Stylish with Substance

Rrarrr! This Manolo 3 1/2" heeled sandal has a tiger print embossed onto oh, so textured stingray skin. If that weren't bold enough, a buckled ankle strap is decorated with shiny stone accents, in colors and stripes reminding us of the Serengeti. Grrrr!

The woman able to strut it in this shoe is one diva, indeed. I'd like to see that animal, because I can't believe this amazing shoe can translate into an actual wardrobe. Imagine the ultra fabulista woman?! Could it be you? for 815 dollars!

Finally, we see some color for Spring, with Christian Lacroix's couture collection. In shades more thought of with an aging August, lush naturals are bold, yet muted. With ornate prints and exaggerated shapes, this is "couture!" in a proud way. Mixed in are international inspirations, from Asia, France, and eastern Europe, from peasants, to queens, to princess brides. Even the "don'ts" are glorious, in a way of fascination. Christian Lacroix's collection is a great masterpiece of fine fashion as art.

Thanks for the props, Almost Girl and Fashion Tribes Blog.

This Sergio Rossi heel's dark green of the python skin is refreshing and subtle and just enough of just too much to handle (or afford). Add the "cutaway" shaping and matching silk bow, and we've got something all too divine for a womanly-woman to resist. Could you take these 9 cm (3.5 inches!!!!) d'Orsays out for a stroll, or just place them on an ever-eyed pedestal in your hall or on your wall of shoe fame?

Perhaps, you'd love them large-scale, in a history-documenting shoe-art book. Me, I'm filing them into this blog; an honored home, with me.

A recent look into the entertainment media's portrayal of fashionistas has lately gotten me frustrated and fired up. "We" are being portrayed as shallow and "female dogs," for one thing. Another thing is that when writers and creators of entertainment geared toward fashionistas, is that the characters are still no better---they are inexplicably rich, with only shopping---and men---on the mind. I find myself not even able to grasp the long list of designer garments in these novels (blogs fare better for the pictures). What happened to creative descriptions that make readers feel like we are there? Writers assume we know everything Balenciaga has ever made, and therefore can take shortcuts and cut out detail. The worst parts of these stories is their endings, with the characters learning nothing throughout their plotless foibles.

A rerun of an earlier episode of ER, just this Thursday, showed a woman in a cute suit (first notice) and her fashionable friend whisper over a doctors' chunky shoes. I was overjoyed when Abby served that brat a good *zing!*, and gladly sided with the picked-on women, despite their unfortunate comfortable footwear. Fabulous female doctors? They've earned the right to wear sensible shoes.

And that brings me to *it*; the way fashionistas can avoid the trappings of materialism and shallow attitudes: be flexible and versatile. Have varied interests, read something intellectual on occasion, and show a little forgiveness in opinions. Be kind and be beautiful on the inside as well as out. I'm sure it's all natural to the fabulous you!

. . .

Thanks for the props, Almost Girl and Fashion Tribes Blog. Special thanks to Almost Girl for mixing intellectualism with style.

I see Dior as another Chanel-type, in its feminine cuts and beautiful details. But John Galliano's strange self-style may be working to butcher the classic Christian Dior name, with his Spring 2006 Couture show for Dior.

The catwalk was a Fright Sight Show where fashion took a backseat---to a political statement of a French revolution that seems more like a Friday the 13th Horror Film Festival. With models draped in dark folds of fabric and covered in blood-red capes, with lights dimmed, it's hard to see any style at all.

Even pricey pieces were ruined, like the pearls dripping with blood dye and spattered white leather pants (that bring up their own frightening thoughts).

I can hardly stand to look at---or display---any photo from this show, especially with models in gory make-up of zombie-dead eyes or in full white-face, and covered by eerie sheets of sheer cloth. Crosses further a dreary image.

At least the show ended with some humor; a goofy Galliano swishing a rapier sword, supposedly as a pirate, complete with that silly little mustache. Oh, please.

Yes, I have no thorough review of the actual styles, as I don't see any true attempt at creating fashion garments, here. Of the stylistic pieces of which I can get a good view, they do not resemble apparel.

Thanks for the props, Almost Girl and Fashion Tribes Blog.

Starting a day late, due to my busy first day of classes (my schedule begins with and battles against the shows!), I begin the Spring 2006 Couture shows with a favorite pick: Chanel (picked so before seeing the collections).

Chanel's show brought us back to 60s mod, with a kickoff look of boxy dresses and prim skirt suits. Black/White boots adorned the lightstepping feet of these walking displays of porcelain models. 60s made way to the good old times of our girlhoods with bows and lace, and all things nice. Every little girl's fashion fantasy was blown up to twice the size of life, little by little, with spreading flower printed lace and ever-flaring skirts. After every imaginable, frilly expansion, the collection made way to floor-length gowns.

But these were in no way the ordinary or usual gowns we always see. Whether completed by petite jackets, continuing the feel of lace---accent or overflowing, or accentuating woman's curves with exaggerated widths, once more, the wedding white frocks, amidst the pale or neutral, pushes the biggest dreams of the girl inside for beauty and romance. The shoes became demure and fairy-tale-like. At an over-the-top climax, the show ended with a young lass of pure, innocent beauty, in a flowing number much like a christening gown. Thus the transformation completed.

Worst:

Thanks for the props, Almost Girl and Fashion Tribes Blog.

Today was a day of getting my final schedule in order for the Spring term. I have a little bit of stress, and therefore; bring on the Blahniks!

I've been trying to keep up with posting Manolo Blahniks every Monday, for a while, now; toying with the idea of bringing the series of posts back. I had to stop because of my crazy life before, but now I get to take things easier. We never did get to finalize and pinpoint exactly what makes a Manolo what it is. But if the series continues, and we never even get to that, there's more fun in it! Now we will have a Manolo Blahnik every Monday; thanks mostly to editing the timestamp of a post---I can write the entry at any point during the week!

On with the shoe!

This stunner of a slide, named the "Tailobo," has strips of metallic lizard skin, with strips of animal printed hair-calf; meeting in the center with a cute little button. It's trimmed in modest brown leather, for that earthy vibe. But it's all uptown glam, complete on a 3" heel, of course. This snazzy dream beaut is making women yearn at $595, of course, of course.

Before I came across this sneaky surprise on Coach.com, I was doubtful Coach could surprise me this much---after our "incident." But now I'm looking forward to a life of loving Coach non-signature bags, on occasion, and continuing a collection, when bags are sized to price right.

There really are plenty of lovely new bags by Coach, including two additional varieties of the Daphne Satchel (metallic and suede!).

But there is one bag in the new collection that really stands out, it's the Hamptons Vintage Carryall. Named "Vintage" for its period-reminiscent details, it really is all about the details. Where Coach now fails on logo alignment, they make up for in strides with braided straps, fine materials, and new touches.

The carryall features an extra detail on every aspect, including stitched handles, two-tone tassels, unique thick stitching mixed with smaller stitches, et cetera, et cetera! This lightweight leather, 15" length tote comes in a variety of all-wonderful colors, for $598.

If only these divine details came in a smaller bag, and price.

Ella says, there should be no such thing, in a luxury world, as more than one full time job. But in reality, so many fabulistas (and fabumen!) run around with multiple-duty schedules, stay fabulous, keep fresh, and run their lives in tip-top order!

I salute all of you, but I always urge us all to take a breather every day, with a decadent treat, and a soothing activity (or low-tivity).

ShangriLaw asks, "if you were stranded at a life-long party on the 'Island of Superfantasticness,' what would be the fashion items you simply cannot live without?"

A lifelong party on a beautiful island, with my fellow fashion bloggers, and all the power and amenities of luxury, I assume?

This actually has an important, basic question of life, in there. If I were limited, in a limited situation, what apparel items would I need? I would mix the basic with the luxe, to create a wardrobe I could live with.

This can get "blah, blah," but read on, it has tips and insight into my *devilish* shopping mind, as well as picking up for something special at the end!

-- First of all, I need a jean; I'll need a couple of good jeans--dream jeans, by my favorite: Antik Denim. We're shopping at eLUXURY, today! The Bootcut Jean, Light Wash is the standard Antik, and its lighter color is good for my petite height. And the Joplin Jean, Dark Indigo Wash has a black wash that is dressier and perfect for "the party." In addition to the designer pairs, I'd take a lot of my "signature" "L" jeans from The Limited. (All jeans perfectly hemmed between 27" and 29" insteams for different shoes, by the way.)

-- This means I'll need a few great tops. This time, we're heading to Nordstrom. I picked out four, so let's just call them by numbers, and you can check out the website: 1: is a long-sleeved top with flattering deep-v neckline and ruched tummy. 2: is a basic white blouse with a ruched front. 3: is an alternative to babydoll with a natural waistline, and ruching above. 4: is a Victorian lace top. Whew!

-- Now, I need to cover up with sweaters and jackets. Cardigans: 1 and 2. Jackets: Denim (& embroidered), a ruffly-feminine take on the military jacket trend, and off to Macy's; a brocade blazer.

-- Leather jacket: Off to Wilson's Leather for a tan feminine-gather-detailed leather blazer.

-- Of course, for the party, I need the perfect dress. I'd probably need to have this altered (non-petite), but it is the loveliest, and most perfect for moi: "The Black Dress" from Anthropologie.

-- I must be comfy, sometimes, as a blog-for-jobber, don't I? I also must be able to sleep, and trust me, I prefer some beauty sleep to all-night partying. For this occasion, I will go for the higher end of loungewear, the Juicy Couture tracksuit, with the Velour Track Jacket and Velour Drawstring Pant, in the maroon-ish, Margeaux.

Boy, all of this inspires me to do shopping for real life.

Now, for the necessaries!

Of course, I need plenty of shoes. These are the proper basics:

And how could I live without my precious bag collection? Or at least a piece of it. With this fabulous party in the beautiful setting, I'll get to show off my more precious bags, as well as use my standard favorites, a lot.

I have my | Wilson's Leather bags | Liz Claiborne Leather Metallic Croc-Embossed Pocket Satchel | COACH Chelsea Bouclé Demi | COACH Python Stripe Signature Medium Carryall | Christian Dior classic black signature Saddle Bag | My Brighton school tote (who knows) | And a plethora of clutches, wristlets & wallets ...

Then there are some things I wouldn't buy now, but could spend a savings on ... Marc by Marc Jacobs, Rebecca Taylor and Nanette Lepore Apparel, and more designer bags and designer shoes! Oh, designer shoes!

Now, though really, I'd have to decline the offer to embark on this trip that would strand me forever away from the comforts of home, the love of friends, and malls and Internet-mail ordering. My life may not be as extravagant as a lifelong party seems to be, but it's pretty fabulous to my heart. Yes, my true life is the "fashionable" necessity I can't bear to part with.