Givenchy Purse Envy

This Givenchy Tinhan bag in that black and white optical print which was everywhere in the Spring 2010 collection was brought in for a client last week. The sight of it gave my neck whiplash for two days as it passed me in the hall to head into its appointment. I LOVE IT! In person, when you touch it, feel it, YOU PEE YOUR PANTS. Pack accordingly.

Brian Boy details the leggings available in same graphic, oh-so-Givenchy black and white optical print.

Does anyone have a spare $1895?

The Jane Bandwagon

Seaofshoes.com

I cannot hold it in any longer. What I speak of is the HUGE crush on Jane Aldridge of Sea of Shoes that has been brewing and twisting and burning in my little internet filled blogger heart.

Honestly her posting about Marfa, Texas and SXSW in Austin last week put me over the edge.

Tell me you can't resist her amazing fashion sense, eye for what's lovely and general coolness. This girl is the bees knees and has the goods to back it up. I've joined the bandwagon, the Jane bandwagon. Not that I'm against paying kudos when it's do, but sometimes if you join something too late, something that everyone else has already oohed and aaahed, I seem a little Debbie come lately. Whatever, I say!

Jane, you are an inspiration!

One of many Marfa pics that I love and ooze cool.

Respect your elders: grandma style

My Grandparents with my cousin Maddy for prom... so cute! Note: plaid and white trends...:)

Not my grandma, but she rules! Advanced Style.com

Ok, I'm not joking about this. I did spend the entire weekend with my grandparents and the whole time was thinking about a blog post inspired by them. Let me share a few blurbs that came up mostly prompted by April fashion magazines brought over by me and then shared with them.

Musings such as...

"Jennifer Aniston (on the cover of W) looks good, but I always like that blond. What was her name? Phoebe, grandpa. And you're the only one who would ever say that."

From the April Elle, my grandma - "Why is everyone so skinny? Do you think she (the model) wears her hair like that? Nothing matches for the outfits. Do people really wear that much denim? Should I get shorts? NO! "

So... imagine my horror/delight/rage when I saw this post about grandma style on Glamour just an hour ago (I got there b/c my BF was sending me engagement ring ideas... who is the woman here??)

Anyway, Advanced style is a blog for old people. AMAZING. I love it. Definitely an eye on the street perspective of what our most fashionable older brethren are wearing these days.

I guess there are no original ideas. Just when you think you got one...Glamour beats you to it. That's sad.

Tear...

A few other images from Advanced Style:

Check out the gloves! what... so great!!! Could I ever be that cool? Hardly.

Polyvore is spying on you... b/c you're cool

the beautiful ordinary by rockAfella featuring TopShop shoes

And because you're the virtual Anna Wintours and way ahead of the fashion curve, Polyvore, the virtual styling tool, is going to sell all of your good ideas (boiled down into trends... such as you hate chokers, but love long beaded necklaces) to companies (buyers, trend forecasters) for money. That's not necessarily a bad thing... assuming "they" listen to what your "buying" i.e. taking the time to put into your sets.

The New Yorker, in their April magazine, reported about Polyvore in an article by Alexandra Jacobs entitled, "Fashion Democracy: the world of virtual Anna Wintours."

Polyvore is actually a rather brilliant way to engage and track a very covetable consumer. Youth & early adopters, regardless of age, are hard to pin down and even harder to build allegiance and regular communication. 6.6 million fashion forward ladies do this every month on Polyvore. 1.4 million are registered users and 200,000 are creators using the sites daily.

Because users - dubbed stylists - clip and paste anything on the web to complete their sets, a careful onlooker could deduce important shopping and taste trends far earlier in the market process. Thus sidelining already passe must-haves before valuable time and money is spent putting out merchandise that no longer connects with consumers.

From my days as a social media manager and internet dork, Polyvore is an internet platform that is an ideal way for a creative company to provide a service AND to keep tabs on what the cool kids are doing. You see everything they like in real time as styled/merchandised by them - music, art, fashion, celebrities, cosmetics, and images. It's kinda nuts and a little tiny gold mind sitting under their noses. I bet Jenna Lyons at J. Crew is all over it. I would be...

From the article:

Polyvore’s most valuable asset is the intelligence that it gathers about its users’ preferences. Every day, in a section called Zeitgeist, the site presents top-twenty lists of users’ favorite brands, trends, and celebrities. Sometimes these rankings are easily explicable—after the February 11th suicide of Alexander McQueen, his brand hovered around No. 1 for weeks, as distraught creators rushed to make tribute sets—but they are sometimes just a reflection of fashion’s eternal riddle: Why boyfriend shorts? Why now? Part of the company’s business plan involves selling the statistics it’s tabulating (which Lee called “a gold mine of analytics”), to designers and to store buyers, in order to manage inventory more effectively.

“We have so much data about what is being matched with what,” said Lee, a dedicated setmaker who, like other regulars, calls herself a Polywhore. “If I click on Calvin Klein, do I also click on Helmut Lang? Are gladiator sandals going in or out? Are skinny jeans about to die?”

The company is not yet profitable, but I imagine soon they will. One other mantra that stuck with me that Polyvore keeps close is ... "Do what the user loves and the money will follow." That, of course, was what Jess Lee, 27 and VP of product management, learned from her time at Google under Marissa Meyer. I would say she is on right track.

McPheestic!!!

McPheestic, McFabulous!!! I love everything about Katharine McPhee's look. Ninety-nine trends are at play here, but she looks fresh, young, and totally herself. Proportions are well-executed (blazer meets cut offs topped with asymmetric striped top is a challenge) and her accessories give the trend-heavy look a certain distinctive perkiness. She plays up her own natural sexiness with a perfect ratio of restrained fun and lady-like warmth. Superb!

Shop to build, not to fill

"My closet is full of problem pieces." - Fanatic but frenzied in Ferndale

I love this client because she is enthusiastic. Overly so. She buys every piece she loves from every store without ever thinking about how it plays back into her current wardrobe.

End result?

A fragmented and frustrating set of shitty options. Attempts to mix and match lead to hair pulling and in some cases tears. Yes, tears. I've seen it.

Who doesn't have a pesky problem child that refuses to be matched, that gets pulled out only to be shoved back in the closet? The perfect final touch is always missing: the shoe, bold accessory, or maybe a belt of just so color and texture.

In the last few years of working with clients in a number of ways - from total hand holding to jotting down must-have pieces - I have developed the sure fire recipe for successful shopping.

First...

The List

Carry a well-thought out list of what you need in your purse every season. A word to the wise: there are pieces that have been on my list for two years. They carry over every season when I don't find exactly what I want. For me, it's a perfectly cropped black leather jacket with 3/4 sleeves and that elusively tasteful animal print handbag. These vital additions are so important to my closet, I will wait for the stars to align and right piece to appear.

then...

True Love

Like the right guy, the right piece is out there. Do not settle for "I like it" or you will pay dearly. Only buy things you LOVE. I mean LOVE. Like the "I will think about this piece until I'm 80 if I don't have it right now." There will always be something else. In fact, the most absolutely perfect right thing does exist, you need to be patient until you find it.

When that happens...

Three Amigos

As you hold a garment in your hands, think: do I have three ways to wear this piece with what's already in my closet? Think meaty, main course pieces like pants + sweaters, but also run through shoes, accessories and the right handbag. If you can't think of three, put it back. The time, energy, and money necessary to attain the complementing elements will deter you from ever getting any decent wear from this purchase.

then...

Save or Spurge

Bottom line: spend on classics, save on trends. Burberry trench - buy it for $800. It's built to last and you'll be chic into your 50's and saying "I bought this lovely thing 20 years ago." Some crazy sky scraping stilettos covered in gems and studs - save your hard earned $$$. Check out Steve Madden or Aldo. You'll be storing those heels faster than you can say, "Will this go on sale?"

Almost there...

Slow and steady wins the race

I consult about wardrobes every day. Beware: not every trend, not every designer is for everyone. Be picky. Be selective. Take time. Creating a good wardrobe that inspires you and makes you over-the-moon about getting ready comes from thoughtful and disciplined shopping.

Shop to build, not to fill.

Finally...

Make the purchase and love it to death. But most of all, take care of it. Put it on the right hangers, launder appropriately. Don't leave your prized possessions - investments or otherwise - on the floor where dogs, babies and boyfriends roam.

Happy shopping.

Let's talk about event dressing

Good heavens! In this case, Ugly Betty isn't too far off. I'm not sure how this look left America Ferrera's hotel room, or moreover, was CHOSEN for the premier of her new movie How to Train Your Dragon. As a young Hollywood actress, dressing the part, literally here, is important.

Actually, the same line of thinking is VERY relevant for your life even if the social calendar isn't getting 1,000 miles in range of a red carpet. Give yourself a week to pull it together so you aren't scrambling at the last minute, wasting time and money, putting together a lackluster look.

Don't tell me that you didn't know your best friend was getting married this weekend.

Keep in mind the following commandments:

• Location & climate (FL vs. AK)
• Reason (wedding vs. funeral)
• Your role (attendant vs. participant)
• Vibe/Scene (Black tie, festive, low key, costume, arty)
• YOUR OWN STYLE!!! (wear what is you... not the trend, not what Jessica Simpson wears)

Back to America - the occasion (her movie premier) calls for something special and light, fresh, playful but not childish, stern, sexy or severe. She isn't the headlining actor so not going with a It's in NYC so the look needs a degree of edge and curiosity.

Shades of America I want to see...

Soft feminine

Alberta Ferretti Spring 2010

Girl about town

Blumarine Spring 2010

Classic with a twist

Luella Spring 2010

Sexy thinker

Doo.Ri Spring 2010

AM Lingerie

Above: Fabiola Beracasa - Style.com

Below: Antonio Berardi Spring 2010 Image - Style.com

One category of clothing I haven't considered seriously ever is the corset. However, Spring 2010 is showing lingerie as a key item. More on underwear as outerwear here. Swapping out the LBD for a great pair of tailored black pants with a corset that is a lady-like, but not too costumey or burlesque-ish. Cheap fabric, over done details and the finished product reads as a bit Fredrick's of Hollywood. Fine for the bedroom - not so great for the boardroom. think Dolce & Gabbana and John Galliano. Yesterday in People's Style Watch, a Rebecca Minkoff corset caught my eye.

I can't find the image, but if you go to her website and click on apparel it's the 7th look in. The color blocking on the top with straps makes it very modern and easy to wear with a bra. Very cute with just about everything - a skirts, jeans, chinos, a blazer for more conservative occasions. A bit of history: some attribute corsets to Catherine de' Medici, wife of King Henry II of France. She enforced a ban on thick waists at court attendance during the 1550s. Hilarious, I can just hear her...there will be no fat girls in my presence. For nearly 350 years, women's primary means of support was the corset, with laces and stays made of whalebone or metal. Other researchers have found evidence of the use of corsets in early Crete.

Our Top Prabal Pick

I was looking through Prabal Gurung's Fall 2010 collection at work last night with Amanda Whiting and we think this look might be our favorite look. I mean, really, can you top two tone pants with a smart jacket over a broad tail vest? Makes my mouth water and my bank account very scared.

Every fashion & design person in Detroit needs to be at Neiman's this Thursday, March 25. Gurung will be having his first personal appearance EVER!! All of our local designers, artists, sales people, stylists, photographers, & models must stop in to see his Spring collection and to celebrate good fashion in our city. It's probably your only chance to meet Gurung before he blows up like Karl Lagerfeld.

If I were a boy...

.. I would wear Figs neck wear. Last week my friend Jodi asked about where to get a polka dot bow tie and now I have the perfect answer. LA based Figs creates very cool fabric and prints for ties and bow ties. Who doesn't swoon over a well dressed man? Custom pieces are available for a reasonable price. The best part is that for every piece sold, Figs gives a school uniform to a African child in need.

Check it out! They guarantee 100% awesomeness.

Michigan meet Prabal Gurung

Prabal Gurung... who? Look above... Michelle is a fan (worn at Smithsonian in Feb.) and so are we!!! Gurung will hold his first EVER retail PA at our Neiman Marcus store in Troy, Michigan on Thursday, March 25.

YOU can see his Spring collection all day at the store with a champagne party starting at 6pm.

For those who need an introduction (no shame if you do!!!) his Spring collection is described as: "In an economic climate that must make it tempting to cut whatever corners you can, it's clear that this is a young designer devoted to the craft of making clothes, and to making them with some of the finest materials out there."

The inspiration? The starting point for Gurung's 26-look lineup was a bottle of his mother's YSL Rive Gauche perfume from the 1970's. "I loved it," he said, "and I love product design, so I thought about playing with the idea of packaging."

Who is this guy? Born in Singapore; inspired by New Dehli while in school; traveled every where cool to style for shows and designers; attended school at Parsons; interned at Donna Karen; designed for Cynthia Rowely; headed up design direction at Bill Blass; struck out on his own in 2009; and, found much praise for his modern and lady like collections. Don't forget "dressed First Lady, Michelle Obama," too.

And now he comes to Michigan!

Just for Fun

Because fashionable things come in different shapes and sizes. Plus I'm a sucker for objects in the likeness of small animals... balloons that French Grazia were handing out during Paris Fashion Week. From Inside-Out.

Bloody Funny

This is not a joke, but it did make me laugh out loud. On the heels of a post that lauds one company for satisfying a niche of women who wear and return, here is another company that...well... fills another certain need. "Intimates" takes on a whole new meaning with Period Undies. It's actually legit - here is a press release.

Where does such a business idea come from?

It all started while Grace SooHoo, the founder and president of the company gathered with a group of girlfriends. Sitting around and confiding their most embarrassing moments, one shared how she leaked through a light, summer white dress! "We all dreamed about how great it would be if there was an undergarment that would prevent that disaster from happening again," states Ms. SooHoo.

Are women actually asking for this? Apparently 70 million. Never in all my 30 years have I ever heard a girlfriend bemoan the fact her undies don't have built in protection.

To blow your mind that extra mile, a portion of sales go to Pediatric Brain Tumor Research. What???? Children dying of brain tumors have nothing to do with women who have a heavy period. Bizarre. I guess there is a market for everything.

Love, Wear, Return

Came across this in The Rachel Zoe Report... high fashion for a night (or 4 or 8 if you wish). I love it. See a dress you would love for a night out and then pass it by because you can't see wearing it again. Solution? Rent the Runway.

How it works: You rent desired dress for a 4 or 8 day period and send it back when you're done. Even more helpful, they send you two sizes so that you get the fit just right. Good designers are available too - a mix of contemporary, boutique and high end. Not sure how far back stock goes in terms of seasons.

It's not a system of dressing for everyone. Wearing a frock that's had 9 lives has its cons, but for some savvy shoppers it's the ultimate solution. Remember, we all love us some vintage from time to time...

Considering fashion is ever changing, nothing makes me more happy than to see go-getters giving solutions to consumers immediate needs. Having worked in retail, I know this need exists. RTR is perfect for all those gals who do just this at Neiman's and other high end retailers. Love, wear, and then return...to every sales associates disgust and horror.

My Oscar Favorites

Miley Cyrus, in Jenny Packham.

Nicole Richie, in Reem Acra.

Carey Mulligan, in Prada, with Fred Leighton jewels.

Diane Kruger, post Oscar change, in Calvin Klein

Carolina Herrera does evening elegant so well

Designers Prep in Paris: Final Countdown

The making of things is an obsession of mine. For example, at the doctor's office, I often marvel at teeth whiting brochures. This is because anyone who has been responsible for creating such a communication knows how pain and excruciating the process is to successfully create something so seemingly simple. Fashion collections and their subsequent showings to the world are no exception. WWD gives a sneak peak of Paris designers sizing up and making final snips before beloved Fall collections walk down the runway this week. See it here: Designers Prep in Paris: Final Countdown.