One of my fave trends hands down....all the way down to my grateful feet is the smoking slipper. This fabulous footwear has been making shoe shopping fun again. For years, I was a heels-uber-alles kinda girl, but no longer - and really, there aren't many occasions in life when flats aren't perfectly fine. But not just any flats. Cute isn't optional. Neither is quality. Charles Philip Shanghai makes these by hand, padding the sole and lining the interior for comfort. I also love the gold finish because that means there's not much in the closet they won't go with. Here, I paired them with some breezy wide-leg pants in a cotton stripe - 'cuz stripes and prints just look so cute & cheery with touches of brights, neons & metallics.
GET THE LOOK: trousers - Marni; tee - James Perse; necklace - Emilio Pucci; straw fedora - Maison Michel Virginie; bag - Gucci; shoes - Charles Philip Shanghai (all via Net-a-Porter.com)
As a new Brand Ambassadrix for Celtic & Co., which specializes in cute stuff at chic prices, they recently sent me this very Nicole-Richie'ish pair of fringed mocs & leather-trimmed straw envelope bag - which can do triple-duty as a clutch, a shoulder bag or a case (right). I decided to style my new acquisitions with some denim shorts to help get in the summer groove and a leather topper - which is the perfect piece of outerwear for navigating the tricky spring temperature highs & lows. Plus, the neutral hue nicely highlights the earth tones of my new shoes & bag.
Of which one could soon be yours!
How? Leave the most interesting comment on this FB post - or better yet, build your own snazzy ensemble using stuff from Celtic - which you think best shows off the bag. Best outfit wins the $150 bag. I'll pick a winner on Friday, May 3!
This silk ikat print Altuzarra tank dress couldn't be more easy/breezy chic. For day: flats & a cardi. For evening: heels & a cardi. Not sure? A wedge-heel and...you guessed it, a cardi. The print will do most of the heavy lifing for you in terms of the style quotient, leaving you hands-free and ready to roll, no muss, no fuss. (Everything in this look is available at KirnaZabete.com.)
Hot on the heels of his just-released album, "The Next Day" is an upcoming retrospective *David Bowie is* opening March 23, 2013 at the Victoria and Albert Museum. More than 300 objects will be on display, exploring the creative processes of the man, including some sartorial gold designed by one of the men behind The Man: the Japanese fashion designer responsible for Ziggy Stardust's hyper-glam early-70s wardrobe.
Kansai Yamamoto was born in 1944, opened a boutique in Tokyo in 1968 and then began expanding into other countries. His Japanese heritage and westernized silhouettes - not to mention his grand "Kansai Super-show" spectaculars - attracted the trenderati of the day en masse.
Lead by Bowie, who borrowed some of his designs for a performance at Radio City Music Hall. "He's neither man nor woman," noted Kansai in 1973, "which suited me as a designer because most of my clothes are for either sex. I love his music and obviously that has influenced my designs but most of all there's this aura of fantasy that surrounds him. He has flair." To this day, Kansai's avant-garde costumes and iconic platform boots continue to resonate with artists including Madonna and Lady Gaga. (And me.) (image & quote: source)
House of Liza, which specializes in a keenly-edited selection of rare vintage fashion pieces from the last few decades, currently has some fabulous Kansai treasures in stock, including this sequined jacket, embroidered dress, shoulder-flap jacket & printed shopper.
If she were human, I imagine she'd be a bubbly blonde with pricey-lookin' highlights - highlighting a fab figure, indeed. Translation: my gorgeous new Lola satchel which designer Jess Rizzuti recently sent me in "Champagne" embossed-croc & pebbled-grain leather is as sassy as its namesake. The design is well thought out and lends itself well to being a crossbody when you need to be handsfree (the bag hits at just the right level), by the handle when the look is ladylike or sans strap altogether for an of-the-moment oversized clutch. (It measures 10"x14"x5" with a 39" strap, pockets for gadgetry & magnetic snap closures.)
Rizzuti designs her bags in her NYC studio & produces them locally. She's also been nominated two years in a row for Best Green Handbag in the Independent Handbag Designer Awards sponsored by InStyle. And it's pretty obvious as to why.
An interesting new twist on the shop-a-torial meets fashion-community concept is Vaunte, created by two of the founding VPs of Gilt Groupe. Combining editorial with e-tail - both new & gently used designer threads & bling (don't worry - they're picky & editorially-minded...like you!), they give you a peek into the coveted closets of tastemakers like Lela Rose, writer Jill Kargman, socialite Alexandra Lebenthal and the Woolworth sisters (yes, *that* Woolworth) and then make it possible to buy upwards of 20 items from each of the various wardrobes. Meaning all the names a fashionista lives for: YSL, Celine, Loubie, Chloe, Lanvin, Givenchy, Chanel, Gucci, Alaia, Prada...
Ask not what you should do/wear/eat/send for Valentine's Day - but what it can do for you. As in it's a most excellent excuse if ever there was one to "freshen" up your winter wardrobe a bit. I just received this absolutely adorable pair of "Benefit" pumps as a Brand Ambassador for Aerosoles. They're comfy thanks to the patented flexible rubber sole, but still sophisticated and stylish. And fun! As soon as I tore open my package, my mind was already scheming about all the different ways I could wear these during spring & summer and all the way into early fall. Starting with, of course, Valentine's Day! This matching but not "matchy" Felix Rey "Kissy Face" clutch would be my first find, 'cuz how cute would the shoe & bag look with a cuffed boyfriend jean, slim tee or button down & raffia- or straw-fedora?! However, first things first: Valentine's Day cuteness. This frock nicely keys off the two-tone red & neutral color scheme of the shoe - and to add a bit of edge to all that sugar, I would go with a suede or leather jacket in a similar neutral shade.
GET THE LOOK: pumps - Aerosoles "Benefit"; dress - Oscar de la Renta; metallic-suede jacket - Donna Karan; heart-charm bracelet - Lanvin; red fabric-rose brooch - Avalaya.com
The chic arm-candy and celeb appendage to which it was attached were recently spotted at L.A.'s Chateau Marmont exiting a Pre-Golden Globes shindig. The "Pilot" was Inspired by the satchels in which air force helmets are stashed & carried and it makes for some chic & roomy baggage that also isn't as ubiquitous as the as-seen-on-every-starlet Birkin. Available at rag-bone.com.
I was recently introduced to a fab new social network organized around the various things people are passionate about, including sports, TV, crafts & of course, fashion!. Sulia's subject-based approach makes it easy to connect with experts & other enthusiasts on topics you find interesting. Life lifestyle & fashion in my case - plus Stacy London's personal shopping company, Style for Hire, sponsors the Fashion Channel. (If you want to follow my doings directly there, here's where I "live" on Sulia.)
As one of Sulia's first fashion contributors - part of a small, hand-selected group - I handpick & opine upon whatever dings my raccoon-like radar for anything shiny & fabulous. Like monkeys. This week I thought it would be fun to monkey around a bit with some cool jewels, homey finds & other stylish simian shenanigans.
I know I'm repeating myself here, but Red Carpet is easy. A gown, a makeup artist (or artiste if you're high-profile enough), a hair guy & a stylist with showroom access et voila - oh & don't forget the industrial-strength Spanx - and you're ready for your closeup. This whole off-duty fashion thing, though, is another thing. Altogether. You want to be comfy, but don't wanna look sloppy. You want to be cute, yet not come across as "dressy". You want to be warm (if you live where it's currently winter) but not be mistaken for the Michelin Man. You wanna....argh!
Nicole Richie gets it just right here. All-black or all-navy/denim-blue is always a good way to go; the monochrome tones are elegant without trying too hard. Then just add a few pops of color with a fun graphic top, your accessories - and of course your sparkling personality.
