Kate Moss @ TopShop

So I finally visited the TopShop US site to check out Kate's new autumn line...
and honestly, there are only a few things that really jump out. I won't be buying anything (so! expensive! it all looked cheaper in pounds, but now it's in $$ signs...)

The best thing in the whole line is by far this:

Babydoll Dress, $135. The back is really beautiful and simple.



Heart Cardigan, $90 -- already out of stock!! Also in brown and grey.

Charlston Dress, $160. Also in navy. This one I really do like - again, the back kinda makes the dress - it is super low with a criss cross spaghetti strap... and I can just imagine the movement of all the fringe. I'm seeing some simple black pumps, a leather bomber, and a slouchy envelope clutch with this one.

The rest of the line is sorta "meh." It will sell out, no doubt, but is there really anything new about a striped tunic top or a printed tank?

All images, clothes available at TopShop US

Fashion Week Favorite #1

Rodarte.
To be honest it's not revolutionary - it's just a continuation of their last (blockbuster, killer, extraordinary) season. But just these two dresses alone make the collection for me.
They're both ethereal and vivid (an unusual combo)... and, the cuts and fabrics across the chest are so unusual, but so right for the style... it really flows. It's a hit - I'm in!

LookBook: One Fine Evening

Ok, so this shirt was bought in London... my only purchase (in real life it's not as shiny as it looks in the pic)
Jeans, J Brand. Shoes, Marc by Marc

LookBook: About Town

Shirt and skirt, American Apparel. Shoes, Dolce Vita. Bag, B. Makowski. Belt, vintage.

Lure of LeSportSac

Two summers ago, I purchases my first LeSportSac: a black Tokidoki for LeSportSac simple bag (above right). It was cool because it had multicolored teeth in its zippers, tan leather detail, and a stain-resistant exterior fabric. Plus it was lightweight and held all my things. Eventually I removed the keychain so that it was clean and classic.
When I bought my (relatively cheap) bag, I never knew it would come around the world with me, carry me from day to night in all my travels, and still look as good as new....
I only wish it had a little more detail and a little more style.

Enter Stella McCartney for LeSportSac. The initial collection last year was not really my thing (that bunny backpack was kinda way too kitschy) but the new collection is, I think, a home run.

Stella McCartney for LeSportSac 4619 Classic Carrall in Bark, $225

Stella McCartney for LeSportSac 4624 Convertible Rucksack in Night, $250

These may not be cheap, but they look pretty luxurious (even in nylon, which is a feat). The gold detailing, the color choices - it all makes it both practical and classy. I think I have an item for my wish list - and I know that these bags will endure the test of time and environment. I guess my dream Marc by Marc leather bag will have to wait another season....

On the Fringe

Gucci F/W 08-09

After Gucci's F/W08-09 show, it seems like the hippy-bohemian-low-slung-belt-and-fringe-boots vibe is back (with a Renaissance twist). Maybe fashion is having a bipolar moment (think Roland Mouret and especially Balenciaga and Prada - all straight, clean, sharp lines for F/W08-09, with Prada's dowdy silhouettes and Balenciaga's austere cuts suggesting a move in one direction ... versus Gucci's 70's-style gypsy movement).

Prada F/W 08-09

Balenciaga F/W 08-09

But there is a common trend here, forgive the use of the word, and its away from sexy in the overt and usual way we see it. Take away Alexander Wang - who is sort of his own agent and his own scene - and we get a lot less skin and a lot more sauve detail. Take a cue from buttoned-up-cute Thakoon S/S09. Even Rodarte S/S09 is more sculptural in chest detailing with long skirts than outright sexy.

Thakoon S/S 09

Rodarte S/S 09

So anyway, back to Gucci. Gucci buttons up some peasant shirts, slings some coin belts across its models' narrow hips, adds rows of studs, throws on layers of fringe, and invents an outlet for girls who are already tired of "line" and "cut."
Cue Kate Moss back in her Minnetonka moccasin boots, cue Sam Edelman bringing out the fringe-glorious flat boots, cue Jeffrey Campbell with fringed sandals and heels.

Sam Edelman "Ursula" $159 at piperlime.com
Jeffrey Campbell "Top" Fringe Sandal, $94.95 at Nordstrom

Kate Moss in Minnetonka

It's a trickle-down effect, alright, and I'm not immune to its lure. I've loved those Minnetonka moc boots since I first saw them swaying down the street on Kate, and now they're mine.
Now the question is, with all my AA cardigans and rather preppy clean-cut tops, how to style them? I think Kate knows, so I'll have to learn from her. What else is new, right?



Pics: FabSugar, Fashion Week Daily

A Black Dress

a) is never dull
b) is always flattering
c) can't fail at making you feel good
d) all of the above

Dress, Susana Monaco
Shoes, Carlos by Carlos Santana

Here' to You, Roberto...

Roberto Cavalli Vodka? A friend tipped me off to this one. Cheers, I guess!

London!!

Then we went to London. It was lovely. We walked and took the tube everywhere, saw as many sights as we could fit in, and even did the whole Oxford Circus march. We came away empty-handed, but that was never the point of London anyway.

Our truly luxurious hotel room:
The British Museum:
The V&A

A moment for fashion reflections, courtesy of the V&A

(I wouldn't mind wearing either of these shoes. What is happening with the Biba revival, anyway? The dress below however... now that is another story....)
Buildings of Parliament...
The London Eye across the Thames (and we went on it. it was raining.)Then there was St. Paul's

And the very expensive Tower of London
(The crown jewels are the highlight there, of course, but no photos and they move you by them pretty sharpish...)

Then we flew away home!

Rwanda, Pt. 3

And finally, we also went on a short safari. Some shots:





Then, as we drove to the border of Uganda, we encountered these cows with ridiculous horns:And the next day by the pool, the wildlife came to us.

Rwanda, Pt. 2

I could not fit all my favorite shots in the first post and do it justice.
These are children from the mountains near Ruhengeri, in the northern part of Rwanda. The mountain gorillas of fame dwell above them in the Virunga volcanoes.
And yes, we saw the gorillas.