And...we're back

you may have noticed it's been awhile since TFS has posted - but the good news is we're back and (hopefully) better than ever!!

stay tuned for some ah-mazing posts to be featured very soon!

Runway Report: Jenny Han Fall '08

The 70s were in full swing at the Fall '08 collection for Jenny Han. By far one of the best shows I attended this season, it's safe to say that there literally wasn't one piece from her collection I didn't absolutely adore. Her casual-chic designs were fun, flirty and effortless - rich, vibrant prints dominated the collection as the catchy theme song from TVs "Monk" blared across the speakers to open the show. As the models bounced happily down the runway you couldn't help but feel a smile creep across your face as you were taken on a ride through Han's subtle nod to the 70s.

Han's collection featured lots of high-waisted trousers and pencil skirts accented with colorful tights and silky blouses in rich jewel tones. Over sized chunky sweaters, flirty dresses and structured jackets were also among the standouts in the collection - in particular was one of my favorites - a metallic bronze cropped jacket paired with a plum colored pencil skirt.

I loved the neutral, rich color palette of her collection - from purple to green, cobalt blue, brown and a vibrant saffron yellow. Her patterns weren't a bit overbearing, but served as a beautifully placed accent to the rest of her collection. The funky hats, scarves and high-waisted belts added a touch of personality and glamour to her designs. What I loved most about Han's collection is that all of her pieces are extremely wearable...something I tend to rate all designers on.

The star-studded celeb front row is testament to the absolute fabulous-ness of Han's designs. - from a svelte Mena Suvari, to Catt Sadler ("So You Think You Can Dance"), Dannel Harris ("One Tree Hill") and Amber Stevens (ABC's "Greek").

I rate her collection an A+.

**Share your thoughts on Han's collection! You can view all of the runway photos HERE.

For more information visit http://www.jennyhan.com/

xo.

What you need to know: HauteNet

I am SO thrilled to learn about a new fashion industry networking site (FINALLY!!) similar to the likes of Myspace, Facebook and lLnkedin. HauteNet is a professional networking site designed exclusively for the fashion industry. Professionals from BCBG, DKNY, Karen Kane, Perry Ellis and many more have already discovered this fantastic site. Fashion goddess Eileen Chin (owner of an apparel company) partnered with Harmany Hansen, who had the techy chops and fashion background, to launch the first professional fashion network, connecting people working in every industry segment, from apparel and accessories to beauty, retail, fashion media, and more.

So what are you waiting for my dear fashionistas?? FREE sign up here: http://haute.net

xo.

Champagne and Handbags

I was invited to a champagne social for the preview collection of one of my favorite handbag designers’ at American Rag Cie recently, and I’m officially even more in love with her collection than I originally thought.

The Jack Rabbit Collection of handbags (AND amazing belts!!…more on this later), just gets better and better. Mollie and her team of designers hosted a preview of their fall collection during L.A. Fashion Week at the hip and uber-trendy store on La Brea. The fashionable guests mingled, giggled and sipped bubbly champagne as they pursued the gorgeous collection and shopped the vintage racks of AR.

I have previously written (and raved) about a handbag donned by Lucy Liu on Cashmere Mafia that was a favorite of mine from JRC. While that little number is definitely still in my top 5, I must admit another JRC bag has stolen my heart. The moment I laid eyes on the Provocateur (the decadent over sized clutch pictured at right), I was a goner. Plus, it comes in three fab-flavors: foxy, seventies and sexy(!) The bag looks even more luxurious in person – handmade with Italian hand washed lux-soft leather with vintage swivel closure - it also fits nicely under my arm and can hold the zillion things I schlep around all day. I also love that it’s such a statement piece and adds instant glamour and drama to any outfit. **INSIDER SCOOP: before this FABulous bag was even released it was snatched up by Ayness Deyn (the punky brit-it model) and shot backstage at Zac Posen.

I was also pleasantly surprised to find out JRC also creates some of the hippest belts I’ve seen in awhile. A classic staple for any wardrobe is the thick cinch belts worn high up on the waist. These belts are the best quality and a worthwhile investment for any fashionista as they can be thrown on with almost any outfit. I personally love to wear one to cinch up my shift dresses for an instant new look (and they make my waist look tiny! – can’t hurt, right?)

Be sure to check out JRC’s new items – must-haves for Fall and tell me what you think of the collection!! xo

*The Provocateur retails for around $418. For more information visit www.thejackrabbitcollection.com or email sales@thejackrabbitcollection.com

Check out the JRC blog:
Secret tales behind the scenes - the jack rabbit blog - foxy insanity updated almost daily. http://thejackrabbitcollection.com/blog/

Fashion Advice: Anniversary attire

Every once in a fashionable, midnight-blue moon, I get style questions from my loyal and uber-chic readers. Here's a question I received recently:

Dear TFS,

Saturday is my 11th wedding anniversary. We have plans for the evening, but we are also going to a nice lunch. I need fashion advice. I have two new dresses from Anthropoligie. Click the links for pictures so you can see what they look like. The forecast for Saturday is 80 and sunny.

Thanks,
Parlene

Dress #1

Dress #2

** See comments section for my advice to Parlene! Feel free to give her your advice too. xo

Eco-Chic

I recently attended The Green Initiative Humanitarian fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at Smashbox Studios in Culver City. I was so excited to see this show since I missed it last season, and I was even happier when it didn’t disappoint.

What’s extra special about this show (staged by uber-hip Mikey Koffmann and The Gallery, Los Angeles) was that it featured not one, but FIVE fab designers debuting their eco-friendly Fall ’08 collections.

While all of the designers were absolutely incredible and super inspiring – proving you can be chic AND help save the planet - my favorite designer of the night was Simplico Michael Luis from my hometown, Los Angeles, and his M the Movement collection, which featured a collection of mostly menswear with distressed denim, vests, and trousers made from charcoal, bamboo, organic cotton and soy. This collection also came with an element of surprise – break dancing male models who jumped and spun their way down the runway -- feeding a photog frenzy.

I also was a fan of Mathilde Rosset (also hailing from L.A.) and her Lady Muse collection which featured brilliant, rich coats constructed from reused velvet tapestry and brocade.

Newcomer Barbara Boswell’s Lilikoi collection featured organic cotton dresses detailed with hand-painted prints straight from nature, as well as the young and super-cute design team Bethany Armstrong and Beth Doane, who showed comfy looking organic T-shirts that featured paintings created by children living in the endangered rain forests of Central and South America in their Andria Rain Tees collection.

Vintage China, an L.A. based denim line, featured designs using organic cotton and bamboo. The show-stopper was a floor-length gown created from recycled denim by designing duo Andrew Wong and Deacon Yu.

Vintage China www.vintagechinajeans.com
M the Movement www.mthemovement.com
Lilikoi www.lilikoiclothing.com
The Gallery, Los Angeles www.TheGalleryLA.com

Fashion Warrior

Did someone say Gerard Butler(?!), cause these Gladiator-inspired sandals are popping up everywhere lately (TFS featured an amazingly daring pair from Balenciaga’s show in 2007), so it was really only a matter of time before they hit the mainstream.

While I’m a bit skeptical of how these will actually look on, I’m definitely starting to warm up to the idea of channeling my inner Grecian-goddess.

If and when I decide to rock these puppies, I’d wear them with an ultra-feminine dress to balance out the shoe's masculine feel. This cute white lace Trina Turk dress or this soft-but-edgy Yoana Baraschi Minidress would be perfect choices.

Are these Gladiator’s a style hit or miss?

Best Dressed: Oscar Night

Normally, I’d write an entire fashion review about the red carpet glamour (or lack thereof) at the recent Academy Awards, however this time I feel particularly inclined to highlight only one dress that stood out from the rest -- Marion Cotillard’s stunning fish-scaled gown designed especially for her by fashion legend, John Paul Gaultier.

Marion's dress was hands down my favorite of the night, gleaming with style and elegance like a fresh, sparkling light in a sea of red. This beauty's entire look was absolutely flawless - from the gown, to the hair and makeup, to the gorgeous Chopard diamond necklace and ring and Daniel Swarovski clutch. She succeeded in bringing back the elements of true Hollywood glamour - with side swept wavy hair and classic red lipstick.

However I must also give credit where credit is due - Gaultier’s gown was a true masterpiece, the detailing and elegant lines were simply stunning and executed with utter perfection. I especially loved the rosebud floral arrangements on the top of the dress – a bit of a subtle, kitschy edge to an otherwise refined, ultra-glamorous dress.

So, in other words, I think I have some bargaining to do with the higher powers so I can come back in my next life as Marion Cotillard on Oscar night just so I can wear this dress.

Handbag Heaven

Anyone who knows me (even a little bit) knows I’m completely obsessed with all things fashion – however I’ll admit I have a major sweet tooth for shoes and handbags. I’ll walk through department stores and boutiques, shamelessly caressing, fawning and practically drooling over the fine, detailed craftsmanship and absolute decadence of my two favorite fashion accessories. (Sadly, I’m not exaggerating on the caressing part either).

While I currently have a plethora of shoes in my collection, I sadly only have a few quality handbags in my fashion arsenal. I’ve realized the reason behind this is because I’m extremely picky when it comes to handbags – they need to have a few specific characteristics before I select one to join my purse posse.

First and foremost, the handbag needs to be oversized and large enough to actually hold stuff. While I definitely enjoy a nice clutch every now and then, nothing drives me nuts more than those tiny coin purses that try to pass themselves off as handbags. A great bag also needs to be extremely versatile and one that can be worn with almost any outfit I put on – from semi-dressy to casual to work attire – MY handbag needs to be able to work with any outfit, for almost any occasion. Lastly, it needs to not only look and feel great, but it should also have a unique element to it – whether its strategically placed zippers, soft, silky leather or one that’s a unique color (like the new handbags Marc Jacobs is featuring this season – muted, washed out ice cream flavor-shades I can’t wait to scoop up).

So all of this explaining actually has a point – I get very excited when I come across a great handbag and I recently learned about Italian designer Leonello Borghi. His new Spring collection is absolutely amazing (and he also manages to succeed in meeting my criteria for a great purse!) In this season’s collection, he uses glossed perforated leathers and bold hardware - elements that help his designs stay fresh but maintain a great, classic style. Since I believe purses are truly a wardrobe investment, it’s important to purchase one that won’t go out of style faster than you can say Von Dutch. I love that Leonello’s bags come in great neutral colors such as black, safari and olive, which are extremely versatile colors that can work with any ensemble.

My favorite bag in his collection is the Stella Shopper – a creamy bone colored bag with perforated leather detailing and smart metal accents. This bag is a true classic, but incorporates such fun details and elements that make it so “now.” I’m also a fan of the Magazine Tote – the unique zipper placement around the bag is what makes this a stand-out item. I love the small details he includes in all of his fab bags, particularly his signature logo on the zipper pulls. Stellar.

Leonello’s incredible bags are only available at Barney’s NY and select stores in Japan and Hong Kong and prices range between $500 - $2,000. A pretty penny – but one very well spent.

Check out his other designs at www.leonelloborghi.com

Best Dressed

I might as well admit it now - I really don't care all that much about awards shows. You know - who wins, who looses, who cries or forgets to thank their mother - all that stuff. But what I absolutely DO look forward to is drooling over the decadent designers and glamours outfits the celebrities are rockin' as they slowly strut and (ahem, shamelessly) pose down the red carpet.

As the writer's strike looms on, I was relieved to finally get my much needed fashion-fix with the recent Screen Actors Guild award show. Seriously. I was starting to go through glamour-withdrawals.

Here are my top Best Dressed chicks of the night:

1. America Ferrera looked svelte and absolutely stunning in this grey Monique Lhuillier gown with jeweled shoulder embellishment. Her hair and makeup finish off this flawless look.

2. Becki Newton (from Ugly Betty) looks amazing in this gorgeous Elsie Katz petaled gown. I had the pleasure of seeing this dress in person at Fashion Week, and trust me, this picture doesn't do it nearly enough justice.

3. I adore Kate Hudson because she always stays true to her unique and easy style. She looks simply beautiful in this bohemian Balmain gown.

4. Marion Cottillard (from La vie en Rose) looked classically timeless in this muted strapless dress from Nina Ricci.

Unfortunately, I have to talk about my least favorite look of the night - Debra Messing. I was so disappointed to see her like this, especially since I love her style and she usually looks uber-elegant. This Oscar de la Renta dress is actually quite stunning on its own, however the way the whole look came together (especially the hair and makeup choices) just didn't cut it.