Blumarine

I don't think I've never liked a Blumarine collection. I think their designs are always well structured and feminine. This season was interesting because the beginning of the collection was full of pastel colored dresses and soft sweaters, then it took a turn and lots of leopard animal print was shown. I like this contrast because you don't want to be wearing dark colors all winter so I like how they incorporated lighter colors into the mix.

Fashion Video: Diane Kruger for Elle

Click here to watch this behind the scenes video from Elle Magazine

Dame Vivienne Westwood: Red Label

BBC news has created an Audio Slideshow of Vivienne Westwood's A/W collection for her Red Label. This is put together very well with lots of pictures from the runway show along with interviews and commentary.

Click here to watch

Pretty In Paint

Basso & Brooke

Jackson Pollock meets D&G, Basso & Brooke, and Chloe. Designers are painting their frocks whether they are actually hand painting the clothes or using paint printed fabrics, this modern art is everywhere on the runway this spring.

Dolce & Gabbana even hired young artists to come into their studio to paint all sorts of fabrics from cotton to silk. The designers then created beautiful and arty garments out of them.

Basso & Brooke created silk dresses that look like a graffiti artist got hold of them.

Brush stroked silhouettes are by no means a new trend. They were very popular in the 1980s into the early 90s. Even Alexander McQueen got his spray can out for a collection in 1999.

I don't know about you, but I would love to own one of these dresses, especially from Basso & Brooke.

Extra tidbit: Dolce & Gabbana will be producing a limited amount of their painted dresses and rumor has it they cost between $20,000 - $40,000.

Chloe

all photos: vogue uk

Something New!

Hello All!

Just wanted to fill you in on what I've been up to lately. I have decided that every Friday I will introduce to you lovely readers the

'Boutique of the Week'

I will be searching the streets of London, surfing the internet, and using my fashion correspondents in New York, LA, and Paris in order to find the most chic boutiques. I hope that you will get the chance to visit these stores if you live near by or if your travels may take you to these destinations! This is something I am very excited about and I hope you are also.

Have a fabulous Friday!

Britt Marie x

P.S !

The fantastic logo above was created by my talented and dear friend Elizabeth Cronin. She is going to be helping me create logos and graphics that are très chic for the blog. More information to come about Elizabeth and her work... so keep checking back!

Lookbook: Marchesa A/W 2008-2009

Just in: The pictures I have been waiting for all week!

Marchesa A/W collection 2008-2009

Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig outdoing themselves again with this lavish black hourglass gown

This collection was inspired by Queen Elizabeth the first who during her reign wore extremely sophisticated and grand clothing. This seasons creations ranged from beautifully draped fabrics to feminine tuxedos (whose plunging neckline you can barely take your eyes off of).

Marcio Madeira for style.com

I highly suggest taking a look at the complete Marchesa A/W collection, it's gorgeous!

Profile: Loulou de la Falaise

Loulou (left) with Yves

google images

Loulou de la Falaise is known for being the muse of Mr. Yves Saint Laurent for over 30 years. To help understand their relationship, think of what Edie Sedgwick was to Andy Warhol, just less tragic.

Her mother Maxime de la Falaise was an english model and socialite who married a french count. Loulou met Yves in the mid 1960s. He was intrigued by her in every way: her style, eyes, slim figure and personality. He immediately knew that he wanted Loulou in his Saint Laurent social group and everyone fell in love with her. Their relationship increasingly became more of an obsession with each other to the point where they were inseparable and together they made fashion history.

Where is Loulou de la Falaise now? The french fashion icon has opened her own boutique in Paris called Maison de Loulou. She and Yves to this day are still very close friends.

Interview with Loulou de la Falaise

Pop Art + Fashion

Jeremy Scott/Basso & Brook

Fashion has a sense of humor!

Designers are having fun this season using pop art and cartoon characters as inspiration for their spring collections. You will see a range of characters from Batman to SpongeBob SquarePants as well as Andy Warhol prints gracing the runway.
My favorite pop art designs would have to be from Luella. Her inspiration was batman and models walked down the runway with masks on their faces, wearing bright yellow batman logo shirts, and cartoon prints of the iconic superhero.

Luella

Vogue.co.uk/ elleuk.com




Google Images

A/W 2008-2009 Looks

Proenza Schouler

Erin Fetherston

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Gucci Hearts NY

Happy Superbowl Sunday!
I thought I would write a post in honor of this big day and the NY Giants...

Gucci's creative director Frida Giannini has designed limited edition 'Gucci Hearts NY' handbags. The collection is a dedication to the city where Gucci arrived to in 1953. The bag comes in 3 different sizes and the logo will also appear on a scarf. The bags range in price from $320-$770. Gucci will donate all proceeds to Playground Partners and Patrons. This charity helps care for and maintain playgrounds in Central Park. These special edition bags are out this month!

Enjoy the game!
~BM

Lookbook: Bottega Veneta S/S 2008

Marcio Madeira/VOGUE.COM

This S/S season is full of color, prints, and texture...but not for Bottega Veneta. Neutral colors like tan, nude, peach, and pale grey were used throughout the collection. The idea behind this collection was to use simple colors, but to add unique details and accessories such as bows, pleats, and puffy sleeves. You could never go wrong with these clothes and it is safe for those afraid to branch out into the bold fashions of the season.

Lookbook: Betsey Johnson S/S 2008

Marcio Madeira/VOGUE.COM

It's prom season!

At least it is for Betsey Johnson's S/S 2008 collection. The quirky designer created a range of dresses and swimwear that imitated prom dresses from every decade since the 1950s. She even matched the background music to the clothing. For the 1950s part of the collection 'Mr Sandman' was being played, the models walked to the sounds of Diana Ross during the 1960s range, followed by Carole King in the 1970s. Betsey Johnson's shows along with her designs are always fun and outrageous. I would never expect anything less from her!

Lookbook: Elie Saab S/S 2008

Marcio Madeira/VOGUE.COM

Sandra Backlund

Photo: Oscar Falk, Lundlund

Leave it to the Swedes to create outragous yet comfortable crocheted and knitted clothing. Sandra Backlund is a fairly new designer who just had her first runway show at Stockholm's fashion week. The show recieved nothing but rave reviews and she is well on her way to transforming Swedish style. Watch out H&M!

The World of Stella

Just a quick note for you Stella McCartney fans. From February 6th-20th Selfridges will be hosting 'The World of Stella' in their London Flagship store. The store is going to be transformed into a tribute to Stella McCartney and her designs. Her new collections and collaborations with other brands such as Adidas and Notify will be featured as well. On February 13 from 5-6pm Stella will make a personal appearance at the store. You can get more information from Selfridges website.

Style Icon: Brigitte Bardot

Photo: Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis

Brigitte Bardot is a French actress, model, and singer who is wildly famous for her sexy plantinum blonde look and persona from the 1950s to 70s. Her style: She took the classic American look (think Ralph Lauren) and put a French twist on it.

Google Images/style.com

Sex and the City Pictures

Vogue.co.uk images

I must be on a Sex and the City kick or something because I cannot stop looking at pictures from the filming of the movie. Rumor has it March is the release date. On February 22, it will be four years since the show aired its final episode.

Lookbook: Matthew Williamson S/S 2008

Matthew Williamson's new collection is full of floral and Aztec prints. The looks are a mix between safari and hippy chic. He included lots of different pieces ranging from cropped jackets and short shorts to embroidered and beaded dresses.

This Season: Heels

Chanel, Dior, Peter Som, Stella McCartney

Photos: Don Ashby/VOGUE.COM

This A/W 2008 season, designers give you many options for your shoes. Would you like stillettos...wedges...lace-ups? I think designers are also trying to say "the higher, the better". The shoes are bold, bright, heavy, and textured. Wear if you dare!

Sex and the City Movie Trailer

My day is now complete. I just watched the Sex and the City Movie trailer. The wait to see the movie is nearly over. It should be coming out this spring, but the release date is still to be announced. You can watch it on IMDb