Pucci-for-Less

Matthew Williamson, the former creative director of Pucci, is coming out with a capsule collection for H&M this week.  Quality issues aside, it's nice to see that his fast work retains the same vibrancy and fun.  I'll be making a dash for these two pieces.

Very Nice!

Ever since Sacha Baron Cohen stormed the Milan and Paris runways a couple seasons ago dressed as his stylish alter-ego Bruno, the anticipation for his new movie has been very high.  Though Cohen's characters are universally amusing, Bruno will undoubtedly appeal to the fashion crowd in particular.  As this photo shows, he will certainly fit in.  

Photo from RottenTomatoes.com

Dog Days

Valentino: The Last Emperor is my favorite film since Lagerfeld Confidential.  But as charming as Va Va is, it's his adorable (and fashionable) pugs that steal the movie.

Photo from Acolyte Films

So Many Possibilities

As those of you who know me are aware, I am desperately in love with Olivier Theyskens' designs.  When Nina Ricci let him go this past season, I was foaming at the mouth mad— the sort of mad I normally reserve for trashy celebrity-lines and sold-out capsule collections.  Rumor has it he's been made offers at Halston, Schiaparelli and has a new potential backer for his namesake line. Plus, Anna Wintour and other notables are said to share my fury, so I'm sure he'll wind up with a good gig.  Cher Olivier is destined for great things.  I mean, just look at that face.

Photo from NYMag.com

April Showers Bring...

It's going to be awhile before we're entirely through with this cold and rain business.  And since the May flowers are taking their time, why not help them along by buying a cheerful umbrella? They might just be one of the most underrated accessories.  After all, who doesn't love the Ascot scene in My Fair Lady?  Louis Vuitton is selling a classic Arc en Ciel umbrella that aches of simpler times. Lulu Guinness, that Sloane Square titan, also spun out some charmingly British versions this season.  The sun is so overrated. 

Photos from Louis Vuitton and Lulu Guinness

In Which I Prove the Greatness That Is Carla Bruni

Exhibit A

Exhibit B

   Exhibit C 

As a devoted follower of Carla Bruni, I never felt quite— right— fawning over Michelle Obama.  I don't cheat on my style icons.  Nevertheless, it was about time the White House stopped being the headquarters of the Oscar de la Renta crowd.  I'm glad that Michelle embraces new designers like Jason Wu, stalwarts such as Narciso Rodriquez and European designers like Azzedine Alaia.  And of course, I have to love a woman who shops at my beloved J. Crew.  Up until this week's trip to Europe, her open, quasi-experimental take on fashion was starting to win me over.  Yet when standing next to Carla, Michelle's "genius" lost some serious points in my mind.  Sure, Carla wore Dior all freaking weekend— but she looked adorable, and knew it too.  Despite Carla's arguably yawn-inducing tendencies to stick to the classic houses, neutrals and flats (damn you, Sarko), she still managed to outshine the supposed ingenue.  How can this be?  Carla knows her body and what works with it.  Exhibit A: Though Michelle's Thakoon and Carla's Dior coats are similar in intent, Carla's reaches a level of grace through perfect tailoring, a cinched waist and luxurious fabric.  Michelle's is colorful and whimsical.  Good for her.  But in the end, it makes her look 20 lbs. heavier.  The same mistake can be seen in Exhibit B.  Michelle is fit, don't get me wrong.  I have seen the arms.  But the A-line combined with the layers and ruffles on her dress make her look huge on the bottom, whereas Carla shows off her perfect figure AND plays the cute card with her jewel-toned clutch and detailed neckline.  The other reason for Carla's infinite superiority is less definable.  In the same way that I will never be Jane Birkin no matter how I cut my hair or how many Repettos I buy, Michelle will never be Carla (or Jackie O for that matter) no matter how she dresses.  Few people can achieve the level of stylish, personal ease Carla has reached.  It requires a certain something that I'm guessing she didn't buy at Colette.  Even though Michelle dresses similarly to Carla in Exhibit C, Carla still steals the attention, making anyone in her immediate range appear dumpy by comparison.  Not because of novelty or blatant sex appeal, but because she manages to turn an everyday knee-length coat and black slacks into something ethereal.

Angela Merkel, I have nothing to say to you.

All images from Getty.