Google and Fashion?


November 30th, 2010 | Fashion News, General | No Comments

Google + Fashion = Boutique.com

What?!  Yes, that’s right.  Google has recently launched a new fashion website called Boutiques.com.  Unlike eBay or other fashion retailers, Boutique.com is not an e-commerce site but a place for retailers, designers, celebrities, and bloggers to connect with fashionistas around the world.  It is a fashion search site and community where members can check out and follow your favorite fashion styles.  Boutique.com is very similar to Polyvore and Shopstyle in terms of functionality and style.  It is Google’s attempt to dominate the online fashion world.

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My personal Boutique.com page.  You can also upload your own personal pictures too, which I have yet to do myself.

After learning the launch of this site from WWD, I am eager to find out what it is all about and to share with you if it’s worth your time to use this site.   When you first sign up, it prompted a short quiz to find out your personal style, and it’d show you a series of pictures for you to pick.  Don’t worry.   It’s not an IQ test and it is actually fun to do.  After you finished the quiz, it will evaluate your responses and tell you what your personal style is.  You are now part of the Boutique community where you can make friends with other online fashionistas like you and me or search by trend, designers, retailers and even celebrities who have created accounts.  My favorites are Carey Mulligan and Nicole Richie.

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How about follow your favorite celebrities and see their styles?

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If you follow your favorite designers, you can see their current products and find the retailers that sell them.

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Do you want to know the current trends?  Try exploring the site by trends and see the latest and greatest.

Because one of the purposes of Boutique.com is to promote retailers and hopefully purchases, the site makes it very easy for you to purchase the products that you love and will recommend similar products.  You can also save your favorites and share them with friends.

Overall, I would say that it’s a good styling resource for fashionistas everywhere to find great fashion pieces from a wide variety of designer brands and retailers, get inspiration, and learn how to style outfits together to get the look that you want.  In my opinion, the site is not as dynamic as, say, Polyvore but it is a great start for Google to get into fashion.  Google is also working on integrating YouTube and Google search to the site as well.  I’m curious how Boutique.com will evolve in the future.  Try it out and see what you think of it!  Do you think it is useful for you?


Artist Collaboration Photo Shoot Sneak Peek


November 19th, 2010 | Photo Shoot | No Comments

On November 29, 2010 I was invited to collaborate with some fabulous local vendors for a photo shoot with some of the dress from the  ju.Lee Collection.  This photo shoot was inspired by artworks created by a local artist named Lacey Bryant.  This was definitely my first time doing a photo shoot with an artist!

We had so much fun that day.  Lacey created some exclusive artworks for the shoot.  I was only able to capture a few images that day so I can sure with you right now.  Here is a sneak peek before the final images are released later.  Enjoy!

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This is our inspiration board for the shoot.

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Left:  Original artwork by Lacey Bryant.  Right:  Our take on the painting with the “Miami” dress in buttermilk color.  Lacey painted the medallion specifically for the shoot and our Jewelry Designer Suzanne Bayles created a necklace out of it!

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Lacey painted the backdrop for the shoot.  Featured here is the “New York” dress in buttermilk color. 

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Our talented hair and makeup stylist Monina Wright was prepping model Lindsey Freitas for the shoot.

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I just love the tree that Lacey created!  Featured here is the “Honolulu” dress in buttermilk.

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Model Lindsey was a human easel for the paintings.  Dress: “Honolulu” in buttermilk color. 

Thank you ladies for a fantastic partnership!

Photographer:  Lisa Whalen, Lisa Whalen Photography

Jewelry Designer:  Suzanne Bayles, Essie B Jewelry

Artist:  Lacy Bryant

Hair and Makeup Stylist:  Monina Wright, Natural Images

Florist:  Monica Kau, Signature Bloom

Coordinator:  Sophie Lai, Simply Perfect – It’s Your Day

Model:  Lindsey Freitas, BellaLu Photography