Recently in Couture Snob Category

Check out Couture Snob's Look of the Week!

(Belt- Hermes, clutch and dress- Stella McCartney)

Another reason for me to long for the City of Lights,,, at the risk of being banned from the New York shows forever, I have to say Paris Couture Week makes NY Fashion Week look like amateur hour. Hand engraved "Save the Date" invitations started showing up in my mail box from Armani Prive, Givenchy and others a month before the shows (whereas most of my NY fashion show invites would arrive a day before or worse, a week late). I was invited to the Christian Lacroix Couture show at the Centre Pompidou in Paris this week but could not attend as I am already back home in the States tending to personal business. I was also invited to lunch at the Lacroix atelier with Monsieur Lacroix himself (hosted by the fabulous Becca Cason Thrash) but I had another engagement and arrived in Paris the day after the event. Needless to say, I really have to plan my trips better next season. So I am relegated to drooling over the gorgeous creations of his latest Couture collection while sitting at my desk, but at least I was promised a viewing in person when the collection travels stateside. The private world of Haute Couture has fascinated me for years and now with the guidance of a few of my collector friends, I may be ready to take a swan dive into its gilded world. Did you know that seasoned Couture clients are never late to a show? Mostly because they want first dibs at the clothes. Unlike ready-to-wear, where mass production rules, once an item is spoken for in Couture-- you can rest assured that no one will be able to buy it again, ever. As for Couture bags, it is the ultimate indulgence for bag snobs! (jump for more pictures!)

Oh, how I love Derek Lam's dresses and flowing tops. I feel like a doll when I wear them! He is one of my absolute favorite young designers. I have over a dozen pieces from him, ranging from flirty attention grabbers, like the dress above, to simply cut blouses for daily wear. I am lusting for this floaty cloud of a silk dress above; it just looks so delightful and romantic. It also looks extremely lightweight and probably feels like you have nothing on! I'd wear this with a clutch, so I can leave my shoulders bare and free of burdensome straps, like the shimmering Bottega beauty. The contrast of heavy metal boxiness and the soft and flowing dress is amazing! I first met Derek 3 years ago, and he picked out an entire season's worth of dresses and tops for me. He was a bit shy at first, but once we got into the clothes, he lit up! I can't wait to see him again next Wednesday. I'll have lots of exclusive photos of Tods bags, and, of course, will be dishing with Derek, so stay tuned! Derek Lam Dress $1,690 here Bottega Veneta Metallic leather box clutch $1,490 here

You may own a trench coat but you have not experienced the true seduction of one until you put on a Jean Paul Gaultier trench coat. My heart stopped when I saw this creamy trench from JPG's Spring collection. I have a similar version in black from two years ago and it is still one of my most beloved pieces. It is the way JPG tailors fabric around the female figure, round or slim, tall or short, his coat is flattering on all. I wear my black one both as a dress and as a coat as often as I can. I feel instantly glamorous and mysterious and yes, very chic. Like mine, the one above has a wide portrait collar which lends sophistication not to mention will keep you from looking like a lab assistant. Little details such as the pin tucked waist in front and back keep the lines feminine and utterly alluring. The color is creamy and not as white as it appears in the photos above. What a perfect coat for Easter, don't you think? Jean Paul Gaultier Gabardine Trench Coat $2990 at eLuxury.

I adore Herve Leger, I have four Leger dresses including a full length chiffon gown that is to die for. These are my go to dresses when I am feeling frumpy or depressed, slap on a bandage dress that holds everything in (and I mean everything, the secret is in the many hidden panels) and I feel instantly revitalized and glamorous! I even took Kelly to the Rodeo Drive boutique a few months ago and made her buy two of the most flattering skirts she's ever owned. I know what you're thinking, something so tight must be uncomfortable but that could not be more untrue! The special bandage style fabric wraps and curves to your body and imprints its memory (without ever stretching out!) and it's comfy like wearing sweats except you look fabulous, not sloppy. This cheery canary yellow strapless number is on my must have list (as is the canary yellow diamond necklace I saw the other day). It snowed AGAIN last night and I am so ready for Spring it's not funny. If the weather does not improve, I will head home to sunny California to spend my son's Spring Break with my family. And when I am home, I always have dozens of parties and dinners to attend with girlfriends, this dress will be perfect for the LA scene! Herve Leger Adelisa strapless dress $1,050 At Net a porter.

I had the pleasure of meeting Andrea Ciaraldi, Creative Director of Giorgio Armani, last week. First at a fitting for Armani Privé Haute Couture (trust me, there is no experience like being fitted for Haute Couture, apex to apex) and later at a dinner at Fashionista Founder Heidi Dillon's home. Andrea is the ultimate charming Italian man. He insisted I try on the Haute Couture sample pieces and when I came out he raved in his delicious Italian accent "You are amazing, why are you hiding under layers of wool and boxy jacket? You must show this body off! Most models don't even fit into our sample sizes, you are perfect!" Talk about ego boost, I almost ordered the pink beaded gown on the spot. The cost of an average Haute Couture gown made to order, is a whooping six figures. But considering it takes over 300 hours to apply the beading and beautiful details, it is well worth the price, isn't it? There are a mere 2,000 Haute Couture collectors worldwide, while most are over the age of 60, there is a growing group of young girls (20's and 30's) buying into the art of Haute Couture. After this amazing experience, how can I go back to off the rack ready-to-wear?

Tina in Oscar de la Renta/Ashley in The Row

I attended a party for Ashley Olsen last week where she debuted the Fall collection of The Row, the ready to wear line she launched with twin Mary Kate last year. At the party, I introduced myself and was surprised at how open and friendly she was. We discussed her line and other fashion issues and she could not have been more sincere and warm. There were no false airs nor haughtiness from this adorable actress/mogul/fashion designer! After meeting her, I now understand her popularity and endurance in an industry that most do not last a few years in let alone a lifetime.

Are you in need of an adorable blue coat? Scarves, gloves, and really cute coats are three things that French women are always sure to wear in winter that really finish off their look. Which is why I am drawn to this L.A.M.B coat- it reminds me of the women on the streets of Paris (where I lived last summer and can't wait to get back!). The color is fantastic and the sleeve hits at just the right length to show off your new winter gloves. Like a great bag, a great coat can make even the most slovenly of outfits look fab, you could throw this jacket on with anything and all anyone would notice is how adorable your coat is! (Though I can't say much for the weird face the model is making, just don't look at her and focus on the coat :) L.A.M.B. Melton Lambswool Jacket at eluxury.com, was $425.00 now $255!

(Introducing our new intern, Bag Snob Amanda, the latest addition to the Snob Family!)

So I have always believed that women look best when they look like women. Being 5’11 and a size 4, I often look more boyish than womanly. (Yes, I know this sounds modelesque and I sound ungrateful, but it's really not worth it unless you are getting paid. Plus I can never hear people at cocktail parties!) This is why I love this dress, it is feminine without overdoing it. The top v’s down to the belt which shows off the waist and collar bone and will give me curves. And though I want to look more like a woman than a boy, I don’t like looking too pretty pretty which is another reason why I love this dress- look at the back! It is patent leather (which equals sexy) but the shoulders and the top of the arms are covered (which equals appropriate) plus it has ultra functional pockets! You can command the room with your feminine sex appeal and have pockets to hold your lipstick!
Jean Paul Gaultier Runway Devore Tartan Dress at eluxury.com, $2,485.00 Jean Paul Gaultier Stretch Velvet Devore Dress is on sale for $1490 at Saks (thanks James!)