Stylish with Substance

Chick Savvy: Louis Vuitton iPad Case; Is it for the Birds?

Ella M — Mon, 03 May 2010 16:47:52 EDT

*Update: Now with a poll!*

Louis Vuitton has produced a case for the new iPad

Want or Waste?

GQ.com got the exclusive preview of Louis Vuitton's to-be-released iPad cover, and we're unhappy it wasn't shipped to women! (Hence our photoshopping.) But that's not the real story, it's all about the LV! (Although you can see our vanity here, it's always about moimoimoi, natch.)

Despite the typical Apple buzz and obvious profitability, the upscale design hauses are increasingly showing their tardiness in producing iPad accessories, and even though Louis Vuitton is the first gal-beloved big brand to showcase a case, the actual product won't be available until 2011 (no word on month). Perhaps they can blame it on the time it takes time to craft high quality luxury - just think Hermès and the ladies will understand.

Even though it is Louis Vuitton and well-crafted, you may not care for the "exclusivity" pricetag of $366 when the most cost-effective version of the device itself runs little more than $100 more ($499).

A luxurious and secure home for your precious gadget

I do make this argument to you though, depending on how you treat your iPad (examples of use below), it may be the next important gadget down from your laptop. It might hold important or private files, photos, perhaps even your work. If you would not spend this kind of money on the look of LV alone, think of the durability of the materials and workmanship and how much those things mean it can protect this Comp Lite.

If you're not sold, that's great, and you can say you're not a fashion victim. However I do ask you not to knock it ... with all that knocking over you or your clumsy friend will inevitably do with the pad.

Buying it? May we suggest the Damier - subtle is classy.

[caption id="attachment_3230" align="alignnone" width="450" caption="We photoshopped a woman's hand onto the image to make it more girl-friendly than the GQ article/photos. ;-) Should we say you're welcome or just commit ourselves? ;-)"][/caption]

Or perhaps it's protection-schmotection, if your iPad has cat scratches anyway...

If you're wondering whether I would buy a luxury case from Louis Vuitton, or wait for a lower designer like Coach, or just go with something else that's nice and suits me but is likely more affordable ...

The answer is no, but partially because I don't even have any near-future plans to get the iPad, so that would surely be a waste of money.

You see, I see the iPad as really great for two things, one: a nice point-of-sale device, useful for craft shows (and I don't have real plans to do craft shows in the future). Two: an awesome but expensive cat toy, and I'm allergic to cats. Another waste.

Wait, a double waste. Darn my dweebish, allergic body. I'd love a cat and she'd love this cat toy - I mean iPad. Not a waste of $500 plus app costs at all, right?

Bonus! Poll!

The iPad itself, is it...

[polldaddy poll=3145809]

Asked to Design a Coke Bottle, Lagerfeld Places his Likeness On It

Ella M — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 15:30:11 EDT

Karl Lagerfeld received what I consider the honor to design a limited edition bottle for Coca-Cola - and what did he do, trim it with Chanel-esque tweed or, far better, texturize glass in quilting?

Nah. He put his own silhouette on it.

Trés epitome of style.

Not.

Still, I'm a total Coke-addict, so I do want a piece of this fashion-meets-Cola memorabelia! I'm looking out for it on Colette.fr (warning: auto music). ---Will it be available elsewhere, as well?

On the up side, Coco Rocha stars in the ad. Oh but her name were Coca. Eh, I'm a nehd.

Anyway, am I right in thinking that this design is more $h!t than IT? ...

You Vote!

[polldaddy poll=3012391]

Metallics, Python & Tortoise? Oh My! Lanvin Clutch - Opinions...

Ella M — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 21:27:53 EDT

This is certainly ... an interesting purse creation by Lanvin. I'm not sure if the silver and gold are too much together, especially combined with the python's texture, however when they threw on the tortoise closure that's when they really took it too far. Or at least IMHO...

[caption id="attachment_2637" align="alignnone" width="374" caption="Lanvin Degrade Clutch - pre-order"][/caption]

What do you think?

[polldaddy poll=2955678]

Anyway, if you like it, you can buy it at Luisa Via Roma for roughly $2.5 thou.

Ella's Picks for Oscars' Worst Dressed (2010) - Vote!

Ella M — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:00:49 EST

Fierce then the New Classic: Twirl Around

(like the Classic Scrolldown)

[caption id="attachment_2320" align="alignnone" width="290" caption="Zoe Saldana in Givenchy Couture"][/caption]

In a way I think this could be "Best" but I'm torn. In my last post I compared Zoe's violet ruffles to beautiful flowers, but from the back they seem to be growing out of hand. And then the bottom of the train ... has ... 3 giant fuzzy fingers?

[caption id="attachment_2344" align="alignnone" width="290" caption="Wait! That looks like a giant Muppet hand ..."][/caption]

Zoe Saldana's gown has even made it to our final "worst" poll at the end of the article...

Worst Supporting of An Actress

[caption id="attachment_2336" align="alignnone" width="290" caption="Charlize Theron in Dior Couture"][/caption] It's delightful, it's delovely, it's ... delicious, firm, supple and round? Oh I mean "they're". Well the dress thinks so! It's grown little fabric handlike things that are grabbing on. Well, ok, not exactly supple-looking, as the fabric is a bit tiered and, to me, is reminiscent of Madonna's cone bra. Others think the fabric semi-rosettes do look like hands... [caption id="attachment_2337" align="alignnone" width="450" caption="Cona bra + hands = Dior Couture"][/caption] Charlize Theron has also made it to our poll!

Least Age-Appropriate Supporting of an Actress

[caption id="attachment_2334" align="alignnone" width="285" caption="Miley Cyrus in Jenny Packham"][/caption] [caption id="attachment_2335" align="alignnone" width="450" caption="Ha ha! Just kidding. Kind of."][/caption] Never mind that Miley Cyrus generally looks 45 going on Collette Reardon. (The Dishrag agrees.) This dress's bodice is far too lingerie-inspired (like it could be a teddy) for Miley's still-illegal age. Also the random transitioning is not fab. So that added allows her to be in the poll.

Least Super Woman

[caption id="attachment_2338" align="alignnone" width="285" caption="Molly Ringwald"][/caption] Molly Ringwald looks like a ginger Cleopatra or a super heroine of the tech age, who started spelling her email address with jewelry then remembered the "Coco rule" and removed everything but an "M" (for Molly) and the "@" symbol. You may vote for Molly below.

Worst Designing for an Awards Show

[caption id="attachment_2341" align="alignnone" width="290" caption="Barbra Streisand in Randolph Duke"][/caption] We hear Randolph Duke custom made this especially for Barbra Streisand on this Oscars night, and we also hear that lace scarf was added by Babs from her own closet. So where's the designing? Where's the custom, exactly? At least we can't blame him for how wide open the star wore the jacket. We're glad when people wear blazers that fit when buttoned, but when the woman's waist isn't supermodel tiny, she shouldn't wear the coat that open. Even though she's not a typical red carpet diva, we're including the legendary Barbra in our poll.

Dishonorable Mention We Must Mention

[caption id="attachment_2346" align="alignnone" width="290" caption="Helen Mirren in Badgley Mischka"][/caption]

We won't penalize her too much here, but sleeved dresses are so 1980s!

Most In Need of a Fashion Lesson

[caption id="attachment_2342" align="alignnone" width="290" caption="Chris Innis, who won for best editing for The Hurt Locker"][/caption] Forget 1980s, gloves, my poor innocent soul, are so The Young Victorian age! Or at least, with a gown. Otherwise they can be fabulous. I understand the confusion. We won't let people vote on you, that would be hurtful. And now it's voting time! Here are the final nominees. [polldaddy poll=2810334] Be sure to vote in our best dressed poll too! Oscar photos from TMZ, WWD and The Gaurdian.

Ella's Fave Oscar Gowns - Vote for Best Dressed

Ella M — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:25:44 EST

View my picks for best dressed, or at least my honest favorites, from Oscars 2010. Below, vote on your favorite from mine in our poll.

Most Fearless Fashionista

[caption id="attachment_2320" align="alignnone" width="290" caption="Zoe Saldana in Givenchy Couture"][/caption]

Zoe Saldana went perhaps to extremes (or nuttiness?) in the name of fashion and I love it! Perhaps she was inspired by the beautiful world, Pandora, in Avatar ... for the gown looks like violet flowers blooming!

Er, well, there could be other takes. The train from behind does look like a Muppet hand.

Fiercest Fashionista

[caption id="attachment_2315" align="alignnone" width="290" caption="Jennifer Lopez in Armani Privé - click to view large"][/caption]

Jennifer Lopez always stands out on the red carpet, and at least now she's dressing like a beautiful woman, not just a pop tart. Not too trendy being not too ruffley, this gown instead is just over-the-top fashion, for any year - and I love it.

However, in a still photo it does sort of look like there's 1-and-a-half J. Los. :-

Best Overall Designer of Oscars 2010: Versace

+ sexiest & most flattering ruffle dresses
but also safest bets.

[caption id="attachment_2313" align="alignnone" width="290" caption="Elizabeth Banks in Versace - click to view large"][/caption]

Elizabeth Banks, I think, here turns from funny girl to pretty woman. Donatella Versace's tailoring here is so flattering. It's way more than just another ruffle gown.

The color in this picture is bad, so I must tell you---no, it's not denim!

[caption id="attachment_2314" align="alignnone" width="290" caption="Demi Moore in Atelier Versace"][/caption]

Demi Moore was actually somewhat overshadowed by this Versace. The handiwork on the bodice is just amazingly intricate. Truly harder to tell on a monitor, but it's the criss-cross fabric in its random way - swoon.

Yet I don't really love the flower. It would be better if the ruffles were (more) obviously flowing from it or if it were less flower-like and flat.

Best Au Courant Newcomer

[caption id="attachment_2317" align="alignnone" width="290" caption="Vera Farmiga in Marchesa"][/caption]

Vera Farmiga wore my overall favorite of this year's event. When I saw her interviewed on the red carpet, I exclaimed, "now Marchesa's a one of my favorite designers!" (Or something a little less well-structured.) The gown is lmost-safe yet so close to what other fashion pundits have hated recently - well I do not hate at all. The only thing I don't love is that there seems to be a ruffle layer missing toward the bottom. Humph.

Honorable Mention

A Fashionista's Fashionista
OR Oscar's Very Own Designer

[caption id="attachment_2318" align="alignnone" width="290" caption="Sandy Powell, costume designer"][/caption]

Sandy Powell even won an Oscar for design, costume design. The dress and its colors aren't my style but I love, love, love her use of chic accessories.

[polldaddy poll=2809598]

Photos from TMZ and WWD.

And now view and vote for the worst.

I don't want to "Clutch" this bag - Ouch! - Vote: IT or $h-t?

Ella M — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 17:16:19 EST

[caption id="attachment_1913" align="alignnone" width="449" caption="Corto Moltedo's "Boyfriend" clutch"][/caption]

I don't think Tom Binns for Corto Moltedo thinks highly of "boyfriends" - what this little torture device is named after. Obviously this is a statement piece of art, possibly even poking (no pun intended) fun of a "crazy"? trend - spikes in general. That mini trend is a part of the huge rocker/edgy punk thang going on, and I can't say I hate that.

I'm just not even sure how this works as a sculpture. :-P

What about you?

[polldaddy poll=2371872]

*Via* Jalou News

Sock Garters!?! IT or $h-t?

Ella M — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:29:36 EST

When one hears or reads about "sock garters", that guy, gal, doll or dame may think of any a number of thoughts. There's probably curiousity, intrigue or the quick urge to flag as fug.

But some fashionistas are already saying they can be at least kinda cute - so while I crave posting a photo of this odd hybrid-accessory (at least they don't have a weird smushed name like "sarters"), I also should leave this open to public opinion. After all, they're not necessarily forcing wearers into What Not to Wear-ers. (They can be hidden, but is that the intent?)

For your approval: A y (?) look from indie designer, SWAN clothing.

Key = visible, BUT with heels.

But - mm - I don't know. We don't see the whole picture.

Then there's a whole bunch of garter styles from Sock Dreams, including adjustable banded ones that can even match the knee socks themselves. Better? Worse? (I'm back and forth on those poofy-poodly/uggly ones.)

So this whole new sock-garters-for-women thing: IT or $h-t List?

*Update* The poll is closed. Stay tuned for more on this! Read my suggestions on what to pair/wear with these accessories.

[polldaddy poll=2269768]

To reiterate either way, just thank goodness our tween-zombied society hasn't come up with "sarters".

Or have they?

Dun dun dunnnnn.

Poll on a New Evolution of Ella & Pursed Lips

Ella M — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:15:27 EDT

Since July I've been working hard on finally getting my dream really going. Since August, I believe, I've stopped seeing writing & blogging as my job and am spending an insane amount of time setting up the business for my upcoming handbag brand.

I don't want to drop Pursed Lips entirely though, even if it were to remain fairly stagnant for some time. (I have thoughts on hiring another blogger in the distant future). I know we've made a lot of changes this year, and a lot of direction turns since the summer began, probably. But in order to make things easy on myself and keep PL flowing more - I'm proposing another content direction move.

I can blog more on topics of crafting and building a business now than I can on fashion from a fan or consumer perspective. I'm pretty much solely in the producer arena now. However this blog has always been about fashion relative to its beauty, flattering perspectives, etc. It hasn't ever been about designing, even though that's been in the writer.

So I know a lot of old or current readers wouldn't care for the change, but a lot might. There will still be some commentary on looks, etc. If we make this switch, and category pages linked at the top should remain for easy filtering. Since "style" as opposed to design or business will for now most certainly not be published frequently, all the change would mean is more posts from a different angle.

My blogs have never been large, so I know this amazing change in my life should make my readers happy for me (I mean I don't need to lie and say people will die without my blogging).

But will you turn away from this new type of blog? What do you think the "mass" will do - exit? Or could I bring a different level of value to both the fashion and crafting community? There will be benefits for me to switch, but will my readers be 100% new? This is why I am posting this poll.

Thanks very much for reading!

What would you like to read on this blog?

Sensible or Strange: Control-Top Thongs

Ella M — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:10:07 EDT

It's not April Fools, but is this undergarment foolish or flattering? Control-Top thongs are a-buzz right now, removing both visible panty lines and belly bulges, but what about when a woman disrobes?

To me thongs are about sexiness and even comfort. (My big booty always has panty-ride-up anyway. If it won't cover, why not have no cover?!) But I wouldn't want to be seen in this layer of foundation. So is this under-wardrobe piece well worth it or over the top?

So why do you wear thongs, for the look in or out of pants?

Vote and view more (Warning: NSFW) Click here

Poll: Are Bubble Skirts still In?

Ella M — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 22:29:42 EDT