Fashion Week Rundown-Pit Stop

If I could use one word to describe the Behnaz Sarafpour spring 2010 RTW collection which debuted last night, I'd have to say, innovative.

I could not believe that on the buttons of her garments she used cherry pits. CHERRY PITS.

She insisted they were well-cleaned.


Sarafpour isn't granola, and its not an environmentally friendly-focused collection, but when asked, the designer said that she wanted to move toward the trend of being environmentally friendly, but still stay luxury. I think its a happy medium toward becoming more sustainable but still staying true to yourself as a designer. Her innovation also displays the rapidly active trend toward environmentally conscious design as it seeps into high-end fashion.

You can visit her website here and learn more about the designer on my designer profile page. If you didn't know, she went to Parsons, did a collection for Target's Go International brand, has designed for Anne Klein, Isaac Mizrahi, Zac Posen, Barney's New York, and has won several awards for her work.

A few of my favorite pieces from the collection:

I love how she made a long dress but still gave it shape and feminine detailing.

I'm really liking the way this shirt hangs. It creates a really feminine shoulder shape.

This is a fun overall outfit but I'm more a fan of the feminine blouse underneath.

I love how this belt is worn wrapped and knotted as opposed to traditionally. I also like that the denim looking fabric has a distinct patterning if you look closer.

Burberry Good

If you've had a glimpse of Burberry Prorsum's Fall 2010 Ready to Wear collection and haven't had heart palpatations, there might be something wrong with your heart. If you haven't seen the collection, check out one of my favorite pieces from the collection, the shearling jacket(s). There were so many great jackets and coats in the collection; Christopher Bailey, the designer, said that he was largely inspired by aviation for this show. If you want to watch the whole show, I've posted a video of it at the bottom of this post. Or you can check out Burberry's website.

If you don't know anything about Burberry then try looking up the designer profile I've put together in the Designers section of this blog.

Burberry Prorsum Shearling leather jacket
$2,995

Burberry Prorsum Shearling leather jacket
$2,995 -

BURBERRY PRORSUM Perfecto
2.395 EUR

BURBERRY PRORSUM Perfecto
2.395 EUR

Burberry Prorsum Shearling Funnel Neck Aviator Jacket

AmeriCAN'T Apparel?

If you've been watching the stocks lately, you may have noticed that American Apparel's stock has stooped to a new low(down over 66% to .71), and rumors of bankruptcy are running rampant.


Let us pause for a moment of silence for hipster's in mourning everywhere.






Okay, enough. 


What does it mean?


Well, it means that any number of the 260 stores they operate in 19 countries might be shut down/bought out/reconfigured. That could mean that 10,000 people the company employs could be out of a job.


American Apparel just happens to be $91 million in debt. They're going to have to sell a lot more $52 thong bodysuits, $22 Tshirts, and those $49 tight, shiny leggings they're so famous for. 


Speaking of fame, American Apparel's CEO, Dov Charney, is no stranger to legal trouble as many former employees have taken him to court over sexually inappropriate behavior. The company has also been been highly criticized for its sexually charged advertising style, and its screening process for employees, which Charney himself directs.


The company opened its retail store in 2003 and prides itself on its products, which are all created in the USA. The company also has core values of vertical integration(meaning they do everything from production to advertising themselves), and even won an award for the fastest growing company on the stock market in 2003 and 2004. Unfortunately, the company is failing to file important corporate documents and stock sales are dropping by the minute. 

Dov Charney, CEO of American Apparel

Don't believe me? Check it out for yourself. . . 
American Apparel
Dov Charney

ManEater.

This fall its all about men. Or, should I say menswear.


I would like to thank the men of this world for their clothing staples and would also like to apologize to them as well, because I'm about to steal them(the clothes, not the actual people)...

The Satorialist

Let me explain. 

First of all, adorable bicycle, I'll take two. 

Secondly, let's talk about the blazer. 

Blazers are in again and I'm absolutely thrilled. Cropped, cleverly tailored, or patterned, they're just waiting for my wallet to say Y-E-$. 

Thirdly, the shirt. 

The white oxford has long been a staple. I'm loving the oversized versions that are popping up in stores, and this seasons tailored, ruffled blouses offer a more feminine substitute.

I'll skip the tie and suspenders for now, or perhaps, use these items as inspiration for a headscarf or belt. 

The trouser. Such a nice alternative to jeans! Polished, yet still able to look casual. I'm loving cropped, ankle skimming versions.

Icing on the cake: the oxford shoe.

With socks, without socks, or worn with or without laces, these shoes are adorable and look comfortable but stay dressy. 

So men, thank you, thank you, thank you for your wardrobe ideas. I am now a thief.

I almost forgot...

Ten Great Dresses to Wear this Autumn- UNDER $50

The last post had dresses that may have been out of some people's price ranges, primarily mine, so this post will be dedicated to less expensive styles for this fall. Keep in mind that you can pair or layer these with jackets, capes, cardigans, vests, tights, socks, leggings, boots, or scarves to make them warmer and more versatile. All ten of the dresses featured in this post I found online for $50 or less! It wasn't extremely easy, but it is definitely possible.

Express; $48

Target, Xhiliration Juniors; $21

ASOS- $25

Mod Cloth $49

               Roxy; Train Journey Dress; $50

Forever 21; $19

ASOS; Mesh Silk Jersey Knit T-Shirt Dress; $50

Urban Outfitters; $48

Delia's; Laura Lace Dress $45

Shop Ruche; Thinking of Home Applique Dress; $38

 Are there any other places/websites that you've found good deals? Share them in the comment section...

-s

Ten Great Dresses to Wear this Autumn

I've had a lifetime long love liaison with the dress, and this autumn is proving to be no exception. Ruffles, lace of all types, and functional femininity are all in style this season, and quite honestly I couldn't be happier.

Here are ten dresses for this autumn that I'm falling in love with. . .

AZZEDINE ALAÏA

LONG SLEEVE DÉGRADÉ MULTI RIB DRESS; $3,175 

Bess; chain tier silk-chiffon dress, $990

Gathered Waist Shirt Dress $650

Erdem Vavinia lace dress $2,945

Willow; The Eclipse Dress, $765

Moschino; Short dress, $339

Tucker; Classic Mini-Dress, $315

Cami Dress by Parker, $187

Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Lace Hem Dress, $249

Marc by Marc Jacobs; Cadmium Green Dress, $275

-S

Over the Knee Boots

This fall there is a huge emphasis on the shoe, especially the boot. I am absolutely loving the over the knee boot again this season, although with this one, there's a very fine line between style and stripper.

Let's compare, shall we?


Then....
Julia Roberts, a la 1900's, playing a professional floozy in the film, Pretty Woman.

Now...
Tucking your skinny jeans into boots is extra warm, comfortable, and super adorable.

Or try pairing them with a dress, skirt, or even winter wool shorts.

Alice + Olivia Backzip Shorts

                  ModCloth.com dress

Add tights, leggings, or over the knee socks and you'll be warm and fashionable. The possibilities are endless, and you probably already own many viable concoctions.

I found this site that has tons of options for leggings, tights and socks.


The way to stay away from "Lady of the Night" jokes is to properly balance proportions. Obviously, if you wear a skin tight dress with cleavage down to your belly button and pair it with thigh high lace up stilettos, the chance that you might be asked how much you're charging per hour goes drastically upward, as communicated by this graph...

Tips for wearing over the knee boots:
Try something subtle:
A flat, or small heel instead of something tall and more noticeable.
A muted, versatile color and material, avoiding prints and embellishments

These styles below are definitely for the brave...

But perhaps something a bit less flashy is more your comfort level.

Frye; Over the Knee Riding Boot $448

Loeffler Randall, Riley Over Knee Back Zip, $829

Franco Sarto, Tripod, $169

Type Z, Arcadia $78

Chinese Laundry, Nitro $89

I really think this is a look that is very versatile and can be integrated into the regular fall/winter wardrobe again this season.