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Fashion (98 posts) Back to Life Lift Home
Photo: Gregor Halenda
Photo: Gregor Halenda
I love these not just for their delicious colors but for the way they can act as a makeup bag, an evening clutch, or a pretty case for your iPod, PDA, and other gadgets. Splurge on Hunting Season's python version or a more affordable option from Magaschoni—both are discounted for O readers.

Top: Hunting Season, Originally $350, now $295 with code OPRAH, hunting-season.com

Bottom: Magaschoni, Originally $48, now $38 with code OPRAH, magaschoni.com


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Topics: Fashion
Photo: Courtesy of Speck
Photo: Courtesy of Speck

The case that is currently clinging to my cell phone is metallic red and while it sparkles and protects my phone as it gets jostled around in my bag, it doesn't do much else besides look good. So when I came across these three innovative options from Speck that multitask and give my phone some personality, I couldn't wait to trade mine in:

  • CandyShell Flip: The bottom panel of this cover bends back so that you can stick your phone directly into your dock without struggling to take off the entire case (and ruining your manicure in the process).
  • CandyShell Card: Not only does this cover keep your phone protected, but it has a built-in slot for your credit cards. Perfect for nights when you don't want to lug a bulky purse around a crowded bar or cocktail party.

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Topics: Fashion, Love That!
Photo: Gabriel Antoine
Photo: Gabriel Antoine
Catherine Edouard Charlot's Brooklyn studio contains a lot of the things you'd expect to see in a designer's workspace: bright spools of thread, stacked copies of Women's Wear Daily,  a collage of magazine photos tacked to a bulletin board. Then there are the 691 umbrellas. Stuffed in bins and strewn in piles on every surface, they range from black nylon throwaways to delicate floral parasols. Many are half-dissected, their fabric snipped from its wire skeleton, awaiting transformation into one-of-a-kind raincoats, totes, and Audrey Hepburn–inspired sheath dresses for Charlot's unconventional fashion line.

Charlot, 46, calls her designs "upcycled" (a term popularized by William McDonough and Michael Braungart in their seminal 2002 book, Cradle to Cradle), which means they're not just recycled but made more valuable in the process. In addition to discarded umbrellas (Wall Street is a rich hunting ground), she uses old upholstery, canvas, even yoga mats. 

The idea struck her during a rain-soaked commute in 2002. She'd moved to New York in 1994 from her native Haiti, and worked administrative jobs while taking a class at the Fashion Institute of Technology (she'd learned to sew at age 13 in Port-au-Prince). When she couldn't find a waterproof bag, Charlot made one out of an old umbrella. The gray plaid tote was so eye-catching, it inspired her to launch her business, Himane, in 2004 (naming it for her mother back in Haiti).

These days Charlot sells leather clutches and canvas bags at boutiques around New York—but still carries that original plaid tote, frayed seams and all. "I hate to throw things away," she says. "I can't."

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Photo: Courtesy of Yoox.com
Photo: Courtesy of Yoox.com
If you missed the server-crashing stampede when Missoni launched everything from shoes to shower curtains at Target, you'll get another opportunity to shop on Yoox.com. Margherita Maccapani Missoni designed a 12-piece collection for M Missoni, featuring the brand's zigzag pattern, to benefit OrphanAid Africa. And not only do we love that we're getting a second chance to buy these signature stripes at affordable prices (like these flats), but knowing that our purchase helps reunite children in Ghana—separated by poverty and HIV/AIDs—with their families, makes this bold line even better.

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More Italian luxury for less
Winter essentials under $100
Topics: Fashion
Photo: Courtesy of H&M
Photo: Courtesy of H&M

Bold. Bright. Expensive. These are three of the words that usually come to mind when I think of Versace, a fashion house known for its vibrant prints and dresses that leave little to the imagination. (Remember Jennifer Lopez's navel-baring gown at the 2000 Grammys?) Lucky for you, this Italian brand has teamed up with H&M—meaning you'll be able to score Versace's sexy signature style for less than a quarter of the regular price when the collection hits stores on November 19th. O's creative director Adam Glassman says the star-studded fashion show that took place last week in New York City—with an after-party complete with performances by Prince and Nicki Minaj—was nothing short of what you'd see in Milan. His favorite piece that came down the runway: a studded black leather trench. Or if you're looking for a dress that will turn heads your next cocktail party, you might want to consider this flashy fuchsia silk shift, at left ($199).


Topics: Fashion
Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D, Adam: Patrik Andersson
Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D, Adam: Patrik Andersson
Camel on one side, rich chocolate on the other, this reversible, faux-shearling coat pulls way more than double duty. Zip off the bottom and it goes from knee-length piece to motorcycle jacket; mix and match the colors for a total of six (!) different looks.

JIA, originally $680, now $600 with code OPRAH600; jiacollection.com.


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Topics: Fashion
Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D
Photo: Marko Metzinger/Studio D
Party dresses can be a pricey proposition, especially if, like most women, you don't attend many black-tie events. But prepare to celebrate: A new evening wear collection from American Living for JCPenney—priced entirely under $150—just hit stores. With clean designs and slimming details like side ruching and V necklines, these gowns flatter any size from 2 to 16. And in comfortable jersey fabric and classic evening shades of red, black, and white, they feel good enough to raise a glass to. (americanliving.com)



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Topics: Fashion, Events
Photo: LeSportsac
Photo: LeSportsac

Inspired by Oprah to create a vision board, Panamanian artist Marisabel Bazan started painting (instead of cutting and pasting pictures) as a way to project her dreams. Fast-forward five years, and Bazan's art is now splashed across LeSportsac backpacks, tote bags, and wristlets. One of our favorite styles (at left) is a screen-printed version of Bazan's Vida Linda butterfly painting (the original incorporates Oprah's name—one of her biggest influences—into the design). And this ultra-bright duffle won't just stand out on the luggage carousel, but it's a reminder to dream big.

Have you ever made a dream board? If so, tell us about what's on it.

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Topics: Fashion, Love That!
Photo: Thinkstock
Photo: Thinkstock
I've often felt like the daughter of the milk man—the majority of my family is fair skinned with light eyes, freckles, and fiery red hair. Me: I have an olive complexion with dark eyes and boring brown hair. In the holiday photos I stick out like a sore thumb amongst my cousins, aunt, mother, and brother who obviously got the lion's share of the Scottish genes. My beauty dream is to go Julianne Moore's shade all over so that I can see what it's like to finally fit in at the dinner table.

So...what's your beauty or fashion dream? Want to walk in sky-high stilettos but only wear flats? Spent your life in the sun but wish you had a porcelain complexion? Lucky for you, O is looking for candidates in the New York City tri-state area with a beauty or fashion fantasy. Whether you have the soul of Rapunzel but have never grown your hair past your shoulders or want to embrace your inner glamourpuss but don't know how to wear makeup, we'll pair you with an expert who'll give you the look of your dreams. Tell us why you want to make a change and you could be chosen to be part of an upcoming story.

If you live farther away, we still want to know--what kind of instant-makeover would you want? Tell us below.

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Topics: Beauty, Fashion
Photo: Courtesy of Ann Taylor
Photo: Courtesy of Ann Taylor
Join the fight against breast cancer while treating yourself (or your mother, aunt, or a friend) to something special.

While it's not exactly the 12-carat sapphire and diamond number that Catherine Middleton received from Prince William, we think this rose-colored Ann Taylor ANN Cares ring is just as stunning. And the matching glittery necklace reminds us of something you'd find amongst the Crown Jewels. Both will help you sparkle at your next cocktail party and save women's lives by funding research and raising public awareness about the importance of early detection.
 
$58 each, AnnTaylor.com for stores; 70 percent of proceeds goes to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation

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Topics: Fashion, Love That!
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