Lusting after Alaia

It is no shock that I've always loved Azzedine Alaia. I've expressed my worship of him before and trust me, it's not going to end. With little sister's wedding coming up in the Mayan Riviera this winter, I think wearing a beautiful, embellished piece of art on my feet would be perfect to complete my bridesmaid dress.

The only trouble is Alaia shoes are really, really hard to find. They are still handcrafted and thus have such limited distribution. Even though they are.. um pricey, they are shoes that a girl keeps for a lifetime! Out of my search, here are my favorites to dream about:

 


Gold studded red suede
Available for 1075 Euros at http://www.collete.fr/

 

Gold studded (the big thing right now) in sand suede
Available for 955 Euros at http://www.collete.fr/

Wood-embellished, python
Discounted 60% off to $624 USD at http://www.outnet.com/



Alaia shoes come in the coolest box ever!

 

Fantasy May Long Weekend Date

Breathtaking scenery at the Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc
Photo: www.hotel-du-cap-eden-roc.com

Since I had a very mellow May Long weekend, I am imagining what I would have done this weekend if dear husband did not have to work and had we won that LottoMax jackpot- btw, a high school classmate of mine won that $50 million this past weekend. Congratulations, Tim!

Last time the occasion for my getaway was a Valentine's Day date. This time I am totally inspired by the 65th Cannes Film Festival that is underway, so of course the location will be the southern Cap d'Antibes, right between Cannes and Nice.

First off, the dress I absolutely love- has just been worn by actress and Cannes Grand Opening Hostess, Berenice Bejo. I am working really hard trying to identify the designer of this dress and I am running out of resources. Even Vogue, Harpers Bazaar UK, and WWD have not identified it! Harper's Bazaar merely decribed it as a pretty white polka dot dress. Err, I'm at a loss. Garance Dore captured a beautiful photo of her in it at the Trophee Chopard event in Cannes:

Shailene Woodley in a Jason Wu dress and Berenice Bejo in that "pretty white polka dot" dress
Photo: www.garancedore.com
Please do check out her blog for more beautiful photos from Cannes.

The blossomed collar, delicate polka dots, and even though I can't see the bottom- I can imagine the flowiness of the skirt below a cinched waist. It would just perfect for dinner at the Hotel du Cap Eden Roc, where we would be staying. And who would not want to stay in a room with a view like this:

Suite at the Hotel Du Cap
Photo: www.hotel-du-cap-eden-roc.com

Alexander McQueen heels, $1940
Available at net-a-porter.com

Dining around the local beautiful and quaint French restaurants would be amazing, but one's got to have a dinner at Eden Roc's restaurant terrasse. I hear the spinach risotto is the best there! I'd definitely say if you have the means to splurge, book some time at the famous Eden Roc. And since we'd be there during the Cannes Film Fest, I'd keep a look out for my French hunk, Guillaume Canet and the my girl crush, the ever-so-luminous Marion Cotillard.

Oh yes, to complete the outfit, I found some jeweled Alexander McQueen heels and a red Chanel clutch! Ahh... time to wake up and face the reality- my lasagna's burning in the oven!

Chanel snakeskin clutch
Photo: www.chanel.com

Revisting Vanessa Bruno

Vanessa Bruno S/S 2012 RTW
Photo: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com
www.Style.com

An advertisement April's UK Edition of Elle caught my eye- with Kate Bosworth wearing this dress (-->) for Vanessa Bruno. It has been a while since I've bought anything by the French designer, more so because its not easy to find here. I used to love this line! When I was moonlighting in Moscow, I had some great finds at Podium Vintage (unfortunately this discount outlet lost its awesomeness and has closed down) and have 3-4 items from both the Vanessa Bruno mainline and Athe diffusion collections. I think some local boutiques should bring it in. The most of the seasonal collections are wearable, whimsical, and of course, have a little bohemian edge. The price point is similar to Maison Martin Margiela, Paul Smith, A.P.C, and just less than Isabel Marant. We need some French hip on our streets, I think!

Especially this Spring/Summer ready to wear collection. I dig the innocent prints- like a something a mother or grandmother would sew for you. Happy Mother's Day! :)

Vanessa Bruno S/S 2012 RTW
Photo: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com
www.Style.com



Vanessa Bruno S/S 2012 RTW
Photo: Yannis Vlamos / GoRunway.com
www.Style.com

One of mom's earlier creations

Traipsing to the office in Tod's

Yesterday I had some errands to run so I drove to work instead of taking the usual commuter bus. Refusing to pay $18 to park downtown, I left the RR in a lot near the river and took a scenic walk to work. I wore my periwinkle Tod's Aspen pumps, which I picked up in Beverly Hills years ago. People tease about my love of heels, but I think I've proven my capabilities. The following shots were taken along my little trek:

The big stairs, a haven for morning runners. Not a problem in heels - for one round :)

There's always something quaint about railboad tracks

Tod's Aspen pumps in periwinkle patent leather
Note: In case you're wondering- the scarring on my left foot is from
stepping into a bonfire when I was one years old.

Schiaparelli and Prada: Impossible Conversations

My favorite shot: Clemence Poesy in Nina Ricci
Photo: Julian Mackler / BFAnyc.com

Every magazine and blog out there has plastered photos of Hollywood and fashion celebrities attending the Met Gala last night that you cannot miss it. I've combed through these galleries and I would have to say there were more "worst dressed" candidates than best dressed. There were lots of feathers and metallics and some risque dresses, which some attendees managed to pull off. Of course, there was lots of Prada (worn by Gwyneth Paltrow, Eva Mendes, and event co-chair Care Mulligan) to honour one of co-exhibitors. And I don't know what was in the water, pomade, or make up brushes; but some of the makeup was a bit severe. Only a handful of the guests looked natural and radiant. But that is just my two cents worth- it counts for just that!

For those that wonder what all the hype is about the $25,000-a-ticket event, it is gala benefit takes place every year to raise funds for the Costume Institute of The Metropolitan Museum of Art and to kick off the year's exhibit. The story that Vogue Editor Anna Wintour runs the guest list is probably true; but in fact the 2012 Gala Benefit's Honorary Chair is Jeff Bezos and Co-Chairs are Carey Mulligan, Miuccia Prada, and Anna Wintour. Baz Luhrmann serves as the Exhibition Creative Consultant with Nathan Crowley as Production Design. A much longer list than just one powerful fashion editor, non?

This year's exhibit runs from May 10 to August 19, 2012 and it highlights "impossible conversations" between two Italian designers from two different eras: Elsa Schiaparelli of the 1920-30's and modern day Muiccia Prada. Schiaparelli was Coco Chanel's competitor in their era, and although she closed down in 1954 after WWII, she was considered more successful at the time than our beloved Chanel. And of course, Prada requires no introduction, really.

“Juxtaposing the work of Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada allows us to explore how the past enlightens the present and how the present enlivens the past,” said Henry Koda, the Met Curator in Charge.

If you have the opportunity to visit NYC during the exhibit, I encourage you to check it out. My last visit to New York took place in September, so I missed it that year. Instead I had Hurricane Hanna to keep things interesting. :)

The photos I've shared are all from www.style.com's coverage of the event, "Le Shocking Story".



Natalia Vodianova and Antione Arnault (LV Head of Communciations)
Guess what they're both wearing... Lous Vuitton!
Photo: Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images

Love this colour! Diane Kruger in Prada
Photo: Larry Busacca / Getty Images

Gerard Pique for H.E. by Mango



FC Barcelona's Gerard Pique for H.E. by Mango
Photo: keepthebeat.mango.com

Most ladies will vouch that men advance a notch up the attractiveness scale when they are suited up. Menswear ads do catch my eye, especially this time in particular because not many people can pull off a patterned jacket like this one. Gingham is usually reserved for children or ladies summer dresses- or aprons. I'd veto pairing it with the ultra faded jeans, but Gerard Pique rocks it. He rocked the entire H.E. by Mango campaign. Check out the rest of the collection- at least Mango prices wont break the bank.

For those who don't follow football, Gerard Pique plays for FC Barcelona and the 2010 FIFA World Cup Champion Spanish national team. Personally, if I were to cast any menswear campaign, I'd draw from the Spanish NT: Fernado Torres, Iker Casillas, David Villa, etc... looking forward to 2014! :)