Recently in Dresses Category
Last week I was invited to an event hosted by Josie Natori at her Park Avenue home to preview her new Natori Essentials collection. It was a beautiful cocktail party complete with champagne and pork buns! Natori looks amazing for her age (she started Natori in 1977, but she could easily pass for 15 years younger than she is, especially given her slender physique). The entrepreneur is wonderfully gracious (the best line of the night -- "Everyone needs champagne in the Natori house!"), and her wide array of talents are nothing short of jaw-droopingly impressive. Besides being the CEO of a fashion empire, she is a concert pianist (she played a number of songs at the event), and was the first female Vice President in Investment Banking years ago when she worked at Merrill Lynch. Savvy and chic! We were also able to get a peak into Natori's closet (no photos were allowed though!), which while it may not be as huge as one might expect, was so meticulously well organized that it motivated me to do some cleaning when I got home (my clothes -- spread across four closets: two wall-to-wall ones in my apartment, one in my parents' apartment, and one in Southampton -- are a jumbled mess!).
As for the collection, I couldn't think of a more apt name than Natori Essentials. The looks are all black, made with sumptuous fabrics, offered at affordable price points and perfect for everyday day-to-night pieces for the busy woman on the go. Check-out more from Natori here!
I came across COS while I was walking around Munich's town center. I had never heard of the boutique before and was surprised at the mild prices (most everything is under 129 euros), given the quality of the materials used. The bi-level store was choke-full of monochromatic pieces that appeared simple, but had small details (exposed zippers, ruching, cowl neck...) for both men and women making for great staples; kind of like a frugal Ports 1961, no? When I paid for my buys I asked the sales woman about the line and she told me that it actually is owned by H&M! So far boutiques are only in select European countries (Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, United Kingdom), but hopefully they will roll out in the U.S. soon!
I've been warming up to the Victoria Beckham line of frocks lately but these two are just not doing it for me what with the apron inspired top skirt. While other designers make peplums flirty and cute, VB's version looks more like a uniform for a hotel hostess, albeit a very chic one. Yes, the top skirt is removable but you are still paying extra for it. What do you think of the top skirt trend? Isn't one skirt enough?
Victoria Beckham Jersey and lace mini dress $2555
Victoria Beckham Silk and cotton-blend peplum mini dress $2135
Youthful innocence best summed up Miuccia Prada's Spring 2010 collection inspired by sea and surf. The same can be said of actress Carey Mulligan, who wore this specially-produced amethyst silk beach screened dress (for those counting, it was based on runway look 20) to the Virtuoso Awards at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Sunday. Isn't this fresh-faced ingénue simply adorable? I love the delicate gathering of simple pleats along the waistline, emphasizing her lovely frame ever-so-lightly while the halter neck up on top shows off her well-toned shoulders and arms. A pair of diamond studs made this outfit effortlessly chic, as do the matching clutch, also specially produced, and gold-toned sandals, which won't actually be available until this fall. For an actress whose look is decidedly pixie-like, the dress could not have been a more perfect option; the beach print lower portion complements the monochromatic upper half (if you look closely, the clutch mirrors the same beachy print). Mulligan's been wearing a mixture of true design talents--including Lanvin and Prabal Gurung--and her sartorial choices are clearly paying off. "It is supposed to be an ironic take -- sometimes nostalgic, for a contemporary take on antiquity for those who don't understand the beauty of the past," said Prada after the show last September. However you interpret it, one thing's for sure: this isn't any ordinary day at the beach.
$2,390, available at select Prada stores nationwide.
Swedish fast-fashion giant H&M looks to have another hit on its hand--this time courtesy of Sonia Rykiel. The French "Queen of Knits" launched her second collection (the first being a lingerie line) with a party in Manhattan last week that had all the core looks on display. Previewing them up close for the first time, it's quintessential Rykiel--Parisian chic. The pieces, out February 20 in 250 H&M stores, are whimsical yet wearable. No surprise that color was a key characteristic of the line, which offers a little something for everyone: from adorable bracelets and wedge sandals to flirty cocktail dresses and oversized overalls. There's even a separate children's line for ages 1 ½ to 8 years old. Is it a little kitschy? Undoubtedly. Is the studded beret a little costumey? Yes. But the quality is surprisingly soft and nice to the touch. The key here, as is with all these hi-low collaborations, is to mix and match the pieces with a well-edited eye, natch. The ruffles are signature Rykiel, as are the vertical stripes featured throughout. Take note, ladies: horizontal stripes are not made for every body shape; try, try, try these on. My favorite piece? The rainbow-hued strapless dress is true knit wit! To the trained eye, it screams Rykiel! To everyone else? Très chic!
As much as I love New York City I can't help but think I should re-arrange my life and set it up in a bi-coastal fashion. I grew-up in NYC (and am so attached to my parents that I still live a block away from them/where I grew-up....!), and I even went to Cornell for my undergrad degree where the temperatures are nothing short of frigid, yet winter after winter I seem to have a harder time dealing with the cold. The result? I consistently fail to dress weather-appropriately and find myself with a constant cold! Luckily post-Fashion Week I have a trip to Miami planned where I hopefully can get my Vitamin D fix and trade in my LBD for a sunny LWD! Am loving this Ports 1961 Sheath Dress ($625)...kind of frugal RM Roland Mouret, no? It can easily be dressed-up with high heels, bold cuffs or cocktail rings, and diamond statement earrings, or dressed down with just a watch and some flats. The only part of the dress I'm not gaga over is the bow in the back which makes it look a bit like an apron. Turning the bow into more of a small knot by repeatedly tying it should fix that though. Can't wait to see the Fall/Winter 2010 Ports 1961 Fashion Week collection this week!
I am a rabid crazed fan of RM Roland Mouret but this striped jersey dress is not doing a thing for me. It's a bit surprising to find one of his dress under $1500 but when I looked closely, I saw why (it's made of jersey). The jersey fabric in black and cream stripes will not be as forgiving as his dresses made of stretch cotton or stretch crepe. In fact, I'm not so sure anyone with an ounce of fat on them can carry this off. I do love like the gathered and pleated detail on the side but if it makes a 5'10" size 2 model look 'hippy' what chance does the rest of us pedestrians have of looking good in it? I'm thinking Victoria Beckham will be able to wear this cuz she's skin and bones but then she's got her own line of dresses (designed by RM himself) to show off now doesn't she? RM by Roland Mouret Hebe Asymmetric Jersey Dress$1,180.00
Did you see his capsule collection for Lane Crawford in my earlier entry? Now that's totally yummy!
Hong Kong snobs, get your spanx on, RM Roland Mouret is launching a capsule collection for Lane Crawford this spring! The designer unveiled three pencil style dresses and two mix/match outfits yesterday in Hong Kong (after meeting with 20 lucky Hong Kong tai tais). Mouret said he based the collection on his interpretation of Chinese style as a balance between powerful femininity and urban strength. There are only 14 pieces of each design from the capsule collection, which will be split between Lane Crawford's Hong Kong and Beijing stores. Prices will range from $500USD -$2,000USD
"Europeans are very conservative, but Chinese women are not scared of color, so I used a bold palette of scorching reds and fuchsia hues," Mouret said. "The weather is also an influencing factor. Because of the heat, I went with a stretch crepe which is light, but has a high-end feel and yet still very urban." Mouret also said he feels his iconic silhouette is suited for the petite Asian frame-- I'm weeping, it's so true! I have a dozen of his dresses in my closet and they are truly the most flattering for my tiny size! Oh how I wish I was in Hong Kong right now. Must dial my local snobs there to snatch up a few pieces for me.
The peplum belt looks to be a big trend for the upcoming season. On Sunday, Jennifer Hudson sported a beautifully cut Victoria Beckham dress complete with peplum detailing to the Grammy Awards and just a few days earlier, Fergie donned the accessory while accompanying husband Josh Duhamel to the premiere of his new film, "When In Rome." I don't know about you, but I think not only does this look--courtesy of Michael Kors and his pre-fall collection--befit Fergie's personality, but she should've worn this outfit to the Grammys in place of another bright and boring minidress. The black felted flannel fabric of the strapless Kors sheath dress hugs her curves beautifully and the leather peplum belt adds just enough of rock 'n' roll glamour (is it any surprise that Kors was inspired by Helmut Newton for this season?). It's also flirty and feminine--not to mention covers the bum for those self-conscious folks out there. FYI the dress comes with a standard fabric peplum belt; the leather version is available for $995. Topping off the outfit is a pair of Michael Kors black & nude leather slit pumps ($795) and Cole Haan's Tiana clutch ($198).
Dress: $1,695 available at Michael Kors Boutiques Nationwide.
