j'adore couture.

the one thing: screen actors guild stunner.

2012-01-30T11:23:00.000-08:00

a white beaded jumpsuit + a 70s bob with heavy fringe + minimal accessories equals perfection. i think i love this look (elie saab haute couture from fall 2009) more than anything from the golden globes. who was your best dressed from the screen actors guild awards (see my other picks here)?

full image from celebutopia; cropped image from imdb.com

editorial focus: strong accents.

2012-01-28T09:00:00.000-08:00

now that taylor tomasi hill is over at moda operandi, i'm really going to miss her eye in the accessories editorials in marie claire. "strong accents," photographed by richard pierce, was one of her final assignments, and the styling of each look (with a matching clutch) are spot on. i am loving a crazy print or colorblock clutch for winter and beyond. the acid green lace marc jacobs one is calling my name, but here are some other cool options.

1. proenza schouler ps1 printed floral canvas pochette
2. vince camuto "dara" snake embossed clutch
3. tory burch "797" leather and croc print clutch
4. marni printed clutch
5. topshop mix fabric pink clutch
6. alexander mcqueen tiger canvas "demanta" clutch

editoral scanned by me from u.s. marie claire november 2011

the new look: mellow yellow.

2012-01-27T10:16:00.000-08:00

repurposing a favorite summer skirt for winter...happy friday!

j.crew cardigan (newer version), banana republic t-shirt, madewell skirt, pour la victoire booties, balenciaga bag, celine sunglasses, gap scarf and earrings (love this rose gold pair)

the new look: denim, denim, denim

2012-01-25T10:00:00.000-08:00

besides bags and shoes, denim is a big part of my wardrobe. after years of bowing to the altar of the boot cut, i've expanded my repertoire to skinny, boyfriend, and the slouchy skinny (current/elliott makes my favorite one, the roller). the outfitting ideas with denim are endless, from dressy to dressed down. are you a slave to denim?

1st look: old navy coat (similar here), gap shirt, urban outfitters "ankle cigarette" jean, zara pumps, vintage gucci bag, forever 21 earrings
2nd look: j.crew coat, gap sweatshirts, marc by marc standard supply "prop" jean, vince fur snood, barneys co-op booties (similar style in a wedge), chanel bag, ann taylor loft earrings
3rd look: rodarte for target cardigan, banana republic shirt, earnest sewn "decca" straight leg jeans, hype pumps, madewell jacket, j. crew bag, gap/swarovski bracelets, swatch watch, forever 21 earrings, iosselliani ring

the one thing: keep it all together.

2012-01-23T15:26:00.000-08:00

i've been getting organized this year with some new inserts for my kate spade large debra agenda. it has been a while since i've bought a new datebook, mainly because i've been waffling back and forth about going digital (since i have an iphone). there is something about putting ink (or pencil) to paper that feels more old-school, plus the three-ring aspect is a plus--i can add envelopes and pages to hold business cards, etc. my agenda is black, but i love the idea of a bright one...it's a little more fun and it makes it easier to find in your purse.

how do you organize your world? are you old-school or have you gone hi-tech?

splurge: smythson of bond street bijou organizer in magenta (also comes in blue)
save: kate spade tudor city large debra agenda (also comes in gold and red)

the new look: in with the layers.

2012-01-17T16:22:00.000-08:00

cold outside by warm in the office is the perfect excuse to layer it up. and this long, knit skirt is a bit dressier (yet just as comfortable) than resorting to jeans again when i'm running late.

marc by marc jacobs jacket (similar here), h&m fur vest, j.crew plaid shirt (similar here), aqua skirt, pour la victoire booties, balenciaga bag, hermes watch, j.crew and gap bracelets, elizabeth cole earrings, melinda maria ring

the one thing: golden globe details.

2012-01-16T12:29:00.000-08:00

95% of what was worn yesterday at the golden globes was predictable. i'm starting to think that this has something to do with the proliferation of and the power wielded by fashion stylists. so many celebrities are unsure of what their own personal style is, and are so fearful of ending up on "fashion police" that the red carpet is losing all of its uniqueness. but fear not, there are a few women that are confident in their skin and their style, and it's always a joy to see their sartorial choices, whether good or bad.

two of my picks for best dressed yesterday, tilda swinton and julianne moore, know the power of dressing is to make one bold accessory statement. swinton, who wore a gorgeous haider ackermann ice blue suit, wore matching fred leighton 1940’s sapphire flower, diamond, and gold cuff bracelets while moore (in tiered and ruffled chanel haute couture) added tasseled emerald earrings and an emerald ring both from bulgari. both women chose the perfect finishing touches to what i think were winning ensembles. which looks stood out to you from the golden globes?

tilda swinton from tifan.to; julianne moore from celebutopia.com

pre-fall 2012: no. 21, louis vuitton, band of outsiders.

2012-01-14T11:01:00.000-08:00

the pre-fall collections keep on coming...here are more of my favorites.

i can't seem to get enough of alessandro dell'acqua's no. 21, and the pre-fall collection is all about the menswear/womenswear mix. double breasted coats in camel and button front shirts, fair isle sweaters, and cropped crease front trousers blended seamlessly with crystal pleated skirts, silk jacquard bombers, and lace overlay cocktail dresses.

over at louis vuitton, marc jacobs kept the ladylike feel that he started in spring, with car coats, plaid skirts, fur trimmed shifts, balloon sleeve jackets, but toughened it up with exposed zippers, moto jackets, and skinny leather pants.

band of outsiders' designer scott sternberg was inspired by the woody allen movie manhattan for pre-fall. diane keaton's wardrobe of cord suits, plaid, and menswear shirts were perfect for this line, where sternberg constantly borrows from the boys to create chic pieces for women. my favorites were khakis with stretch striped ankle cuffs, plaid peplum dresses, tie waist shirtdresses, and grey melange suiting separates.

pics from style.com, collages made by me

currently coveting: hey big stud.

2012-01-13T08:49:00.000-08:00

in the age of dangling chandeliers and shoulder dusters, there's something refreshing about an oversized stud earring. not only is it a great finishing touch to a cocktail dress, but it will also elevate your day looks beyond the basic diamond solitare. here are some of my favorites studs.

1. bauble bar olive cushion cut studs
2. badgley mischka deco studs
3. iosselliani crystal fly studs
4. elizabeth cole deco stud earrings
5. juliet & company marguerite de glace earrings
6. t&j designs pink gem earrings
7. kate spade pavé surround stud earrings
8. towne & reese genevieve multicolored studs

the new look: lady with an edge.

2012-01-12T16:23:00.000-08:00

although there were tons of sales and discounts to be had, i only bought one thing on black friday/cyber monday, and it was this jacket from j.crew. they so rarely have 30% off coupons, and it was the perfect opportunity to get something i've been coveting for a great price.

mixing the check jacket with these neon floral pumps seemed like a no-brainer. they've already become quite the conversation piece in my office.

j.crew jacket (similar here), zara t-shirt, car mar jeans, nine west pumps, balenciaga bag (similar here), j.crew chain necklace, anthropologie #9 necklace, timex watch (old), fossil bracelet (customized), dannijo ring

pre-fall 2012: phillip lim, the row, lanvin.

2012-01-11T22:43:00.000-08:00

with the fall/winter shows just around the corner, the pre-fall collections are a great time to not only find new pieces to covet, but also gain insight into what designers are inspired by and what trends will show up next month. not to mention you can start using some of the styling tricks right now. it's a win-win-win.

3.1 phillip lim
i've long been a fan of lim since meeting him at nordstrom sf back when his collection first launch and it's interesting to see him evolve over the years. for pre-fall, i'm in love with the convertible pieces, bright separates, laced-up leather tees, sequin "circuit" pants, and undone knits.

for pre-fall, mary-kate and ashley olsen worked in a tight palette of rust, navy, black and cream, but added leather, flannel, beading, and fur to elevate the collection beyond basics. i can already tell i'm going to want a button-front shirt with contrasting sleeves or a skinny velvet suit.

i can't really look at any season without pausing to see what alber elbaz has up his sleeve at lanvin. he still has pencil skirts and his signature draped pieces, but there was also skater skirts, structured puff sleeve satin tees, ankle pants, and cocktail dresses. the coats were a standout for me (like this double breasted, full skirted one), as well as the tonal nude outfits.

stay tuned for more of my pre-fall favorites...any collections catching your eye so far?

pics from vogue.com, collages made by me

the new look: roll with it.

2012-01-10T14:35:00.000-08:00

as runway collections go, the dries van noten f/w 2010 show is the bees knees. how could i resist florals mixed with leopard, a cutoff sweatshirt worn with a satin skirt, cinched ankle cargos paired with a beaded sleeve shirt? i've acquired a few pieces from that collection and i'm always on the hunt for more, but this shirt remains a favorite. it's easily dressed up with a pencil skirt or wide leg trousers, or down as it is here with my new favorite jeans (not too skinny, not too baggy).

dries van noten shirt (as seen here), current/elliott roller jeans (on sale!), barneys co-op booties, j.crew scarf, celine sunglasses, ann taylor bracelet, vintage ring, lulu frost for j.crew earrings, american apparel belt, lanvin bag

the one thing: the fashion bible.

2012-01-09T13:49:00.000-08:00

don't get my wrong, i love keeping fashion scrapbooks. i've been doing it since around 2003 for the fall and spring seasons. i include a collage of runway images, articles from my favorite magazines, red carpet pics, plus ad campaigns and it makes a great at-a-glance look at the biggest trends and news. that being said, the vogue paris collections magazine includes a runway images and a synopsis from the four fashion capitals, plus accessories images, which makes it great to shop from (or window/couch shop). the covers are interesting as well, this one being devoted to the fabulous alexander mcqueen collection, but ones past featured a rainbow effect or are devoted to one model. i've found compared to the other magazines that do this sort of issue (elle uk collections, etc.), vogue paris' book is the most comprehensive (albeit the most expensive) one around. it's the perfect visual eye candy to start off the week.

the new look: well suited.

2012-01-08T11:43:00.000-08:00

i had a big work presentation on thursday, and it was the perfect opportunity to break out this suit that i bought back in november. i love the slightly slouchy pants, polkadot trim and the suede (-ish) elbow patches. i'm already putting together outfits with the individual pieces.

zara jacket and pants, j.crew tank, gap scarf, alexandre birman shoes, vintage gucci bag, henri bendel ring and bracelet

the new look: san francisco winter.

2012-01-06T13:59:00.000-08:00

after thinking it over (and hearing from you), i've decided show off what i'm wearing here on the blog. even though i don't have to get dressed up for my job, i absolutely love fashion and love making the effort (almost) every day. although i miss the right coast, one of the best things about san francisco is the weather. i can't imagine wearing these shoes and a skirt without tights right now if i were back east. hopefully some more seasonally appropriate (read: colder) weather will come this way soon...i'm missing going snowboarding.

vince sweater, veda for urban outfitters skirt, j.crew belt, zara heels (on sale!), proenza schouler bag, hermes bracelet, timex watch, celine sunglasses, bauble bar earrings (similar here), anthropologie crest necklace

editorial focus: always a lady.

2012-01-05T16:04:00.000-08:00

back when carine roitfeld was editor-in-chief of vogue paris, one of my favorite editorals she used to do was an homage to a season: a diverse group of models each wearing one designer. she mixed up black and white with color, threw in stellar styling (usually by roitfeld herself), hair, and makeup and you have a perfect capsule of spring or fall. the u.s. vogue january issue featured a smaller take on this idea, photographed by david sims, who did two such features in the roitfeld era. styled by grace coddington and featuring a cast of fresh (nyasha matonhodze, edie campbell, aymeline valade) and seasoned (stella tennant, caroline trentini, karlie kloss, isabeli fontana) faces, the images show off not only the uniqueness of the clothes but the individuality of each girl. gorgeous, uncomplicated images...a perfect way to start off the new year.

images scanned by me from us vogue january 2012

in the interest of resolutions.

2012-01-03T16:31:00.000-08:00

j.crew coat, madewell dress, vince fur snood, vintage earrings and ring, elizabeth and james booties, balenciaga bag (more colors here), ann taylor bracelet

2011 was certainly a very big year for me...but 2012 promises to be even better. the san francisco fashion film festival secured funding and i'm so excited to dig in to the work ahead to put on a great inaugural event. i've also been getting amazing feedback on my outfit posts on facebook, which is something i never anticipated...i even ended up in the new york times style section! so as we start a new year and i'm figuring out my goals for the year ahead, i thought i'd put the question to my readers: what do you think of adding outfit posts to j'adore couture? i'd love to hear your thoughts on the positive or negative side.

big thanks to all of you for making 2011 so incredible!

are you following me on instagram?

the one thing: a brand new bag.

2012-01-02T09:21:00.000-08:00

a new year is all about the "new" -- new goals, a fresh new calendar, a blank journal. i don't get a new bag every year, but it is something that signals new beginnings and getting organized. with new york fashion week coming up next month (!), i've been looking for something that is not only stylish but can hold my essentials: laptop (or hopefully an ipad), camera, notebook, flats. the newest addition to the proenza schouler bag family, the ps10, is the perfect, everyday tote. yes it's a looker...the mix of textures elevates it from your standard leather bag, but it's the details that win me over. it's 15 inches tall, so it will hold a laptop with ease. it can be carried with the top handles or the adjustable shoulder strap. the flat shape is easy to wear (you won't bump into the things navigating your commute) and it even has a removable leather key ring.

do you have something you purchase at the start of the year to set the tone for the month's ahead?

proenza schouler ps10 shopper in black at zoe at and burgundy (30% off!) at la garconne

happy holidays.

2011-12-23T12:12:00.000-08:00

i'm so excited to be back on the right coast this holiday, spending time with my family, checking out some of my old haunts (and favorite restaurants/bars), and recharging. i'll still be tweeting and instagramming (and maybe even posting some outfits). wishing you all a very hapy holiday full of love and laughter...xo

scan from thefashionspot

the one thing: stocking surprises.

2011-12-19T10:01:00.000-08:00

the holidays seems to have snuck up on me this year. with all the awesome sales, i've been shopping more for myself (see this, this, and this) than others. i picked up a few things this weekend at the renegade craft fair, but i still have some other gifts and stocking stuffers left to get. growing up, my stocking would be filled with gum, lip smackers gloss, and other kitschy gifts, but i think it's fun to have more elegant surprises inside. what's on your stocking stuffer wishlist?

1. proenza schouler ps11 keychain
2. tiffany leather envelope card case
3. valentino studded leather hair clip
4. tom ford nail lacquer in carnal red
5. fresh mini sugar kissing trio
6. kate spade graffiti spade iphone 4 case
7. smythson "make it happen" notebook
8. sephora two-tone portfolio brush set

style runs in the family.

2011-12-16T12:29:00.000-08:00

top: ruby and lily aldridge, bottom: coco & bianca brandolini d’adda

quite a few magazines over the last month have devoted pages to stylish sisters: the december issue of w was headlined "golden girls," and featured elle and dakota fanning on the cover (and the "soul sisters" editorial inside was highlighted by the traina sisters, claire & virginie courtin-clarins, coco & bianca brandolini d’adda among others), while vogue's annual best dressed issue had mary-kate and ashley olsen along with poppy & cara delevigne, ruby & lily aldridge, rooney & kate mara, kate & pippa middleton and more.

while not sisters, i've been inspired lately by gia and sofia coppola. sofia's fashion pedigree is well known; she recently partnered with louis vuitton on their resort collection. gia, sofia's niece (and francis' granddaughter), is following in sofia's footsteps in the film world, first directing shorts for wren, zac posen (for his target collection), and opening ceremony (featuring her cousin jason schwartzman and kirsten dunst) and now working on her first feature, the film adaptation of james franco's book palo alto. even with the 20+ age difference between them, their style is surprisingly similar: simple silhouettes (button front shirts, gamine sailor shirts, cropped pants, fur jackets, and belted shirtdresses) with luxe accessories (sofia's collection for lv, alaia, marc jacobs) and minimal or no jewelry. i'm currently reading parisian chic, and their style feels very french to me -- approachable yet refined. as gia steps out more and more and sofia continues to forge her way in hollywood, i'll be following them both and their fashion choices.

ruby and lily aldridge: models.com; the brandolini's, wmagazine.com; gia and sofia photo credits: harper's bazaar, just jared, emily jerome, company.co.uk, fashion.telegraph.co.uk, fabsugar, zimbio, coolspotters

the one thing: pretty much everything.

2011-12-12T14:40:00.000-08:00

i know i've already posted a great list of fashion books that are perfect for holiday gifting, but there is one book that i'd want for my dream library and it's pretty much everything, the compendium of work by photographers inez van lamsweerde and vinoodh matadin. inez and vinoodh, as they are known in fashion circles, are a dutch duo (and couple) that have been working together for nearly twenty years and their clients range from fashion (balenciaga, givenchy plus editorials for vogue paris and more) to music (bjork, lady gaga) to fine art.

i love their collaborations with m/m paris, (who also designed the book) with painting and digital manipulations on top of the photographs; they remind me of one of my favorite fine artists, robert rauschenberg). they bring an interesting, provocative and sometimes twisted perspective to their images, and this tome, which includes over 600 photos plus interviews, is the ultimate gift for the inez and vinoodh fan. don't have a spare $700 lying around? here is a good second option.

"pretty much everything" by inez van lamsweerde and vinoodh matadin, $700 or $3,000 for the limited edition with two signed and numbered pigment prints

photo credits: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7

currently coveting: it's a mad world.

2011-12-10T12:17:00.000-08:00

with the winter weather in full swing, and since i'm heading back to the right coast for the holidays, i've been wanting some funkier pieces. i've been inspired by the patchwork and tribal prints from the dries van noten and proenza schouler fall collections (which many stores have on sale right now). the ps chunky cardigan is perfect for an east coast day of wrapping presents by a fire, and i can see the diesel cargo pants pairing nicely with some ankle booties and a cashmere sweater. i've been holding on to the barneys gift card i got from my husband for my birthday...now may be the perfect time to use it.

1. diesel "phaccoly" cargo pants
2. charles by charles david "pompadour" pump
3. bauble bar tribal glam cuff
4. proenza schouler tribal cardigan
5. dries van noten "cathos" shirt
6. zara patchwork clutch bag

the one thing: san francisco fashion film festival.

2011-12-06T16:10:00.000-08:00

a still from "blow up" by michelangelo antonioni

fashion and film are one of the those things that go hand in hand. you always notice the influence of a good wardrobe or styling in a film, it can even become another "character" in the action. a few months ago i was chatting with annie about style cinema, which was a monthly film screening at a local café, and how it would be great to start doing them again. we talked to adelle about it a week or so later, and she said, "why not do style cinema in a much bigger way? why not do a fashion film festival?" and an idea was born.

over the past three months, we have been working on the san francisco fashion film festival, each of us with our own focus. on black friday, we filmed our kickstarter video, and on monday, our website went live. on it, you can find out more about us, sign up for emails, or submit an independent film for consideration (by the way, it's free right now to submit). we're really excited to partner with the roxie theater, san francisco's oldest independent theater, on the festival, and they've been a wonderful partner.

check out our kickstarter video below (you can contribute by clicking the link under the video) and a behind-the-scenes video on the fashionistalab tumblr. we'd love to see you at the roxie in april.

blow up image from wineandbowties.com

go/see/buy: tom ford at neiman marcus.

2011-12-02T10:38:00.000-08:00

one of the most anticipated shows from the s/s 2011 season was tom ford, as he was re-entering the realm of womenswear (to much fanfare). over a year later, ford has not just launched beauty, but has expanded his reach beyond his own boutiques. berdgorf goodman and select neiman marcus locations have opened tom ford shop-in-shops, which offer the tom ford experience in a more initimate setting. the san francisco store is one of four neiman marcus locations in the country that carry women's, men's and beauty. on tuesday, they hosted a small party to toast the opening of the beauty boutique on the first floor, womenswear on three, and menswear on the lower level.

the womenswear space features a long cream soft with an ebony framed glass case, steel wardrobes, and mirrored walls, which showcase the bags and accesories beautifully. yes the clothes were fab (like velvet tuxedos, dramatic collar jackets, and sleek pencil skirts) but the jewelry, like this hammered gold lace cuff were amazing. mens has a similar setup with leather ottomans, pull-out ebony wood drawers that house shirts and ties, and a section for made-to-measure suiting.

before heading upstairs, i was introduced to the beauty line by meredith, a tom ford beauty artist, who walked me through the collection. she said tom's vision was to create a line that would bring out a woman's best features and give her dewy skin, a strong brow, and sculpted cheeks. there's an illuminating primer (with SPF), stick foundation (which can be used as concealer, very light and blendable), a contouring palette (which features a highlight and shading cream) and more. the brow sculptuor is cool and has a slanted, calligraphy tip to draw thick or thin strokes, and includes a sharpener and a grooming brush.

after seeing many images of tom ford's advertising, i was expecting lots of bold and dramatic color in the line, but there are a good range of neutrals and easy to wear colors for everyday. i asked her to create a look for me that would work for day, which is what you see here. i loved the eyes, where she used the burnished umber palette, which included more reddish brown and gold tones, and the lip gloss, pink guilt, which is a gorgeous rose gold.

two positives from the line: makeup comes in a range of colors, so for foundation and powders, there is something for a variety of skintones. the pigments in the lip and eye colors are saturated, so it's easy to make the color softer or richer. the one big negative is the price: nail lacquer is $30 (chanel is $25 and it always seemed like the ceiling for me), while many pieces are in the $50-75 range (and the brushes and some skin treatments are over $100). if it's something you'll wear often, the high price may be worth it.

it's definitely worth checking out the clothes and beauty lines for the fun and glamour of it all. who wouldn't want to be a ford girl for a day (or a few hours)?

currently coveting: fashion books and a signing with glenda bailey.

2011-11-28T16:43:00.000-08:00

last week, i had the pleasure of attending the harper's bazaar greatest hits book signing with editor-in-chief glenda bailey at the coach flagship store. bailey, who has been with the magazine for ten years, has gone through ups (winning the american society of magazine editors cover of the year in 2006) and downs (dropping newsstand sales, cutting down to ten issues a year, and rumours of her demise).

from top: jeanne and melissa at the event, erin gets her book signed, glenda and i

the book is her chance to "look back," as she said when we met, but she is more interested in looking forward to the future of bazaar. in that future is a redesign coming with the march issue. the magazine is getting larger with better paper, and she's hired robin derrick (formerly the creative director of british vogue) to work on a new look (presumably alongside current bazaar creative director stephen gan). while i'm not always a fan of bazaar (sometimes the editorials can be a bit stale), i do love bailey's sense of humour about fashion...i doubt you'd see a feature with the simpsons or a spoof of the 2-hour late marc jacobs show in vogue. while vogue went more subtle for their refresh and elle going more ultramodern in their approach, i can't wait to see the new "face" of bazaar.

if you're in the market for a fashion coffee table book for yourself or as a gift this holiday, here are some other great options.

1. vogue: the covers by dodie kazanjian
2. irreverent by carine roitfeld with cathy horyn, olivier zahm, and alex wiederin
3. dior couture by ingrid sischy and patrick demarchelier
4. christian louboutin by christian louboutin
5. harper's bazaar greatest hits by glenda bailey
6. diana vreeland: the eye has to travel by lisa immordino vreeland

the one thing: holiday brights.

2011-11-28T08:11:00.000-08:00

although we're just getting into the full holiday swing, in the retail world, it's already time for resort. these two bags will look just as good with your holiday party wear as they will in spring with a floral print dress and trenchcoat. it's great to see the colorblock trend will continue in the new season...i've passed on the celine clutch before, but this version may be too good to pass up.

marc by marc jacobs bob's memphis two tone leather tote
celine two-tone clutch pouch

the one thing: a homespun thanksgiving.

2011-11-21T13:37:00.000-08:00

being far away from my family at thanksgiving is something that i'm become accustomed to, and it's something that can make the holidays a bit sad. many of our local friends are also away from their families too so thanksgiving ends up being a day (or a weekend) full of potluck dinners, braving the black friday sales, watching football, and having fun with your close friends who have become like family. it's always nice to bring a great present for the host, like these flock home linen napkins i discovered at the renegade craft fair, a bottle of bubbly, or a candle that smells like a crisp autumn day. and what to wear? i bought this club monaco cardigan last week and it's become my new favorite layer...and this rag & bone dress (on my wishlist) strikes the right balance between chic and comfortable.

are you staying local for thanksgiving this year? if so, what are your plans?

1. rag & bone clement printed silk-crepe dress
2. cb2 beaker glass flutes
3. domaine chandon étoile rosé sparkling wine
4. nine west "mavenue" bootie
5. club monaco "gabi" cardigan
6. flock home natural linen napkins
7. nest pumpkin chai candle
8. forever21 earrings

go/see/buy: ladies night at mira mira.

2011-11-18T08:39:00.000-08:00

host jennie with jackie from the hourglass

mira mira is a petite mission boutique that opened in april and has been a fan favorite ever since. owner mira pickett keeps the store stocked with a collection of independent, international, hard-to-find designers plus gorgeous accessories, jewelry, and plus the natural beauty line priti. one of the things i love about mira is her support of the san francisco fashion and blogging community. last week she was at the steven alan boutique opening and last month she hosted a fashion show which included models blair, jennie, and laura.

lots of priti nails polishes, eli shows off a fishtail braid; pr maven joanna gets braided, pisco punch with slices of apple, lots of great stuff for fall

every month she hosts a ladies night at her boutique, and last night's braiding party was hosted by jennie of going west. the pisco punch was flowing while san francisco's stylish gals checked out the newest pieces and received 20% off. it was fabulous to see many familiar faces, and i picked up a pair of agate earrings and some priti polish in a great bluish-gunmetal.

as the holidays approach, mira mira is the perfect place to get that unique gift or something fun for yourself.

mira mira, 3292 22nd street near valencia, check them out on facebook or follow on twitter

go/see/buy: carrots boutique 4th anniversary party.

2011-11-15T16:21:00.001-08:00

amber checking out some new shades

last thursday i had the pleasure of attending the carrots 4th anniversary party hosted by samantha & kendall (sequin harvest), taylor (sterling style and the glitter guide), caitlin (sacramento street), and erin (apartment 34). the gorgeous space, in the jackson square district, was the home of ernie's restaurant (featured in vertigo) and is now laid out like a fabulous apartment, complete with coffee table books, vintage chandeliers, and a bar. owners (and sisters) melissa and katie grimm stock the boutique with clothing from gregory parkinson, tess giberson, m.patmos, accessories by salt optics and alexander wang, and jewelry from pamela love and jill platner. there is also a sizable selection of fornasetti candles, plates, and home decor items, plus bath products from santa maria novella.

it had been quite some time since i had stopped by (i used to work nearby), and there was so much inside that i was in love with. i definitely need to plan a return trip and do some holiday shopping (and perhaps some for myself!).

carrots, 843 montgomery street between jackson and pacific

the one thing: not so blue.

2011-11-14T17:41:00.000-08:00

if you follow my outfit posts on facebook, you know i've got a thing for bright blue. cobalt, yves klein, whatever you want to call it, i totally love this vibrant shade. not only does it work year round, but it plays well with many other colors in the spectrum. i can pair my balenciaga sandals with denim or a flirty pastel dress, or wear my banana republic colorblock silk tee with magenta for a double hit of brights. best of all, it's a color that always makes me feel more confident when i'm wearing it. trends may come and go, but cobalt is always a classic to me.

what color, no matter the season or year, can you not get enough of?

1. ann taylor "lina" haircalf wedges
2. swatch royal blue rebel watch
3. reed krakoff 510 tote in cyan
4. j. crew cashmere cascade sweater
5. ana konder for asos faux fur snood
6. bryna nicole "palisade" clutch
7. rebecca taylor runway coat
8. equipment signature silk shirt

the one thing: the forgotten denim.

2011-11-07T13:13:00.000-08:00

in the world of denim, it's all about jeans, shorts, jackets, and vests. but what about that other piece of denim clothing, the skirt? denim skirts have come a long way from the vintagey pieced-together ankle duster or the abercrombie & fit barely-butt covers. everyone from stella mccartney and dolce & gabbana to gap and forever 21 offer cool options with unfinished hems, foil trim, studs or exposed buttons. do you have a denim skirt in your style arsenal?

1. a.p.c. rinsed denim mini skirt
2. blank denim pencil skirt
3. marc by marc jacobs cut-off denim mini skirt
4. american apparel high waist denim skirt
5. adam button front denim mini skirt
6. alexander wang foil trim denim skirt

go/see/buy: j.crew at the san francisco center.

2011-11-04T10:11:00.000-07:00

the newly expanded j.crew in the san francisco westfield center has been open about three weeks, but last night the store welcomed new head of women's design tom mora for a private shopping event where invitees could meet tom and get styling advice. mora, who was previously head of weddings and special occasion design is taking over for marissa webb. so far he has been digging into his new role, attending meet-and-greets at j.crew stores in l.a., chicago, and boston, plus heading overseas and in between meeting with j.crew collaborators like lulu frost's lisa salzer.

kirk (left) and annie from wear it both ways with vp of women's design tom mora

the new space has more room for men and women to shop (in separate spaces), plus an shoe and handbag "lounge" with cozy leather chairs, an area for crewcuts, and a weddings dressing room. i am loving that the store now carries more of j.crew collection for women, which has some of my favorites pieces for fall, like silk blouses, tweed pants, herringbone blazers, and bouclé jackets. if you haven't stopped by the store yet, make a plan to check it out...lots of new merchandise is in to get you ready for fall and winter.

i picked up two things last night that are perfect for fall, a bold striped thermal and a sweater that i've been eyeing for a while. can't wait to style up the latter!

the one thing: love of skulls.

2011-10-31T09:14:00.000-07:00

nothing says halloween or the macabre more than the skulls, and no one does the skulls better than the late, great alexander mcqueen (the hell's angels nonwithstanding).

mcqueen sells some incredible jewelry with the skull motif, in silver, gold-tone or brass, and with filigree, suede, calfhair, and swarovski crystal trims. most of what i picked is available in the mcqueen online store or ssense.com, but i could really fill the page with my favorites...

1. twin skulls bracelet
2. purple enamel skull clasp bangle
3. dagger skull ring
4. peppered pony double wrap bracelet
5. twin skull ring

go/see/buy: shop for the cure at theory.

2011-10-28T09:32:00.000-07:00

last night, i had the pleasure of meeting up with some other local bloggers at theory on maiden lane for the kickoff of the shop for the cure event, hosted by elisabeth of mission closet. from now until november 6, if you make a $65 donation to the susan g. comen for the cure bay area, you'll receive a card good for 20% off at retailers like theory, vince, bottega veneta, kate spade, williams-sonoma and more.

eli tries out a rabbit fur snood; santina and annie show off their orange bags; elisabeth, the fab hostess

there are so many good things at theory right now, like the theyskens' theory collection (including the fab wedges above) and other pieces like velvet blazers, fur vests, chunky sweaters, jewel-tone cords, and sleek business separates. and with the komen card, you'll get 20% off.

visit komencard.org to find participating retailers and find out where you can purchase the card. it's a worthy cause and one you can support while stocking up and saving some money at your favorite stores.

s/s 2012 new york: banana republic.

2011-10-26T11:47:00.000-07:00

loving the spring 2012 banana republic collection, which was part mad men inspired with 60s shifts, colorblocking and brights and part "modern safari," with ikat prints, cargo details, and a sandy palette. my favorite look was a long khaki shirtdress belted over a bronze sequin pencil skirt...check out the rest of the collection here. what looks stood out to you?

pics from the instagram feeds of banana republic and lucky mag

the one thing: it came from the eighties.

2011-10-24T13:47:00.000-07:00

i have a healthy obsession with the eighties. i graduated from high school late in the decade, and it's also when i started my love of fashion. from versace prints (being brought back in the h&m collection) to tartan plaids, leggings, and oversized sweatshirts (many of which are back in style now). i frequented shops like contempo casuals, the limited, and esprit. esprit was always one of my favorites...i loved the graphic intarsia sweaters that i wore with pegged jeans and penny loafers. marc jacobs' marc by marc line is one that references the eighties, and this fall is no different. the "quad" sweater is something you could imagine on amanda jones or claire standish, with its diagonal sequins and slightly cropped silhouette.

wear it with a slim bootcut jean or a leather mini for a more modern look, or go full on eighties with a midi-length print skirt. is your style inspired by a certain decade? if you love the eighties as much as i do, check out the glitter guide all week for more inspiration.

marc by marc jacobs "quad" sweater, available in black from nordstrom and bloomingdales, and in rust from shopbop.

esprit scan from glossysheen.blogspot.com

go/see/buy: ippolita boutique at neiman marcus.

2011-10-18T10:08:00.000-07:00

sometimes you find jewelry that is timeless or modern or bohemian, or a piece that you only wear at night or on weekends or to work. ippolita designed and made her jewelry to be worn anytime, anywear and that can pair with any type of style, whether you're more boho or minimalist. on friday, i had the pleasure of checking out the new ippolita shop at neiman marcus, the first of its kind in the u.s. the shop was designed by ippolita herself, using coral, walnut, and hand-carved bronze with custom metal grilles, and is accented with custom jewelry fixtures and sculptures.

the boutique features the full ippolita collection of sterling silver, 18 karat gold, diamond, and rosé, plus the new fall collections hard gloss (resin & gemstone in colors like bordeaux and hunter green), wicked (featuring blackened sterling silver, gemstones, and diamonds) and collections exclusive to neiman's san francisco. i am in love with the rose gold collection, especially the pieces featuring smoky quartz.

ippolita sold her first collection to bergdorf goodman in 1999 and since then has been launching her collections, working with new materials, and building her fanbase. she believes that jewelry shouldn't just be for special occasions or an evening out, and she also believes that jewelry should be collected, and that more is better: rings and bracelets stacked, necklaces layered, mixing metals.

each piece has her personal touch: stones are hand-polished, the crinkled collection is hand-hammered, the organic shapes are hand-formed. the company even developed their own mix of gold (called "green" gold) that looks great on different skintones. prices start at just under $200 to over $20,000 for pieces with semiprecious stones and diamonds, but it's definitely worth it...it's the jewelry you'll have forever and can wear whenever.

the ippolita boutique is at neiman marcus san francisco, geary & stockton streets, or follow them on facebook or twitter.

first pic scanned by me and courtesy of ippolita

the one thing: on the fringe.

2011-10-17T08:15:00.000-07:00

on friday at lunchtime, i went to an event at neiman marcus and had some time to kill afterwards, so i wandered upstairs to the designer floors. the store has been remodeling and updating its designer boutiques, and it was fun to ooh and aah over some of the collections, like tom ford, celine, and givenchy. on the way back down, i spied a gorgeous set of dresses out of the corner of my eye, and they were by bottega veneta.

as with bottega bags, the clothing has sophisticated yet understated feel, and as with most of tomas meier's collections, it's not as simple as what you see on the surface. the fall show, had a sixties vibe (see beehive hairdo's, white tights, and drop waist dresses) but with a subversive twist (black lace over jackson pollock-esque splatter prints, frayed edges, and shredded bodices). i've included some detail shots, but these are the kind of clothes that need to be seen in person and up close, so you can admire the handwork and craftsmanship that went to each piece. and while they're definitely out of my price range, at least i know i can go visit them at neiman's or the new bottega boutique on geary.

all pics from vogue.com

the one thing: velvet crush.

2011-10-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

as you all know from last week's post, i have a weakness for shoes, especially ones with that little something extra. over the last few weeks, i've been seeing shoes pop up in velvet, once a fabric relegated to smoking jackets or kid's holiday dresses. blair's loeffler randall gladiators blew me away (available here), then i saw a street style pic of yael aflalo in a pair of gorgeous blue velvet opening ceremony booties. as i started searching online for the oc booties, i found lots of great options that i'm totally craving. do you have a favorite?

1. hoss criss burgundy criss-cross velvet platform sandal
2. gb "love that" burgundy peep-toe pump, also in navy and black
3. betsey johnson allison bootie in burgundy
4. opening ceremony victorian bootie, also in black, caramel and fuschia (on yael, above)
5. thakoon navy velvet moto booties
6. jenni kayne high heel velvet booties in peacock

blair via atlantic-pacific.com; yael via swaggernewyork.com

s/s 2012 paris: yves saint laurent.

2011-10-05T09:29:00.000-07:00

the rumours of stefano pilati's demise at yves saint laurent seem to come once a year. this time around, it was raf simons who was taking over for him; rumours that ysl denied. i'm sure it still left an uneasy feeling around showtime, but once the lights dimmed and look one hit the runway, hopefully people remembered why pilati was there in the first place. he designs great clothes, clothes that women want and feel feminine in, not to mention covetable accessories (don't tell me the metal-toe loafers aren't on your spring wishlist). maybe with this latest collection, pilati has proven that he has staying power (a la marc at vuitton), and he really can take ysl forward without tarnishing from the past.

pics from vogue.com

s/s 2012 paris: givenchy.

2011-10-04T16:19:00.000-07:00

riccardo tisci is usually known for his collections that verge on the dark side, but the spring givenchy show was all about the sea. not only was it less edgy, but it felt more grown up, for a woman confident in her curves and assured in her stride. the only hint of toughness came in the form of eelskin used as trim on lapels and hems and oversized shark tooth pendants worn with many looks. i loved the focused palette of pink, white, olive and black, and the sparkly iridescent pieces in the middle of the show, but mostly i loved that tisci expanded his thinking and delivered a knockout collection.

pics from vogue.com

the one thing: on the fringe.

2011-10-03T16:20:00.000-07:00

wearing something that has a bit of dimension to it can take the ordinary to the extra ordinary. loafers are big this fall, as well as pointy-toe pumps, but how can you combine both of these into one, fabulous shoe? by doing it in suede, adding fur fringe and a gold chain, and perching it on a slim, 4" heel. and who would create such an amazing thing? stefano pilati at ysl, of course! are you thinking of getting a fab shoe for fall that would tie all your outfits together?

ysl "opyum" heels at ssense.com; kate spade makes a similar and more affordable version

just one look: haider ackermann s/s 2012.

2011-10-03T14:46:00.000-07:00

i couldn't decide on just one look that i loved from the haider ackermann spring show, actually, there was quite a few things happening that i'm wanting for spring. but i narrowed it down to these two looks; the one for day has the most incredible mix of textures, and the one for night is such relaxed elegance. obviously you'd want a more opaque skirt, but how cool are the knotted blazer and the silk paisley brogues? makes me want to buy a cheap jacket so i can attempt to recreate this look now.

pics from vogue.it

s/s 2012 paris: lanvin.

2011-10-02T14:17:00.000-07:00

if there is one constant in the ever-evolving world of fashion (until another alber elbaz leaving rumour starts), it's that lanvin will be one of the collections that is top of mind. just when you think the house is getting stale or that it's the same old thing, elbaz comes up with a new way for women to dress now. the collection reminded me of the eighties alpha-female. but this isn't sigourney weaver in working girl, dressing how a man wants to see a woman dress. it's all woman--sleek pencil skirts, strong shoulder tops, satin lapel vests, and slim trousers. and when she goes out at night, she wants softness, sparkle and shine, in the form of citrus-hued satins, snake print separates, and micropleated chiffon. the lanvin woman is strong, sexy, and bold but not cold or harsh. it's what i see when i think of the 21st century woman.

pics from vogue.com

s/s 2012 paris: dries van noten.

2011-09-29T12:21:00.000-07:00

being someone who was slow to the idea of mixing prints, i was late on the dries van noten bandwagon. but for the past few seasons, i have loved everything about it, from the windowpane check and shine from s/s 2009 to the military-meets-floral fall 2010 and of course the current season. for spring, he used art studies and photos as prints, then mixed them on traditional couture silhouettes like peplum waist pants, drop waist dresses and egg shaped jackets and coats. my favorites were the images of a twinkling night sky that signaled a new way to do evening, or just adding some sparkle to the everyday.

pics from vogue.com

just one look: jil sander s/s 2012.

2011-09-28T10:17:00.000-07:00

as usual, there was buzz surrounding the jil sander show, but it wasn't all devoted to the looks being shown on the runway. distractions about raf simons taking over at ysl aside, the collection was full of fifties-esque silhouettes in white, grass, and black, bold paisleys, exploded checks, and open knits, plus fun picasso prints woven into cropped sweaters. it was a fitting tribute to the chic, sleek, mid-century modern age.

pic from vogue.com

the one thing: the most important layer.

2011-09-27T12:49:00.000-07:00

the object of my affection, at right

because san francisco weather tends to be chilly 75% of the time, one of the things that has become the staple in my wardrobe is a great coat. and because many times you're going straight from the office to an event, or traveling from one part of the bay to another, you need something versatile. that being said, i haven't bought a new coat in about 3 years, my last one being a ben sherman exploded houndstooth number that seems too over the top now. i wanted sleek, sophisticated, but not too showy. back in march, i checked out the images from the j.crew fall presentation and fell in love with a grey coat with black leather sleeves. flash forward to august, and j.crew put their collection lookbook online, with a number to reserve the montmartre coat. i called right away and ordered it sight unseen. knowing it was j.crew, i knew if i didn't love it, i could return it to my local store.

but love it, i did. the body is a gorgeous charcoal grey wool/alpaca blend that is amazingly soft, and the sleeves are equally soft lambskin. it's got amazing details (hidden snaps also covered in leather, rounded collar, chain hook inside, fully lined) and it's definitely worth the price. now all i need is a crisp fall day to wear it.

(my coat is sold out, but zara, dkny, and veda have great alternatives)

first photo from habituallychic.blogspot.com

just one look: tibi s/s 2012.

2011-09-26T12:33:00.000-07:00

i have totally loved the direction that amy smilovic has taken tibi in the past few seasons, going for more of a helmut lang-meets-jil sander vibe of bright colors, sleek silhouettes, and bolder (but less) prints. for spring, smilovic focused on relaxed suiting and a sexy take on menswear, with bermuda shorts, breezy palazzo pants, shantung t-shirts, cutaway gowns, and lightweight laser-cut leather pieces. the show, which was styled by blogger elin kling, definitely had that cool, city vibe going on, one that feels modern and grown-up but not trendy.

pic from style.com

just one look: diane von furstenberg s/s 2012.

2011-09-22T11:54:00.000-07:00

the diane von furstenberg show was prints galore, from eyelets and dots to japanese-inspired florals and pop-art florals. one of my favorite looks was this one--it easily goes from day to night. i also loved that the pieces included something for everyone: bright bermudas, loose knits, soft jackets, egg shaped shifts, ruffled hem cocktail dresses, and grecian gowns. and if you're color or print shy, there were gorgeous earthy neutrals plus black and white looks as well.

pic from vogue.com

just one look: theyskens' theory s/s 2012.

2011-09-21T16:21:00.001-07:00

my favorite look from the theyskens' theory s/s 2012 show includes some pieces that are in my wardrobe right now: a sequined jacket, button down, slouchy jeans, and lace-up ankle boots. but somehow when olivier theyskens puts it together, it ends up looking infinitely cooler.

pic from vogue.com

the one thing: lightweight leather.

2011-09-19T16:59:00.000-07:00

as a child of the eighties, leather clothing can conjer up feelings of pat benatar or hair bands. but with new lighter leathers and unexpected pieces like shift dresses, shirts, and jewelry, you can sport leather and not look like you just walked off the set of teen wolf. for san francisco, these pieces make for easy layering, and even come in faux varieties. are you going to be wearing leather come fall?

clockwise from top left:
1.vince laser cut jumper
2. house of harlow leather stations necklace
3. free people vegan leather button down shirt
4. leith sleeveless leather top
5. j.crew moto leather tee
6. karl lagerfeld for impulse faux leather shorts

s/s 2012 new york: christian siriano.

2011-09-16T10:25:00.000-07:00

ever since he made his debut at new york fashion week, i've had a certain opinion of christian siriano's work. theatrical and show-y, not something for every day wear probably sums it up. he's made great gowns for the red carpet, but how often is a regular girl going to show up at a premiere? his spring show, however, was miles away from what i thought of his clothes, but in a very good way. sleek t-shirts, paper-bag waist palazzo pants, draped day dresses, and long belted vests mingled seamlessly with more flirty looks like chiffon blouses, ruched sleeve shirts, and tiered cocktail dresses. and for evening, he even showed tulle skirts paired with a striped tee, rather than overpowering ball gowns. crisp colors like citron, tangerine, and white dominated, with a touch of nude and muted florals, but nothing outrageous, which suits this girl just fine. this strong showing has definitely put siriano on my radar come spring and seasons to come.

pics from nymag.com

s/s 2012 new york: reed krakoff.

2011-09-15T21:25:00.000-07:00

one of my favorite designers right now has to be reed krakoff. i've always been a lover of cleaner lines and a more mimimal style but without the nineties feeling, and krakoff seems to know exactly what i want before i can even think of it. suits with contrasting color hems? check. coats with low-slung belts? check. those plus the sleek, straight leg pants, baseball sleeve sweaters, and wrap skirts are all mainstays in the line and continued in new ways for spring. he added leather gowns, cellophane windbreakers, and a bold bird print that was scattered in the middle of the show. after a few seasons of focusing on the bigger bag, he went small, showing mirrored clutches and a smaller version of the 510 bag in highlighter yellow or burnt orange. you can krakoff has worked hard to develop the brand dna and stay true to it, and with each season, i become more and more enamored with it.

pics from nymag.com

s/s 2012 new york: j. crew.

2011-09-15T08:47:00.000-07:00

j.crew held their first-ever presentation during new york fashion week, and with beyonce and solange knowles making an appearance, it would seem that the brand has hit its apex of popularity. what was a bit unexpected was the brand continuing the themes that have in the past (neon, colorblocking, styling reminiscent of creative director jenna lyons) and not exploring too many new paths. but when you break down the looks into individual pieces, there is alot to covet (like the sequin "chanel" jacket, the green & blue floral ankle pant, the silk celine-esque print popover) and tons of great accessories that the brand has built its reputation on.

pics from nymag.com

s/s 2012 new york: victoria beckham.

2011-09-14T20:28:00.000-07:00

after a few seasons of focusing on more demure daywear, this season victoria beckham made the jump to true(er) sportswear with a collection of mod-inspired a-line coats, wide utility strap tanks, color block pencil skirts, and shifts with contrasting, exposed zippers. my favorite pieces were the silk gazar jackets in pale lavender and ice blue and the chic leather leggings that attached to christian louboutin pumps she had created for the show. the leather wrap flat sandals in bone and black were also very chic...perfect for work or weekend.

pics from vogue.com

s/s 2012 new york: rachel roy.

2011-09-14T07:56:00.000-07:00

rachel roy's spring collection was inspired by the film the lover, set in late 20s french indochina, with a different take on women in men's clothes than what we saw at band of outsiders. the show was big on separates like kimono-wrap jackets, ankle length cigarette pants, crochet sweaters, sleeveless shirtdresses and silk pajama pants. i loved the mostly black and white looks, with accents like salmon trim on sashes or mustard yellow piping on a wrap dress.

pics from nymag.com

s/s 2012 new york: band of outsiders.

2011-09-13T22:10:00.000-07:00

over the past few years, i have really fallen in love with band of outsiders. scott sternberg has straddled the line between masculine (the boy line) and feminine (the girlier girl line, launched earlier this year), and this season he outfitted his girls in boat hats, pleated shirtdresses, ticking stripe pants, navy anoraks, army colored overalls and toile suiting separates. the girl line was heavy on the florals and with degradé maxi skirts, pointelle trimmed minis, and drawstring waist camis. also high on my wishlist for spring? the banded and striped sandals...with its ankle strap and manageable heel, i can see myself living in them.

images from vogue.com

fashion's night out 2011.

2011-09-12T19:15:00.000-07:00

fashion's night out is such a crazy, whirlwind experience. this is my second one (last year catie and i went to barneys and saw alexander wang dj on the co-op floor) and with so many great things happening all over the city, i decided to check out the fno site and make a game plan. on mine? the j.crew store on prince street to see jenna lyons and head of women's design marissa webb. then hit the coach flagship on 57th and madison for the duffle project, hosted by some of my favorite bloggers.

the coach classics collection; the scene; kelly, leandra, emily, and natalie show off their duffle bags

after taking the subway down to soho and waiting in line, i learned that jenna lyons had to cancel. le sigh. so i had a sparkling cocktail, checked out some of the merchandise, then headed back uptown to coach. one of the first people i spotted when i walked in was kelly framel of the glamourai. i was wearing one of her necklaces (previously seen here), which made her so excited. i was lucky enough to get a photo with her (shot by her partner in crime jeremy james, who also took a photo for her facebook page), plus talk to two of my other faves, leandra of the man repeller (we wore matching leopard shoes), and emily of into the gloss (we chatted about blog design).

the breslin had a booth with some tasty food, kate mulleavy and spike jonze, my rodarte t-shirt

after that, i went down to the ace hotel, where they were doing a carnaval, complete with games, good food, and tents from designers like band of outsiders and rodarte. i spied kate mulleavy and spike jonze in the crowd and jeffrey steingarten doing wine tastings. it was an amazing end to the evening, and my time in new york, as i headed back to san francisco early friday morning. check out more photos from the night and the week on my facebook page.

s/s 2012 new york: m.patmos.

2011-09-12T09:59:00.000-07:00

one of my favorite knitwear lines was lutz & patmos. it was easy cashmere and other knit pieces that were high on quality and low on trends. the line was also famous for its celebrity collaborations with kirsten dunst, sofia coppola, carine roitfeld, and more. in 2010, the duo went their separate ways but fans didn't have to wait long for a resurrection of sorts. marcia patmos started m. patmos later that year, and this was my first time seeing the line in person.

not only is patmos continuing making gorgeous knitwear, she is focusing on high-tech, zero-waste materials like openworked cotton. also in her arsenal are female knitting collectives from nepal and bolivia using repurposed yarns. i loved how relaxed yet elegant all the pieces were, from the open knit sweaters and easy slip dresses to the wide leg trousers and shantung shorts. these are the kind of pieces that you'll have in your wardrobe forever and can transition easily from season to season.

s/s 2012 new york: rachel antonoff.

2011-09-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

the rachel antonoff spring presentation was a haunted mansion a la the addams family fashioned out of black and white illustrations (done by alia penner) in a loft in west village. the stark setting made the clothes stand out even more: jumbo black, navy and red polka dot separates, colorblock dresses, lace minis, and peter pan collar blouses. antonoff's bass collaboration continues for spring, with clear-side brogues and cap toe ballet flats, and this season she added hats by albertus swanepoel. the quirky cool collection is perfect for the modern girl.

evolving influence: IFB conference re-cap.

2011-09-09T15:54:00.000-07:00

after spending a few days in new york shopping and catching up with friends and family, wednesday it was time to get to work. first on the agenda was the independent fashion bloggers conference at milk studios. back in 2009, i attended the very first IFB conference, which was part-party and part-discussion. now the day long event included four panels with bloggers, pr/social media professionals, journalistic icons, and entrepreneurs plus a keynote from elle creative director joe zee.

the aldo display; attendees were treated to free manicures from magnum ice cream; celine of my life in heels' fabulous miu miu booties

here are some highlights from each panel and the keynote:

the bloggers toolkit
"thank your audience…they could be reading other blogs"
"use or create quality images"
"join a network, not just for advertising, but to connect and learn from other bloggers"
"a media kit is essential if you want advertisers"
"make sure you pursue opportunities that are right for your brand…your readers will sense if it's not authentic"

is the social media industry broken?
"if you're working with pr firms, know some basic marketing…buy a book, know how to read/understand contracts. you can't use the excuse 'i didn't know'"
"if a PR company pitches to you, you should write in your point of view…don't change it to suit them"
"ask PR/advertising companies who they represent, how many clients they have, how long they've been in business"
"brands want to work with people who interact with their audience…start conversations with your readers"
"make it easy for companies to find out about you…create a compelling about page"

the balancing act panel, led by grechen cohen of grechen's closet; ari goldberg of stylecaster was my favorite panelist

balancing act: business and blogging
"fellow bloggers are not your competition: learn, share, promote, get friendly with your local network"
"write a mission statement about your blog/brand. struggling to do it? find a brand that you relate to, and rework their mission statement"
"everything in the fashion industry should be high gloss and pretty. your blog is a reflection of you"
"quality posts always trump quantity"
"know what you stand for and what you don't stand for"

the evolution of fashion media
"be authentic…write how you speak"
"don't rely on social media…get out from behind the computer and show who you are. it's more relatable"
"if you wouldn't say something in real life, you probably shouldn't say it on your blog"
"promote your blog posts through twitter, and have sharing buttons on your page"
"fashion can be very exclusionary, so be a unique voice and write about what you're passionate about"

tina craig from bagsnob and joe zee; joe and jennine jacob of IFB

keynote from joe zee
"any industry is saturated. the ones that stand out will rise to the top…if you have something to say, say it"
"it shouldn't be about the blogger vs. the editor…why can't it be both?"
"no matter what business you're in, you want to grow. keep learning, keep striving to get better?
"bloggers are the future…you can show how fashion brands work for the masses. be the bridge for your readers, either high end or low"
"bloggers and editors are both content providers. the difference is i do it once a month while bloggers do it once an hour"
"if you have a voice, it doesn't matter if you use images or words, be concise, say it quicker"
"you only need one brand to give you a chance"

overall the experience was a great one, and i got to connect with many other bloggers from all over. jennine and the ifb team did an amazing job of gathering panelists who really have knowledge of bloggers and who genuinely want to see us succeed. i do wish there was more discussion about bloggers who are writers and not devoted to personal style, and a look at newer social media tools (like snapette, instagram, etc.) that can aid bloggers, but there's always next year!

sneak peek of my outfit: marc by marc jacobs shorts, ann taylor booties, chanel bag, j.crew/hermes/gap bracelets, dannijo ring

the one thing: fashion week s/s 2012.

2011-09-05T19:01:00.000-07:00

i'm writing this from an apartment in hell's kitchen, soaking up the sights and sounds of new york. it's one of my favorite places in the world, always a source of endless inspiration. it also signals the start of the spring 2012 collections, which will continue on to london, milan, and paris. although it's just turning fall, i'm looking forward to all the spring shows and what will be on my shopping list in the new year.

i am here to visit with friends and family, attend the independent fashion bloggers conference (can't wait to hear keynote speaker joe zee), attend some shows and go to some events for fashion's night out. on my agenda: j.crew's prince street store (where jenna lyons and head of women's design marissa webb will be hosting) and coach (with bloggers kelly framel, leandra medine, emily weiss, and more holding court) for the relaunch of the iconic duffle. i'm sad to be missing the san francisco festivities, but i know my stylish friends will represent!

make sure to follow along here and on twitter and tumblr to see more of my new york adventures...

calvin klein f/w 2009 runway finale image from dan lecca

go/see/buy: fashion's night out in san francisco.

2011-09-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

next thursday, september 8 is the third fashion's night out, anna wintour's brainchild to revamp and re-energize shopping in the aftermath of 9/11. this year, i'm going to be back in nyc for the event (where i've got stops planned at j.crew and saks) but san francisco is putting on it's biggest night yet, full of great event going on all over the city (and in san jose, corte madera and stanford, for those outside the city). here is a round-up of what's happening where (most event are until 8pm unless otherwise noted), and krista of city chic has a great list that will be updated all this weekend and next week:

banana republic, 256 grant: enjoy mini makeovers from the body shop and snag some free samples. style experts will be on hand to help you round out your wardrobe for fall

bebe, westfield mall: laura ellner from on the racks and teen vogue are setting up a blogger boutique. spend $100 and receive a mini bottle of bebe gold nail gloss and receive $25 off any purchase of $150 or more.

bottega veneta, 108 geary: BV will celebrate their new, larger space and debut their namesake fragrance before the official september 15 launch.

cole haan, 324 stockton: shopping, sweets and sweeps, where you can enter to win a pair of shoes every month for a year, and check out the new maria sharapova collection.

gucci, 240 stockton: sparkling wine and a special cocktail will be served until 8pm and guests spending over $500 will receive a FNO tote.

gumps, 135 post street: a night of mixology featuring jendarling bags.

jonathan adler, 2133 fillmore: join annie wilson of poetic and chic at the JA store, which will be open until 10pm. she'll let you in on the hottest and newest pieces in the store and there will be cocktails and music so you can finish off the night in style.

macy's (open until 9pm):
level 1: characters from cirque du soleil's newest show, totem, will be roaming the store in full costume while models from the sunglass hut will be showing off the newest fall styles
level 2: vince camuto's new ready-to-wear line will be on display with sweets and drinks
level 3: blogger blair eadie from atlantic-pacific will be styling a model presentation featuring her take on the best of fall trends, then share tips on how to get the look. also on level 3, stylists from cinta salon will be conducting consultations on how to update your look for fall.
cellar: sonja morgan from the real housewives of new york will do a cooking demonstration followed by a book signing and meet-and-greet on level 2.

madewell, san francisco center: snack, sip and score a limited-edition, dotted denim tote with a purchase of $150 or more

marc jacobs and marc by marc jacobs (until 10pm): it's a marc jacobs carnival! get your photo taken in the window and receive a limited edition tote. sofia mini champagne for shoppers 21 and over.

neiman marcus: models will be showcasing the newest lines at the sf store like victoria beckham, altuzarra, tom ford, christopher kane, and rachel zoe while munching on mission mini cupcakes. there's also a hanky panky decorate your panty station and makeovers on the first floor. RSVP at 415.249.2713 or RSVPSanFrancisco@NeimanMarcus.com

saks fifth avenue, 384 post street
main floor: indulge in treatments and makeovers then get your picture taken by a professional photographer while a DJ spins
5th floor: the bloggers lounge will have mannequins outfitted by local bloggers (including ahn from 9to5chic and natalie from like fresh laundry). guests are invited to vote and the winning look will receive an award. (RSVP required; call 415.438.5411 by september 6)

san francisco center: VIP event ($10 which benefits ArtPoint) with light bites from the restaurant collection, cocktails and more
events throughout the mall ranging from fashion shows, entertainment to cocktails, champagne and discounts until 8:30pm. participating retailers include aveda, michael kors, max & co, true religion, juicy couture, kiehl's, furla, and more.

two birds, 1309 castro street: sfindiefashion's lorraine sanders and sf designer ali golden will be on hand to celebrate in true independent style. score 10% off plus hear dj rye toast.

vince, 36 geary: co-hosted by mission closet, a portion of all proceeds will be donated to the children's aids art programme. early-bird attendees will receive a kiehl's gift bag, and there will also be a raffle of prizes like an outfit from vince.

if you're going to be in new york like me, two san francisco faves are hosting events there. style within reach from the glitter guide will be at accessorize (329 bleecker) curating their windows and giving stylig tips. the girls behind honestly...wtf will be at madewell (115 fifth avenue) and free people (79 fifth avenue) hosting d.i.y. events. what events are on your agenda for FNO?

first photo from vogue.com

go/see/buy: karl lagerfeld for macy's.

2011-08-31T09:05:00.000-07:00

what hasn't karl lagerfeld done? he's worked at storied french houses balmain, patou, chloé, and chanel (plus fendi). he's designed costumes for madonna, kylie minogue, and the stage. he's an avid photographer, shooting all ad campaigns plus editorials for magazines like harpers bazaar, visionaire, and numéro. he's designed furniture and art. he saw the future of the high-low collaboration as the first designer to partner with h&m, and now he's back doing it again with macy's. the 45 piece collection includes faux leather jackets, shorts, and skinny pants, floral chiffon print shirts and dresses, jersey high neck dresses, and of course graphic t-shirts.

macy's in union square hosted a preview event last night sponsored by san francisco magazine, and not only was it fun to check out the collection, but also catch up with my favorite blog friends. it's funny how many of us made a beeline to particular items that we saw in the lookbook -- i went right to the print blouses, amber was after the pink chiffon dress, santina wanted the leather shorts (as did lots of other shoppers), and whit spied the textured floral keyhole dress). the collection is available now at macy's union square, online and at 235 locations nationwide. what pieces do you have your eye on?

my lagerfeld for macy's impulse blouse

the one thing: all-in-one.

2011-08-29T16:25:00.000-07:00

now is about the time when magazines, blogs and fashion mavens talk about the trends of the season and what you must have for fall. there's alot on the list, but imagine finding one piece that combines what's fresh for fall? this marc by marc jacobs dress is bordeaux, leopard print, velvet and in the of-the-moment midi length. i adore the three-quarter length sleeves and the delicate button loop closure. i can see myself wearing with stacked heel boots and a chunky scarf to work or with tights and a platform sandal for a dinner out. who says you can't have it all?

the "sphinx" dress is available now from net-a-porter, marcjacobs.com, and saks.com

runway image from vogue.com

the one thing: looking back to look forward.

2011-08-22T11:38:00.002-07:00

*"the one thing" is a new feature where every monday i'll explore something that is inspiring me this week...

since it hasn't been exactly summer weather here, i've been thinking about fall alot. on friday, i featured a few pieces that are on my early fall wishlist, but then i started thinking about collections i've loved from the past that would be perfect right now. the 09-10 dries van noten collection was one of my favorites, as he mixed prints to perfection and the color palette was soft and light, perfect for the earlier months of fall. look #56, a sand slouchy sweater with bracelet sleeves and pewter metallic wrap skirt, are so on target for today. in fact, i could be wearing this right now. what looks from past collections are you going to bring back for fall?

top image from vogue.com; others from style.com

currently coveting: pre-fall favorites.

2011-08-19T15:39:00.000-07:00

as it gets closer to september, my thoughts naturally gravitate towards updating my wardrobe for fall. and since i'm going to be in new york for fashion week, i know i'm going to see tons of great pieces when i'm there. after checking out the fancy pants feature on the glitter guide, i'm loving the idea of trousers for fall. the dotted blazer would make a perfect layer now and later, and of course, i can't forget an awesome pair of shoes (red pumps go with everything)! what are you craving for fall?

1. topshop spot print jacket
2. bauble bar* knotted opera chain
3. bauble bar* champagne cocktail ring
4. tory burch digby pant
5. kooba "jude" cross body messenger bag
6. christian louboutin "pigalle plato" patent pump
7. j.crew factory link and fireball bracelet
8. kelly wearstler oncidum print blouse

*want to join bauble bar? sign up here...

a brand new bag (and what's inside).

2011-08-16T19:31:00.000-07:00

if there is one thing in my wardrobe that i splurge on, it's handbags. i tend to lean towards more functional styles for day and funkier clutches and mini-bags for evening. being in san francisco, rain and fog is always a factor, so i don't usually get suede or nubuck bags, but this bag was too good to pass up. i bought my balenciaga acier blue velo gently used, and it's probably one of the lightest bags i own, even filled up with my daily essentials. i can already tell that this bag is going to be perfect for fashion week and walking around the city, especially with the cross body strap.

kate spade large agenda (i'm old school!), doublemint gum, balenciaga wallet, business card case, sleeve for transit card/work ID

sephora tea tree blotting papers, nail clipper, prada l'eau ambree tester, burberry bronze lip gloss, maybelline eyeliner, balenciaga coin purse (that i use as a makeup bag), bliss body lotion, clarke's lip gloss, mirror, club monaco sunglasses, prescriptives mascara, chanel rouge coco shine lip gloss, clinique vitamin c lip color, black pen

this is what i usually carry everyday to work, the only thing missing are my keys and a flash drive (since i never know when i'll have to work at home). it's been fun checking out the other IFB posts on bag contents...you learn alot about each contributor. so now that you know what's in my bag, what's in yours?

editorial focus: a new theory.

2011-08-12T10:01:00.000-07:00

the higher-end theyskens' theory collection has been available for about a year now and editors, stylists and fashion mavens have been going crazy over the velvet wedges, supple leather jackets, mannish trousers and haircalf bags. now the first theory collection, with direction from theyskens is hitting shelves just in time for fall. this ed from neiman marcus' the book for september, shows off the looks beautifully...i'm loving the cream skirt suit on sasha pivovarova.

in the q&a, theyskens said, "my approach for the line is making what i feel is right for it for now, understanding where it's been and what it stands for, and how i can take it somewhere new." he has definitely done that, making theory covetable for not only versatile workwear but for must-have fashion pieces.

images scanned by me from neiman marcus the book september 2011

go/see/buy: toms + the row shoes.

2011-08-05T10:45:00.000-07:00

in building the row into an american lifestyle brand, a natural step would be philanthropic efforts. back in february during fashion week, the mary-kate and ashley olsen announced a partnership with toms shoes to create a limited edition collection. toms, founded in 2006 by blake mycoskie, donates a pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair of shoes sold. in announcing the partnership, mary-kate olsen said to wwd, “the giving is immediate...having the opportunity to be a part of something so meaningful has made the collaboration with toms special to everyone at the row.” ashley olsen added, "toms + the row customers will have the ability to give back and create change with a single purchase."

at the product launch yesterday at san francisco's neiman marcus i had the chance to chat with kelly johnson, the northwest media coordinator for toms. she said that mary-kate and ashley were very involved in the partnership, selecting fabrics like cashmere and hemp from the clothing line to be used for the shoes. they also went on a trip with mycoskie to honduras, bringing the new collection to needy children, in addition to playing soccer and visiting schools.

these being from the row, the fabrics are decidedly luxurious in italian wool/cashmere blend or herringbone hemp, suede insoles, lambskin footbeds and back patches. with prices between $98 (for the hemp version) to $150 (for the patchwork plaid cashmere blend), it's a touch of bliss that gives back. but be quick, because they are a limited edition, so when they're gone, they're gone.

the row + toms is available in eight styles (6 of which are available at neiman marcus in san francisco). the line is also available at the toms website, bergdorf goodman, colette, and select boutiques.

editorial focus: don't act your age.

2011-08-04T12:25:00.000-07:00

vogue's anna wintour started the age issue in 2001 to show women "what to wear from 17 to 70," with examples on models of all ages. although most fashion magazines cater to the woman between 25 and 35, it was nice to see to focus on all ages, including models. when i was young, i would read vogue and dream of wearing ysl, halston, and perry ellis "when i grew up." well now i am grown up, and vogue has too. less and less emphasis is being focused on actually showing models in the age segments and focusing instead on their sweet spot of 25 to 35.

in the latest age issue, steven meisel shoots models between 20 and 46 for "double take." liya kebede, karen elson, arizona muse and more show off runway trends two different ways. i love the moodiness of the backgrounds that gradiate from beige to forest green and rust. the styling, down to the legwear, is also strong, thanks to focused eye of marie-amélie sauvé. i would have loved aymeline valade, karen alexander, or carmen dell'orefice in the hands of meisel but i'm never going to be disappointed to see guinevere van seenus, audrey marnay, or kristen mcmenamy getting some face time. see the entire ed in high res here.

scans from gossamer veil at thefashionspot

currently coveting: black and white summer.

2011-07-22T15:51:00.000-07:00

when the weather turns hot, i love a minimal wardrobe to keep you looking crisp and cool. it's also easy to pull together a look and accessories and jewelry can be the way you go from day to night, weekday to weekend. how do you look cool when it gets hot?

1. equipment sheer striped blouse (as seen on cheetah is the new black)
2. kate spade "essex" scout bag
3. vince camuto "edon" wedge
4. madewell ticker stripe tank
5. topshop boucle leather trim shorts
6. j.crew striped silk blouson dress
7. old navy metallic stripe bikini top and bottom

go/see/buy: madewell.

2011-07-18T12:05:00.001-07:00

after years of hoping and wishing, madewell has opened in the san francisco center (and another location coming in august to corte madera). the little sister to j.crew, madewell was originally founded in massachusetts in 1937 with a workwear focus. j.crew founder mickey drexler wanted a line that would complement j.crew with a younger focus (and lower pricepoints). with a focus on denim (you get free shipping & free returns with any online denim purchase) and collaborations with indie icons like alexa chung (look out for her fall collection), madewell seems to be on the right track

for a limited time, the front of the store features collaborations with local shops & designers, including rare device, carrot & stick press, and cc made caramels. here's what i'm loving right now from the store, and check out refinery29's post with more interior shots plus an interview with drexler.

1. bootlegger jean in horseshoe wash
2. share with...le minor® dip-dyed tee
3. wishing well necklace
4. sleeveless silk safari shirt
5. kite tails tee
6. market weaver bracelet set

on me, the staircase skirt (in mustard); marc by marc jacobs jacket; urban outfitters tee; club monaco, hermes, gap bracelets

first image from refinery29.com; second image from fabsugar.com

the glass slipper.

2011-07-08T11:26:00.000-07:00

shoes can be functional, fanciful, or anywhere in between. you may have shoes in your closet that are just your standard footwear, but there are others that lift your mood every time you put them on. i've been fascinated by all things reed krakoff recently, and this sandal, the collage, is one of my favorites of the season. it's a mix of suede, metallic leather, python and lizard that comes in two colorways: cinnabar/taupe/pink and black/mercury/ink. the delicate ankle strap, slight platform, and thicker heel makes the shoe sturdy, the different textures & colors and organic shapes makes it arresting. and while it's on the spendy side, it's a shoe that would look equally at home with slouchy jeans and a grey t-shirt as it would with a cocktail dress at a wedding. no matter the other trappings, it's a shoe that gets noticed.

reed krakoff "collage" sandal available at reed krakoff boutiques, reedkrakoff.com, select saks fifth avenue stores

currently coveting: two-toned canvas.

2011-07-01T10:45:00.000-07:00

when the weather turns to sunny days, i love changing over my handbag to something more summer appropriate...the canvas tote. it's the perfect bag to get a jump on your weekend travels or for lazy saturdays spent in the park with some fashion mags and a favorite bottle of chardonnay. right now, i have one from club monaco that has more of a feminine feel, but recently i've been craving something more utilitarian. the options are endless, from everyone like h&m and urban outfitters, to more luxurious versions like the "paper bag" leather tote from proenza schouler. all of these have one thing in common: two-toned details. i'm leaning towards the coach (which works for a man or a woman)...which is your favorite?

1. BDG buckle tote in black, $58
2. coach bleecker legacy canvas utility tote, $298
3. rag and bone natural tote, $125
4. j.crew takeaway tote, $68
5. proenza schouler medium shopping tote, $615

go/see/buy: vince

2011-06-08T13:35:00.000-07:00

the pieces in your wardrobe that you turn to again and again are the ones that feel good, are well made, and fit like a dream. vince is that line, chocked full of pieces in no-frill colors (beige, brown, grey, cream) designed by a women who remains behind the scenes (here name is rea laccone) and lets the focus stay on the clothes.

last night, elisabeth of mission closet hosted an event at the san francisco store with stylist and personal shopper micki turner. turner was on hand to help shoppers find the perfect outfit for summer. it was great to see the two of them and other local bloggers, plus make a wishlist for summer and early fall. i've recently bought a pair of vince's jeans, and they are the softest pair i own (without looking beat up). the "drop ankle trouser" has trouser pockets and a slightly slouchier fit. vince's prices are a bit on the higher side, but for the quality, fabrics, and silhouettes; it's worth it. you'll never feel trendy in something from vince...you'll have it forever and it will work forever.

vince is available at their two bay area shops (38 geary between kearny & grant and stanford shopping center), bloomingdales, saks, neiman marcus, nordstrom, and online

get into the groove.

2011-05-23T20:18:00.000-07:00

when carine roitfeld was editor-in-chief at vogue paris, i found myself purchasing many issues. the epic double-digit page editorials were collectors' items, and she had a knack for mixing up photographers, stylists, and models. that was until her last year there, when the mag became stale and staid. emmanuelle alt is three issues in to her editorship, and while she has stuck to roitfeld faves raquel zimmerman, anja rubik, isabeli fontana (who is on the cover of the june/july issue), she's cut back on the nudity and provocativity in favor of good old fashioned high fashion magazine styling.

in "downtown," inez van lamsweerde & vinoodh matadin shoot sasha pivovarova on the streets of new york. styled by joe mckenna, the editorial is based on "on the street," amy arbus' photography feature from the 80s village voice. pivovarova is a dead ringer for madonna with her frosted spiked hair, oversized vintage chesterfield coat, and arms full of bracelets. it's not the type of feature you'd expect to see in a high summer issue with all the layering, but here it feels fresh and light-hearted, like it's one more piece away from feeling over the top (joe mckenna is an expert at this, and here he shows his genius once again.) the ed is a trip down memory lane that i don't mind taking.

scans from valentine27 at thefashionspot

go/see/buy: shourouk at la boutique

2011-05-20T11:43:00.000-07:00

adelle from fashionista lab and shourouk chatting about her process

the jackson square area of san francisco is a quaint part of the city that's home to some great restaurants (michael mina, quince, bix), shopping (william stout books, carrots) plus tons of antiques and art which makes it feel very european. la boutique, which opened last year, is a gallery/showroom, carrying designers such as cacharel, vanessa bruno, zadig & voltaire, and jerome dreyfuss. the airy loft-like space makes you feel like you're in a parisian boutique from the moment you step in the doors. last night, they hosted a party in honor of shourouk, a french jewelry and accessories designer who has made pieces for beth ditto, jean paul gaultier haute couture, and sex and the city 2. she just received a request from michelle obama's stylist to create some headbands for the first lady.

she started the line about three years ago, after studying embroidery and working with john galliano and at chloé. her pieces are big, bold, beautiful, and glitzy, incorporating oversized jewels, sequins and swavorski crystals. a big fan of comics, she also uses fun themes in her designs, like birds, cherries, and lions. in the back of the boutique was a recreation of her paris atelier, with candles, her desk with found jewels, and a mock-up of a design in progress. she tapes pieces together and tries them on, sometimes switching elements out to get just the right look.

i loved all the jewelry, especially the statement necklaces with pops of neon. they would look great with a white t-shirt, bias cut maxi skirt, and some great shoes. in addition to la boutique, shourouk's pieces are available at henri bendel, alexis bittar and blue tree (all in nyc) and her online boutique. check out more photos from the night on the j'adore couture facebook page.

the new guard: the academy of art graduation fashion show

2011-05-11T23:28:00.000-07:00

my alma mater, the academy of art, always puts on a stellar graduation fashion show, and this spring's edition was no exception. the crowd of industry insiders (which included honorary degree receipients cathy horyn from the new york times, nathalie rykiel, yigal azrouel, andrew buckler, and chistina neault of img fashion) and local fashion fans were treated to a show from 22 designers in fashion, knitwear, textile, and jewelry design. i am always impressed with the talented designers that come out of the bfa and mfa programs, and some of the big trends that emerged this season were rubberized fabrics, loose weave knitwear, long layering, and patchwork (in menswear). congrats to all the graduates and to those who won internships at companies such as sonia rykiel and abercrombie & fitch, and scholarships from the cfda.

check out more fashion show coverage from profreshstyle and refinery29 and the aau fashion site, fashion school daily.

photos from top:
#1 and #2: margaret yoah, bfa fashion design (inspiration: jean-jacques rousseau’s noble savage; henri rousseau’s jungle paintings)

#3: peter loc tan nguyen, bfa fashion/knitwear design (inspiration: menswear tailoring)

#4 and #5: brittany burggraff, bfa fashion design and wendy tam, bfa textile design (inspiration: dark children’s stories; the abstract art of yellena james; vintage lingerie; the spider and the fly poem by mary howitt and illustrated by tony diterlizzi)

#6 and #7: fayrouz abi assi, mfa fashion design (inspiration: america’s depression era and the shades, tones, and layers of arab desert dwellers)

#8: maggie mo luo, bfa fashion & knitwear design (inspiration: secrets of the ocean; beauty of illuminant underwater)

#9 and #10: shannon wong, bfa fashion design (inspiration: shibari, an ancient japanese artistic form of rope bondage)

#11: drew williams, bfa knitwear design (inspiration: agarose gel electrophoresis, rudi genrich, medical attire)

go/see/buy: winter kate and house of harlow 1960

2011-05-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

in the realm of celebrity helmed fashion lines, there are the ones that feel like a label slapped onto a dress or handbag (about 95% of what's out there), and there are those where you really feel the aesthetic of the star. nicole richie's style has always veered toward the more bohemian and vintage, so it's no surprise that her line contemporary line winter kate (using her daughter harlow's two middle names) feels like it was culled from richie's closet--it's chock full of floral maxi dresses, drippy silk blouses, lace trim camisoles, and kimono style shrugs and dusters. her house of harlow shoe line also has a sixties inspiration, with beaded moccasins, perforated low wedges, embroidered gladiator flats, and platform lace peep toe sandals.

richie stopped by the savvy department of nordstrom in the san francisco center yesterday to show the spring collections for house of harlow shoes and jewelry and winter kate. while she didn't speak about the lines, she did greet fans and take photos. i love the prints and florals in the collection, and that the pieces are airy and drapey...nothing too tight or snug (which is perfect for spring and summer). prices run in the $200-$300 range for clothing, and shoes are between $150-300 (the jewelry & sunglasses are more affordable, with the former starting under $40 and the latter around $150)

nicole in a dress from satine, with a house of harlow clutch and shoes (not shown)

house of harlow shoes and jewelry and winter kate available locally at nordstrom san francisco, and online at singer22, shopbop, and revolve clothing

acid wash.

2011-05-07T10:48:00.000-07:00

along the same lines as my post from yesterday, i'm starting to see more pieces from the spring proenza schouler collection in stores (mainly barneys in san francisco) and online. alot of handiwork went into them, which is why they are uber-expensive. but how cool is the hologram sequin skirt or the guipure lace dress with rugby stripes? hopefully i'll catch some of these on sale at the end of the season...

pics from net-a-porter.com and thewebstermiami.com

taking a fashion risk.

2011-05-04T15:05:00.000-07:00

i always love seeing how runway fashion (real runway pieces, not the looks that are redone for retailers in a more sedate way) is interpreted for real life. some of the more extravagant looks are only fit for the oscars or a gala, or when people try to wear them off the runway, the results are disatrous. when i first saw the pink lace dress near the end of the no. 21 show in february, i adored it, with it's feminine silhouette and flirty back. but pink lace? not the easiest thing in the world to wear. insert diane kruger, who wore the dress to the premiere of "pieds nus sur les limaces" (lily sometimes) in berlin a few weeks ago. i love the confidence in which she wears this dress (sans glittery extras) and the contrast between the frills of the dress and the sturdiness of the aqua suede pumps (brian atwood ‘felini’). one of my style mantras is soft with hard, and here it is executed beautifully.

pics of diane kruger courtesy of tifan via thefashionspot

how to wear it.

2011-04-04T22:13:00.000-07:00

i am super excited to be today's guest blogger over at tobi.com today! when the team at tobi approached me about doing a post (and said they were fans of j'adore couture), i was truly honored. and on top of it, my first post is about one of my favorite jewelry designers, iosselliani. i have one of their rings that i still adore, and can't wait to pick up some new pieces (including the great fringe necklaces). hope you enjoy the post (and be on the lookout for more in the future!)

pics from tobi.com

the details at lanvin.

2011-03-14T10:33:00.000-07:00

alber elbaz took lanvin from austere to playful all in one show for fall, but proved once again that you can easily take a look from office to after five by adding a few (or alot) of showstopping accessories. hidden platform boots were sleek and fitted, wide brimmed hats could conceal a night of too much partying, elegant croc clutches, chain bags and leather gloves could take a look to a more innocent place, and floral motifs showed up on jeweled pins, chunky bracelets, or a chiffon headband. you'd be hard pressed not to find things to covet in this collection.

pics from vogue.com

the details at dries.

2011-03-11T11:36:00.000-08:00

with so many shows going on during fashion week, shows undoubtedly get lost in the shuffle. besides the show setting and music, the details are not only an interesting way to get the feel for a collection, but also get inside the designer's mind, to see those fine points that other images may have missed. i'm loving the details from the dries van noten fall collection. dries is always masterful at mixing prints and textures, and this show was no exception as he got back to that after a few seasons away. i loved the beaded tee, the booties in emerald velvet and the mixed exotic sandal with a plexiglas heel. i can't wait for fall to arrive again...

check out more details shots from the collection here.

pics from vogue.com

go/see/buy: kate spade spring 2011.

2011-03-10T21:00:00.000-08:00

after the departure of kate & andy spade from their namesake company and its subsequent sale to liz claiborne, it would have been easy to write off kate spade or feel that they had reached its peak. you wouldn't have been more wrong. the company hired deborah lloyd as co-president and creative director to build the brand into a power and introduce new categories. lloyd knows a thing or two about that, having worked with rose marie bravo at burberry then revamping banana republic. sales have doubled since her start, and the clothing line has really taken off.

kate spade's year long campaign of live colorfully is fun, flirty, and quirky and the offerings include not sturdy work bags, but sweet dresses, vintage-y jewelry, glittery shoes, and more. the march collection (featuring yellow) just reached stores yesterday, and elisabeth from mission closet partnered with the kate spade store on grant street to offer local bloggers a preview. if you're a lover of color (either in a big way or a small way), definitely stop by kate spade on grant street, in the san francisco centre or online...there's something for everyone.

(top, on mannequin) the villa valerie jacket and (below) flats featuring the new kate spade logomark

the essex scout and small scout (featured in the new ad campaign with bryce dallas howard)

a bevy of sexy slingbacks

the grand street gabriel (love the soft blue)

*thanks again to elisabeth & the staff at the kate spade grant street store

f/w 2011 paris: alexander mcqueen.

2011-03-08T23:09:00.000-08:00

slowly, quietly, and under the most extreme of circumstances, sarah burton has taken the reigns at alexander mcqueen and even under the weight of his legacy has managed to deliver the best clothes of this entire season.

i hesitate to even call these "clothes," the mere word doesn't sum up the care and craftsmanship that went into every single piece, as burton said to vogue.com, "we basically made all the fabrics ourselves. i wanted each piece to be a precious, precious thing." best of all, she seems to have come into her own, staying true to the language of the house but also softening it (even in a show featuring leather harnesses and fetish-like lace up booties). it's a collection definitely best viewed up close.

all pics from vogue.com

f/w 2011 paris: balenciaga.

2011-03-07T11:24:00.000-08:00

at balenciaga, nicolas ghesquiere went in a direction that wasn't futurist or archival, but somehow, as is the case most of the time, was light years away from everything else that has been on the runways this season. the collection included knitted faux leathers, tunics with plastic paillettes, slim pants with exposed seams, thick knit sweaters, folded and draped skirts (with the of-the-moment mid calf hem), and colorblocked dresses. and with any balenciaga collection, it's all about the details, like the flat chain handle puffy quilted clutches and the strappy stilettos.

pics from vogue.com

f/w 2011 milan: no. 21

2011-03-07T11:21:00.000-08:00

milan for me was once again a big, fat bore. the big names (gucci, prada, dolce) did not excite me, and the designers that i'm usually hotly anticipating (bottega, jil sander) were just "meh." as i started to pour over photos and videos of each collection, nothing really jumped out at me, until i happened upon no. 21, the new line from alessandro dell'acqua. "new" is sort of a misnomer; the line has actually been around for three seasons, started after dell'acqua left his namesake line after a dispute with its owners. no. 21 focuses more on daywear and suiting, but still has the sophisticated eveningwear that he's know for.

the fall collection has the perfect balance of masculine/feminine and glam/minimalist that is so of the moment. i loved the solid coats, pencil skirts, cropped pants and long sleeve popovers but equally impressive were the cream/black marled sweaters (especially the cardigan with a black lace back), the sequin & feather trimmed pieces, and the lace separates and dresses at the end, done in soft, sorbet-like colors to keep it from getting too vampy. the thing i loved most is that it felt grown up yet whimsical, because a girl can't be stuffy all the time.

pics from style.com

f/w 2011 new york: elise overland.

2011-02-21T21:17:00.000-08:00

during fashion week, the shows always fit into two camps, the traditional runway stomp and the unique (but sometimes kitschy) Show (and yes, it does warrant the capital letter). the elise øverland show was one of those events that sounded silly and even kitschy when i first learned of it, but once i was there, standing on the edge of the rink at the standard hotel, i knew i was seeing something very, very cool.

the clothing definitely did not take a back seat to the show, with quilted leather minis, fluffy colored furs, short ruched dresses, astrakhan and shearling jackets, and shiny printed coats worn over solid color tights or leggings and paired with transparent vinyl belts and scarves. the palette of peach, mint, citron, lilac, and orange was not your typical one for fall, but with all the seventies earthy tones around, it felt fresh and young. i look forward to seeing this collection close up and using øverland's take on fall to influence my shopping for the season.

pics from nymag.com; video by me

f/w 2011 new york: narciso rodriguez.

2011-02-17T22:02:00.000-08:00

narciso rodriguez kept along the same path he was on for spring, developing an architectural collection that was structured and focused. he worked with a palette of black, white, cream, violet, and red, and a center section was all about different tones of grey. many of the looks featured patchworking or colorblocking, like slim black panels along the sides of a shift dress, silk bands on a top, or a navy cropped vest over a suede jacket. even when the silhouette loosened up (as in the latter dresses), there were bands of fabric or sheer panels to still make the piece feel tight. also refreshing: every look was shown with mid-calf flat boots with back lacing and the slightest of wedges. which goes to show you even if your look is sharp, your shoes don't have to be.

pics from nymag.com

f/w 2011 new york: tibi.

2011-02-16T06:51:00.000-08:00

tibi designer amy smilovic is usually all about the prints. so it was incredibly refreshing to see her embracing a minimalist look for fall. that's not to say she abandoned prints all together, but she used them more sparingly, and overall it made the collection much, much stronger. the neutral palette of olive, black, grey was punctuated with pops of hot pink -- on a sleeve, piping on a coat, or a beanie. she also worked lace prints into dresses, long sleeve blouses and ankle pants. for evening, the focus was on cocktail dresses -- either midi or thigh length in red, white or gold lace. i loved the use of chiffon "petals," used as a waterfall on a strapless tea length dress, a high neck cocktail version, or on a shell worn under a tux. overall the collection was very grown up and sophisticated without being old-fashioned.

pics from nymag.com

f/w 2011 new york: rachel roy.

2011-02-16T06:27:00.000-08:00

rachel roy's presentation yesterday was an ode to the working woman and that's something that roy knows a lot about. she's busy raising two young girls while presiding over a constantly growing fashion empire. each ensemble incorporated layering and pieces that could easily be transformed from day into night, work week into weekend. leopard print dresses were topped with chunky knit cardigans, a fringed charcoal poncho was layered on top of a cobalt turtleneck and striped harem pants, a striped wrap shirtdress could be worn alone or with a long sleeve striped tee underneath. as has been the norm this season, skirts hovered around the knee or longer, and the easy a-line shape is wearable and flattering for most. for the woman looking for versatility while being chic and modern, look no further than roy's fall collection.

pics from style.com

f/w 2011 new york: tory burch.

2011-02-14T11:06:00.000-08:00

a designer that manages to work a bit of seventies into every collection is tory burch, who spend those years in suburban philadelphia inspired by the style of her parents, reva and buddy robinson. for fall, her collection took a deeper dive into the disco decade, but with a look that was more love story-bohemian than studio 54.

there was bow tie blouses, flared trouser suits, tweed fur collar coats, high waist pinstriped jeans, maxi and midi length skirts, and long fur vests. burch loves a sequin, and they turned up on as piping on tops, on the hems of skirts and bell bottom pants, and full-on in wrap skirts. some of the prints and plaids were a bit much (only tory looks good in oversized brown plaid, which she was wearing backstage on show day) but as usual, burch made the collection more fashionable without sacrificing wearability.

pics from nymag.com

f/w 2011 new york: gant by michael bastian.

2011-02-13T12:05:00.000-08:00

michael bastian's american/euro prep mix was in full force yesterday at the gant presentation. everything was based on aprés ski chic, and had sort of a j.crew meets brooks brothers vibe to it. the guys paired cargo pants, denim shirts, khaki ponchos, and fair isle sweaters with knee high duck boots and patterned flap hats and matching gloves. for the ladies, plannel flannel shirts and turtlenecks, camo minis, sherling bombers, and shrunken blazers with rugby stripe scarves, cabled tights, and flat lace up boots. all in all, it was a fun presentation even if the clothing wasn't groundbreaking.

images from nymag.com

f/w 2011 new york: band of outsiders.

2011-02-13T10:49:00.000-08:00

scott sternberg from band of outsiders combined all three of this lines, band (for men), boy (the preppy womenswear line) and the newer, girlier girl for his first runway show and the result was a very cohesive. his inspiration was a book about 70s era climbers in california, so it was only fitting that to open the show, he had male models repelling from the ceiling. gimmicks aside, the two women's lines seemed to be two sides of the same woman. the boy side craves slouchy suiting, blanket wool ponchos, knit cardigans, fur peacoats, and plaid shirts. the girl side wants floral shirtdresses, cotton and silk knickers, silk pajama pants, and open weave sweaters. the boy line is definitely more my style, but i like seeing sternberg evolve the line and cater to every whim a woman wants.

pics from style.com

f/w 2011 new york: libertine.

2011-02-12T12:57:00.000-08:00

johnson hartig and cindy greene launched libertine in 2001 to much critical and commercial success. the line, which is a mix of prep, punk & reworked vintage, had a top designer fan in karl lagerfeld and even spurred a target go international collection in 2007 (you'll be able to get some of the pieces when target does a best of go collections sale starting next month.) even after all of the positives, greene left in the fall of 2009. now hartig is back with libertine's first runway show after two years away, and the clothes felt just as fresh as they did back then.

hartig took bracelet sleeve lady coats, chanel-like bouclé suits, pencil skirts, and shift dresses and silkscreened on top with a contrasting color plaid. the color combinations were definitely electric--fuchsia and red, acid yellow and orange, cobalt blue and black. the colorblocking wasn't confined to the clothes--tights were also overprinted, and the shoes were chunky heeled tri-color oxfords. hartig threw in some grey tweeds, sequin cocktail dresses and metallic embroidered blazers to temper all the color, but the color was the best thing about the show. it was feminine, flirty, and fun, and the acid colors are the perfect antidote to any gloomy winter day.

pics from style.com

no matter how cold, keep the pretty.

2011-02-08T11:31:00.000-08:00

as the calendar turns to february, it can only mean that it's time for mercedes benz fashion week in new york. i have skipped the new york shows for the past few seasons, not because i didn't want to go, but because i didn't want to deal with the winter weather. i've actually loved the fall collections a bit more than the spring--with more layers and knits, deeper shades, and fabulous accessories, what's not to love? as i get ready to make the cross country trek at the end of the week, one of the biggest parts of my packing is my beauty items. when it comes to makeup, i'm a minimalist girl at heart so i try to keep the route small and bring things that are portable for touch-ups and last minute schedule changes.

here is a list of what i'm bringing, from my favorite fragrance (love a guy's scent on a girl!) to my go-to moisturizer and foundation. what are you makeup go-to's?

1. chanel joues contraste blush in plum attraction
2. bigelow all-in-one protective day lotion spf 25
3. ysl touche éclat in toffee
4. revlon luxurious color smoky crayon in smoky grey
5. the body shop nature's minerals blotting tissues
6. becca luminous skin color spf 25 in cognac
7. smith's rosebud salve
8. ysl faux cils mascara in black
9. fresh sugar plum tinted lip treatment spf 15
10. tom ford grey vetiver cologne

what else is on my mind as fashion week starts? dani over at ferohhhsh put together this great list of bloggers' fashion week prep, including me, stylewylde, the fat and the skinny, the greyest ghost, fasshonaburu, and more. please check it out (and check out the other fabulous bloggers featured.)

a fabulous makeover.

2011-02-07T11:37:00.000-08:00

the world of e-commerce moves so swiftly, you may need a scorecard to keep up with all the changes. in order to keep the attention of a.d.d. consumers like myself, you need to keep your content and your look fresh. some of the biggest names in online shopping have either overhauled or updated their sites recently, and now tobi.com has also given itself a fresh new look.

the homepage features a large scrolling area with brand spotlights, gift guides, and trend reports. you can also see what the new arrivals are right on the homepage as well. in the men's and women's sections, the layout is cleaner and wider, with larger images, and a way to sort categories by price, designer, or style. individual product pages not only feature different views of each piece, but a zoom feature and meaurements/size of the model. definitely comes in handy if your purchasing a product from a designer you never have before.

if you check out the new tobi site now, you can get 20% off your purchase if you use the code JCOUTURE20. with valentine's day fast approaching, you can pick something up for that certain someone, or yourself!