Love it or hate it: Sable Dress by Twenty8Twelve

This sleeveless, scoop-neck voile dress features a lapel overlay of textured cotton. Part of the Twenty8Twelve line by sisters Sienna and Savanna Miller, this look seems like the perfect summer dress. I love how the lapel detail mimics a crisp white vest...what do you think?

Available at shopbop.com for $375.

Photos: shopbop.com

Made in Hollywood

I'm digging the Gypsy05 line of maxi dresses and jumpers for summer. The LA-based brand has a loyal celebrity following and is worn by the likes of Vanessa Hudgens, Lauren Conrad and Alessandra Ambrosio. From flowy organic cotton dresses to stylish but comfy silk one-pieces, this collection is California cool, and perfect for the season.

Photo: gypsy05.com

Well played, Zoe Saldana

Previously I posted a I Wish I Had a Place to Wear That edition about a Spring '11 Dolce & Gabbana. I found another favorite from that collection, this time on Zoe Saldana, who paired the leopard and lace mini with Brian Atwood pumps, a small clutch and cocktail ring. Tres chic!

At the 2011 Film Independent Spirit Awards

Dolce & Gabbana RTW Spring 2011

 Photos: WWD.com

Met Gala '11

The Costume Institute Gala, held annually at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is arguably fashion's best event of the year. More star-studded than the Oscars, more stylish than Fashion Week, the Met Gala is an exciting night of celebrities, designers, models, socialites and journalists all out-doing each other according to the exhibition's theme.

So on Monday, “Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty” premiered with the requisite red carpet, parading A-listers and of course, plenty of fabulous McQueens.

Daphne Guinness in Alexander McQueen

Emma Roberts in Michael Kors

Isabel Lucas in Louis Vuitton

Francisco Costa with Zoe Saldana in Calvin Klein Collection

Anna Dello Russo in Alexander McQueen

Tory Burch in vintage Jean Patou

Eva Mendes in Stella McCartney

Blake Lively in Chanel

Brooklyn Decker in Michael Kors

Coco Rocha in Alexander McQueen

Sarah Burton

 Photos: WWD

A Stylish Moment from the Past

I love My Mom the Style Icon, an inspiring blog about the influential and stylish people in our lives and in our past. When my mom shared a photo of her parents and my aunt from 1946, I knew I had to do a post of my own.

About the captured moment, my aunt told me, “…Daddy had just sung the Lord’s Prayer at a wedding and I remember being most impressed with him. He had sung in light opera as a young man before the war.”  

My grandparents made quite the stylish couple – him in his dapper white wool suit and my grandmother in a shirtwaist dress with shirred gloves, an oversize clutch purse and an elegant spring hat.

I’m always amazed to see where fashion comes from, and how styles we may perceive as  “new” and “in” have actually been done in some way before. My grandmother’s look would be as fabulous now as it was then!

If you have a “My Mom the Style Icon” photo you would like to share, contact me and we’ll get it posted!

I wish I had a place to wear that -- spring edition

I loved Dolce & Gabbana's Spring '11 Ready-to-Wear collection, and although I had many favorites, I think this look was tops. I love how ladylike it is, and that the lace is done elegantly, and I would style it the same: with oversize gold hoop earrings, a delicate chain purse and minimal sandals. 

So where do you think this dress belongs? Sitting al fresco at a restaurant in Miami, at a party in the Hamptons...or maybe seaside in Santorini...?

Photo: wwd.com

Love it or hate it

Do you ever come across a piece that you can't decide if you love or hate? This happens to me frequently, and although I love shopping solo, this is the time I desperately need a friend there to tell me yes or no. This darling yellow and ecru dress by Opening Ceremony just became available on shopbop.com. I love the combination of mesh with gathered twill and think the color is perfect for spring. It's quite funky.

But I'm unsure of the open mesh back -- how do wear it with, ahem, no undergarment? Or do you wear one anyway even though it will show through? And is it just too funky?

So...love it or hate it?

Photo: shopbop.com

The new sandal

I'm not sure I remember a season in which the sandal was so exciting. For many years I ignored the sandal altogether, opting for either a simple flip flop or a pump with no in between. But this year, I'm going gaga over the reinvention of summer's favorite footwear.

Coye Nokes Eva Platform Sandal ($495)

Chie Mihara Joven Flat Thong Sandal ($342)

Matt Bernson Delphine ($189)

 Jil Sander Wedge Sandals ($450)

Elizabeth and James Ankle Cuff Leather Sandals ($325)

See by Chloe 1 Band Wedge Sandals ($320)

Rebecca Minkoff Trott Cut-Out Black Pebble Sandal ($375)

Images: Coye Nokes, Piperlime, Shopbop, Net-a-Porter, Rebecca Minkoff

Mission accomplished: red pants

Awhile back I wrote about red pants being a big trend for spring. Well, last night at the Bon Jovi show, I debuted my own pair.

Zara red pants, J Crew t-shirt and sweater

 So what's next?  Blue? Maybe purple? Stay tuned...

Pucci Spring RTW '11                                             Louis Vuitton Spring RTW '11

Photos: style.com

Behind the scenes: Fall Ready-To-Wear 2011

I ripped this image out of an Italian fashion magazine more than ten years ago. It seemed so glamorous...someone really gets paid to do this?

A few years later I got to go backstage before several shows during New York Fashion Week, and it really was one of the most exciting places to be. There, make-up artists, hair stylists, PR reps, designer assistants, journalists and photographers buzz about, while models sit languidly listening to iPods and chatting on the phone. Below, these photographs captured backstage moments from the Fall shows that define the moments before the catwalk.

Photos: style.com, nymag.com, thedailybeast.com, wwd.com

Dramatic finales

Attending a runway show is much like riding a roller coaster. Anticipation builds as you wait in a long line, and once seated, momentum slowly increases as guests take their seats and the lights dim.

Then suddenly the spotlight snaps on, the music starts, and the first model turns the corner onto the catwalk. But as quickly as it began, it's over.

Often, my favorite part of the show is the finale, when all the models parade onto the runway at one time. This is when you notice what a masterpiece a fashion collection is -- the subtle design elements that carry through look after look, the cohesive theme that develops from the first model to the last, and the role styling plays in making designs memorable. Here are some of my favorite final moments from the Fall 2011 shows (Lanvin, Christian Dior, Prabal Garung, Rodarte and Chanel).





Photos: style.com

Chanel, Blake & a litle Florence

At the party thrown in her honor last night in Paris, Blake Lively wore a shimmery metallic minidress from Chanel's Spring Couture 2008 collection. Like at the NYC party, she accessorized with Lorraine Schwartz jewelry and Christian Louboutin heels.

According to The New York Times fashion critic Cathy Horyn, the cocktail party was held in Chanel's couture salon, which was a first. The gathering featured one more guest of honor, Florence Welch (of English band Florence + The Machine), who appears to be Blake's current bestie. Apparently, Welch (also in Chanel) sang a few numbers for Karl Lagerfeld and his very pleased crowd. Sounds like a perfect Paris Fashion Week party to me!

Blake Lively at La Grenouille in NYC

At a dinner in her honor, Blake Lively wore a white minidress by Chanel, the label for which she was just named ambassador for the Madamoiselle handbag ad campaign.

Lively accessorized with emerald earrings by Lorraine Schwartz and Christian Louboutin pumps. Her dress was from Chanel's Spring '09 Haute Couture show...wonder what she'll choose for a repeat dinner in Paris this weekend?

83rd Annual Academy Fashion Winners

Everyone is entitled to their favorites list, and here is mine.

1. Cate Blanchett made it on both the best and worst dressed list, but I think her Givenchy (Spring 2011 Couture) is stunning. Its modern yet intricate, and I adore the lilac hue with pearl and yellow crystal encrusted detail.




2. I knew we would see sheer on the red carpet -- see-through skirts and pants were all over the Fall '11 Collections -- so I was pleased that Mila Kunis' Elie Saab (Spring 2011 Couture) was a thoughtful application of the trend. The lilac chiffon gown with tiered lace detailing was provocative, yet elegant.



3. It's no surprise that I approve of both Gwyneth Paltrow's minimalistic Calvin Klein column (custom design) and the gold Michael Kors gown (Fall 2011 RTW) that she later performed in. According to interviews, about her first look she said, "They made it for me. I wanted to wear a kind of glamorous wetsuit." Although her rendition of "Coming Home" was applause-neutral, her fashion choices, as always, deserve a thumbs-up.




4. I wasn't expecting to see Mandy Moore at the Oscars, but there she was, perfectly styled in a shimmery Monique Lhuillier (Spring 2011 RTW). The gown sparkled, her hair was in a classic chignon, and on her lips -- a very current and punchy red-orange.



Photos: Style.com, WWD.com