More Inspring Highlights from Paris Fall 2014

Valentino

 

Alexander McQueen

 

Celine

 

Miu Miu

 

Finding Inspiration on the Red Carpet at The Oscars

What made for an undeniably boring ceremony gave way for a handful of divine looks from Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o giving her generation Audrey Hepburn appeal in custom Prada, to Diane Kruger in sublime Valentino and Catherine Martin in lush Prada Pre-Fall.

 

Diane Kruger in Valentino

 

 

Catherine Martin in Prada

Get Dressed & Into the Festive Spirit

It is official!

Six sleeps left until Santa navigates his way throughout the world to deliver presents to all the good girls. Whether you deem 2011 to have been your best behaved or not, you still need to welcome the new year in the most chic and sought after pieces!

Mentally slip yourself into the lush 80's Valentino dress, seen above. The cream versus black creation is in keeping with fashion's current enthusiasm for color blocking. The plisse treatment on the bodice provides added interest by creating an interesting texture. The piece is 100% silk and exemplifies luxury. 

Party like it's 1989 in this green polka dot prom dress from Ungaro. Beautifully made with a boned bodice and wide v-neckline, this piece is crafted out of the highest quality silk. Re-live your prom night without the acne or the crushing insecurity!

Every girl needs a go-to going out blazer. This Lanvin number is just the ticket. The gold and black brocade really makes it stand out with the black velvet outline providing a refined edge. 

Have you been nice or nautical? (One pun too far? That's not like us!) This simple yet absolutely stunning navy and white Jean Louis Scherrer dress is the ultimate in understated elegance. Loose fitting and color blocked with navy and white, this piece made from silk crepe is the perfect accompaniment to any festive celebration. 

Vagabond Freshman Class Round Up

"Best Attendance" -- Chanel Boucle Trouser

"Class Flirt"-- Valentino Chinoiserie Shirt Dress

"Class Clown" -- Giorgio Armani khaki silk gilet

"Most Popular" -- Gianni Versace Pique Blazer and Bermuda Short Set

"Most Likely to be on Broadway" -- Norma Kamali Denim Dress

"Teacher's Pet" -- Paul Smith Nubby Wool A-Line Skirt

"Most Likely to Still be Working on Their Degree in 6 Years" -- Ralph Lauren Purple Label Skirt

"Most Artistic" -- Faux Bois Abstract Knit Sweater

"Most Likely to Succeed" -- Valentino Plisse Cocktail Dress

"Most Athletic" -- Norma Kamali OMO Sport White Cotton Jumpsuit

"Cutest Couple" -- Vivienne Westwood Cotton Skirt Suit

Oscars Best Dressed

Three of the 83rd Annual Academy Awards best dressed actresses may have dynamic persona's, but last night they let the flawless execution of their dresses take center stage. All three made the case for pure design stronger than ever.

Cate Blanchett in Givenchy Haute Couture

Michelle Williams in Chanel Haute Couture

Florence Welch in Valentino Haute Couture

Best of Couture Spring 2011

A look at the Spring 2011 Haute Couture shows only leads one to further reevaluate the basic relevance of Couture yet again. While half of the nine designers presumably attempted to maintain Couture's stale red-carpet appeal, the others managed to produce tepid extensions of their own banal signatures without a single inclination of moving things forward. That being said, the true wizardry of Couture at least lives on in the craftsmanship of the few stand-out collections. And while the few favorites we do have for the season couldn't escape there own banalities, there was still plenty to applaud and admire.


Givenchy(and, above)-
Ricardo Tisci's confidence at Givenchy continues to thrive beyond the need for exploration as he is becoming an increasingly indulgent master of his own domain. For him Couture may be an outlet for gratuitously highlighting his much beloved signatures with thousands of hours of treatments, but for the Chambre Syndicale, in our books, he is currently Couture's most important man.

Bouchra Jarrar-
Newcomer Bouchra Jarrar is currently the only woman in Couture and while there's need for improvement for this Balenciaga vet, she does have a handle on spare, sensible pieces with a graphic strength.

Valentino-


Like Ricardo Tisci at Givenchy, Pier Paolo Piccioli and co-designer Maria Grazia Chiuri have quickly assembled a strong vision for the Valentino girl and Spring's effort was an ethereal update to their many signatures. And like at Givenchy, while the shapes and neutral palette relied on soft simplicity, the true focus lie in rigorous craftsmanship.

Take a look at every one of our favorite Spring 2011 Haute Couture looks here.

Smart Buy: 90's Valentino High-Waist Tux Pant

From 90's era Valentino comes our latest Smart Buy, these fluid high-waisted tux pants that may just be the perfect forever pant. They give the wearer a heightened confidence thanks to a superior cut and would look just as chic with a natty silk blouse as they would with a denim shirt for a relaxed look.
90's Valentino High-Waist Tux Pant-$168

Remember Resort? The Best of Resort 2011

It's about 25 degrees in Nyc today and Pre-Fall presentations are happening on the daily, but of course, we have to remind you that Resort 2011 has just hit the shops. Here's a look back at our favorites, destined to inspire future buys.

Celine- above & below.



Praise for what Phoebe Philo has done at Celine may running rampant, but judging by her Resort collection, it's more than well deserved. To put it short, we want every single look from the range, every single piece. Whatever it is, Philo understands how to offer iconic, understated goods with a subtle impact that are overwhelmingly desirable. Highlights here included the demure Liberty floral pajama suit, a tiered leather dress, chiffon and Mexican blanket capes and her now signature fluid wide-leg trouser. For us, Celine has become the one irresistible collection that we can't help but feel elated about.

Chloe-
Hannah MacGibbon's camel infected collections at Chloe have been making our Best of lists for several of the past few season's with her understated take on 70's cool. And once again, Resort was packed with the kind of must-haves uber-chic girls from Montana to Moscow can wear. Last fall we were mad for her leather sweatsuit and Resort's abbreviated a-line leather skirt & tunic were a thrilling follow up. MacGibbon clearly understands the Chloe girl, and has yet to disappoint.

Miu Miu/Prada-

Miu Miu, above.

Channeling the 40's at Prada with chic separates & unexpected colorways and Yves Saint Laurent & Sonia Rykiel's giddy 70's era take on the 40's at Miu Miu, Miuccia Prada delivered two hit presentations that are sure to dazzle the vacation set & the real world. Full on styling with piles of colorful bangles, oversize earrings, fur stoles, cheerful prints and hosiery offer a lot to play with in opposition to today's minimal times.

Prada, above.

Richard Nicoll-


At Cerruti & his own namesake label, Richard Nicoll continues to offer some of the best options for the die-hard minimalist's out there who like clean lines with a dash of humour. The fun came via patent bustiers and detailing and genius abstracted screen prints while Nicoll's hand at the calm & the cool was evident in alluring maxi skirts and smart options for the office.

Valentino-


Valentino has been on a steady roll and the house's coy look at the 60's for Resort was grounded with crisp silhouettes, supple leather detailing and altered photo prints that reminded one not only of the house's 60's Jackie O. heyday, but of Resort's own destination minded past. While Resort's importance in the cycle of fashion is rapidly expanding, this collection offered hyper-chic options for the ladies who cruise and young girls alike. The two designers at the helm, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pier Paolo Piccioli, clearly understand progressive glamour and we're big fans.

Acne-


Over the years, Acne has somehow been able to score it's own niche in the world of attainable luxury that's perennially cool, identifiably studied and right on the money for girls trying to perfect a now popular louche sexiness. Although the posing and slick styling of the presentation gave the range an intense air of drama, each look had a not-so-basic yet real-world friendliness to it. The fitted wide-leg suits with angular jackets, layered dresses and plays on proportion, all with a clean, minimal ease, make Acne all the more desirable.