It's Fashion Week--Oh, to be a Fairytale Princess...

Lots of girls spend a bulk of time during their youth pretending to be a princess in a fairytale.  You dress up in a princess costume, and wave your magic wand around... hoping that you can replicate the aura you witnessed in cartoons or movies.  (When you grow older, you maintain the dream of being a princess... but for entirely different reasons.  Maybe its a growing cynicism of men after years of disappointment that fuels the desire for Prince Charming to come by and whisk you away to his magnificent castle and... wait.  Sorry... got off on a tangent there.)  I, personally, spent my younger years fishing in ponds, playing with legos, and trying to fit in with the boys in my neighborhood by squishing caterpillars between my fingers... so what do I know about princess dreams anyway?  What I lack in princess memories, I will make up for now by living vicariously through Monique Lhullier's current line.  I always wondered why women were willing to spend thousands of dollars they may not have to wear a lace number from Lhullier's bridal collection--but I ponder this no more. 

The jewel encrusted gold number melds sparkle and body into one.  The gown's cut is classic, but the layers of nude tulle give it romance and sex appeal simultaneously.  Lhullier provokes images of watercolor art through her fluttery creation of varying ocean shades.  The opulent gold bodice and bold siren red skirt create high drama in a timeless strapless shape.  Lhullier decides to implement the bright tomato red in an entire gown, which dares to bare a little bit for the imagination through its cut-out design right above the chest.  Alexis Bledel displays the wearability of Lhullier's designs, as well as her knack for choosing the perfect print, fabric, and cut for the perfect combination.

The sheer romantic fabric of the floor length dress is countered with a bold print, plunging neckline, and a chic but subtle metallic belt.  In the next pink floral number, Lhullier uses a simple, Audrey Hepburn-style structured a-line cut, but softens it with layered fabrics and a satin belt.  The soft, gauzy layers in the next strapless gown maintain its romantic style with petal details and ribbon trims on the tiers, but the rich, chocolate shade exudes through the sheerness.  The dramatic floral ball gown skirt stays subtle through its neutral coloring, but still reflects an air of gorgeous sophistication.  Last but not least, Lhullier's deep red strapless gown just screams, "look at me," and will be a guaranteed head-turner with its rose print and gathered bustle. 
Fawning over such beautiful extravagance does make a girl think--will Prince Charming ever arrive?

Fall Shopping Bag--Lovely Greys

This past weekend was the first time I actually felt the need to throw a cardigan in my bag for the evening.  As if I ever need an excuse to shop, my favorite clothing transition is that of summer to fall.  So--of course--I have been filling up shopping bags on all online retail sites in my excitement.  I've been really excited about the color grey for the upcoming chilly weather, so these shoes were exceedingly droolworthy for me. 

The Nine West Ambitious pumps in grey suede is the perfect addition to your fall wardrobe for work or play.  M fancies them in the Taupe Patent (as our quest for the perfect nude shoe continues), so we might have to just buy both and rotate each pair between the two of us!

It's Fashion Week--Oh, to be a "Young and Casual Heiress"...

It's Fashion Week... which, really... is probably better than Christmas to someone like me.  I get to drool over the upcoming season's offerings... and tally up all the items I want, but cannot afford.  Masochistic?  Maybe.  Loads of fun?  Definitely.  I was in NYC this past weekend for the US Open, and while lamenting my absence from DC and the "Fashion's Night Out" event I rsvp'ed to with some gfs... my idiot brain completely forgot that I WOULD BE IN NYC DURING FASHION WEEK'S KICK-OFF WEEKEND.  I had remained clueless until my friend wanted to take me on a stroll down 5th Avenue just for sh*ts and giggles on our way to dinner.  I didn't get to go into any of the stores' events, but just walking down 5th Avenue was an experience in itself.  :)
Erin Fetherston's collection is entitled, "Pretty, Wearable Clothes for the Young and Casual Heiress"... and is accurately named.  She offers draped styles in breezy and beautiful fabrics, but mixes in structured classics like the trench coat.  Below are my top 10:

The shimmering neutrals exude pretty and girly, but the cuts of each item give them sophisticated flair.  The rich greens and reds were unexpected but welcome splashes of color.  The shorts suit is adorable, and the dress with the dramatic ruffle is to die for.  The mixture of sheer, decadent, and tweed fabrics keep the outfits fresh.  It is rare that I would want every item in any one designer's line, but this EF line takes the cake.  It. is. gorgeous.

Best and Worst Fashions at the U.S. Open

I freakin' love the Grand Slams.  During the two weeks that each one is televised, I really do not do much outside of work other than watch the matches.  While the tennis is riveting, observing all the different outfits is almost equally as entertaining. 
I will not even go through the trouble of re-posting this guy's opinions as to who was best and worst dressed at the U.S. Open.  Click here to see some beauties... and some eyesores.  I love Maria Sharapova's day and night dresses, but I have to disagree with his opinion on Ana Ivanovic.  I found it a gooey pink snore.  Caroline Wozniacki was rockin' the ruched number, but hell--if you are tall, leggy, blonde, and have a sparkling smile--you're always gonna look pretty darn good.  The Fed and Nadal are lookin' smart, as always.  Now, does Djokovic think he's starting an alternative line for Audigier in tennis apparel...???...because he did a pretty damn good job at making his Serbian self look like white trash.  Monfils... well... yeah.  And someone, for the love of god, please hire Nadia Petrova a stylist.  If Ellesse thinks that parading Petrova around in frills, ruffles, and circusy color combinations will sell more apparel, their marketing manager might want to take a second gander at the success rate of that misguided theory.

Trend to Try--Paisley (the non-sperm kind)

I came back to the office this afternoon after some client site meetings, and yet again, I was floored with another fashion catastrophe.  Seriously, why would any designer at Michael Kors find the creation of this men's shirt okay?  Did he/she just have a mental conversation with him or herself... "Gee golly, I think an old lady's hankerchief would make a fabulous dress shirt for a guy."  Yeeeeeah~ big... fat... F-A-I-L.

I have had longstanding arguments with M about my general disdain for paisley.  I have always had a beef with the paisley print.  For the most part, subtlety is lost in the design.  Many paisley prints smack you straight in the face like a fart on a crowded metro car with its garish colors and dizzying swirls.  Other versions of the print give you the feeling that you are observing the journey of a school of sperm.  The monstrosity above makes my argument easier, as does the plethora of horrific paisley items out there (see my August 25 rant about preppy styles). 

That being said, I will admit that I have purchased a few paisley items post-Paisley argument, which reside in my closet today.  But, I still feel that a good paisley find is the exception.  After a quick search, I discovered some paisley options out right now that fall outside of the label..."fugly."  It's hard to go wrong with a black & white clothing item, especially a cream cardi with an interesting black print.  J.Crew's cardigan can be the perfect accompaniment to a bright-colored frock, or paired with a simple pencil skirt for the perfect classic look.  When I saw this Peter Pilotto dress, I simply breathed a sigh of relief upon noticing the ginormous price tag ($1,676), because I would have snapped it up just to stare at its head-turning glory in my closet.  The velvet number by Etro screamed fall weather, which was desirable in itself due to the scorching hot temperatures we have experienced in DC this week.  I do not even come close to having the body to pull off the Aoide Paisley Dress, but I fell in love with the swingy fringe detail used in the side panels.  It can also be winterized with some grey tights and boot(ies).  Finally, I allowed Michael Kors to redeem itself with a cute little tank dress in a pattern that is quite lovely with its orchid and black accents.

Last but not least--I love this Joie Campbell Paisley Shirtdress.  The shape is loose and comfortable, can also be winterized with some layers underneath, tights/leggings, and boot(ies)... but the sheer and flowy nature of its movement gives it a sex appeal that cannot be denied.  Love it.

Res Ipsa Loquitur--Serena Williams

Since she is not playing in the U.S. Open right now, I guess she has nothing better to do than burn our retinas with her complete lack of taste.  Gah.  It scares me that she designs a clothing line (Aneres).

Thou Shalt Not--Patron Ed Hardy

After a fun-filled evening overflowing with various types of white wine, I am slouched over in my office with the door closed, my pumps kicked off onto the floor, guzzling water--praying that someone will just come and put me out of my misery.  I took a short break to skim through today's sales on my usual line-up of Gilt Groupe, HauteLook, Ideeli, Ruelala, and various retailers... and I saw the Ed Hardy sale taking place at Ideeli...

Someone must explain to me why the design of these bags would make them a desirable purchase, because I am really having a hard time wrapping my mind around the concept.  According to Wikipedia, "In 2002, Hardy licensed Ku USA, Inc. to produce a line of clothing based on his art. Within two years, the collection had drawn the interest of Saks companies.  Hardy and Ku USA formed Hardy Life LLC, which holds the trademark ownership as well as the copyrights to all his images.  In 2004, Christian Audigier licensed the rights to produce the Ed Hardy clothing line, which is based on Hardy's imagery."  Don't even get me started on how distasteful I find the Audigier line.  I mean really??  Clothing and handbags based on tattoo art just seems like a bad idea... but that's just me.  Apparently, it's doing well enough to stay trendy for now, but I hope it joins the burial ground hosting deceased white trash trends...like Von Dutch trucker hats.  Ugh.