wide leg, high waist

Trends this season focus primarily on colour and fit. The silhouette your body and clothes create is always an important quality in fashion; this season more attention is paid to the silhouette than ever before. Two looks I love for women this season are high waists and wide legs (for fit of clothes, not body types haha!). Paired with perfect shoes, especially heels, these looks are easy to carry and are a great way to shake up your wardrobe.

All looks from today's blog are available at J. Crew.

set fashion a-blaze

For both men and women, the absolute necessity this fall is a blazer. Men, keep your jacket slightly rumpled and wrinkled for the "world traveler" appeal. Paired with jeans, a great button down, and fantastic shoes. Pick interesting fabrics, like leather, velvet, and corduroy.

Women, a fitted blazer is your new best friend. Opt for a more elegant choice with cropped sleeves. Perfect to keep you warm on a cool Autumn evening.

And if you haven't seen Theory's new fall collection for men or women, I definitely encourage you to take a peek - http://www.theory.com/ - and you can even mix and match outfits!

the power of pink, european edition

So I got to thinking, I know Americans are pretty interested in cancer awareness, especially when it involves shopping! So, for all of my European readers, I didn't want to leave you out of the fun! So here are some ways to be fabulous and fashionable, and still make a difference!

Selfridges has taken pink to a whole new level, even renaming themselves PINKRIDGES! Think pink! The entire of Selfridges will be 'pinked' as they help to raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer Care this September. Breast Cancer Care is the UK's leading provider of information, practical advice and emotional support for anyone affected by breast cancer. So, to offer their own support, they have a variety of exclusive Pinkridges product in-store with choices running from an exquisite Alexander McQueen silk chiffon scarf to a witty David Shrigley greeting card. With each item the amount of the donation going to the charity will be clearly labelled. On sale in-store from September 1 – October 15. Thoughts For Support - Post your well wishes and personal thoughts for loved ones on the Pink Wall in support of Breast Cancer Care. A suggested donation of £1 per message is all they ask to support Breast Cancer Care during Pinkridges.

Additionally, fashion designer and actress Sadie Frost has gathered a group of friends, including her two sisters, to support Breast Cancer Care. They have assembled a dazzling array of items generously donated by celebrities to raise money through a Pinkridges silent auction. You have the chance to own any of these special things. Just bid on-line, or visit the Oxford Street store, just head for the concept store in the Wonder Room on the Ground Floor and make a sealed bid there. They will be in touch with the winning bidders on 29 September 2008 and, of course, proceeds go to Breast Cancer Care.

And for everyone in the UK, you never really need an excuse to party. But now, throw a party for cancer! Pink Your Party has great ideas for throwing a wonderful party, and allows you to donate to cancer research and advocacy in the UK! Nearly 46,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK each year. Monies collected through PYP benefit Breakthrough, where scientists are dedicated to find any and all cancer cures!

For my italian friends, there's always Komen Italia!

La Komen Italia onlus è una organizzazione non-profit, basata sul volontariato, che opera dal 2000 nella lotta ai tumori del seno. La sua attività è rivolta ad un problema di grande rilevanza sociale, che direttamente o indirettamente entra in tutte le case. I tumori del seno, infatti, rappresentano le neoplasie maligne più frequenti fra le donne di tutte le età e la principale causa di morte nella popolazione femminile oltre i 35 anni. Anche gli uomini, seppure occasionalmente, possono sviluppare questa malattia (1 caso ogni 100 tumori del seno).

Nel nostro paese si registrano 36.000 nuovi casi ogni anno, con un’incidenza in continuo aumento. Sebbene dal tumore del seno sia possibile guarire in un’alta percentuale di casi (superiore al 70%), ogni anno in Italia ancora più di 11.000 donne perdono la loro battaglia.
C’è quindi ancora molto da fare e la Komen Italia opera per aumentare le possibilità di guarigione e migliorare la qualità della vita delle tante donne italiane che affrontano il tumore del seno.

Gli obiettivi strategici dell’Associazione sono:
la promozione della prevenzione secondaria, cioè della diagnosi precoce, strumento di grande efficacia per ridurre la mortalità della malattia; l’aggiornamento continuo degli operatori sanitari impegnati nella diagnosi e nella terapia di questi tumori, per aumentare la loro capacità di fornire prestazioni diagnostiche, terapeutiche ed assistenziali ottimali; l’informazione alle donne che si confrontano con la malattia, per aiutarle a compiere il loro percorso di cura in modo più consapevole e sereno; l’incremento delle opportunità di supporto psico-sociale e di riabilitazione, per garantire il recupero di un pieno benessere fisico e psichico al maggior numero possibile di donne.

Stuart Weitzman, estroso designer americano, famoso in tutto il mondo come il "re delle scarpe da sera", ha abbracciato da tempo la causa della lotta ai tumori del seno e della Komen.
Dal 2001 si svolge ogni anno una particolare asta di beneficenza che coinvolge la generosità e la creatività dei più famosi personaggi del mondo dello spettacolo, dello sport, della musica e della gastronomia. Nella prima edizione, numerose donne di successo come Manuela Arcuri e Margherita Buy, hanno messo alla prova la loro fantasia decorando una scarpa "decollete" di raso bianca secondo il proprio gusto. Le creazioni sono state poi battute all'asta ed il ricavato è stato destinato alla Komen Italia per promuovere l'importanza della prevenzione nella lotta ai tumori del seno.

Nel 2002 è toccato agli uomini di spettacolo cimentarsi in questa prova artistica. Tra loro si sono distinti personaggi come Mike Bongiorno, Renzo Arbore e Carlo Verdone.

Per l'edizione 2003, Stuart Weitzman ha pensato ai più noti sportivi del presente e del passato da Francesco Totti a Valentino Rossi, fino a Sara Simeoni e Pietro Mennea. Le scarpe sono state poi vendute sul sito di www.ebay.it

Nel 2004 sono stati i più famosi cantanti e musicisti italiani a sfidarsi in questa singolare "tenzone". Tra loro, Luciano Pavarotti, Claudio Baglioni, Lucio Dalla e Gianni Morandi. Anche in questo caso, le scarpe sono state messe all'asta sul sito di eBay.

Nel 2005 è stato poi il turno dei più famosi chef italiani, da Heinz Beck a Gianfranco Vissani. Oltre ad aver decorato una scarpa da donna, hanno anche svelato il segreto di una propria creazione culinaria contribuendo alla realizzazione del libro di ricette "Scarpe in Tavola" (il cui ricavato è stato interamente destinato alla Komen Italia). Le foto di tutte le "opere" delle precedenti edizioni sono invece raccolte nel libro fotografico "Impronte Famose", edito da Sperling Kupfer. Anche di questa pubblicazione una parte del ricavato è stato devoluto alla Komen Italia.

Custo Barcelona has a beautiful tshirt, which all proceeds benefit the Komen Foundation as well.

In Deutschland wird inzwischen jede 8. bis 9. Frau im Laufe ihres Lebens mit der erschreckenden Diagnose Brustkrebs konfrontiert. Immer noch ist der Anteil der Frauen, bei denen die Krankheit erst spät oder zu spät erkannt wird, sehr hoch. Das wollen wir ändern!
„Wir“, das sind Menschen, die 1999 die deutsche Vertretung von Susan G. Komen for the Cure gegründet haben. KOMEN Deutschland e.V., Verein für die Heilung von Brustkrebs, ist eine gemeinnützige Organisation, die sich nicht nur für Betroffene stark macht, sondern auch für die Verbesserung der Aufklärung und der Früherkennung kämpft und modellhafte Projekte finanziert.

Drei ganz einfache Schritte zur Früherkennung sind:1. Regelmäßige Selbstuntersuchungen der Brust!2. Regelmäßige ärztliche Untersuchungen!3. Regelmäßige Mammografie ab dem 40. Lebensjahr!

Knapp 6.000 Läufer im letzten Jahr! Ein beachtliches Ergebnis, das ohne die tatkräftige Unterstützung unserer Partner nicht erzielt worden wäre. Auch 2008 haben Sie sich wieder bereit erklärt, den KOMEN Race for the Cure zu unterstützen und damit einen wesentlichen Beitrag für den Stellenwert des Laufes im Kampf gegen den Brustkrebs zu leisten.

Dafür danken wir!

No matter where you live, we can all make a difference.

the power of pink

You all know that cancer advocacy, prevention, and research remain near and dear to my heart. The most elegant, fun, glamourous, and humorous woman in the world, my Mom, died of cancer in April 2007. We all know someone who has had or will have cancer. Maybe even you. Maybe even me. But we can all do something together. Remind a friend to get a cancer screening. Call a friend who may be in treatment. And shop. Yes, shopping can help find a cure.

October is national Breast Cancer Awareness month. I know pink isn't a staple colour this season, but cancer is never fashionable.

Neiman Marcus has a wonderful array of pink appliances and stationary. A portion of the proceeds the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

At Saks Fifth Avenue, makeup designer Bobbi Brown is contributing to a wonderful cause as well. In support of Breast Cancer Awareness month, Bobbi has created this exclusive, limited-edition set featuring Pink Quartz Glitter Lip Gloss and Tulle Lip Color. Pink Quartz is a pale silvery pink that works beautifully with our popular Tulle, a soft pink. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the Pink Ribbon Collection will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Design great Karl Lagerfeld gets in the mix as well. Purchase of this soft cotton tee, with exclusive Lagerfeld design on the front and back, shows your support for Key To The Cure. Over $35 of the purchase price goes to the Entertainment Industry Foundation's Women's Cancer Research Fund.

There's a great Pashmina scarf from the Ford Warriors program, perfect for the fall - and even better that is helps find the end to breast cancer!

Hallmark even has a "Cards for the Cure" program that supports research as well. They have a beautiful ornament by Terri Steiger that says "true beauty cannot be found by the eyes - but can only be seen by looking with the heart." How beautiful is that?!

And when in doubt, you can always pick up a few shirts from Britain's great Thomas Pink - I love wearing his pale pink button down shirt with dark denim or chocolate pants. Even though Thomas doesn't donate any money for cancer awareness or research, his beautiful designs make for great conversation, especially during October's awareness month.

Sometimes, when one person is missing, the whole world seems depopulated.

And the Emmy goes to...

So normally I don't like to comment on big fashion events - like fashion week, awards shows, and movie premiers, because everyone and their brother seems to insist on commenting. However, I must make an exception. Maybe because it's my birthday week celebration. Or maybe because the examples I'm about to discuss and show you only intensify ideas I've mentioned here at Thirsty.Threads.

Entourage. I love this show, and I love these guys. Notice how a formal affair can still be classy, elegant, and your own personality. We've got 4 different styles, 4 different personalities, and 4 well dressed men. Congrats, boys!

Guiliana Rancic isn't just my favorite E! Entertainment television news girl because she is Italian, beautiful, funny, smart, and all things fashion. But she knows how to wear a dress. And does she wear it well! The perfect colour. Stunning silhouette. Classic. Elegant. Sexy.

Don't get me wrong here - I love Lauren Conrad, and have no problem admitting that I watch The Hills...but listen clearly. Boo on Lauren's dress. You'd think for someone who designed their own dress that it would FIT PROPERLY! But no...awful. It looks like her breasts are smashed so much in this dress - ouch! Right colour. Terrible fit.

This ballerina inspired Ellie Saab number worn by Desperate Housewife Marcia Cross is absolutely AMAZING. Best colour. Best design. Best fit. It's flirty, it's classic, it's elegant, it's fun, and it's just the fashion risk Marcia needed to take. The floral bits were just enough of a sweet accent to the beautiful fabric. Well done Marcia, well done!

textured ties, warm wools

American retail giant Target has Halloween in full swing, with candies, costumes, and decorations dominating the stores' retail space nationwide. This could only mean one thing - the fall season is in full swing! For some of you, the temperatures may be significantly dropping. And for the rest of us who live where the seasons aren't, we still live for seasonal fashion. As you roll out your fall fashions, don't forget my new favorite accessory trend. For men, spice up your suits with a tie in "warmer" fabrics. Think tweed. Wear wool.

FYI - yesterday was my birthday. I'm celebrating for a month or so. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

fall top 10

Ladies, I know you know how to shop. If you need some suggestions, let me know. Gentlemen, I know we're not all great shoppers. If you need suggestions, click on the links. Or you can always give me a call.

pour homme:

10. Patterned Pants.
9. Toggle closure coats.
8. luxurious scarves.
7. Michael Bastian.
6. The Artful Dodger Collection.
5. duffel bags and big tote bags.
4. boots.
3. dress shirts from Theory and Ted Baker.
2. new electronics and gadgets.
1. Dior Homme sport fragrance.

pour femmes:

10. shearling coats.
9. jewelery.
8. luxurious scarves.
7. tall, vampy heels.
6. anything wine/berry coloured.
5. clutches.
4. perfect hair.
3. chic silhouettes.
2. more jewelery.
1. minimal, natural looking makeup.

looks I love

Vintage slim-fit worn grey denim

J. Crew $118.00 - item 96902

The must-have denim for fall is more than a "non-blue jean"—it's made with very high-quality cotton denim that takes color extra-well, and it's just what you need for a wardrobe update. Signature red-stitch detail on waistband. Zip fly. Traditional 5-pocket styling, with reinforced back pockets. Import. Machine wash. Slimmer fit. Sits below waist, slim through hip and thigh, with a narrow leg.

Repaired premium officer's chino

J. Crew $175.00 - item 98994

Not just a collector's item—it's a hand-distressed, hand-mended, limited-edition version of our exclusive premium officer's chino. Also known as the chino for the guy who wears jeans, it's the most authentic chino there is, based on the original stadard-issue No.55 T-10000 officer's surplus chino from the early 1930s. It's made with imported, vintage-style cotton slub twill and finished with genuine, nearly unbreakable, military-grade melamine buttons. We gave it our 10-year wash—over five hours of heavy washing and hand finishing—to give it the distressed look and feel of its vintage inspiration. Details include split-back trouser construction, a classic officer's "pocket watch" pocket and service-inspired internal screen prints and labeling. Button fly. A collector's item. Import. Machine wash. Available in select stores. Regular fit. Sits on hips, straight through hip and thigh, with a straight leg.

Wool plaid tweed jacket

J. Crew $328.00 - item 96283

Luxuriously soft washed English wool tweed from the world-famous Abraham Moon mill. Felt under collar. Silk foulard trim at back neck and interior slit pockets. Exterior chest pocket, flap pockets, interior slit pockets—one with button closure. Nonfunctional buttons at cuffs. Chambray interior binding. Center back vent. Partially lined with yarn-dyed shirting stripe cotton fabric in body, poly in sleeves. Import. Dry clean. Catalog/jcrew.com only.






Belted Harrison trench

J. Crew $498.00 - item 96040

Coated cotton from Italy. Introducing a new spin on a classic, with a belted, double-breasted design that looks dashing on everyone. We have only a handful available, so don't hesitate if you want one. Button-tab collar. Storm flap. Button-down shoulder epaulets. Adjustable buckle tabs at cuffs. Button-through slit pockets. Removable belt. Belt loops. Center back vent. Partially lined. A Collector's Item. Import. Machine wash.





Italian leather Ryder jacket

J. Crew $795.00 - item 96041

Incredible quality meets exceptional craftsmanship in rugged Italian oiled leather. This built-to-last jacket is hand distressed and hand finished for the perfectly lived-in look we love. Front zip closure with leather pull-tab. Exterior slant pockets, interior leather patch pocket, slit pocket with snap closure. Side-buckle adjusters. Fully lined. A Collector's Item. Import. Professional leather clean.





There are several other pieces throughout the J. Crew collection that are great staples for your wardrobe. Pricing is more than reasonable, quality is always pleasantly surprising, and the pieces are incredibly durable and well made. Sometimes I surprise myself. This season, J. Crew's accessories are amazing. Vintage Rolex watches. Globe-Trotter Centenary Luggage. Sterling silver belt buckles. I think it's time for my daily dose of retail therapy!

...and fantastic fashion to boot!

This fall and winter, the boot is the be all, end all fashion footwear. Tall boots, short boots, furry boots, leather boots, elegant boots, plain boots, boots, boots, boots!

Christian Louboutin's heels must have married a boot - his booties this season are absolutely beautiful. What a perfect accessory for a night on the town. Especially when paired with the perfect jeans and oxford shirt. Manolo's laced bootie in patent leather is the power boot of the season. Beautiful. Bold. Brilliant. For the biggest statement, pair with opaque tights and your best mini-dress. Va-va-voom! Dior's Deco elegantly combines leather and suede to create the beautiful bootie, with the iconic bow and charm detail featured on the outer sides.

Don't just stop with the bootie. Just like heels, the taller the boots, the better! Manolo's mid-calf buckle boot adds lift, power, and class to any fashionista's winter wardrobe. Gucci's Ginverva boot is anything but slouchy, even though the leather is! And what better way to prepare for the rain than with Yves Saint Laurent's patent leather rain boot?! The 3" chunky heel provides stability, while remaining incredibly fashionable.

For men, I love the more classic inspired boots. Maison Martin Margiela's waxed boot is expertly crafted and looks great with denim or distressed khaki. Swap Fendi's calf skin ankle boot for your traditional lace-ups, and pair with your favorite suit for a classic look with an attitude. Dolce & Gabbana distressed the classic Chelsea boot - suitable for almost every man!

I'll close today with an excerpt from the Style Guy in January 2001's GQ.

Q: Are boots with suits OK in winter? I live in Chicago and walk to work, and I hate messing up my dress shoes.

A: Nothing looks more pathetic than an underdressed businessman negotiating the arctic blast. It’s some kind of prepster machismo that is entirely ridiculous, unhealthy and ruinous to footwear. I see these hatless, coatless knuckleheads all winter, up to the socks in slush, skidding and falling in their leather-soled dress shoes. Over-the-ankle lace-up boots with rubber soles are great for winter conditions. I wear them with a suit at the hint of impending slush. I also have a higher—but sleek—pair of Prada post-Beatle boots with rubber soles that are snow tires for the feet. Of course, if you want to wear your dress shoes, nothing’s more sensible than covering them with classic galoshes. You also have the option of braving the streets in foul-weather footgear such as Timberlands and then changing into something more dressy once you hit the carpet. Remember this handy mnemonic device: boots rhymes with suits; muck rhymes with schmuck.

beautiful burqa?

So I was at the Fresh Market, a higher end grocery store not too far from home, and saw the most interesting fashion moment. An Arabic woman was dressed traditionally in a beautiful midnight blue burqa. I love all things blue right now anyway, so to see this woman in her Muslim garb was pretty interesting. She was covered from head to toe. Only her face peeked out of the dark blue cloth. She even had matching blue gloves on. No skin was visible except that of her face. Her hair was hidden. But this woman had class. And style. As if it wasn't powerful enough for her to proclaim her traditions and honor her history, my Arabic friend completed her outfit with the most beautiful CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN SHOES! I almost crashed my cart when I realized. And I smiled. And she smiled. I'm sure she spoke English, but we didn't have to say a word. Fashion speaks in every language.

Ted Baker is the man!

Fashion for me isn't about the big, obvious details. I love the little details in fashion that separate the boys from the men. Take for example Ted Baker. I love the perfect fit of his shirts, the contrasting fabric on the inside of the collar and cuffs. I love the pin tucks and darting. And the durable buttons. It seems like his shirts are custom made, rather than me purchasing them anonymously at Bloomingdale's and other local retailers. I was shocked when I found Ted Baker in my local Dillard's department store. If you're looking for fantastic dress shirts, and are tired of seeing everyone else wearing your exact same shirt (like Express's 1MX button downs), Ted Baker is definitely for you. He is everythign you want to be. Young, fun, and full of fashion flair. Without being stuffy, pretentious, or over the top.

Are gile? Our gyle? Argyle!

With so many patterns available and a seemingly endless array of fabrics, today I'd like to talk about Argyle and other great geometric designs. Argyle is a pattern characteristic of diamond shaped blocks, usually set against a colored background. Cross stripes may accent the diamonds of color, leading many people to consider argyle as a type of plaid. Argyle is usually only found in knitwear, but has also been more economically screen printed on shirts. True argyle requires difficult knitting skills, as the patterns are often intricate and complex.

Plaid is generally associated with Scottish textiles. Many historical fashion sources date Argyle fabrics to at least the 1500s, when it first appeared as an iconic pattern on socks of the Scottish Campbell Clan. The Clan was native to County Argyll in Scotland - and so the diamond pattern became associated with the county it originated. And with all trends, by the 1700s, the pattern had migrated to England, where other colors and patterns were introduced. But diamonds last forever. All Argyle always has diamonds in the pattern.

As with any pattern, Argyle can be mixed and matched with other patterns. If the Argyle pattern is of a larger proportion (like on a sweater vest or sweater), pair it with a smaller pattern (like a shirt with thin stripes or dots). Argyle socks always spice up otherwise boring khaki pants and brown shoes. And Argyle ties or scarves bring a bit of nostalgia and prep to any ensemble. From prep to punk, Argyle is sure to bring an unexpected element to your wardrobe in the most pleasant way!

Fashion Rocked.

Blond. Beautiful. Bold. But Beyonce? Gag. I can't believe she even thought for a moment that her hideous blond hair would even evoke a flash of Etta James. Now, I must say that I do love Beyonce, and her singing. But her sister Solange can not sing well. Gag again. (I don't even want to put pictures of them here...that's how bad it was.)


But, on a positive note. Rhianna started the show off with a bang! Sexy. Power. Beautiful. Elegant. All things fashion. Her rendition of Madonna's fashion anthem Vogue couldn't have been better. I've always loved Rhianna, and now I am definitely a fan for life.







And speaking of being a fan...you know that I love all things Dior. And so does Charlize Theron. Fierce, rockstar heels. Black leather leggings. Plain white t. Amazing metallic silver blazer. And the most amazing necklace ever. She had "banging" written from head-to-toe. Perfect clothing. Perfect accessories. Perfect skin. Perfect hair.







I have always been a fan of Justin Timberlake, even before it was an "in" thing to do - but the blazer from his clothing line is so...gag. It looks like something from the My Cousin Vinny movie closet. But his performance did rock, and I loved his gray denim pants, black patent loafers, and black shirt. I even loved the super short black tie. But that jacket...

Fergie rocked her performance. But her ensemble was even better. Straight from Gucci's fall collection, her head-to-toe Gucci look was amazing. Her black footwear and muted black pants were the perfect canvas for her ornate silk top. Excellent execution, full of energy and envy - all things Gucci.

And last, but certainly not least, I must give a shout out to Chris Brown. His pants, worn on his natural waist, with wider, straight legs, were absolutely amazing. It's about time someone wore pants worthy of positive comments, praise, and fashion critique.

I must say, Fashion Rocks 5 did not disappoint. And not just because the proceeds benefit Stand Up 2 Cancer. View all the fun from the after party here. Pay special attention to the lovely jewels (the more bling factor, the better - but only let one accessory be the focal point of your ensemble - you don't want to overdo it), the colors (black, white, silver/gray, wines, yellow, blue), and the silhouette (especially those that flatter).

How does your style rock?

espresso to sustain, wine to encourage

I love when better/finer retailers offer drinks and snacks. The simple gesture makes the client feel more important, more valuable. But it is the retailer who ultimately benefits. Espresso is packed with caffeine. When clients are lacking in energy and excitement, they may need a little revving up, which is easily accomplished with a shot of Italian goodness. And for those clients who may need a little encouragement in purchasing or making a decision to buy, a little wine may loosen up the threshold. The client feels better. The associate makes a sale. Everyone wins.

At Dior, I used to get my better clients Starbucks or a little Moet while they shopped. I offered the beverages genuinely to be kind, but noticed it had a positive effect for me as well. So later at J. Crew, I was sure to utilize the same trick - and voila - instant success for everyone!

So the next time you're out shopping, watch for the drinks. Your favorite sales associate might be trying to tell you something. And remember, we should all drink more water. It's safer in terms of spending, and better in terms of health!

the colour is cerulean!

So I watched a bit of the blockbuster The Devil Wears Prada this weekend. There are many scenes that make me laugh, smile, and even cringe. But one thing that really makes me laugh about this movie is the fact that it actually sheds some insight into the power and influence of the fashion world on many other industries and arenas. Take for instance the scene where Miranda Priestly (who is reportedly to represent the Ms. Ana Wintour) describes the intricacies of choosing clothing and accessories for a photo spread in the magazine.

Miranda Priestly: [Miranda and some assistants are deciding between two similar belts for an outfit. Andy snickers because she thinks they look exactly the same] Something funny?

Andy Sachs: No, no, nothing. Y'know, it's just that both those belts look exactly the same to me. Y'know, I'm still learning about all this stuff.

Miranda Priestly: This... 'stuff'? Oh... ok. I see, you think this has nothing to do with you. You go to your closet and you select out, oh I don't know, that lumpy blue sweater, for instance, because you're trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back. But what you don't know is that that sweater is not just blue, it's not turquoise, it's not lapis, it's actually cerulean. You're also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar De La Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves St Laurent, wasn't it, who showed cerulean military jackets? I think we need a jacket here. And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of 8 different designers. Then it filtered down through the department stores and then trickled on down into some tragic Casual Corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin. However, that blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs and so it's sort of comical how you think that you've made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you're wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room. From a pile of stuff.

Wow. I couldn't have said it better. While sarcasm and a slight disdain for the unfashionable assistant are obvious, Miranda is absolutely correct. When iconic designers show a color or style repeatedly throughout a collection, pay attention. That same look will no doubted be replicated, imitated, and reproduced, or at least copied in an array of lesser quality, less attention to detail, and incredibly less design integrity. When John Galliano for Dior is showing a collection inspired by the Gauchos of Argentina in 2006, expect to see those same colors, details, and elements well into 2008.

You don't have to spend alot of money to be fashion forward. With unparalleled access to collections and designers online, you can always google your favorites to see what they're up to. If you like a look, make it your own.

tragic...

...is all I can say right now. I just left a high end shopping plaza, and saw the most tragic woman ever. Imagine a middle aged, overweight, Hispanic woman. Now imagine her wearing a dark purple velour track suit, that was probably 2-3 sizes too small. As if that wasn't awful enough, her makeup was like a drag queen gone wrong. Dark, dark lip liner, with clear lip gloss. Gold eye shadow. And way too much brown blush. And to accessorize this fabulously failed fashion, she had giant gold hoop earrings, at least half a dozen tacky gold necklaces, equally as many bracelets, and a metallic gold scarf tied in her hair. All I can say is...wow.

On a positive note, I just smelled Giorgio Armani's new Diamonds for Men fragrance - and I am definitely a fan. Same goes for Tom Ford's Black Orchid. I never thought I'd like a floral fragrance for men, but I do.

Georgette Mosbacher

Georgette Mosbacher - brilliant businesswoman, fashionista, philanthropist, and politically savvy. She owns her firey red hair and trademark giant sunglasses. She is an icon for her elegance, her fashion, her glamour, and her fantastic parties. It's no coincidence that Georgette was born the same year as Christian Dior's first collection.

Here's a quick rundown of her amazing successes (taken from her official biography) -

Professional Profile
Georgette Mosbacher is President and CEO of Borghese, a global cosmetic, skincare and fragrance company. Ms. Mosbacher is well known for her expertise in the beauty area and for her ability in redirecting the efforts of challenged companies. Innovative and goal-oriented, her creative marketing strategies are legendary in the cosmetics industry.

Ms. Mosbacher was the Chair and CEO of Georgette Mosbacher Enterprises, an international entrepreneurial and consulting business in New York, as well as the head of her own cosmetic firm, La Prairie, the world-class, prestige beauty company which she revitalized and globalized, doubling its sales and profitability in just three years.

Charity and Fund Raising
Ms. Mosbacher founded the Children's Advocacy Center of Manhattan (CAC), whose mission is to help children at risk.Her activities as a political fundraiser are legendary. Ms. Mosbacher served as National Co-Chairman of Senator John McCain's presidential campaign and is Co-Chair of the Republican National Committee's Finance Committee.

Published Author
Ms. Mosbacher is the author of several successful books. Her first, Feminine Force is a motivational guide for women who wish to achieve their potential, and her following book It Takes Money Honey is a women's get smart guide to total financial freedom.

Honors and Awards
Ms. Mosbacher has been honored with a number of accolades for her work in business, politics and non-profit causes. These include National Chairperson of Community Development for Childhelp USA, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor and the Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year Award of the American Woman's Economic Development Corporation.Ms. Mosbacher is a graduate of Indiana University. She has been awarded honorary doctorates from the International Fine Arts College and Bryant College.

I want to end today's entry with a quote from Georgette. "We believe beauty is not bound by age. We believe that innovation should fuse the traditional and the avant guarde. Most importantly, we believe every woman has a secret beauty waiting to be revealed and we want to help her discover it."

who says Diamonds are only girls' best friends?!

I love diamonds. I don't know if I got this from my Mother, who loved her giant diamond earrings and rings. Or my Grandmother who had a ring with many diamonds (and a ruby or two). Regardless of the precious stones you may or may not love, it is undeniable that jewelery is this season's must-have accessory.

The ring that signifies your union as husband and wife. The pearls from your 18th birthday. Your Grandmother's ring. Your great-uncle's vintage watch. The bracelets you bought yourself. Jewelery is such a wonderful way to mark a special occasion, or no occasion at all!

Instantly add glamor and glitz by incorporating jewelery into your every day. Remember though, jewelery should accentuate your wardrobe - not deter or distract. My dear from Jody wears multiple David Yurman bracelets on the same wrist almost everyday. (And as you all know, I wear 2 bracelets everyday as well.) Jody's bracelets bring a comfortable luxury, an air of excellence, and exude such wonderful style and class. Stacking bracelets is especially elegant when you wear shirts with shorter, 3/4 sleeves.

For women especially, when you wear a beautiful dress with a plunging or intricate neckline, choose jewelery carefully. Strapless dresses can be accentuated with beautiful necklaces, but should then be paired with minimal earrings. As a general rule, if the earrings are ornate or larger in size, the necklace should either be simple or all together avoided.

Jewelery doesn't have to be expensive to be elegant, meaningful, or tasteful. Homemade friendship bracelets are priceless, and nostalgic as well. And we all know how popular Lance Armstrong's plastic yellow livestrong bracelets are! A friend's sister has her own jewelery line called Dear Georgette that is affordable, classic, and incredibly well made.

Everyone seems to have their own jewelery line. From Giorgio Armani to Gap, John Hardy to J. Crew, there's something for everyone. And it shines, sparkles, and celebrates the moment.

Jewelery can say a lot about you, too. I love the advertisements from "A Diamond is Forever" for their "right hand diamond ring". It says, "Your left hand says you're taken. Your right hand says you take over. Your left hand celebrates the day you were married. Your right hand celebrates the day you were born. Women of the world, raise your right hand!"

Remember to never neglect the fifth "c" - color, cut, clarity, carits, and Cartier! And when in doubt, Harry Winston cures everything from missed anniversaries, belated birthdays, broken hearts, broken nails, and always says "I respect you more than you'll ever know." With my love of children, cooking, fashion, and jewelery, I must say damn I'm going to be a great husband!

time to upgrade

You don't have to be clad in couture to be fabulous and fashionable. You don't even need to rob a bank to experience comfortable luxury. Whether you favor track pants and trainers, suits and ties, or board shorts and flip flops, if you upgrade your choices, you'll emit both comfort and class.

For example, you can avoid being the "tacky golfer" and ditch the baggy golf shirts and outdated puffy pleated pants by incorporating designs from better designers who specialize in the sport like J. Lindeberg, Ralph Lauren, and Burberry.

The same concept can be applied to any lifestyle or sport. Mainstream stores often pair with famous designers or fabric producers to produce great style at even better prices. Remember when Mossimo created a range exclusively for Target? Chain stores like J. Crew boost the quality of designs and fabrics by increasing by joining with many of fashions' best - silks from Ratti, cashmere from Loro Piana, wool from Abraham Moon & Sons, leathers from the great Borge Gaveri, and the fabrics from the lovely Liberty of London.

Take a moment to upgrade your accessories, clothing, and shoes. When you invest in quality and really look good, you'll feel even better. And when you have a grade-A wardrobe, you'll wear them for years to come!

well footed "heel estate"

Whether you've known me for a couple hours or a coouple dozen years, it's fairly obvious I am possibly, sort of, maybe, could be, super obsessed with design, fashion, and style. And my favorite fashion staple for women of all time must be: the high heel. Where else can you have a pain-free, non-invasive, incredibly cheap whole-body lift? And what better way to instantly glamorize your favorite jeans and tshirt? How else can you say "I'm a beautiful, powerful, put-together woman who is not afraid to take risks, take charge, and take names while I do it?!" When you wear flats, you simply show up. When you're well-heeled, you arrive.

This season, tall, vampy heels are the center of attention. The taller, the better. You know I love Christian Louboutin's creations, noted by their impeccable design and iconic red soles. Dior's heels continue to be incredibly sassy, sexy, and sophisticated, all at the same time. Chanel's heels will always be classy, elegant, and tasteful. And Manolo means business. Beautiful. (slightly) Bitchy. Bold. In all the right ways.

So ladies, put some pep in your step. Whether it's a grocery store aisle, an office corridor, or a suburban sidewalk, when you're well-heeled, every way is a runway!