Dior Couture Spring 2009

Christian Dior's John Galliano took his inspiration for the Dior Couture '09 collection from Flemish painting. Some of the collection's palette and shapes evoke the Old Masters, particularly the blues and golds, the billowy sleeves and broad collars.

I can't help but think that ladies would have some problem sitting in these skirts unless they score a backless chair, or they just don't mind showing off their knickers.  But then they wouldn't be ladies now, would they?

I love the blue-and-white china effect of these gowns, particularly the lining of the center skirt.

Compared to the rest of the collection, these are almost...practical.

Although I am appreciative of the forms on these pieces, particularly the fourth look, the fabrics look like they might be better suited on furniture or as window treatments, particularly the floral-on-cream fabric used as trim and underskirting. 

Fabulous shoe though, no?

Patrick Robinson is Character Approved

USA Network announced this week the winners of the first-ever Character Approved Awards, a new program created to honor individuals from a cross-section of creative disciplines who are positively influencing American culture. In its inaugural year, USA Network selected seven visionary characters based on their cultural impact, legacy and persona. While each honoree is at a different stage in his or her career, they are all cultural trailblazers who are influencing our opinions, style and view of the world.

The full list of honorees is:
Patrick Robinson, Head Designer for Gap, Inc. (Fashion)
Shepard Fairey, Artist and Street Art Sensation (Art)
Lupe Fiasco, Hip-Hop Superstar (Music)
David Chang, Renowned Restaurateur and Owner of Momofuku Restaurants (Food)
Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia (New Media/Technology)
Charles Best, Founder of DonorsChoose.org (Giving)
Jennifer Siegal, Celebrated West Coast Designer (Architecture)

Siriano Does Bridal

This lovely bridal gown was designed by none other than Project Runway winner Christian Siriano. So good to see him stretching a wee, tiny, leetle bit (well, it's not a jacket and it's not skinny pants, but it is ruffles galore).

See more images on the photographer's site.
(Thanks to Blogging Project Runway for bringing this to my attention.)

Chanel Pre-Fall 2009

The theme of Chanel's pre-Fall 2009 show, "Paris-Moscou" is dedicated to a capital and country that fascinated Coco Chanel.  Karl Lagerfeld sent a collection of opulent, Russian-inspired beauty down the runway; this includes both fashions and models.  The venue itself, the Theatre Le Ranelagh, was transformed into a Russian cabaret, with Slavic orchestra and vodka.

While everything was beautiful, here are some of my favorites.

With the fancy embroidery and embellishments of the womenswear, the addition of mens garments seemed an afterthought, although there were a few interesting coats in the collection.

Bill Will be Bill

He's just never going to live it down, is he?

Fall 2009 Men's RTW - Vivienne Westwood

All I can say is...send in the clowns!

Michelle Obama's Ball Gown

As with her swearing-in outfit, Michelle Obama kept the designer of her Inaugural Ball gown a secret until the last moment. And she chose Jason Wu's one-shouldered white gown of ivory silk chiffon and organza embellished with silver embroidery and Swarovski crystal rhinestones.

There was too much fullness in the skirt of the gown, and the embellishment seemed a bit too three-dimensional. It was clumpy, and made me think of wadded-up Kleenex (granted, I haven't been close to the gown).

Michelle Obama is a lovely woman, but she needs a stylist. In an interview with Katie Couric, broadcast during the ball festivities last night, she appeared to be wearing teal eye shadow to match her teal blouse. Um, no. And she could use a sassy new haircut as well.

Michelle Obama's Inaugural Day Fashions

So the word is that Mrs Obama is wearing Cuban designer, Isabel Toledo, for the swearing-in ceremony.




While I like the golden hue, I think it makes her look like a linebacker, plus it's a tad bit schmancy for early morning wear. And maybe matronly too. Like Barbara Bush goes to a fancy party.

Finally-thank-God-outgoing-president Bush demonstrates his ongoing idiocy by not wearing a coat, while his wife follows suit in a rather staid and boring suit.

Milan Fashion Week Men's Fall/Winter '09-'10 - Jil Sander

Jil Sander goes for cool for Fall/Winter '09/'10.  Garment shapes, particularly in coats, are slightly more feminine, with nipped-in waists.

Methinks the models are too scrawny for those sweaters, particularly the cardigan, which looks to need some biceps.

Love the coats - very elegant, with a somewhat military feel in the shape.

Milan Fashion Week Men's Fall/Winter '09-'10 - Missoni

Missoni sent a lovely selection of men's sweaters down the runway in Milan this past Saturday, some with bold prints that Bill Cosby would have loved in the 80s, in a palette of blues and yellow-greens, with hints of rust here and there.

Casual, yet uber-expensive.  

I think the rusty outfit could be quite unisex - love the coat.  And the cobalt-shading-to-olive palette is stunning.

Blu Mediterraneo Mirto di Panarea

Notes: myrtle, bergamot, Calabrian lemon, sweet orange, basil, jasmine, rose, green lilac, sea accord, blackcurrant, lentisc, juniper, cedarwood, amber

Inspired by the exclusive island of Panarea, Acqua di Parma Blu Mediterraneo Mirto evokes the nature and spirit of a Mediterranean landscape. I bought it after one sniff at last year's Spring Sniffapalooza. It's zippy and sunny, fresh and bracing, and completely unisex. The opening is citrussy, happy with lemon and orange, then herbal, with a woodsy drydown that still has traces of citrus. It plays well with other AdP Blu Mediterraneo scents; use Arancia for still more citrus and some sweetness; Fico to add another Mediterranean note.

I love just about every scent in this line, but I think Mirto may well be my favorite.

Golden Globe Awards

It must be awards season, huh?

Doesn't seem that anyone tried particularly hard to look good this year. Not that it's effortless for anyone....

Pale and wan seemed to be in. Angelina Jolie looked tubercular in her drab gown.  Drew Barrymore looked pretty, but the color of that gown does nothing for her.  It's the color of white socks washed with new blue jeans.  Elizabeth Banks, however, works the pale color and looks rather terrific.

Beyonce and Miley Cyrus also do non-colors.  Both also do an unflatterng boob-mash.  You know, I don't want to know that a 16-year-old has breasts.

A good thing Anne Hathaway wore a color, otherwise she might be taken for a ghost.  Maggie Gyllenhaal looked sad in her animal print.  And please - can someone get Eva Longoria-Parker a new makeup artist?  Her eyes look like little black dots, and she has no mouth at all.  It's a look that makes her appear as hard and mean as she actually is in person.

Amy Adams makes an elegant black gown look like an old rag she threw on, and Cameron Diaz makes an old rag she threw on look like...an old rag she threw on.  I like the color on her, but not so much the bi-color hair.

Christina Applegate sure doesn't look like a cancer patient in her glorious yellow gown, and her jewelry is amazing. Stunning.

Lets hope more people try harder for the Oscars!

2009 People's Choice Awards

Does anyone actually watch the People's Choice Awards? I sure don't. And the people who are honored and invited to attend don't even seem to care much. Some were attired quite casually, while others got dressed up for the occasion.

I think Queen Latifa and Carrie Underwood looked pretty.

But what the hell happened to Teri Hatcher? EEEEEK!

Bride Wars New York Premiere

Apparently Kate Hudson thought that the opening of her new movie, Bride Wars, was an important occasion necessitating a fancy gown. It's interesting, but I don't really like it.

Anne Hathaway, on the other hand, threw on a tuxedo-style jacket over the skinny jeans she wore out shopping that afternoon.

I always thought Hudson was a relatively small person, but next to super-skinny Hathaway, she's a horse. Someone needs to eat more cheeseburgers, Anne.

And what the hell is Tovah Feldshuh wearing? She looks like she's auditioning for an elf. She's in great shape for 56 though.

What Kind of Mother....

...would buy shoes like this for her kid?


see more pwn and owned pictures

Inaugural Ball

In a few short weeks we'll be celebrating the inauguration of the forty-fourth President of the United States, Barack Obama. After the mixed reactions to the Narciso Rodriguez dress she wore to the election victory party, there's been some speculation as to what his wife, Michelle, will be wearing to the Inaugural Ball. Last month, WWD published sketches by prominent fashion designers who fancied dressing the new First Lady.  Here are some of my favorite ideas from that bunch.

Isaac Mizrahi also took the girls into mind when he offered this design for Michelle.
I like Michael Kors simple design in a striking color.

Karl Lagerfeld offered striking visions for both Inauguration and the Ball.  The touch of red in the gown makes it quite festive for post-holiday bashes.

I like the retro feel of Marc Jacobs' yellow-hued gown.  Not quite sure how the shade would work on Michelle.

Oscar de la Renta's vision is one of my favorites.  It's simple, yet striking.  The same can be said for many of his other designs.  I like any of the de la Rentas below for Mrs Obama.

She couldn't go much wrong with Elie Saab, either.

Or Armani Privé.

...or Valentino.  Designed by Valentino himself, of course.

But if she wanted to go in a non-traditional vein, how about Carmen Marc Valvo?

Or Andrew Gn?  Love the shade of green on these two dresses, although the turquoise jewelry on the Gn might be a little much.

Who do you think should dress Michelle Obama?