ADA

I love the ethnic references in Ada's look: the velvet jacket, the tassels and the bowler. I can't place my finger on the precise inspiration, but I know it works. Have any ideas?

Girls just wanna have fun

The song, is one of my favorite dance tunes. And once it comes on, it usually means that I can be found high kicking somewhere on the dance floor. And no, alcohol does not have to be involved. And no, I'm not a particularly good dancer. In fact I've been told on two different occasions that: you're not a very good dancer, but boy, you really look like you're having fun. Hey, if it brings joy to others.... When I saw Ece Sukan of Vogue Turkey in this Preen dress, the song immediately popped into my head. Pan down to her mile-high legs, and I am panicking. My high kick is rendered a mere skip, flicker of the legs. But she sure is inspiring. Tonight I'll be in my bed room with any hot pink article of clothing I can find. Well I guess it will have to be in my hotel room, in my new Prada sweater as I'm at the airport heading to Paris!!! Viva la Francia!!!

Polished

Caroline Issa outside the Dolce & Gabbana Spring 2011 runway show.

Viva La Moda

Special moments from day two MFWSS11.

Garden Party

The runway at the Metropol where D&G stages its runway show was filled with roses, hydrangeas, freesias, violets and mimosas; a spray of flowers that would make the florists at Fumagalli (an amazing Milanese florist and nursery) drop their gardening shears and take notice. But the real BLOOM took place when the brand's array of floral printed, lace and canvas garments sprung onto the runway. The collection aims to fill your closet with pieces that take you from a cappuccino on the terrace, to a picnic brunch through cocktails and dancing under the stars. And dancing is what I'm dreaming of doing in one of the wonderful floor length chiffon dresses. Would be perfect for Santa Margherita!

Milan Fashion Week Spring 2011

It's that time again, Milan Fashion Week. It started yesterday. Here are some of my favorite moments. Above Frida Gustavsson on the No. 21 by Allesandro Dell'Acqua runway.

A dramatic mask at Francesco Scognamilio. I'm such a sucker for drama.



The always stunning Caroline Issa exiting the No. 21 show.

Frances

One of the things that I loved about LFW was how the city's girls interpreted the trends. Frances' look is a perfect example. Could her vintage shearling, hat and lace-up boots be anymore spot- on?

the blouse

The iconic Equipment blouse is certifiably having a major comeback. With reason, the styles, colors and motifs are easy and chic and translate well into all the fashion needs of this season's girl. But if there is one girl who won't settle for just silk, it's Kate Lanphear of Elle America. The fashion-forward fashion director takes the comeback to another level and moves the revival into leather.

London Fashion Week

So far I am totally impressed with the feel of LFW. Even though my experience is abbreviated (I'm only here for two days), I feel that the pace of the week is just right. In fact, the pace is perfect to enjoy the loads of super cool girls on hand and personally owning the current trends. Like Phillipa here, who is brilliant in a transparent blouse, maxi-skirt, vintage bucket bag and brogues.

Great Proportions

The long and short of friendship. Anja Rubik and Maryna Linchuk in Paris.

Valentina

I fell in love with Valentina's style the moment that I met her last Fall. If you asked me to describe it I would say: young, playful, confident and full of refreshing humor. I wish I had been able to capture her outfit the second time I saw her. It was a frigid winter morning and she wore fluorescent Dr. Martens with a brown fur coat. You should have seen her coast across Piazza Della Scala. Jolt!!! It was just the thing I needed to wake up -my Citarella hazelnut coffee that I smuggle back to Italy in my suitcase every summer hadn't kicked in that morning.

Well I shot these pics on the last day of the men's shows in Milan this June and have been really wanting to post them. I took so many that day, I really wanted to dedicate some time and choose my favorites. Sometimes when things are dear to me, I ponder over them endlessly. But since I am home in Milan this week helping my son through his first week of pre-k, I have more time than usual to review the shows and have lapsed back into a Spring/Summer kind of vibe. Plus, Valentina's white silk blouse and grey high-waist shorts are totally Spring 2011. The combination is so chic! And how fun is her floral vintage dress with hot pants? She found them in her aunt's closet, a look from the early eighties. The movement reminds me of some of the flowy, maxi-dresses gracing the New York runways this week (check out the Marc Jacobs show). Ahh, I'm already excited for next Summer! But, in the meantime I'll savor these last Summer images... and start packing for my trip to London this weekend! Hope to see you there!

Get In Line!

Wouldn't you straighten up your fashion act if your drill sergeant presented herself in this uniform? Loving how the exposed zippers on her dress compliment the elastic straps on her wedges.

Hanneli in denim and leather

One

Two stylish versions of the one shoulder neckline. Miroslava's dress is actually symmetrical but she channels her inner stylist, loses one shoulder (which she strategically places under her belt to the left) and layers this gorgeous pleated dress over a white tank top for a cool optical effect.

Natalia is a girl after my heart (I love her style) with this mini-version paired with her incredible oversize leopard print clutch and YSL bridge sandals.

Fashion's Night Out Milano

Last night Milan was electric as Vogue Italia and all the city's major fashion players contributed to this year's global fashion initiative Fashion's Night Out. Giorgio Armani, Dean and Dan Caten of Dsquared2 and Roberto Cavalli were not only on hand but mingled comfortably among the throngs of guests as their flagship boutiques threw elaborate cocktail parties to encourage shoppers to splurge on the season's hottest items. Champagne, cocktails and canapès were abundant as were the smooth rhythms of Djs flown in for the evening. The mood was super energetic, with lots of smiles and hugs and kisses (many Milanese are just returning from the August holiday). Let's hope all the joviality translated into great sales for the industry. But hey, there's nothing like flying home to a big sprawling fashion block-party. :-)

Sarah outside Valextra



Silvia at Miss Sixty



Fiorella (above) and Sidney (below) at the Garance Doré for Jil Sander Navy event.

Bitter Sweet

Hey, I have bitter-sweet news for you all. I won't be covering New York Fashion Week Spring 2011 because my darling three-year-old starts pre-kindergarten on Monday (we flew back to Milan yesterday after a lovely vacation in the Hamptons). While I'm a little bit sad that I'll be missing the FNO's festivities and covering the shows at their new location at Lincoln Center, I wouldn't miss this moment for anything in the world. So for the next week, I'll be religiously visiting my favorite street style blogs, viewing runway shows and preparing for Milan, a brief stay in London and for Paris. I'll miss you New York, but see you next time! xo, Tamu

more is more

Even though many in the fashion world have the phrases "pared-back" and "minimalism" on the tip of their tongues, fashion blogger Aysha Bilgram, of Aysha's Rabbit Hole, embraces her "more is more" approach to style and piles on the accessories over this square cut slouchy dress. And I totally admire her for it. Her jewelry, which she has collected all over the world, is absolutely beautiful.

in the sunshine

I immediately fell for Astrid's relaxed style. She has a really cool and fresh quality about her. Hope to shoot her again this upcoming fashion month.

Happy Labor Day!

It all started a year ago, when my famously stylish mother-in-law began wearing linen double- breast jackets and wide-leg pantsuits. She is always so ahead of the fashion curve, have you seen the glamorous white, seventies-style suits shown for resort? And it's about time we've gotten rid of the "no white after Labor Day" rule. I'm Jamaican, we wear white all year round. The rule never really sat well with me anyway. You?

From the moment that I saw my mother-in-law in this example of impossible chicness, I decided that I had to follow suit and promptly solicited her for designer details. She informed me that she had them custom made by a friend's husband's tailor. So when my husband started shopping around for a new tailor this Spring, I inserted myself into his sartorial search, called my mother-in-law's sarto (tailor in Italian) and ordered this beauty as a "try-out" piece. It's my first custom-made suit and I am totally in love.

In Italy, some tailors, like our tailor Il Signore Arcieri, still make house visits. The experience is really sweet, they arrive with their clothing swatches and hand write your measurements and suiting specs- it's a wonderful glimpse of the old days.

Signore Arcieri's knowledge of the quality and performance of different fabrics and attention to details (e.g., horn buttons, silk stitching and real pockets vs faux pockets) is quite impressive and reassuring. All I had to do was provide a basic idea of what I was looking for and he took care of the rest. I love my suit so much that I've ordered another one in navy cashmere with white pinstripes. I'll show it to you when it arrives in the fall. For now, Happy Labor Day and be sure to put on some white tomorrow!!!!

Armor

Poppy Delevigne outside the Chanel Fall 2010 Haute Couture show in a pair of the house's fierce motorcycle boots.

Crisscross

Model Jacquelyn Jablonski outside the Christian Dior Fall 2010 Haute Couture show.

L.A.C.E.S.

L.A.C.E.S, an acronym for Lace Appliqué and Crystal Embellished Shades that I came up with while thinking of a title for these images of Giovanna. And oh how I love the sweet retro-chic details of her look. Sort of reminds me of the Marc Jacobs Fall 2010 collection- especially the colors, her pale peach skirt paired with this adorable sky-blue sweater are so darling.

three-quarter net

Giovanna Battaglia outside the Gianfranco Ferrè men's Spring 2011 show.