BEHIND-THE-FABRIC

It has been announced that Beyoncé has chosen the astonishing shoe designer Stuart Weitzman to partner up with on creating her footwear for her upcoming world tour "The Mrs. Carter Show."

The styles range from jeweled flats, stiletto pumps with Swarovski crystal embellishments, to lace up, and military-inspired shoe silhouettes while the boots will range from booties to thigh-highs. The shoe label revealed two watercolor sketched of Beyonce's shoe wardrobe for the international tour. The first sketch is of a neutral strap across the front of a eggplant-colored shoe covered in blue rhinestones. The second sketch was a black healed military bootie with laces and gold eyelets.

Next Thursday, April 25th, Pratt Institute's Fashion Show + Cocktail Benefit Honoring Thom Browne, will take place at Center548. The show will present innovative and forward-thinking collections that showcase the intersection of fashion, film, and technology presented by graduating students. This year's show marks the 114th annual showcase. The collections that appear on the runway will highlight the technical and creative strengths of Pratt students as emerging designers and will be pre-selected by esteemed fashion industry leaders. The professional runway show provides a unqiue platform for Pratt students to demonstrate creative acheivement by designing, producing, and presenting their collections. The award presentation honoring prestigious designer, Thom Browne and fashion show will begin at 6pm. A cocktail benefit reception will follow taking place at The Top of the Standard at 7:30pm. Past award winners include Diane Von Furstenberg, Narcisco Rodriguez, Catherine Malendrino, among others. Past award winner Hamish Bowles will be presenting Thom Browne with his award.

Kate Spade recently launched their more affordable sister line called Kate Spade Saturday. Kate Spade Saturday is a new global lifestyle brand that aims to "channel the spirit of Saturday."

Although a bit more casual then the high end collections, the line still stays true to the brands identity by remaining bright, colorful, optimistic, and clean. The CEO Craig Leavitt stated "Through ongoing research, we saw an opportunity in the market to engage a new customer base- one that aspires to be a part of the Kate Spade New York brand."

It has been said many times that "everything will change in 2013" and so far it seems true for the direction of the Fashion Industry. As we slowly everyday are heading into the future the fashion industry is moving at a light year speed. Incorporating technology into fashion has been on the rise and is evolving behind the scenes everyday. Just 4 years ago the "Fashion 2.0 Awards" launched which is the only awards celebrating online innovation by fashion brands whom embrace social media and online technology.

Lilly Pulitzer's fashion empire confirmed the death this week of the beloved 81-year old fashion designer. Pulitzer passed away on Sunday, April 7th at her Florida home. The socialite turned fashion designer was known for her preppy, bright, and stand-out tropical prints. Always featuring bright colors and using fruits and plants as a print landed her the title "Queen of Prep."

Besides the infamous women's collections, Pulitzer produces a strong line for children, men's clothing, shoes, jewelry, swimwear, bedding, pajamas, stationary, and even maternity clothes. Most recently in 2010, Pulitzer released a bridal collection. Each design ever created is the epitome of prep. "We focus on the best, fun, and happy things, and people want that," explained Pulitzer. "Being happy never goes out of style." This can account for the reason why she often channeled lime green and bright pinks into a majority of her designs.

Glam Damn It recently caught up with fashion blogger and stylist Leslie Eugene of URPRETTYHAUTE. If your wondering what attracted us to her blog, it is her fearless use of color, amazing makeup abilities, and her endless fashion goodie giveaways! So if you are feeling lucky you must stop by her page.

Here is a bit of what she had to say in our style talk.

What is your ultimate dream job/fashion job?

Recently, Joonbug had the pleasure of chatting with designer Tracy Reese at her gorgeous flagship boutique located on Hudson Street in Manhattan. Perfect for the modern woman with a busy schedule, Tracy's pieces are designed with an impeccable sense of flattering a woman in every way possible. A member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) since 2000, Reese has severed as a member of the Board of Directors since 2007. She is also a key player in selecting recipients to receive grants from the CFDA’s AIDS Fund initiatives. It certainly was a fashionable honor to chat with her! While there, we were able to pre-screen an episode, which aired last week, of Project Runway: Season 11. In the episode, Tracy offered her stylish expertise and opinions to the remaining cast members regarding their designs for the challenge. The evening was nothing short of amazing as we browsed racks of vibrant frocks, gorgeous jackets, and beautiful pieces that could easily transition from workday to after work drinks with friends. Reese was wearing a gorgeous purple sweater with cut-out shoulders, neutral skirt (beautifully cut), and a to-die-for persimmon/orange motorcycle jacket that fit her to a "t." As we perused around the store, we couldn't help but notice all of the detailing on every garment. It's these additions that finish off your look in an ultra-polished, edgy, and stylish way. Some of our favorites included; a yellow neon shirt dress, a coral and tan ombre strapless dress, a cornflower blue moto-jacket, fringed suede short, and a bohemian patterned shoe that would look amazing with everything in your closet. We also were in-love with a wedge shoe from her Plenty collection that featured a soft glittering peep toe in a blush pink color. Tracy Reese's celebrity clients include First Lady Michelle Obama, who wore a custom-made Tracy Reese dress for her 2012 DNC Convention speech. Here's what Tracy had to share about this spring season and her fabulous collection. I see a lot of color around the store, which I really love. Can you share with the Joonbug readers your take on the Spring/Summer 2013 season. It's all about color this season. I think it's the perfect way to welcome the warmer weather here in NYC. You can see my use of color in many different ways—such as color on color. Many of our dresses have a color slip/undergarment already built in as a useful layering piece. Many are talking about neons. My advice is to pair a neon with a neutral to create an ultra-chic look. This season you will also see my use of fringe and metal chains on the handbags. Many are excited to see you appear on Project Runway. Can you tell me about that experience? It was a great way to offer budding designers positive and helpful advice. I really enjoyed it, too. You have a successful business in a challenging economy. What's the best advice you can give those looking to break into the fashion industry? Have your eye on quality and special details. Be directly connected to your brand in every way. If something is not up to my high standards, I will take the necessary steps to ensure it is. My client expects a certain quality garment from me and they will always get that. As you walk around the store you will see special details everywhere.

There's something resolutely American about Tom Ford. The six foot tall Texas-born designer, who became well known for heading the powerhouse Gucci, knows how to sell sexy clothes and get to the bottom line. He has his own brand, after his own name. It could be the sign of an egotist, or a supremely confident man.

He carved a niche for himself, as an actor in television commercials before he became famous for his clothes. He had the dark and brooding good looks. He had charisma in spades. Dropping out of NYU and hanging out with the "fabulous people" at Studio 54, he came to several conclusions: one about his sexuality, and two, about his passion for fashion design.

Here’s something that’s sure to get a rise out of animal lovers everywhere. Marc Jacobs' faux fur coat line designed for the high-end bargain store Century 21, has been discovered to contain dog fur parts. The type of fur used in the coat line is from an animal named the Chinese Raccoon Dog. The scene went down when the Humane Society of the United States sent a hidden camera into the a Century 21 store. The stance of Jacobs seems to be fairly ambivalent. The irony is that Marc Jacobs is a vegan and animal lover himself. Jacobs has not responded to requests to speak on the matter. His label's hypocrisy lies in producing something real under the title “faux fur,” and selling it to the public, especially at such a well-known department store such as Century 21. Reactions have been volatile, particularly from young woman, who are his greatest fan base. “I think that’s horrible,” pronounced a 23 year old fashionista, “because I don’t believe in wearing real fur, I would be really upset if I purchased something that said it was fake and it was real.”

Recently, Joonbug had the opportunity to sit down with Shoshanna Lonstein Gruss creator of the popular Shoshanna fashion line. A proud New Yorker, Shoshanna creates pieces that can easily take you from work to after-work-cocktails and from week-day to weekend. Her flattering designs transcend limitations and perhaps that's why many of your favorite celebrities and TV personalities such as Taylor Swift, Maria Menounos, Rosario Dawson, Zooey Deschanel and Miranda Lambert opt to wear the Shoshanna collection. What's refreshing about the line, besides the vast and flirty designs is the fact that the pieces are priced well and Shoshanna (a socialite) is very down-to-earth. She is the master of "that dress." The one dress that you'll reach for again and again (and the one you'll receive all the compliments on). After this interview, we are really getting excited for Spring! Now, if the weather in Manhattan would just cooperate.