Paris Update

The wonderful time of Spring 2011 Fashion Week ended on a high with the collections from LV, Hermes, Miu Miu. I was very excited to see that Marc Jabos is taking the Chinese traditional root and using the Madrine dress (Chipao) as his inspiration. Chipao has a long tradition in the Chinese culture and it has been making its come back in the modern society. In the early 1900s, Chipao was a High Society dress especially popular in Shanghai. The high neck, closed collar, slits up on the side and body hugging style is a combination of elegance and Chinese tradition. (“In the Mood for Love” is a great HongKong movie showing the Chipao in all its beauty)

Jean Paul Gaultier presented his final collection for Hermes and went back to his roots as well, horses and riders. His riding-inspired collection was about suede and leather in beautiful silhouettes. Amazing collection, I wish I could own one of his looks!!! Miu Miu dressed the modern girl in bright yellow, hot pink and royal blue flowy dresses.

Hermes Spring/Summer 2011

Miu Miu Spring/Summer 2011

Fall Trend: Blues and Purples

Tommy Hilfiger, MarcoPolo, Zara, A&F and Rugby Ralph Lauren

The fall is here and it is time for us to embrace some deep colors in our closets. Already seen at the Golden Globes this year, eggplant is in and navy is not just for summer days. Girls, set little color accents in your look and boys, these colors are not just for girls. (I personally love navy and deep purple tones, so no surprise that I am wearing a purple knit cardigan as I’m writing this and have my short BR navy blue jacket with me today ^^)

Purple: the eggplant color is perfect for both warm weather and cooler fall. This aubergine tone is the right blend of blue red which is perfect for every outfit!

Navy Blue: Classic. Paired up with a crispy white shirt it can look sophisticated and elegant. But this color mixed in plaid shirts and Jeans, creates the casual preppy collegiate look.

Fashion Week Spring 2011

“The best color in the whole world, is the one that looks good, on you!”

- Coco Chanel

With the end of two great events in the fashion world, New York Fashion Week and London Fashion Week, and with Milan Fashion Week still going strong, we now know what designers want us to wear in the next season to be “fashionable.” But let’s be realistic--not everything that comes down the runway can actually be worn or suits every body type. Everything should be taken with a grain of salt.

While New York Fashion Week was a dream in white, London’s idea was neon pink, acid yellow and cool aquas. So far in Milan, Prada seems to be all about Monkeys.

Like Tina Gaudoin said in her column for the WSJ:
"so transient are trends that the phrase 'in fashion' is almost entirely redundant. By definition, the moment you are wearing something 'fashionable,' you become a follower and not a leader."

Fashion is about having fun. If you love and feel comfortable in something, wear it with confidence. So what if it is from Forever 21 not Dolce? Like Gaudoin said, “With confidence comes style. For whilst these days there might be little use for the description 'fashionable,' there is certainly much to be said for being stylish (with all that the term implies, including good taste and longevity)."

On that note, au revoir and see you in Paris for the new trends from Chanel, Miu Miu, Westwood & co., and Bisous Bisous.

Jason Wu - New York FashionWeek ( I absolutely adore his collection!!!)

Oscar de La Renta - New York Fashion Week

Paul Smith -London Fashion Week

Burburry mixes neon with the classic trench - London Fashion Week

Prada’s Monkey Business - Milan Fashion Week

The Yellow Stars on the Fashion Sky

Jason Wu, Alexander Wang, Richard Chai, Phillip Lim, Thakoon Panichgul, Peter Som -

these are the names that are being printed next to Ralph Lauren, Donna Karen on the list this years New York Fashion Week. It is the fashion era of the Gaysians!

Michelle Obama for sure has a love for the Gaysians. Her princess-like, white one shoulder Inauguration gown was designed by Jason Wu and she wore the Radzimir kimono dress from Thakoon Panichgul's pre-spring 2009 collection as her husband delivered his Presidential nomination acceptance speech in Denver.

Unlike the 80s designers Issey Miyake and Yohji Yamamoto, today's young Asian-American designer's aim is to attract a broad mainstream with their collection. Jason Wu is a mix of modernity but a hint of couture and Phillip Lim takes classic looks into the modern days.

Let's see what new surprices these young designers will bring us at during this year's New York Fashion Week!

Gaga's Little Japanese Monsters

Lady Gaga has not only influenced the music world, but she has also revolutionized the fashion world. Her Leotards, sunglasses and crazy hairstyles has become her signature look.

Japan is a country that is also known for its fast moving and crazy street style fashion. Lady Gaga's trend of big hair bows has been popular in Japan for several years! I was fascinated by these Japanese Gaga fans and their over-the-top fashion! It's a perfect mashup of Gaga and Japanese Style (Lolita Gaga, Mori-Girl Gaga, Shibuya Gal Gaga etc.). Are you feeling Gaga?

Soundtrack to Success

Until recently, simply being familiar with a track before it was featured in an Apple commercial signified astute musical knowledge. Now, the days when that precious indie cred was determined by your familiarity with soundtracks to PC alternatives are long gone. Instead, your favorite-band-that-no-one-has-heard-of is taking on a national ad campaign for a product that doesn't include a glowing macintosh. Here are just a few recent examples...

Foals join the Entourage

Foals released Total Life Forever in May, and it wasn't long before HBO attached the album's first single "Spanish Sahara" to its Entourage previews. The eerie, melancholy track is strikingly similar to The Antler's "Wake." It gets a slow, somber start before surging toward a powerful bridge. Set against the hazy Los Angeles skyline, the boys brood as the song progresses. I'm no Entourage fan, but perhaps Adrian Grenier has a more ominous season ahead of him?

Check out the full track: Foals - "Spanish Sahara"

"Home" is wherever Edward Sharpe is playing

Alex Ebert's latest project, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, is a drastic departure from Ima Robot. This carefree group of psychedelic folk rockers is reminiscent of Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters--if you transported them to the 2000s and gave them all iPhones. "Home," the break-out track from their 2009 release Up from Below, is a feel-good single that could've debuted at the Monterey Pop Festival. You know, back in the late 1960s when your parents were free spirits damning the man. The carefree whistling, up-beat drums and whimsically romantic lyrics make this song irresistible. No wonder it's been ubiquitous to recent commercials...

The Ill-fated Microsoft Kin...

The Cyrus Preview...

and....The latest edition of the Palm ....

You can bet Steve Jobs is kicking himself for missing the opportunity to use "Home" in the commercial for the iPad OS4.

Check out the full track: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes - "Home"

Couture Meets Rock 'n' Roll

The red lips at last week's Chanel show? According to the brand's global creative director of makeup, Peter Philips, they're a little bit couture and a little bit rock 'n' roll. In other words: Coco meets Courtney Love.

"Beautiful lip color, and nude eyes. It brings out the best in a women."