"Back to Black" Style

What makes Amy Winehouse's style so addicting? It's a question I ask myself quite often. Although it's simple, every time I pick up a magazine I find myself flipping through the pages to see what she is wearing today. It's usually is the same thing... her trademark ballet flats and jeans, but then why do I keep looking? I'm sure my slight obsession over her has nothing to do with it, of course (cough, cough), but what is "Wino" wearing these days that has everyone buzzing?

Rocks the simple looks. (Pictured with Medium Bianca Botkier)

Okay, I am never loving the infamous tacky in-and-out bra straps, but I do have to say, I am loving the sunnies.

I think what people love most about Wino's style is her ability to look killer in something as simple as a black tank... might I say minus the bra straps once again.

But along with her casual threads, I also love the dressy atire as well. That dress is flawless (yes, it's lingerie-inspired wear).

Want to dress like Amy? These are the essentials... and quite inexpensive ones may I add.

Well aside from the clothing, I know there are people that will be asking about the famous beehive 'do. Do I like it? Yes; as a matter of fact, it suits Amy quite well. But that does that mean you should be trying to pull off the famous look? No. A word to the wise...

Ungaro Gets a Fresh Face

After the ex-chief-designer for Emanuel Ungaro left in late July (a.k.a. Peter Dundass), the house's designs have been rather prosaic and lackluster. Over the weekend after long deliberation, they chose Esteban Cortazar (left, pictured), a fresh young designer from Colombia to head the womanswear department.

Cortazar is known for designing many different styles of clothing... from classic little black dresses to trendy blouses. This quality will surely pay off during his reign at Ungaro. Below are some of Cortazar's designs from his latest collection. Like or loathe?

Proenza Schouler Goes Back to Black... Or Lime Green

Proenza Schouler's new Spring RTW line featured many classic looks... all of which included new color palettes for this bold and rejuvenated company. Striking colors and layering plastered their runway. I can't get enough.



This is my favorite look from the whole collection. As we can see, the layering was a major style guideline at all shows, but I do think Proenza Schouler played it best. While other designers paired the same colors together, Proenza Schouler tried a different approach: combining a neutral, a standout, a black (shoes, people!) and white. This is the color combination for the season (or the next!). Although you cannot quite see in this picture, the white blouse is ruffled. This.is.flawless.




Military chic was also running on and off the Proenza Schouler runway. Once again, we see heavy layering. Although I would never wear the vest because it's not really my style, I would just love to see that dress underneath in a size 0. The color is gorgeous. Many thought it was out last year, but I'm starting to realize the belt-over-shirt look is not so passe. Applique will also be very big next season, and this can be seen through the vest. I adore how they placed a white button-down shirt underneath. Simplistic, yet pleasing.

Yes, this outfit is very similar to the first shown, but I posted it because I love how it has a very curvy look. It is not the jacket that pulls in, or the vest, or the dress, OR the shirt, but the belt itself... it simply makes the outfit. I thought the shoes were very interesting to pair with the look. Although I am not a fan of this type of shoe, I love them paired with this. It calms down the look a little bit. Once again you have the ruffled white blouse peeking through, which helps pull the outfit together. Another instance of why Proenza Schouler is a genius company.

Dolce & Gabbana Stirring it Up...

for their clothing line and rather risqué advertisements as well. Although I was disappointed with their collection this year, I am loving the watches, and their ads. Statistics say Dolce & Gabbana has lost a lot of money after these commercials aired, but for some reason, I back them even more.

Fashion has always played a part in society, and it also has to move along with the times. Dolce & Gabbana has always been a company truly tapped into culture, touching on some truly heavy and disputed topics over the years. I think it's free speech and perfectly fine. But do YOU agree with the ads? Sound off!

In Demand Items

We all have wishlists, some more expensive than others. These items were the most google'd, inquired about, and sought for pieces throughout the fashion world. Take a desirous look.

K Karl Lagerfeld Veronique Bow Shirt... I love this. It's simple yet classy; subtle AND statement worthy. It's one of those shirts I would pay anything for... and you don't even need to shell out that much. Okay, it isn't exactly cheap, but for a blouse like this I'd pay the $400.00. I love the shade... it goes with every hair color perfectly. If the bow wasn't there, the shirt would be nothing; it creates a focal point. Lagerfeld makes the most beautiful tops.

3.1 Philip Lim Box Pleat Trapeze Dress. Now I would go ON a trapeze just to wear this thing. I mean, how wonderful is it? And to make it any better, it's only $350.00. I know it's not pocket change people, but for a couture dress, it's jackpot. The pleats are so feng shui and are placed in just the right places. The neckline on the dress it almost braided which brings attention there. On the end of each sleeve lies almost ruched material. It's simply gorgeous.

Leave it to John Galliano to take the mess of pearls you pull out of your jewelry box and make it into a couture masterpiece. I mean, I love it. It's incredible. But when you wear something like this, the rest of your outfit needs to be toned down; it can't be too busy. I'm never really willing to tone down my outfits for one accessory, but there's always an exception to the rule, right? The jewel's lucidity allows it to mock the colors your wearing in your outfit. I would love to have it, but I wouldn't even want to guess the price, because everything on this necklace is real... including those colossal jewels. I would love to say "you can keep it", but I really can't lie here. I want it!!

Can you believe it's Burberry? It's a far leap from their conservative bags, right? But like everything else, it comes with a price tag. The Burberry Knight Bag goes for a whopping $3,000.00. Is it worth it? Not really to me. While the bag is spacious, it lacks compartments and the fact that I hate studs doesn't help either. I love overstated bags, but this is too much for me.

These are THE pumps everyone wants... the Brian Atwood "Nico"s. How cool are they? These pumps catch the attention of everyone within a 10,000 foot radius of you. They come in other colors as well. Other than the look, let's get into the science (oh, god) of this shoe. The top lift, or "peg" that the shoe sits on has been tested to give the utmost support, which is so so helpful. There's nothing worse than walking down 5th Avenue and having your top lift fall off; talk about a nightmare. Bottom line, I love this shoe... like I didn't say it already.

Verrier. Simplistic.Runway.Chic.

Runways this season are doused with emphatic clothing and all types of pronounced wear. Let's face it. It is beautiful, and ornate, but would you ever wear it? Some things are a little too outlandish for me! That's when I start looking at Verrier; what I like to call simplistic, runway chic. Their clothing looks like something you would pick up in a high-end boutique, but what I love about this company is they can still rock their styles on the runway. Their designs have not made it big time yet, but I have a feeling a major breakthrough is coming soon.

Verrier is often known as the "basic(s) geniuses", and you can clearly see how they got that name through looks like these. Verrier takes simple articles of clothing and string them together to make some killer combinations. Although I never was, or ever will be, a fan of single-colored ensembles, when paired with a stunning jacket like this, the whole outfit can pop. It's (the jacket's) scoop neck and 3/4 sleeve give it a spring-y look which will look superb in the months to come. Overall, I love it... now all you need is a vibrant bag and to die for shoes, another excuse to go shopping.






Along with making casual pieces, Verrier does offer some evening and dressy attire as well. It seems designers this season are pairing the same colors together; here navy and navy. No matter what is and is not in, I will always mix and match colors. But getting beyond the colors here, these are simply beautiful pieces. I adore this skirt, which is quite versatile itself. Its ruched texture gives it a dressy look which can easily be pulled off. The top itself also has a unique texture. Although you cannot see in this picture, the shirt does elongate which also increases its versatility. The V-neck style is definitely making a comeback and can be spotted in the most anticipated spring '08 lines.

This is actually my favorite look. The ruched blouse paired with the asymetrical skirt give a sophisticated and classy vibe. The colors are absolutely superb paired together, not to mention I love the shape that this outfit makes. I'm going to be perfectly honest by saying not everyone can pull this look off, but if you can, the results will be very rewarding. This outfit is a show stopper on the street... a double take. Make the street your runway.

Galliano Goes All Out... Or Reels Back In.

Yes, all fashion diehards know John Galliano designs clothing that you would never wear outside... unless you want to be labeled a "crack head". I agree. Well, have times changed. John hasn't lost his "Galliano spin" on things, just made them a little easier to swallow. His shirts in his Ready To Wear 2008 line are very asymmetrical, and are actually things that I would wear. Not to mention the heels which are absolutely to die for. Take a look for yourself...



Now, I know what you're thinking. Me + that = how about no. But just separate the pieces (and minus that turban-head), and you have a stunningly beautiful look. I have to say that I'm not a big fan of the skirt, but I would absolutely LOVE that top in another color... which they have. The way the material pulls at the top is just genius. Everything is so eye catching and wonderful. Although I think "Pepto Bismol", or, better yet, "Barbie" , when I look at those heels, I would love to see them in another color. Overall, I love the articles as seperates.




This my favorite look from the collection. So simple, but elegant. The dress itself sheds a hourglass silhouette on anyone who wears it, and that is truly what makes this style so unique... its universal look and appeal. Red and black is a color combination that always is appealing to me. The heels are absolutely incredible, and, if paired with the right dress (which it is), can tone and slim your legs without you even having to move a muscle. Looks like these always show that John Galliano really IS a true fashion genius.




You know you've truly mastered fashion when you take a very basic color (like black), and make it into something truly elaborate and loud. When Galliano designs clothing, he always creates a focal point, something you WILL look at... whether it be a vivid color scheme or pronounced beading. Here, it is shown through ruffles. Imagine these dresses and jackets without ruffles? What would they be? Just a plain article of clothing. By adding the ruffles, he totally accentuates the pieces themselves down to every last detail. Even the shoes have a little unusual look to them. If you look quickly, the shoes themselves are actual Celtic, Irish Step Dancing shoes. But look a little closer, and you will see that those shoes have tiny platforms at the bottom. Once again, Galliano takes a rather ordinary item and "kicks" it up a notch. Another flawless look.

Ports 1961

No, Ports 1961 might not be consitered high fashion right now, but give this, chic, revamped company a few more years and they will surely make a name for themselves in the world of fashion.

Head designer, Tia Cibani, totally reworked the outdated company and bought it to a fresh new start. Whenever you crossbreed rich, sultry, ruby toned dresses with classic designs you know the combination will be deadly and leave people wanting more... much more. That's exactly what they did... let's hope their Cruise Collections of '08 live up to the expectations of hungry fashionistas.




Their ruby-toned dresses are just to die for. Unlike other gowns of today that seem to be very trendy, I can see this dress being worn next year, or even five years from now. It has some shape to it, but is not too geometric. It is somehow a light-but-dark, mysterious, shade of magenta that draws all the attention on you. The ripples in the fabric are put in all the right places, directing the attention to exactly where you want it. Absolutely extravigant.




Another great addition to the new line was matte, metallic wraps and dresses. Although I'm not crazy about the clunky jewlery paired with it, I am a major fan of the gloves. Not only does it match perfectly, but it adds an element to the whole look that the wrap does not draw in. A perfect evening look.





Aside from matted colors, the metallics themselves also peeked through the line this season. I agree, silver and gold metallics can be very cheesy and way overdone, but the colors that made this line were extremely flattering and classic. Although these dresses aren't the classic type that seem to be everywhere today, they're flying off the racks at Sak's starting at $650.00 a pop. But for that lovely look, I'd pay anything.