c'est la mode

question

2008-08-14T18:40:00.002-04:00

Anna Wintour's an Obama supporter (or at least was until his camp spelled her name wrong), but here's a question I hope one of you has the answer to:

Anna's British. She was born in London. Is she an American citizen? Can she even vote?

Seriously, I'm wondering.

wait wait wait

2008-08-09T09:15:00.003-04:00

Ok, I know I just told you all I was leaving, but I just saw this and loved it:

Advice from mom?

"Not to pluck my eyebrows and that it’s O.K. to mix navy and black."
- Julia Restoin-Roitfeld

dear darlings,

2008-08-08T15:30:00.006-04:00

C'est La Mode is on an indefinite hiatus: I just started an amazing job writing for The Daily!

Thank you guys so much for sticking with me here for the last year.

I may be back here and there, but for now, read this:

fashionweekdaily.com

ALL DAY, EVERY DAY. Especially the articles by moi.

xxxooo,
em

spotted:

2008-08-03T20:40:00.001-04:00

Heather Mills, shopping at Intermix on Bleecker Street.

She bought a lot of clothes, including two pieces by Stella McCartney.

The irony...

discuss amongst yourselves

2008-07-31T09:32:00.002-04:00

A Meisel-shot image from this month's Vogue Italia. Surely we haven't all forgotten that last month's Vogue Italia was the one with all black models, and this editorial (with all white models) takes place in a graveyard with a headstone that says BLACK on it. I mean, I'm not the only one scratching my head at this. Fashionologie's got the all the photos here.

!!!

2008-07-29T10:11:00.001-04:00

http://www.colettexgap.com/

latest love

2008-07-27T22:38:00.003-04:00

This bracelet, by LA-based jewelry designer Gabriela Artigas:

I will be wearing it every day, and I love the way this super-girly bow looks next to my chunky gold menswear-y watch. I got mine at Plum on Ludlow, but if you're not in New York you can get yours here.

You're welcome!

vote vena cava

2008-07-24T17:35:00.002-04:00

This is so cute. I don't even mind (the generally terribly annoying) Arden Wohl in it.

look what i found...

2008-07-24T17:03:00.003-04:00

It's almost definitely going to change before September 4, but it's a start (click the image for a bigger picture):

holly golightly would not chase harry winston.

2008-07-24T15:02:00.004-04:00

"It’s a good thing that [Holly Golightly] vanishes at the end of the story like a puff of smoke. I’d hate to imagine her, today, tottering towards Manolo Blahnik."

-Cathy Horyn, in her blog on "Breakfast at Tiffany's" vs. today's plethora of chick-lit.

How true. The "Lipstick Jungle"s and "Chasing Harry Winston"s never seem to stop, but all they can do is name drop - and really, haven't we heard it all before? Holly Golightly's charm was in her indifference; she was inherently chic (and yes, i realize I'm talking about a fictional character here), and I don't think Mr. Capote once mentioned that she was wearing a Prada dress or the new Louboutins. I've read "Breakfast at Tiffany's" about three or four thousand times, and I think I might read it again tonight.

Here, read this too. And then go read "Breakfast at Tiffany's."

hot tranny mess

2008-07-23T17:40:00.002-04:00

(If you were wondering: yes, every post that has something to do with Christian Siriano will always be titled "hot tranny mess.")

I sort of forgot that part of the Project Runway prize package now includes a collection to be sold on Bluefly.com (hey advertisers!), but it does, and Christian's just went up!

There's the "Posh" (now, where do you think that name comes from?), a blouse that looks straight from his winning PR collection, which can be all yours for a mere $590, here. Love Christian's tranny fierceness but don't have $600?

I don't hate this t-shirt, actually. Buy it here for only $96.

I'm trying really hard to think of a way I can get the words fierce hot tranny mess in here one more time without hating myself too much. Nope, can't do it.

will it never stop?

2008-07-23T14:28:00.001-04:00

Jessica Simpson's adding dresses to her designing repertoire. As though poorly made Louboutin-knockoffs sold in the Juniors department at Macy's weren't bad enough.

CFDA/vogue fashion fund finalists

2008-07-23T09:49:00.002-04:00

Richard Chai
Jason Wu
Alexander Wang
Irene Neuwirth
Albertus Q. Swanepoel of Albertus Quartus
Alejandro Ingelmo
Juan Carlos Obando
Swaim and Christina Hutson of Obedient Sons & Daughters
John Patrick of Organic
Sophie Buhai and Lisa Mayock of Vena Cava

Can Vena Cava (above, resort 2009) PLEASE win it? I've been pushing for those girls for so long.

Really, I just don't want it to go to Alexander Wang.

The winner and runners-up will be announced November 17.

marc jacobs dot com

2008-07-23T09:44:00.000-04:00

http://www.marcjacobs.com/

Surprise!

say it ain't so

2008-07-22T20:44:00.002-04:00

Three’s a trend, they say, though I’m hoping that “they” might be wrong every once in a while. Otherwise, we have a real, live trend on our hands that strikes fear into at least my little heart: bike shorts.

Yes, that’s what I said. Like the ones Lance Armstrong wears, like the ones you wore with your oversized t-shirts oh, back in the 80s, these spandex charmers have shown up on more than a couple recent runways.

Top to bottom: Miu Miu fall 2008, Rag and Bone fall 2008, and Givenchy resort 2009.

If you’re on board (hey, I’m trying to be open minded!) pick up this pair from American Apparel, wonderland for ridiculous hipster fashions and great basics alike. If you’re like me, and maybe just a little less adventurous, maybe these slim-cut bermudas from J.Crew are a better bet.

Happy shorting!

photos: style.com

breaking news:

2008-07-20T20:17:00.002-04:00

Avril Lavigne's line just came out at Kohl's!

OMG I am like so excited.

oh, j. crew:

2008-07-17T13:26:00.004-04:00

Not only are you too good to be knocking off Miu Miu's multi-color spectator pumps, you're several seasons too late!
Above: J. Crew, available now at Jcrew.com.

Above: Miu Miu fall 2007.

photos: style.com, jcrew.com

i don't want to be mean, but

2008-07-17T07:54:00.003-04:00

Ok fine, I'll be mean:

Kitson is dropping Lauren Conrad's "line".

I'm shocked.

liveblogging: PROJECT RUNWAY

2008-07-16T21:47:00.001-04:00

Nina Garcia, Editor at Large of ELLE Magazine.

!!??!

Wonderful.

CLARIFICATION: I know Nina's leaving, but I was under the impression that she was leaving in September because she didn't want to be demoted to Editor at Large. I thought she was keeping her Fashion Director title until she peaced out to go to Marie Claire, so for them to announce her as Editor at Large seems like kind of a dig, no? She's still on ELLE's masthead as Fashion Director.

who's Yves Lauren?

2008-07-14T17:07:00.004-04:00

Designer bios are up for the new season of Project Runway, which starts Wednesday (!!), and one of Joe's favorite designers is "Yves Lauren."

Now, I'm not sure if this is his mistake (oh dear god) or someone over at Bravo.com's, but let's just say I'm not going to put my money on Joe. Based on Bravo.com alone, I'm betting on Leanne (her favorite designers/houses are Rodarte, Maison Martin Margiela, and Zac Posen) and Wesley (he's cute!). Although there is one guy name Suede, and I'm totally loving that.

riccardo tisci's latest obsession

2008-07-14T10:21:00.003-04:00

HOT PINK.

Bubble gum is sort of a departure for someone who's built his house with a dark, romantic, almost always black aesthetic, no?

Two above: Givenchy resort 2009.

Two above: Givenchy fall 2008 couture.

photos: style.com

this is so 80s.

2008-07-14T10:19:00.003-04:00

And yet I love it so much.

Above: Rag and Bone, resort 2009.

photo: style.com

anyone else think it's weird...

2008-07-09T08:39:00.002-04:00

That ultra-corporate Theory is teaming up with ultra-hippie Hair?

It's like that last Vogue spread with the cast of Hair, in all their 70's glory, paired with Agyness in really somber and sort of futuristic architectural black coats. I don't really get it.

Anyway, if you want to see a free live performance of some of the songs from Hair (think "Aquarius" and "Good Morning Starshine"), you can in front of the Theory flagship on Greenwich and Gansevoort tonight at 6:30.

P.S. Sorry if I've been a bit MIA lately, I've been running around like a crazy woman. Back (for real) soon!

happy fourth of july!

2008-07-04T12:41:00.002-04:00

Go put on your spring Chanel, grill some dogs and watch the fireworks!

valentino COUTURE

2008-07-03T08:42:00.003-04:00

I hate to say it: you're growing on me, Alessandra. I might even be a little bit impressed by you.

Faccinetti's brought a gorgeous refinement to a brand that I thought for a long time was mostly fluff. Her first couture collection was beautiful, yes - but it was sculptural and strong at the same time, which I imagine is hard to pull off.

photos: style.com

pretty as a picture

2008-07-02T08:00:00.001-04:00

Shall we all start wearing frames around our heads, then?

Above: Chanel couture, fall 2008.

dior COUTURE

2008-07-01T22:40:00.002-04:00

It's one of my favorite shows to look at, season after season. Remember this collection? And this one? The silhouettes get me every time, and though Galliano's collection this season might have been a little more pared down, color-wise, than some in the past, it was no less dramatic architecturally.

Above: I would love to be able to wear this jacket with a pencil skirt or a pair of jeans. Someday... someday.
Above: One of the more wearable looks in the collection, but no less beautiful.

Above: One time I sewed a vest for my teddy bear when I was a kid. That was my first and last foray into the production side of the fashion industry. This dress blows my mind.

Above: Pure fantasy fashion.

Above: Marchesa may be controlling the market on voluminous red carpet gowns, but only Galliano can do this.

i don't know much about menswear

2008-06-30T18:53:00.003-04:00

But I know a babe when I see one. Happy menswear! Here are a few of my favorites:

Above: Viktor and Rolf, spring 2009.

Above: Kris van Assche, spring 2009.

Above: Givenchy, spring 2009.

Above: Yves Saint Laurent, spring 2009.

And, courtesy of our favorite fashion dreamboat, Scott "The Sartorialist" Schuman, comes this cute boy from the streets of Milan:

Be still, my heart.

happy birthday to meeee

2008-06-29T10:05:00.002-04:00

C'est La Mode is one year old today!!

Thanks for reading, darlings!
xxoo,
emily

lanvin resort

2008-06-26T16:59:00.003-04:00

I know. It's very, very unsurprising and even predictable for me to fawn all over Alber Elbaz's collections. I can't help it. Just look at resort:

Elbaz used themes from his heartbreakingly chic fall collection, and lightened them up with goofy little touches, like cartoonish prints and graphics, amazing color combinations, and haphazard, Miss Havisham-esque styling. It's as though he took his seriously sophisticated fall looks and modified them for the Lanvin girl's kid sister. Somehow, it's wonderful.

Above: Everyone knows I'm a sucker for a good strapless dress. I feel like an idiot saying the word "whimsical," but there you go. It's adorable.

Above: Colors! I love it!

Above: So I just made this whole big deal about how resort moved away from fall's more somber sophistication, but this dress is incredibly sophisticated. But it's also absolutely stunning, so I'll let it slide.

Above: This dress, with all its pleating, reminds me a lot of the fall collection, but instead of fall's nearly all black and navy palette, this is perfect for spring. Er, sorry, pre-spring.

Above: Everybody also know that I never match my clothes, but after seeing this, I'm going one step further: clash. Seriously. This is genius. Reminds me a bit a Chris Benz color-scheme, which is pretty much the greatest compliment anyone could ever give Chris Benz.

photos: Don Ashby/firstVIEW

pajama party

2008-06-26T16:34:00.004-04:00

Generally, resort collections are directed primarily toward the jet-set crowd that vacations in St. Bart's, Mustique, [insert fabulous tropical destination here] in January.

This resort season, the clothes look like they're for a woman who's going straight to bed. No, not straight to the bedroom - I'm not talking about sexy lingerie-inspired looks - but straight to bed. As in, to sleep. In decidedly un-sexy pajamas.

Above: Lanvin, resort 2009. I feel bad getting on Lanvin's case, because Elbaz's collection was my favorite resort collection yet, but I don't even think Cate Blanchett could pull this off unless she was retiring for the night.

Above: Vena Cava, resort 2009.

Above, Diane von Furstenberg, resort 2009.

Above: Ralph Lauren, resort 2009.

photos: firstVIEW

OH MY GOD

2008-06-25T18:35:00.002-04:00

First of all, I'm back! I am bronzed and beautiful and relaxed and happy.

Second of all, OH MY GOD:

Heidi Montag (who, for whatever reason, still thinks that she is a singer), has just released a single called "Fashion." A prime selection of lyrical genius: "I need some new stilettos/Can't walk down the street in those/You are what you wear, it's true/A girl's just as hot as the shoes she choose."

I think I'm going to throw up. I think I need to quit the fashion industry just because of any possible association it might have with this song.

Listen to it here, if you're a sadist.

p.s.

2008-06-19T14:30:00.002-04:00

Pages from the much-anticipated July Italian Vogue (you know, the one with only black models) have leaked!

c'est la mode goes to hawaii!

2008-06-18T22:21:00.003-04:00

[First of all, the only reason I am inside blogging and not outside lying on the beach is that I am a tiny tiny bit sunburned today. By tomorrow, and certainly by the time I come back to New York on Tuesday, I will be bronzed and beautiful.]

Really, I'm just popping in to say aloha, and if you miss me (as I'm sure you do), you lovelies can pass the time watching this video of my latest girl-crush, Zooey Deschanel, talking about dresses:

I'm in the middle of the treacherous process of growing out my bangs, but she makes me want to cut them again. Also, if you haven't heard She & Him (which is Miss Deschanel singing with M. Ward), please download the song "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here" and then you'll love her even more.

Back to my palm trees and mai tais! Be back Tuesday!

christian siriano comes face to face with a hot tranny

2008-06-14T11:57:00.002-04:00

Check it out here.

He also reveals that he'll be selling tees on his websites with all his catchphrases - so if you've want a shirt that says "Fierce Fabulous and Flawless," look no further.

I love Christian, but there's something very "cash-in-on-my-character" about that. I, for one, do not need a shirt that says "Kind of a big deal" (and um, isn't that from Anchorman first anyway?).

john galliano shot with arrows, karl multiplies, paul smith dives into tomato soup.

2008-06-13T19:37:00.003-04:00

Confused? Read this for the explanation, plus the chance to see Christopher Bailey posing with a pig and Donatella as an angel (I know, what?).

i need a vacation

2008-06-11T12:26:00.005-04:00

It has been sweltering in the city for the past few days, and I've just been sitting in my underwear in front of my air conditioner, looking at resort collections and wishing I was relaxing in, say, Hawaii, where it would be 72 and sunny with a pleasant breeze. Also, I would be wearing one of the below outfits:

Above: Brian Reyes, resort 2009.

Above: Jason Wu, resort 2009.

Above: Doo.Ri, resort 2009.

Above: Jonathan Saunders, resort 2009.

I guess this would be a good time to let you all know that I'm going to Hawaii. Seriously. I'll be back in a week and a half!

photos: style.com

i don't want to like jenni kayne

2008-06-11T08:37:00.003-04:00

Because she's from LA (and I hate LA) and her name is spelled with an "i," which is kind of annoying...

But her 2009 resort collection is right up my alley. All I need now is some white shorts so I can recreate this last look and wear it every day this summer.

photos: style.com

now i'm hungry

2008-06-08T23:09:00.002-04:00

"Acid peach, Nile blue, Creamsicle, and citrus—Mizrahi's were the sort of irresistible hues found in a box of Ladurée macaroons."
-Laird Borelli-Persson for Style.com

Above: Isaac Miizrahi, resort 2009.

i used to really like erin fetherston

2008-06-08T23:07:00.002-04:00

But I am really, really tired of things like this:

Above: Erin Fetherston, resort 2009.

night and day

2008-06-08T09:38:00.003-04:00

Look, I understand a little about marketing, and I know that a newsstand cover of a magazine has to be accessible and totally un-scary so that your average Jane will not be intimidated by Mary-Kate Olsen in crazy glasses or spiked Louboutins and buy July's ELLE.

But honestly. How do you go from this:

to this?

You'd think that for someone who's come to be revered for her fashion eccentricities, someone might have said "Guys, think we're dumbing-down this cover maybe a little too much?"

ysl resort

2008-06-06T09:29:00.002-04:00

I know no one much cares about Stefano Pilati's YSL at the moment, but I for one thought his resort collection was lovely:

Who'd have thought that a bustier-topped jumpsuit could be so chic over a collared shirt? Not me. I am immediately going to attempt to recreate this with one of my myriad strapless dresses and thousands of men's button-downs.

peter som is funny!

2008-06-06T09:18:00.003-04:00

"Isn’t the CFDA really some secret designers’ cabal?
It’s sort of like Hogwarts. There’s some floating candles and we all spin the magic fashion dreidel and then talk to the talking hat, the talking Philip Treacy hat.

Like the one Sarah Jessica Parker wore to the London SATC premiere?
That was the one! I can’t believe she wore it. That acorn talks! So bold. So audacious. "

- Peter Som, to New York Magazine's The Cut

next up for target:

2008-06-06T09:09:00.002-04:00

Sigerson Morrison and Anya Hindmarch will be designing lines for Target this fall.

Not so psyched about this one, pals. Maybe it's because it's WAY harder to make cheap bags and shoes look, well, not cheap (anyone else totally disappointed in Loeffler Randall and Gryson for Target?), and maybe it's just that my closest Target is such a trek away that I don't care to make the hajj over there (unless Barney's feels like picking it up again...).

One thought, though: Wouldn't it be hysterical if Hindmarch knocks off her own "I"m not a plastic bag" bag?

seriously?

2008-06-05T20:48:00.002-04:00

I had been avoiding talking about the whole hockey-star-Sean-Avery-interning-at-Vogue situation, mostly because I just thought it was ridiculous.

But then I read that Calvin Klein's director of celebrity services Lauryn Flynn just left CK and now intends on starting some unspecified fashion company -- with Avery.

Damn - this guy's serious!

RAQUEL

2008-06-04T18:48:00.003-04:00

Remember that awesome shot of Raquel in Tom Ford for the CFDA lookbook I posted the other day?

Well, here's the behind-the-scenes video of the whole shoot.

It is so awesome. Ok.

i'll say it one more time

2008-06-04T13:10:00.002-04:00

THESE PANTS DO NOT LOOK GOOD ON PEOPLE.

My hope is that we'll all be so tired of them by the time fall comes around that we'll just sort of bypass the whole trend, but I fear that harem pants (hammer pants, drop-crotch trousers, whatever you want to call them) may stick for at least as long as, say, bubble hems did. Resort has been crawling with them:

Above: Stella McCartney resort 2009.

Above: Marc Jacobs resort 2009.

Above: Proenza Schouler resort 2009.

Above: Versace resort 2009.

Call me crazy, call me boring or close-minded or not fashion forward, but I don't want to wear those. I want to wear these:

Above: Chris Benz resort 2009. Chris Benz, you're so good to me.

more words of wisdom from mr. lagerfeld

2008-06-03T17:27:00.001-04:00

"I want to know everything. I want to see everything, and this curiosity helps me to find inspiration in the most unconnected of strange situations. But there is no rule—or only one: Keep the eyes open and do it your way."

- Karl Lagerfeld, in New York Look

CFDA awards!

2008-06-03T09:51:00.006-04:00

So, Tory Burch won the CFDA Award for Accessory designer of the year last night, which is the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Tom Ford won for menswear, and Calvin Klein won for womenswear - now these two I can get behind.

For the Swarovski awards, the Rodarte girls took home the womenswear award (woohoo!), Scott Sternberg won for menswear (yeahhh!), and Phillip Crangi won for accessories (I'll be honest - I'm just glad it didn't go to Joy Gryson, for although I love my Gryson bag dearly, every piece of hardware on it has broken).

As for my predictions? Well, 2 out of 6 (Rodarte and Band of Outsiders) ain't bad...

Above: The CFDA's Steven Kolb and Diane von Furstenberg - paying tribute to the recently deceased Yves Saint Laurent in a vintage YSL pantsuit.

Above: Alexander Wang and Erin Wasson. These two annoy me more and more every day.

Above: Naomi Campbell and Andre Leon Talley. These are harem pants done poorly.

Above: My latest girl-crush, Ashley Olsen, in Calvin Klein. These are harem pants done right.

Above: Maggie Gyllenhaal in Proenza Schouler. These are harem pants done poorly. (Note: did the invitation say "Please wear your harem pants"?? I don't understand.) (Another note: "Maggie Gyllenhaal wore a see-through green patterned Proenza Schouler top, looking like a turtle in pajamas." - Eric Wilson, the New York Times. Hahahahah).

Above: Chanel Iman with Calvin Klein Menswear's Italo Zucchelli. I love navy.

Above: Scott Sternberg with his award. Don't you just want to pinch his cheeks!? He's so cute!

R.I.P.

2008-06-01T23:23:00.002-04:00

Yves Saint Laurent died Sunday night in his apartment in Paris.

It goes without saying that his influence on the entire fashion industry will be greatly missed.

spotted:

2008-06-01T09:58:00.002-04:00

Obviously, Karen Elson would be at the Raconteurs show last night at Terminal 5 in New York (her hubby, Jack White, is the lead singer). BUT I'm nearly positive the darling designer Erin Fetherston was sitting right up on the balcony next to her. That super-blonde haircut is pretty distinctive...

a 'sex' scandal

2008-06-01T09:45:00.002-04:00

Top: Lauren Santo Domingo in Nina Ricci, at the Met Ball. Bottom: Sarah Jessica Parker in Nina Ricci, at the Sex and the City premiere.

'“Look, my affection for the dress hasn’t changed,” [Sarah Jessica Parker] said, “but what they did was so short-sighted. It’s just unethical and disappointing that they would allow the dress to be worn again.”

Parker says she remarked to Theyskens during the fitting that she was surprised the dress hadn’t been worn before. He assured her it hadn’t.

“He didn’t say, ‘Well, actually I just escorted Lauren down the red carpet at the Met.’ ” said Parker, adding, “I just wish it had been handled differently and they had been straight about it.”'

- From Cathy Horyn's blog

omg sex and the city

2008-05-31T09:17:00.003-04:00

No, I haven't seen it yet. I intend to, but I'm just not superfan enough to try to go in New York City on the first weekend it comes out. I can't imagine it will be very good, but I am looking forward to seeing the clothes (obviously).

Pat Field is amazing, and I still am looking forward to seeing her creations on the big screen even though I've probably already seen every outfit the girls wear via paparazzi shots during the movie's filming. However, the Times' Eric Wilson is making me a little concerned that even the clothes are going to let me down:

"But in the film the characters are now four years older and, in a disappointing way, their styles appear to have changed into one: the offbeat, orgiastic, do-it-yourself madness of Carrie, the dominant female. It is not only that they now dress alike. In every scene the women are practically coordinated by both color and style, as if they had received a morning memo detailing the day’s dress code. Let’s all wear primary colors to a jewelry auction! Let’s all wear psychedelic hippie dresses on a trip to Mexico! Let’s all wear smart black-and-white ensembles and fur coats to a fashion show!"

hmm

2008-05-29T09:54:00.003-04:00

The New York Times' David Colman on the success of recession-proof "fast fashion":

"If there is one thing fashion loves, it’s a reversal — of fortune, a trend, a hemline. Next thing you know, Prada will be knocking off H & M."

Ok, so maybe not Prada... but Marc Jacobs/Luella/Viktor&Rolf/Moschino: are you listening?

never thought i'd say it

2008-05-29T09:22:00.002-04:00

But damn! That Olsen girl has been looking great lately:

In The Row, with a little Balenciaga (blouse), Givenchy (belt), and Calvin Klein (bag) thrown in.

a step down from heidi, maybe

2008-05-28T20:37:00.003-04:00

Christian "Ferocia Coutura" Siriano is dressing Whoopi Goldberg for her Tony's hosting gig.

i smell an ad campaign

2008-05-28T09:50:00.003-04:00

Sure, Tom Ford's Gucci sexpot days are over, and he's moved on to make clothes for the boys (lucky!) -- but seriously, how awesome does Raquel Zimmerman look in this suit?

It's for Monday's CDFA Awards Gala - instead of a look book with one model per designer, Raquel's been photographed in looks from every designer, including Mr. Ford and Michael Bastian.

guess who?

2008-05-28T09:41:00.002-04:00

What a gem of a photo - can you figure out who this darling boy is?

words to live by

2008-05-22T22:15:00.001-04:00

Guilty pleasure:
"No guilt in pleasures."

-Sohiny Das, in a Sartorialist Style Profile

faster than a speeding bullet

2008-05-22T22:05:00.003-04:00

(No, this isn't another reference to the Met's "Superheroes" exhibit.)

We all know that fashion moves at a lightning-fast pace. The IT bag one day is passe the next, and with the internet putting runway looks online about 10 seconds after they go down the catwalk, everyone's wants to be wearing the fall trends, oh, about February. But this is something I haven't seen yet:

Above: Madonna, in Stella McCartney Spring 2009.

UPDATE: Psych, sort of.

un cadeau!

2008-05-22T21:54:00.002-04:00

(That means "gift," guys.)

Comptoir des Cottoniers, one of my favorite Parisian boutiques (where I got my favorite trench coat!) is coming to SoHo!

jonathan saunders is having a busy week.

2008-05-21T18:20:00.002-04:00

First, he gets named the new creative director at Pollini.

Then, he's confirmed as the next designer up for a Target collaboration.

Third -- I mean, look how cute he is! Just look! That's all.

karl on politics:

2008-05-21T16:58:00.003-04:00

(Make sure you watch through the end for his priceless opinion on Hilary's style.)

("I think her pants are poorly cut."
Hahahhaha.)

calvin klein resort

2008-05-21T15:09:00.005-04:00

At Calvin Klein, Francisco Costa took a turn from last resort season's bright, athletic theme and, this time around, presented a more sophisticated, muted, detailed collection:

Above: What a perfect little white dress.

Above: I love this kind of tiered, ribbon-esque pleating, and I love the way the color breaks in the middle.

Above: This so reminds of of YSL's fall collection (minus the jet-black bowl cuts). Does that mean that, like everyone's been saying, these high-waisted, roomy, pegged pants are really here to stay?

Above: This, like the pleats two dresses above, is what makes Costa so amazing: the ability to maintain such a simple, even minimalist aesthetic while adding detailed touches like that drape.

Above: This breaks my heart. How can something so understated be so beautiful?

valentino resort

2008-05-21T14:59:00.002-04:00

I'm going to start cutting Alessandra a little slack, because her first resort line for Valentino was pretty beautiful.

Above: That ruffle was a definite theme in this collection, and I thought it was a fresh take on a sometimes-stuffy embellishment. That color, too, is perfect.

Above: I wish I were Katherine Hepburn, wearing this.

Above: The Valentino-red dress is probably the bane of Ms. Facchinetti's existence now, but she totally nailed it with this dress.

i'm back (whew)

2008-05-20T09:50:00.002-04:00

Ok.

Let's get you all caught up:

1. Violet is the new black. (This is obviously a joke. But seriously: congratulations, grads!!
2. Nina Garcia will start at Marie Claire in September. Good, now we can all get on with our lives.
3. The Costume Institute show was great, though you all know that any chance I get to see something like Balenciaga's metal C3P0 leggings up close is right up my alley. When I got to the bookstore, though, I picked up the book from last year's Poiret exhibit. Please buy this book.
4. Leigh Lezark is a model now. Gross.
5. Resort shows started! Chanel went all pre-teen on us (I actually really liked most of the collection, though), Fendi seemed totally un-Fendi (I mean, I liked it, and usually Fendi is totally not my style), and Oscar de la Renta was pretty but terribly typical.

Are we all on the same page now? I missed you!

words of wisdom

2008-05-18T22:47:00.002-04:00

Courtesy of Carrie Bradshaw:

"I can look back at pictures of myself with the great assurance that I will be embarrassed by about 60 percent of them. This is the nature of fashion."
– Sarah Jessica Parker, to Vogue

"stylista"?

2008-05-15T11:10:00.003-04:00

I feel like I have a moral obligation NOT to watch this show.

Anne Slowey looks like a bad actress trying to channel Miranda Priestly.

I mean, I'll probably watch it.

(P.S. Sorry for being so MIA lately! I'll be back in full force Monday-ish.)

i can't wait

2008-05-09T13:32:00.002-04:00

To see this: the Met's latest Costume Institute exhibit.

(Full review to come, once the dust has settled in my life - I'm graduating from college in 5 days!)

educate yourselves.

2008-05-08T21:02:00.004-04:00

I make fun of the "going green" trend a lot. A lot. But the truth is, our earth is going to melt (or something) if we don't do something about it relatively soon. Small change is still change, and though it will take more than a few canvas Anya Hindmarch bags, we can do something to make a difference.

Today's guest blogger, my dear friend Brian, knows much more about this than I do. Here, educate yourselves: Commodity Fetishism.

Commodity fetishism is a Marxian term used to describe the consumer's relationship with consumables. In capitalist societies, Marx argues, we attribute the value of the commodity to the object itself and
completely discount the labor and resources that went into producing said commodity.

Marx uses commodity fetishism to explain the success of capitalism in general. If we, as consumers, knew about the exploitation of resources and labor, we would be considerably less inclined to buy such items. The success of capitalists lies in their ability to remove the experience of production from the product itself.

Commodity fetishism takes a particularly interesting turn with the current trend of better knowing where our products come from. Beginning in the 1990s, consumers began to demand their tennis shoes be made sweatshop-free, and today we enjoy fair trade coffee and locally produced farm products. Companies market their social responsibility and consumers have responded.

As always, more can be done. We live in the information age where a quick Google search can allow consumers to know exactly where their purchases come from. A general rule of thumb: if social responsibility is not being advertised, it's probably not being done.

Here, for your enjoyment, is my favorite socially responsible outfit, as of late:

Above: We all know--and are constantly reminded--that American Apparel clothes are manufactured in downtown LA. But that certainly doesn't mean we shouldn't support sweatshop-free apparel. They've also got a sustainable t-shirt, which is pretty neat.

Above: Ernest Sewn jeans are made with hand-picked, organic cotton, both of which are eco-friendly.

Above: Though extremely annoying product names and advertisements, you can't deny that Kenneth Cole's corporate social responsibility is pretty good.

NINA.

2008-05-08T20:54:00.002-04:00

Is now going to Marie Claire?

This makes sense because:
1. The fashion director there may have just left
2. Marie Claire is partly owned by Hachette, which owns Elle
3. Project Runway is done with Elle, but supposedly moving on to work with Marie Claire

Whatevs, Marie Claire is a total step down. Sorry, Nina.

stop wait wait

2008-05-07T09:50:00.005-04:00

I forgot a few! It's the Costume Institute Best Dressed: Model Edition:

Above: Caroline Trentini killed it in vintage Thierry Mugler. Who you calling cute now, huh?

Above: Hilary Rhoda looked so chic. Maybe a little bit boring, but so chic (except that her shoes are sort of ugly). I don't even know what she's wearing, or who that guy is. I think Hilary Rhoda is my supermodel alter ego.

Above: Stam, in Proenza Schouler, couldn't manage to keep her eyes open for the party, which is a shame, because she's got the cutest date EVER on her (left) arm.

Annnnd Above: Right down to her adorable t-strap shoes. Chanel Iman, in Phillip Lim, looks so cute. Somehow like a superhero, in an incredibly adorable way. How!?

leigh lezark for gap

2008-05-06T17:32:00.002-04:00

I wish I were joking:

The sullen Misshape will be in Gap's fall ad campaign.

UPDATE: Scott Schuman gets cut, but Princess Coldstare will still be there? This is nuts.

aggy sings!

2008-05-06T16:20:00.003-04:00

You obviously have been wanting to hear Agyness's singing debut with Five O'Clock Heroes. Enjoy.

Who

the party of the year!

2008-05-06T10:15:00.004-04:00

We've all been talking about nothing but the Costume Institute's Superheroes event for weeks, so let's just get to the clothes, shall we?

Above: Zac Posen and Kate Mara, in Zac Posen. Posen's not the only man of the night to try the bright suit with a brighter-dressed lady combo, but he pulls it off a thousand times better than Matthew Williamson.

Above: I give Anna Wintour a lot of credit for this Chanel number. A lot.

Above: Ashley and Mary-Kate, in Diane von Furstenberg, with Christian Louboutin. I had my doubts, but Ashley looks incredible. Mary-Kate looks about 55 years old.

Above: Dr. Lisa Airan in Rodarte. Totally on the theme, and she looks gorgeous.

Above: I know I've given Alessandra Facchinetti a hard time for the whole Gucci-to-Valentino thing, but right now I will put our differences aside and just say that this is a great dress, even if it is Valentino.

Above: I would like to applaud Kate Bosworth for the blue eyeliner choice. I am not being sarcastic.

Above: Nicolas Ghesquiere and Charlotte Gainsbourg, in Balenciaga. Overwhelming disappointment.

Above: The Rag & Bone boys with Sasha Pivovarova. Sasha! Did nobody tell you that your dress is see-through?

Above: Elettra Rossellini Weidemann, in Chris Benz, with Chris Benz. Be careful, Chris. I'm saying this because I love you. I really do. I just feel like you're getting closer and closer to becoming this, and I desperately don't want that to happen.

Above: Francisco Costa with Liv Tyler, in Calvin Klein. OK, so I thought Rachel Bilson would wear it, but I totally called that dress.

Above: Barneys' Julie Gilhart (in Christopher Kane, no?) and Rogan Gregory. I really like this on her, which is strange because it's totally not my style. I think she rocks it, goofy flip-flops and all.

Above: Diane Kruger, in Alberta Feretti, and Joshua Jackson. Confession: I just realized that I have a HUGE crush on Pacey from Dawson's Creek.

spotted:

2008-05-05T15:41:00.004-04:00

Nina Garcia, looking gorgeous and dining at Friend of a Farmer, near Gramercy Park.

Shouldn't you be at work, Nina? Or... ?

(Courtesy of my friend, a beautiful Colombian named Felipe, who'd like you all to know that Nina is so beautiful because she is also Colombian. Thanks, Felipe.)

costume institute watch 2008: update!

2008-05-01T17:20:00.003-04:00

Fashionologie's got a great round-up of the biggest fashion party of the year (countdown: 4 days!).

The surprises? Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen are wearing custom Diane von Furstenberg, which seems odd to me. I'd expect something a little less conventional: vintage, their own line, the Row, Givenchy maybe... I don't know, DvF just seems a little pedestrian for the Olsens, no? Also, Proenza Schouler's dressing Tory Burch. This pairing is strange for the same reason as the DvF/Olsen pairing, only backwards.

Totally unsurprising? Giorgio Armani's dressing Katie Holmes. Yawn. Karen Elson and Sofia Coppola will obviously be wearing Marc Jacobs. Gisele will be in Versace.

I'm looking forward to seeing Rachel Bilson in Costa's Calvin Klein. Maybe this little number?

you better work!

2008-04-30T16:18:00.002-04:00

You better believe this fierce hot tranny mess is going to ride the fame train as far as it will take him: Project Runway's Christian Siriano is designing for Puma now.

Evidently, the hot tranny mess on Christian's arm is a musician named Estelle, and she's wearing his work: a dress made from three deconstructed Puma tanks. Don't get me wrong, I am a fan of Mr. Siriano - I think he's incredibly talented and totally deserving of the win.

However, I think this Puma thing is a joke. And that dress? Hot tranny mess. Hot mess. Tranny.

coachella fashion

2008-04-29T19:49:00.003-04:00

ELLE.com, Style.com, and every street style blog that ever existed is at Coachella, which apparently is the new fashion capital OF THE WORLD. Let me sum it up for you:

A lot of colorful wayfarers (groundbreaking!).
A lot of gladiator sandals (shocking!).
Agyness Deyn (DUH! Oh, also now she's a singer?).
A lot of really offensive jumpsuits (see Anouck Lepere above).

Yeah, that's about it.

I'm sorry I'm such a jerk. It's just that every time I hear someone praise all these ridiculous hipsters for their incredibly original style, it makes me die a little bit inside. I feel like Mugatu, from Zoolander. I can't possibly be the only one that notices that they all look the same, can I?

ninawatch 2008

2008-04-29T18:22:00.001-04:00

Nina Garcia spotted at the Hearst building!

Quel scandale!

giorgio the great

2008-04-28T08:59:00.002-04:00

So I just heard that Giorgio Armani will be awarded the Legion of Honor this summer, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy will be the one to give it to him. Pretty fancy, Mr. Armani!

Two questions:
1. What will Carla wear to the ceremony??
2. Remember how I kissed Giorgio Armani in Paris one time??

the cutest thing since caroline trentini:

2008-04-27T22:37:00.001-04:00

trouble in paradise?

2008-04-25T19:57:00.003-04:00

ELLEgirl's Heatherette story may have just gone up yesterday (I assisted on this shoot!), but for weeks, rumors have been swirling that the boys' magical world of glitter and unicorns may not be as picture-perfect as it seems...

Macky, their technical designer, broke off to start his own line. Lysee, their publicist, got a job at Paper. Someone said Traver was moving to LA. Richie is putting out an album (??). Now, the Daily News is reporting that Richie is starting a solo line, and that Traver "can't deal with Richie anymore."

Harsh (if it's true), but potentially understandable. That guy is absolutely like a cartoon character - watch ELLEgirl's video if you don't believe me. But though I doubt anyone would consider their breakup a devastating loss to the high fashion industry, if you've ever been to a Heatherette show, you'll understand that it is sort of the end of an era.

If it's true, that is...

happy friday!

2008-04-25T19:41:00.003-04:00

Charlotte Gainsbourg for French ELLE.

pro-dress

2008-04-24T20:50:00.004-04:00

ELLE's Anne Slowey says the dress is dead.

Barneys' Julie Gilhart disagrees: "Certainly [the dress is] much more efficient. 'Instead of spending days thinking about your wardrobe,' she said, 'you can concentrate on who you’re voting for for president.'”

Above: The dress I wore nearly every day last summer.

Me? I love a dress. You'll have a hard time getting me into a pair of pants in the summer, and for now, I don't care what Slowey says about fall. But Julie: are you serious about that whole thinking-you'll-concentrate-more-on-the-election-if-you're-saving-
time-by-wearing-a-dress thing?

costume institute watch 2008

2008-04-24T09:28:00.003-04:00

Diane Kruger will be wearing Alberta Ferretti. Yeah, I asked her.

preppy, please

2008-04-23T08:59:00.003-04:00

With words like "grunge" and "boho" (both words that strike fear into my little preppy heart) being thrown around all over the place for spring, I'm on a mission to find the classic details in even the trendiest looks:

Top: Chris Benz, spring 2008. Bottom, Alexander Wang: spring 2008.

So what am I taking from these looks? I actually do love Benz's yellow pants, but I wouldn't touch Wang's crop top with a ten foot pole. I'll be wearing, with my little blazers and skirts, these:

Above: Cole Haan.

hm.

2008-04-21T08:37:00.006-04:00

Exhibit A (below): New York Times T Style Magazine:

Exhibit B (below): Stam in some spread (Italian Vogue, maybe? I don't know):

Exhibit C (below): Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony:

So this means that we're supposed to be wearing socks (with bare legs and cute shoes) now?

I'm not sure how I feel about this, but I think my generalization is going to be that if they're Prada socks (as in exhibit B), I'll let it slide. Otherwise, save it for middle school.

oh luxury, up yours

2008-04-20T21:02:00.002-04:00

Below: Angry music fans protesting the opening on Thursday of the new John Varvatos store on the Bowery - in the space previously occupied by CBGB.

In case you can't read the signs, they say : "$800 PANTS KILL MUSIC IN NYC," "ONE 'SMALL' LOSS OF A MUSIC SPACE, ONE GIANT LEAP FOR PANTS," "$1600 USED JACKETS DESTROY COMMUNITY," "SAVE THE MUSIC, BOYCOTT HIGH RENTS," "OH LUXURY, UP YOURS," etc.

I mean, I'm pretty bummed too that a place as epic as CBGBs went under because they couldn't pay rent. It was truly the end of an era, and a really tragic event for a lot of people. However: John Varvatos didn't put anyone out of business, he simply moved into a space that was available. Also, from what I hear, he's worked hard to preserve the history of the original space, leaving up walls and keeping a general rock and roll vibe to the place.

As far as the absurdity of the luxury industry: well, I can't really disagree that $800 pants and all that are a little nuts. But maybe I'm just having a hard time making the connection between said pants and the killing of the music industry.

Thoughts?

currently channeling:

2008-04-19T20:51:00.002-04:00

Today was another gorgeous day, and I decided that I want to look like this about every day this spring:

Thakoon, spring 2008.

NOOOO

2008-04-17T17:09:00.004-04:00

Recognize this?
(Marc Jacobs, fall 2008)

Please, please, tell me this is not the new turban.

irritated, rather than riveted.

2008-04-16T20:45:00.004-04:00

"But how can he be both a messiah and a mess? How can an industry titan, the most important person in fashion, be so fragile? Or is the fragility endemic to the success, the very thing that keeps us so riveted?"

Lucy Kaylin on Marc Jacobs, for GQ

iron man comes out may 2

2008-04-16T18:27:00.005-04:00

Oh, I'm sorry. This is the new May Vogue cover? I thought it was a movie poster.

I mean, I guess the everyone's got the upcoming Costume Institute's Superheroes exhibit on their minds... but the Iron Man helmet is awfully specific, isn't it?

this is a problem

2008-04-15T20:20:00.003-04:00

I try to stay away from the celeb style-bashing here at C'est La Mode, but I can't resist:

Scarlett O'Hara may have rocked a dress made from curtains, but Leann Rimes just didn't have the same luck when she tried to make a dress from the window blinds for the CMT Awards.

Yeah, she was asking for that.

ninawatch 2008

2008-04-15T20:09:00.001-04:00

Now Fashionista's starting rumors that Kate Lanphear is up for Nina's old job...

don't forget!

2008-04-15T09:23:00.007-04:00

Go go go! Phillip Lim, Michael Bastian, Band of Outsiders, and ThreeAsFour for GAP today!

Me? I picked up these two: The Phillip Lim tie-front one (above), and (below) a men's Michael Bastian roll-up (you guys know me and men's button-downs - and if you don't... well, I wear the boys' ones nearly as often as the girls').

Have you gone yet?

dvb is a bust

2008-04-14T21:54:00.002-04:00

Marc Jacobs' unlikely poster girl, Victoria Beckham, may be a Spice Girl and a business woman and British (hell, American, too) royalty, but she's no clothing designer. Apparently, her DVB line of denim is being pulled from shops like Fred Segal and Kitson for poor sales. They're saying it's because she hasn't been promoting the line enough, but I think maybe it's because no real human being is a size 23?

I think they call this feeling schadenfreude, don't they?

nina nina nina

2008-04-14T21:48:00.003-04:00

Staffers were tight-lipped in the Hachette offices today (I have some sources...), but the latest is that Ms. Garcia's been offered a lower position as an Editor at Large or contributing editor. No word yet on if she's accepted, but at least this way she'll be staying on with Project Runway (for at least one more season, until the show moves to Lifetime. BUST!).

STAY TUNED:

2008-04-12T10:49:00.003-04:00

Nina Garcia's leaving ELLE!?

!!?

quantum physics has always turned me on...

2008-04-11T19:11:00.004-04:00

Speaking of Mr. Doonan (see below), the Barneys Creative Director has come up with a Rag & Bone "story" for the Barneys website. The premise? Model Abby Lee's looking for a new job:

It's a cute campaign, and it's no secret that I'm a huge Rag & Bone fan - but my favorite part (aside from the quantum physics bit) is the BABUSHKA in the last shot, obviously. Love it. LOVE it.

Click here to see the whole thing.