Exhibition Opens Tomorrow at Leadapron Gallery By Nina Christensen

It’s no secret that Olivier Zahm is constantly surrounded by beautiful women. The French fashion photographer and Purple Magazine Editor-in-Chief has travelled the world, attended the most elite A-list parties, and starting tomorrow, his exhibition, “The Secrets of Photographing Beautiful Women,” will be on display at Leadapron Gallery. The revealing, sexed-up photographs are true to Zahm’s anti-glam style as seen on his blog, Purple Diary, that you’ll really feel like you’re viewing les femmes through Zahm’s eyes—signature indoor sunglasses and all. (Hypebeast)

May 25, 2011 through June 12, 2011. Leadapron Gallery, 8445 Melrose Place (between North Doheny and North Almont Drives); 323-782-1888.

Lenny Kravitz Will Play Cinna In The Hunger Games, By Nina Christensen

There will be some eye-candy for us ladies, too, now that it’s been confirmed that sexy rocker Lenny Kravitz has joined the cast of The Hunger Games, alongside the beautiful Jennifer Lawrence. Kravitz has been cast in the role of Cinna, a stylist for Lawrence’s warrior-gal character, Katniss. While Kravitz is known for his eclectic personal style, his character will be dressing the heroine in garments interjected with political messages, rather than Ray Bans and leather bellbottoms. Hunger Games Director, Gary Ross, was won over by Kravitz’s performance in Precious, saying, “It was quiet and strong and understated and open hearted; all qualities which define this character. I’m really looking forward to this ride.” So are we! (Jezebel)

In Stand-Out Monochromatic Style, By Nina Christensen

Dita Von Teese was spotted shopping at Vivienne Westwood and Fred Segal in West Hollywood yesterday rocking a conservative long sleeve, over-the-knee crimson-red dress and matching pumps, paired perfectly with her signature scarlet lip color. The burlesque star accented her monochromatic look with a black-and-white-striped clutch and black retro cat-eye sunglasses, and topped the head-to-toe glam style with a perfectly coifed ‘do. If this is Ms. Von Teese’s outfit for shopping errands, has anyone ever seen this star undone? No pun intended. (JustJared)

By Nina Christensen

Every girl has a hidden secret. No, we’re not talking about those scribbled-on Post Secret postcards, but those little tricks we use to look flawless. Why are they secrets, anyway? Is it because we selfishly want to be the fairest of them all? Or because we don’t want to openly admit to being imperfect? When it comes to Spanx, those granny-looking body shapers, we keep quiet because, well, they don’t exactly scream, “foxy lady.” Lately, we’ve been seeing photos of beautiful celebs like Beyonce and Blake Lively caught with their hot-bod secret for all to see, their Spanx peeking out from under their dresses. While we’re sure these stars wanted to keep these flesh-toned undergarments under wraps, it’s nice to know beneath all the glitz-n-glam and designer duds we all share the same secret: We all look like alien mannequins wearing nude biker shorts underneath our body-con dresses. (Fashionindie)

After 25 Years Arnold Schwarzenegger And Maria Shriver Announce Separation, By Nina Christensen

With the too many to name blink-and-it’s-over celebrity marriages out there, we seldom take A-list nuptials seriously. The news of a celebrity divorce is generally taken without concern, as if we’ve been told we were all out of cereal for breakfast. The reaction is usually something along the lines of, “Aww, darn. Oh, well.” But when those rare celebrity couples who have been together longer than we’ve been alive split up, we sometimes feel hurt and baffled, as if we’re their children. We’re upset to read news that former California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and wife, Maria Shriver, have announced their separation this morning. The pair, an iron-pumping actor and a TV news star who later became California’s Governor and First Lady, seemed like an unlikely duo, but after 25 years of marriage, we can’t imagine them apart. We’re hoping this separation isn’t “hasta la vista” forever for the two. (HuffPo)

By Connie Wang, Nina Christensen

There’s no more powerful, jealousy-inducing response to people asking what you’re wearing than to say, “Oh, this? You’ll never guess how much it cost.” We get a sick sort of satisfaction in playing this card with our outfits, whether it’s revealing that we paid more for lunch than on our handbag or that our most-complimented dress was a mall-store find. Ahead, our roundup of cheap thrills that don’t disappoint—no coupons, promo codes, or register-racing necessary!

View Slideshow

By Nina Christensen

The solution to Los Angeles’ ever-growing air pollution problem may be more feasible and practical than building a gigantic machine to swallow up smog, high-tech air masks, or migration to another planet. Andy Lipkis, President of TreePeople, created this non-profit dedicated to improving L.A.’s air quality, simply by planting trees. The organization has planted more than two-million trees in the L.A. Basin, and Lipkis reveals that these woody perennials have more benefits than just the aesthetic. The trees produce oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, and create shade which lowers urban temperatures, thereby decreasing the amount of pollutants in the air. Trees also promote community by creating pedestrian-friendly spaces and cooler sidewalks, encouraging more Angelenos to walk. Imagine an L.A. with a tree lined 405, less smog, and pedestrains! Hey, with TreePeople’s efforts, it could happen. (HuffPo)

By Nina Christensen

From Kentucky farm girl to warrior gal in the fictional country of Panem, actress Jennifer Lawrence has left her roots, literally, and darkened her blonde locks to play the role of Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games. The actress reveals her new brunette look along with tawny skin and a super-toned physique fit for a bad-ass fighter on the cover of Entertainment Weekly hitting stands tomorrow. Lawrence, who has admitted that she feels more comfortable playing indie roles, tells EW that she has more in common with the heroine than just her physical appearance. “[Katniss] was a girl who’s all of a sudden being introduced to fame. I know what that feels like to have all this flurry around you and feel like, ‘Oh, no, I don’t belong here.’” We beg to differ, Miss Lawrence. An Oscar nominated actress at age 20, we’d have to say, she does belong here. (E)

By Nina Christensen

Actress Jennifer Aniston has found The One. Or two actually. The rom-com star has been searching for the perfect NYC pad and in true celebs-always-get-what-they-want form, when she couldn’t find the duplex that she craved, she created her own by purchasing two apartments on adjoining floors. According to Curbed, Aniston nabbed Sally Hershberger’s $5.9 million prewar pad in West Village and a $1.8 million one-bedroom below it, a combination that makes for about 2,700 square feet of interior space and 900 square feet of outdoor living. We thought Rachel Green’s Greenwich apartment was too spacious to be true, but this one takes the cake.

By Nina Christensen

Chances are, your summer plans include quite a bit more than lounging, strolling, and generally enjoying the sunshine sans an itinerary. If your agenda looks anything like ours, you’ve got summer weddings, family brunches, weekend barbecues, and way more dressed-up events than you do outfits to wear. To help you out with what to wear to a wedding, we’ve created the ultimate dress shopping list that cross-references your summer schedule. Whether you’re headed to a beachside playdate or a summer music festival, we’ve got the frock that fits your plans.

View Slideshow

On Garment Workers, By Nina Christensen

We all try to pitch in and do our part to preserve the environment by switching to greener lifestyles and making smarter purchases, but sometimes we can be wholly unaware of the harmful effects of our actions. Clean Clothes Campaign is an organization that has been fighting for the awareness and understanding of deadly garment processes such as sandblasting in the production of jeans. Workers involved in this process to create that distressed, faded look on new denim are at risk of a deadly lung disease, silicosis, caused by long-term exposure to extremely fine dust. Who knew that we could be endangering lives of people in countries such as Turkey, China, and Bangladesh just by purchasing those sexy, worn-in boyfriend jeans? Well, now we do know, and while CCC is calling for a worldwide ban of sandblasting, we can do our part to support fair and healthy working conditions simply by switching to brands that don’t use this dangerous process. (Hessnatur)

With Our Resin x Made Her Think Giveaway, By Nina Christensen

Call us lovesick hippies, but we just love it when two people get together and create something really beautiful. Fashion-wise, that is. We’ve already been huge fans of Resin, the cool denim line with a street edge, and Made Her Think, the sleek and elegant rock-n-roll jewelry line designed by Meredith Kahn. So naturally, their recent collaboration for spring ’11 has got our hearts a-thumpin’. The signature designs of Resin are bejeweled with Made Her Think elements such as a Talon Knuckle Buster Ring instead of a belt loop to give the denim an unexpected twist. Because we’re feeling so lovey-dovey, we’re giving away a Resin x Made Her Think Denim Vest with a brass “vertebrae” design along the spine to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment below and tell us what your favorite unusual piece of jewelry is, and we’ll choose our favorite answer!

The contest is now closed! Congratulations to Jessica Shade, winner of the giveaway!

View Slideshow

Can You Guess The Name…, By Nina Christensen & Photo by Mr. Newton

Congrats to Vogue contributing editor and founder of Moda Operandi, Lauren Santo Domingo, and husband, Andres, who welcomed their first child, a baby boy yesterday afternoon. We’re certain he’s going to be the most stylish baby on the block, but what we’re not sure of is what to call him. So far the couple has not released his name, and we’re antsy to learn the moniker of the new “It” baby. We really hope she named him something weird and rich lady-esque à la Kelly Rutherford’s baby Hermes. Our votes: Cartier, 2.55, or Vogue (it’s got a nice ring to it!). What are your suggestions? (NY Post)

That’s Sure to Attract Envy, By Nina Christensen

Turkish Evil Eye pendants are meant to protect its holder from ills brought on by greedy and envious eyes, but this expensive-looking Danielle Stevens necklace may actually be the thing that’s attracting these covetous looks. The pendant, which hangs on a long waxed cord necklace, would be a perfect ethnic accent to a flowy boho top. And at $46, you won’t be tempted to take the five finger discount like another famous evil eye pendant wearer.

Danielle Stevens Black Evil Eye Necklace, $46, available at Max & Chloe

By Nina Christensen

We’ve been lusting after Proenza Schouler’s latest global inspired accessory, the sporty-chic rope bracelet that gives off the unintentional-cool-”Oh, I just got back from rock climbing and forgot to untie this rope from my wrist”-look. The fun, multi-colored woven rope is reminiscent of youthful DIY friendship bracelets, and if you’re unable to justify spending a portion of your adult paycheck on this, we’ve found a look-alike version by Elizabeth Monson of moveSlightly for a quarter of the price. The carabiner clasp is our favorite touch on this sure-to-be noticed bracelet, and with the more affordable price, you could wear a few of these stacked together.

moveSlightly Camping Cord Bracelet, $30-$35, available on Etsy.