LONDON CALLING February 16, 2008

Warehouse dress

I was in London last week and that was a fun trip. I love NY for many reasons, one of them being fashion, but London fashion has this understated cool vibe, this je ne sais quoi… London fashionistas really know how to mix and match trends – no offense New Yorkers! So, while strolling the streets of London I spotted some cool looks that need to be shared:

- Punky 50s: Girls in London mix and match the hot trend of 2008 – the 50s inspired frocks, like the one featured from Warehouse, and skirts but add punk elements to it. Pair a 50s dress with an edgy leather jacket - slim and cropped and studded pumps, or wear your romantic 50s inspired skirt with a fitted top & a wide belt and keep the hemline shorter.
- T-strap shoes. They were everywhere and in all colors of the rainbow. My favorite ones were primary colored patend ones
- Slouchy trousers with cropped jacket + girlie flats and an oversized statement bag. Your boyfriend would never think of that combo.

Happy weekend.

New York Fashion Week - Women: Fall/Winter 2008/09 February 3, 2008

NY Fashion Week is in full blast. Too many shows, too many new designers and a lot of fun has been the motto of the tents. Trends that are hot now will be hot next winter too and there are some trends in the making. Feminine, girlie, sweet and preppy seem to be the way that designers want us to dress and we are moving slightly away from the 30s and 40s inspired fashion, but not too much.

Trends worth keeping in mind:

-         Hats: fur hats, fedoras and anything chapeau can dress up any outfit. Not crazy for the ‘sock hat’ as seen at Alexandre Wang, but who am I to say that?! J

-         Rich, jewel tones and colors are here to stay: rich blues, mauves, purple, and greens all made their appearances on the catwalks of Abaete, Rock & Republic and Vervier among others.

-         The cocktail dress reins. That is something you should look into investing NOW!

-         Metallic hues on clothes and accessories are so hot

-         Dresses do not resemble tents anymore – they actually show off your shape.

-         A nice tailored suit will get you a long way. Some fantastic ones were seen at the Rock & Republic show

-         Aim for the just above the knee length for this season. Sexy but flattering and you can wear it to work too

Trends for the more risqué fashionista:

-         Zippers are in: on boots,  shoes and tops

-         Romantic petticoats peeping from under your skirts: this is such a sweet yet sexy detail. Seen at Abaete, and Sari Gueron

-         Geometric patterns on tops and dresses. Everybody had a version of this trend

-         Tulip shaped skirts and dresses. But, if your hips are wide, forget this trend as it is not for you.

-         One shoulder evening gowns and tops

-         Sheer blouses and a bit see-through. They will instantly update any old skirt or pantaloon

Looks to adopt right this instant:

-         From the Rock and Republic show: pleated skirt + fitted leather jacket + red flats

-         From Alexander Wang: Brown cigarette line pants + white T + black best + boots + fedora. Beautiful

-         Buy a nice cocktail dress in a jewel color and wear it for 2 whole years

-         Wear black opaque tights with everything. This trend is still going strong

-         A nice tailored pant suit. In black and fitted please.

  

More trends to follow as the week goes on. Happy Shopping!

Men’s Fashion Fall/Winter 2008-9/ Paris Collections January 26, 2008

We are still in the beginning of 2008, yet designers are already showing next year’s fashion trends. Handy if you are on the lookout for a bargain which you can enjoy this and next year. There were some nice things, but some inexplicable tasteless collections too, i.e. Ann Demeulemeester and Ungaro. Why guys? Why are you designing things that will just make people look ridiculous when they wear them? Check out the Paris Collections.

Also, I was surprised to see the Raf Simons collection, full of anorexic, yes anorexic!! male models wearing gigantic shoes and Star Trek inspired tops! I like a man who takes risks when dressing, but this is just ridiculous.

But it was’t all that bad. For example:

Miharayasuhiro
- The suits were my favorite part in this collection; a classic slim fit. I also liked their biker jackets, which was a nice cross between old school, preppy and 60s rock-n-roll. The down vests were also amazing.

Viktor & Rolf
- The collection featured some fantastic 3 piece suits with leather detailing. Also, the more classical suits in muted tones were good.

Trends that everybody can follow:
- Hats: top hats, newsboy caps, beanie caps, knit hats, skullies, ivy caps, fur hats, anything goes. If in doubt wear a hat and consider yourself dressed.
- Knits worn under jackets: do remember to wear your knits under your suit jacket. Tres elegant and 2008/9. Fitted knits that is.

Richard Avedon: Photographer of Influence at the Phoenix Art Museum January 14, 2008

Homage to Munkacsi. Carmen, coat by Cardin, Place François-Premier, Paris, August 1957, Richard Avedon. © 2007 The Richard Avedon Foundation. Courtesy The Richard Avedon Foundation.

One of my favorite things to do is traveling and while at it, visit Museums. And when a Museum has a show about fashion, that is a double treat. For those of you that are planning to visit Phoenix any time soon, make sure to check out the Phoenix Art Museum, as from Jan 12 - April 13, 2008, there is a terrific exhibition about Richard Avedon. A few years back I saw an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art about Avedon and it was fantastic, so my appetite for more Avedon shows is huge. Check this out from the Phoenix Art Museum’s website:

‘Richard Avedon’s career as a fashion and portrait photographer spanned nearly seven decades in the 20th century and just into the 21st, leaving an indelible impression on American culture. The early years of Avedon’s prolific career were spent photographing the era’s leading models in designer clothing for magazines such as Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. For his signature portraiture style, Avedon placed his subject in front of a spare white background, drawing a viewer’s attention to the posture, expression, and gestures of the people he photographed. This exhibition includes both his early fashion photographs as well as powerful and revealing portraits of actors, politicians, artists, writers and intellectuals.‘

Happy New Year and why BLUE is the color for 08! January 14, 2008

Happy New Year our beloved readers! Our website just celebrated it’s first year, and thanks to your regular visits it has been growing stronger and stronger. We look forward to an exciting year of fashion for ladies and gents, personal shopping tips, fashion trends and mostly your ideas and feedback.

Louboutin Pumps Cazabat MJs Urban

Just the other day, I was shopping for a client’s spring wardrobe. While I was browsing and thinking of those spring clothes, I constantly thought of shoes that would look fresh and would work not only with new stuff, but also with what my client already owned. I needed a solid color, not too flashy, versatile, which is easily paired with jeans, a new flowery skirt, navy slacks or a tulle pastel skirt for example. BLUE! That’s it! Blue is the new neutral color for spring.

Check out these lovely Louboutin pumps (Barneys and Saks carry them), or these Cazabat mary janes for a 30s look, or a pair of moccasins. They all resemble the fresh, flower scented breeze of Central Park in the springtime, while the color tone is so easy to pair with your stuff, you’ll go out and buy a second pair. That’s what my client decided to do, so I am now shopping for more blue shoes!

How to wear a dark ivy dress December 9, 2007

I love all earth colors and nothing is more earthy, wintery and screams holidays than dark ivy. Recently I was asked what color goes with a dark ivy dress. The nice thing about dark ivy, is that it is a very easy color, almost like navy blue or black.

 Here are 3 ideas:

- Preppy: pair your dark ivy dress with cream and beige leggings, same beige tone shoes & bag, pearls   and a dark red coat. You’ll be preppy and festive.

- Funky:  pair it with a jewel magenda cardigan, nude fishnet tights, brass or tan lace up boots and bag, gold thin hoops & bangles. A nice cocktail ring with magenda and green stones will wrap the whole outfit together.

- Evening: Treat it like you would treat your little black dress, but with a twist. Black opaque tights, patent black shoes, and a black feathered boa, will bring out the dark ivy color, make you look all dressed up, but in fun way. Choose silver and sparkly accessories and evening bag. You’ll rock!

Emerald Greens December 6, 2007

Every fashionista will tell you that jewel colors are perfect for evening. My favorite one is emerald green. This jewel color is perfect for every complexion, as one can find a wide spectrum of the emerald green palette. It is fun and happy. The best thing is that it is quite versatile and you can wear it in the summer too - provided that the fabric is light, like silk, such as the ones featured here.

The Liz Clairborne dress suits everyone. It is fun but not risqué, pretty and flirty. Wear it with black opaque tights and silver peep toes to all your holiday parties and with pretty high heeled sandals in the summer.

If you’re after a more sexy party look, choose a frock like this Jay Godfrey number: the deep emerald/turquoise shade, one shoulder design and floaty texture will feel like the summer breeze in the middle of winter. Same like the Clairborne dress, it can double for winter as well as for summer fiestas and parties.

For those who would like to try before committing, you can choose something like this Anthropology dress, which is black, but has this lovely emerald sash. It will certainly wet your appetite for more!

Winter equals Coat December 6, 2007

Kenneth Cole Toca

Winter and coats go hand in hand. Stepping out in style and staying toasty is possible, as long as you invest in a good and warm coat. Endless options and crazy coat sales everywhere make this an easy task for the girl who is now shopping for a new coat.

If you want to differ from the pack, I recommend that you don’t buy a black coat this year. I know… black is versatile and easy, and never looks dirty – a factor that you must keep in mind, if you are living in a big city like NYC. I am all for these things too, but I honestly think you can get all that from another color i.e. like this brown/grayish Toca coat, or this Andrew Marc one, which is black, but has some serious fur detailing.

Andrew Marc

White is also versatile and easy to wear, provided that you are not a sloppy person and that you have a good relationship with your local dry-cleaners store. It is so chic and urban, I am putting it on my list for Santa this year. I really like this Kenneth Cole one.

Stay warm!

Wear a sweater honey! November 17, 2007

Design History Ellie Tahari Inhabit

That was my mother’s usual advise for winter, every winter for as long as I can remember.
‘Wear a sweater honey‘! Ugh! I did not want to wear one, because when I was growing up (that is the 70s and 80s), everything was itchy, oversize, or bulky and I did not do either of these things very well.

But now, things are and look so different sweater-wise. I get so excited when the weather lady forecasts temperatures in the 40s and 30s, because I have a good excuse to put on all those new sweaters. Sweaters now can be layered over a dress, paired with skirts or pants, and they are comfy, toasty, stylish and never itchy!

Here are three possibilities with suggestions to create 3 different outfits:

1. Design History sweater: pair it with a rich brown colored skirt and knee high brown boots for the office. Adding gold accessories will pull the look together.

2. Ellie Tahari sweater: The defined waist will allow you to pair it with a bubbly skirt, preferably in inky black in a nice rich fabric, black opaque tights. Maroon flats, a scarf, silver hoops and a chunky silver bracelet makes the whole outfit erfect for a date night!

3. Inhabit sweater:I love this for the weekend, with bright colored jeans either in an electric blue or dark red hue, a solid white tee, black boots worn over the jeans and presto: you’re ready for brunch and for shopping in Soho afterwards.

Stay warm!

A weekend Upstate NY: a guy’s essentials October 27, 2007

Johnston & Murphy blutcher boots

It is mid autumn now, and winter is round the corner. Good times for getting together with friends, log fires, walks in the woods upstate NY, preparing a beef bourguignonne for a beloved one and curling up with a nice glass of red and a good book. Are you ready for all of this? Let’s take a look at your closet and make sure you have all the essentials in there.

- Walking boots: Get a nice pair of classic blucher ankle boots. Casual, and far more stylish than your average boot on high street stores.
- A nice warm coat, which doubles as a city coat too. Check out Burlington Factory and www.oaknyc.com
- Cordroys in an auturm pallete: browns, dark or olive greens, greys and throw a brick one if you crave a funkier version. Tons of versions at J. Crew.
- A fisherman’s sweater. Check out S.N.S. Herning, available at www.oaknyc.com . They’re great, warm yet stylish

Happy Fall!