Francois Nars + Marc Jacobs = Cake… + Heather Burton too = Icing!

Two of the smartest most creative men in fashion & beauty are together for fashion week. What to come from Francois Nars for Marc Jacobs spring 2010 runway collection is most anticipated by junkies like myself world-wide.  60 looks are on their way –  we’ll experiment and let you know the tricks after the show.

Shown here is an editorial Francois Nars created with photographer Steven Meisel and hair stylist Oribe Canales. 

…and of course miss Heather Burton herself holding up her portfolio with the new Marc Jacobs ad she’s in that ran in WWD. Party time it is!

Love love love – xo

September 2009 Trend

Fashion Savvy! Protect The Element

Over the last few years I have become more and more aware of the effect on the environment our fashion obsession has.  Unfortunately the awareness of the general public on these many environmental issues is very low.  Thankfully last fall The Gallery LA hosted The Green Initiative during LA Fashion Week which showcased some really incredible designers that all follow through on their high level of social responsibility, giving us awareness of environmentally friendly lines that are sold in our favorite shops (it’s happening again this week as well for Spring). 

 One designer in particular caught my attention Roshi Salim.  Her line, Protect the Element is filled with pieces that are really flattering and very versatile.  Her dresses are some of the sexiest I’ve seen in a really long time and they are completely low maintenance.  Roshi uses organic cottons and bamboos so it’s really easy to care for the pieces.  

 Protect the Element is a relatively new line so right now is the perfect time to get one of kind pieces made by the desinger herself! You can also check out the summer collection at Menemsha in Studio City.

“We have a responsibility to our future, we must protect our environment!”   -Roshi Salim

*You can contact Roshi for special orders @ roshi9@msn.com

Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

Dressing up or Dressing Down this V-day, need some romantic “accessories”? Not quite sure how to say “I Love YOU” without actually saying the words? Here are my favs for getting the Valentine’s message across! 

Jack Rabbit’s  Tete-a-tete Clutch is perfect for a night of haute romance!

   

*Available at American Rag

While you’re at American Rag, try to snag one of these Vintage China Valentine’s inspired knit tshirts.  So Perfect for your daytime dates

  

 Jessica Elliot silver rings featuring word’s like Amor, Bella, Lucky, & Inspired. 

  

Jee Vice’s Love Red EVIL Sunglasses, the quintessential accessory for a romantic afternoon.   

Booty Parlor is spicing it up as always! Suprise your partner with something unsuspectly sexy.

Massage a Trois is the Ultimate Threesome.  This trio from Booty Parlor has your 3 bedroom essentials all in one box.  Don’t Stop Massage Oil (has an intoxicating unisex sent), Thrill Me 2 in 1 Massage Gel and Lubricant, and All Fired Up, the most luxurious warming massage oil!

Melt. A Luxurious Chocolate Fondue made especially for the body.  *Low in fat too. 

Have Fun!

Fashion Savvy! ~ Isabella Oliver

Pregnant?  Expecting lots of onesies this Christmas?  Cute blankets and cuddly teddy bears? 

Good news!  Right after Christmas there is a huge Isabella Oliver sale on-line!  Starting December 27th you’re just a few clicks away from 40% off all the things on YOUR Christmas list. 

The Hepburn Jacket is a must!  The perfect the Hepburn look with trailered trousers and ballerinas…

Kimono Wrap: The perfect maternity layering piece to finish every look

Funnel Neck Coat: Favorite of Juliana Margulies

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Fashion Savvy! ~ Mercedes Benz LA Fashion Week

A NY friend of mine (who happens to be a fashion merchandiser) decided to have her wedding in NY during LA fashion week!  Needless to say, I’ve missed quite a bit this year but I think I jumped in right at the most important moment.

Wednesday night I had the privilege of sitting 2nd row center at what I’m sure will be one of the most influential shows this season.  Mikey Koffman from The Gallery Los Angles produced The Green Initiative which showcased a group of Eco Friendly designers. 

 The runway was dressed in bamboo for the occasion and the seats were filled with guests looking their hottest- most of them wearing organic cotton. 

Rene Geneva Designs was the first to hit the runway offering a new take on corsets.  There is something about pulling it in and pushing it up that makes us ladies feel huber sexy but quite frankly it’s usually pretty painful to put on a corset so it’s rare that I punish myself.  Now I can’t be sure till I hunt one down to try on, but it seems that Rene’s corseted dresses and tops might actually be comfortable!!! Rene “prefers to remain fair and balanced”coming from a performance background it seems she’s allowed movement in the designs, which as a ballerina I fully appreciate. She uses textiles like hemp, organic cotton, bamboo, and silk to create an ultra Eco Chic Feminine look.

 

Photo by: Greg Daniels, Model: Angela Ryan

Going from Undeniably Sexy to everyday in La La Land, M The Movement has a line this season that is filled with must have pieces.  Designer Michael Luis hit the nail on the head when it comes to LA fashions.  LA is filled with artists and producers on the go.  This line has all the basics with that bit of edge needed to stand out. 

The men’s line appears to have cuts for the more athletic man with wide shoulders…  I will be wrapping some of this up for the master this christmas!

The designer that stole my heart (and soon my paycheck) was Roshi Salim, designer of Protect the Element.  Roshi’s designs uses the softest flowing lines – her dresses and tops hug all the right places.  Not to mention the show itself – opening with the cutest children to ever grace the runway in cotton.  I’m going to visit the showroom next week during market week so I’ll be sure to update you with where to buy this amazing line.

…”In Life, we are constantly laying new cement with each passing hour.  Our choices will have repercussions stretching long into the future.  It is in this realization that we become aware of how small we are, and at the same time how powerful we are.  Each person on this planet is faced everyday with the choice to mold something beautiful, or let the cement simply dry untouched”. 

WET CEMENT  is the line for people that choose to create something beautiful.  The pieces in this line make a statement.  Statements that hopefully wake people up!  “Save Water. Wear Dirty” was written across the white briefs of the male models while they showcased the t shirts and zip up sweatshirts that influential art was printed on.  For some reason the crowd had their line of vision focused a bit low for a moment, but when the focus shifted upward, the thin worn out looking fabrics of the tops had a way of glamorizing the models instead of the other way around.  This line is extremely hot for men.  It takes basics and makes them powerful.  I’m sure this line will be sold just about everywhere very soon.

 Peligrosa by Nico Morrison and Adam Sidell introduced great shorts and boleros that will surely be knocked off by every private label before long.  Each piece had something very unique but yet traditionally girly that made me want to by it off the models backs that night.  My favorite piece, a dress that opened like a flower from the neckline to the lower back.  Absolutely incredible! 

 Closing the show – Vintage China.  Acting as theatrical props, a man and woman dressed in traditional Chinese robes stood on each side of the runway as the models passed through.  One by one, each wearing something more intricate than the last.  Vintage China is bringing embroidery and studs back to denim and wide shoulders to women’s jackets and somehow it’s gorgeous….  You can check it out at American Rag if you’re in LA.

Mikey Koffman, hats off to you my dear – amazing job! 

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Fashion Savvy! ~ Pretty Thing

I’m an apparel pack rat.  I’ll hold onto things that I know will never return to the rotation because they will be able to bring a smile to my face years down the road.  I know that I’ll look at my favorites and remember that those pieces were once iconic.

I have the tendency to find these soon to be iconic pieces before they hit the stores.  As a planner, I like to get an idea what I’m going to buy before I get sucked in by the merchandising genius at my favorite boutiques (which I have absolutely no qualms with- I just like to go in as an educated consumer so I don’t walk out with a purple leopard print cashmere jacket). 

My trust is most recently falling in the stylish eye of Meghan, the owner of Pretty Thing in Beverly Hills.  With the recent launch of her boutique she is now able to share her expertise with a wide audience so I’m going to take full advantage! Last week Meghan was nice enough to take some time with me to give me an overview of what the must haves are for this fall. She fully understands that not all but most la la land ladies are on a budget (including myself) so it’s important to pick out a few key pieces each season that will work with existing basics and function with a diverse social calendar.

As a start to the wardrobe overhaul, commit to a pair of wide leg trouser jeans, a new pair of skinny jeans, a silk dress,  and a lightweight cashmere sweater. Keep in mind that this season metallic’s and jewel colors are going to be everywhere so pick the tones that work best with your skin tone so your current make-up collection will carry you through fall without any hiccups.

Wide Leg Trouser Jeans ~ Rich and Skinny, by the same company that won us all over with Seven Jeans, and Citizens of Humanity.  

  

Skinny Jean ~ Deeener’s Mixer in Carbon is the perfect staple skinny jean.

 

Silk Dress ~ Look for a special piece ~ anything by Lauren Alexander will do .

Lightweight Cashmere Sweater ~ Pick a basic from the luscious collection from T Luxury.