A New Spring

With the dawn of a new year comes a new spring.  Spring is one of the best times ever for fashion--it is when the color and fun come back and the weight of fall/winter and shed.  Spring is always full of all sorts of new and fun trends and styles.  

One of the biggest things for spring is going to be pastel-ish florals!  How sweet and romantic!  But, it is very classic, can come in interesting cuts and fabrics and even some neat colors.  Also, don't be surprised to see some of the more edgy designers come out with prints that have bugs and stuff in with the flowers.  

A great example of this is the dress pictured by Alice + Olivia.  It is 100% silk with a bright pop of color with the belt.  The print is everything that the season is about--it is soft, floral and even has a creamy-white background.  The dress is a great, happy spring dress!

Picture from net-a-porter.com

Oh December!

December is probably the busiest month of the year.  Presents to find and wrap, endless dinners with loud relatives to sit through and food to consume.  With all of the ritual and things celebratory stuff can get lost in the shuffle.  Take a bit of time out once in a while to celebrate and enjoy what you love most--your family, life and love!  And, when you do it, make sure to wear something pretty!

All the glitters may not be gold and it won't buy you a stairway to heaven, but that doesn't make it any less fun 

or pretty!  This Lanvin necklace is perfect for a huge holiday party--it may not be real gold, but boy does it glitter!  It is one of those pieces that represents things that are to be enjoyed--to go to

 a party with friends and family and get dressed up and celebrate.  This necklace isn't for someone who just wants to sit on the couch and watch DIVORCE COURT.  It is meant to be enjoyed, seen and worn.  And, hopefully that occasion is celebrated with friends and family and in honor of everything about life that is worth loving!

Picture from style.com, Lanvin SS09

Just a Bad Idea!

Just because something is declared to be "IT" doesn't it is a good idea.  One of these new ideas that just shouldn't be is harem pants.  Why oh why oh why???

Harem pants--leave them in the store.  It doesn't matter what a great deal they are and who made them.  They look good on no one.  They flatter nothing.  Just a bad idea.  They eternally look like sad, saggy butt.  I don't care who says you should buy them, they are hopelessly wrong.  

This pair pictured is by Alexander McQueen.  Sure, he has many great ideas and wonderful designs.  But, he can't be right all the time.  This pair of pants is a great case-in-point.  Unless you have the weirdest rise in the universe, these pants will make you look like you have on the saddest adult diaper.  

Harem pants--JUST DON'T.

Picture from net-a-porter.com

Prints for the Pretty

One of the most disappointing things about winter is that everything seems to be solid, dark colors.  While a plain black coat might go with everything, it just isn't all that exciting.  Print coats are so hard to find and if they do turn up, they are either in dated prints or in horribly unflattering cuts.  Ugh.

Well, the designer Barbara Tfank has stepped in and made something for us print-philes!  In her fall 2008 collection that she showed in New York, she showed a variety of super cute coats in PRINTS.  And, not just some tacky toile, but super chic oversized floral!  First, the cut of the jacket is classic, flattering and universally stylish.  And, the print is so current and feminine!  Delish!!!

One of the things that really draws me to this coat isn't just the coat--it is the styling of the whole look.  It is retro-inspired without looking dated or like the designer is trying too hard.  The whole look just comes off as so effortless and stylish!

Picture from style.com

You Never Know!

It is no secret...I have a soft spot for vintage high fashion.  It is the epitome of great vision and love and shaped what the world of fashion is today.  Well, those pieces do pop up once in a while in the most unlikely of places.  Part of the magic of these vintage pieces is that they were so well-made and loved that they do survive in great condition.  What happens to many of these pieces is a mystery (and a tragedy) and are probably tossed on to the rag heap like what happened to most Poiret.  

This jacket is a vintage New Look Paquin...and it was found at a Salvation Army store for $2.50.  I KNOW!!!  Paquin was one of the great early 20th Century French fashion titans that disappeared into all but obscurity.  The stuff is very rare and HIGHLY coveted and is 

held in many major fashion collections, such as The Metropolitan Costume Institute Collection.  What makes it so amazing is that it represents one of the golden ages in fashion--its rise from the ashes of World War II and its re-vision of what it means to be a modern woman.  Just imagine the woman who first bought this jacket and what she wore it to!  And, what it saw in the intervening years and how it ended up forgotten in the Salvation Army heap.  But, the happy ending is that this work of art has been rediscovered and will be auctioned off by Sothby's London in the coming months!

Pictures courtesy of ebay memeber "erinspotofgold"

The Secret Passion!

Ms. Huffington of the Huffington Post said in a recent interview that bloggers should blog both about their passions and their secret passions.  Well, here is mine.

I'm secretly in love with Rick Owens' work.  I'm not sure why.  It is the opposite of everything I usually wear.  I'm she of twin-sets and a pencil skirts.  But, something about the organized mayhem is just so appealing.  I know, usually no bright colors or prints, which is usually what I love.  Instead, the

 neutral solids are comforting in a way and arguably match with everything.  And, the leathers, oh boy!  Like butta!  And the potential for layering for all of the pieces!  Awesome!!  I'm usually not a beige/grey person, but something about Rick convinces me.  Secretly, I love to sneak into the office every once in a while with a frothy chiffon Rick Owens blazer...

Pictures from net-a-porter.com clearance

Au Revoir, La Difference!

'Tis a sad day indeed--one of the world's biggest retailers is stuttering their US retail website!  Yes, that is right.  Laredoute.com is in liquidation!  

PPR is a French conglomerate which owns a variety of companies, such as Puma, Gucci and Redcats.  Redcats is the corporation which runs La Redoute and a number of other similar mail-order fashion companies.  Currently, PPR has run into financial difficulties and sold off their Printemps department store and is internally reorganizing the rest of their holdings.

24% of La Redoute's sales are in the US and the company has issued a press-release recently declaring that they are revamping and rethinking their web presence to strengthen their positio

n in the market place.  It is unclear if the liquidation of the us branch of the website is to simply do away

 with it or to clear out old product in anticipation of the relaunch of the site.  La Redoute is not listed as an 

American version of their brands nor on any of their strategy for the American market place.  Instead, there is language about focusing on plus-size retail, which currently is part of the La Redoute sizing scheme.  

Only time will tell if La Redoute is merely reorganizing to expand its American presence or shuttering its operation completely.  But, I think all of their fans agree that it would be a sad day indeed when they can no longer order $10 skirts and $3 silk camisoles, not to mention their wonderfully-priced designer exclusives!

picture from laredoute.com