fashion report

with fashion week right around the corner, I'd like to take a moment to visit what i loved about winter 08/09 before it is gone...

Loving the return of feminine and vintage-inspired. Dolce & Gabbana’s new lipstick line and ads feature their deep red lip colors paired with bold lashes and soft curls. They’ve also done a new line of vintage-inspired lingerie -- which is fabulously sexy! (My favorite new ad features Scarlett Johansson looking very Marilyn Monroe! http://www.popcrunch.com/scarlett-johansson-dolce-gabbana-makeup-ad-photo/

Bravo D&G!

Speaking of vintage, I’m ecstatic about the return of the hourglass! I love dresses and skirts with a distinct 40s and 50s feel, with sweetheart necklines, knee-length hemlines and round toe pumps. Love wide belts cinched at the natural waist, headbands and pearls. (Always love to watch the streets of NYC after a new episode of Mad Men (and sometimes Gossip Girl airs... )

Love ruffles in soft chiffon that just float away from the body, particularly parts of the Spring 2009 Blumarine collection. These dresses are soft, floaty, and magical – a Midsummer Night’s Dream collection if I ever saw one.


And on the opposite side of the spectrum...

Python accessories! Love them in neutrals and BRIGHT BOLD COLORS like red, turquoise, and even pink (and i usually don’t like pink)
LOVE LOVE LOVE the new Louboutin python pumps (especially the cracked-out pair with the lace-up ankle cuff!)
Loving big & chunky gladiator-inspired leather heels, and booties (especially with a perfect pair of straight leg jeans).

Leather biker jackets (loving my new Cole Haan jacket especially!)

Loving all things Gothic-Inspired...
Loving the black, dark purple, or deep burgundy-red
Love the texture from lace overlay and silk mixed with more structured fabrics like heavy knits and synthetics (I’ve even seen some great taffeta thrown in there!) I’m loving black corset-style tops, especially when mixed with other heavier/chunkier pieces.
Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Lavin, and Cavalli had some great pieces in the winter 2008/09 collections.
The Rodarte winter 2008/09 line – inspired by Japanese horror films and Kabuki theatre. Absolutely love it!

I’m loving menswear worn as women’s wear, particularly tuxedo shirt pleating – the slightly edgier cousin of the ruffle. I bought a sleeveless black pleated top last spring and am still wearing it and loving it! I’m loving tuxedo jackets and vests worn with little underneath. And I continue my love affair with men’s hats.

“I love the idea of a woman dressing in men’s clothes and having the confidence to play with her sexuality” – Ricardo Tisci, Givenchy—

Statement Shoes –
“Designing statment shoes is about creating an emotional response; they should make you think with your heart, not your head” –Jonathan Kelsey—

And that’s so true! This Spring’s statement shoes hurt your feet if you even LOOK at them too long. But Pierre Hardy has some amazing shoes out, as does Manolo Blahnik.

Happy Shopping!