Old Dogs...New Tricks

Classic by any other name could be called Calvin Klein. I don't think Francisco Costa, Italo Zucchelli, or any of the other team members get enough recognition for the art/craft they put forth. The brand flies under the radar season after season because they aren't screaming for attention or throwing a tantrum. The collection founded in 1968 was established on design principles that reflect ideas like being polished and refined without being stale. While the collection often reflects neutral color palettes, it's the attention to detail and experimental techniques that keep this brand cutting edge and relevant.

After suit shopping with a friend this week for a wedding, I spent some time looking through a folder of men's runway images I had bookmarked the last couple of seasons. I was impressed with Calvin Klein's Fall 2009 collection. The innovate techniques paired with gentle simplicity proved the brands longevity and competitive stance.

It's the simplicity of the styling that I love about both of these looks. A completely monotone slate is the perfect vehicle to display professional, faultless tailoring.

I'm currently obsessed with wool skinny ties. It is an immediate fall/winter update to any wardrobe and exudes a dapper, methodical stature.

The most innovative styles/techniques that went down the runway are easily expressed in these two looks. One jacket is made of stretch merino wool and the other, stretch nylon. When I first looked at the pieces, I thought it had to be neoprene, material most notably used for wet suits. After reading the fine print, I've come to find out that the material had been manipulated and "molded." A bit futuristic, much appreciated, and completely germane.

I think Calvin Klein has a good foundation under their feet, and moving into the future at just the right pace. Nothing is broken, so why fix it?! Instead, stick to what we know, a place that is familiar and comfortable, and occasionally mix in a few unexpected and intriguing pieces that reiterate the fact that you've still got some tricks up your sleeve!

{all images from Calvin Klein}

BOOT, Scoot, and BOOTIE!!!!

How incredible are these boots?!?! I was virtual shoe shopping this week and found these Proenza Schouler beauties! I'm OB-SESSED, but how can you not be? I have a bit of a boot fetish these days and this pair doesn't help at all. Every inch and detail is mind blowing. The carved wood heel, accent colored platform, patent leather, and lace front....I think I'm having heart palpitations, my hands are a bit clammy, and I have shortness of breath. These shoes would look fabulous with the Wild Things for OC fur dress or skirt. However I'm dying to wear the embroidered ones with...

*an extremely over sized men's powder blue oxford shirt (worn as a dress, belted),

*a pair of black sheer trouser socks

*a hooded leather jacket

*men's inspired watch

*medium black leather clutch

I would have made these mine if they didn't come with such a hefty price tag...but the weighted cost is understandable...

(alternate color ways)

I Think, There FUR I Am!

Although I might be from the South where we barely have a season called winter, I am a Texan that has grown up loving fur. I think my strong affection started with the soft and luxurious feel of the fabric. Now living in NYC with a start to a growing fur collection, fur has a different meaning to me. It will always mean luxury and elegance, but it also represents art in the way designers create, longevity to collect for the future and purchase from the past, and bold statements.

(photo by style.com for J. Mendel)

J. Mendel is one of my favorite furriers. Season after season he constructs these gorgeous coats, jackets, and vests that exude the definition of glamour and sophistication. This coat feels like a New Years piece. I would wear it exactly how it's styled, almost as a coat dress, with tights, and over the elbow gloves. It's that classic, Breakfast at Tiffany's style that every girl dreams about.

(photo by style.com for Jenni Kayne)

Jenni Kayne is another designer who has a distinct way of designing fur. Kayne's Fall 2008 collection inspired my fox fur vest I received last year for Christmas. This fall I'm referencing back to that collection for this black cropped vest. It pairs easily with jeans and a silk blouse and spruces up the look of a plain dress.

(photos from Who What Wear)

I want a pet Flemish Giant Rabbit. It doesn't look it will happen anytime soon so until then I'll "settle" for one or both of these rabbit pieces. The first is a Phillip Lim cardigan. LOVE IT! I feel like a fur cardigan isn't something you see every season. It's a fresh furry alternative that would work perfectly for the weather we have been having recently. The rabbit beanie is so chic. I'm always looking for new head pieces and this fits the cozy bill!

(photo by style.com for J. Mendel)

What is not to love about this jacket. J Mendel turns it out season after season with luxurious supple furs.

(photo by style.com for J. Mendel)

The cut and color combination make this jacket seem a little more casual and street chic! Paired with a great pair of jeans and a bright colored shoe, you've knocked it out!

While I know I will regret this come January, I'm looking forward to the chilly winter months only for the fact of sporting fur. I've started my hunt for the season a little early this year. I have a rabbit fur muff on the way and I'm hoping to add a few more muffs in various colors along with a black cropped vest, and a mid length and full length coat! A bit ambitious but here we go!!!!

Focal Point Fashion

I've had a busy weekend of doing absolutely nothing with my friends! Camping out in apartments, ordering in, movie marathons, and discussions about upcoming projects and collaborations. I've had my nose buried in magazines and compulsively checking fashion sites/blogs trying to find inspiration.

In the October issue of Marie Claire I came across this image of Gucci's creative director, Frida Giannini. I'm freaking out over this sequin tunic. It's the length, the drawstring hem, v-neck, long sleeves, and the pairing with leggings and thigh high boots. It's an unexpected rock chic look that I can imagine Debbie Harry or Bianca Jagger styling in various ways. "I die, I die, I die!"

I was going through a Resort 2010 folder on my computer and found this Matthew Williamson look. How cool are these pants?!?!!? I like to incorporate my talented friends/family in my looks whenever possible, so I'm recruiting my mother once again! She's a jack of all trades so I've asked for her to not only make these pants for me, but to silk paint/dye the fabric. I love the effortless pairing of the top and cardigan. So anxious to get my own pair and start styling around them as the focal point.

Fall is for Phillip Lim

Fall Fall Fall Fall.. With the heat wave this past week all I can think about is the cooling weather that is to come. I can't get enough of all things from Phillip Lim's fall collection. It's the perfect combination of shine, glitz, and glamour paired with the perfect daytime casual counterparts. I saw the black leather skirt in this month's issue of Marie Claire and have already begun to style looks around it. I'm lusting for the skirt today to pair with a reworked men's plaid button down shirt and denim vest. I'm a huge advocate for fur! Last Christmas I received my first fur in the form of a vest a la Jenny Kane and have since been yearning for more. I want them in all different shapes, sizes, colors. Love this look paired with a completely black palette. The black satin trousers with the navy long sleeve top is gorgeous. Would love to have this outfit for a birthday dinner with friends. This look would have been a perfect premier outfit for my friend Morgan tonight in Central Park. All things sequin are in my wish list for the coming season. Paired with the slouchy men's wear inspired trousers just makes complete sense. The coat is to die for. I love that you have the option of shortening the length. It also lends itself to showing more of the fabulosity that is going on under the coat just by unzipping the bottom portion. GENIUS!!!!

Early Bird Shopping At H&M

My sleeping schedule is all sorts of messed up right now. So in my insomniatic state last night I decided to check out the H&M website. I rarely visit the site since shopping is limited. I scanned through their online magazine and fell in love with pretty much the entire fall collection. I attempted to narrow it down to some of my favorites, many of which seem to be inspired by Balmain...one of my favorite collections!

1: Crazy for this dress and the styling. I would love this dress, but I might have to pass this one to Ms. Becky! She would kill this look and I can only imagine the incredible shoes from her closet that she would pair with it. I'm itching for her to wear it with either her Loubitan purple leather ankle booties, or her Loubitan black suede thigh high boots (***hint hint***)

2: I took a break from tweed the last couple of seasons and I'm going to have to incorporate more of it this time around. This is as close to a suit as I get... Tweed jacket with matching retro-ish shorts. LOVE. I want to incorporate denim into this look...Maybe put a denim jacket underneath the tweed, or conjure up some denim trim in the form of cuffs to peek out of the sleeves!

3: All about texture here, and who doesn't long for luxurious velvet every once in a while. The shoulder detail again is exactly what I'm into.

4: Shine Shine Shine Shine On!!! What's cooler or more versatile then a sequin cardigan. Jeans, solid t-shirt, belted...not belted. This lends itself to unlimited options. Dying to pair this with the leggings from look no. 6.

5: The simplest silhouette gets a boost of fabulosity with a bold nondescript pattern. No accessories needed.

6: I don't think I can make it through another Fall/Winter in basic black leggings or tights. I love that these have some kind of detail and interest. Aside from my leather jacket, this can be another key "leather" piece to have for the season. Might have to get a couple pairs of these!

7: I don't think I can put into words what it is that I enjoy most about this dress. I just need to own this ASAP.

8: If I'm honest with myself I could probably DIY these jeans but someone else has already done all that work for me and I want to indulge in their handy work! Usually I'm not one for extremely distressed denim but this is more in line with something I would like. A little contradictory but... :) The top will be something I DIY. Trying to decide if I should use appliques, studs, beads (OH MY) for the shoulder detail.

I can only imagine how incredible the entire H&M showroom is. I'm not quite the early bird when it comes to shopping before I can actually wear but I can't miss out on any of these pieces. So for the next two months they will just have to hang nicely in my closet! And occasionally come out when I need to restyle my closet or want to play dress up!

Unconventional Accessories

The last few days I have been on a DIY jewelry/accessory binge. Leave me alone in an apartment with tons of resources and my brain and hands just start formulating stylish goodness out of nowhere! (I hope to post a few more pictures of this weekends creations soon)! I'm desperate for fall weather to arrive so I've started to plan out my fall wardrobe and flip through February's fashion week folder on my computer... A compilation of looks and items that inspire me, that I want replicate, and that I can't stop thinking about.

The necklaces and feather pieces that were shown as part of Lanvin's fall show are incredible! I love the idea of making jewelry out of things you find at the hardware store. Light fixtures, light bulbs, door hinges accentuated with pearls and other precious gems is just stupid cool! I know they won't have the same extreme chicness as the real deal, but I'm challenging myself to DIY my own hardware baubles.

All pictures: Lanvin Fall/Winter 2009 courtesy of Style.com

This weekend I made a necklace/earring piece and people thought I had headphones in and ignoring the conversation around me (not exactly what I was going for)!!! I stumbled upon these headphones that were shown at Lagerfeld's Fall 09 show and I'm totally buggin'!!! I'm usually not a fan of headphones that go around the head and/or behind the ear (I don't want to mess up the hair) but for these I will make many an exception! Faux piercings, pyramid studs, gadgets and gizmos a plenty, I couldn't ask for anything more amazing. I have no idea if these headphones were even produced but now I'm impatient and over zealous to DIY my own!

All pictures: Karl Lagerfeld Fall/Winter 09 courtesy of Style.com