Keira Knightley Gives Good Shoe at Chanel Couture

 

Better even than a pair of glass slippers, these pearl-trimmed duchesse satin and patent pumps from the Chanel Paris Moscou Collection proved a chic choice to rock at the Spring 2009 Haute Couture show.  Happily, they're in Chanel stores now if you want to pick up a pair of your own.

- Lesley Scott

Proof that Fashion is a Jungle

If you've ever wondered who some of the runway's more eyebrow-raising looks really suit, maybe you really should be asking what?  (via the fabulous Fashionisima)

- Lesley Scott

Ralph Rucci to Receive Pratt Fashion Icon Award

American couturier Chado Ralph Rucci will receive the 2009 Pratt Institute Fashion Icon Award - the fourth such recipient of an award which recognizes a designer's positive influence within the industry and ability to inspire young would-be designers.  Be sure to also check out our video interview with Rucci when he was the Mercedes-Benz sponsored designer at New York Fashion Week:

- Lesley Scott

A Happy Fashion Future at NY Fall 2009 Fashion Week

Bare legs & open toes in the depths of winter. Fur during the August swelter. Teetering, towering heels regardless of the occasion. Fashionistas are not known for being the most practical of creatures, however the same can't be said about fashion designers this season.  "New York designers are not out of touch," Jeffrey Kalinsky, director of designer merchandising for Nordstrom, recently told WWD about his impressions of the recent Fall 2009 Fashion Week, which most insiders unanimously agree was dominated by standout collections from Michael Kors, Thakoon, Donna Karan, Jason Wu, and Marc Jacobs. "I was impressed overall with what they turned out.…a lot of product that looks really good and prices that reflect the intrinsic value that the customer is going to be looking for. These are tough times, no question about that, and that business is challenging. For me, it just means being a razor-sharp editor and finding the best New York has to offer."

10 Designers Who Should Be on the Fashion Week Schedule

Donna...Calvin...Ralph...Carolina...we all know - and know what to expect from - the single-named New York fashion mafia, but how inspiring is that? Instead, why not forgo the Usual Fashion Week Suspects in favor of some indie adventure off the beaten path. Here are The L Magazine's picks for the 10 designers you really should know about:

Fashion Week is SO Over...

Well maybe not entirely, but the participants are definitely over...stress, reality TV, and even stripes. Listen in on what fashion insiders are just, so, OVER.

Matthew Williamson  "Depressing conversations about the economy."

Thakoon Panichgul "Stress. And food from Spring Street Natural food, which is the only thing we've been eating for the past week."

Anne Christensen "George Bush."

Zac Posen "Finality."

Mark Indelicato of 'Ugly Betty' "Stripes. Horizontal stripes. They can just go."

Lake Bell (seated next to Rachel Zoe) "Fur, I guess. I know some people love it."

Catherine Holstein "'The City', and reality TV in general. But not Bret Michaels."

(via The Daily/image - nymag.com)

- Lesley Scott

Fall 2009 Fashion Week Sources of Inspiration

Although fashion designers typically create their collections in secrecy rivaling the Manhattan Project, what's interesting is how many similarities between collections emerge as Fashion Week progresses, and how these similarities then group themselves into a limited number of strong trends.

Taking stock - both consciously and unconsciously - of the zeitgeist, designers first absorb the influences around them, then deconstruct them, and finally re-build them into fashion that feels "right" - sometimes in a very wearable or commercial way...and sometimes not.

Either way, it's fun to hear from the designers themselves what moved and inspired them, as WWD recently did. For Fall 2009, their influences seem to fall into three main categories: 1. the mystery of nature; 2. the magic of color; 3. a hard-edged Blade Runner'ish vision of an industrial future.

Enjoy a Meal Designed by Peter Som

Fois Gras? Caviar? Exotic truffles? Just what does an A list fashion designer enjoy for a culinary splurge?  If you're Peter Som...mac 'n cheese! "Delicious, satisfying, hearty, classic, humble," the designer recently explained to The Daily, about his version of the dish, which he makes with three different cheeses and chantarelle mushrooms. He's also been known to bake pies for his lucky staff, and even bring in the odd vanilla-frosted chocolate cake.  An avid fan of the Barefoot Contessa, Lydia Bastianich, and Ruth Reichl's Gourmet magazine, he recently read "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" which has added some locavore flair to his adventures in the kitchen (which have included smoking out the entire house attempting flank steak.) "Cooking is kind of like making a dress, in a way," he muses. "You think about the balances - if you have something shiny, like a fabric, you pair something matte with it. Then you contrast textures and colors. It's the same thing with food - you want it salty, sweet, hard and soft. You want a little crunch. I wouldn't liken a crostini to a dress, but I think about them in a similar way."

Here are some of Som's tips & recipes:

Top 5 Spring 2009 Beauty Trends for $20 or Less

On the Spring 2009 runways, hair and makeup revolved around bright colors, 80's-inspired trends, and a "natural" look. Lush, full eyebrows made a comeback at Charlotte Ronson and DKNY (so put down those tweezers and allow the hairs to grow out naturally); moody smokey eyes and dramatic eyeliner created a sexy bedroom eye at Jason Wu and Nina Ricci; the "no makeup" look ruled the BCBG runway; and a retro 60's look was the focus at Rosa Cha and Yves St. Laurent.  False, thick eyelashes were everywhere, hair was tousled and sexy or in loose updos, eyes and lips were awash in gold, violet, orange, and crimson, skin was gorgeous, lip gloss was rendered obsolete. 

Here are five easy-to-copy trends from the shows - and some Chic Steals suggestions for the frugal fashionista to get the same look for a smaller investment (under $20 per item, to be exact):

Skinny Mini: New Fashion Week Bevvy of Choice

From the liberal flow of backstage champagne, to post-fashion show cocktails, to a non-stop schedule of events and afterparties - New York Fashion Week is a booze-soaked affair...good for your spirits, less so your waistline. Instead, try the Skinny Mini, a slenderizing sipper dreamed up by celeb nutritionist Tanya Zuckerbrot who recently launched Skinny and the City, dedicated to keeping fashionistas looking supreme in their tightest skinny jeans: