Shopbop has a nice feature/slide show on ways to wear the season's lingerie-style looks. Think black lace, slip dresses, stockings, bustiers, sheer tanks and the like...
I love this black lace dress (above) American Retro Lizzy Dress, $254. Certainly a cheaper way to get a bit of the look is these gorgeous Falke stockings, $59.
As a product junkie, it's always exciting when one of your favorite brands comes out with a new product. Caudalie has just introduced Premier Cru La Creme. It is $150 for 1.7 oz. Okay, yikes, that seems like alot, but La Mer is $130 for 1 oz. So in comparison, Premier Cru being about $88 for an ounce, it's not a bad deal.
Caudalie's three signature patents: titrated Resveratrol and Viniferine from Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte grapevines, and grape-seed polyphenols combine to create unparalleled age-fighting power.
Here's what each do:
-Grape-seed Polyphenols (OPCs): Protect skin from premature aging caused by UV rays, pollution, and environmental aggressors, by forming a shield against free radicals. Reinforce capillaries, boost cutaneous microcirculation, and help maintain an optimal level of hyaluronic acid in the dermis to preserve suppleness and elasticity.
-Resveratrol: Stimulates sirtuins (longevity proteins) that increase the lifespan of skin cells by 160%. Activates cellular renewal, redensifying the dermis, smoothing away wrinkles from the inside, and redefining facial contours.
-Viniferine: Regulates the production of melanin and protects melanocytes from free radicals in order to prevent the appearance of dark spots. Restores radiance by restarting cutaneous microcirculation.
-Vinolevure: Retains up to 100 times its weight in water. Offers exceptional moisturizing and protective properties that reinforce the immune system.
Wow, it sounds great. Right now, Sephora has an exclusive on it. But you can get a 100 ml sample from Caudalie's website with any purchase of $100 or more now through Oct. 6th.
Here's an interesting way to wear leather: take a very classic dress design and make it leather. This is exactly what Rag & Bone has done with their Raw Edge Leather Dress ($995 - eek!).
It's great for going out worn as above with cool boots... but the great thing about the design is that it's classic enough that you could throw on a long cardigan and some tights and wear it to the office too. With a piece this expensive you'd want to get a lot of wear out of it...
Ever since shoulders pads popped up in Balmain and Vuitton's SS09 collections (shown last Fall), we have seen it coming... the onslaught on the shoulder pads. Eek!
Jennifer Connelly in Balmain
I remember back in the '80s everything had shoulder pads, normal shirts, t-shirts, jackets, ugghh. I remember cutting them out. Maybe for younger women who don't remember the '80s, this trend will be okay, but for me - it's a pass!
Regardless, shoulder pads are here for a while. The marketing has begun: see below from Topshop.
NOW that the dust has settled on the spring fashion collections in New York, it is possible to sum up the news of the season in three simple looks: above-the-knee skirts, above-the-knee dresses and Spanx.
- excerpt from article, "Trend of the Season, in Brief" by Eric Wilson, New York Times
The Hermes Cape Cod watch is a relatively new additon to the Hermes line, it was designed by Henri d'Origny in 1991. The shape was inspired by a solitary anchor chain link.
The Cape Cod GM model, above, is $1,850. It's made in Switzerland with quartz movement, stainless steel case and black barenia double tour leather strap. The back is just as nice as the front:
This is one of those things that one can treasure for a lifetime and then pass it on to someone. Thus, on a cost per use basis, the price is quite reasonable.
Since I was down in SoHo on Sunday I was finally able to ask at the Longchamps store (132 Spring Street) about the production. (see my previous post about this) The salesperson I spoke to said that due to increased demand some production had been moved to China (and Malaysia I think she said?), mostly of Le Pliage bags. She said that the people are brought to France for thorough training and the employees receive the same working conditions and fair pay as those in France. I don't know, I guess that's all well and good but I still think it's sad to see a "French" brand moving production elsewhere.
In any case, I still like the brand, and oops, I even bought something while I was there. With my Pliage bag, it bugs me that there is no decent pocket built into the side (there is one, but it doesn't fit much), so I got the cutest little mathcing pouch so I can put small things it in and not have to search for them at the bottom of the large bag.
Zippered Coin Purse, $42
Isn't that the cutest!
The SoHo store is very cool. The store is upstairs, accessed by an interesting steel staircase.
Photos: Dexingner.com
The store was designed by Thomas Heatherwick, a London artist/designer. It's been open since May 2006.
I was looking around at Ann Taylor over the weekend, the one near Crate & Barrel on Madison Ave... I was checking out the shoes and one of the sales ladies commented how nice they were this season, I agreed and said they were very Christian Louboutin-esque in their shapes... she didn't seem to appreciate that... as if Ann Taylor is too good to copy CL? (what a moron)
Anyway it's impossible not to see the similarities especially between AT's "perfect pump" and CL's "simple pump".
Ann Taylor Perfect Pump ($155), 3-1/3" heel
Christian Louboutin Simple 85 Pump
Also with the platform versions:
Ann Taylor Perfect Platform Pump ($175), 4-1/4" heel.
Christian Louboutin New Simple Pump
Ann Taylor seems to be working on shaking the dust off their rather staid image. They advertised heavily in all of the September issues and got some decent editoral coverage as well. I always saw Ann Taylor as work wear for your Mom, very classic not trendy, rather boring... But this Fall's collection is a bit different. They have a new designer, Lisa Axelson, previously of Club Monaco and Gap/BR. She was brought on board last Fall. [quote] "I'm thrilled to have the incredible opportunity to restore a chic, fashionable point of view to Ann Taylor," said Axelson. "I hope to deliver covetable pieces that are modern and sophisticated and make our clients feel fabulous," she added.
This dress was featured in their September marketing:
Silk Tiered Strapless Dress, $240
The shoes, Perfect Platform Pump, $175
Here's a cool and relatively inexpensive over-the-knee boot. This looks seems to be a Fall must-have, but I don't think it's smart to spend a ton on the really trendy looks.
Boutique 9 "Charissa" Belted Boots, $285
They have a 3.75" stacked heel and are leather with fabric lining and leather sole. I like the round toe and substantial look, they would nicely balance out a look with leggings and a long sweater for example.
Today you can get a nice selection of Gucci Swiss-made watches at Bluefly for half off! I love the bamboo and horsebit styles in particular...
Some examples...
Gucci Taupe and Natural Bamboo '6800' Series Watch, SALE $438 (regular $875)
Gucci Black Alligator 'Signoria' Horsebit Petite Watch, SALE $598 (regular $1,195)
They even have a couple of travel clocks, this one is in chocolate Guccisima leather, Gucci '200' Alarm Clock, SALE $175 (regular $350)
Here's a cute pant that's great to show off the shoes of the season, J. Crew Minnie Stretch Twill Pant, $79.50.
They have a side zip, slim fit with two-way stretch and J. Crew's "city fit" low rise waist.
Here's an easy way to add a bit of the metal/stud/grommet look for Fall.
Andrea Lieberman Pyramid Hoop Earrings at Barney's, $550
Definitely rather expensive, but they are 18k rose gold. (they don't look like rose gold here, but maybe they do in person)
The pyramid shaped stud has been very popular, even since the Sex and the City movie where Carrie wore the studded belt...
I came as close as I'll ever get to Anna Wintour last night, we were both at the U.S. Open!
The London Times has a nice piece today, Confessions of Vogue's Shopaholics, about what various Vogue editors will be buying during Fashion's Night Out. It includes the editors from Vogue: Italy, Britain, US, Russia, France, Greece, China, India, Germany, Spain and Japan.
Here are Anna Wintour's and Carine Roitfeld's.
Anna Wintour, American Vogue
When I first mentioned Fashion's Night Out to my friend Vera Wang, a fashion designer here in New York, she gave me a quick double take. While her business, like everyone else's, was having to ride out the recession -- Vera always jokes that she has this knack for opening a store just before some new global cataclysm hits -- it had never crossed her mind, not once, to stop shopping. "Anna," she said, laughing, "I did shop, I do shop, and I will continue to shop!" For Vera, hitting the stores is about more than an act of acquisition. It's one of self-invention and self-empowerment, no matter how small and inexpensive her purchase might be. It's Vera's attitude that I'll keep in mind when I do the rounds on September 10.
I'm going from Macy's in Queens to Manhattan, where I'll drop by Ralph Lauren, the Oscar de la Renta store -- Oscar promises to sing! -- then Intermix to see Sienna Miller, and on to Barneys, Bergdorf Goodman, Dior, Saks Fifth Avenue (where there will be a William Rast pop-up shop), and Sean John, finishing up at the Meatpacking block party hosted by Theory and Diane von Furstenberg.
What am I looking to buy? Something in red, some new boots, and some kind of savage fur (that's American Vogue shorthand, so you know, for a rough, shaggy stole or collar of some kind).
It's not a lot, but isn't that the whole point of shopping these days (and probably should always have been)?
You don't need much, just whatever you'll love and that will really mean something to you.
Carine Roitfeld, French Vogue
What is most important for me about the clothes I buy is that they fit perfectly. I bring almost all my new clothes to my retoucher and spend a lot of time with him to make sure that they fit me as if they were completely tailor-made. I buy mostly classic, timeless pieces, such as knee-length pencil skirts: I always buy a few every season and never get tired of them. But I am also a real fashion addict and every season I fall in love with a few eccentric, strong, designer pieces that I just have to get. Those strong, wild, pieces complement my more classic clothes.
Finally, I have to say that the thrill of falling in love with a piece of clothing, of rushing to the store, hoping it will be available, trying it on and leaving the store with the precious package, is still a real pleasure and can relieve a headache!
Here are a couple more cool things for Thursday!
Register your American Express card at AmEx's website and if you spend $300 (total) or more at 2 participating Fashion's Night Out stores, you'll get a $50 statement credit! Sign up your card here.
Also, all of the Fresh stores will be open late. The coolest thing is if you dontate some clothes, they'll give you a $50 gift card towards a future $100 purchase.
I think it's going to be a good evening!
Fashion Week starts on Thursday, and it's also the night of Fashion's Night Out. As I previously mentioned there are a bunch of cool events going on. Here are a few more.
I ran over to Sephora to smell Stellanude. It is very strong on the rose, I didn't get any pink grapefruit scent at all from it... The rose is a nice rose, at least, not the fake rose. But I think it's a bit too heavy on the rose for me. Overall I expected it to be lighter.
I think I might like Stella Sheer better. The notes are lemon, green apple, rose and amber.
Stella McCartney's new fragrance Stellanude is available now at Sephora. The notes are Moroccan Rose, Grapefruit, White Peony, Pink Pepper, Precious Vanilla, Grey Amber, and Musk.
I'm very curious to smell it. I don't like musk at all and sometimes I like rose, sometimes not. I used to love a Bulgarian rose water hydrosol that I can no longer find. It had a delicious real rose smell; not the fake, overbearing and old-lady smell that rose can sometimes take on. Depending on the mix this one could be great... or not so much. I will report back after I smell it. The reviews on Sephora so far are all good.
I would certainly die for a pair of the covetable Louboutin Ni Toi Ni Moi Ankle Boots ($1195 at Saks).
oh my, soooo beautiful!
But really, $1195 is a bit much. For us poor plebians, here is a similar look (but not exact, so not a total knock-off) from Boutique 9. Obviously they're not as spectacular, but not bad either.
They are not up on their website yet, they will be available later in the Fall. They are called the Siaka boot and will retail for $225.
Okay, I know, People magazine is a bit cheesy but I pretty much have to read all of the September issues.
Here's what they're saying...
pg. 30 "Looks to Keep"
- wide belts
- boyfriend jeans
- biker jackets
- florals
- snakeskin accessories
- super high heels
- one-shoulder looks
- lace
"Looks to Lose"
- electric blue
- feather headbands
- short harem pants
- mod
- sheer
pg. 68 "Fall Style Essentials" as per Isaac Mizrahi
- brights worn with black
- plaid
- tailoring (proper fit)
- layering
- belts
- all of the above, worn with confidence
pg. 122 "10 Fall Must Haves"
- red
- saddle bags
- ruffles
- leopard
- black leather
- lug sole heels
- bold necklaces
- sheath dresses
- neon pink + black
- leggings
pg. 139 "5 Hot New Beauty Trends"
- bright lips
- metallic eyes
- polished waves (hair)
- sculpted cheeks
- green nails
pg. 148 "Good Finds"
- sparkly shoes
- bright bags
- embellished tees
- vintage look jewelry
Shopbop has a cool new feature that allows you to browse runway looks and then click directly to the items for purchase.
After you choose the designer, there are about 5 or 6 looks direct from the runway. Not all items are available though, like below, the jacket and boots are available but not the leggings.
