Isabel Marant’s First West Coast Store Opens On Melrose

Isabel Marant opens her first West Coast store located on the prestigious Melrose Place in Los Angeles, and it is beautiful!  The French designer enlisted architect Franklin Azzi to design the new boutique, with artwork created by fellow French artist Arnold Goron. “It’s about atmosphere,” Marant says of the oasis-like exterior and minimalist interior which exudes an ultra cool hip vibe (no surprise there) and peaceful, serene feeling as well.

 Marant fell in lovw with LA when the ash cloud fiasco of 2010 grounded her flight from NYC to Paris,Allowing her to jet away to LA for a mini vacation. “I fell totally in love with the city, with the landscape and the nature that is in the middle of the city,” she said. “It was very surprising for me because I was not imagining that it was such a green city. Then, I thought I really wanted to have a shop there.”

Marant is already head over heels in love with the store (Melrose Place over chosen over Rodeo and Robertson because the leafy stretch felt more private), and has bequeathed, “I think it will be my favorite shop in the world,” she goes on to rave, “I would almost like to keep it as a house for myself.” How do you say slumber party in french?!!

Check out the store for yourself Tuesday through Saturday 10am to 6pm. 8454 Melrose Place, Los Angeles, California 90069  323) 651-1493. If you don’t live near Los Angeles you can check out Isabel Marant’s Spring 2013 collection here. Below are some of my favorite fall, resort and Etoile pieces.

Clockwise from top left: Stamped Jacket $1025.00 www.barneys.com, Ellos Burnout Print Dress $920.00 on sale for $644.00 www.mytheresa.com, enny Brushed-Suede Ankle Boots $625.00 www.netaporter.com, Etoile Ariana Heather Stripe jacket $498.00 www.forwardforward.com, Embroidered Crepe Shirt $965.00 on sale for $482.00 www.luisaviaroma.com, Etoile Kiliann Cardigan $570.00 www.matchesfashion.com.

The Sensible Wedges

Stiletto’s have made a come back and I couldn’t be happier, they are one of the most flattering and sexy shoes. Platforms seem to be fading but still have a strong presence in stores and on the runway – and they are definitely a lot more comfortable than its sister shoe.

This fall is the season of the wedge, whether they’re platform or flat wedges they are all the rage. The ground is starting to be covered in twigs, fallen leaves and soon all that will be covered in rain and slush, you’ll need a shoe that won’t make you trip, stumble yet still look fantastic. Fall wedges provide that stability while giving you a couple of extra inches  – you gotta love that!!

Clockwise from top left: Steven by Steve Madden Black Leather Wedge $199.00 www.lordandtaylor.com, Isabel Marant Lazio Wedge Boot $1155.00 www.lagorconne.com, Halogen Bianca Leopard Wedge $119.95 www.nordstrom.com, Diane Von Furstenburg Sapna Wedge Ankle Boots $378.00 www.netaporter.com, Suede Lace Up Wedge Bootie $128.00 www.cwonder.com, Jean-Michel Cazabat Reva $230.00 www.barneys.com.

Isabel Marant’s Boot Of The Season

Every once in a blue moon, a designer comes up with an idea that becomes the statement piece for the season. Isabel Marant’s Milwaukee studded boot with its iconic western feel along with the popular fall embellishment trend (with silver and bronze studs) is such a design. The slip-on boot sits above the ankle, has a leather high heel and an edgy ankle strap detail (with a silver metal-ornamantel front) that makes for one tres urban chic look which will vamp up your entire fall wardrobe.

Seems I’m not the only one who is gaga over the Milwaukee boot, it practically sold out in store’s Isabel Maurant Fall 2012 pre-sale, even with the hefty price tag of $1490.00. Never fear, Barneys still has a few pairs left – it comes in brown, black and winter white – make sure to contact Michelle Goodman (Barney’s personal shopper, 310 276 4400) she’ll hook you up!

 

Isabell Marant Milwaukee Boot available at Barney’s.

Paris Fashion Week – Alexander McQueen Plus More Favorites

“I don’t know what started it,” laughed Sarah Burton backstage before the show, “Maybe female worker bees, like all of us in the studio”. She is, of course, referring to the collection’s inspiration which, as she is the McQueen bee, very apt.

Another brilliant collection that was not only focused and intricate, but also oddly sexy. Burton emphasized that she’s more interested in “sensuality and the female form, and doing something light but not naked”. The hyper-exaggerated female silhouette was derived from the pinups of Alberto Vargas, and were displayed perfectly with wasp-waist corseted double-peplumed jackets made of gold-on-black honeycomb-patterned jackets, cagelike pannier dresses, and hard, tortoiseshell-resin harnesses and bras. The presentation culminated with the show stopping Bengalinesque gowns that had Scarlett donned them, Rhett Butler would have been brought to his knees much sooner.

I leave you with a few of my other favorites from Paris.

 

1st group of photos – Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2013.

2nd group – clockwise from top left: Isabel Marant, Balmain, Louis Vuitton, Haider Ackerman,Valentino, Chanel, Haider Ackerman, Miu Miu.

Wish List

I am wholeheartedly enveloped in summer these days; the weather, the clothes, the long hours of sunshine. But now that the stores are showing clothes for the next season, I can’t help fantasizing about the items I will add to my collection. So, this week’s wish list is all about fall 2012.

First on that list is Marni’s tomato red laser-cut leather tote followed by Narcisco Rodriquez’s combo high heel boot – love that they hit at the calf, so sexy. Or maybe it would be Rag & Bone’s Motorcycle jacket, or the ultra hip gathered waist pant by Girl. By Band of Outsiders. Scratch that, I think it would have to be Carven’s twisted stretch-jersey dress, or… well, you get my drift.

Clockwise from top left: Rag & Bone Langlen Moto leather jacket $1826.00 www.mytheresa.com, Marni Laser-Cut Leather Tote $1370.00 www.netaporter.com, Miu Miu Gold Glitter Flat $495.00 www.miumiu.com,Carven Twisted Stretch-Jersey Dress $620.00 www.netaporter.com, Girl. By Band Of Insiders Gathered Waist Pant $295.00 www.elysewalker.com, Narciso Rodriquez Combo Boot $1795.00 www.barneys.com, Etoile Isabel Marant Julia Sweater $370.00 www.barneys.com, Mawi Jade & Skull Bracelet $44o.oo www.charmandchain.com.

Paris Fashion Week Part Deux

All photos are from Haider Ackermann Spring/Summer 2012

How does Haider Ackermann follow the brilliant collection that last Fall/Winter was? You design another exquisite collection. Where his Spring/Summer show may not be the masterpiece his last collection was, it was still stunning.

Ackerman men’s wear inspired collection showcased his sublime color skills – one look combined peacock-blue and aqua with apple green backless oxfords. His mastery of the drape was in full form which along with chiffon dresses and skirts lent a feminine touch to the collection.

When asked, why so much men’s wear? He replied,  “You love the idea that she would steal the clothes from her husband,” he said, before correcting himself: “Her lover, not her husband.”

Could not have said it better ourselves!

This season seems to be shaping into one where it’s all about “The Dress”.  Some of our favorites were from Martin Grant – whose show consisted of  the kind of precise, can’t-fail pieces that lands Lee Radziwill in Grant’s front row every season; Victor and Rolf – whose collection had a  whimsical air to it; Roland Mouret – where every dress was as beautiful and feminine as the next.

Christian Dior presented a pretty and wearable collection that unfortunately felt a little on the safe side. Our favorite part of the collection was the evening section that closed the show and felt like an immaculate parade of Hollywood legend Adrian’s Art Deco gowns.

While we are suckers for a beautiful well crafted designer dress, it was nice to have Isabel Marant’s collection to put a little kick-in-our-step. Marant made for the perfect antitode to all of the ladylike clothes that made up Spring Summer 2012. Pretty and sweet aren’t her thing; sexy, earthy and tres cool are. Thank God.

Clockwise from top left: Iabele Marant, Martin Grant, Victor & Rolf and Christian Dior. All Spring/Summer 2012.

Fall 2011 Trends

FALL 2011 TRENDS

BORDEAUX &  PLUMS – Wine colors, purples and violets.

COLLAGE – Mixing together of different patterns and fabrics.

COLOR – Bright colors continue in geometric patterns and color blocking

FURS – In natural and bright colors.

LADY CHIC – Lady-like styles featuring pointy toe pumps and hand-held handbags.

LEATHER – Styles in other than jackets and coats & in a multitude of colors.

PARKAS – In a  variety of fabrics.

POLKA DOTS – From big to small.

60′S – 70′s styles are still trending but the 60′s influence makes a strong presence.

TUX’S – The tuxedo jacket worn casually and tuxedos in various fabrics.

More to come on each individual trend in future post.

Top set of photos  – Clockwise from top left: 1  Bordeaux & Plums – Diane Von Furstenberg, 2  Collage – Dries Von Noten, 3  Color – BCBG Max Azaria, 4  Furs – The Row.

Bottom set of photos – clockwise from top left: 5  Lady Chic – Jason Wu, 6  Leather – Chole, 7  Parkas – Rag & Bone, 8  Polka Dots – Stella McCartney, 9  Sixties – Burberry Prorsum, 10  Tux”s – Isabel Marant.  All photos are from Fall/Winter 2011

Get The Look For Less – Brooklyn Decker

Some of you may remember Brooklyn Decker from the movie Just Go with It. She became a household name after her slow motion emergence from the water akin to Bo Derek’s in Ten.

Brooklyn wore a Madewell chambray button-down shirt, metallic Isabel Marant skirt and Miu Miu Mary Jane heels to Unicef’s Playlist, on May 17 at the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles. The A-list benefit event featured such celebrities as, Jack Black, Angela Kinsey and Adrian Grenier, performing karaoke to raise money for UNICEF’s School for Africa.

Her outfit was the perfect combination- part casual for a karaoke evening combined with edgy elegance for the red carpet.

Here are our picks to get Brooklyn’s chic look for less:

clockwise from top left: Perfect Chambray Shirt $60.00 www.madewell.com, IRO Shalosh Draped metallic Skirt was $320.00 on sale for $80.00 www.theoutnet.com, Ribas Platform Heels Was $90 on sale for $69.98 www.aldoshoes.com, Oval Black Patent Leather Belt $25.00 www.amazon.com,

Designer Profile: Isabel Marant

Isabel Marant is often described as one of the few designers who looks like she’s always having fun. Isabel lives in Le Marais, Paris where she grew up and began her passion for clothing design and sewing at the age of fifteen. She studied at the Berçot studio, a prestigious french designer’s school and developed her talent even further there.

Isabel Marant started her brand in 1994 designing jewelry and accessories with a personal touch with determined and motivated women in mind. Today she has a full ready-to wear-collection and is known to be never completely satisfied by her work- always looking to reach perfection in everything.

Isabel is known for her bohemian-chic style and fresh-faced simplicity. She is also known for her fastidious attention to creating a clothing line that is beautiful and wearable. According to Isabel, ”It’s not just about pretty clothes, but about something you want to wear and keep forever. I’m tough with myself and with my clothes. I’m my own fit model; I’ll take something home and wear it to dinner. If it doesn’t feel comfortable than it doesn’t belong in the collection.”  

Marant is married to handbag designer Jerome Dreyfuss, and one of their favorite pastimes is spending weekends at their country home outside of Paris– with no electricity and sparse decor.

Perhaps her connection to both the simple life and the city life is what makes her collection so unique.