A born scatterbrain, I’ve lost many things over the years such as keys, jobs, boyfriends, my mind and even shirt sleeves (that’s another story). But nothing compares to the anxiety I felt after carelessly leaving my beloved black beret behind in a taxi – a perfect-fitting Parisian velvet design, which worked wonders for bad hair days. Fortunately, while escorting a client on a recent shopping safari, I spotted a knockout knit hunting cap from designer Lara Kazan, which has quickly become much more than a suitable replacement.
Perfect for absent-minded women like me, the haute Lara Kazan cocoa-colored hat (pictured above) comes with a handy conjoined scarf, ensuring maximum warmth and style. Better yet, the neckwear can be detached, giving you two killer accoutrements for the price of one. Now how cool is that? And yes, the extra-long scarf looks just as chic when worn solo.
A New York-based designer who kicked-off her hand-knit accessory line in 2000 with “Lara Legs,” a funky, vintage-inspired collection of hand-crocheted legwear, Lara recently added a jaw-dropping assortment of clothing and other cutting-edge accessories. My personal faves: a pair of chocolate knit cuffs with detachable mittens, Lara’s signature ‘80’s-inspired legwarmers (much more fashionable than the Flashdance kind), arm warmers in edgy checkered-color combos like charcoal and violet, chic riding hood capes, cozy cocoon sweaters (the electric blue ensemble is to-die-for), fitted vests with contrasting piping and leather saddle belts.
Now that Lara Kazan’s headpiece has neatly filled the void of my erstwhile beret, my only fear: what happens if I have another senior moment and lose the hat and scarf altogether?
Remember those iconic Members Only (MO) bomber jackets from the ‘80s? Well, guess what… they’re back! After a 20-year hiatus, MO – the once-hipster outerwear label, has been reincarnated with a star-studded women’s collection designed by former tabloid mag editor, Kelli Delaney.
Having recently previewed the line at a “VIP” shopping event at Henri Bendel, I thought I’d share my take on the revamped MO. While the cheese factor still exists, MO’s new silhouettes are surprisingly sexy with an edgy twist. No longer fabricated from cheap nylon and polyester, MO’s “new and improved” celebrity-driven line is made from buttery soft Italian lambskin leathers that look even hotter when paired with stovepipes or leggings.
Brace yourself for colors and cuts that are radically different: from Winter white belted trenches, midnight blue men’s-inspired vests, black quilted patent biker bombers, capped-sleeve ensembles adorned with glitzy gold buttons to body-hugging mini knit dresses in strapless, plunging v-necks and keyhole back cuts (ooh la la!). My favorite newcomer: a flashy metallic gold bomber that Cameron Diaz just bought.
Sopranos fans rejoice! You’re still getting the same wide knit waistbands, zip-up front and buckle neck closures along with the classic tagline, “When You Put In On, Something Happens.” But with prices topping $1,430 (eek!), it might be tough to join the club.
Fashion designer Nina Valenti’s raison d’être is to minimize waste. So much so, that she recently designed a formal dress made entirely from trash! Created exclusively for world-renowned concert pianist Soyean Lee, during her Carnegie Hall debut in New York this February, this wearable work of art (pictured above) was compiled from over 6,000 recycled juice pouches and took Nina over 2 months to make. Now that’s what I call dedication!
While the “garbage” gown is guaranteed to generate some buzz, Nina’s biggest claim to fame is Nature vs Future, her cutting-edge, yet eco-friendly and biodegradable clothing label. Designed for confident women who aren’t afraid to stand out from the crowd, Nature vs Future has received accolades for its ultra flattering fit and innovative use of sustainable fabrics. Even celebs such as Parker Posey and Tina Fey are fans of Nina’s earthy, yet edgy approach to fashion.
Unlike traditional eco-friendly clothing lines that often resemble potato sacks, Nature vs Future’s silhouettes are sexy yet sophisticated, with tailored, architecturally designed shapes. Each piece is produced from organic wool, hemp, soy, bamboo, seaweed, lyocell (a.k.a. wood pulp) and Ingeo (made from corn), along with recycled and technologically-forward fabrics such as Polartec, which is made from soda pop bottles and industrial waste (who knew?).
A few earth-friendly numbers I have my eye on: a fitted Polartec fleece jacket in chocolate brown, a swirl collar tunic dress in black, a leaf-green top with ruching and a silk charmeuse button-down shirt in dove grey. As for Spring ’08, standouts include a soft pink, body-hugging jersey dress with edgy shoulder cutouts, a pleated, bubble hem shift with multiple shoulder straps (made from recycled polyester) and a delicate sea foam, linen sheath.
Just goes to show you, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
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After an eight-year hiatus from the slopes, my husband recently surprised me with a trip to Vail. While I’m thrilled to pieces with his generous gift, truth is, I’m also petrified. Forget about the fact that I haven’t skied downhill since the ‘90’s, what terrifies me the most is that I’m completely dumbfounded about what to wear – unless spandex stirrup pants are still in style. But after some serious sleuthing, I came across the hautest women’s skiwear apparel this side of St. Moritz – Erin Snow.
Created for active and confident femmes who refuse to don baggy pants and boxy coats with in-your-face fluorescent colors, Erin Snow is a refreshingly stylish, yet technical take on women’s skiwear. After noticing a dearth of luxe snow gear on the market for the post high school demographic, self-taught designer and avid skier, Erin Isakov decided to create her own line of upscale items. The fruits of Isakov’s labor have clearly paid off, as Erin Snow recently expanded its sportswear franchise to include high fashion pieces for sailing, tennis and golf. My personal faves: the slimming boot cut Romy pant, the foxy, fur-trim Johanna coat in mahogany (pictured above) and the lightweight Erika top – essential for layering. Other must-haves include a belted metallic silver vest (the Ula), a vintage-inspired army green ski jacket made from waterproof wool (who knew?) and a sleek, down-filled puffy coat, all of which are perfect for lounging by the fire or a night out on the town.
With innovative, waterproof fabrics like Mectex (extremely breathable and lightweight), and high-end accents such as leather and fur (sourced from the finest ski mills in Switzerland and Italy), its no wonder this high-performance and high-style ski apparel carries a steep price. But once you slip into any of Erin Snow’s form-fitting, Thermor-insulated silhouettes (a must for regulating body temperature), you’ll instantly see why they’re worth the investment. Regardless of my questionable skiing abilities, thanks to my new Erin Snow gear, I’m confident that I can master the black diamonds of aprés ski.
P.S. If you’re fortunate enough to be in Park City, Utah this week, you might want to pop in and hob-knob with Hollywood celebs at Erin Snow’s first-ever Sundance pop-up store.
A degree in finance isn’t exactly the kind of background you’d expect from an emerging fashion designer. But for Canadian-born Jay Godfrey, it was his knack for numbers and passion for architecture and interior design that prompted him to launch a namesake clothing collection. Now in its third season, Jay Godfrey’s cutting-edge day-to-night dresses have been flying off the racks at some of the hottest names in retail such as Intermix, Saks, Bloomingdales and Neiman Marcus.
Known for his knockout one-shoulder shift dress, initially designed for leading Hollywood ladies like Rachel Bilson back in ‘05, Jay Godfrey is now the sought after contemporary evening label amongst global fashion insiders. Made for fearless fashionistas who aren’t afraid to flaunt their gams, Jay Godfrey’s knee-grazing silhouettes exude sex appeal and, dare I say, a dash of debauchery. Bring out your inner Bond girl with Godfrey’s sultry, yet wearable pieces that come in a combo of limited-edition, au courant hues such as fluorescent yellow and orange as well as the signature black.
Standouts include a stunning one-shoulder red ombré dress (degradé is a huge trend this Spring), a neon yellow shift with an over-sized bow (pictured above), a chic Kimono-style tunic with a waist-cinching sash, a rose-gold metallic halter swing ensemble, a racer back zipper silk jersey dress and a striking silk apple-green gown (exclusive to Neiman Marcus). Other trademark features include assymetrical zippers, racy back cut outs and hidden pockets, which are perfect for stowing your lipstick, credit card, handcuffs and other secret agent essentials.
A born scatterbrain, I’ve lost many things over the years such as keys, jobs, boyfriends, my mind and even shirt sleeves (that’s another story). But nothing compares to the anxiety I felt after carelessly leaving my beloved black beret behind in a taxi – a perfect-fitting Parisian velvet design, which worked wonders for bad hair days. Fortunately, while escorting a client on a recent shopping safari, I spotted a knockout knit hunting cap from designer Lara Kazan, which has quickly become much more than a suitable replacement.
