Model and blogger Hanneli Mustaparta truly does have some great taste. She documents her endless array of gorgeous on trend outfits in her blog and shines the spotlight on other stylish creatures. As a model she is constantly at Fashion Weeks across the globe and surrounded by MOD's (models off duty) and fashionista's, so it makes sense that her street style pics are choc-a -bloc with pics of gorgeous It girls and super hip celebs (Alexa, SJP etc). Take a look and get inspired at www.hanneli.com
CHIC IN THE CITY
I love love love Rosie's NYC look. She is fast becoming the queen of muted and laissez faire chic and I am truly impressed with how she has put this look together. I am green with envy over her light tan Chloe flats, sea-foam silk midi skirt, cream silk shell, tortoiseshell sunglasses, and last but not least her toned, tan midriff. Divine.
FASHION ALERT: The new 'IT' bag to grab!
Girls, big news in the bag world, there is a new bag that you simply have to have, the Mulberry Carter bag. This delightful bag comes in three sizes; the Mini Carter Camera bag (a perfectly small cross body bag) the Carter Camera bag (classic adjustable shoulder handbag straps) and the Carter Double Handle (see above on Kate). In Mulberry's words 'The Carter family is a luxurious, chic and new range focusing on glamorously modern details with a vintage twist' and that they certainly are. Their quality and finish is truly divine, the Croc Nappa Leather is simply gorgeous and the Carter bags have been made in practical muted tones, think soft grays, browns, navy and black. Now they are not cheap, they start at $1000 for the Mini and $1550 for the Double Handle but in order to justify purchasing one of these delectable bags I feel the need to retract my declaration that these are 'IT' bags, actually they are anything but, they are a new modern classic and should be considered an investment! You can find at www.mulberry.com
FOR THE BOYS: Mr Porter
Boys, chaps, guys, girlfriends, wives, are you aware of Mr Porter yet? If your answer is no then this must change immediately. It is a sophisticated new shopping website from the founders of Net a Porter that caters exclusively for men. It has a carefully curated selection of incredibly wearable clothing of varying cost (think affordable J Crew to the more pricey Zegna) for the modern and stylish working man. What I especially love about the site is that it features inspiring profiles of real men, which explores their personal style and highlights their specific picks from the site. Another interesting feature are the style aides such as the 'Wardrobe Manager', where you can peruse a list of essentials that all men should own each season. Its almost like having your very own knowledgeable and trustworthy style adviser! Take a look pronto at www.mrporter.com
COLOR CLASHING AND CONTROVERSY!
Emma Stones' appearance at the Friends With Benefits NYC premiere has been met with mixed reviews. Her Giambattista Valli red and pink color clash dress is either loved or loathed! I read one particular review that lambasted the actresses' high fashion choice and accused her of having no right to wear a dress that was designed only for 6ft models! Yes, the dresses' structure is somewhat unconventional and I can understand that the folded fabric adornments that rest on her hips could make some fashion fans nervous but I think Emma wears it exceptionally well. The nude Louboutins tone the outfit down somewhat and I applaud Stone and her stylist for not playing it safe on the red carpet. Bravo!
CRAZY FOR CAT EYES
In LA there is rarely a day that goes by that sunglasses are not required and for the last four or so years I have worn nothing but Ray Bans. I own the classic gold rimmed aviator, a vintage tortoiseshell Wayfarer (thanks Mum) and a black modern mid size Wayfarer. But I must confess, as much as I love these old faithfuls I am getting a little tired of them. Only the other day I was chatting to a fashion photographer friend of mine who has irritatingly exquisite taste, and he brazenly declared 'Ray Bans are over, we need to find something new'. And he was right. After years of wearing unisex Ray Bans I am craving a more feminine silhouette, and one in particular is the cat eye (see above on New York fashion maven Olivia Palermo). Prada kick started the rejuvenation of the cat eye trend and I for one am embracing them wholeheartedly. There is something very flattering about the upturned angle of the cat eye shape, its uplifting, rather like an immediate mini facelift via sunglasses wearing! Who wouldn't want that!? Find at www.netaporter.com
MUST HAVE: The white suit
My previous post on the LWD got me thinking about another look that is becoming a classic look that I also recently acquired, the white pant suit. Lauren Hutton, Bianca Jagger and more recently Camilla Belle and Leelee Sobieski have all sported the white pant suit. Like I mentioned in regards to the LWD, white is universally flattering and looks so current, fresh and chic in the spring/summer. Make sure your suit fits you perfectly, I recently came across a fab double breasted suit at Zara (yes I'm obsessed with the Spanish store at the moment!) and just to give it that higher end look I dragged it to my alterations lady for a little nip and tuck. My darling suit's facelift was hugely successful and I wear my high street number as proudly as if it were Stella McCartney! Run to Zara before it sells out! x
MUST HAVE: The little white dress
Dear Little Black Dress (aka LBD) I hate to be the one to break it to you but you have a serious contender who wants to steal your crown and plant itself firmly on your throne, the Little White Dress (aka LWD). I myself have become a recent convert to the LWD due to its immensely wearable nature. Not only is it a more feminine and much lighter alternative to the old faithful LBD but it is also flattering for all skin tones. During the day I wear with my tan Repetto ballet flats, APC denim tote bag and tortoiseshell sunglasses and in the evening I switch these out for my black heeled ankle boots and my Chanel 2.55 . For a really glamorous evening look do as Kirsten Dunst has and pair your LWD with metallic accessories, I adore her silver Mary-Janes. For your very own Little White Dress I suggest you head to Zara. Enjoy! xo
FOR THE BOYS: The chambray shirt
Gents, the chambray shirt is fast becoming a fashion classic for men. It will be an ever reliable addition to your closet and I promise you will live in yours. Wear to the office with a navy blue slim suit and brown brogues, sport it at the weekend with some flat fronted khaki's and desert boots and on a date wear it with a black cotton slim pant and A.P.C. boots. Please keep your chambray shirt slim cut, lightweight and devoid of any Western 'cowboy-esque' details. If on a budget head to www.jcrew.com, if you can spend a little more take a look at Rag and Bone's interpretation www.mrporter.com
ITS ALL ABOUT: COLLARS
I first spotted Alexa Chung wearing THAT Carven dress, you know, the black one with the teeny white collar. Then Kate Bosworth popped up on the cover of Lucky magazine wearing the same dress. When I saw Alexa sporting this Phillip Lim blouse, I had no choice but to announce that this is the 'Year Of The Collar'! Even I have taken to buttoning up my blouses up to the top or throwing on a round neck sweater over them just so I can pull out the collar. Alexa's Phillip Lim blouse can be easily replicated, just run to your local arts and crafts store, buy some stud's, locate an off white cotton button down and embellish the collar to your hearts content! xo
LOOK OF THE DAY: Rosie Huntingdon Whiteley
Rosie's outfit is pure fashion perfection whilst out and about in the Big Apple. Clearly inspired by Parisian style, Huntingdon Whitely is wearing her blue jeans, felt fedora and Isabel Marant boucle jacket and boot with such ease. Be inspired by her combination of soft neutrals, light denim and careful selection of accessories.
GO TO NEW LENGTHS
Ladies have you tried the new mid length skirt? If not then I urge you to give it a go. This Madewell number in the picture above is a great color that can go with everything (don't you just love that girls!?) just replace your mid blue denim jeans with this very skirt! Tee's, button downs, brogues, ballet flats etc will all look great with it. However if you are vertically challenged such as myself then I think it can only be worn with a high heel and a top that has a very slim silhouette. Find this one at www.madewell.com
LOOK OF THE DAY: Ashley Olsen
To wear an over-sized red pant suit when you are 5ft tall is a risky move but I think if anyone can pull this off its the diminutive Miss Olsen. I would never dream of wearing this myself but I think she looks effortless and reminiscent of one of my most treasured fashion icons, Lauren Hutton. I love how she breaks up the powerful red suit with the graphic simplicity of the black and white stripes. The flat sandals and bulky sunglasses complete the look making it fashion perfection!
STYLE ICON: LAUREN HUTTON
Noted as a muse by designers of all generations (from Mr Armani to the Olsen's), at 67 Lauren Hutton is showing no signs of slowing down. Not only is she the face of J Crew's latest collection and The Row, you can also regularly find her toting her wares on HSN (laurenhutton.com). For me Lauren is an inspiration as her main preoccupation when getting dressed is comfort; you will never see her tottering around on a pair of vertiginous heels or being rushed to the ER a la Joan Collins because 'her corset is too tight'. You are much more likely to find Ms Hutton in a beautifully cut pantsuit, a white tee and a pair of pristine plimsolls or flats. Ms Hutton, you are my kind of gal. x
THE BELLES OF THE MET BALL
This year's Met Ball dresses did not disappoint, dedicated to Alexander McQueen and his achievements, the stars of fashion and film did their very best to honor him by looking as fabulous as possible. Last night was a veritable feast of fashion but I have decided to shine the spotlight on my three belles of the ball. Isabel Lucas who stayed true to her bohemian aesthetic in Louis Vuitton, Zoe Saldana who continues the minimalist trend in lemon sorbet hued Calvin Klein and Miss Ginnifer Goodwin who looks so young and vibrant in, you'll never guess it...TOPSHOP! HURRAY! x
VOGUE PARIS' NEW QUEEN
I have been meaning to pay homage to the new editor of Vogue Paris Emmanuelle Alt for sometime. I must admit I have always been a huge fan of her predecessor Carine Roitfeld and have featured her as a style icon on this very blog. But when I came to the realization that so many of my most favored trends (the over-sized blazer, the Isabel Marant t-shirts that I live in, my black and white tux blazer) originate with the new Editor in Chief (who also happens to style Isabel Marant's runway shows) I had to pay attention. Whilst browsing through her first issue I was transported to a fashion fantasy-land. Every page has a certain laissez faire quality, it feels high end and luxe but accessible and no doubt this is Alt's influence. She is the first to admit that whilst she may be sporting Balmain's newest leather jacket, she remains faithful to her commitment to the $90 Baxter jean from TOPSHOP. Even though my school French is shaky, due to Alt's promotion I am a proud new subscriber of Vogue Paris. Au Revoir! x
FOR THE BOYS: The white jean
Chaps, if you are interested in fashion and like to mix things up a little for spring then I highly suggest you consider sporting a white jean. Keep it slim cut and avoid wearing with black. I particularly love how A.P.C. have styled their white jean with other pale pieces like their plaid shirt and beige plimsoll, or you can wear them with your eternally reliable chambray shirt and Clark's desert boots.
ARE YOU AS COOL AS CHLOE?
Hello all, as you know a large percentage of my working life is spent in stores and showrooms and I am constantly exposed to all of the newest labels. One line that seems to be expanding and emerging at exceptional speed is Opening Ceremony's in house collection. Their guest designer Chloe Sevigny's line is also picking up momentum and I have been finding it in several stores. Barney's CO-OP has a particularly large selection which is rather impressive! The dresses are a little overpriced in regards to their quality at around $400 but the shoes are what stand out to me. The wood soled 'flatform' boots and her black 1960's inspired ankle boots (see both above) are comfortable, well made and so on trend. Highly recommend, check them out at http://www.openingceremony.us/
FANTASTIC FAIR ISLE
Ladies (and gents) Fair Isle is BACK IN! Take inspiration from Twiggy and wear your fair isle knits either very oversized pared with skinny jeans or leggings and a great flat ankle boot (NO UGGS PLEASE!) or wear your fair isle shrunken and cropped with some shorts (either denim or black) and some opaque black tights. You can get away with a flat boot or an ankle boot with a small heel, think the Isabel Marant boot that is copied EVERYWHERE right now! xo