Designers Over 50 Show Fall 2013 Collections

Photo by William Werber

It's Fashion Week in New York--that strange week in February when all the fashion buzz is about next fall. Spring and summer 2013 haven't even begun, but they already feel passé. Very strange, indeed. Still, I do find myself drawn to the live streaming of the runway shows for a sneak preview of what's coming up. I may even use the knowledge gained from the fall 2013 shows to shop the last of the huge 2012 fall-winter fashion sales this month. I can shop for pieces that will fit in with next fall's trends.

Today, I watched the stream of BCBGMAXAZRIA and fell head over heels in love with the designers' fall collection. I loved the long, flowing tunics worn over leather leg warmers. And I loved the layering of sweaters and jackets over the tunics. I can easily see myself spinning off on this look with my skinny jeans under long tunics. It's a look that's both fashionable and comfortable for women over 50.

LIVE STREAMING: DESIGNERS OVER 50
I don't have loads of time for viewing the runway streams, but I will make time to watch the shows by some of my favorite designers over 50.  Here's the schedule...

Feb10 at 4PM EST Live Stream of Fall 2013 Fashions by DIANE VON FURSTENBERG

Feb11 at 10 AM EST Live Stream of Fall 2013 Fashions by CAROLINA HERRERA

Feb 11, 5 PM EST Live Stream of Fall 2013 Fashions by BETSEY JOHNSON

Feb 12, 11 AM EST Live Stream of Fall 2013 Fashions by VERA WANG

Word to the wise women over 50: Runway shows are notorious for starting late. When streaming, I go to the Fashion Week site, turn the volume down low, and minimize the link. Then, I do something else online. Before the show starts, you'll hear a whole lot of chatter--people mingling and finding their seats. Then, when the show is about to begin, there will be silence, followed by music. The silence is the signal to maximize the live stream's link and prepare to view.

Enjoy!

Still Learning: Primers for Over 50 Faces

Last weekend, while cleaning out my makeup bin, I came across Tarte primer. It was part of a makeup “starter” kit I’d purchased several years ago. After turning 50, I decided it was time to get serious about makeup. (Before 50, my makeup regimen consisted of the very occasionally applied lipstick, blush and mascara.) The Tarte primer was the only product left from the starter kit. It was the only product in the kit that seemed more trouble than it was worth. Recently, I read an article about the many wonderful things primer has to offer the over 50 face. Is that true? I decided it was time to learn more. Am I the last over 50 woman on the planet who doesn't know about primer? (I wouldn’t be surprised!) If not, click “Read More” below for the scoop on primer and which ones are recommended for over 50 women. And if you're already a primer user, let me know which product works best for you.
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17 End-of-Season Cyber Sales

Editor's Note: Unfortunately, most of the "Winter Clearance" sales have ended. However, I've updated this post with sales that are ongoing in February 2013. For dated discounts or "flash sales," be sure to check the sale promotions in the left margin of Flattering50. Happy Shopping! 

Have you had enough shopping? I thought I had. But then, all these mega end-of-season sales keep popping up on my computer screen and I'm suddenly tempted to shop some more. The winter sales are a great opportunity to replenish a worn-out basic, like a trench coat, with the new one, like the Jones New York Trench Coat (Brown, Size L) (was $199, now $119 with an additional 40% off at checkout) above. Or, perhaps, you'd like to add a designer dress that was out of reach three months ago, but now has a more pleasing price tag, like the Diane von Furstenberg New Julian Two Dress (was $345.00, now $207.00) below.




In case you're planning to do a little bargain hunting, I've assembled a sampling of the current end-of-season cyber sales. While many of these sales continue through New Years Day, some of them will end before the 2013 ball drops. Click "Read More" to see the entire list of 17 End-of-Season Sales.
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15 Cyber Sales for Holiday Shoppers

Editor's Note: Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Holiday shopping has come and gone, but the sales continue. For current bargains or "flash sales," take a peek at the left-hand margin of Flattering50.

It seems like a lifetime ago that I stood at the school bus stop with my boys after the December vacation and listened to a couple of moms bemoan what a lousy job a certain mega toy store had done the first year it offered shopping online. At the time, I was awed that these mothers had tried shopping online--it seemed so high tech. Now, of course, the thought of shopping any other way on the big sales weekends--like Thanksgiving weekend---seems insane. I much rather shop on the couch in my pajamas. Here's a rundown of some of the sales this weekend as well as a few holiday gift ideas, like the Fownes Cashmere Lined Leather Glove (was $75, now $49.99)...


Ann Taylor ~ 








Anne Klein ~ 


Brooks Brothers ~ 


Hessnatur - 

Jones New York -




Land's End ~ 

Loehmann's ~

LOFT ~

Max Studio ~  

Michael Stars ~  

Nina Shoes ~ 


Nine West ~


Old Navy ~ 


Pure Collection ~




Shabby Apple - 


Shopbop ~ 




Soft Surroundings ~


SwimSuitsForAll ~ 


Happy Shopping!!

Fashion Over 50: At Last, A Designer for Us!

Marla Wynne Ginsberg, 56, is living the dream of many over 50 women. After a successful career as a television producer, she’s embarked on a new adventure as a fashion designer. I’m a huge fan of any woman over 50 who reinvents herself. But what makes Marla's reinvention so exciting is she’s chosen to design clothing for us—women over 50!

On the MarlaWynne site, the designer tells us her clothing is easy care, easy wear and easy elegance. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it? Recently, I had a chance to chat with Marla. She’d just completed a successful runway show in New York City and was gearing up for three shows on the Home Shopping Network (HSN) at the end of October. I asked her about her latest collection and her design philosophy. Naturally, I couldn’t wait to share all with Flattering50 readers.

Click “read more” below to learn more about Marla (that's her above)  and her designs.
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Off the Runway: Fall Fashions on "Real Women"

While we mortals peruse the latest fall fashions in women's magazines and local newspapers, those in the industry have gathered in New York City for Fashion Week, the week in early September when designers unveil their spring collections. If you aren't busy enough, you can watch pretzel stick girls teeter in 8" heels on the runways via live streaming at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week site. Or...for something a little more down to earth and realistic, I'm posting a short video clip (below) from Wall London. The video features fall outfits on women who look like, well, women.

Wall London is a “grown up” label in Great Britain, according to Jodie Nel, a spokesperson for the clothier. The YouTube video features two women--Judith Balcazar, Wall's Director of Design, and Veronique Henderson, Director of Colour Me Beautiful. "Despite having very different body shapes, both women look elegant and sophisticated and show how real women can wear Wall," noted Nel in a recent email. Take a peek. I wish there wasn't quite so much black, but I think the styles are great--nice lines and very comfortable-looking fabrics. I’m loving the dresses over narrow slacks with oxfords or leather booties.




To see more lovely Wall fashions, visit the clothier's website. Or if you're lucky enough to be traveling to London, the Wall has a boutique in Notting Hill.

Huff Post Heralds Fashion Blogs for Over 50s

Well, I couldn't be more tickled. This week, Huffington Post's Post 50 column ran a post entitled Fashion Over 50: 11 Fashion And Beauty Blogs By And For Stylish Post 50s. And guess what?!? Flattering50 was mentioned! I'm honored to be included in the list, which includes a bunch of great blogs, including Not Dead Yet and Chic At Any Age. If you're looking for blogs for us, take a peek at the list. Cheers!

Over 60 Models: Fashion's "New Faces"

Well, a few of the "new faces" in fashion are over 60 years old. And the media is all agog about it. The latest clothiers to dip their toes in the “real people as models” practice are the French designer Lanvin and American Apparel. Clearly, the “real people as models” strategy is embraced because it draws media attention and not because it’s the right thing to do. Still, I see these ad campaigns as a tiny step towards getting society to wake up to the beauty found in all ages, all sizes and so forth. And a step forward is better than stagnating in a world where only skinny 14-year-old girls are considered beautiful enough to be photographed. Ugh! Click “read more” below for links with examples from these campaigns and others.
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Fashion Over 50: Romney Style

Where do your wardrobe ideas come from? Clearly, most fashion magazines aren’t geared to the over 50 fashion-minded, though they try with their “Fashion at Any Age” issues once a year. If you live in or near a densely populated area—say New York City—you can get lots of ideas just looking around you. I'm often inspired by street fashion. But I also get plenty of fashion ideas from the over 50 women I see on television or in photos in the newspaper and non-fashion magazines.

Lately, the media has seized upon what Ann Romney, 63, is wearing on the campaign trail. Unlike Michelle Obama, who uses a style consultant, Ann Romney reportedly dresses herself. I can’t say I love everything I've seen Ann wear. (That $1000 bird T-shirt was not my taste.) But I do love the fact that many of her outfits are unstuffy, yet age-appropriate. She looks great when she mixes simple color-coordinated prints or wears a bright-colored wrap dress. But see for yourself at the Ann Romney fashion slideshow on the New York Times website. I'm looking forward to checking out her fashion choices between now and November. For more slide shows of Ann's fashion, click "Read More"
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Eco-Fashion and Beauty: What's New?

The celebration of our earth is actually a month-long event. I recently went online to see what others are doing to honor and protect our precious planet. This post includes a few sighting. Also, I’ve updated a blog I wrote last April, entitled Eco-Fashions: It's Getting Easier to be Green, which gives links to a bunch of eco-friendly clothing companies. But for news on Earth Month 2012, read on…
Read more »

Web stops: TDF Dresses, Stylish 50+, more

I love to lounge. I know people who are constantly on the run, but not me. I need time to kick back, recharge. My favorite lounge time activities are reading a book or magazine, exploring the web, or maybe, watching a movie. Before heading out for a Super Bowl party (Yeah, Giants!) on Sunday, I had time for a little lounging plus web exploring. Here are three web stops I made. It’s a rather eclectic trio, meant to awe, inspire and make you laugh out loud…

DECADES OF DRESSES
It’s hard to think of fashion as art when I’m throwing on jeans and a T-shirt to do yard work. But I have to admit I feel a sense of awe when I see a woman in a wonderful outfit (either beautifully made or creatively styled or both) that is very close to the awe I feel when gazing at, say, an artwork by Cézanne. For this reason, I love the annual exhibits at the Costume Institute at the Met (this year Prada!) as well as the exhibits at the Fashion Institute of Technology, one the Big Apple’s secret treasures. If you love to look at beautiful clothes as much as I do, take a peek at OMG that dress!. This "blog for fashion and history” posts the most beautiful dresses from different periods in history, one more lovely than the next. I’ve bookmarked the page. When I’m looking for a quick fix of creative inspiration, I click on and drool. Enjoy!


STYLISH STORYTELLER
Blogger Jonathan Daniel Pryce recently wrote about Varda Ducovny, an author and psychologist of a certain age living in Paris. In Superior Interior, Behind the Street Style: Varda Ducovny, on the blog AnotherGarcon, Mr. Pryce says he admires Ms. Ducovny’s sense of style as well as her wonderful gift for storytelling. His post offers a lovely portrait--told with words, photographs and even a short video (see below)--of Ms. Ducovny. He also shares some of her stories. I see a lot written about older women becoming invisible to society. But, perhaps, we’re only invisible to those who walk around with dulled sensibilities, their noses buried in their digital devices. If so, why should we care? Bravo to Jonathan for noticing and celebrating a woman with spirit and great stories!





PARKING ETIQUETTE
And now for something not so high-minded...Do you have a Whole Foods supermarket in your area? If so, does it “get real” in the parking lot? Maybe you have to live in West LA or metro NY, but this video made my girlfriends and me howl.




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