hang in there...

I'll be back to updating very soon- look forward to a Best of 2005 List over New Years...

noël fabuleux

Happy Christmas everyone- whether you celebrate it or not, I hope you have a fabulous day. One of my favourite parts of this season is how the streets come alive with lights and decorations, so I leave you for a few days with some images from the City of Lights this winter...

Enjoy your holiday in style...

forget margherita

Drew Barrymore is the new Missoni girl. I've always liked Drew, but never really considered her as the frontwoman for a fashion house. The images for Missoni's s/s 06 campaign look great (the one at left is my favourite), but Drew's overall appearance seems affected. She is heavily styled to look like a 60's era Italian socialite- which there is nothing wrong with- but the look is so far from her personal style, that the facade isn't believable. These campaigns seek to communicate a mood, something that only works for me if the model embodies a little of the philosophy and aesthetic of the label being advertised. More details here.

save me

For all you Kate Moss fans, you can view her latest Virgin Mobile ad here. Moving from Chanel campaigns to cheesy cell phone adverts is a definite career low, however Ms. Moss is a style icon, and I wish her well.

scarlett fabuleux

hey, baby

With Gwen Stefani reportedly pregnant, I wonder if moms to be can look forward to a LAMB maternity line... or a Harajuku baby line. Trés adorable.

l'histoire de sayuri

In terms of content, Memoirs of a Geisha was not as stellar as I had hoped (especially not in comparison to the book), however, in the style category, the film was outstanding. I could tell from the previews that the robes, kimonos and obi belts were going to be breathtaking; however the sets, camera angles, and carefully considered cinematography were beyond what I had expected. The whole film felt to me like a string of exquisite images.

Hatsumomo, the evil rival geisha was played to great effect by Gong Li- this woman is so beautiful, and despite all of the extravagant kimonos she wore throughout the film, the scene with her in a relatively simple crimson robe, and undone hair was one of the more visually stunning ones.

sources: yahoo canada, cinemovies.fr

femme dangereuse

Quite a few fashionettes must be swashbucklers at heart, as skull motifs can be found decorating clothing and accessories everywhere. Alexander Mcqueen's s/03 collection, and his wildly popular skull scarf seemed to jumpstart the pirate chic look. I first wrote about this trend last month, and since then I've noticed an ever increasing number of items adorned with the macabre little symbol... I'm not a big fan of skulls on my clothing, but this top from protoculture is very cute. Who can resist a little hardcore femininity?

Update: 21 December, 2005
According to Nylon's fashion director Frank de Jesus: "Skulls have become completely misapproriated. They're like Hello Kitty"

Hmmm. I'll reserve judgment until Pirates of the Caribbean II comes out- skulls are definitely preferable to Hello Kitty though.

sources: virgin threads, fwd

no shrinking violets

According to this week's poll results, Angelina Jolie is the number one contemporary style icon for blog readers... competition was close though- Kate Moss came in at 2nd place.

Angelina in her signature noir:


Thanks for voting!

images: busy thumbs, getty

strut your feathers

...with a peacock scarf from the fabulous accessories designer Lulu Guinness.

These, along with a few other colours are on sale at bluefly- coincidentally, style.com just did a write-up on the eternally chic little wardrobe staple.

For those with a penchant for peacocks...


Sources: peacock image, Sugarlime "Karen" earrings, LG Clutch, prada peacock skirt

bye-bye boho...

...hello mod. Is everyone liking Sienna's Edie Sedgwick style wardrobe? I try to avoid Ms. Miller altogether, but I'm curious about the opinions of fashionable blog readers.

sources: brit glamour

bella bijoux

I have a serious thing for long, dramatic earrings (i.e. to match Carrie Bradshaw's penchant for Manolos). I appreciate the beauty of necklaces, bracelets, and rings, but rarely wear them. Last year I was really into gold Indian earrings and this season, it's vivid gemstones. Anthony Nak (Anthony Camargo and Nak Armstrong, who won the 2005 Council of Fashion Designers Perry Ellis Award for best accessories) have created my new favourite jewelry line...



I love how the fine gold chains used in many of their designs are draped and spun into delicate nets that support the bright, ovoid jewels like gilded cradles..... most unfortunately, I can't afford one gem from an Anthony Nak earring, so I indulge my passion for colourful gemstone jewelry with the gorgeous range of earrings on tajtaj.com- if you like jewelry, you'll love this site- they have beautiful creations in every material, shape, colour and price imaginable.

Chandelier earrings: calcutta, pradesh, oberoi


Strings of briolettes: heaven, fathom, pink champagne


Other great sites offering affordable gemstone jewelry...

Arianny Dejesus, frozen bough earrings by Alexis Bittar, Zara X

feathers, furs and icicles

I saw The Chronicles of Narnia this weekend, and although I loved the books as a kid, my primary motivation for seeing the film adaptation was Tilda Swinton's portrayal of Jadis the White Witch. She was my favourite character in the book- as the Dec. 05 edition of Vogue magazine puts it: "the incarnation of evil disseminated beneath the sugar coating of Turkish delight" (pg. 352). And I have a thing for movie villains- from Anne Bancroft in The Graduate to Daryl Hannah in Kill Bill- sometimes I root for evil characters as much as the good ones (as long as they are well dressed of course...).

The dreadlocks and ice tipped eyelashes were inspired details...

Luckily, one need not venture into Narnia to see ice maiden couture- just check out Christian Lacroix's f/w 05 collection...

Would you care for some Turkish Delight?

sources: arts.telegraph, style

decadent grace

I hadn't noticed Finnish model Marie Louise before coming across this backstage shot from the Armani spring 06 show. Marie Louise looks like she just stepped out of a 1920s art deco poster, or an Erté illustation. All together, her bee stung lips, ink black bob and angular, supremely graceful prescence are striking- as if that wasn't enough, the kohl lined eyes reimagines the haughty, imperial gaze of an Egyptian queen. Although I am a fan of romanticly styled models- flowing hair, natural makeup etc- it is refreshing to be presented with a new look. Whether Marie Louise's career will be successful or not remain to be seen, but she is off to an iconic start.

source: supermodels.nl, style

alluring departure

Last night, I saw the preview for Match Point, a BBC drama (bizarrely, directed by Woody Allen), and this scene immediately jumped out at me- Scarlett Johanssen departing an elegant room, cigarette in hand. Confident, voluptuous and vulnerable- she is like a Marilyn Monroe for the 21st century.

Dialogue:
- "so you are aware of your effect on men"
- "they think I'd be something very special"
- "and are you?"
- "well, no one's ever asked for their money back"

Well put Scarlett. I can't wait for this film's release- Rolling Stone is raving about it.

images: scarlettjohansson.org

summer in paris

It is freezing cold in Canada- the perfect weather for glamourous coats and tall boots, however I couldn't help but yearn for warmer temperatures after seeing these spring dresses on the runways. Normally I ignore the resort collections and spring trends until closer to March, as it only starts to warm up here around April/May, but I can't resist surfing over to style.com and gazing wistfully at the summer dresses on offer. There is something so effortlessly elegant about them- they provide a kind of allure that is unique and supremely charming. Here is a mixed bouquet of dresses that I am besotted with from Donna Karan...

wherefore art thou romeo?

I'm in love. Not, unfortunately, with a man, but with a blouse. A very, very beautiful blouse from Donna Karan's f/w 05 collection. I am a sucker for ultra feminine pieces that look as if they have been plucked out of a previous century, and it seems that I am not alone- after a quick perusal of the spring 06 collections at Saks et al, I noticed that romantic blouses are all over. No matter how sleek or edgy modern fashion can be- and I love sleek and edgy too- women's clothing never seems to stray far from a feminine aesthetic (think ladylike suits, voluminous skirts, hourglass shapes).

Just looking at this blouse makes me want to whip out a quill and head for a meadow to jot down some poetry.

Same gorgeous confection, but in grey:

A few more styles for the dreamers...

From top left: Robert Rodriguez off-the-shoulder blouse, Nanette Lepore embroidered top, unknown, "Lorraine" blouse by Catherine Malandrino

Simpler, less frothy options...

See by Chloe dot blouse, CK shadow stripe blouse

{Remember to mix hard and soft! romantic blouses look amazing when worn with slimline jeans or tailored pants}

Other sources: vogue, DK on style.com

pippi longstockings all grown up

A website called stockingirl.com strutted its way into my shopping radar and I am quite impressed. I have never been a stocking wearing girl, but I may well start after getting lost in the couture legwear on this site. Apart from the myriad of shades and patterns on offer, the near exhaustive selection of print designs are intricate and unique. The designers have created wearable collages of overlapping patterns, colours, iconic phrases and images- the results are pretty outstanding, but not meant for the faint of heart! For the more reserved fashionettes, the site also offers a wide selection of classic, sheer stockings- and for the retro lovers, there are 1950s inspired seamed stockings.

Working in conjunction with popular fashion labels, the NY based company produced authentic designer patterns and prints that were featured on the runways at Heatherette, Moschino, and Just Cavalli, among others.

Peeking out from underneath a skirt, or just above boots, these vivid stockings will definitely make you stand out against the dreary shades of winter!

dramatic, strong, feminine

According to last week's poll, these are the top three fall/winter 05 trends that appeal to blog readers. This season's runway fashions were absolutely outstanding- the ice and snow of winter is so much more bearable when you can step out in an Edwardian blouse, Russian coat and knee high boots!

1. Russian Drama

Cynthia Steffe, Costume National, Miu Miu

2. Beautiful Boots

Chloe, Miu Miu, Gucci

3. Edwardian Femininity

Chloe, Mokuba ribbon in model's hair

Thanks for voting!

modern maharani

I've been in love with Indian clothing for as long as I can remember. There is something magical about women wrapped in vivid silk sarees, intricately embroidered kurtas, or an elegant salwar kameez. Indian accessories are equally spectacular: gold or silver bangles, anklets, necklaces and earrings ranging from simple to impossibly ornate... Of course, although traditional Indian clothing is gorgeous, it is not always practical for modern working women. I'm always on the lookout for Indian inspired apparel, so I was really excited to discover the label Nikka, a collection of stunning embellished pieces designed in NY, and handmade in India.

Nikka Beaded Tunic:

Nikka Medallion Top:

Nikka Bolero Top:

Pia Hallstrom offers a range of embellished tops that look great over jeans- wear with long gold or silver Indian earrings! This creates an exotic and dramatic look, but isn't too fancy for everyday activities. I have a long kaftan very similar to the red one below, and everytime I wear it, people stop to ask where I found it.

Monsoon has a selection of gorgeous tops, skirts and dresses: