favorite bikini for summer

Retro bandeau top available from Victoria's Secret, now for $25. Easy to mix and match with any plain bikini bottom if you don't like the high-waisted skirt they pair it with.
As seen in black in Vogue, courtesy of fashionista.com

**I'll be on vacation in Perú for the next three weeks, check back in mid-June / Estaré de vacaciones en Perú para tres semanas**

lindsay lohan's ad campaigns

It was recently announced that Lindsay Lohan is going to be the new face of Fornarina. I'm glad that she seems to be doing better and can still get ad campaigns while she's getting her career back in order! My favorite ads that she did were the Jill Stuart ones from last year, she looks sexy but sophisticated despite it all.

daria werbowy and pierce brosnan in vogue

just two more reasons for the white shirt-dress for everyday, made a little more special...

image scans from fashionista.com

Recently I've been noticing a lot of album-covers with a really retr0 60s feel to them. Two of my favorites are The Last Shadow Puppets and Duffy, which both have me reaching for the liquid eyeliner, false eyelashes and black knee-high stockings!

looks for spring/summer: jet set

The pale color-blocked shades and interesting geometric shapes and panels in Jonathan Saunders' SS08 collection are the definition of modern sophistication, and perfectly light enough for summer. The inherent simplicity in his designs make the wonderful for travel as well: they would fit in equally well while making a subtle statement in any time zone.

I especially like the very 60s-influenced, Jane Fonda/Kim Novak/Brigitte Bardot styling in the hair and makeup in this collection. On the right, tousled blonde hair with bangs, catty eyeliner and full, soft lips make this simple shirtdress retro enough to be completely classic and indicative of the pure glamour of the jet-set style from that time period. On the left it brings out the mod-ish futurism inherent in the geometric panels making up the top. Sort of like the Jetsons if they were really, really chic.



Subtle uses of color make these looks more youthful and more obviously modern, and it's easy to see how even just one of these separates in an outfit would go a long way.

Even the dresses, which were mainly black and white, had amazing proportions and enough contrast/balance between structure and flow to remind me of some of Narciso Rodriguez's earliest dresses. It would be hard to go wrong in any one of these.

the newest incarnation of the kate moss for topshop floral dress?

This dress is currently on sale at American Eagle Outfitters for $20. Looks vaguely familiar... I can't decide if I like it better in purple/green or red?

dressing up a t-shirt

photo from fashionista.com

Dressing up a t-shirt with nice pants or a skirt is tricky to perfect, but it's a look that I've been seeing more and more frequently on celebrities and style blogs. The key seems to be for the t-shirt to have a simple and iconic design, much easier if it is a recognizable designer shirt like the Luella one above on Kate Bosworth, or the Dolce & Gabbana shirt with a photo of Steve McQueen. What you pair it with on the bottom should have a simple pattern or be only one color, and have some structure to balance out the soft cotton on top. Hair, makeup, and jewelry are best kept simple and understated. If only this balance were as easy as celebrities make it seem...

Photo from garance dore

Jessica Alba in Dolce and Gabbana's Steve McQueen t-shirt, photo from google.

{El look de una camiseta con una falda o unos pantalones más sofisticados es uno que suele de ser muy dificil de alcanzar bien, pero lo he visto más y más en los celebredades y los blogs de moda recientemente. La clave parece ser escoger una camiseta con un diseño simple e icónico, o aún uno reconocible de las pasarelas como los de Luella y Dolce & Gabbana. Entonces creo que lo mejor es que la falda o los pantalones sean simples también, de un color solo, y con un poco de estructura, al opuesto de la material de la camiseta. Este aire casual y sofisticada debe de tener concordancia con el estilo de cabello, el maquillage, y los complementos como joyería. Las como Kate Bosworth (de la primera foto) lo hacen parecer tan simple...}

too much sad fashion blog news for one day...

I was so sad to read today that one of my very favorite blogs, Liberty London Girl, is ending because of the anonymous author's new job, which comprises somewhat of a conflict of interests. There is nothing quite as disappointing as seeing a new blog post with a vaguely conclusive title, beginning to read it, and realizing it's the end. Other readers who commented said they were upset but not terribly surprised, but I like to lie to myself about things, against all odds, so I didn't see it coming! Quite unfortunate, but there are always her archives to look at I suppose.

Then I also read on fashionista.com that the Gap ad featuring the Sartorialist was cancelled, even though it had already been shot. I had been quite looking forward to that, I wonder why they would pull it considering how many fans he has? The rest of the lineup for the campaign still looks interesting, but what can I say? Gap, I will hold a bit of a grudge.

so you think you can sing?

Both Agyness Deyn's and Scarlett Johansson's first music videos have just come out this week, to sort of mixed reactions. Of the two I think Agyness has a better voice, perhaps she just hasn't rehearsed enough and the Winehouse eye makeup is a bit puzzling. I can see how Scarlett was trying to sing in the style of Tom Waits as it is a cover of his song, but it falls a bit short somehow. Hopefully the next will be better!

Five O'Clock Heroes featuring Agyness Deyn: "Who"



Scarlett Johansson: "Falling Down"




And my favorite model collaboration, Primal Scream featuring Kate Moss: "Some Velvet Morning"

met costume ball: initial roundup

The pictures are just starting to roll in from the Met's Costume Institute Ball, so I'll update when they are all available. But as things stand now, here are my picks:

Top Tier:


Kate Bosworth in Chanel, Christina Ricci in Givenchy.
Kate's bright eye shadow and shoes played along with the colorful dress on the superhero theme without being too literal. Kate stands out from the crowd in this look, but it could stand on its own even without the theme. I think Christina's dress is great, the heart shape is incredibly inventive but not over-the-top, and she really got the point that this event is supposed to be about pushing fashion to the next level and wearing something extraordinary, but not being literally dressed as a superhero. The matching bag is a perfect finish.


Bee Shaffer in Nina Ricci, Caroline Trentini.
I think that this huge costume-y gown is a perfect outlet for Olivier Theyskens, who hasn't seemed to find his footing at the more relaxed Nina Ricci yet, and who was at his best going a bit over the top in gorgeous gowns at Rochas. The vines and leaves are a perfect "Poison Ivy" touch but the color keeps it from becoming 100% costume. Caroline found a perfect dress for this event which could have been out of the pages of the Vogue spread directly. The dramatic points at the neckline don't become too Elizabeth-Taylor because of the short length of the dress, and she carries this off with the right attitude, poise and humor.

Yes!:


Gisele Bundchen in Versace, Victoria & David Beckham in Armani.
I think that Victoria looks good here and especially so because she looks so different from her normal look, with more classic hair and covered up cleavage for once! She is still sexy though, having fun with the clothes, and keeping it interesting. Gisele's dress could use a steam but she looks stunning, if a bit safe. I guess neutral ivory is the big color for this event!


Scarlett Johannson with Dolce and Gabbana (congratulations on the engagement to Ryan Reynolds!), Julia Roberts with Armani
Scarlett often likes to wear this sort of corset-y, ballet-inspired dress, and this one is dramatic enough in the poof yet soft enough in the fabric to really work. With her tousled hair, she could be stepping out of one of many of this season's ad campaigns. Julia Roberts is classic and chic, and mostly I'm happy to see her at an event, she's been off the radar for a while with having kids and all! I usually think of her highest fashion moment as the vintage Valentino dress she wore when she won her Oscar, but here she is the quintessential statuesque Armani woman.


Naomi Watts, Coco Rocha and Anja Rubik in Pucci.
Naomi's sunburst-pleat dress is really amazingly constructed, the matching shawl gives it more of a whimsical feeling, and the Fred Leighton starfish brooch amplifies it all perfectly. It could help that we are used to seeing her as the damsel in white in King Kong. Many people came out in Pucci, but Coco and Anja managed to find prints that were interesting without being too obvious, and with the two floor length gowns and similar hairstyles, they make an amazing pair!


Michelle Trachtenberg, Michelle Monaghan.
Michelle T's dress has more of an Egyptian theme than a superheroes one, but at least it is a theme! Perhaps she just got lost in the wrong wing of the museum. In any case her dress is interesting and stylish, and much more mature than I'm used to seeing her. Michelle M is another Poison Ivy and while the colors might be a little too "fall" for a May party, she pulls it off.


Kate Mara in Zac Posen, with Zac Posen, Andre Benjamin.
Kate Mara is one of my favorite up-and-coming actresses, and I'm glad that designers are taking note of her as well -- Zac Posen always seems to find interesting new women to work with. I'm sure I would love this dress even more if I weren't so distracted in this picture by Zac's electric blue suit! Andre is always a classic, and his hat and lapel pin here set him into a different league. Many men can learn to dress well and not miss-step, but Andre has a level of inventiveness that are truly inimitable.


Blake Lively in Ralph Lauren with Penn Badgley, Jessica Stam in Proenza Schouler.
It seems like Blake is a Ralph Lauren girl both on and off the set! This all black dress is extravagant enough to stand out, but unlike some of her other fashion choices, it really flatters her and looks elegant. Jessica Stam looks beautiful in this metallic mini, and I'm sure if she were a superhero her high kicks would be something to look out for!

No:


Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise, Rachel Bilson.
To me Katie is not working at all here. The dress is a bit "Atlantic City" or mermaidy, the eyeshadow to match is completely unflattering, and the hair is just off -- too short, and maybe they mixed up and gave her Suri's haircut instead? Not sure what's going on here, perhaps the constant negative stories in the tabloids are taking their toll. I want to like Rachel's look because I'm happy she really went with the superhero idea, but I think in combination with her hair it just doesn't look thought-through, and the shoes just add more weight to the look. A sweeping up-do could save the sort of awkward neckline of this dress, and some high sandals would lighten the dress and make it look more whimsical.


Mischa Barton in Missoni, Kate Moss in Stella McCartney.
I really want to like Mischa's look as well, but especially standing next to Marghertia Missoni there is just too much gauze, too much sparkle, too much volume and sort of awkward colors here. This is not the Missoni I know and love! Kate's dress is fine, but of all people I expect her to make a statement and go out on a limb! Last year I believe she wore one of her own designs for Topshop which I thought was a nice touch, this dress seems like neither her style or the theme of the party. At least she's having fun!

photos from just jared and style.com

How do you see the relationship between fashion and money?

"It's all about how something fits, I think. You could be wearing a Chanel suit, and if it doesn't fit, it's going to look cheap."


Read the whole interview with Ivanka Trump at New York Magazine.

perfect day out for a picnic

photo from harper's bazaar.

Happy 5 de Mayo!

favorite gwen stefani styles

Gwen Stefani obviously has her own completely distinctive look (and the clothing line to prove it) but the outfits of hers that I end up liking the most are the ones that don't really fit into all that, where she tries something different. It really shows her versatility, and how good clothes can alter the image of even someone with such a clear look normally. My favorite look I think I've ever seen her in is above, at a store opening in LA for Prada a few years ago. I love the bow in her messier-than usual hair, the more neutral makeup, the mix of sheer and gold pailettes on the top, and of course the best accessory of all, the amazing stomach. Below she is in Prada again I believe, an elegant all-black look, and a great tromp l'oeil sweater and sophisticated ponytail for a school-uniform look. And with that first picture in mind, I'm off to the gym!

the thin black line

Stripes are such a classic and a wardrobe staple (especially for summer) that I think it would bepretty ridiculous to claim them in or out as a trend (as ridiculous as recent statements by fashion editors that dresses are out and pants are in??). Stripes are perfect for always. Here are a few of my favorite ways I've seen them worn recently, to try to keep them new and interesting.

Classic (with a neck scarf for extra French feel), like Jean Seaberg in A Bout de Souffle:

Gossip Girl, from google

Wide stripes, just a peek under layers:

White-on-black:

 from the Sartorialist

Patriotic, a la Chanel S/S 2008:In every direction, Ben Sherman: