Archive for June, 2009
Designer Fashion 4 Less – Alexander Wang Fall 2009 One Shoulder Mesh Dress
I didn’t like too many pieces from Alexander Wang’s Fall 2009 collection, but the white dress below with its sexy asymmetrical details and the mesh sleeve definitely belongs to my favorites. The dress won’t be available for another few weeks, but there’s already a knockoff version floating around the internet.

Bebe One Shoulder Mesh Dress
If there’s one thing Bebe is particularly good in when producing knockoffs, then it’s picking up on trends before others. While their competitors are still trying to catch up on last season’s trends, Bebe is already producing knockoffs from next season. They last did that with a similar Alexander Wang LBD from the Pre-Fall 2009 collection and they did it again with yet another Alexander Wang mesh dress. Bebe’s knockoff version seems to be a hybrid between the Pre-Fall 2009 LBD and the dress above. The dress comes in black only and retails for affordable $49.
Bebe One Shoulder Mesh Dress
($49, Bebe)
Celebrity Look 4 Less – Cate Blanchett’s & Michelle Obama’s Emerald Green Dress
You may not remember this summery green dress on Cate Blanchett and that’s probably because she wore it 4 years ago in 2005 to the Napoli Film Festival. The moment I saw Cate in this beautiful Alexander McQueen Fall 2005 dress it made such a big impact on me that I still remember it more than 4 years later. Her look was perfection and the emerald green silk dress looked divine against Cate’s fair complexion.
Everyone’s favorite First Lady, Michelle Obama, wore a similar dress when she presented the Gershwin Award for Lifetime Achievement which was given to Stevie Wonder. Mrs O’s emerald green dress was by Kai Milla, Stevie Wonder’s wife who also happens to be a designer, and I was mesmerized by Michelle’s elegant, chic look. It’s so refreshing to see some ladies in the authority world being brave enough to step outside the neutral color palette and wear a bold color.

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AK Anne Klein Empire Waist Dress
When I saw this empire waist dress by Anne Klein I was instantly reminded of these two looks above. The dress is a great look 4 less alternative and priced at $139 it’s also relatively affordable for a formal event like a wedding or cocktail party.
AK Anne Klein Empire Waist Dress
($139, Anne Klein)
P.S.: The same emerald green Anne Klein dress is also available at Nordstrom.
Designer Fashion 4 Less – Rodarte Spring 2009 Shredded Dress
I never thought Rodarte would at one point become so commercially successful that mainstream retailers such as Bebe would do knockoffs of their creations. I guess I was wrong.

Bebe Silk Shred Party Dress
Their Rodarte knockoff dress might not be a steal at $229, but I’m pretty sure it’s the closest most of us will ever come to the original because a) their creations are pretty exclusive (also in aspect of the price) and b) Rodarte isn’t quite a household name in the upscale retail industry yet. So grab your chance while you can!
Bebe Silk Shred Party Dress
($229, Bebe)
In Ashanti’s Closet – Rebecca Taylor Summer Party Dress
Ashanti attended an event in NYC a few days ago looking super cute in a flirty, baby blue Rebecca Taylor spaghetti strap silk dress which she accessorized with silver Mary-Jane pumps. I really love this dress on Ashanti, it’s perfect for a hot summer day. The way she styled it is really cute and feminine.

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| Who? | Ashanti |
| Where? | Century 21 Path to Your Dreams Sweepstakes Winner |
| When? | June 22, 2009 |
| What? | Rebecca Taylor Summer Party Dress |
Rebecca Taylor Summer Party Dress

Rebecca Taylor Summer Party Dress
($450, Shopbop)
P.S.: NET-A-PORTER has the same dress in a beautiful red color.
Designer Fashion 4 Less – Hervé Léger Spring 2008 White Bandage Dress
I remember the time when I first discovered the Hervé Léger brand. That was back in 2007 when the bandage dresses weren’t so overexposed on the red carpet. I was so smitten with the whole Spring 2008 collection, I used to browse the Hervé Léger website for hours just staring at all the beautiful dresses which looked like they’ve been sprayed on the model’s impeccable body.
The white dress below used to be my absolute favorite. The crisp white color and the hourglass shape made it simply irresistible.

Hervé Léger Spring 2008 White Bandage Dress
($1500-$2000, SOLD OUT)
BB Dakota "The Rebel Dress"
This knockoff dress by BB Dakota may be only available in black and pistachio, but the straps as well as the bandage detailing are the same as on the original Hervé Léger dress. The “Rebel” dress retails for $65 and if you enter coupon code TASH09 at the checkout, you’ll receive 15% OFF your entire order.
BB Dakota "The Rebel Dress"
($65, Karmaloop)
Lipsy Strap Detail Body-Con Dress
European Hervé Léger aficionados can also grab their own bandage dress 4 less. Lipsy has a very similar to the one above which retails for £65 (~$107) and comes in either lavender (pictured) or coral.
Lipsy Strap Detail Body-Con Dress
(£65, Lipsy)
In Zoe Saldana’s Closet – Giambattista Valli Drape Front Knitted Dress
Back in April when the lovely Zoe Saldana was busy promoting the new Star Trek movie, she attended the Paris photocall looking very chic and elegant in a grey Giambattista Valli knitted dress which she paired with gorgeous Fendi platform heels. Such a great look for the understated fashionista!

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| Who? | Zoe Saldana |
| Where? | “Star Trek” Photocall in Paris, France |
| When? | April 14, 2009 |
| What? | Giambattista Valli grey dress, Fendi platform pumps |
Giambattista Valli Drape Front Knitted Dress
Giambattista Valli Drape Front Knitted Dress
($1.567, Browns Fashion)
Designer Fashion 4 Less – L.A.M.B. Tammy Woven Stiletto Pumps
Gwen Stefani’s L.A.M.B. design team can be often held liable for a lot of my shoe obsessions. Look at the “Tammy” bootie pumps for example. They are so neat and fancy. The criss cross detail I like as well as the sexy zipper in the back and the stiletto heel will make my legs look a mile long. However, the price is a real turn-off.
L.A.M.B. Tammy Woven Stiletto Pumps
($351.45, Endless)
Also available at Heels , Zappos
and Chickdowntown
.
Chinese Laundry “Love Me” Woven Heels
If you don’t want to spend $350+ on shoes, how about these Tammy knockoffs by Chinese Laundry? They retail for less than a third of the original’s price and come in either black, cognac or natural (my preferred color!).
Chinese Laundry “Love Me” Woven Heels
($86.25, Zappos)
Also available at: LoveMyShoes, Heels, Dillards
, Shoes, Endless
, Chinese Laundry, & FlyJane
Qupid Affair-19 Woven Bootie Pumps
These L.A.M.B. knockoffs by Qupid are my favorite in terms of price (on sale for 50% OFF!) and look (come closest to the originals). As you can see these bootie pumps are available in 3 different colors: black, white and brown.
Qupid Affair-19 Woven Bootie Pumps
($44.98, LoveMyShoes)
Charlotte Russe Woven Strappy Stilettos
If you want to save even further, these woven stilettos by Charlotte Russe might fit your bill. They retail for $39.99 and come in either black or brown.
Charlotte Russe Woven Strappy Stilettos
($39.99, Charlotte Russe)
Real vs. Steal – L.A.M.B. Rasta Open Toe Cutout Booties
UPDATE: This post has been updated on July 31, 2009. Scroll down to see the new knockoff.
First things first: I’m so sorry for not having posted over the weekend, but I’ve been out of town for the weekend because of my cousin’s wedding, so that’s my lame excuse, OK? Anyway, I am desperately looking for the perfect hybrid between a sandal and an ankle bootie to wear on chilly summer nights. The “Rasta” cutout bootie/sandal by L.A.M.B. looks promising, but the $350 price is quite a turn-off.
L.A.M.B. Rasta Open Toe Cutout Booties
($266, DJPremium)
P.S.: Also available at Endless.
Steve Madden “PERSIS” Open Toe Booties
You can always count on Steve Madden to deliver some great L.A.M.B. knockoffs just like this one. The heels is slightly different, but everything else looks pretty much the same.
Steve Madden “PERSIS” Open Toe Booties
(84.98, Steve Madden)
Bebe Adele Snake Trimmed Bootie
UPDATE (07/31/2009): Found another great and affordable L.A.M.B. look-a-like by Bebe.
Bebe’s “Adele” bootie is not as spot-on as the Steve Madden version, but you can still see where they draw their inspiration from. I much prefer the heel of this knockoff version though, so grab them while you can.
Bebe Adele Snake Trimmed Bootie
($159, Bebe)
Celebrity Look 4 Less – Anne Hathaway in Gianfranco Ferré
Back in January at VH1’s 14th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards, Anne Hathaway was a total knockout in a monochrome Gianfranco Ferré strapless dress. Anne channelled her inner Cruella de Vil and totally pulled it off being one of the best dressed celebrities at this event.

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| Who? | Anne Hathaway |
|---|---|
| Where? | VH1’s 14th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards, Santa Monica |
| When? | January 8, 2009 |
| What? | Gianfranco Ferré Spring 2009 two-tone dress |
Alice + Olivia Colorblock Fan Dress
This dress by Alice + Olivia isn’t a blatant copy, but it’s certainly inspired by Gianfranco Ferré. Their interpretation of the dress has been mainstreamed and it’s rather suited for a night out in town than say for a red carpet event, but this is not automatically a bad thing since most of us mortals aren’t flaunting the red carpet too often anyway, right?
Alice + Olivia Colorblock Fan Dress
($367, Shopbop)
The dress is also available at Chickdowntown, Bloomingdale’s
and The Hip Chick.


















In Leighton Meester’s Closet – Alice + Olivia Terry Halter Dress
Leighton Meester was photographed yesterday on the Gossip Girl set looking absolutely adorable in a floral Alice + Olivia halter dress which was quintessentially Blair Waldorf’s style. What a beautiful dress for a hot summer day!
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Alice + Olivia Terry Halter Dress
Alice + Olivia Terry Halter Dress
($308, Shopbop)
P.S.: Bloomingdale’s
and Chickdowntown
have the same dress in a few limited sizes as well.