Eletra Casedei dies at 55.

LOS ANGELES - Eletra Casadei has died.   The California fashion designer whose prom dresses put away the Sweet Sixteen look and moved into strapless, backless, slit-to-there styles, died on Sept 27 in her Pacific Palisades home.

The cause of death was brain cancer.

One of the first Los Angeles designers of her generation to gain a national reputation for something other than swimwear, Ms. Casadei claimed Old Hollywood glamour as her inspiration and fantasy dresses at affordable prices as her niche.

A former fashion model, she wore her own designs and added a few accents, like plum color streaks in her hair and iridescent fuchsia nail polish.

She introduced her TD4 (To Die For) line in the late 1970s for girls 14 and up. Before long, their mothers were wearing the clothes, and she launched a second collection, Casadei, for them. 10 years later, by the early 1980s, a boom time for flaunt-it fashion, Ms. Casadei was at her peak.

"Padded shoulders, draping, appliques, sequins - Eletra's evening dresses were over the top and a lot of fun," said Pam Roberts, the designer's former publicist.

Prices ranged from about $100 to about $400. Throughout the 80s, Ms. Casadei's collections were carried in over 6,000 boutiques and department stores. 

A former fashion model, she wore her own designs and added a few accents, like plum color streaks in her hair and iridescent fuchsia nail polish.

Dresses from her collections turned up on television sitcoms and soap operas as diverse as "Golden Girls" and "Dynasty."

Ms. Casadei's best advertisements were the two fashion-music videos she created in the mid-1980s, modeled after the music videos that aired on MTV. Instead of costumes, she used dresses from her latest collection.

"Eletra pioneered fashion-music videos," said Janet Orsi, another former publicist. "The idea was to capitalize on the music video phenomenon and marry it to fashion. Designers got to show their clothes in a new genre. It was a change from the typical fashion show."

Ms. Casadei's videos played in stores and wholesale showrooms as well as on MTV. She played the lead in "Adventures of the Countess," a mystery made in the style of a silent movie with scary mood music.

Her other video, "Prom Night," with a soundtrack of Steve Winwood music, shows girls at a dance that gets more exciting when guys in black leather show up.

Ms. Casadei was born in the east San Francisco Bay community of Hayward, where she won the title "Maid of Hayward" as a teenager. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, majoring in business administration. Her first job, as a store buyer, was frustrating.

"She was always wishing she could change the way the clothes were designed," Ms. Casadei's sister said.

She taught herself the skills of fashion design and opened a business office in downtown Los Angeles.

Ms. Casadei scaled back her operation in the '90s but became known for her remakes of popular celebrity dresses at the Academy Award shows. Her version of the vintage Valentino gown that actress Julia Roberts wore in 2001 sold for $169.

Until recently,  she designed under the Casadei by Eletra Casadei label and owned a boutique in Pacific Palisades.  At her boutique, she sold her ready-to-wear styles and made custom-order clothes. 

She leaves her son, Nico Casadei Roe; her mother, Verna Casadei, and another sister, Janelle Brunelli.  She was divorced from her only marriage.

3 Easy Steps to Saving Money for Prom!

Your teen is excited about prom, and has been waiting for this day for a long time. A time where memories will be shared, and the event will forever be treasured. In the scheme of all this planning, a budget should be necessary. After all, prom is not inexpensive. Here are a few things to go over with your teenager to plan out the expenses before it leaves you broke.

• Advise them to speak with there date about Prom expenses- Make sure that your teenager and there date have all the expenses arranged. Budgeting for prom is a great way to save money. I'm sure the other party, would like to save money as well, not unless there parents have no problem covering for everything. If you're on a budget, splitting the expense in half can save you money, instead of having your teenager pay for the whole cost. Well. let me re phrase that, your teenager won't be coughing up the money, you will. So make sure you discuss with your teenager that they go over who will pay for:
  

1. Prom Tickets- Either party can pay for the whole amount, or it can be a shared expense. They can pay for there own prom ticket.
   
2. Flowers or accessories- Both parties purchase a corsage for the other.
3. Attire- Both parties pay for there own attire.
4. Limousine- A shared expense for the entire group using the limousine. Everyone can pitch in.
   
5. After Prom Activities- Both parties can pay there own way.
6. Prom Pictures- This can be a shared expense between the two of them. Or, they can make a compromise. Whoever, pays for the pictures, has to buy the other party for the after prom activities, such as dining cost.

• Shop around!- You don't want your teenager to get anything they first see. Make sure you shop around for bargains and sales. Check the phone book for local cheap prom attire stores, surf the internet for sales, and most importantly don't be afraid to bargain with that cashier for a discount, for buying a tuxedo and a bow tie. Try to range out a cost, and spending limit of how much money you have available for your teenagers prom.
  

• Don't give them an EXACT spending limit!- Try not to start this budget by telling them they have only such-and-such amount to spend. Your teenager cannot control how much things cost. Trying to stay within a certain amount at this stage of the process will cause stress in them and create a rift between the two of you. This is a point in your teenagers life where they need you the most, laying down the law, might cause distress and anger. Instead, emphasize sells to your teenager. Explain to them, everything is not low priced in this era, and the two of you will need to find ways to save money.

Choosing the right prom date

Most girls look forward to attending there senior prom. Its a day of liberating yourself, hanging out with your beloved friends and date. You know you've been waiting for this you're whole life, searching for that beautiful dress that will make you feel like a queen, and running restless with your friends, searching for that perfect prom hairdo. You've got it all planned, however you're still thinking about who you want to take. Most people think that because people are in relationships it's easier to just go together. It has its perks as well as it's flaws. Bringing a boyfriend/girlfriend can make prom memorable, however since you and your significant other are comfortable with each other, this may compel you to be honest and blunt with each other on prom, if one is agitating or pestering the other. Also, what if you're significant other is possessed with the green eyed monster (jealousy) and over reacts when you get the attention you deserve. Let's face it, the majority of people at prom look absolutely stunning! So it's never that easy. So your single, and still deciding who you want to go with. These are just a few things to consider before asking that special someone to spend that remarkable evening with you.

1. Ask someone who enjoys the same hobbies and interest as you- Can you imagine asking someone to prom who doesn't have anything in common with you? What would you guys talk about? Make sure when you ask your date out, you feel comfortable being with them. If this was a blind date, try to get there phone number, so you can talk a week prior just to familiarize yourself with them. Get a touch and feel of there background. It is important that you do so, you want to be at ease with your date.
   
2. Someone who you're able to negotiate the cost with- If the guy offers to pay for the prom tickets, and limo offer to pay for the pictures, or maybe for half of his tuxedo. Thats only if he feels comfortable you chipping in. Some guys (or girls) are traditional and want to pay for everything, in this I mean, the prom tickets, the pictures, the limo, and maybe the restaurant or dining place you might attend after prom. However, if you have a penny pinching boyfriend or date, its best to discuss these matters before prom. You don't want to be stuck with these expenses you can't afford. You two can also split the cost. I, for one didn't feel comfortable having my date pay for everything, so I offered for us to go half.
   
3. Be sure you ask someone who has the same plans for prom- If you like to dance, be sure your partner does too! You don't want to ask someone to prom, only to find out that he/she thinks dancing is for nerds. Prom consists of dancing, spending time with friends, and dining. If you're the out going type, loves to talk, be sure your date does too! If your date is the shy type and a little timid, this may cause them to feel ill at ease, and discomfited. Also, make sure your date has the same plans for prom, for ex: if you were looking forward to going to an after party, discuss this with your date. Some people are fine without bringing there prom date to an after party, so if you're comfortable with this idea, more power to you, however if you expect your date to be there, and there not up for the idea, take this into consideration.
   

Above all, make sure your date is someone you want to spend that night with, someone who will offer you the best kind of prom you desire. Don't let the person you take be the reason for disaster, prom is for enjoying yourselves. You only get one senior prom.

Ways to look 15 pound slimmer, without doing the real leg work!

So you're prom is one month away, and you still have that extra flab hanging over your stomach, or you say its your bottom? Can you lose 15 pounds at the gym in 1 month? Probably. But if you want to take the short cut, and appear to be 15 pounds slimmer, try these trips!

• Try wearing a monochrome. A monochrome dress is a one color dress that elongates the body, making you look slimmer

• Neutral colors, black, silver, gray, beige, taupe, gold, will make you appear taller and more slender.

• Wearing dark muted colors make you look thinner. Not everyone should wear black, so think shimmery deep gray, silver, wine, raisin, burgundy, forest green, russet, midnight blue, golden brown, cocoa, or cranberry.
  

• Try wearing vertical lines in fabric or pattern. Overall effect is up/down.

• Wear Materials that skim along the contour of your body, not clingy or super tight.

• Wear long straight skirts or dresses - be sure the skirt is not too tight around your behind!
  

• Wearing slight empire waist makes your lower body look longer and thinner.

• Wearing Heels creates the illusion of length to the leg. Making your legs appear longer.

• Wearing a long necklace-or no necklace at all, makes the neck look slimmer and longer.

• Wearing low cut dresses can make the neck appear look longer, however don't exaggerate the plunging neckline, too much cleavage can make you look tacky and trashy.

• Wear fabrics that drape and move with your body, think along the lines of graceful, relaxed, fluid, soft.

Things to avoid if you got that extra layer of flab

If you're on the heavy side, you want to wear dresses that will focus on your curves. If you want to hide just certain parts of your body to give the illusion of slenderness, avoid the following:

Don't wear big exaggerated shoes. Shoes that are wide, or look simply big, can make you look chunky.

Bright Colors make you look 10 pounds heavier. Clear, pure colors like red, blue, yellow, orange, green, purple tend to add pounds. Use these colors in accessories like necklaces, earrings, and shawls. Wearing sequins and beads in hair are fine, as long as those your dress doesn't carry those patterns all over your body.

Don't wear clingy tight clothing. This will show the silhouette of your body. It will make you look chubby, so depending on your body shape, search for a dress that will flatter, and focus on your best feature.

Fluffy, ruffly gathered skirts, add pounds. So try to stay away from a dress, that has a huge tulle flared skirt, if you must, try to limit the roundness, by choosing a dress that's not that fluffy.

Stay away from bulk, and stuff fabric. When you wear fabric that feels bulky, it adds pounds, making you look bigger. Stick to semi loose satin.

Stay away from full sleeves. Bigger girls think that covering there body will make them appear thinner, but it only makes you look large, and chubby. If you have flabby arms, use thick straps.

Avoid contrasting shoes, if your shoes are lighter or darker than your dress , it adds 5 pounds.

Avoid having your hair hanging down over the neck. It breaks up the sleekness of the neck. Think up do!

Avoid the two tone dresses-one color up top and one color down below cuts the sleek line in half.

Avoid shiny material like satin, all-over sequins taffeta, metallics-save metallics for accessories.

Avoid busyness at the neckline, like big jewelry or ruffled necklines. This will only make your neck appear large, and attention grabbing. You want to slim down your neck, avoid having a lot of jewelry.

Tips on how to pick that perfect jewelry gift for your bridesmaids!

So you've already have the man you were dreaming about since you were a little girl. You have your setting and theme for your wedding. You picked out your special girls to stand next to you on the most exciting day of your life. Now, its time to take the light off you for a minute and think about how will you ever repay your bridesmaids for the help they've provided for you? Jewelry is a perfect gift, especially for an event like this. The beautiful dress that they will be wearing, will look absolutely beautiful with jewelry and accessories. To top it off, it also makes for a great gift. Your bridesmaids will cherish the bridesmaid jewelry you give them forever. It is a token of your special day that they were part of. Don’t forget, once you’ve got the bridesmaid jewelry picked out – add a little note of how much you appreciate all they have done for you in the planning of your big, special day! So before you start choosing what type of jewelry you want them to wear, think along these lines.

• Pick jewelry to compliment the dress, not over power it- Everyone will be looking at the bride, and her ravishing dress. The audience will also be looking at the bridesmaids, after all pictures of you will be taken with your radiant dress. However, even though your jewelry should accentuate the dress, the primary focus will also be your gown! Your jewelry should flatter the dress, compliment it. Too much "bling bling" will make you look cheesy, and a target for attention. You want to stand out with your beauty and attire, not by tackiness.
• Think Necklines! It is important to consider the dress styles when purchasing jewelry. You might want to get a full set (earrings, bracelets, necklace) A good way of thinking of how to purchase necklaces for your bridesmaids, is choose them to follow the style of the dress neckline. For example, for a v neck dress, choose necklaces with a Y-drop, lariat or back dangle, or the classic pendant style necklace.
• For a unique touch, choose different jewelry for each bridesmaids- You chose your bridesmaids cause there all important to you in different ways. One might have the ability to tame you when you're feeling hot tempered and emotional. Another might know how to make you laugh so hard until you felt like you just endured an abdominal work out. All of your bridesmaids carry different traits, and personalities, so choose jewelry that loudly shout there character. You can get the same color of jewelry, however don't be afraid to mix it up with a different design of jewelry. If you keep the color of the jewelry consistent, it is a nice to way to showcase each individuals taste with congruency.
• Its a token of appreciation- The jewelry you picked out for them, make for great gifts! So give it away! Wrap the jewelry, fancy the box with bows and lace. You want your bridesmaids to remember this day forever and if you have chosen wisely, they will be able to wear the jewelry for years afterward- and its guaranteed they'll remember that memorable day each time they do!
  
  

Tips to consider when choosing your bridesmaid crew!

So the proposal is done, now for the planning. What theme will you use? Where will you have the wedding? Whats you're wedding dress going to look like? Then the unavoidable question arises, who will you choose to be your bridesmaids? Choosing a bridesmaid comes with careful thinking and thought. If you rush your pick, inevitably you might end up with irresponsible, unenthusiastic, or friends that are not up for the assignment and can cause stressful situations. You will have enough to put on your plate on that fast pace day, the last thing you need is a bridesmaid weighing in on your shoulders. These women will be an important part of the event, and it’s essential that you choose wisely. Heres a few tips on how to narrow down your bridesmaid crew!

1. Don’t make quick assumptions- You might have a couple of friends that are going through problems right now, one might be going through a break up with her cheating boyfriend, another might be facing financial debt. Don’t write off your friends if you know this is something they were looking forward to. Offer them the position, but also let them know if they decline, then you would be in complete understanding. If however, you make an irrational assumption, and refuse to ask them, this might cause them to feel betrayed or hurt. If your bridesmaid dresses are designer dresses, and they’re financial debt is getting in the way of purchasing the dress, promise to find something else for her to do in the wedding that is inexpensive, but still thoughtful.
2. More isn’t always better- It must be hard trying to narrow down the people you want right next to you on your wedding day. Sure, you would want anyone who ever touched your heart, who directed you to the right path, who was loyal to you. However choosing more people on the bridesmaid front may not be the wisest choice. It leaves room for more complications. If however, you choose one handful of bridesmaids, its easier to decide on what dress to pick and wear. More people would mean, you would have to have all of them agree and decide on a dress, shower date, and coordinate all the other joys of bridal party. If you’re on a budget, think about how much more money you would need to spend on the bridal gifts and so forth.
3. Just because you were a bridesmaid in there wedding, they dont have to be in yours!-Thats right I said it. This isn’t a dinner party invitation that you need to reciprocate. And your circumstances aren’t the same. They might have been loaded with money, and thought quantity over quality. Don’t ask that best friend of elementary school to be in your wedding if you haven’t talked to them in years. Especially if its just to return the favor!
4. Blood is thicker then water- So you and your sisters are close. However there is one out of the bunch, thats the monkey on your back. When everyone was supporting you, she was the one that had nothing but negative things to say. Your relationship with her is complex, but you love her none the less. Still, its worth having family up there to avoid unnecessary conflict and hurt feelings. Think of it like this, asking her might allow her to become more mature and responsible. And if that doesn’t work, you can always use it as a browning point when she’s back to her old habits.
5. Theres not a law that only allows one maid of honor!- If you have 2 people you feel closest to, and absolutely can’t decide or refuse to ask either one of them, then have both of them there! Theres not a law about only having one bridesmaid to choose from. Be aware of the scuffling and arguing over who will hold the ring, the bouquet, stand right next to you, sign the license, and so on. Just tell them both what you specifically want each to do.