Fashion and Beauty

Check out my article on Gwen Stefani's L.A.M.B. Spring/Summer 2008 Fashion Collection. This was one of her first efforts as a designer, and she really got a lot of respect for her collection, which is fairly unusual in the music world. While it seems like every actress is coming out with a shoe line or perfume line, and some are trying to pull off a whole fashion line, Stefani is one of the few that actually manages it.

I HATE this top. Gwennie, baby, use the good lace next time. Please?

Despite the use of cheap fabrics, the zippers are innovative. One main zipper down the front, which is unusual enough. Two zippers on the side that open to reveal tummy.

It's horribly inappropriate to actually wear. But it totally works on the runway. (Well, at least with different fabric, it would.)

What, in the name of everything holy, is this weird crap?! A unitard??? With a button up shirt/tie combo underneath?!?! No, no, no. That is NOT RIGHT!

What a very retro sort of look. Overall it's not bad. It's got a bit of an Alexander McQueen sort of look to it. That ruffle is totally his style. But this does a good job of bringing it down to a wearable style. I mean, although I adore him, McQueen is a bit out there.

This is so wild and out there, that I can't imagine what she was thinking. But on a second glance, it's so amazingly beautiful. The black and white is just amazing. Sure, it's a little too unusual for everyday wear, but on the runway, it's amazing.

Oh, what a mess! You've got plaid in the jacket, zigzag in the vest, pinstripe in the shorts, and a pattern on the bag. Seriously, the only thing missing from this is a polka dot hat!

It's not that any of the pieces are awful. They are really good in fact. They have just been paired together so poorly that it's a complete disaster.

This isn't as pretty as it is well done. The grey strips are sewn so that they open up, revealing the white underneath when you walk. And this is done better than almost any other dress I've seen that works this way. The only part I have a problem with is the bust. Sadly, there's just no way to make that uniform looking. It is going to open up some at the bust, and that always destroys the look. Still, all in all, not bad at all.

One other small complaint- I'd change the color. The grey is so boring here.