Interested in Michelle Obama? Follow her fashion with new phone app

For all those obsessed with Michelle Obama’s style, now’s the chance to be her ultimate stalker.

After British native Helen Barclay reached success with her website called Kate’s Style List, modeled after Kate Middleton, she decided to take a whack at a second site for the First Lady. The website also has a corresponding app for phones, leaving the option to stalk Michelle on the go wide open.

Within the past few years, Michelle has become known for her put-together, seemingly effortless wardrobe and trendy hairdo. It’s always been amazing to me that some of the past presidents’ partners-in-crime can become known for their style (ahem, Jackie Kennedy? Anyone?) As a firm believer in the power of J. Crew, I am definitely guilty of staking out visual claims on her wardrobe from time to time. I mean, how else do people gain inspiration?

Although I’ll never understand how one person could have the dedication to spend an extended amount of time stalking another person, I will definitely do my part by enjoying the website and taking in some tips.

Stay in style on rainy days

So far April has brought some major showers, but don’t fret. The StyleFile has the perfect rainy-day look for your inner campus-fashionista.

Tops
Layers are always a great look during rainy weather. Pair a loose top with a light jacket that has a little edge, like this cargo jacket with leather sleeves, and you’re good to go.

Bottoms
I’m all about colored jeans. They work for any season and, almost, every occasion. These electric blue skinnys work just as well with this rainy day outfit as they would with a sheer top and stripy sandals on a hot date, just saying.

Shoes
Be realistic. It’s raining and you have to walk 20 minutes across campus. Take off those UGGs, take off those toms and please, don’t even think about grabbing your new “clubbin’ heels.” These faux patent leather boots will keep your feet warm, dry and looking fresh while you spas about your day.

Accessories
Rain or shine, fun jewelry is the best way to brighten any day. Though this look could work with an awesome statement necklace from J. Crew or any DIY creation, gold is always a safe way to go. Feel free to layer up on the chains, throwing in charms or jewels to your interest, because unlike shoes, jewelry and weather are mutually exclusive.

Kate Spade introducing new clothing line

Look out, 20-to-35 year olds, Kate Spade has a brand just for you.

Kate Spade continues to expand its retail empire with the addition of its new brand, Kate Spade Saturday.

The new brand features clothing, shoes, accessories and home decor items aimed at a younger customer than the highly successful Kate Spade New York line, yet the same chicness at a lower price.

Though Saturday’s clean shapes and bright colors are sure to attract customers, Kyle Andrew, senior vice president of Kate Spade New York, told Forbes.com the company is relying on Web-based marketing to attracted a younger demographic.

The company plans to open Saturday stores in the U.S. and Brazil within the next year, but until then, the line is available online at saturday.com.

Dresses

Tops

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Spring trends hit MSU

Finally, after months of hail, sleet, snow and early morning walks through blizzarding winds, it’s time to retire your tattered UGGs and wear the newest spring trends — clear. Check out our take on this spring’s newest trend below.
Click on each of the graphics below to see prices of each of the items.

Umbrellas
If this trend seems too daring for you, a clear umbrella is a great introduction. Clear umbrellas have been around for years. Whether they’re on an elementary school playground or the busy streets of New York, clear umbrellas have been a go-to for people of any age who want to have a little extra fun on a rainy day.

Shoes
The best way to make a statement this spring is with a clear shoe. Both flats and pumps are a fun way to show your support of this translucent trend and it gives any look instant edge. Besides, who really needs an excuse to get another pair of shoes? Just remember to show your toes some extra love after a cold, dry winter.

Purses

One of the easiest ways to try clear is through your bag. Whether it’s a Forever21 tote or a Marc Jacobs satchel give a transparent bag a try. With an endless array of colors to chose from, these bags have just the right amount of bold embellishments and the perfect statement buckles. Just remember not to leave last night’s mentionables on display for the world to see.

The 10 leading men as outfitted by Tom Ford

From Brad Pitt to James Bond, we owe one man the biggest fan-girl “thank you” for making these men, and countless others, so impeccably dressed.

The one, the only, Tom Ford.

The five-time Council of Fashion Designers of America, CFDA, winner and four-time VH1/Vogue Fashion Award winner has dressed men for decades, leaving them irresistibly eye-catching and dashingly handsome in his classic, clean cut suits.

So without further ado, here are ten of the StyleFile’s best dressed men, all thanks to Mr. Ford.
1.Daniel Craig
It’s Bond, James Bond. Need I say more? He’s destroyed more than 40 bespoke suits while filming Quantum of Solace alone, so who better to fill the No. 1 spot than Bond himself.

2. Justin Timberlake
While the former NSYNC artist has blossomed from his boy-band days, we can thank Tom Ford for dressing JT in his music video for “Suit & Tie.”

3. Leonardo DiCaprio
We’ve have to admit, for a while we thought Leo was sinking like the Titanic. But after he arrived to the London Djando Unchained premiere in Tom Ford we realized it smooth sailing here on out.

4. Ryan Reynolds
With his boyish charm and manly good looks, a Tom Ford sit can only make Reynolds our certified No. 4 holder.

5. Bradley Cooper
Before Bradley Cooper made us fall for him in Silver Linings Playbook, we were loving him in classic Tom Ford.

6. Tom Ford
We can’t not include the man whom is the reason for this countdown, come on.

7.Brad Pitt
Even with that horribly trashy beard, as soon has he throws on a TF suit, he’s an instant dime piece.

8. John Stamos
We’ve had a crush on his since Full house and thanks to Tom Ford, it’s still going on strong.

9.Scott Disick
Kourtney & Kim Take Miami star may be most known for his wild side on the hit E! show, but his undeniable best-dress status will forever be his best attribute.

10. Kanye West
We know he’s a bit unpredictable, but at least he let us finish the list.

Well, there you have it. These men deserve their place in all of it’s Tom Ford glory, but there were a few dapper dudes who were oh, so close.

Honorable mention goes out to Andre 3000, Jake Gyllenhaal and funny man Andy Samberg.

Daughter of Run DMC legend to debut clothing line

My oh my, it looks like Angela Simmons has ditched her sugary-sweet ways for the life of a high fashion designer.

Simmons is branching out from her role as co-founder of Pasty footwear as she gives the world a sneak peek into her debut clothing line, A by Angela Simmons.

The 25-year-old daughter of Run DMC rap legend Rev. Run recently shed her squeaky-clean image and transformed into an ultra-edgy high fashion designer after dropping a promotional video for the line on her website, AngelaIAm.

While her Pasty line is known for its bright colors and youthful designs, A by Angela Simmons gives a darker, sleeker feel. The video features models various black looks posing to a remix of Mary J Blige’s “Real Love.”

Simmons said her clothes are both chic and feminine but comfortable, perfect for an effortless day to night look.

“I think it is important to create fashion that is really fashionable, yet still affordable,” Simmons told GlobalGrind. “I feel like this industry is such a fast moving place in the fashion world and it is important to stay up with the trends and be able to still afford it, to wear it, but let it still be fashionable at the same time.”

As we wait for her line to hit the stores, we can only hope it’s a successful as the rest of her continually budding career.

Nordstrom exec, fashion show judge encourages students to stick in industry

In the wake of last night’s Apparel and Textile Design Fashion Show, External Judge Heather Grdinic spoke with students Monday morning about fashion design, marketing and the industry.

Grdinic is the prefect representation of an intern who did more than work hard-she learned. The Senior Instructional Designer at retail giant Nordstrom spoke to a sleep deprived and Starbucks-powered audience about her experience in the fashion industry, beginning in a small town in Minnesota.

Grdinic grew up believing if you built something well, that’s good enough. After being surrounded by construction workers and teachers, she realized she wanted a creative career that promised quick results.

After working hard as a design intern at Target for 12 months, Grdinic was disappointed when the company failed to offer her a position after her internship. When she realized it wasn’t because of her lack of blonde locks or the fact she didn’t cheer for the Timberwolves, Grdinic came to terms with the real reason she didn’t land the job.

“I didn’t get the job because I didn’t establish relationships,” she said. “It’s not enough to just be good at what you do.”

Grdinic learned just because you’re a hard-working, self-motivated individual, that doesn’t guarantee you a position with the company of your dreams. It take more than that.

You see, it’s about who you know and how you fit it. Grdinic credits some of her success to her mentors and the relationships she established throughout her career.

“That was really hard to learn because I really wanted that job,” she said. “You have to build relationships and culturally that’s important.”

But, Grdinic stayed ambitious.

After learning from her failures, she said those are the types of learning experiences that are important, especially if they’re made early in your career.

“Redoing is easier and better. The second time you do something (it’s) better,” Grdinic said.

So while all you designers and fashion addicts are out there experiencing the worst of the intern struggle, just remember Grdinic’s words: “Failure is the best way to inventing yourself.”

Beyonce Knowles starring in H&M campaign

Watch out Beyhivers, summer just got hotter.

We all know Beyonce Knowles, queen of soul, has some crazy cool style.

Known for rocking bold prints and super high Louboutins, Bey transforms from street chic to ultra glam effortlously. Now the stylish multitalented artist has added a new title to her repertoire.

Knowles officially was announced the face and inspiration of H&M’s summer 2013 collection, the label confirmed.

As photos are released from the singer’s smokin’ hot photoshoot in Nassau, Bahamas, we get a close look at Knowles in a pair of printed hot pants and a plunging cream button-up exposing a little more of Mrs. Carter’s, ehem, beyhives than your local PTA may deem necessary.

The concept for the summer collection is ‘Beyonce as Mrs. Carter in H&M,’ highlighting ‘the idea that all women can be all things: strong, vulnerable, sensual, maternal, fun, flirtatious,’ according to ELLE.com.

Knowles said she’s always admired how the mega retailer makes fashion both fun and affordable.
“I really loved the concept we collaborated on to explore the different emotions of women represent by the four element – fire, water, earth and wind,” Knowles said, according to ELLE.com.

The collection will feature statement sundresses and fringed bikinis, a collaboration of both Anna-Sofie Johansson, H&M’s head of design, and Beyonce’s personal style.

Look out for B’s upcoming TV commercial for the collection featuring her new song, Standing on the Sun.

Middleton shows off style in international spotlight

Royal Highness, more like Royal Flyness.

There’s no doubting Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton is one of the world’s biggest fashion icons in recently history, if not of all time.

Her style contains the perfect mix of high and low-end brands like Topshop and Alexander McQueen, making her relatable to both college students and celebrities. But most importantly, Middleton, unlike most prominent fashion figures, is willing to show her wardrobe love on more than one occasion.

Middleton has never been afraid to revisit some of her favorite looks, including the emerald Emilia Wickstead coatdress she wore to a 2012 St. Patrick’s Day parade and again to another St. Paddy’s Day parade last week. But this year, the English beauty glowed for more reasons than one.

The newly pregnant royal’s recycled look varied from its original styling.

During her attendance at this year’s parade, Middleton walked the streets in the knee-length coatdress paired with a black turtleneck, tights and gloves.

While she accessorized the look with black pumps and a black John Locke beret, it lacked its original belted charm, presumably due to Middleton’s growing belly.

Either way, she looked flawless.

We can only hope Middleton will continue to recycle her infamous looks.

I’d love to see her back in that gorgeous Matthew Williamson peplum dress middleton matthew williamson peplum dress.jpg with turquoise detailing.

Or maybe she’ll revisit her ultra-sexy Roland Mouret look, but something tells me that’s not going to happen.

Dapper Dan making a comeback in fashion circles

A Harlem fashion icon whose luxurious sensibility helped to define hip hop fashion has re-emerged. In Oct. 2012, Jay-Z’s YouTube channel Life Times released a video featuring the haberdasher, known as Dapper Dan, recounting his storied career.

Dapper Dan, whose real real name is Daniel Day, opened his boutique in 1982 hoping to sell and tailor top-tier European designer labels.

Spurned by the designers, Day found a paint that wouldn’t fade on leather and proceeded to silkscreen the logos of venerable brands such as Fendi, Gucci and Louis Vuitton on whatever his clients ordered from him: jackets, trousers; even car upholstery was within the norm.

Day’s list of clientele is where his influence really shines through: the likes of rappers LL Cool J, Fat Joe, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Salt n Pepa, Biz Markie and boxer Mike Tyson were all patrons of Dapper Dan’s Boutique, and that is only a portion of Day’s noteworthy customers.

Pharrell speaks of his influence in the latest issue of the New Yorker, which offers an in-depth account of the tailor’s career.

Of course, as Day’s notoriety spread, word reached the labels Day had so successfully bootlegged and an onslaught of copyright infringement ensued, putting Day out of business for a significant stretch of time. But according the New Yorker, Dapper Dan still tailors his signature styles in secret and with the recent emergence of a twitter account and website showcasing his star-studded past, Day’s influence doesn’t appear to be waning anytime soon.