Hue Go Girl at the Met Gala

The annual Met Costume Institute Gala is typically the fashion world’s collective moment to preen around a worthy cause, and last night was no exception. Co-chair Oprah Winfrey brought mega-wattage to the Institute’s new exhibit, "American Woman: Fashioning a National Identity," devoted to female archetypes, from the flapper to the Gibson Girl to the Bohemian. Out on the red carpet, full-length strapless numbers and one-shoulder frocks (still!), many in bold, saturated colors, were the fashion archetypes that ruled the evening.

The American women we loved included flawless Mary J. Blige in a floor-length coral J. Mendel confection. Laundry’s long, draped peachy dress in our All Dressed Up sale today (get it here) would do the trick if you’re feeling Blige’s vibe, and it has the advantage of being totally wearable for both a dressy night out and a beachy weekend brunch.

Bombshell Christina Hendricks also caught our eye in a L'Wren Scott stunner in cornflower blue. Laundry’s frock (get it here) has the same entrancing hue, and the one-shoulder look is, as we know, still right on-trend. Keep embellishments simple with this one, and finish the look with footwear--anything from wedges to stilettos would work.

Naomi Watts, though not American, was still totally gorgeous in a fuchsia Stella McCartney gown (having Liev Schrieber on your arm doesn’t hurt either). House of Dereon’s classically draped dress (get it here) radiates more of a Greek goddess feel, but the vivid color has the same unmistakable punch that Watts sported. Watts opted for a daring red lip to complete her ensemble, but we would probably lean towards a more neutral peachy-pink lipstick to polish off this entrance-making piece.

What do you think of these looks from last night?

The ideeli Scoop with the Court Yard Hounds

How do we love the new band the Court Yard Hounds? Let us count the ways. Made up of sisters Emily Robison and Martie Maguire—you may remember them from a little group called the Dixie Chicks—CYH’s first album drops today and its rootsy, freewheeling vibe is putting us in the mood for easy breezy summer days. (Especially the first single, “The Coast,” whose soaring refrain is reminiscent of Sheryl Crow’s classic “All I Wanna Do.”) Robison serves as lead vocalist with Maguire providing unmistakable sister harmonies on everything from wrenching ballads to out and out rockers.

ideeli is so thrilled with CYH and their new tunes that we’re offering a Giveaway today that will allow one lucky ideeli member to experience a V.I.P. CYH extravaganza, including tickets to a show, a backstage meet and greet with the sisters, and a clothing makeover by the band's stylist.

To celebrate our rockin’ Giveaway, we’ve gone behind the scenes with Robison for the ideeli Scoop (be sure to check in next week for juicy Part II) on getting back to nature, songwriting, and not holding a grudge.

What was the inspiration for starting Court Yard Hounds?
The inspiration for CYH was due to a succession of events...first being restless and a bit bored on the extended hiatus of the "Chicks," and feeling like we needed a musical outlet. Second, I had been writing a lot of songs and asked Martie her opinion of them...when she encouraged me to sing them myself, it started the ball rolling and we decided to go into the studio together and record.
As a duo, what's your songwriting process like?
As sisters, we tend to finish each other's sentences anyway, but it extends to songwriting where we share a lot of the same sensibilities in music. Brutal honesty is also important when it comes to the creative process. We can knock down each others's ideas if they are bad and not hold a grudge.
What are your go-to outfits when not touring?
For me, it’s J Brand jeans and a soft Alexander Wang T-shirt and Havaianas...my standard piece of jewelry is my set of 4 Costume National wide gold bands for my fingers and a small gold hoop. I keep it pretty simple. Martie always looks much more hip and rockin' on her time off than I do. She's always in a cool slouchy boot, cool pants and top with a cool piece of jewelry...much more apt to wear her nice jewelry.
What's the first thing you do when you come home from a tour?
Take my kids to our ranch and get back to nature.

So Long Bryant Park

      After 17 years of countless air kisses, chaotic pre-show moments and definitive fashion triumphs, the Tents at Bryant Park are moving and ideeli was proud to be a sponsor of the grand send-off last night to bid au revoir to an era. With over 1500 people in attendance, the Tents were packed for the last time from the lobby to the Promenade with fashion's bold-faced names paying tribute to the iconic locale. Among the revelers were Yigal Azrouel, Vivienne Tam, Lorenzo Martone, Lynne Yaeger, Kelly Cutrone, Russell Simmons, Robert Verdi and of course countless models—all stopping by to take a nostalgic glance back and look forward to the big move in the fall, when Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will relocate to Lincoln Center's Damrosch Park. Also in attendance were the 3 lucky ideeli members who scored invites to the party through our latest giveaway: Leah Melone, Karen Entwistle, and Carol Miu.
      Fern Mallis, the IMG force behind the entire enterprise, said, "Wow!! The tents in Bryant Park will never be the same after last night's fantastic send-off. Just 2 hours after Tommy Hilfiger's great show, the Tents were transformed into the coolest party space...we should have done this every year!! Great friends, colleagues and industry players all came for a last toast." 2 DJ's and countless mini bottles of Moet ensured that the festivities were hopping, and it didn't take long for a full-on dance party to break out in the Promenade tent, where revelers could get down right on the revered runway. The party went on till the wee hours and as we left for the last time we couldn't help thinking, if only the Tents could talk, the stories they'd tell.