Australian designer Nina Maya launches first into the Australian market and second globally after Ralph Lauren with mobile magazine powered by 360Fashion Network.

360Fashion magazine platform is a fully operational mobile phone fashion magazine with direct online shopping capabilities including active links and SMS functions allowing the user to contact retailers or brand head office as specified by the brand. The 360Fashion mobile magazine platform was created for use from low-end phones to high end touch screens in order to reach every customer’s handset.

The service provides:
· Click to call, sms and email Nina Maya
· Link to the Nina Maya website, videos and brand information
· Link to the Nina Maya online shop
· Geo-locate Nina Maya stockists on a map
· Coded Download for private events or information

Customers who download the Nina Maya Magazine can read interviews with the designer, campaign photographer, see backstage footage, purchase clothing items from their mobile phone, and click to call for inquiries about accessories. The magazine can be passed on virally via sms, Tweeted, and Facebooked from the menu.

Want to see for yourself? Email 360Fashion your mobile number and they will text you the Nina Maya Mobile Magazine, or you can download it directly by entering http://mobilemags.360fashion.net/10350 into your phone browser.

Now what I want to know is, which designers will be next to go mobile? And, which designers would YOU like to be able to shop from your phone?

I love designer labels. But I hate paying full retail. So obviously, I will only purchase my designer lusts when there’s a sale. While surfing the net, I found a few designer bargains that I just had to share with you. My favorite? That Kenneth Jay Lane bracelet. It’s only $38! Happy shopping.

Featured from top to bottom clockwise are: Kenneth Jay Lane Gold Plated Bracelet, $38; Diane von Furstenberg Yoko Dress, $227.50; Alexander Wang V Neck, $187.50; Badgley Mischka Tai heels, $139.99; Marc by Marc Jacobs Round Sunglasses, $85; Robert Rodriguez Flirty Skirt, $158.

Mini Skirts by Robert Rodriguez
Bracelets by Kenneth Jay Lane

“It’s the same trends and the same inspirations as Sam Edelman, but my line is designed for the woman on the go,” said Libby Edelman, as she described her Spring 2010 shoe line to me. I made a trip to Dillard’s to see and interview her husband Sam, and to my great fortune, I also had the pleasure of meeting with Libby.



“Would you say Sam’s customers are the daughters and your customers are the mothers?” I asked. “Well, I’ve seen both mothers and daughters buy Sam’s shoes and both buy my shoes, but most of my customers are no longer staying out all night at night clubs,” she laughed.



Upon glancing at the Libby Edelman Spring 2010 shoe line, it’s apparent her shoes complement the lifestyle of today’s busy, modern woman. I am especially impressed with her Bani gladiator which features trendy embellishment and a low wedge for maximum comfort. CLICK HERE to view the Libby Edelman Spring 2010 Collection.

Bani gladiator by Libby Edelman. Only $59 at HSN.com.



With a warm personality and a hypnotically, endearing energy about her, one gets the sense that Libby invests time into getting to know her customer. “I love blogging,” Libby confessed as we turned our conversation to social media. She has over 2,000 fans on Facebook and actively expresses her love for food, food television shows and recipes on her Facebook wall. She also actively tweets and shares her photography on her website: http://LibbyEdelman.com.



The Libby Edelman Fall 2010 line promises biker-inspired looks. “Very rock and roll. Very Isabel Marant,” said Libby. She described one of her favorite fall boots as an over-the-knee boot with built in elastic for great mobility. While over-the-knee boots offer great sex appeal, it often comes in the form of constriction, but with Libby’s elastic-designed over-the-knee-boot, a busy woman can run errands and run after her toddler while remaining stylish.



You can purchase Libby Edelman shoes, handbags and jewelry at HSN.com. Follow her on Twitter at Twitter.com/LibbyEdelman, read her blog “Life with Libby” and fan Libby on Facebook. Look for more lines coming from the Edelman family including little girls’ shoes and Sam Edelman handbags for Spring 2011.

Libby Edelman poses with her son who works in the sales division of the Edelman family business.

It was the busiest I’d seen the Dillard’s shoe department in a long time. And only designer Sam Edelman could have drawn such an eager shoe-shopping crowd during a recession.

Booty-shaking music filled the air and tall, gorgeous, smiling models strutted around wearing Sam Edelman wedges and gladiators. The shoe designer himself mingled with appreciative customers and fans and signed their shoes. And I got to speak with Sam’s team of designers, marketers and trend directors. I even got to speak with wife, Libby Edelman, about her own line of shoes, bags and jewelry. But, for this blog post, we’ll focus on Sam.

First, let’s talk about the shoes. One word: gorgeous. Between the embellishments, the height, and the show-stopping designs, I couldn’t stop gasping. Already known for his gladiators, Sam Edelman’s Spring gladiator sandals feature eye-catching embellishments and a look that the Sam Edelman team described as “modern bohemian.”


























I was especially impressed with his lace-up ghillie, which is constructed from soft leather and look comfortable, but oh-so-chic.

I asked about the high-ankle gladiator design, and what tips can be offered to women who are too afraid to try such a fashion-forward look. Sam’s advice: “Try it on. Once you put it on, you’ll see how well this design flatters the ankle and leg.”

“We saw on the runway socks worn with wedges, and we really encourage our customers to experiment with this look,” said Cara, Sam Edelman Trend Director, who sported this innovative and bold look herself. It won me over, and I can’t wait to play with this fashion trend myself.

What can we expect for Fall 2010? “Wood bottoms, suede boots and sexy stilettos,” Cara answered, “And the return of the pointy toe.” I can’t wait!


























You can purchase Sam Edelman shoes at Dillards.com, use the store location system at SamEdelman.com to find a retailer near you or explore the Sam Edelman shoes widget I created below. Be sure to fan Sam Edelman on Facebook and follow the brand on Twitter at Twitter.com/SamEdelmanShoes.

Shop for Sam Edelman Shoes:

Sam Edelman

There are two hot sales going on at Hautelook.com right now: Urban Decay and MICHAEL Michael Kors. These are two of my favorite brands.

Urban Decay is a high-quality and very edgy makeup brand that is super popular among the twenty-something crowd. But because of its superb quality and contemporary style, I highly recommend Urban Decay for those in their 30s and 40s who love to set trends and experiment. If you’ve been curious about this brand, take advantage of the sale at Hautelook and give it a try. Prices start at under $5.00!

Of course, Michael Kors needs no introduction. The MICHAEL Michael Kors line is designed to be affordable, but let’s face it, for us working class girls it can still be a little pricey. The MICHAEL Michael Kors sale at Hautelook is your chance to add some timeless, chic style of to your wardrobe for less than regular retail.

Take advantage of this hot sale now. Membership is free, and the stylish savings you receive is priceless.

Acclaimed fashion designer Robert Rodriguez visited the Neiman Marcus in Las Vegas to promote his Spring/Summer 2010 collection. He generously spent some time with me and we talked about fashion and technology. He even signed the Robert Rodriguez bolero jacket I was wearing. Here’s how our shop talk went.

LS: I found you on Facebook. So I “fanned” you.

RR: Thank you.

LS: But I couldn’t find you on Twitter. Are you on Twitter?

RR: I might be.

LS: You don’t know?

RR: I don’t know. I personally don’t tweet.

LS: So, how do you feel about new media and its impact on fashion?

RR: With all the tweeting and all that?

LS: Yeah. A lot of designers are on Twitter tweeting, and a lot of fashion bloggers are being invited to sit front row at fashion shows….

RR: Well, I think it keeps it interesting. It allows people to communicate and to see what you’re doing and meeting new people and really getting to know who that face is. It opens up a lot of doors for a lot of people.

LS: I feel like your pieces are so conducive to mixing it up with something else. For example, I’m wearing your jacket with a Target t-shirt and a vintage scarf. Are you planning that when you’re designing or is it just that your pieces inspire a woman to mix it up?

RR: When my customer goes to my department and buys a piece, it’s more of an emotional buy. So, I really like to give her the option of dressing it up or dressing it down. So, when I’m designing I’m like, “Well, she can wear this top with jeans or she can wear this top with a pair of leather pants, or a skirt….” So, when I’m designing I’m thinking about all those things, and her lifestyle. I think every woman has her certain lifestyle. Not everyone dresses the same. There’s soccer moms and there’s the girls who go out all night, and I try to balance it out and give each woman something different.

LS: As far as technology goes, what do you use to keep yourself organized?

RR: I am old school [laughing]. I don’t like cell phones. I don’t like computers. I am totally not into that. I like to be creative and my creativity comes from within. So, I myself stay away from the computer because I want to be creating something and I do it the old way.

LS: Well, having said that, do you have an iPod or an MP3 player?

RR: I do have an iPod.

LS: Okay, so what’s on your iPod?

RR: Lady Gaga, Madonna… all the fun stuff.

Interested in purchasing some Robert Rodriguez Spring and Summer 2010 fashion? Go to NeimanMarcus.com or check out the widget I created below. Happy shopping!

Robert Rodriguez

So, I’m on Twitter tweeting some haute picks from Bluefly’s big shoe sale, when I tweet a particular pair of corked heels saying, “Only the quirky chic need apply,” because the shoes were a bit quirky in design, while still remaining chic, of course. Then my friend @Sara_Mooney replies to me, “Thanks to you, I think I finally have a name for my fashion style: Quirky Chic.”

Quirky chic is certainly a form of fashion style, and definitely one of my favorites. Think Carrie Bradshaw on one of her more quirkier days, Lisa Loeb or Ellen DeGeneres. It’s a style that’s fun, whimsical, cheeky and not very well thought out. But that’s good, because a quirky chic woman never looks affected. That’s for sure.

Are you quirky chic? Do you incorporate funny shirts into your wardrobe? Are colorful Converse sneakers a staple in your closet? And if so, do you pair them with a flirty skirt and a peacock feathered headband? When you get ready each morning, do you find yourself humming “How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?”

Or… do you long to be quirky chic? Maybe you have a career that doesn’t allow for your quirky chic style. Or, maybe you come from a family where your quirkiness was simply not tolerated. Well, you’re a grown up now. And work doesn’t have to rule your world. I say: Unleash your inner quirky chic style! Of course, we wouldn’t want you to get all Lady Ga Ga on us, which works for her and the persona she’s created, but fashion shouldn’t be a costume behind which you hide. It’s a tool for self expression.

Pull out your cat eye glasses, brightest sneakers and Hello Kitty headband from your closet. And wear them with a hilarious Flight of the Conchords business time t-shirt and a pair of cropped boyfriend jeans. Better yet, how about giving The Hangover t-shirts a try along with a sequined mini skirt? Talk about quirky.

Give yourself permission to be funny and expressive. You deserve it. We can’t all look like Audrey Hepburn. And who would want that? We all need our own individual looks and styles. So go on… be quirky chic. It’s the chic part that matters.

Did you catch the Julie Andrews marathon on the ABC Family channel on Easter Sunday? I can’t get enough of “Mary Poppins.” Mary is just so proper and good-hearted, but also outspoken, independent and influential. And her style is as pristine as her flawless skin.

I’ve always loved Mary’s carpet bag. I can’t believe I don’t own one already. Considering the common floral design, a carpet bag could make a wonderful addition to your spring wardrobe, especially if you get a grand one and use it as your weekender. Fun.

Of course, Etsy is a great place to shop for carpet bags. So many options are available. But while I was researching carpet bags online, I came upon an Amazon seller who also offers an impressive collection of carpet bags, in a silhouette much like the one Mary Poppins carries. Below are my favorite carpet bag picks from ArtisanStreet. Aren’t they supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?

ArtisanStreet’s Wine, Teal Blue & Purple Floral Tapestry Carpet Bag With Shoulder Strap, $200

ArtisanStreet’s Colorful Embroidery on Black Carpet Bag with Shoulder Strap, $260

ArtisanStreet’s Beige & Wine Floral Chenille Tapestry Carpet Bag With Shoulder Strap, $190

ArtisanStreet’s Italian Elegance Carpet Bag with Matching Fabric Shoulder Strap.
Limited Edition. $320

ArtisanStreet’s Floral on Dark Red Chenille Carpet Bag with Shoulder Strap, $200

When this little number popped up in my email last week, I gasped! Structured in an “Oh, ‘eff’ you” kind of way, I admired the rigid construction of this fashionable rebellion. And for those of you quick to wonder if the design will add girth to your already curvy hips, I say this: wiggle and make them worship, baby. Hips are for grown ups. Should anyone give you a look of disapproval as you saunter about with your proud pleated hips, simply say… “Oh, ‘eff’ you.”

Lisi Dress by Orange. Available at Moxsie.