Dresses

Timeless Style: Blooming Spring

in
Timeless Style: Blooming Spring

Blooming Spring

Spring has finally sprung and blooming spring florals are everywhere!  Minimalism for now is seen in the distance of our rearview mirror.  Typically I'm not one to wear big floral prints however, I've seen such delightful styles this season that I'm willing to at least try some things on.  Dolce & Gabbana caught my eye because they have such a romantic point of view and their clothes are exquisitely made.  The combination of red and black along with richly intricate embroideries and hair ornamentations, enhance their definition of Italy's la dolce vita.  

Read More

Timeless Style: Peter Copping Heads Oscar de la Renta

in
Timeless Style: Peter Copping Heads Oscar de la Renta

Peter Copping, who Oscar de la Renta chose to succeed him presented his first collection this week, just three months after taking on the role of artistic director.  Previously, he was at Nina Ricci for five years as artistic director.  Mr Copping managed to balance the de la Renta sensibility without being overly reverential, while subtly introducing his own.  He has moved the design house forward, making it more youthful and contemporary while maintaining the elegance, meticulous details and luxurious fabrics.

Read More

Timeless Style: The White Series Contd.

in
Timeless Style: The White Series Contd.

The White Series Contd...

Continuing with my White Series for January, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Perpaolo Piccioli the designers for Valentino created an enchanting series of white lace dresses for Spring ready-to-wear 2015.  The collection was based on the long gone tradition of the Grand Tour, where the British Aristocracy and the very wealthy would travel to France and Italy in pursuit of improving their culture.  The designers used the Grand Tour as their inspiration, creating a collection that was poetic, graceful and beautiful. The detail and intricate workmanship of lace was quite astonishing.  

Read More

Timeless Style: The White Series

in
Timeless Style: The White Series

The White Series...

It's January 2015 and time to start afresh, make new resolutions and promise to commit to improve whatever we deem lacking in ourselves and/or our lives.  Nothing says fresh new start quite like white.  In this and the following posts are some of the inspired turns white has taken for January.  This morning I read in the Times that two high fashion retails stores, The Webster, Miami Beach and Le Bon Marche Rive Gauche, Paris have launched a designer collaboration series all white collection.  As Hilary Moss explains, it's a Bon Marche tradition since January 1873, when the store's owner Aristide Boucicaut stocked a selection of snow-hued garments to fill his shelves following the holiday shopping season.

Read More

Elegant Dressing - Part 11

in
Elegant Dressing - Part 11

Part II

Christophe Lemaire's Fall/Winter 2014 collection for Hermes was a look of seemingly effortless luxury.  To quote Tim Blanks from Style.com, "stealth wealth, indeed."  The styles were consistently strong, graceful, urban and elegant with lush knitwear, slouchy jackets, pants and coats. As with Bottega Veneta the hem is mid-calf, not my favorite length, but it looks so sophisticated in both collections I'm willing to try it again.  Although prints were at a minimum, there was an abundance of luxurious textures - cashmere, silk, velvet, leather and mink.  

Read More

Timeless Style - Inspiring Collections for Fall/Winter 2014 Part l

in
Timeless Style - Inspiring Collections for Fall/Winter 2014 Part l

Inspiring Collections for Fall/Winter 2014

PART I

For me, there were two exceptional collections for this Fall/Winter - one being Tomas Maier of Bottega Veneta.  There were no jackets or pants, just fabulous dresses, skirts, sweaters and coats.  On the face of it the clothes looked very simple, but it was all in the details of exceptional cut, fit and fabric.  The length was below the knee and hems gave a lovely swish when moving, without an excess of volume.  The graphic patterns and color combinations kept the looks fresh, yet very elegant. Take a look...

Read More