By far, jewelry from Lorraine Schwartz had to be the hands down celeb favorite of the night. From Heid Klum to Sofia Vergara to Emily Blunt to Lea Michele to Jane Krakowski, so many celebrities were wearing her intricate and embellished jewelry. My favorite had to be the necklace worn by Lea Michele, who just looked amazing all together, I don't think there was a single fashion or beauty don't with her last night!

Cartier was were worn by celebrities like January Jones (did you see that dress? Yikes!) and Dianna Agron. 

I was excited to hear that Naya Rivera's ring and brooch were from Le Vian. (Le Vian is my most favorite jewelry brand!) The ring was 14K set in strawberry gold and the brooch was a multi-colored Sapphire flower. The jewelry was simple and brilliant, her hair? Not so much.

Which celebrity wore your favorite jewelry of the night?

* Photo source: Just Jared

Playing tennis has always been about form while the new cardio tennis classes focus on keeping the heart rate up, burning calories and hitting the ball (without having to go after the ones you missed!) The cardio tennis classes are taught as a group fitness class, as interval training and mimic all other fitness programs with a warm up and cool down. While there is no doubt you are bound to improve your tennis skills taking this class, you are bound to lose weight and get fitter faster than taking up traditional tennis.

Are you currently taking a cardio tennis class? 

online ranking: http://www.odwyerpr.com/pr_firm_rankings/beauty.htm

Although buying things through a mobile can still seem a little bit Star Trek, this is exactly where the future of shopping is heading. Smartphones are officially the new way to buy; so get set for the shopping revolution.

Picture it: you're on Oxford Street, you have a 45 minute lunch break and an evening in an exclusive new bar planned with your girlfriends. Not one to be outshone in the fashion stakes, you obviously need something fresh and fabulous to wear. This familiar situation quickly escalates to severe panic and an Olympic-challenging sprint through every shop in the vicinity. The result is a badly-fitting, over-priced outfit that outside the changing room makes you feel more dog's dinner than cat's whiskers....ripped-off rather than ravishing.

Imagine instead slowly pushing open gleaming gold doors, a marble floor sparkles while the delicate scent of vanilla orchid lingers in the air. Calmly you approach the smiling sales assistant, produce your iphone, and - shazaam ! - as if by magic, in minutes you're effortlessly gliding out of the shop with this season's most coveted new dress. What's more, you didn't even have to pay the GBP500 listed on the tag. Oh the things shopping dreams are made of....

Well, prepare for the dream to become reality.

In keeping with our time-starved society's mantra of convenience, convenience, convenience, mobile shopping has the ease of internet browsing - with plenty of added extras. The joyful element of actually walking into a shop is returned, without the stress of not knowing where to go, or what to buy. The most exciting and innovative part of mobile commerce comes through joining smart buying clubs such as Glamoo, which use unique GPRS technology to send bespoke, location-based offers.

Simone Ranucci, CEO of Glamoo, says: "With around 57 million Europeans already using smartphones, and the demand for convenience increasing, mobile commerce will see a dramatic expansion during the next few years. Recent studies have predicted that mobile commerce will account for 10% of goods and services purchased in Europe in 2012, which tots up to a hefty spend of around EUR1 billion (Score MobiLens: 2010). Mobile commerce is destined to transform today's shopping experience beyond recognition. It's not just the consumer who will benefit from these changes however; because through Glamoo, brands will be able to interact directly with customers, increasing trust levels."

Forget panic and pavement-pounding. Forget impersonal shopping by keyboard. The future is out there, and for those that pride themselves on being ahead of the curve, taking advantage of smartphone technology is essential. To streamline that shopping experience, joining a buying club like Glamoo is essential. Not only will purchasing become pleasurable once again, you'll be the envy of everyone, with the very best insights on where to eat, shop and celebrate.

Embrace the future of shopping - what's not to love?

From bringing dogs to yoga class to performing acupressure on cats or feeding a natural diet rich with functional ingredients, research shows more people than ever before are now incorporating holistic techniques when caring for their pets. In celebration of National Holistic Pet Day on August 30th, Holistic Select staff veterinarian Dr. Al Townshend shares his advice to help pet parents take a more holistic approach to the care of their dogs and cats.

Dr. Townshend says the easiest way to do this is to feed your pet meaningfully with a food that goes beyond natural, and includes ingredients that activate a higher level of health for the animal. As Hippocrates once said, "Leave your drugs in the chemist's pot if you can heal your patient with food."

Dr. Townshend looks for functional foods and ingredients like the ones found in Holistic Select Pet Food. Holistic Select also includes Select Actives - Nature's Power Ingredients. This combination of enzymes, direct fed microbials, botanicals and phytonutrients provide superior nutritional benefits to enhance the whole body health of pets. And pet lovers can see the benefits that come from feeding their pets holistically in their shiny coats, bright eyes, increased energy levels and fewer adverse reactions to food. "A proper holistic diet can be a preventative step to ensure long term health," says Dr. Townshend.

Other modalities are crossing over too, like massage, acupressure and meditation to achieve peace, serenity and mindfulness. And science has proven what pet owners have always known to be true ... pets make us feel better. The simple act of petting a dog or cat has numerous health benefits for humans including lowering of our heart rates, blood pressure and reducing stress. And our furry friends benefit just as much from touch. Spending time together on a regular basis gives pets something to look forward to and strengthens their connection with you as well.

So on National Holistic Pet Day, nurture your pet by making the holistic approach a part of their care. Share a new bonding experience or exercise together to achieve balance. But most importantly, take the time to evaluate what your dog or cat is eating and consider a holistic diet to achieve a higher level of health for your pet.

Holistic Select Pet Food is available nationwide in independent pet specialty stores. To find an authorized Holistic Select retailer, please visit http://www.holisticselect.com/.

Damien Carney teamed up with Sue Pemberton for a SOLD OUT exclusive Joico Stylist Education Event. The advanced J-system Seminar at the Artistic Institute immersed participants in four days of intensive cut and color methodology. The packed house of eager stylists were treated to an engaging experience with Damien and Sue, and the excitement was palpable as Damien reveals, "[t]hey were so enthusiastic they wouldn't even eat lunch! They all pushed through to the end, driven to achieve flawless work."

Beauty PR: JONES Magazine features Pierce Mattie client FACE atelier Cosmetics. 

JONES Magazine initially launched as a regional publication in 2005 under the creative direction of founder and Editor-in-Chief Tracey Ferguson. "The magazine appeals to stylish and chic multicultural women and serves as a premier shopping guide," shares Ferguson, who is thrilled about JONES becoming a national brand. From fashion to food to distinctive travel destinations to the best in home design, JONES is the go-to guide for a sophisticated consumer.

Recognizing the success and increased demand for JONES Magazine among women outside of the Houston area, founder Tracey Ferguson teamed up with famed attorney and publisher L. Londell McMillan of The NorthStar Group, who furthered Ferguson's dream by taking JONES to national prominence.  The national premiere issue, now available in-stores and on newsstands nationwide features supermodel Veronica Webb on the cover. "JONES is a fresh and exciting women's brand across TV, web, and print. It speaks to today's fashionably-forward women who know what they want.  I'm thrilled to kick-off the national premiere issue of the magazine as its cover model," says Webb.

The site provides the type of personalized experience and content that appeals to this audience, with expert advice and commentary on hair, beauty and fashion, as well as useful information on shopping, travel and events. JONESMAG.com engages the reader through a customized shopping experience, articles, commentaries, photo galleries, video and blogs. From reviews of new and exclusive travel destinations to candid interviews with fashion's elite, JONESMAG.com will provide readers with editorial features that address their lifestyle. "We have designed a truly unique destination with content that offers the reader not only information, but a glamorous place of escape with each visit," says Smith.

Additional highlights from the site include a "What's Haute" Shopping Guide, which will not only inform women of the hottest trends but, more importantly, enable readers to instantly purchase these hand-picked must-have items. The site will also give readers an exclusive glimpse into the making of the magazine with behind-the-scenes video content, backstage photos and outtakes, and insider interviews. In addition, readers will be privy to the advice of noteworthy guest bloggers such as Beverly Johnson, the first African-American supermodel to grace the cover of Vogue, and Eugena Washington, finalist from season 7 of "America's Next Top Model."

While health conscious + alcohol doesn't sound like a true mix, it's working for the gym which looks to not only brand itself as the fitness location of choice, but as a place that people with a common lifestyle can come together and unwind from their daily stresses.Not only Fitness PR, but Lifestyle PR of sorts.

While the partnership (also at David Barton's Miami and Chicago locations) is only for the month of August, it will be interesting to see if memberships went up during this time...and if so, if serving alcohol at the gym will become a regular feature. What are your thoughts on this type of partnership?

*Photo Source: David Barton Gym

Sass Brown professor of Fashion Design at FIT, designer and fair-trade fashion consultant has recently penned a new book due out this fall titled Eco Fashion published by Laurence King Publishers. We caught up with Sass to discuss her latest project.  

PM: What prompted you to write Eco Fashion? 

SB: I had two main motivations for writing the book. The first was that I felt the industry had reached a tipping point of sorts, where the level of design excellence was raised to a comparative level of the rest of the industry, and that was worthy of promoting. Second, despite the standard and success of many eco labels, I felt they still weren’t known by many students entering the industry, or for that matter professionals in the main stream fashion arena and hoped that the book would act as a means of exposing their work to a wider audience. 

PM: What is eco fashion? 

SB: Now that’s a loaded question.  The word ecology has a pretty defined meaning; according to the Oxford English Dictionary ecology is “the branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to their physical surroundings.”  Eco fashion however is a lot more open to interpretation (and misinterpretation). Broadly speaking however, eco fashion is a branch of fashion production that respects the earth and the people on it.  That respect can be expressed in a multitude of ways;  recycle, reuse, redesign, sustainable fabrications, diversion of waste materials from landfill, fair trade, community development  and the reduction of CO2 emissions. 

PM: Can you share with us what was some of your greatest finds in doing research for the book pertaining to range of sustainable and ethical products? 

SB: There were so many talented and creative designers I came across during my research that I had simply not known about previously so the small lesser known designers (at least to me) are the ones I cherish the most.  Elena Garcia, an incredible designer based out of the UK that works with traditional Shibori indigo dye techniques and needle felting.  Her design sensibility is exquisite and her workmanship outstanding.  Christine Birkle based of Berlin, works with traditional Nuno felting techniques and designs exquisite items from pure silk, each laboriously hand felted using traditional methods.  Josh Jakus in the US, who works with recycled industrial felt and makes wonderfully conceptual bags and purses known as the UM bags. Royah, a women’s cooperative and atelier in Afghanistan, working to empower women in the midst of a war torn country and who produces exquisite designs based on the rich heritage of Afghanistan textiles. The list is endless but these are just a few. 

PM: Any countries doing better than others in creating eco fashion? 

SB: There are countries that excel in particular areas of eco design, for example the UK has a plethora of really great recycle and redesign companies.  They have long had a fascination and respect for vintage, so it only makes sense that they would excel in this area of design.  Brazil has a good number of artisanal women’s cooperatives that work with traditional handmade techniques such as crochet and fuxico.  Germany excels in urban design and accessories. 

PM: Did your research determine if the cost in operating a fashion house with such sustainable practices was more expensive than those that did not practice eco fashion? 

SB: I didn’t go into pricing in the book but I did feature a range of designers who work at varying price points in markets.  Many run relatively small companies, meaning they likely pay a premium for their materials and organic cottons for example are more expensive than non organic cottons.  However, the real cost of fast fashion is hidden, the cost to the environment and sometimes to human rights of those that produce the items are not reflected in their pricing. Those costs are realized in ethical brand pricing. 

The book will be in stores by the beginning of September and can be pre-ordered through Amazon or Barnes & Noble.  My publisher is Laurence King at British so the book is available through them in the UK and it has also been translated into Spanish and Italian. 

http://www.laurenceking.com/product/eco+fashion.htm I have a website which is in development right now but will be up in a about a week, which features designers from the book, as well as an events calendar and eco resources. 

I will also be doing a talk and book signing at The Kate Murphy Amphitheater at FIT on October 25^th from 6 to 8pm.  http://fitnyc.edu/335.asp 

 

Christian Lacroix

In a contemporary, cross-generational twist on one of our favorite childhood stories, Camilla Morton - fashion journalist, international bestselling author of "How to Walk in High Heels", and John Galliano's "Girl Friday" - invites a legend from the fashion world to tell his life story in fairytale format.

Camille Morton

In this book, Camilla re-tells the story of "Sleeping Beauty" with beloved French designer Christian Lacroix as the prince, tracing the arc of his career from his early days in haute couture to the opening of his eponymous fashion house. In a whimsical twist, Lacroix's damsel is not in need of a kiss, but a fashion makeover.

Accompanied by gorgeous 4-color illustrations drawn by Lacroix himself and fit to the individual scenes in the text, this story romanticizes and puts into fairytale form Lacroix's awe-inspiring career in fashion. The result is an intriguing combination of whimsy and memoir. Illuminating Lacroix's creative magic, this book is both a new twist on the well-worn fashion biography and a new take on one of our oldest fairytales.

Printed in a glossy, collectible format, this book is the perfect gift to give, share, and collect. Aspirational and inspirational, pairing well-loved classics with well-known names, Camilla's fairytale memoirs will whisk you away with their own versions of "Once Upon a Time".

Have you ever dreamed of interning in New York for a beauty fashion PR firm but are not able to get off your college campus, which isn’t located in NY? Now you can!

Pierce Mattie PR is actively seeking Fall/Winter Social Media Interns to work remotely from their dorms. In years past our interns have gone on to be published authors, featured in the New York Times, received college credit and most importantly learned the ropes of beauty fashion social media from our in-house experts.

All Applicants Should:

• Be pursuing a degree in; Journalism, English, Public Relations or Marketing
• Able to spend at least five hours a week doing research and writing
• Be in their junior or senior year of college
• Have a strong sense of style in fashion &/or beauty
• Understand the scope of online networking and social media
• Have strong writing and editing skills

• Writing blog posts, penned under your own name
• Twitter & FaceBook activity
• Adhere to a weekly conference call w/ our Corporate Communications Director

About Pierce Mattie PR Launched in 2001 by lifestyle editor and expert Pierce Mattie. Pierce Mattie PR remains the industry leader in communications for fashion, beauty, jewelry brands alike with growing divisions in home furnishings and lifestyle products. Executives at Pierce Mattie PR are noted for being high energy, hyper-educated, tech driven and very strategic with their media campaigns. Pierce Mattie publicists have won numerous awards.  

HOW TO APPLY - PLEASE EMAIL TO Shannon@PierceMattie.com RESUME & WRITING SAMPLES

Joico's NEW Deep Conditioning Flatiron launches this fall to rave reviews.

• Decrease hair breakage by over 40%
• Reduce color loss due to daily shampooing and thermal styling by 33.5%
• Minimize curl reversion, even after 12 hours in 90% humidity
• Includes the ReconstRx VaporIron, ReconstRx VaporFuel 3.4oz, Step-by-Step
• Styling Brochure, and instructional DVD featuring Joico Artistic Director Damien Carney.

• Reservoir to hold VaporFuel
• 1.25” vented ceramic/silicone hybrid plates
• Ceramic heat technology
• 9-foot-long tangle-free swivel cord
• Auto shut off feature turns iron off after 120 minutes of non-use
• Adjustable temperature control takes you from 284° F to 410° F in seconds
• Closure latch for easy storage and travel

"The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010, as written, will not protect consumers or small businesses. I believe there is a need for reform, however, the Safe Cosmetic Act of 2010 is not the answer. Proponents of this act are telling consumers that we, the opponents, are the fear mongers when in fact, we are supplying truthful information that is backed by scientific facts. We are fighting for our livelihood. If the act passes as written, the American Dream will turn into a nightmare for thousands of small business owners." Lisa Rodgers, Co-Founder of Personal Care Truth and CEO of Cactus & Ivy.

Ms. Rodgers relayed to me that the Bill is vague and that written in its current state, it would also affect natural products that use essential oils like Lavender, which by nature, have trace elements in them that the Bill would consider unsafe. Another example she gave of a product that would be affected that most companies use is cocoa butter.

On the EWG's website, they give many reasons for supporting the Act and including what they feel the benefits are:

"In the big picture, the Safe Cosmetics Act will benefit small businesses by leveling the playing field and increasing consumer awareness about their choices at the store. In the current marketplace, where ingredients are kept secret and toxicity data is inaccessible, consumers are confused and do not have easy access to the information they need to make informed choices. The data and product transparency provisions of the Act will help clear up confusion and give consumers the tools to more easily choose the best and safest products."

While both sides have valid points for supporting and not supporting this Bill, it is clear that both feel that consumers need to be informed when it comes to their beauty products. But how can this be done to ensure small businesses, the bread and butter of our economy, survive AND have cosmetics that are safer without toxins? Please share your thoughts in the comments. 

You can read more about this Act:

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics: The Safe Cosmetics Act of 2010: What it Means for Cosmetics Companies 

Personal Care Truth: See posts listed under Legislation to see several viewpoints on it.