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More Calvin...

While we're reminiscing, I thought I'd throw in a little Gwyneth circa 1996.

My New (Old) Favorite

I wore a late '90s Calvin Klein cutout dress to a party not too long ago, and I got stopped more times than I can count by women asking about it. It was one of those times when I was rummaging through my closet looking for something I hadn't worn three times in the last three months. And there it was. My blue Calvin was actually the first designer dress I ever owned, which explains why I couldn't part with it all of these years.

To me, nothing looks fresher than Calvin's minimalist aesthetic, especially as it is interpreted by the line's current designer Francisco Costa. Ashley Olsen has rocked Calvin Klein on more than one occasion recently and has certainly stepped out of Mary Kate's long and looming fashion shadow in doing so.

It's official. Skin is in. But only a slice.

Brava!

The soft dolman sleeve provides the perfect foil for the plunging neckline on this gown worn by Zani Gugelmann at Unicef's Snowflake Ball. I'm ready for dresses that are a little more daring, and this one strikes all the right notes.

[image from style.com]

Sheared Minx

Argentinian model Milagros Schmoll is one of my favorite faces out there. And what a face. But check out the before and after. Before, her full lips and high cheekbones got lost in a sea of hair [left].


Now, here she is walking the catwalk for the Spring '08 Adam show [left, below]. The soft sweep of her super-short cut with golden highlights does wonders for her intense yet feminine features. It's the Mia Farrow for a new generation.

[images from style.com]

Downton Daydreams

When someday I move from my one-bedroom rental into my penthouse boasting panoramic views, I’ll convert a spare bedroom into my private boudoir, where a lovely collection of David Downton original illustrations will grace the walls.

[David Downton, Chanel, 2006, Ink on Paper]
Visit the Fashion Illustration Gallery to view this and other works for sale.

And The Seas Parted...

I love fashion, but some of what’s out there right now is downright depressing. Volume for the sake of volume is over! I want new silhouettes and new shapes. I don't want to wear a potato sack, and I don't want to carry one either.

So I've been looking for that new bag, the one that would get me up in the morning just so I could take my little lovely for a one block stroll to Starbucks. It had to be smallish but large enough to hold critical items. It had to be structured but not too structured; it had to posess just the right touch of downtown edge. But no matter where I looked, I came up with a big fat zero. Until now.

Behold, The Bag. I’m in love. It’s the Bottega Veneta Ombre Top Handle Bag ($2100, Saks). It’s chic but cool, it’s small but functional, and it’s structured but not stuffy. I haven’t seen press on this bag, but you know the drill. Once it starts, it’s all over.

Smoking Is Good For You

I wish I knew what makeup artist created this. When it comes to beauty, this is the look I'm going for this holiday season. I rarely meet a smoky eye that I don't like. But isn't it time to update the look? I know my go-to eye is feeling a little past its expiration date.

What's fresh about this eye is how soft it is. The key is choosing soft shimmery brown pencils and shadows and shadows in lieu of dark browns or blacks. I love how the shadow is blended so far below her lower lash line. It makes her look doe-eyed and dramatic at the same time.

[image via Just Jared.com]

A Very Big Taddah

Girls, this is what 84.37 carats looks like.

I'm Loving...

I loathe foundation with a white hot passion unless it's airbrush foundation applied by a makeup artist. While nothing beats true airbrush, this is my favorite alternative by a long shot.

To Bang Or Not To Bang

Do you ever like something you feel you shouldn't? I don't do trend for the sake of trend. I avoided the bob like the plague. But bangs...

I googled "Kate Moss" and "bangs." I came up with little nuggets like not since the Rachel on news outlets from Omaha to Knoxville. Okay, the Omaha part is a lie, but you get it. Proceed with extreme caution, or wind up fashion road kill.

On my recent vacation, I came across Exhibit A - a strikingly pretty British girl, sporting an unfortunate duplicate of Kate's cut. The problem was her naturally curly hair, which transformed what was supposed to be a chic shag into a cotton candy-esque pouf. Not so cute.

But I still can't shake the bangs. I think I'm in.

Not to worry, I won't be bringing in a tear sheet of Kate - or Carmen or Penelope either. I like their versions too, but I'm going for my own thing. If you're looking for alternatives, try googling the perpetually chic Helena Christensen, who has rocked scores of bangs styles over the years.

Her Voice Is Mesmerizing

The late great Diana Vreeland discusses 18th Century fashion with Marisa Berenson.

Something In The Air

Nostalgia...

My Oh Myla

I'm totally crushing on Myla. An uber-chic friend turned me on to this line of London-based lingerie and I'm hooked. Think moody, gorgeous, unadulterated sex appeal.

This isn't lingerie that one crams into overstuffed lingerie drawers alongside sports bras and the like. This is lingerie that belongs in a Jamie Drake-designed boudoir. And it feels as good as it looks.

I love the Pussycat and Brigette babydolls as an alternative to the whole garter belt, bustier thing. Add the Tie-Side or Ruffle knickers for the perfect antidote to the played-out thong.

One part Valley of the Dolls. One part Blow-Up. Three parts smoking hot.

You'll find Myla's only U.S. boutique in Manhattan at 69th and 5th. The lingerie is also carried at Fred Segal in Santa Monica. And thankfully, there is also Myla online.

Styling Note

Goes well with Oribe-esque waves or an extremely well-choreographed "I just threw my (perfectly tossled) hair on top of my head" updo. Translation: this lingerie deserves a trip to the salon. Serve with a dirty Belvedere martini.

Brava!

Donna Karan and Gaby Karan de Felice attended Glamour's Women of the Year awards, where Donna was honored. We honor them here because they both look amazing.

I'm loving the opaque tights with open-toed shoes on Gaby. The tights/shoes combo injects instant freshness to classic black. And Donna...the woman turns sixty next year. Kudos. Head-to-toe perfection.