Recently in Fashion Category

The Kaiser showed another stellar collection for Chanel Fall 2007. Classic tweeds were updated in checks and stripes and tartan in his hands looked fresh and chic. I love the direction he's taken Chanel Ready to Wear the last two seasons, it's a younger look that apeals to my age group, not old enough to dress like my grandmother but not young enough to dress like a teenager. The classic Chanel 2.55 bag was re-worked in bright hues and lux skins, not the splash we'd hoped for but we'll take boring basic anyday over insanely hideous. I love the white crocodile chain bag and shiny black croc clutch, very modern yet very Chanel.

The Paris shows are always highly anticipated by us and the Hermes Fall 2007 show did not disappoint. JPG showed luxurious and supple leather coats (full length crocodile coat anyone?) with sumptious cashmere separates and rich tweedy suits, all Hermes classics elegantly interpreted by Gaultier. As for bags, remember the muff clutch in Milan from Prada? The look continues on the Paris runways (and yes, the French did it better), I must say after running around New York today with bone chilling 5 below wind nipping at my face and hands, these crocodile kelly muffs look quite warm and inviting.

Craig from Hermes called me about a 35cm Graphite crocodile birkin and as much as I adore the color, I am going to hold out for a 30cm or 25cm. I can not stand the sight of petite women (especially if they're 5' tall and 97 lbs like me) lugging around bags bigger than they are. We talk about age appropriate bags all the time but size appropriateness is also important. Check out the fabulous black croc Kelly shown on the runway, it looks ladylike and elegant, the way Hermes bags are meant to be.

Little ole Edie Beale never ceases to inspire and amuse. You cannot do the head scarf and the black-tights-I'm-not-wearing-pants look without admitting your source. (If you have not seen Grey Gardens, put it on your Netflix queue right now!). I am happy to see Stefano Pilati going back to the classic in this collection, although the all gray and black palette makes me think of the winter that I want to end right now. A little color for the cold weather doesn't hurt anyone. I appreciate the not so tight silhouette for us regular women who weigh in the 3 digits, but some pieces like the knotted fur, although interesting, is so bulky! I can't imagine not looking like you're wearing a sleeping bag in it. The bag collection is also very classic and I am in love with the bare detail croc in the most ladylike shape. The leather collection is shown open on the runway but on the streets, the simple classic will be neatly tucked away on the arms of uptown ladies.

Just a piece of useless (but entertaining) news bit for you while you're on your coffee break. A man in Switzerland faked this 2 page Gucci perfume ad and booked it with the Swiss weekly paper SonntagsZeitung. The best part of the story is that the $50,000 ad was billed to Gucci! As if Gucci's lawyers aren't up to their eyeballs trying to catch bag counterfeiters, they now have fame craving weirdos to go after. And I'm sure they appreciate us republishing this, too.

The simple and ladylike attempt from Alessandro Dell'Aqua for Fall 07 is a complete departure from the Barbarella-esque mirrored bags he showed last year and it should be better received with the lunch and social crowd who can actually afford his bags rather than the punkster trendoids he likes to design for. I was not as impressed with his ready to wear though. While Versace and Herve Leger made bondage sexy in the '80s, Dell'Aqua's interpretation look more like mental patients about to be committed.

I am not going to make any comments on these heinously hairy Fendi bags. You have eyes and can see for yourself that the Kaiser has become certifiable.

Muff is the new clutch at Prada for Fall 2007 and "weird" is the perfect description of this collection. I like the bow detail on the Prada muff/clutch but am a bit creeped out by some of the models' seemingly missing hands (although some women might enjoy hiding their aging hands). It is a creative way to re-design the classic clutch but most of these are just too masculine for my taste. Would make a great gift for the man in your life!

So everyone is thinking about the day of love, what to do, what to want and what to gift but we of course are thinking of what to wear. Perhaps I am being unduly influenced by my surroundings (I am in Hawaii for a wedding) but I cannot think of anything more fitting than this 3.1 Phillip Lim saffron floral print dress to induce some romance (and not to mention envy from every man who lays eyes on you). Just putting on this calf length silk empire dress will make you and your date think you're in a tropical paradise walking along the beach during sunset with sounds of waves crashing. And of course strapless should always be worn with a clutch - this VBH dresses up the relaxed feel with the gold metallic. Now that we have the perfect thing to wear, the big date is 90% without fail to make us feel like giddy high school girls. VBH Gold Clutch for $850 and 3.1 Phillip Lim Saffron floral print dress for $615, both at Net-a-Porter.

This Fall collection of her usual simple clean lines intrigued us with the ingenius use of fabric to bring out texture and form but it was too serious and not the cute and wearable Behnaz we've come to adore. The chainmail dress and tunics threw me off a bit, I'm not sure how the medieval fits in with pant gowns. Sure gowns that are actually pants sound good in theory, comfy and safe for drunkeness but you can't help but look like a french clown. There were a couple of well made coats that I would love to have for next Fall but that's about all from this collection that's good.

In my opinion, Michael did everything right for Fall '07 ready to wear. The eye catching bags are not so bad either, especially the brightly colored croc clutches (yellow is not my favorite but the electric blue and juicy orange will be worth the investment). I also like his interpretation of the structured kelly bag but am not so sure about the wrapped strap, will need to get a close up in person to see if it has magnetic enclosure like the Givenchy Clarabell. I do love the added brass hardware on the top handle. It's an interesting element that is not often used and it will also help the handle keep it's shape making this bag an even better investment. I am usually not a fan of big buckles but in this case, it makes the bags more youthful. It is also available in leather and should you not be ready for croc. And check out the cute patent leather man bag (bottom left) he showed that are cute enough for us girls! After a year of dissing Michael, we are definitely feeling the love again.