Velvet by the Yard

I have an obsession with velvet clothes.  When I was six I got my first velvet dress— it was purple with a peter-pan collar and everything that a little girl's dress should be.  Inevitably, it got ruined, and I mourned its passing for weeks.  Maybe this should have been a clue as to my future direction.  Anyway.  I was pleased to see Penelope Cruz looking beautiful in this Azzedine Alaia at the SAG Awards the other night and even MORE pleased to see velvet all over Alexis Mabille's couture collection.  It's nice to know that some childhood pleasures translate so well to adulthood.  

All images from Style.com

Fashion Show, Fashion Show, Fashion Show at Lunch!

The couture shows are my favorite part of the year.  For me, they represent not so much the industry of fashion, but the idea of fashion.  Couture is creativity and inspiration at their peak. And considering that the last RTW season wasn't the most exciting I remember, though it certainly had its highs in designers like Marc Jacobs and Calvin Klein, I am especially thirsty for vision.  

Normally, I'm not the biggest fan of Armani Prive.  Whenever someone mentions it I immediately think of Anne Hathaway in some bland strapless number with an updo and huge earrings.  However, I was pleasantly surprised to see the above gowns.  Sure- the lacy thing was just done (impeccably by Prada) but I like this take because it feels a little harder and three-dimensional. The sand-dollar effect on the silver gown is romantic without going too far, perhaps because of the material's peek-a-boo quality. 

Unfortunately, some of Armani's more obvious, Eastern-inspired pieces harshed my buzz.  

All images from Style.com.

New Year, New Face

Happy New Year All: 

From now on, the blog will focus exclusively on fashion, rather than including culture, film, etc. Since I never really posted on these topics anyway, I think it's safe to assume they will not be missed.  

So here's to a fresh blog that shall have fresh posts!

xx

A Foreign Affair

The ColettexGap pop-up opened today next to the 5th and 54th flagship with much very little fanfare— only a quiet "bonjour" from the sales associate.  I had to wait about an hour to get in as they monitor the door and only let in about 25 people at a time, and when I left the line stretched around the block.  But with limited edition Repettos, Longchamp totes, t-shirts and all sorts of the knick-knacks Colette is famous for (my favorite are the pencils with mustaches), the wait is very much worth it.  Its je ne sais quoi will last until October 5th. 

Neglect to Spritz at Your Own Peril

Since I can remember, I've always worn perfume.  I don't have a signature scent, but choose to rotate through a few favorites.  The important thing is not to forget SOME type of fragrance in the morning.  It's not because of BO or men or vanity (though I'm plenty vain), but rather because of superstition.  Imagine how surprised I was when I was transcribing an interview with Aaron de Mey and he spoke about his mother having the same belief.  After all, Chanel once said, "A woman who doesn't wear perfume has no future."

But it wasn't until today, when I read the interview with Lagerfeld in the UK Times that I decided maybe us crazies know what we're talking about.

Lagerfeld says as only he can, "I have no problem with journalists— many are friends.  Only if they are really stupid, or if they've got bad breath, or if they smell.  Yesterday I had a problem.  I said, 'I'm sorry, you've got to tell this woman that she needs to be taken away.  Her smell is not possible.'"

So help me God, I will never be that woman.

Roitfeld/Wintour '08

It's no secret that the fashion industry loveloveloves Obama.  Wintour, Calvin Klein and others hosted a fundraiser for him a few months back, which will be followed by another this NY Fashion Week. But now the campaign is pulling a Project Runway and has coordinated about 20 designers, including Isaac Mizrahi, Tracy Reese, Derek Lam and DVF to design official merchandise for the chic senator's campaign.  Rumor has it that Reese originally submitted a $400 silk dress that was shot down because of price (the pieces will be under $200).  I plan on buying the top she ended up creating— though I would have loved to have seen Michelle in the official Obama frock.

Twins

Since I can't have Karl Lagerfeld for my daily amusement, I figure his limited edition teddy bear, which will be sold next month at Neiman Marcus for $1,500, is the next best thing.