Le Fashion Blog

Check out the new blog!

2010-03-31T00:49:00.001-07:00

Since this blog hasn't been updated in a REALLY long time, please check out this new fashion blog I'm doing, and is updated much more regularly.

Between Pillows and Stars

Sigh Oh Rumer...

2008-08-19T11:42:00.001-07:00

Is it just me, or does Rumer Willis always wear strapless dresses that look like they are about to fall off of her?

I feel like she takes perfectly cute dresses (or at least ok ones), and ruins the look by having it hanging so far down on her. Another example:

Get it taken in, Rumer! Whatever it takes to keep it up where it belongs.

Love It or Hate It: Pegged Jeans Edition

2008-08-13T21:40:00.000-07:00

So we've been seeing A LOT of photos of Katie Holmes out and about with a new look. And that look? Pegged jeans. Another trend from the 80s coming back to haunt us. And not only is she pegging her jeans, but the jeans all seem so ill-fitting. I'd say they were Tom's if they weren't clearly too long to be his. I personally am not a fan of this look at all. Why do we want to put on a pair of pants that make people wonder if we're trying to hide a baby bump? But, it's obviously not just up to me.

poll by twiigs.com

Celebrity Spotlight: Jason Schwartzman

2008-08-13T15:57:00.000-07:00

We here at Le Fashion Blog have a definite love for Jason Schwartzman. His movies are always fun and a little on the quirky side, just like him. He's one of the main reasons I wanted to watch Marie Antoinette despite the poor reviews I heard about it.

He has a definite sense of style, often opting for a suit (with or without tie), or sweater. And every so often, he likes to throw on a pair of glasses for us.

Ads We Love

2008-08-13T15:02:00.001-07:00

I think this is a particularly gorgeous shot of Liv Tyler for Gap.

She looks so effortlessly beautiful. I'm not sure that I would buy this sweater, but the ad almost makes me want to give it a try.

Love It or Hate It: Katie Holmes. Hair Edition

2008-08-13T13:33:00.000-07:00

Ok, so this isn't 100 % fasion related. But, technically hair is part of our style. So what do you think of Katie's new, shorter hair cut?

poll by twiigs.com

Love It or Hate it: Scarlett Johansson

2008-08-04T10:48:00.000-07:00

I really can't decide with this one. Part of me says yes, this is great. And the other is like, "Eh....I'm not too sure about this one."

The Dream Team

2008-06-28T13:15:00.000-07:00

Ever since i started my magazine internship, I've been dying to see a few famous editors around the Hearst Cafe. I'll have to keep my fingers crossed and my eyes open when I reach for one of those delicious red velvet cupcakes at the dessert buffet.

The ever elusive Nina Garcia, rumored to now work at Marie Claire.

The queen of all things Cosmopolitan, Helen Gurley Brown.

The redhead editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar, Glenda Bailey.

Swept Up and Away

2008-06-15T19:32:00.000-07:00

Even though I should be conducting research for my master's thesis, I can only think about one thing: how I'm going to wear my hair for the wedding the next weekend.

I want to put it up, but I'm not sure of the exact style. A french twist is so expected. Pin curls and wandering wispys evoke high-school prom sensibilities. For some reason, a slightly messy side bun keeps coming to mind. It could provide the perfect answer to a traditional conundrum.

Next on my get-ready list: jewelry.

57 Dresses, or Just One Good One

2008-06-14T07:48:00.000-07:00

Nicole – previously of Le Fashion Blog fame – is getting married next weekend in San Diego! Congrats to the happy couple.

Now, getting down to business, this is the dress she chose for me to wear along with my choice in strappy sandal. I think the combo works pretty well, but I'm having a hard time deciding what jewelry to wear...

Bejeweled and Befuddled

2008-06-14T07:25:00.000-07:00

I almost bought one of these jeweled headbands about a month ago when I was in California. But I couldn't decide if it was a good purchase, or if the trend was played out. What do you think?

Animal Planet, Step Aside

2008-06-11T12:46:00.001-07:00

Now that I live in New York City, I see the most hideous t-shirts everywhere. Maybe they existed before in my Napa Valley country - bumpkin life, but they just didn't seem as prevalent. (Probably because all those vineyard owners could afford more than a $3 t-shirt from a street vendor on Canal Street. Just a thought.)

So I would like to share this gem of an online t-shirt retailer – Foe Paws – with the inhabitants of Gotham. At $18 each, they're worth the step up from street-urchin style. I already bought the Bear shirt for a friend's birthday, and it was a big hit to say the least.

Happy shopping. And P.S. you're welcome.

Come One, Come All

2008-06-11T12:26:00.000-07:00

My friend Judy Park is selling her DELICIOUS baked goods at California Soul this Friday (the 13th!) If you happen to be in the downtown L.A. area that evening, you should stop by. You've never tasted anything as satisfying as one of her Hey Cupcake! creations.

Give me the Gossip

2008-06-11T08:25:00.000-07:00

This is about the best news I've read all month (but it is only the second week of June I guess)...

From The Hollywood Reporter:

The makers of "Gossip Girl" are planning a spinoff series set at a girls boarding school. Producers are hoping to expand the popular CW show by either giving co-star Taylor Momsen her own series or by introducing a new character in the fall who is later spun off. Regardless of which actor is used, the story would likely draw on the arc of Momsen's character Jenny Humphrey in the "Gossip Girl" book series for inspiration.

Humphrey is a self-esteem challenged outsider who struggles to fit in. In the books, a series of public embarrassments (such as appearing in a teen magazine wearing next to nothing) results in Humphrey having to either repeat ninth grade or find a new school. She elects to enter a boarding school and reinvents herself as a popular girl. Her story is told in a series of six "Gossip" spinoff novels called "The It Girl."

Is it just me, or is anyone else as excited to see what types of colorful costumes the new show might bring? Blair and friends have already brought back prep-school chic to the forefront of all that is trendy. But maybe with little Jenny Humphreys reigning as Queen of the Cool Kids, the styles could take on more downtown street cred. The girl is from Brooklyn, after all.

If you give Hamas a cookie...

2008-04-15T18:03:00.001-07:00

This post on Gawker is about the funniest thing I've seen all week. It definitely reminds me of my grade-school teacher reading our class picture books during story time. But just more political.

Flipping everything upsidedown

2008-04-11T17:09:00.000-07:00

After Lifetime stole Project Runway from Bravo earlier this week, I thought things couldn't get any crazier for one of my absolute favorite reality shows of all time. Now, I read that Nina Garcia, co-judge with Michael Kors and Heidi Klum, left Elle magazine today.

What does this mean for the future of PR? Will Nina still continue to give her harsh critiques of hem stitching and color choices next season? Or will this be the end for Nina at both the show and the mag?

More importantly, will the world find any more ways to screw with my head this week?

Japanimation

2008-04-03T06:26:00.001-07:00

Interesting news from WWD: avant-garde Comme des Garcons designer Rei Kawakubo is teaming up with inexpensive-retailer H&M. The Swedish chain has successfully linked themselves with big names in the past (Karl Lagerfeld, Victor & Rolf, Madonna), and I'm sure this wacky pairing won't disappoint the masses.

Breaking Up is Hard to Do

2008-03-29T06:22:00.000-07:00

Last night I was very sad after reading about Marc Jacobs' break up with Jason Preston. But I was also very disappointed in him for using his Facebook page to declare his relationship status. It's the surest way to get ridiculed publicly, or within any circle of friends.

Lesson learn, eh MJ?

P.S. Even if you couldn't care less about Marc Jacobs' love life, the article linked above is a hilarious commentary on Facebook relationships. Highly recommended.

The Green-Eyed Monster

2008-03-29T06:12:00.001-07:00

I'm definitely feeling the color green for upcoming spring and summer. Green skirts, shoes, headbands, handbags – you name it; I want it.

In photo: Kooba, "Callie"

Way to go, Nance!

2008-03-26T20:24:00.000-07:00

Love this quote from the former first lady:

"A woman is like a tea bag; you cannot tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water."
- Nancy Reagan

My Girl

2008-03-22T10:12:00.000-07:00

This morning, while working through the towering pile of magazines next to my bed, I read a poignant article in February's Allure, "Girl of my Dreams" by Jean Thompson. In it, Thompson describes seeing "The Girl I Always Wanted to Be" – something I think we've all experienced. Her Girl stood in line in front of her at an airport coffee shop. Even though traveling can be hectic and tiring, this Girl looked like a summery dream, while Thompson looked like a haggard mess.

The year I worked in France as an au pair, I watched my Girl every day, while we waited to pick our kids up at school. On my first day standing with the mothers by the playground gates, I wore shorts, a tank top and flip flops – true California style. All the mothers looked at me with disdain. My Girl wore skinny jeans, a white button-up, leather sandals, a straw tote, her hair back in chignon. Effortless. When I got back to the house, the dad asked me if we had been "out playing sport." I knew I needed to make some wardrobe changes.

For the rest of my time there, my Girl looked perfect every day. In the fall, she wore a classic khaki trench and black cigarette pants. In the winter, a long black coat and a red handbag. When the weather got warmer again, she pulled out knee-length walking shorts and gold bangles. Her icon status solidified for me the day her husband came with her to pick up their kids. He was tall and good looking (although not as perfectly dressed), and with their children – an older boy and a younger girl – they looked like the perfect family.

At the end of Thompson's essay, she realizes that sometimes "The Girl I Always Wanted to Be" is actually "The Girl I Could Have Been If I'd Wanted." And she sees that she probably didn't want to be that girl in the first place.

Nothing ever broke the spell my Girl cast on me. But as Thompson rightly points out, our Girl "changes over time, mutates along with our chronological age and the prevailing culture." Maybe I wouldn't be as entranced with my Girl if I saw her now, at this stage in my life – finishing up graduate school, finding a job at a magazine, moving to the City. Maybe I would. Or maybe, instead, she would fall into the category of "The Girl We Hope to Be a Few Years Down the Road." And that wouldn't be such a bad thing either.

New Kid on the Block

2008-03-21T20:45:00.000-07:00

Did anyone else notice there's a new Style Blogger at Teen Vogue?! I'm not sure what happened to Kimball Hastings (in photo, right), but I miss him already. Not that newbie Andrew Bevan did a bad job, but I just love the name "Kimball."

"Smile with your eyes!"

2008-03-21T20:06:00.000-07:00

Every season my friends and I bet on the girl we think will win America's Next Top Model. So far, we haven't made our predictions this cycle, but I still have my favorites. At the tippy top of my list: Anya. Sure, her accent is a little weird, even for a Hawaiian. But her pictures are amazing, plus the girl can walk!

Runners up: Lauren, Aimee

Go home: Dominique

Loves It

2008-03-21T19:43:00.001-07:00

Last weekend, I visited a friend in Philadelphia. We were going through his DVR, and he told me I should watch this movie, Slackers. Actually, I think his words were, "This is the greatest movie no one's ever seen." Well, the movie was alright. But it did remind me how much I absolutely adore the supremely talented Jason Schwartzman (a.k.a. Cool Ethan). Why don't people talk about this guy more? Maybe I just love short Jews with big beautiful eyes, which I do. Or maybe Jason S. is the greatest thing since sliced bread – he's musical, he can write, he can act, he can dress. What can't he do?

I'm smitten.

The Ultimate Quest

2008-03-21T19:09:00.000-07:00

On the path to Marc J., mark this as step no. 2: I just scored an internship at Glam.com! According to my new editor, I'll be doing a lot of fashion writing – not unlike the lovely blog you're reading right now. So somehow, with working in fashion and living in NYC, I can't help but think that I'll be that much closer to the lovely Monsieur Jacobs. Only time will tell...

A Handbag Holiday

2008-03-17T15:14:00.001-07:00

Great news on St. Patrick's Day: Botkier just signed a deal to do a line for Target! Now we'll all be lucky enough to have a chance to own a bag that normally sells for $600 plus.

Teens love Avril? Seriously?!

2008-03-05T07:55:00.000-08:00

Avril Lavigne is going to partner with Khol's to produce a junior's line for back-to-school? You've got to be joking.

I've never had an issue with Khol's before – Vera Wang's line was intriguing – but this absolutely kills me. Whoever thought that Avril should be some sort of role model / selling point for teenagers should be slapped. Or fired at the very least.

Taking down crime, one bag at a time

2008-02-27T13:12:00.000-08:00

Marc Jacobs must be happy.

Yesterday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg gathered up a team of police officers to raid "The Counterfeit Triangle" of Canal, Walker and Centre Streets in New York City. Bloomberg shut down over 32 businesses that sold counterfeit merchandise, including Louis Vuitton purses, sunglasses and scarves.

WWD has more details.

Trembled Blossoms

2008-02-24T11:11:00.000-08:00

Whether you love or hate Prada's Spring/Summer 2008 Art Nouveau collection, you have to watch the Trembled Blossoms video on Prada.com. The haunting music and imaginative graphics completely entranced me.

Just a thought...

2008-02-23T12:44:00.000-08:00

This dress from the Marchesa Fall 2008 Ready-to-Wear collection might be perfect for a certain celeb looking to hide a baby bump at the Oscars tomorrow night.

Vintage Cool

2008-02-23T12:00:00.000-08:00

I think my grandparents really loved wearing prints. They were such fashion risk-takers.

The Showdown

2008-02-22T08:54:00.000-08:00

Interesting celeb grudge match: Armani VS. Anna Wintour

Fight for the Right

2008-02-08T20:00:00.000-08:00

The BBC reports that Turkey is expected to lift its ban on Muslim women wearing headscarves in universities. Since two-thirds of Turkish women wear headscarves, this will open up education to many who couldn't take advantage of it before. They still can't cover their necks, though.

Brush with Destiny

2008-02-08T19:33:00.000-08:00

I just got one step closer to my lifelong dream: meeting Marc Jacobs. My friend Matthew went to NY Fashion Week (Bryant Park) and loittered in front of the tents, mingling with celebs and designers alike. He witness MJ pull up in some sort of awesome automobile and walk right past him into the tents. Then he sent me a text pic of the car. It was like I was there.

On a side note, I met Matthew in Paris, while he worked for a graphic design firm with clients like the one and only Christian Lacroix. He tried to get MJ's address for me from his bosses, who were very much in-the-know, but they wouldn't give away MJ's personal contact info to a "crazy American girl."

A last thing...I told a Syracuse friend about this exciting sighting, and he called my icon "an over-sexed, middle-aged man." What?!

Total Egg Head

2008-01-27T19:20:00.001-08:00

One day in Barnes & Noble I was searching for a postcard to send to an out-of-state friend. By sheer luck I stumbled onto these awesome photos by William Eggleston, and I've been hooked ever since.

Pure Americana.

Memphis, Tennessee, c. 1965-68.

Biloxi, Mississippi, c. 1974.

Bust out the champagne

2008-01-15T15:05:00.000-08:00

Congrats to Isaac Mizrahi on his new job as Creative Director at Liz Claiborne. Let's see if he can turn this ship around.

Good luck with that!

The New Flight Crew

2008-01-11T09:31:00.000-08:00

I've been stuck at JFK for the past four hours, and it has been good people-watching for sure. I'm always in a quandary about what to wear on long, overnight flights, so I like to compare what everyone else is wearing and make adjustments where necessary.

It's like a regular circus around here with all the different kinds of people who go through New York City. Of course there are the frazzled parents in sweatshirts, jeans and an armful of children. Then there are the people who don't have children and still don't care what they look like, showing up in pajama pants and oversize t-shirts. Really?!! I had a nun dressed in a full habit sitting next to me for a little while. And on the flight from California I think I was sitting across from a real, live prositute. Well she was wearing skin-tight everything, fake boobs, full ghetto make-up and her ring tone was that "move your body like a cyclone" song. So it seems that "hooker" is the logical explanation.

For my part, I'm wearing straight-leg super dark jeans, thin layered shirts, a huge long faux-fur coat, a gigantic doctor bag that holds my laptop/handbag/magazines/etc, and smudged makeup with messy curly hair. Basically, I'm a hot mess. That's what four hours of waiting at JFK will do to a girl.

Working It All Week

2008-01-07T14:43:00.000-08:00

Even though I'm still on vacation, school has been weighing on my mind. More specifically, I've been thinking about my upcoming internship as a copy editor for The Post-Standard, my local newspaper in Syracuse.

I know the job won't be glamorous by any stretch of the imagination, but I can't help daydreaming about my work wardrobe (and pretending I'm an Ashley Olsen and can shop straight from the Spring 2008 ready-to-wear shows)...

Monday

First day of the week...I'm definitely going to need a fool-proof outfit and some heavy black sunglasses to hide my tired eyes. Burberry Prorsum to the rescue.

Tuesday

Getting into the week and feeling a bit more confident. I can start pulling off some bright colors by 3.1 Phillip Lim.

Wednesday

It's the perfect day for a power suit, and no one makes them better than Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel.

Thursday

It's almost the end of the week, and I'm feeling light and happy, like this color block dress from Aquascutum.

Of course, this British house knows the importance of wearing coats in upstate New York. So I'll play along and put this on over it.

Friday

Oh the glorious last day of the week. I'll probably throw a little cardigan over this Jovovich-Hawk dress while working in my cubicle. Don't want to catch a cold before the weekend!

2007-12-21T19:46:00.000-08:00

I have this friend from Jordan - let's just call him "Jordan" - who lent me his watch about a month ago. It was this huge clunky metal monstrosity, and it was absolutely gorgeous. Sure, it might have looked out of place on my bony little wrist. But I wore that watch non-stop for a week (more like two), and I got addicted. Eventually Jordan needed his watch back, but now I miss it like an amputated limb. I find myself scanning jewelry cases for it during my Christmas-shopping excursions, and sometimes I even glance down to check the time only to have nothing more than hair and freckles staring back at me. Sooner or later I'll probably become one of those crazy old bag ladies standing on the street corner asking strangers for the time...well maybe those people don't really exist, but I promise it's not going to be pretty. I need that watch back. Now.

Best of Balenciaga 2007

2007-12-21T14:12:00.000-08:00

Form + Function = The Palestinian Scarf

On the Fringe

2007-12-21T13:50:00.000-08:00

This girl almost makes me want to cut my bangs again. Almost.

Photo: The Sartorialist

Spasibo, Louis

2007-11-29T12:29:00.000-08:00

As much as I've made it obvious that I'm so over celebrities posing as fashion models (see September post), I can't help but love Mikhail Gorbachev in this ad for Louis Vuitton. But really, does the last president of the Soviet Union count as a "celebrity"? He's certainly no Lindsay Lohan.

The Darjeeling Luggage

2007-11-10T05:28:00.000-08:00

Wes Andersen's new movie, The Darjeeling Limited, follows the journey of three brothers on a train excursion through India to find their mother. Their father died, leaving them all of his possessions, including Adrien Brody's sunglasses and a set of the most covet-worthy luggage ever. Each brother gets several pieces of his father's "baggage" and carries it with him throughout the entire movie. Although the gorgeous orange cases stamped with a pattern of palm trees and animals, as well as their father's initials and the number of that piece of luggage, is supposed to represent something larger in their lives, I found that I couldn't take my eyes off of it for the sake of its sheer beauty.

Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton provided the costumes, as well as the luggage, making The Darjeeling Limited one of the best costumed movies in the memorable past.

Captions – Above: the movie poster; Middle: the brothers' perfect LV suits. Take special notice of Adrien Brody's sunglasses and belt - two items they kept referring to throughout the film. Bottom: The luggage in all of its glory.

Nothing spectacular happens in this clip about the movie's production, but it does feature the Marc Jacobs luggage carried by Adrien Brody.

Treat, Please!

2007-10-21T18:25:00.000-07:00

Boys and girls, Halloween is almost here! What are you going to be?

I want to be a famous blond, but I can't decide which one. Here are some of my options:

Debbie Harry because she was hot.

Heidi Klum mostly because I can't stop thinking about "Project Runway."

Heidi from "The Hills." But where will I find someone creepy enough to be my Spencer?!

Now & Then: Posh Spice

2007-10-13T22:37:00.001-07:00

Pre-Beckham, pre-motherhood, and pre-L.A. Posh Spice flaunted her figure in tiny slip dresses and super stilettos.

Post-Spice Girls, post-brunette, and post-U.K. Victoria Beckham only wears designer duds and looks about 20 pounds lighter.

Fantastique

2007-10-13T22:03:00.000-07:00

Kristin Scott Thomas at Lanvin – classic.
P.S. What's with the guy eating a Popsicle behind her?

Running Through My Mind

2007-10-12T22:44:00.000-07:00

This is all I can think about today:

America is my country, and Paris is my hometown

2007-10-01T07:11:00.001-07:00

I know we missed NY Fashion Week, London Fashion Week and Milan Fashion Week...but this is Paris!

Just in case anyone finds themselves in the City of Light today, here's the schedule:

10am - Atsuro Tayama, L'Académie, 14 Rue Royale, 8th

10:30am - Gai Mattiolo, Palais de Chaillot, 1 Place du Trocadéro, 16th

11am - Dice Kayek, Le Carrousel du Louvre, Salle Soufflot

11:30am - Commuun, Atelier Richelieu, 60 Rue de Richelieu, 2nd

12:00pm - Vivienne Westwood, Le Carrousel du Louvre, Salle Delorme

1pm - Gaspard Yurkievich, Le Carrousel du Louvre, Salle Gabrielle

2:30pm - Christian Dior, Espace Ephémère Tuileries, Jardin des Tuileries, 1st

3:30pm - Isabel Marant, Espace Jardins du Louvre, Place du Carrousel, 1st

4:30pm - Sharon Wauchob, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, 21 Rue de l'Ecole de Médicine, 6th

5pm - Cher Michel Klein, Hôtel Westin, Salon Concorde, 3 Rue de Castiglione, 1st

5:30pm - Undercover, Hôtel Westin, 3 Rue de Castiglione, 1st

6pm - Fatima Guerrout, Salon Brasilia, Maison de l'Amérique Latine, 217 Boulevard Saint-Germain, 7th

6:30pm - Maison Martin Margiela, Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy, Salle Marcel Cerdan, Porte 28, 8 Boulevard de Bercy, 12th

7pm - Jean Luc Amsler, Salle Gaveau, 45 Rue la Boëtie, 8th

7:30pm - AF Vandevorst, Palais Omnisports de Paris Bercy, La Grande Salle, entrée principale, Porte 1, 8 Boulevard de Bercy, 12ath

8:30pm - Yohji Yamamoto, Carreau du Temple, 3 Rue Dupetit Thouars, 3rd

Look A Little Closer

2007-09-22T07:00:00.001-07:00

Is it just me, or does Terri Hatcher for Badgley Mischka look like a middle-age Guess girl?

I really wish Mark Badgley and James Mischka would put a little more thought into who they choose to represent their clothing. Terri Hatcher? Really? As much as I hate to admit it, I think the Olsen twins were a better pick.

Now that we're on the topic though, why are designers still following the trend of celebrity endorsers instead of using trained models? Angelina Jolie for St. John, Scarlett Johansson for LV, Lindsay Lohan for Miu Miu?!! Come on! I want to see Gemma Ward or Lily Cole or Agyness Deyn (thank you, Burberry) or one of the other hundreds of models working in NY/London/Paris/Milan.

Plus, Sienna Miller on the cover of Vogue?!! Please. What has she done lately other than model in ads for Tod's?

Poor real models...before they know it, they'll be out of a job. Soon we'll probably see someone as unqualified as Paris Hilton strutting down a runway. Oh, wait.

Booties for Big Girls

2007-08-09T19:16:00.000-07:00

I saw these shoes. I put them on. I had to have them.

What East-Coast girl doesn't need a pair of oxford booties to help her walk through all those fall leaves? Although I feel like these shoes are my most frivolous purchase in a very long time, I also feel like I needed these shoes more than I needed any of the other shoes in my entire closet.

And really, isn't that when you know you've made the best buy of the season?

Resort 2008

2007-07-15T06:30:00.001-07:00

I browsed through the Resort 2008 collections this morning and picked my three favorite looks from my three favorite collections. In general the collections felt a little nostalgic and safe. My runaway favorite by far had to be Balenciaga with close runner-up Lanvin (I heart Alber Elbez times 10) and then Burberry Prorsum for the sophisticated coats and dresses I've come to expect from Christopher Bailey.

Happy resorting!

Balenciaga

Lanvin

Burberry Prorsum

Summer Wish List

2007-07-11T20:07:00.001-07:00

If only I had these lovely dresses to wear out at night in Armory Square...I think I would be the happiest girl in all of Syracuse, NY...sigh.

Yves Saint Laurent

Chloe

Gucci

Anna Molinari

Oscar de la Renta

She's a Jezebel

2007-07-11T19:42:00.000-07:00

I'm mostly obsessed with stationary and greeting cards, especially anything that is letter pressed. I'm completely obsessed with Jezebel stationery, which combines fairy-tale scenes with an 18-century sensibility and clever titles. These cards appear to sell at various retail stores nationwide, but I've never run into one in person. I only stare at Jezebel's web site and long for the day when I will actually hold one of these beauties in my hand and then hang it on my wall.

"henry and gertrude, criminal lovers"

"maybelle, chanteuse"

"the little stowaway charlotte"

"pearl says: it's only a paper moon"

http://www.ilovejezebel.com/

"NEET" Magazine Site

2007-07-11T19:15:00.000-07:00

Last summer, my then-roommate Judy told me about this new-ish online magazine called "N.E.E.T." Immediately, I asked where I could buy it. Of course I couldn't buy it anywhere! I could only view it on my small computer screen.

I've kept up with the issues this far, and it just occurred to me tonight to share one of my favorite web sites with our Fashion Blog readers. Sorry it took me so long, guys.

"N.E.E.T.'s" editor Stephanie J. lives in London, but other contributors live in the states and various parts of Europe. "N.E.E.T." is dedicated to grassroots, DIY fashion and features products that the reader can buy online as well as providing links to the online boutiques. The magazine reads like a print version with over 150 pages of content that you can scroll through at your leisure, advertisements, articles and photo spreads.

"N.E.E.T." really is as great as it sounds.

http://www.neetmagazine.com/

Why?

2007-07-11T18:46:00.000-07:00

Something to wear to this year's state fair...I'm so glad I don't live in the Midwest.

Attention Marc Jacobs Fans!

2007-05-25T10:22:00.000-07:00

Marc has decided to join the world of Myspace. So, head on over to his profile and add him as a friend. He'd love to hear from you!

Coco Chanel: The Movie?

2007-05-22T12:44:00.000-07:00

That's right according to reports from A Socialite's Life:

Meanwhile Audrey Tautou scores the role of a lifetime. Ms. Tautou will have the honor of portraying fashion vixen Coco Chanel. The film will be centered around Coco's childhood and rise into the world of couture. The biopic isn't due to start filming until 2008, but another picture is already underway. Danielle Thompson has begun the first stages of her Chanel biopic.

I for one, think this is pretty exciting. I can't wait until we get to at least see some screen shots. I bet the costuming will be amazing

Go. Figure

2007-05-11T11:29:00.000-07:00

My friend and I were walking through Target a couple days ago, scouring the area for some colorful, cute party plates and decorations. Almost at the exact same time we spotted the new Go. International line, featuring designer Patrick Robinson, and rushed over to check it out. I’ve always been intrigued by the Go. International concept – high-fashion designers making clothes for the average budget. But I’ve never literally bought into the clothing until now. From what I saw, Robinson has created a line that appeals to my sense of summer style – flowing dresses and camisoles, light cardigans, cuffed shorts and well-cut swimsuits – and all with incredible details and prints.

My favorite item in the collection is this granite, above-the-knee skirt. I love it not only because gray is my new black for summer, but I also love the almost-paper-bag cinched waist and the raw-edged tiers at the bottom. Admittedly I’m not a huge fan of the “medallion” print items, but I can find so many other pieces that I love, that it’s hard to focus on the negative.

Patrick Robinson might not be as well known to most of America as other Go. designers like Luella Bartley, Behnaz Sarafpour and Proenza Schouler, but he has been in the industry for a long time working at big-name houses that most people would recognize. Before starting his own label in 1996, Robinson designed for Giorgio Armani and Anne Klein. In 2003, he was named Creative Director of Perry Ellis Women’s Sportswear, and in 2005, he was name Artistic Director for Paco Rabbane.

His line for Go. International will only be available until July 15, before L.A.-based label, Libertine will premier their collection.

"Bitten" by the Fashion Bug

2007-05-10T23:31:00.000-07:00

Which celebrity doesn’t have her own clothing brand or line of shoes or a namesake lip color nowadays? Jennifer Lopez has J.Lo; Gwen Stefani has L.A.M.B.; Beyoncé has House of Deréon; Madonna has Madonna for H&M; the list seems endless. Finally the time has come for super style-maker Sarah Jessica Parker to reveal her new clothing line, Bitten, which will be released on June 7 through mall-based retailers Steve & Barry. The collegiate-marketed store will sell every item in the 500-unit line (including jewelry, shoes and accessories) for $20 or less with the tagline for the brand appropriately stating, “Fashion is not a luxury.”

In her own words, SJP describes the philosophy of the clothing line as “a way of giving women without financial means access to good, simple, well-made clothes to feel proud of.” (Glamour magazine, June 2007)

This line of thinking might stem from her upbringing in a family of eight children and little means. “I was envious,” she admits. “I got all of my oldest sister’s hand-me-downs. And by the time I inherited them, they were really out of fashion.”

Although SJP makes it clear, “We’re not Balenciaga.” She also states that, “They’re well-made clothes that feel of-the-moment.” What more could a college girl, or any girl, ask for?

Other celeb labels in the works...Amanda Bynes will also premier her line, Dream, through Steve & Barry's on August 10. And Kate Moss released her line, Kate Moss for Topshop, this week through the namesake store as well as Barney's New York.

R.I.P Isabella Blow

2007-05-07T11:35:00.000-07:00

This morning I received "breaking news" from Women's Wear Daily that Isabella Blow, stylist and former fashion director of the Tatler and London Sunday Times, died. The circumstances are "still being determined," which doesn't sound great, but I thought The Fashion Blog readers would appreciate the update.

Born in 1958, Isabella Blow was known for her support of young designers and discovered such fashion names as Alexander McQueen, Hussein Chalayan, Stella Tennant and Sophie Dahl. She is also credited for discovering milliner Philip Treacy, who became known for making her the eccentric hats that she wore on all occasions.

Love It or Hate It: Mischa Barton

2007-04-03T08:10:00.000-07:00

Mischa Barton is really back and forth with her fashion choices. She’s also one of those people where you usually absolutely love her outfits, or you can barely stand to look at them. I’ll admit that for events, I think she usually can pull it together. It’s usually the day to day outfits that leave me wondering what was going on in her head. Anyways…here is another slide show featuring her different styles, and again feel free to weigh in on her in the comments section.

Love It or Hate It: Victoria Beckham

2007-03-30T08:55:00.000-07:00

Victoria Beckham is one of those people where it seems 99% of the time people have a really strong opinion of her, as well as her fashion sense. I happen to fall into that 1% where I’m not really on either side. So I thought she would be a good person to kick off this newest segment of The Fashion Blog: Love It or Hate It

So… below is a slide show of some different styles Victoria Beckham has sported. Sit back. Relax. And take it all in. After you’re done watching, feel free to weigh in on her in the comments section.

Spring (Fashion) Forward

2007-03-27T23:32:00.000-07:00

Every season I have to revisit the collections I looked at months and months earlier to remember the trends that I liked. As a little "thank you" to the Fashion Blog readers, I've put together a collage of some key pieces and looks that you might want to keep in mind while planning your wardrobe for Spring 2007.

Trends:

1. Neutrals - white, beige, light colors
2. Heels and platforms, preferably strappy
3. Layering with light weight coats
4. Oversize totes
5. Short dresses and skirts
6. Mostly slim silhouettes, but give your skirt some flare

Side note: In a season of mostly neutrals, don't be afraid to use pops of color especially with your accessories.

Fabulous Website: Red Carpet Bagz

2007-03-27T11:05:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder where you can get that bag you saw your favorite celebrity carrying down the Red Carpet, or down Rodeo Drive? Well, wonder no more. Red Carpet Bagz is the answer to that pesky little problem. They not only point out the newest bags, but also the hottest sellers. Head on over and check it out.

A New Trend?

2007-03-27T10:55:00.000-07:00

David Beckham and his wife went out on the town the other night, and I couldn't help but notice two things in this photo. First, Victoria is actually smiling, no, LAUGHING. This is something we hardly ever witness. Make note of it. Second, I couldn't take my eyes off David's ring. Here's a close up:

That ring is so fabulous. I want one. I want my future husband to have one. Though I sadly think it will not be affordable, or that the guy I'll be marrying will want such a sparkly ring.

But is this going to be a new trend? Will the husbands of tomorrow start wanting rings every bit as fabulous as their wife's? I say, if a guy can pull it off, why not.

Another one

2007-03-12T11:54:00.000-07:00

Marc Jacobs has checked himself into rehab. He has been in rehab once before in the late 90s. His business partner, Robert Duffy, had this to say:

"Marc made the right decision. He'd been sober for seven years. When he relapsed, he wanted to deal with it right away. According to the experts, such a relapse isn't uncommon. Thankfully, Marc recognized the problem himself and chose to deal with it. Obviously, our prayers are with him."

Get well soon Marc, so we can continue to enjoy your fabulous designs

Forgive Me Burberry, For I Have Sinned

2007-03-09T11:25:00.000-08:00

Confession time: When I first saw these black headbands on the Burberry Spring 2007 runway, I wasn't overly excited. I guess I just didn't get it - beautiful coats and dresses with what seemed like workout headgear. Cut to the present day, March 2007, and I have to admit I actually bought some of these headbands last weekend! They're just so easy to wear when you feel like making it a "casual Friday" on any given day of the week. Of course I must point out that I still don't love the look with nice, fancy clothes (i.e. the beautiful Burberry coats), but I appreciate the concept, and I apologize for doubting the trend in the first place.

Jennifer Hudson's Real Faux Pas

2007-03-05T22:43:00.000-08:00

So many interesting things happened at the Oscar's this year that I'm almost sad I missed the show. I would have liked to see Ellen host and Will Ferrell sing, but most of all I would have liked to have seen Jennifer Hudson's infamous "fashion faux pas." I put this in quotes because I didn't really understand what all the fuss was about. When I first saw the dress, I thought it suited her. Sure, she was a little understated in brown, but I thought it flattered her curvy figure and made her waist look especially trim. Plus it had pockets! I love dresses with pockets.

Then there was the issue of the gold python bolero...Well, I suppose from some angles the back of the collar was a little misshapen, perhaps a little crushed. But the touch of gold was appropriate, and it complemented the dress nicely. Moreover, it covered her arms, which judging from other photos (i.e. the photos of her accepting the award) were a little less than shapely. In close-up photos the collar framed her lovely face, and in general I think it photographed really well, which might explain why Vogue editor Andre Leon Talley chose this ensemble.

As the story goes, Talley had been Hudson's biggest supporter and took her under his wing to guide her through the confusing whirlwind of young stardom. He dressed her for events, introduced her to his famous friends and even had her featured on the cover of the March Vogue. Apparently, he also chose the brown Oscar de la Renta and bolero combo for the big night, but Hudson changed her mind, and wanted to go with a gold Roberto Cavalli number instead. Talley was offended, pushed his opinion and Hudson ended up in his dress at the last minute. Now, I know that if Jennifer Hudson wasn't comfortable wearing the dress, then she should have stood up for herself because there is nothing worse that feeling ugly on an important night. But at the same time, if she didn't have the backbone to stand up to her new friend and mentor, then she should have just gone out there and worn the dress with the highest-level of confidence in the world - once you're committed, that's it.

But Hudson didn't see it that way. She heard rumors of the press putting her down on the red carpet, and she was embarrassed. So when she accepted her award, she left the gold bolero behind. Big mistake. That bolero really pulled the outfit together. Without it, she just looked like a big brown column. Then she changed into the Cavalli before going back to talk to the press, which was a mistake of a different kind. In that simple, non-verbal gesture, she basically told everyone that she lacked so much self-confidence that she had to bow to the power of press to feel good about herself even though she had just won film's highest honor. At that glorious moment, she should have been able to wear a paper bag and feel beautiful. But she didn't, and that's where her cracks started to show.

The next morning on the Today show, she admitted to Matt Lauer that if she could have changed something about that night, she would have worn a different dress. Of course this brings me to the real faux pas of the whole situation: how could Jennifer Hudson turn her back on the person who had been her fashion mentor throughout the beginning her budding career? What a stab at Andre Leon Talley. He had put so much of his time and energy into helping her, not to mention his emotional investment, and this type of comment was very inconsiderate. She obviously had wanted to disassociate herself from "worst-dressed" criticism, but she showed another side that was far uglier than that gold bolero. She showed herself to be selfish, defensive and weak-minded.

In fashion, it's all about state of mind. If you think you can pull it off, then you can. Kate Moss doesn't look great in everything because of her stick-thin body, although that helps. She is a fashion icon because she is fearless. We can sense that attitude, so we're drawn to her. I suppose I'm being a little hard on Jennifer Hudson. It was an amature mistake, and she's obviously not confident enough in herself yet to follow her own instincts. Hopefully that will come with experience. But in the meantime, I certainly hope she finds a way to rebuild her bridges and learn from her mistakes, so she doesn't alienate even more of the fashion elite in her climb to the top. Because in my mind, she still has a long way to go.

Oscar Fashion Wrap up 2007

2007-02-26T11:22:00.000-08:00

So the Academy Awards were last night, otherwise known as the Oscars. It is one of the biggest fashion nights of the year. And I’m happy to say that this year all our leading ladies did not disappoint. There were very few dresses I didn’t like. Usually I find a lot more. Let’s get started. I’m going to break it up into categories, and then wrap up with my best and worst dress at the end.

First, let’s start with the dresses I didn’t like.

Sorry Anne Hathaway. If you had that dress minus those hideous black bows on the front and back, I probably would’ve left you off this list (even though the rest of your dress is a giant doily). But as soon as I saw this dress I didn’t like it. I also would’ve liked to see her do something a little different with the makeup she wore. I feel like she just does this same look over and over.

I rarely like what Beyonce chooses to wear. Her choice for the Oscars is no exception. If she had the same dress minus that beaded thing around her shoulder I would’ve liked this much better. Her hair and makeup however I think looks rather nice.

I don’t really know who Eva Green is, but I know I do not like her choice in what she wore to the Academy Awards. It looks like she’s not too happy about it either in this picture. She looks a bit like a corpse bride with the dark hair and pale skin, and gauzy dress.

Now for my so-so dresses. I definitely don’t hate them, but I don’t love them either.

I just think Kate has worn other dresses that really put this one to shame. But she still looks nice. Maybe I’m just holding her to a too high standard.

I kept going back and forth on this one. Sometimes I thought it was a really great dress, but other times I thought it was a little prom-ish. Eh, I’m still not sure about it.

I think this dress is cute, but I don’t particularly care for the sleeve-like things. But she looks all cute and has that nice pregnancy glow. So I won’t go too hard on her.

I love the top of this dress. I think it is very cute and fun, yet still has sophistication about it. The bottom, however, I have some issues with, which is why it is landing on my undecided list. I think if it didn’t have those feathers I would like it much more.

I think this dress is pretty and all, but something I can’t put my finger on exactly is keeping me from really liking it a lot.

Nicole Kidman looked really beautiful, but I’m just not sure how I feel about the giant bow on her dress. If she can’t pull it off, no one can. Overall though, I think she looked great (and put any pregnancy rumors to rest, look how skinny she is!)

Now for the dresses I really liked.

I thought Portia De Rossi looked really great last night. Ellen must’ve been proud.

Reese didn’t fail to impress me. I thought she looked absolutely stunning. It’s a really lovely color on her. And she’s also showing off her new body still.

Penelope Cruz looked amazing. There’s not much to add. This dress looked even better on tv than it does in this photo.

This photograph in NO WAY does justice to what this dress looked like on the telecast. She looked absolutely beautiful, especially when you consider she’s in her 60s. I hope that I can look half as good at that age.

I think Gwyneth usually looks pretty good. I think it’s an interesting choice she chose to wear her hair down. I don’t know if it is all her own hair, as opposed to extensions, but her hair looks so healthy. I’m a little jealous. But this dress is vintage (or so I heard) and I think it fits her wonderfully.

Cate’s been a big fan of the metallic dresses this awards season. Some have been hits, and others are misses. I personally find this one to be a hit. I think she looks great.

I love this dress. I think this is one of my favorite dresses I’ve ever seen J Lo in. Beautiful. I think it would be maybe a little better for a pregnant woman given the flowy nature of the dress, but she still looks lovely.

I thought Maggie Gyllenhaal looked great. Especially when you take into consideration she just had a baby a few short months ago. Her dress also has feathers, but the difference is, is that they don’t stand out so much. It is subtle detail instead of a distracting one (like in Kirsten’s case).

So now, for the best and worst.

I was going to post this dress as my worst dress (even though it pains me cause I love Zhang Ziyi and think she’s adorable):

I don’t think I need to explain what is wrong with this.

But I am ultimately going with the dress Elisabeth Shue wore as my least favorite:

Now this dress isn’t that ugly really, but I just feel this isn’t really an Oscars type dress. This is something to wear to a PTA meeting. Almost as if Ms. Shue forgot she was supposed to go, and threw on the first dress she saw. And I find her accessories all wrong. So Zhang missed out on being the worst dressed by just a hair, cause at least she wore a gown, even if it was a bad one.

My favorite dress was a Chanel dress worn by new comer (at least here in the States) Rinko Kikuchi, a Best Supporting Actress nominee.

Rinko has made a few fashion missteps at the past award shows, but I think she put together a perfect look for the Oscars. Hair, makeup, accessories, they all came together beautifully.

Review: Fall 2007 (NY)

2007-02-15T19:07:00.000-08:00

After countless hours pouring over the collections on style.com, I realized there was a lot of crap coming up for Fall 2007. I also realized that there was a surprising amount of stuff that I loved. I admit that at first I was a little thrown off by the completely neutral color palate - all blacks and grays. Where were the usual fall shades of brown and red?! But the more I saw, the more I grew to appreciate the simplicity of it all. Some of my absolute favorite trends popping out this season were layering, opaque tights, straight flowing hair, and boxy silhouettes on top with skinny legs on the bottom. I was also drawn in by the ladylike dresses. Of course the only thing I love more than a good dress is a good coat, and there were plenty of those to be seen as well! Dresses with tights and gloves, coats as dresses, dresses layered under sweaters and more dresses...And I have to say, I really loved all the black. I've always been one for color - I love standing out in a crowd. But this season, I will make a statement with understatement, and I'm completely happy with that. Here are some of my favorites from New York fashion week. Sorry I left out the ones that I hated, but I figured why waste the space when there are so many fantastic collections to focus on...

First off we have DKNY. I loved this collection because it really reminded me of walking along the Rue de Rivoli in Paris and watching all the fashionable girls go by. The style was completely French and completely chic. Who cares about color?! Take me back to Paris!

To see what actual, real-life French girls were showing, I looked no further than Catherine Malandrino's collection this season. She very much embodied my favorite boxy-on-top look, and this collection convinced me that I needed to run out and buy up a stock of black tights to wear with every dress and coat that I own.

My first real surprise favorite was Francisco Costa for Calvin Klein. I haven't been a CK fan since the 1990s, but this collection really brought me back to the fold. Costa's designs displayed a simple beauty, and if there was ever a season for minimalism to make a comeback, this would be it.

To be honest, I've never been a huge Behnaz Sarafpour fan. Obviously I have read the raving reviews of her work ever since she stepped out of design school, but I was never convinced - until now. I know this season was more of the same stuff she has always been doing, but for some reason, this collection just spoke to me. It's probably part of the "maturing" process. I really appreciated the femininity of the pieces as equally as the metallic, harder edges. I even liked the turtle necks, and I never like turtle necks.

Switching over to another designer I am also just learning to appreciate, we have Oscar de la Renta. I've always thought of Mr. de la Renta's pieces as things only a mother could love, as in they were for middle-aged to older women. But this season was different. Either Oscar is getting younger, or I'm getting older. Personally, I'm rooting for scenario #1. (Please note the fabulous white dress in the second row. I would wear this one long after Labor Day.)

Continuing on, I found a lot to admire in Chaiken's line this season. The first dress is one of my favorites from the collection. The cut is so magnificent that you hardly notice the dress is only gray.

Although Chaiken is usually known for their perfectly cut trousers, I think Proenza Schouler took them in that category this season. This was basically the only collection that actually made me excited to wear pants in the fall. Of course I loved their dresses too...

When I first heard of Monique Lhuillier, she was known as the next big wedding gown designer to break out in a market cornered by Vera Wang. This season she showed her range as an accomplished ready-to-wear designer, so now even the single girls can enjoy her wonderful clothes. Of course she also threw in her signature evening looks, which are sure to be snatched up by actresses with Oscars in their eyes. Notice the last dress is made from the most subtle leopard print you will ever see.

But even as good as Monique Lhuillier was, in my mind she still couldn't beat out Vera Wang. This collection was my absolute favorite of the season, hands down. Wang's girls looked like the most beautifully dressed street urchins you'll ever find. Everything about this collection felt right. The hemlines, the boots, the jewelled accents, the colors...

And my convictions were cemented when I saw this dress.

Overall, I was really pleased with what I saw from New York fashion week. Then I noticed that London fashion week just started a couple days ago...There's no telling what those crazy Brits have in store for us, but I'm guessing there will be plenty of black tights to go around.

More childish behavior

2007-02-13T20:47:00.000-08:00

When did fashion designers all start acting like children? Read this article about Zac Posen:

The Cold, Chip-Ladden Shoulder of Carolina Herrera

2007-02-11T23:23:00.000-08:00

In an industry fraught with young designers and big egos, one expects immature behavior every now and again. But when that behavior is displayed by one of the older, more established and well-respected designers, that's when I raise an eyebrow. During fashion week, The New York Times was not allowed to cover Carolina Herrera's show for the second season in a row after journalist Cathy Horyn wrote a bad review of Herrera's fall collection this time last year. In the article published on Feb. 7, 2006, Horyn wrote that the collection was "remarkably irrelevant...I can't imagine her wearing these clothes: print dresses in pool shades of aqua (with black tights, to boot) and rusty wool suits with fussy collars or ruched yokes and sleeves that looked trussed rather than finessed. With a ruched garment, do you really want to see the strings?"

Granted, this review was harsh. But in the cold, hard world of fashion, let the judgements fall where they may. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and more importantly, every journalist has the right to freedom of the press (otherwise known as the First Amendment). Of course you might say that our dear Carolina also has the right to invite or not invite whomever she pleases to her shows. This is correct. But when designers start blacklisting reporters who have ever written a bad review about them, that's when things start to get scary. It's called censorship of the press, and it's a slippery slope once you're on it.

You might not think that it's such a big deal that fashion goddess Carolina Herrera is holding some sort of grudge match with the NYT. But what if this was George W., and all of a sudden he stopped allowing Times reporters at his press conferences because they had said unflattering things about his leadership abilities in the past? We already know that government officials favor certain media outlets more than others (remember Condi's overheard whisperings about her special friends over at Fox News), but to outright ban a newspaper from covering a story, that is quite another thing.

Now, I understand that this is fashion, and we must keep things in perspective. Being kept in the dark about the horrors of "sleeves that looked trussed rather than finessed" is not the same as being kept from the fact that our country is sending thousands of more troops to Iraq. But I do believe that the principle is the same in both situations. The press needs to be able to do their job, and they need to be able to do it without the fear that they will be ostracized for telling it like it is. If reporters thought that they would be banned from shows after writing bad reviews, then we might all just end up running around town in hideous "rusty wool suits with fussy collars." And that would be such a shame.

These Boots Were Made for Walkin'

2007-02-09T13:12:00.000-08:00

I would just like to say that I am honored to have been invited to contribute to this blog. W-O-W. So, for my debut post I would like to highlight a fashion trend that I have been noticing all over the city; pants tucked into boots. I have gathered a few photographic examples from various internet outlets.

I like this trend; it keeps you warm and allows you to show off your cute boots without having to wait for spring to wear them with a skirt or dress. It should be noted, however, that this particular style should not be worn with boots that are too tight to cram your pants into. That just leaves a mess for everyone to stare at, causing wonderment at whether it's your pants or your calves that aren't narrow enough.

Celebrity Spotlight: Liv Tyler

2007-02-08T20:24:00.000-08:00

Celebrity Spotlight: Liv Tyler

I know Liv has been kind of out of the Hollywood scene the last two years since she’s had her little boy, but I am kind of into picking people who aren’t the norm to talk about lately (ie: not Nicole Richie or Mischa Barton or those other “It” girls). But, she does have a few movies in the works. Plus, I’m not going to deny it, I have kind of a girl crush on her. I’m so jealous of her skin. She has some of the best in Hollywood. I mean, just look at it:

This is just a photo taken at an event, no airbrushing or anything. I’m jealous. But anyways, this isn’t a beauty blog, it’s a fashion blog. So let’s get down to business.

Liv seems to really go for down-to-earth type styles for when she’s just out around town, which I really like. Cute, yet comfortable.

Ok, she is definitely pregnant in this picture. But she still manages to come off kind of sexy (in a tasteful way), which a lot of pregnant women struggle with (Britney take notes).

As I’ve said before, I’m a fan of the bright shoe when you are otherwise just wearing black. I think it’s a really nice touch to give your outfit a little something extra.

Aside from what looks like it could be a braided belt, I think this is a cute outfit. I love the sleeves, as well as the scarf she added for a bit more color and detail.

I just always thought it was cute they wore these shirts since they do sort of come from rock “royalty” (she is the daughter of Steve Tyler of Aerosmith, and she is with Stella McCartney whose father is Paul McCartney of Beatles fame).

Let’s move on to the clothes she wore to events on a higher level.

This is kind of hard to pull off, as it is kind of like a giant scarf is wrapped around her body. But I think it’s a nice dress. She looks great.

Liv really seems to favor wearing black. She is wearing it in practically every picture I found of her. This dress has a real “Old Hollywood” glamour to it that I like.

I love the coat. Usually I don’t like brown and black paired together. But this look I like. The jacket looks very slimming on her.

It can be pretty hard to pull of the whole kimono look, unless you are at some summer festival over in Japan. But she manages to pull off a kimono inspired jacket perfectly at a premiere for one of the Lord of the Rings movies.

I think this one is my favorite. She looks so rock-and-roll chic. Completely at ease and comfortable with herself. Totally confident. She looks lovely.

This is by far the least favorite outfit I saw her in, but no one is perfect:

I don’t know if this was during the time she was pregnant or not, but this outfit makes her look like she is. Which if you aren’t pregnant, is obviously a bad thing. The super high waist is just unflattering. It’s a look that I don’t think anyone can pull off, unless you are practically a twig. And even then I don’t think it would be the most attractive thing. And I don’t even want to get started on the hat. Ugh.

RIP: Anna Nicole Smith

2007-02-08T19:52:00.000-08:00

I know we aren't like a celebrity blog, but I just wanted to say that I think that Anna Nicole's passing is really sad. I was never a huge fan of her's, but that doesn't make it less tragic. RIP.

Celebrity Spotlight: Jennifer Aniston

2007-02-07T08:31:00.000-08:00

I feel like Jennifer Aniston gets kind of a hard time of it from blogs, as well as the media (who is always trying to paint her as some tragic shell of a woman). I, on the other hand, have always liked her. I’ve thought she was also pretty. No, she isn’t the most gorgeous woman in the world, but she is by no means an ugly person. So, I will be one of the few internet bloggers to have some nice things to say about our favorite friend and chose her as today’s Celebrity Spotlight.

Here is Jen’s first appearance since her nose job (which I love how you can’t really tell a difference, but you kind of can. That it is just subtle). I think this top is something really cute to wear out shopping, or to the beach or a picnic during Spring or Summer. I love the muted colors of her scarf and top as well.

Here we have two of our Celebrity Spotlights in one picture. I think Jen is definitely outshining Reese a little in this picture with her sleek black look, which Jen seems to love wearing.

Jennifer also seems to be a fan of the muted colors, as we’ve already seen her in them once before in this piece. I think this is a really flattering look that most of us could pull off, no matter the size of our waist, or bank account. Its perfect for those still-kind-of-cool spring nights.

I think this is such a classy look. It’s perfect for the office. I hope I can find something similar to wear to my own job.

Now, on to the more interesting clothing she chose to wear to events…

I’m starting off with this one because even though it’s black, it’s not very typical of what we usually see her in. I love that she took a chance and tried something a little different, cause she looks pretty fabulous. She really does have a great body.

I don’t think this is the most flattering dress she’s ever worn, but it’s still a pretty dress. Partly this isn’t the best photograph of the dress. It has a nice flow-y look that I like.

This is a classic Jennifer Aniston look. She seems to really love the strapless black (or navy) dresses. I came across quite a few. Here’s another one:

She looks good in them, so at least it’s not a hideous look she returns to on more than one occasion.

I’m having a really hard time picking my favorite dress for her. Not because there aren’t any great ones. It’s the contrary, there are three that I really like/love. So…I think I’m just going to post all three of them here. They are all great for different reasons really. Here are my top three dresses, in no particular order:

I absolutely love the top of this dress.

I love the fabric, and the cut of this dress. The movement of it while she walks is great. The top of the dress really shows off the great shoulders/upper body that Jen has.

Normally I’m not a fan of the cut out sides, but on this dress I think it works really well. It’s a little bit of a departure from what we usually see, which is a more tailored/structured look. I love the lines of this dress, as well as the color.

And as always, even the lovely Jennifer Aniston isn’t perfect:

This looks like something my mom would possibly buy me back in the early 90s. But even then, I don’t know that I ever had anything that bad.

Celebrity Spotlight: Zhang Ziyi

2007-02-06T11:19:00.000-08:00

I’ve always thought that Zhang Ziyi was a cute girl. Her dresses are usually a classic dress that will still look beautiful years from now. She really broke into the scene in the US when Memoirs of a Geisha came out.

Here Zhang is at a conference in Beijing for Maybelline. I think this jacket is really cute and simple. I’m not 100% on pairing it with that shirt. But separately I think they are both cute. And it is workable together.

I find this outfit really cute and casual. Perfect for a day of shopping or running errands. She chose to wear this to a German festival. I think the jacket she chose is a really nice touch.

I’m not sure what event Zhang wore this dress to, just that it was worn in Seoul. I think this goddess look is always cute, as long as it isn’t over done.

I also have no idea where this dress was worn, but I for some reason really like this dress. I know it’s a little out there, but it still really caught my eye.

She wore this dress to a SAG awards ceremony. It’s one of the dresses I can really take or leave. It has some nice detail.

Zhang wore this dress to the 2006 Oscars. It is definitely not one of my favorites. The top I love. It has really great detail. But the bottom I could really do without. I think that something more similar to the top would look best.

Lovely. Hair. Makeup. Accessories. All perfect.

This is the premiere of Memoirs of a Geisha in Tokyo. This isn’t a dress that I would ever wear (or recommend anyone else wearing necessarily) but I think on her, it looks kind of cute.

This is the Hollywood premiere of here movie. I find it very elegant with the long train.

I think that this may very well be my favorite dress I’ve seen on her. It’s her choice for the 2006 BAFTAs. I love the dress, and the accessories. She really looks beautiful.

And lastly, one of the few glaring missteps in her fashion choices…

It’s at the MTV Movie Awards, so that explains the kind of casual look to it. But it is still a rather odd choice.

Japan's Obsession?

2007-02-06T08:48:00.000-08:00

I subscribe to a Japanese newspaper that is written in English. Every so often I come across an interesting article. Today, I came across a very interesting one. In the article, this woman says how the Japanese people are obsessed with luxury brand names, French designers in particular. Also, that Japanese people buy as much as 45% of all the luxury goods sold in the world. Here’s another fact I found pretty interesting: “94 percent of Tokyo women in their 20s owned something from Louis Vuitton and more than 51 percent had goods made by Chanel.” That’s insane. Not only are those numbers high, but these are girls in their 20s, as in still in college, or just starting out. They can’t all be gifts either. They must be good little savers over in Japan.

On with the Show!

2007-02-05T23:11:00.000-08:00

All Fashion Blog readers should already know that fashion week is in full swing with shows scheduled from morning til night. I haven't been able to look through everything yet, but from what I've seen so far (DKNY, Lela Rose, Philip Lim, DVF), Fall 2007 is shaping up to be pretty much gray and black with fun coats and tights to keep us warm.

Coming up tomorrow: Monique Lhuillier, Chaiken, Alice Temperley and Betsy Johnson

During the rest of the week: Michael Kors, Catherine Malandrino, Anna Sui, Vera Wang and Zac Posen

These are only a selection of the designers showing this week. Go to www.style.com for a full listing of Fall 2007 Ready-to-Wear collections.

(Photo: DKNY)

Some News

2007-02-05T10:59:00.000-08:00

We've created an email address for The Fashion Blog. Is there something you want to tell us? An event or topic you think we should cover? Let us know by emailing us at blog.of.fashion@gmail.com

Eva Longoria Just Gained Some Points

2007-02-05T10:41:00.000-08:00

Apparently Eva turns down the freebies that she (and most, if not all celebrities) get sent. She is said to not wear them on the red carpet according to this article, where she states: "There are lots of designers I don't wear because they were so mean to me when I was a nobody," she said. "It's like Pretty Woman. They were: 'Who are you? We're not dressing you.' Now everybody's sending stuff. All the freebies are insane. I feel bad about taking them. I was on another show before Desperate Housewives and we couldn't even get a free doughnut." I kind of like that she stands up for what she believes in and doesn't endorse people who treated her poorly before, and have suddenly taken interest now that she's on a popular show. Although, the article is a bit old, so she could have changed her stance on things.

Celebrity Profile: Reese Witherspoon

2007-02-05T10:23:00.000-08:00

I was going to write a post on the SAG awards. But by now it just seems too late. But I did have a favorite dress. It was worn by an actress who wore one of our favorite dresses to the Golden Globes. So, since I wanted to post a picture of that dress, I decided to do a post on the fashion choices of Reese. So let’s get started.

First off, one of the things I like about Reese, is that when she’s dressed casual (i.e. just out about town) during the day, it is something that us normal girls can emulate. Her outfits don’t come across totally out there, or like they would cost a lot of money to copy.

This is a perfect example. I have a very similar sweater from Gap. It cost maybe like $30-$40 (it was a gift, so I can’t be sure). And then just jeans and flip flops. Totally doable. It’s nice to see that we don’t always have to be wearing dresses with heels to emulate our favorite celebs.

This look is a little more “dressy”. Something you could wear to work on a Friday (or any day of the week depending on where your job is). This coat is cute. It kind of reminds me of Chanel. I also have a jacket like this that was part of a skirt/suit that I found at a thrift store. I think the whole set cost me about $5. Also the heels add a nice touch.

Enough with the casual wear. As good as it is to see what celebs choose to wear on a day to day basis, the real fun is in what they wear to events.

This looks like it’s at some sort of launch party, rather than an awards show or something like that. But I love the touch of the red heels with the all black outfit. It takes an otherwise sort of ho-hum look and pops it up a notch. Without those shoes, I wouldn’t have given this photo of her a second look.

This is not my favorite dress she’s worn, but I think it’s pretty enough. It looks like this is probably at the Oscars, since it’s a pretty formal looking gown. But I think that for how small she is height-wise, she pulls off this full length gown fairly well.

This is another dress that I think is probably hard to pull off for many people, but she manages to do it. The color of it could totally wash out a majority of people wearing this, but she somehow manages to do it. I know I would probably look sickly unless I’d gotten a good tan if I put this dress on. She manages to look good and healthy, and also not be tanorexic.

I really thought that Reese looked elegant in this dress. It flatters her figure, and I love the little cap sleeves.

This dress I love. I’d kill to own this dress. Well…maybe I wouldn’t go quite that far. But, I really like this one. It’s fun, flirty, age appropriate. All without making her look like she’s trying too hard. The kind of little black dress every girl wants to own. I also think the shoes are cute. They have that cute-but-comfortable look to them.

Here’s Reese at the Golden Globes when she won for her part in Walk The Line. Now, I know that Kirsten Dunst wore this dress first a year or two before. But that doesn’t change the fact that it is a cute dress. Plus, how happy Reese looks makes it look even better on her.

Here is the dress she wore this year to the Golden Globes, which we’ve already talked about. But I just thought she looked stunning. I think this was one of, if not the first, public events she attended since the divorce. Why Ryan screwed things up by fooling around with that other girl, I’ll never know.

Here she is at the SAG awards. I think she did another stellar job picking to wear this dress. She’s a little slimmer these days, and these last two dresses do wonders showing that off. I’m really anxious to see what she’ll decide to wear to the Oscars later this month.

And just to show that Reese wasn’t always such a fashionable dresser, and to help us all see that we can turn it around, here’s Reese in a rather horrid outfit.

The long skirt with the long, baggy peasant-top like shirt just do nothing for her. It makes her look not only short and stubby, but a little bit more chunky than she is as well.

Mark Your Hermes Day Planner

2007-01-30T23:17:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder: New York Olympus Fashion Week starts this Friday, February 2. But what if you don't have time to review all the shows right as they hit the runways?! Never fear. The Fashion Blog will keep you up to date with our summaries and surmises of all the fashion fun to come...

Long Live Queen Westwood

2007-01-30T22:26:00.000-08:00

"You have a much better life if you wear impressive clothes." Vivienne Westwood

All the Fashion Blog readers living in the San Francisco area (which basically means me) will be jumping for joy when they hear that the de Young Museum will be hosting "Vivienne Westwood: 36 Years in Fashion." This tribute to Westwood's extraordinary career will run from March 3 to June 10, 2007, and is the only American stop on its international tour. Organized by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the exhibition will showcase pieces ranging from punk to haute couture. If you have time, I would also suggest checking the de Young calendar for several events, such as art history lectures and films, leading up to this exhibition.

For those who aren't familiar with her work, Vivienne Westwood revolutionized fashion in the 1970's by inventing punk style. She owned a shop in London with her husband, Sex Pistols manager Malcom McLaren, and gained notoriety when the band members started wearing her clothes during their performances. She transitioned to the runways and continued making her ready-to-wear, as well as couture collections, in her signature non-conformist style. Always edgy and unique, Westwood is still known as "one of the most influential designers of our time."

Karl Lagerfeld to the Rescue

2007-01-23T22:54:00.000-08:00

According to all the fashion insiders, Karl Lagerfeld may have single handedly saved the future of Parisian haute couture. His use of ultra-light weight fabrics, and slim sillouhettes are apparently just what was needed to lure in the next generation of fashion elite consumers.

Lagerfeld does not necessarily share the views that others have of him, stating: "My future is Chanel, the future of the other couture houses I don't really know. I only care what I'm doing. I'm not there to save the corporations. It's up to them to make an effort to save it."

Karl is said to have drawn inspiration from 60s "It Girl" Edie Sedgwick, eliminating skirts from the collection, and pairing black tights instead with the iconic tweed jacket of Chanel.

Leggings: Love Them or Leave Them?

2007-01-23T22:41:00.000-08:00

When the trend of leggings first came out, I was 100% on the side of "OMG, you've got to be kidding me! Those are in style again?" I was never one to think that fashion from my childhood was overly great, and should be granted a second chance. But ever so slowly, the leggings grew on me. It started out at first with me buying them just to sleep in. "No one but my boyfriend will see me in them," I reasoned to myself. Then I started to wear them out to breakfast on a Sunday morning. "Only strangers I'll never see again will see them on me." But now, I dare say, I wear them out in the sunlight, during the week. Around people I see quite frequently. They are just so comfortable. Much more comfortable than jeans. And paired with the right shirt and other accessories, can even be passed off as acceptable for work. I know most people out there hate the legging trend, and wish it would die a quick death. I used to be there. Now, not so much. What are your thoughts?

Best News Ever? Probably.

2007-01-17T23:18:00.000-08:00

I am deliriously happy! Tim Gunn signed with Bravo to do his own TV show! It's going to be called Tim Gunn's Guide to Style, and it's going to be based off of the book he is currently writing entitled "Tim Gunn: A Guide to Quality, Taste and Style". The book is set to be released in May 2007, and Bravo execs have stated that the show will premier after the book is finished. From what I've read so far, the show is going to be a type of makeover show, but Bravo insists that it's not going to be the same old makeover show that has been done a million and a half times before.

In Tim's own words, "This series aims to be one-part education with two-parts fun, and you'll see me being a fashion therapist, not a Svengali." Oh, Tim. Isn't he the funniest?

All of this great news comes on the heels of the not-so-great news that Bravo has cancelled Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. But we will shed a tear for those darling boys later. Now is the time for celebration!

Congratulations Tim! You're the best!

Awesomest

2007-01-17T23:11:00.000-08:00

My favorite dress

My favorite Jew

Are They Still Friends?!

2007-01-17T23:07:00.000-08:00

I guess the sinking of the Titanic is the type of thing that could really cement a friendship...

Give a little, Take a little

2007-01-17T23:01:00.000-08:00

Beyonce has apparently found whatever curves J.Lo lost recently...times ten. This girl is beyond hourglass. I can't believe we're the same age.

For Bob

2007-01-16T17:25:00.000-08:00

Speaking of people who need to eat, what's up with J. Lo's recent stick figure look? She's gotten thinner and thinner over the last few weeks. She's not looking like she is anorexic or anything, but compared to her usual volumptuous body type, I'm a bit shocked at this picture of her at the Golden Globes. She still looks beautiful though.

Just Eat Something Already

2007-01-15T01:08:00.000-08:00

Everyone probably remembers back in September when officials at the Madrid fashion shows banned overly thin models from walking the runways. Since this was the first ban of its kind, the Spain shows ended up receiving a lot of press coverage about their ruling, but who really thought those actions would carry any "weight" with the other fashion capitals? After all, it was just Madrid. And what are fashion shows without stick-like bodies to hang the clothes on anyway?

Well it turned out that the fashion officials who reign in Milan also announced that they would adopt the same ban imposed by Madrid for their shows in February. Under the new codes, the models must have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 18.5 and be at least 16 years old to be hired by designers, modeling agencies, photographers, make-up artists etc. I also heard rumors of a smoke and alcohol-free zone backstage…has everyone gone mad?

Actually they’ve probably just gone healthy. The director of Madrid’s show, Leonor Perez Pita, admitted, “The restrictions could be quite a shock to the fashion world at the beginning, but I’m sure it’s important as far as health is concerned.”

The statements for Milan’s shows were also focused on promoting a healthy image for models, and under Milan’s new code, each model will have to possess a medical certificate to prove she is in good health before she can walk.

Of course the flip side of the healthy image is wanting to avoid projecting unhealthy images of anorexia to young, impressionable girls. Concho Guerra, a regional official in Spain, said, “Fashion is a mirror, and many teenagers imitate what they see on the catwalk.”

On our side of the pond, the tone was more one of anger than concern for all those vulnerable teenagers. Cathy Gould, director for Elite modeling agency in North America, stated, “I think it’s outrageous. I understand they want to set this tone of healthy, beautiful women, but what about discrimination against the model? And what about the freedom of the designer?” To give her some credit, she was concerned about some young women – her models whose careers could be hurt because of their “naturally gazelle-like” body types.

As for models working in the states, the Council of Fashion Designers of America issued a statement promising that they will not impose a similar ban based on a model’s weight. In explanation they stated, “The CFDA Health Initiative is about awareness and education, not policing.”

They also addressed the issue of anorexic models by saying, “Eating disorders are emotional disorders that have psychological, behavioral, social, and physical manifestations, of which body weight is only one.”

In addition to that lovely sentiment, Diane Von Furstenberg and the rest of the CFDA crew did want to do something to help the poor, starving models. So they are planning on setting up workshops to educate the industry on the nature of eating disorders as well as suggesting ways to keep models healthy, such as providing balanced meals at photo shoots and warning them against underage smoking and drinking.

It looks like everyone in the fashion world really is trying to do their part in making sure another Kate Moss-type doesn’t end up as the new poster girl for “Under-Eaters Anonymous” (or “Coke Whores Anonymous” for that matter).

Not To Be Out Done

2006-10-19T00:08:00.000-07:00

Those Japanese kids have some pretty crazy fashions of their own. And as far as I know, there was nothing illegal in me taking this picture off the internet, unlike someone else's method...

Those Crazy Finnish Kids

2006-10-05T23:28:00.000-07:00

The other day I stumbled on a web site that I thought might be of interest to The Fashion Blog readers (i.e. Megs and myself). It's called Hel Looks, and it's centered on the street fashions in Helsinki, Finland. Started in July 2005 by Liisa Jokinen and Sampo Karjalainen, the project is aimed at documenting Finnish fashion and encouraging people to dress more invidually and create their own styles.

I thought this was a really cool idea, and it's always fun to see how people dress in other countries. (By the way, we don't really have permission to use this picture - actually the site expressly says not to use the pictures - so don't tell those Finnish girls. They could probably take us.)

Spring 2007 Ready-to-Wear Favorites

2006-10-01T00:19:00.000-07:00

I was browsing through the Spring 2007 Ready-to-Wear shows on style.com, and I just wanted to share some of my favorite looks and trends for the upcoming season. Even though some might think it's a little early to start planning their wardrobe for next spring, I say if the fashion pros can do it, then so can we here at "The Fashion Blog"...

My absolute favorite collection was Christopher Bailey's for Burberry Prorsum. I loved everything from his neutral color palate to the high, cinched waists and little ankle boots. I didn't love the large headbands, but I'm excited to translate that into smaller, more flattering headbands paired with a collared coat complete with little belled sleeves.

My other favorite came from Bottega Veneta, which was a little surprising. I was taken with their flattering silhouettes and soft, neutral colors (again). The collection was sophisticated and simple - perfect for spring.

As always I loved Missoni's prints and billowy dresses. In this particular collection I liked the details - large pockets and sky-high platforms.

Two items of special note: Alice Roi's white coat and Blumarine's navy, ruffeled dress. I could picture throwing that white coat over all kinds of outfits - dresses, trousers and blouses, even jeans and t-shirts. It looks like the perfect light topper for any spring day. Blumarine's navy dress looks like it would be the favorite party dress of the season - hem above-the-knee (big spring trend) but nothing indecent, slight nostalgic retro feel but still contemporary.

Last but not least, my favorite new designer is Phillip Lim (for 3.1 Phillip Lim). His designs are young and fresh, and I will definitely be interested in seeing what he has to offer in future collections.

Oh Mary Kate

2006-09-29T08:33:00.000-07:00

It pains me to say this about you, MK. I have always been secretly rooting for you. Through the eating disorder, when Stravos left you and started dating Paris, all of it. But it makes it a little hard to get behind you, when you wear something like this:

You are wearing awful white sunglasses like Chloe Sevigny. Your shoes are even similar to hers. Please Mary Kate, please do not take her as your style inspiration. It will lead to no good.

P.S. Quit smoking.

Gotta Love Gunn

2006-09-28T22:38:00.000-07:00

I am obsessed with Project Runway. I watch it every Wednesday at 7 p.m. I have my favorites (Michael and Jeffrey) and my not-so-favorites (Angela and Vincent). But during the last two seasons, my reason for watching the show has slowly shifted from being interested in watching the whole creative process unfold to being interested in the man rooting for all the contestants to "carry on" after sharing his helpful words of design wisdom. Tim Gunn is by far and away the most awesomest part of Project Runway.

On Thursday mornings - after having watched the show and discussing it thoroughly with the roommate - I turn on Tim's podcast to get a blow-by-blow of the episode from his insider perspective. Besides his never-ending fashion knowledge (after being at Parson's for nearly 25 years) and keen, dry wit, Tim brings a genuineness and likeability to the fashion industry, which is usually known for its shallowness and cutthroat ways. Even though I love fashion and most everything associated with it, I started to think that maybe this particular industry was suited only to a certain type of (not very nice) person. But now I realize that's not the case, and I have Tim to thank for that. His openness, thoughtfulness and caring personality are inspirational to anyone thinking of venturing into that daunting industry. And that is why I've gotta love Tim Gunn.

Tim's Blog

The OC Rebuttal

2006-09-25T22:50:00.000-07:00

Okay. I admit that Mischa doesn't always look her best on a random Sunday morning filling up at the gas station (see Megs' first post), but Rachel doesn't always look the best either (and at public events no less - take note of the pic below). I love them both, and I love that neither of them have a personal stylist, as far as I know. We all make mistakes, but we all don't have to be reminded of those bad choices every Friday when US Weekly comes out on the newsstand. Kudos to both girls for staying true to their own personal styles and braving Hollywood without Rachel Zoe trailing behind at every event.

By the way, the above is supposed to demonstrate Rachel's fashion missteps and Mischa's dead-on hot days...Sorry I couldn't do better, Mischa. haha.

A Little Surprised...

2006-09-25T15:11:00.000-07:00

So I'm actually really liking this dress that Paris Hilton is wearing. I mean I don't always dislike what she wears, but I have thought "What was she thinking?" on more than one occasion.

Even her accessories are nice and go with the look.

Battle in the OC

2006-09-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

Rachel Bilson looks so cute here. I know Mischa isn't on The OC anymore, but there is a clear winner between these two and their fashion choices. Mischa has just been picking the most odd things lately. But pretty much every time I see Rachel, I think how cute she looks, or that it is something that I would actually wear. Not too over the top, and doable by regular people.

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