19 : April : 2011 : InStyle.com What's Right Now

Mad Men Costume Designer Janie Bryant’s Wedding Dress for Kate Middleton

Apr 19, 2011 @ 6:00 pm

Speculation is swirling as to what Kate Middleton’s wedding gown will look like, and Mad Men costume designer Janie Bryant offered up her take on the royal dress! “I envision something modern, elegant, fresh, romantic, figure flattering, classic, dramatic—perfection!” Bryant told InStyle. The designer sketched an opulent beaded number, shown, complete with a dramatic train. “The Cathedral length train is made of embroidered silk duchess satin with yards and yards of knife pleated silk organza around the hemline and beautiful silk bows at the wrists.” Bryant explained. The royal wedding isn’t the only big day on the horizon for the designer—she’s also engaged! See more designer drawings of Kate Middleton’s gowns in the gallery.

MORE: All Royal Wedding News!

— Caitlin Petreycik

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Stephen Lovekin/Getty; Dimitrios Kambouris/Wireimage

Reese Witherspoon’s Wedding Rings: A Close-Up!

Apr 19, 2011 @ 5:25 pm

Sure, Reese Witherspoon got married weeks ago, but we’re still wrapped up in it because it was the last big-name wedding before the biggest wedding event of the year. (Yes, that one!) While Witherspoon has been spotted out several times since her March 26th nuptials to Hollywood agent Jim Toth, she finally gave photographers a clear and good shot of her wedding rings over the weekend at the New York premiere of her new filmWater for Elephants. As you can see, she wears her platinum wedding band with her 4-carat Ashoka diamond engagement ring with a pave diamond band. Stare hard—this is as close as you may get! Witherspoon’s new movie, also starring Robert Pattinson, opens nationwide this Friday.

MORE:
• Reese Witherspoon’s Elephant Style
• Bridal Down ‘Dos Just Like Reese
• Royal Wedding Watch!

— Sharon Clott

Agostini/AP; Amanda Schwab/Startraksphoto; Getty; Tony DiMaio/startraksphoto

Which Celebrity Fragrance Should Win a FiFi Award?

Apr 19, 2011 @ 4:45 pm

The Fragrance Foundation announced the nominees for the 2011 FiFi Awards this month, an annual event honoring the most creative achievements in perfume. Categories include Best Bath and Body Products, Best Media Campaign, and Best Packaging—a bracket which was swept by celebrities! Scents by Halle Berry, Eva Longoria, Avril Lavigne, Mariah Carey and Fergie were all nominated for Best Packaging of the Year Broad Appeal. Celine Dion‘s Belong perfume was the last celebrity fragrance to win the award in 2006, and we’ll find out if one of the nominated stars is taking home a crystal trophy when the winners are announced on May 25th. In the meantime, click through to see all the nominated scents for Best Packaging of the Year Broad Appeal. What’s your favorite celebrity fragrance? Tell us in the comments!

MORE: InStyle‘s Best Beauty Buys List!

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Courtesy of GAP

First Look: Gap’s Fall 2011 Collection

Apr 19, 2011 @ 4:00 pm

Gap offered fashion editors a look at next season’s fall 2011 collection, and we wanted to share the lineup with you! Gap’s basics remain a staple in the collection, such as slim-cut pants that look and feel as easy as denim, day-to-night bags, and borrowed-from-the-boys belts. For the color palette, soft and muted hints of pale pink, blush, and blue were met with definitive patterns like Prince of Wales checks, as seen on a swinging cropped-sleeve coat. Leather also cropped up in the form of skirts and dresses, an aesthetic seen also in the sweet-meets-tough blouses. Click through to see Gap’s Fall 2011 collection.

— Violet Gaynor

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Courtesy Photo; Getty Images

British Designer Matthew Williamson’s Bridal Advice

Apr 19, 2011 @ 3:00 pm

Matthew Williamson debuted his 12-piece bridal collection last month, and we caught up with the designer to ask him about the event that’s on everyone’s mind—the Royal Wedding! “There’s a sense of excitement and curiosity,” Williamson said of being a British designer at a moment when the whole world is watching. “I’m excited to see what Kate’s going to wear on the big day,” The designer also shared some tips for brides-to-be: “Never shop alone for your bridal dress. Take a friend and bring a camera to take a picture of you,” he advised. “Make sure to get a picture of the back view, that’s the part of the dress most people are going to see for the longest time.” Williamson’s own bridal collection is still evolving, and he dropped some hints about what we can expect next season. “I may introduce some color and some pattern eventually.” And despite stories of bridal designers dealing with bridezillas, Williamson insists his customers are lovely. “I’ve only dealt with fabulous brides!”

MORE:
• Matthew Williamson for Macy’s
• More Matthew Williamson News!

— Caitlin Petreycik

Courtesy of Essie

How Essie Nail Polishes Get Their Names

Apr 19, 2011 @ 2:00 pm

Ever wonder how Essie nail polishes get their names? Essie Weingarten (Yes, that Essie!) sat down with Fashionista to explain how she comes up with the brand’s signature labels, like “Jamaica Me Crazy,” “Trophy Wife,” and “My Place or Yours.” “I’ve named every polish up until now,” Weingarten said. “I have creative people help suggest names, and some of them are really good! But in the end, I decide,” she said. “I think about a moment, or something that inspires me, like a summer vacation. Sometimes it’s an irreverent play on words, a funny story, or theme. Ultimately, the names have to be memorable.” The brand’s latest collection includes colors called “Topless & Barefoot,” “Nice is Nice,” and “Kisses & Bises.” What’s your favorite Essie polish? Tell us in the comments!

MORE: Spring Beauty

— Caitlin Petreycik

Ramey photo; Getty; Courtesy Photo (4)

Beyoncé’s New Song, Scarlett Johansson’s Ad Campaign, and More!

Apr 19, 2011 @ 1:15 pm

1. Beyoncé’s new girl power anthem is here!!! Listen to her new track “Girls (Who Run the World)” right now. [JustJared]

2. Scarlett Johansson looks flawless in D&G’s Summer 2011 beauty campaign. [Racked]

3. An Australian retailer now charges to try on clothes, but gives the money back if you buy. [FashionEtc.]

4. Cynthia Steffe will debut new lower-price collection named Seamline this fall. [WWD]

5. Vera Wang will launch seven bridesmaid dresses for David’s Bridal in June. [HuffPoStyle]

6. Bloomingdale’s created a Plus Size Style Guide, featuring trends like maxi dresses and brights. [Bloomingdales]

Time Inc. Digital Studio

InStyle’s 2011 Best Beauty Buys List!

Apr 19, 2011 @ 12:45 pm

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—and we’re not talking about the holidays. After months of testing makeup, skincare, body lotions and fragrances, our list of 2011 Best Beauty Buys is finally here! Working with our team of celebrity experts, we gathered the creamiest concealers, the most potent skin creams, the prettiest lipstick shades and our favorite nail polishes. We chose the best makeup shades for every skin tone, and hair products to tame every texture. Browse this year’s winners and then get lost in our database of over 700 products from the last seven years. As an added bonus, you’ll get 20% off any of our Editor’s Picks starting this Friday through May 20th! Click through to see a sample of the Editor’s Picks, and be sure to check out the full list of products online and in our May issue.