Mickey Mouse Mode

Caroline Trentini and Marc Jacobs sporting the world's most famous mouse.

Vincent Gallo, Anna Sui, The Brown Bunny II

When asked what he liked about Anna Sui's dresses, Vincent Gallo responded, "They made me feel sad that I’m not in love. Every time I see such a beautiful dress, I think, ‘I wish I had a girlfriend so she could wear that dress.’ ”

Well, gosh. I have too much pride to date Vincent Gallo (I don't want to end up in The Brown Bunny II), but if he offered me an Anna Sui dress, I just might fall in love with him.

It's No Wonder...

It's no wonder people in the fashion world are dying of heart attacks in their twenties. When asked by The Daily what he was eating during Fashion Week, Patrick McDonald replied, "The fashion breakfast of champions is Diet Coke and a cigarette."

That's not to say that I've never had the exact same breakfast. I'm just saying...

The One Dollar Coat

I had a fabulous day yesterday. My best friend, Anje, and I went to an art museum to see an exhibit called The Essence of Line: French Drawings from Ingres to Degas. I (as you know) love all things French, and I love Impressionism, so it was especially lovely to see Degas's dancers up close.

After the museum, Anje and I went to a tiny Louisiana BBQ restaurant that is dirt cheap and has the best comfort food around. After we filled ourselves with ribs and sweet potato pie, we strolled into a hovel of a thrift store next door to the restaurant.

I started pawing through the racks of polyester, sweat-stained items. Suddenly I saw this beautiful, caramelly-shiny leather jacket peaking out at me. I asked the clerk how much it was. She looked it over and said, "Well, it's in pretty good condition..." (which I took took as her excuse to charge me an arm and a leg). "Would it bother you to pay a whole dollar?" she asked. "One dollar??" I blurted. "No, it wouldn't bother me to pay a dollar." As I handed her ten dimes for the gorgeous jacket she said, "I can tell by the way you dress that you know how to shop." (I was wearing my dad's grey shetland wool cardigan, my mom's aqua-colored beret, and a pair of Marc Jacobs jeans I found for $20 at a consignment store.) I think I've found my new favorite hole-in-the-wall: flattery and fashion, all for one dollar.

I debuted the jacket at a show last night. Check out the gold decal and pseudo-epaulet admiral chains on the shoulders. The man with the lovely dreadlocks is my friend Scott, who is consistently the best dressed person everywhere he goes (and makes me feel like a fashion novice).

Re: Comment Issues

I understand that some people are having problems commenting on my blog, and in fact, I'm having trouble commenting on other blogs. I think it's a glitch with Blogger.

A few weeks ago I switched I Hate Generic into Blogger Beta format... supposedly the new, improved version... but now the comments don't always work.

I don't know how to remedy this, and I miss the comments, but please keep reading!

xo,
A

Tory Burch

I'm really sick of 'progressive' designers 'pushing the envelope' by creating totally impractical items that cannot be worn off the runway. It's nice to see new twists on classic, wearable items ... like this calico jumper.

It seems to be a bigger creative task to take on a classic. It's not as challenging, in my mind, to create an avant-garde jersey wrap tunic concoction that (when pinned perfectly in place) looks okay on the runway. It's takes true innovation, and a true desire to make a woman look good, to make a basic jumper look so fresh and young.

Princess Buttercup

I don't know if Erin Fethersone was trying to channel Princess Buttercup, but she did.

L.A.M.B.

You can always count on Gwen Stefani to go above and beyond on concept and color, and she outdid even herself this time. Supposedly Stefani's collection was inspired by Scarface, Rasta, Japan and South America. I definitely saw those references, but I also saw disco and urban/hip hop.

Summary: ankle boots, spats, boyfriend jeans, track suits (of course), wrap dresses (like early Diane von Furstenberg), pointy-toed heels, gold accessories.

Spring Makeup

Because I spent years doing makeup, I instinctually keep my eyes open for makeup inspiration. There were a lot of nude faces on the runways, but I can always count on Anna Sui for beautiful, youthful rosy glow and color.

For this look: Apply even base and set with loose transluscent powder all over. Sweep yellowy-gold shimmer shadow across lid, dab pale gold shimmer in corner of eyes. Dust shimmering rose shadow from crease to brow. Line inner eye with white pencil. Curl lashes and apply two coats mascara. Apply a bold (magenta, fuschia) blush to cheekbones (not apples of cheeks). Dab a matte peach or rose lipstick on, avoiding a cakey or overdone look.

Agyness Deyn at Anna Sui

This is the look she was born for.

RIP Luisel Ramos

Uruguayan model Luisel Ramos died at the age of 22 from anorexia-induced heart failure, two minutes after stepping off the catwalk.

Badgley Mischka

Loads of beautiful fluid gowns, with no clear linear throughline. Still, the boys of Badgley Mischka know what they're good at.

Temperley

Suspenders, straw hats, head scarves, long skinny beads. Fully accessorized outfits with belts, sunglasses, and the new line of bags.

Zac Posen

These dresses look like they should be at Viktor & Rolf, don't they?

Carlos Miele

Kinetic floral and turquoise, reminiscent of Roberto Cavalli. Very beachy.

Matthew Williamson

Coral, turquoise and psychedelic floral filled the runway. Very 1960s/1970s/Studio 54 vibe. Oversized sunglasses and metallic heels. Since Sienna Miller is buddies with Williamson, I wonder if this is what we can expect from her as she moves away from the Edie Sedgwick look?

To be honest, I'm a little worried about this collection because Rachel Zoe was in attendance. I hope she does not get her paws all over these items and ruin them with press oversaturation on the likes of Mischa Barton and Nicole Richie.

Marianne Faithfull Has Cancer

Fashion icon, model and singer Marianne Faithfull announced on Thursday that she has breast cancer. This revelation comes one month before she was supposed to embark on an world tour. The tour will be postponed as she undergoes treatment for the disease.

"I have absolute faith and confidence in my fantastic medical team and of course I will be well again, if not better than ever. Next year's tour, I want to assure fans, will be one big celebration," said Faithfull.

She is 59.

Nanette Lepore, Michael Kors

Michael Kors: Gold, beige, black. Bold belts. More streamlined looks than the frilly/girly looks we've been seeing.

Nanette Lepore: 'Sexy Secretary' with chartreuse, robin's egg blue accents. High-wasited skirts and short shorts.

ANNA SUI!

Anna Sui is up there in my Top Five Designers. This is another show I've been anticipating. Her show was a little out of left field (isn't it always?) compared most of the shows thus far. She went for a pirate-verging-on-bohemian theme. It's strange to see such boho looking looks so soon. It feels like we just left the boho-chic thing. However, Sui added her own, colorful twist that makes it look fresh and exciting. I just hope people don't take this as a green light to pull out their Sienna Miller boho costumes.

The collection features chunky necklaces, babydoll dresses and scarves.

Betsey Johnson

Betsey Johnson is not usually a designer I love, but this collection was adorable. Lots of pincurls, bows, ruffles, lingerie-inspired minidresses, heels and red lips. Looks ranging from Gold Diggers of 1933 to wartime pin up girl.