Lace Me Up

Lanvin is already getting a lot of attention lately with the H&M collaboration, but I'm going to take a risk and talk about Lanvin some more.  Oh come on...you know you'll never get tired of Lanvin!  As I mentioned, Holt Renfrew started their holiday season, and many of their mannequins were draped in Lanvin.  One piece in particular stopped me right in my tracks and had me staring at it for a good 15 seconds:

Being a complete girly-girl, this, my friends, is sartorial heaven.  The black lace overlay on the skirt is absolutely gorgeous.  The pattern and quality of the lace can only be described as pure elegance, and the soft drape of the gray lace is incredibly unique.  With a dress like this, you can't possibly get tired of Lanvin.

Image Source: Style.com, Barneys.com

A Sunny Disposition

While waiting to pick up the Louis Vuitton bag I posted about earlier, I had time to look around the store.  I don't often pay attention to accessories, but I'm glad I did!  The Louis Vuitton Lily caught my eye because of its unique flower detailing on the side:

I tried it on, and I was surprised at how feminine yet glamorous it was. I looked ready to step into one of those glam Michael Kors ads! Currently, I own a more classic pair of Coach Chelsea sunglasses:

They obviously lack the beachy glamour of the LVs, but are sweet and more fitting during the winter (yes, you should still wear sunglasses on those sunny winter days!). What do you prefer?  Glamour, classic sophistication, both, or something different altogether?

Image Source: Louis Vuitton, Coach

Louis Vuitton Beauté

Headed over to Holt Renfrew again today to help a friend pick up her Louis Vuitton bag.  Having gone just last week, you can imagine my surprise when I walked in to see the entire store transformed for the holidays.  A pianist was playing Christmas songs, mannequins were draped in Lanvin, Christmas decorations adorned the entire store, and apple cider was being served by a girl in a stunning party dress.  The atmosphere was alive and joyful, and I felt like a child on Christmas Eve.  Boy, do I ever love going to Holt Renfrew.

But anyway, back to the bag.  What I have for you this time is the Louis Vuitton Beauté.  It has a textured monogram with a calfskin leather flap:

However luxurious the materials, this bag is just not catching my fancy.  While the hardware is quite nice (there's a lock underneath the flap, and the keys are inside that pouch in the front), I don't find the textured monogram in this case to be very attractive.  What do you think?

Image Source: Louis Vuitton

Mix it Up

All the hip, young, fashionable girls flock to Alexander Wang whenever they need easy, stylish pieces.  Being an owner of a classic Alexander Wang t-shirt myself, I understand the appeal of his pieces.  They drape in all the right places, and never fail to have Wang's signature sporty design.  I spotted one of his dresses on a mannequin and practically ran over to check it out:

This is dress is full of rich textures, with the luscious velvet casually giving way to reveal the sheer chiffon.  I absolutely love how those two textures are mixed to create a wonderfully demure dress.  Obviously, this is not to be worn out on the streets, but I definitely appreciate the design aspect.

Image Source: Lyst

Move Over, Camel

Having gone to Holt Renfrew over the weekend (I have to go at least once a month, or more!), my next couple posts will be about pieces that stood out to me.

I'm sure everyone's aware that the camel coat is huge this Fall, and why wouldn't it be?  It's classic, versatile and gives you an air of class.  But if you're sick of camel coats, and not to mention black/navy coats, then Versace may have the solution for you.  This rich purple coat with gold buttons and pocket detailing was on a mannequin and it instantly caught my eye:

Having seen this coat in person, I can guarantee that it's as saturated in colour as it looks in the photo.  I absolutely love the royal purple matched with the gold detailing: very Versace.  It looks just as good open as it does closed, and the cutting is perfect.  A great way to brighten up the windy days, no?

Image Source: Versace.com

Lanvin for H&M Lookbook

It's finally here!  After all this waiting, the lookbook has been released.  Here are the highlights:

Pure Lanvin.  The collection consists of great ruffled party dresses and skirts (dying to get my hands on one!), glamourous jackets, and fun t-shirts and accessories.  Highest price goes to a coat for $349.

Check out the entire collection here, and watch the short film here.

Image Source: Fashionologie.com

For the Love of Fashion

I've posted about a lot of things on this blog, but one thing I haven't done is explain the quote that I find embodies the purpose behind my blog.   

"Fashion is so often presented in the culture as a thing of froth, which, of course, it partly is; but the bubbles are blown with care and a sense of values”.

I read this quote by Anna Wintour in Vogue's September 2009 issue, and to this day, I consider it one of fashion's greatest quotes.  The reason being because it rings so true.  Fashion is often seen as frivolous, and to be frank, it is.  You look at fashion's obsession with beauty, its provocativeness, the partying, the smoking, the glamour...and you can't help but think fashion is froth.

But then you go deeper, and you see the designer bent over sketches, the seamstress spending hours on delicate fabric, the designer's insistence that the inside of the garment be just as beautiful as the outside, the constant desire to make women feel confident, the appreciation for raw talent...and you begin to see the values behind fashion.

As much as fashion is about glamour, it's also about passion.  The two sides of fashion co-exist to create the exciting and intriguing world of fashion that we know of.  There would be no glamour without dedication, and there would be no dedication without glamour.  I said at the beginning of this blog that I love and respect fashion, and it is my hopes that this blog is a celebration and reflection of my love for the extravagant side of fashion, and my respect for the admirable side of fashion.  Like Anna Wintour's quote, I aspire to make you think, make you smile, and make you love fashion that much more.

Image Source: Roberto Cavalli, Karl Lagerfeld