Louis Vuitton: my beautiful, dark, twisted bellhop

Marc Jacobs showed his F/W 2011 collection for Louis Vuitton in a two-story tent in Paris this morning. He was inspired by the hotel lifestyle, clearly, and his models arrived on the runway in cage-like elevators. It was a spectacle to be sure, featuring supermodels Jessica Stam, Carmen Kass, Amber Valetta and a smoking finale by Kate Moss. Apparently Naomi Campbell walked the show as well, but her face was obscured by a cap. Check out the video of the runway show below, via Styleite:

For a look-by-look slideshow, do like I do and go straight to style.com or The Cut.

{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)

{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)

marc jacobs money shot...

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

{snow style} uptown vs. downtown...

I was just looking at some pictures from this past weekend when my best friend from Seattle was in town. We jazzed around the city, through ankle deep slush puddles on the streets and snow-filled fountains in the park. I like these two pictures because I think they're great examples of two types of typical snow day style. Lauren is wearing a wool pea coat, my vintage wool beret, a Marc Jacobs bag, and her friend Katherine's Burberry wellingtons. This combination achieves an instant uptown, ladylike look, while staying warm and at least sort of dry. I'm wearing my Ray Ban aviators (when am I not, these days?), Tully's Marc New York puffer jacket, tall wool socks with black wellingtons, my c/o Kooba Kelsi bag, and a slouchy beanie c/o D & Y accessories. This combo is a little more casual, and not quite so put together; a bit more downtown, if you will. Note that no matter what you're wearing, a coffee in hand is really the best way to fight off the chill!