Berry Lovely

Halle looks absolutely ravishing in this jewel toned Hugo Boss dress. This color is perfect for her cocoa brown skin and she accessories simply: a necklace grazing her decolletage. It's a girly frock and also age appropriate, not at all like an older woman playing at youth in a Juicy sweat suit.


If you want to look like Ms Berry, and who doesn't, look into this Foley + Corinna dress. It's quite a lot of pennies at $438 from shopbop.com but hey, a little bit of online browsing won't put a dent into your wallet.

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Color is the New Black

Take off your Chanel black nail posh. Even if the weather isn't on schedule (hail in April? Now that's as cruel as an invite only sample sale) you should bring out your spring frocks, colorful tops and tropical accessories. Lets all pretend its spring, even if we have to layer with sweaters and tights.

1. French Connection has a fun and flirty trapeze dress. The geometric patterned dress mixes
bright colors in a non-offensive way. Sometimes color can accost the eye, but I think the black borders mute the palette making it palatable. I love that you can wear it as a loose trapeze dress, perfect for running to the beach, or cinched, to meet the bf for brunch. Pick it up from nordstrom.com for $168.
2. I adore this Missoni-esque tank top from Old Navy. It would be perfect over your light wash Sevens or with a frayed mini. You can own this lovely piece for only $10.

3. Dolce Vita has delicious lemon sandals (put 'em in the closet til it warms up) from shopbop.com for $100.


4. You can stow your loot in this nautical inspired tote from J.Crew for only $40. This is an easy way to transition your stuff from the utilitarian bag you wore all winter. 5. I don't usually like Coach products (the obnoxious C's, the high school girls who think they are the epitome of chic with khaki logo totes) but this coin purse is so adorable. I love the chain link strap and the sunny hue. For $98 you can brighten up your look.


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Design for All

They first swooped into the perfume market. Then cornered the market on children's literature books.
Now celebs think they can design because of their own "unique style" (probably cobbled together by some stylist who remains behind the scenes).
It's the Target effect. The allure of mass appeal.

1. Across the pond, the devastatingly gorgeous Kate Moss designed a collection for TopShop. this piece is as reckless and lovely as Moss herself.

The material is so delicate and girly but the funky strap and asymmetrical hem dirty up a dress that could otherwise be appropriate for Easter mass.

I love this shift, especially the radiating straps. Moss's collection will be available on May 1st.

If you don't live near a TopShop don't lose hope! Barney's will be carrying Moss's collection starting May 8th so save yourself international shipping.

2. The Material Girl herself has a line at H&M that opened with women running and fighting over her pieces. This is a great fitted dress that is perfect for work or play.


Now for established designers:

The Gap has designs by Rodarte, Doo.Ri and Thakoon, all reinventions of the classic white shirt. The collection debuted yesterday and most sizes are already sold out! Check out your local Gap ASAP. Trust me, the affordable ($60-80) collection is lovely and well worth you skipping class/work to pop into the Gap.

This is my favorite look, a tulip dress by Thakoon. The details are incredible: slightly puffed sleeves, layered balloon skirt and a bow that creates definition and doesn't let the voluminous nature of the dress take over the model.

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The A List

I love Style.com's features, especially Vogue's 10 Best Dressed of the week. I don't always agree with their picks. Chloe Sevigny is given way too much attention for her style and some socialite or another is often featured in a hideous couture gown.
Regardless I still check it religiously.

I was excited to see Queen Rania of Jordan and Ashley Olsen featured, two of my fave fashionistas.

Rania was number 2 on the list! This international beauty deserved the high ranking. She was stunning in a cinched satin Prada frock. And she wore her Louboutin pumps to a Goodwill ambassadors meeting. Rania's stylin and not a cold hearted bimbo.
Ashley Olsen was number 4 in an over sized trench, mussy blond locks and a hastily thrown on pashmina. The best feature (besides the ginormous Fendi croc purse) was Ashley's flower patterned lace tights. Nice detail for a staple look.

If you want to rock the flowery lace tights, check out these options.

Intermix (intermixonline.com) has Fogal tights for $38. They'd be perfect, peeping out of knee length boots or with a mini dress and pumps.
Hot Topic is becoming a little less goth a little more chic with these lace tights. Pick them up for just $10 at hottopic.com.
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Lagerfeld: The New Yorker

I just read John Colapinto's profile on Karl Lagerfeld. I was enthralled by Lagerfeld's seemingly boundless energy.

photo courtesy of Scott Schuman, The Sartorialist

Here are some of his quotes:

“I hate name-dropping,” he said. Asked if the host was someone famous, he pursed his lips and muttered, “I am not knowing so many unknown people, hmm?”

“There is only one thing I am really interested in, and that is knowing—not for display or conversation or discussion. I never discuss.” He adds, with a Wildean flourish, “I like to look very superficial.”

Lagerfeld said serenely, “Normal people think I’m insane.”

Warhol cast Lagerfeld as an aristocratic German Lothario in a film called “L’Amour.” “Not a masterpiece,” says Lagerfeld, who discourages comparisons between himself and Warhol. “First of all, I’m better groomed. And, also, he pushed people. I never push people. There was something more perverted in his mind than in mine.”

“You can never say you’re a friend of Karl’s,” she said. “He can only say that about you.” She lit a cigarette. “He’s a diva.”

There are so many more fascinating insights into the life of Lagerfeld. Check out the article at The New Yorker.

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In the Details

I love a shock of print. A little leopard clutch or houndstooth flats peeping out under your slightly flared denim.

However, the other day I saw a gross violation, a juxtaposition of print and color that was unnaturally ghastly. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture but maybe it is for the best, the image is still seared into my brain. A woman wore a leopard jacket, a pink leopard tote and (the pièce de résistance) hot pink pleather boots crept up her calves.

I was in pain.
So I tried to surround myself with beautiful sights and sounds like the following.

1. Wear this lbd. The print around the neck is just stunning. You can pick up this Fighting Eel dress for $218 from girlshop.com. It's worth the price because you can wear it with sandals or up the va-voom factor with the following shoes.


2. Slip on these platform pumps from Dolce Vita. They're on sale for $50 from shopdolcevita.com . I think the gold and weave details make these shoes so enticing.

3. Listen to Scotland's Paulo Nutini. His song"New Shoes" is catchy and fun and we can all relate to this line: "Hey, I put some new shoes on, And suddenly everything is right"
20 year old Nutini has a soulful voice but you'll want to dance to his songs around your room, in your underwear channeling Cameron Diaz.
You can check him out at http://paolonutini.imeem.com/music/
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In Vogue

April's Vogue features the curvaceous Scarlett Johannson on the cover and the usual smattering of pretty people in ALT's column.

However, the main theme was unique. I really appreciated the different focus in this issue. Intead of profiling the granddaughter of Estee Lauder or another cookie cutter socialite who, bored of their fabulous wealth, formed an eponymous fashion line for children/dogs/their friends, Vogue delved into a touchy topic for fashion: shape.

There was a lovely fashion spread with American model (one of the few that are well known) Hilary Rhoda and plus size model Crystal Renn. Renn is a size 12 in a world where a 6 is considered a tad too large. She's such a stunner.

These are my three favorite shots.

Her eyebrow is raised, daring you to run your eyes down her figure. Her earrings are the best accessory (I can live without the gloves, didn't Lagerfeld/Lohan kill that trend?). They look like maki sushi.

Renn's expression is captivating in its innocence. I love that she's wearing a Marni shift & belt, I've been admiring Marni's simple shifts for a while.
She looks like a bronzed goddess in this picture. Her jawline is so powerful and her firm pose reminds you that the waif girls clacking on runways wouldn't look so alive and vibrant in this Hermes gown.
Rhoda was also lovely and the resemblence between the two models was interesting. Pull out your Vogue and try to pick out Rhoda from Renn and you'll be surprised by how many times you get it wrong.

I'm enamored with the electric-violet leggings Rhoda wears. They're from American Apparel ($30) and the shocks of color throughout this outfit (watch, hat, orange line on socks) are nice touches to a quiet palette.


The Dries Van Noten sequin tank is so gorgeously decadent. I would love to wear it with black skinny jeans for a night out, too bad its way over my budget.
The Shape issue has other articles to chew on. "Walking a Thin Line" (about the situation with too thin models) and Silicone Valleys (why the average woman is pumping herself with silicone) are great pieces.

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Isla Bonita

If you owned your own island this is what you should rock. Keep those dreams alive! If nutty people like Mel Gibson can end up with an island its definitely within the realm of possibility.

1. When you aren't prancing around white sands in teeny Missoni bikinis you should forgo the lbd for vibrant color to flatter your golden skin. Urban Outfitters has a purple Batik print dress, perfect to throw on over your swimsuit and sheer enough to keep you cool on those hot nights near the equator. At $68 you can lounge carefree on the sand in this frock.

2. When your I-banker/writer/rock star boyfriend flies in/sails/drives over the bridge to see you, spice up the batik dress with wedges from J.Crew. I love the color combination of a deep purple and bright yellow. These satin wedges are beautiful and well worth $175. Your calves will be so tone the bf will forget about his long journey to your island paradise.


3. Jewelery should be kept minimal but you can have a little something dangling on your wrist.
Kyross.com carries Evil Eye accessories and you're gonna look so good you'll need protection. I like this simple silver bracelet to add in to your look and for $15 buy a couple to layer on your wrists.

4. You'll need some reading for your retreat and you can obviously stock up on Gossip Girl/vogue/the latest Plum Sykes novel. But reading about Manhattan blondes looking for men is riveting for the first hour or so.
Read "The Inheritance of Loss" by young author Kiran Desai. The descriptions are vivid and the love story between a youthful couple is reminiscent of everyone's failed attempts in love. You will not be disappointed and will do more than just look fantastic.


Don't forget some SPF and send me an invite please! I'm in desperate need of a vacation.

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Poor Imitation

The runway was littered with bones. No, not skeletal models but skulls, femurs and other detached segments that the angsty models maneuvered through. A bone strewn runway isn't really my style but at the LA show for Imitation of Christ, the attitude outshone the pieces.

Cross covered tees have already been done over and over and over again by chain department stores so it was nothing new. Plus the promotional bit with models carrying mobile phones was a bit tacky for a "hipster" show.



I did like this dress though. The layered tee underneath a cocktail dress was the right touch creating a sexy asymmetrically dipped neckline. I love the drooping right strap of the tee and the thin layer of black creeping out from under the dress.

Unlike the rest of the show this dress was subtly edgy instead of rubbing its skinny jean and celeb front row hipster resume in your face. This whole bone obsession needs to be slowly phased out: see Alexander McQueen, skull scarf.


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