Miami Style

Hi, Monday...could have used a few more of the Saturday and Sunday type of days to be honest. Yet here we are again- another work week.

This weekend in Miami was full of touristy activities like the Coconut Grove Arts Festival (not really my thing) and the Boat Show (most definitely not my thing...though sad I missed the yacht show on Collins. That's more my speed). But Sunday found me in Wynwood at the very cool Cafeina- we did not get to have brunch but got to check out the cute little outdoor market they had going on (the event is called Brunch N' Bazaar). I felt a bit like I was in LA- in a good way. Gorgeous day, great looking, stylish people, and an entrepreneurial vibe that was all about fashion. Since I've been writing so much about fashion week in the usual spots, I thought a post on Miami style would be nice.

I don't use that term lightly, Miami style. I don't tread lightly because I really am still trying to figure out what the hell it means. As a transplanted New Yorker, the style down here often confounds me- I am not a girl to go for bright colors, overflowing boobage, and tight, I can see your c section scars through your dress chic. If I can be totally honest, the style here has never really held my attention. Sure there is ok shopping, but a lot of fashion here is lost on me- it's just too over the top, and well, tacky.I am still out of my element after all these years- though I am grateful for what this town has done for my skin- nothing short of a miracle what this humidity does to the complexion (instant dewy). The hair is another story...

But I digress, because  there's a new breed that's making sexy clothes that are not smutty. I got to see some great young designers at this little brunch event- silky little numbers, lots of vintage, and silhouettes that were more Soho summer/Santa Monica than South Beach. This I like.

What was particularly cool was this chick and her airstream full of vintage, called the LoNomada boutique. If you and I know each other, you know I have always wanted to have a mobile boutique in an airstream, so it was nice to see this idea in action. It worked well- cool clothes, oils from India, and nice tunes. I came home empty handed, but at least I felt like something new was happening in town, which was exciting after almost 7 years (gulp) here. I am sure many of you will take issue with this post- Miami is supposedly a town full of amazingly stylish people- but more for the Kardashians than the Kennedys or Kurkovas. Not really for me, though I do love that my gypset soul can be indulged here, and I have a million reasons to buy as many gauzy Calypso dresses as I can, because they work perfectly here, as does great vintage. But this fun event by Launche Arte has me hopeful that Miami is coming into its fashion own, and it's more in line with what I'm after on a Saturday afternoon. If you are 305 side, you should check it out. It beats terrible art and pretty sure boats too...

Cause that's what's up this fashionably hopeful Monday in the MIA. Feel like I should be startin' something of my own down here, if I'm investing more of my time and energy here- might as well do it my way, you know?

XO

 

Photo from Launch Arte site...

 

 

 

Le Miz

Happy Friday...Miami is beautiful today and all is right as rain around here.

So I watched the Isaac Mizrahi show yesterday and was wowed. I remember when I was a good deal younger, watching "Unzipped" for the first time and feeling so inspired by the vision of Mr. Mizrahi- he is the master of wonderful clothes for women, and nobody does color better than him. You know I found some of the shows of the past week rather dirgeful, but Issac's show was 100% uplifting. The man had boys holding cakes saunter down the runway before each look was presented- from one confection you can eat to a confection you can wear. I can't take how much I love fashion. It's almost too much to bear, and Isaac fuels my passion- he is quintessentially American- witty, stylish, and vibrant. That black v neck sweater, rust skirt combination is something I would wear constantly- so love the play of casual, sexy v neck with more formalish silky maxi skirt- I am all about mixing day and evening to great effect- Isaac clearly gets it when it comes to fashion yin and yang.

He also brings the fun back in fashion shows- love the poodles, the cake bearing men, all of it. I love that there are short and long skirt lengths to please us all, and that yellow dress is fab beyond belief, as is that play on pink of varying hues in the jacket/pants combo shown here. Isaac, you make me smile. I have to admit- impressed with the big guns on Fashion Ave this week- shows from Donna, Oscar, Ralph, Calvin, Michael, Carolina - all sublime and wonderful. And why Mrs. Obama is not wearing Isaac from head to toe, every day for the rest of her residence in the White House, is beyond me. I feel like Isaac could be her Oleg Cassini a la Jackie O- after all, Michelle loves herself some funk, some color, and more of a retro silhouette. These clothes would be perfect for her in every way. Just wanted to share with y'all my love for Isaac- he's always inspired me beyond belief and with this collection, he did not disappoint.

Cause that's what's up this one hell of a Friday in the MIA. May you have a weekend full of inspiration, color, and cake. XO

Folk Done Right from the Proenza Boys

Hi, again. I'm chatty these days I know but wanted to give my ten cents about this folk moment rampant on the runways this past week in the 212. I'm wondering-  is this folk fanaticism all about getting in touch with our crafty/non digitized roots, or merely a way to outfit our passions for all things agrarian and pastoral?  Think clothes for a rooftop garden, in say, Bed Stuy. Regardless of whether you're an urban farmer or an early Dylan enthusiast, "folk is it"for Fall, kiddies, like it or not. If you're panicked about wearing a serape or a bolo hat, fear not- the boys at Proenza Schouler have crafted a collection of wearable pieces that don't feel so Joan Baez (not that I don't love some Joan...)

If you're a modern girl looking to interpret this trend, look no further than this collection. Oh and I see Zara "redos" as next seasons leaves turn to umber, as this collection is a bit more in line these days with what most girls want- glammy, a bit sexy, but super cool and on trend.

Cause that's what's up this unplugged Thursday in the MIA. XO

Happy 30th Anniversary, Mr. Kors

Hi, Thursday. With NY Fashion Week dunzo today, I wanted to shout out an American classic, Mr. Michael Kors. There is no bigger champion of American chic than him- his collections are always so damn perfect, sexy, and classic. The one he presented this week was no exception, and a testament to his 30 years in the business. I am all about it- the man can do no wrong, really. Love his references to American fashion icons like Ali McGraw and all his other muses...pitch perfect if you ask me...

That's all for now...gotta dash. Look at these beautiful clothes and G-d Bless American Style and bravo to Mr. Kors for being such a star...XO

Layered Funky Folky at Rachel Roy

Love it...wearable folk too, but be careful of overdoing come Autumn or risk looking like your high school art teacher. You may want to dig up some Pete Seeger and vintage Dylan for the Fall as apt soundtrack...'tis the season, and I suppose the times they are a changin'.

Cause that's what's up this homespun Wednesday in the MIA. XO

Fashion Week at a Glance...Safe, On the Prairie, Arty, 90s inspired,dotted, and Just Past the Knee...

Hiya, Wednesday. I am up at this unholy hour of 6 am because it's the only time I have to write a bit before super busy mode kicks in. As Depeche Mode said, "enjoy the silence". It's the only  noise free time I have these days...

I promised you some fashion week dish, and I'll say this: the fall shows always seem to lack some color, yet I can't help but notice this season's shows feel more "noir" than ever. I'm not sure if American designers are feeling more macabre than usual, but wow, these collections feel a bit somber and moody to me. I for one have no problem with that, but wondering if the more than usual basic blah colors are indicators of a glumming effect due to so much insecurity about the future in these perilous times. I will say that burnt orange/sienna/rust seems to be the color of the week- it's a pretty one for Fall and is the new neutral, as far as I can tell (though the Rodarte gals did a collection not so much black, but very muted and very little house on the fashion prairie). That's another trend I noted, a folky influence from designers like DVF, who did bolero type hats and folky prints , to maybe take us back to a simpler time when we did not have I Phones, Pads, or any other capital Ps to distract us from authenticity as we used to know it (I adored DVF's collection PS. It was not for shrinking violets- think heart prints- but found it very fun and spoke to my Etsy loving soul as it spoke to my love of handmade soul. Oh and I love funky prints. You know this). Maybe all we need is love...and some DVF next fall. (PS loved the model with that very old school bob. Fabulous and very reminiscent of old Adolfo ads).

Donna Karan, one of my all time favorite designers, braodcast her Donna Karan collection live on Facebook- a beautiful if not "safe" collection of body con dresses- loved the knee length skinny skirts- very sexy- and the hair and makeup was simple and pretty- pink lips and pretty updos, with pearls around the neck. I still love Donna's draped silhouettes- she's great at a sort of urban swaddling, in a muted palette which prevailed at most shows, hers being varying shades of grey, taupey brown, olive, and camel. I approve. I simply love this woman and find her clothes effortlessly sexy and modern.

I'm also feeling an "art school chic" moment is rising, with designers like Chris Benz (floppy hats with thrift shop inspired couture) and Alex Wang (who went full goth) making clothes for creative gals that seem more Central St. Martin's than Ivy League (hair and makeup at Wang was one of my favorites of all- center parted, stick straight hair and very little makeup. Very pretty and cool). Marc by Marc Jacobs was a sea of vintage silhouettes, with a standout emerald green dress I could see wearing with frequency. And DKNY's collection of urban mods also felt arty and cool girl as all get out- and embraced another trend I'm seeing on all the runways- a return to a 90s, sort of grungy thing- note the striped Kurt Cobain sweaters. Here we are now, entertain us.Other designers doing a nineties thing? Tory Burch sent down a crimson tux that felt so Tom Ford at the height (remember the 90s collection I referenced the other day). And Derek Lam's collection skewed more 90s minimal than 90s Seattle, and he like other designers sent down a blanket coat that was super folky, another trend I noted from the collections. There were quite a few of those blanket looks around.

So if you are not so much a grunge gal and more into pretty and feminine, Peter Som had lots of options of nipped in shifts and suiting that will speak to your jones for ladylike clothes. One of my new favs, Prabal Gurang, sent out sexy look after sexy look. all with skirts just past the knee (the length of the season) or dipping to the floor. There were no minis anywhere, folks, though tights with patterns ruled the fashion roost with everything from swiss dots to stripes and back again.

And in one of my favorite shows of the week, Jason Wu, a favorite of Mrs. Obama, did a show that felt so grown up, so fantastic, and so sophisticated, that it took my breath away. Almost completely in black and white, these were clothes that displayed the brilliance of American design. With pretty and prim dresses a la Valentino, marabou laden looks for evening, and suiting that felt femme/dandy, his show felt very sophisticated to me, with clothes for grown gals who love fashion and understand true sophistication and glamour., and his skirts hovered above the knee, a preferred length for most of us (though the below the knee length is feels new to me).  Probably my favorite show of the week so far. Oh and the red strapless as well as the black dress with the white crinoline to the knee are very Mrs. O, no?

And my favorite model of the week has to be Joan Smalls. She's just impossibly beautiful. LOVE HER.

All in all boys and girls, the shows so far have been cool but I'm not as stoked as I was for this past Spring's collections, as I was not super moved by most of the looks. Here's the Cliffs Notes though, or a primer for next Fall:

Get ready to rock some below the knee looks next Fall, like it or not. I like it but it is a weird length for some, though sexy and demure at the same time.

You best get a pair of sheer black hose with some sort of swiss dot, polka dot, or stripe. They were everywhere.

Folksome influence was palpable- blanket coats, prairie prints, and rust were all over the runways as we all begin to appreciate a sort of handmade aesthetic in the face of all things digi.

The 90s are back. Kind of. Rock at your own risk.

Not a lot of pants, gals. More dresses and skirts as far as I could tell, though some lovely suits around for you leggy types- pants are back to being slim.

Art school chic is the flavor du jour for the young set- look for PYTs to rock it all over urban zones next Fall.

There is a "safeness" on the runways in New York that prevailed. I am not sure if that's a reaction to our stress and anxiety but nothing terribly shocking to report. Guess we'll wait to see if Paris and Milan are equally as subdued, though we can usually count on London for some over the top looks.

I am commenting now on Marc Jacobs collection because it had me confused. Full of weird pailettes and polka dots and such. I didn't get it. Felt "off" to me. (DVF had dots too but with greater success, as did Jason Wu).

That's all I've got...is it just me or did these collections feel a bit meh? Let's see what our friends across the pond have in store. But bravo to Jason Wu- his collection was tops in my book. Pictured are looks from his collection. If you want to see everything else I talked about , go to fashionologie or style.com for all the shows...happy hunting. And if you want me to post more pictures and edit for you, just ask. For you, I will do this. But now I must walk my dog, who is waiting patiently for me and wagging his blessed tail.

And that's what's up this heavily fashion influenced Wednesday in the MIA.  Fashion rocks. And so do you. XO
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Here is someone walking into fashion week festivities...

This person is not me, though I wish it was. She looks cool, doesn't she? Loving the look. Thanks Tommy Ton for capturing.

I know I owe you loads of fashion week thoughts, but I got super busy this week...going to try and write something profound for tomorrow...bear with me, children, bear with me. Oh and today is my anniversary as you know- still tots in love and happy and blessed. Much love to you all and more on fashion week tomorrow...XO

On Sweethearts

Hi, Monday. Yes it's Fashion Week and yes Lady Gaga came out of an egg at the Grammys last night, and yes Arcade Fire showed us how it's done in an ear splititng performance. But I'm taking pause to wish you all a Happy Valentine's Day. I know it's a Hallmark holiday but who cares- give in to it. Love is all around us, even for you cynics. Even if you are single this year, you can find somebody to give a chocolate heart to and make their day. It's not that big a deal, just do it.

I have to talk about my Valentine, as tomorrow is our 8th wedding anniversary. I can hardly believe that we went to Vegas all those years ago, just us two, to commit to each other in front of a rabbi who very much resembled Kenny Rogers. I love him more than ever- he has been there for me more than I can even explain- a near meltdown when we first moved to Miami was the true test of our relationship, and we survived (I had the meltdown PS. Had no idea how much leaving New York was going to do a number on me...). I am very lucky to have him by my side, to listen to all my hairbrained schemes with rapt attention (or he fakes it well), and to put up with me when I suddenly start crying for no reason. If you have someone in your life who not only puts up with you but calls you on your shit, celebrate them today. Doesn't have to be a sleeping partner- can easily be a best friend, or someone you love hanging out with. Today I am thanking the sweet Lord for my husband, he really is perfect and tolerates all of me- which is more than I could ever ask for.

Later on I will regale you with my favorite fashion week moments so far, even though I am viewing them from my perch in the MIA. Happy Valentine's Day, peeps. Have a fabulous one. XO

Wanting some Som

Hi hi...yes two posts in one day...can't help myself...


Loving very much these looks from Peter Som -wearable, effortless, and cooly sexy- and tres noir.  Yet that gold suit is a ray of sunshine if I've ever seen one...more to come peeps, more to come. Perhaps one year I will make it to the shows myself, but for now I'm going to bring you my fav collections and pieces for Fall 2011...much love and big up to the weekend...XO