Liu Wen & Jacquelyn Jablonski for J. Crew

Brights – J. Crew continues to showcase the color blocking trend for fall with its latest “Looks We Love” lookbook. Starring Liu Wen and Jacquelyn Jablonski, the top model duo sports blazers, flares and lightweight trenches with a cool reserve.














(fashiongonerogue.com)

I'll have one of each please!

A Thing of Beauty

I literally gasped when I ran across this shoe! An absolute work of art by "shoe master," Brian Atwood. This combination of elements is unrivaled!





(neimanmarcus.com)

A Touch of Mink

Ranjana Kahn takes the fur trend to a new level with her mink-embellished ring. A chic and posh little creation, sure to add a bit of elegance to one's favorite look.




(neimanmarcus.com)

Aquazzura

Edgardo Osorio, the designer behind the new shoe collection Aquazzura, knows the luxury market. He’s spent ten years working with Salvatore Ferragamo, René Caovilla, and Roberto Cavalli, where most recently he’s been directing all of the label’s shoes, on and off the runway. But he also knows that not everyone can manage the luxury price point and that the market sorely needs options between the mass and the luxe. The Colombian-born, Florence-based designer, who was raised between Miami and London, aims to fill the gap. His shoes come in cashmere suede and baby calf, tricked out with anklet-chain details and adjustable-strap closures for a perfect fit, but top out at around $450 a pair. No wonder Barneys has already expressed interest.

(style.com)

Sexxxy!

Another great Buy!

I popped into my favorite TJ Maxx store yesterday and found this pair of Michael Kors "Pressley" sandals for a mere $29! I was so surprised to find them, as I had scoured the shoe racks many times in the last month and didn't see these....someone must have returned them. Whatever the reason, I was in the right place at the right time! With a retail price of $120, I found one pair on amazon.com (sz. 9.5) for $74.95, a few pair on Ebay ranging in price from $49.99 to $99.99....I definitely got the better deal!





(Images: endless.com)

Isabeli Fontana for Mango Fall 2011 Campaign by Terry Richardson

Mango Snaps – Isabeli Fontana replaces Scarlett Johansson as the face of Mango’s fall 2011 advertisements. Captured by Terry Richardson and styled by Anastasia Barbieri, the Brazilian model is sexy glam in these initial campaign images lensed in Richardson’s signature snap shot style. Donning cool outerwear and form-fitting pants, Isabeli looks ready to take on the fall.











(fashiongonerogue.com)

Designer Dossier: Alexis Bittar

From carved Lucite cuffs to over-the-top costume baubles, every little thing he does is magic. For his next trick? The debut of fine jewelry in 2012.


"I grew up without a TV. My parents are professors and deeply intellectual. When I travel now, I feel like a kid whose parents aren't around. Then I see what's on. The show that kills me is Bridalplasty. It's the sickest thing ever! I felt I needed to make a statement."


Necklace $425, Alexis Bittar; alexisbittar.com.


Crystal Bangles $155 each, Pearl Cuff $345, Bow Cuff $295, Crystal Cuff $395, Silver Studded Cuff $185, Pearl Bracelet $295, Gold STUDDED Cuff $185, Floral Cuff price upon request, Alexis Bittar; alexisbittar.com.


Necklace $1,700, Alexis Bittar Exclusively for Jason Wu; alexisbittar.com.


"When I'm working with Jason Wu [with whom Bittar collaborated for spring and fall 2011], he'll show me pictures of his references. For fall, they were old churches and Roman Italian architecture. I tried to get into his head as much as possible to make the jewelry [above and left] work with the ready-to-wear."


Cuffs $345 each, Alexis Bittar; alexisbittar.com.


Lauren Hutton's lack of plastic surgery led her to become the latest face of Alexis Bittar. "I respect women who don't fall for the pressures of society," Bittar says.


Cuff $550, Alexis Bittar Exclusively for Jason Wu; alexisbittar.com.

(marieclaire.com)

I've been a fan of Alexis Bittar's work from the start. A fine jewelry collection is a natural progression for this immense talent.

Japanese Designers Embrace The Traditional

A look from Yasutoshi Ezumi


Headpieces from Aacero


A look from Lamarck

The yukata, a colorful lightweight kimono made from cotton, is as synonymous with the Japanese summer as a firework display or a bowl of chilled edamame. But the garment has hardly been linked to the world of high fashion-until now.

A group of eight young designers has tapped into the design capabilities of yukata fabric and developed a series of apparel and accessories items. The pieces, some of which are one-offs and some of which are for sale, are on display through Friday July 29 at Tokyo’s Bunka Fashion Incubation, a resource center for emerging designers.

Items include sculptural hats and headpieces by Aacero for 9,800 yen, or $126, and clutch handbags by Lamarck for 5,800 yen to 14,000 yen, or $74.50 to $180. Yasutoshi Ezumi, who launched his eponymous brand last year after working as a knitwear designer for Aquascutum in London, showed off one of the most arresting pieces: a knitted, backless halter dress for 100,000 yen, or $1,284.

Ezumi tore the colorful cotton fabric into strips and loosely knit them together to create the dress, as well as a series of more affordable scarves for 8,500 yen, or $109. “I quite liked it,” he said. “I might use this idea for my own collection next season.”

(WWD)

Shopping Allure

THE ALLURE OF SHOPPING: A comment Donatella Versace made to Linda Wells a few years ago got the Allure editor in chief thinking. “Donatella told me she buys everything the magazine recommends every month,” Wells recalled. The idea of marrying Allure’s editorial content with e-commerce was something that intrigued Wells. “We know that women have always shopped from the magazine,” she said, adding that many of Allure’s 700,000 monthly online readers bring pages torn from the magazine to stores. Now they won’t have to. Allure.com on Wednesday launched e-commerce through Quidsi, the parent of Soap.com and BeautyBar.com.

“Allure chose us because we’re able to offer mass and prestige beauty,” said BeautyBar.com site director Katina Mountanos. The integration of content and commerce is intended to be seamless. Shoppers reading an expert review can click a “buy now” button to purchase the product and a shopping cart will start to fill, following them through the Web site. At checkout, consumers are taken to Beautybar.com. A product finder tool, driven by thousands of Allure product review pages, offers personalized recommendations. Wells said the relaunched Web site will keep a firm line between “church and state” — advertising and editorial. “We went about this very carefully and very thoughtfully,” she said. “Our integrity and independence is our editorial identity. In the magazine we cover products that are advertised and products that aren’t. It’s the same with the e-commerce.”

(WWD)

The "New" Boot

Ah yes, the "boots landscape" is rapidly changing and certainly for the better! A little edge, a little funk, and a little detail makes for a host of swoon-worthy creations. Check out some of my favorites.























1. - 3. Acne 4. Alexander Wang 5. Ann Demeulemeester 6. Alexander Wang 7. & 8. Christian Louboutin 9. Elisanera 10. Giuseppe Zanotti 11. Fendi 12. & 13. Givenchy 14. Jil Sander 15. & 16. LD Tuttle 17. Marsell 18. Melissa 19. Nicholas Kirkwood 20. & 21. Rachel Comey

(saks.com)