My Mood in an Outfit

Can you encapsulate a mood in one outfit? I believe so. Take this offering from Vera Wang's Spring 2010 show- it suits me to a T right about now. The black leggings and killer heels, breezy tunic/dress, fur trim, and spider-web like necklace are exactly what I want to be. It's daring, sophisticated, arty, and a bit boho without being crunchy. It is what I think of as an ultimate Olsen twin type ensemble. That is what I am feeling right now. If only I could afford the price tag....

(http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2010RTW-VWANG/)

Halston Spring/Summer 2010

Halston's spring/summer 2010 show may have been small, but it was a preview of what Marios Schwab intends on bringing to the fashion label. I felt like it packed quite a punch. For fans of the original Halston of the 70's, it was a sharp look back to the fluid, but elegant lines of women's discowear, a la Mr. Halston. The jumpsuits were spectacular-silky, but tailored looking. The dresses were all swingy and chic. The pictures here are of my favorites out of the line-up. The one person that I can almost guarantee will love what Schwab has done is Rachel Zoe. I think that I have seen her in almost every shape that I saw on this slideshow. Marvelous! (photos: style.com, Garen Barsegian/courtesy of Halston)

http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2010RTW-HALSTON/

The Necklace Love Affair

So...most people know that I am in love with jewelry and in particular, necklaces. It's like my preference for floppy English men- they just hit me right in the gut. I was loving statement necklaces long before they were a statement (hence one of many reasons why trend forecaster could be my calling).

I am also partial to artist-designed jewelry. For instance, Alexander Calder. His creations were like mobiles for your neck. How much more avant-garde can your jewelry be?

Then, I discovered this guy named Tony Duquette. The interior, costume, and jewelry designer extraordinaire had been unknown to me before a few years ago. Quelle horror!

So, I looked into this artiste and found out that he was quite the talent at jewelry "creation". Below are a few of the necklaces that really caught my eye. What I can say about them all is that they have the theatrical quality that he was known for- hence the costume and stage set design. Oh, to live such an imaginative life!

The one to the right makes me think of tiny little mullusks that have settled in to kindly make a neck decoration for a mermaid. (Photo courtesy of luxurist.com)

Now, the necklace below is a bit...dark and mysterious. It reminds
me of something that Milicent would have worn in Sleeping Beauty.

Again- "of the stage". I would wear this with an LBD and some
vertiginous heels. Lethal. (Photo couresty of tonyduquette.com)

The sweet siren on the right reminds me of a mosaic of confetti. It makes me happy. It also reminds me of quite a few of the Spring 2010 shows (in particular, Behnaz Sarafpour and Chris Benz).

(Photo courtesy of tonyduquette.com)

My favorite, however, was this one below. Malachite and tendrils of precious stone? Sure...I can rock that. This reminds me of the drama that I have been seeing on the runways- the statement necklaces that are truly making a statement. What does this necklace say to me? That I am fashionable, that I am happy, and that I want the world to be fashionable and happy with me.
(Photo courtesty of tonyduquette.com)

Style: My definition

Style is personal. Style is meteoric, chameleon, and expressive, to say the least. When I think of style, I don't think about fads or "seasons". I think about senses, moods, and characters.

What am I seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching? Is it fall? Then my style eye is seeing the hazy mist that settles on the waning earth, the vibrant, but singed colors of leaves. It is hearing the rustle of those leaves as they fall to the hardened and cooling ground, the crackling of a harvest fire. It is smelling the moist earthen musk in the air, the spicy sweetness of a chai tea, and the crisp tartness of apple. It is tasting warm cinnamon and maple. It is touching the softness of cashmere gloves and the smoothness of leather. My style eye then takes this information and translates it into an outfit: brigth scarlet cashmere sweater vest over a navy and burnt sienna print oxford, mustard-colored trench coat, cropped boyfriend jeans over black 70's era knee-high boots, black knit beret and scarf, oversized scarlet leather tote and navy-rimmed sunglasses.

What mood am I in? Morose and macabre? I might try Victorian Gothic as my outfit "theme". Happy and carefree? Maybe I'll be the mod or Biba girl. I believe that you should dress how you feel.

Who do you want to be today? Are you feeling like Audrey Hepburn? Try a little simple elegance, classic avant-garde. Feeling like Lizzie Bennett? How about romantic bohemian or English country? Dress to inspire.

Style is also places, scenes, vignettes. It is everywhere. The best thing about style is that it can change everyday, become fresh, new, and exciting. Make each day a brand-new style.

Photos: Audrey Hepburn- art.com, Biba fashion-glamoursplash.com