A Fashionable Life Radio

Tired of the fashion experts on every show (including us) touting the concept of “shopping in your closet”??? If this is YOU then try another closet for shopping: CLOSET COUTURE. Ok, the concept is the same, but when you log on to this social networking site your closet never looked so good! www.closetcouture.com

The Trinity ring (or the “rolling ring”) is possibly the most easily identifiable piece of jewelry. There have been many articulations of the original Cartier ring which is three bands of yellow, white and rose gold. Cartier has brought the Trinity collection back and all the elements were on display during Philip Lim’s recent Fall 2009 runway show.  Keep an eye out for the reinterpreted classic on the fingers, wrists and ears of fashionable women (and men) everywhere.

Any woman armed with a classic sheath dress and pearls is ready to face any situation with the confidence that she is dressed appropriatly, means business and is comfortable embracing or female fom. Michael Kors knows better than anyone how to provide sensible yet sexy clothing for the woman who wears her clothes and not the other way around. Mrs. O has set the barre right where it should be: tasteful, fashionable, functional and downright gorgeous!!!!!

My father hasn’t been this excited about a new arrival since the birth of my younger brother!!!  When times are tough, the tough get reading. Allowing your imagination to run free and nourishing the mind and soul are all the advantages of sitting down with a great book. The Kindle 2 is the greatest invention to appear on the horizon possibly in ages. The application of a device that can read to you, where you can download any book from Amazon.com and that eventually, will be adapted to students who carry the burden of heavy backpacks everyday is nothing short of sensational!!!  www.amazon.com

It is always startling to see women who live in the world of glamour and perpetual style living the real life. On Monday night SJP wore a ballgown by Dior Haute Couture. A day or two later, she is looking a lot like she is revisiting the witness protection plan (Sex and The City movie reference). Stars are people too. My point is that nobody looks glamorous all the time and those who don’t try to are the stars we like the most.

 This is a woman of substance, style, wit and grace. We have talked a lot lately about how difficult it is to be a strong woman. Embracing feminininity and sensuality while maintaining the stature of a business woman or in Judge Jeanine Pirro’s case, speaking on topics which are both serious and sobering is no small task.  Thanks, Jeanine for being an inspiration to so many women!

Fall 2009

We will be remiss this Fall if we do not include Tommy Hilfiger in our wardrobes. I have been waiting for a collection from TH like this for awhile and it looks like the wait was sure worth it!

Great outerwear and hats are clearly the main staple of the season for TH, along with signature dresses that are a must have for any wardrobe but it is his evening gowns that will provide another choice for many women this season.  Gorgeous flowing champagne color gowns floated down the runway that strongly emphasized the arms and neck.

Remember to think about Tommy Hilfiger who is opening up a new Fifth Avenue store this spring. Not only will you be surprised at the quality of the clothes and love the styles but you will be even happier when you get the bill and can still afford to have lunch.

Fall 2009

Not many bloggers, editors, stylists or retail execs will admit this, but Fashion Week has been very ho hum. The energy in the tents has been flat, not many TV cameras or celebs and the whole week’s vibe has been off until Michael Kors!

As one of the best American designers in history, Michael’s Fall 2009 was the shot in the arm we all needed. He focused on classics and tailoring like he always does, used the most luxurious fabrics like ultra suede, fur and feathers, and his pops of color brought the whole theme home. Lime green, citrus orange and vibrant pink stormed the runway in fur coats and hats, one shoulder and strapless cocktail dresses and cowl neck sweaters and scarves. Of course, there were the black dresses, camel suits and perfect slim pants coupled with chunky statement necklaces and over-sized envelope bags,  it is after all the Fall collection, but any of them were the perfect outfits to wear boarding your private plane for Aspen or your boardroom meeting. MK is a master at putting us right smack in the middle of the fantasy and making it a reality. This collection was the first that I saw that was wearable and saleable. No matter what your circumstances, you left that show happy and and trying to figure out what outfit to add to your wardrobe next year even if you have been forced to give up the private plane.

Every season no matter where the Fashion Week is,  New York, London, Milan, Paris, the weight controversy for models remains a big one. Many countries have placed weight restrictions on models and heavy fines on those designers who do not comply within these guidelines in choosing their girls for the runways.  In the US designer, Diane Von Furstenberg as President of the CFDA, has set up the American Heath Initiative to deal with this issue at home. They have launched educational programs and developed workshops for models with eating disorders, provided healthy food choices back stage at all the shows and shoots, and this season in conjunction with designers, they have their own booth in the tent.

Guests can buy items by famous designers for less than $50 and all the proceeds will go to benefit the Renfrew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders.  Sponsored by Talbots, The CFDA and American Health Initiative are trying hard to promote healthy practices in the fashion industry.  Bravo!!!

Purple Reigns

One of the most anticipated shows every season is Mrs Herrera’s. She always shows in the main tent which is packed to capacity.  Today was no exception. All the fashion royalty were there and in light of the new issue of Vogue, the new White House Social Secretary, Desiree Rogers was there sitting graciously next to Anna Wintour and taking it all in for her new boss, Michelle Obama. In order to highlight the rich fall colors, defining shapes and create a mood for the audience, the tent was very dark except for the flashes from the photographers risers.

The collection was all about the waist, emphasized by heavy bejeweled belts. Long sweaters over luxurious suede pants and slim trousers, flowing long skirts and gowns in lace, silk and jacquard made one fantasize about the 18th century and King Arthur’s Court. But what really stood out were the rich colors of forest green, copper, metallic and the reigning color for the season, purple, all of which made me swoon. Perhaps it was the post Valentine’s Day romance that was lingering or maybe it’s just that Carolina Herrera is the first lady of fashion…no matter what century she presents to us!