Fall Beauty Trends – Mulberry Lips

Red lipstick always works for fall but this season the most captivating looks featured a deep mulled-wine stain with rich chocolate undertones. Finishes ranged from creamy to matte to high patent-leather gloss.

Backstage, at the fall designer’s collections, it was all about wine-stained lips and paled-out, creamy white complexions. Remember darker hues lipstick need a more delicate touch to get it right. Make sure to do your prep work – buff away any flakes with an exfoliating lip treatment before applying your color. Another trick is to layer clear balm underneath your color to adjust the intensity of your lipstick to your liking.

Creamy mattes look sensational for day but one of my favorite nighttime looks is Sephora’s Rouge Shine Lipstick in Soul Mate with Smash Box’s High Shine Lip Gloss on top.

Clockwise from right to left: Sephora Rouge Shine Lipstick in Soul Mate $12.00 www.sephora.com, Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet $32.50 www.neimanmarcus.com, Cover Girl Queen Lipstick tawny Port $7.29 www.kmart.com, Maybellline High Shine Gloss Mocha Mazing $8.99 www.maybeline.com.

Photos above, clockwise from top left: Gucci, Etro, Rochas and Givenchy – all from their Fall 2012 runways.

Resort 2013 – European Invasion Part 2

Riccardo Tisci was thinking gypsy for Givenchy’s pre-collection with scarf prints being the collection’s dominant motif. Once again the opening dress is etched in my mind and not likely to leave anytime soon, a “scarf” print belted evening dress with long sleeves slit all the way to the shoulders. This capelike look repeated itself throughout, showing up on shirts and outerwear with much aplomb. This concept along with the extended tail coat details and eye-popping prints (paisley patchworked with geometric shapes in solid tones—scarlet, black, white) made for a dramatic and impressive collection.

“Resort,” Alber Elbaz said over the cello accompanying his presentation this morning, “is about solutions.” And sure enough, this collection which was comprised with two modes of thought had something for everybody. The color palette was bold - ultramarine, grass-green, poppy red, and for every loose-fitting silhouette, there was another body-conscious one. Take the black and white striped mini dress – mod and seductive at the same time – it’s another example of a show opening show stopper. And the electric blue pant ensemble which is easy enough for day but dressy enough for evening was dreamy enough indeed!

“Beach to night and the seventies” were Peter Copping’s starting points for Resort, making for one of his sexiest collections yet – petal pink camisole and slip combos, peekaboo raspberry lace dresses and a long tiered black lace dress. Some of the lace came with stretch built-in, which created a relaxed, almost sporty vibe.

One of Peter’s talents is knowing when to dress up a look or not to, giving it just the right amount of Parisian insouciance. As style.com reported, ” Along those lines, for the first time this season Copping played with sportswear touches. Lean, lightweight suits were intricately tailored, a tuck here, a pleat there, while never looking fussy. It all created a mood of confident femininity that followed through on fall’s promise of strength in delicacy, and a wardrobe that proves a whisper can be as powerful as a shout.”

First group of photos – Givenchy Resort 2013  Second group – Lanvin Resort 2013  Third group – Nina Ricci Resort 2013.

Paris Fall/Winter 2012 Collections

For this year’s Alexander McQueen spring collection Sarah Burton gave us colors of the sea – beautiful blues and corals. For Fall 2012 Burton takes us far into the sea and gives us various anemones disguised as fashion. Sarah’s visions for fall were encased with thoughts of ” a beautiful future, positivity and optimism”. Like an under water dream, designs made from organza, marabou feathers and layers upon layer of tulle floated down the runway.

The beginning consisted of “pods”, short shaped skirts, with decoration embedded in the fabric which turned into “doilies” of laser-cut ponyskin mounted on leather, and finally fur pompoms. Then the pods exploded, like puffballs, into extravagantly shaggy shapes in goat fur, ostrich feather, or Mongolian lamb. Referring to a show that didn’t delineate a rational working wardrobe for fall, Burton said, “I think it’s the icing on the cake of what we do, you want something magical”. Magical it was.

But Burton is not one to leave any stone unturned. She delivered, at the temporary Paris atelier, racks of the practical, wearable commercial collection which reflected the ideas that glided down the runway — everything from jeans to floral knitted sheath dresses, pastel tailoring, and curvaceous coats and jackets.

Besides McQueen, Haider Ackerman is a designer that has always delivered for me and his fall 2012 collection was no exception. More body conscious than spring — note the wide, molded leather belts that cinched in the waist — the collection was dominated by full-bodied Melton wools, Mikado shantung, satins and rough-textured leather which Ackerman molded into very sexy and modern ensembles. The master of draping and color didn’t disappoint, there was a paprika satin blouse and mustard peplum worn with a berry-brown wool jacket and skirt that was divine, and an eggplant shantung 7/8 coat with smoke-gray satin pants and a chestnut blouse flourished with a bois-de-rose scarf to die for. His folds and drapes were those that could only be made by a master technician, they seem so natural and easy as if that was how nature would have them fall.

Pier Paolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri have come into their own at Valentino this fall.  The overall concept for their fall collection, according to the designers, was “folk, but in a modern, faceted way.” They have been modernizing their sweetly feminine silhouettes — black leather gave the duo’s by-now familiar dresses and jumpsuits a new edge — and are designing for a more natural less perscriptive kind of beauty. I look forward to their future envisions for the Valentino woman.

The following are a few of my other favorite looks from Paris.

First group of 4 photos – ALexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2012. Second group of 4 photos – Haider Ackermann Fall/Winter 2012. Third group of 4 photos – Valentino Fall/Winter 2012.

Second Group – clockwise from top left: Lanvin, Lanvin, Balmain, Givenchy, Dries Van Noten, Veronique Leroy, Chanel, Balmain — all from Fall/Winter 2012.

Trend Report — Flirty Peplums

Peplums, on skirts to tops to dresses, invaded the Spring runway in a major way and it looks like this super-flirty trend will be around through Fall/Winter 2012. Take a look at my favorites on the market right now, and pick your poison.

I’m lovin the pale pink Zara peplum dress for when I’m in a coquettish feminine mood, and if I’m feeling a bit more dangerous, my choice would be the ultra sexy Rebecca Taylor leather bustier. Let me know which peplum style you fancy!

First Group – from right to left: ALeander McQueen Spring/Summer 2012, Givenchy Spring/Summer 2012.

Second group – from top left corner: Zara Dress With Frill Waist $99.00 www.zara.com , ASOS Peplum Playsuit $80.57 www.asos.com, Ribbed peplum Body Con Skirt $56.00 www.topshop.com, Rebecca Taylor See Ya leather Bustier $350.00 www.shopbop.com, Paprika Peplum Dress $57.30 www.asos.com, TIBI Peplum-waist Striped Cotton Jacket $495.00 www.netaporter.com.

Oscars Best And Worst Dressed

In an Oscar night with few surprises and risks, strapless and peplums were the winning silhouettes and white the “it” color. For a trend as strong as color has been, and continues to be, I’m surprised the non-color trended so strong.  Gwyneth Paltrow looked stunning and uber chic (though when doesn’t she) and I applaud her choice of  the Tom Ford dress and cape — a risk that paid off big.  Another successful gamble in the evening was taken by Shailene Woodley wearing the demure, yet classic and beautiful, Valentino Spring Couture gown. Many critics thought she was to young for a long sleeve crew neck dress, but I disagree, the dress was different and refreshing.

Shades of green — mint, emerald and avocado — were the colors that took the most spins down the red carpet (Viola Davis and Bérénice Bejo) with red/orange coming in a strong second — Michelle Williams, in coral Louis Vuitton, and Emma Stone, in raspberry Giambattista Valli rocked their  gowns. I loved Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen, another bold choice that complemented her coloring beautifully. Sandra Bullock, Milla Jokvich and Tina Fey all chose your more “classic” gowns but were just as chic and ravishing.

In Jennifer Lopez’s chose of  Zuhair Murad for her oscar gown, one could only ask: what was she thinking?  I can’t believe a woman who has the opportunity to wear any number of spectacular gowns, chose that one! She wasn’t the only one that missed the boat, Mellisa Leo in Reem Acra and Anna Faris in Diane Von Furstenberg, certainly could have done better.

Best-clockwise from top left: Gwyneth Paltrow in Tom Ford, Milla Jovovich in Elie Saab Spring Couture, Tina Fey in Carolina Herrera, Shailene Woodley in Valentino Spring Couture, Jessica Chastain in Alexander McQueen, Roony Mara in Givenchy, Sandra Bullock in Marchesa, Michelle Williams in Louis Vuitton.

Worst- Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad, Jane Seymour, Wendi McLendon Covey, Anna Faris in Diane Von Furstenberg, Lea Thompson, Mellisa Leo in Reem Acra.

Haute Couture Spring 2012 Part 2

The Spring 2012 couture shows wrapped up last Thursday with Valentino closing the collections. They brought to a close 4 days of perfection, brought to us via yards of organza, a bevy of beads and acres of lace, all made with highest of skilled artisans and designers who know no boundaries to imagination.

Jean Paul Gaultier’s collection, which was an ode to Amy Winehouse complete with over-the-top beehives, seemed a touch scattered and could have benefitted from an edit or two. Still his imagination and the craftsmanship to bring them to life are in full force — like the pinstripe suit jacket that fell away to a shawl on one side. There was a delectable edge, with necklines draping asymmetrically, jackets slipping off shoulders, and bosoms bursting ripely forth which always makes his couture collections a feast for the eyes.

While Gaultier sought inspiration in the 21st century, Valentino heralded back to the days of  Marie Antoinette (a different kind of bad girl) role-playing in her little farm on the grounds of Versailles amongst a breath of cool country air. Sprigged flower prints, blured floral chaine or pure, delicate lace and organza made up most of the dresses with a lucid ivory wool rounding out the collection. Yet it still maintained a modern ambience, the flat shoes worn with the just-above-the-knee dresses and the deep pockets on the gowns conjured up images of the modern-day Alexa Chung. Having seen the collection first hand, Style.com said, “Examined up close in the atelier, the workmanship defied comprehension. The stitching was so fine it was invisible. It signaled the heart-stopping delicacy that distinguished the collection.”  Pier Paolo Piccioli and Maria Grazia Chiuri’s most exquisite collection to date.

From Giorgio Armani’s first exit it was clear that this was a collection based on the idea of pythons, serpents, the textures and patterns of the reptile world. He focused in on one color: green—poison green, teal, deep green, chartreuse. Armani’s jackets –his signature and strength — were emphasized with the use of simple bottoms, pencil skirts (with added folds in the front) and a clean narrow pant. The jackets became more modern with swooped-up shoulders, nipped waists, and peplums, with one stand-out jacket in super-luxe crocodile. Armani’s other strength, evening wear, with its full circle skirt silhouettes and long lean column dresses gave the collection a current, strong vibe. One we hope is infused in his collections to come.

Like Armani, Lagerfeld focused on one color, his being the shade of blue — 154 shades of it. Backstage Lagerfeld told Vogue magazine ““It’s the most becoming color. And I’m bored with the red carpet—so why not a blue carpet?” The collection spoke for itself — from the simple, chic color-blocked dresses, to the treatments of Chanel tweeds, to the long, skinny dresses—with one beguiling dress after another sent down the runway.

Givenchy, wanting to explore the more conventional haute-couture embellishments, called this his “sparkle collection”. But how Givenchy defines sparkle his not like his fellow ateliers. There isn’t the essence of lightness and air that envelops other heavily beaded collections. He drew inspiration from the 20′s but not the Fitzgerald art deco 20′s, but instead from Fritz Lang’s 1927 masterpiece Metropolis version.

In order to weld the embellishments firmly to his own powerful, far from conventional, vision of a woman, Ricardo Tisci mixed them with exotic skins. In one lavish gown, crocodile skin was cut scale by scale, carefully numbered, and then reassembled in correct formation and embroidered on fine silk tulle to create a sinuous evening dress that caresses the body (a process that takes 350 hours), while crocodile swallow-tailed jackets are embellished with three-dimensional Soviet stars and angelic wings.

By now, the celebrities have left Paris and the town is gearing up to welcome the next ready-to-wear season (fall 2012) -  Paris is a never-ending runway of fashion.

From My Closet To Yours – Styling Tips By Kristin

  Favorite Resort 2012 Looks

It’s a new year and a time to look forward towards new beginnings, and what better to start us on our journey than the prelude to spring – Resort 2012. These our my 21 favorite looks from the Resort 2012 collections, the ones I would die to add to my wardrobe (hopefully a few of them will). But even the ones that don’t make it into my closet will make for great inspiration while I am planning my spring wardrobe and updating my style.

I recommend going over to Style.com and perusing the Resort and Spring 2012 collections to get your inspiration. It’s a wealth of imagery that will inspire many ideas. Which designer is your favorite? Whose collection resonates with you? Do you see a style that “says you” or maybe there’s a designer whose “look” you’ve been wanting to try?

Whether you want to fine tune your style or do a total overhaul – a fresh, new beginning – this is a great time to start! Let me know who inspires you this season.

Happy Shopping!!

Clockwise from top left: 3.1 Phillip Lim, A.L.C, Alexander McQueen, Chanel, Helmet Lang, Gucci, Givenchy, Balmain and Celine – all Resort 2012.

Group 2 – Clockwise from top left: Jenni Kayne, Johnathan Saunders, Lanvin, Peter Pilotto, Theyskens’ Theory, Zac Posen, Vionnet, Valentino,Preen, Matthew Williamson, Nina Ricci, Rachel Zoe – All Resort 2012

Get The Look For Less: Charlize Theron Of Young Adult

Charlize Theron loooked simply chic while attending the Times Talks with Jason Reitman at The New York Times Building on December 9th, 2011.

Charlize, a former model turned Oscar winning actress has the legs many of us would die for. She takes advantage of her lengthy assets by wearing skinny jeans by J Brand and strapey Givenchy heels. On top she pairs a Thakoon blouse under a black tailored blazer from one of her favorite go to designers – Stella McCartney.

Charlize gains savvy style knowledge with the help of her stylist, Leslie Fremar, who encourages her to wear only what flatters her figure. Charlize has always been partial to a chic and sophisticated wardrobe including tailored blouses, blazers and classic colors for when she travels. Currently, she can be seen on the silver screen in her new movie Young Adult, where she plays a disheveled character who is the antithesis to her real life stylish self.

Here are our picks to get Charlize’s celebrity look sans stylist:

Clockwise from top left: The Fitted Blazer $98.00 on sale for $78.50 www.victoriassecret.com,Joie Hook Back Blouse $188.00 on sale for $149.00 www.intermix.com, Romeo and Juliet Stretch Denim Leggings $98.00 on sale for $39.19 www.bluefly.com, Diane Von Furstenberg Aphrodite Vachetta Sandal $375.00 on sale for $168.00 www.neimanmarcus.com.

Paris Fashion Week – Sarah Reigns Supreme At Alexander McQueen & The Last of Spring Summer 2012

We’ve said it before but it bears repeating, We LOVE what Sarah Burton has done with Alexander McQueen. It is such a remarkable fusion of the late predecessor’s vision and Sarah’s own unique talent and individuality. It’s almost as if she has been channeling Alexander when standing in front of her mannequins, ready to design.  If anything, Sarah’s womanly touch has brought the line a little more accessibility.

Burton, along with Chanel and Givenchy, chose an aquatic theme but her creatures of the sea were much more like Goddesses than the others. “It’s all about Gaia, the wonder of nature, the sea.” said Sarah as dresses constructed of encrustations of beading and mother-of-pearl, rivulets of microscopic pleats, filigrees of leather, cascades of ruffles, and miles of lace were painstakingly peeled off models by a phalanx of dressers.

The collection’s quality has not slipped one iota from the days when Alexander was at its helm. In fact, this show, with all its allusions to coral, sea anemones, barnacles, frondy seaweed, silvery mother-of-pearl, and bone-white seashell, was practically at the level of a Parisian couturier.

This funny story says a lot of how adored Sarah Burton is in the fashion world – after the show, only her 3rd solo collection, Emmanuelle Alt, editor of French Vogue, first backstage—ahead of a 200-strong throng of congratulators—went down on her knees and pawed the ground in front of Sarah Burton, laughing, “Thank you!” Indeed, the props were well deserved.

Givenchy, another designer with an aquatic theme for his Spring/Summer collection, claimed surfers and mermaids as influences, but we’ve never  known any of either species to be as chic and sexy as Givenchy’s models were. There was no denying the sex appeal of Riccardo Tisci’s  jackets that were sharp and soft at the same time, with strong, confident shoulders, and, for contrast, suggestive, undulating lapels and come-hither peplums trimmed not in leather but eel skin, shark, or stingray. The high low of many of his skirts showed much of the models legs while maintaining the length. Leaving the viewer to decide whether the silhouette was naughty or nice.

The collection’s overall impression of strength was balanced with a femininity that came from the play of softly fluted volumes in peplumed jackets and intricately pieced dresses made of white lace and chiffon.

Marc Jacob’s Spring/Summer collection for Louis Vuitton was the first time we could seriously see him replacing John Galliano at Christian Dior (as the rumor mill has it). His technique and craftsmanship has never looked stronger,and it seems he has developed a devotion to them.

Broderie anglaise was used for exaggerated Vandyke collars, and as insets replacing the alternate diamonds on an Argyle knit. It perforated stiff little faille skirt suits and separates made from leather treated to look like scrunched-up sheets of cartridge paper. Matte crocodile coats were painstakingly hand-pieced together so that the scales match and an eggshell lacquer bag made with the assistance of the last man in Paris still in command of the 1920′s technique will be in high demand.

Jacobs captured the mood of ironically exaggerated femininity that has swept the runways perfectly. There was an abundant use of eyelet lace forming fields of daisies and to soften the effect even more, these pieces were veiled in sugar-almond-colored organza layers or misted with shaded ostrich-feather fronds.

The last of the models has walked the catwalk for Spring/Summer 2012 and we will leave you with these last parting shots as we prepare to shift our gears back to Fall/Winter 2011.

Top section: Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2012.

Middle section clock wise from top left: 1-3 Givenchy Spring Summer 2012, 4-6 Louis Vuitton Spring Summer 2012

Bottom section: Row 1 – Dries Van Noten Spring/Summer 2012, Row 2 – Yves St. Laurent Spring/Summer 2012, Row 3 – Chanel Spring/Summer 2012.

Get The Look For Less – Emmanuelle Alt Voque Paris Editor-In-Cheif

Vogue Paris editor-in-chief Emmanuelle Alt attended her first New York Fashion Week since assuming her new role with the magazine back in early February. She looked stunningly awesome in her signature rock and roll style that she describes as “British high street”… “My jeans are Topshop – I love Topshop. When I go to London my first thing to do is I put my stuff in the hotel and I run to Topshop – they have the best jeans!”

Alt became obsessed with the world of fashion after seeing her first catwalk show at the age of 19. Alt recalled that time saying, “My first fashion show was a Jean Paul Gaultier show when he was at Porte de la Vilette and it was crazy outside. I loved it! I was like ‘Oh wow, this is really funny!’”

Before becoming Editor of Vogue, Alt climbed her way up in the fashion world holding prestigious positions with the magazines Mixte and French ELLE. The business of fashion runs in the family as her mother, Françoise, was a Lanvin and Nina Ricci model in the ’60s and ’70s and her husband, also in the fashion business, is Franck Durand, the artistic director of Isabel Marant.

Pictured here (the paparazzi went crazy for her) at New York fashion week, she donned an Isabele Marant chambray shirt, Joes Jeans and Givenchy ankle booties. Don’t have the funds for Emanuelle’s tres chic look? No worries, we’ve come up with a selection of great finds to get Emanuelle’s look for less.

Ann Taylor Refined Chambray Shirt $74.99 www.anntaylor.com, Free People Skinny Cropped Jean Orig. $68.00 on sale for $39.99 www.freepeople.com, Avon Lace Bootie $44.99 www.avon.com, Zara Belt with Contrast $19.99 www.zara.com.