EDITH SAYLOR STYLE: February 2010

Sunday, February 28, 2010

RECUPERATE FROM THE WEEKEND

It is the weekend, and I have been dancing.

I am now recuperating with chicken enchiladas.

What did you do this weekend, and how do you recover?

Saturday, February 27, 2010

7 ESSENTiAL ELEMENTS OF SUCCESS

"The most essential elements of success in life are a purpose,

increasing industry, temperate habits, scrupulous regard for one's word

... courteous manners, a generous regard for the rights of others,

and, above all, integrity which admits of no qualification or variation."

- W. A. Clark

Photo: Leighton Meester photographed by Tim Walker

While we wait for the coverage of Gucci and Etro that showed this morning, let's take a moment to think of those affected by this morning's 8.8 earthquake in Chile and pray that Hawaii will remain safe in the aftermath. Here is a list of ways you can help Chile.

Photo courtesy of MSNBC

ALBERTA FERRETTI

Hello, Princess.

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JIL SANDER

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LUISA BECCARIA

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VERSACE

With fall's general consensus being about pared-down, stream-lined wearability, what is a house known for unapologetic opulence to produce in order to remain relevant? Versace answered that question by sending out red carpet looks that relied heavily on tailoring. Geometric slits and cut-outs showed off the season's attention to construction while dishing out Versace's signature sex appeal. But never fear, Donatella's gilded glamour showed itself in a good serving of biker pants and cocktail numbers.

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Friday, February 26, 2010

LOVE AGAiNST ALL DiSCOURAGEMENT

"Once for all; I knew to my sorrow, often and often, if not always,

that I loved her against reason, against promise,
against peace, against hope, against happiness,
against all discouragement that could be."

- Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

Photo: Laura Aldridge

INTERMISSION FROM FALL READY-TO-WEAR

With all the excitement of the numerous amazing collections springing forth from back-to-back New York, London, and Milan Fashion Weeks, Edith Saylor Style's pages have become overtaken with runway shots and commentary. We love fashion, but don't forget that it isn't all we love. One needs to feed all parts of the heart and mind in order to remain inspired and enlightened, which will circle back and supplement our passion and intelligence regarding fashion. So browse through the other topics listed on the sidebar (I like Nostalgia and LOVE), and enjoy the following treats from etsy.com.

PRADA

From WWD:

As the graphic videos dispensing vintage beauty advice (“brush your hair 100 strokes a night”) and neurotic clichés (“he loves me…he loves me not…I cannot handle this”) hinted, something slightly retro and girly was at hand at Prada. Indeed, before her Thursday night show, Miuccia Prada declared her collection “very feminine” and “sexy,” noting a big emphasis on the breasts. And this being Prada, her audience should have expected nothing less than all of those things served up in a most unconventional, and in this case, truly exceptional way.

Sex appeal — this collection had plenty. But in Prada’s world, it’s not about baring all, but covering it up, a point she made straight out of the gate with a plain black wool dress with long sleeves, high-cut neck and knee-length, A-line skirt ruffled at the hem. It was conservative, almost funereal, but for the suggestive, exaggerated darts at the bust. With her premise of endlessly chic, subverted classics, many of them plucked from her own repertoire, thus established, Prada went to town, sending out a legion of prim, proper ladies each with a subtle perverse streak. Some shapes were cast through a seemingly Sixties reference point, such as little jackets, with doubled-up collars, one knit, one fur, and matching skirts cut from thick black and camel ciré, that had the effect of high-gloss vinyl. That mood proved a staple, reappearing in mismatched marled cable knits, one of the collection’s biggest and best motifs. They came in chunky sweaters belted over skirts and a gorgeous swingy red-and-black coat. Such sturdy, librarian-chic daywear stood in striking contrast to the more glamorous evening pieces, including a black wool shift and coat, embroidered with slick jet beads down the front.

Then there were the ruffled bosoms of fit-and-flare dresses bursting with eyelet frills, some alternating black and white, others trimmed in bright blue that drew the eye directly to the bust. It was demure yet seductive, an idea Prada hammered home by casting a few Victoria’s Secret Angels, such as Doutzen Kroes, the buff bombshell, here turned out in a sleeveless, full-skirted dress daintily cinched at the waist.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

MOSCHINO CHEAP & CHIC

One of my favorite things in the whole world (along with cheap champagne, of course) are hotels: the history, the design, the feeling that with your cozy robe and accommodating staff, nothing could ever go wrong within the cocoon of your sweet escape. So of course I loved that in celebration of Maison Moschino, Moschino's new hotel in Milan's Viale Monte Grappa, Cheap & Chic staged an entirely hotel-themed show. The models were as animated and energetic as if they were really on vacay, and were dressed as maids and "all the different women who come out of the hotel": there was a "Chanel lady", an "Hermès lady", a party girl with "Mrs. DJ" scrawled across her sweater, and shopoholics loaded down with shopping bags à la Pretty Woman at the Beverly Wilshire. The show was upbeat and playful, emulating Cheap & Chic's endearing signature negligence to take itself seriously. I had a great time!