Dannijo Jewelry - American Aboriginal

Two sisters heated up a digit-numbing night in Chelsea Tuesday.  The lovely Danielle and Jodie Snyder founded their rustic glam jewelry collection in 2008.  The siblings hail from Jacksonville and presented their  Dannijo collection for the first time at New York Fashion Week.  

Their collection for the upcoming season drew inspiration from the Roaring 20's and the Wild West.  They mixed big shapes with chains and Swarovski crystals to fuse art and fashion.  The jewelry was displayed on models posing in opulent worn wood-cabin vignettes with a sense of humor.  

Department stores like Bergdorf Goodman and Harvey Nichols are fans, as are celebrities like Tinsley Mortimer who came to show support.  

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Selfridges presents Britain's BRIGHT young THinGS

London is swinging again with energy. Fabulous shopping  starts on Oxford Street and continues for  miles to eclectic stores like Burberry, Ted Baker and Timberland on nearby on Regent Street. The wide streets are brimming with the famous red double decker buses. The mix of high/low and in-between fashion brings trendy teens, cool 20 somethings and design students from the nearby school together to create a frenetic pace of shoppers in every version of chic.

My favorite  store remains  Selfridges which turned 101 years old this year. It is one of the iconic British brands of department stores. Surprisingly, this icon of British retail was founded by none other than Harry Gordon Selfridge of Wisconsin, USA. 

We were recently in London and  the fantastic Selfridges stole my heart. The retailer is the definition of posh chic which defines London. The store stretches from basement level to six floors. It houses fine wine, scrumptious desserts and fresh cut roses. There are hard to find Brit brands as as well as the ubiquitous Prada,  Gucci and the mix of other global designer brands.

The 2011 Bright Young Things Designers

If you make it to London, you must check out the wonderful store windows that face Oxford street.  Selfridges has selected the 2011 new stars of fashion under an window presentation called "Bright YoungThings" which feature an eclectic mix of designers from from mixed media artists to clothing designers. These designers are the new talents of the UK.  Selfridges is introducing them to the world via their provocative windows  as well as showcasing limited edition pieces in pop-up shopson-line sales.

Mixed media artist Alex Noble

To go with the theme of Bright Young Things, Selfridges also featured  The John Hour, a collective of three artists  to show their visual talents in whimsical installations filled with displays of brass musical instruments to  vintage movie house chairs hanging mid air.

Illustrator Sophie Stephens

The emphasis is on new and fun which is what Spring 2011 should be all about.

Knitwear designer Craig Lawrence

Do what we did, buy an air ticket and escape the New York winter and catch a whiff of spring weather and shopping mania in London and definitely go to Selfrdiges.  And, remember, there is the more affordable and even cooler Miss Selfridges within the store.

The color of the bright  yellow shopping bags will make you forget this is still a damn, long winter and no one needs to know whether you just bought macrons for under $10 or Lanvin for more than a few pretty sterling pounds….

Installation by The John Hour

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Dream to Seam - Chado Ralph Rucci

Ralph Rucci is considered one of the most prolific modern American designers today.  His innovative seaming and craftmanship is recognized by the fashion elite all over the world.  He has been the only American designer invited to show in Paris for Haute Couture.        

ModaCycle is a group that originated as a collective of runway photographers and editors.  In the first episode of their new video interview series, viewers can get some insight into Rucci's work process and inspiration.  The series is the most ambitious new project from the collective to date and aims to show hour-long interviews of other top designers.

To watch the video, click through here.

   

Photos by Tal Shpantzer

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Cold Weather Fashion on a Budget: Winter Blues under $125

I don't know about you, but I am absolutely sick of this snow.  The only solution out of these seasonal affectations is to shop for something new.  I understand that spending money on new winter goodies can be tough.  Luckily, I found a cure for the winter blues that fit nicely on a budget... Post-holiday sales are also in full effect before spring!

Delia's as a rich blue toggle coat for under $80.  It has an adorable floral lining and features Thinsulate to keep you warm.  Spring Shoes had a beautiful crochet ruffled scarf that I use as a shawl indoors or for pop color on a black jacket that was a wallet friendly $10.

My new favorite go-to label these days for cute outerwear for a price point is Latte by Coffeeshop.  They have trendy silhouettes, but remarkably, most of their prices are under $125.  The blue and grey plaid cropped jacket features an asymmetrical zipper and a dramatic collar on sale for $124.

American Eagle has a blue puffer vest on sale for only $20 right now.

If you want some retro-chic, Modcloth has some recently discounted jackets.  The navy jacket with antiqued buttons and red piping is now $119.  The red twisted scarf is from Luxury Divas for $19.

Wind and sleet got you down?  Heat things up with a new look!

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Lunar New Year: Rabbit Fashion Picks

Happy New Year and good fortune to you all.  If you are in the apparel industry or are aware of any kind of Asian culture, you are probably aware of the Lunar New Year.  This is the year of the Rabbit.  If you were lucky enough to receive a red envelope gift of money, you should make good use of it and go shopping!

Here are Ms. FAB's picks for every budget... From the top left, you have Judith Leiber's exquisite crystal studded rabbit clutch handbag for $1998.  Next you have the adorable white rabbit print socks from Topshop for $8.  The big rabbit head sweater is just plain funny from Urban Outfitters at $48.  The red bunny eared wrap is from Singer 22 for $199.  The gold rabbits on fishooks earrings are only $12 from TopShop again.  The sparkly bunny ring is $8.50 from Charlotte Russe.

 Kung Hay Fat Choy !

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Lacoste Malandrino Collection Spring 2011

Sweet sweet crocodile love was made Tuesday in the penthouse of the Cooper Square Hotel.  The icy backdrop of the East Village surrounded style vignettes on all sides for the press preview of Lacoste and Catherine Malandrino’s collaboration.

The capsule collection was Lacoste’s big women’s sportswear push into a more fashion forward direction.  It encompassed pieces with Lacoste’s signature pique knit and active wear influence.  However, Malandrino’s French chic was unmistakable in the feminine looks.  For this limited edition collection, the logo was updated with two kissing crocodiles; the second being a (presumably) Malandrino chartreuse green.

There was a small group with delicate crochet knits.  They were interpreted in a tennis dress or sweeping fishtail skirt.  Pique knit was use in dresses that were draped and shirred to accentuate the female curves.  Tie-dyed patterns on a few pieces reflected some of the fabric prints one would expect to see in Catherine Malandrino’s signature collection.  The "Harlem" pant was an updated take on the Harem pant-meets-MC Hammer look that was modern and feminine.   . 

How did this coupling come about?  There was some debate about that, as none of the representative seemed to know the origin story.  What was known was that Ms. Malandrino’s husband was a big fan of the Lacoste brand, and there seemed to be a kinship between French fashion creatives.  The designer has had some interesting collaborations in the past, including one with Mary J. Blige to benefit the FFAWN organization.

The Lacoste Malandrino collection will be available for purchase this Spring.

Photos by Mariana Leung

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Dior Haute Couture Draws from Illustration Legend Rene Gruau

Rene Gruau was a legendary artist who elevated the craft of fashion illustration into fine art.  His paintings graced posters, magazines like Vogue and Harper's Bazaar and some of the most iconic fashion advertising of the century.  My illustration professors at Parsons worshipped him along with many of my fellow students.

The illustrator's work was the main muse behind John Galliano's latest Haute Couture collection for Christian Dior.  The exaggerated silhouettes with dramatic lipstick and hair sashayed down the runway to the awe of clients and colleagues alike.  Voluminous ballgowns swirled in organza.  Wispy feathers and intricate embroidery embellished heads and dresses.  The retro or classic nipped waist that is Dior's signature look made a welcome comeback.  The show was presented at the Musee Bourdelle, appropriate for the sculptures of clothing Galliano intended to display.  Some of the classic "Miss Dior" campaigns of earlier years were painted by Gruau.

For any of you who think that a timeless artist is too high brow for every day inspiration... One of my husband's favorite comic books, Tim Sale's Catwoman: When in Rome also credits it's creative direction to Gruau.

Spotted in the front row: Mario Testino, Azzedine Alaia, Patrick Demarchelier, Marisa Berensen

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