Cinema Chic: Nicole Kidman in "Nine"

I love everything about Nicole Kidman's ensemble here: the statuesque white strapless gown and blonde mink coat, topped with her escort's fedora--worn ever so slightly askew. Glamorous, sexy and romantic!

eBay Steal: YSL Feather Cocktail Dress F/W 2008

YSL - F/W 2008 - Look 29

I can't believe I got this dress for under $299. If only it came with the belt!..... But who's complaining ;-)

I'm on CitizenCouture.com!

This a little bit belated, but, since I've shared both of the items in my ensemble (shown in the above pic--Prada cape/coat and YSL hooded dress) in this blog, I thought it would make sense to share this link: http://citizencouture.com/2009/12/spotlight-jessica-dang-communication-director/

My Ideal Weekend Outfit

Alexander Wang - Resort 2010

The Holy Grail: Vintage Ungaro

So, I have been on a hunt for vintage Ungaro for the longest time. Last year, it was easy to come across on eBay--and at rock-bottom prices too! Nowadays it's in the 3-digit range, so imagine my delight when I found one on etsy.com for only $65!

Granted, I wish that it was in a more vibrant print, but I'm really happy with this one because (1) it features his signature pleating and (2) the style is very 80's but modern too. I just need to have the bustier and waist taken in and shorten the hemline.

J'adore vintage Ungaro.... And je will continue on the search for more! It's like an addiction. The thrill of the chase!

(Speaking of Ungaro.... I received a press release yesterday that Lindsay Lohan was appointed Artistic Advisor for Emanuel Ungaro. Is anyone else as perplexed as I am?)

DreamSequins' Fashion Blogger Meet-Up

Dress - Lauren Kovin (Spring 2009) Tights - Wolford Shoes - YSL Tribute Too

Last night I trekked down to Nolita for Dream Sequins' (www.dreamsequins.com) Fashion Bloggers Meet-Up at Debut New York, a chic boutique that features emerging independent designers.

Dream Sequins writes about the most obscure and coolest indie talent, so I decided to wear a dress by one of my favorite independent designers, my dear friend Lauren Kovin (www.laurenkovin.com).

I wore the Box Dress from her Spring 2009 collection in the black version. It looks different than what's shown in her lookbook because she decided to shorten the style so that it could also be worn as a tunic. (Honestly, I was afraid that it would look like I forgot to wear pants--and it could very well look like I did haha--but I decided to just go with it!) One of my favorite parts about this dress is the back:


It was great to meet Dream Sequins in person and mingle with other fashion bloggers, including 39th and Broadway (http://www.39thandbroadway.com) and Musie (http://musie.wordpress.com). It made me realize how fashion blogging really adds new dialogue to the fashion landscape--and made me want to update this blog more often!

--


On a side note, I've been obsessed about getting a haircut for the past two weeks, which only happens when I know "it's time"! My dilemma is that I'm trying to grow it longer so I'm holding out... But it desperately needs to be re-shaped. I haven't had a proper haircut in four months and I think I messed up the layers by trimming the ends with cuticle scissors over the bathroom sink.

(I really shouldn't be smiling so big with lopsided layers.)




BaskInStyle (http://baskinstyle.blogspot.com) booked an appointment for us both at Cutting Edge Salon in Little Italy/Chinatown. Her hair always looks good and her haircut only costs $26. My guy Dean at Cutler Salon in SoHo is $110 and I don't know if I'm willing to shell that out right now. What to do, what to do...

Dot, Dot, Dot...

Dotted stockings is a huge trend this fall. It adds a dose of 80's French chic to any ensemble and was featured in the Balenciaga Fall 2009 runway collection. I've been coming across many editorials that have used dotted stockings and credited a French hoisery company (which I haven't heard of) called Gerbe--surprised that Wolford and Fogal haven't been used.



Here's a link to the dotted style on Gerbe's website: http://www.gerbe.com/shopexd.asp?catalogid=54&nav=shop




Here's how the dotted tights looked on Balenciaga's runway with 80's-inspired ruched silk dresses:

I've been combing eBay for some vintage dresses like that, but I haven't had much luck! I love how the dresses were styled with black lace bandeaus. Any recommendations on where to find black lace bandeaus?

Grace Coddington, Creative Director at Vogue, used those dresses in a 1940's context in an editorial entitled "In the Mood," found in this month's issue:

Vogue - September 2009 - "In the Mood"

eBay Find: Leather Bomber Jacket

Just arrived today! I've been looking for a fitted leather bomber jacket, but sometimes the shoulders are too big or it makes me feel short. This one is great because the sleeves are cropped--which I think makes it more proportional--and it has an aged look! (I think it might've been a little boy's jacket.) My favorite part is the silk lining, which has illustrations of vintage airplanes printed all over it.

It's all about finding solid staples for the wardrobe these days, and I think I'll get a lot of mileage out of this one!

Follow My Blog with Bloglovin

Follow my blog with bloglovin

A Taste of September

There was a hint of fall air last night in New York which whipped up a desire for me to get dressed up. Mind you, I've been living in t-shirts and American Apparel cordoroy shorts all week so I welcomed this opportunity with open arms! I dragged The Fiance off the sofa and ordered that we have a sushi dinner at BondSt and meet a friend of mine at Thom Bar for a drink afterwards.

I wore a Prada dove-grey top with an asymmetrical bow-tie detail, Dolce & Gabbana high-waisted satin leopard skirt, Alaia nude patent T-strap sandals, and a Chanel black satin evening clutch. No jewelry except for a thin little navy woven bracelet with wooden beads that a friend had picked up for me on a trip to South America.

Leopard seems to be all the rage this coming season and Dolce & Gabbana's leopard print is iconic (next to YSL, of course). I should've taken a close-up pic of the skirt--the pattern is sumptuous and looks almost real. Usually, I would pair this skirt with a white or black top but I think the grey softens the look.

Fall Fashion Shopping List

This probably won't happen but I do have a Lady Dior Cannage bag on my list because of a picture on TheSartorialist that featured a very chic French girl carrying one with a messy top knot, camel wrap coat, and black leggings while smoking a cigarette. It's only chic if you carry it with everything.




Military jacket to juxtapose with "dressy" outfits such as satin skirts--never with jeans.




Vintage Ungaro dress in the manner of Chloe Sevigny

OR


An 80's dress or an 80's-inspired dress as seen above in the Altuzarra F/W 2009 collection. I believe Bebe is coming out with a silver lame ruched dress with one sleeve for $129. (Saw it in the August 2009 issue of American ELLE, page 276!)






Slim--but not skinny--white jeans. Tres chic. Any recommendations on brands and fits?

A few T by Alexander Wang tee-shirts

Vintage V-necked Lacoste sweaters in a variety of colors such as white, kelly green, maroon, navy, etc.

Leopard pony-fur flats. Sam Edelman makes one for $149. Saw it in the August 2009 issue of Vogue. (Supposedly Belgian Shoes, seen above, makes the most amazingly comfortable loafers. It's a WASP cult favorite but they're $310!)

Sperry Top-Siders or boating shoes. Rain-appropriate footwear

Fashion Memories

One of my favorite fall items as a teenager was a burgundy, long-sleeved, V-necked cashmere sweater from the Universite de Sorbonne Paris. The university's crest was embroidered in white on the chest. I wore it with a tailored white shirt underneath, and wear super dark slim jeans, high-heeled cognac leather loafers, and a trench coat. Back then I had long hair. It was very Ali McGraw a la "Love Story."

Fancy Footwear for Sale

Check it out:

http://shop.ebay.com/unestylishfille/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=

Vogue Italia (November 2008): Cottage By the Sea

This is one of my favorite editorials--shot by Steven Meisel and featuring icy blondes Katrin Thormann and Toni Garnn!

The styling is so utterly chic: chunky cable-knit sweaters, simple white cotton sundresses, thick black headbands, fur vests, and black maillots--a timeless resort capsule collection.

The shoot was inspired by Ingman Bergman's masterpiece "Persona," which was made in 1966. The film is described as a "modernist horror film." I've YouTubed some clips and it looks very avant-garde. I should look for this film next time I'm at Kim's Music & Video.

Woof, Woof! Newbarks as a New Footwear Phenomenon?

Just got a Net-a-Porter.com mailer about a new label from L.A., NewbarK, by a pair of stylist sisters Maryam and Marjan Malakpour. Apparently, they're unisex and work on all types of terrain: indoors, outdoors, rain, sand and city sidewalks. They're even rumored to bump "ballet flats" as the functional (or comfortable) chic shoe. The retail price is $350 a pair. Yay or nay?

Stylist Picks: Linda Rodin

I love that rose pillow from A Detacher! And I'm totally going to check out Olio Lusso!

A Grace Jones Moment

I've been reading about Grace Jones' comeback and found this amazing clip of her singing "La Vie en Rose." She's like an elegant, otherworldly mythical siren. So ahead of her time!

One to Watch: The September Issue

This is major. I absolutely cannot wait to see this film, which takes us behind-the-bob and documents Anna Wintour and the making of the holy September issue.

See the trailer here: http://theseptemberissue.com/#/video
Download the "Anna Wintour's Office" (spoken by her assistant) ringtone here: http://www.myxer.com/ringtone:2137706/

Bag Browsin': Givenchy Ombre Tassel Messenger

This bag seems to be quite controversial--judging from the seven comments on Bagsnob's posting--but I find myself drawn to it. A few commenters had said its design is unimaginative, but I was never one for too many bells-and-whistles on a handbag anyway.

It's just very clean and modern, with a full-length tassel for an edgy rock n' roll edge. (It also comes in an ochre-like color, but I much prefer the black version.)

What I like:

• Not too big and bulky, but the size can accomodate magazines.
• Would be easy to travel with--just lay flat in a suitcase
• Convenient zip pocket on the exterior for keys, Metrocard, Blackberry/iPhone
• Can be worn as a shoulderbag or as a messenger with a cross-body strap

Seen at Barneys New York for $1270.

Scarves with a Twist: Ikou Tschuss and Prova

I love scarves with a twist. They make such a wonderful and quirky accent to any outfit. Two years ago when I was in Paris for Fashion Week, I noticed that the Frenchies wear scarves almost all the time--almost with anything! I bought a scarf by Ikou Tschuss, a Swiss label carried at Colette. It looks almost the same as the one in the photo above, except in red: luxurious double-washed silk with thick, hand-crocheted wool trimming. (The one I have is also more generously sized.) I've received so many compliments from strangers on that scarf that I wear it to cocktail parties as an ice-breaker ;)





A few weeks ago, I saw these Prova scarves draped around the necks of the mannequins in the Barneys' window and finally popped into check them out. The combination of the prints with the beaded fringe makes such a statement--and so does the price: $395! Yowza. I'll have to keep dreaming.

French Terry Chic from J. Crew?

Every so often, I'll take a gander at JCrew.com to see what's up. Call me crazy, but I find this top really cute. It just looks like something easy to throw on top of a pair of nice jeans, yet also a little chicer than just wearing a plain ol' sweatshirt. The price is also not terribly bad: $55. Thoughts?

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/WomenBrowse/Women_Feature_Assortment/NewArrivals/knitstees/PRDOVR~17591/17591.jsp

Lust & Must: Black Leather Pants

(Allure - August 2009 - pg. 80)

I've been noticing the trend of leather skirts and pants for this fall. I think I'd like to rock a pair of leather pants! Most of the ones I've come across start at $595, but Allure found this pair by Blank for only $158, which is not so bad--considering that most plain denim jeans start at that price point! I think these could look very chic and classic with a cashmere turtleneck, or paired with a T by Alexander Wang tee for an edgier look.

I tried to stake them out on shopbop.com but they don't seem to be listed yet. I'll be on the lookout, for sure!