the world according to sherimaven

That's one of the best opening lines of all time, right? It's from "Less
Than Zero" written by Bret Easton Ellis, the poster child for 80s excess and
Gen X nihilism. When I read this book in high school, it spoke to me very
loudly (used to stare at the cover all the time too).

It was a book that had a whole new voice- much the way past generations had
"Catcher in the Rye", so did we have Clay and his displeasure with the
commercial trappings of wealth and the conspicuous consumption of the 80s.
His use of imagery from fashion and music of the time was super vivid- can't
seem to get that image of Elvis Costello's Trust poster (the title of the
book is a Costello song) that hung over Clay's bed in the book. A
contemporary of Jay McInerney and Tama Janowitz (arguably the first to
reveal a "Sex and the City" type character in Slaves of New York), these
literary lovelies were cooler than cool and were my heroes for their brave
take on pop culture, youth, debauchery, and everything in between. Easton
Ellis went on to write books like "The Rules of Attraction" and "American
Psycho"- also amazing but no other work in his canon could sum up his
generation like this book. It is a raw look at youth feeling the effects of
video games, punk, drugs, advertising, and boredom.

Most likely you have seen the film version with a young Downey (kind of
playing himself), McCarthy as Clay and and a cute and young Jamie Gertz
(Also not to be missed is a very creepy James Spader as a drug dealer/pimp).
But if for some reason you missed out on this book, it's worth picking up.
XO to Bret for writing this as a very young man and nailing this time in
American youth culture. Will always remember this book as one of the greats.

Last week, I had all intentions of penning a proper 80s treatise in honor of
Corey Haim. The moment passed and I got distracted by Balmain and some other
random stuff. What is there to really say about the 80s anyway that hasn't
been said? Baggy clothes, eyeliner, Limahl- well, you know.

Lots of you were there and if you weren't, you too have probably danced
around to Joy Division and cried a bit inside just like the rest of us.
Anyway, here is Douglas Coupland's house in Vancouver, featured in the New
York Times style joint in August. Doug penned "Generation X", the
quintessential road map to a highly sought out generation by both marketers
and MTV alike. The book was evidence that something real was happening to
those of us who grew up playing with Rubik's cubes and donning asymmetrical
haircuts. I wish I had written about disenfranchised youth- perhaps I could
live in a midcentury modern surrounded by Damien Hirsts and cool toys too.
Dope.

This boudoir assemblage has me craving breakfast in bed. So sweet. Love the
heart shaped family polaroids. Enjoy a blissful, waffle filled, lovely
Saturday wherever you may be resting your head today. XO

So I wasn't going to post anything today cause I am lazy, reeling from a fun
evening out (into the wee hours) with some friends. But then I saw this
Balmain show and it perked me up. Like a lot. Yes yes- it was almost a week
ago that this show went down (forgive the slow mo reporting), but good Lord
these clothes are fucking delicious and have no expiration date. If I could
eat them I would. And if I could wear them? Well, I'd do that too. Total
ridiculously rock star hotness on a Friday afternoon in Boulder, Colorado.
Dig.

I am pondering the death of Corey Haim and feeling super bummed about it. A
lot of kids from my generation didn't make it- Hollywood fucked them up and
for that I am immensely sad. Corey was a dreamboat while I was growing up,
as was a young River Phoenix. I'm brewing up a true 80s post for tomorrow
but for today here is the album art and song list from "The Lost Boys"
soundtrack, which I was completely obsessed with back in the day (the film
features an unforgettable singing bathtub performance by young Corey) .
Jason Patric looking pretty fetch on the cover too...as well as a young Jami
Gertz and snarly Kiefer. Go forth and download somehwere...it's a gem.

More than a wink or a nod to Avedon's famous shots of Warhol's Factory
posse- more like a downright homage. Check out Mikael Jansson's photos in
this month's "Interview" magazine story on designer Alexander Wang. I love
love love Alexander Wang- he'd be my default designer in a desert island
scenario, if the desert island was urban, gritty, raw, and tough. (The
island of Manhattan perhaps?)

These kids look gorgeous and cool and sexy, much like the original Factory
posse shot back in the day by the one and only Avedon- check out his photo
(last one attached). History always repeats itself when it comes to fashion-
that's one of the reasons I love it so- it's fun to catch the references
each season, as the players change and the "it" crowd gets younger and
sexier, the respect for the heroes and original tastemakers remain. The one
constant is that cool is timeless, and these new photos capture that
perfectly. Awesome.

Do I even know who makes this dress? Heavens no (bottom of it is highly
suspect but oh well). Does it matter? Not really. Is Christina Hendricks
hotter than July? Yes. Yes she is. You're welcome.

Happy Monday to you all...in what is the Super Bowl of movie star fashion,
the Oscars were a good game, but will not go down as one of the memorable
events of the sport of fashion. There were some standout looks for sure, and
I am LOVING the return of some curves to the red carpet and the return of
the hourglass silhouette in general with less skeletors. (Except for James
Cameron's wife- she really should eat something and maybe put on a little
eyeliner). It was a night of strapless and more strapless (all that Santa
Monica yoga paid off in spades), and old glamour had a real moment on the
crimson carpet this year. Overall, the stars did not disappoint, though I
sort of miss the wackiness of Oscars past...where is the Cher in Bob Mackie?
The Lara Flynn Boyle as crazed Lolita Ballerina? Well at least we had Babs
in a crazy lace ascot and tux- what was that about? Anyway, let's do the
fashion roll call here...very bummed nobody did McQueen...was counting on that.

Zoe Saldana- Zoe is a fashion girl through and through- she has real fun
with clothes and a passion for couture. This Givenchy confection did not
disappoint, loved loved the colors, the shoes, the beautiful work on the top
half of the dress. Just stunning beyond belief- she has an amazing body for
clothes and she never disappoints. Love her confidence- if it was possible
to make a showstopper dress like this feel subtle, she did so through her
elegance and grace.

Carey Mulligan- Good on you, Carey. Your Prada number suited your vaguely
retro, Mia Farrow vibe, but also looked comfortable and fun without being
stiff or serious. I would rock this dress in a heartbeat. Expect loads of
copies of this look.

Demi Moore- Atelier Versace. Gorgeous. She looked like dessert. In a good
way. I wonder if Rachel Zoe is still dressing her?

Kate Winslet- Hmm. I was not a huge fan of this one- yes it was pretty and
elegant and sophisticated but it was so so boring. Also sort of felt mother
of the bridey/wedding matron to me. YSL is gorgeous and so is Kate, but
think she could have done better, even if this was not really her night in
terms of Oscar nods.

Sandra Bullock- You already know how I feel about this chick. She's fun. She
likes to eat burgers. She simply looks better in jeans than this silver
Marchesa- yes the hair was pretty, the red lip classic, and the dress
stunning. But I still feel she looks out of place in fancy clothes- would
much rather see her in a strong silhouette a la Donna Karan than super girly
dresses. I may be in the minority here, but I find Marchesa overrated. Just
not a huge fan- a bit too girly and princessy for my tastes.

Rachel McAdams- Rachel looked amazing in Elie Saab- this dress was all that-
looked comfortable, loved the ruching up top, loved the folky glam vibe of
it- she looked fab. What a gorgeous girl.

Cameron Diaz- I always look forward to Cameron's dresses. I love her quirky
California, laid back fun style. Have always loved her for it but this dress
felt way too traditional for her. Yes Oscar is an amazing designer, but for
the ladies who lunch set- I like when Cameron goes more boho. Not a fan.

Kristin Stewart- Oh my. Kristin looked stunning in this Monique Lhullier
gown- navy color was gorgeous and her bod looked incredible. Still she
looked like she wanted to throw up the whole time- just wish she would enjoy
herself more. She is such a Debbie Downer- in a dress like that, she had
reason to smile.

Jenny from the block- Gorgeous in Armani Prive. Not really my kind of
dress- so hard to wear and very structured, but she rocked it. That straight
neckline on strapless not so easy either, but she gave great dress last
night- plain and simple.

Meryl Streep- Who is cooler than Meryl? That woman is a blessing. She wore a
dress that suited her in every way- designed by Chris March of "Project
Runway" fame. I loved the ease of this dress- to me, fashion is about
wearing clothes that make you feel beautiful yes, but also highlight your
best features and allow you to feel comfortable in your own skin. Meryl, I
love you. You know who you are and you are a true inspiration.

Miley Cyrus- OK this dress by Jenny Peckham was really something. Her bod
looked gorgeous. The dress was very high style with its lingerie/corseted
bodice (lingerie a big trend for spring) and flowy skirt. But still- this
girl is wayyyy too young to wear clothes like this- you need to earn a dress
like this, and I felt the top was way tight. And she is beyond annoying so
really hard to embrace her in the fashion world or any other place for that
matter.

Amanda Seyfried- This girl had an amazing Armani Prive on- but that straight
strapless neckline felt a little too Elizabethan for me- more like a costume
than event dressing. And she takes herself wayyyy too seriously- felt like
this was her "serious actress" dress and that's why it didn't really work
for me. Yes the dress was special, but didn't move me.

Diane Kruger- I heart you, DK in your haute couture Chanel. This girl is
built for fashion and has so much fun with it- she was able to carry this
tricky dress with so much style and ease- just love her look and her love
for clothes always comes through on the red carpet. Some found it
overwrought, but I loved it.

SJP- Of all the dresses SJP- this one? Really? I felt this dress overpowered
her- the hair was kind of fun, but why did she need all this dress? She is
so teeny tiny- why would she need all of "this"? Can you imagine having
every designer at your disposal and being able to wear whatever you want and
you wear this? Ech. No.

Big shout out to Nicole Richie in that pretty vintage dress I would just
love to wear- girl knows her style inside and out and rocked it last night
for sure. I love an evening gown that slips on like that- the type of dress
you can rock barefoot. Love love love. She is an amazing style star and
loved that she was only showing some back- shows how you can be kind of
modest in a gown, but still look hot. (UPDATE: THE FUTURE MRS. MADDEN'S DRESS WAS NOT VINTAGE, BUT VINTAGE INSPIRED- DRESS WAS BY REEM ACRA. CARRY ON).

All in all, I say Meryl, Rachel, and Zoe rocked it the hardest...hope you
enjoyed watching- the show was beyond a clunker but its really all about the
fashion, n'est ce pas? XO

Happy Oscar eve, friends. I will be watching from my hotel room in
Colorado...not having Tivo tonight stresses me out, but alas I will make the
best of it. Still going to get some champagne, some takeout Chinese as per
tradition, and laze about in my favorite pajamas. I am most excited to see
what Zoe Saldana and Carey Mulligan wear, as they are two fashion standouts
who always get it right (even if Carey ignores the advice of one Anna
Wintour). And then there's Sandra Bullock, who always looks meh to me even
in the best dresses...what's that all about? Wondering who is going to wear
McQueen on the red carpet ce soir. If I was walking the crimson, I would
most definitely wear McQueen, most likely vintage.

You all have a lovely night in front of the telly- hopefully glamour will be
in full effect in Lalaland tonight. XO

Happy Friday, mon chers. There's rumor of spring coming- time for a fresh
outlook, a new romanticism, and a fresh pedi. I've been reviewing all the
great looks for spring and Givenchy's striped blazer and unstructured pant
is the look that's most present for me- if there is such a thing as mindful
dressing, Riccardo Tisci is most enlightened. Of all the images from the
spring mags, this look sticks in my mind- I can see it being copied in all
the usual spots (H&M, Zara, Forever 21) and I can see myself wearing it to a
regatta somewhere along the Thames, with a black minidress packed in my
purse (to throw under the jacket) for a warm evening's dinner somewhere
breezy and laid back.

I like the nod to menswear/boarding school prep, the nautical and whimsical
feel of the stripe, and the slouchy ease that says spring is in the air. As
you do your spring cleaning/purging, clear some space in your closet for
some version of this look- it's time to put some stripe in your spring.