Feeling Lucky?

There are some days like today where you just need a bit of extra luck!  One popular way to ward off bad luck and other associated maladies is to wear lucky charms as jewelry.  Finding fashion-forward jewelry that doesn't break the bank isn't exactly the easiest thing to do.

Dogeared is a jewelry company that makes cute, fun jewelry that any person could wear!  The necklace pictured is about $65 and gold--so not only is it lucky, but it won't break the bank.  It is beautiful, understated and would go with almost anything.  And, perfect to wear on Friday the 13th!

Picture from www.ylang23.com

Black Is Still Classic

Every season someone always say "red/pink/hippos/whatever is the new black!"  Well, is it?

Not so much!  Black is one of those colors that really is classic and is the ultimate neutral.  It really does look good on most people and really does go with basically anything.  

One of the things that every woman must have is a pair of beautiful black heels.  The pair pictured by Jil Sander is the ultimate luxe version.  They are black python peeptoes!  Sexy yet demure and appropriate for almost any occasion.  The shape of the heels are as classic as it gets and python is always in style.  They are one of those pairs of shoes that any woman will wear until the local cobbler can repair them no more!

Picture from monamoore.com, currently on sale.

Africa, Revisited

There are some perennial themes in fashion that are virtually always incorporated in a season in one fashion or an other.  One of these themes is Africa and African art/fashion.  Some years it is animal prints, sometimes it is tropical prints, and sometimes it is reinterpretations of traditional dress.

This season, Spring/Summer 2009, not only are some animal prints being used, but some designers are using wax fabric/wax fabric inspired prints.  Dutch Wax Fabric is a specific type of fabric in West Africa, such as the Cote de Ivoire and Nigeria.  It features bright colors, bold prints with

almost any theme but primarily geometric or nature-inspired.  There are several different styles of prints and garments made from the fabric are worn by both men and women, but primarily women.  Much of the fabric is by Vlisco and is considered a fashion essential.

A current example of the use of these prints is in the SS09 Junya Watanabe show.  He showed beautifully complex dresses in bold wax-fabric style prints!  They look so summery and fresh, and not necessarily because of the cut, but because of the print.  Bold prints are always in style and the kind of attention given to that in Africa is something to aspire to and admire.  My favorite print that Junya Watanabe used was the evil eye print--blue, yellow and red in a new interpretation of a traditional good luck symbol.  It will be exciting to see where else these prints show up in fashion this season!

Picture from style.com

Contrasting Beautifully

There are some color combinations that just work.  One of those combinations is green and beige.  Yes, beige is the most boring of colors, but it works wonderfully as a background to contrast more interesting colors and prints.  

A blouse that captures this beautifully is the "Sophia" blouse by Karen Zambos.  It has just the right shades of green and beige in the perfect proportions.  On the front, the bulk of the shirt is green and on the back, the bottom strip is green and the bulk of the shirt is beige.  This combination is interesting, unusual and beautiful!

This shirt would be great to wear with jeans, as pictured.  But, it is basic enough to look great with a printed skirt or with a suit.  It is pretty and interesting while being completely wearable and fun!

Picture from saks.com, currently on sale

The Flowers That Don't Fade

There are some things that are so classic and timeless that they are outside of trends.  Lanvin pearl necklaces have become one of these things.  

Lanvin pearl necklaces aren't real pearls.  They are in fact purely costume jewelry.  But, that doesn't make them any less beautiful or classic.  What makes them so timeless is that they have that fabulous je ne sais quoi, that perfect touch that only Lanvin creates.

The necklace pictured is from this current season and will be wearable for years and years to come.  The juxtaposition of the pearls against the delicate chain and sequin shiny flowers is unexpected but perfect.  The colors are soft enough to go with almost anything in any season.  It is just...perfect!

Picture from barneys.com

Puffs of Doom

Of course, what goes around comes back around.  This is not always the best of things.  Sure, stuff like art-deco inspired applique, wrap dresses and the sweater suit are great even at the second time around.  But, there are some horrid things that have come back around.  

Puffed-sleeves seemed to have reared their obnoxious heads again.  Ugh.  In virtually all of the recent shows in France there have been puff sleeves.  I have no idea why.  They flatter nothing and look horrid on everyone who is above a size zero.  They add unnecessary volume to an outfit.  And, too much volume makes you look huge, and not in a good way.  Also, they aren't "classic" in the way that a pencil skirt is, so stuff with puff-sleeves tend to look horribly dated 2 weeks after they were made.  

Hopefully the unnecessarily large shoulders stay purely in the realm of couture shows this time around.  Other wise this fall may turn out to be even more depressing than normal!

Picture from style.com

Loewe Lives!!

Some of the long-storied European fashion houses have more or less gone kaput.  Ones like Vionette, Paquin and Schiaparelli have basically disappeared, despite producing some ground-breaking and wonderful designs.  

Ones of these houses that is trying to rebuild itself up from the forgotten ashes of history is Loewe.  It was started in 1846 in Madrid, Spain and specialized in leather goods.  In the 1960's it started producing ready-to-wear apparel with the help of designers such as Karl Lagerfeld and Armani.  Eventually, the brand grew and was bought by LVMH where it is truly expanding into the international luxury market, where it makes leather goods, ready-to-wear and an impact on fashion.

The Loewe dress pictured is absolutely delicious!  The color is heavenly, the cut is flattering and is the perfect party dress.  It is a wonderful sign that Loewe is still on its rise to being one of the top international luxury brands!

Picture from style.com