Monday, February 28, 2011

the VF afterparty...

FabSugar posted a very thorough gallery of pictures from the Vanity Fair Oscar after party, and I have been combing through it all afternoon. I've smiled, I've gagged a little, I've swooned and I've frowned. I suppose when literally everyone whose anyone is at the same party, there are bound to be a fair number of really awful outfits. If you want to see them, head over to FabSugar.com and click around to your heart's content. I choose not to pollute my blog with such sartorial sadness, so here are a bunch of things I really liked. From Rosario Dawson and Taylor Swift just classing it up to Hathway and Firth looking so cute and smiley... Even Tory Burch and Tom Ford were there to rep the fashion set. The VF affair was full of celebs from all spheres of fame, even of the Disney variety. Oh, to be a fly on the wall (or better yet, a sequin on a gown) at that party... (All images via FabSugar.)

{Oscars 2011} my picks for best dressed...

Ah yes, the Academy Awards, or as I like to call it - the couture World Series. This year brought out many, many seriously gorgeous dresses, and, much like last year, a major lack of crazy. It makes me long for the days of Bjork and her swan. However, in keeping with my standing tradition of skipping the whole 'worst dressed' bash session, I shall now jump head-first into my favorite looks from the 83rd Oscar celebration. Who wants to talk about ugly dresses anyway? So here we go, with my pick for the very, very best dressed of the night:

cate blanchett

Cate Blanchett in Givenchy Couture! This is a very intricate and interesting dress, with cut-outs, architectural shoulders, beading and pleats... And yet. Blanchett makes it look like she might wear this to the grocery store. The fit is impecable on her, not many bodies could look comfortable in this dress. Her hair is just right, she looks elegant and confident - and not the least bit fussy. It's so chic it almost hurts. The best part for me in all this is that I actually hate this color of lilac, but I cannot deny the perfection of this look for one second.

Hailee Steinfeld

Hailee Steinfeld in Marchesa. Can you even imagine being a 14-year-old Oscar nominee? How thrilling and nerve-wracking it must be. Steinfeld has navigated the challenges of mixing event-and-age-appropriate red carpet looks with incredible poise. Does she have a stylist? Probably. Does she dress this incredibly chic in her everyday, 14-year-old life? Probably not. Do I care? Not in the least. The top-knot and headband speak to her youth, and the major Louboutins and fantastic cropped length of the dress make it an elegant fairytale look fitting for the occasion.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman in Rodarte. This is how to be pregnant at the Oscars. I think Natalie knew she was going to win Best Actress, and definitely saved her best look for last. The color is gorgeous, the fit is flattering, and that's about it. Lovely.

Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis in Elie Saab. Originally, I was not crazy about this dress. I think it's a little complicated, and as I said earlier, I really hate this color. Upon seeing this photo however, I had to reconsider. She just looks wonderful. I think the hair is a little aging, and I wish you couldnt see through some of the skirt panels, but overall I have to give this a "Well-played, Mila." Afterall, the girl went from That 70's Show... to this.

Celine Dion

Celine Dion in Armani Prive. Believe me, I am just as surprised as you are that I am putting Celine Dion on an Oscars best dressed list in the year 2011. But I mean, look at her! The dress fits like the chicest and sleek-est of gloves, her hair is gorgeous and simple, the necklace is stunning, and I am obsessed. I think the restraint and simplicity of this gown are the perfect way to encase her crazy diva woman personality.

Gwyneth Paltrow in Calvin Klein (left) and Michael Kors Fall 2011 (right). She was having her own golden statuette moment, no? Her performance was really only mediocre, but I thought both of these dresses, especially the Calvin Klein, were stand-outs of the night.

Jennifer Lawrence in Calvin Klein Collection. She is a newcomer, and as such, I appreciate that she didn't show up in some kind of wildly poufy ball gown. This is just a really minimal and lovely choice.

Scarlett Johannson in Dolce and Gabbana. I hate that her eyeshadow matches her dress, and I think the look is a little more Globes than Oscars, a.k.a. a bit casual, and yet, here she is. I love the color, I love the lace, I love the fit.

{Oscars 2011} from runway to Hathaway...

Well, the Oscars happened. The show was hosted by Anne Hathaway, with a few squinty-eyed guest appearances and half-witty asides by James Franco. Hathaway was styled by Rachel Zoe in eight looks from the red carpet to the Vanity Fair after party. I loved the glamour of her wardrobe and hair changes that seemed to happen in a flash. The Valentino she wore on the red carpet and the red Versace she wore to the VF party were my two favorite looks from her, as well as overall. The Tom Ford number was a bold choice (miss-step?) due to the effect of the seams and lining, and I really hated the up-do that accompanied the Vivian Westwood gown, but other than that, kudos to Zoe. (*The custom Brian Atwood pumps were on another level, and I'm hoping to find a close-up of those for us to drool over asap.)

Saturday, February 26, 2011

{Fall 2011 trending topic} a dress cut up to there...

Man repellers, they are not. Dresses and skirts with daring slits were bringing some serious sex appeal to the Fall 2011 runways in New York, London, and Milan. We'll have to wait and see what Paris Fashion Week has in store, but I think it's safe to say we have a high-cut trend on our hands, er, legs. A thigh-high slit is not for the sartorially bashful, but you can certainly play down the flesh factor with tights - a la Ralph Lauren and Moschino - while still showing off your killer quads. (L to R, top then bottom: Ralph Lauren, Jason Wu, Gucci, Michael Kors, Moschino, Matthew Williamson)

P.S. - I love this...

P.S. - I made this

I'm a real sucker for a couple of things:

1. long strands of pearls

2. statement necklaces

Therefore, it seems I have a DIY project courtesy of Erica Domesek on my hands for the next rainy day...

Here is the original post from P.S. - I Made This

as well as her inspiration board:

Audrey and Carrie? Please. Say no more.

Friday, February 25, 2011

outfit lust: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

There's so much here that I like that it's a little bit hard for me to talk about.

Ballet flats.

Olive skinnies.

Chunky neutral knit.

Sofia Coppola for Louis Vuitton bag (I think).

Felt wide-brim hat.

It's casual, it's chic, it's all I want to be this spring.

Huh, guess it wasn't really that hard for me to talk about.

(Image via Who What Wear blog.)

tgif: i want to get inside this video and stay forever...

EF - Live The Language - Paris from Niklas Johansson, FSF on Vimeo.

I found this video on ModCloth's blog yesterday. It's part of a project called "Live the Language" for EF International Language Centers. The series features no dialogue, but words in the native language of each city in really gorgeous fonts.

As someone who believes that their soul belongs in Paris, watching this video made my chest tighten and my fingers get dangerously close to typing in airfrance.com. If you don't have a gut-turning reaction to sweet, dreamy videos laced with nostalgia for days abroad in the City of Lights... There are videos of Barcelona, London and Beijing as well.

On that note though, forget Paris - we're in New York City and it's incredible. Happy Weekend!

xoxo

{NYFW trending topic} major ankle cleavage...

That's right, ankle cleavage. The kind that comes from adding one part skyscrapper heel and one part cropped pant. I love it. I think it can add just the right amount of secret sex appeal to a casual look, especially one that leans towards being more menswear-inspired. Pants are nothing new, and cropped ones certainly aren't either, however, I just love the look of a sleek, crisp pedal-pusher, especially worn with fall's tailored jackets and blouses. And I'm not usually a colorful pants person, but I love the buttery marigold color of the Yigal Azrouel pair. I would rock those in a heartbeat. To emulate these looks for Fall 2011 (or spring, for that matter) I plan on investing in a pair of J. Crew's Minnie pant. They're about $90 and fit like a dream. (L to R, Top to Bottom: Jason Wu,Yigal Azrouel, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Erin Fetherston, Thakoon, Jill Stuart)

Thursday, February 24, 2011

{NYFW trending topic} feminine suiting...

Up until fairly recently, the suit was my idea of anti-fashion. Sure there have always been great, stylish suits (I have a fantastic Theory one, after-all). However, I considered the matching top and bottom look so constricting and, well, boring. A look reserved for working stiffs with no sense of adventure - or texture. The offerings from some of NYFW's heavy hitters have me reconsidering. Tommy Hilfiger's pinstripe gangster-chic double-breasted look is both extremely masculine and extremely sexy. Michael Kors and Oscar de la Renta showed smart, single-breasted styles in both fluid and sharp fabrics. Marc by Marc Jacobs' velvet is a bit much for me to stomach all at once, but I could definitely see the fun of infusing a velvet jacket into my Fall wardrobe. (L to R, top then bottom: Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors, DKNY, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta)

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

E.B. White by way of oscarprgirl's tumblr...

"There are roughly three New Yorks. There is, first, the New York of the man or woman who was born there, who takes the city for granted and accepts its size, its turbulence as natural and inevitable. Second, there is the New York of the commuter—the city that is devoured by locusts each day and spat out each night. Third, there is New York of the person who was born somewhere else and came to New York in quest of something. Of these trembling cities the greatest is the last—the city of final destination, the city that is a goal. It is this third city that accounts for New York’s high strung disposition, its poetical deportment, its dedication to the arts, and its incomparable achievements. Commuters give the city its tidal restlessness, natives give it solidity and continuity, but the settlers give it passion. And whether it is a farmer arriving from a small town in Mississippi to escape the indignity of being observed by her neighbors, or a boy arriving from the Corn Belt with a manuscript in his suitcase and a pain in his heart, it makes no difference: each embraces New York with the intense excitement of first love, each absorbs New York with the fresh yes of an adventurer, each generates heat and light to dwarf the Consolidated Edison Company… ."

E.B White “Here is New York” from Essays of E.B White

mid-week music moment...

I mean, maybe it's because it's a short week, maybe I'm frazzled for reasons I don't realize, but I can't really get on my game with posting this week. This happens every now-and-then, and I apologize!

Meanwhile, please listen to this. Afterwards, please tell me why I can't stop listening to it. I don't understand it. It's just a clubby remix to a rap song, but I can't get enough. Is it really good? I have no idea. Maybe it's because I don't have any money to blow. Perhaps it will phase out again in a few days, but for now, indulge with me?

Lil Wayne and Drake - "Money to Blow (Vodka and Milk Remix)"

"Yes I make mistakes that I don't ever make excuses for, like leavin' cause they love me and constantly seducin' hoes..."

What? I'm so into it. 24-hour champagne diet.

If you feel the strange urge to party in the middle of the morning now, I don't blame you. Also, if you quietly dismiss this MWMM as temporary insanity, that's OK too.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

some mid-day hot links...

Here's what I'm creeping around on today...

Mr. Porter, the men's counterpart to Net-a-Porter, went live today. It's fantastic.

Stylecaster has chosen it's 50 Most Stylish New Yorkers for 2011. (PS - one is my former boss @ ELLE!)

I previiously posted about The Coveted, but in case you missed it, they are now called The Coveteur.

My new favorite street style blog is STREETFSN.

STREETFSN

This is an interesting article about the "shopper in chief" to Michelle Obama.

{NYFW trending topic} the new prints...

The Fall 2011 NYFW runways were full of new and twisted prints to add a little punch to your cold-weather wardrobe. Marc Jacobs has ushered in the return of the polka dot in fitted '40s silhouettes, and the pattern was echoed in a loose maxi dress at L.A.M.B. (Top far left and right, respectively.) Jil Sander and Marc by Marc Jacobs showed a new animal print, featuring whole animals like foxes, deer, owls, and lions. (Top inner left and right, respectively.) I have a feeling we will be seeing quite a few trickle-down versions of this imagery in H&M, Zara and the like very soon. Anna Sui showed her usual array of prints, but the poppy, colorful florals were my stand-out favorite. (Bottom left.) Lastly on my radar, leave it to Proenza Schouler to take tribal-influenced prints (that were starting to feel a bit played-out to me, honestly) and make them feel new again. (Bottom right.) (All images via style.com)

Friday, February 18, 2011

tgif...

Jezebel

Ok, let me say this right now:

I will have an animal print house cat as a pet someday.

Little miss leopard print on the left is the most glamorous and perfect thing I have ever seen.

Meow.

(Thanks for this, Jezebel.)

{NYFW} more looks & pics i loved...

Sigh, New York Fashion Week is over. Soon my Twitter feed will slow to something less than 45 tweets every 10 minutes, and I wont feel like such the ragingly jealous status-stalker of people like @Bergdorfs, @theglamourai, @mrjoezee, @harpersbazaarUS, @voguemagazine, @wmag ... You get the idea. However I still feel buried deep in the frenzy, metaphorically jumping up and down on my tip toes trying to get a peek at the action. I have many, many more posts planned, but I think I need to take the weekend to gather my thoughts.

In the meantime though, lets have a look at more of my favorite looks and images from this weeks shows...

Tibi

There were tons of hot pink accents @ TIbi, but my favorite looks is this soft dress and shearling-lined coat.

the sartorialist

Simply gorgeous street shot from The Sartorialist.

Erin Erin

I absolutely die for the Erin by Erin Featherston skirt at left. It's so my style (high waisted, short, textured, gives the illusion of hips) it's not even funny. And at right, the combination of soft neutral tones in layers of structured and flowing shapes is also rather perfect.

Alice & Olivia

I mean, shut the front door. I couldn't be more in love with this Alice & Olivia dress. With the red lips? C'mon now.

Mr. Newton

Ahhh, my favsies Joanna Hillman, shot by Mr. Newton at Lincoln Center.

Rodarte

Gorgeous ethereal prairie gowns @ Rodarte.

Tommy Ton for style.com

Be still my heart, Tommy Ton's shots for style.com are always eh-hem, ladyboner-inducing.

Tommy Ton for style.com

Anna Dello Russo x Tommy Ton. She always brings the heat.

The Blonds

I mean come on? The blonds is pure camp & just the right amount of sparkle.

Olivia Palermo

Olivia Palermo hits a pitch-perfect mix of winter warmth and spring color.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

{NYFW} my highlights from Gant by Michael Bastian...

Gant by Michael Bastian Gant by Michael Bastian

I like Bastian's interpretation of fall layering in these looks. In reality I find that its insanely difficult to comfortably layer three tops and not look like a trendy marshmallow, but this certainly makes me want to try. I am usually not a fan of cropped jackets, but the proportions here with the pushed up sleeves and texture mixing really appeal to me. Don't call it a comeback, but the sock is really having a moment - peeking out from cropped pants and peep-toe shoes on just about every runway this season.

Gant by Michael Bastian Gant by Michael Bastian

What? I would rock that red tuxedo jacket so hard. Tux jackets were shown in a lot of the women's shows too (Yigal Azourel, Jason Wu) but I love the poppy red of this men's version. I've never been the world's biggest fan of camouflage as a print (blame it on Abercrombie and Fitch circa 2003) but I like how much it's softened here by the pink and white stripes and dove grey cardigan. Also, give me those t-strap shoes.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

a couple Halston highlights...

Two of my favorite looks from the Halston show on Tuesday... The 70's glam vibe is still going strong, and I'm really obsessed with the frothy sea foam green hue of the gown on the left.

mid-week music moment...

Good morning NYC! Have you looked outside? It is undeniably gorgeous. Who wants to work on a day like this? Give me Central Park, an americano and an ipod please.

If such a thing were possible, this song would surely be high up on my playlist. This is Pink Martini "Sympathique." The woman sings of how she doesn't want to work, she doesn't want to eat lunch, she only wants to forget, and smoke. How French, non?

Take yourself out for a short stroll at some point today, this kind of glorious gift from Mother Nature is too good to pass up!

{NYFW trending topic} fur Gorilla arms and more...

In case anyone was wondering, fur (both real and faux) isn't going anywhere before next season, so hold on to the pieces you nabbed this winter. But be prepared to go a little "P.S. I Made This" on your classic pieces. To stay au courant come Fall 2011, you may perhaps detach the arms of your jacket and re-attach them to the body of a sweater or wool coat. That's right, "Gorilla arms" are happening. You might also consider detaching the collar and wearing it alone, or fashion it as a super-warm croakie for your sunnies. Big, full-on fur is still very much happening, but the on-point look will be all about unexpected accents. [Top row: Carolina Herrera, The Row, Donna Karen. Bottom row: Alexander Wang, Peter Som, Norman Ambrose.]

marc jacobs money shot...

Polka dots, palettes and tiny hats at the Marc Jacobs show Monday night.

{3rd edition} Working Women Wednesday...

Carrie BradshawOh hey working women! It's that time of the week again. For the third installment, we're dressing it up a bit with Anna. I think this is a great next step in the series because I've been getting feedback from some of my more "business casual" readers, seeking advice for when jeans just aren't an option. These comments are also a great indication of new directions this weekly installment can take, so please, keep 'em coming!

Perhaps now is as good a time as any to mention that I have been using the one and only Carrie Bradshaw as inspiration image for these posts for  a reason. In her hey-day, she was a caricature of a fashionable, budget-unconscious working woman. I think she serves as a perfect icon of aspiration because if you start with you and shoot for Bradshaw, you (hopefully) land somewhere in the realm of just right. And if you fudge it up a little, guess what? That doesn't exist. You did it on purpose and you look fabulous, thank you very much.

So, we've clearly established what we're trying to accomplish with these posts, so lets now get down to business again. Ha, business. Anyway, today we have Miss Imperati in a cap-sleeve dress, tights and boots. A three-piece recipe just begging for a little sartorial Tabasco sauce.

Hold in your shock and awe New Yorkers, but in some Emerald City circles what you are about to see is considered dressed up. And one of those circles probably exists at Anna's office. I know this may make some of you cringe, and some of you squeal with jealousy, but believe me, I have been there, lived that, and it's a real thing.

What we need here, to make this post helpful to Anna and relevant to the rest of you darling readers, is to remove the trappings of the particular occasion and location of this ensemble, and simply address it on it's own merits. Observe:

Kookai dress; Spanx tights; Frye boots; Michelle watch; Tiffany bracelet.

Per usual, she's got a great fit and totally office and age appropriate look. Let's see what Anna thinks:

"I like this dress because i feel like it's business up top and a party down below. It's conservative, but still young with the length. It's also a medium weight so I feel like I can wear it in the summer with strappy heels or in the winter with tights and boots. The problem is that I never know how to layer on top of it in the fall/winter when I don't necessarily want bare arms. I feel like the top half makes it difficult to layer and accessorize."

A challenge, indeed. She's right about the shape of the top making this dress a little bit tricky to layer. I feel like we all have a dress like this, don't we? One that nips in here and flares out there, making the majority of options look somehow - off.

To give this look the proper kick of fashion Tabasco I hinted at earlier, I'm going to break it down into three options: samsies, dressier, and dressiest. This way, there's variety, mix-and-match potential, and everybody wins. Here's what I'm envisioning:

shopstyle

To break it down, what we have here is actually more of a quirky, a put-together and a fancy.

To keep this look on par, but add warmth as Anna is hoping to do, I would stick to thicker layering pieces. That way, you don't run the risk of letting the dress sleeves shape the sweater sleeves. I chose this crazy grand farther-esque Marni cardigan as an example, but the idea is to add some spunk and spirit via pattern. Wrapping an extra-long studded skinny belt around your natural waist a few times will also jazz up the look. These suede loafers are like an office-appropriate version of a Minnetonka moccasin, with a sexy librarian twist.

The second look is something I would put together if the occasion called for being completely composed and sophisticated, but not overtly dressy. The key is to pair a wide belt with an open cardigan that extends below the natural waist. Wear the belt over the cardigan, using it to determine how the sweater falls, and to keep your silhouette professional. Pointy toe flats will be all the rage this spring, and I find them to be a chic alternative to the ballet flat. An additional option is also to switch out your go-to opaque black tights for a lace pattern to keep things youthful.

Finally, we have the dressiest layering choice for this dress: the blazer. It is hands down the greatest essential in my wardrobe these days, and it's hard to go wrong with how you wear one. For dressing up this dress, I would wear the blazer open, sleeves pushed up to the elbow, with a big ol' necklace and some t-strap pumps. Again, the lace tights would work here as an artful finishing touch.

Phew, that was a doozie. Now, have at it in the comments, please! How did I do?

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

{fashionable film} Cat on a Hot Tin Roof...

cat on a hot tin roof

I watched this movie, starring Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor a couple of weekends ago.

It takes place over one evening, so Liz Taylor's costuming is limited, but still fantastic.

And I don't know if you knew this, but Paul Newman is actually the most attractive person who has ever lived.

Scientific fact.

Check it out, it's currently streaming on Netflix :)

cat on a hot tin roof

{feeling inspired by} Prada SS11 stripes...

The weather in NYC yesterday was unseasonably warm and quite sunny. Walking down West 19th street in the afternoon wind, I had a sudden and violent urge don bright colors and a bold pattern or two - at the same time. As the dirty snow piles get smaller and smaller, my visions of cherry blossoms and green leaves become more and more vivid. The punchy stripes at Prada's Spring/Summer 2011 show really revved my sartorial engines, and finding some choice horizontal lines in shades of fuchsia and jade is high on my spring must list.

Monday, February 14, 2011

a love story i can get behind...

NYmag.com

New York magazine's Spring Fashion 2011 issue has a cute/well-timed/interesting article about the only kind of online dating of which I'm really a fan.

The Street is Their Oyster

{quick outfit post} Porter Grey presentation...

80%20 blogOn Thursday morning before heading into my internship, I made a brief pit-stop at Lincoln Center to check out the Porter Grey presentation. It was a chilly morning so I opted for my super-indulgent go-to vintage fur, plus a few other new gems I have yet to post here on the ol' blog.

I didn't take any photos of the look myself, but I was stopped just outside the presentation and snapped by a really sweet girl from 80%20 shoes because I just happened to be wearing a pair at the moment. (I'm on their blog here! (That's where these images are from.))

[The full disclosure here is that when I attended the Blue Stripe PR party two weeks ago, part of our parting gifts was a pair of fabulous 80%20 shoes, as well as a bauble from Amanda Pearl, and some other really choice goodies. Porter Grey is also repped by Blue Stripe, so now you seen the connection. Ta da! How lucky am I?]

80%20 blogI  love all the elements of this outfit, but I don't know how I feel about the final outcome here. I was in a bit of a hurry that morning and making rash decisions. I wish I had a picture sans jacket, the top is a vintage Missoni tunic of my mom's, and it's perfection. Another time though, I promise.

Also, these little shoes are my new obsession. They've got a cool dessert boot look with toggle closures, but the best part is the hidden wedge that adds a little covert height and a more feminine feel. You will be seeing them again, I can guarantee it.

Vintage fur coat; vintage pashmina; vintage Missoni tunic; Paige Verdugo jegging; 80%20 Eliotte shoes; Amanda Pearl earrings; Les Petites handbag.

*Pictures from the Porter Grey presentation are forthcoming!