The Lauren Conrad Collection

Yes, I watch "The Hills." No, I'm not proud.

But after bemusing myself with the fashion on last night's episode, I thought I'd do a little research on LC's fashion line, which received reviews upon its debut ranging from indifferent to pathetic. Upon seeing some select shots which were too obviously "influenced by Paris," in all black/white with berets and gloves, I had my doubts about this flash in the pan.

But after looking at several of her pieces on seenon.com, I liked what I saw. The girl has personal style that's unique, and that's rare in someone in their early twenties. While I sometimes saw her as a fashion victim on TV, lately she's been dressing herself right, and releasing some pretty dresses that combine LA, hippie chic and spoiled brat in a surprisingly delightful way.


Madeleine dress, $230

Nora dress, $265

Ashlee dress, $205

Charlize top, Gabrielle skirt, $165

Eve dress, $235

Jessi dress, $245

Josette dress, $230

When even Teen Vogue girls don't know...

I caught an episode of The Hills yesterday... OK, I lie. I am excited about my trip to Europe, so I went to MTV's website and watched the episode when Whitney and Lauren go to Paris. Just to see shots of the city and pretty dresses.

But the disturbing part of the episode is when Lauren and Whitney are in their town car, and perusing a list of designers. Whitney comes across a name she pronounced "Give-Enchie?" And the driver corrects her - Givenchy.

When you work at Teen Vogue and you can't even pronounce a designer's name, albeit a hard one, you've got some homework to do. I made a face like LC's above when this went down.

This moment in reality TV echoes back to an episode of ANTM, in which the girls are put on the spot to read designers' names off a teleprompter, and all of them fall flat on their faces, even my precious Naima.

Oh no you di-int!

So here is a list of designers whose names are hard to pronounce, but necessary in order to not be made a fool of in Paris, Saks or Bryant Park. Or if you just want to sound like an elitist amongst your friends.

Givenchy: ZHEE-von-SHEE

Yves Saint Laurent: Eve Sahn Lo-RAHN

Balenciaga: Buh-LEN-see-YA-ga

Christian Lacroix: Christian la-Kwah

Christian Louboutin: Christian Loo-boo-tan

Hérmes: air-Mez

Jean Paul Gaultier: Zhahn-pole GO-tee-ay

Hervé Léger: Air-VAY Lay-JAY

Monique Lhuillier: Monique loo-lee-ay

Rodarte: ro-daredt

Thierry Mugler: tee-airy moo-glay

Nicolas Ghesquière: NEE-ko-la guess-Kee-AIR

Lanvin: lon-VAN

Cheers,
Hayley

I had high hopes for this one.

This past Tuesday, in Culver City, Ca. at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, The Hills star and famous-for-doing-nothing Lauren Conrad actually did something: she debuted her clothing line at her very first fashion show. Some bloggers loved it, and others referred to it as the "sad, bizarre world" that is the Lauren Conrad fashion line.


From the few pictures I was able to find, my response was a mere "eh, okay, that works." I am always skeptical about actors trying their hands at careers in fashion or music, or the flop, when musicians think they can act. LC is not a lady I would consider an actress, but regardless, she has reached celebrity status, which no doubt prompted this new endeavor. But from watching The Hills and seeing Conrad's great personal style, I had high hopes. She is reliable and chic, in flowing dresses, loose tanks, discrete jewelry and funky accessories. But these shots prove to me that there are two kinds of style-gifted people: those good at dressing others, and those good at dressing themselves. LC is definitely the latter.









Classic, clean, simple, oui. But the cliche Parisian accents, predictable silhouettes and almost complete lack of color pushed this show firmly into the "mediocre" category. It's not that I wouldn't wear the black-and-ivory, fluttery dress above (I would, without the gratuitous bow), but from a young lady in Hollywood who is enrolled in fashion school, I expected more chances to be taken and boundaries to be pushed.

There's always 2009 I suppose.

PS: Did anyone notice those last two dresses are practically identical???