February 2007 Archives

Beauty Snob checks out backstage beauty looks from Fashion Week.

Fab Sugar has the answer to white teeth, fresh breath, and lipgloss for shimmering lips to seduce your Valentine with!

Fashiontribes shares with us their Isaac Mizrahi backstage interview.

Kristopher Dukes - Roberto Cavalli ring’s serpent coiled round a gem spells pure S-E-X, unlike the fuzzy “It’s the thought that counts” of a cliche, rhinestoned heart.

A complete list of Papierblog fashion week reviews and photos from the editors at Papierdoll.

Lauren at Second City Style reports on the darkly romantic mood of Vera Wang.

Dear Bag Snobs,

I've been reading your blog for almost 1year and a half now (isn't it incredible how time flies?). I've been following it loyally and surprisingly my husband loves it too. I spend less on bags now as I've gotten much more discriminate, buying less 'it' bags every month and just going for what I love.

Now I have a problem. I go for yoga 3 times a week, whilst the rest of me looks cool and sophisticated, my gym bag is an old sweaty Nike gym bag. And I'm so embarrassed. I'm looking for a new bag something practical, sweat-proof since the yoga clothes do get wet and still something l can lug around town... Any suggestions?

Your fan,

Julia

This Fall collection of her usual simple clean lines intrigued us with the ingenius use of fabric to bring out texture and form but it was too serious and not the cute and wearable Behnaz we've come to adore. The chainmail dress and tunics threw me off a bit, I'm not sure how the medieval fits in with pant gowns. Sure gowns that are actually pants sound good in theory, comfy and safe for drunkeness but you can't help but look like a french clown. There were a couple of well made coats that I would love to have for next Fall but that's about all from this collection that's good.

In my opinion, Michael did everything right for Fall '07 ready to wear. The eye catching bags are not so bad either, especially the brightly colored croc clutches (yellow is not my favorite but the electric blue and juicy orange will be worth the investment). I also like his interpretation of the structured kelly bag but am not so sure about the wrapped strap, will need to get a close up in person to see if it has magnetic enclosure like the Givenchy Clarabell. I do love the added brass hardware on the top handle. It's an interesting element that is not often used and it will also help the handle keep it's shape making this bag an even better investment. I am usually not a fan of big buckles but in this case, it makes the bags more youthful. It is also available in leather and should you not be ready for croc. And check out the cute patent leather man bag (bottom left) he showed that are cute enough for us girls! After a year of dissing Michael, we are definitely feeling the love again.

Ms. Practical has been my go to favorite for a long time. You can always pull on a DvF dress and leave the house without much scrunity - in front of the mirror or from whoever you're seeing. Not much contemplation involved. This collection however requires a bit more consideration before dressing. There were a lot of ruffled dresses which do not work for everyone and by everyone I mainly refer to myself. But I have to say, some of them are very prom dress-y which nobody appreciates. The abstract color block print is also something I'm not in love with although the palette is fantastic, especially the orange/papaya. The black and white print however is amazing, it is versatile, bold and young. There were a few really cute little dresses that rounds out the collection making me still feeling like Diane is looking out for me. And hopefully as President of the CFDA she can do something to help the world of fashion see that there is nothing further from beauty than being deathly skinny.

I had lunch with Michael Kors and his mother Joan a couple of years ago and they were two of the nicest and funniest people I'd ever had the pleasure of meeting so you can imagine how it pains me everytime Kelly or I rag on his bags. We've always loved his clothes, however, and I look forward to it each season. When I viewed the pieces he sent down the runway this morning, I immediately recognized his muse for Fall 2007 as none other than Joan, his mother. If you've ever met her, you too would spot the big black sunglasses, diva style wrapped hair, coats trimmed with fur, and ladylike bags as pure Joan. This fall, he continues his love affair with fluid lines and sensual dresses, but the ingenue ballerina looks from Spring have been replaced by seductive femme fatales, whom we all know have more fun. When I asked Michael the secret to timeless style he said to find a look that is most flattering, and to stick with it regardless of trend. For him, it is his signature aviator glasses and white jeans, a look he has embraced for decades. For me, it is my collection of figure hugging dresses and I can't wait to add this gray wrapped jersey dress to my collection.

We've always been drawn to the subtle luxury of Jil Sander clothes and it's new line of bags and shoes designed by Raf Simons is the ultimate in understated chic. It's all about simple lines made with top quality leather and logos so small you have to really search to find it. This is not a brand that will create fans in Lindsay or Paris as it won't get them the attention they so crave, it is for the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow and other women who prefer class over crass. And the shoes, I love the fabulously structured shoes that bring to mind sleek high rises in metropolis, size 35.5 please! At Barneys New York. (Bag on right $1,995)

Monique, Monique, c'est magnifique! Filipina-French designer Monique Lhullier strikes the Fall runways with another killer collection destined for the red carpet. Metallics continue to be strong for the season but none done as well as Ms. Lhullier's exquisite designs. Even gold lame manages to look elegant with her magic touch. The glittering gowns are dazzling but I also love the austere funnel necked belted coatdress, it's a surprising contrast to her otherwise glammed up collection and shows her range beyond wedding gowns. Those of you hesitating on the shiny frocks can test out the look with her metallic skirt, it's not a big commitment and will update your Fall wardrobe.

Fall '07 is not Marc's (or his 20 assistants') worst bag creations and it certainly is a huge improvement from atrocities of the past few seasons so let's get the ugly over with so I can go on to the pretty. I can not ignore the '80s handicraft-bakelite on bags (or on necklaces) that cost thousands of dollars. It was terribly tacky the first time around and it looks out of place in a season full of sleek and clean lines.

Tuleh, a line long touted for cheeky glam shows a very sophisticated line for Fall 2007. I have always loved Tuleh, it was the label I turned to after giving birth to re-capture some of the glamour of my days pre-baby and wearing it always made me feel impossibly chic no matter how late I stayed up. It's one of the few design houses that have not ever disappointed me and that I can count on to make beautiful clothes with a bit of of irony and wit (mostly because creative director Brian Bradley has a campy sense of humour- check out the crazy floral shoes with the gorgeous white dress with fur trim!). After seeing Bradley's latest efforts coming down the runway, I am even more in love with Tuleh and I want one of everything! But that might not go over well with the hubby when my Barneys bill arrives so I will have to settle for a few key pieces, these are my favorite Tuleh looks for fall: