RUFFLES

Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs

Valentino

Valentino

Vikor & Rolf

Viktor & Rolf

Stella McCartney

Stella McCartney

Lanvin

Lanvin

I love ruffles, for me they are the definition of pretty. I know they are not for everyone, and I know that there are many haters out there.... Try to keep an open mind, for Spring 2010 designers are giving us, a more sophisticated take on the ruffle, by playing with size and placement. Ruffles are no longer an embellishment they are altering silhouettes. Yes, yes ruffles were a big hit last spring also, but I am glad we have another season of them, because they are just so fun!

Ssasychic gives out good advice on how to wear ruffles.

No. 1 Maintain Balance. Ruffles volume. Placement is crucial, do not add ruffles to "problem" areas of the body

No.2 Moderation. This does not need explaining, use your judgement. Marc Jabobs did not listen to this one, I don't like. Viktor &Rolf didn't either, but I do like.

No.3 Muted accessories. I would not layer on the bangles and chandelier earring

No.4 Pair with straight lines.

Sophie Theallet Wins CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund

Photo Credit: Desmitten.files.wordpress

French born designer Sophie Theallet, was awarded the CFDA / Vogue Fashion fund award in New York City. Theallet, now living in Brooklyn with her husband and son will receive $200,000 and a year of mentoring to help her pursue her art. Theallet has risen to popularity as a favorite designer of First Lady Michelle Obama. New York Times, writer Cathy Horyn says "She's a real deal designer".

Theallet was inspired by Vivienne Westwood and the punk scene as a teenager, than went on to graduate from Le Studio Bercot, in Paris. Theallet has worked alongside notable designers as Jean-Paul Gaultier and Azzedine Alaia, for whom she worked with for 10 years.

In 2006 Thealllet, launched her own line in NY City, the Sophie Thealllet Label which is sold at Barney's in NY and Maxfield in LA. Makeup artist, Francois Nars and Theallet collaborated on a line, which influenced her to cast all black models for her Spring 2008 collection, saying, "the bright colors of the collection looked nice against dark skin."

Theallet will be joining other successful recipients such as, Alexander Wang, Rogan Gregory, Doo-Ri Chung, TROVATA and Proenza Schouler.

Congratualations Sophie! You Have a Bright Future Ahead

Sweats are in!

Photo Credit: Elle

Photo Credit: Style Bubble

I am seeing sweats popping up in fashionable ways. Everyone loves the comfort of sweats, but they were never really considered fashionable. Scratch that, Juicy couture had those horrible velour sweats with the witting across the rear, they make me shudder, oh the horror. The sweats I speak of are the classic heather grey ones. Elle reports that model Erin Wasson was spotted at Alexander Wang's after-party in a pair of rolled up grey sweats, with paint splatters. I like this look, very cool not trying to hard. The rolled pant legs are a nice touch as well. A word of caution this look IS NOT for EVERYONE, I don't think I could pull this off. Susie at Style Bubble models a grey UNIQLO (think Japanese American Apparel) sweat shirt that looks cute on her. Boys, I have not left you out, Urban Outfitters has a great colorful striped hoodie, that I am tempted to buy for myself. Sorry the flash prevented me from uploading the image.

Layering Tights

Sheer White over Pink

Sheer Black over Green

Sheer Black over Orange

Sheer Black over Blue
Courtesy: Style Bubble

I depend on my trusty tights to get me through the cold DC winters I just love them because they look good, suck you in and keep you warm and cozy. The past few season I have been seeing a wider variety of colors. It used to be that I could only find fun colors from Hue and Wolford, but now you can pick up a bright pair from your local Target or just about any department store. Susie at Stylebubble recommends layers tights to "tone down" the colors. Just layer a sheer black or white pair over colored opaques and you get a pretty effect. What a great idea, it looks cool and its twice as warm. I will be trying this soon and I will let you know how it works out for me.

Another trend that I am seeing are lots of sweats. Yes, i know that sweats are "not fashionable", but it seems that is changing. Elle reported

The Future of the House of Versace

I just read an article titled the Tragic Decline of the House of Versace by Dana Thomas in Newsweek, that predicts that Donatella could be forced out some time in the future if revenues don't change. The menswear show at Teatro Versace in Milan last June was just sad, no celebrities at the show, few editors and no excitement. That news is coupled with Nieman Marcus and Saks dropping the label. Inside sources at Versace say, "the industry has changed and they have not responded to the change". Donatella's drug addiction and the companies massive debt coupled with the extravagent spending have contributed to the downfall.

In the late nineties private fashion houses sold to large conglomerates like LVMH, these houses became well run business. Versace has stayed privately owned and have not followed the trend of others. When Gianni died in 1997 the House was valued a 1 billion, in 2007 the company was valued at 400 million. Donatella has sold off the Versace mansion in Miami and the estate in lake Como, to help offset the debt.

This is sad news, but I think it is time for Donatella to step down. Versace is not connecting with consumers in a way that it once was before. I remember at time when all the starlets on the red carpet where wearing Versace, but now it is a rare occurrence. Gianni modeled the clothes after "Italian Prostitutes" with loads of flash. The brand in my mind is marketed to Guido Italians and Euro trash types, not a good thing. Though fashion editors thought it was tacky, Versace sold in an age of excess. The economy has changed and fashion has changed, unfortunately Versace has stayed the same.

A & A: The It Girls of Fashion

Courtesy of GiltGroupe.com

Alexis Maybank and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson are the founders of Gilt Groupe.com, a site of invite only online luxury sample sales. The sale starts each day at noon, with a different luxury brand each day. Quantities are limited and items go fast...I mean with in 5 minutes the hottest items are sold out. If you have not visited Gilt, BEWARE you may become obsessed. Crazy it may seem, but many girls I know, must be online and logged in by noon to snatch up the latest offerings.

Maybank, 34 and Wilkis Wilson, 32 the blond look-a-likes are long time friends since meeting in a Portuguese class at Harvard. Gilt insiders and friends affectionately nicknamed the Gilt founders as A &A. A combination of both beauty and brains, A &A both graduated from Harvard Business School and went on to illustrious careers. Maybank is a founder of an online auction website you may have heard about called eBay, while Wilkis Wilson worked as a merchandising executive at Bulgari and Louis Vuitton.

The two women merged their expertise together and Gilt debuted in November of 2007.

Auction items are purchased directly from fashion houses rather than wholesalers reducing the cost by 70 percent. Consumers are liking that savings. Gilt has seen unprecedented online retail growth since its birth, Gilt is now selling more in week than all of the entire 1st quarter of 2008. A &A are a fashion powerhouse to be recconded with.