Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween, folks!  That special day of the year where you can take fashion to the extreme and enjoy the fact that you can really wear whatever you want without others posting pictures of you and giggling!  

Unless you are Liza.  Hold it as a general rule of life, that if Liza would do it, maybe you shouldn't.  That means no nylons as pants.  And, no garish drawn on eyebrows.  And, no spirit fingers.  And just don't marry guys like Mr. Gest.  Just don't.  Halloween or no.

Picture from x17online.com

In The Bag!

Every season brings new bags and new possibilities!  Well, one of the coolest ones for fall is the new Louis Vuitton perforated line!  I'm not sure when it is hitting stores, but when it does I'm sure it will be one of the new "IT" bags.  It is subtle enough to go anywhere, chic shapes, of the moment hardware and AWESOME colors!  What I think is the perfect color for this fall is this pink--goes with any neutral but soft enough to transition to spring and summer.  This bag is the perfect size for any occasion and classic enough to never go out of style!  I suggest you grab it while you can!

Azlon: Fabric of the Future?

In the world of fashion there are all sorts of interesting textiles!  One of those is "azlon".  I know, it sounds like some sort of space-invader with bad intentions.  Space creature it is not, instead it is a durable fabric made from synthesized proteins!

It is made in the UK and usually from soy proteins, but sometimes it is from milk, corn or peanut proteins.  Those proteins are reprocessed and eventually made into a durable and soft thread which can be woven into all sorts of materials.  

The idea of clothes from soy isn't new.  Heck, Henry Ford is widely known to have worn suits made of soy fibres!  It is easy to grow, durable, washable and very soft.  Many of the garments that say that they are made with "soy" are actually Azlon.

With the "greening" of the fashion industry, I think that there will be wider use of materials like azlon.  So, if you see some, don't be afraid to try it!

Picture from overstock.com

For my blog entry about Dacron, a related fabric, click HERE

Lanvin by Castillo--The Fabric of Dreams!

Vintage gowns are a thing of wonder!  This gown is a vintage 1950's Lanvin couture gown designed by Castillo.  It is pink silk with an under skirt so it hangs so wonderfully.  The dress has so many special touches--the open back, the full skirt, the neckline.  It truly is special and worthy of being collected or worn to your most special moments.

What makes vintage gowns so special is the attention that was paid to their details--the tags on the inside of the dress are hand-signed by the designer.  The dress was specially made for a client.  Just imagine what events the dress has gone to!  

Good design never goes out of style and this dress is a prime example.  It is just as stylish now was it was back when it was first imagined.  Nothing is as luxurious as these vintage gowns--specially made, one of a kind and made with the sort of artistry that very few garments are made with now!  Not to mention, for the price of one of these works of art is less than a mass-produced RTWdress!

Picture courtesy of the ebay seller hg-london

You may also be interested in my post about Vintage Lanvin Boots

Fall Trend: Chunky Necklace!

One of the recent trends that has been really fun has been the chunky necklace.  They come in all shapes, colors, materials and sizes.  I think it is the most interesting thing to happen to costume jewelry in a long time!  

There are all sorts of interesting things designers and jewelers have been doing with the necklaces.  Marni makes the necklaces with feathers and hand-wraped beads, Chanel makes ones that look like reworked vintage brooches, the list goes on.  One that came out this fall that I think makes the coolest statement of them all is this big chunky one by Day Birger et Mikkelsen--it is neutral colored enough to go with anything, has adjustable straps and makes one heck of a statement!  It would look fantastic over a cashmere sweater or over a shift dress.  

Picture from net-a-porter.com

I See London, I See France...

Better hope you've got some good underpants!!

There is one fall trend that I just don't get.  This whole less than opaque lace-macrame thing as garments.  Especially when there does not seem to be a corresponding line of either interesting slips or over-garments.  I like to be as edgy as the next girl, but something about wearing someone's craft weaving as a skirt and have to hope that I don't give a free show just isn't something I'm willing to consider.  While the trend looks nice on the runway, this is one of those trends I hope I don't run into on the streets.  

Picture of Prada FW08 from style.com

The DvF Top That Could!

For some reason, this top is the coolest ever!  First, the color is almost universally flattering.  The cut makes every woman have a bust and a waist, just what everyone always wants and it happens with that signature DvF wrap.  Also, it is so beautifully Art-Deco inspired without looking like a costume.  Not only that, it is VERSATILE!  You could wear it with jeans for casual fun, a black pencil skirt for cocktail, slacks for business and over a maxi skirt for more formal occasions.  This blouse really does it all!  It really is one of the best blouses of the season!

picture of DvF "Camille" from net-a-porter.com

Saunders at Target!

Target's GO INTERNATIONAL line is so cool!  It gives great publicity to designers that usually don't get a tremendous amount of attention.  And, sometimes the pieces are something I really covet.  This quarter, the featured designer is Jonathan Saunders, a British designer known for his crazy use of color and sleek lines.  His Target offering though just doesn't look quite like what he is known for.  That is too bad--I was really hoping that there would be color-block dresses and skirts with interesting cuts.  Instead, it just looks like mall-clothes.  Granted, nothing terrible, but nothing that is going to make me line up in front of the store and beat people out of the way.  

This dress was my favorite piece--totally wearable and with a flattering cut.  Hey, not bad for less than $50!

Picture from target.com

Dries van Yawn...

I know, Dries van Noten is a genius and does amazing work and all.  But, his ss09 collection is a complete yawn.  I don't care if it is supposed to be one of the top shows for the spring.  It is boring as all get out.  The colors?  Cream, navy, gold, and that seems to be about it.  BORING.  Isn't spring supposed to be breaking out of the dark, cold mess of winter and celebrating the fact that you can wear color?  Instead, his new collection reminds me of the latest Gristedes Challenge of Project: Runway Season 5, especially that table-cloth plaid.  Ugh.  I'm so sad--the last few Dries collections have been stunning and amazing and everything I've ever wanted to buy.  This one?  It looks like the economy, which makes me want to just go back to bed.

Dries van Noten ss09 photo from style.com

Cashgora? What on earth?

Cashgora?  What on earth is that?

There have been many innovations in fibre production in recent decades.  There have been new material invented like spandex.  Also, there has been new commercial production of animal-protein fibres like cashgora.  

Cashgora is a goat that is a cross between a cashmere goat and an angora goat.  What really makes this unusual is that cashgora goats really aren't an established goat variety and are created by breeders crossing the two goat varieties.  What makes these goats so rare is that not all cashgora goats that are bred are able to create commercial-grade cashgora.  Instead, each goat has to be evaluated for its hair, which makes this not very practical for most breeders.  Hence, cashgora is relatively rare.  

The texture of cashgora is somewhere between angora, as it is kinda fluffy, cashmere as it does have very soft fibres in it and depending on how it is milled, it can also have rather stiff hairs mixed in.  The texture will depend on the processing of the fibres and the individual quality of the fibres that the goats are able to produce.

Cashgora is used like wool and cashmere would be.  Above is pictured a Michael Kors cashgora cape and dress--looks like wool or cashmere but it is something else entirely!  It has a great look, is durable and considered a luxury natural fibre.

Picture from bergdorfgoodman.com

Vintage Lanvin Boots & Licensed Produts

Vintage has become very popular with the fashion folk, and for good reason!  Many vintage designs were ground-breaking and of remarkable quality.  But, not all vintage is equal!

During the 1970's and 1980's many design houses took to licensing out their name to other companies.  These other companies made products with the designer name on them but they were not of the same quality of the items manufactured under the auspices of the designer.

Sometimes these products are difficult to spot.  Take these Lanvin boots pictured.  They are clearly marked "Lanvin" and look to be of significantly better quality than counterfeit goods.  But, the way that the Lanvin logos are used is not the way they are normally used and they say "Made in Mexico" instead of "Made in France."  Surprise, surprise, these are licensed products!!  

During the 1970's and 1980's many of the licensed products were only intended for the Latin American market and were never intended to reach the American, East Asian or European markets.  But, over time these products travel and wind up in the hands of people all over the world.  

When shopping for vintage, be sure to consider whether the products are licensed products.  Licensed products are legal but they usually are not of the quality that you would ordinarily expect out of vintage designer items, so make sure to have realistic expectations.  But, they can be beautiful, collectable and are the real thing!

Picture courtesy of the ebay seller "highendwarehouse"

The Moment!!

The Spring shows are almost over and up until now, I haven't had "THE MOMENT."  You know, that moment where you catch your breath and say "That is IT!"  

This dress is that moment!  It is from the Marni SS09 show, which is full of wonderful looks, don't get me wrong.  But, something about this dress captures everything I hoped for the coming Spring.  It is colorful, the cut is fantastic and it just feels right.  It is something that any woman could wear.  It is a blank canvas for accessories but cool enough to stand on its own.  It even has splashes of the season's color cream.  THIS IS THE DRESS.  And, I can't hardly wait!

Picture from style.com

Spring Trend Watch!

The Spring 2009 shows have hit the runways and one theme seems to be the color Cream.  I know, how unexciting!  

But, cream may be one of the ultimate neutrals but don't count it out.  It looks great on most people.  It goes with almost anything, so you can pop it with a more exciting color.  

This trend is still in the making and I suspect it will morph into the "Classic Paris" look.  Think Classic Chanel and Givenchy and Audrey Hepburn in her prime.  

I will keep you posted where the trend goes and different interpretations of it!  

Givenchy SS09 photo from style.com

Fall--IT IS HERE!!

Horray!  It is fall!

Fall means pumpkins, dry leaves and more clothes!  One of the best things about fall and winter is it is a wonderful excuse to wear more clothes than you have gotten to in the last few months, like actual outerwear!

This fall is going to be all about layering, but unli

ke last fall, it won't be all about volume.  It is going to be all about balance and contrast!

Instead of wearing a huge puffy coat over a frothy dress, t

his fall it is all about the sleek coat over the dress, like this from Proenza Schouler:

Or, like this Marni look, with the big coat with the sleek dress:

Pictures from style.com