Tuesday, June 30, 2009

The 13 Fashion Books That You Should Have In Your Fashionista Library

There are books that you absolutely need to have in your library in order to maintain your fashionista creds. A true fashionista knows her history right up to modern day. So if you don't have these amazing books in your library, then you need to hit up the bookstore quickly. Here are the 13 must have fashion books:


Stylist: The Interpreters of Fashion, by Style.com

This book chronicles the careers of the top stylists who have shaped way the fashion industry thinks including Carine Roitfeld, Grace Coddington, Polly Mellen and Camilla Nickerson. See how they worked with top photographer like Avedon and Meisel to create the images that made your jaws drop.


Influence by Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen

This wonderful book explores the things that have influenced fashion icons like Lauren Hutton, Diane von Furstenberg and John Galliano, just to name a few. Mary Kate and Ashley set out to dig deeply into the personas of these icons to see what makes them really tick.



The Seductive Shoe: Four Centuries of Fashion Footwear, by Jonathan Walford

Jonathan Walford takes a peek into the shoe closets of the world over the last 400 years, revealing the styles and fashions that have fueled that obsession.



Jacques Helleu and Chanel, by Jacques Helleu

This gorgeous and lavishly illustrated book tells the story of Jacques Helleu’s vision. Helleu joined the house of Chanel at the age of eighteen. In 1965 he took over responsibility for promotion, and he currently serves as Chanel’s artistic director.



Dior, by Farid Chenoune

On the occasion of its sixtieth anniversary, the House of Dior presents a monumental recounting of its history, imparted through its exceptional legacy: one hundred and fifty of its most beautiful dresses.



Vintage Fashion: Collecting and Wearing Designer Fashions, 1900-1990 by Emma Baxter Wright

Want to learn the inside scoop on vintage fashion collection? Then this is the book for you. This brilliant book walks you through the fashion decades explaining every important detail about the fashion of that time, as well as, the key designers of that decade, so that you can easily spot and nab that perfect vintage find.



In Vogue: The Illustrated History of the World's Most Famous Fashion Magazine (Hardcover) by Alberto Oliva, Norberto Angeletti, and Anna Wintour

This book offers an inside look into how this magazine is really put together from its fabulous covers to the models who have graced its cover to its photographers of choice.



The Golden Age of Couture in Paris and London: 1947-1957, by Claire Wilcox

This book is the companion to the wonderful exhibit at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London in September 2007, which focused on Parisian and British couture between 1947 and 1957, the decade Dior hailed as fashion’s “golden age.”



Seduction, by Caroline Cox

Fashion historian, Caroline Cox explains how women have been seducing men for centuries. She examines the use of aphrodisiacs to lushly-decorated boudoirs to the all-important deployment of stockings. She also highlights some of the world's most infamous seductresses including Marie Antoinette.



Style from A to Zoe, by Rachel Zoe

Famed celebrity stylish, Rachel Zoe, tells it like it is in this witty advice book. She offers advice not just on how to pull together a great outfit, but also give the essential tips that women really need to hear in order to be able to face themselves in the mirror and totally love what they see.



The One Hundred, by Nina Garcia

Project Runway judge and Editor-at-Large for Marie Claire, Nina Garcia, identifies the 100 must haves items that every woman should possess in order to secure her fashionista creds.



100 Years of Fashion Illustrations, by Cally Blackman

This books contains over 400 stunning images by some of the world's best illustrators of the last century telling the tales of the fashion industry through their tips of the drawing pencils.



Avedon Fashion: 1944 to 2000, by Richard Avedon

For over sixty years, Richard Avedon was called upon time and time again to capture some of the most memorable moments in fashion including his photographs for Harper's Bazaar, Vogue, Egoiste, and The New Yorker.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Links à la Mode: Ice Cold Lemonade

links a la mode



Ice Cold Lemonade


Edited by Clutch 22


Compiling this week's round up of posts hit closer to home for me. I think we can all relate to the times where stress builds up and blocks inspiration. Reading each of these individually was the exact refreshment I needed (hence "lemonade"), especially with my birthday coming up next week - total outfit planning mode.

So what's in the mix? Alixrose and Decline Designs offer personal style inspirations, Fasshonaburu teaches us how to get our budget-shopping on at high-end boutique sales, hkShoeGeek talks harnesses and Fashion Consciou$ inspires by reviving the culottes trend (so cute on her).

Links à la Mode : June 25th



  • 39th and Broadway: Ever wonder who really determines how your clothes fit? An interview with a technical designer

  • alixrose: You have the perfect outfit, but whats the one thing that can keep it from becoming fabulous?

  • A Typical Atypical: A deep dive into the reasoning behind shoe obsessions

  • Awakened Aesthetic: Affordable ways to bring urban fashion into your decor without getting tacky

  • Bobbins and Bombshells: Fashionable History - A look into 1920's swimwear and bathing suits.

  • Bonne Vie: When Bloggers Unite - The Hotel Max Edition

  • Decline Designs: Defining Your Personal Style - Having "Go-To" Outfits

  • Fasshonaburu: Digging through a high end sales to find purchase-worhty pieces, and tips on how to not go over budget

  • Fashion Consciou$: Fashion Flashback - Return of the culottes

  • Fashion Pulse Daily: The evolution of the gladiator to the "mandiator"

  • Freya: A little gown guide for your summer wedding

  • hkShoeGeek: Harnesses - A collection of favorites for every style and price range

  • Idiosyncratic Style: A guide for casual wedding attire

  • Independent Fashion Bloggers: You just don't compare...

  • Retro Chick : Mary Queen of Charity Shops - Now it's all over, some final thoughts

  • Shoe Daydreams: Are you on board with the latest trend - Over The Knee boots?

  • Tatiana Supports the Arts: Indie Designer Spotlight - ALEX&RA, designed by Alexandra Cipparone

  • The Bare Skinny: Not everything has to be black and white - inspiration for adding color to your wardrobe

  • The Coveted: Shu Uemura's inspired lashes

  • Unfunded: Respect your elders - Rock the vintage!

  • Work Chic: Chic hosiery options if you still have to wear them in the summer heat!

Friday, June 26, 2009

R.I.P. Michael Jackson







Taking a bloging break today to pay tribute to the amazing phenomenon that was Michael Jackson. I will miss you. You will always be the King of Pop in my book. These are my two favorite videos.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Vintage Find of the Day: The Vintage Haven



These vintage shoes by Guild House are sexy, sexy. Get 'em at The Vintage Haven.

Etsy Fashion Find: Sandmaiden does Dresses



I posted about Sandmaiden's gorgeous lingerie back in April. Who knew that they had cute dresses made of organic merino lightweight jersey. They are definitely keeping it eco-friendly. See this dress and more here.

Etsy Fashion Find: Veela Trice Creations



This is the cutest denim halter dress. Get it at Veela Trice Creations.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

What I Want Now: Mia @ DSW



This wouldn't be a What I Want Now post without at least one post on shoes. I have been trying so hard not to buy shoes. But of course, my will is weak. So while I was buying a pair of flats from DSW, I came across these gladiator sandals by MIA and I spent quite some time trying to decide whether to get these or not. I just could not decide. I love 'em. But not sure if I should jump on the gladiator bandwagon.

What I Want Now: Martine Wester



I absolutely love this necklace! I love the mixture of shapes and gemstones. It is simply gorgeous. It is the Rosette Crystal Necklace by Martine Wester.

What I Want Now: Lulu's



I have been searching everywhere for the perfect denim dress. This one hits the spot. I am lovin' this halter dress. It's Lulu's Taylor Halter Dress. Got to get one.

What I Want Now: Juicy Couture Jewelry



Totally want this fab bangle by Juicy Couture available at Ssense.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Links à la Mode: Fashion Potluck

ifb links a la mode

Fashion Potluck


Edited by Dramtis Personae


This week’s Links á la Mode it a fashion potluck, a hodge podge of politics in fashion, interviews with fabulous designers, bloggers, and photographers, flashbacks in to our fashion past, and great shops and designers to check out. I couldn’t make rhyme or theme of the collection, so just sit back & enjoy some of the best the Independent Fashion Bloggers had to offer this week!

Links à la Mode : June 19th


Thursday, June 18, 2009

Etsy Fashion Find: Surf Luxe



This is a beautiful dress. It's the perfect summer dress for any occasion. The mauve color is divine. Get it at Surf Luxe.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Blogging Break

Lovelies, I am taking a blogging break until Thursday in celebration of my bambino's graduation from elementary school. I am very proud of him. So I am stepping into my mommy shoes for a few days. New posts on Thursday.

Friday, June 12, 2009

Links à la Mode: Happiness is Being a Free Bird

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Happiness is being a free bird…


Edited by Jennine of IFB & The Coveted


Oddly enough since we moved over to the editorial selection, I’ve never selected the links, and I really have to tell you choosing this week’s roundup was tough, so many great links, I had a hard time picking!

Well, here we are in the midst of summer, this year you can’t click twice without hitting a blog giveaway, as we’ve got great giveaways on Bobbins and Bombshells, Style Symmetry, Fashion Hippo and The Coveted, and if that’s not enough, IFB has a couple of great links to more contests. Whew. And while ‘free’ doesn’t always mean stuff you don’t have to pay for, it can also mean free as in stuff you can’t pay for, Decline Designs takes inspiration to two free spirited cinematic heroines with vivid imaginations, Brick My Lane will add rock and roll to your dancing feet, and free minded bloggers 39th and Broadway, Curvy Fashionista and Pursed Lips question the fashion industry.

Links à la Mode : June 11th



  • 39th and Broadway – What the end of an era of fashion excess means for the industry

  • Bobbins and Bombshells – Celebrating first anniversary with a beauty of a give away! The prize: Pin-Up Cosmetics!

  • BRICK MY LANE – How to give shoes a rock’n'roll edge using simple DIY ideas.

  • CUTEMESS – How Trevor the horse and an Australian Kangaroo Paw flower came to rest on a Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent dress.

  • Debutante Clothing – Interviews celebrity favorite vintage costume jewelry maven Carol Tanenbaum

  • Decline Designs – Defining Your Personal Style, Part Three: Using Your Inspiration

  • Dirty Dirty Laundry – KABLUEY! Check out my venture into the world of blue monochromatic fashion.

  • Fashion Grail – Love the way Chloe Sevigny perfectly combines the elegance of a scalloped Chloe blazer and cut off shorts.

  • Fashion Hippo – Three lucky readers will receive this tee as a prize. Loved by Kate Moss and many other celebrities. Ends June 18th.

  • Hong Kong Fashion Geek – Update your look for less – Resort 2010 looks for recessionistas

  • Independent Fashion Bloggers – Giveaway sites for freebie junkies.

  • MissRedLips – In Defense of Brooches

  • Pursed Lips Magazine – The CFDA Fashion Design Awards Promotes their Photoshoot, with None of the Women Nominees. Is something fishy?

  • Retro Chick – Mary Queen of Charity Shops – The Review

  • Style on the street – Alison Stephens, the new it model

  • Style Symmetry – Vintage Snakeskin Bracelet Giveaway!

  • Super Kawaii Mama – Meet Aleshia Brevard. A Vintage Style Icon you’ll never forget!

  • The Capitol Fashionista – Fashion Nostalgia: The Beautiful Covers of British Vogue

  • THE COVETED – The perfect giveaway for vintage lovers… win at Rice & Beans Vintage.

  • The Curvy Fashionista – The State of the Curvy Community Panel Discussion at Full Figure Fashion Week

  • the nerdlings – The photo shoot started off well. But words were spoken that shouldn’t have been spoken and everything else just descended into chaos.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Indie Spotlight: Kcoline

I so heart indie designers. They are the modern day equivalent of vintage. They make bring something unique and wonderful to the fashion table. When you buy indie, you know that you are getting something that is handmade and very special. That is why I dedicate Thursdays to indie. So once again, I am blown away by a designer. Enter Kcoline. I clicked on the clothing section on Etsy and bam! Here were some of the most beautiful, fashion-forward, sexy dresses and skirts out there. I must confess that the first dress is my absolute fav. See everything they have to offer here.







Etsy Fashion Find: Zelaya

Eco-friendly design shop Zelaya specializes in working with natural and biodegradable fabrics. Here are the results of this work, handbags to die for. I love every one. I could not pick a favorite. Can you? See their entire collection of handbags and clothing here.





Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Fashion Nostalgia: The Beautiful Covers of British Vogue

As a graphic design geek, in addition to my fashionista creds, I could not help but gawk in awe over the amazingly beautiful covers from British Vogue. Under the editorial eyes of Dorothy Todd, Elspeth Champcommunal, Alison Settle, and Elizabeth Penrose, these gorgeous covers introduced British women to the must-haves during a fab time in fashion, the Roaring 20's and 30's. It was the time when flappers ruled which is the continual theme throughout these lovely covers.

The covers were illustrated by a number of artists/photographers including Helen Dryden (November 1920), Georges Lepape (November 1924, January 1925, February 1933), Eduardo Benito (July 1926), Pierre Mourgue (March 1932), Pierre Roy (April 1937, The Coronation Issue for King George VI), and René Bouché (May 1939).

The other appeal of these covers is the use of typography as a graphic element. Unlike today where it is important that your masthead look the same each month, these covers explored the whimsy and stylish effect of a great typeface. It was also unusual to see the infrequency of issues compared to today. Here were the best covers from 1920-1939. British Vogue's Covers are archived on their web site.


My Favorite, July 1928, Edited by Alison Settle




1920's


November 1920



November 1924



January 1925



July 1926



January 1927




The 1930's


January 1930



June 1930



May 1931



March 1932



August 1932



February 1933



December 1933



November 1934



May 1935



April 1937



May 1939