Fashion Blog

So, if you didn’t get the chance to plant a tree and celebrate Earth Day properly last month, don’t fret, for it’s never to late to go green! Before you bust out your re-usable shopping bags and recycling bins, make sure you are properly outfitted first!

My favorite runway look this week is from Diane Von Furstenberg’s Spring 2008 Ready-to-Wear collection. Not only do I love this shade of green, but the silhouette has a blousy, boho feel, and the headscarf gives the look a very cute 70’s vibe.

Not ready to drop some serious $$$ on DVF? The look below won’t break the bank and might leave you some leftover cash for those energy-saving light bulbs you’ve been meaning to pick up.

          Black pleated jumpsuit, $29.80, forever21.com

          Satin floral-print scarf, $39, bananarepublic.com  

Steve Madden Vallii wedges in green,
$74, zappos.com

Shop for more women’s jumpsuits here.

Shop for more women’s scarves here.

Shop for more women’s wedge sandals here.

Image Source: Style.com

I know! Red dresses on Valentine’s Day–how predictable! But, I’m thinking that it’s so obvious that it might actually be cool in an ironic way.  Plus, these dresses are cute any day.

Diane Von Furstenberg Coen Cashmere Dress, $495

Okay, so it’s a little lot pricey, but a red cashmere dress in a such a flattering shape.  Can you put a price tag on that???

Old Navy Black Leopard Dress, $29.50

Old Navy is really shaping up. Here’s something I’d actually want to wear from the discount chain.  This is also a really  subtle way to do red.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Raised Silk Twill Dress, $348

So, this isn’t a red dress, but it does boast a red sash.  That’s an easy way to get the V-day spirit, without feeling like a box of chocolates.

WD. NY Ponte Sleeveless Dress $49.00 (was $138)

There’s nothing wrong with a little Mondrian print on Valentine’s Day.  Is there?

Forever 21 Balloon Tube Dress, $22.80

Okay, so this isn’t red either, but hot pink on Valentine’s Day totally works! Totally!

The Nordstom Half Yearly Sale is on, and there’s lots of good stuff to gush over, as usual. If I have one money-saving tip as we approach the holiday season, it’s to take advantage of this event and others like it to outfit yourself for all those festive parties you’ll be attending.

Here are my top 5 chic little black dress picks from the sale:

If your fancy yourself a sophisticated party-goer, might I suggest the Diane von Furstenberg ‘Manca’ dress, $ 254.90 (old price= $425). The bell sleeves and that high neckline are delish when offset by a short hem. I’d pair it with some metallic shoes, opaque tights, and a flashy cocktail ring.

If you’re daring, this one-shoulder “Trudie” dress $238 (old price=$598) might be your thing. I love the delicately pleated skirt and all that texture on the bodice. I would play this look straight–it’s got enough embellishment, so there’s no need to add a bunch wow-worthy accessories.

If you’re too creative for all black, then shake things up with this Chetta B by Sherry Bloom and Peter Noviello sweater dress $115 (old price= $290). Maybe I’m a little too obsessed with brightly colored legwear, but wouldn’t this look so cute with a pair of purple tights? Do it!

If super-feminine frocks are your taste, this Maggy London Halter à la Marilyn Monroe $87 (old price=$148) might be to your liking. I like the gold hoops the folks at Nordstrom paired it with, but i believe a bracelet is in order too.

If you want to keep it simple and sexy, this Nicole Miller Bateau Neck Dress $212 (old price=$355) might be just the thing. I love the dreamy silhouette–a slim skirt offset by a blouson top. This is great for adding curves athletic body types. And it has pockets!

Gallery Couture is the brainchild of brothers David and Afshin Haghani, who have been bringing “good taste” to Long Island’s Gold Coast since the opening of their first shop in 1991. Now, with two stores under their belts–the Haghanis made their second retail endeavor in 2001– each season their offerings include must-have pieces by designers like Nanette Lepore, Robert Rodriguez, Elie Tahari, Rebecca Taylor and lots more.

While David Haghani is the business mind of Gallery Couture, Afshin Haghani is the buyer and the man behind the look of the boutique. Well traveled, Afshin keeps his fashion savvy well tuned with trips to Europe and Asia, where he checks out upcoming collections, cutting-edge designs and emerging trends. The super chic results of such research are seen in the fine contemporary fashions and designer clothing that grace the racks of the exclusive shop.

But you don’t have to make a trip to Long Island to shop Gallery Couture because they’re online now too. Thank goodness for technology, huh? First time customers get 10 % off on their first purchase when they type in 0808 at checkout. Oh, and I’ll pass on a tip from the Gallery Couture staff and regulars: “if you love it, buy it” because their inventory moves quickly.

Here are some of the Gallery Coutures’ favorites for the season:

M Missoni Long Cardigan, $795 Robert Rodriguez Jersey Chiffon Top, $295 Diane von Furstenberg Lluvia Dress, $295

To feast your eyes on the rest of Gallery Couture’s exciting collection, click here.

Diane Von Furstenberg

The queen of the flattering dress has done it again.  This time around, there was hardly a signature wrap dress in sight, though, and the replacements were super delish.  The looks were ladylike and ultra-chic, of course, and the colors were fresh and unexpected, muted for the most part but hardly subtle.

What the Diane Said:The program said this collection is about “the fantasy of escaping to exotic islands, and the wilder shores of love.”

Celebs Who Showed: André Leon Talley and a bunch of socialites.

Runway Trends: White and flowy, below-the-knee hems, ruffled skirts, tropical prints, maxi dresses, puffy shirts, halters, graduated color, one shoulder, yellow (of course), wrap skirts, muted colors, sack dresses, and bold patterns.

Marc Jacobs

This show had a fun concept–it went backwards. That’s right, first Marc Jacobs came out and took a bow then his models did the “finale” walk, then it started from the last look to the first. That crazy Marc Jacobs. Is that what getting skinny does to a person?

What Marc Says: “It’s cartoon versions of all the women I know—conservative types, vamps, everybody….”

The Celebs Who Showed: Of course they all came out for this. Victoria Beckham, Mischa Barton, Courtney Love, Carmen Electra, Padma Lakshmi (Top Chef), Sheryl Crow, Vincent Gallo, Kim Gordon (yay!), Elisha Cuthbert, Michael Stipe, Russel Simmons, Michelle Rodriguez, Michelle Trachtenberg, Amy Poelher (double yay!) and Princess Deena Abdulaziz.

Runway Trends: Silly string detailing, black lace, layers, large collars, floral mixed with black, oversized jackets, shimmer, deconstruction (oh maybe that’s why they started with the end first), see-through stuff, asymmetry, flower applique, high-waisted shorts, sequins, lilac and muted colors.