Maria Sharapova Should Be Idolized On and Off the Court

Maria Sharapova is a 21 year old tennis phenom who has taken the world by storm. I may be slightly biased because I'm absolutely obsessed with tennis and Sharapova is my favorite womens player, but I truly think Maria is in a league of her own. She was born in Siberia, Russia, and she and her father Yuri came to the United States when she was only seven years old so she could attend the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Brandenton, Florida. She went on to win Wimbledon at age 17, then the 2004 US Open, and the 2008 Australian Open.



Along with her many accolades for her stellar tennis game, Maria Sharapova has frequently been voted Best Dressed among the WTA Women's Tour. I second that. I've already mentioned how much of a tennis nerd I am, so it goes without saying that I've watched TONS of tennis...and Sharapova is yet to disappoint in the fashion department. To be fair, I should mention that she naturally wears the outfits well because of her modelesque figure (she's like 6' 3" and very slim). For example, the dresses she wore to the 2006 and 2007 US Open nighttime final matches. She literally looks like a supermodel who just happens to play tennis.

Even when she's decked out in her glam tennis gear, Maria still has style. Here she is at the 2007 year-end tournament players' party in a metallic orange tunic by Thakoon, black pantyhose, and black Lanvin pumps.

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Here's an example of how she could seriously moonlight as a model. Here she is in a Peter Som dress at an event for the Maria Sharapova Foundation. Usually when celebrities wear clothes straight off the runway, it's a complete disaster. However, Maria proves she can wer just about anything.

Here she is in Qatar in sweats, a t-shirt, and...FENDI?!?! Must be nice to still look chic even you're completely dressed down.

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It may seem like I'm gushing about Maria Sharapova's fashion savvy, but I'm not the only one. Tiffany & Co. (yes, as in Breakfast at Tiffany's), have created 18K gold wave earrings designed by Elsa Peretti for Maria to wear during the 2008 French Open. The company will design a line of earrings (called Tiffany for Maria Sharapova) for her to wear during each grand slam throughout the next two years. Fame, fortune, beauty, and now her very own line of Tiffany earrings. Some people seem to have all the luck.

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Mischa Barton + Marissa Cooper = HAUTE

It goes without saying that Mischa Barton is most famous for playing the rebellious Marissa Cooper on Fox's The O.C. However, her interesting fashion taste is perhaps what's kept her on magazine covers after the tragic cancellation of The O.C. Mischa Anne Marsden Barton was born in London, but she moved to New York City when she was four. She essentially had an actor's upbringing because she primarily attended performing arts schools such as the Professional Children's School in Manhattan and The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and began acting at nine years old.

Mischa has clearly been a talent from a very young age. I remember her performance in The Sixth Sense, which was my favorite Barton performance (aside from her role in The O.C., of course). Although technically she's an actress, I consider her to be one of my fashion icons...on and off-screen. As Marissa Cooper, she drifted toward more trendy and refined looks. In real life, her personal style is edgier and more rock & roll-inspired.

Here is an example of the Marissa Cooper signature elegance. She's wearing a white pearl Chanel necklace with a matching white clutch and top.

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Compare that to the real Mischa seen below. Notice the stark difference between light, airy, So-Cal Marissa, and the dark, grungy, mysterious Mischa. Here she dons a John Lennon tee, high-waisted darkwash jeans, bright red lips, and not one, but TWO chic designer bags. The black one is the Louis Vuitton Rivets bag, and the larger one is the Louis Vuitton monogram Sac Chien doggie bag.

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Here is Mischa again, but this time she's wearing lighter daytime looks, and rocking the awesome Chanel Charm flap bag in all three looks.

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Even when she has to get glammed up for a red carpet event, Mischa still sticks to her trendsetter mentality. Here she is at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival in a white haute couture Christian Dior gown, highlighted by crimson red lips and old hollywood style eye makeup.

After Much Ado...Sex and the City is Finally Here!

Yep, you heard me. Finally. After four years of anxious waiting and wishing and hoping, the fabulous New York gals of Sex and the City are back, and better than ever. I really mean that. I've been watching each and every media report pertaining to the movie, the premieres, etc., and it seems like Carrie, Samantha, Miranda, and Charlotte, and even Mr. Big have gotten better with age. Well, it's only been for years...but that's like a decade in showbiz.

When we first left off, Carrie was back in New York with Big, Samantha was with boyfriend Smith, Charlotte and Harry were planning on adopting a little girl from China, and Miranda was living with Steve, Brady, and her mother-in-law Mary. All in all, the series ended on a very high note because it seemed as though everyone was at piece and happy with their lives. However, Sex and the City is a show filled with drama and intrigue...and I can only assume the movie will be no different. Although the movie is sure to be fabulous, I have to admit that I'm most excited about the fashion.

Here we have the four glamour gals in a clip from the movie. Samantha is wearing a red Thierry Mugler jacket, matching Valentino skirt, and a Fendi bag. Miranda is in an Alberta Ferretti dress with shoes by Luciano Padovan. Ms. Carrie Bradshaw is decked out in a full Ralph Lauren outfit with her signature Manolo Blahniks. Last but not least, Charlotte York is ever-so-classy in Prada.

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It has often been said that New York City is the unofficial 5th character of Sex and the City, so I found it to be extra strange that the movie had its first official premiere in London. Anyway, here are the four ladies, chic as can be.

Let me start with Sarah Jessica Parker in what some have called the most controversial outfit she's ever worn. The dress and shoes are by Alexander McQueen, but the peculiar aspect of the look is easily the Phillip Treacy hat. It basically looks like a little hat with a tree sprout growing out of it. Haute or not? I say not...but SJP really wanted to make a fashion statement in probably the biggest movie premiere of her life, and she did just that. Cynthia Nixon is wearing a black lower-than-low cut Calvin Klein, Kim Cattrall is in a red Vivienne Westwood dress, and Kristin Davis is wearing a vintage fuscia number.

Their next stop was Berlin, Germany. Sarah Jessica Parker dazzled in a body-hugging Versace, Kristin Davis wore a green 40's style Oscar de la Renta dress with black Louboutins, Cynthia Nixon looked refined in a sleek low-cut black gown, and Kim Cattrall wore a very complicated, slightly unflattering orange dress.

And now for the big guns...the New York City premiere! At last! The ladies did not disappoint. The theme of the night was clearly metallic (with the exception of Cynthia Nixon in white). Let me start with my favorite. Sarah Jessica Parker looked AMAZING in Nina Ricci (and redeemed herself for the previously mentioned tree-hat). Up next: Kristin Davis who looked stunning in a pleated gold Donna Karan creation. Cynthia Nixon was very ethereal in a white Narciso Rodriguez gown. Finally, Kim Cattrall looked über trendy in a strapless Vivienne Westwood.

David Beckham Has Taken Over the World!!!

His full name is David Robert Joseph Beckham, but he's known in the UK as Becks, and in the US as David Beckham...the Soccer Savior. He was born in London, and lived there until he signed with Manchester United at age 17. Since then, his soccer (football) accolades are beyond stellar, and now he's been summoned to save soccer in the United States.

Beckham's new deal with the Los Angeles Galaxy is so lucrative, he now has the highest salary of any MLS player in history! Even more, his numerous contracts and endorsements have made him, along with his fabulous wife Victoria and their kids some very wealthy individuals. That is, wealthy and stylish. I know I usually write about stylish females, but David Beckham deserves a special mention because I truly believe that he's one of the trendiest men in the world. Not only is he stylish, but his look is very versatile. I've seen him with long hair, short hair, no hair, a mohawk, etc. and he still maintains a devilishly handsome look at all times.

For example, here he is in a casual-dressy look with a simple white button-down shirt, a chocolate brown Armani sportcoat, topped off with a very chic scarf. I'm not gonna lie, VERY few men out there can pull this look off without seeming pretentious, so I think it goes without saying that Becks has the gift of impeccable style.

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Here he is again looking casual, yet refined in a navy blue polo shirt, khakis, aviators, and an Omega watch. This ensemble truly shows that very often, less is more. He isn't trying too hard to look flashy, yet he's still presentable to the ever-present paparazzi.

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I've already mentioned what I believe to be Beckham's best asset...his hair. He changes that hair as often as I change handbags...

Just Where Would the World Be Without Kate Moss?

Ms. Katherine Ann Moss, aka Kate Moss, is everyone's favorite bad-girl supermodel. She's the Brit that won't quit. Kate Moss has truly revolutionized the definition of style, while simultaneously making us hate ourselves. How does this little lady accomplish such a feat? That's it--she's little. In fact, Moss made her stamp on the fashion world by popularizing the heroin chic look in the '90s. If you don't recall this fad, it essentially involved being so thin, you looked like you were strung out on heroin, but still looking chic at the same time.

Anyway, Kate was born in London on January 16, 1974...which means she's 34 years old!!! I wanna know her skin care secrets because I'm only 19 and she looks younger than me. Kate was discovered at the ripe age of 14 in an airport and the rest...is history.

Now she's a juggernaut of fashion, one of the highest-paid models in history, and the mother of a 5 year old daughter. Aside from her personal woes (the cocaine scandal), Moss has remained a revolutionary fashion icon because not only has she been on top of just about every best-dressed list, but she's also responsible for beaucoup celebrity fashion trends. The first one being Uggs.

When I first saw these cuddly boots a few years ago, I thought they were wretched. Then (like two seconds later), I fell in love with them. Thank you Kate Moss. Here is the original devotee...and some fabulous copycats (Eva Longoria and Jennifer Aniston).

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She also made denim cut-off short shorts pretty famous. Check her out in a $165.00 pair from Siwy Denim.

You could also credit Kate Moss for bringing back the over-the-knee high boot...and I do. Pairing skinny jeans with high boots not only accentuates her waifish body frame, it makes her look taller. Here she is wearing a pair of oh-so-chic Stuart Weitzmans.

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Last but not least, she made it cool to wair high-waisted jeans.

I Love Marc Jacobs.

Marc Jacobs is a through-and-through New Yorker...and design powerhouse. Jacobs is perhaps most famous for his own label, Marc Jacobs, but he has also branched out into a diffusion line (Marc by Marc Jacobs), a children's line (Little Marc), and he's the fashion director of the oh-so-glamorous house of Louis Vuitton.

Jacobs learned his trade at the High School of Art and Design, and perfected it at the Parsons School of Design. Quite the pedigree. Immediately after his study at Parsons, Jacobs began to work for the Perry Ellis label. However, he was fired from this job after he designed a line of grunge clothing. I personally looove grunge, but apparently Perry Ellis doesn't agree. However, I'm not too upset that he got fired because otherwise, Marc Jacobs may not exist today.

Marc Jacobs is also noted for famously creating the first ready-to-wear line for Louis Vuitton after he was appointed Creative Director in 1997. Other than his fashion, Marc Jacobs is known for his unique look. Until recently, Jacobs would usually don a plain blue button-down shirt, khakis, white sneakers, thick glasses, and greasy hair. Thankfully, he's gotten his act together (by going to rehab), gotten in shape, and transformed his entire look. Check out this dramatic before and after:



Marc Jacobs is hands down loved by celebrities. Here are Hilary and Haylie Duff sporting Marc Jacobs' Hudson Leather Tote.

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Sofia Coppola looks absolutely stunning on the 2004 Oscars red carpet in this purple Marc Jacobs gown.

...And here's Pharell rocking out some white Marc Jacobs aviators.

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Marc by Marc Jacobs is geared more toward the teen crowd...and who better to represent this demographic than OC phenom Rachel Bilson. She looks cool as always in a red Marc by Marc Jacobs polka-dot top.

Sticking with the polka dot theme, here's a cute navy polka dot Marc by Marc Jacobs satchel.

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I've already mentioned his children's line Little Marc. Here's a sample.

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Last but not least, it's everyone's favorite ex-supermodel Tyra Banks carrying a Louis Vuitton soft briefcase.

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Rihanna...She Only Needs One Name.

Her full name is actually Robyn Rihanna Fenty, but she's simply known to us all as Rihanna. She's only 20 years old and she's already won over 40 awards for her music! She was born in Barbados, where she grew up singing and perfecting her art. At the age of 15, she received her biggest break when a producer heard her music, passed it along the industry, and into Jay-Z's lap. He then signed her onto Def Jam Records, which has been her label ever since.

Although Rihanna is known as a musician, I really feel that it's her bold style that's truly revolutionary. Whether it's the hair, the shoes, the clothes, or the makeup, Rihanna's style is always memorable (for good reasons). If there's one thing I've noticed in terms of her red carpet attire, it's that shorter and tighter is better. The majority of the dresses she appears in are babydoll or body-hugging, form-fitting minis.

For example, here she is in a white Dolce & Gabbana babydoll at the MTV VMA's.

...And here she is at the BET Awards, again in white, but this time it's a sizzling Hervé Léger.

However, although Rihanna seems to favor minis, she can look just as dazzling and sexy in a floor-length gown. Case in point, this hot pink Armani Prive made her stand out at the MTV VMA's red carpet, which is becoming harder and harder to do.

Here she is in Chloe sunglasses sporting the shades+fedora trend.

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Not only does she wear glamorous attire, her hair and makeup adds to her style. Here, her dark red lips and cat eyes evoke a sense of old-Hollywood glitz.

She even jumped on the shorter-than-sort hair bandwagon waayyyy before Katie Holmes.

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Even when she's not decked out in full red-carpet swank, Rihanna knows how to look trendy. Here she is in a navy button-down sweater, dark skinny jeans, metallic Michael Kors flats, and a metallic handbag.

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