Spring & Summer’s Best Dressed Celebs

Let me clarify what I mean when I say best dressed. It’s not someone who wears only designer clothes, one might be well dressed in beautiful clothes but could be lacking “style”, and to make anyone’s best dressed list style is something you need in spades.

Being a fashion icon means having a style all your own – one that represents who you are, speaks to your personality and lets your inner qualities shine through. Stylish people don’t care about a garments price tag, they do care how they feel when wearing it. They don’t need to wear one designer from head to toe, in fact they prefer to mix it up, combining designers with lower-priced labels (Gap, J Crew), even adding vintage and thrift store finds into the mix.

Most importantly, style icons take risks, they don’t play it safe, and they know what works for them and what doesn’t. Women everywhere want to emulate their fashion choices and find inspiration in their style. These 4 women – Sarah, Olivia, Alexa and Miranda – have a plethora of those qualities.

Sarah Jessica Parker has always been one of my favorite style icons. I’ve seen a few ensembles I didn’t care for (less than I can count on one hand) but they are heavily out weighed by the creativity and uniqueness in her everyday and night fashion choices.

Which of these stylish women do you admire? Or is it some other fashionable woman? Let me know!!

1st group of photos, counter clockwise from top left – Olivia Palermo, Olivia Palermo, Miranda Kerr, Miranda Kerr, Miranda Kerr and Olivia Palermo.

2nd group of photos, counter clockwise from top left – Sarah Jessica Parker, Sarah Jessica Parker, Alexa Chung, Alexa Chung, Alexa Chung and Sarah Jessica Parker

Spring’s Best Dressed Celebrities

As I sat down to right this, I asked myself what it is exactly that entitles someone to make a “Best Dressed” list. I concluded that it was equal parts creativity, well-rounded put together looks mixed with a dash of risk taking, all while emitting a sense of ease and je ne sais quoi.

These ladies -  Sarah Jessica Parker, Solange Knowles, Diane Kruger and the Olson twins – possess the above in triplicate (even without the aide of a stylist). SJP is a true fashion icon in every sense, whether she is working the red carpet, walking the streets of the West Village or sitting down to chat with Dave Letterman. I bet she retires for the evening looking every bit as stylish as she does in magazines.

Diane Kruger has been turning up in the fashion spot light quite a bit lately. How beautiful did she look at every turn during her stint as judge at this year’s Cannes Festival? Very, is the exact answer! But this starlit too knows how to dress with creativity and aplomb when away from the glaring lights of Hollywood. Solange Knowles (sister of Beyonce), a relatively newbie to the fashion scene, has never ceased to amaze me. Her sense of color and adventure are evident from the most casual looks to the glamorous red carpet strolls she has been amassing. This is one beautiful lady to keep your eye on.

The Olson sisters (MaryKate & Ashley), winner of  this year’s CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year award, truly dress to the beat of their own drummer, and are awe-inspiring doing it. These ladies embody “one’s own sense of style” to their core. Their 2 fashion lines – Elizabeth & James and The Row – are distinct entities yet equally beautiful in their own right. The former being the perfect blend of bohemian cool and urban chic, the latter, which is their high-end collection, a minimalist modern look that has airs of “classic” woven through it. No wonder these ladies exude STYLE!!

1st Row – Sarah Jessica Parker, 2nd Row – Solange Knowles, 3rd Row – Diane Kruger, 4th Row – MaryKate & Ashley Olson.

Designer Report – MiH Jeans

As the designer and head of MiH, Chloe Lonsdale, grew up with denim in her blood. Her father, Tony Lonsdale, started the legendary Jean Machine stores in the seventies and married, Chekkie Maskell (her mother), a top denim model after they met at one of his catalog shootings. The denim link goes back even further as her grandfather launched Made In Heaven in 1969. In the `70′s her father bought a van full of old denim with the thought of selling them to trendy London boutiques. When no one bit, in an effort to salvage his dignity and profit, he opened a shop on King’s Road, he figured that if he sold the jeans within 3 months it would be okay -  they sold out within 3 weeks.

Chole, who has a fashion degree from Central St. Martins and trained at Nicole Farhi, reincarnated her grandfathers company 6 years ago with the name MiH, and it has taken off once again. In the `70′s their jeans graced the bums of Jane Birkin and Farah Fawcett and today they are favored by celebrities Sarah Jessica Parker and Claudia Schiffer, to name a few.

MiH (the oldest British denim company) whose motto hangs in an original MiH poster above the designers desk – “  In 1969 when the world was busy putting man on the moon, here at Made In Heaven we were busy creating the best jeans on earth”. They take this motto seriously, hence they feel where they buy their  fabric and who makes their jeans are some of the more important ingredients in their jeans. The fabrics come from Europe,Turkey and Japan and the jeans are made in long-established, family run factories that have the highest social and environmental standards.

To further make sure they live up to their motto, MiH makes a portion of their jeans in selvedge denim. A type of denim treasured by die-hard jean fans as it is woven on old shuttle looms, and rope-dyed to a rich indigo shade in old dye machines. This traditional way of making jeans gives a gorgeous authentic look and divine feel, and makes sure your jeans age beautifully over time.

All of MiH’s Autumn/Winter collection is on sale at their website - mih-jeans.com. We’ve highlighted our favorites but their website is worth a look-see because there are so many more goodies.

Clockwise from top left: MiH Biker Jacket $924 on sale for $462.00 www.mih-jeans.com,The Tokyo Mid Rise Slim Slouch Leg Jean $198.00 on sale for $99.00 www.mih-jeans.com, The Safari Shirt $172.00 on sale for $86.00 www.mih-jeans.com, The Marrakesh Mid Rise Kick Flare Jean $198.00 on sale for $99.00 www.mih-jeans.com.

Trend Report: Sweaters with Dresses

 

It’s a look that was made popular by boho chic concert goers at Coachella – the layered top and dress look. The trend for last Spring/Summer was layering crop tops and lightweight short sleeved sweaters over dresses for a faux high-waist mini or maxi-skirt effect.

The trend continues this Fall season and celebrities like Rachel Bilson and Sarah Jessica Parker know how to rock the look in unique and interesting ways. Rachel was recently photographed in a T by Alexander Wang Knit Pullover layered over a maxi dress by Minkpink. Sarah created a more sophisticated style by pairing a shiny silk dress with heels and a winter white sweater for a laid-back country club meets Madison Avenue ensemble.

Our favorite look – try featuring a slouchy fit, semi-sheer sweater with a crew neck, layered over a maxi dress with a scoop neck, sleeveless styling and an all over print motif for a casual everyday look.

Check out these great finds: Striped Maxi Dress $89.00 www.asos.com, Bellalux Strap Tank Dress $69.00 www.chelseabrentwood.com, Papercrown Sheer Sweater $198.00 Chelsea Brentwood 11704 Barrington Court, Los Angeles (310)471-4770.

YOSI SAMRA

Curators of Style ventured to the big apple last week for the fabulous Spring 2012 trade show Coterie. While buying for Chelsea Brentwood and other important clients we discovered a truly amazing footwear line--YOSI SAMRA.

YOSI SAMRA’s eponymous footwear line has the subtle ease and whimsy flare that makes girls swoon. The line consists of one fabulous style–a ballet fold up flat called the Samara available in a plethora of leathers, satins, patents, and suedes incorporating all color palettes from neutrals to bolds.

Passionate about his creative design process, Yosi stays true to his timeless style while incorporating the latest trends into each season’s selection. Yosi’s flats have become a staple in many celebrities closets including Sarah Jessica Parker, Hayden Panettiere, Audrina Patridge, Giuliana Rancic, Nicole Scherzinger, Minnie Mortimer, and Carmen Electra.

The ideal counter balance to killer heels, Yosi Samra’s fold up flats fit into a conveniently sized 4.5” x 3” package, perfect for packing in a handbag. The best part – prices range from $68.00 – $88.00. Now that’s something to swoon over!

YOSI SAMRA ballet flats available at Chelsea Brentwood, 11704 Barrington Court, Los Angeles, CA 90049 (310)471-4770 www.chelseabrentwood.com.