Cherry Blossom

I've always admired Alix's blog The Cherry Blossom Girl. It's a huge fount of creative inspiration, just like her enviable style. Pictured here outside the Chloe show, she always does an amazing job of mixing high street looks with high end fashion. Her handbag is the Mulberry Alexa bag, her shoes are Chloe, her jeans by Levi's and her cape is Lacoste. Come on, don't try to deny it. You were totally fooled by her cape. You totally thought it was Chloe. Don't worry, a lot of people were. But seriously, don't her camels, caramels, distressed denim and hint of gray look amazing together? I've been toying with gray and camel combos for the past week, and now thanks to Alix, I've got ideas!

Style frontier

The details of Marina's look are impeccable. Her pairing of a torn hat with a frayed sweatshirt is stylistic perfection! The color, print, and soft edges of her foulard add just the right touch to the mixture. Her string belt tied in a bow? So cute! Her oxfords-divine! And how gorgeous is her striped button-down with french collar? What a great twist to this otherwise field or stable-friendly look.

Cowgirl with a navy alter ego

Whether by horseback or on a cruiser, Emmanuelle always arrives in style. Seen here outside Dolce & Gabbana in a Balmain blazer and Isabel Marant boots.

On the Cover • Julia Sarr-Jamois

Fresh faced and of enviable style, Julia, model and fashion editor at Wonderland magazine, had all heads turning during London and Paris fashion weeks.

Now the 22-year-old, half french, half Senegalese beauty has our fingers turning as she graces the cover, along side Rahma Mohamed, of last week's edition of D magazine. The editorial was shot by Sir Paul Smith and, as his SS10 collection, was inspired by images from Gentlemen of Bakongo by Daniele Tamagni.

Stay tuned for the fashion adventures of this beyond cool young editor.

NYFW Favorites • Brady Cunningham

Here is one of my absolute favorite images from my Harper's Bazaar NYFW street style coverage. Brady, an owner of L.A. boutique TenOverSix, has a fantastic sense of style. I love everything she's wearing!

In the pursuit of Clemence Poesy

Sometimes chasing a subject to get a photo can reveal more about their outfit than a posed shot. These images that I snapped of Clemence outside the Chloe show are great examples!

My thoughts as I am going through the chase: Wow she looks amazing here. Cool cape, great shoes. But let's see if I can get a better shot.

Come on just turn this way so I can get another shot of your amazing face. Oooh great dress. Love the draping!

And Finally: Come on just look over here... aaah the volume on that cape is spectacular! Yes!

Two Types of Rock Star

I identify immensely with Miroslava's adventurous sense of style. The girl really knows how to play dress up. And I love playing dress up too! I am always impressed with how well she pulls off her look of choice. In these images she exudes two totally different but perfect rock-star vibes.

Here: Boho/hippie rock. Viva the seventies! Lenny Kravitz would be proud.



And here she channels Joan Jett and Billy Idol.

Big Smile, Great Style

Stylist and designer Elisa Nalin is one of the most bubbly people that I've ever met. She always has the biggest smile on her face, which makes me smile whenever I see it or think about it. Smiles are so beautifully infectious! And her style is amaazing. You can always find her in the most charming and colorful outfits!

In Flight Rose Flame

The most glamourous bird makes her entrance. Leigh Lezark outside Giambattista Valli.

First Impressions • Balenciaga Fall 2010

Nicolas Ghesquière's Fall collection for Balenciaga left a lasting impression on my mind. The collection is very now, but his muse is somewhere along the speed of light. A parallel universe where we will travel to next September. A world that seems efficient and mechanical, but humanly intact and alluring. Where, the inhabitants are remarkably intriguing. I can't help wonder about their cultural influences and their society as a whole. I am so curious about how they go about their everyday lives. And in observing the wonderfully detailed clothing that Mr. Ghesquière proposes, I wonder what has brought them there. Perhaps, something that we did here on earth? What is their story?

With techno fabrics, quilting of various types, fur, patch work, and netting, Mr. Ghesquière lays out how his muse protects herself from the cold in this far-off environment. The presence of netted accents (on coats and as tops) inspires me to think of a symbolic network that represents our universe. The total black look above, with its exquisite and intricate detailing, being the mysterious black hole that sucks us all in. Oh, this look is perfection!

Honeycomb, diamonds and cellular motifs further the network theme. In fact, they seem to represent the different tribes that make up this region of the solar system. The elegant, tear drop look above is one of the many offered cocktail and evening selections.

The last pieces of the show offer a glimpse into what may have brought these "angels" (a lot of my friends described them as such) to their faraway habitat. There was one look worn by Freja Beha Erichsen that was reminiscent of a ski jumpsuit that zipped open to expose its newspaper-style printed insulation- the phrase atomic park standing out in the clipping. A reference to what occurred? Maybe so? But whatever the message, its execution is undeniable clever as it seems as if these "angels" wear their story close to their skin.

Snug

Anya Ziourova maintains a tight grip on her suuuper-cute, hooded, cropped shearling jacket. Thanks to Tommy for spotting her outside the Chloe show!

Posh Plaid

Spotted outside the Chanel show, Delfina Delettrez Fendi's combination of a chambray shirt, fuzzy, oversize bomber, standout plaid skirt and high-heel hunting boots is super posh!

Fierce

The one and only Alice Dellal outside Alexander Wang. Please get the girl an instrument!

Shaggy

I love how this lovely NY PYT pairs this amazing cropped, shaggy fur jacket with a black mini and derby boots for instant laid-back cool. I also love the YSL ring that her boyfriend gave her as a gift. (Please forgive me for not including her name. I've lost a chunk of my NYFW style info. BlackBerry troubles. :-()

Update: It's such a small world. This lovely girl is called Molly. Her boyfriend is none other than the brother of my amazing friend Maya of Turned Out. Thanks Maya! It was killing me that I couldn't recall her name. Happiness.

Trench Love

Christine is brilliant in a Tom Ford for Gucci trench and Alexander McQueen fold-over, peep-toe booties.

Line Master

Valentina's soft lines are enviable. She stunningly pairs a textured, kimono-style sweater with a plaid shirt, boyfriend khaki trousers and killer platform sandals. Her look epitomizes casual chic.

Dye Job

Hanne is stunning in ethnic Dries Van Noten. When I saw her, I was immediately transported to a faraway print paradise.

Collar Chic

Katerina Baresel Bofinger maximizes her already chic look with this to die for fur collar.

Double Spot

This look is great fun. Bold and confident, she manages to stand out even on the busy streets of New York.

Layer All Star

I know that my last post also discussed layering, but how amaaazing is Martin's length play? I am so impressed every time I look at this image. The leather bomber over this long robe-like coat is gold-metal material. For more of his take on style, check him out at Ilikemystyle Quarterly.

Thin Layers

A few years ago I had the typical New York subway encounter. You know where you find yourself chatting with a total stranger? No, you haven't had that experience? Don't worry, you will. Well, back to my story. It was your run-of-the-mill, frigid, New York winter day and everyone had piled onto the subway. Parkas, Marc Jacobs high-heel hunting boots, Michael Kors shearling wedges and Timberlands everywhere. But, wait a minute? Who is the guy in that thin fleece? Has he lost his mind? Mouth stay closed, mind your business. Oh, I can't help myself: "Excuse me aren't you cold?" "No, actually I'm wearing a lot of really thin layers. Really helps keep the warmth in," replied my subway friend. Well I am almost positive that Taylor was on that train that day, because when I saw her in Paris two weeks ago she had also mastered the art of thin layering. Here she keeps warm by layering two pairs of pants; the top layer courtesy of Comme des Garçon, and the bottom, Organic.

Two seconds with Ekaterina...

after the Jil Sander show. It's always nice to see Ekaterina, even if it's only for couple of minutes after a show.

Elena Perminova

Model Elena Perminova outside the Christian Dior show, Jardin Des Tuileries.

Seventies Track

Ok, we're on track. The seventies are back and thank God they brought Giovanna, in these serious Sergio Rossi embellished boots, with them!

Melissa Ventosa Martin

Milan Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2010

First Impressions • YSL Fall 2010

My first impression of Stefano Pilati's Fall 2010 Yves Saint Laurent collection was pretty hilarious. It occurred while riding in a taxi with my dear friend Kenya and a new and dear friend, Claire of The Fashion Bomb. I had picked up the two gorgeous ladies post show at the Grand Palais. Super-curious to learn what Mr. Pilati had proposed, I greeted them with a line of questions. A summary of the responses: Kenya: Austere, covered up, and plastic capes. Claire: References to the habit. My conclusion: Hmm, a fashionable nun with a prophylactic cape. What is Stefano trying to protect us from? I know, totally crazy right? But, that day had been a particularly cold day in Paris; and I guess my mind had been trying to absorb all of the recent natural disasters. The plastic cape seemed like the most appropriate and fashionable means of self-preservation.

After viewing the collection on style.com, I was able to confirm the observations of my two fashionable taxi companions. The collection is indeed a nod to austerity with a theme of rigid covering. And there is an allusion to the habit by the way of layering two of the collection's key pieces, the floppy hat and the cape. Plus, the gold chains worn by the models are reminiscent of the rosaries worn by nuns- on a larger and more material scale of course. In style.com's video coverage of the show, Mr. Pilati shares that he had been flipping through magazines from the seventies and cut out all the YSL images and had them made into medallions. So my theory is that with his pseudo-order of seventies-styled nuns, Mr. Pilati is playing homage to and guarding the heritage of the label's founder. It would be a lovely gesture given that the Yves Saint Laurent Retrospective opened a few days after the runway show, and just across the street at the Petit Palais.

And the plastic cape? It's fashionable and fierce! And since we have once again become fur friendly, it is a genius way to protect not only ourselves, as Mr. Pilati notes in the style.com video, but also our sable.

Accessories note: I love these electric blue, mohawk pumps. On the list!

**All images courtesy of style.com**

Feline Whimsy

Eva in a skirt that was designed by a friend.

First Impressions • Celine Fall 2010

Images courtesy of style.com

As with her Spring 2010 collection, Phoebe Philo's muse for her Celine Fall 2010 collection is ahead of the fashion curve. She is the girl that a part of us all wishes to be. Her style is simple, confident and challenges conventional notions of what is sexy; and when she embraces trends, it is within her own parameters.

With this new collection, Pheobe plays close to attention to detail and craftsmanship- key characteristics that define the current direction of the luxury goods market. The most exquisite elements include the placement of pockets on outerwear, blouses, skirts and dresses; shirt tails; stand-up collars on coats; raw edges on silk blouses; and rounded collars and collar pins on shirts. The palette of the collection is one of pure refinement: chic navy and black, classic cream and black and authoritative army greens.

The draping and cut of each garment is immaculate! Abundant in separates, there are great cropped pants; tons of stunning outerwear- of note a striking military-inspired, leather coat that is slicker than an oil spill; hipster leather skirts; and chunky, fold-over turtleneck vests.

Phoebe's concept of sexy is suggestive and European-matter-of-factly. It's very mature, liberating. We don't blush or turn our eyes away. The leather t-shirts attract and maintain the gaze of the eye. Whatever your thoughts are about what's underneath, they are wholly yours. The sheer fitted turtleneck with slim break-away skirt? Perfection, and don't even think about adding a bra.