If you happen to be in the Bay Area before April 5th, I highly suggest you make a stop at the de Young museum in Golden Gate Park and check out the amazing Yves Saint Laurent exhibit currently taking place. I saw the exhibit this weekend, while on a short vacation to the Bay and was completely mesmerized by the genius and spectacle of the designer. The exhibition contains nearly 130 accessorized garments and sketches illustrating the lines, colors, and fundamentals of Saint Laurent’s work. Included are such famous and iconic looks as the Mondrian, hand-knit bridal gown, pop art, Van Gogh, safari, the black dress with huge bow, Africa, and of course, le smoking.

Seeing these amazing works of art up-close was an amazing experience. I could have spent all day admiring the tiny details in the garments. I was reminded that couture, and ready-to-wear, collections are the outcome not only of the designer’s creative vision, but also the painstaking, detailed work of his team. The bead work on the Van Gogh pieces, for example, and the way the beads are chosen and embroidered, perfectly re-creates Van Gogh’s brush strokes. It is truly incredible.

Unfortuntely, the de Young is the only venue for this exhibit in the U.S. If you can’t make it, you can still indulge in some YSL history with Yves Saint Laurent: Style, Style, Style which I perused at the museum gift shop before ultimately deciding on a poster and YSL paper dolls book (I knew I could find Style, Style, Style on PriceGrabber for a better price!).

Image credit: Style.com

When I first started looking at the images from the Chanel spring 09 haute couture show, although impressed with Japanese hairdresser Katsuya Kamo’s incredible paper rose, camellia, and feather paper headdress masterpieces (which, according to WWD, were made in three weeks with seven helpers and two packets of 11×17 printing paper), I was a little underwhelmed. Sure, I understood Lagerfeld’s theme of juxtaposing the darkness of the current economic meltdown with an all-white collection, but I was looking for something fabulous and decadent to feast my eyes upon and I just didn’t see it. Of course, when it comes to couture, the magic is often in the details, so when I switched over to Style.com’s detail shots, that is where I found it.

The exquisite lace, delicate beading, and flowers in weightless, cut-out, 3-D montages of organza and cellophane are a feast for the eyes. And paired with Kamo’s creations, even better when viewed close-up, the collection certainly wows. Thank you Lagerfeld, for giving me the pristine, spring-dreaming, pick-me-up I was looking for.

Not surprisingly, I suddenly have the urge to accessorize with a white cocktail hat, anyone else?

I am seriously crushing on the totally cute, and totally affordable Marc by Marc Jacobs jewelry right now. When it comes to Marc by Marc, I always love both the apparel and the accessories, but sometimes feel that the branding on everything can get a little out of control. Especially on the accessories. These days, I am just not really feeling any branding or logos. I want my jeans without embroidery on the back pockets and my handbags to be basic leather- no logo prints or hardware. This is a great mind-set to be in when you are totally broke, by the way. Perhaps I am rationalizing not being able to afford logos by convincing myself I don’t want them? But I digress… I stumbled across some Marc by Marc jewelry and was surprised to see the selection that didn’t scream “I bought this from Marc Jacobs”. Here are some of the pieces I am totally lusting after:

Geometric shapes are huge this spring and this cuff is right on trend. Plus, I love the burnt sienna, navy, bone and black colors together. Yes, the gold nailhead has the logo on it, but it is hardly noticeable when actually on someones wrist…

This silver and resin bow bracelet is sweet, but not too sweet. I like the pairing of the black bow with the masculine chain-link.

Okay, these are what really got me excited. The last thing on Earth I probably need are a pair of gold and black bear stud earrings. And I am going to continue to try to convince myself of that for the rest of the evening. Not quite sure if I’ll succeed. And if I do succumb to their quirky smiling faces? At least they don’t have any logos on them…

This outfit from Anne Valérie Hash’s spring 09 couture collection is a look that I have been wearing constantly as of late, just done a thousand times better. Drop-crotch silk pants, a black blazer and a feminine blouse (which I often replace with a heather grey American Apparel tee) and heels. It’s amazing how a tuxedo-inspired look can be so feminine and sexy on a woman. Seriously, this woman is wearing trousers and a blazer in basic black and white, yet, if you saw her walking down the street, it would be impossible not to do a double-take.

The key too this look is finding pieces that fit well (or that can be made to do so with a quick trip to your favorite tailor), and have the right proportions when worn together. The above look is a perfect example, the jacket and pants look like they were meant to be worn together (which clearly they were, but that is besides the point). You almost cannot tell where one begins and other other ends, and the line from shoulder to shoe is smooth and seamless. The blouse is not too baggy, too short or too form-fitting. Clearly I am smitten. Here’s a good way to recreate this look with a relaxed, casual vibe:

These See by Chloe wide-leg trousers are tailored so as to be casual but not sloppy.

I like the idea of balancing the substantial legs of the See by Chloe trousers with a 3/4 sleeve blazer. This Elizabeth and James relaxed blazer is perfect.

A feminine, lacy blouse from Mint Jodi Arnold is the icing on the cake.

Image Source: Style.com

Chloé’s pre-fall collection is making me yearn for everything in my closet to be rhinestones, bows, tweed and plaid. Unfortunately, that is a far cry from what is actually in my closet, where, if I think about it, there truly may not be bow to be found (can this really be?!). I love the prim-femininity and hint of 80’s tailoring in this collection, and the quirky separates feel true to the Chloé brand. Yes, the collection is a bit more bourgeois than some of those we saw jaunting down the runway when the house had Phoebe Philo at the helm, but perhaps it’s the right direction to head in. The collection provides a nice contrast to the ripped jeans and slept-in-tank trend that everyone (myself included) has been lusting after since Alexander Wang first showed his cute face on the runway.

These clothes are seriously covetable, and Hannah MacGibbon has certainly gained an enthusiastic fan in me. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled to hear it.

See by Chloe has the same adorable bows (in equally adorable canary yellow) at an easier-to-swallow price point.

Image Source: Style.com

Pam Anderson is certainly not who comes to mind when I first think of British fashion, far from it. Yet she is the star of Vivienne Westwood’s spring 09 ad campaign, in which she wears all four of Westwood’s labels- Red, Gold, Anglomania and MAN. I have to say, I think the campaign is totally awesome. Also featuring Westwood and her husband Andreas Kronthaler (who almost steal the show), the campaign was shot at Anderson’s Malibu trailer by Juergen Teller. The vibe is kitschy, kooky and fun- much like Westwood herself (and her designs).

According to Fashionista, Westwood was surprised to see Pam sitting front row in a smashing gold dress at September’s Red Label show during London fashion week, and when it came time to pick the models for the spring campaign she instead decided to go with Anderson. A great move, as the campaign will no doubt have a lot of people talking, and it is a lot more fun to look at than your average celebrity ad campaign.

The asymmetrical stripes and grunge feel of this top are too cool. It would look great with skinny jeans, or ripped shorts for spring:

Source: Les Mads via The Cut, Fashionista

Leila Moss first entered my radar when it was announced that she was the muse for Alexander McQueen’s upcoming designer collaboration with Target. When I asked my boyfriend if he had heard of her band The Duke Spirit, he not only had but had actually seen them live a couple months ago, which I then recalled him telling me about. His description of her? That she was rocking out in leather pants… and I think that kind of sums up why she is my latest girl-crush.

Not just the pretty face of a cool band, the girl literally rocks, and has the style to match. Think tux jackets, ripped jeans, flat boots, and heavy black eyeliner to match the color theme of the rest of her look. It’s a look I have a hard time pulling off, yet always admire on other women. Apparently I am not the only one- not only has she been declared McQueen’s latest muse, Sienna and Savannah Miller’s Twenty8Twelve fall collection is also inspired by the singer. If you haven’t heard The Duke Spirit, I highly suggest you check them out, loving her music as much as her style seals the deal for me.

Get Leila’s looks in the lines inspired by her (try saying that 5 times fast):

This bow on this McQ tank manages to be more edgy than girlie.

I can imagine wearing this knit vest from Twenty8Twelve with everything in my closet, and more than a few things, like the tank above, that aren’t in my closet.

Image Source: Cherry Coloured, Mass Appeal Mag

The September Issue, R.J. Cutler’s documentary film about Anna Wintour, Vogue, and the September 2007 “biggest issue ever”, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival today, with Wintour herself in attendance. While I am quite jealous of those who got to see the entire film today, there is a “Meet the Filmmaker” clip which is a great sneak peek, with a very Devil Wears Prada-ish scene between Wintour and two frightened looking editors. You can watch the video by clicking here:

The film promises to take us behind the scenes at fashion week, on shoots, into closed-door staff meetings and explores Wintour’s relationships with her father and daughter. At the center of the film is an examination of the two-decade relationship between Wintour and Grace Coddington, the incomparable creative director, and deconstructs the creative process and chemistry between the two. As for the designers? Thakoon Panichgul, Oscar de la Renta, Karl Lagerfeld, Nicolas Ghesquier, Jean Paul Gaultier, Stefano Pilati, Phillip Lim and Isabel Toledo all make appearances. Having no real knowledge of the fashion industry before making this film, Cutler approached his subjects without pre-conceived notions or an agenda and also had final cut over the footage. I can’t wait to see this objective behind-the-scenes look into the world of Vogue.

Can’t get enough Vogue? Check out In Vogue: The Illustrated History of the World’s Most Famous Fashion Magazine

Source: WWD, Sundance Festival

Everyone in the fashion blogosphere is very excited about the T by Alexander Wang spring 2009 collection and I have to admit that I am one of them. The diffusion line consists of cotton not-so-basics in 12 styles. Says Wang, “Necklines are stretched and armholes are strategically lowered so that it looks worn in… It’s like sleeping in a T-shirt and then wearing it the next day. It’s not this crisp little T out of the dryer. It’s draped and kind of wilted.” The slouchy tees, tanks and dresses come in colors ranging from simple whites and heather grays to lavender, chartreuse and cerulean:

Perhaps even more exciting than the sexy shapes and great colors is the diffusion line. Prices range from about $74- $85, which is still a bit pricey for a tee or tank, but not the usual price point for a CFDA Designer of the Year. If only the perfectly tousled hair featured in the lookbooks was also for sale…

If you are looking to splurge, may I suggest this uber on-trend jersey skirt from Mr. Wang to go with your moderately priced new tees?

Source: Nitrolicious

I love pre-fall collections because they provide a sneak peak to the trends that will be hitting stores six months from now. Yet, they premiere in December and January when it’s still seasonally appropriate to make the looks yours right away.  Not quite ready to transition into my spring wardrobe (despite 80 degree Los Angeles weather), but sick of my same old fall looks, I am loving the inspiration the collections are providing me until I am ready to pull out the cut-off jean shorts again. One pre-fall collection I am absolutely dying over is Proenza Schouler. The layering, wool jersey, jewel toned leathers and THOSE BOOTS. It’s pre-fall perfection.

Even if I had the patience to wait until Proenza Schouler pre-fall hits stores to get this look, I certainly don’t have the funds. So this is how I intend on getting the look now:

The first look above from Proenza Schouler is making me rethink the bomber jacket. This plaid version from New York & Company is too cute.

I’m not really sure how I’ve survived 20 some odd years on this planet without a mettalic mini skirt, like this bronze version from Nanette Lepore.

These grey suede fringe boots from Sam Edelman may not be on the same level as awesome as the Proenza Schouler boots, but they are pretty close.

Finish off the look with a pair of opaque black tights and add a pop of color with this Andrew Marc cobalt blue handbag.

Image Source: WWD