HEIGHTS of FASHION

Jewelry Hunt

Visiting accessories showrooms for an upcoming job.. Love going to Kenneth Jay Lane, nOir, the Blonds :-)

Kelly Wearstler: My Hero

I have written a couple times ago about my favorite interior designer: Kelly Wearstler.  When I met her a couple months ago, I was just floored and just couldn't even express myself articulately. Anyways, she started a blog called MY VIBE MY LIFE and the images below are from her first posting.  I am so glad she letting us in her whole creative process and showing us ideas of some of her projects she is working on.

 
What I adore about Kelly is that she is a risky designer. She never holds back when she designs and challenges herself each time to do something different. She doesn't care if people criticize her work for being over the top as her aim is not please the masses. 

 xoxo,

Maury and Gisela

imagines by kwid

Call me Mrs. Ford!!!!

If there was one religion I would practice it would definitely be Ford-ism! Ever since the day Mr. Ford left his post as the creative director of YSL and Gucci, I have been waiting anxiously to see his Womenswear comeback. It is with no surprise that after six years he is back and breaking all the rules.

Vogue and Steven Meisel were the first to get dibs on capturing the elegance and exuberance of Mr. Ford's womenswear collection. It sure looks like he continued where he left off at YSL, giving us a smocking suit, a trenchcoat, animal print silk suit, backless black gown, and a fringe blue cocktail number to send all guys to the cardiologist!

 

I appreciate that Mr.Ford, a Virgo like myself, doesn't care about what people think and likes to pave waves for himself! After seeing a Single Man It was confirmed that you can do whatever you want in life and you do not need to follow rules. His direction in that film was superb for it to be his first. After meeting Colin Firth last week at the screening of his new film " The Kings Speech" I understood why Mr. Ford casted him to be the lead actor. Mr. Ford is not only a fashion designer, creative director, perfumer, marketer, and a business man, but for this film he also co-wrote the script, casted, directed, edited and financed it! He is taking the world by storm, and he is taking me with him as I have always been a big fan and a Ford lover!

I could go on and on about Mr. Ford, so since my lunchbreak is over and I am posting from my Iphone I will stop here. Plus I have tons of stories to share about Mr. Ford! Btw, doesn't he look so much younger and gorgeous! I will always have a crush on him no matter what team he plays! One day I will sure be able to touch him with my cherry lush lips! Viva The Ford Empire!

Xoxo,
Maury

Images: Vogue.com

 

Designer Spotlight: Mary Katrantzou

 If you haven't heard of Mary Katrantzou, you must be lying under a rock. I have to say, she had one of my favorite collections for Spring 2011, if not- MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE, don't tell Alber Elbaz and the Late McQueen that:) Mary, a Greek Native, attended Rhode Island School of Design and then completed both her BA and MA at Central Saint Martins. She previously worked for Sophia Kokosalaki and freelanced for Bill Blass, amongst other designers. Since I am so in love with Interiors and I am trying to figure out a new career path, this collection had me thinking...that I too can combine my two passions and have them engage into a beautiful and successful marriage. 

It is with no surprise that the Queen of Fashion, Anna dello Russo has already been wearing Katrantzou's designs.

Her inspiration for Spring Summer 2011 was interior decoration...she was inspired by World of Interiors and Architectural Digest Magazines. Interestingly Katrantzou was formerly an interiors textile designer.  "Trompe l'oeil prints, garment shapes, trims and accessories played with the theme of how we adorn the interiors of our living spaces, contrasted with the views through our windows", she said.

I am loving the fringe on this skirt.

Her signature is playing with fabrics digitally.


I love the color combo, the textures, the different fabrics prints, the beading, the embroidery...it all seems to work.

I love the chandelier crystal drops she used to trim this elaborately embellished lampshade skirt.

Side panels sewn into the skirts of dresses are cut to drape like curtains waiting to be drawn, or, as seen  pleated folds of the top part of a curtain adorning a bodice melt into a print of its bottom half.  Shoulder lines of dresses stand stiff like curtain pelmets.


The elaborate prints depict flowers in vases of which the petals sometimes protrude from the garment.  Beading is used to outline the patterns of tiles on a floor or forms the crystals of a chandelier.

Bold Statement: Detail look of one of her amazing necklaces...all it needs is 2 candlesticks...lol.

The finale...

Dominican Model Rose Cordero looking fabulous!

Absolute Perfection!

So which room do you want to live in?

Miraslova wearing Katrantzou

Katrntzou just won one of the most prestigious and coveted fashion awards in the industry, the Swiss Textiles. She managed to beat her competition- Jason Wu, Duro Olowu, Adam Kimmel, Juun J and Damir Doma. She was so overwhelmed that she cried backstage when the winner was announced. The award gives a good healthy financial support for up-and-coming designers like Katrantzou, who now pockets €100,000 in prize money – €10,000 of which will be used to purchase Swiss textiles. Marios Schwab, Rodarte and Alexander Wang are past winners of the award.

Nicholas Guesquiere, watch out, there is a new star in town. Do you guys love her style, or is it a little bit too much for you?

xoxoxo,

Maury

images from streetpeeper.com, thefashionspot.com, google.com, weknowwhatyoudidlastnight.com

Anda and Masha

Last night, Gisela and I went to the launch party for Anda and Masha hat collection for Selima. We had a blast and got to meet the gorgeous model Natasha Vojnovic. Here are some pictures we took at the event of us trying on all the different hats. I actually want to start wearing more hats, I feel like they complete the look or give you more character. 

 

 

       

 

  

 

  

 

 xoxoxo

Maury and Gisela

 
 

What Gisela Purchased Today

Feeding my habit is getting a bit expensive but I still manage to justify all my purchases, for example, I sold a ton of my old stuff on ebay and it's just fair that I replace the old with the new :-) Ended up at  Century 21 again. I see this is going to be a problem for me since I live right across from that freakin' store. Anyways, big sale still going on and while digging for treasures I found 2 amazing-can't-leave-without-them pieces.

First up is this shocking, patent leather and silk Dolce & Gabbana corset! I tried this one with my new Forever 21 stretchy denim leggings (which by the way are totally amazing and super comfy!) and my new Sam Edelman Balenciaga knock offs, which I got in the mail today (more pics of them coming soon :-))I kinda felt this outfit is like Posh Spice meets Mary-Kate, ya think?

Just look at the brilliant craftmanship and the marvelous details!



Next up is a soft, buttery, white leather Maison Martin Margiela jacket, which doubles as a vest. Its versatile and in my opinion, timeless! (Please pardon my jammies and the tags, lol.)




So what you think guys? Did I do good?

Maury's Stella McCartneys Mesh and Lucite Heels

Guys, first of all I want to apologize for the millionth time for not being as active as I would love to at the moment. I am going through a big change in my life right now and trying to focus and do what I have to as a responsible adult. One of the things I have started cutting out is my shopping habits, so I haven't been really shopping for clothes but shopping for my apt that I am renovating at the moment. I will show you guys pics as soon as I start decorating it. 

Today Gisela and I met really quick to attend the Stella McCartney Sample Sale in Chelsea. It was an ok sale. A lot of stuff was from 50%-80% off. I was going to go a little bananas buying knits, a tailored jacket, and a pair of great stirrups tuxedo pants, but then I told myself I should be smarter about my purchases and just bought a pair of Spring 09 Mesh and Lucite heels which I been lusting for. They are the sister to those amazing heels we have all been seeing on Mary Kate Olsen this spring. Mine were on retail for $1395 at 80% off, you do the math...I HAD TO BUY THEM! 

Mary Kate Olsen wearing Stella McCartney's Mesh Heels. I love Mary Kate's version but I think mine are more edgy and futuristic...all thanks to the Amazing LUCITE heel!

Runway Pics of Stella McCartney's Spring 09

in Nude, Red, and Black

Gisela bought this cute cashmere knit brown hat from Stella's Pre-Fall Collection. You know she had to get something, she has this problem where she can't leave a store without at least getting one thing.   She loves Japanese Toyko style and loves how they were their knit hats, she is going to sport it just like them. How cool!

Photos: Style.com, Intheircloset.com

Isabel Marant Zara Knock Off Boots

Being as I cannot and perhaps will never, get a hold of those sp09 Isabel Marant boots, nor the FW09 studded ankle booties, I decided to purchase these well done Marant Zara knock offs this weekend. Couldn't go wrong with a price tag of $89 down from $229. I was debating whether to get the flat boots for $40 or the high-heeled ones and I spent almost an hour trying to decide in the freakin dressing room. In the end I said why can't I buy both? So I did. I figured the high ones I can rock when I'm hanging out sans baby, and the flat ones I can wear when I'm with baby.

I was inspired by both the SP08 and SP09 Isabel Marant collections and this is what I came up with for a fall look:

Zara blazer, Zara tank, Kill City jeans, Betsey Johnson studded belt, Adrienne Vittadini silk fringed scarf, Marc Jacobs Stam, F21 watch, Mina bag, Zara boots.


Isabel Marant SP09


Here's a close-up of the boots, found these on the net because my camera ran out of batteries :-(

I will wear these soon so stay tuned for pics:

Images: mystylelounge.blogspot, natitata.blogspot, elle.com

New Addition to Gisela's Closet

Found this Maison Martin Margiela backless, pinstripe vest at Century 21 today. It's a little tight around the hips but soon it shall fit perfectly. I was already wearing Urban Outfitters pocket tank, AA leggings and my new Jeffrey Campbell "Ann Tie" shoes and I figured I'd throw on the vest and take a pic to show you guys (didn't even take off the tags, LOL.) I think this is classic piece that is wearable on any occasion, do you agree?



Here's a back shot of the vest and of my large ass, LOL!


A close-up shot

My Guilty Pleasure: Herve Leger

I have been obsessed with Herve Leger since the early 90’s when I was studying fashion in High School. My fashion illustration teacher would call him the king of stripes or the genius of bands. I was obsessed with a lot of his dresses and would admire Linda, Naomi, Christy, Helena and Cindy wearing them.  Last year, Gisela and I went to the Leger boutique in Madison Avenue the the of us walked out with 2 beautiful bandage skirts. I continued to have my eyes for a couple different style s of bandage dresses and always wished to own one. Well Guilt had a sale this past Monday and I was glued to the computer trying to make some purchases for a couple big events. Gilt can be fustrating because after 3 minutes in some very greedy people already had everything in their cart and I had to keep refreshing my screen to see if they would leave them behind and I can have an opportunity to at least buy one. I managed to get 2. I bought a Cap Sleeve Teal bandage dress with deep v-shaped neckline with a contrast solid panel detail at neckline and front hidden zipper.  I also bought a sleeveless bandage dress with v-shaped neckline with a contrast solid color block detail at neckline, waistline and skirt in plum, fushia and lilac. The pictures below are of my new purchases and I just received the 2 dresses today. They have an amazing service so Gilt will continue to see my money. Thanks Alex and Alexandra.

Let me briefly give you a little history on a fashion innovator. 

Mr. Leger was born in 1957 in France then moved to Paris to attend school. Mr. Leger would use elastic bandages in different colors and hand stitch them together.  He had a very distinctive look that took him very far. In the late 70’s Leger got his break when the Italian Knitwear designer Tan Guidecelli took him to work for him, where he learned to cut and construct patterns, select fabrics, and do other tasks essential for a man dreaming of being a couturier. In 1980 impressed by Leger's work, fashion legend Karl Lagerfeld took him under his wing, and sent him to Rome for further training. Leger assisted Lagerfeld at Fendi and Chanel.  He then went on and designed for the Haute Collection of Lanvin and a Pret-a-Porter collection for Princess Diane von Furstenberg.  

After working for so many other designers, Leger decided to open his own atelier in Paris where he concentrated in simple and sexy. While he still worked on his line he also helped Lagerfeld on the Chloe line he had started designing. The bandage started with Leger picking up some seam bindings and wind them around a mannequin like an Egyptian mummy. His trademark is now fabrics mixed with Lurex, Lycra, Elastene, stretch fabrics wound around the body for a tight fit. His designs are one-of-a-kind, made to a couture standard, each one designed for the body that could wear it. He says, "I like to make women look beautiful, who want to please and be noticed". Leger is fast becoming the master of high-tech sex appeal, but he is anxious to diversify after his success with the band.

In the late 90's, Herve Leger managed to create ever new and exciting collections. Nevertheless, 1999 proved to be terrible year for the designer. His company was sold off, the new owners BCBG sacked him and hired Jerome Dreyfuss to design the clothes for the house of Leger. Herve Leger went into litigation. But you can't keep a good couturier down. Herve opened a small boutique on the rue Jacob in quaint St. Germain, in the name of Herve L. Leroux (Herve the Red) a name suggested by Karl Lagerfeld, his good friend. This new line focuses again on a woman's figure and can only be described as "sexy". 

I can't wait to wear them out.