Words of Wisdom: Vivienne Westwood

"Liberty: Throw Away The Key"

Scarlett in Venice Part Deux

I used to get annoyed with Scarlett Johansson for always dressing like an Old Hollywood movie star. But, I've forgiven her because, 1) she always looks amazing, and 2) if I could always dress like an Old Hollywood movie star, I would.

This look is a tribute to Gilbert Adrian who was responsible for dressing the brightest stars of the 1940s. Think Ginger Rogers, Bette Davis, Marlene Dietrich, and more. Note the slim waist, broad shoulders, high collar and floor-length skirt.

The Best Face of Fall

I was so excited when I saw that Donald J. Pliner had found a new face. The last one, 'The Poor Man's Donatella Versace' shall we call her, definitely needed to be retired. This one's just so, uh, fresh and young. And cute...

Scarlett in Venice

So look, I know that this outfit doesn't follow the rules of convention, but maybe that's why I like it. She's wearing a baggy top with baggy shorts; she's combining red and pink; the blouse is questionable and the ensemble might be altogether too casual for a movie premiere. Here's my defense:

First, Scarlett's beautiful enough to wear a potato sack.

Second, I love people who don't make the obvious choice. She could've put on a little conservative summer dress and worn an 'it' heel, but she chose this.

Third, she looks comfortable, not bound-up and overexposed.

Fourth, Rachel Zoe would never approve... and that's reason enough for me.

The Bob Is Back

The inverted bob haircut is back in a big way. Below Christina Ricci and Natalia Vodianova demonstrate the look. Christina's sleek, black bob and Natalia's red bob both look Art Deco/Roaring Twenties Flapper à la Louise Brooks, while Natalia's pink, choppy bob looks more punk or even mod.

Behnaz Sarafpour Right on Target

Behnaz Sarafpour's line for Target is perfect for what it is. It's certainly better than anything else you can find at Target. The previous Go International lines have been somewhat underwhelming, but I think I'd wear just about everything in the current line. The line features classic styles, luxe fabrics like velvet and taffeta, and cocktail dresses and minidresses. Here are some samples:

Take a Look!

I Want It All

I have no idea who this person is, or what she's wearing, but I want it all.

That sweater is cellophane-thin, but somehow it looks very soft and cozy. The color combining going on is perfect for Fall: gray jeans, black flats, white T, camel cellophane/sweater and a brown bag.

Let me know if you have any idea where this sweater is from!

Patent Leather Pumps

These Delman shoes remind me of movies from the 1930s and looking through old Sears catalogs from the 1930s. They're really the classic pump. I've noticed a few low-end shoe companies selling imitations for Fall (Payless, for example).

Little Black Cardigan!

I was so excited to see this picture on The Sartorialist. Wasn't I just saying how perfect little black cardigans are? Yes! I was! They're even amazing on the men folk. Take note:

Boyfriend Jeans

Skinny jeans are (obviously) really popular, but another up-and-coming trend is boyfriend jeans. I'm all for the baggy boyfriend look because, let's face it, some days it's just daunting to put on skinny outfits. Here are some I like by Lux.

Buy them here.

Also, if you want some overalls like the ones seen on the Marc by Marc Jacobs runway, but you don't have a Marc Jacobs budget, here are some from Lux:

Buy them here.

LBC: Little Black Cardigan

I think a Fall staple should be a little black cardigan. It's timelessly chic and completely versatile. It's nearly impossibly to look unkempt in a LBC. Throw it on with boyfriend jeans, skinny jeans, a pair of leggings, with a skirt or dress or even shorts. It's impossible to go wrong. Plus, they come in so many varieties (from cropped to kimono) so there's something for everyone.

Elie Saab
Miu Miu
Yves Saint Laurent
Moschino
Peter Jensen

Go Shopping!
J.Crew
Cynthia Vincent
Vince
Ya Ya

Belt Bible

Belts are everywhere, and the fun part about them is the variety they offer. I like adding a colored belt to an otherwise neutral outfit. (Like a big red belt over a gray sweater.) Here are some ideas:

Alessandro Dell'Acqua (add a waist to a big sweater)
Dolce & Gabbana (add an empire waist to a dress, or a skirt that's hiked up!)
Central Saint Martins (turn a minidress into a cute babydoll dress)
Peter Jensen (what better way to pull an outfit together than to literally pull it together with a belt binding ALL the layers?)

The Emmys Review II

BEST: Julia Louis-Dreyfus wears a simple and elegant gown by Narciso Rodriguez. I love that she avoided the huge blowout and tacky bling. She's so inconspicuous and classic with understated makeup and a small cluth.
WORST: Vanessa Minnillo was way off-the-mark in a bejeweled tea-length almost-slip-dress. The pornstar cleavage and hair are totally cheesy for the Emmys. She should've saved this one for the MTV Video Music Awards, or just ditched it altogether.

The Emmys Review

Dark Days





No Straps Attached

Givenchy Bag: Nightingale Meets Novak

This Givenchy purse is one part Florence Nightingale and one part Alexander McQueen's Novak bag and altogether fabulous.

Daria, Jean and Jane

Daria reminds me so much of icons before her time, like Jean Shrimpton and Jane Birkin.

Agyness Deyn: Supply and Demand

I have taken it upon myself to promote the hell out of Agyness Deyn. I first posted on her a few weeks ago when there were only eight
Google results for her name. Now there are thirty-three.

Because I'm able to track page referrals for this site, I have seen a massive influx of international traffic due to my post on Agyness on August 14th, most likely because I Hate Generic is the first link that pops up on Google.

Obviously people are searching for her so I'm posting again.

Keep Googling her! The Google results are increasing every day and that can only do good for her career. Supply and demand, supply and demand.

The Ultimate Make Up

Look at this amazing little palette from Make Up For Ever called the Twelve Flash Color Case. It's pricey ($93), but imagine the possibilities. You can quadruple (or more) the potential of any one item currently in your makeup bag. A red lipstick can be turned plummy with a bit of blue. Or pink with a bit of white. Or autumnal-orange with a bit of brown.

Each color can also be used by itself for a shock of pigment.

I think this might be my next splurge.

Faceless Fashion

I don't want to show the face of this singer because it upsets me and it's looking more and more inhuman.

However, she wears this outfit extremely well and has killer legs.

I love the belt, shoes and jewelry.

Tip Of The Hat

I don't believe that people wear hats nearly enough. And when I say hats, I do not mean beanies or ballcaps. I mean real, classic hats. One of my favorite things about old movies is hat-watching. Have you ever see His Girl Friday with Cary Grant and Rosalind Russell? You should. There are so many fabulous hats to watch.Or how about An American In Paris with Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron?Or how about any movie with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers?I decided to assemble some hats from the Fall runways to inspire/encourage people to start wearing hats.

Bow Peeps

Word To The Wise: NO.

Someone should have told Lindsay that some looks just look better on the runway, and it's even hard for models to pull this one off:
Case and Point:

Olfactory Officiator

The New York Times is hiring Chandler Burr to be a full time perfume critic and write a column called Scent Strip.

Quick question: just what exactly qualifies someone to be a perfume critic? Lots of personal references?

"Chandler always had an acute sense of smell..." or "Well, when I taught little Chandler he would refuse to use the paste until he'd infused it with a subtle rose oil combined with an aromatic blend of tropical hibiscus..." or "I swear he's never used Axe Body Spray..."

Aren't perfume judgments really subjective? It's not like reviewing a movie, for Pete's sake. I mean, what if Chandler Burr loves sandalwood and patchouli? What a tragedy that would be for the faithful Times readers like myself. Unless they distribute little fragrance swatches for personal assessment, I don't see how this is going to work.

Times, Chandler... are you listening?

My one hope is that this kind of high-end criticism will prevent the next hundred starlets clamoring to make a scent from actually making a scent.

It might prevent J.Lo from releasing her 13th (or whatever) fragrance entitled Bronx Bouquet.

We can hope, right?

Angelina Lepore: The Terrors of Photoshop

I love Shiseido, but someone needs to be fired. They've turned one of the most naturally beautiful women into Amanda Lepore.

Need I Say Anything?

Colorful Kara Janx

Kara's known for her kimono-inspired dresses, but honestly I love the colors. The style of these dresses is pretty standard, but it's the color that sets them apart.

L.A.M.B. Lovin'

L.A.M.B. is coming out with a promising line of high-end purses this Winter. There will be two collections, Love and Signature.

The idea of the collection first of all was to create something timeless, something classic and with an irreverent twist. That’s why going into the design process, we came up with a concept that we really tried to stick with as we came up with the collection group: style after style, leather after leather. The bags themselves are closer to the European luxury feeling than the American contemporary handbag category. I think they’re highly differentiated but priced in the contemporary. Gwen’s unique personal take on fashion incorporated her signature elements like Rasta colors and the old English lettering. For spring, we’re incorporating velvet into the collection. For this first launch, there are two collections—the Signature collection and the leather collection which is called Love.

Read more here.

No Can Do, Rachel Zoe

Man oh man, how much do I dislike Rachel Zoe? Granted, I know nothing about her as an individual, other than the fact that she's dealthy skinny (that says something... she either does drugs or doesn't eat).

Every time I see some starlet trot down the red carpet in the latest Zoe ensemble or carrying her clutches, I want to gag. I'm talking about little starlets who are supposedly 'fashionistas'. It should take more than an unlimited clothing budget, designer freebies and a stylist to be called a fashionista.

(That's part of the reason why I have trouble with Vanity Fair's Best Dressed list. Half the people on the list are royalty. Big deal. Princesses with billions of dollars and a tailor and endless free clothing have no problem being well dressed.)

Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Richie and Mischa Barton are rich. They have people throwing free stuff at them constantly. They also have the stylist du jour, Rachel Zoe, dolling them up every time they get their picture taken.

I don't believe a single one of them has any natural fashion sense. Just remember, a few years ago Nicole Richie had a mangy weave and was wearing shredded denim miniskirts on the red carpet. Suddenly she's always a 'fashion do'.

Lindsay Lohan is suddenly name-dropping couture ateliers left and right and mugging with Karl Lagerfeld when just two short years ago she was wearing trucker hats.

The problem is, Zoe doesn't encourage individuality. All her clients look like clones of each other. They all mysteriously drop 40lbs, get a Mystic Tan, add lots of blonde highlights, throw on enormous sunglasses and wear lots of bangles. It's hard to look at them anymore because they all look eerily similar.

The first time I saw what Rachel Zoe looks like, I nearly choked. She's just as deathly anorexic, tan, blonde and bangled as her little clients.

Well, now her Rachel Zoe for Judith Leiber bags are all over the red carpets in the bony little hands of her clones. I'm not just saying this because I don't like Rachel Zoe, but these are really obnoxious bags. And I'm not just saying it because I don't like bags made of pythons and crocodiles and lizards (oh my!), but these are really obnoxious bags! I understand what she was going for, but it's so unoriginal. They're over-the-top and gaudy and snooty. When I see this clutch in the pages of Us Weekly in the hands of Mischa Barton I think, "Go away. You're a flash in the pan... you and Rachel Zoe."

Okay, maybe I really do dislike the bags because Rachel Zoe designed them. I'm biased and intolerant, I admit it.

Vera Vera by Vera Wang

Vera Wang will soon be affordable:

New York - Kohl's Corporation in partnership with Vera Wang announced today that they will be the newest duo in the ongoing designer-meets-department-store partnership trend with the launch of Very Vera by Vera Wang, a premium fashion and lifestyle brand for Fall 2007.

"The Very Vera by Vera Wang premium collection is modern and addresses the fashion demands inherent in today's female shopper," said Kohls' President Kevin Mansell.

The collection will be available in Kohl's department stores as well as kohls.com, and will include sportswear, intimate apparel, jewelry, footwear, handbags and other accessories, and linens.

See story here.

Free Association: Peter Som

I like doing free association when I see pictures of clothing and naming the first thought that pops into my head. My first thought seeing this Peter Som dress is: Chanel meets Anne of Avonlea.

The Chanel thing is obvious right off the bat. The Anne of Avonlea part has to do with the Victorian lacy, primness of the collar and sleeves.

It's a fun game, huh?

Balenciaga Bowler

Now this is a quilted leather bag I can wholeheartedly defend. The quilted Chanel bags with the chains and massive logos are so ugly that I had almost given up on quilted leather. But Balenciaga has restored my hope. Look! No ugly logo! See, Chanel? It can be done.

YSL Tote

What a smashing tote. It's reversible, so it's two bags in one.

However, if I owned this bag I would never use the metallic side. As much as I adore gold (and have accumulated quite a collection of gold accessories), I really haven't been able to swallow the massive metallic bag trend. I much prefer a classic black or brown bag paired with a more subtle metallic accessory, like a bangle or necklace.

A massive gold tote is overkill. I'm not a subtle person in the least, but I do believe there's something to be said for subtlety in the tote arena.

Lace Flats

I like finding items that I can't immediately form an opinion about. These shoes looked cute at first glance. But upon consideration, I think they might fall into the Grandma's-doiley-turned-footwear-tragedy category.

Also, I haven't decided about the heel. I really don't like the look of it. I prefer honest-to-god flats rather than this little whimpy semi-heel. And is that stacked leather, or is it faux-leather? I despise faux-stacked leather which is now found on just about every wedge in any store. Ugh.

So are they a yes or no?

(pic courtesy of Zappos)

Marc's Mice

Alright, normally I feel that Marc Jacobs can do no wrong. Right now I'm really confused. Here are a pair of 'Mouse Flats' from Marc by Marc Jacobs. Now, I understand that the idea is kind of cute, like a hoodie with ears on the hood. But realistically speaking, if you saw someone in these, would you write them off as childlike? Whimsical? Obnoxious? Daring? Eclectic? Cheesy? What do these shoes say about the person wearing them, other than the fact that they can afford $300 shoes with ears and a nose?

The New Jacket

Since I cannot buy the L.A.M.B coat that I want, I settled for this one that cost me $5. Not a bad price, eh?

Cashmere Argyle

My new favorite sweater. From J.Crew.

CFDA/Vogue Fashion

My favorites from the runway (and off):

Always-beautiful Milla Jovovich
Jovovich-Hawk
Marchesa
Thakoon

(pics courtesy of style.com)

On The Up and Up

Say goodbye to thong-baring waistlines.

Thrift Shopping

A few days ago I promised to post pictures of my latest thriftstore finds. With the exception of the shoes and jeans, everything I'm wearing was purchased at a thriftstore, including jewelry. Here's a little look into my wardrobe:

Sweaterdress
Leopard Minidress
60s Print Minidress
Casual Combo
Hot Pink Party Dress
Aqua Silk

I could've posted more, but I didn't want to do overkill. I'll post more in a few days. By the way, not one dress cost more than $4.

Christina Ricci

This is the most beautiful red carpet look I've seen in a long while. Perhaps since Michelle Williams at the Oscars.

What a stunning Alberta Ferretti dress in such a flattering fit. The empire waist gives her the illusion of height, and the deep-V neckline and wide straps give a lift to her large chest.

I love that she's not bedazzled with gaudy jewels. Her simple chignon and Vamped lips and nails are the perfect way to showcase the natural elegance of this dress.

Little Wednesday Addams is all growed up.

Gucci Craftsmanship

Is this the best Gucci can come up with? After 85 years in the business, this is their long-awaited anniversary bag?

First thought: Could be the work of an arts and crafts class.

Act I, Scene I:
Int. a classroom of children making purses for show and tell. A lot of random textiles and buckles are scattered around the room. There is one overeager child among the bunch. This is Gucci.

Gucci
I know! Then I'll put a buckle on it so it looks like luggage!

Teacher
Well, that's very creative little Gucci.

Gucci
I know. My daddy tells me I'm super creative.

Teacher
That's nice.

Gucci
Then I wanna use all the fabrics on my purse!

Teacher
Gucci, you should save some supplies for the other children.

Gucci
But I wanna make the busiest bag possible!! I wanna put straps all over the bag... I want it to be a hobo that looks like a satchel!

Teacher
Gucci, your bag is going to be very ugly and if you use all the supplies, the other children will be left with minimalist-looking hobos. That's not fair is it?

Gucci
YUCK! Minimalist? Sick...I hate stupid Prada!

Teacher
Shh... Gucci, that's not nice. Prada's a very nice child. At least Prada's bag doesn't look messy.

Gucci
But I WANNA make my BAG! I WANNA MAKE A MESSY LOOKING HOBO AND SELL IT FOR $5000! My daddy's VERY important and I can do whatever I want. Haven't you heard of The Gucci Group? Have you? HAVE YOU?

End Scene.

Teen Arbitrary Choice Awards

I do not and did not watch the Teen Choice Awards. To be honest, I don't understand what they're about. Supposedly they're awards for anything from acting to hotness and cuteness, as doled out by teen Internet voters. Or something. Somehow this manages to draw a crowd ranging from the A-list (Reese Witherspoon) to the R-list (Laguna Beach kids). The luckiest hotties and actors all get surfboards.

The intrigue for me is that it's all pretty arbitrary, so it's more like comedy than anything. I mean, to be honest, in what other award show could Reese Witherspoon and
Mischa Barton both be 'honored' for their acting talents?

In what other award show could Kevin Federline be the 'performance of the night'?

The Teen Choice Awards seem to be a hybrid of the Razzies and the Billboards. Or something. They're popularity awards, like the Billboards, not talent awards. But they provide opportunity for clothes-watching, so I can appreciate that aspect at least. This year was really slim pickings, style wise. Everyone seemed to look painfully styled, most obviously, Jessica Simpson.

Here are my two picks for the Best Dressed Man and Woman. In no other circumstance would I select Mischa Barton as a 'best dressed' because I don't think she has any natural flair, and often looks like the less-anorexic version of Nicole Richie. But, like I said, it was slim pickings. As far as Johnny Depp goes, in my eyes, he can do no wrong. I'm so sick of seeing guys show up to award shows wearing pink lipgloss and exposing their greased and waxed chest. Johnny Depp never disappoints. Despite his often 'eclectic' outfits, he comes across as understated because he doesn't project the 'I'm too sexy for my shirt, and where is my lipgloss!?' vibe.

Mischa Barton
Johnny Depp

(I promise that this is the first and last time I will feature Mischa Barton on this site).

Haute Couture Moment

Jean Paul Gaultier Jean Harlow
Givenchy Goth
Christian Dior Armor
Valentino Brocade

Highfalutin Hyperbole?

Today my mother sat down next to me and said, "I trust that you are not a catty person, so I have an honest question for you." Oh no, I thought, this will not be good. "Well," she continued nervously, "I just wonder what the difference is between your interest in fashion and the average high school cattiness? It seems that sitting back and judging people's clothing and sizing them up is very catty." Oh... this conversation again.

I think every fashion lover has had to justify herself at least once. I find myself tire quickly of saying things like, "It's not about judging people! It's about appreciating beauty!" Or something equally trite sounding. Part of me feels incensed that I should have to defend what seems so obvious to me. But when I can step back far enough to assess the fashion industry with an unbiased eye, I can indeed see the "high school cattiness" that my mom refers to.

It's exclusive, elitist, unattainable, wasteful, obscenely wealthy, fickle, hot and cold, judgmental, mean, unforgiving and all-consuming. But as I spew adjectives, I realize how each one could be tagged on to just about anything. As an industry, fashion is cutthroat. But so is stockbroking. So is politics. So is the educational system. So is the healthcare system.

But, fashion is also exciting, inspiring, creative, innovative (at times), era-defining, revolution-starting, politically openminded, culturally vast, universal, border-blurring, individuality-encouraging and peaceful.

Art defines a generation. Art is supposed to be a snapshot of the world, or hold a mirror to the world. What is fashion if not an everchanging snapshot of the everchanging world? When I study history, which is one of my favorite subjects, I'm always curious to know what people wore, because what people wear says so much about them.

Looking at a magazine, it might immediately seem too superficial and commercial-driven to contain art. But if you can filter that out, and just focus the clothes and the amount of talent and inspiration they required, suddenly it's not so obscene. A magazine consolidates the artistic efforts of a group of likeminded designer and photographer contemporaries. How is that different from a coffee table book on Impressionism that consolidates the work of Monet, Renoir and Degas? Art history majors and art lovers know exactly what the Impressionists contributed to their art. Fashion majors and lovers know exactly what Chanel, Givenchy, Balenciaga and Dior contributed to their art.

Fashion is not just vanity, it's about expression. It's an extension of Expressionism. Clothing is the tangible fruit of Expressionism that serves an individual's desire to speak her mind. Just like an art lover decorates her house with her favorite paintings, a fashion lover studies her favorite artists and cloaks herself in the artist's work.

This is all beginning to sound melodramatic and self-important, and I don't intend to be highfalutin. I really am struggling to define my interest in fashion. I only know that I hate feeling like I have to validate it when it's been such a crucial part of culture in the modern world.

Is anyone with me?

Balenciaga Nostalgia

Yes, yes... Nicolas Ghesquiere is talented and his Fall Balenciaga line is a smash hit. But, this is a look we've seen before.

As I was looking over the Balenciaga Fall collection once again, and saw the blurb in the new Vanity Fair about it, I got to thinking. Is all fashion recycled these days? I mean, really... what is the most recent fashion item that was groundbreaking and innovative? The last century brought so much innovation, esp. in the 50s and 60s, the era of and in great part because of Cristobal Balenciaga.

I know that everyone is looking to the House of Balenciaga for their fashion predictions, but Balenciaga is only digging up the past with the riding hat, trapeze jacket and black and white theme. That's not to say it's a bad look. It's obviously glorious. I'm always up for a little Swinging Sixties nostalgia.

But seriously, Nicolas, what ever happened to innovation? We all love Mod, but what's next?

Aganovich & Yung

How pretty are these deep blues at Aganovich & Yung? Very sleek and classic looking. Also a lot like Fall Versace:

Rick Owens With Edge. Finally.

I struggle with Rick Owens because I know he's a darling of the fashion world, but I find his palette very bleak and dreary. Like Prada-dreary.

But, I really like this biker jacket. It has a lot more edge than most Rick Owens creations.

Eyewear

I have a pair of Dolce & Gabbana glasses that I like just fine, but after seeing this pair from Givenchy, suddenly I want new glasses.

Liya looks one part Andy Warhol, one part Heidi, and altogether smashing.

Pretty in Pink Radley

Every girl needs a pink umbrella and pink luggage. They seem like obvious staples.



Perhaps the cutest part about Radley is the Scottie Dog decal. See site for more pictures.

(pics courtesy of radley.co.uk)

Words of Wisdom: YSL

“It pains me physically to see a woman victimized, rendered pathetic, by fashion.” - Yves Saint Laurent

Living Vicariously

I credit my sister Briallen with introducing me to fashion. I used to steal her Vogues and beg her to let me dress up in her vintage furs and red lipstick and YSL heels. She also let me watch Sex and The City when I was just fourteen and probably shouldn't have. She's a grad student at Princeton and is currently 'studying' in London, which includes lots of thrift shopping, eating out, attending concerts, and moseying around with my brother, Ian. She has the most amazing collection of dresses, of which any girl would be envious. I have decided to live vicariously through her since I cannot live fabulously in London... yet.

Bri with friend Nadia
Bri With Her Cute Vintage Luggage
Bri and Ian in Her Flat (see cute dress on wall)
Bri and Ian at Royal Albert Hall
Bri and Nadia at The Wolseley (dress from TopShop)

Glorious Goodwill

Today I decided to raid the Goodwill. I usually go and fill my cart with anything that catches my eye, and my bill is never more than $50. It's a thrifty shopper's paradise. Especially if you're a shopper that likes vintage clothing.

I'm seriously spoiled by thrift shops because when I go into a department store, I literally cannot find one thing I like. It all looks cheap and bland and generic.

When I go to the Goodwill, there are shelves of vintage heels (Ferragamos!) with so much personality, how can a girl say no?

Today was by far one of my most successful days. I bought (for $50 remember): a plaid scarf; a wool gray plaid cropped coat (oooh so cute!); a YSL-looking hot pink silk dress (think Spring 2005 YSL); a gray sweater dress (Tess McGill, here I come); a leopard-print long-sleeved mini dress; a 3/4 sleeved psychedelic-patterned mini dress; a red and white striped cardie; black flats; chunky mod necklace and a big gray wool sweater.

These dresses are beyond cute. I'm so thrilled with them. I'll post pictures tomorrow, but for now I'm off to sleep.

xo,
A

Drew Barrymore Baring More

This photo looks like tepid David LaChapelle, and I'm not overly fond of this dress, but Drew makes it look absolutely adorable.

By the way, I don't think there's any way to ride a bicycle in that dress without some full frontal exposure.

Blaspheming Blahnik

I'm probably committing fashion blasphemy, spitting on Carrie Bradshaw's grave, and losing readers all at once... but I'm going to go out on a limb. I really don't like Manolo Blahniks. There, I've said it. I've been suppressing the feeling for a long time and I've heard it's not healthy to suppress feelings. Let me please explain myself before you write me off entirely.

Blahnik 'classics' are a lot of mid-heeled slingbacks that easily look like J.C. Penny dyeable bridesmaid shoes.

DyeablesManolos
Maybe it's just my youth, but a lot of the shoes look to be targeted at middle-aged Upper East Side wives, and I am not a middle-aged Upper East Side wife. These in particular also resemble the shoes of a swashbuckling French Revolutionary man in tights (think The Scarlet Pimpernel).
And excuse me for pointing it out, but doesn't this look like the shoe of an over-fifty woman who wears far too much perfume, floral print, jewelry and lip liner?
I'm not trying to be groundbreaking or controversial (for once), I'm just being honest. I don't see the appeal. All Blahniks have the same conservative structure and shape, and maybe I'm just not conservative enough to appreciate them.

Now, give me a Louboutin, YSL or a Chloe, and that's a shoe I can get behind.

(pics courtesy of neimanmarcus.com)

The Little White Dress

Will the Little White Dress ever replace the Little Black Dress? (And did Coco Chanel just roll in her grave?)

Jersey Babydoll - Chloé
Ribbed Silk - Bottega Veneta
Cashmere Dress - Temperley

(pics courtesy of Net-a-Porter)

Do or Don't?

I do not read Glamour magazine because I find the articles tired and patronizing. How many times can they print: The Perfect Pedicure; Meet Glamour's Dating Blogger - Vote On What She Should Do and She'll Do It!; Are You Normal About Stress?; Lose Ten Pounds Now!; Please Him In Bed; Are You Sexy? Take This Quiz!, etc. etc. etc. All the same reasons I do not read Cosmopolitan or Marie Claire. If you've read one, you've read them all.

Besides, any 'fashion magazine' that features Emmy Rossum, Eva Longoria and Sheryl Crow (simultaneously) on the cover is a no-go in my book. Emmy is prematurely geriatric... I wouldn't be surprised if she wore Dr. Scholl's orthopedics under her Republican political wife/beard costumes Ralph Lauren pantsuits. Eva Longoria is a L.A.-at-its-worst disaster (has she been seeing Rachel Zoe or something?) and I'll never forget Sheryl Crow's Pocahontas-inspired tassled chaps disaster... she should take a lesson from Emmy Rossum on blandness.

However, Glamour's Dos and Don'ts are mildly entertaining, even if I disagree with them at times, and now there's an entire book of them featuring style advice from Diane von Furstenberg, among others.

I have no intention of spending money on this book, but if I saw it on a bookshelf, I'd flip through it. For me, Glamour and this book are don'ts. What are they for you?

Daria Hits Us With Her Best Pat Benatar

Roberto Cavalli and Louis Vuitton should think very carefully before they toy around with 1980s glam makeup. This is dangerous territory and is really only wearable by Daria or Kate. The average person will end up looking like this:

More Lou Doillon

I know I just posted on Lou, but I couldn't resist the opportunity to post her new Gap ads. Coincidentally, my entire post was promoting her as a posterchild for individuality and confidence, and here she is as the posterchild for Gap's individuality-themed Fall campaign. Good for her.

Comme Des Garçons

I love these dresses that they're almost wearing at Comme Des Garçons with their suits, argyle socks and golfing shoes.

Mad Plaid

If I could purchase one plaid item this Fall, cost no obstacle, it would be this jacket from L.A.M.B. Plaid is now an "it" thing across the board, but Gwen Stefani's been using it since the advent of her line. I'm going go ahead and say that she's a fashion-forward fashionista.

Another trend she was ahead of was leopard skin, which is huge right now. I wonder if she's going to start a full-on Rasta trend as well?

Sweet, Sweet Validation

About a month ago I did a post on the Savage Brow in which I featured a picture of Hilary Rhoda and wrote on the wonderful and triumphant return of natural eyebrows. Today the New York Times validates my post with Throw Your Tweezers Away, also featuring Hilary Rhoda.

Like I've said before, Hilary Rhoda is the new Brooke Shields. Click on picture to expand and see the history of eyebrow trends.

For those of you who say, "Wait! I am not savage, nor are my brows!" You could stand to benefit from Benefit Brow Zing.

I have done makeup for years and I have never encountered a single person this brow kit doesn't work on. It's universal and for people with blonde or sparse brows, it really does the trick. Prepare to go savage.

I Am Woman, Hear Me Walk

Click here to read I Am Woman, Hear Me Walk by Ginia Bellafante of the New York Times.

(pic courtesy of Miles Donovan/Art-Dept)

Sock It To Me

The new sock-look is much more rugged than the days of Clueless. Cher always worse pristine pantyhoe-looking socks with shiny patent leather shoes. Today's sock-look calls for loose-fitting or thick, wooly socks in a dramatic heel.

Overalls

I'm loathe to admit that I'm actually kind of excited to see overalls coming back.

The key is avoiding the "I-just-brought-in-the-sheaves" and "I'm-off-to-a-barn-raising" look.

Marc by Marc Jacobs
Acne Jeans

Bringing Sexy Back

What is it about Guy Laroche and killer backsides? Granted, Hilary Swank and Jessica Biel have stunning bodies and muscular backs, but the cuts of these dresses are really spectacular.

All I'm saying is, if I worked out three hours a day and had the back of Hilary or Jessica, I would certainly enlist Guy Laroche to dress me for my fabulous movie premieres. That's all I'm trying to say.

Old School

I love old school sexiness. New school "sexiness" is in your face, crotch-flashing trashiness. There's something remarkable about a woman who can look sexy while entirely clothed (in menswear, no less). There's nothing remarkable about a naked woman on Stuff magazine. Women like that are a dime a dozen. I dare those women, who think they're so sexy, to try to seduce a man á la Marlene Dietrich. That's the real test of genuine sexiness.

TopShop Is The Bane of My Existence

TopShop is the bane of my existence because it taunts me from across the pond. So unfair to see all the lovely (and cheap) clothing that I cannot have. Will someone in London please start a riot or at least a picket line outside TopShop until they agree to comply with my demands?

BUILD A TOPSHOP IN THE U.S., PREFERABLY IN SEATTLE.

Thank You.
xo,
A

Keira Knightley's Compromise

I think this is a nice compromise between the obnoxiously faux "grunge look" that is being pushed for Fall and my anti-"faux grunge look" stance.

Keira's wearing a comfortable outfit that happens to feature a plaid shirt and Converse, but there's nothing contrived about this outfit, and it even looks more "girly" than "grunge". She still looks like herself with a pink manicure and highlighted hair. The clothes are a subtle nod to grunge without treading anywhere near the wannabe grunge territory.

This could've easily been a Keira 'Kurt Cobain' Knightley disaster if she'd added black nailpolish and a beanie. Not that I dislike black nailpolish and beanies, but you know, there's too much of a good thing.

Really? Is This The Best They Can Do?

I don't watch TV much at all, but I have fallen prey to America's Next Top Model (aka Tyra's Career Vehicle) at times, but only because it's confusing to me that they let girls on the show who look nothing like models. Some look like pageant princesses at best or former prom queens at worst.

I'm not saying that these girls aren't attractive, but certainly they're airbrushed into oblivion, which helps. Not a single one of them stands out from another. Am I wrong, or am I just over-critical? Refer to previous article on Lily Cole if you want to see true top model material.

You know those Conair ads in Vogue? I flip past them and think, "How the hell did this girl get in Vogue??! Who cast this? Who did the makeup? Who in all of God's Green Goodness came up with this idea? Who greenlighted this shit?"

And that, dear friends, is also my reaction to the new cast of America's Next Top Model.

UPDATE: Are the two girls in the second row down on the right TWINS? Dear God, please tell me they're not twins.

Raggedy Ann Kitsch

Well, I'm sick in bed today and am listening to my favorite album of all time, George Harrison's All Things Must Pass, in hopes that it will keep me optimistic. My sister just brought my coffee and a doughnut which worked splendidly as a mood elevator. (Yes, I can still eat doughnuts when I'm sick.)

My sick attire is a vintage smock shirt (late 70s) that is made of the softest cotton and has little puffed sleeves. On the front is an image of Raggedy Ann, holding a basket of wildflowers and there are butterflies flying around her (very 1970s). Sewed onto her is a little dress with a zipper. Yes, there's a little dress sewed onto the shirt. With a zipper. If you unzip this zipper, you can see her petticoats which read "I Love You." Fabulous, no? It's like a little wearable time capsule.

And it's serving as entertainment for a bored, sick blogger. Thanks for humoring me.

xo,
A

Feel free to send me an e-mail. E-mails may include any dumb story, beautiful picture, anecdote, antidote, judgment, reprimand... whatever you'd like to send. Or don't e-mail, but I just couldn't pass up the opportunity post a little graphic of Raggedy Ann kitsch.

Agent Provocateur

Here's a fun Agent Provocateur show featuring Dita von Teese.

I'm interested to see how Kate Moss, the new face of Agent Provocateur, will transform the label. She seems to transform anything she touches.

Out of curiousity, does anyone else besides me have a secret desire to be a burlesque dancer?

The Indomitable Lily Cole

I bet every modeling agent secretly wishes he or she had discovered Lily Cole. A girl with this kind of versatile, malleable face is a goldmine in fashion. Lily is what modeling is all about: being moldable, convincing and natural.
Her face is like a blank canvas, and she can easily be made to look like a Botticelli painting, Alice in Wonderland, a rockstar, Lolita, an innocent child, or an alien.
Color is another theme in her work. Her big blue eyes, porcelain doll-face, and mane of red hair just beg to be vibrantly decorated.

It's obvious that she inspires artistry. She inspires photographers, set designers, clothing designers, makeup artists and hair stylists. Each one sees her and envisions a beautiful bygone era, or even a fantastical image. Her face easily transcends time and reality and she becomes whatever she has inspired in an artist.

Long Live McQueen

Hair Renaissance

There was a time when hair was as carefully ornamented and dressed as the body.


Hair ornamentation in the last decade or so has been embarrassing and, quite honestly, traumatic. From scrunchies, to claw clips, to glitter-encrusted butterfly clips, hair accessories have been consistently hideous. I honestly had resigned myself to the fact that, one of these days, I'd open a magazine and see "The Snood Is Back! How To Look Fab In Your Snood". It was inevitable.

It's no wonder celebrities were trodding along the red carpet with 'Plain Jane' hair or 'beach' hair.


Some resorted to god-awful prom updos or ponytails.

Now, however, it seems as though there might be hope for hair. The following pictures adumbrate a light at the end of this dark tunnel. Glorious baubles and barrettes adorn the hair of these models.



Now let's see who can bring this to the red carpet with style.

Purple Pout

If you're going for sexy, vamp it with gloss and a smokey eye. If you're going for sweet, wear it with a fresh face. Either way, purple lipstick is a fabulous autumnal look.

How Do I Love You? Let Me Count The Ways...

I love this Marc by Marc Jacobs pashmina scarf for a number of reasons.
1. It's not passé, pretentious pashmina. It's rugby striped and tattered.
2. It's massive. Could double as blanket.
3. Blue and Brown make excellent combo.
4. Because most people have blue or brown eyes, it complements either. Sitting right below the face, the brown will brighten blue eyes, and the blue will dramatize brown eyes.
5. It's on Daria.

Accessorize

I might be over-featuring Kate Hudson these days, but she's just so damn cute. What a perfectly simple and summery white jumper. That's really all there is to her outfit. The Jimmy Choo bag, olive green flip-flops, red bangle and gigantic Tom Ford shades are all perfect accessories. I suppose the little girl-boy on her shoulders is a cute accessory as well. She's a lesson in simplicity. Well done, well done.

Now I'm off to get myself a little girl-boy shoulder wrap.

Thank You

It's exciting to see the traffic increasing on my blog, so I want to thank the people who are reading I Hate Generic.

Thank you to the recent readers in:
- Australia (New South Wales)
- Brazil
- Canada (Alberta, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec)
- Chile
- China
- England
- Iran
- Japan
- Mexico
- Netherlands
- Portugal
- Russia
- Scotland
- Switzerland
- United States (CA, MI, LA, TX, CO, WA, TN, IN, NY, MN, HA, WI)
- Venezuela

xoxo,
A

Slav for Slavs

One of the (four) books that I am currently reading is The End of the Russian Empire. It's very fascinating... well, I find all non-U.S. 20th Century history fascinating. But also, I love Russia's rich history and culture. It's a little sad to think about it now, considering what Russia has gone through. Without Russia, we'd never have had Natalia Nikolaevna Zakharenko (aka Natalie Wood). Alright, I suppose she's just a minor part of 20th Century Russian history, but I love her nonetheless. And so is another fabulous Natalia: Natalia Vodianova.

But, this is a fashion blog, and I would be remiss if I didn't post on fashion in Russia. Do you remember the old Patrick Demarchelier Vanity Fair layout, Slavs of Fashion, featuring only Eastern European and Russian supermodels (Carmen, Eugenia, Natalia, Karolina, Marija, Natasha...)? Well, it is my all-time favorite VF, and I still have it kicking around here somewhere. I am Slavic (Czechoslovac... my grandfather was Stanislav Zubalik), and for some reason that makes me think that I have something in common with these girls. Anyhow... "style is a universal language"... so dig into Russia:

Russian Fashion Week
Moscow Street Fashion

Lollobrigida

On Sunday night I watched Come September with Rock Hudson and Gina Lollobrigida. I'd seen it before, but I'd forgotten what a tedious plot it is. However, the wardrobe and scenery (Rock Hudson, Italy) made it worth the while. Gina is completely stunning. Throughout the movie she kept reminding me of Linda Evangelista... something about the slanted eyes and big nostrils. Only, she's a Linda Evangelista with an hourglass figure that could give Sophia Loren a run for her money.

I can't find any information on who costumed her in this film, but the clothing is spectacular, so if you get a chance to watch the film you should.

In the mean time, check out this fabulous jewelry and dress. I want that string of pearls now.

Francophilia

If you read this blog much, you know that I have a particular fondness for France and the French language and French fashion and French women. Okay, that last part sounded sleazy. What I mean is, there are beautiful women, then there are beautiful French women, and they're all so indescribably French-looking... and I'm totally infatuated with them. Take, for example, Marcheline Bertrand (aka Angelina Jolie's mother). She has a brightness in her eyes that is riveting and look of genuine kindness that is inviting.

I had the opportunity to meet Angelina Jolie at a screening of a movie two years ago and all I could think is, and there's no "cool" way to say this, she's perfect. It's hard to think anything else when you see her. She is literally breathtaking, and much shorter than I thought and very delicate. Her hair is shiny, her skin is flawless, and her eyes sparkle. Oh, and she was nice.

Looking at this picture of Marcheline, it's easy to see where she gets it from.

Oh, and here's another little black crocheted-looking top, like the one on Zooey Deschanel, only I like this one better.

I'm Noticing a Theme...

I don't want to give this away and tell you, so I'll let you guess. What's the theme?

Perfection

This makeup is immaculate. There are no smudged lines. It's all very carefully done with a steady, artistic hand. The perfect foundation canvas, and perfectly placed and drawn lines to highlight every feature make her look like a porcelain doll.

Androgynous Agyness Deyn

Ok, first of all, when you Google this girl there are only nine results. It won't be that way for long. This twenty year-old British model is destined to be the next big thing. Her bizarre presentation (the bleached boy cut and the intense brow) has gotten her a lot of attention in the fashion world (but apparently not on the Internet). Keep your eye out for her. I think she's the new Karen Elson. You all remember what Karen Elson looked like way back when, right? I predict that this hairdo will do for Agyness what not-having-eyebrows did for Karen.

My Territorial Pissings

I was just reading a post on Style Bubble about grunge, and I want to say that I totally agree with Susie Bubble's thoughts.

I had been looking over the "grunge look" that's being pushed for Fall in magazines, and it is disturbing to see a layout for "Go Grunge!" The advice is basically, "Wear destroyed sweaters, lots of plaid, big boots, and scowl."

Well, as a person who grew up in the grunge era in the exact geographical origin of grunge, here are my thoughts.

I grew up in Tacoma, about half way between Aberdeen (Kurt Cobain's hometown) and Seattle (home of grunge music). I was ten when Kurt died, but despite being young, I was absolutely caught up in the grunge movement. I used to borrow my older sister's Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Mother Love Bone, Temple of The Dog and Nirvana albums. I was a moody child and was deeply affected by the music. I started buying myself old plaid Pendleton shirts and ripped jeans at the Goodwill. I wrote "Pearl Jam" on my Converse high tops in Sharpie.

The clothes represented the mood of the generation, and the gloominess of Seattle. Then MTV picked up Nirvana and the entire world seemed to be grunge. Marc Jacobs validated grunge on the runways.

When I think of Grunge, I'm immediately taken back to a place in my life where I'd cry in my room while listening to "Lithium". I know, it sounds silly because it's a stereotype, but it was my reality.

I strongly dislike the idea of a carefully fashioned "Grunge Wardrobe" in this day and age. It's counterintuitive and antithetical because Grunge was an era and a movement, not just a style. I'm not trying to wax poetic or be dramatic, but it really diminishes the gravity of the movement. It was very profoundly counter-cultural and rooted in genuine angst. It wasn't, "Oh my God! It's totally cute when I wear Dr. Marten's with my vintage dress!"

UGH. So there's my rant. I'm glad that I have a kindred spirit in Susie Bubble.

Oh well, whatever, nevermind.

Try This At Home

Try a tunic over leggings. It's carefree and comfortable. Just try to avoid the bedraggled-mom look.

First Male On Blog Alert

In an effort to prove I'm not sexist I'm going to feature a man right now. Although, I am cheating just a little bit, because the man I'm featuring is also the prettiest woman you've ever seen. His complexion and cheekbones are to die for. His mouth is full and his cheeks are rosy and his eyes are big and blue. Yes, friends, I'm talking about Cillian Murphy. The world's most beautiful (and convincing) transvestite.

Turns out, he's also amazing when he's not all trannied-up. Look how presentable he looks out perambulating with his baby.I'm impressed that his clothes are clean and wrinkle-free. But I'm also impressed because I haven't seen this outfit on anyone else. I often get bored looking at men's clothing because it all runs together after a while. Jeans, t-shirt, jeans, t-shirt, etc. But, Cillian's taken a more unique approach.

What can I say? I'm easy to please. At least when it comes to this.

Furthermore, and maybe this is just my wild imagination, I can picture James Dean wearing this. I mean, picture James Dean more Irish looking, and as a family man out walking his baby, and I think he might be wearing this.

Zooey Deschanel

If I could change my name to any other name, it would likely be Zooey Deschanel. It kind of rolls off the tongue, doesn't it? First, I love the book Franny & Zooey, second, I love Chanel. Zooey Deschanel.

I can't say that I'm gung-ho about this outfit, but I really love the idea of the outfit, and the hair and makeup are killer. Obviously, it's a 60s vibe she's got going on. I don't know about the crocheted top and the suede (?) belt combo. But the shape of the blouse is cute, and the sweetness of it matches the sweetness of the hair and makeup.

By the way, Zooey is playing Janis Joplin in an upcoming biopic. I can hardly wait.

Not Cruel (To Be Kind)

No longer does cruelty-free mean style-free, and you can thank Stella McCartney for that.

I'm an animal lover and have been extremely aware of animal cruelty ever since I was fifteen and had a Silverchair obsession. I doted on every one of Daniel Johns' words, and as a result, became a vegan like him.

I'm no longer a vegan, and I'm no longer technically obsessed with Daniel Johns, but I still do try to avoid purchasing items made inhumanely (and that especially means avoiding sweatshop-made clothing).

Here are some of Stella's cruelty-free items.

Anna in Anna

Anna Faris isn't a style icon or even a massive star, but she is an actor from Seattle, so I have an affinity with her.

Here she is in an Anna Sui ensemble. Doesn't she look like she could be remaking The Partridge Family? Or maybe she's Marsha Brady. Either way, read more about her here.

Tequilover And Die

Alright nightlife fashionistas, take note:

Queen of Nightlife, Amy Sacco, has made her prediction for the next cocktail trend. Tequila drinks are in, and the best, according to Sacco, is 'Tequilover and Die'. For her other favorites, check out her book Cocktails.

Or buy it if only for the cover art.

Sunday Morning

Today I woke up, and for once, didn't resent the beam of sunlight shooting through my window. I typically really dislike August. For one, it's my birthday month (the 24th) and my birthday is my least favorite of all days. Two, it's the last full summery month and therefore is tedious. I always get too antsy to actually relax because I'm anticipating things like school, falling leaves, scarves and rain (and around Seattle, it really rains, I'm sure you've heard).

I used to be a sun-bunny. In the summer months, I'd roll out of bed around 10 and immediately put on a bikini. The rest of my day usually consisted of baking in the sun till I felt like I had sunstroke, or actually getting sunstroke. And, as a result, I will have leathery skin when I'm thirty, so I have that to look forward to. Which goes back to the reason I dislike my birthday... every year I'm that much closer to leathery skin.

Okay, actually, that's not entirely true. I'm not that vapid. But leathery skin isn't anything to eagerly anticipate, is it?

So if I can get back to my initial reason for this post... it's a beautiful August morning, I don't resent the sun, etc. etc. etc. Oh yes! So I found my reason to put on my resurrected Diane von Furstenberg shirt... I threw it on, rolled up the sleeves, put on a bold, geometrically patterned black and white skirt and my black flats, grabbed my sunglasses and my little (new!) dog (beagle/basset), Jack, and took a stroll in the sunshine to get a bagel and cappuccino.

Fashion Art

I'm always looking for more fashion art and I just came across a site called Art Department that features a range of media from photography to makeup to illustration. Either I've made a major discovery, or everyone's been holding out on me. Which is it?

(image courtesy of art-dept.com)

¡Viva Pedro!

Around this time of year I start getting really excited for Fall, and not just because of fashion. Fall brings cooler weather, football and good films. Fall is the time of year when all the Oscar-hopefuls start getting released. There are a few that I'm excited about including Babel, Running With Scissors and Volver. I suppose I'll still see Marie Antoinette even though it got boos and laughs at Cannes.

There are a handful of directors whose films I will always watch. They are Baz Luhrmann, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Sophia Coppola, Mike Nichols, Alejandro González Iñárritu and Pedro Almodóvar.

You see, some movies I'll watch just because they're pretty to look at. They're like a painting or something. For some reason I like films with color schemes, like Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain. Audrey Tautou looks like a beautiful china doll and the the ending made me blubber, but the film is like a magnificent scrapbook. A beautiful, colorful scrapbook come to life.

And that's what Volver looks like to me. Pedro Almodóvar's films are aesthetically intricate. They're saturated in vibrant color schemes. He's the Picasso of film. And like Picasso's Blue Period, this is Pedro's Piebald Period. Volver looks like red, blue and green calico Chintz on celluloid.

And really, what better way to add a splash of color to Fall?

Fashion Week Video

Tess McGill Flashbacks

I used to laugh at the idea of sweater dresses because they seemed so dated, and not in a good way. When I hear "sweater dress" I conjure up this image of Melanie Griffith as Tess McGill wearing heavily contoured maroon blush and NFL-worthy shoulder pads. I don't even remember if she wore sweater dresses in Working Girl, maybe it was just awful NFL-padded beige powersuits, but that's what my mind automatically jumps to.

However, I've been forced to reconsider the idea of a dress made of sweater as I've taken a look at the following:

Stella McCartney
Karoo

These dresses are anything but dated because instead of being worn with a cemented-with-Aqua-Net coif and maroon contouring, they're paired with loose waves and fresh faces. Also, black and charcoal are much better than beige and sand when it comes to sweater dresses.

Every Tom, Dick or Harry

...or Paul & Joe can collaborate with Target. After a few successful collaborations (Luella, Tara Jarmon), Target's latest is Paul & Joe. The line is definitely targeting (har har, no pun intended) a younger tween audience. At least I think it is. Otherwise the owl and turtle clutches make no sense at all.

I think I'll stick with Paul & Joe for grown-ups, it's a little more sophisticated:



(photos courtesy of Target.com and ShopBop.com)

WAGs Get The Finger Wag

WAGs (Wives And Girlfriends of footballers) got the proverbial finger wag from Telegraph this week.

I've often thought about the way celebrities affect trends and brands. Celebrities have such strong character association that they can either have the Midas touch, or the uh... Tara Reid touch? Sure, she's not a WAG, but she's just as brand-damaging, if not worse.

I might think a pair of jeans is cute, but if I ever saw some talentless tabloid celebrity with the initials T.R. in them, I guarantee that I'd never buy them. They'd be tainted.

I imagine that designers have strong reactions to seeing their clothes on Tara Reid or Paris Hilton as they drunkenly expose themselves. It must be discouraging, or enraging, depending on the designer's personality I suppose. I'd be enraged.

Why are WAGs getting a bad rap? Well, they aren't known for much other than being a golddigging W or G. Sure, Victoria Beckham was a popstar, but do you really want your brand represented by a former-popstar? Sure, her nickname is Posh, but she can look rather un-posh and Playboy Bunny-like (fake boobs, ratty extensions, acrylic nails, George Hamilton tan), although this doesn't seem to bother Roberto Cavalli (pictured with Posh and looking eerily George Hamilton-like).

If you were a designer, who would you want to represent your brand?

Click here for the Telegraph article.

ELLEgirl

My friend, Candice Smith, is a freelance writer for magazines. She writes specifically about plus-size fashions. She has an article in the current Jane magazine and here's an article by Candice for ELLEgirl

Carrie Moment

So it's been a while since I've done a Carrie moment. Last night I flipped on the television and there was a Sex and The City episode (from Season Four, I believe, when Carrie and Aidan have reunited, and he's the new improved sexy Aidan... better groomed than seen above). Anyhow, she thinks he's cheating on her (the tables have turned) and she's begging him to forgive and forget her cheating ways.

Above is a picture from their first relationship, pre-cheating-with-Mr. Big. She's wearing a little transparent bachelor-buttoned blouse and knickerbocker-y type pants.

Here's where the Carrie thing becomes a conundrum to me: I would wear aforementioned outfit without a second thought. By all standards, it's a sloppy outfit. The girls at Go Fug Yourself would have nothing but disdain for aforementioned outfit.

If I wore the outfit out and about, people would either think that I was a) homeless, or b) hungover.

So why is it that Carrie looks neither homeless nor hungover? Does anyone have an answer?

Words of Wisdom: McQueen

"I use things that people want to hide in their heads. War, religion, sex: things we all think about but don't bring to the forefront. But I do and I force them to watch it."

- Alexander McQueen

Hagia Sophia

My first experience with Sophia Coppola was when I watched The Virgin Suicides as a sixteen year-old. I've only seen the movie once but I still have vivid pictures of it in my mind, and that's a testament to the genius of Sophia's direction.

She's talented, intelligent, beautiful, gracefully stylish... and she looks fiercely sexy in a suit, which is why she's Style.com's Beauty Icon this month.

Her name means "wisdom" and she certainly projects a sense of wisdom beyond her years.

She could almost be the long lost sister of Lou Doillon, don't you think?

(photo courtesy of Style.com)

I Am An Ugly Stepsister

In light of everything going on in the world I suppose I should not call my day tragic. But, my day did have its disappointments.

I was at my local thriftshop tootling around, looking for something to throw my $10 at. Suddenly, magpie that I am, I saw something gold out of the corner of my eye. Lo and behold... a pair of $7 Ferragamo navy blue flats with a little sparkling gold ribbon on them. They were sitting right in my section: the "Size 10" section (yes... I have big feet).

I giddily grabbed them, amazed at my luck, and like an ugly stepsister I tried to cram them onto my feet. I pushed and shoved and heaved and hoed, but alas... some dimwit had misplaced them. They couldn't have been bigger than an 8.

With great strength of character and a heavy heart, I picked the shoes up and returned them to the shelf. My cheeks burning with shame and anger, my appetite for shopping vanished, I returned home emptyhanded.

So for any of you out there who are suffering a similar loss, I urge you to write me and commiserate.

Chanel Does Chaplin

Sometimes when I look at photos I have massive attacks of déjà vu. That's what's been happening every time I open a magazine lately and see Daria's new Chanel campaign. Today it hit me like a bolt of lightning (or enlightening): "Charlie Chaplin!"

Screw Janice Dickinson. I say Charlie Chaplin was the world's first supermodel.

Rio Rio Shmio

I try not to dismiss Brazil as a whole. This is a constant struggle for me every time I open a magazine and see Gisele or Adriana or Alessandra or Cintia. There's got to be something in the water down there, I swear, and these girls have an unfair advantage.

So, in a very proactive attempt to balance my yin and yang, I am celebrating Rio Fashion Week.

Here's a look at Rio Fashion Week for Spring/Summer 2007.

Nina Becker


Drosofila


Cavendish

Cape Town

I really love capes and I've been looking around trying to find the perfect one.

Heather Bratton (RIP Heather) in Nina Ricci:


Carrie Bradshaw in vintage Navy attire:


Sienna Miller in The Fab Coat Company:

Reasons I Love Hilary Rhoda

1. She has a gleam in her eye
2. She made a great Ali McGraw at Michael Kors' Fall show
3. Her eyes are impossibly blue
4. Her eyebrows are the new Brooke Shields
5. She's about-to-be-naked on French Vogue. What's not to love?

Marija, I Just Met A Girl Named Marija

Well, I didn't meet her, but her name is Marija Vujovic. I kind of keep an eye on her every season to see what clothes and makeup she's wearing because she has very similar coloring to me (when I'm not constantly changing my hair color or getting a tan). We both have fair skin, deep-set brown eyes and dark brows.

Does anyone else do that? Look for a face that looks similar to your own?

Mystery Shoes

I have this picture and I'm racking my brain trying to remember who made these shoes. Was it Marc Jacobs? If anyone knows, please tell me.

They've got a Paul of Tarsus meets Dick and Jane look about them.

The Invisible Shoes

Okay, so I do actually have feet. In this picture I'm wearing a pair of Costume National wine-colored suede ankle boots. They're fabulous, only they almost disappear in this picture. I should've stood against a white background. I apologize and I will remember this misfortune in the future.

Sweet, Sweet Reunion

I just found this vintage Diane von Furstenberg cowboy shirt in a box of clothes that I haven't opened in years. I am so excited about it... it feels like Christmas.

Going-Out Short Outfits

While it's still summer, I'd like to experiment with little short outfits. These are just two of many. The top one is definitely more flattering.

Nordstrom sweater, vintage scarf as belt, vintage lariat necklace, J.Crew shorts, cheap flats

Michael Stars tank, vintage lariat necklace, sailor-inspired wrap sweater, Earl Jeans cutoffs, flats

My Outfit

Hanes black t-shirt, wool sweater from secondhand shop, Earnest Sewn jeans, J.Crew grommet belt, cheap flats, vintage gold bangle.

Andrea's Outfit

My best friend, Andrea, just walked through the door and I said, "Stop! I'm taking a picture!" She looks adorable and casual in old jeans, flats, a tuxedo-ruffled tank, a slouchy sweater and a pair of really delicate gold earrings.

I'm Looking At Choo, Kate

I've never thought of Kate Hudson as particularly fashionable, but she's impressing me lately. Fabulous shiny green Jimmy Choo bag.

Sundresses

It's getting near the end of the sundress-wearing season, but Heidi and Keira both look beautiful in their figure flattering dresses. Keira's flatters her skinny body by giving the illusion of curves, and Heidi's conceals her pregnant belly while the bodice directs attention towards her shoulders and face.

The One and Only...

There is one person who can pull off this look without looking like a haggard bag lady. That person is fresh-faced Natalie Portman.

She just got back from Argentina and I bet that's where the bag is from.

Great big red headband, too.

Grey Suede Shoes

These shoes look so soft and pretty, like a dove. By Office (http://www.officeholdings.co.uk)

Best Accessory

Gold bangles by Nikki Geula.

She Keeps Going and Going and Going...

Dior, Stella McCartney, Chanel, Longchamp, Belstaff, Louis Vuitton, Rimmel, Calvin Klein... Oh My!

Summer Tote

I know that summer's almost over, but this Marc Jacobs tote is too pretty to not post. It's too bad it wouldn't go with any of my Fall clothes.

A Little 70s Kitsch

I really like this picture, but my excuse for posting it is that higher waists are coming back in. That's a good reason, right?

Birkin Breeds 'Em Good

I like posting nonconformist women who exude individuality and confidence. They're harder and harder to find these days. Most women I know exude suffocating insecurity, constantly demanding affirmation. That's why women who don't seem to give a damn are so damn attractive and exemplary.

Some women look so at ease that you know they have to be confident, whereas other women spend hours trying to perfect their "at ease" look and end up looking insecure and generic.

I've posted on Charlotte Gainsbourg before, and now I'll post on her half-sister, Lou Doillon. Unlike their mother, Jane Birkin, neither Charlotte nor Lou is empirically attractive. Both have rather unconventional looking faces... certainly not the faces of your average Hollywood starlet.

Lou Doillon projects confidence and ease. She looks effortlessly stylish, as though her outfit was an afterthought. Her hair is a natural shade of brown, her skin is its natural color, and because she's okay with that, she's absolutely stunning... even when she's disheveled.

Too Bad My Bazaar Subscription Just Lapsed

Sorry for the overabundance of Gwyneth lately. She's in Running With Scissors which comes out in September, so that's probably why she's on the cover of Bazaar, and because she rarely has a fashion faux pas.

By the way, the book Running With Scissors was fabulous, and the trailer for the movie is amazing, too. It looks like she's borrowing a little from Margot Tenenbaum in this film... but hopefully her portrayal of Hope Finch will be even more amazing and evocative.

Have I Gone Mad?

Have I gone mad or is this zebra-print dress adorable?

Bette Davis Eyes

I love having magazine subscriptions because it's something to look forward to every month. I'm sure this cover will cause quite a stir over at PETA.

I'm surprised Christina Ricci is on the cover of W because she's not really in the spotlight that much. Last I saw of her was when she was Charlize's obnoxious girlfriend in Monster.

She reminds me of Bette Davis (she'd be perfect casting if they're going to do a Bette biopic).

She's Gonna Be a Pseudomodel

Lindsay's been trying for months and months to be a model or spokesmodel or muse. I suppose if you're skinny and you have access to straight-off-the-runway Gucci (the bronze minidress and purple tights), you'll make an okay pseudo-model.

I'm not a fan of Lindsay, but I am a fan of the 70s glam/Studio 54 look she's got going on in this month's Elle.

From S&M to H&M

I've never thought of Madonna as a fashion icon, but then again, I was too young in the 80s to try to imitate her Jean Paul Gaultier S&M fetish outfits. My earliest recollection of Madonna is when she got pregnant (with Lourdes) and I was scandalized.

Anyway. She's all about H&M now. Specifically their tracksuits.

I only shop at H&M when I'm in NYC because sadly the only store on this side of the country is in San Francisco. I'm in NY more often than I'm in San Francisco. At any rate, I will not be buying a tracksuit anytime soon, even if the Holy Mother is telling me to. I own one tracksuit and it's a c. 1980 Nike tracksuit. It's got a little hip-hop vibe to it, and I only wear it when I'm feeling extremely sporty (not often).

So, despite my affection for H&M, I think I'll just let this tracksuit phase pass me by.

I'm Ready For Fall

These pictures of Gwyneth and Sienna get me in the mood to bundle up with a big wool coat and scarf and take a brisk walk.

Bubble Skirt

Rachel Bilson successfully pulls off the bubble skirt without looking pear-shaped.

My Urban Outfitters Picks

Despite the fact that everything at U.O. is made in Asian or South American sweatshops and is therefore inhumane (and overpriced), these are the items that I like in the Fall catalogue. All the shoes and accessories looked ugly and chintzy (and if they look chintzy in the pictures, you know they're extra ugly in person).

Free People Blouse:

Lux Ruffle Dress:

Lux Trapeze Jacket:

Lux Cropped Sleeve Jacket:

Miss Sixty Skinny Faded Pant:

Gwyneth

Good hair, good coat, good jeans, good boots, good purse.

Pucci Purple

Matthew Williamson stuck with any combination of black, purple and gray for Pucci's Fall lineup.

Speaking of Pucci, I'm really fixated on getting some Pucci wellies.

Combination

I'm a big fan of pairing black and brown. Black by itself can tend to look morose or overly-formal. Brown on brown looks bleak and redundant. The combination of black and brown makes black look more casual and brown look more like a bright accent.

Because I still know a lot of people who are afraid to combine the two, the combination looks fresh and exciting when I see it out and about.

Shoes I Want Now

Proenza Schouler
Oscar de la Renta
Narciso Rodriguez

Sweet My Arse

I was looking over Sweetface's Fall collection, and I find it very hard to find something nice to say. Maybe it's because of my general dislike of all things Jennifer Lopez/J.Lo/Jenny From The Block. I was really annoyed by her line last year because it probably cost the lives of a thousand animals just so she could adorn their pelts in Swarovski.

This year things got worse when there was still more fur, acrylic nails (?!) and even a newsboy hat (?!!).

Why?

I really dislike a certain trend right now. The only way I can think to describe it is "very LA". It's in no way classic or inventive, it's just trendy. I was trying to find the perfect pictures to describe this style of clothing, and what better way than to use pictures from LA's trendiest boutique, Kitson.



I used to work on Robertson Blvd., the home of Kitson and The Ivy, and I tried a few times to shop in the store. Every time it was overrun with paparazzi, which was stressful. But, the clothing didn't even make it worth the hassle. Everything is jersey knit that's been destroyed or embellished or stenciled or reconstructed or spraypainted. It's all very industrial-pop. In other words, it's ugly. It's chintzy. It's obnoxious.



Because this kind of clothing is a dime-a-dozen, everyone and their neighbor can produce this kind of attire. I could literally buy a Hanes t-shirt, sketch a sparrow on it, and sell it for $120.



The weird thing is, this look was all over LA, but I really don't think the true fashion beacons, like Paris and New York, ever cared. When I look at what was on the Fall runways (cashmere; silk; velvet; beautifully detailed Napoleonic coats with gold buttons), there was not even a nod to this kind of industrial-pop jersey knit dime-a-dozen stuff.

So I guess my question is, why is this look popular? Why is it being mass produced for local retailers when it's so ugly and cheap looking?

Lest I Fall Prey...

I have been trying to avoid posting a lot of Sienna Miller because she's been really overplayed as an "it" girl in fashion, and it would be easy to post her every day. However, she really stays ahead of the curve. This picture is over a year old, (she started sporting this look while everyone was still scurrying to get their boho-chic look together), and she's wearing current trends (ankle boots, layers, black, gold jewelry, a little studded belt like in the new Chanel ads, three-quarter length sleeves).

Girl Boy, Boy Girl

Possibly the hottest outfit to date. Meet the new face of Marc Jacobs.

They Didn't Call Her Twiggy For Nothing

...and they say that Kate Moss started the waif look.

This reminds me of the Angel Sanchez dress that Eva Longoria wore to the Emmy's last year.

A Look At The New Look

It's still beautiful and wearable, fifty odd years later. Dior's "New Look" emphasized the female form by accentuating a slim waist with a full skirt, and drawing attention to the neck with a string of pearls.

Flashback

Does this remind anyone else of Tippi Hedren in The Birds?

Here's an image from Alexander McQueen's Fall 2005 Prêt-à-Porter, inspired by Tippi Hedren.

Black Out

Chloe Scores Again

Chloe seems to have found that a strapless sundress with vest is a combo that works.

Yay For More Consistency!

It's frustrating to see actresses turn into Malibu Barbies, one by one. Latina actresses are bleached blonde, and fair-skinned girls are Mystic-tanned to a nice shade of mahogany. Girls with crooked teeth suddenly have a massive, gleaming row-o'-uniform-teeth from their Beverly Hills oral surgeon.

However, Liv Tyler is consistenty beautiful and fair-skinned and brunette and not-anorexic. In other words, she looks like herself.

Oh, and the Zac Posen dress is pretty nice, too.

Best Sundress, Nose Ring

One thing I can say about Scarlett is that she's consistent. She's consistently in the cutest little 1950s outfits. I'd love to raid this girl's closet.

By the way, she's wearing a nose ring, too (the bovine-like hoop between the nostrils). Yay for people who experiment with fashion.

How To Wear a Dress: by Zac Posen

Colliers

I bought two necklaces like this today for $2 each at a secondhand shop. I'm in love with them.

Bracelet Bling

Bottega Veneta
Bottega Veneta

Fall Faces

Chanel
Jean Paul Gaultier
Franck Sorbier

Classics

I like this outfit with the short jeans, pigtails and very cute little Mary Jane flats. It's like a modern twist on a Marilyn Monroe outfit.

Chloe Schools Prep

Despite being at a polo club in Bridgehampton, Chloe Sevigny stayed true to her form. She taught the local preps a thing or two about fashion. She could've easily left the outfit at a little plaid dress and flats, but for a more unique touch, she added a red vest and a straw hat (this summer's trend). Very pretty and simple... she's wearing no jewelry and hardly any makeup.

How To Wear Wellies

When I was four I used to stomp around soggy pastures in England wearing red Wellington boots and a duffle coat. There's even a picture of me sunbathing in aforementioned outfit.

Anyway, anecdote aside, Kate Moss looks much better stomping around soggy England in wellies than I did.

I'm definitely wearing wellies this Fall since Seattle is soggy, too.

I Can't Wait For Fall

A cropped military jacket, cost $9. A velvet Marc Jacobs blazer, cost $70 from eBay. I get endless compliments on both jackets.

1940s tweed jacket with real fur collar (from my sister, has a matching skirt) and my favorite coat ever, a 1960s A-line coat with cropped sleeves.

Some of My Favorite Dresses

Left: A Pucci-like minidress I made from a vintage bodysuit. Right: 1960s dress that cost me $6.


Left: A 1970s homemade ragdoll dress that cost me $8. Right: A little black dress by Bebe.


A tiny dress that looks a lot like an Hermés scarf. $30 from Crossroads on Melrose in West Hollywood. I have no idea how old this dress actually is, but it seems newish.


Too tiny to actually wear as a dress, but I couldn't pass up the polka dots. This cost me $5 at the Fremont Market in Seattle. I think I'll wear it with shorts.

The New Shoes

Oh yes. These Ferragamos cost me $4.

Kate Moss Article

Read this article on Kate from Telegraph UK. Click blog title for link.

Couture China

Sigerson Morrison
Valentino

I like the Sigerson Morrison plate better. I'll take twelve.

My Purse Contents, For Kicks

Sunglasses (Halston)
Powder and brush (Aveda)
Lipgloss (Revlon in Sunrise Nude)
Roll-on perfume (Marc Jacobs Blush)
Matches
Visine
Key Case (Louis Vuitton)
Gold cigarette case turned wallet (vintage)
$64.17
Driver's license and debit card
Boscia blotting papers
Trident gum

My Outfit

Scarf ($1 vintage)
Sunglasses (Halston)
Shirt (Hanes wifebeater)
Sweater (Gap)
Jeans (Lux)
Bracelet (vintage, actually a necklace)
Boots (sadly not pictured... killer knee-height secondhand military-inspired)

How'dya Like Them Apples?: Heatherette's Pomme à la Mode

Icon #4: Audrey Hepburn

Audrey was Hubert de Givenchy's muse for over forty years. Above are three Givenchy outfits made for her.

My favorite Audrey moment is the scene in Sabrina when David picks Sabrina up at the station right after she returns from Paris and she's looking so chic wearing her Givenchy hat and suit (above).