Spring fashion is already buzzing and we’ve barely entered the new year. What may seem at first glance to provide nothing for the normal shopper, a closer examination reveals that there are in fact some pieces that are practical for everyday wear, and will show off the everyday woman - not just the 6′ plus super model. Beauty Launchpad magazine has a feature article that rounds up this year’s spring fashion. Here’s a snippet of the article by Karie L. Frost:

The overall tone for spring seemed to lack cohesiveness, with some designers teleporting fashion far into the future and others waxing nostalgic for retro ’60s inspiration. Overly frilly frocks took a backseat to gauzy, transparent confections minimal in embellishment, yet heavy in innovative construction. And while waistlines moved up, up and away, hemlines did the same, leaving miles and miles of bare gams. Did designers have everyday women in mind when creating paper-bag waists, trapeze silhouettes and hot pants that practically double as knickers? Perhaps not, but among the styles sent down spring runways, plenty of wearable garments abounded, and with tons of trends to choose from, you’re sure to find your look for spring.

For the full article, click here.

”There are plenty of ways to stay gorgeous when it’s freezing outside and you feel like your nose is turning bright red… It’s time for lots of tinted moisturisers and light foundations with peach blushes over them. Coloured lip glosses are really in fashion, too, this winter. Then chocolate browns and dove greys are in, with pearlised, pinky eye shadows. It’s all very glamorous but in a very natural, sexy way.”

Calling all Stylists!

The Emmy-winning producers of THE OFFICE, BLOW OUT and THE BIGGEST LOSER are excited to announce their new show, TOP HAIR!

Bravo is going to give a group of talented hairstylists the opportunity to show America their talent and creativity! Do you have what it takes to become a star of the hairstyling world and compete to become the next top hairstylist?

Bravo is looking for licensed stylists—you don’t need years of experience, but you do need to be creative, highly skilled and ready to compete.

In order to be eligible, you:

• must be 21 years of age or older as of January 1, 2007
• must be a legal resident of the U.S.
• must have a current and valid U.S. license to cut, color and style hair
• cannot be, nor can anyone in your household be, an employee of Reveille, NBC, Bravo or their affiliates.

To apply, visit www.bravotv.com/Casting/ to download and complete the application, then either submit a video profile or attend an open call. Instructions on how to submit a video profile are on the bravotv.com website.

DEADLINE: Completed applications and videotapes must be received by November 20, 2006 at 12:00 PM EST to be considered. Applications will be considered only if they are complete. Completed applications consist of the following:

• Completed and signed Application Form.
• Completed and signed Certification of Veracity.
• One separate photo of yourself.
• BEFORE and AFTER images of your work.
• Your up to five-minute videotape clearly labeled with your name, address, and phone number.

Please do not include anything except the five items listed above. If Bravo likes your application and videotape, they may ask you to attend an interview during November in one of the following cities: Dallas, New York, Chicago, Miami or Los Angeles.

OPEN CALLS

VERY IMPORTANT: If you plan on attending an open call you MUST bring:

• Completed and signed Application Form.
• One separate photo of yourself.
• BEFORE and AFTER images of your work.
• Your resume.

NEW YORK
OPEN CALL: Sun. Oct. 29th / 12pm to 4pm
TIGI Academy
673 Madison Ave.
Corner of 61st (Second Floor)
New York, NY 10021

DALLAS
OPEN CALL: Sun. Oct. 29th / 10am to 4pm
Dallas Convention Center (Dallas Hair Show)
650 S. Griffin St.
Dallas, TX 75202
(Booth in the Registration Area)

MIAMI
OPEN CALL: Sun. Nov. 5th / 12pm to 4pm
The Sanctuary Hotel at The Rooftop
1745 James Avenue
Miami, FL 33139

OPEN CALL: Tue. Nov. 7th / 6pm to 10pm
Ola Steak and Tapas
320 San Lorenzo Ave
Village of Merrick Park Coral Gables, FL 33146

CHICAGO
OPEN CALL: Sun. Nov. 12th / 10am to 12pm or 1pm to 4pm
Mario Tricoci Hair Salon and Day Spa
900 N. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611

LOS ANGELES
OPEN CALL: Sun. Nov. 12th / 12pm to 4pm
LOCATION: TBD

We’re all pretty much used to the idea of having October as the month for Breast Cancer Awareness. That’s all fine and dandy, but consumers with heart are going to have to either pick sides or divide their spending among another worthy cause. Project (RED) is the brainchild of U2 lead singer Bono and Bobby Shriver, Chairman of DATA, to raise money and awareness to help women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

“What’s the meaning of the parentheses or brackets? Well, we call them “the embrace.” Each company that becomes (RED) places its logo in this embrace and is then elevated to the power of red. Thus the name — (PRODUCT)^RED.”

The group has teamed up with some of the most iconic and brand worthy companies on the planet (GAP, Armani, Motorola, AOL, AMEX, to name a few) with a percentage of each purchase going to The Global Fund.

We’ve discussed in other posts, the precarious line these businesses walk as they use charity to compete for consumer dollars. But, at the end of the day, if this is what it’s going to take to kick start micro-philanthropy via a new pair of jeans, or a dinner out charged to my (RED) AMEX, then so be it. Our only fear is that consumers will cease to be involved beyond the purchase.

The New York Times released yesterday their fall 2006 beauty issue of the New York Times Magazine. The issue is jam packed with stories not typically found within the pages of a “style” or “hair” magazine.

An interview with Evan Rachel Wood reveals the actress’s long history in glamorous roles and how she deals with celebrity off the red carpet. Another article examines spas and their architectural intent to help heal, while yet another article goes behind the scenes to uncover the fragrance industry’s “dirty little secret.”

And of course, we can’t forget to include the short list of hair and beauty “must have’s” included within the pages. We’re happy to report, that most of these items aren’t just intended for use by socialites and Manhattan’s uppercrust teenagers. Lipsticks, several bars of soap, and a silk number, all made the list.

There’s a lot more than Donna Bella Milan has listed in this article, so surf on over and check it out for yourself.

The Campaign For Real Beauty is sponsored by Dove and is working to promote healthy self image in young women.

Via GUY TREBAY of the New York Times
WHEN business gets more interesting than art, smart artists go into business. That, anyway, was how Andy Warhol saw things. And if the talking heads in Ken Burns’s new documentary on him are to be believed, Warhol was not just the single most important creative talent of the late 20th century but among its cannier social analysts.

Of course, Warhol was neither alone nor even first among his contemporaries to play coy games with commerce. Early in 1961, at about the time Warhol was piecing together the first moves in his grand career strategy, a reporter asked Yves Klein, a founder of the Neo-Realist movement, what he would do if offered a job as head of General Motors.

“Would you give up art?”

“Why not?” Klein replied. “It’s a good job.”

Klein’s quote is printed on a wall at the entrance to a retrospective of his work at the Pompidou Center. And it would seem to have a lot of relevance for those who spend their time critiquing the fine and applied arts.

Lately the boundaries between creative forms and commercial forces have all but vanished. And this fact, much more persuasive than any of the notional drivel being spouted about the so-called future of fashion, is the indicator to watch.

(more…)

Welcome to the Donna Bella Milan Hair and Beauty Blog! We’ll be working hard over the coming months to bring you the latest in hair and beauty related trends as well as provide you with up to the minute news and information on our own line of products. At Donna Bella Milan, we do our absolute best to provide our clients and customers with the best in Remy quality 100% natural human hair for use in hair extensions and human hair wigs. We take pride in our Hair Extension products, and work tirelessly so that our clients can too.

After you’ve perused the blog for the latest in hair and beauty trends, tips, tricks, and gossip, mosey on over to our shop and see what products might best help you in your next hair adventure!

Thanks for stopping by -

The Donna Bella Milan Team