Go Exotic With GiGi Chic!

There are some things accessories-wise that are just horrible to try to find.  One of them for me is always great python pieces that won't break the bank.  Well, GiGi Chic is here to take care of that!

GiGi Chic by Gail Carlson is an accessories company dedicated to making pieces that are high end, beautiful and normally nearly impossible to find.  Gail says that her inspiration for the line came when "I just couldn't find an accessory I liked that would punch up my basic outfits.  I need something that will go everywhere and always look great," so she started GiGi Chic in 2006.  Why does she use exotic skins like python?  "Well," she said, "leather is everywhere.  I wanted something different, something that would stand out, something that was rare.  Python is all of that."  Currently, GiGi Chic pieces are being featured on the Miami Fashion Week runway, as well as InStyle and Elle magazine.

One of GiGi Chic's big statement pieces for the spring is the Large Gold Python Cuff.  Let's face it, gold goes with almost everything.  When I asked Gail why she thought that this piece was what this spring was about, she explained "its classic enough to go with almost everything while being bold enough to really make an outfit."  That it is!  Python is one of those things that never really goes out of style and gold is such a staple color that it is great for any season.  Having had the chance to try it on, the cuff is legitimately comfortable and the gold is real so those of us with metal allergies can actually wear it--something that is really hard to find.

When I asked what was the hottest item in her line right now, Gail immediately answered that it was the City Lights clutch.  "Every woman needs a statement-making evening clutch and this one fits that bill while still being appropriate for a woman of any age."  The City Lights clutch is completely covered with Swarovski crystals and is the perfect size to carry your essentials for the evening without it being too large to be practical.  From experience, most Swarovski crystal clutches usually come off as tacky because they're either a weird shape or are just too bling-y, but what this one brings to the table is that it has more demure colors on it so it doesn't turn into a disco ball in your hand and it is a nice, basic and identifiable shape so you won't have to spend all evening explaining what it is.

Having watched this line for a while now, GiGi Chic is really on the rise!  Their pieces are consistently classic, well-made and beautiful.  Plus...on the website there is 20% off all python items with the discount code "May9" and a chance to win a $1000 shopping spree.

Pictures from GiGi Chic and (as usual) nothing was given in exchange for this interview.

Thank You!!

Huge thanks to Fake Plastic Fish to featuring me on their website!

Fake Plastic Fish is a website dedicated to one woman's quest to live without plastic and to focus on reducing waste.  She featured my interview with Deborah Lindquist, an LA-based designer that strives to use all recycled materials.  Fake Plastic Fish is a great site and make sure to visit it!

Mohair--When Goats Grow Hair

Mohair is one of those textiles where the name gives you absolutely no hint about what it actually is.  It isn't like there is a "mo"-creature running around that you can point at and say "hey, that thing makes mohair!"  The only hint from the name is that it is some kind of hair, and hopefully not from your cousin Mo.

What it actually is happens to be hair from an angora goat.  Keep in mind that this is not the same creature that makes what we call angora--angora comes from a rabbit.  Why is an angora goat not called a mohair goat?  Your guess is as good as mine.  The history of the goat is kinda murky, probably because as history has rolled along there have been more interesting things to document than the domestication of particular goat species.  But, it seems to be a variety of Asian goat that Turkic tribes have traditionally raised, based on the regions and dates several websites have cited in their histories of this particular type of goat.  What makes it different from the cashmere goat is that the cashmere goat has two different layers of hair, with the underlayer being cashmere, whereas with the mohair goat only grows one layer of hair and that is mohair.  Also, to get the best hair from an angora goat it is shorn whereas a cashmere goat is combed.  The best mohair comes from younger goats (think cute, fluffy baby goat!).  Mohair is considered a sustainable fiber because goat hair is an easily renewable resource and can be done using sustainable farming methods.

The processing of mohair is pretty much like that of any other animal hair.  It needs to be washed, combed and then spun.  It is great for dying and holds the color really well.  Once is has been processed, the yarns can be used for just about anything.  The finer, higher quality mohair is used usually for garments, like this Missoni cardigan.  The lower quality mohair is used for things like carpets and industrial uses.  The grading of quality has to do with the thickness of the individual hairs, with the thinner the hair the higher the quality.  So, that mohair sweater that you've been rocking all winter is actually made of goat hair!

Top picture from Angora Goat and the sweater is from Bluefly, other information from wikipedia and personal experience.

Easton Pearson, The Aussies Who Know What Women Want

Designers come up with their designs for all kinds of reasons.  Some do it because its what their conglomerate says to do, some because the voices in the head make them and for others, it is because they know what their clients want.  For Easton Pearson, it is because they know what women want.

Easton Pearson is made up of Pamela Easton and Lydia Pearson and they are based in Melborne, Australia.  I believe that their runway show is usually at Sydney Fashion Week.  The label has been going for over 20 years now and during that 20 years they've managed to really get to know their best customers and actually listen to what they have to say.  They know that they aren't dressing just any woman on the street, they are dressing the women who want something different, personal and comfortable.  Most, if not all, of their clothes are lined with silk.  That is central to their philosophy that women deserve not only to wear something that they like, but that the item needs to be comfortable and respect the skin.

The inspirations for the line are primarily global cultures.  Most of their clients tend to be women who are looking for something that is a bit out of the ordinary without looking like a costume.  For their clothes, the meld traditional, flattering concepts with details from around the world.  All of their pieces always have something special about them, be it hand-stitching, beading, pintucking, ethnic prints or something that makes it more than just a simple garment.  In an age when clothing designers are cheaping out on their clients, this duo has gone to great lengths to preserve the quality and vision of their line, something that should be applauded.  This isn't clothing for a wanna-be pop star, it is clothes for a woman who knows who she is and doesn't need anyone to tell her what she needs to look like.  As a result, Easton Pearson designs always stand out and are sought the world over.

Unfortunately, Easton Pearson fashion items are rather hard to find.  If you're looking for something, I recommend that you contact the company directly.  Otherwise, you might just be stuck with what turns up on yoox and ebay.

Small pictures from yoox and larger picture from Easton Pearson

The Ice Queen Cometh, Chanel AW 2010 Runway Accessories

I'll be honest here.  I HATE winter!  Its horrible.  I hate it so much that I live somewhere that is normally hot as hell and I could normally cook dinner in my car (not an overstatement).  While I absolutely hate the weather, the fashions can be so fun!

With the 2010 AW runway shows in full-swing in Paris right now, I can't help but comment on what's coming for next winter.  According to Chanel, we get to be mythical ice queens.  That's not a bad plan--its a timeless, powerful female figure and she's normally got an awesome get-up.  One of my favorite pieces is the Chanel cuff pictured.  Its got the normal Chanel maltese cross on it, but what really makes it cool are the icicle crystals emanating out of it.  Its just so...statement-making.  Its iconic and classic enough to where it wouldn't be wearable for just next season, I can see if being appropriate to wear for seasons and seasons to come.

Another accessory from the 2010 AW runway show was the bag pictured.  Its so fun!  It has the classic Chanel leather ribbon through the chain and the quilting, yet it has an extra twist with the smudgy dip-dye sort of black on it.  One of the cool things is that the black isn't even--it is on the bottom, the bottom of the flap and around the hardware, so it doesn't look like it was just set down in tar or something.  Also, the black is strategically enough placed so that it is on the areas of the bag most likely to get dirty during use, so it should really cut down on angst about ruining the bag.  Its perfect for the woman who is attracted to the classic elegance of the Chanel line but also has a taste for the slightly mischievous.  Just like the at times, morally ambiguous Ice Queen of lore.

Pictures from Style.com

For my blog post about other Chanel accessories, click HERE

Body-Con Trend: Hope You Found Your Confidence!

There are some trends that just aren't for the shy.  The whole Body-Con Trend is one of those.  It stands for "body conscious" and translates to "wearing clothes that leave basically nothing to the imagination because they fit so snugly".  This trend has been up and going for a while.  In my fashion-following, the first time I remember seeing it was when Lindsay Lohan wore a rainbow Herve Leger bandage dress when she won the Maxim's Hottest Woman award.  Yes, once people thought that Lindsay was hot and not in the mess sort of way.

While the clothes for this trend can be incredibly unforgiving and may make you consider buying stock in the Spanx company, there are some ways to do without looking like a sausage.  One is the Herve Leger wool bustier.  It has all of the bandage seaming and snugness, but since it is made out of woven instead of knit fabric and is in bustier form, it actually has some structure.  Structure is your best friend if you don't look like Heidi Klum under your clothes because it does the work for you.

Another option for those of us who want our clothes to not just be trendy, but to flatter us is the Narciso Rodriguez black and white dress.  It has all of the hallmarks of a body-con dress--its tight, snug and has an exposed zipper (for some reason body-con also seems to go hand in hand with exposed zippers, dunno why).  But, it also has some "voodoo"--note the attached belt look going on.  It is done in such a way that makes the waist look slimmer.  Also, the stripes down the sides give the illusion of a smaller shape.  Basically, this dress is one heck of an optical illusion that is intended to make you look like you lost 20 pounds.

With the body-con trend still going strong, there is no reason not to participate even if you don't immediately think that you have the confidence to pull off a dress that looks like an ace bandage.  There are plenty of options out there that actually do flatter--why not give it a try?

Pictures from The OutNet

staci35lake, an Ebay Seller That Rocks!

Ebay can be a scary place.  You have no idea who is on the other side of the computer and what on earth they might be up to.  But, not everyone on the website it out to scam people--there are actually some great sellers!

One of these sellers is staci35lake, a seller from Missouri, USA.  She is consistently rated as one of the top sellers on ebay for customer service and quality--that is no easy feat!  Not only does she have superior customer service and 100% positive feedback, but she also has some killer items.  Pictured is a new with tags Prada dress with handbeading and hand-applied silk "feathers".  Holy smokes!  The dress is so Prada--it is a classic shape but with unconventional details that really make it stand out from just another boring cocktail dress.  It also appears to have Swarovski crystals on one of the straps.  For a cocktail part or occasion, this dress is a can't miss!

Not only does Staci carry high-end women's clothing, but she also carries accessories!  One of the bags that she has for sale is a Marni leather and python baguette complete with tags and dustbag.  The bag is *SO CUTE*!!!!  It is that classic Marni teal, pink, white and red in the "pois" print that has been revived for this season.  This bag is a classic and a can't miss.  Plus, finding polka dot bags is nearly impossible, and yet she managed to find one to offer you.

Staci consistently has some of the coolest rare high-end items that are on ebay.  She carries high-end women's wear such as Marni, Prada, Lanvin, Dries van Noten, Stella McCartney, YSL, Gucci, Koi Swannagate, Hussein Chalayan and Rochas, but she also carries high-end vintage--Celine, Gucci, Dior and the list goes on.  Not only that, but she also carries a wide-range of more affordable clothes, like BCBG, FCUK and Nine West for shoppers that want great customer service and a smokin' deal on their clothes.  The range of styles and selection that she has is fantastic--she carries everything from the top runway looks in Paris to some of the hardest to find designers to reliable brands that everyone knows and loves.

For all of the bad things that people say about ebay, there are some really great sellers.  staci35lake is one of those!