Givenchy Spring/Summer 2013

Givenchy SS 2013
Photo: Monica Feudi /Feudiguaineri.com
via style.com

Paris Fashion Week is underway and the Givenchy SS 2013 just went today. I love how dark Riccardo Tisci has been for the last 7 years but for the spring season there was baby blue floating in there with the organza and ruffles. Style.com's review notes the theme of Catholicism as there were some priest-like collars and bishop's sleeves. Pricey way to look like a nun, but dark and romantic nonetheless. More runway photos are Style.com's cool new feature atmosphere photowall.

The other highly anticipated shows for Paris FW are Dior & YSL. I've already scouted out Raf Simmon's debut from September 28 for Christian Dior and I'm waiting for Hedi Slimane's first collection to run October 2 for Saint Laurent, as YSL is now called. Is there really a showdown between the newly inaugurated creative directors of the two big historical fashion houses? I guess we will find out...

Givenchy SS 2013
Photo: Monica Feudi /Feudiguaineri.com
via style.com

Alexander Wang's mini fashionista niece

Does this python dress come adult-size?
Photo: www.tumblr.com/tagged/aila-wang

I've featured fashionable kids in the past and now this little girl has me taking more notes! Well, with the possibility that I will get to put this research to good use starting next spring. ;)

This adorable and edgy tot is Aila Wang, the niece of American designer Alexander Wang. Photographers have snapped photos of her mini sartorial style at NY Fashion Week. Word has it she is only three years old and her uncle designs her clothes. Lucky kid! I know there's always the debate over parents dressing kids up "adult-like" but I don't see child "toddlers and tiaras"-style pageantry here. No makeup, made up hair, or heels. Just a more couture twist on the a wee girly girl style. Mom and dad's should consider if you're seeing a lot of pink frills around your house. :)

Photo: www.tumblr.com/tagged/aila-wang

Cool flatforms- very on trend
Photo: www.tumblr.com/tagged/aila-wang



Leather tshirt - would you wear one?

When it was highlighted as a trend this past spring, I didn't care for them. But does it ever happen that you start liking things that you at first scorned? This is the case here. Why I am drawn to the boxy, no shape, pseudo-unflattering silhouette a leather tee is beyond me. There's no rocker child that needs to come out. Lords knows where I would wear it... all I know is that I desire to have one!



Givenchy lambskin tshirt (comes in red or black)
$1330 at Barneys.com

Nicole Richie wearing her own Winter Kate laser cut out leather tee
$450 - Sold out
Photo: peoplestylewatch.com



Balenciaga faux leather tee
More affordable at $228 at Farfetch.com

Fantasy House-sitting





Front lawn view of Mr Louboutin's home
Photo: Alexandre Bailhache/WSJ photo

Inspired by a recent visit from a friend who was "house sitting", I got the notion that I would love to "house sit" for Christian Louboutin's 13th century manor in the Vendee region of France. Dana Thomas of The Wall Street Journal has visited his regal abode and put together an in-depth profile of Louboutin's French country side home. I encourage a read to get the full details on the artifacts Louboutin has collected from his world wide travels- pieces in which he uses to decorate his home and his 8,000 pair shoe archive. He has that many pairs spanning his 20 years of designing shelved away in a quaint rustic barn. Can you see why I would choose his home over any other?

 

Actually, I would also lose myself in his enchanted garden of peonies and wisteria. So if he divides his time between 5 homes in Paris, Portugal, Egypt, Los Angeles, and this country manor... that would mean very lengthy house-sitting stays! What would I wear everyday of my stay.. a new pair of Louboutin shoes, bien sur!

 

Go to the Wall Street Journal article to see the full gallery.

 

Of his garden, Mr Louboutin says "It allows me to see blends of colour,
juxtapositions of gloss and matte surfaces"
Photo: Alexandre Bailhache/WSJ photo

 

Net-A-Porter's Fall Dress Guide

Ok, I give in! I look outside- it's cold, grey, and windy. It makes me sad that fall is here temperature-wise. But I must admit, fall is my favorite season for clothes. I love riding boots, wool coats, and sweaters. While I was in the US last week, I was seeking out discounted end of season summer dresses to wear at my sisters wedding in Mexico but failed at finding anything. I completely shut myself off from looking at anything fall-related. One week later, the tide has turned. I think this week's Net-A-Porter online magazine is a great guide for the ultimate day dress. The one piece that you can wear to work, meetings, interviews, and out for an evening of dinner and drinks. Heck, I'd wear a day dress to window-shop. It is that versatile.

The fall trends outlined everywhere this season (ie: bordeaux leather, duo-tone, neo-goth, asia major, 70's print, baroque, bejewelled, sci-fi, pantsuit, military) may be inaccessible for the everyday woman and without proper interpretation and implementation, trying to following these trends can be overwhelming. Besides, some of "trends" have been recycled multiple times in the last few years that it's redundant to call them trends.

Anyhow, I suggest looking into NAP's online magazine. I completely agree their list will help you find a more classic, flattering, and wearable dress that you can pull out every fall, year after year.

First suggestion is the flip hem dress:

Image screen cap from net-a-porter.com
Go to NAP Magazine page for full texted article

The streamlined and sexy dress (NAP calls it the 'miracle' dress):

Image screen cap from net-a-porter.com
Go to NAP magazine page for full texted article

A coulour for any season (imo)- the red dress:



Image screen cap from net-a-porter.com
Go to NAP magazine page for full texted article

My favorite- the leather dress! Especially the featured tweed leather-hemmed Milly one..

Image screen cap from net-a-porter.com
Go to NAP magazine page for full texted article

The collar dress- a look re-emerged by Victora Beckham's and Carven's collections

Image screen cap from net-a-porter.com
Go to NAP magazine page for full texted article

And last but not least, my ultimate favorite- the sweater dress! The only downfall is packing for winter getaways is a pain because of the bulkiness of these pieces. But more often than not, our winter trips are to more tropical locales, right?

Image screen cap from net-a-porter.com
Go to NAP Magazine page for full texted article

Of course, since its NAP magazine, every item featured is available with just one click! Happy browsing!