Studs (and there is nothing masculine about them!)

Whether you are a wild child or need to add some pizazz to an outfit, studded accessories are a great way to express your inner tough girl. Metallic details such as studs pair well with colors and neutrals, and chances are these accessories would get a lot of use so don't be afraid to splurge on an investment piece.

Studded shoes such as the Tory Burch stud ballet flats are a great example of fashion and function in unison. L.A. designer Dafne Balatsos has a line of gothic studded and spiked purses which are a tad pricy at around $800 each, but they are truly works of art. My favorite studded accessory is the Givency by Riccardo Tisci leather and metal studded headband. It definitely requires a lot of confidence and hair full of body to pull it off, and is a unique piece for an accessory lover.

If accessories with studs aren't for you, how about a studded leather jacket thrown over a cute dress or your favorite pair of jeans? Topshop's stud biker jacket is a very reasonable $115!

-Erin O'Hara

Bringing Back Wide Legs

After a few years with the skinny jean, it seems fashion is restoring to the 1970's by bringing back the wide leg jean. It seems that this spring season more and more of us will turn to wide-leg jeans, not as a substitute for skinnies, but as an addition to our denim collection.

If worn probably and with the correct upper half pairings wide-leg jeans can be both figure flattering and fashionable. Wide-leg jeans can be very easy to wear you just need to remember a few tricks.

First in order to counteract the bottom-heavy pant legs try pairing them with a fitted, tucked in blouse. And second since most wide-leg jeans are made with a higher waist becareful of the style and fit you choose because the wrong fit can result in a long bum appearance, and lets face it who really wants that? To avoid the long bum syndrome untuck your top and belt it up.

Spring is shaping up to be a great season, keep checking back here for more Spring fashion must haves.

-Erin Jones

Usher’s clothing line on hold

R & B sensation Usher is putting off the launch of his clothing line due to the economy. With people strapped for cash and Usher’s clothes not being cheap he doesn’t think it’s the right time.

“In this economy and with my style and attention to detail, my clothes won't come cheap. It's not the right time."

What do you think will make his clothing line different than any other star like Beyonce with House of Dereon or Nelly with the Apple Bottom line?

Let’s hope the wait is worth it!

-Jennifer Nikolevski

That's one nice bib!

Classic, elegant, stunning. The bib necklace is something for everyone. This piece is bound to be an eye grabber! You can get a playful colorful one or a bold color, either way it will complete your outfit.

These are available at any high end jewelry store as well as your local target. That's why these are so great, you don't have to spend a fortune get one.

So many people use jewelry as a way to change up their outfits and keep them fresh. This piece is perfect to add some umph to your little black dress or wear it with a white t-shirt. Whatever you feel like.

-Jennifer Nikolevski

One More Sleep!!

Alright fashion lovers, so you've opened your gifts and hopefully got everything you asked for. If not, it's ok because the Boxing Day Shopping is 1 sleep away!

This is the best time a year to get all the trendy stuff you wanted but didn't buy. Or... spoil yourself! You know those expensive stores you don't regularly shop in? or those amazing shoes that weren't in your budget? Well they are most likely on sale so get out there and get them!

Happy Shopping! Happy Holidays!

-Jennifer Nikolevski

Merry Christmas <3

Feel the peace & love. Merry Christmas from the CHAOS Family :)

The CHAOS Team will be out of the offices till January 4th for the holidays and will return any emails and calls at that time. Till then, enjoy your Christmas and holidays ... we'll see you in 2010!

However, the blog will be updated like usual!

Mix up your look with a cardigan

Men have always envied the little black dress on women. We can wear it to an office party or change the jewelry and wear it to a cocktail dinner. Well listen up men because I have your solution.

It’s all about the cardigan. Here’s how you can wear it for different occasions. A day at the office; you can wear a button up shirt under it, no tie. A cocktail party; a dress shirt and tie. A night out with the guys; wear a t-shirt under your cardigan.

Switch it up, different color shirts and different color cardigans. The other good thing is that cardigans don’t cost too much so you can afford to get a few different colors and look fashionable, manly and of course sexy at all your holiday parties and celebrations.

-Jennifer Nikolevski

Islamic Fashion coming to Paris?

Fifty-Seven year old Ng Swee Kuang who is the creator of the brand “Ornel Soie” has asked a Malaysian designer to work with him.

Ng says “This is the kind of fashion that does not exist around here. Europeans are highly fashionable but they do not know the requirements of Islamic fashion.”

His brand “Ornel Soie” already has great clients which include Moga in New York, Jenny Vo in Kobe, Louis Ferraud in Paris, Nelly Alexander Fashion in Canada and much more.Ng’s fashion idea has received the support of the national president of the Society of Best Craftmen of France, Olgo Saurat.

Designer Ng with models wearing his creations.

“I am a Chinese but there is no barrier in fashion. I can also work with Malay designers who are more knowledgeable to develop Malaysian fashion,” said Ng.

He is able to create between 15 to 20 designs a month!

-Jennifer Nikolevski

Cooking for the Fashionista

Still haven't finished Christmas shopping? Still searching for the perfect gift for that Fashionista on your list? Well look no further because I found the gift that will be great for any fashion obsessed person on your list.

Isaac Mizrahi’s Mushroom Truffle Spaghetti, Carolina Herrera’s Pommes Toupinel, Mark Ecko’s “Adults Only” Chocolate Chip Cookies, Derek Lam’s Yellowtail Crudo, John Varvatos’s Calaloo Soup, sound good? But how can that be possible? Fashion and cooking can go hand in hand with this years must have cookbook.

The American Fashion Cookbook published with the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) and with a foreword by Martha Stewart, American Fashion Cookbook is a chic objet containing recipes and original illustrations by more than 100 American designers. Brimming with color, flavor, and personality, here are the fashion community’s favorite dishes and preparation tips.

The book is a great gift for the fashionista who wants to learn to cook. It incorporates everything they love about fashion into cooking. It provides you with receipes from some of your favorite designers. This is definitely on the top of my Christmas Wish List.

- Erin Jones

CHAOS Goes To Print

Okay everyone I have some great news! We said if the demand was there for CHAOS we'd print it for you, right? For all of you who love CHAOS Magazine and wish you had your very own copy, well thanks for all the wishes and good vibes, it's happening!

Our Winter 2010 issue is going to print. It will be available to purchase online through our website, everything should be up and running by the end of the month (fingers crossed) or, at the latest, the first week of January. Just be sure to check back with us for updates. Hopefully you are following us on TWITTER and are friends with us on FACEBOOK and MYSPACE. Those are the best outlets to stay up to date with everything happening with CHAOS.

The magazine will be available to purchase for $26.00 and is sure to be something you don't want to miss out on. There is a limited number of copies and once they're gone, they're gone so you won't want to miss out on getting the first copy ever of CHAOS.

Don't forget to also check out CHAOS Knits for all your stylish knit accessories.

- Erin Jones

Chains of Love

Caution: For Fierce Women

Okay, you’ve heard of the old ball and chain when it comes to love, but I’m talking about the love of chains. Dress up your outfit and rock it out. You know when you’re putting your outfit together and you just want that extra umph? This is it. There are so many variations of chains to wear that you won’t run out of ideas. Want a chain for your arms, wrist, legs, shoes?

Check them out on their site: The Chains of Love

Right in time for the holidays! I love this so much because there is such a variety, I mean go for a flirty look, romantic, sassy! However you feel in the morning and the prices are very reasonable. Happy Shopping!!

-Jennifer Nikolevski

Rock Chic leg harness, $80

Boyfriend Blazers

There’s always something sexy about a woman wearing men’s shirts or jackets.

This season we’ve already been through the boyfriend jeans so bring on the blazers. The boyfriend blazer is perfect for dressing up jeans and a t-shirt and it adds a flirty tom boy flare to a girly outfit.

Look inside the sleeves! It’s always fun to have the inside lining of the jacket with a design like stripes or a bright color. That way if you roll the sleeves up a bit you have a different look. With the cold on its way this is definitely a MUST have item.

-Jennifer Nikolevski

A Bright Future

Femininity, fit, and pattern are the story of Oscar de la Renta's pre-fall '10 collection. It is easy for gorgeous evening wear to overshadow day and casual-wear in a collection, but Oscar's can definitely keep up. The color palette, fitted jackets, tailored pants, modest yet sexy hem-lines (I could go on) are to die for.

This collection marks the seasonal transition too, from late summer to fall by using bright yellows and reds reminiscent of warmer months paired with muted shades of navy, grey and black. Oscar de la Renta uses so many beautiful prints in this collection, and has mixed-and-matched them perfectly. Some lovely multi-color embroidered patchwork-print, looks are bright and whimsical, and one cute patchwork dress in particular paired with a vermillion cashmere embroidered cardigan is one of my favorite of the collection.

This is not to say that the collection does not feature beautiful evening wear- embroidery, sparkles, bows, ruffles, and lace, all combined with print. It is the work of a true artist.

-Erin O'Hara

Want the runway look at home?

It's possible! Check it out!!! When was the last time you flipped through a magazine or watched the runway shows on TV and wish you have that dress? You can actually order dresses that were worn on the runway and have them delivered to your house! It’s all at renttherunway.com.

I know what you’re thinking...designer dresses delivered... who has that kind of money? Here’s how it works. Rent the Runway (RTR) buys the dresses directly from your favorite designers and you rent it for 10% of the retail price.

It’s that easy. Go to the website (renttherunway.com) and find the dress you want and choose your delivery day, it’s your choice if you want the dress for four or eight days. It’ll be delivered right to your door in two sizes, just to make sure it’s the right fit. After your event which no doubt all eyes were on you from the minute you walked in, all you do is mail the dress back in the prepaid envelope they sent you. They even take care of the dry cleaning! This is the easiest shopping you have ever done for the perfect dress!

-Jennifer Nikolevski

Best Designer of the Year

The British Fashion Awards took place last night and the bigger winner of the night was Christopher Bailey, Burberry's Creative Director. Bailey was named best designer of the year.

This is not Christopher Bailey's first British Fashion Award, he has previously been recognized with the Menswear Designer of the Year award in 2007 and 2008 and was also named best designer of the year in 2005.

At 38 years old Bailey is Chief Creative Director of Burberry, and is responsible for the design of all Burberry collections and product lines as well as the overall image of the company.

Bailey has helped turn Burberry into a global luxury label and for that we thank him.

Congratulations Christopher Bailey!

- Erin Jones

Festive Feathers

Feathers incorporated into accessories have been popular for awhile: earrings, necklaces, and the all-important headband. A nice contrast to the sequin-encrusted cocktail dresses at your next holiday party is playing with feathers in a new, fun way: on your feet.

I came across the cutest Pedro Garcia Indira Feather ballet flats on-line today, and everything about them is swoon-worthy. The deep-green iridescent pheasant feathers, bow, and exquisite pearl-topped pin are a unique combination that is bound to draw some attention. My only question: are they worth the $725?

P.S. Don't wear them out in the snow (rain, humidity, or on public transportation)!

-Erin O'Hara

CHAOS Knits is Open for Business

Well it's offical, the most anticpated moment for all of us here at CHAOS, CHAOS Knits has finally launched. It has been a long awaited day for all of us but we are happy to announce that CHAOS Knits is up and open for your shopping pleausre.

Check it out at WWW.CHAOSKNITS.COM we have some great pieces from extra warm scarves to this seasons must have snood. We even have the most sought after slouchy tams. Everything comes in great colours and patterns it's going to be hard to leave the e-shop with an empty shopping cart!

You can also look for CHAOS Knits in the upcoming issue of CHAOS Magazine set to be released in January 2010.

Happy Shopping!

-Erin Jones

High Fashion Goes Low Budget

Yet another label has created a collection for one of America's favorite big box stores. On December 20th, Rodarte's much anticipated Target collection will be available in stores, and the full look book is now available on-line. Best efforts were made to keep the line hush-hush prior to release of the look book, but many looks were leaked on-line anyway (I guess fashionistas know technology as well as fashion!).

The looks are fabulous, especially for their prices (ranging from $9.99-44.99). The line offers day and evening skirts, dresses, tops, jackets, and accessories with a lot of whimsy and character. Knits are paired with sexy lace tights, tulle encased skirts and dresses, and accessorized with bows and animal print. They are a hip and young mix of lady and seductress...with some bite. Considering the line is being released in a popular department store, I'm looking forward to seeing how the public reacts to the pieces.

Target will be carrying the line from December 20th through January 31st, but some swag can be purchased early at Target's Manhattan holiday pop-up shop for those of you in NYC. Happy shopping : )

-Erin

In Memory of...

From what I understand the recession is suppose to be over. Maybe I'm wrong but I thought things were starting to turn around. But obviously this isn't the case.

After 22 years of their haute couture making runway headlines, the fashion house of Christian Lacroix is set to be closed.

A Paris bankruptcy court has approved a plan to close Christian Lacroix's design house. As a result 100 memebers of the staff will be let go.

Christian Lacroix is a legendary fashion designer for many red carpet celebrities including Uma Thurman. His designs are glamorous, expensive-looking, and unapologetically dramatic. With his background in costume design, his designs are always over the top, he adopts alot of old fashion techniques into his new designs including the corset and the crinoline.

His designs will surely be missed but they will also be celebrated being some of fashions most memorable pieces.

- Erin Jones

Fashionable and Functional Winter Feet

As temperatures drop and your layers increase, your footwear need not feel embarrassed next to that cute new coat with matching scarf, gloves, and hat you just bought. Whether you are preparing for the cold or the snow, there are some very chic yet functional boots on the market this season.

If you are a label-lover, you can find a good tread and warm lining in some of the most popular Fall 2009/Winter 2010 boots. The Chanel Fall-Winter 2009/10 Collection and Pre-Collection offer several gorgeous boots: heels, flats, varying heights, and varying amounts of lining. The tall metallic shearling boot with metallic signage and 85 mm heel or the medium-height calfskin boot with zip pocket and signature, both from the Pre-Collection, are the perfect examples of the union of fashion and function. Burberry also offers a few winter boot choices, my favorite being their High Weather Boots: a black leather, knee-high, lace-up, flat boot with fur trim.

If you are an outdoorsy girl, Sorel has created a line of seasonal boots that are waterproof, have a full-length fleece lining, are insulated, and are available in a number of fabric designs and styles. With all of the choices, it's likely you will find more than one to-die-for pair to match your favourite cold-weather gear. Their boots are available in sizes 5-12, and in heights ranging from ankle to knee-high.

Depending on your climatic needs this winter (and your footwear budget this holiday season) there is guaranteed to be a fashionable and practical footwear option for you, because you never know when you'll want to have some fun in the snow.

-Erin O'Hara

An Auction for the Ages

Rarely is there a fashion icon who is so admired through the generations as Audrey Hepburn, and soon you can own a piece of her timeless wardrobe.

Kerry Taylor Auctions is presenting the exhibition 'Passion for Fashion & Fine Textiles' featuring 'an Important Audrey Hepburn Collection'. The auction consists of both Audrey Hepburn's and Marie Helvin's wardrobes (Marie Helvin was one of the first supermodels of the 70's and 80's, and all-around glamorous woman).

Audrey Hepburn's collection is representative of her simple elegance. Featured clothing pieces include those created by her favorite designer Hubert de Givenchy, Valentino, and Elizabeth Arden; however, they are rivaled by the number of classic Chanel accessories, which are enough to stop a fashionista dead in her tracks. Several of the lots were donated by a lifelong friend of Hepburn, Tanja Star Busmann, who became acquainted when Audrey was 21 and Tanja was a 15 year-old schoolgirl. Audrey passed on a large collection of couture, day wear, and accessories in a variety of designer brands.

The exhibition will be shown by La Galleria London December 6-8, Sotheby's New York November 21-22nd, and Sotheby's Paris December 1-2.

-Erin O'Hara