Biker Babe

Fashion Obsession > I would like to introduce to you my new best friend, the item at the top of my wishlist, and now the most treasured piece in my closet. The most gorgeous bad-ass women's jacket I have ever seen. Don't let the quilting and embellishments fool you, this ultra stitched, ultra detailed, lambskin leather jacket is a heavy duty must have piece not intended for the faint of heart.  You may have heard of the menswear brand Scotch & Soda; prints, knits, manly indigo boutiques filled with mahogany, brass and deep tiled floors, where the sales staff rocks handlebar mustaches and wear leather shoulder straps. Intrigued?

 

Scotch & Soda was re-launched for Spring/Summer in 2002 and their women's Collection Maison Scotch entered the market with the Spring/ Summer 2010 collection and it already accounts for a large part of the company’s continuous growth. Now found on ShopBop, Revolve, and of course their 7,000 other points of sale, it's not hard to see why.

 

Shop Maison Scotch here.

Not Your Normal Skivvies

(Photos courtesy of ForLoveandLemons.com)

Look Book Lovin' >  X-Rated. Almost Offensive. Showoff. These are just a few of the pieces from For Love and Lemons debut Skivvies line and I have never been so amped about a collection, let alone a debut collection, of lingerie to be released. Largely due to their ability to create so much hype through social media, usage in campaigns and general wear by connected stylists, For Love and Lemons duo, Gillian Mahin and Laura Hall have successfully created a line of undergarments that every woman making her own rules in fashion has been waiting for.

Throw away your unflattering bandeau tops and forget about unwanted side boob. For every dress, top and outfit that you have never had the right bra for, The Skivvies collection has you covered.

Well, sort of.

Check out the incredibly hot look book here.
Shop the collection here. Also available on Revolve and Nasty Gal.

Lesson Learned.

Wish List > So I opted to sleep in instead of waking up at 5am for the November 14th release of Isabel Marant pour H&M collaboration. Seeing that the collection was sold out online before the stores even opened and only one location in San Diego carried the line, I never stood a chance. And now instead of staring at these fringe boots or abstract print skinnies, quilted leather pants or Penny Lane shag sweaters hanging beautifully in my closet, I am looking at photos of fall leaves on my Instagram. Le sigh.

But all is not lost. After berating myself for missing the release, I gifted myself. I could no longer take all the photos of every front-row invite blogger wearing their handpicked pieces from the collection. So I bought something better. The Multicolor Momo Bouclé Wool Blend Jacket from Etoile Isabel Marant. And seeing that this piece is now sold out as well, it makes my heart feel a little better. 

Lysted here.

McQ S/S 2013

 

Runway > I found these little goodies in my draft box and realized I had almost forgotten the honeycomb madness that took the runway for McQueen Spring/Summer 2013. Tortoise corsets and jewels filtered by honeycomb head pieces and bee motif print garments, Burton brought back the woman's shape with dresses that seemed to float above them and reminded us that woman are worker bees. Dominate, classy, and sexy yet not overt and incredibly powerful.

 

View entire show here.

 

Givenchy-To Me

Wish List > Meet the Shark Lock Fold Over Wedge Boot. I have never seen a more beautifully designed, classy, wearable, over-the-knee black boot in my life. It is stylish, transitional, sexy and you can actually wear these with tiny skirts and not look like a whore. What? You were all thinking it. Best part is.. if you think it is beautiful just standing there up above.. look at it worn below.

For $1,695 these babies can be yours here. May take me a while to get them but I have a feeling these will never go out of style.

(image courtesy of Fashion Toast)

Light Side of the Moon

Lookbook Lovin' > Nasty gal gets sporty in their November look book shot by Devyn Galindo. Set against a background of white sand and blue skies, Naomi Preizler models new and vintage pieces in eclectic hues and textiles. Of course my favorite piece from the collection is the top she is wearing above and it is nowhere to be found on the website for purchase. BUT they do you an amazing dip dye faux fur jacket in ombre brown which is just as fabulous. 

View entire lookbook here.

View the fabulous jacket here.

Anthropologie x Made In Kind

Retail Retell > This is something new for me that I find to be fantastic so I would like to share with you. A few years ago I wasn't much of an Anthropologie shopper. I judged it from the outside as a country terrain hippy store that took Penny Lane and stripped her down to House on the Prairie. Never judge a store until you walk in its shoes. Or dresses. Or house decor department.

Anywho. I did of course venture in and fall in love with the ethereal and feminine aesthetic of everything they have. I am even more pleased to have just discovered their monthly Made In Kind collections. Each month Anthropologie taps indie designers to create pieces for an exclusive collection. November's collection just arrived in stores and the designers are NYC brand JF & SON, Nadinoo designer Nadia Izruna, Brooklyn based Alexandra Grecco, and the husband-wife duo behind Place Nationale.  All of these diverse designers stick loosely to Anthro's feminine and nature inspired aesthetic while adding their own twist to create a beautiful, eclectic and romantic collection.

Homecoming For McQueen

Designer Profile > In the late 80's and early 90's, Lee Alexander McQueen called Savile Row home. McQueen spent years here as an apprentice, learning the impeccable tailoring we see throughout all of his work, and now the fashion house returns.

"Lee really wanted a shop on Savile Row," says creative director Sarah Burton, " It was really important to him." "It feels special to be back [Savile Row] - almost like a homecoming in a way."

The fashion house left no detail uncovered nor did they withhold any item, as the store holds the largest offering of McQueen menswear in the world. Available in open display cabinets, all of their ready-to-wear along with their  accessories are there for clients to feel and explore before purchasing. If that wasn't enough; within the year the store will open an in-house tailoring service that will train apprentices in the same way Alexander was when he first started on the famous street. 

The detail in which you can sense McQueen in this boutique is magnificent and beautiful. The carved wall detail in stone white against cabinets with handles carved liked horns, feet like claws and cases held up by medieval chains decorated with all the romanticism and dark beauty that we have come to know and love, as McQueen.

Maison Martin Margiela x H&M

Collaborative candy > In June of this year, H&M announced that it would be releasing a collaboration with Maison Martin Margiela in November 2012. It is almost November.

"It's a pleasure to present these re-editions of Maison Martin Margiela to a new audience, to those who were too young to buy the original pieces and those who didn't have access to Maison Martin Margiela before the days of internet shopping,"

The Collection will be released November 15th and I must say this is one of the top collaborations I believe to be done thus far with H&M. These pieces are phenomenal. Keeping their signature looks and even offering iconic styles remade and available at a more affordable price. The only thing that depresses me is the ability to get to them before they sell out. I may have to take a day off for this one..

View more of the collection here.

YSL Springs but Falls Short

Runway Review > The fashion world has been anxiously awaiting the debut of two fashion houses' new lead designers. With Dior's new lead designer, Raf Simons, premiering his first collection this week as well as their past designer, Hedi Slimane coming out of retirement to premiere his first collection with Yves Saint Laurent; both houses were under the spot light more than usual. Unfortunately, one of them turned out to be the obvious disappointment.

Reminiscent of too many 90's movies rolled into one, Slimane left me feeling confused and feeling out of touch with the season of the moment. His pieces were not cohesive and although some stood out, I was too distracted by the randomness of his presentation to truly fall in love with his collection as a whole. I felt as if the movies Hocus Pocus and The 3 Musketeers must have been playing in his workshop and somehow collided, creating a Spring 2013 Ready to Wear line, that is not so ready to be merchandised to any taste.

Positives: amazing structured blazers with piping and sequence, accessorized with large silk and chiffon bows at the neck.

View the entire collection here.

Barney's x Disney

Campaign Obsession > Barney's and Disney. And no, I don't mean the purple dinosaur. What I am talking about is all of your favorite Disney characters, Minnie, Goofy, Snow White and more, transformed into high fashion runway models to don staple pieces from F/W 2012 Collections carried at the famous retailer.

Titled Electric Holiday, Barney's is know for it's ellaborate creative campaigns and this year's is no different. Creative Director, Dennis Freedman, hit a few roadblocks along the way while meeting with Disney animators. For example, Minnie Mouse's 2'ft frame needed to be transformed into a 5'11 runway model to be able to wear her designer duds from Lanvin. Yes, Minnie Mouse will be in Lanvin, Snow White in Nina Ricci, Mickey Mouse in Balenciaga, Goofy in Balmain, Daisy Duck in Dolce & Gabbana, Princess Tiana in Proenza Schouler, and lastly (and possibly the most fantastic thing ever) Cruella will be dressed in Rick Owens. (Insert cackle of excitement here).

This will not just be a Holiday campaign. There will be a "moving art short" featuring a film and 3-D light show, along with Barney's revered window displays. There will also be a ton of merchandise, including Mickey Mouse ears designed by L'Wren Scott and Rag & Bone, as well as  Vinylmation characters from DVF and Paul Smith. Barney's will also donate 25% of the proceeds from Electric Holiday purchases to a still unnamed charity.

Let Disney and fashion fill your heart this season, and feel good doing it.

 

CR. My Style Icon

 

Style Icon > Model turned Stylist turned Fashion Writer turned Fashion Consultant turned Editor. Carine Roitfeld is a Style Icon that everyone who appreciates fashion can relate to and look upon for inspiration. Stepping down in 2011 as the Editor-in-Chief of French Vogue for the past decade, Carine has been preparing something that will mark a great and much anticipated return to the world of Fashion. (As if she had ever really left.) To be released next month, September 2012, will be: CR. Fashion Book,  Roitfeld's biannual magazine.Aptly titled, Roitfeld's initials will grace every cover and her impeccable parisian eye for sexy and daring style will be sure to grace every page, making CR a quick and favorited Fashion Publication that will be sure to last and dominate those of it's kind.

Pre-order your copy here.

Here's a preview of the making of CR. Fashion Book, EEK! Enjoy.

LDR In My H&M

Campaign Obsession > I woke up this morning to find some Lana Del Rey in my H&M Fall/Winter Collection. Named as the face of the upcoming 2012 collection as well as set to appear in the winter campaigns, Lana seems to be everywhere. As you know Lana also appeared in the August Vogue Italia and I just happened to bump into her yesterday morning in West Hollywood while hunting for some vintage finds at the always entertaining Fairfax Trading Post.

I haven't decided my stance on LDR as of yet but my mind is made up as far as H&M is concerned. She looks fabulous. Their collection has a Bridget Bardot 50's housewife feel with the floral motif petal pushers and pink angora blend sweaters, the oversize cross stitch and tweed jackets. With Lana's porcelain skin, talon fingernails and striking red hair done to perfection, the collection brings old ideas to a beautiful light and Lana shines.

Weird Science

Fashion Obsession > Nasty Gal's creator, Sophia Amoruso, really should have thought about her devoted 'gals' before she came up with this idea. You can kiss my paycheck goodbye, I will literally be the woman who lived in her shoes. Because on August 27th, Nasty Gal releases their first collection for Fall 2012.

When I first heard Amoruso was doing a collection I thought the pieces would end up being a more expensive version of the items they sell now. But I am thoroughly impressed and ecstatic over the detailed and standout pieces Nasty Gal has created. Yes, you will see the bralettes and the fringe hot shorts, but you will also see 80's inspired cocktail dresses with sharp shapes and boning. Plunging necklines and bold colors. Fantastic feathers and curve revealing fits. Everything and more you could ask for, and things you have only dreamed of. The collection is only uplifted by Terry Richardson shooting the collection, styled by Sophia herself with nothing but a backdrop and a few vintage computers. Oh, and how could I forget, the girls are wearing shoes from the Nasty Gal x Jeffrey Campbell Collab.

There is absolutely nothing missing in this collection except its placement in my closet.

View and shop the entire collection here, availble August 27.

Terry Richardson for Pour La Victoire

Campaign Obsession > He is no stranger to shooting gorgeous women in heels but they are indeed strangers to the ad game. Pour La Victoire, the amazing shoe line that has brought beautiful stilettos to women everywhere, made a very smart decision tapping Terry Richardson for their very first ad campaign.

Shot in a private UES club, Richardson photographs the beautiful Jessica Hart donning PLV's resort and holiday lines. As always, he is able to achieve the ultimate sultry and feminine shots with his model, making the brands campaign virginity non existent in the very best way.

Kate Moss for Rag & Bone

Campaign Obsession > There are few words you need to announce to get my attention when it comes to fashion. Now, to the level of that attention is questionable.  

When I read that one of my ultimate design duos had asked Moss to be the face of their Fall '12 Campaign I knew immediately that they would not disappoint. My respect and complete adoration of this rocking timeless supermodel is never ending and still , with just the mention of her name, she grasps people's attention as they crave to see what she has done now. Ill have me some Glamorous Kate anytime, but put her in leather and denim and you have her at her utmost. Shot in the foggy streets of London, this campaign is all things Kate and classic UK Rock.

Long live the Queen.

Matthew Williamson Resort 2013

(Images Courtesy of Fashion Gone Rogue )

LookBook Love > Matthew Williamson is a constant favorite of mine, as you can always count on him for colorful, well-tailored and mixable pieces. In his Resort 2013 Collection, Williamson was inspired by the work of artist Mat Collishaw and German furniture designer Judith Seng. Using natural colors and geometric shapes, he keeps the color palette simple and elegant, while changes textures for wear. His evening pieces feature Swaroski crystals, fringing and feminine flowing fabric. His street wear, tailored pants paired with strong button ups and jackets. 

See the rest of the collection here

Miserable Mystery

Fashion Obsession > Obsession would be a gross understatement. My girlfriend showed me these beauties almost a year ago and when I demanded to know who - what - and how much, there was no answer. I have exhausted every search and all I can come up with are other desperate bloggers as myself, with the name "Dave Navarro Cross High Heel", with comments from people just as desperate asking the same, who - what - and how much?

The closest I've come is through a co-worker who found them online, in a photo from Harper's Bazaar Spain June 2011 edition, with no clue to who makes them. Is this a trick? A mean mean trick to wave this beautiful footwear creation in front of us to watch us salivate and then give no clue or glimmer of hope as to how to obtain them? Will I be forced to commission someone to make them for me? Or will I need to befriend a welder and take on the task myself?

If there was ever a mystery to be solved, take a look into the soles of these beauties, and tell me you don't feel the need to find these as well. Impossible.

The Iconic: Fendi Baguette

(Originally posted on SMASHBOX Yello!) 

Style Icon > I don't know about you but when I think Fashion, Carrie Bradshaw comes to mind. When I think Carrie Bradshaw, the Fendi Baguette comes to mind. I firmly believe I have survived my 20's thus far because of extensive viewing of Sex and The City, and anyone who has watched knows her character is directly synonymous to the Fendi Baguette. The episode where she plays Twister with Jon Bon Jovi, wearing a Fendi Baquette the color of grass with flowers on it. Or where she gets mugged after her pedicure and they take her beautiful fuschia baguette. Or when shes on her first date with Aiden, searching for a cigarette in that absolutely gorgeous white and pastel pink baguette. Ugh, swoon. Anywho, Fendi knows what the ladies desire as they are celebrating 15 years of the bag with a dedicated book aptly titled, Baquette, and reissuing six of the designers favorite styles. Singapore and New York release parties down, who wants to invite me to the Los Angeles party? Me and Carrie go waaay back.

Elin Kling

(originally posted on SMASHBOX Studios Yello!)


Designer Profile >  Last fall one of my favorite Swedish bloggers and style icons added designer to her list of talents and successes. Starting her career as a fashion model and now at the tender age of 29, Elin Kling has successfully founded a fashion network, NOWMANIFEST, which was recently acquisitioned by Conde Nast / Fairchild Fashion Media, she's collaborated with brands such as H&M to launch special collections, ran a fashion publication, STYLEBY magazine, as well as launched her own fashion line NOWHERE with designer Nhu Duong. 

To say the least, Elin Kling is a talent to be recognized and doesn't seem to be slowing down anytime soon. An example and proof of what can be done with passion and drive, she is an inspiration and a powerhouse.

Jump on the bandwagon and Kling on.

Follow her blog here
Shop NOWHERE here