Monique Lhuillier

Note to Readers:

Recently this article I wrote for Eliza Magazine was published.  I loved researching talented designer Monique Lhuillier, and reviewing both her bridal and ready-to-wear collections.  The first time I heard of Lhuillier, was when I read she designed Britney Spears' wedding dresses.  After seeing more of her work, I decided not to hold that against her.  As a designer it is hard making a garment to please your client, but still having your name and label attached to it at the end of the day.  The more I learned about Monique, the more I admired her.  I hope you enjoy reading the article as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Debate '09

Note to Open-toed Shoes and Tights:

Apparently you are a hot item to talk about this season.  Are you an acceptable combo or not?  On one hand you remind me of many of my Asian counterparts who like to wear sandals with socks.  On the other hand you are a combo popping up on some of the most fashionable of all of my favorite fashionistas.  As blogged about below, Gwyneth is wearing you, as is Kate Moss and Heidi Klum.  Are you no longer a faux pas?

Note to Readers:

If you are going to attempt this combination, allow me to point out a few guidlines.  Wear this look with dark tights (preferably brown, navy, charcoal gray, and black), with shoes that are similar in color.  You do not want the contrasting colors of your tights and shoes to vary significantly.  However, do not match them perfectly (unless it is a black on black variation) because you could end up like Gwyneth below, as a metallic mess.

I hope this helps answer a few questions about this trend.  I must warn you though, this could be a trend you look back at pictures of, and you feel a little sheepish.  Personally, I don't know if I am going to attempt this look.  Something about the seam on the toes of the tights peeking out of the toes of the shoes, makes me uneasy.

What are your thoughts on the matter?

I'm Torn...

Note to Gwyneth:

When I tuned into the Grammy's last night I saw you introducing Radiohead, and the camera showed you from the waist up.  I though you looked amazing!  The bodice on your dress fits you amazingly, your makeup was immaculate, and your hair was tousled to perfection.  Just when I thought you could not get any better, I saw the wink you sent to your husband (Coldplay's Chris Martin) from the stage, and I loved the subtle PDA.

Then today I was looking up pictures of your ensemble, and I saw the whole look.  How could someone who got it so right, on the top half get it so wrong on the lower half?  I do not know what is worse, the metallic tights, or the fact that you paired them with metallic OPEN-TOED shoes!  Tights and open-toed shoes?  I expect more from you. 

So yes readers, I am torn.  I loved her look, but only half of it.  What did you think?

Note to readers:

Sometimes selecting accessories is as important as selecting your clothing.  Think of how stunning Gwyneth's look would have been if she ditched the tights, and wore bare legs with a fabulous pair of stilettos?

So before you add tights, shoes, earrings, handbags, whatever you are adding, ask yourself, "Does this positively add to my look or does it take away from it?".  

Also, I'm bringing back the polls.  Don't forget to vote.

Budget-Friendly Fashion

Note to Forever 21:

Recently I was in the market for a fabulous pair of very fashion-forward black heels.  I wanted something with a thick strap and a shaped heel, like we all saw on the recent runways.  I also did not want to pay an arm and a leg, because shoes like this would appear dated after one season.  I strolled into one of your locations, spotted these beauties, and never looked back.  I wore them to a fashion show on the night I got them, and got a lot of compliments.  Little did everyone know, I paid less than $25 on them.  Thanks for providing a low-cost fix to my high-fashion craving.

Note to Readers:

Most of us are tightening our budgets lately.  Just because you are pinching your pennies, does not mean your wardrobe needs to suffer.  I have a plethora of tips on how to look like a million bucks, without actually spending that much.  My first tip for you is to mix budget-friendly pieces into your wardrobe.  When buying an item, consider its value.  For instance, spending thousands of dollars on a classic black quilted Chanel purse is smarter than spending an equivalent amount on a more trendy purse from a high end brand.  Think of the more expensive pieces in your wardrobe as an investment.  

If you will not be able to wear an item next season without looking dated or out of style, there is not shame in picking up a similar item with a smaller price tag.  Shopping in stores like H&M, Forever 21, etc. can provide you with items up to date in fashion with a fraction of the price of its designer inspirations.  Buyers beware, you get what you pay for.  If the item costs significantly less, it is almost always a lower quality.  These items are not made to last, but really they are so trendy, you should not wear them in a year anyway.

The key is to mix and match your investment, higher quality items, with the less expensive but more current fashion items.  On most days you can see me in jeans I bought for top dollar at Bloomingdales, with a top I found at H&M, but accessorized with a nice purse and more expensive shoes.  Or if I am wearing less expensive shoes, (like the thrills in the above photo), I will pair them with a more expensive dress or skirt, or more pricey jeans.  You do not want to look like a mannequin at Forever 21, dressed in their wares head to toe.  However you do not need to go bankrupt to stay stylish.

Greta Garbo-Style Icon

Note to Readers:  

Sometimes, in order to draw inspiration for our lives and style, we should look to the past.  I wrote this article about screen legend Greta Garbo for this season's issue of Eliza Magazine.  I hope that you are able to read it and gain inspiration from this amazing woman.

Hey-hey, you-you

Note to Avril:

Recently a reader contacted me and asked me to write about your style.  When I started looking for current photos of you, this is the kind of thing I found.  Honestly, I do not know where to start.  Really, from head to toe, you need some help.  I understand you want to look edgy, and show of your punk-rocker style, so I don't really understand where the bouffant and the hot pink pumps fit in.  Maybe rock some cigarette-leg jeans (J Brand are my personal favorite) with a neon tank and a shrunken motorcycle jacket. That is an edgy look, that does not include mismatched black and hot pink prints.  Seriously, you are making your look way too complicated. (Insert song joke here)  

Note to Readers:

Did you know that Avril has her own clothing line?  Really, I can't make this stuff up.  This goes to show you, you shouldn't go out and buy something from a celebrity clothing line just because you like her songs (or movie, or TV show... you get the point).  Make sure you really look at a piece of clothing, for the garment itself, not the name on a label.  Celebrity lines, are not all bad, like Sarah Jessica Parker's line or The Row from the Olsen Twins.  However, you should not buy something because you like the celeb, because more often than not the clothing is overpriced and under-designed.

Dakota Fanning

Note to Dakota Fanning:

We all know you are an amazing actress.  At the tender age of eight you were nominated for a SAG award.  Apparently you are talented beyond your years in the realms of fashion as well.  The above picture shows what you wore to the recent Westwood premiere of your film Push.  I love it.  It is a sophisticated hue, but a youthful silhouette.  It shows that you are growing up, but you are still dressed like a teenager would (if she had your budget and movie premieres to go to).  I love the dress, I love the shoes, and your natural makeup and relaxed hair keep your look youthful.  

Note to Readers:

I don't know how you are all feeling, but I am beyond tired of seeing teenage starlets looking like they are forty.  If you are in your teens, you should not wear anything that requires double-stick tape. It seems like child stars who try to transition to a more mature career, feel the need to completely push the envelope to show everyone they are not little kids anymore.  Also, this applies to everyone, but it seems the young stars are frequently offenders in this category... do not leave the house without underwear on, ok?  I appreciate Dakota's more mature look, but even more I appreciate that she did not take the look too far.