Thanks to the NYLON I picked up at LAX on my way home, I discovered the photography of Mika Ninagawa, one of Japan’s most beloved modern artists. A huge fan of Takashi Murakami and Yoshitomo Nara, I was surprised I had never heard of her, as she is promoted by Tomio Koyama Gallery, which introduced both Murakami and Nara to the world. Over the course of her career, the photographer has published over 40 books, and been the recipient of many prestigious awards. She is known for her electric, color-saturated images of women, goldfish and (my favorite) flowers:

Now Ninagawa has paired up with Shu Uemura for their Holiday 2008 Collection, bringing the bright hues of her artwork into your makeup bag. All the products in her collection feature packaging decorated with her photography, the fake eye-lashes in bright red, lipstick in creamsicle orange, and eight-color shadow palettes hold colors such as deep golden yellow, electric blue and hot pink. Not exactly for shrinking violets.

I’ve been sort of on a bootie kick lately (no pun intended) and these demi-wedge Dodie Booties from Corso Como are just too cute:

They have sort of a Victorian feel to them, with a totally modern twist. With the cut-out front, satin ankle ties (with adorable leather detailing on the ends), and demi-wedge details, these aren’t your average booties. I picture them worn either as the finishing touch on a totally girlie look: ivory lace dress, black tights and a matching black satin bow headband or as a feminine touch to a more masculine look: black skinny jeans, oversized tee-shirt and a cropped leather jacket. They would also look really cute with this past summer’s cut-off jean shorts trend and a flowy blouse, if the weather is still being  kind to you this late in the year. No matter how you choose to wear them, I have no doubt these quirky-cute booties will garner many compliments. The only question is, white or black?? Indecisive as I am, I may just have to splurge on both colors! Always civic-minded, I’m just doing my part to help the economy…

I just took a walk around my home town, stopping at my old elementary school to participate in a little nostalgic hopscotch and swinging action. While on the swings I became a bit nauseous, and I am still not certain if it was the air I was catching or the realization that it has been nearly 20 years since I first enrolled at that school as a second grader that made my stomach hurt… Regardless, I felt rather old as I cut through the woods to take my childhood shortcut home. It was therefore fitting, as I sat down to check out what the fashion blogosphere had been up to the past couple of days, that I should stumble across these fantastic images of Anna Wintour and Carine Roitfeld as young women:

I love how Anna’s haircut is a 70’s version of her ubiquitous bob and how similar Carine looks to her daughter Julia Restoin Roitfeld, this picture was no doubt taken when Carine was close to her daughters age now. I also love how both women are wearing simple pendant necklaces in their photographs, yet the choices of pendants say so much about their disparate approaches to style, Anna’s a large gold disc and Carine’s a small silver pentacle. I find these choices very fitting as Anna’s seems a bit safer and status-quo while Carine’s pagan symbol is a foreshadowing of the subversive wiccan/ voodoo editorials that will someday grace the pages of French Vogue under her direction.

While I am a bit more inclined to emulate Carine’s style, I think the best way to wear these pendants would actually be to pair them together. I like the vintage feel of the oxidized sterling silver of this pentacle, and the organic look of Sheila Fajl’s large brushed and hammered gold pendant.

I hope you all had a lovely, safe, and nostalgic Thanksgiving.

Image Source: The Vancouverista

I saw image on The Sartorialist and had to post it. I am so jealous of this woman’s perfectly oversized gray sweater.

I am traveling home for the holidays today, and this sweater is exactly what I need to use as a blanket on the plane, keep me warm in the chilly weather of my hometown, and hide the food-baby once the last piece of pumpkin pie is done. To sum it up, if I owned this sweater I would never take it off. I like how she keeps the rest of her outfit fairly simple, and adds a pop of color with her blue bead drop earrings. However, I am not crazy about the different-shade-of-gray jeans, as they almost look khaki and kind of remind me of chino’s and Gap holiday commercials from days of old. I would probably opt for a pair of black leggings or skinny jeans.

This oversized cashmere sweater from TSE has a chic front drape that keeps the boxier shape from being frumpy.

Lapis beads always make me think of Earth from afar, with their deep blue color and flecks of gold. I like these simple sterling silver drop earrings.

Image Source: The Sartorialist

I came across the jewelry line Giles & Brother via NOTCOT and I am smitten with the feminine yet funky line from brother sister duo Giles and Philip Crangi. Inspired by everything from estate jewelry to medieval armor to African textiles. When it comes to jewelry, I am always trying to find the right balance between saccharine and tough, delicate and bold. I often find myself mixing and matching pieces to get the desired effect. The look of Giles & Brother’s pieces have the attitude I try to achieve, no doubt a result of the designers’ disparate inspirations.

My favorite piece is the 10 Strand Swarovski Necklace. Multi strands of both crystals and brass chains. Of the 5 removable brass ring pendants, only the largest has crystal studs. I love the juxtaposition of the rough finish of the brass with the Swarovski crystals. The brass rings are removable so you can take them off for different looks.

I also love these cheeky sterling silver XO studs. These would make a perfect holiday gift, for a loved one or for yourself.

Source: NOTCOT

The CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund celebrated its fifth anniversary at Skylight Studios on Monday night, where keynote speaker John Galliano- in daisy covered top hat, vest, and a pearly suit, no less- advised the audience,”If you want easy, don’t pick fashion”. The crowd was quickly on their feet to applaud him. No doubt, in these economic times, the fashion industry is being reminded of just how tough the business can be. More than ever, the prize money from the Fashion Fund awards can mean a great deal to the new designers. Charlize Theron, wearing Dior, presented the night’s winners. For the second year in a row Vena Cava’s Sophiee Buhai and Lisa Maycock took the $50,000 runners-up prize, along with milliner Albertus Swanepoel. The fund’s top prize, $200,000 and a year’s worth of mentoring, went to Alexander Wang.

The four winners at last night’s soiree, Wang with his date Alice Dellal in his design, the adorable Vena Cava gals, Charlize Theron and John Galliano.

Even if he hadn’t taken home the top prize, with great pieces like this beaded vest, Wang’s future is certainly bright.

Source: Style.com

The Sofia Coppola directed Miss Dior Cherie advertisement is available online after airing during last week’s episode of Gossip Girl. I’ve been looking forward to seeing this since I first saw the print ads for the campaign back at the beginning of October. My only complaint is that it is too short! Set to Brigitte Bardot’s song, “Moi, Je Joue” it’s sweet, pretty, bright and uplifting- literally so at the end:

To check out the video for yourself, head on over to Team Sugar.

Warning: Watching this video may cause a craving for more Sofia Coppola by way of Marie Antoinette while munching on French macaroons.

Source: Team Sugar

One fall trend I absolutely adore is lace tights. However, it is a fine line styling these so that they look feminine, chic and current and not kitschy- think 80’s Madonna- or too suggestive. My suggestion would be to wear this look two different ways. For the first, make Chanel’s fall 2008 show your inspiration:

Think ultra-feminine and demure- paired with lady-like separates, cozy knits and peaking out from under slacks the tights come off refined and romantic. For a sexier look, shorten the hemlines or add a little cleavage. Keep accessories classic and make-up understated to ensure that the look is tasteful and not too busy. The other way I would style the lace tights is with a much younger, funkier vibe, as these street style shots from ELLE.com and AltamiraNYC illustrate:

Paired with ankle boots, bright colored shift dresses, leather and fur outerwear and big slouchy bags take the tights from uptown to downtown. I love these two photos because they show how the tights can be casual or dressed-up while still looking youthful.

I like these three variations on the style- small, textured diagonal lace tights from Nordstrom, Spanx antique lace tights, and Calvin Klein graphic lace tights.

Image Source: Style.com, ELLE.com, AltamiraNYC

I came across these images in an issue of WWD we had lying around the studio and had to post them, which led to a little cut, paste and Photoshop action to make the ripped out images look, well, a little less like I had ripped them out of a magazine. But I digress… How much fun are these spring 09 fashion show invitations?! The best invitations I get are either of the wedding/ baby shower or witty evite variety so I must admit I am a bit jealous of the lucky ladies and gents who received these in the mailbox (among other reasons). My favorites have to be the Moschino Cheap & Chic paper doll (I wonder if it came with different outfits?), the Stephen Burrows’ “Afro Summer 09″ pick, and Stella McCartney’s voice changer. Definitely a great way to start buzz, set the mood, and get people excited to see your latest collection.

Didn’t get an invite either? You can console yourself with a little retail therapy… May I suggest a cute sequined party dress from puzzle lover Betsey Johnson?

Image Source: WWD

Lately I have been drawn to bold, graphic prints whether in bold fall florals, abstract designs or the Russian-folklore prints that are everywhere these days thanks to Gucci’s fall collection. For spring, designers are still thinking striking graphics, and many sent amped up geometric shapes- diamonds, checks, polka-dots, stripes and triangles down the runway. While there is a common geometric theme in the collections seen here- Moschino, Zero + Maria Cornejo, Dries Van Noten, Marni, Zac Posen and Michael Kors-the moods and styles vary greatly. Seeing them placed together here vividly illustrates how the designer’s disparate points of view are conveyed with the use of colors, texture and styling.

While these collections won’t be available until early next year, I am certainly not waiting to jump on this trend. My favorite looks from above, Marni, Dries Van Noten and Michael Kors, expertly mis-match different patterns and colors for a casual, haphazard chic.

The Oscar De La Renta checked blouse and Valentino zig zag skirt below are both very busy prints and may seem a bit crazy to pair together, but the similar color story makes them wearable together, sort of like the red, black and white outfit at Michael Kors. Just accessorize with a little bit of confidence (and maybe some black tights and heels), and the look is easy to pull off!

Image Source: Style.com