beauté and the beast

Miss Moss has clearly sprung back from her nose candy scandal. Not that that is much of a surprise- she is after all, the icon of heroin chic. Kate is featured on four separate covers for the December issue of Paris Vogue, to be released in Europe this week. She also happens to be guest editing the issue, although I don't think she speaks french... supermodels editing Vogue seems to be a recurring trend of late. My favourite cover is the one below, with the puss in boots shot that follows coming in at a close second.

I love the Chanel couture cape that she has draped around her shoulders above. The details are great in this shot: note the beast face on the side of the cloak, and the "G" clutched in her hand...

The Giorgio Armani Privé dress paired with Givenchy couture boots below create a stunning and dramatic ensemble. I'm such a sucker for tall boots.

The other two covers are a bit dull...

Kate Moss is a great model, but is it possible for her to keep her clothing on during a photoshoot? It's been a while since I've seen her actually wearing anything.

Images/Links: FW Daily, Socialite Life

from kimonos to ballgowns

Sayuri, the Japanese title for Memoirs of a Geisha, premiered in Japan today. I am especially excited to see the film because of the elaborate kimono ensembles worn by Zhang Ziyi and Michelle Yeoh. Here are the two actresses attending the premiere:

I'm not quite sure whether to like Zhang Ziyi's gown or not...

It looks a bit like a wedding cake... regardless, she looks beautiful

Michelle Yeoh is always stunning, both on film and in real life. I definitely want to look like her when I'm 43!

soft as a dream

Until recently, cashmere didn't really factor in on my fashion-must-have radar. I'd heard about cashmere sales, and felt the ultra soft sweaters in stores, but never actually owned or desired a cashmere garment. Also, I wasn't sure that the fabric was luxurious enough to warrant a 3 digit price tag. Well, recently a fellow fashionette (who is somewhat of a cashmere connoisseur) introduced me to the world of this fine fabric, and after a few shopping trips where we garnered stares by brushing the material against our cheeks to test its softness, I am much more appreciative. The little details are so important- from the pure, gorgeous colour of the fibres to the way the shoulders are knit together with a separate yoke instead of a seam.

I still don't own a cashmere sweater, but the blue one at left from adam+eve is quite beautiful- I love the row of buttons on the sleeve...

liquid architecture

I recently discovered NY based designer Lauren Felton, and her line of avant garde, minimalist apparel. I'm impressed by how Felton manages to create apparel that has a sculptural quality, yet is imminently wearable (or at least a lot of it is...) The feature of her designs that I find most distinctive is how they highlight a woman's back. This part of the body is constantly underemphasized, which is a shame because baring your back in a tasteful way is much more sensual and interesting than the oft overdone cleavage. Fenton's designs aren't something that I would wear everyday, as many are more art than fashion, but some of her pieces, including the cutout top below are stunning.

renegade luxury

Handbags adorned with grommets and/or studs are definitely in (take a look at the latest Saks Holiday catalogue). The young, wildly popular brand Be&D seems to be at the forefront of the trend with their studded leather bags that seem permanently attached (at least this month) to the arms of models, debs, and celebs. The label was started by Be Inthavong and Steve Dumain 15 months ago. I remember seeing a few Be&D "Crawford" hobos in the spring and summer, but now the expanding collection of bags seems to have reached an enviable, must-have status. And you don't have to settle for brown or black- each style is available in a range of colours...

I love the combination of butter soft Italian leather with edgy studs. It's like Amazon armour for the modern woman.

Ava Citi:

Garbo:

Crawford:

Another studded bag I am currently coveting is a black Moschino Nappa Bag:

top left image: vogue

coming up roses

You can't always predict what will be a hit from a collection. When I first saw the fall/05 Prada ad with Sasha Pivovarova in a rose print dress, it didn't really jump out at me. Likewise on the runways. Possibly, this is because the dress was paired with a headband, granny shoes, and cadavar makeup... However, I've been seeing this red rose print dress on celebrities everywhere, from premieres to magazine spreads to dinners out. It is available with blue or red roses- the latter seeming to be the favourite- and now that I've seen it being worn with casually upswept hair and simple, classic shoes, I really like it.

Rosamund Pike

Natalie Portman

Salma Hayek

Anna Wintour

Sarah Jessica Parker

Renee Zellweger

other sources: glamour UK, W magazine

entrenched

There is no doubt that trench coats are one of the classier modes of outerwear for women. The coat was originally designed by Burberry to be worn by soldiers- so the style is in keeping with this year's military trend as well. Trenchcoats are an instant glamifier- regardless of body shape, the belted waist, upturned collar, and resulting appearance of casual sophistication instantly transforms a woman from average looking to femme fatale. The black trench has been touted as the latest and most popular in the family tree, now that everyone seems to have a khaki one. Both colours look fantastic, as can be seen in the following pictures. I am generally khaki-phobic when it comes to clothing, but trench coats are a definite exception...



Diane Kruger, Connie Nielsen, Dasha

Update: Angelina Jolie looking drop dead gorgeous in a black trench (27 Nov.)

images: NY Times, getty, style

la femme aeon

Sometimes I wonder if head-to-toe bodysuits will dominate women's fashion in future centuries. Costume designers for futuristic films often seem to envisage this. It's an interesting vision, and despite my love of self expression through fashion, I'm fascinated by the idea of people being clad in these sleek, minimalist uniforms. The best futuristic costumes that I have seen recently are in the upcoming film, Aeon Flux. Of course, the outfits look particularly amazing because they are being worn by a lithe Charlize Theron.

So, a catsuit is the number one item in the wardrobe followed by...

2. ultra sexy beaded lingerie ensemble:

3. dominatrix/secretary/assassin outfit:

Hmmm, I wouldn't mind dressing like Aeon.

images: yahoo canada

at last....

Chanel has arrived at bluefly! The selection is currently comprised of accessories and lots of lovely french shoes for 20-40% off retail. I was wondering when bluefly would start stocking the brand. I already spend hours gazing at the Christian Louboutin pumps listed on the site, so now I can add Chanel to the gawker list. The gorgeous boots at right are on the site- not in my size I'm afraid....

je suis canadienne

Canadian models are continuing to be extremely popular in the fashion world- over the past 2 years, I've been noticing many on the runways (including Daria Werbowy's ascent to top model), but thought that this might be a passing trend. However, I've been seeing more and more women from my home country on the runways, and in ad campaigns. I guess there is something in the water up here...

l-r: Jessica, Daria, Heather, Lisa, Maria, Julia, Agnieszka, Madeleine

My favourite Canadian supermodel is Shalom Harlow:

images: style.com

in the details...

The world of couture is reserved for princesses and socialites (and inexplicably, Carrie Bradshaw of Sex and the City)- the only people who can afford the fantastical apparel and accoutrements created by the worlds most prestigous designers. However, this doesn't stop us impecunious fashionistas from dreaming of owning our very own couture gown.

Well, hauterflies are in luck. A new kind of haute apparel called demi-couture is gaining popularity on the fashion scene, particularly with fashionistas who desire clothing that embodies the hallmarks of couture: small, exquisite details, a custom cut and fit, special fabrics etc., but is (slightly) less pricy. Of course, seeing as this is "somewhere between the rarefied world of couture and regular designer-wear", it will still cost quite a bit of cash. Oh well, at least this means that couture is available to a marginally wider range of people... There is a write up of demi-couture on the Harvey Nicks website (the image above is from the article- those Louboutin heels are on my dream Christmas list!):

Carrie Bradshaw's exquisite Versace couture gown:

modern cleopatra

I sometimes forget what a great resource the Metropolitan Museum of Art is for jewelry. The shop has an amazing collection of affordable jewelry ranging from historically adapted pieces originating from every region of the world imaginable, to contemporary items with a simpler aesthetic. My "obsession de jour" is this Egyptian style snake bracelet. It would look gorgeous on a wrist or upper arm (I have noticed Sienna Miller, Mischa Barton and Maria Sharapova's arms decorated with wraparound serpents). I recently saw a woman wearing a bracelet like this on her wrist, over a long sleeve black top, and it looked great.

International fashionistas like me who don't live in NY can access this treasure trove via the Met's online shop. Paint a little kohl around your eyes for a truly Egyptian queen look...