Dolce and Gabbana: Mixed Match

The fusion of Japanese artistry and Western brushstrokes on this stunning Dolce and Gabbana dress is just one example of fashion's postmodern need to mix influences. While I generally avoid Asian-inspired looks (as an Asian, I look too costumey) and have generally ridiculed the painterly trend this spring, I find myself strangely attracted to this dress: I am suddenly transported into a serene, Zen-like garden where only luxury exists. And at $6,460, you'll need a luxurious bank account, too. At Bergdorf Goodman.

Christian Louboutin: Vintage Glory

I absolutely adore these vintage-inspired Lola Flores canvas pumps with crinkled gold flowers from Christian Louboutin, the shoe genius. While I gravitate towards vintage items, I don't relish the idea of inserting my clean toes into an old pair of pumps that some stranger has worn (handbags, belts, etc. are a different story). These pumps allow you the pleasure of vintage inspired without the vintage dirt. $620 at saks.com.

Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti: Spring Fling

The eternally chic combination of pink and gray looks fabulous in this silk chiffon dress by Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti, the younger sister line of Alberta Ferretti. I adore the sheerness of this dress, which is tasteful due to the gorgeous layering of fabrics and shades and incorporates one of spring's hottest trends. This Sunday's daylight savings reminds us that spring is only a few weeks away, and it's another reminder that fashionistas everywhere need to get geared up for colorful feminine day dresses. $695 at eluxury.com.

Skin Care 101

The harsh winter has wreaked havoc on our skin, and unless you're gifted with naturally flawless skin, chances are you've seen the damage. Instead of getting lost in the labyrinth of the cosmetics world, listen to this brief list of must-have items for skin saving:

1. A STRONG SPF. I cannot stress enough that every woman, regardless of skin color or type, must wear SPF (with both UVA and UVB protection) every single day, regardless of weather. Unfortunately, most women don't know that in terms of preventative care, a decent SPF is the single most important part of their daily routine. Wrinkles, sun spots, sagging skin, dry skin...all of these problems can be prevented by the use of a rigorous SPF.

Recommendations:

A. Neutrogena's Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, SPF 70: You may scoff, but this works. Plus it has a light, non-greasy feel. $11.29 at drugstores.

B. Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Lotion, SPF 55: I use this stuff. It's light, pleasant-smelling, silky, and powerful. $37 at sephora.com.

2. A HIGHLY-HYDRATING MOISTURIZER: Between the harsh winter cold and the harsh indoor heat, a woman's skin rapidly looses much-needed moisture. Choose one rich in ingredients that suit your individual skin needs.

Recommendations:

A. Annick Goutal's Creme Splendide Genereuse Creme: Contains active rose sap, this Holy Grail moisturizer heals skin, deeply moisturizes, and nourishes the skin with vitamins. If you love roses, this smells divine and is my favorite moisturizer by far--nothing else heals my skin like this stuff. Worth the $140 price tag at saks.com.

2. Oil of Olay Complete All-Day Moisture Cream with SPF 15: An inexpensive, reliable option that many women swear by. $6.99 at drugstore.com.

3. AN EXFOLIATING AND NON-EXFOLIATING CLEANSER: Women need to vary their cleansing routine. Use an exfoliating cleanser at night to increase moisture absorption and use a gentle, non-stripping cream cleanser in the morning.

Recommendations:

A. Exfoliating Cleanser: If you have acne from time to time, this gentle scrub with salicylic acid sheds both dead skin cells and zits. $6.69 at drugstore.com.

B. Non-Exfoliating Cleanser: Shiseido Benefiance Creamy Cleansing Foam: Gently dissolves makeup and dirt without stripping the skin of much-needed moisture. $33 at sephora.com.

Fendi: Crop of Gold

Here's another winner from the House of Fendi: a cropped leather jacket with looped ruffles that almost appear bamboo-like in texture. While black leather jackets may be eternally chic for some, I much prefer lighter shades that incorporate feminine detailing rather than masculine bravado. Combine this with anything peachy, yellow, pink, dove gray, or white. $4,650 at net-a-porter.com.

Spring Must-Haves

Each season, I narrow down my list of must-haves. Here's what got top picks:

1. Something Floral: Burberry's Rosette Embroidered Dress is a textural option to traditional floral prints.


2. Something Red: It was hot on the Red Carpet, and it'll be hot elsewhere. Zac Posen's Tomado gown is smokin' ($5,400 at net-a-porter.com).

3. Something Whimsical: Miu Miu's brocade coat is a mixture of harlequin romance, French maid, and schoolgirl innocence. Choose an item that combines various elements and is slightly off-kilter.

4. Something Yellow: It's hard to resist such a cheery color, and especially when Lela Rose puts her stamp of genius on it.

5. Something Belted: Choose a stand-out belt to cinch your looks. Burberry Prorsum's, Bottega Veneta's, and Fendi's belts are all fantastic.

Marc Jacobs: Animal Kingdom?

There's a reason I despise Marc Jacobs. From a distance, this dress looks half-way decent: the cute shape, the flirty details...and then you look closer. For reasons unbeknownst to me, iridescent mice and swans run amok in an oil spill that makes Exxon Valdez look like kids' play. A true New Yorker, I abhor rodents of any kind (I could barely watch Ratatouille, and those were cartoon rats) and don't need to see them on my clothes. And the swans. Do they bear any relationship to their neighbors the mice? Or are they there to remind us that beauty is still capable of being found in something so ugly? Because if that's it, then I'm not buying into it...and that's literally and figuratively. $2,400 for this rag at eluxury.com.

Banana Republic: Cheap Chic

This is a no-brainer from Banana Republic: a chic, feminine, cap-sleeved silk shift dress in the hottest shade of the season: saffron yellow. It has taken me some time to cozy up to yellow, but now I recognize that its powerful burst of sun cheers the soul. I find the dark accessories gloomy paired with yellow and would replace them with silver or white bags/shoes and a statement necklace that would individualize your purchase. An easy $150 online or at stores nationwide.

Miu Miu: Star Trek Gets Jockey

Speaking of uniforms...Miuccia Prada's Miu Miu line was nothing short of bizarre. From the jockey looks with the models' initials monogrammed on the right side in typical prep-school mode (please, don't bring back monograms!) to sequins, Miu Miu's Fall 2008 line was as odd as its older sister's. Her sporty looks were more futuristic than retro, which gave her clothes as costumey, rather than modern, feel. Unfortunately, I won't be purchasing many of these items come fall.

Additional Looks:

1. Where could you possibly wear this?

2. Is it me, or does this look like a soccer net?

3. The only look I like (minus the swimming cap and leggings):

ReWear: A Crime of Fashion?

Today, I was accosted by a single accusation: "ReWear!" While I am, from time to time, reminded that slang does not come as naturally as it used to, I was amazed by the inscrutable nature of this word; it was not a verb, but an adjective. I soon realized that I was accused of wearing the same outfit twice. While I understand that this alleged "crime of fashion" does not compare to other offenses previously mentioned (scrunchies, overalls, etc.), I began to mull this one over. Celebrities now are given a special column in some rags for "really loving" some item (apparently, three times of use equates to "really loving" an item when you're a celebrity), but what about the common (wo)man?

In this eco-friendly age where "recycling" is the new "it" term, do clothes also apply for the fashionista of today? I've always laughed at the absurdity of wearing an item only once (the "wedding dress" is my one exception) because it implies waste, frivolity, and vanity. On the other hand, I raise my eyebrows at the uniform-wearing non-uniformed-employed clone who exemplifies zero creativity on a daily basis. (I once had a psychology professor who wore a white polo, khakis, and white sneakers every single day.) Surely, a middle ground can be reached.

I also acknowledge a) most people don't care; b) most people's closets are rather limiting in NYC; and c) true fashionistas at heart may be limited by financial resources. However, I propose (or humbly recommend) the following to consider:

1. Reimagine different ways to wear an item. A dress can be worn as a skirt if a top is over it. Layered items appear differently. A bold necklace can alter the appearance of a plain dress. Dress down a fancy item (e.g. wear a cocktail dress with a plain cardigan and tall boots), and dress up a plain item (e.g. wear fancy jewelry with jeans). Even though I generally repeat items, most people don't notice because I switch things up.

2. Rotate items. Place worn items on one side of your closet, and continue to do so to keep track of what you've worn. (Exception: Basic items, such as jeans, cardigans, white shirts, and black pants, are rarely noticed. Those you can repeat often.)

3. Avoid repeating items that are photographed. Unfortunately, that goes for weddings and major parties--unless you are going to events with different crowds. Some women wear the same dress for every wedding that they attend--not realizing that that same dress is being remembered and photographed every time.

4. Do a periodic sweep of your closet. By doing so, you will discover items that have been forgotten. Donating your unwanted items can also free up your closet for things that you can really see and enjoy.

Rue du Mail: Structural Shapes

Natural and man-made shapes dominated the dresses and coats of Martine Sitbon's Rue du Mail Fall 2008 collection, and for the most part, she succeeded. From arches to beetles, the line incorporated the inspiration of strong, structural shapes without taking that inspiration too literally. The darkness and toughness of most of her looks (there was an abundance of waxed leather jackets) mixed nicely with a soft, feminine aesthetic.

Additional Looks:

1. A cocoon-like look that adds mystery and depth to a beautiful frock:

2. I am reminded of skyscrapers in this one:


3. The beetle-like appliques are whimsical, not creepy:

Stella McCartney: Handcrafted Luxury

Despite a slew of shapeless black tents, Stella McCartney did manage to stun me with some select looks. The handcrafted, one-of-a-kind quality of these pieces feels less commercial than many other collections', and one can hardly believe that these items were not inherited from a fashionable great-great grandmother in Paris (or London). It is precisely this quality that I search for in clothes, and the commonplace has become something I eschew with high disdain (I can barely stand to look at the Gap). Clothes need to be as individual as you are.

Additional Looks:

1. Are you sure you didn't get this from a museum vault?

2. A strong statement coat that looks like fashionable armor against a jaded society:

3. Perhaps your great-great grandmother really did make this...as a skirt. You wear it as a dress, and embrace crochet.

Akris: Tactile Texture

After accosting you with grotesque images yesterday (notice I spared you a third monstrosity), I am pleased to report that Akris has redeemed Paris Fashion Week for me, and we can all breathe a huge sigh of relief knowing that a few horror shows are in the past, where they will stay. Akris showcased clean, vertical lines, and continued to experiment with the tactile quality of texture. From fur to fuzz, Akris beautifully incorporated varying sumptuous looks that cry out to be worn--and touched. I've always been a firm believer that clothes should not only look good, but feel good, too.

Additional Looks:

1. A calmer, less post-ity dress that would be easy to wear:

2. The rich colors of suede remind me of pumpkin pie, my favorite fall dessert:

3. The slight fuzzy quality to this mossy number is cozy, not messy:

Paris Fashion Week: Avant-Garde Doesn't Have to Mean Fugly

Comme des Garcons, Fall 2008

Even though we have yet to see Chanel and Andrew Gn, Paris Fashion Week has proven to be one monstrosity after another. Designers have resorted to ridiculous "bad fashion" gimmicks that prove to be more show than store. The puffy, the tawdry, the mismatched, the tacky, and the downright fugly have taken hold of Parisian designers, and I can both barely look and barely not. Let's hope that Karl Lagerfeld doesn't get too experimental.

Additional Fugly Looks:

1. Maison Martin Margiela, Fall 2008: Anyone need a tire for a turtleneck?

2. Vivienne Westwood, Fall 2008: Pippi Longstocking Meets Snuffleupagus!

Yves Saint Laurent: Making Me See Stars

When you were a child, you probably received gold stars from your teacher for being good or performing well on tests/quizzes/projects. When you were an adolescent, you learned about and marveled at the luminous, exploding balls of hydrogen and helium you studied in science. And when you became an adult, Yves. Saint Laurent expected you to buy their tacky star bracelet, which looks like it came from Claire's (yes, we all shopped there as kids...don't deny it). While stars can be edgy, they can also be juvenile, tacky, and painful (look at those sharp edges...ouch). The rusty-looking chain doesn't help, either. Ignore the fashion editors on this one and don't spend $395.00 on an accessory even a (savvy) kindergartner wouldn't wear.

Oscar Ratings

1. BEST DRESSED: Keisha Whitaker: She looked as radiant as a bride on her wedding day.


2. (BEST) RUNNER UP: Marion Cotillard in Jean Paul Gautier: She shone in La Vie En Rose (I was absolutely moved by her performance), and she shone in an unexpected mermaid gown (not everybody can pull off mermaid with aplomb).

3. (BEST) THIRD PLACE: Anne Hathaway in Marchesa: Roses are red...and fabulous.

Other well-dressed ladies of the night: Jennifer Garner in Oscar de la Renta, Amy Adams in Proenza Schouler, and Sarah Jane Larson in Valentino Couture.

1. WORST DRESSED: Tilda Swinton in (gasp!) Lanvin: She looks like a corpse in a lopsided garbage bag (she has always creeped me out).

2. (WORST) RUNNER-UP: Rebecca Miller in Barf: Maybe it's because I'm jealous of her arm candy, but you think she could afford to hire a stylist.

3. (WORST) THIRD PLACE: Diablo Cody in John Galliano: Can I just say, Bam Bam?

The Ballerina Within

When I was a child, my mother faithfully enrolled me in every activity she could think of to find my "hidden talent": soccer, swimming, arts and crafts, tennis, archery, piano, calligraphy, ballet...Unfortunately, I was not the "athletic type," but despite my lack of talent in the rigorous discipline of ballet, I believe that many girls have the ballerina within--that vision of grace, beauty, and fluidity. Even as an adult, I find myself oohing and aahing over clothes that embrace that childhood vision of tutus in pink. Take Fendi's striped pink, gray, and dove gray number and Moschino's silk tiered flounce dress: both inspire the innocence and beauty of a simple ballet recital and the look of pride from a mother's face. $2,410 for the Fendi dress at eluxury.com and $3,390 for the Moschino dress at net-a-porter.com.

Fendi: Bags and Belts and Clothes, Oh My!

Each season, I go to Fendi for artfully-designed but wearable clothes that quietly astound. The House of Fendi's Fall 2008 collection did not dissapoint: the stunning belts (on my must-have list for Fall), the luxurious furs (nobody does furs quite like Fendi), and the classic clothes all were pristine and purr-fect. But the bags this season were a surprise: unlike Fendi's typical shapes, these bags reflected the clean lines of their clothes (I'm coveting their dusty blue crocodile mule bag, seen above) and were unfussy but elegant. The only dissapointment? The wait.

Additional Looks:

1. A space-agey look that Fendi has nailed (note the spectacular belt and boots):

2. The softest, most luxurious fur coat I have ever seen:

3. A winning look that mixes the gloss of smooth leather with the texture of a complex skirt: