September 2006 Archives

Rachel at Stylebites put together this week's Web Snob, thank you Rachel!:

Sugar cookies, Bawls, and hottie-hot UPS men all made their debuts at Fashion Week as Aesthetics + Economics tells us.

Looking forward to the weekend and kicking off those heels? The Trashionista reports on spring's most laid back footwear trend.

My darling, the Beauty Addict, has two mentions this week as she brings us both a fantastic overview of her experience during the Fashion Week "circus" and info on the latest FAA regulations and what it will mean for your handbag.

Over at Fashion Tribes, a podcast on couture clothing details caught my eye.

Had enough of NYC Fashion Week? Then take a look into Chicago's at Second City Style's blog.

Lauren at Second City Style decodes one of the season's big color trends, purple.

Ask Fashion Kitty tells us how a computer can crunch numbers and come out with which celeb you look the most like. What's funny is the people I look like are all celebs I actually like, Sammi Cheng for example (I know you don't know who she is but she's huge in Hong Kong), my Bag Snob partner has always told me I looked like her and now the computer has proven her right. The Bag Snob apparently is also a dead ringer for long legged Stacy Kiebler (I wish I had those legs!). The computer does not account for your race by the way, it's all about the facial bone structure, very entertaining!

Miuccia is by far one of the most amazing designers of our time. She is unapologetic when it comes to fashion and her off beat sense of creativity which may be hard for some to accept but I love it! I think it's fabulous that she chose bright juicy colors for spring instead of the ubiquitous beige and white everyone else showed. I also loved all the billowing silk tops, so what if she showed them bottomless, she said she didn't like any of the pants and skirts she'd designed with them!(and what, the thick schlacked colorless faces on the models were okay? A quick swipe of lipstick would have been nice). Come spring, I'll be wearing the tops with a pair of loose trousers belted tightly a la Coco with a pile of jeweled bangles. But there were a few sketchy items as my bag snob partner pointed out, the fringe dresses were not in the best of taste to say the least but I'm sure there will be more than a few Cattle Baron princesses wearing them to next year's ball. A few years ago I probably would have hated the collection for it's lack of traditional form as much as my bag snob partner does but I feel like I am seeing clothes differently these days. Perhaps it's shopping overload but I am just so bored with everything out there right now! I love Elber Albaz for the same reason. I mean the classics are great, Oscar and Carolina can always be counted on to deliver pretty-pretty but sometimes I just want something a little more creative and Miuccia delivers it, EVERY time.

I bought the world's most amazing cocktail dress in New York during fashion week, it fit me perfectly (no small feat for a petite girl who weighs 97 pounds), hugged all the right curves and hid all the post baby flaws. It is absolutely stunning, but I have to admit I was surprised to see Moschino on the label when I tried it on. I have come to expect a cartoonish look from the line since Franco Moschino passed away but this dress really shows the maturity and change in the design house under it's current creative director, Rosella Jardini. She designs beautiful clothes instead of trying to revive Moschino's tongue in cheek legacy and under her guidance the 20 year old company has been completed revitalized! For spring she showed ladylike dresses complete with crinoline and gloves(I could do without the beehive hair though), slim skirts, and kicky capris with billowing blouses. Moschino signature bold red was accented with muted gray, white, and black. This is a gorgeous collection that the Dolce Vita Goddess herself, Sophia Loren, would approve of.

Can I just tell you, I'm in love with Tomas Maier. The Bottega Spring line is absolutely perfect, from the dresses (oh, the dresses!!!), to the shoes and of course the bags, all of which I want want want!! I have not wanted something so badly in my life - I need to look fabulous in those gorgeous dresses that are made to flatter real women (yes, like me who actually eats and works out and generally fit but not 90 lbs and a size 2). Even the dresses with the billowing train is beyond fabulous. The pallet for the collection is soft, luxurious and comforting. Maier has hit it big with the woven bags and he refreshes the look with new styles that will have loyalists coming back for more as well as win newcomers with classic pieces that are sure to last. You cannot go wrong with sheer perfection.

We have not been kind to Dior of late but we have to admit that we're secretly eyeing the Rebelle series of bags. They're funky and fun and for the girls who like to kick it low profile at King's Road Cafe instead of paparazzi hyped Ivy (by the way, I remember when The Ivy was a place I'd go to with friends and family for nice quiet lunches. We'd see celebs but it was not the zoo it is now full of attention craved starlets who secretly alert the paparazzi themselves when they'll be there. I miss LA the way it was when I was younger. Everytime I go home I am annoyed!). I really like the suede and leather combination, it gives the bag more texture. Actually, everything about this bag is cute, the side pockets are almost standard nowadays as we have so many gadgets to carry around but what I really like is the hook enclosure that secures the flap down so our valuables are safe even while we roam the busy streets of Milan or New York. We love the winter white but for more practical bag snobs, the dark brown is just as fab and will be easier to maintain. $1495 - $1595 at eLuxury.

Left: The Ivy on Robertson

Since taking over as head designer at Burberry, Christopher Bailey has attracted a younger and more style conscious clientele while managing to retain it's plaid-lovin' die hard fans. He showed another crowd pleasing collection in Milan yesterday which should go well with all the Kate Moss wanna bes running around in London. His signature belted swing coats and bubble skirts still rule strong for Spring as do metallic shine and platform shoes. It also appears that ginormously huge bags will continue into next year, if you are stylin' this trend our advice is to hook up with a good chiropractor. More to come later in the week as the Milan shows continue!

(Photos courtesy of Style.com)

Stick thin models were rejected from the runway during Madrid fashion week last week, Madrid city council sponsored the shows and ordered that every model on show must have a BMI of 18 (and a minimum weight of 121 pounds for models who are 5'9"). Models of less than 16 BMI were said to be unhealthy and offered medical assistance from onsite nutrionists. I am guessing lots of serrano ham with bread and manchega cheese were on hand. Too bad London and New York didn't adopt similar rules cuz the models all looked like they could use a good meal.

Left: Maddy in red leather Right: Kasia in taupe suede

Now that voluptuous Molly Sims has replaced emaciated Nicole Richie in Jimmy Choo ads, we are feeling more love towards the design house. Especially with the introduction of fab new bags like city girl slick Maddy in red leather priced at $1500 (all the rage in Hollywood by the way) and casually chic Kasia in taupe suede for $1650. While the bags are not the most frugal deal in town, you can count on the impeccable English craftsmanship Jimmy Choo is known for. Jimmy Choo online store is officially open so you can shop whenever you feel like it! Just don't be like me and shop after a night of cocktails. Shopping under the influence is never a smart idea.

Phillip Lim got the Bag Snob's attention with his pret-a-porter collections but we're even more in love now that we've seen this urban chic frame bag. It's almost unfair that one person should have so much talent! This is a versatile bag that's ladylike enough for luncheons yet has a bit of rock and roll edge with the multi-brass chains (that may be pulled up to use as shoulder straps). You can definitely rock it with our fave Phillip Lim dress of the season from Net-a-Porter for a night out on the town. Doctor's bag $1195 at Barney's New York.

Left: Brown patent Monsieur bag Right: Green satin Milan and magenta Madrid bag
I am a total Lanvin snob and can not get enough of Alber Elbaz! It's one of those out of control obsessions, although being ADD and OCD is not an excuse for my compulsive Lanvin habit (according to my hubby when the amex bill arrives each month) but who cares! I felt fabulous at the launch of "Fashion on Main" last night in my silk and chiffon Lanvin dress(okay, so I was fashionably late and only made it to the after party but that's not the point). The obsession does not end at his divine dresses, I love the quirky beaded necklaces sewn on black lace or sheer chiffon panels, the sky high stilettos, and of course Lanvin bags! This fall he shows again his love for all things jewel toned, offering slick patent leather, silky satin, and buttery soft leather bags in shades of ruby, emerald, and amethyst. Contact Lanvin for details.

Photos courtesy of Lanvin