One of my favorite “affordable” (hand gesture quotation because you all get testy when I say something over $200 is affordable) jewelry designers Ranjana Khan, wife of Naeem Khan who designs over-the top fabulous clothes, is officially making her way to the masses via The Limited this month.  A couple years ago designers for Anthropologie knocked off her signature rhinestones on mesh designs and probably made a killing.  Now, she’s getting in on the action.

The question is, has she brought the same look and quality of her brand to the The Limited?

From the looks of the pics above I grabbed from NY Magazine, the answer is no.  In this video, you can see my RK piece up close.  (It’s stunning and works with so many different outfits.)  I wish this pic was more focused on her earrings than Karla’s amazing makeup so you could see the craftsmanship and details.

It’s obvious she’s referencing this design in her collection for The Limited, but the quality doesn’t even look close to the same.

Many of the clothing designers I’ve witness take their designs mainstream have done so more successfully than accessory designers.  You can’t fake gold or gem stones or good quality leather.  You just can’t. Look at Jimmy Choo for H&M. Look at Isaac’s shoes for Target.

Apart from the quality, the other disappointing factor to this line is the materials’  masculine sensibility.  One of the reasons I love RK jewelry is it’s bold but feminine nature.  None of the pieces I saw seem feminine at all.

Well, I guess we can hope I’m wrong when we see it with our own eyes.  I really do admire her as a person and appreciate her work.

It’s that time of year for the bride to shine.  If that’s not you, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the celebration with friends, opportunity to dress up, excuse to get a little crazy and “do a little dance, make a little love, get down tonight,” right?!

There are some unpleasant details around attending weddings – spiking airline fares, shopping for the perfect gift, the inescapable hangover…

The point is, this should be a time for everyone to have fun, not begrudge it.  So I offer you a guide to  hopefully help alleviate the pressure and allow you to enjoy your wedding prep to-do list.

DREAM A LITTLE DREAM FOR ME

The first thing I always do when I get an invite is wonder about what my wedding dress will look like.  This year I didn’t have to go far to see that my favorite designers were actually having the same day dream.  Obviously very few people are going to snag a crazy design from the runway.  But you can always get ideas on how to escape the cookie cutter pattern and ad your own flare.  Here are two favorites I found in Style.com’s bridal slide show.

Alexander McQueen

Naeem Khan

PLAYING DRESS UP ON A BUDGET

I feel like I rarely dress up anymore, so I use weddings as a day (or two) to put together the complete package – hair, makeup, and a fabulous dress.  Budget permitting of course.  Here are some ways you can go big and not break your bank:

• GO GLAM! – Rent The Runway - their collection of your favorite designers is growing everyday! Last time I checked Herve Leger was going for $100- $150. Much better than $1200!
• Department Store makeover - here’s my trick.  Go find a sales lady on the designer floor of Neimans, Saks, Barneys and ask her which artist in cosmetics she refers her clients to.  Then make an appointment for a makeover before the wedding.  Plan to spend about $75 on makeup.
• Shoes - Hit up DSW. Worst case scenario you come out with a basic pair of heels that will go with everything.  If you’re lucky, you’ll score big with something fabulous.  Either way you’re spending $30-80 instead of $300-800.
• Jewelry – Kenneth Jay Lane and Alexis Bittar make statement pieces at reasonable prices.  Tighter budgets try Dillards (specifically) or a thrift store (not consignment or vintage, they’ll be $$ too)
• Hair – Blow out bars are popping up all over the place.  Somehow when a pro dries my hair it behaves for longer.

TWO FOOLPROOF GIFTS

Assuming that you aren’t going to buy what they registered for.  Here are two options to consider.  Both involve a little effort so you can bestow your friends with something impressive without spending tons of cash.

1. Crystal.  You can find beautiful crystal at discount stores but you might have to shop several.  I just picked up 4 crystal wine glasses at Marshall’s the other day that have my guests impressed.  In fact, my mom was upset because she thought I went out and dropped a hundred bucks on stemware.  I spent $30 on 4!  Stores to try: Marshall’s, ROSS, Tuesday Morning, TJ Maxx, Home Goods.  Look for stemware, lowball glasses, and vases.
2. Custom Cook Book. Reach out to her family and friends via email asking them to submit their favorite recipes.  Format them all the same and create a cook book.  This way they’ll have plenty to choose from at home and not have to second guess if it’s good.   They’ll love that everyone wanted to contribute too. Plus, you’ll have a collection of new recipes to explore too!

FOCUS ON YOUR HEAD NOT NOT YOUR HEART

Ladies, if you’re single and going to wedding, my advise is to not let yourself get upset with your current relationship status.  Dating is tough; no doubt about it.  But there is a journey of romance and love out there that will lead you to an aisle with a handsome man at the other end waiting to embrace you with open arms.  I know that sounds cheesy, and it’s hard to maintain composure after a few glasses of wine, but it’s the truth.

And if that doesn’t work, find a bottle of tequila, grab the hot groomsman, and get your groove on…..on the dance floor ;)

BRIDEZILLA PREVENTION PLANNING

If you or your girlfriend is just starting to plan now, you can be a big help! You see women going ape-shhh..a little crazy all the time, so there must be something that doesn’t meet the eye.  So I offer you these sites for inspiration to begin the process.  Even if you hired a planner, you still have to articulate your dream.

• Snippet and Ink – tips
• Jessie Claire’s Blog – photography and tips from her life
• Brooklyn Bride – alternative and simple concepts
• Project Wedding – a blog with a little bit of everything in true blog format
• Ruffled – tips
• Real Simple Magazine guides – because they’re always dead on
• Ivy and Astor – gowns that won’t break the bank
• Dennis Reggie and Jose Villa (blog) -  photographers to the stars
• Leah and Mark – lifestyle wedding photographers

Don’t underestimate the Gulf coast for galas. Sure, we don’t have The Oscars like the West Coast or The Met Ball like the East, but Houstonians consistently throw black tie fundraisers to raise money for good causes. I’m about to begin my ritual to get glammed up. Usually it’s less work than my daily routine. The fabulous Edward Sanchez does my hair and makeup, all I have to put the dress on. But right now I’m waiting to see if he can do it. Otherwise my skills at putting on false lashes will be tested again.

My Nicole Miller dress from Tootsies looks like a what a snake leaves behind after he’s shed his skin. Not the most appealing description, but it looks pretty hot on.

I’m pairing it with two old go-to accessories. The Ranjana Khan necklace you’ve seen a million times and a pair of Nine West jeweled t-strap heels. I lost the ankle straps years ago so I replaced them with ribbons to hold up the front. Surprisingly it works pretty well. Mason doesn’t approve, but he just doesn’t want me to leave the house.

The real story behind big Texas hair. Haha.

Edward is pulling double duty taking on the task of making me over and joining me as my date. I am a very lucky girl!

Can you believe he can do makeup in a tux without getting a spot on his white shirt. Impressive!

The back.

I feel like a princess :)

Off To The Ball Head To Toe:

• Ranjana Khan necklace from Saks
• Nicole Miller dress from Tootsies
• Nine West shoes from DSW (yes, I shop there)
• CelebStyle jewelry ring and diamond bracelet desinged by my Mom over a decade ago paired with a diamond bangle (in other words, super simple)
• Hair by me (without a brush!)
• Glam makeup by Edward Sanchez who works at Urban Retreat (but is sweet enough to do my mug for free)

Can you believe I ventured out in the snow in today in silk pants!

• Ranjana Khan necklace
• Oscar de La Renta fur vest from Encore
• ABS top
• Marley silk harem trousers (with leggings underneath)
• Calvin Klein faux skin heels
• Sting ray cuff
• Not pictured: YSL short trench and cashmere cape

Photo credit: my lovely friend Christina who covers the shows for Vogue Greece.

Well, you know how you’re tired of hearing “due to the economic climate” in every aspect of your life?  I am sorry to have to bring it up again, but budget cuts are effecting our Livestream coverage of New York Fashion week.  Obviously this is inconsequential in the grand scheme of things, but it is unfortunate.

So I thought I would ask you what you REALLY want to see from the tents.  For the first two days (Feb 11-12), I will be doing video recaps for Kodak’s Fashion in Full Color Segments with my Zi8.  Starting Saturday Feb 13, we will be streaming 2 shows a day.  Below are the designers shows that are available from Saturaday to Thursday.  Please comment below so Otto and I can create a fun and colorful schedule!

Feb 11 (no livestream, see it all in Full Color on a recap)

• 10- BCBG
• 11-Richard Chai
• 1-Duckie Brown
• 3-Ports 1961

Feb 12 (no livestream, Full Color only)

• 9-Cynthia Steffe
• 10-Project Runway
• 11-Yigal Azrouel
• 3-Christian Siriano
• 6-Nicole Miller

Feb 13 (We will stream both!)

• 10-Lacoste
• 11-George Chakra

Feb 14 (let me know which are your favorites)

• 10-Lela Rose
• 11-Luca Luca
• 1-DKNY
• 2-Rebecca Taylor*
• 3-Herve Leger*
• 4-DVF*

Feb 15

• 10-Carolina Herrera
• 11-Carlos Miele
• 12-Jill Stuart
• 1-Tracy Reese*
• 3-Monique Lhuillier*
• 5-Tadashi Shoji

Feb 16

• 9-Elie Tahari
• 10-Badgley Mischka*
• 11-Vera Wang*
• 1-Pamela Roland*
• 2-Max Azria
• 3-Dennis Basso
• 5-Diesel
• 6-Thuy
• 7-Tibi
• 8-Narcisco Rodriguez

Feb 17

• 9-Tory Burch*
• 10-Michael Kors*
• 11-Nanette Lepore
• 2-Phillip Lim*
• 3-Milly*
• 5-Alexandre Herchovitch

Feb 18

• 12-Isaac Mizrahi*
• 6-Naeem Khan
• 7-J Mendel

Comment below and let me know.  We will be streaming two back to back so keep that in mind.  Our apologies….it’s just the way the cookie crumbles sometimes.

I took Jules to Ranjana Khan’s Spring presentation to show her what she had been missing.  Looks like she fell head over heels as hard as I did. How could you not?!

Although the place was packed, I was able to get some great footage with my Zi8 and an interview with the lady herself.  She even took me into her studio to show me where they hatched the butterflies for the show.  Yes, there were real butterflies accenting the drapes and bestowing little kisses on my feet!

Ranjana Khan in Full Color coming soon :)

(On a separate trend note: large, statement jewelry is still in.  In case you are wondering.)

juliaallison:

Ranjana Khan necklace, Spring 2010

(I thought you’d want to see this up close … although now that I look at it, it’s a little weird to see half of my neck and whatnot, right?  oh well.)

Ranjana Khan presents. Stunning.

Naeem Khan presents. In a word, wow. Every NY socialite is here to see it.