For a film so not about clothes (especially if we’re talking Sofia Coppola), Lost In Translation is quite the fashionable film. A visual feast from the clean-lined hotel rooms to the flashing neon lights to the futuristic clear umbrellas under a turquoise sky, this is not a film that is easy to forget. The visuals stick with you even while you forget the outfits.

Of course, a few clothing items do stick out - the pink wig and off-the-shoulder black top at the karaoke bar, and the simple-but-cute lingerie in the opening scene are always viewer favorites. But the visual beauty of this movie is more in the landscapes and the human interactions than in the outfits those memorable characters wear. Ironically, this it what makes the story and the cinematography so, well, stylish.

Five years later, the look of those bundled-up crowds, clear umbrellas and ethereal scenery continues to pop up on runways every now and then, as at Blugirl’s fall show:

Transparent plastic over lace, white tights, and mary-janes? Something tells me Sofia would approve.

Live like Scarlett Johannson’s Charlotte in Stuart Weitzman’s transparent wedges and Nina Ricci’s lighter-than-air, Japanese-inspired Coat:

The Luella and Vivienne Westwood Red Label shows were made for a modern fairy goth mother. This witchy woman would lure Hansel and Gretel to her house in the woods not with promises of candy treats but rather sweet candy colored Manolos and Louboutins. These designs actually made me yearn for fall- the changing of the leaves, carving of pumpkins and Pumpkin Spice Latte’s at Starbucks. This is exactly the way a fall collection should make you feel, and this spirit was lacking in some of the other shows this February. Best of all, the looks aren’t unwearable, but are instead a twisted version of feminine- while the styling takes them to an extreme on the runway, there are plenty of ways for the girl who spends more time in the carpool lane than on a broom to make this look work.

Vivienne Westwood Red Label:

Luella:

To get this bewitching look, try dark colors with accents such as lace and plaid. These dresses from Alexia Admor and L.A.M.B. are perfect… and if you are really feeling adventurous this black hat may be just the addition your closet needs come fall:

This month’s best-dressed celebs seem to have one and one only fashion extreme on their minds: Oscar-season fabulous.   It is awards show season, and in a season so low on those promised shows, stars have been turning out their most glamorous looks at every chance.  These ladies’ mindset seemed to be, why waste an opportunity to dress up when - thanks to that writers’ strike - who knows when you’ll get to do so again?  Ellen Pompeo and Amanda Bynes were standouts at the SAG awards, while Kate Hudson managed to steal the spotlight at Calvin Klein’s fashion week fete.  Meanwhile, Gwyneth Paltrow and Dita Von Teese went short - but not short on glam - in very lighthearted bubblegum pink looks at a very serious benefit event.

1. Gwyneth Paltrow in Gucci

2. Dita Von Teese

Short-and-pink is a fool-proof combination for a perfect night out.  Get the look with Cynthia Rowley’s blush-colored shift.

3. Kate Hudson 

4. Ellen Pompeo in Nina Ricci

Soft metallics combine the best of classic and modern looks - they’re feminine but futuristic.  For a similar look, try this structured brocade dress by Badgley Mischka.

5. Amanda Bynes in Marchesa 

The former child star looks all grown up in an exotic strapless gown in a unique hue.  Get Amanda’s look in a jewel-toned strapless Vera Wang cocktail dress.

Designers created an air of mystery on the New York Fall runways with dark, dreamy, and mysterious nighttime looks.  These Old-Hollywood inspired cocktail numbers are heavy on glitz and glamour, just proving that sequins are THE evening motif this season, whether the look is gauzy, fringed, or piled on in black, deep red, and midnight blue.

Zac Posen went for a Minnie Mouse-meets-disco-doll look with his tuxedo-inspired frocks in red, white and black.  Completing the looks?  A flapper fringe, black tights, and mary-janes.  Donna Karan’s models resembled wood nymphs in elegantly draped sheer gowns and floral hairpieces with just a hint of sparkle.  Preen showed structurally impressive sleeveless numbers in deep shades, completely covered in sequins. 

Sequined party dresses are simply a quick, easy way to doll yourself up for a night on the town.  Jewelry is rendered unnecessary, and accessories should be limited.  And as these shows attest, this look is best with vampy dark heels and red lipstick.

Get the runway look with dark and dazzling pieces by Foley, Alice and Olivia, and Jill Stuart.

On Monday I embark on my annual visit to the city of lights, love and women who are dressed much more stylishly than myself… I am headed to Paris for the Premiere Vision textile show. The show is the perfect place to scope out what is going to be hot next in fashion. Firstly, the show previews textiles and trim for Spring 09- literally giving a sneak peak at what we will be seeing on the runways come September. Second, the people watching is on par with fashion week; while most of the bigger designers don’t venture to the show themselves, last year I did spot Erin Featherston, Derek Lam and Diane von Furstenberg as well as countless chic and avant garde dressers from around the globe. This year, I am determined to be one of those stylish nameless people and am dressing for impressing, not for comfort as I attempted to do last time around. Here are my Paris outfit inspiration photos and some key pieces I plan on packing:

From the Sartorialist’s NYFW coverage:

Stripes always make me think of Paris:

I’ll wear tights under the socks and add a big coat to stay toasty:

Do I dare bring out the cut- off shorts in Paris?!

Key pieces: Red high top Converse All-Stars, Parisian stripes from Cris, Falke Family knee high socks and a cute pea coat from Chadwick’s to keep me warm should I decide that I’m brave enough to wear my cut-offs:

The color on seemingly every runway this fall?  Mustard yellow.  The versatile shade looks great with most complexions and goes with just about anything - from purple tights and red shoes (above, at Proenza Schouler) to tough patent boots and luxurious furs (below, at Carolina Herrera).  Of course, since it is something of the neutral version of a usually bright color, mustard looks best when intricately detailed and embellished.

At Proenza Schouler, the shade decorated elaborately pleated jewel-tone shift dresses.  At Carolina Herrera, it came adorned with beading, tortoiseshell, and sheer details.  And at Behnaz Sarafpour (below) it added punch to ruffled flapper-style frocks.

Why mustard and why now?  In recent seasons, with so many brilliantly colored offerings, it might have been called “schoolbus yellow” and deemed too subdued for red carpets and runways.  But now it seems pitch-perfect - after seasons of pastels and brights, isn’t it time we tried something new with our wardrobes?  In other words, deep yellows are just right for right now.

Try out this unusual hue with a shift dress by Development, a Tory Burch blouse, or a Kale Handbags shoulder bag.

The Traina sisters have been called (much to their dismay) San Francisco’s answer to the Hilton sisters. The daughters of romance novelist Danielle Steele and John Traina; Victoria and Vanessa are beautiful, stylish and lucky enough to have attended runway shows in Paris with their mom since they were little. The girls, unlike the Hilton sisters, don’t often appear on the party circuit or in the pages of the celebrity weeklies. They do get noticed, however, by publications such as Vogue, Elle, Vanity Fair and WWD and by fashion bloggers across the globe. Considered muses by Satine and Proenza Schouler, the sisters are not ones to simply follow the latest trend. Having grown up playing with their fashionable mother’s jewels and heels, they have received a first rate education in style and panache. The lovely Traina sisters are girl crushes not only for their creative personal styles, but because their lack of seeking out the spotlight is a refreshing change of pace in a world of celebutants. There were simply too many pictures of them I loved so please bare with my little collage homage to the sisters (you can click on the images for a better view):

A girly sequined dress by D & G paired with a funky Mike & Chris leather hoodie and contrasting blue Nine West ballet flats is chic but funky, and definitely Traina worthy:

 One way in which those ethereal Spring looks are translating into fall?  The abundance of chiffon and lace to be had in both seasons this year.  Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti’s show was all but based around those two fabrics, with one or both  - in winter black, natch - trimming just about every frock (above and below).  And really, with more pastel shades these looks would have fit right in with last season’s offerings.  The change for fall just includes a color change and, of course, adding a pair of dark tights and some clunky ankle boots to each ensemble.

Zac Posen’s runway too was uncharacteristically girlish and unabashedly light and airy.  He took Ferretti’s vision a step further with dresses made entirely of chiffon and lace (below).  Only time will tell whether or not his new feminized aesthetic sticks (I, for one, am hoping it does), but for now this look just feels right for the season.

Phillip Lim also made some changes in his fall show, which was reportedly influenced by two of my personal style icons, David Bowie and Stevie Nicks.  Bowie?  In the platforms and bold jewelry.  Nicks?  In those black lace dresses of course, infused with a splash of color (below).

Dress up your fall look with Ella Moss’ lace-inset minidress or Robert Rodriguez’ black chiffon and lace blouse.  Accessorize with weather-ready lace-up boots like these ones by Nine West.

The Writers Guild strike is all but over… And for us fashionistas, that means the Super Bowl of red carpet watching is back on! After a lackluster award season thus far, I am excited to see the glamour, glitz and inevitable fug that will occur at the Academy Awards. Transpiring just a few weeks after the Fall 2008 fashion week’s, Hollywood A- listers have the luxury of being able to snag the looks they loved for the red carpet while the rest of us can only wait for the collections to arrive next fall (or until they are knocked off by someone more affordable, let’s be honest). Below are gowns from the New York shows that I wouldn’t be surprised to see make a reappearance come Oscar night. As well as gowns that are available now for you and whatever special events you have planned for the coming month, because every girl should treat herself to a red carpet worthy look every now and then.

Marchesa is always a big hit with Hollywood, even prompting some to speculate that co- designer Georgina Chapman’s husband Harvey Weinstein may insist that his leading ladies wear the line:

J. Mendel is another red carpet staple, and this chic look has pockets- a funky twist on formal dresses that has been popping up more and more:

While I’m not sure Gwyneth Paltrow would wear Zac Posen two years in a row, this dress would be amazing on her:

Halston’s revival at the hands of such Hollywood heavyweights as the aforementioned Weinstein, celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe and Jimmy Choo founder Tamara Mellon almost guarantees a red carpet sighting. This look is perfect for any star not ready to disclose a burgeoning baby bump (and look! pockets!):

These gowns from Carmen Marc Valvo, Valentino and BCBG will be sure to turn heads at whatever special events you have planned in the coming year:

Saturday morning I awoke to the nicest weather I have seen in a long time. In the beginning of February, us Angeleno’s had the pleasure of enjoying a high of 80 degrees! Not one to miss out on a fashion opportunity, I dug through my closet to find something other than the leggings, boots and sweaters I have been wearing non- stop this winter. Bored with my closet, I discovered an amazing cream linen jumpsuit in my roommates. Perfect! Jumpsuits were sporadically on the spring 08 runways and popped up in more than one magazine, but the trend just doesn’t seem to be getting the attention that some others are. I, however, am a huge fan. Paired with espadrilles, Ray Bans and some vintage Prada I was ready for a day of shopping and soaking in some much needed vitamin D in Malibu.
Runway Inspiration:

Stella McCartney:

Sonia Rykiel:

Yves Saint Laurent:

While I opted for full length legs, you can practically recreate the way I chose to wear this trend with this uber cute Marc Jacobs jumpsuit, Ray Ban Wayfarers, and Steve Madden espadrilles: