My Designer Lust of the Day
I absolutely adore this gorgeous dress by Derek Lam. The color is exquisite and the leather belt is perfectly unusual. Now all I need is $2900 and this beautiful dress will be mine.
This week's Most Fashionable Woman in the world is....
One might argue that it's easier for gorgeous people to look good, but anyone who's seen Jessica Simpson lately will know that this is completely untrue. This week the buxom beauty signed a multi-million dollar deal with Reebok to design for her new "Scarlett Hearts Reebok" line, and premiered the new Woody Allen directed film"Scoop", and even while doing all of this she managed to look extremely fierce!
Here she is peddling her new reeboks. She has the most beautiful proportions. Sometime's being extremely curvy makes you look fat, but oh no. Not with our Scarlett.
Did anyone see the Golden Globes preshow when she totally got molested by Isaac Mizrahi, I would have smacked him, but Scarlett handled it with amazing grace.
While I was researching I found this beautiful (and heavily airbrushed) Louis Vuitton Ad. I know I know, Celebrity does not= model, but I will give Scarlett a pass.
And there you have it: The week's most fashionable woman in the world!!
Edit: I just couldn't help myself. I found even more pictures of S.J. looking fantabulous @ the Late Show with David Letterman. Enjoy!
Today's Most Stylish Links
Check out the summer's most adorable trend at I Am Fashion. Clothes-Pin loves Kara Janx, and so do I.
New! Jimmy Choo Ads
Following the ousting of Nicole Richie, Jimmy Choo has apparently hired Molly Sims and Quincy Jones (WTF?!?) to be the new faces of their luxury shoe brand.
So Molly Simms is understandable, atleast she used to be a model, but Quincy Jones. I am just completely baffled. Oh yes, and for those of you who have no idea who Molly Simms or Quincy Jones are I've take the time to wiki them for you here and here.
They're kind of cool i.e. James Bond, yet still kind of cheesy i.e. James Bond.
Inspiration of the Day Part I: Stilettos
I've always believed that there's nothing sexier than a pair of stiletto pumps. However in the scorching summer heat, wearing leather pumps simply isn't practical, but because comfort is nothing and style is everything I'm going to break out my sexy stilettos for the remainder of the summer. 
My Model Crush of the Week: Inguna Butane
From the time I first saw Inguna Butane on the runway for my absolute favorite designer, Monique Lhullier, I loved her. I am in love with her piercing blue eyes and ethereal features.
And of course she looks fantastic in clothes!
Inspiration of the Day: Stunning Valentino
This is what happens when you leave the posing to the models: Sheer Brilliance! I've been officially inspired to release my inner vixen.
Designer Spotlight: YSL Cruise '06
The newest Yves Saint Laurent collection immediately intrigued me. It definitely has that familiar retro feeling (i.e. wide belts and straight skirts) that we've been seeing on the runways recently, but here the looks are more fun; they're perfectly matched yet easy.
I love the bright fuschia belt paired with the simple white dress.
This skirt in incredibly chic. The fabric perfect.
Fantastically chic summer suit: lightweight and fabulous.
YSL is absoulutely magnificent, and I really doubt that Angela from Project Runway could make anything nearly as fierce. Excuse me, I'm still grieving the loss of Malan.
R.I.P Rochas
Olivier Theyskens completely reinvigorated the now defunct fashion line, and this year he won the CFDA International Award.
In honor of the demise of Rochas. I've decided to post a Rochas retrospective, because I really love their designs. I wish the the best for Olivier because he's truly talented, but of course I'm sure that he'll find another job fairly quickly.
Oh Rochas we hardly knew you! (This is of course untrue Rochas has been around since 1925.)
I just visited I am Fashion and their post is almost exactly like mine, which kind of bummed me out, but I guess I'm not the only Rochas fan. However I am not a copycat. Thank you very much.
Well I'm certainly not surprised; I never liked that Keith Michael anyway.
Couture Courier: The World's Most Stylish News
Diane Von Furstenburg is the new President of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. I absolutely love DVF so I could not be more delighted with this news, if she can concur the wrap dress I'm sure she'll do wonders with the CFDA. [FWD]
The Most Stylish Links From Across the Blogosphere
Harrod's girl over atI Am Fashion shows off the fantastic puffy sleeves that graced the runways during the SS06
Personally, puffy sleeves are bit costumey for my tastes; many of the pieces look like rejects from Pirates of the Carribean.
To Couture or Not to Couture?...
I was Inspired by a article on British Vogue's Website to ask the question: are the couture shows still relevant?
Sometimes I wonder: what exactly is the point of the couture show, these creations will almost never be worn number 1 because they are ridiculously expensive and secondly because the designs are so outrageous that there is no place for them to be worn.
So are the couture shows a valuable part of the fashion world or are they just an excuse for big name designers to show off. I think it's telling that only the iconic fashion houses choose to put on couture shows, while the younger upstarts shy away from them. Though it could be because of the expense, I believe that couture fashions are simply a bit too over the top for some of the more earnest designers. (Who happen to be my favorite.)
My favorite part of fashion is the idea of creating something that is both artful and wearable, but most of these styles are simply unwearable. When talking about someone like John Galliano, who continually pushes the bounds of the bizarre, Is he a genius or a weirdo? I mean, he did comeout on the catwalk wearing a spacesuit. So I ask you: To Couture or Not to Couture
Now I'm introducing a little section I like to call the Couture Courier: It's all the latest fashion news
The Bitch is Back!-Elton John will be performing at the Fashion Rocks concert that is going to be ill perform at New York's third annual Fashion Rocks concert held at the Radio City Music Hall on September 7 to kick start New York Fashion Week four days later, the event will raise money for Elton's own Aids Foundation charity and will also feature performances by Christian Aguilera, Beyoncé, Kanye West, Bon Jovi, the Black Eyed Peas, Nelly Furtado, the Pussycat Dolls and the Scissor Sisters.
These are the events that make me wish that I lived in New York City, but alas I will be there in a year and all will be well. I'm sure its going to be absolutely amazing.
Nicole Richie Has A New Excuse Not to Eat
Apparently the Simple Life III star's gig as the face of Jimmy Choo has been terminated and she is being replaced by Las Vegas star Molly Sims. I'm not wonderfully pleased with the switch, but atleast Molly Sims used to be a model. I've mentioned this before, but I'll say it again. I am getting really tired of celebrities like Richie and Sims in ad campaigns. I honestly don't know what type of customer these designers are targeting with these ad campaigns. Because I guarantee you that the people who are really buying these items could not care less who Nicole Richie is, and let's be honest these celebrities don't take wonderful pictures. Not when you compare them to pros like Daria Webowy (my absolute favorite!) or even Lily Cole or Gisele Bundchen. Oh yeah, and the Simple Life III sucks.
Armani is Haute...
Giorgia Armani is best known for his impeccably tailored suits, but with this fall 2006 haute collection he has proven himself to be at the forefront of womenswear. It is obvious that the Italian has drawn influence from the silhouettes and accessories of the 1940s, yet the collection in no way feels dated. Its refreshing to see a designer who does not sacrifice form for beauty. As usual, the gowns are my favorite and with the primetime Emmy nominations being announced today I certainly expect to see many of his styles gracing the red carpet this year. 
Couture without the attitude...Is it possible?
As of late I have been examining the spiritual implications of being a member of the "Cult of Couture", and I've decided to scrutinize many of aspects of high fashion: beginning with the arrogance within the fashion world.
Some might say that the spirit of couture is inextricably linked with a certain intangible haugtiness, and I tend to agree. I recently saw a documentary on Karl Lagerfeld (whom I loathe), and in many ways he reminds me of those bratty children on My Super Sweet 16. They have been continually bathed in unwavering praise; consequently, their self-esteem is incredibly inflated. Here's a note to all parents. Don't be afraid to tell you children that they are not, to put it bluntly, the shit. You won't be doing any harm, because they probably aren't. God knows my parents told me all of time, and look how I turned out. But I digress.
Is this sense of self-importance really warranted; they are just clothes after all, but the fashion-industry is so insulated that I can see how one could become consumed with delusions of grandeur.
Don't get me wrong I love couture; in fact, I am obsessed with it, but sometimes I wonder if this passion that seems to monopolize the majority of my time is ever going to have a payoff. And I'm not talking financially, but will I really be able to change the world with clothes? (Doubtful.) So this post has definitely strayed from its original intent, so back to the topic at hand. I honestly don't think that you can separate couture and snobbery. As long as these designer items have price points that are well out of the reach of laymen, and maybe that's the way that it should be. Would I adore them as much if I could actually afford a Bottega Veneta handbag or an Oscar De La Renta gown. The answer is a plain and simple no.
Bravissimo...
So I've just seen the new Miu Miu ads, and I have to say that they are breathtakingly beautiful. It's so refreshing to see advertisements that are truly about the beauty and elegance of fashion. Lately I've been feeling like fashion ads have lost their way, thanks to Miuccia for proving me wrong. I could keep gushing, or you could check them out for yourself. Thanks to F.A.D. for turning me on to these gorgeous ads.
French Style: Is it all a myth?
I came across an incredibly interesting article today from the Times Online, an English publication, that discusses the notion that Americans idealize French style, when, in fact, definitive 'French Style' is nonexistant. Furthermore, the French are by in large far more conservative than British or American women, and the author, Lisa Armstrong, has made a compelling point.
I will be the first to admit, Catherine Daneuve and Brigitte Bardot are two of my classic style icons, and I have always wanted to visit the iconic fashion houses in Paris, but now I'm not sure why. My love of french culture and style is completely based upon the antiquated images found in various films of the 50s and 60s.
With the exception of Stella McCartney, my favorite designers are either Italian or American. I honestly cannot say that French designers have impressed me in the last couple of seasons. This all leads me to the conclusion that France isn't really the bastion of chic that it once was. Read the entire article here.
