The turning point of Roberto Cavalli February 28, 2007

Roberto Cavalli is one famous designer, preferred always by those you want to look glam & sparkly 24-7. However, if the ‘Cavalli girl” did not get it right, it was a bit too much of a good thing.

But not anymore! His 2007 fall/winter collection, which also has a retro feel to it, is still glamorous, but with old Hollywood style. Great cigarette pants paired with flowy capes, equestrian trousers with tailored crisp shirts and all the trimmings, and 40s dresses with a disco twist to them. The look is simple and elegant, still Cavalli yet not flashy. Wait till you see those evening dresses. Love them!

Check it out!

Shoes, shoes and more…shoes! February 27, 2007

Love your jeans? Want to wear them everyday? Can you? Sure you can. All you need is change your shoes and you’ll have put together a different outfit.

The new trend is bright colors in shoes and accessories and here’s an example of how it’s done:

Have to meet with a client? I’ll slip into a cute pair of Seychelles sandals in yellow and pair them with a dressy jacket and a satchel bag. Want to go for a stroll? My cute and comfortable Guess ‘Eleanor’ wedges are perfect to walk around the city. And what about that party, where everyone will be hipper than hip? I’ll wear something crisp, sexy and white like my BCBGirls ‘Deliah’ pumps, a frilly top and I’ll be ready to paint the town red.

I look forward to hiding away my winter boots - sorry guys, I love you, but enough is enough!

Seychelles sandal Guess ‘Eleanor’ sandal BCBGirls ‘Deliah’ pump

Oscars 2007: Gown & Tux night wrap up February 26, 2007

Another Oscar night and the gowns were predictable_as expected of course. The big couture names all marched on the red carpet: Chanel (Kirsten Dunst, Rinko Kikuchi), Oscar de la Renta (Jennifer Hudson and Jessica Biel), Valentino (Cameroz Diaz and Kate Winslet), Giorgio Armani (the PRIVE collection, Cate Blanchett, Beyonce), Nina Ricci (Reese Witherspoon), Christian Lacroix (Helen Mirren), Zac Posen (Gwyneth Paltrow) and some Monique Lhuillier (Isla Fisher) and Calvin Klein (Emily Blunt) in the mix.

It seems that when actresses find something that works they tend to stick with that look. Penelope Cruz, Naomi Watts and Cate Blanchett all looked good, but we’ve seen similar looks in other events too. Same goes for Beyonce. A truly pretty and sexy girl, but she should try something else than the ’siren look’ for a change.

My absolutely favorite frocks were worn by Kirsten Dunst, Maggie Guyllenhaal (in Proenza Schouler) and Nicole Kidman (in a fantastic bloody orange Balenciaga creation). All chose a bit more risque gowns and they looked amazing.

I wasn’t thrilled with the men either, but Leonardo Di Caprio is amazingly stylish and can wear a tuxedo properly: black classic tux, with wide lapels paired with a black tie. Perfect. (applause). Please give a call to Clive Owen next time Leonardo. He could use some styling tips from a natural like you.

Keep it up girls and boys. We love to see you playing dress up each year!!! For pictures, click here

Fashionable Music February 23, 2007

Great music and great fashion style go hand in hand. There is no fashion stylist or fashion creator, who works without music in the background. Music helps you dream and open up, it reveals emotions and desires that wouldn’t probably come out on the surface without the stimulation of a good tune. And sometimes when you get hold of a good CD, that’s pretty much all you are listening to.

Recently I got hold of a great album, ‘DEEP’ by the group Ror-Shak. I am listening to it when I am writing, when I am styling clients or when I am playing with my daughter. It is a well-balanced album containing a lot of airy and melancholic vocals by famous artists such as Julee Cruise, Lisa Shaw and others, while the music style is a composition of broken beats, downtempo, soulful chill, electronica and some cool jazz.

Every song on the album is very simple and complex at the same time, full of surprises, uplifting but also makes you think a bit deeper than usual. I guess that’s why DB and DJ Stakka, the brains behind Ror-Shak, called the album ‘DEEP’.

Check it out

The Return of the Snakes February 21, 2007

Featuring serpents or using them to embellish a garment or a piece of jewelry, is not fashion news. What is news is that designers are reinventing themselves and are using something classic and make it all fresh again. Ladies and Gentlemen: the snake is back!

Some history is essential for those of us that will adopt this old/new trend: Since ancient times, the serpent is considered woman’s power over man, conveying messages of both sensuality and command. In some ancient cultures (Ancient Greece and Egypt), the snake shape in jewelry was believed to keep harm away from the person who wore it. For all, the serpent was also a sign of royalty.

The snake and its shape still fascinates designers today. This old/new trends is appearing everywhere: jewelry, clothes, accessories.

Some luxurious snake beauties to check out:
- Snake Print Wrap Dress by Diane von Furstenberg at ww.dvf.com
- Snake Cufflings by Dunhill at www.neimanmarcus.com
- The Gucci red snakeskin bag www.gucci.com
- The Snake ring belt by Prada www.prada.com

Snakelicious!

Oscar night is coming up: talk about dress up and how you can hold an Oscar without being nominated February 21, 2007

‘And the Oscar goes to…FASHION’.

Another year, another Oscar night but what are we all REALLY waiting for?The stars to step up in glamorous gowns, dazzling jewels, breathtaking shoes and exquisite evening bags. This year I am expecting the stars to go a bit more crazy than other times. With everyone trying to please the fashion police, the fashion gurus, the fashion connoisseurs, the fashion bloggers, all those events have become a parade of look-like actresses in look-alike gowns. Because, they all try to make safe choices.

Safe is good, but not for Oscar night! What are the rest of us going to dream about? The red carpet needs to spice up a bit and get more adventurous. This applies not just for actresses but for the men too. I don’t want to see another tuxedo & a bow tie. I want personality behind it. I want crazy but stylish suits, hem-lines of all lengths and some attitude to go with it. After all we are talking about Hollywood Royalty and if you are among that crowd you should be able to funk it up. At least Ellen won’t be in a long gown and that’s a relief! Or will she surprise us all? I am also excited because George and Kirsten will be presenting. George because he is brilliant and Kirsten because she is the fairest of them all as far as her style goes.

Stay tuned and come back to read more after the grand event (Sunday, 2/25 at 8.00 EST). For info click here

And if you’re one of the Oscar-crazy people out there, you can ‘Meet the Oscars’ and also have your picture taken holding one (outstanding acting performance is not necessary). All of this is happening this week until 2/24/2007, Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, Location:Times Square Studios, 1500 Broadway, between 43rd St. and 44th St. New York.

How to wear a mini skirt February 19, 2007

Mini Skirt, Urban Outfitters

With such great new trends for spring, one can get very excited and looking forward to the nice warm weather. However most of us don’t have models’ bodies and are not sure how to wear all these styles. No worries gals: your personal style advisor is here to help out, so you’ll always look hip and fabulous. Today we will talk about how to wear the mini skirt/dress.

There are a few basic rules to follow when the hem-line rises:

- When you show some leg, keep everything else covered. Too much skin on the top and the bottom will instantly make the look, hmmm, trashy.
- The higher the hem-line the shorter the heel. Pair mini skirts with flats or low heels and longer lengths with higher heels. There is one exception to this rule: platforms.
- If you are in your 20s, and you’ve got nice legs, you can go really short. Mid thigh is the length you’re aiming for. Shorter skirts than that will look unsophisticated and uncomfortable.
- An A-line or a frothy skirt, makes the look young and fresh and looks good in a shorter length. If you like more figure hugging skirts, then the length should be longer. At least knee length.
- If you are in your 30s, you can go short but not too short. A trick: measure one palm from your knee up and there is where the hemline should be. Again avoid anything clingy and go for A-line and frilly styles. Pair them with a simple crisp top and you’ll look really hip and of the moment.
- For anybody who is 40 and over, I would avoid going too short. Keep the hem at knee length (at least) and show off your fab style by wearing pretty numbers or a simple urban style.
- A length that is great for every age, is just at or below the knee. Layered skirts and pencil skirts also look great in this length.
- Pair opaque black tights with a shorter skirt. This is a great way to wear a mini when it is still chilly and those tights are very forgiving too.
- When in doubt, skip the trend: if you feel mini skirts are not for you, don’t wear them. A stylish girl should always be comfortable in her clothes.

Come on! Be fabulous!

Is Beauty Dangerous? February 14, 2007

Is Beauty Dangerous? Apparently it can be. The Chelsea Art Museum has an interesting exhibition about the craziness and challenges of the modern society as far as beauty is concerned.

The visitor explores the mass ideology on beauty and its connection with aging, self-image, as well as society perception of what is beautiful and not. It also shows the extremes that people go to in order to remain desirable and maintain their youthful beauty, which can be really shocking. Check it out: DANGEROUS BEAUTY. It is up until April 21, 2007. A perfect way to spend a cold weekend morning before hitting the fancy stores all around.

Valentine’s Bags: Ooh-la-la! February 10, 2007

Need something to brighten up a dull cold day? Or get in the mood of spring in the middle of winter? Does Red ring a bell?

Red the color of love and lust; the color of life, power, joy and happiness. It is also is a symbol of good luck in some cultures. But what it certainly does is that it makes you feel very special, very VIP. And when we’re talking about a fabulous red bag, then red is always a safe choice too.

To read more, click here:

What to wear? Women’s fashion fall/winter 2007 February 10, 2007

I am so excited!!! Fashion week is almost over and we have the basic trends and ‘what to wear’ lists together. Things are moving away from the 80s (yay!) and are going back in time to the 20s, 30s and 40s but always with a fresh, new twist. Shorter lengths are back, frothy skirts are all over the place and there are so many pretty frocks to choose from, that there is a perfect dress out there for everyone. Ah! Choices, choices.Click here:

Dresses
The inspiration for the dresses is 20s, 30s and 40s but a shorter length. All sorts of styles were shown:
- Fairy-like frocks and ballerina dresses
- Mod look dresses
- Simple lines for work or buttoned down with subtle details
- Trapeze dresses (mmm, be careful with this one as it can look boxy)
- For evening only: sequined dresses, subtle and not flashy
- Empire dresses
- Strapless hipped waist frocks
- Bubble dresses (But, too bubbly can make a gal too bulky; if it is not over the top and you’re tall and sleek go for it)

Skirts and Pants
- 20s and 30s lines are in
- Tweed pant or skirt suits with ¾ jacket sleeves
- Slim or wide legged pants (whatever works with that booty of yours)

Accessories & Details on clothes / Trends:
- Clutch bags for day and night
- Long feminine necklaces
- Opaque tights are still in and they don’t have to be just black anymore. However, if you decide to wear colored ones, the shoe must be the same color as the tights to make your legs longer and avoid clash of colors.
- 30s style shoes (I love those! They go with everything)
- 30s style hats (simple and chic is the trick)
- Fur detailing on jackets and tweed skirts
- Big belts

Colors:
Some 2007 combos are:
- Black on black: classic, chic and very safe
- Grey with hues of white + some bright color like shocking pink
- Yellow + grey
- Royal blue with red or orange
- Black + purple (it makes the look a bit punk)
- Black + gold (be careful as this can look cheesy)
- All jewel colors especially for evening

And don’t worry about remember it all; we’ll make sure to remind you often. Happy shopping!