Zulily Features Lex Modern

Sunday, January 31, 2010

The Seattle-based online shopping site for hip moms and savvy babies Zulily.com is currently featuring Lex Modern, a collection of graphic-art pieces designed by artist and interior designer Melanie Young.  Each piece is custom made, and can be personalized for that extra-special touch. (Personalization is free for Zulily members!) *The sale ends 2/3 at 3pm. 




Alend King > BOSS BLACK - HUGO BOSS Fashion Show Fall/Winter 2010 in Berlin

Saturday, January 30, 2010


Alend King > BOSS BLACK - HUGO BOSS Fashion Show Fall/Winter 2010 in Berlin



Andres Velencoso and Jon Kortajarena for V Man by Mario Testino




Andres Velencoso Segura and Jon Kortajarena show us how to wear denim. Photographed by Mario Testino and styled by Clare Richardson for V Man Magazine.
V Man unveils two of modeling’s hottest commodities wearing the best in denim by Diesel Black Gold, Dsquared, Levi’s, Adam Kimmel, Polo Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein Jeans, Versace Collection, D&G. 
It’s going to be a sexy spring!

Michael Gstoettner / Milan and Paris Fashion Week - Fall 2010


LOUIS VUITTON, ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA, GIORGIO ARMANI, 


DOLCE & GABBANA, JOHN RICHMOND, EMPORIO ARMANI, 


ICEBERG, GIORGIO CANALI ........



Leopard

Friday, January 29, 2010


This is my staple leopard-print piece. I got it on sale five years ago at Club Monaco. I wear it whenever I want to make a statement. Even though I have worn it consistently since I purchased it, I was psyched last winter when designers sent animal prints down the catwalks. Pat on my shoulder for a good purchase! I was further encouraged after the Burberry Art of the Trench collaboration with The Sartorialist was launched, and the word trench found itself on the tip of every one's tongue. I thought, wow a two-for-one! But this fall when I pulled it from my closet to send it to the cleaners for a seasonal freshening-up, something just wasn't right.


Image courtesy of style.com

I revisited collections like Isabel Marant and decided that it was the silhouette of my coat that wasn't working for me anymore. I didn't want a faux fur trench. I wanted something more of-the-moment. Then I remembered that a friend of mine found a great vintage leopard coat at an estate sale a few years ago. I decided to take the vintage road. I looked around for a cute version, but as of a week before the men's collections here in Milan, I hadn't found anything interesting. I did however, see something cute at the Mango end-of-season sale. But, deterring me after I get an idea in my head can be a daunting enterprise. I remained on my vintage course.




There are ways to knock me off course though. And it often has to do with stylish men or women that inspire me. So, on the last day of the men's shows, Anna, Aurora and Viviana transformed themselves into Anna's angels. Fabulous! I drifted south as soon as I saw them.




Later that day, I described my leopard situation to Tommy of Jak & Jil who aptly encouraged me to go to Mango and get my leopard coat.

Top image: Hat, Zara; coat, Club Monaco; jeans, superfine; thigh-high boots, Prada; necklace, H&M.
Last image: Turban, vintage; tights, Wolford; suede peep-toe wedge sandal, YSL. Turtleneck worn throughout, Zara.

My journey to personal style refinement

Thursday, January 28, 2010
When it comes to investment pieces like jewelry and watches, I always choose the safest, cleanest, most elegant look. The earring, bracelet or watch that I can wear everyday and with everything. Or that "good" piece that I reserve only for special occasions. I apply this criteria because I suffer from a bit of undiagnosed, sensory-overload ADD. I don't know if this condition actually exists, and in this case, I refuse to look it up on Wikipedia. I know I have it, and that's that.

What are the symptoms? Well let's see. The more fantastical, colorful, impractical and, usually, the more expensive an item, the more I like it. And, it doesn't help that ever since I have known my husband he has said things like, "if you are going to get that bag, don't get it in black, get it in red or mint green." I guess [it] is an older cousin to the "like a kid in a candy store" syndrome. But the problem is that after about 26 seconds, the object usually looses its luster and I am on to the next thing. I know, this is not a rare condition. That many of you out there probably suffer from it too. But where is the personal value, the sentimentality of a piece if you are constantly spinning from object to object like an out of control tea cup? For me it is often dizzying and highly dissatisfying. So over the years, as a way to refine my acquisitions, I have developed a habit of only purchasing important pieces based on these practical criteria.



But while working on a recent accessories project, I came across this Vacheron Constantin stunner. Named Matsu to tsuru, the Pine Tree and Crane, it is from the "Métiers d'Art- La symbolique des laques" collection, Vacheron Constantin's latest collaboration in their ongoing quest to combine watchmaking and decorative techniques. The decorative technique here is Maki-e, a laquer art that is achieved by delicately sprinkling gold or silver dust over lacquer while it is still wet.

Upon seeing it I thought: "Wow this is really special. I could wear this. No, it doesn't go with everything I own, but it doesn't matter. Gosh it's pretty." The more I looked at it, the more I fell for it. The pine tree and crane motif extremely attractive to me, a personal symbol of All the Pretty Birds? With my purchase criteria stripping away as fast as that out of control tea cup, I realized with striking clarity that this watch (I don't know if I can even dream of affording it) was something that I came to love based on my years of restraint, my exposure to fashion, at all levels, and my personal style growth. If I could purchase it, it wouldn't be because it's "the" status piece. It would be because I just find it really beautiful!

I have reached another stage on my journey to personal style refinement. With this newly acquired knowledge, I will go and search out something that I can afford. Valentine's day is almost here! Sweet dreams. Tamu

An Island Girl

Wednesday, January 27, 2010


Meet Sarah Grittini of L'Uomo Vogue. I met her this men's fashion week, and I am totally enamored by her style. She is from Isola D'Elba, a beautiful island in the Tuscan Archipelago. Are you noticing a pattern here? Islands and fashionable women? You know, Garance Doré, Sarah, and little old me? (Smile) Hey! I like to think that I am fashionable. Watch it!

Anyway, back to Sarah. She was discovered years ago by Franca Sozzani herself and has been with L'Uomo Vogue ever since. She's an extremely interesting and inspiring person: an avid traveler she just got back from a trip to Brazil; and she has a penchant for vintage Ossie Clark. Cool, right? But it doesn't end there. One of the most endearing things I learned about Sarah is that she is a kind soul. After knowing me for less than 16 minutes, she offered me a ride to the next show.

Ema Simurda for ANNA AICHINGER S/S 2010 by Oliver Jiszda

Tuesday, January 26, 2010




Ema Simurda for ANNA AICHINGER S/S 2010 by Oliver Jiszda.

Stimulating the senses: The Mineral Edition



The grain-like texture of Jeff's coat reminds me of clay. While his acid wash jeans look as though they have been sculpted from marble. The combination is visually engaging as the graininess of the coat fades into the optically-veiny surface of the wash. What do I think about the black and white shirt/vest combo underneath? Charming, as it is the graphic detail that pulls the entire look together.

Style and Beauty

Monday, January 25, 2010
It's in their DNA. Sisters Giorgia and Giulia outside the Men's Gucci show. With distinctively good looks, you can't help but wonder what the rest of the family looks like.



Giorgia (above) adds a personal twist to Italian glamour in a timeless Prada coat, an of-the-moment Silence & Noise romper, Ash booties, Alexander Wang bag, an Emanuele Bicocchi necklace and large-rimmed sunglasses. While Giulia (below), in a vintage theater-worthy skirt, hooded topcoat and Gucci platforms, embraces the "formal meets casual" theme that pervades the men's catwalks this season.



I don't know about you, but I would gladly accept an invitation to dinner at their house. Maybe the key ingredient to their beauty and style is in their mamma's cooking.

Anja Rubik for FENDI S/S 2010 by Karl Lagerfeld




Anja Rubik goes into the wild for the spring-summer 2010 print campaign of FENDI. CD of the label, Karl Lagerfeld, steps into the role of photographer for the nature-loving series that showcases Fendi’s signature handbags.


Magdalena Frackowiak : Cover and Coverstory for Dazed and Confused Feb 2010

Sunday, January 24, 2010



Supermodel Magdalena Frackowiak wears the tulle heavy, hole laden collection of Viktor & Rolf for the cover story of Dazed & Confused’s February edition. Shot by Josh Olins and styled by Katie Shillingford, the studio layout highlights the awe-inspiring gowns of the Dutch duo with the cleverly titled, “The Amsterdam Chainsaw Massacre”.

Pipe Lines

Sometimes it's the small details that count. These coats are a great example of how a little piping can make a garment stand out.



Here, the sartorial detail accentuates the clean lines of Matthieu's coat.



And here, adds dimension to Giulio's rounded coat.

Happy Weekend!

Saturday, January 23, 2010


I hope that you are out and about surrounded by friends and family (and if you are lucky, hotness like this). I had to say it, sorry!

5 Ways to Spend a $100 Bravern Gift Card


Shopping has always been one of my favorite past times and it’s even more fun when I’m shopping with someone else’s money. That’s why you’re crazy if you don’t take two seconds to fill out a quick survey from The Bravern for a chance to win a $100 gift card. There are a million ways you can spend the gift card but here are my top 5 recommendations.

# 1- A leopard Marc by Marc Jacobs cosmetics case ($48) and a Stainless Steel & Gabanna Ring ($55) from Nieman Marcus.



# 2- A beautiful borough necklace ($88) and a pair of Buttercup earrings ($18) from Anthropologie.




#3- A pair of Paul Frank sunglasses from Eye Society ($104).

# 4- A Soft Serve Ice Cream maker from Sur La Table. It makes 1 ½ quarts of soft serve ice cream, yogurt, or sorbet in 20 minutes flat ($99).


# 5- A Clayton Zip Coin Purse from Tory Burch ($95).

You might consider skipping the shopping altogether and pampering yourself at the Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa instead. For $100 you can get a 50 minute cream and sugar scrub. 


Time is running out. The deadline to enter the survey is Monday! 

Win a $100 Gift Card fromThe Bravern in Bellevue

Friday, January 22, 2010

Addicted to fashion? The Shops at The Bravern want to know what you have to say! Fill out a brief survey by clicking here and get entered into a drawing to win a $100 gift card. (Hello Nieman Marcus!) The deadline to enter is Monday so enter now!

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