Jessica White: Bringing Back the Fur Coat

On Sunday I was scanning the channels for something interesting to watch, and I ended up on the T.O. show. In this episode Terrell Owens was going to be featured in Ritchie Rich fashion show. Since he and his PR person, Kita were in NYC, Kita decided to meet with one of his ex-girlfriends, Victoria's Secret model Jessica White. When Jessica walked into the coffee shop, I couldn't help but notice her amazing fur coat. I didn't even pay attention to the conversation between she and Kita, because I was trying to figure out whether or not her coat was a bomber or full length. I've always thought that fur coats are luxe and the ultimate mark of sophistication. I decided to look into what designers incorporated fur into their shows and ultimately help fur to make a comeback on the fashion scene.

Chanel Iman models a gorgeous waist length camel colored belted fur in the DSquared2 Fall 2010 Fashion Show.

Courtesy of IMAXtree.com and Matteo Volta

via Elle.com

Here a model struts in a cropped black fur swing coat, also in the DSquared2 Fall 2010 Fashion Show.

Here a model in the Fall 2010 Michael Kors show wears a calf length coat:

Courtesy of Imaxtree via Elle.com

These are all great examples of how a little fur can go a long way. Notice how each designer has paired the fur with a more casual outfit. Casually dressed fur is a great way to incorporate or reintroduce fur into your wardrobe

Hey, Clothes Have to Go Somewhere: Not So Humble Closets

I'm a firm believer that behind every fashionable person is an equally as chic home and closet. So, I was not surprised when I finally witnessed Olivia Palermo's palatial (well maybe not considering she lives in a NYC apartment) and impeccably organized closet. The closet has its own grey and black zebra print carpeting. The closet is complete with a few floral arrangements here and there and everything has it's place.

Go down the road a few blocks, well maybe more than a few, and we can find a similar closet decor in Kimora Lee Simmons's New Jersey Mansion. Her closet also has floral arrangements and animal leopard print carpeting but unlike Olivia's closet, it also houses a few chandeliers, frames and accent furniture.

Image Courtesy of decorpad.com

As a college student, my dorm room closet is a far cry from the closets of these ultra fashionistas, but maybe I can take a cue from them when designing my closet for next year? After all, fashionistas in the making have to store their clothes in fabulous ways too!

In order to create my own celebrity inspired dressing space, I would:

• Incorporate a floor length mirror like this Dolce Cheval mirror from Target right outside of my closet:

• Animal Print Carpeting: Leopard Print Rugs like this one from retailers such as Wal-Mart come in various sizes:

• Cool Shoe Storage: So a shoe rack stretching the span of a wall will probably not fit in a dorm room closet, but a simple shoe rack will. Try something like this bronze mesh storage rack from spacesavers.com

• Hangers: Good hangers can prevent you from having to iron your clothes before you rush off to class. Try these Padded Damask Hangers from The Container Store.

• A Cute Ottoman near the floor length mirror for when you need a place to sit when putting on those fabulous heels or as you spritz your perfume.

• Artwork: Small framed pictures sitting atop a nearby table or on the wall near your closet.

Socks and Other Signs of a Well Dressed Man: Cuff Links

I am the cuff link giver. Whenever one of my friends or family members celebrates a milestone in their lives, whether it's graduating from high school or college, or their birthday, they get cuff links from me. Of course I don't give the same person cuff links on more than one occasion, because that would be a bit redundant in the gift giving area. But, that is beside the point that I'm making today. I love cuff links on a French Cuff Shirt. To me, cuff links are a small piece of jewelry that complete the suited look.

Now, in a professional setting, most men would probably stick with traditional pewter and silver colors for their cuff links, but why? Please try golds, colors and other cuff links that really show the personality of the wearer.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Canali Mother of Pearl Cuff Links from Nordstroms. These links are jazzier than the traditional cuff links and they are in one of this fall's it colors, purple.

These Penny Black 40 Fenway Park inspired cuff links also from Nordstrom's are perfect for any Red Sox fan!

These David Donahue sterling silver cuff links, also from Nordstrom's, with a pale blue inlay will go perfectly with a French Cuff shirt and Charcoal Grey suit.

Lastly, Nordstrom's Ravi Ratan 'Stethescope' cuff links would be the best gift for a recent Medical School Graduate or a seasoned physician.

Off to the Emerald City: A Little Wizard of Oz Inspiration

Before I continue, I just want to say that this post is just in time for the 71st Anniversary of The Wizard of Oz film on August 12th!

Now on to my original thoughts. So I was watching the September Issue, and I saw a brief clip from a photoshoot that Grace Coddington styled in one of the past issues of Vogue. The theme was none other than The Wizard of Oz. If you know me, you'd know that this book has been one of my favorites since I first read it at 6 years old. I loved the book even more after I found out that L. Frank Baum shared a birthday with me! Of course I was delighted when I discovered that someone had styled a shoot based upon this classic.

I researched what other fashion magazines and designers were inspired by Baum's literary genius.

Keira Knightley models as Dorothy with her crew on the way into the Emerald City in the December 2008 issue of Vogue:

Courtesy of celebglitz.com

NY Post:

The New York Post Did an Oz inspired photo shoot. See the video here http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=2XF2vtVqMf4&feature=related

Heatherette's Fall 2007 collection was inspired by the colorful hues and characters from Dorothy's journey to Oz. Lydia Hearst is seen here wearing a modified version of the traditional blue gingham dress and ruby red shoes that Judy Garland's Dorothy is known for.

Photo Courtesy of nycsplash.com

In 2009, Warner Brothers and Swarovski teamed up with a number of renowned designers to release the "Ruby Slipper Collection" in celebration of the 70th Anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. Below are the gorgeous images that I received from melbournefashionista.com. Designers included top names from Jimmy Choo to Christian Louboutin.

These L.A.M.B. by Gwen Stefani platform sandals with red velvet ankle ties and swarovski crystallized bows are a far cry from the heels that Dorothy clicks together in the original Oz film.

When "clicked" together, these Moschino pumps form a wonderfully designed crystallized bow tie, and don't you just love the candy striped sole? Perhaps that inspiration came from the well recognized red and white tights of the Wicked Witch of the West?

"Why Don't You Love Me": Music Video Inspiration

Beyonce's video "Why Don't You Love Me" delivers an important message regarding the often unappreciative attitude for women in society. In the video, Beyonce plays a 1960s housewife that does everything that should make her husband happy. The stylist for the video truly channeled the 1960s flair in Beyonce's multiple costume changes throughout the duration of the flick. So, of course my wheels started turning, and I considered, "If I wanted to incorporate some of the classy-chic elements of the 1960s into my wardrobe, how would I do it?"

Image Courtesy of blackvoices.com

• Gingham: Nothing screams 1960s a la Gillighan's Island quite like gingham does. And luckily for us, many designers are taking this into account in their fall collections. Take this Grey Gingham blouse from Issac Mizrahi's 2011 resort collection for instance.

Image Courtesy of style.com

• Lace: Try this Jersey Lace overlay "T" by Tracy Reese to incorporate a modern twist to the traditional material. The good thing about wearing lace this way is that it can be worn in the office.

• Red Lip Color: I've been wanting to try red lip color for a while now. And this fall, I'm going to step out there and try it. This might be a bit difficult for me since I'm used to wearing browns and pale pinks, so I think I'll start with a lip gloss as opposed to a lipstick. Maybe I'll try Mac's Dazzleglass in Love Alert. It's a raspberry red with a pearlescent shine.
  

• Cat Eye Sunglasses: These Tom Ford Nico Plastic Sunglasses from Saks Fifth Avenue put a current twist on the cat eye look with the bowtie frame giving the cat eye at the bottom and the top.

• Pill Box Hats: There is nothing more Jacqueline Kennedy-Onassis like than a traditional pill box hat. They may be hard to track down today, but they give you the perfect reason to visit your local vintage stores.

Image Courtesy of Essence.com

• Gloves in the Daytime: There's nothing classier and more traditional than wearing gloves to a luncheon or while doing errands. These Maison Fabre Lace and Leather fingerless mittens from saks.com combine classic lace with a rockeresque fingerless glove style.

• Dramatic Eyes: So blue eyeshadow no longer has to be an eyesore of the past. We can incorporate it into the present with the right shades. Try this midnight blue Urban Decay eyeshadow. The darker color and silver iridescence are perfect for a night out on the town.

Alexander McQueen's New Clutch Collection

Today I came across this fabulous Alexander McQueen clutch. It's inspired by the late artistic genius, Michael Jackson. McQueen has incorporated a replica of Jackson's signature bedazzled glove into a black snake skin clutch with diagonally set zippers. Look, you can slip your hand right into the swarovski crystallized glove attached to the purse, and it really helps you to "keep a hand" on it!

(Image from saksfifthavenue.com)

Ooh la la: What would Marie Antoinette wear?

Sofia Coppola's 2006 film Marie Antoinette is one of my favorite movies, because of the stylish wardrobe of the cast. I mean of course there's no surprise there since Coppola is a designer for Louis Vuitton. However, as I watched the movie for the first time, I reveled in the original Material Girl's beautiful silk gowns, ornate jewels and lavish shoe choices. So, I thought to myself, surely there are fashion designers who have been influenced by Marie Antoinette's wardrobe choices. If I were to incorporate Marie Antoinette's style into a modern day wardrobe, what would I find?

(All images are from www.moviescreenshots.blogspot.com)

In the above image, King Louis wears a dupioni silk jacket and a lace ruffle top, while the women wear large jewels, pearls and broaches. On a side note, I am loving the grey color that Louis wears. It goes perfectly with this fall's color trend :)

In order to channel Louis's courtly look, try this grey La Via 18 draped neck jacket from Saks Fifth Avenue. The Ruffle collar mirrors the collar in the man's jacket above, and like his it's in one of this seasons "it" colors!

Or try this navy Moschino Zipper Ruffled Jacket also from Saks. The zippers and color add a seasonal twist to the very traditional ruffle.

Incorporate this Lavish Antique Cuff from Forever21.com. The oversize jewels add to the look of opulence that Marie Antoinette was known for.

Or this Grand Dame Brooch Necklace also from Forever21.com. The pearls and brooches combine the brooches and pearls look that both of the women wear in the picture above.

This Extravagant Shield Ring also from Forever21.com has multiple jewels and the gilded gold color make it the perfect addition to any outfit.