LBD

Tory on the always relevant little black dress...

Why is the Little Black Dress such a perennial?
It’s a classic, and it’s flattering on everyone. It’s also an incredible cultural phenomenon. Think about all the images we have in our minds of stylish women in a little black dress: Coco Chanel (who popularized the LBD), Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, anyone in anything by Azzedine Alaïa.

Why do you love the Little Black Dress?
My mother and grandmother wore them, and each had a distinct style. Black dresses are really a blank canvas — you make of them what you will.

So it’s not just for minimalists?
It’s for everyone. Minimalists can keep it streamlined and spare in all black. If you like it bolder, think about a dress with lace or sequins and then pile on the costume jewelry and a statement shoe.

How do you wear it?
I like a ladylike silhouette — nipped waist and slim fit. For cocktails, I pair our Bovary dress with my favorite Sevan Bicakci ring and embellished stilettos like our Pixie pump. Depending on my mood and where I’m going, I mix up the shoes and jewelry and go with either opaque black tights or bare legs.

Isn't she such a classic!? Be sure to shop Tory Burch's new little black dresses that are a part of her new Holiday 2012 collection. I'm dying over the little black dresses and the teal jewel toned pieces!

http://www.toryburch.com/blog

GP + DVF

I love this interview between Gwyneth Paltrow and Diane von Furstenberg. I admire both women so much so this interview pairing is a match made in heaven for me! What do you think? 

Here's what Gwyneth had to say about the interview:

"I have always had a deep admiration for Diane von Furstenberg, who is as elegant as she is dynamic, as cultured as she is intelligent. She is successful, independent, sexy and a mother and grandmother...needless to say, she is an icon. She interviewed me for the cover story of next month’s InStyle magazine and below you will find the reciprocal."

Q: When did you start designing clothing and what motivated you to start?
A: I didn’t always know what I wanted to do, but I knew the kind of woman I wanted to be. I knew that I wanted to be an independent woman and to have a career. Suddenly I was married and pregnant and moving to America at the age of 22. So I made a few dresses in a factory in Italy to sell in America. I was always motivated by a desire to pay my own bills and to be independent.

Q: What was your inspiration for your Fall 2012 collection? What do you think the theme of this season will be?
A: I am always inspired by women - strong, independent, fearless women. It becomes about where she is going... what she’s doing. For fall, she has a "Rendez-Vous" and it's all about mystery and the suspense leading up to a meeting. There are some Surrealist undertones, like the work of Dali, Magritte, Miro... I think this season is very mysterious, fall is always a little darker, and this season is particularly sexy.

Q: When planning our fall wardrobe, what colors, shapes, and cuts should we be looking out for this season?
A: Fall is all about billowing coats over sleek, body conscious silhouettes. We opened our show with the Bentley dress, which is the new wrap. It really accentuates the body and looks great under the season’s oversized coats. It falls off the shoulder a little bit. Colors are rich burgundy, cherry red and deep turquoise. And there is always black and white.

Q: And looking ahead, what was your inspiration for Spring 2013?

A: For Spring, “Palazzo,” I was really inspired by my own life as a young, jet set princess, so it is about the places she travels - Rome, Marrakesh, Jaipur...there is a lot of embellishment and silver balls and flowing kaftans over silk pants. Mini dresses with color-blocking inspired by oriental architecture, arabesque shapes, and beautiful, body flattering lines.

Q: What are the 5 - 10 key pieces every woman should have in her wardrobe?

A: 

• a day coat
• an evening coat
• a pair of really high heels
• a black cocktail dress that travels well (love out lightweight Meena dress that you wore to my studio this summer)
• hiking boots
• a cozy sweater and leggings
• a sophisticated handbag
• a wrap dress
• a clutch for evening...

Q: What are the pieces you’ve most loved designing and why?

A: I am really focusing on accessories now...the Connect bags excite me...to have a handbag where you can use your iPad without removing it, that was really exciting for me, because it answered a practical need in my own life. I thought, I want to have my iPad with me all the time, but I want it to look chic, and now I have this amazing bag that looks fabulous and it has a custom pocket that fits my iPad, so I can pull a zipper and the screen is at my finger tips. So accessories have been a lot of fun....

http://goop.com/

Porthole: Whitney Port's Marina Digs

Have you ever wondered what Whitney Port is up to post The Hills/The City? Well if you are like me then you keep up with her work and style but, just in case you don't, here is a peak inside her Marina Del Rey world.

How would you describe your personal style and does it ever change from city to city?
"It's a mix of feminine and masculine, print heavy, casual, and textural. When I'm in New York City, it's a little grittier, darker, and chic. When I'm in London, it’s a bit funkier and edgier, and when I'm in L.A. it's more casual and comfortable."

When shopping for clothes, what immediately catches your eye?
"Bright colors, interesting prints, chunky knits, and sequins!"

What are some essential pieces every girl should have in her wardrobe?
"A leather moto-jacket, white men's collared button-down, cute frilly socks for accessorizing, and pointy flats." 

Who are your style icons?
"Princess Diana, Katherine Hepburn; and now I love Diane Kruger, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and Abby Kershaw."

If you could go back in time, would you do The Hills and The City again?
"Definitely. Though it's caused people to have preconceived notions of me and altered my sense of privacy, it has given me the exposure and the means to have my clothing line, which is exactly what I wanted it to do."

What are your tips for putting together a noteworthy ensemble?
"Step out of your comfort zone, feel sexy, plan ahead, and embrace your personal style."

What motivates you to succeed?
"My love for what I do, and the feeling I get when witnessing someone feel confident and sexy when wearing my clothes."

To read the rest of Whitney's interview head on over here. Thanks Allison for sending me this link!

http://www.refinery29.com/

2000 Leagues Under The Sea

The last few months have been consumed with job interviews and with starting new jobs for many of my friends (and me!). The question of what to wear to such interviews and the always important first day of work crosses every girl's mind more than once. After all, first impressions are often established based on one's appearance. So take pride in your appearance!

Luckily, I have the perfect solution for this "what to wear" dilemma. Enter Karen Walker's SS12/13 Collection. She titled the collection 'Sea Monsters' because she got her inspiration from the classic sci-fi novel 2000 Leagues Under the Sea. What do you think of the ruffles, bows, high-necks, paisley prints, and glittering brocades? I sure am onboard (even under the sea)!

http://oystermag.com/