Flawless

Just as the weather begins to warm, it’s time to start shopping for fall. As the designers took the runway to showcase their fall 2008 collections one designer stood out against the rest: Lanvin. This classic name has been sheer perfection since the beginning in 1889. It was the first French couture house and has established and refined its name since. Each season, Lanvin designs manage to fuse together a flawless French elegance with a contemporary edge. Lanvin doesn’t follow the fashion trends of the season. It defines them.

Designer Alber Elbaz did it all for fall - simple pantsuits, asymmetrical cocktail dresses, fur stoles, giant jewels, patent jackets, and when in doubt, throw gold glitter everywhere. Absolutely stunning!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

Sometimes I feel that Valentino handbags take trendy too far, boarding on tacky. But this season they got it right. I love these petal bags. The material is classic and they aren't too detailed or cluttered with studs. The beauty of these bags is the shape and central flower is the charm. They are feminine and sophisticated without being cutesy. 

If You've Got It. Flaunt It.

Yesterday was the beginning of the Rosemount Australian Fashion Week 2008. Zimmermann, Lee Matthews, Lisa Ho, and Alex Perry are some of the designers that have taken the catwalk. A provocative trend that has hit the runway this season is sheer fabrics. Lee Matthews showcased his new collection of sexy see-through frocks. The pieces are feminine and delicate, and seductive. It’s time to show off that body that has been hiding under coats all winter.


I can't wait to see what else is coming!

Be My Sweetheart

No it’s not Valentines Day and thankfully February’s chill has gone, but the sweetheart cut is transitioning into designers’ spring/summer collections. This bust line is elegant and sexy. Heidi Klum rocks this sweetheart dress designed by Project Runway contestant Rami Kashou and Kelly Ripa wore an asymmetrical one by Marc by Marc Jacobs.

Mad About Plaid

Everyone give in. Plaid isn't going anywhere and anything that makes dressing like a lumberjack chic sounds amusing to me. I opted for a 3.1 Phillip Lim black and white plaid bomber jacket that I got at the Lim store in Soho.

Candy Necklace

One of the hottest trends this season is jewels that look good enough to eat! Like this Erickson Beamon necklace worn by Sarah Jessica Parker. Mixing different pieces like Parker adds a unique touch. These jewels are fun to spice up your outfit, but avoid over accessorizing. Choose either bold necklaces, rings, or bracelets.

What Goes Around Comes Around

I have a photo of my best friend and me with horrible big hair and matching bright green Jelly sandals. Remember those tacky shoes that were popular twelve years ago? They are back and with a new chic designer makeover. Givenchy has resurrected the Jelly sandal in a gladiator style and it rocks. They come in black, pink, yellow, and white and are available at Barneys stores and at Barneys.com

Enchanting

Prada is stepping out and dreaming big for Spring 2008. The clothing and handbags feature dreamlike, whimsical illustrations. Fairies and nymphs are a refreshing alternative to the typical floral prints. Some of the skirts and dresses are detailed with peacock feathers, which compliments the collection, adding to the beauty and inventive flair of the pieces.

The nymphs feel like an influence of archetypes from Jungian philosophy. Mythical representations from dreams and fantasies. The ad campaign is similar in its use of mystifying images that echo a late sixties, early seventies album cover. These advertisements look straight out of the Cirque du Soleil show LOVE, which is a tribute to The Beatles and is wonderful if you haven’t seen it.

Prada's spring collection and ads are bold and daring and I love it.

Politically Posh

Who says fashion and politics don’t go together? Huma Abedin, Hillary Clinton’s “travelling chief of staff,” is strikingly beautiful and brilliant evidence of the contrary. Huma’s position demands that she can handle intense and exhausting situations without breaking a sweat. She is known for being discreet, loyal, and extremely intelligent, especially in matters pertaining to the Middle East.

Huma’s intellect extends beyond political matters. Her keen sense of style has attracted popular designers like Oscar de la Renta. Among her favorite designers are Prada, Charles Nolan, and Catherine Malandrino. She is known for her fashionable and perfectly organized handbag, exhibiting a particular weakness for Marc Jacobs bags. Huma’s life is a chaotic continuum of travelling, political events, mobs of press, fending off rumors and yet there is never a hair out of place. Politics may be messy, but Huma Abedin always looks chic and polished.

In Honor of the Boston Marathon

My favorite day in Boston is finally winding down. The marathon is a wonderful event and heaps of fun. As a current Boston resident I happily participated in the activities. To acknowledge everyone who ran I wanted to feature the Adidas by Stella McCartney sport performance apparel. The collection gives women what they want, clothes that perform and look great. The line consists of clothing for yoga, dance, winter sports, running, and tennis.

The Stella McCartney designs can be found at: http://www.stellamccartney.com/us/en/adidas/

Now this is my kind of Croc!

Crocodile handbags are hot for spring. Designers like Yves Saint Laurent, Chloe, and Nancy Gonzalez are showing daytime and evening bags in this material. The handbags come in a plethora of colors, shapes, and sizes. The Nancy Gonzalez clutches are classic for evening and are made in literally every color imaginable. The crocodile skin and croc-embossed leather wear beautifully and look great even after a few seasons. Any one of these bags is a timeless addition to your wardrobe.

Crocs in Vogue... Really?

Ughhh! I thought Crocs were bad, but somehow they have managed to get worse. I know many people will challenge me on this fact, but I will never accept these shoes no matter how comfortable they are. I was dismayed to see that Vogue featured an advertisement for the new high-heeled Crocs in the May issue. What happened to pain is beauty. I will happily stick to my uncomfortable four-inch stilts!

BADGLEY MISCHKA

Mark Badgley and James Mischka were in Bloomfield Hills Michigan for a charity fashion show event for Breast Cancer at Saks Fifth Avenue. The show featured dresses from spring and fall of their couture and Platinum collection.

I was lucky enough to be in town for the event and for the private dinner last night where they were the honoured guests. I was seated at the dinner next to Mark Badgley! They are both incredibly friendly and extremely dapper and philanthropic. It was a beautiful event and such a pleasure to meet them.
                         Before the show with my friend Jordan.

Baby Got Back

Short skirts and plunging necklines are passé. Sexy this spring is the back. Designers are highlighting a neglected area of women’s body. These new pieces are feminine and chic, revealing just the right amount skin. Sexy is back… literally!

FENDI

BODYAMR

FENDI

STELLA MCCARTNEY

The Style Chameleon

Chloe Sevigny is walking proof that it isn’t what you wear, but how you wear it. Her style is unique and undefinable. You can’t predict what she’ll wear but you can guarantee she will rock it!

She is fearless with color and designs.


Chloe shows that anything worn with confidence works. Check her out in the April issue of Nylon magazine.

and All That Jazz

Menswear chic and hipster grunge have found a common ground, the jazz shoe. If you haven't seen them all over yet... you will soon.

$5 Fabulous Lashes

I have always sworn by designer brand mascara. Among my favourites have been YSL and MAC, but I found that after about a week they started to dry up. I recently tried the new CoverGirl Lash Blast and I am in love.

The Row's Revolutionary Ad

I know this is old news, but I love Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen’s new line that launched this fall. I think their style is inventive and retro chic. It’s great that they are finally using their name and their style to design a high-end fashion line, The Row.

The line is beautifully basic. It consists mainly of T-shirts and a few minimalist separates like a blazer and a tight-banded miniskirt that closely resembles my favorite Herve Leger. The pieces allow people to add their own personal flair to the look.

What I am really interested in is The Row’s revolutionary advertising campaign. They have taken the concept of showing people how to wear the clothes to the next level by making a video that is sexy, sophisticated and stylish. The video is simultaneously an advertisement and an artistic entity.

Watch it now!

The Herve Leger Bandage Dress

Women of all ages can’t seem to stop this lust for fashion. I must first repent for my newest obsession, the Herve Leger “bandage dress”. These dresses are classic and the fabric feels brilliant against your skin. They come in all different colours and cuts, and yet the style is very distinctive. People who know fashion can spot an HL from a distance.

Although breathing initially feels like a dangerous idea, don’t be intimidated that they wear like a second skin. One glass of champagne and the compliments help reassure you that this fashion luxury is the hottest trend to resurge.

After one night in the dress I am contemplating becoming a collector.