High-Fashion High

As sophisticated as can be is this Embroidered Linen Sandal by Manolo Blahnik, with a multicolored jewel upper. Ohh it looks as though there are blush pearls and navy blue stones! Plus that Blahnik-styled slingback halter, ohh I love you, dear Regina! With a 3 ½” heel on this piece of Italian luxury, it’s priced at $645.

These Peep-Toe “Papillon” Pumps by Etro are just the sweetest, loveliest shoes I have seen! I love that contrast and the choice of sophisticated red and pale, pale green (yes!). I love that they’re made of canvas, and of course I love the suede fringe atop the peep-toe. I even love the shiny purple leather insole!

You’ll love that they’re on sale! at eLUXURY.

NEW YORK, September 10, 2005 – Their fifth year in business has been a banner one for Project Alabama’s Natalie Chanin and Enrico Marone-Cinzano. They were nominated for the 2005 Fashion Design Award from New York’s Cooper-Hewitt museum and were named finalists for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund award. With all of this attention comes increased scrutiny. And now that UPS has sponsored the label’s first-ever runway show a bevy of editorial and retail heavy hitters turned up to find out what the buzz is about.

The Project Alabama team surely hit it big with such nods and a debut show in the coveted Bryant Park Tents.

Their fashions are as fine and delectable as sweet-cream butter! I’m in awe, I’m awe struck! I’m not yet drooling (that would be ugly) but I’m in full swoon mode, over here!

Party Dress

With bead embroidered patterns, this is the perfect little navy dress.

Professional

Why shouldn’t the 21st-century fabulista don 50s glam to work?

Weekend Play

With a casual, white cardi-blazer, this unique-argyle blue-and-creme flared skirt has little pants underneath! What a pulled together, cute and funky way to romp around town.
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Aside from this collection being so very me, and Rory Gilmore, there are noticeable common threads. Prevalent colors are yellow and navy with black. Most looks have one item with an under tiering; contrasting slips under skirts, ruffles under a top, even capris under a skirt–so nervy!

I’d say Project Alabama deserves all the recognition it gets.

Technorati Watch: Fashion Week + New York Fashion Week

Behold.
Upcoming for Louis Vuitton’s fall line.
This marble leather pump gives me joy and envy.
It’s much greater than a shoe.
Could this piece of art even be worn?
What would be the special occasion …
shopping in Paris? …
now the imagination wanders…
such is the inspiration of a
great shoe.

Bergdorf Goodman dropped a little gift of a note in my inbox. Previews of Oscar de la Renta and more designers are now up on the online store. I’m a sucker for a great designer suit and this one, by said designer, nearly speaks for itself, the website helps, too.

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The signature look of Oscar de la Renta: rich fabrics in sophisticated, feminine cuts.

- Jacquard Jacket: Beige with silver floral jacquard. Wide collar; open front. Patch pockets. Three-quarter sleeves, approximately 19 3/4″L. Slit cuffs. Silk, wool.
- Embellished Top: Ivory. Soft metallic gold trim with beading on V neckline. Sleeveless. 70% cashmere, 30% silk.
- Tweed Skirt: Brown. Contrast plaid georgette trim on hem. Inverted pleats. 87% wool, 13% polyamide.
- Jeweled Belt: Dark brown with golden jewels and studs.

It’s fun to take a stroll down the runway, each season. There are enough shows to keep us browsing long after the events are finished. Each designer has his or her hits and misses, but Swiss Akris had a few major hits that blew me away.

Beautiful for Business

A super sleek business look. This blazer is open, forcing the lady to wear quite a fabulous top. On this model, is a staple of the Akris Spring 2005 show, the corset top. Her trousers are so-hot-right-now white pinstripe and are super slim. While these pants are for the incredibly tall and thin, I’ve tested out white pinstriped pants, myself, and they flatter any sort of figure.

Feminine Casual

Do casual right these Spring weekends. Layering is a must. Pair blazers with soft, flowing skirts and bold, dangling belts. This ensemble is particularly daring, with the top and jacket both consisting of buttons.

The colors are neutral. Remember, spring doesn’t have to mean brights and pastels. These hues say “Spring 2005,” just as much as any other colors you’ll see this season. In fact, they do one better, saying “fashion for the future,” these colors will last.

Stand-Out Night Out

THIS billowy skirt (in tulle?) particularly blew me away. Imagine wearing it, the fashionista would be utterly happy, bouncing and flouncing with strappy sandals, in the grass at a picnic. *Sigh* Perfection in a look.

The top is a bit plain, and perhaps should be covered by something soft or sheer and petite; definitely something understated.

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At the end of our journey, I’ve found that these feminine styles and neutral tones to be quite soothing. I hope you’ve found some “designer therapy” (not retail!), yourselves.

I recently found the online store, Bluefly (Shop Designer Styles for Her at Bluefly!) and was much more than overwhelmed by their vast and FABULOUS designer shoe collection. I barely had energy left in me to browse the handbags after clicking and clicking, gasping, with my pulse racing!

I am not kidding. I had to go and take a relaxing bubble bath, afterward. While my heart may have not been in any actual danger, my mind was in a tizzy, and I just could not take the excitement!

Perhaps the most heart-pumping shoes, to look at, that I found, were these Dolce & Gabbana Camel Snakeskin Pumps. Who knew that two animal prints in one shoe would look so fabulous? The fact that the leopard print is inside the shoe only means it is classier and more special. It is SUCH a treat to look at, no, to stare and gaze lovingly at.

Not only is the leather rich and beautiful, but the heel is a wonderful height for an elegant look. Don’t let your eye skip the detail in the smooth curves from arch to heel to the back of the shoe. Oh, my, such the sighs from this shoe.

Oy! Just from writing this and finding this shoe for you, I have the hiccups! I am in over my head. Whew, I need some water.

You might think this gold Woven Leather Slide from Giuseppe Zanotti, with brown silk bow, is impractical, and only for the very extravagant New Year’s Eve gala, but I love it so much, that I must defy you! Yes, I say!

Why, for certain fabulous professions, you can wear these heels with brown dress slacks.

You can wear it in the Summer with luxe styles, complimentary in color and a rich feel. Why yes, for it matches the look of the Hot, Hot Sun.

You can wear it with your beige or non-white (good for you!) wedding dress, with brown bow accents. Why not tie a chocolate silk bow around your bouquet of peach roses.

You can drag your man out dancing. Wear a silk brown dress or a metallic gold number.

Oh, yes. Oh, yes.

This Lace Dress, from Marc Jacobs, is a dream for me. It, which is overly feminine, even little-girly, sweet, tee-time-attending, youthful, etc., is the perfect little-black-dress for my personality.

• White with sheer black floral lace overlay, grosgrain ribbon with bow around waist.

Gorgeous. I believe it would look fabulous with my curvy figure. Ohh, give me the money, please! (This dress alone is $2,000, so I need the fabulous wealth.)