Alexa Chung Tells Us How To Dress Like Her (‘Wear Stupid Shoes!’) and Elle Fanning and Kate Bosworth Gush Over Her New Collection for Madewell

Photo: WireImage

LOS ANGELES–When it comes to personal style, there’s no better embodiment of a brazen fashionista than Alexa Chung; and it’s no wonder that Madewell tapped her for a second collaborative collection (sales of her debut collection went through the roof) this fall. InStyle hosted a celebratory soiree in her honor last night, the eve before the collection hits stores, at the Chateau Marmont and packed the house with a stylish set including Amanda Seyfried, Diana Agron, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Zelda Williams and more.

A pop-up shop displaying the entire line occupied guests for hours, while we made the rounds to see just what it is about Chung’s style that’s so decidedly addictive.

“She’s my favorite kind of sexy,” said Kate Bosworth, hot off her European run as the face of Vanessa Bruno. “I think Alexa is so chic and unique and playful. That tomboyish femininity…like she’s not trying too hard. You can tell she’s sharp, totally a smart girl.”

Clad in a prim ivory lace dress from the collection, Elle Fanning excitedly fawned over the fashion before embracing Alexa in a sweet hug to congratulate her. “Everything is so cute! I love Madewell and I love Alexa…having them together is like heaven!” enthused the young actress, who first met Chung at the Met Ball months ago. “She’s really, really fun. I love how she sort of wears baby doll dresses but still has the tomboy thing going on. It suits her so well.”

So what did the girl of the hour have to say about all of the fashion flattery? “Yeah, it’s true. I like to kick against the mainstream. When people hate what I’m wearing, or just don’t get it, it’s like validation that I’ve got it right. It’s like cool, I didn’t want you to anyway!” the style icon laughed. As for the collaboration, she elaborated, “It’s like a dream world to work with Madewell because we have the same vibe, we appreciate the same visual aesthetic. I’m very happy with everything, but the leopard print boots are my favorite because they came out exactly as I drew them. They were missing in my closet. I dreamt them up and now they’re on my feet!”

And after all that, we had to ask, what are the tenets to dressing like Alexa Chung? Without missing a beat, she outlined the following: “Have fun. Don’t take anything too seriously. Try a bit of irony now and again. Don’t wear anything too tight. Borrow things from your brother, boyfriend or father’s wardrobe. And wear stupid shoes!”

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This Week’s Parties: Alexa Chung at Mulberry, Karen Elson Sings and Designs Shoes and Mischa Barton Looks Really Good

This week’s party highlights were for two very different brands, but both drew a similarly fabulous crowd (especially stylish Brits) and memorable music performances. Hayley danced the night away and drank margs with Alexa Chung Monday, while Dhani took in an amazing performance by Karen Elson and chatted with Mischa Barton Tuesday. Read on for deets and pics!

On Monday, Mulberry celebrated their 40th birthday in only the way that the quirky-cool English brand could pull off: With an all-out rager atop the Skylight Studios and all of fashion’s cool crowd in attendance.

We could hear the party’s heavy base from about two blocks away. Once inside, we were excited to find the party already booming, with a packed dance floor (which was a classic Seventies style, with lit-up squares and all), and party-goers enjoying margaritas and yummy snacks like mini grilled cheese sandwiches and delicious cupcakes. Once the band, Kasabian, went on, we saw Alexa Chung (wearing a trench tied around her waist, and a blue ribbon in her hair) and Harley Viera Newton get down on the dance floor.

Guests were treated to balloon animal hats (yes, like the kind you got at sixth grade birthday parties) and Rumi Neely and Bryanboy both treated themselves to some festive balloon sculptures, we’re particularly partial to Neely’s balloon fairy wings!

We capped off our night by taking a picture with Mulberry’s infamous blow-up bag, which for this momentous night had been made in shiny gold. Happy 40th Mulberry!

Last night, further downtown, Karen Elson and Nine West celebrated the launch of their collaboration with a soiree hosted by Paper magazine at hipsteraunt Beauty & Essex.

The highlight of the evening began around 10pm when Karen Elson and her band took the stage, but not before a glowing and accurate introduction by Sarah Sophie Flicker, who described her friend as a “quadruple threat”: model, singer/songwriter, designer and dancer. And she’s pretty remarkable at everything she does. We were blown away by her performance. Girl can sing. Her voice reminded us a bit of Neko Case and when she closed her performance with Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” we got goosebumps. That is one hard song to sing and she completely did it justice.

Unfortunately, I had to tweet about how that song will forever remind me of The O.C. and oddly enough, after she show ended, I turned around to see none other than Mischa Barton (whose very dramatic death on the show was scored with that song), who we hope is making a comeback. She looked AMAZING (seriously, see below for pics). Obviously, we had to talk to her.

She and stylist June Ambrose were being dragged out, but she had just enough time to tell us, in her subtly British accent, that she was wearing a Phillip Lim dress, those Miu Miu shoes, and a bag of her own design. She had just gotten into town to do “some stuff” for said bag line which is apparently in its ninth season. She wasn’t sure if she was going to any shows. Then, I told her about how that song always reminds me of The O.C., to which she replied, “Oh wow! No totally…um, that resonates for a lot of people.” June offered, “See, I think of Shrek.” Click through for more pics of Karen and Mischa.

**Photos via Getty and TK Stuart-Deely

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First Look: Alexa Chung for Madewell Fall 2011 Campaign Snaps

via The Fashion Spot

Behold: Alexa Chung for Madewell Fall 2011 campaign images. Aren’t they a beaut!?

Ever since we heard Alexa Chung would be reprising her role as guest designer at Madewell this fall, we’ve been on the edge of our seats–literally–to see what the fashion muse will come up with this time. Unsurprisingly, Chung does not disappoint.

We’re already dreaming about the cozy-looking sweater and on-trend lacy long sleeve tee, seen in these first three snaps from the campaign.

Of course it doesn’t hurt that Alexa, the campaign’s model, is so gorgeous we bet she could make a paper bag look cool–and get us to shill out $$ for it too.

See two more pictures from the campaign after the jump.

via Photo: via Elle.com via The Fashion Spot

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