Watchful Wife

Wearing 7FAM Farrah jeans, Demi Moore visits husband Ashton Kutcher on the set of his new movie Spread (image right)

Malandrino Silk for Lohan

Actress Lindsay Lohan attends the Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Party in Beverly Hills, California February 9, 2008. Lohan wore a dress by Malandrino, the LAVALIERE dress – an emerald silk chiffon one shoulder dress with flower corsage from the Malandrino Holiday/Resort 2008 collection, currently available in stores. New York fashion designer Catherine Malandrino currently designs two separate lines. Malandrino is the designer collection and Catherine Malandrino is the contemporary line. REUTERS/Phil McCarten (UNITED STATES)

Amazing Alba

Actress and host Jessica Alba arrives to the 80th Scientific and Technical Academy Awards Ceremony in Beverly Hills, California, February 9, 2008. She wore a pair of Platinum and diamond earrings by Neil Lane. REUTERS / Hector Mata (UNITED STATES)

Ever Elegant Cruz

Penelope Cruz wore Chopard’s diamond briolette drop earrings, a marquise-cut diamond ring and oval diamond bracelet to the premiere of Elegy.

Hart's Grammy Gown a Pea(ch)

Actress Melissa Joan Hart and her husband Mark Wilkerson arrive at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles February 10, 2008. She wore an evening gown by A Pea in the Pod, a black silk jersey bow gown. Wilkerson was nominated for a Grammy.
REUTERS/Danny Moloshok (UNITED STATES)

Kruger's Eye on Lanvin at Berlinale Film Fest

Members of the Berlinale International Film Festival jury (L-R) German production designer Uli Hanisch, Russian producer Alexander Rodnyansky, German actress Diane Kruger, jury president Costa Gavras, Taiwanese actress Shu Qi and U.S. sound designer Walter Murch pose during a photo call prior to the opening news conference in Berlin February 7, 2008. The 58th Berlinale, one of the world's most prestigious festivals, will run from February 7 to 17 in the German capital. Kruger wore Lanvin, a whimsical sketch racer-back tank from the 22 Faubourg Collection. REUTERS/Johannes Eisele (GERMANY)

Kate Hudson is Blue

Cast member Kate Hudson smiles at the premiere of "Fool's Gold" at the Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, January 30, 2008. Hudson wore Lanvin’s royal blue washed silk faille one-shoulder cocktail dress. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Lucy Liu in Chopard at Show

Wearing Murakami-like colors, Lucy Liu sat front row at Valentino’s 2008 Haute Couture Fashion Show. She wore Chopard’s stunning Princess-cut 10-carat diamond ring and a pair of Emerald-cut 12-carat diamond earrings.

A Fashion Fix

Colour Bind

BeansTalk takes a look at some of the hottest fashion trends for women. The twist here is that, alas, we cannot and would not be able to wear any of these little darlings. But there are plenty who can, so here you go. We look at Splurges and Steals (Splurges from Neiman Marcus online, steals from Forever 21 online).

The biggest trend right now is unquestionably color. We walked into The Gap yesterday and were assaulted by neat stacks of multi-colored khakis. It made us shudder – it reminded us of the Greeks at university.

And we’re not talking Greeks of the Avgolemono Soup-making kind. We mean straight-up frat and sorority types.

The ones who attended non-progressive prep schools, wholly preoccupied with La Coste Polos, and Kate Spade pocketbooks, who convinced themselves they were oh-so-better than anyone else. The “steep tuition” their schools charged made them better than (gasp) public school attendees. Unfortunately, those types continue through life their noses in the air, unable to say thank you or ever affect anything remotely close to humility. Sure, you bought yourself something to brag about, even though it only has resonance with those of your own ilk, but you will never have what money cannot buy: empathy. A moral core. Thoughtfulness. Generosity.

Rant much? Sorry. Here’s some bright yellow to cheer you.

Charming 3/4 sleeve trapeze style jacket with retro colorblock lining. Polished button trim. Hidden inset pockets
- 21'' approx length from shoulder to hem
- 100% cotton, machine wash cold, tumble dry low
- Imported $27.80
Moschino Cheap & Chic Car Coat
• Yellow.
• Spread collar; silver-tone snap front.
• Front snap flap pockets.
• Bracelet sleeves.
• Flap overlay on back shoulders (see below).
• Polyester.
• Dry clean only.
• Made in Italy.
Price: $1,495.00

Au Satin

Sometimes it surprises BeansTalk that people still actually wear satin. Sure, it’s shiny, but it’s not flattering, especially when it’s a snugly fitting satin. Even some of the world’s most primed and prepared red-carpet denizens can look poochy (which of course, they are not). It’ a completely unforgiving fabric. But it is the very essence of party and cocktail garb, so we couldn’t not include it. Here are two of the prettiest we found.

Satin Jewel Shift Dress
Stylish satin shift dress with a round scoopneck with large jewel embellishments and gathered pleats, pleated front, bubble hem, and a small keyhole back. Side zipper closure.
- 31" approx length from shoulder to hem.
-97% polyester, 3% spandex. Machine wash cold. $29.80

David Meister Satin Cutout Dress
• Royal blue.
• V neckline; pleated bust.
• Cutout back (see below).
• Acetate/nylon/spandex; lining, polyester.
• Dry clean only.
• Made in USA.
Price: $360.00

Fuchsia Inferno

This is a color the CFO of BeansTalk doesn’t like on us. He says it looks like something a middle-aged [country of our people’s origin] woman would wear. Frankly, we think this style is a little 1978 can’t-stop-the-music. On the whole, again, not something we would probably wear, but it seems to be a (kind of) hot style right now. Go for the gusto, and boogie on, reggae woman.

Kay Unger Tiered Dress
• Fuchsia.
• Strapless.
• Drop waist.
• Tiered skirt.
• Pure silk organza; lining, acetate.
• Imported. $450

Ruffle Halter Dress
Sexy chiffon halter dress features a v-neckline, satin trimmed empire waist, tiered ruffle bodice, and a back zipper closure.
- 32.5" approx length from shoulder to hem.
- 100% polyester, Hand wash cold.
- Imported. $22.80

Ruffled Truffle

Back in the days of the Preppy Handbook, there was a trendy surge in neck ruffles. It wasn’t quite Elizabethan, but enough so that those not blessed with a long, slender neck (and yes, damnit, that was us) looked a little like an egg in a cozy. Still we wanted to profile some happenin’ duds and this seems to be hip with kids (or at least those with long, slender necks).

Sheer knee length chiffon dress with ruffled collar and sleeve trim.
Pintucked bodice and matching waist tie
- 38'' approx length from shoulder to hem
- 100% polyester, hand wash, hang dry
- Imported $34.80

Valentino Roma Ruffled Shift Dress
Red.
• Jewel neckline; sleeveless.
• Ruffled front (see closer view below).
• Keyhole back (see below).
• Pure silk.
• Dry clean only.
• Made in Italy.
Price: $1,580.00

Bubble Up

Bubble dresses are undeniably cute, but they’re also undeniably a challenge to wear. The very thin may be overwhelmed, the hippy are further accented by the very bubble itself. There is also a trendiness factor. Still, the bubble’s been around (in this incarnation) for at least a couple of years, so there could be more life for it. And besides, we at BeansTalk are all about wearing whatever you want, so long as it makes you feel good. And if a bubble tunic or dress makes you bubbly, you have our support.

Aase Bubble Tunic
Short length bubble hem tunic with ruching along the neckline
- 30'' approx length from shoulder to hem
- 100% rayon, hand wash cold, line dry
- USA $17.80

Rag & Bone Bubble Dress
• Purple.
• Sleeveless.
• Pleated detail.
• Bubble skirt.
• 100% silk.
• Dry clean.
• Made in USA of imported materials.
• Modern Size Guide

Evoking the image of a turn-of-the-century peddler, Rag & Bone was founded in 2001 with a focus on fundamentals in design and fabrication. Their denim-centric collection abounds with utilitarian-yet-elegant silhouettes in neutral shades that echo those in classic work wear. A deep commitment to history and the skills of generations of artisans has kept their operation entirely based in the US, ensuring their vision of the American marketplace. $515

The White Stuff

Readers of BeanStalk know that we basically adhere to a clothing adage we heard on the Today show several years ago. We wish we could remember the fashionista who spouted this bit of wisdom, but we guarantee you, she was NO DIVA. Just someone smart (and we think most divas are so self-occupied, they don’t have time to exercise their tiny brains. Getting back to the point, she pointed out that white was not a good investment in clothing. White is very difficult to keep and get clean. Dry-cleaning will eventually turn a crisp white suit ivory and so on. But it can be so pretty on a tan body. We know we were focusing on color, but these were so sweet, we couldn’t resist including them.

Nicole Miller Floral Lattice Dress
• White floral lattice cutouts.
• Scoop neckline with tonal gathered trim.
• Wide shoulder straps cross in back.
• Drawstring Empire waist.
• Dry clean only. $400


Basimah Pintuck Dress
Sleeveless short length pintucked bodice dress
with delicate floral embroidery detail on the bust and skirt
- 32'' approx length from shoulder to hem
- 55% silk, 45% cotton, 100% polyester lining, dry clean only
- Imported $32.80

Mona Lisa Smile

“How It Was: Secrets of Mona Lisa”
Tuesday, March 18, 8 p.m. ET/PT National Geographic Channel

With its enigmatic smile and piercing eyes, few faces have cast as deep or enduring a spell as that of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. This iconic painting has been adored and analyzed for half a millennium, but it remains shrouded in a cloak of secrecy. Space-age technology peers beneath its layers to solve mysteries surrounding its great master’s materials, methods and model. Can art historians, curators and computer experts surmise new information where so many others have been left puzzled? NatGeo world premiere

Monkey See, Monkey Do

“Human Ape” Monday, March 17, at 8:00 PM ET/PT on National Geographic Channel

Humans share as much as 98.4 percent of our DNA with chimpanzees — but how similar are we, really? Join NGC as we look at what separates apes from humans and try to find the elusive ingredients that distinguish the two. We show just what our ape cousins can and can’t do — and investigate what is in that tiny bit of DNA that makes us the Human Ape. (World Premiere) NatGeo.

Double Click on the Above Image to Enlarge.

THC Series Premiere: Strange History

Dangerous, terrifying, redemptive, uplifting, sex is the most fundamental of all human activities. And because of its power, it’s been surrounded with more myths and rituals, taboos and ceremonies, laws and prohibitions than any other. It has shaped cultures, started wars, and brought empires to their zeniths – and their knees.

Series Premiere
Strange History is a new series that plunders the globe to explore the relationship between humanity and its most powerful drive. Intriguing, compelling, fast-paced and forthright, each film spins three stories around a central theme. One will be historical, one anthropological, and one rooted in the contemporary West. Stories will be covered documentary-style, focusing on impressive access, beautiful photography, and expert storytelling. And they will be held together visually by stylish graphic packaging and a swift yet sophisticated narration.

New episodes: Monday, April 14, 21 & 28 at 10pm/2am ET/PT on The History Channel

double click on above image to enlarge

Kenneth Cole's AWARENESS Blog

THE KENNETH COLE BLOG, www.kennethcoleblog.com. Created to raise awareness and stir public debate and action, the blog will provide a unique two-way communication platform between the Kenneth Cole New York brand and the public.



THE KENNETH COLE BLOG will focus on four core topics of interest: Social Rights, Hard Times (poverty & homelessness), Political Landscape, and Well-being (health & the environment). The CLOTHES MINDEDNESS section is comprised of a weekly contribution from Kenneth Cole. In addition to Kenneth’s weekly blog, the site will present timely articles and up-to-the-minute commentary from a range of prominent voices in media, arts, entertainment, business, and philanthropic organizations. Contributors include singer KT Tunstall, Paper Magazine founder David Hershkovits, and Good Magazine founder Ben Goldhirsh. Some of Kenneth Cole’s celebrity friends including NY Giants Michael Strahan, Alan Cumming, Stanley Tucci, Alan Dershowitz, Natasha Richardson, Mario Cantone, Kathy Griffin, and Joey Pantoliano will also be contributing about the social causes they are actively involved with. Readers and visitors to the blog will be encouraged to participate in ongoing dialogue with the contributors around the issues and topics presented and invited to share their thoughts and ideas on how we as a society can work to create a better world.



“From the company's earliest days, social activism has fueled our philosophy that, "what we stand for is even more important than what we stand in.” Twenty five years later, we continue to use our resources to provoke thought about various, but always relevant, issues,” says Kenneth Cole. “THE KENNETH COLE BLOG is the perfect forum to encourage more of a dialog and expand discussion on the important issues of our time.”

In addition to the articles and commentary, the blog will showcase an inspiring collection of photographs based on the four core pillars that will change how we view the world. Within each image, the photographers will share personal accounts and details about the photo.

THE KENNETH COLE BLOG will be promoted through a variety of regional and national media platforms, including taxi-tops, street powerwashing, wildposters, and banners on numerous websites and blogs. The content of each post and comment will represent the views of the author and will not necessarily reflect the views of THE KENNETH COLE BLOG or of Kenneth Cole New York. THE KENNETH COLE BLOG was conceived, produced and maintained by award-winning digital brand strategy and marketing agency electricArtists, Inc. electricArtists has developed other successful online projects for American Express, Starwood Hotels and others. The software being used is to create and run the blog is the Movable Type 4: Community Solution by SixApart.

About Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc.

Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. designs, sources, and markets a broad range of footwear, handbags, and accessories under the registered trademarks KENNETH COLE NEW YORK, KENNETH COLE REACTION, UNLISTED and TRIBECA as well as footwear under the proprietary trademarks GENTLE SOULS and LE TIGRE and under the licensed trademark BONGO. The company has also granted a wide variety of third party licenses for the production of men’s, women’s and children’s apparel, as well as fragrances, timepieces, eyewear, and several other accessory categories. The company’s products are distributed through department stores, better specialty stores, and company-owned retail stores as well as direct to consumer catalogs and e-commerce. Further information can be found at http://www.kennethcole.com .

Chopard’s the Charm

The proverbial rabbit’s foot, a dried-and-pressed four-leaf clover, whatever their talisman of choice, actors and actresses have long yearned for the lucky charm that would help push the Oscar in their direction.

Several recent Oscar winners may credit the creations of Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele of Chopard.

Charlize Theron, Hilary Swank, Rachel Weisz, Helen Mirren and Marion Cotillard all wore Chopard as they accepted their Oscars.

Marion Cotillard Winner 2008

Winner for Best Actress for her role in La Vie En Rose, Marion selected to layer Chopard’s champagne diamond briolette necklace (64 carats) with light and dark brown diamond bead necklaces (106 carats) and a square cut brilliant cut yellow diamond ring (15 carats).