Style Icons: Male »Alber Elbaz

Lanvin

When it was announced that Alber Elbaz, designer for Lanvin was going to be working on an H&M collaboration, fashion lovers went wild. His collections for the oldest existing fashion house in the world epitomize luxury but never without a sense of whimsy and humor which has made the brand so relevant and dynamic with today’s more daring and self styled.

Of course, most of his biggest fans could only dream of being able to pick up on of his leopard print frocks, or asymmetrical dramatically pleated numbers (unless I am underestimating the number of ladies who have several thousand to throw at a dress)… until now. The H&M collection will be in stores November 20th and I expect that it will be insane (both insane as in awesome, and insane as in high heeled girls in fights between the racks).

Click here for the rest of Alber Elbaz

See more: Style Icons: Male


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on September 5, 2010

Style Icons: Female »Jean Muir

Classic Designer

Timeless, flattering, and subtly daring, the fashions of Jean Muir would be as welcome and beloved today as they were in her heyday. The elegant Scot is considered among the finest dress makers to ever live even if her name is perhaps less known than fellow greats Chanel and Vionnet. I’d live in her dresses if I could right now and feel that the drapey, often printed dresses with impeccable details have influenced today’s designers of easy high fashion. She was also a big proponent of the turban, which you know makes me love her more.

Click here for the rest of Jean Muir

See more: Style Icons: Female


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on August 22, 2010

Style Icons: Male »David Carter

Amazing Interior Designer

David Carter looks and dresses like a golden era dandy of the Quentin Crisp ilk and his exquisite dramatic (but NEVER tacky) interiors are as gloriously out of step with the typical styles of the today. Not to say his aesthetic is strictly antique, it’s built on history but put together with a thoroughly modern sensibility. His site (which these images are from) is a dreamland of interior design inspiration. Every room beckons daydreams of decadent lounging.

I discovered Carter from this article on Style Bubble (a site that’s always great for introducing an interesting person, place or thing of interest). His own home, decorated wit equal wit and glamour, is called 40 Winks and “is being launched to help give photographers, stylists, art directors, designers, buyers, models and anyone in the creative and fashion industries somewhere fun and different to stay when they are in London for work or pleasure.” Can you imagine a more fantastical place to stay?

Click here for the rest of David Carter

See more: Style Icons: Male


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on August 8, 2010

Style Icons: Female »Valentina Shlee

Elegant Dressmaker

While the name Valentina Nicholaevna Sanina Shlee (she was commonly referred to as simply Valentina) is not the most widely remembered of her time, from the late 20s to the 50s the Russian born beauty was a highly skilled, dramatic dressmaker who was as stylish and remarkable herself as her simple and gorgeous creations. She was designer for the stage and dressed the rich and the famous of the era. One of her clients was Greta Garbo, who once had an affair with Valentina’s husband. The fued between them resulted in an elaborate leaving and entering schedule so they’d avoid each other in the halls of  the ritzy apartment complex they both lived in. The Museum of the City of New York had a retrospective of her career last year that I am sad to say I missed.

Click here for the rest of Valentina Shlee

See more: Style Icons: Female


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on July 25, 2010

Style Icons: Male »Ray and Charles Eames

Icons of American Design

While the work of Ray and Charles Eames is almost transparent in our time with it’s all encompassing influence of daily life, their design is no less popular today than when it was new. In fact, among today’s lovers of interiors and industrial art, they may even be more popular than ever (just try to scroll through a design blog or tumblr without running into a photo of thier work, or design inspired by them). I have even witnessed a certain friend literally fall in love with one of their rockers after bottles of wine were consumed at a party… no things didn’t get dirty, but his love for the chair was palpable. The simplicity of design, the clean lines and sense of joy that the team are known for elicit that kind of passion in fans.

Click here for the rest of Ray and Charles Eames

See more: Style Icons: Male


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on June 27, 2010

Style Icons: Male »Riccardo Tisci

Resort Spring 2011

I am pretty much head over heels for Riccardo Tisci‘s latest resort collection for Givenchy. Always a notable and unique designer for the famed house, (who has consistently received mixed reviews) but this vibrant, dramatic collection may just be his finest in my eyes. Of course, his Spring 2010 featuring those editorially ubiquitous zig zag graphic dressed and leggings also melted my heart.

Images from FabSugar and Style.com

Click here for the rest of Riccardo Tisci

See more: Style Icons: Male


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on June 20, 2010

Style Icons: Male »Paco Rabanne

SciFi Fashion

This io9 article makes an interesting point about fashion taking more and more inspiration from the word of science fiction but modern science fiction turning its back on the world of fashion. If one man could merge the world of science fiction, entertainment and fashion it was Paco Rabanne. Well known for his far out metal dresses and stunning fantastic fashions for Barberella, Rabanne’s hey day were the swinging sixties, where as an enfant terribles he was a revolutionary visionary.

Click here for the rest of Paco Rabanne

See more: Style Icons: Male


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on June 6, 2010

Books »Christian Lacroix on Fashion

by Christian Lacroix (2007)

If Christian Lacroix wants to talk fashion, I am listening, or in the case of the exquisite and inspiring Christian Lacroix on Fashion, I am looking. I found this all color coffee table book for a surprisingly cheap 25 at a local shop and have been gazing at the contents ever since. Any fan of incredibly detailed clothing and sartorial history will find themselves equally transfixed.

Divided into themes like “colour” ( “The red that I love to use everywhere… comes from my mother.. She always dressed me in red, or at least a touch of red, which had a cheering effect”), “Checks, plaids and tartans” (“Eccentric yet conservative, checks and their Scottish cousin, tartan, re the essential embodiment of British dandy chic.”), “ceremony”, “graphics”, “patchwork”, “cobwebs”, “black”… the book features short, colorful descriptions and beautiful photographs of beautiful clothing.

From ivory garden party dresses from the 1900s, capes from the 1880s, the work of Mainbocher, Chanel, Gres, YSL, Heim, Vionnet, Worth, Dior, Rabanne, Ungaro, Balenciaga and of course, many from Lacroix himself – there is so much style here it will make your toes curl with excitement.

Click here for the rest of Christian Lacroix on Fashion

See more: Books


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on May 31, 2010

Style Icons: Female »Iris Barrel Apfel

Style Iconoclast

The irreverent style of Iris Barrell Apfel was introduced to me by my sister and we’ve both kept the ingeniously fashionable eccentric as a semi guarded secret. But the feeling of sharing has won over and I give you Miss Apfel, a lover of huge wild jewelry, exaggerated silhouettes, and inventive color combinations, a truly remarkable inspiration. A chance to wander through her closet would probably make me weep and pass out.

Click here for the rest of Iris Barrel Apfel

See more: Style Icons: Female


One Comment →
Posted on May 31, 2010

Web Sites »The Look

Rock Pop Fashion

The Look (rockpopfashion.com) is an ultrahip stroll down the psychedelic, super cool sentimental Kings Road. With impressive images (that are not easily found anywhere else) of Britain’s heyday of cutting edge youth culture and fashion. McLaren, Siouxsie, Mary Quant, Iggy Pop, Vivienne Westwood and Marc Bolan are all here, plus the biggest hangouts of the day like Carnaby St., Granny Takes a Trip, and Westwood and McLaren’s shop SEX.

But even more exciting, especially for those of us that didn’t grow up in a time and place that looks incredibly fun, are the names and places that are new: Dinah Adams, Wonder Workshop, Antony Price, Marion Foale and Sally Tuffin, Harry Gordon, Jah Wobble, Pamela Motown, and the list goes on. I love new discoveries and The Look is spilling over with them.

Click here for the rest of The Look

See more: Web Sites


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on May 9, 2010

Spend a Couple Minutes »Zac Posen for Target

April 24

Another month, another Target designer collaboration and, despite the fact that I am not a particular fan of Zac Posen‘s main line, I’m surprised to say that this is one of the best Target designer lines yet. I failed the stamina check to stand in line for the late night 24 sale for the pop-up shop, but intend to do my vigil and get up in the earliest hours and go crazy online.

From gold lame, to tuxedo tanks, from ruffled skirts to funky prints there’s just so much to covet! Maybe Posen, who faces major financial issues, should design more affordable all the time and rake it in.

See some shots below/after the jump and more at Fashionista.

Click here for the rest of Zac Posen for Target

See more: Spend a Couple Minutes


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on April 18, 2010

Style Icons: Male »Christopher Kane for Versus

Cupcakes and Satin

Christopher Kane‘s collection for the Versace little sister line, Versus has a definite point of view. Limited but bold in shape, details and color, it makes quite an impact and even if most of us can’t pull of all the body con, it makes me long for the full skirts he calls “cupcake” skirts, more turquoise and bright red in my wardrobe and stylishly sci-fi bombshell cut out necklines. His grommet, alligator, and neon collection for Topshop was equally yummy though a bit outside my budget sadly.

Click here for the rest of Christopher Kane for Versus

See more: Style Icons: Male


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on March 7, 2010

Spend a Couple Minutes »Pick Your Oscar Dress

Clearly McQueen

It’s a tradition I adhere to every year. I fantasize and pick the dress I’d wear to the Oscars. It’s usually more fun than watching the thing. Of course, I couldn’t resist delving into the Alexander McQueen archives in light of the tragic loss. This black lace and white peacock frock is just one shining example of the magic he brought to the world of fashion.

Post your fantasy outfit as a comment!

See more: Spend a Couple Minutes


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on March 7, 2010

Style Icons: Male »Erdem

Lace and Bell Shapes for Fall

Though Erdem has been around for a few years and the collections have been consistently nice (as I look back into the archives), it’s only recently that the line made a huge bleep on my radar. I’ve looked and re-looked at his Fall 10 collection over and over finding more to love each time: with florals, body flattering shapes, and lace the clothes are pretty and feminine without being gloopy and rote; I love the voluminous puff sleeves and bell skirts as well as that dreamy grey lace.

One of designer Erdem Moralioglu’s inspirations was one of Jim’s favorite films, Picnic at Hanging Rock which friend Ashleigh posted stills of a while back on RC.

Click here for the rest of Erdem

See more: Style Icons: Male


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on February 28, 2010

Style Icons: Female »Catherine Malandrino

Wild and Wonderful for Fall

Catherine Malandrino just does not seem to get much buzz; she’s not considered particularly trendy or hip lately, and yet she almost always delivers collections that I adore. This fall her Malindrino collection features cocoon coats, abstract animal prints, incredible draping, a focus on the waist with crafted leather accessories, and interesting new silhouettes in pants. What’s not to love?

Click here for the rest of Catherine Malandrino

See more: Style Icons: Female


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on February 28, 2010

Spend a Couple Minutes »Gaultier for Target

On Sale March 7th

While my personal list of must-haves from the Gaultier Target collection arriving in stores this Sunday might not be quite as long as some other designer collaborators (Rodarte, Tracy Feith, Anna Sui), there’s still plenty to get excited about starting with that bright yellow dress that will have me up first thing in the morning shopping online. Also like the sailor stripe, but wish there were more of his signature stripes sprinkled throughout the tattoo prints (never my favorite), lovely painted florals, and chic leather. I do hope the fingerless gloves are for sale and not just styling extras.

Click here for the rest of Gaultier for Target

See more: Spend a Couple Minutes


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on February 28, 2010

Style Icons: Male »Suno

Kenya Inspired Design

In this recent sea of minimalism, Suno‘s stimulating collection jumped right out at me. While everyone’s been predicting a Chinois trend, I was still all about Africa (blame it on the stylings of Precious Ramotswe) and clearly on the same wavelength as designers Max Osterweis and Erin Beatty (so technically this is a style icon male and female entry and you, know what? I went to high school with an Erin Beatty, so I wonder…)

Anyways, fellow Cheyenne Mountain alumni or not, I think I would literally wear every piece from this fall/winter delivery. Every piece!! And that’s rare. The Suno name is a new one for me, but looking at the archives, they are clearly designers I wish I had discovered sooner. The prints are incredible, and inspired by years of Osterweis collecting textiles from visits to Kenya. Absolutely beautiful.

Click here for the rest of Suno

See more: Style Icons: Male


Be the first to leave a comment →
Posted on February 21, 2010