mka

>>  Hot from the presses of NY Daily News:

Recovering anorexic and NYU dropout Mary-Kate Olsen is finally dishing to the glossies after rehab and a long silence. Lowdown hears that the 19-year-old brunette Olsen twin will grace the January cover of W Magazine and share her insights on fashion and film in an accompanying interview. Acclaimed photographer David Sims shot MK on Monday night at Milk Studios for the spread. Olsen's PR rep, Michael Pagnotta, explained: "Ashley did a solo cover for Harper's Bazaar last summer, and this was an opportunity for Mary-Kate to do her own. She's feeling great and wanted to do something beautiful. It was her decision."

Now this will be something to see, whether it's good or not.

**sources: ny daily news

>>  Since we're talking about Vogue editors today, I have some more news.  Carine Roitfeld, that chic jolie laide who is editor of Vogue Paris -- you know, the one with the dead-straight hair that covers half of her face and the best shoes ever, who says things like "Teal!  Horrible color, teal.  Only looks good on ducks."  Yes, her.  Mme Carine has turned her hand to design and collaborated with sweater label Lutz & Patmos.  For the Spring/Summer 2006 collection, she has done a cashmere top called the "tramp," featuring elbow patches and designer tears.  Sounds interessant.

I just hope that Mme Carine didn't rescind her offer to let Kate Moss guest edit the December/January issue of Vogue Paris that should be coming out soon...

**sources: vogue dailies, the daily dish, vanity fair april 2005

>> Don't worry, these babies aren't being auctioned on the ebay (like everything else I've been talking about lately), so they won't even get sold and their price will never go up.  They're flats, they're black, and they have a funky kitten heel.  Did I mention the way-cool chunky cuff with corset-like detailing?  Or, you could get the bright pink versions to add some panache to any old outfit.  A little bit of '80s neon to pump things up.  Bravo.

>>  Seriously clinically obsessive compulsive with the ebay now.  I think I'm dependent.  Addicted.  Something.  Found an adorably cute secretary blouse with mutton sleeves (love those), and a tie ascot (love that).  Looks great under a blazer with that adorable secretary-ey plaid it has.  The auction is done in approximately four hours, so have at it (I won't be around this evening, or I would)!

>> After all these years, when I got fed up with trying to find anything good (and not fake) on the ebay, my faith has returned.  Yesterday, I came across some great stuff -- stuff that I've been wanting for a while and haven't been able to find anywhere.  And I finally understand what all the fuss is about.

With all the Victoriana that's been running through my head lately, I've been on the lookout for some kind of cameo something or other.  The ebay served up this lovely vintage black strand necklace (left).  I liked the placement of the cameo off to the side, the darkness of the black glass, and as always, the grecian look of the cameo itself.  Too bad I missed the boat -- this necklace only sold for $13.  I'll just have to keep looking.   

Ballet flats have been on my list of must-haves for a while now, but I've never really found a pair that quite did it for me (the black leather low-cuts by London Sole probably came in closest, but they're pretty much never in stock).  Which is why when I came across these lovely black pointe-style Repettos (worn by the likes of Charlotte Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot), I got excited.  I love the flat toe of pointe shoes, and always thought they were infinitely sexier that ballet flats.  Really, when you can dance on pointe, why would you ever go back?  Unfortunately, these are in a size 6, so it's a no-go.  But you're welcome to have a looksie -- auction ends tomorrow.  Me, I'll have to stick to the gold version for sale at Toast -- the gold is a little too metallic for my taste, but apparently it ages with time.  Delicious.

>>  Looks like Miss Moss is bouncing back quite nicely...in fact, it's almost as if she was never gone.  Roberto Cavalli currently has Kate out in Ibiza on her first job, a shoot for his 2006 Spring/Summer collection.  A promo photo has already been released, at right.  For those of you who poo poo Kate staging her comeback with Mr. Cavalli, I'll throw you a bone -- there's rumors of a campaign for YSL as well.

** sources: ANSA.it

>> I was reading the Thursday Styles section of the New York Times the other day, when I came across this in one of the articles talking about Bryan Bradley, designer of Tuleh:

Mr. Bradley, lounging on a bed in his office, called what he does weird and ugly, though in fashion weird and ugly often yields eureka.

This weird segue definitely made me stop in the middle of the article: never have I thought of the equation weird + ugly = eureka when it comes to fashion.  Maybe weird can sometimes = eureka, but ugly = eureka?  No way.  To me, fashion is a kind of art form -- why would you ever express yourself in what you viewed to be a non-attractive manner?  It just doesn't click for me.  Must have been the author stretching for a transition between quotes or something.

>> See, I'd have all the money in the world...plus this whole outfit by Stella McCartney (right).  If only...

I love that big chunky oversized sweaters are experiencing a revitalization, but this sweater dress has just taken the cake.  The thickness of the knit, the big oversized sleeves, and the turtleneck make it look so comfy.  I love sweaters that have turtlenecks like that because I can nestle my head down into it -- it's so cozy, like curling up under your comforter on a cold winter's morning.  Not very often is something that looks so good so comfortable at the same time.  And surprisingly, the dress has great shape on the body -- I tend to have such problems with knits stretching out and losing their shape.  The length is good for wearing it as a minidress, or for a warmer/more conservative look, with trousers.  Overall, it's just one of those looks that is very simple and yet intensely chic. 

And then there's the boots.  Or hot sex on your legs, as I like to call it.  The remind me very much of these true-to-the-era Victorian boots that I fell in love with at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.  Of course they're missing the millions of tiny little buttons, and they're a little higher (the ones I saw were mid-calf), but the slim-fitting shape and color scheme is definitely very similar.  The leather just looks so beautiful and supple, and I love the tie-up detailing at the very top, reminiscent of a corset.  I think that's what I like about this outfit so much -- the dress is very sixties, and the boots are very Edwardian-inspired, making the juxtaposition of the two very modern and streamlined.

So unfortunately, as much drool as I lose over that outfit, I still can't afford it.  And I'm sure that most of you can't, either.  But have faith -- there are other options out there.  Like this oversized sweater by Catherine Malandrino.  Yeah, it's not exactly the same, but it's still beautiful in its own.  I love the Shakespearean sleeves -- they remind me of the big poetic shirts that Joseph Fiennes wears in Shakespeare in Love.  And it still retains the most important part of oversized sweaters -- the comfy-coziness.  Gotta love it. 

>>  What's that spell?  Supercool awesomeness.  Or tao, if you want to be literal, the name of my new obsession (yeah, it pretty much changes daily).  Named after its creator, Tao Kurihara, a seven-year veteran of one of my favorite labels Comme des Garcons, tao is concentrated on a single theme for each season.  The debut collection for this fall is inspired by lingerie, so think gorgeous knit corsets and flirty cable-knit shorts.  But basically, if you ever want me to like anything, just say "corset" and I'll be hooked -- I love the feminine silhouette they give.  And Kurihara has definitely not skimped on the girly -- her creations are generously adorned with crocheted rosettes, pom poms, or bows.  Now that she has me drooling, I wish I could afford a piece of the beauty, but the prices are "designer," they have said.  I'm not surprised, considering how exquisitely the pieces seem to be made.  So if nothing else, at least she has given us the gift of something peerless to look at. 

**sources: showstudio, hint magazine, nytimes style magazine, W 

>> The States are really missing out -- Americans are way too comfortable with their bootcut jeans.  With Miss Kate Moss as the reigning fashion queen supreme over there in good old Britannia, however, I was finally privy to the treat that is seeing real live skinny jeans in action.  I remember at least three distinct times when I spotted them -- probably because I was so stricken with awe (in case you can't tell I'm an orthodox worshiper of the look) -- there was a girl riding around on the Tube with her friends in Sass & Bide, a very indie-type girl (emo-y glass and the whole shebang) shopping with me in Unicorn, and finally, the girl walking on King's Road (above).  I couldn't resist snapping a picture of her, and clearly the guy on the very left of the picture was intrigued as well -- I'm sure he was thinking about where he could get a pair of jeans like that (well I was, anyway). 

I think partially the reason people are so wary of skinny jeans is because of their "unforgiving" body-hugging shape.  But I feel like they are the same as any other style of jeans -- you just have to keep trying different brands until you find a good fit.  Each of the three girls I saw had entirely different body types: the first was about 5'2. petite and curvy.  The second was tall (probably about 5'10), with very thin legs and a boyish straight-down figure.  And the third, well, you cann see her for yourself.  Basically what I'm saying here is take a chance -- there's no reason that indie rocker boys need to own the skinny jean scene.  If you're still worried, get the jeans in a dark wash -- it's always slimming.  In fact, my favorite pair (and one of Miss Moss') is in a gray wash -- Sass & Bide's Stove Pipe Denim (right), available at both satine boutique and net-a-porter for $230-240 when they're not sold out.  If you're not yet convinced, try both a dark wash and heels, which help elongate your legs.

For more skinny jeans, take a look at the examples I've put together here.  Lovely.