color me lovely

I'm feeling royal blue and yellow for fall.

Photos: Cobrasnake

it's amazing what a little lexapro can do

Ann Demeulemeester's show was wonderfully wearable, lighter than expected and had fantastic colors - Tibetan orange, yum. Also, didn't realize before looking at this but isn't this the first realy SPRINGY looking show you've seen? I love leather and combat boots too kids, but I'd be hot as balls if I wore that all summer.

PS. Way to take the minidress to the next level Ann. I'm so sick of the babydoll cut, and sort of over the gladiator sandals...sorry Ann.

Photos: Style

casa cristobal

Not nearly as accessible as Balmain, Balenciaga rocked in a quieter, almost emo way. Futuristic 'menswear' suits, and an architectural spin on the flannel shirt and jeans look were unique, but never over the top. Even the sparkling dresses were restrained - quite literally, with heart-shaped necklines that seemed part-decolletage part-ruched straight jacket.

Photos: Herald Tribune, New York Times

cant wear skinny jeans cuz my knots don't fit

I love the guy below's look. Sure, he's a dude, but like a young Angelina Jolie, the unstructured, stitchy trench goes both ways. I want the one from today's Yohji show.

Photos: The Sartorialist, Style

oh leesa what have you done

Found this amongst the wonderful watercolors on Leesa Leva's website. Wonderful that she styled Lydia better than many designers do.

the meeting and why i rarely get to wear mini skirts

Unlike many of you guys, I don't work in fashion, I work in scripted TV which if you don't know, is basically a boys club. I lay into them as hard as they lay into me, but I gotta watch where I tread which means no perfume, nothing low cut - kinda like Catholic school in the 50's. Today I have a meeting at NBC, so much like Cher in Clueless (remember the driving test scene) I've put together my most capable looking outfit. I want to say 'young and hip' as opposed to 'bring back the OC'. What do we think?

Blazer: Topshop; T-Shirt: Stolen from Boyfriend; Glasses: DKNY, Boots: Either/Or @ UO; Jeans: Forever 21 (cheap and tight), Bag: Xiliration @ Target

girl crush: and i'm tryin' to make some girl

I gotta say I haven't had a girl crush like this since Stam was a redhead. Georgia May Jagger has that thing. Not just great style but as Rod Stewart rather than her pop Mick would say - she wears it well. All Rock Star Kids look good because their parents have got lots of dough, but oh lord, nobody can wear lipstick like a Jagger.

Photos: Fashion Spot, Dazed

backstage at lincoln center

Since Imitation of Christ starting designing for Stephen Petronio's Dance Company I've wanted to snatch the costume of off every dancer I've seen. Now Charles Anastase's Brainy Ballerina and Rodarte's rehabbing ballerina have me jonesing for my old Tutu. I was happy to find Rebel Dance, an urban taste on dance costumes that manages to be theatrical without being at all formal.

i will make you love me

Rachel Comey lace inset shoes, I'm coming for ya, be ready.

delusions of grandeur

I don't wear much jewelry, but I'm wild about this Kimberly Baker feather I've got. Whenever I wear it I feel like I'm in Clash of the Titans.

portrait of the artist as simon doonan

Supposedly fashion takes it's cue from Rock and Roll and Kate Moss, but lately there have been a lot of designers totally LUVing art stars.

Pleasure Principle HEARTS Dash Snow

Tibi HEARTS Ryan McGuinness


Josh Goot HEARTS James Rosenquist


Marc Jacobs HEARTS Georges Seurat (that is not a compliment Marc!)


Stella McCartney HEARTS Donald Judd


Giles HEARTS Jeff Koons


Phillip Lim HEARTS Jasper Johns


Jonathan Saunders HEARTS Piet Mondrian



Helmut Lang HEARTS Thom of Finland (probably for reals)


Charles Anastase HEARTS Edgar Degas


Larsen Gray HEARTS Mark Rothko

Do you heart me?

YES or NO

Circle one!

Is it just me

...or does Zaha Hadid's installation at the Venice Architechture Biennale remind you of zipper detailing and some of the Preen and Phillip Lim pieces?

Photos: Top, NYTimes; Below, Style

At the risk of being pegged as a low-rent-shopper, I feel obligated to let you know that Target has an excellent boyfriend blazer right now. The picture is utter shite, go try it on! It fits as well as my Chloe and has contrasting lining. Linkeroo. I do it for you people. I do it for you.

would you like some milk with that toast

I'm concerned that my outfits appear mousy online, so we're going to shake stuff up here, that's right, it's time for pattern mixing.

Left to Right: Rafe NY, Diane Von Furstenberg, Louis Vuitton, Karta, Chloe, Jean Paul Gautlier

pity the hypocrite, yes that's me

And naturally, after my riveting post on eclectic dressing, I've washed up in a somewhat dull outfit today. But I'll never forget the first time I was in Paris, I was ten years old I saw the most beautiful young girl on the Metro. She was one of those gamine girls with the natural style and Erin Wasson hair, and I'll never forget that she had red ankle boots on.

if lovin' you is wrong, i don't want to be right

I've ALWAYS wanted to begin a sentence this way:
Webster's dictionary defines Belle Laide (\bel-led\) as :beautiful ugly woman : woman who is attractive though not conventionally beautiful.
The same could be said for certain pieces of clothing and certain outfits. Today's stylish girl values Katherine Hepburn's pantsuit over Audrey Hepburn's ingenue look,
so when is over the top, just enough? When does ugly become pretty agian?

Recently Fashion Toast's Rumi sported an poncho/headband/fishnet combo that made a reader comment "Theres sooo much wrongness in this outfit that it actually....works". Sea of Shoes' Jane took one look at the woman sporting Rick Owen's fur claw boots and remarked "Who is this fabulous woman? I'd love to see more of her."

Facehunter, Un Fille Comme Moi and Stockholm Street Style all targeted brazen over-styling this past month. One sure way to ensure uniqueness is to pair Batik Shorts with Smurf Blue 'Brass' Knuckles, Alice Delal is working hard to singlehandedly bring back creepers, and a Swede woman mixes patterns so well it makes me wonder why Arafat didn't wear more plaid.

Agnes Deyn - fashion's current myxiplix doesn't worry much about matching - provided her socks, gloves and her arm-purse go together. Her Rockstar meets Prarie Dog look is rounded out with a neckercheif and nickel and dime sunglasses. However, it's an interesting change from...

Fashion's hottest train wreck, my girl crush, MK Olsen. The moment I saw this shot (above left) from 2005 of the girl wearing gold basketball shorts embroidered with lace I though 'you complete me'. And she didn't dissapoint, never striving to imitate Edie, but perhaps modeling herself after Edie's insane Dowager aunt (above left). A sight unseen since...

Current fashion's original grab bag, Chloe Sevigny. Look at girlfriend rocking the oversized dress and ankle boots circa 2004. And perhaps part of MK's origin, Chloe's homeless Becky Thatcher look, you know you bitches all went out and bought white sunglasses that summer. You know you did!

Which brings us to Spring 2009 parts of which is sewn together like a patchwork quilt. With looks from Topshop, Y-3, VPL, and Diesel Black and Gold - I'm not sure what's left to the imagination. The proportions come pre-shruk or oversized, the hem's asymetrical, the denim overbleached and the prom dress thrown over sweat pants. Everything arrived styled with it's own crazy hat, or ribbon or in Diesel's case - dead raven.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a fan of erratic fashion, I'm a proponent, I'm - at times - a practicer. I just wonder if the designers and stylists have taken some of the fun out of getting dressed.

tous les garçons et les filles de mon âge

Francoise Hardy cool. Yeh Yeh Yeh...

Left to Right: Treesje, APC, Either Or for Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom, Jonathan Saunders for Target, Hat Attack

society's fringes

'60's Biker Girls and '20's Flappers, Betty Paige and Calamity Jane, these Bad Girls all had one thing in common. Fringe. I don't know why this trend brings out the rebel-rebel in all of us, but I know it adds a clever textural accent to fall's monochrome boredom.

Left to Right: Biker Emporium, Vanessa Bruno, Topshop, Jill Stuart, "Fringe" on FOX, Mod Cloth, Urban Outfitters, Therese Rawsthorne, Bebe, Elizabeth & James, Philip Lim, Urban Outfittes, Coco Ribbon, Bebaroque, Sam Edelman, Target

black dress, with the tights underneath

At the risk of seeming like a total dullard, I've decided to dedicate this post to one of the most mundane accessories there is. Tights. But sometimes, in Autumn, I get so depressed and overcast that all I can manage to do is throw on a shift, tights and some frye boots. Luckily, this season's tights are so good they might actually keep stuff interesting. Now if only something could be done about that hideous little cotton crotch they all have. Above: Chloe, Chanel, Emma Cook

Left to right: Emilio Cavallini, Emilio Cavallini, Babaroque, Trasparenze, Bebaroque, Look from London, Either Or @ Urban Outfitters, Forever 21, Patrizia Pepe

so, like, what if degas hung out with mark hunter?

So, this is bordering on plagiarism but in case you missed it I wanted to share the New York Times's brilliant photos of the Rodarte collection. Not only do they showcase brilliant details that the wider shots lack, but they also big up Autumn De Wilde, a rock photographer I've had a creepy obsession with for years. She has this ability to make even the most hardened rocker look like a twee faced angel and I love the hell out of her. I had no idea she even knew these guys, man some people just keep getting cooler - present company excluded, ahem.

For more of Autumn's photos check out her website: http://www.autumndewilde.com

walking on the sidewalk, hotter than a match head

I love denim shorts, over sized tank tops and biker vests as much as the next girl. But I think we all know that look can't sustain us through next spring. However I was very impressed by the smooth transition some designers are making from the Rock and Roll Vixen to the Hell's Angel Next Door for spring. And since this will probably be my only post on fashion week, I'd like to point out my faves.

William Rast - I like these clothes the way I like JT's songs, they look likable but far too safe and not that new. However, I do appreciate their working denim like leather and combat boots like moccasins.
Vena Cava - This is what I'd wear if I ran A&R and slept with drummers.

Rodarte - Come here you beautiful chiffon bruise.
Proenza Schouler - I can't wait for somebody to try this on the red carpet.

Preen - Took their perfectly constructed look made it tight and made it sheer.
Rag and Bone - Loving the preppy, rock and roll high school blend.

Catherine Malandrino - I don't know why this is rock and roll, it just is.
Matthew Williamson - I've always loved him and his giant balls, pairing raspberry with pumpkin. By the way, are we all noticing this Framboise theme in collections?

Diesel Black Gold - With artsy denim resurfacing everywhere, Diesel feels really relevant right now. This show was excellent with deconstructed and overwrought denim in Easter egg blue, not to mention cummerbunds, epaulets, cotton motorbike cloaks and loads more eye candy.
Costello Tagliapietra - That pesky Lou Doillon has been playing in the raspberry field again!

Alexander Wang - Leather Midriff, Peach Culottes, Pink Blazer - this should be a hideous outfit. But it works, so what can I say? Oh, I know: and Dew Rag.
Richard Chai - Ever since the Target line I've found him far more approachable. This dress is sensationally feminine but risque at once. But you've gotta have the legs.

Marchesa - I'm a tad worried for the model but loving the dress. Very rock star wife or I'm with the band. I want to buy this for Vanessa Paradis.
Brian Reyes - This is what Talitha Getty would have worn if she'd worked on a chain gang in Marrakesh.

Philip Lim - Puuuurfect top - half sweatshirt / half evening gown. And way to soften black leather stack heels.

Also, I feel obligated to make one last statement: I really didn't care for the Marc Jacobs collection. I don't think he's making himself accessible or relevant right now, I think people care more about his accessories collections than his clothes, AND he wore a skort on the runway. Nuff said.

X's

All Photos: Style

pricetag of success (worth every penny)

A few years ago I interviewed a fantastic designer for a small but popular website. I had absolutely fallen in love with his cashmere mini-dresses emblazoned with glamour-girl portraits. Obvs, that designer was Alexander Wang. I adored his sweaters, which were (and still are) out of my price range, and I was elated when he sent me one as a 'thank you' after the interview. At the time I thought "He's awesome, but can he only work in cashmere?" The answer to that is clear: No. And man, if I couldn't afford his cashmere, boy are his leather accessories out of my league. So I thought I'd take a moment to do up a little post on "homage a" which is french for "cheap-o versions of" Alexander Wang's bags.

The Originals.



The tribute band.

Keep in mind these are just a similar aesthetic to Wang's - retro but mature. I realize as much as you that they don't come close to the real thing. But come on, total knockoffs would just be gauche.


In order from left to right: Miele Bianco, Mango, Mango, Mossimo for Target, Mango, Urban Outfitters, Xhilaration for Target (my fav), Kenneth Cole, Mayle (this one is pricey), Anne Klein, Ashley Watson (touch pricey too), Fontanelli.

flocking together

After taking in the bevy of Erin Wasson pics, I realized that the only thing distracting me from the clothes were the models amazing Hermes (the God, not the fashion house) inspired shoes! Feathers - or feathery fur - is everywhere this season. And I love it! Although be forewarned, a little goes a long way.

Purple Cotton and Leather Vest: Ann Demeulemeester, Feather Headband: Urban Outfitters,Silk Dress: Jay Godfrey, Bootie: LD Tuttle, Open Toe Sandal AND Bootie: Givenchy, Rooster Feather Purse: Michael Teperson, Feather Lashes: Shu Uemura, and of course the Elizabeth and James blazer. Hey, you may be over it. But I'm not!

does tara carry kate's weight?

While loads of attention is being payed to Kate Moss's new Topshop collection, Tara Subkoff's line for Bebe has gone largely unrecognized. Maybe it's because Imitation of Christ was the 90's equivalent of indie film, or maybe it's because Bebe is a line most fashionista's wouldn't be caught dead in. But the 90's are back and between the two of them Tara and Bebe have mastered little tight dresses and over-the-top cool.

land of milk and honey

Wet Jean (nice alternative to sweaty leather), Feather Vest, Assymetrical Dress and Metalic Heel - ALL TOPSHOP.

daddy couldn't be all wrong

My knobby knees are my worst quality.

Dress: American Apparel, Shoes: Minnetonka, Jean Jacket: Thrifted.

lady fingers

With fall's penchant for steely metalics, black lace and leather, I want some really girly pieces to temper it out. This painterly dress from Rubin Singer is perfect! The cut and material are so feminine but the print is painterly enough to keep it smart and edgy enough to pair with some hardware.

NOTE: I was going to include the sensational Thomas Wylde Zanzibar Clutch in here, but over a grand for a clutch? I'm trying to be grounded here. XJ

Boots (Lord I love lucite): BCBG Girls, Lanyard With Cross: VonKottwitz, Clutch: Juicy Couture, Leather Jacket: Twenty8Twelve.

ma beguin

I realize it looks like I stole these jeans from a young Soleil MoonFrye, but I really adore them, they feel so special with splotches of neon paint and zipper details - which are so present at the moment. I particularly love the back of the left leg.



Top: Anthropologie, Jacket: Zara, Jeans: Miss Sixty, Shoes: Colonial Madness

can't stop, won't stop

I've had a crush on these Margiela boots for over a year now, that's longer than I've been dating my current boyfriend.

However they sold out before I managed to recycle the 10 million cans it would take to buy them. So, we're going to perform a little experiment here. I found these loose shaft Nine West Boots online, plus an old Cobbler named Andy on 3rd street who swears he can dye anything.

I picked out a neutral spray dye. Have any of you dyed shoes before? I'll let you know how it turns out.

you will change my life

I'm rarely inspired in fall. I miss the crutch of flip flops and skimpy tank tops. But this is my first official Autumn in Los Angeles (as opposed to New York or London)and I've made a resolution to be less label-conscious.Right now I'm thinking over-the knee boots, bright tights, Moto gear, maybe even a cape...what do you think is a must for fall?

Skirt: Richard Chai for Target (on sale now), Jacket: Urban Outfitters, Tights: American Apparel, Boots: Steve Madden (hello resolution), Dress: The Hellers, Booties: Miss Sixty.