Make it a Furry New Year

Sorel Wild Wooly Wedges via Street Peeper

As the inevitable Winter winds make their way towards us and we are only getting closer to 2012, it is time to set our New Year resolutions. Why not start with a promise to take care of ourselves and stay warm this season with some Sorel Wild Wooly Wedges? Funny how apres-ski gear can become street-wear necessity. Whether you are vacationing up in the mountains or casually walking the city streets, you'll rock these little babies all the same. A casual wink at Chanel's FW 2010 edition, this sporty version is sure to be your new best friend on those extra cold days. And for probably about the sixth of the price, why wouldn't you indulge--and really, do yourself a warm and practical favor?

From left to right: Sorel vs. Chanel FW 2010

Alright, have I convinced you yet? Don't you want to make it a Furry New Year? Just clicky clicky!

Alerte Rouge: give into the arm candy

My visual appetite has definitely been satisfied to say the least, since Tommy Ton's Jak & Jil comeback. If you ever questioned the saying "a picture is worth a thousand words", you may very quickly settle your doubts with this one. The pop of rouge captured in this shot was definitely intentional--not only to create an aesthetically pleasing scenario, but also to reaffirm an already existing trend that is slowly but surely taking over the streets of major fashion cities. This trend--or craze should I say--is nothing more but that of a little red bag playfully hanging on every fashion insider's shoulder, or as shown above, held like a delicate treasure for those more emotionally involved with their wares. 

Ladylike, tomboy material or school girl friendly, the little red bag is easily suited to your personality. Celine's Box bag will be your arm candy at your favorite luncheons and soirees, while Chanel's Boy edition will affirm your ability to be ultra funky yet chic. Lastly, Chloe's small Marcie leather satchel will bring out the mischievous little girl in you and only give you more attention with its cute curves. 

from left to right, the little red bag: by Celine, Chanel & Chloe

Although the choice is quite tough, I'm sure you have a favorite already. So tell me, which one are you leaning towards? 

Teal's the real deal

Look at this sumptuous use of teal in one of Stefano Pilati's creations as part of the YSL SS 2012 RTW collection. This outfit truly combines modern beauty with a slick bomber jacket and mini skirt. At the same time, the hint of fuchsia revealed under the jacket and adorning the model's wrists evokes the rich vibrant colors of the Majorelle Garden in Marrakesh, once home to Pierre Berge and the late Yves Saint Laurent. 

Given my admiration for all of YSL's legacy and my absolute need to rid of most things black in my wardrobe and introduce a pop of color, I've decided to incorporate some teal among my clothing, starting with a blazer. Yes my dears, buttoned down shirts and blazers aren't just for bankers. Add a little length and make it a boyfriend shirt--or just claim your banker boyfriend's shirt (trust me it will look so much better on you anyway) and go for a brightly colored blazer with puffed shoulders. This look will rock your working days and your weekends, making you look effortlessly chic. 

blazer: SSEMIENNE (find a similar one here), shirt: Club Monaco, legging pants: Joseph, booties: Alexander McQueen

Legging pants are perfect to "funkify" your look a la 1980s and move away further from the strict corporate uniform. This way, you can still show a little curves while being all buttoned up and dandy looking on top! 

Add in some Alexander McQueen booties to the mix and you're sure to get some attention with those cute little golden skulls hanging on your feet. I must however warn you: the velvety feel of these little jewels is just so luxurious and comfortable that you may never want to take them off...

Not too shabby, eh? With this look, you are sure to be raising some eyebrows, all in a good way though I promise! 

After all, teal IS the real deal. Give it a try, don't be shy! Okay now, bye! 

Add a green blazer to your wardrobe

Ah the joys of coming home to Paris...not only do I reunite with my lovely parents, but this time I came to find my dear mother's vintage Escada blazer. And as you can see, I could not resist but to dedicate my first holiday post to this great wardrobe addition. 

blazer: Escada vintage, jeggings: Joseph x 7 for All Mankind, pumps: YSL

A German brand at its core, Escada certainly brings a strictness to European tailoring with this double breasted piece, void of any form fitting finish. Old school in its oversize looking style yet modern with its almost neon green color, this blazer is a timeless piece and will dress up any basic outfit. You can funk it up with jeans and some crazy high heels like I did, or you can definitely sport the businessy look, if you are looking for work-friendly clothing. I don't know if it is the excitement of being back in my city or just the Frenchie in me, but the blazer look is what I love most these days. Also, come to think of it, it's like the double-breasted blazer is the pea coat's finest baby, back in style, and ready to rock the streets. 

Want to get swept off your feel like I did with this statement piece? Thanks for beautiful fashion trends like this one and their constant reinterpretation, you will find similar pieces among Karla Spetic's SS '12 collection with her louis apple green double breasted blazer, or if you prefer a single button closure, Yigal Azrouel makes a pretty sweet version of the apple green blazer too! 


Hoping to have left you off with a sweet green taste in your mouth (or really, your visual appetite), I will let you to enjoy everything green (and red) about today and tomorrow. Merry Christmas / Christmukkah my lovelies! 

Gloves: both a necessity and a fashion statement

As the Winter approaches and the cold weather becomes unavoidable, gloves become a necessity. If you haven't flaunted the ultimate fashion accessory yet, you'll need to do so very soon for warming purposes. Why not make it a double whammy and get a fabulous pair that suits your personal style? 

gloves, from left to right: Burberry (on sale!), Valentino & Bally (on sale too!)

I could not help myself but to mention Karl Lagerfeld's outstanding sense of style and influence when it comes to gloves. Indeed, gloves have long been a trademark of his. Being the first designer to introduce fashion accessories and jewelry on the runway back in the 1970s, the Kaiser is surely an important figure to look up to, especially for his accessorizing skills. If you are feeling mischievous, opt for the rocker chic fingerless look. If you'd rather keep warm yet want to keep the rock on, those Valentinos will make your heart melt. Or if you like a more classic look, there is always Burberry or Bally, both on sale! 

Karl Lagerfeld wearing one of his trademarks: the biker gloves 

So, have I convinced you yet to give in? Remember, you are arming yourself for the Winter ... AND accessorizing in style of course!

The LBD: a must-have at all times

In anticipation of the holiday festivities, I thought nothing would be more appropriate than to share some LBD advice with you. After all, we all need a little classic loving in our wardrobes, and with all the funked up jewelry and accessories we collect each season, what better piece to serve as canvas for these new additions?

SZEKI's edition of the LBD, funked up with zippers yet classic

Fashion historians associate the origins of the little black dress to the 1920s designs of Coco Chanel, intended to be a long-lasting, versatile and affordable piece with a neutral color, accessible to the widest market possible. The LBD, deemed as the "rule of fashion" by many fashion insiders, is a must-have for every woman. Simple and elegant, it can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion: worn with a jacket and flats by day or dressed up with funky jewelry, accessories, and heels by night. Given its status as wardrobe essential for many years, the style of the LBD ideally should be as simple as possible, rather than belonging to a particular trend that may become outdated. 

As you can see, I went ahead with a simple design, yet "funkified" with three zippers, starting on each side of the waist, drawing an inward curve against the hip for a rocker chic effect. Now, all I need is an Alkemie Jewelry Zipper Bangle and an Aurelie Bidermann Demeter 18-karat gold-plated necklace, if only Santa could hear me...

See the silly grins on my face? It's the plain LBD effect, and okay okay...mine is also one of a kind, thanks to SZEKI's unique curations. But rest assured, Alexander Wang has two quite fabulous editions you can get your hands on, and not to mention, they are on sale too: a draped brushed-crepe dress if you are in a romantic mood, or a ponte zip dress if you want to rock the zippers like I do! 

Studding and spiking: a fiercely dangerous affair

Runways and streets have been welcoming studs and spikes for more than two years, with a pinch of extra fun each season. Rest assured dear readers, we won't be turning into punks and causing anarchy anytime soon. Designers have embraced this new ‘dangerous’ trend attaching spikes and studs to just about anything worthy of a fashion statement. Indeed, this Punk trademark is now decorating the sleeves, collars, pockets, feet, waists, heads and carrying items of all style aficionados.  

images via JAK & JIL

Despite today's studs and spikes craze, the trend originally started out in the 1970s. Punks began customizing their wardrobe as a sign of rebellion so they would not conform to a typical stereotype, opting for shredding and ripping garments among other methods. Looking back at the Punk era, Vivienne Westwood was one of many who were heavy influences due to their controversial connotations. In the 1980s it became increasingly common for street punks to incorporate studs and studded spikes to their looks. This is said to be because they wanted to look untouchable. Not only did they include studs as part of their clothing, but they also added them to wrist bands, dog collars and any other accessory they could get their hands on.

Punks wearing customized studded leather jackets

And now, my own collage of studded marvels for your viewing (and shopping) pleasure:

lace-ups: Christian Louboutin, wrap around bracelets: MOJO, leather jacket (on sale!): Lot78, shirt: Reverse, Parsa bracelet: LeiVanKash

If you like what you see, do a little clicky clicky. Come on don't be shy, you know you have a little fierce in thee!

A cozy and luxurious event to remember

necklace: Jimmy Choo for H&M, blouse: Szeki, pants: Citizens of Humanity, vest: Haute Hoodie

Yes, I am wearing a multicolored and textured rabbit fur vest but sadly it isn't mine. At least not yet. Last week, Haute Hippie and Libra Leather co-hosted a holiday party to celebrate the launch of HH's new line--Haute Hoodie, a new style concept for both men and women, inspired by the art of layering and easy yet sophisticated Sunday attire. Based on the premise that layering is the key to creating a complete look, the new line has been designed to be seen and worn as a curated whole, paying just the right amount of attention to detail and styling. Don't you feel left out Upper East Siders, even you will fall in love with this new take on downtown cool.

Held at the HH boutique in Nolita, the night’s cozy soiree was a true pleasure to the senses. From animal skin rugs and clutches to soft fur vests and leather skins, guests were immediately transported into a luxurious chalet-like atmosphere, a theme deemed certainly appropriate for the festive season. 

Guests were encouraged to shop for beautiful statement pieces such as fox and rabbit fur calf-length vests and textured suede pants, as well as browse the remainder of Haute Hoodie layering must-haves, consisting of printed cardigans, oversized knit sweaters, capes and scarves. A small collection of HH clothing and accessories were also available for purchase. From the ooh-lala of sequins and party frocks by night to the sophisticated comfort of fuzzy furs and knitted layers by day, the sister brands showed all party goers how perfectly their collections complement each other . It's like Ralph Lauren's lifestyle brand had an NYC street style makeover and ditched anything remotely preppy. 

blouse on Erina: Silence & Noise

leather & python clutch: Haute Hippie

If you did not take part in the personal styling and dress-up session, I advise you to do so with a friend or two. Just visit the HH popup shop on Elizabeth Street. And if you need to cozy up your wardrobe for the following Winter months, you will surely not be disappointed. 

Boticca's personal gift guides will make you love Xmas shopping!

Scrambling for last minute gifts and still looking for them to be as unique and special as possible? Rest assured dear readers, Boticca's haven of unique jewelry and accessories will come to your rescue. It surely has come to mine with beautifully eclectic trinkets (or, let's just face it...my wardrobe's, simply because I own them and did not gift them). The site's beautifully curated personal gift guides have touched all three sides to my personality: the French girl about town and her love of all things fashion with a LeiVanKash rose gold skull bracelet, to an NYC based globetrotter with a Toosis gold and amethyst ring, and a Persian classic queen (after all, Roxanna was of noble descent and also a wife of Alexander the Great! Yeah!) with an Eddera Greek leaf headband. 

Greek leaf headband: Eddera

Worn with a cocktail dress or with a casual comfy sweater as shown above, this head jewel adds a festive feel to any outfit. Rich in multicultural influences, this Greco-Roman laurel wreath lookalike will serve as the talisman of good fortune and lend a Cleopatra look to its wearer. Any girl lucky to receive this showstopper piece will look as ravishing as a goddess. Seriously, can you think of a better symbolic gift to buy for your friend or loved one at the dawn of the new year?

rose gold skull bracelet: LeiVanKash, one of a kind raw amethyst ring with a flower: Toosis

If she's big into vintage looking rings and semi-precious stones, she will never want to get this amethyst ring off her finger. The feminine frailty evoked by the gold flower beautifully balances out the raw edginess of the stone it adorns. Moreover, the hand crafted nature of this piece makes it truly unique, redefining the meaning of antique and causing Lalaounis' industrially designed Byzantine and Hellenistic collections to be at a closer proximity with modernity (who knew?). With that said, such an original ring will compliment both the classic and contemporary look, so her style should not make you second doubt whether you chose the right present! And if she is adventurous and has an urban rocker side to her personality, a skull bracelet will only make her smile mischievously. With the rising trend of rose gold in jewelry, you'll be sure to set her at the forefront of fashion with this statement piece!

How perfect would these gifts look under her Christmas tree? Judging by the look on my face, I implore you to indulge: for her that is-- and given the extensive list of gift guides featured, maybe for you too?!

Darker florals this Winter prepare for their flamboyance in Spring

A short sabbatical was due after all of the late holiday parties and work nights. But I am back again, giving you another dissection of Jehdy's fabulous dressing skills.  



shirt: Mink Pink

Just look at her, all smiles and already springing from the dressing room. No wonder this shirt gets its name from one Gaga's greatest hits. The Bad Romance Cape shirt is simply addictive and fits our beloved little stylish monster perfectly. Fashioned with a 1970s influenced floral pattern and oversized sleeves borrowed from the contemporary bohemienne's wardrobe, this piece presents the perfect juxtaposition between the delicate details of the past and the rough edginess of modernity.

Take a closer look at this piece: not only does it pick up from the rising floral trend this coming Spring, but its darker color composition also welcomes the Winter. Yes my dears, flaunt this little one and you'll be sure to stay in style both seasons, making the best transition ever into the new one. 

Spring 2012 florals by Peter Som, Altuzarra, Mary Katrantzou, Prabal Gurug & Blumarine

So you see, oversaturated, pixelated, pieced or collaged, Spring 2012 florals will be full of new and exciting energy. Why not be ahead of the game already and prepare your mind (and closet) with a little Mink Pink?

Starry feet make the star

Today's post dissects the joys of wearing flats. Given heels always get all the attention, I figured why not give our most comfortable footwear some lovin'? Slippers and brogues are especially all the talk this season. Curious to see what I've got covered? Take a look at my fancy feet!

slippers: Topshop
  

One cannot ignore the obvious overlap between a casual coolness suggested by comfy slippers and the boychicness of trendy brogues by looking at this Topshop edition. And that's the look I was going for when sliding my feet into these jewels. Their velvety softness and luxurious starry pattern only convinced me that it could only feel right to sport them. It's like the late MJ's famous leather dancing brogues and Dolce&Gabbana's AW 2011 leather star cutout brogues had a baby only for it to become the perfect footwear for the ultimate fashion star. 

  Michael Jackson's famous dancing shoes                                                 The MJ Lean



brogues: Dolce&Gabbana



All jokes and anecdotes aside, I can only attest that I DO get a brilliant feeling whenever I'm wearing them! And who knows, maybe I'll get the famous Michael Jackson lean one day, if I manage to implement his secret, that is: in order to achieve his 45-degree angle lean, MJ used special shoes as well as a trick on the stage floor. When the time came for the move, a peg-like aperture would protrude from the dance floor. The shoe's heel featured a triangular cutout that could be hitched onto the peg, anchoring MJ to lean much farther forward and hence blow our minds away. Fashion star or superstar, or just a regular star reading my blog, why don't you indulge too and you'll see what I mean...

The Kooples...reinvented.

Ever pondered over the meaning of the proverb "birds of a feather flock together"?  I hereby give you a fine example that will hopefully help you understand: the highly fabulous and dissectable styles of Shear and Jens. Both matching in colors and stylish nonchalance, our pair successfully displays a neo-dandy hipster elegance made for urban living, from wool blazers to fur coats, studded boots to jewels, aviator sunglasses to fedora hats, and a state of mind hungry for the timeless youth, experienced only during the wee hours of the nightlife. 



On Shear - coat: vintage, shirt: American Apparel, denim shorts: Levis, boots: Steve Madden

Smiling through her aviator shades, Shear awaits her partner in crime. Just look at her: effortless from head to toe. Don't you underestimate mixing the denim, biker chic and animal print trends - she looks glorious.

On Jens - blazer: vintage, shirt: Tommy Hilfiger, jeans: Cheap Monday


Alas, Jens has arrived annnnd...it's a tie (or a red neck scarf really)! Our subjects' versatile style definitely turned heads. I will leave it up to you to decide whether it was more intriguing by day or night...but regardless of the hour, their choice of outfits and demeanor certainly gives a new meaning to the essence of The Kooples.

 

A last and closer look at their trinkets and we have a paradoxal moment: their carefree gaze at the day's passersby is contradicted by carefully handpicked jewelry and accessories to match their clothing. Aren't they just special? They know they are...and they should!

After the long week, the perfect weekend {bag}

With the weekend arriving after the long hours of the work week, it is now time that I share with you what I believe would make the perfect Sunday funday bag, the piece that will not only serve as showstopper but carry all the necessities of a woman looking to relax herself on a stress-free day. Yes I now, you will now tell me that us city girls are always busy and swamped with errands no matter the day. Well, let's get real, we do need some TLC sometimes. Why not stick in our hand cremes, favorite lipsticks, secret diaries and nail polishes along with our wallets, phone and keys in one hell of a fabulous bag? 

I thereby call the Proenza Schouler PS1 to the rescue of every distressed working girl.  A true classic embodying a sense of wearable luxury, this signature satchel will not disappoint. A spin on edgy, youthful and sophisticated tailoring, the Proenza Schouler brand will only be celebrating its 10th anniversary in the new year, yet its founders and former Parsons classmates Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough have already enjoyed numerous hit collections, and a rep as one of fashion’s most talked about labels. 

Proenza Schouler PS1 in midnight blue

A sophisticated bag it is, and definitely wearable at any time. And in midnight blue, especially, you are sure to let your cool down. After all, blue is the color of tranquility. Amen.

Fashion meets Art Basel

Sadly, I missed Art Basel yet again this year, but thankfully my fashionista partner in crime Jehdy successfully snapped some super sweet stuff I thought was definitely appropriate to share on the blog. Below, the sketches of some of our most notable fashion designers (among which the late Alexander McQueen and surprisingly, Galliano--perhaps his fate may not be as gloomy as we thought it would be?) lend to admiration and a hint of laughter. 

All photos courtesy of Jehdy

There are certainly a million ways to interpret these depictions. Perhaps it is the anticipation of the launch of the Valentino Garavani Vitrual Museum as well as a rejuvenated collection (among which this season's most wanted studded bags) that caused Valentino a star studded appraisal, and a bittersweet sadness towards McQueen's tragic death at the peak of his career that brought the artist to capture that emotion on canvas. On the other hand, one can deem Dolce&Gabbana as the perfect happy medium, lying in between some of our more sensitive minded figures, as their continuous focus on bombastic colors and prints truly celebrate life. 

Which one is your favorite? I'm still debating between Galliano trying one of his creations and Tom Ford in an LBD and bow-tie (there is no mention of him trying one of his womenswear designs which begs the question: omission or cue?).

Boy meets Girl...again.

The day when dandy met girlie, and boy met girl in fashion goes all the way back to Coco Chanel's era. Sure thing, the designer's modernist thought, menswear-inspired fashions, and pursuit of expensive simplicity made her an important figure in 20th century fashion, but it seems like our 21st century designers now acknowledge that every independent and free-spirited woman possesses at least one or two key pieces that border the masculine. After all, power suits and brogue shoes no longer only flatter men. They have the gift of empowering a woman's allure, helping her sense of confidence while being confronted with the hustle and bustle of the city life.

These days still, the dandy turn on masculine fashion takes the streets by storm. Building upon elements already big in past seasons, such as the oversized blazer, tuxedo trend and military fashion, the female dandy is part Beau Brummell, part Oscar Wilde, and at times a touch of Coco Chanel. One iconic element not to forget this season: the studded biker boots slyly alleviate a strictness that may be emanating from this look. And if you can't do with those, a little messy bun will playfully outdo your clean-cut look to make you look oh so effortlessly cool. 

Images via Carolines Mode

In sum, the female dandy exemplifies girl power with a touch of rebellion. What do you say? I say... let's rebel!

The Color Orange: from brand association to fashion statement

One of the most fascinating colors in fashion is the Hermès orange pantone. Now one of the most instantly recognizable colors in the world of corporate brands, one may wonder how the luxury house ended up making this unconventional color choice in the first place. Interestingly, as Dana Thomas proclaims, "orange was the only color widely available during World War II to the money-saving benefits of raw-edge cutting, which had been marketed to the public as a cutting-edge, avant-garde innovation". Conveniently enough, this signature orange went even further as to position Hermès as a brand that caters both to a male and female clientèle. 

How perfect is the brown embossing on orange? Exquisite me thinks. The marriage between the two colors should not be underestimated. If you want to make a bold statement, this may be one of the best recommendations you will ever receive in the name of style. And no, it doesn't get reduced to Halloween season only. 

Hermès Orange

It seems like designers of Autumn/Winter 2011 and Spring/Summer 2012 fashion collections have endorsed orange for its versatility, as it is a unisex color definitely adaptable to both ultra feminine and androgynous styles. For Miu Miu, an orange blouse paired to a 1940's inspired bow belted black pencil skirt beautifully revives a directional look, while for Diesel it is an orange sweater dress that will playfully add youth to a strict and slender female silhouette in black leather pants and motorcycle heeled boots. Or maybe our designers are simply paying tribute to one of the big masters of all luxuries...who knows. I will leave it up to your interpretation. 

Miu Miu AW 2011 RTW via Fashion Style List

Diesel SS 2012

As for me, the above reflection inspired me to dress accordingly. Lately, I've been strolling around the city hitting up random phone booths for kicks and called out to be a walking Hermès box. If you've seen me recently, you know what I mean.

blazer: et vous, sweater: Max Mara, shorts: H&M, boots: Marc Jacobs, bag: Lanvin

To that attribute, I'll say: word. I'll take it as a compliment. You should try it too! 

H&M vs. Michael Kors

Although this blog's mission is to analyze current trends, where they come from and how they came about, it also never fails to cover interesting overlaps between pieces belonging to higher fashion and those created by the most popular mass retailers we have today. Take H&M for example. While the Swedish retailer has been engaging in guest-designer collaborations each year since it's first exclusive collection with Karl Lagerfeld in 2004, it often surreptitiously adapts the creations of world known designers for the everyday mainstream and let's not kid ourselves, even the most glamorous fashionistas very frequently opt for the mainstream. After all, the Kaiser said it himself: "Go either very cheap or very expensive. It's the middle ground that is fashion nowhere." So tell me, when will it be expensive and when will it be cheap? 

passport holder: Michael Kors vs. mobile phone case: H&M

Don't fret over the question, the above accessories should help you make your decision. And whether you like one or the other, expensive or cheap, so long as you carry yourself well, your look will always be chic!

Olives and greys inspire softness this Fall

A fresh view on the Y-3 FW 2011 collection made me concentrate on Yamamoto's smart play on olive and grey tones. Blending elements of functionality with elegance and subtle finishing are a trademark of Yamamoto's designs. I will not reiterate how his take on fashion challenged all traditional codes, however for those who are burning to find out more about Yamamoto's technique, I have covered it when lusting over his mastery of black and blue clothing here. 

The use of protective shapes around grey and olive tones in this collection is particularly striking. From long jackets cocooning around the body, to ballooned pants and giant skirts under long flannels, the Y-3 label's voluminous shapes certainly allude to a slightly pioneer-maiden look. The choice of olive and grey tones in some instances however added the touch of softness necessary for the performance-based label to appeal to the team-spirited and sport savvy customer. 

Y-3 FW 2011 Ready-to-Wear, via Style.com

Inspired by these trending colors and hanging onto the last weeks of Fall, I decided to mix and match them in my own way and create a slightly dressier type of street style. I will leave it up to you to dissect my style...

jacket: H&M, shirt: Zara, jeggings: Joseph, shoes: House of Harlow 1960, bag: Lanvin

Until then, enjoy the weekend!