Monthly Archive for January, 2010

Joy Han + Celebrities = Yummy

With the new arrivals of Joy Han’s winter and spring collection, it was hard not to give this post an extremely cheesy title. Some runners up: “Han-lelujah!” ”Jump for Joy!” and ”Holy Han!”

For the sake of our readership’s sanity, we chose to stick with a logical formula. What do you get when you cross one of LA’s favorite new designers with Hollywood’s best and brightest (and Paris Hilton)? That’s right: delicious ready-to-wear cocktail dresses in all colors of the rainbow.

There are a ton of options available at bevello (and even more from the Han herself), but here are some of the most popular choices among celebrities. Anyone want to play the “Who Wore It Best?” game?

Kimmy K in The Chic Dress by Voom

Kimmy K in The Chic Dress by Voom

Item A: The Chic Dress by Voom

Who wore it best? Well, she’s the only one we can find in it, other than our gorgeous customers.

Honestly? Kim Kardashian looks good in everything, so I wasn’t surprised she rocked it. What did throw me for a loop was that this dress is just like the jeans in SOTTP, it fits everyone and genuinely looks good on every size. It also pairs well with any color heels (some fun purple ones would be a cool look) and is comfortable enough to dance in.

Worth the $245 bevello price tag? I believe so, madame.

Item B: The Sandra Bubble Dress by Voom

Paris Hilton in the Sandra Bubble Dress
Paris Hilton in the Sandra Bubble Dress
Deja Kreutzberg in The Sandra Bubble Dress
Deja Kreutzberg in The Sandra Bubble Dress

Who wore it best? Ugh. I hate to say it, but Paris was looking tres chic and about 40 feet tall in this number, affectionately dubbed “The Sprite Can Dress” by one observant boyfriend at bevello. Love the tights, P. In case you were curious, Deja Kreutzberg is the other person wearing the dress. In case you have no idea who Deja Kreutzberg is (we didn’t either), she was in Sorority Row… which may be why you have no idea who she is.

My only issue with both of these ladies is that they wore their hair down. With a dress like that (the back laces up like a corset and there’s a killer silver sash), I’d like to see a slick ponytail or a simple updo.

P.S. This dress has pockets. OMG.

Item C: The Most Popular Dress in Hollywood…The Gwen Babydoll Dress

Jennifer Stone in the Gwen Babydoll Dress
Jennifer Stone in the Gwen Babydoll Dress
Stephanie Pratt in The Gwen Babydoll Dress
Stephanie Pratt in The Gwen Babydoll Dress

Lea Michele (Glee) in The Gwen Babydoll Dress

Lea Michele (Glee) in The Gwen Babydoll Dress

Who wore it best?

This is a tough one. Kay Panabaker is eliminated for poor posture in this picture (for shame!) and Jennifer Stone is eliminated for the shoes (too many stripes). Stephanie and Lea are both doing two things right. First, they both have killer, sculpted Michelle Obama arms that are highlighted by the woven rope straps. Second, they both have simple, tall heels. I like Panabaker’s idea of flats with this dress (it feels casual enough), but a babydoll style like this does wonders for lengthening one’s legs when paired with a good heel.

N.B. This dress also comes with bright purple, Cheshire cat-esque stripes which give the dress a whole new, flirtier look. Valentine’s Day, anyone?

Ladies of bevello: Meet Jaci!

It’s that time again…meet another member of the Winston-Salem team: Jaci (pronounced like “Jackie”). Jaci comes to bevello from the booming metropolis that is Clemmons, North Carolina, and most recently from the journalism school at Elon University. She’s a sweet girl, but don’t let her see you slouching!

Jaci Gentile, y'all

Jaci Gentile, y'all

What drew you to bevello (why did you want to work for us)? 

I loved the small company mentality and that I would be able to be involved in all aspects of the business (social media, planning events, etc.), not just standing behind a counter selling clothes. The fact that I love the merchandise that I’m surrounded by everyday didn’t hurt either!

Other than work/shop/play at bevello, what else do you do? 

I’m a huge bookworm… I’ll read anything from Shakespeare to online blogs to the back of the cereal box. Right now I’m interning at John F. Blair Publisher, a small independent book publishing company here in Winston, where I get to read manuscripts all day and then send out rejection letters. I also love writing (I’ve kept a journal since I was 6 years old), making lists (mainly just crossing things off them), and pretending I’m a contestant on So You Think You Can Dance in my bedroom.

Describe your personal style.   

For me, clothes are all about comfort. I’m obsessed with anything silk, cashmere,  or soft cotton. I like slouchy sweaters and flowy tunics with skinny jeans during the day. When it comes to shoes, though, I adhere to the saying “beauty is pain”… my feet are going to hate me in a few years, but right now it’s worth it to be able to squeeze my poor feet into those blister-inducing 4 inch heels.

Jaci by Natalie

Jaci by Natalie

What is your favorite trend right now? What do you see being big for spring? 

Right now, as North Carolina temperatures dip to their lowest levels of the winter, I don’t think I could live without a few cute, colorful scarves. They never go out of style and dress up even the plainest basics and coats. As for spring styles, I think metallics and sequin-covered accessories will continue to be big (what girl doesn’t love to sparkle?), as well as voluminous skirts paired with body-hugging tops (leotards, anyone?).

What do you think is the worst fashion mistake a girl could make?

Having bad posture (yes, I’m going to sound like your mother for a second… deal with it). I know it’s not exactly a ‘fashion’ mistake in the what-not-to-wear sense, but have you ever seen a slouchy, slump-shouldered girl whose clothes actually appear to fit her well? Nope. By pulling back your shoulders and standing up tall, all your clothes will fall better on your body and you’ll look so much more confident. 

Jaci would totally wear this discrete outfit if it weren't for the posture...

Jaci would totally wear this discrete outfit if it weren't for the posture...

 

What is the fashion staple every girl should have in her closet? 

A thin, cotton layering tee… it can go under everything from jackets to sweaters, is appropriate for all ages and is never outdated.

Jaci's 5 year plan?

Jaci's 5 year plan?

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I’ve always wanted to have a column where I could write about whatever popped into my head that day with minimal editorial input (now that I think about it, I think nowadays that job title is ‘blogger’). I basically want to be Kate Hudson’s character in How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days, minus the crazy fake girlfriend behavior. But if, for some crazy-strange reason, that doesn’t work out, I’d love to write for a fashion/travel/lifestyle magazine.

Who is your celebrity fashion icon? Why?

Definitely Rachel Bilson. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her in a bad outfit. She somehow wears really basic, simple pieces and makes it look like the first time anyone’s ever paired them together. Effortlessly genius.  Plus, she’s got a bag collection that is to die for.

Rachel Bilson, Jaci's Hero

Rachel Bilson, Jaci's Hero

What is your favorite item in-store right now and why?

C. Luce’s black faux-leather jacket… it’s really edgy (which isn’t my usual style in the least bit) and has just the right amount of embellishment so that you don’t look like a tattooed motorcycle babe. Now I just gotta work up the courage to wear it with some attitude!

“Real” Beauty…?

Marie Claire Cover

Marie Claire Cover

Uhhhh…….

The February issue of Marie Claire Australia featured a nude and un-airbrushed “real woman” (Jennifer Hawkins) on it’s cover in an effort to support The Butterfly Foundation, an organization dedicated to helping Australians who have negative-body image issues and eating disorders. Well, as is the case with most nude covers , this one has caused quite a stir, especially among women.

Some of the questions and comments from readers on the cover have echoed my exact thoughts:

“How is that not airbrushed?”

“Is that Fergie?

“How will this possibly help people who don’t like their bodies?”

“Was she really the best candidate for this job?”

“What’s the big drama? I’d pose like that too, if I were her.”

“It’s actually pretty brave of her not to be airbrushed.”

“I could look like that if I had unlimited money for expensive food and a personal trainer….and money to buy more discipline.”

“This only promotes women as sex objects.”

“I wish I was a sex object.”

“I should probably put down the Baskin Robbins.”

Not all women are able to be (or should be!) Hawkin’s size, and I do wish there had been multiple body types represented on the magazine. There’s some magazine that consistently features three women in their 20s, 30s and 40s…does anyone know what it is? They have the right idea. Different beauty, all appreciated, not as much of a standard mold.

My final consensus? It’s a waste of time to agonize over the cover, just like it’s a waste of time to agonize over being J. Hawkin’s exact BMI. Sure, it’s easy to jealous-hate-on someone who is gorgeous without airbrushing (like I did for the first 20 minutes after seeing the cover), but in the end it isn’t worth the energy that you could have been putting into work, cooking, volunteering, reading, learning Italian or oh, I don’t know, do something healthy.

Related: the Self cover scandal with Kelly Clarkson. The blog by Jezebel does a good job of honestly discussing the situation and quoting from both sides. They’re clearly disagreeing with Self , but give plenty of reason why. Article One talks about the cover and Article Two talks about Self’s response. Interesting!

Ladies of bevello: Meet Sarah!

Ladies (and the precious few gentlemen that bother with our blog), we’d like you to meet Sarah, the once-lone blonde at bevello Winston-Salem (she’s recently dyed and gone to the dark side)! Let’s see what the NCSU grad has to say about bevello, style and every woman’s “must-haves.” Warning: she describes herself as ” very concise.”
Sarah

Sarah, looking precious as usual

Q: What drew you to bevello? (why did you want to work for us)? 

I loved bevello’s unique, everyday clothing, and the fun, friendly atmosphere. Bevello’s philosophy on customer service also attracted me…do unto others as you would have them do unto you!

Q: Other than work/shop/play at bevello, what else do you do?  

I work at Graylyn as a waitress and also as an event planning intern. I also enjoy reading in my free time. 

Describe your personal style.  

I think my style is fairly low-key and casual, or shabby chic. I like wearing dresses and cute boots when I go out.

What is your favorite trend right now? What do you see being big for spring? 

I see soft and flowy skirts and dresses with girly prints will be big for Spring 2010.  

Sarah by Polyvore

What do you think is the worst fashion mistake a girl could make? 

 I think the worst mistake is having a run in your pantyhose. I also really can’t stand really (almost white) light-washed jeans. Gross. 

Sarah would NOT approve...

Sarah would NOT approve...

What is the fashion staple every girl should have in her closet?  

Definitely a simple, well-fitting, black t-shirt. 

Banana Republic Short-sleeve luxe tee, $35

Banana Republic Short-sleeve luxe tee, $35

What do you want to be when you grow up? 

I’d like to be an Interior Decorator or a banker. 

Who is your celebrity fashion icon? Why?  

Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Aniston. I love their casual-chic style.

Cameron Diaz 

What is your favorite item in-store right now and why? 

I’m really loving [RYU:]’s Beige Rabbit Fur Sweater, it’s so soft and can go with anything you wear!