drugs and drink had left him out of control.

"He has worked long and hard on his recovery and I am happy to give him the opportunity to reimmerse himself in the world of fashion and reacclimate in an environment where he has been so creative," de la Renta told Vogue.

Since his Dior dismissal, Galliano, 52, has designed British model Kate Moss's wedding dress and was mooted as the new creative director of the relaunched fashion label Schiaparelli in rumours that were quickly dismissed, Vogue reported.

Galliano is widely thought of as one of the most talented and creative names in fashion. His shows for his eponymous label and Dior were known for their drama and theatrical beauty.

"I am grateful to Oscar beyond words for inviting me to spend time with him in the familiar surroundings of a design studio," Galliano was quoted as saying by Vogue. "His support and faith in me is humbling."
Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman said she was also "delighted" by the news.

"Oscar de la Renta is the king of uptown style and John Galliano the prince of romantic glamour, so it should be a magical match," she told Vogue. "I am delighted John's returning to fashion."