Escada, yes Escada, and Betsey Johnson on Sale today at eBay's Fashion Vault

eBay is opening the Fashion Vault today with some good deals: savings on luxury brand Escada plus Betsey Johnson.  I like both brands and they are distinctively different looks.  Betsey Johnson is Boho bright and romantic. Escada is a sophisticated, upscale look.  My head turns every time I pass the Escada shop on Rodeo Drive. Frankly, I am surprised to see a  discount sale on Escada on eBay or anywhere.  Escada is discounted 65% on the sale and Betsey Johnson is 70% off.  The Fashion Vault Sale is open until Nov. 5th.  Look for deals on  Escada knit sweater dresses and silk cocktail dresses for a special evening out.  Click here to get in first, and get the best before it's gone !:)

Los Angeles: Spaphile Study Break event on Oct. 25th Designed to Help Students Find an Internship

If you're a a Student struggling to live on a budget in Los Angeles, you know that it is not easy. That's why you will want to check out the Study Break event.  Spaphile's upcoming event (on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at Aveda Institute in Westwood) for students benefits the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.  Spaphile has partnered with Broke Girls Guide and InternQueen to give students the resources to find information about how to live in LA on a budget and resources to find the right internship.  This is a great way for students to get some free tips on how to find and internship, and live frugally while networking and having some fun.

There will be a Q&A with some of the industry's top intern coordinators (from Teen Vogue to BWR Public Relations, to name a few).  There will also be a raffle which will benefit The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Hey, I am no longer a starving student, but this sounds good to me!

There is no entry fee. The hosts will offer complimentary healthy drinks (provided by Activate Drinks), desserts (provided by Sweet Dreamery) and appetizers (provided by BJ's Restaurant).

RSVP at studybreak.evenbrite.com 

A Show Stopper: Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Costume Exhibit

Pictured: Two Costumes by MGM Designer Irene Lentz

A few weeks ago, I discovered the Debbie Reynolds Costume Exhibit currently on display at the Paley Center in Beverly Hills.  I knew Debbie Reynolds had been buying up costumes and props from studios like MGM for years. I knew she was preparing to sell them at auction because I have seen her talking about it on TV shows like Oprah.  What I didn’t know was that for a small fee of $6.00 visitors to the Paley Center can view all these treasures.  The exhibit hasn’t received the attention that the current exhibit of Elizabeth Taylor’s jewelry and fashions at MOCA has, but it is every bit as fascinating.  Charlie Chaplin’s bowler hat and the white dress Marilyn Monroe wore in The Seven Year Itch have already been sold, but there are still great pieces on display. (Marilyn's dress sold for a mere 4.6 million US.)

Pictured: Julie Andrew's pantsuit from STAR!  flanked by Doris Day's Dumbo costumes.

Each costume is displayed on mannequin alongside a small monitor displaying the scene from the film where the costume was worn.  You’ll see Julie Andrews beautiful costumes from the movie STAR! along with her acting as Gertrude Lawrence in the film scene.  You’ll view Dean Martin’s tuxedo while you see scenes from his films and hear him singing.  The display technique of the film matched with the costume allows you to experience the full artistry of the costumes and the technique of costume on film. In many cases, the costumes look different in person, than they do on film . Colors look brighter and embellishments are amplified by the film’s lighting and cinematography.

Pictured: Debbie Reynolds gown from The Unsinkable Molly Brown.

The crystals and beading on Debbie Reynolds gown from The Unsinkable Molly Brown were made to  sparkle under film lights.  It was no ordinary task for the designers to make these costumes.  They had to fit  the scene and the lightening as well as the actor or actress who wore the garment.  When you look at the costumes by MGM designers Irene Lentz and Helen Rose, you realize how accomplished they really were as film costume designers.

Going back much further than the MGM lot, there are costumes worn by stage actress Sarah Bernhardt along with some of her art/sculpture.  It’s amazing that Debbie Reynolds was able to find such rarities and preserve them.  If you live in Los Angeles or are visiting Southern California, take the opportunity to see these film artifacts before the rest are auctioned off and no longer available to view by the general public.  The exhibit is open at the Paley Center until Dec. 3, 2011. Thanks to Debbie Reynolds for preserving items from MGM Lot 3, and beyond, for all of us to enjoy.

Bing Opens a Halloween Website to Help Consumers Get Ready

Halloween is in just a few weeks, so it's that time again.  Some of us are preparing our own Halloween looks, or helping kids put their look together.  Halloween is one of the most beloved holidays by children, so it's important for them to have a great costume, whether a scary one or a fashionable one.
According to a recent survey hosted by Bing (the search engine), 43% of respondents are all about "Do It Yourself" DIY costumers this year.  According to the survey, nearly 40 percent of respondents indicated they are abandoning store-bought outfits for a DIY costume, with 43 percent of survey respondents believing that purchasing a Halloween costume you’ll wear for one night is too expensive (nearly a fourfold increase over last year’s 12 percent). In fact, many people are ditching intricate costumes and embracing more “everyman” costumes this year, with Kate Middleton topping the list of celebrity costume picks for women at 47 percent and Edward Cullen ( a vampire from Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series) topping the list for men at 35 percent.

To help adults and teens get the celeb the look, Bing has teamed up with celebrity stylists Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn, best known for their work with fashion gurus Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna and Will and Jada Smith, to share their insight on www.BingHalloween.com into looks that fit every type of budget, fashion sense and DIY (Do it Yourself) skill level.
Here are some of their tips that may leave a lasting impression with your friends:

• Dress like a rock star. Some of our favorite costumes are inspired from what stars wear on stage. One way to really impress everyone at your Halloween party is to find the most classic identifiable look from your favorite artist’s performance or music video and break down the look. Everyone wants to party like a rock star, and now you can actually look the part.
• Makeup cures all. Makeup and hair styling are a great way to create a fun and easy costume.  If you’re able to master the makeup, the rest of the costume is sure to fall in line. Signature looks of classic rock stars are always fan favorites. Think full- face make up ala KISS Gene Simmons, plus a simple black Tee.
• Reality TV time.  When in doubt, go as a reality TV stars. Love them or hate them, some reality stars have become just as recognizable as movie and rock stars.  In many cases, you can impersonate a reality star with minimal expense.

For additional tips and tricks from Zangardi and Haenn and Halloween inspiration, visit http://www.BingHalloween.com.