A Modest Lagerfeld and the Chanel S/S '11 Couture Collection

A most modest Karl Lagerfeld tells Hilary Alexander of Telegraph that "I'm lucky because I'm doing exactly what I want to do... maybe I could do better but I try" in a short interview with topics ranging from his latest couture collection, his favorite types of books, his latest musical taste and even his reasoning for straying away from his signature all-black look! Find out for yourself and watch below, followed by a look into Chanel's Spring collection from Couture Week.

This Spring's haute couture collection designed by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel captured what I thought to be a more playfully romantic side of the brand. Lagerfeld was inspired by artist Marie Laurencin, who painted an effortlessly soft and fluid portrait of Miss Coco Chanel in 1923. At the time, both Laurencin and Chanel were each designing for a ballet of their own, another element of inspiration for this couture season's graceful collection of pastel pinks, flowing chiffons and even the simple backless pointed flats the models walked in this week's show. This was, sadly enough, one of my least favorite collections from Chanel, as the signature suits looks half-heartedly frumpy and the (typically divine) gowns looked a bit ostentatious and overdone reminding me of the '80s, a time known for its excessive poof dresses that of which Lagerfeld's designs resembled way too closely. However, I do think that as always, Mr. Lagerfeld successfully told his story of inspiration through the graceful mood and ambiance that was presented on the runway, while also incorporating signature Chanel design details that are important to keeping the originality of the brand. From this collection, we saw the ever-so-famous Chanel dropped waistlines, boxy silhouettes, and two-tones (not particularly on the shoes, but on tunics and jackets - to name a few). Below is the original portrait painted by Marie Laurencin of Mademoiselle Chanel, followed by the looks that I enjoyed most from 60+ look collection.

Marie Laurencin, "Portrait of Mademoiselle Chanel," 1923



My absolute favorite. An updated maxi tutu and a boxy sparkle tee. Perfect feminine frill and modern elegance.

Photo Credits: www.style.com

J.Crew in Italy...Where Better for Shoes?

J.Crew's Jenna Lyons, Creative Director and President of women's design, and Marissa Webb, VP of women's design, headed to Florence Italy to work directly with an Italian footwear factory to create the perfect J.Crew heel. Check out this J.Crew closeup to get an insight into what goes into designing and producing just a single pair of shoes!

Un-expectations.

I was recently browsing through Tommy Ton for style.com's photos from the streets of Milan and noticed something uniting almost all the pictures, an unanticipated element of color. The past few seasons have been dragging in neutrals or super subtle pastels, which I won't say is a bad thing (I am an avid all-black wearer), however Tommy Ton's pictures proved otherwise from across the seas. From neon pink cardigans to rainbow buttons, a pop of color was added to all-camel, all-black, or all-gray ensembles at the menswear shows in Milan, making for an unexpected freshness and well-needed sigh of relief. Breaking up the all-neutral outfits, these bright hues take on almost neon tones and provides a sense of forward styling and newness.

Things to Note:

1. Super saturated, a puffer vest being worn with suiting, OR, just wear color-blocked suiting
2. Neon trimmed cardigans, furs and shoe soles
3. Bold brights seen on socks and hosiery
4. Cuffed pants reveal colorful prints
5. Rainbow stripes or highlighter hued florals decorating menswear scarves

Interesting choices - I personally enjoy them all (but I really love those acid-yellow/green soled snake skin oxfords)... what do you think? Do you like this styling trend?

Photo Credit - www.style.com , Tommy Ton

The 68th Golden Globes

I am not typically an Awards Night lover or watcher, but I tuned into the Golden Globes last night to check out what our Hollywood starletts were wearing. Overall, I wasn't impressed with this year's ensembles.. the accessory styling was so/so, and the dresses did not have that "wow" factor for me. Yet a few actresses stuck out to me, whether good or bad, so below are my picks for this year's Golden Globes Best and Worst Dressed:

Best Dressed:

Anne Hathaway wears Armani Prive.

Simplistic Sparkles. Hathaway wears a bronze sequined Armani Prive gown with strong shoulders and a deep scoop cutout back. Slinky and body hugging, this gown still remains classically stylish, a perfect fit for Hathaway's personality.



Angelina Jolie in Versace.

Emerald City. Angelina Jolie wears an emerald green allover glitzy Versace gown with a cinched waistine, scooped back and strong shoulders. Like Hathaway in Armani, this slinky sparkled gown looks fashionably elegant for the Red Carpet.



Catherine Zeta Jones in Monique Lhuillier.

Flowering Green. Catherine Zeta Jones wore a dramatic deep green Monique Lhuilier ball gown covered in crushed  tulle flora detailing that was heavily gathered by the hips. With her loosely pulled back hair and sparkling diamond chandelier earrings,  Jones was a definite show stopper on the Red Carpet.





Scarlett Johansson in Elie Saab.

Just Peachy. Some argue that Scarlett Johansson's peach beaded Elie Saab dress and messily pulled back waves were a "miss," however I think Johansson took the biggest fahion risk out of any of the Hollywood starletts last night. The entire ensemble looked whimsical and had a sense of "Old Hollywood" glam to it. Johansson's hair was definitely a different choice, with its waved back 'do secured with diamond encrusted barettes, but it somehow worked with the rest of the look. And of course, her scarlet lips completed it all.



Sandra Bullock in Jenny Packham.

Beaded Beaut. Sandra Bullock ventured out in a lovely draped and beaded pale pink chiffon gown by Jenny Packham. The dress looked gracefully beautiful paired with a pewter toned cuff and clutch, however Bullock's straight-across bangs and choppy hairstyle added an edgy feel. Overall, Bullock had a sense of sophisticated glam to her.



Leighton Meester in Burberry Prorsum.

Sheer Goddess. Leighton Meester worked the Red Carpet in a simple floral printed Burberry Prorsum dress with draped shoulders, an empire waistline and front slit that showed just the right amount of leg (and her super sparkly silver platform heels) to add some sassiness to this classy ensemble. Her half-up tossled hairdo looked simply elegant, yet added a bohemian flair to the entire look, fitting to Meester's attitude and personal style.

Emma Stone in Calvin Klein

Sherbert Chic. Emma Stone wore a vibrant peach Calvin Klein Collection gown done in a simple short-sleeve silhouette. Paired with a silver rounded box clutch, and her smoothly pulled back locks, Stone definitely aimed for a "plain Jane" look but it worked beautifully. Sometimes less really is better!


Worst Dressed:


Nicole Kidman wears Prada.

The dress wasn't too bad here, however it is the accessories that made this ensemble a flop. Kidman wears a white lace one-shoulder Prada gown with a bow embellished belt. On the shoulder of her dress, she wears a multi-color brooch with her black jewel earrings danging, looking mis-matched and overdone. The entire look didn't really make sense and even her simple hairstyle looked unfinished. 



Christina Hendricks in Romona Keveza.

Typically dressed to the "T", Christina Hendricks did not make it on my top list for this Golden Globes event. Hendricks wears a bright red assymmetrical Romona Keveza gown paired with a silver minaudiere clutch. The dress is actually a gorgeous choice, however it is just not right for Hendrick's body type. The ruffles flowing down the left shoulder is overbearing with her wavy red hair and busty chest, making for a busy top half.



Halle Berry wears Nina Ricci.

For being 44 years old, an actress of about 20 years, and a mother, Halle Berry still looks as young as ever, however her appearance last night was not her best.  Berry wore a Nina Ricci black corsetted satin mini dress with a chiffon trail attached at the waist. Yes, Halle Berry still has a rockin' body and hey, I think anyone 44 year old who looks that good would want to show off, but this look was a bit too much! The dress looked like lingerie with a piece of chiffon fabric wrapped and hanging off of her, while her diamond encrusted cuffs on both arms also did not help the look.




Heidi Klum in Marc Jacobs.

Typically super model chic, Klum was not at her peak. Heidi Klum wore a Marc Jacobs halter dress from the designer's latest '70s-inspired collection. There was an overall heaviness to the look, from her piles of bangles on both wrists to her overdone makeup (extreme smokey eyes with super shiny red lips). Personally this look should have been reserved for the runway rather than the Red Carpet.



Jennifer Lopez wears Zuhair Murad.

J.Lo looks like she is stuck in the early 2000's in this Zuhair Murad spaghetti strap white gown and rhinestone be-dazzled sheer capelet. The ensemble looked outdated and reminded me of my sister's prom in the late '90s (not the best comparison). To complete her look, Lopez wore a diamond barette in the back of her hair above her slicked back ponytail, looking a bit juvenile and senseless.



Lea Michele in Oscar de la Renta.

For her second time appearing at the Golden Globes, Lea Michele, of Glee, wore a rose petal pink assymmetrical ruffle gown designed by Oscar de la Renta. From the stiff tafetta-looking fabric to the layers and layers of ruffles taking over one side, this dress looked heavy, unflattering and drowning on Lea's otherwise cute and petite body. Other than her dress mishap, Michele's makeup and hair looked beautiful.