Sneak Peek to the August 2010 issue of ASOS magazine starring cover girl Olivia Palermo, the 24-year-old star of MTV’s The City.

Inside her stylish world and wardrobe. The new queen of street style. No one does the New York look quite like Olivia Palermo. But while on The City there’s a dark side to her fashion dealings, Francesca Babb discovers you shouldn’t believe everything you see on television… (shot in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NYC)

“It’s unfortunate (of the reputation that the TV show has given her), but I think that people understand what they see on that show is not who I am. It’s not accurate. I’m funny, I’m enthusiastic and I’m not a negative person. I always try and look for the good in things.”

“I love New York but when you’re young you should live in different places. In five years I’d like to be living in London with my boyfriend Johannes (Huebl).”

Photo credit: Photographer Tesh

ASOS Magazine will go live asos.com on August 1st, 2010

ABOUT ASOS.COM

Established in June 2000, ASOS.com is the UK’s leading independent online fashion and beauty retailer and offers over 37,000 branded product lines across womenswear, menswear, footwear, accessories and beauty. Targeted at fashion forward 16-34 year olds, ASOS.com attracts 8.1 million unique visitors a month from around the world. Each week the website adds 1,500 new products giving its stylish customers a reason to come back and shop.

The London-based online fashion retailer is a huge success in the UK and has recently outlined its plans for global expansion. ASOS.com ships to 167 countries and will launch standalone websites in the US, France and Germany later this year. Customers have the option to receive goods via flat rates and express shipping.

I’m so excited to share with you my interview with the gorgeous Erin Kaplan. You may know Erin from staring in MTV’s hit series The City opposite Whitney Port and Olivia Palermo. And, at 26, Erin is ELLE Magazine’s youngest ever Director of Public Relations.

In this interview Erin Kaplan talks to Marta Walsh about her beginnings working at ELLE Magazine. How working with Joe Zee ELLE Magazine’s Creative Director has changed the way she’s thinking. Puts the on camera drama with co-star Olivia Palermo in perspective. She even dishes out some style and beauty secrets and reveals another secret about her hair.

Erin Kaplan
Photo courtesy of MTV

Marta Walsh: When did your fascination with fashion and style begin?
Erin Kaplan: Honestly, it wasn’t until I started working at ELLE that I really became interested in fashion. I grew up with three brothers so there definitely wasn’t a lot of fashion-talk around the house. However, I have always been interested (obsessed really) with magazines and publishing…

MW: Working for a top fashion magazine such as ELLE is every girl’s dream. How did it all happen for you?
EK: I started at ELLE as a Marketing assistant and gradually made the transition over to Public Relations.

MW: What does it take to succeed with a career in fashion?
EK: To be successful in any industry I think you just have to be ambitious and passionate about the work you’re doing.

MW: What attracted you to star in MTV’s The City and what do you like and dislike about being famous?
EK: I’m definitely not famous! I never, in a million years, thought that I would be on a television show. I’m much more comfortable staying behind-the-scenes, but I think being on camera has given me unique perspective and insight into the entertainment industry that I never would have acquired otherwise.

MW: We all want to know, what is it about Olivia Palermo’s character in The City that gets to you every time? Are we all just seeing the director’s cut or you both actually hang out in the real world?
EK: There is tons of footage that never makes it on-air. We film for months and months and only minutes make it onto the show.

MW: What are some of the most memorable words of wisdom you’ve learned from working with ELLE’s Creative Director Joe Zee?
EK: I’m not sure there are specific words of wisdom, but Joe is such a “big idea” person so working with him has really made me think about things on a much larger, grander scale. It’s definitely fun to try and make some of the bigger ideas come to fruition.

MW: On the The City you always look beautiful and impeccably put together. What tips can you give us on staying looking fresh during a long day at the office all the way through that last minute night out on the town with your girlfriends?
EK: Accessorize!

MW: What is next for Erin Kaplan?
EK: Well, I’m obviously still working at ELLE and we’re filming Season 2 now—so there is a lot going on!

Erin Kaplan
Photo courtesy of MTV

Erin Kaplan on Style & Beauty Secrets:

I keep my hair beautiful thanks to…
Anthony at Julien Farel.

My favorite skincare products are…
I’m incredibly basic in my skincare routine. I’ve always just used Dove soap and Olay moisturizer.

I get my eyelashes looking long, full, and sexy using…
Dior Show

The best lip-gloss I ever owned…
Rosebud Salve

My signature fragrance is…
Escape by Calvin Klein (which I’ve worn since High School…)

The one beauty product you will always find in my makeup bag is…
Mally Beauty Evercolor Poreless Face Defender. It takes all shine away when filming

My number one style secret is…
Accessorize. I’m not very adventurous in my wardrobe choices and tend to stick with the basics. I’ve learned (with Joe’s help) that adding a few simple accessories can add so much to an outfit.

The celebrity I find most beautiful is…
I think Kate Bosworth is gorgeous and has a great sense of style.

The first movie I watched on a date was…
Pleasantville… on my first date ever.

One or two things some people may not know about Erin Kaplan…
My hair is naturally ridiculously curly….ringlets.

Thank you Erin for brilliant interview!

Visit Elle Magazine  at www.elle.com
Learn about MTV’s The City at mtv.com

New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010 REPORT: The Susan Woo Fall/Winter 2010 fashion show took place on February 13th, 2010, on the 25th floor of the Bryant Park Hotel. As soon as I arrived I spotted lovely Olivia Palermo star of MTV’s The City. Dressed in black leather pants, black jacket, and yes, black shoes. I introduced myself to her and asked to photograph her. Olivia smiled and agreed and suggested she brings Susan Woo the style genius to the photo. And there we have it!

L to R: Olivia Palermo and fashion designer Susan Woo

The Susan Woo collection could be my entire personal wardrobe. All the garments were extremely elegant, with a bit of rock chic element mixed with 1960s old Hollywood movies style. I loved the Michael Antonio red high heels on some of the models. Definite inspiration for me (and you guys) t0 add one pair of hot red high heels to your closet! It breaks black nicely and adds a bit of intrigue to your look. Hair was done by Bumble & Bumble. Makeup by Tarte Cosmetics. The delicious drink at the show was by Belvedere Vodka. Visit susanwoonyc.com to explore the collections.

Cast of The Hills and The City were spotted in New York City last night for their season’s finale party.

Which celebrity look is your favorite?

From left: MTV’s The Hills stars Lauren “Lo” Bosworth and Audrina Patridge

MTV’s The Hills star Kristin Cavallari

From left: MTV’s The City stars Roxy Olin and Whitney Port

Olivia Palermo of MTV’s The City, Joe Zee, Creative Director of ELLE, and Tia Cibani, Creative Director of Ports 1961  host an exclusive presentation of the Ports 1961 pre-spring collection at Bloomingdale’s. I’m gutted not being able to make it. But you are invited, especially if you live in the New York area!

WHEN & WHERE: 
Thursday, November 12th
TIME: 6:00PM-8:00PM
Bloomingdale’s 59th Street, Designer Collections on 4

Designer Rachel Roy has built a following for not only her beautiful designer and diffusion collections (Rachel | Rachel Roy is available in Macy’s stores across the U.S. and on RachelRoy.com) but also her amazing personal style and beauty. Talking Makeup has the scoop on how Rachel expresses her Indian ancestry through her makeup, and as well as her personal tricks to looking bright, fresh and flawless.

BTW- I loved watching Rachel Roy in one of the episodes of MTV’s The City. Are you also a fan?

Q. Have you picked up any great beauty tips or tricks that you can share?
RR: I feel a great mascara can open the eye and instantly make you look as though you’ve have a good night’s sleep, even when that is not the case. I use 2-3 coats of Lancome’s Fatale on the top, bottom, and also on the back of the top lashes.

Q. Do you have a beauty signature? A fragrance or a lip color that you just love to wear?
RR: Because of my Indian ancestry, I love darkly rimmed eyes – a messy eye adds a sexy yet natural look to a classic outfit. To make the eyes smoky, I use Revlon’s Luxurious Color Kohl eyeliner in Black Truffle on the inside of the lids.

Q: What about a lip color that you just love to wear? What do you put on to achieve your favorite look?
RR: Bright lipstick is a way to quickly pop an outfit and freshen up a look a la Ava Gardner in “The Barefoot Contessa.” My favorite bright is MAC’s Morange lipstick – it’s a great way to add a twist to a classic look.

Q. Any last bits of advice?
RR: Another way to make your face pop is to fill in the eyebrows. I use Bobbi Brown’s eye shadow in Navajo.

MTV’s The City star Olivia Palermo was spotted recently with darker hair color (see right image below)! What happened to Olivia’s Jennifer Aniston-esqe or Gisele-esqe hair color, I wonder. Maybe  her new light brown hair is something to do with fall:) 

Anyone is missing Olivia Palermo’s honey blonde hair color?

Last night, Diesel Only The Brave celebrated their newest fragrance launch with an intimate live performance by the face of the scent, Common (who is currently filming “Just Wright” with Queen Latifah in NYC). Michelle Trachtenberg (“Gossip Girl“), Olivia Palermo (“The City“) and model Sessilee Lopez were also in attendance for the event held at Capitale in NYC.

Artist Common

The GRAMMY-winning hip-hop artist’s performance embodied the spirit of determination and perseverance. This private concert for Common’s friends and celebrity fans captured the essence of empowerment, a sense that the performer depicts throughout his work, from his music to his community outreach.

Olivia Palermo, “The City”

Michelle Trachtenberg , “Gossip Girl”

model Sessilee Lopez

Whitney Port Goes Green: Fashion Designer and Star of The City Joins the PlantLove Movement Trendsetter and Hollywood starlet is CARGO’s newest celebrity designer.

Whitney Port, star of MTV’s The City, is quickly becoming the style icon of her generation. Model, stylist and clothing designer, Whitney Port is now taking her design career beyond a role at Diane von Furstenberg, to the world of beauty.

New York Post’s Page Six Magazine recently dubbed Ms. Port “The New Carrie Bradshaw” because of her extraordinary style and glamour. Always on the cutting edge, Ms. Port has now partnered with CARGO PlantLove, the trailblazing prestige beauty brand leading the eco-movement, to design her perfect shade of lipstick. Whitney Port joins the ranks of fellow celebrity lipstick designers Courteney Cox, Evangeline Lilly, Angie Harmon and Denise Richards, to name a few. Each one of these women has partnered with CARGO because of the importance they place on protecting our planet and helping others. Importantly, CARGO will be donating two dollars from the sale of every lipstick to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, the world’s premier pediatric cancer research center.

This fall, Ms. Port’s very own signature shade of hot pink, eco-friendly 100% Natural PlantLove lipstick, “Eve Pinky,” will debut. The PlantLove line is the only prestige make-up brand to be designated ECOCERT, a global designation signifying that all product, process and packaging meet the strictest standards for natural, organic and environmentally friendly content. ECOCERT designated products dramatically reduce their environmental footprint.

The lipstick itself is 100% Natural, made from an infusion of Organic Cocoa Seed Butter, Organic Sunflower Seed Oil and Vitamin E. These ingredients help moisturize lips, fight free radicals and reduce the appearance of fine lines. The lipstick is housed in a tube made of Polylactic Acid (PLA), a polymer made entirely from corn, a renewable and abundant resource. What’s more, PLA production emits less greenhouse gas than traditional plastics.

Hana Zalzal, president and founder of CARGO Cosmetics, explains, “CARGO believes that small actions taken by large groups can make a real impact. The PlantLove brand is more than a line of make-up: It represents a movement towards beauty without compromise.” Ms. Zalzal goes on to say, “Whitney Port brings a fresh face to the PlantLove movement that will inspire women around the world. We couldn’t be more pleased to work with such a brilliant, young role model.”

PlantLove Lipstick in Eve Pinky by Whitney Port retails for $20 and will be available mid-August 2009, at Sephora stores and Sephora.com.

For additional information about PlantLove and CARGO Cosmetics, visit www.cargocosmetics.com .

What could Whitney Port and Jay-Z have in common?

They both love Brooklyn – based Carol’s Daughter products! Whitney Port, star of MTV reality series “The City,” is a new fan of Carol’s Daughter Tui Hair Oil, infused with lavender, rose, marigold and larkspur flowers, and Healthy Hair Butter, infused with seven essential oils to condition the hair and scalp and minimize breakage.

Hairstylist to the stars Franco Gabbi styles Whitney’s hair with Carol’s Daughter products and she absolutely loved it. Whitney thought the scent of the hair oil and butter was sexy and she loved the natural texture it gave her hair.

Carol’s Daughter Tui Hair Oil $8.50-$18.00, Carol’s Daughter Healthy Hair Butter $10.50-16.50 both available at www.carolsdaughter.com  and Carol’s Daughter stores.