I thought we’d never tire of animal prints – and I’m right. We never tire of animal prints, especially leopard. I’m so relieved because otherwise I’d have to throw away half my wardrobe. Okay, maybe not half but a significant portion. While wearing head to toe animal is not so cool, a little bit will go a long way.
Max Mara Spring/Summer 2013Miranda Kerr
A leopard print scarf, shoes (a favorite) or belt remains classic.
Have a peek at “on the RUNway 2013” – what is old is new again….although it never went away.
For instance: my mom had an amazing leopard print/mesh one-piece bathing suit and I wore a leopard print bikini at 3 yrs. of age to give you an example. Some things just stick.
Bring out your inner “Dolce & Gabbana” “with some of these looks:
Rhianna wears a leopardbra from blush in ELLE – sold out!I wanted to buy this D&G bronzer before I realized that the print would disappear soon after using it.Dolce & Gabbana shift dress with leopard lining.For the babes: babyfashionmagazine.co
For more on the theme check out my favorite street photographer:
Some things never fade from fashion – one of them is lovely lace.
It’s such a fabulous fabric that wearing even just a hint makes women feel more feminine. You can take lace anywhere, from the bedroom to the boardroom . It’s just how you wear it. Wearing a lace camisole to the office is only appropriate if it’s underneath a blazer or cardigan obviously. All white lace – too bridal. Sometimes a lacy garter nobody sees is nice too…for the right situation.
Take a look at recent trends & adapt them to your own style:
Used as both accent and the main attraction, lace was spotted all over the Spring/Summer 2013 runways.
Just Cavalli – ELLEMaria Valentino/MCV photo (4).Lace Nails from The Kit. I’ll pass on this one.
Lace Dresses – WHY WE LOVE THEM
Lace dresses are often either conservative or coquettish, but these strike a lovely balance. Think Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (can’t you see her in the green one?), not the Queen Mother. Playful colors counter the naughtiness of the lace, creating a sexy attitude that’s anything but stodgy.
HOW TO WEAR THEM
You have to be careful here—lace can get cheap-looking quickly. Choose high-quality material, and pair vibrant hues with shoes in the same color family or in a metallic. Wear hair loose to keep the overall look easy- going and fun.
Photo: (left to right) Vera Wang, Burberry Prorsum, Alberta Ferretti, Roberto Cavalli. Taken from InStyle.com.
I may wear vintagelace but lace will never get old for me.
What is SHE doing in MY closet?? Gwen…GET OUT! My dream room (minus the kid although he is real cute). sweetydesign.com
I’m trying to make the best out of a tiny situation, namely my closet space. The fact is I have more clothes than closet. My closet is a walk-in but not very deep – more like a “stand in” and now it’s time to edit everything – for the change of season.
A lot of stuff I’ve given away and I used to consign but decided it’s now better to put it into the clothing bins. I still have closet envy but short of moving to a bigger closet house, I have to make the most of a small situation. That was part of my spring cleaning promise to myself – to clean up my act closet and re-arrange my life it all. Not an easy task. Have you done this recently? Maybe you’ve been thinking about it too.
Hooks help to organize a few hats, scarves & bags. Hanging shoe racks are a good idea too.
RULES. The first step…
Time to get some of those thin Velcro hangers like they sell at Costco – then you can add a few more items.
Edit your closet. Really take a good look at your lifestyle and realize that some pieces (like the mesh studded crop top) will never see the light of day again. Divide into 3 piles.
1) Keeper
2) You want to keep it but be strong because you know you won’t wear it – possibility pile)
3) Definitely Not!
2+3 – Giveaways(if clothes are in good shape, washed and/or dry-cleaned & still in style you can probably consign them). I’ve consigned many times in the past & after almost forgetting about it after several months would get a phone call to say there’s a cheque for hundreds of dollars (because you won’t get more than 50% of what they decide to sell them for). Great news. Of course you can take the money and go buy more clothes right away with it. But be strong….because remember why you’re getting the cash? You had to clean out your closet.
4)You’ve heard it before but it’s true…..if something doesn’t fit right but it’s worth keeping have it altered to fit properly. If not, give it away. Nothing is worse than an ill fitting outfit. Your body changes so if something that once fit now doesn’t think about giving it away unless you plan to hire a personal trainer & work really hard.
5)Separate into piles the type of clothing & what you wear most often. Jeans, other pants, blouses, t-shirts, blazers, cardigans and put them in order of what you’re most likely to wear – so you can grab & go.
6)In the end you’ll feel so much better that you edited your closet. Then try to resist feeling like you wasted so much money, time and effort in choosing waaay more than you realized you’d have to part with – but know that it’s true. You wasted so much $$$$. Some of your friends will benefit from this & vice versa. You’ll feel good about giving it to someone who wears it better (although a bit envious). You realize you may have either lost or put on a few pounds (most likely) or that you no longer look good in a teeny Brazilian string bikini (not that you ever did – ouch). Good news: one pieces, especially retro style that cover up more skin are back in a BIG way. Realize you don’t need to sweat the small stuff. A well edited tiny closet is a BIG deal. Simplifying things is much easier…..yeah, yeah that is what my head keeps telling me. I still want a big walk-in.
Catchphrase: Make the most of what you have
SPACE SAVER: I love this corset hanger for containing some earrings & pendants. You can hang necklaces on the back.
Gold never did go out of style except for quite a while we had a long silver streak. Silver is still going strong and it’s safe but Gold is Bold and it’s beautiful. Plus it was everywhere on the Spring/Summer 2013 runways. I’m enjoying this Gold Rush resurgence.
I love O.P.I.’s limited edition “Man With the GoldenGun” topcoat. It contains real 18K gold flecks and looks great over any dark nail polish (in photo).
Chanel suit from the “love gold” show in Cannes (taken from Images).Bazaar Magazine – May Issue
Cannes, Nice, St. Tropez, Monaco – I adore all of you! I’ve been to the Côte d’Azur (all the above) just once – but that was enough to make me want to feel like I’m there a lot MORE.
Of course wearing clothing like that from the riviera is a start. That’s why I wear stripes so often. I love the casual elegance of a sophisticated but laid-back sea side town with no rules and lovely yachts. And the nicest gambling casino I’ve ever been to where dressing up is part of the game.
Okay, I’m going on a bit too much – this post is really about the style of the French Riviera – particulary St.Tropez. We’ll leave bathing suits for another time.
Alexandra Richards (daughter of Keith Richards & model Patty Hansen) in Paris. Photo taken from Ferragamo Website.
We’re all aware that we can monogram our initials on our plush Egyptian cotton bathrobes and even customize sneakers online but customizing luxury Italian leather goods? – not so common.
To commemorate the 35th anniversary of its famed “Vara skimmers” Ferragamo is introducing L’Icona, a digital DIY experience.
For 35 years, Vara has been worn by style setters around the globe (the go-to classic for style icons like Princess Diana to Alexa Chung to me),and has become an icon in the fashion realm. It is one of the most famously recognized shoes from the House of Ferragamo. I’ve always loved this type of shoe – so versatile and classic.
Vara Classic – from Ferragamo Website
It’s a way for customers to reflect their personalities and so they will be able to e-cobble with choice of hue, ribbon, and plate. Choose from 22 shades of patent leather, 21 colors of grosgrain ribbon, 3 metal options for the bow’s ornament plate and 2 heel heights. You can even have 3 letters monogrammed on the bottom of the shoe. Your perfect pair will arrive in five weeks – flat. FerraGLAMo! (photo)
Trivia: Do you remember the TV series “Laverne & Shirley?” Laverne always had her initials sewn into her tops.
Making SCENTS with Ralph Lauren’s CUSTOMIZED perfume bottles.
Buy one of Ralph LaurenBig Pony women’s or men’s fragrances online, and you can personalize it with a name, monogram, or message of up to 10 characters. Perfect for detailing a signature scent, giving as a gift, or oh-so-elegantly marking your territory.
is a champagne carryall – the Louis Vuitton iconic Noé bucket bag which has just been re-released in various shades of leather and monogram canvas.
from images – more bags for more bottles, some cash & a lipstick.
In 1932, a Champagne vintner commissioned Louis Vuitton to design a carryall for his precious wares and voilà – the original Noé bag was born. The result – a simple leather bucket bag that safely and stylishly housed five bottles of champagne – four upright and a fifth place upside down in the middle. Now I know why I always loved this bag!
The bag came to represent the free-spirited, effervescent lifestyle of liberated women.
Now, 81 years later, and available starting this month you can find the pint size version – the Noé BB, more suited to the bare essentials – and room enough for a Veuve Clicquot mini or Sofia Coppola blanc de blanc, possibly both.
No small feat to chic. I didn’t say it would be easy. This goes to prove the best body and the best wardrobe is unattainableJ’Adore DIOR
I love books, I love coffee, I love tables, I love style, I love books about style on coffee tables while drinking a cup.
Faking French can be done…with lotsof a little help & a cigarette.Gotta love the Nerve!Well at least I can read. How will I manage to pull off this look with a Sheltie who walks with his nose to the ground? Muses learn to develop style. They are INspirations after all. Think Kate Moss.
Fashion fades, only style remains the same – Coco Chanel
Style is an expression of individualism mixed with charisma
God is really only another artist. He invented the giraffe, the elephant and the cat. He has no real style, He just goes on trying other things – Pablo Picasso
Comments below taken from REUTERS reporters…..
at the GLOBAL LUXURY and FASHION SUMMITin fashion capitals ranging from Paris to New York. Here are some memorable quotes from the summit (like being a fly on the wall – we can Yvesdrop a little):
CARVEN CEO HENRI SEBAOUN: On DESIGNERS’ CREATIVITY –
“There has been a big gap between what was done in the studio and clients’ expectations, but a new generation of designers is now trying to reconcile creativity and clients’ needs.”
SOCIETE DES BAINS DE MER CEO BERNARD LAMBERT: ON PROVIDING GOOD SERVICE:
“It’s a smile at reception, calling the guest by their name, serving breakfast on time, not making any mistakes with the bill.”
PARMIGIANI FLEURIER CEO JEAN-MARC JACOT: ASKED ABOUT THE CHALLENGES OF HIRING GOOD STAFF –
“There’s experience and there’s conscientiousness. Conscientiousness is harder and harder to find. It’s the culture of constant channel-hopping.”
FASHION DESIGNER DIANE VON FURSTENBERG: ON FASHION DESIGNER JOHN GALLIANO (previously with Dior) –
“It’s very unfortunate what happened, the state he was in, the stupidity that came out of his mouth, the fall. But it’s not just in fashion that you fall. Strauss-Kahn had a bigger fall.”
“I wanted to be an independent woman and I wanted to be in control. I became that woman through fashion … Everything about my life is all about the same thing. It’s about empowering women.” my side note:I met DVF one night at a nightclub in New York – many eons ago. The friends she sat with offered me some champagne and a seat beside them. She was once on the cover of “TIME” Magazine with her famous wrap dress. One I tried very unsuccessfully to copy in a sewing class. A testament to things that look simple but are not. ALL women look good in THAT DRESS.
LE PRINTEMPS CEO PAOLO DE CESARE: ON CUSTOMER LOYALTY – “Higher-end customers don’t want to trade down. Maybe they delay the purchase a little, but they stay with the brand. Even if times are tougher, they stay with the brand.”
“Russians are coming back. There is a clear correlation between the oil price and the number of Russians coming to our stores.”
BARBARA BUI (BBUI.PA) DEPUTY CEO JEAN-MICHEL LAGARDE – “I have the impression that many brands are re-centering their production in Europe. Many people tried to make shoes in China and it didn’t work.”
YOOX (YOOX.MI) CEO FEDERICO MARCHETTI – “Russia will be a very promising market, probably faster than many other markets like India. I think Russia is probably around the corner, while India is a few miles far from being a really interesting market for luxury goods.”
“Opening in China was a big challenge. We had to check 103 to-do-list items. From big issues to small issues. It’s definitely not an easy job to localize in China.”
Fashion is something that comes after style – John Fairchild quote
We’re celebrating GLOBAL STYLE with elegant ethnic prints. They were everywhere to be found on the Spring/Summer 2013 runways but they mostly remain constant.
The world just got bigger. Remember when you bought that exotic colorful dress and jewelry on one of your faraway travels? Remember once home you couldn’t wait to wear them only to feel they just kind of looked out of place? Now in fashion you can incorporate almost any fabric into your look and not feel too out of touch. Have a look at some recent trends….
For more on the theme check out my favorite street photographer:
If you’re thinking about leopard print:
So, how do you like all the choices? I personally love to incorporate a little something African, Hispanic, Indian or Asian inspired – it makes for an interesting mix and makes the world go round.
Girl Who Would be KING on Life, Style and INSPIRATION. 
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