Hot for Spring 2008: Watch out for the Big Girls

I recently discovered a wonderful plus-sized designer on Etsy.com.

JANE BON BON is HOT! 

Oh, there’s also Size Appeal.  Check them out as well!  Here are some great spring looks you can pick up online.

   

 

Lacoste Bags: I heart them

Lacoste City Croc Bag The sporty and versatile City Croc large bowling bag from the Lacoste fall/winter 2007 collection is so a must have for this fall! Lacoste’s iconic crocodile logo stands as a symbol of the brand’s rich heritage and commitment to quality while ensuring you are always in style.

Lacoste ‘Sailing Boston’ Satchel Leather and cotton combine in a sporty yet sophisticated satchel, roomy enough to fit all the essentials.

Amuleta, Weitzman…To the runway…Bags

Aaneta Amuleta $449 at Couture Candy

Stuart Weitzman Gray Gymbag $345 at Stuart Weitzman

Top Trends from NEW YORK Fall 2007 Fashion Week

New York’s Fashion Week may be a foggy memory of feathers, hats, and sequins, but we’re still sifting through the looks. We combed hundreds of shows to find fall 2007’s ten biggest trends, from silhouettes to shoes. Now you just have to find somewhere to wear them. – NYMag (Click here for photos from Fashion Week of these trends.)

(1.) Your silhouette will slim down.
Fall’s shapes are far narrower than spring’s bubbles and trapezes. Marc Jacobs and Calvin Klein led the slim charge, with belted coats and tailored dresses respectively.

(2.) You’ll channel the queen.
Tweed can be hard to pull off—it tends toward bulky, frumpy, and way too royal family. Thakoon handled it lightly on an elegant coat, while Ralph Lauren and Oscar de le Renta made it classic, not dowdy.

(3.) You’ll supersize your sweaters.
Chunky knits were all over the runways. Bruce showed how cozy can still look sleek, while Diane von Furstenberg kept it loose and comfortable with a floppy-collared sweater coat. Our pick, however, is Malo’s sweater: space age and warm at the same time.

(4.) You’ll get some new pants—finally!
After a year of dresses and leggings, pants are back, and in a big, big, big way. There were great slouchy menswear versions at Michael Kors and Proenza Schouler, slick stovepipes at Narciso Rodriguez, and sailor-esque pants at Zero Maria Cornejo.

(5.) You’ll zip it good.
What is it with the eighties? This season it was zippers. Behnaz Sarafpour trimmed hers in neon yellow, while Derek Lam kept his basic black. At Thakoon, the zippers were for pockets only.

(6.) You’ll keep your head warm.
Whether it’s wide-brimmed (Marc Jacobs), pulled low (Proenza Schouler), or little more than a spray (Donna Karan), you’ll be wearing a hat. Cover for warmth (Michael Kors’s fur) or for modesty (Vera Wang’s head scarf), but just cover with something.

(7.) You’ll dare to clash.
In what has become a 5 x 10 classic, navy and black reigned supreme: a black belt on a navy dress at Derek Lam, royal blue on cardigans at Marc Jacobs and Thakoon.

(8.) You’ll keep walking tall.
The platform trend remains, but it’s subtler. The shapes are more traditional this season: pumps, sandals, and so on. Everyone from Donna Karan to Derek Lam amped up their shoes, with platforms beneath the toe box that function like lifts.

(9.) You’ll be dazzling.
Sequins and paillettes were everywhere, and in a whole host of vibrant colors. They were silver and muted at Vera Wang, and Technicolor dreamy at Marc Jacobs. Tory Burch even showed how the look can work for day: beneath a toggled fisherman sweater paired with an easy pair of pants.

(10.) You’ll fly away.
What’s more fun on an evening gown than a mound of fluffy feathers? Not much, as dresses from Mizrahi, Malandrino, and Marchesa pointed out. Sari Gueron and Thakoon turned their cool, young eyes on the trend with pared-down takes.

I give you…Derek Lamb

If you don’t know about this designer…you should.

Derek Lam began his career at Michael Kors; accordingly, his clothes echo Kors’ desire to reinvent American sportswear.  His silhouettes are clean and precise, and he leans towards stiffer fabrics that hold their shape rather than mold to the wearer’s body.  Pea coats, sheath dresses, plunging necklines, and wide-leg trousers…brilliant.

 Here are some lovely bits from his Fall 2007 collection from his website:

Louis Vuitton Tribute Patchwork Bag

Is this bag really that ugly…really.  At $45,000 (although I’ve heard $42, 000 as the price as well…still very pricey), and with all of the bags made being sold out (all 24 of them…lol)…maybe, maybe not.  I can’t say I would spend the money on this bag when I could buy a hybrid car for the money.  I’d rather have the car.  It would be more fashionable.  LOL!  Beyonce seems to like it though.

Jimmy Choo’s $28,000 treat for Jet Setters

This “Bari” bag is from Jimmy Choo’s Jet Setter Collection.  $28,000 limited-edition crocodile bag that comes complete with its own fur blanket.

High tech bling from Swarovski

Oh these Active Crystals from Swarovski are so James Bond, so Coco Chanel…just such an lovey fusion of fashion and technology.  I’m just in love.

A must have for the fashionable, early adapters to technology…those who are rocking the iPhone before everyone else and the Hermes muff handbag too.

I want Choo!

I love the Jimmy Choo’s Maddy bag in Cognac.  The brass accents against the chocolately tones…heaven.

Photo: www.jimmychoo.com

Great Cheap Chic

Chic can be cheap, really! By NEDRA RHONE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Stores like Target, Payless Shoe Source, and JC Penney have made a practice of bringing high-end, and often emerging, designers to the radar of shoppers in the largest cities and smallest towns. Judging from the collaborations on deck for fall, it is a strategy that must be paying off. Here’s a cheat sheet of just a few designer – store duos not to be missed.

Abaete / Payless

Designer Laura Poretzky showed styles from her fall collection for Payless at Fashion Week in February. Highlights include an over-the-knee boot (right) with a zip-off shaft for two looks in one. At $70 it’s a bit high-end for Payless, but the styles are available online and in select stores.

Alice Temperley / Target

British designer, Temperley is known for her playful clothing and the use of ruffles, polka dots, and bows on her feminine frocks. The collection, priced from $14.99 to $139.99, features standouts such as a long flower print dress and a navy military jacket with gold buttons. Designs arrive in stores, September 16.

Chip & Pepper / JC Penney

Denim demi-gods Chip and Pepper Foster from California have launched a line at JC Penney, called C7P. The denim and sportswear geared to young men and women includes a logo hoodie, $44, and dark vintage jeans (right), $55. Other items include tees and bermuda shorts.

Dominique Cohen / Target

On August 19, Los Angeles based Cohen releases a line of artistic jewelry at Target. Cohen’s high-end designs in 18k gold, gemstones, and pearls are sold at select fine department stores. Her made for Target creations include multi-strand necklaces priced at $20 and $60.

Lela Rose / Payless

Designer Lela Rose is the second guest designer to introduce a collection of shoes for Payless. Rose’s five styles, scheduled to arrive in stores in early September, include shoes in tweed with patent accents, a T-strap sandal, and a very of-the-moment ankle boot. Prices start as low as $25.

Lutz & Patmos / Uniqlo

Japan based Uniqlo made waves when it arrived in the states selling affordable cashmere sweaters. The company quickly discovered the joy of collaboration. Beginning in August, stylish cashmere designs by Tina Lutz and Marcia Patmos will sell for a fraction of the price of their eponymous collection. Japanese designer, Keita Maruyama, and Brit Adam Jones, will also add their cashmere creations all priced between $89 to $159. Atlantans can call 1-877-4UNIQLO.

Sarah Jessica Parker / Bitten at Steve & Barry’s

The launch collection hit stores in June, but between August 10 and September 10, SJP’s fall collection, which includes the $20 houndstooth coat made famous on the Oprah Winfrey Show, will be delivered to stores. The clothing isn’t available online or by phone, but Atlantans take heart; a quick drive to Athens will get you bitten.

Simply Vera by Vera Wang / Kohl’s

The long awaited Vera Wang designed collection finally arrives at Kohl’s on September 9. A purple ruffle tie-blouse is $59, while an embellished tank dress goes for $138. The apparel line is priced from $34 to $138, but the collection also includes intimates, accessories and items for the home.