September 2008 Archives

Despite being proclaimed as the most expensive diffusion line ever to hit the markets, I have to admit that the Comme des Garcons for H&M collection is absolutely beautiful. Avant-garde Japanese designers do edgy classics like no one else, and here is the living proof in the design. Above are four of my favorite pieces from the entire collection. I especially love the asymmetrical cut panel skirts. It looks like one piece of the skirt is trying to fly away from the rest of the design. Unique and beautiful - win win for me.

Black and white is hands down my favorite color combination to wear together. Snejana looks lovely here from the Gareth Pugh SS 2009 show in this beautiful Elizabeth I meets the Mod Squad outfit that perfectly embodies the postmodern idea of pastiche.

Pugh's outfits were all black in the back and all white in the front, which symbolized for him an idea of emerging into light and optimism, from a place of darkness.

I love smart fashion with a concept, but what was even more arresting to me was the realization - in Pugh's show - that fashion can be cerebral while still being, at the very same time, incredibly physical. While Pugh's models were styled in clothes that evoked an image of a woman warrior (Queen Elizabeth herself often dressed in knight's armor), at the same time his garments respected the physicality of a woman's body. The models wore sky high heels and figure flattering leggings. More than any of his other recent collections, this collection might even be called sexy! Wow - what a first for Gareth Pugh. Bravo.

Maison Martin Margiela you crazy freak, I love you! Check out the other pics from the SS 2009 Margiela show on Style.com. Margiela's finale look was a walking birthday cake - like WTF? Beautiful, ludicrous, completely serious and yet completely tongue-in-cheek, ironic and sincere, whatever - this stuff is totally indescribable. Let's just settle for "insane" as our adjective of choice, and enjoy the genius of Margiela. Now I just need to go to the wig surplus store and get myself a new face.

I freak out over avant-garde haircuts, and if I had the ability to pull it off, I'd totally rock a Weimar Berlin haircut like this. Too bad I tried this once, and the result was disastrous. I looked like I belonged in a motorcycle gang. This fashionistas' Louis Brooks bob gets updated with a set of asymmetrical bangs. Note that just becuase her hair is black, does not mean her eyebrows need to be. I hate it when people with black hair (like myself) pencil their eyebrows in pitch black and look like M-to-F performers. I like black hair best on people with pale skin and normal looking eyebrows, like this lady, who carries off the look perfectly. Picture from Glamcanyon.

It's autumn, officially, and with autumn comes crisp new fall fashions. Hurrah! Lots of clothes scream autumn to me, but nothing is more autumn than the collegiate peacoat. A peacoat is one of the most utilitarian and intelligent pieces of clothing you can own. A peacoat is the polar opposite of a tube top. A tube top is silly; a peacoat is scholarly. A tube top says, "I dance." A peacoat says, "I read." Go to a graduate school campus and you'll find more peacoats than books. The peacoat has the undeserved reputation of being boring, but this couldn't be further from the truth! There are so many varieties. From shrunken to oversized, from caped to cropped, from leather to floral, pick a peacoat that works for you and bundle up for fall in style!

Gorgeous gorgeous Stella McCarney ankle boots. The wooden heel is such an unexpected touch to a shoe that otherwise looks so modern. The juxtaposition is lovely. I also love the antique looking plate at the back of the shoe - it gives this a very modern Joan of Arc feel. Now, who's got an extra $1,395 to spend on their feet?

Something tells me these shoes aren't going to sell well. Two models fell and countless others stumbled their way through Miucci Prada's SS 2009 show in Milan. One model even had to be helped to her feet by audience members. One model fell OUT of her shoe. Embarrassing. Due to the models' falls, Miucci Prada promised the shoes would be lower when they hit the stores. She claims it was the little socks the girls were wearing, and not the horrific nature of the shoes, that caused the falls. Below, a video of the Prada show that includes the frill and trip-pery.

Weird hair is one of my favorite looks. The odder, the more conceptual, the less accessible, the more adored. It takes so much effort to have beautiful 'shampoo commercial hair'. I know people who even take pills for maximally shiny hair. But pretty shiny hair is so boring. I'd pick interesting over pretty any day, and the bigger, messier, wilder hair can be, the more I naturally gravitate toward it. So it should come as no surprise that I loved the hair at Fendi's SS 2009 show, which looks like a modernist take on a Trojan helmet. Women warriers, indeed. Rawr.

The above is a vintage YSL bag, called the Nadja Rose bag, which debuted in spring 2003. It was - for a while - a major design obsession of mine. I thought the buttery leather was so beautiful, as was the concept. Fast forward to 2008.


Above, Valentino's Fango Nappa Blossom Petale. available at Saks for $2,395. Valentino's bag is beautiful, no doubt. But I MUCH prefer the YSL variety. The beautiful, fluffy YSL rose looks squashed in the Valentino design, and the annoying hand stap with a 4" drop makes the Valentino bag much less convenient to carry than the YSL one, which comes with a shoulder strap that includes some pretty hardware. Also, I prefer the soft caramel brown of the YSL bag to the sheeny clay of the Valentino. All in all, this lesson shows us that if you can't beat the original, don't copy it!

Laksmi Menon is a gorgeous woman. But I don't really understand why Vogue Paris decided to put Laksmi - who is Bangalore - in an afro and cast her in a shoot called "Afro Disiaque." I mean, that just seems culturally insensitive on many levels. If you put a white woman in a wig like this, and then styled her up like some Donna Summer disco diva from Detroit, you would never get away with it. So just because she's from Bangalore, and her skin is a darker shade, makes this okay? Um, no.

Oh, and that fedora is hideous. As are the bag, the ridiculous pink bandana in the front pocket, and those awful mom jeans. I won't even get into the shoes. Vogue Paris is so rarely wrong, it's weird how far they've missed the mark with this particular shoot.

Alice Dellal is a name you're going to starting hearing a lot in the fashion world. She's pretty, she's British, and she's so edgy that she's already inspiring designers like Proenza Schouler with her unique personal style. She's even being called the "new Kate Moss" because of her work with Agent Provocateur, plus her recent coke shame. The reason I like Alice is because she's one of the first people to fully embody in early 90s grunge look. She's got a great two-toned haircut with a razored side, plus she has a predilection for cropped shirts and lace-up combat boots. She's definitely got a certain look, and she commits herself wholly to it. Bravo. If you do something, don't half-ass it. Alice Dellal is grunge to the core.

If I could find a white wig like this, I'd be happy for the rest of my life. Linda Evangelista looks amazing in this very David Lynch-ian W Magazine shoot, by Steven Klein. The look on her face in the last picture is all, "Burying a body has totally ruined my manicure." I love photospreads that tell a story, and this shoot - aply titled "Love/Hate" - definitely brings to mind the beautiful as well as the beautifully sinister.

I love this photo from Pop Magazine, photographed by Alasdair McLellan. I would definitely wear that Comme des Garcons underwear. Avant-garde Japanese labels aren't usually known for producing sexy underwear, but anything frilly plus high-waist is just so automatically sexy that even if it's modeled by a buff and hairless man, it still looks feminine.

Despite everything I'd ever heard, I quickly discovered that models aren't that hot. They're interesting-looking and striking and seem scary to talk to, but they didn't turn me on. I was so confused by this that I went backstage at the Donna Karan show to get an up-close look at Arlenis Sosa, who I was told is the new face of fashion. Sosa, 19, was pretty and awfully nice but mostly just really tall and outrageously skinny. Though she bragged to me about having just finished a salad and a kiwi, she paused when I asked her if that salad had dressing. "I don't like dressing," she said. I gave her a look. "Because I can't be fat," she continued. "I do like it. But I don't want any."

-Joel Stein, Time Magazine

Navy blue is coming back in a major way for fall. We love the collegiate look - crisp white shirts, navy blue blazers and cardigans, a great satchel that purportedly has books in it. I'm already getting schoolgirl nostalgia for my days back East where the trees changed their colors in autumn and every September meant a trip to the stationary store to buy notebooks, paper, and glittery gel pens to prepare for the upcoming school year. Just because I'm no longer in school anymore doesn't mean I still can't pretend....

Images: Glamcanyon, Facehunter

Kate Bosworth is beautiful and All-American in her Elle Italy cover and photoshoot. I love her look. For some reason, despite being so fresh faced and girl next door, she still has one of those faces you just want to look at. To see more pics, click here.

Gwyneth Paltrow has a new website called GOOP (why she named it GOOP, I do not understand). GOOP is probably an acronym for something, but the website doesn't tell you what the acronym stands for. So we are left confused.

The website has six sections: 1) Make 2) Go 3) Get 4) Do 5) Be 6) See. These sections are filled with personal tips from Gwyneth on how to be a fulfilled and well-rounded person. The motto of GOOP is "Nourish the Inner Aspect."

Her tips include making meals for someone you love, pausing before reacting, cleaning your space, reading something beautiful, and not being lazy. I'm not sure how GOOP is going to turn out. Right now there's nothing on the site besides a personal letter from Gwyneth, but check back - if it's your thing - to hear more from the blonde Oprah.

My friend once saw Kim Gordon on a plane and described her as being "really, super hot". Kim Gordon, otherwise known as the bassist of Sonic Youth, is not only "really, super hot," but also seems really classy, healthy, and normal as well. Instead of grappling with rehab, messy relationships, or scandals, Kim has been married since 1984 to her bandmate Thurston Moore. The two have a daughter, and they live in a small town in Massachusetts. Now, Kim has come out with a clothing line called Mirror/Dash. Mirror/Dash is inspired by Francoise Hardy, because - in Kim's own words - "there's a need for clothes for cool moms." So far, the jacket pictured above is the only item available through Mirror/Dash, but expect to see more items on the site soon. Kim Gordon might be the only rock'n'roller in the world who can have a cool-moms-clothing-line AND still have the massive critical acclaim and street credibility of being a respected and relevant musician. She's hip no matter what she does. It's not fair. Plus, the jacket, which retails for $415, is super cute.

For those who need an extra fix of Kim Gordon, who Flavorpill calls the "benevolent queen of gracefully aging art-rockers," she's playing at the Montalvo Arts Center in Silicon Valley this Friday. Check Flavorpill for more details.

"Many of the top players in fashion and media do not drink, but are not showy about their sobriety, either. Colleagues who socialize with Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour or designer Diane von Furstenberg and her husband, media exec Barry Diller, say they aren't sure if they've ever seen these power players plucking a champagne flute off a passing tray at a cocktail party..."

-Page Six Magazine

Tonight is the Fashion Week episode of Gossip Girl (called "The Ex-Files" ooh la la, more Blair and Chuck drama anyone?) and I am BEYOND excited to see Tinsley Mortimer front row at Eleanor Waldorf's fashion show, which will consist of 9 real life looks from designer Abigail Lorick of Lorick New York.

I am so looking forward to another dose of my favorite Upper East Siders. Will Blair and Chuck finally do the deed - without Chuck having to fake a British accent? Will Dan and Serena patch things up after last episode's elevator debacle? Will Nate finally stop the gigolo act and just get with Vanessa already? Can't wait to see.

I love the look of a strong brow with very minimal, naturalistic makeup. This is the perfect look for daytime - barely there mascara, just a tiny smudge of blush, and great brows that add structure to your face. Brow Zings by Benefit is a great product that comes with a color complementing setting power to darken your brows, plus a setting wax to shape them into perfection. For those a bit more old-fashioned and prefer a pencil, Anastasia's Universal Brow Pencil is the best in the business. Not only does it have the perfect consistency for your brows, but it comes with a highlighter duo that you can use to emphasize the brow bone and draw more attention to your beautiful eyes.

I never watch the Emmy Awards for fashion tips, as television stars have notoriously bad taste in clothing off the small screen, but last night's Emmys actually had some good fashion moments. For instance:

This sexy black dress by Gray Ant reminds me that I need to integrate more sexy black dresses into my wardrobe. Every girl needs a sexy-without-being-slutty black dress, and this dress, with the comic book superhero design of the neckline and its curve hugging cut, totally does the trick. But one word of caution: never wear such an obviously seductive dress with equally obvious shoes. Shy away from sky high stilettos when you're already showing miles of leg. I'd wear this dress with a pair of unsexy oxford flats. You never want to be too sexy.

Would you wear a cropped top? Here at Style Bay Area, we respond with a resounding YES!

The 90s are coming back in a major way, and everything is getting cropped: shorts, jeans, tees. For a long time there was a backlash against midriff baring shirts, after the whole Britney Spears overexposure/overexposed thing, but recently the look has been making a comeback. The new cropped tees are baggy, short-sleeved, and totally retro: think Clarissa Explains It All rather than Janet Jackson. I love the look of a cropped top - preferably with high-waisted jeans that don't show too much abdomen. American Apparel has been an early adopter of the ironically trashy cropped t-shirt look, but even high-end designers like Philip Lim and Mayle are designing with this trend in mind.

Trashy is the new classy, from cropped t-shirts to white trash hair to living on a diet of Red Bull and cheese crackers.

StoreAdore, "a personalized web-based guide to the best boutique shopping around the country and online, " has finally launched their shopping website in San Francisco. The brainchild of Cristina Miller (former management consultant) and Meredith Barnett (former editor at Lucky), StoreAdore has already launched in New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington D.C., Chicago, The Hamptons, and Philadelphia - and now, SF is finally on that roster.

According to the press release: "Tie-dye shirts and peace signs were once the uniform for San Francisco's free love days. Now, the famous seven by seven miles display a much more sophisticated style via inventive shops found throughout a cornucopia of neighborhoods, each with its own fashion sense. Socialites feel at home with the tony vibe of Pacific Heights; Union Square's briefcase-carrying financial-types rub shoulders with tourists scouting big name brands; Marina's boutique-laden streets attract trend-seeking yuppies; and those who want to hold on to the past feel right at home in still-hippie Haight Ashbury. With a plethora of shopping options for every personality, we couldn't leave San Francisco off our list for another minute."

San Francisco is happy to get StoreAdore too! Hopefully they will include vintage shops like The Painted Bird on their list of boutiques, because vintage and second-hand and thrift are such an integral part of San Francisco style!

Who doesn't love vintage clothing? For those who love vintage (read: everyone), the San Francisco Vintage Fashion Expo is this weekend, Saturday September 20 and Sunday September 21, at the Nob Hill Masonic Center, 1111 California Street. This event brings together more than 85 vendors of vintage and antique clothing. The eras covered are HUGE, and clothes from 1850 through 1980 will be sold. If you're still unconvinced, the website says there will be Chanel and Halston and Lanvin. Happy shopping.

It love these headpieces from Danielle Scutt. The green pineapple thing is phenomenal. I need one! Spring summer 2009 fashion has been all about crazy headgear, from Diane von Furstenberg's rock goddess headbands to Topshops great Aunt Jemima scarves to the great hats at Marc Jacobs. It's official. Heads are the new necks. Who needs to accessorize with baubles on their necks when you can just throw something wacky on top of your head?

Daisy Lowe is a name that's popped up frequently on my radar during London Fashion Week. The unacknowledged love child of Gavin Rossdale, daughter of Pearl Lowe, ex-girlfriend of Mark Ronson and Will Blondelle, this 19-year-old has already sown the seeds for a future in rehab. Watching her is like watching the a trainwreck in slow motion.

I don't really get the way the Brits pick their It-Girls. Some It-Girls, like Alexa Chung, are universally fabulous. I also heart Sienna Miller, despite her homewrecking ways and general trashiness. Kate Moss, the ultimate British It-Girl of all time, is my personal hero. But Daisy Lowe is one It-Girl I don't really see anything in. As for her replacing Kate Moss as the new face of Agent Provocateur? Please. PUH-LEASE. No way is she near Kate's caliber. 

I really love the monochromatic makeup with the rust colored lips at Proenza Schouler SS 2009. I was looking at this the other day and thinking that the makeup was very early 80s. There's something very cold about the way it looks, despite being done in all warm colors. "So young and so cold." It's very new wave, very modern, very The Face. The washed out effect is great - it reminds me of looking at a real-like Juergen Teller photograph. Unfortunately, this look would be completely different on someone who didn't have medium to light colored hair. On me, for instance, it wouldn't have the same effect. It requires an almost anemic beauty to make it work, but on models like Heidi Mount and Olga Sherer, it's exquisite.

The shoes at Basso & Brooke's SS 2009 show are insane. If I ever stepped foot into one, I'd probably trip over them within a minute and break my head open on the concrete. Nonetheless, they are stunning.

Raouda Assaf is the name of the designer who created these shoes, and each heel is intricately carved like Japanese ivory. Basso & Brooke were inspired by the art of Japan - particularly printmaking art and origami - in this show, and the inspiration is evident in the result. The shoes remind me of a new wave 'geta' shoe (the high platform wooden shoes worn by Japanese geishas).

I have to say, while I am very drawn to the elaborate details, the luminous prints, and the beautiful styling of the clothes, it's Raouda Assaf's shoes that catch my eye the most. The year before last it was all about platforms, and last year it was all about the stacked heel - will sky high strappy stacked platform heels be the trend for SS 2009? Perhaps it's sadistic of me to say this, but my feet can only hope...

OMG. Wingtips + socks + shorts = my new favorite menswear look for SS 2009. Thank you 3.1 Philip Lim, for the styling in your show. The beautiful shoes paraded in the Lim show were made by Christian Louboutin. Good luck getting your hands on a pair without breaking the bank (though maybe it's worth it - they're fabulous). For a more realitistic take on this look, Rachel Comey makes beautiful lace-ups that are reasonably affordable.

James Perse, best known for their criminally soft t-shirts and knits, has finally launched their online store. James Perse knits are spare, sophisticated, elegant, and streamlined - the perfect way to wear do luxe-casual. (Note: the BEST shirts for those nights when you and the boy decide to "oh let's just say in and watch a movie except not pay attention to the movie at all"). James Perse is also available at online boutiques like Shopbop and eLuxury, as well as high-end department stores like Saks, Neimans, and Barneys.

The New York Times on Rachel Zoe:

"...she is known more generally for forging a look of girlish vacancy, one that says: 'I get up at noon. And then I spend my day refusing solid foods.' "

"Ms. Zoe is already a pox on humanity -- exploiting an aesthetic of dissipation, invading our collective consciousness and spraying it with dummy dust..."

"It is largely because of her that the name Nicole Richie is more familiar than the name Nicolas Sarkozy. The stylist is Frankenstein; all the world's Lindsay Lohans are her Creature."

Come on now. Don't give her too much credit.

Two words: food baby. I don't want to sound insensitive, but a Herve Leger bandage dress is not for people with extra flesh anywhere on their bodies. I'm not saying that it's bad to carry a little extra chubb-a-lubb, but if you have a figure that could be considered zaftig, you must learn to either work with it, or go work out. But some people think that just because everyone is wearing a trend, they should be able to as well (Jessica I'm looking at you). Everyone from Rachel Bilson (who actually CAN wear Herve Leger) to Lindsey Lohan (who not only can carry off this trend but looks incredible in the dress) has been trying on these figure-hugging frocks. But the trend has gone incredibly sour here on Jessica, who wore this on David Letterman last week. Herve Leger's bandage dress makes her stomach look like it's sticking out further than her boobs! That is not an easy feat! Ugh, this is a warning to us all.

I love this look from the Peter Jensen SS 2009 show. Floral shorts-suits on men for London fashion week!!! Mmmm, think warm scones and creamy tea and homoerotic school boy nostalgia. This is very modern version of Brideshead Revisited with a grandma wallpaper twist. I love it! How soon before the trend trickles down to mainstream fashion? Hurry up please! We can all use more masculin-feminin in our lives. In the meantime, boys, instead of waiting for your neighborhood department store to decide it's time to stock floral suits in the men's department, just go look for something similar in the women's department of your local thrift store. I trust you'll find something suit-able.

Topshop's 80s redux is absolutely spectacular. This is tremendous. It is as if some higher being answered all my prayers because this is exactly the kind of fashion line I would design if I could. There is a distinct tough girl vibe that runs through the collection, very Mary Stuart Masterson's character in Some Kind of Wonderful, but the hard-edged tomboy theme is tempered by the girly use of pastels, prints, and (ZOMG) bows bows bows. The Aunt Jemima headgear is amazing. I'm totally going to be rocking that trend.

Topshop is Topshop. It is neither cerebral like Prada, nor ethereal like Rodarte, nor progressive like Alexander Wang. What is it then? It's affordable, it's cheesy, it's a slave to trends, and - for SS 2009 - it's 80s costuming at its best. I don't care if it's not deep or meaningful. It's fun, and that's good enough for me.

Proenza Schouler's art deco pants make me want drink absinthe, smoke cigarettes out of a gilded holder, get Man Ray to take my photo, and then go act supremely bored at a fabulous party with my beautiful friends. As much as I love my skinny jeans, they've become too much of a daytime pant for me to ever want to wear them out at night. For when the sun goes down, I need some slouchy harem trousers in shiny metallics to get me dancing like I'm the Mayor of Leg City.

Apparently if you're Aggy, you can smoke inside Bryant Park tents and no one will reprimand you. Oh well. PS: They say as long as you're under 25, the effects are reversible. Aggy just turned 25 this year. We love you Aggy, but you need to quit smoking!

LOVE Kate's new hair cut. While my opinion of her previous haircut was uncertain, I have no qualms with this one. I loved it from the get-go. It's fresh, modern, just messy enough, and is perfect for the texture of her hair. Equally lovely is her flapper dress, which is part of her current line for TopShop, which - lucky for us - just opened up their online store in the United States. Thank God for smaller shipping fees.

Beanies are such a West Coast thing. In San Francisco, it seems every guy has a beanie and the minute we get a cold spell, beanies come out like crazy. While I do like the look of a beanie, I don't think it's an equally flattering look on every guy. Not everyone looks good in a fedora or a baseball cap, and the same logic applies to beanies. You know who DOES look good in a beanie (besides Cole Mohr at left, who looks good in everything... even a dress)? Dirty, grungey boys with lots of tattoos, who look like they live in flophouses with no showers. The look that Men's Style calls "New Labor." Hmmmm yum. It just does it for me.

Left, Jessica Stam at Marc Jacobs. Right, Jessica Stam at Oscar de La Renta.

Do you see what a different a simple pair of eyebrows can make?

This crazy beautiful picture of Liu Wen REALLY makes me want to try orange lipstick myself. I love combination of the orange lip with the orange eye. I wouldn't wear so much orange makeup with an orange dress (really oompla loompa) but I like the way it contrasts with the buttery brown of the jacket. Yves St Laurent makes a really great lipstick that's creamy and smells amazing, and they've got a lovely color called "Indian Sari" which they describe as a "bright tangerine orange." Orange is the perfect cover to transition between summer and fall, so tis the season to experiment with color. Note that orange lipstick is not the best idea if you are extremely tan, or if you experiment with orange-hued fake-tanning products whatsoever. You will look like a pumpkin.

Top, is Kirsten Dunst in this month's Harper's Bazaar. The bottom photo is of the impeccable socialite, the late C.Z. Guest. I love Kirsten in tennis whites and a bold red lip. Like C. Z. Guest, Kirsten Dunst has the ability to look simultaneously elegant and down-to-earth. Check out the rest of her lookbook to see more photos.

This W Magazine photospread of Anne Hathaway, photographed by Mario Sorrenti, is absolutely stunning. This is the best I think I've ever seen her look. I love the cat eye makeup, the dramatic brows, and I especially love what they've done with her hair. It's sculptural art! We all know Anne has an adorable bob, but for wigs, these hairpieces are gorgeous. On the red carpet, Anne prefers slinky gowns, but I like the way she looks in these architectural, neo-romantic, avante-garde pieces. I've never seen her look like a pre-Raphaelite beauty, but I must say this look suits her very well.

Is multiple belts the new trend for SS 2009? These photos are from the Marc by Marc Jacobs show, and it's gotten me inspired to try the same look with multiple belts myself. One thing I love (and sometimes don't love so much) about Marc Jacobs is that his shows are HUGE on the accessorizing. We're talking hats, scarves, gloves, and limbs dripping in costume jewelry. And as my personal style can be at times 'everything and the Marc by Marc Jacobs kitchen sink,' I am loving this play on belts.

The way to do this look is to go simple on everything else, and while I like the belts with the jacket on the left, I think - for womenswear - I'd prefer this look with something less bulky. Maybe a simple shift dress, with a ton of belts on the waist, two or three wristwatches (and no other jewelry), and a really hot pair of ankle boots?

From left to right, Pencey feather tee, Elizabeth and James feather tank, and Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent feather sleeve blouse.

The photo above ran in the August issue of Vogue India. A toothless, shoeless, and impoverished Indian man models a $200 Burberry umbrella. This photo was a part of a 16-page spread in Vogue India which featured average Indian people modeling expensive luxury accessories, of which the average Indian person would never be able to afford, as nearly half of the entire nation lives on less than $1.25 a day, according to recent figures by the World Bank. When much of the population is struggling for survival, what is the significance of an Hermes bag that costs $2,000? Vogue is not targeted toward people in this condition, so why exploit them or use the expensiveness of these clothes as a way to draw more attention - via disparity - to the poverty of these subjects? The magazine doesn't even bother to identify the subjects of the photos. Instead of identifying the people, the magazine identifies the brands of the clothing. The models are entirely anonymous, as well as forgotten.

It's gotten so cold in San Francisco so soon. Just as I was busting out my summer sandals, the weather becomes arctic! Luckily, all I need to do is pull on my socks and I can still wear those sandals. The whole "never wear socks with sandals" thing is so twenty-five years ago. Socks and sandals is one of my go-to looks, and to be honest, with many sandals, the ONLY way to wear them and still look fashion forward is to do so with socks. Like if you're sandals are too strappy, too pretty, too metallic, or too "sandal-y" you should consider wearing them with socks before you leave the house. For those who are skeptical of the socks and sandals thing, a good way to ease yourself into the trend is to try knee socks. Once you're comfortable with the knee socks + sandals look, you can wear your open toed shoes with low socks, slouchy socks, lacy socks, pantyhose, and even athletic socks. See? Fashionable, AND practical. This way you can wear your favorite sandals all year round.

Cool pics, Misshapes Blog. But what is that thing around this lady's head, and where do I get one?

Also, what an interesting way to wear a totebag. This Kill Shop Kill totebag doubles as a shirt.

How gorgeous is Petey Wright? He was the winner of V Magazine's VMAN Ford Model Search and graces the current cover of VMAN, shot by Hedi Slimane (who also shot that gorgeous Vogue Hommes Japan cover I freaked out about yesterday).

Petey looksl ike a young Johnny Depp. Before this 20-year-old gorgeousness was discovered as a model, he was professional wrestling in Nashville Tennesee. Yes, professional wrestling. As in, the kind of wrestling where you dress in ridiculous costumes and fling chairs at your opponent's heads. Who knew someone with such perfectly chiseled features would ever be seen in a wrestling ring?

Not only is Petey super adorable, but he has a ton of personality as well. Check out his interview with Petey on Models.com. His crooked teeth are so cute!

I'm digging all the headgear in Diane von Furstenberg's SS 09 show. The tribal look was one of the biggest trends of SS 08, so it's interesting to see the tribal headband carried over for another year. I guess the headband (or 'scene-band')  look isn't going anywhere just yet.

What's unique to see is that the new style of headband has a Grecian air to it; whereas before, the look was strictly hippie/tribal before, now - with all those floral festoons - it's almost Hellnistic. It's like Flower Child meets Athena the Warrior. DVF's theme for her show was "Rock Goddess" and I can see the goddess element, clearly, in her use of these laurel-like headbands. I'm getting a heavy Serena at the White Party feel. She had her beautiful Oscar de la Renta Grecian column gown accessorized with a gold chain headband that draped down her back. Is Greek the new way to wear tribal?

The newest addition to the fashion blogging world are the BlahGirls, a new website and animated series by run none other than Ashton Kutcher, who is in San Francisco at the moment, pimping it at TechCrunch50.

What you won't get is any cutting edge fashion criticism (I mean, the site is ostensibly run by three 12-year-old girls who look like the more-put together counterparts of the cast of South Park) but what you will get is tongue-in-cheek commentary and way for you to procrastinate while you're at work.

One of my favorite SS 09 fashion lines is by Boy by Band of Outsiders. The entire look book for this line is modeled by none other than the fabulous Kirsten Dunst. Her indie girl blend between classic and alternative, and her just-a-little-messy personal style lends itself perfectly to this line, and on her, the clothes really shine. This is a great example of how the right model can really bring out something special in the clothes she wears.

I am infatuated with the beautiful cheongsam dresses in Tibi's SS 2009 collection. Tibi's creator, Amy Smilovic, lived in Hong Kong for years and started her collection there, and the clothing in her latest collection is greatly inspired by the colors, flavors, and styles of the Far East.

I've been into cheongsams for years, and the highlight of my interest was seeing the exquisite Maggie Cheung prance around in her beautiful traditional dresses in In the Mood for Love. Yet, as an Asian person, I've  never quite grasped how I would wear one and not appear as some sort of stereotype. I think the answer comes in the form of the print. The key is to find a print that is cool and modern.

Luckily, Tibi's cheongsams come in a wide range of interesting prints, like the dress to the left. Notice the asymmetrical detailing and how the dress right panel comes in shades of blues and greens whilst the left is orange and yellow. Together, the effect is very 'yin yang' and surprisingly harmonious.

Vogue Hommes Japan is out today, but sadly only in Japan. Can someone tell me when I can find an issue in the States?? Hedi Slimane did the cover plus 24 pages inside the periodical, so obviously I'm on pins and needles to see it. Male models plus high fashion plus Slimane's photography, does it get better? The cover model is Ash Stymest, who channels Jesus Christ in this stunningly shot photo.

For those here in the San Francisco Bay Area who aren't in New York City for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, a backstage pass is still available in the form of photographer Sonny Vandevelde, who takes us backstage at the hottest fashion shows with his fierce, candid photographs of models in various stages of goofiness and deshabille. Check it out!

 

Sonny's really got the 'models making goofy faces' photography down pat. It's kind of sick and twisted that these gorgeous ladies still look good while contorting their faces and bodies in a way that would look legitimately terrifying on anyone who is, well, a non-model. Thank the Lord I'm not in New York City for fashion week because, seriously, how depressing would that be?

Ahh, we are well into New York's Spring 2009 Fashion Week and the designs are pouring in. Some were exquisite, like Koi Suwannagate's butterfly-themed fairy tale for spring. Some were inexplicably bad, like William Rast, the new design house run by Justin Timberlake, which reminded me more of Abercrombie than pret-a-porter. Many were hit-and-miss, like Alexander Wang's show, which had some phenomenal pieces and so not-so-great ones thrown into the same mix.

For instance, I am really, really into this cut-out sweater by Alexander Wang. I'm super inspired by the grunge look, and oversized holey sweaters really bring out the Pearl Jam fan deep inside me. But check out that atrocious styling. While those fringed gladiator platforms are incredible, the rest of the styling is - to be frank - appalling. I don't think any respectable woman would wear sweatpants and a do rag out in public. I get the whole 'urban' thing, and Alexander Wang really knows how to push the envelope, but pushing the envelope shouldn't mean making someone as stunning as Jessica Stam look like a crackhead. I mean, look at the expression on Stam's face. She's all like, "You have GOT to be kidding me."

A credit to San Francisco fashion, Saffron Rare Threads is soooo super cute. The outfit at right, part of their Summer 2008 collection, is the perfect thing to be wearing this September during our Indian summer. When it's not quite summer but not quite fall and you need an easy breezy outfit to stomp around the city in, look no further than neutral shades like khaki and cream to bridge that gap between the seasons.

Saffron Rare Threads was created by Priya Saraswati here in San Francisco, and the clothes are simple, elegant, and versatile. They are available online, or at Studio 3579 at 499 Dolores Street right off Dolores and 18th Street.

It's no secret that we at StyleBayArea love everything 80s. That's why we love Party Hard by L.A. Looks. Double points if you use this product in conjunction with Aqua Net. I do.

The packaging of L.A. Looks is what - in my opinion - gives it the biggest appeal. That packaging (as well as the lettering on the L.A. Looks logo) has for sure not changed since the 80s. It is cheap packaging at its absolute aesthetic best. My mother used to shellac my hair with this stuff to get it out of my face during ballet recitals, and years later, I am still a proud L.A. Looks customer.

True, it's trashy. And true, it will probably one day make my hair fall out. And true, NO ONE uses gel anymore. But how else could I get that nasty Janet Jackson 'wet look' to my hair without the help of this potent poison?

How excited am I for Fashion Week? Answer: very. One of the reasons I love fashion week so much is that - not only do you get to see runway collections from the top designers, but you also get to see what's going on in the world of basic retail. And one of the collaborations I am most looking forward to is that between San Francisco-based GAP and Paris-based Colette. During fashion week, which (OMG) starts tomorrow, Colette will run a pop-up store in the GAP on 5th Avenue and 54th Street in New York City. Colette x GAP will give a much needed injection of cool into GAP's old standards, and I really can't wait to get my hands on everything. I especially love that trench coat, customized by French graffiti artist Andre. The belt says "Andre & Colette hearts New York & Paris." I want to get it and then recustomize it, DIY style, to read "Andre & Colette hearts New York & Paris & SAN FRANCISCO". Olympia Le Tan's GAP "Dreamer" jacket is really super cool too, so cute in fact that it makes me actually consider wearing a denim jacket. My only question is this. Since GAP is based in San Francisco, when are WE going to get these amazing pieces by GAP x Colette???

Can you tell me what's wrong with this picture? Other than

• A deceased brown bear
  
• A sofa that looks like it was bought from a Sheraton hotel circa 1991
• "Accent" pillow ostensibly bought at a Michael's patio furniture sale
• A crab stolen from Red Lobster
  
• Photoshop clouds
  
• Sarah Palin

Answer: red pleather slip on platform sandals with a black foam sole

So, I have put off the plaid trend for several reasons:

1. Too hipster

2. Too popular

3. Looks better on boys

4. Too butch, no?

But this Cheap Monday blue plaid shirt is so adorable that it makes me rethink all of the above.

Red plaid just screams 'Christmas' to me. I could never get into it. I especially can't stand the ubiquitous red and black plaid lumberjack shirts that have been popular for the last two years.

BUT blue is a whole story altogether. Blue plaid is so cute! Check out this Dolce and Gabbana blue plaid blouse, or this Doucette Duvall blue plaid dress. Totally cute, totally girly, and totally in right now.

It is scorching today - and you know that that means. It means I'm wearing shorts!

I love these Anna Sui metallic tweed shorts. They're even hotter than the recent SF heat stroke. I'd wear them with black ankle boots, and a filmy, cream colored tucked in blouse to soften out the masculine edges.

I'm all for this new 'crazy shorts' trend. More funky shorts I love?

• Eva's telfar wrap shorts.
• Eairth's gray maranao khaki shorts.
• Zucca's chintz lawn pleated shorts.

Shorts can go from classy to trashy real quick, so be careful when you pick your pair. The most important thing to do is make sure the cut looks flattering on your figure, and I suggest buying a size bigger than you think you need. Also, remember if you're showing off a ton of leg, to go easy on the décolletage and leave something to the imagination. That said, what are you waiting for? Go put on a pair of shorts and enjoy the weather while it lasts!

OH MY EFFING GOD. Can we give a collective "praise be" for the sweet, sweet return of Gossip Girl (aka The Greatest Show Ever)? The Season 2 premiere was amazing! I can't believe I went an entire summer without Blair, Chuck, Nate, Serena, Dan, and Lil J! Thank God they are back in my life - the separation thing was NOT easy for me.

Well, they are back and fiercer than ever. And not only were B, C, N, S, D, and J amazing but so was TINSLEY MORTIMER (who I find fierce in a totally unironic way).

This season promises to be packed full of amazing cameos. In addition to The Tinz, Jay McInerney was on the season 2 premiere. And he read from Bright Lights, Big City (clap clap clap clap clap from me)!! You know who else I heard is going on GG? None other than a certain US gold medal gymnast whose name starts with "Na" and ends with "Stia". In a fight between Blair Waldorf and Nastia Luikin - over Chuck Bass of course - who would you bet on? It might be unpatriotic to say, but my money is on Queen B.

The British Ministry of Defense is seeking to exchange the iconic bear fur hats worn by the guards of Buckingham palace for hats made with a fake fur substitute. The MoD met with PETA yesterday to discuss alternatives. The coolest aspect of this story? The MoD is meeting with Stella McCartney and Vivienne Westwood to discuss possible changes to the uniform!