sneak preview: alexander mcqueen for target

I believe that these images were leaked a little early -- the collection isn't in stores until March -- and while I wasn't overwhelmed, there are some cute pieces in the bunch. A few nice jersey dresses and jackets, vests, a cute black and white bikini and a boxy pink dress that would be a good beach coverup.

You can view all the preview images here.

the new presidential style

Michelle's one-shouldered white gown by Jason Wu for the inauguration balls.

During the day she wore a yellow dress and matching jacket (but must have been absolutely freezing out there!) designed by Isabel Toledo, which was quite unique. First lady fashion usually stays with blues, whites and reds, maybe a regal purple or demure pink, but only Michelle could pull off this shade. As Cathy Horyn of the NYTimes said, it really shows the adventurous spirit that she works in her life and her fashion.





Dr. Jill Biden was a bit outside the box as well, in a bright, short red coat and knee-high boots. Not the usual conservative political style at all! Apparently she always wears boots though and her daughter had them on as well. She clearly loves red as she had a gorgeous floor-length strapless red gown for the balls.

Below: the inauguration scene, and Obama's first signature as President (don't ask me how this made it online, but go figure!)

paris looks

two very different silhouettes, both very french...
...and two colorful jackets, spicing up a t-shirt and jeans

all images from elle's street chic daily blog

amber valletta for loewe

I wish all fashion ads were as dynamic, interesting .... and ultimately beautiful as these. You just want to keep on looking at them, I find.

There was a very interesting article in today's NY Times about how Paris is responding to the recession, given how so many luxury brands are centered there. You can read it all here, and below are some key excerpts that I think everyone interested in fashion will be thinking about as we go forward.

“But there is also, paradoxically, an underlying satisfaction here that an era of sometimes vulgar high living is over and that a more bedrock French way of life will emerge.

Only in France is the recession lauded for posing a crisis in values.

A recent issue of Le Figaro Magazine featured a 12-page guide to scaled-down living in 2009, with predictions that people will work less and put family (even in-laws) first. A French trend expert quoted in the magazine dramatically described the changes as nothing less than “a revolution in values.” ”

“Rather than trying to keep the machine running by pumping out high-price hand bags, watches and other goods, he proposed the unthinkable: the entire luxury industry should slash prices. “We need a return to reason, decency, discretion, beauty and creativity — in other words, to true values,” ”

“ “This whole crisis is like a big spring housecleaning — both moral and physical,” Karl Lagerfeld, the designer for Chanel, said in an interview. “There is no creative evolution if you don’t have dramatic moments like this. Bling is over. Red carpety covered with rhinestones is out. I call it ‘the new modesty.’ ” ”

golden globes!

So I don't know about you, but I just love awards season. I guess I feel about it the way some girls feel about weddings: I never really wanted to be an actress growing up, but I did want to give acceptance speeches. Is that weird?! Haha. I guess I just like how they're frivolous and emotional and still truly a fantasy -- while most movies are more and more "realistic" and unglamorous. Loved the Golden Globes last night (especially happy for Colin Farrell, Kate Winslet and Vicky Cristina Barcelona for their wins), and here are my favorite dresses:

Favorite ladies in black:
Kate Winslet looked fantastic all around last night, and aptly so as it was finally her night to win -- twice no less. Her dress didn't look like very much on tv, but with natural light the subtle sheen of the fabric adds a lot, and I love the way it cascades naturally to the ground. Amy Adams chose exceptionally well with this black Oscar de la Renta with appliques, it has a great shape to it and is different from her usual style. Tina Fey and Anne Hathaway (in navy) weren't really risk-taking with their dresses, but each look polished and emphasized their best features. The only question I'm left with is why, out of these four, is the british actress the most tan?! It boggles the mind.






Two favorites in white:
Angelina Jolie has had much more laid-back style in recent years since having kids -- she doesn't go for the statement dresses and instead seems to want to look nice but stay under the radar. She has consistently made good choices though, and is developing a low-key style all her own. I love the casual proportions of this silver dress and how she doesn't worry about it necessarily flattering every part of her. Kate Beckinsale on the other hand, chose an amazing dress which shows off every one of her curves and creates some of its own in big ruffles at the neckline. A truly fun, beautiful dress.




For choosing brilliant colors:
I generally don't like Eva Longoria's style, but this dress was stunning when she first walked out to present her award. The color was better on tv, and the fabric was perfectly sculpted to her body as she moved. And January Jones's dress wasn't really groundbreaking but I think it was the best, most unique color of the night, and suit her perfectly well.




And other noticeable white dresses:
So yes, cream, white and beige dresses were quite overdone this year, and most of them just blended together and were forgettable. But I liked a few: Sandra Bullock's dress had a lot of movement in the tiered ruffles when she moved, and was a big step up from her usual looks. Elizabeth Banks's dress had great texture and I liked especially the cap sleeves which you don't often see on evening gowns. Demi Moore and (I can't believe I'm typing this) Miley Cyrus also looked great in cascading white dresses, Miley's by Marchesa with great gold details underneath the layers which showed when she walked.





Disaster:
In each case it's a matter of both poor dress and hair choices, so even if you ignore one, you can't escape the other...

Do you believe you can be whoever, whatever you want to be, or are there some personas, some looks, that will always be out of reach?

photo from ChicTooChic

people's choice awards

The people's choice awards are only really exciting because they're the first awards show of the season (the Golden Globes being this Sunday) but there were a few nice fashion moments this year. Kate Hudson showed up late (due to traffic, but I think really because it was her son's birthday) and missed presenting but won for favorite leading lady and got to show off her gorgeous blue assymetrical dress anyway. A lot of ladies wore black, and I especially liked Reese in a tiered halter dress which had really nice clean lines at the neck; Katherine Heigl in a trim, well-tailored black suit and a cute up-do; and Christina Appelgate in a long black gown with silver beading.

Among the men, I thought Seal was best-dressed (Thanks, Heidi) -- he got creative with black-on-black layering and a tie with a white pattern, but didn't go over the top. The Mentalist co-star Robin Tunney wore a patterened blue and white dress which might have been a little casual for the occasion, but I loved it all the same. Debra Messing and Marisa Tomei both wore short dresses with nude-colored shoes -- M in slinky red and D in an architectural pewter poof.

i want to go on a safari...

...or at the least jet off to somewhere nice and warm.



I have always loved this photoshoot with Keira Knightley from Vogue, from the practical and wearable modern pieces to the more costumey dreamy dresses; from the khaki and neutral colors to the contrast of preppy blue and ethnic red; and of course all the amazing scenery and personality.

anne hathaway at erin fetherston

These are fairly old photos of Anne front row at a show a few seasons ago, but I keep coming back to them because I think this light-colored by heavily-embellished minidress is such a great look for winter. A warm blazer or cardigan can be layered on top to cover up a little more without losing style. Of course, looking like Anne Hathaway does would help also.