Leopard Print Shoes for Fall

This Fall's fashion is all about letting loose and being wild, so what better way to express that than through some exotic leopard-print shoes? Whether wearing pumps, ankle and knee boots, or the daring OTK (over-the-knee)'s, leopard print takes your footwear to 11 and makes a sexy statement.

Below I've picked out some leopard-print shoes that are for fantasy/admiring purposes, some that you can splurge on, shoes that won't break the bank, and two cute, comfy, but not costly pairs. Click on the picture each shoe to be directed to the online store where it can be purchased.

Fantasy





Splurge





Save







Cheap + Comfortable

W August 2009

Lara Stone graces the cover of W's August 2009 issue, one of the best by the magazine I have seen in a very long time. Featuring three fantastic models -- Lara Stone, Raquel Zimmerman, and Guinevere van Seenus -- and shot by world-renowned photographers, the editorials turned out beautifully, and are must-sees.

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Lara Stone's editorial, shot by Steven Klein, exemplifies why she truly is the "it girl" of the moment. She effortlessly combines sex appeal, innocence, and a menacing aggression that makes each picture mysterious and alluring. Bearing a strong resemblence to Bardot and being much "fuller figured" than other models, Lara is somewhat of an anomoly in the business, but it is her success despite these features that shows why she'll have staying power.

Each shot below shows different moods, looks -- really entirely different types of women, but Lara pulls it off effortlessly. The viewer can't help but gaze at her and want to know more. This quality, combined with her vulnerable-girl-gone-wild aesthetic is what compromises the "it" factor she possesses. While this isn't my favorite editorial of hers, it is still eye-catching and shows that Lara is well on her way to supermodel status.

Below is Lara's editorial:

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There's a reason why Raquel Zimmerman is #1 on Models.com's Top 50 Models list, and it is her versatility and ability to make nearly every editorial and ad she is in a classic. In this editorial, Raquel is shot by Inez & Vinoodh, and looks stunning in a series of all-black looks. With Lady GaGa hair and many 80's themes splashed throughout, she looks like a femme fatale molded just for this Fall's fashion. I'm in love with the shot of Raquel in the beret; so classic!

Below is Raquel's editorial:

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Guinevere van Seenus' editorial was shot on Cumberland Island in Georgia by Mario Sorrenti, and this might be my favorite editorial of all time. The setting is simply gorgeous, like an enchanted forest from another world, and with Guinevere's pale skin, she looks like an ethereal wood nymph.

The styling, as well, is genius. Many of Fall's riskiest looks are brought into this ed; a daring all-feather Alexander McQueen dress, the goth and glam-rock inspired Nina Ricci shoes, as well as many other looks that are definitely not basic daywear. The neutral colors with splashes of hot pink only add to the exotic nature of the editorial, and make Guinevere appear as if she was part of the forest, intertwined with the mossy roots and glowing like the otherwordly twilight of the forest.

Below is the brilliant editorial:



Picture source: elsaskywalker, mikel @ TFS

The Pocket Square

There are few things I love more on a man than a great fitting suit with the perfect color pocket square. It adds a sense of sophistication, masculinity, and style that is hard to attain with any other accessory. Much like the hat, it's considered widely as a "thing of the past," but I think both are severely underrated and, when worn correctly, make a man irresistible.

The key to the pocket square is first making sure it matches the tie, but second, making sure it is unique and that it doesn't come prepackaged in a tie/pocket-square combo, as that will only make the wearer look dull. Find what you are most comfortable with, whether patterned or solid, and grab one color from the tie (or a complimentary color) to match the pocket square.

Paul Smith Striped Pocket Square, Saks Fifth Avenue $40.00

As for the fold, there are a few different types: One Corner, Puff, and Straight are the most common. Below are a few videos on how to fold the pocket square in different ways.

This accessory is so easily customizable and chic that it really is the perfect way to stand out yet remain sophisticated, as well as express your own personal style. Try it in a black-and-white print or burgundy color for this Fall and a bright orange next Spring.

Atlanta-Area Fashionistas!

BCBGeneration @ Bloomingdale's in both Lenox Mall and Perimeter Mal are having sales of 30% off already reduced price merchandise, some of which is already over 50% off! The sale ends soon so definitely stop by to check out the deals, and make sure you tell them Kelly S. from Fashion is a Vampire sent you.

If you'd like to make an appointment with me, call 770-522-8620 and I can make sure that you get great deals and look fabulous!

Fendi. Fall. Fog.

Jessica Stam was shot by Karl Lagerfeld for Fendi's Fall 2009 Ad Campaign, and the results are flawless. She was the perfect choice of model for this shoot, as her pale skin and steely blue eyes make her look effortlessly ethereal in the fog. The overall mood of the shots is very mysterious and dark, somewhat like the looks seen on the runways for this fall; Jessica's haunting features combined with the alluring atmosphere leaves the viewer wanting to see more.

Below are the rest of the shots from the ad campaign:









Picture source: abul @ TFS

Fit for a Princess

I, for one, would wear this around Disney wearing a Princess Aurora costume, though I would probably also wear it whenever I was feeling less-than-pretty to make myself feel like a princess (though it's a little more expensive of a pick-me-up than chocolate).



Louis Mariette's Alexandra crystal-embellished tiara. $310 @ net-a-porter.com.

Lush BB Seaweed Facial Mask

The other day I bought my first Lush products, including a fresh facial mask entitled "BB Seaweed." I was intrigued by it, as it has to be refrigerated, but the promise of radiant, hydrated skin was too great to resist.



Well, let me tell you, it fulfills its promise. Putting on the mask is a bit tricky, since it has medium-sized bits of seaweed that can fall off if you don't press them down into the rest of the mask. However, the mask feels great, as it is cool and refreshing, and you can feel it "tightening" as you wear it.

I was amazed when I went back into my bathroom to wash it off and looked in the mirror -- the "juice" of the mask had seemingly disappeared and all that was left was some bits of seaweed. My skin absorbed the juice of the mask and immediately felt softer and looked more radiant; I couldn't stop touching my skin before I went to bed!

This morning when I woke up, I was amazed to see that my dark circles -- which are a huge problem for me -- were diminished, and my skin naturally looked glowing and felt so soft and smooth. I'm tempted to use it every night if it'll get rid of my dark circles, but I will probably use it every other day.

Overall, I'm very impressed so far with the brand, and will definitely make the BB Seaweed facial mask part of my skin routine.

"I'll Free Your Mind and Your Androgyny"

Omahyra Mota in Indie Magazine Fall 2008. Androgyny is huge this fall, and always a beautiful, interesting statement.



Picture source: alej andra on TFS

Shopbop Lemmings: Made Her Think & Chloe Sevigny

Made Her Think

What I love about the brand Made Her Think is that it fuses many things I love about fashion and jewelry into one line: lots of sparkle, edge, and uniqueness. Since I also love Art Deco, the lines of the Pendulum Ring below appeal to me, and the vintage-meets-neo-goth feel of the other pieces is to die for. While the jewelry isn't cheap, they are so unique that it's worth the slightly higher price. In fact, I would actually say these are somewhat reasonably priced, as most brands with such a special design charge phenomenally expensive prices.

Below are four pieces by Made Her Think I love:

Pendulum Ring $66, Crystal Marquis Earrings $165

Wrap Your Stones Bracelet $210, Double Band Chain Ring $132

Chloe Sevigny for Opening Ceremony

Opening Ceremony prides itself on finding clothes and creating shoes that are truly works of art. It made perfect since, then, that Chloe Sevigny would design for them, as her style is a form of modern art, transcending trends and labels. The shoes below are beautifully made but incredibly fierce, and will be perfect for this fall to add a bit of edge to 80's-inspired party dresses.

Multi Buckle Wedge Booties $538.

Weekend Inspiration: Scarface

All-white, strong shoulders, and that hat.



Michelle Pfieffer as Elvira Hancock in "Scarface" masters 80's sexy sophistication in this shot.

Picture source: bond's michelle pfieffer webpage

Elie Saab Haute Couture Fall 2009

While comparisons have been made to Chanel's all-white Spring 2009 couture collection, I think Elie Saab takes this look in a different collection. Chanel focused on very structured looks and minimalism, while Saab seemed focused on ethereal, snowy romanticism. His dresses bore flowers, sleek lines, and feathery accents, quite different than the very tailored nature of the Chanel show.

With that said, I love this collection. I have always preferred arctic color palettes, so this collection is very appealing to my eye. Branching out into short dresses, Elie Saab experimented with sexy 80's chic without going overboard, throwing in one-shouldered dresses and strong shoulders in the midst of his typical gorgeous glamour.


Furthermore, the red-carpet gowns he presented had exquisite detail, more interesting than his previous collection. I would love to see Rachel Evan Wood in some of these gowns; I think her pale skin and scarlet hair would be perfect for these looks.

Below are my favorite looks from the collection:











Picture source: style.com

Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Fall 2009

What a celebration of strong femininity! I feel that Jean Paul Gaultier's collection for Fall/Winter 2009 would have provided the perfect wardrobe for the Superhero Met Gala of 2008, filled with looks fit for women like Princess Leia, a 1940's femme fatale, or 80's cyber villainess.

I loved how the show wasn't stuck on a particular decade or theme, solely putting out dresses and outfits that were fierce and exquisitely made. Being able to make Kim Noorda look like Lauren Bacall, then in the same show turn Heidi Mount into Pris from Bladerunner is quite a feat and shows the breadth of JPG's talent.

While the strong shouldered looks are my favorites, I absolutely love the slinky dresses, as they are a sophisticated, feminine contrast to the military and leather looks. I can't wait to see who decides to wear some of these looks on the red carpet!

Here are my favorite looks from the collection:













Heidi Mount and Magdalena Fracko

Picture source: style.com

Dior Fall 2009 Haute Couture

Dior Fall 2009 Couture Collection once more drew on New Look themes, though this time Galliano experimented with the backstage-side of the fashion revolution of the late 1940's. It is as if we get a glimpse of the glamour undone, models half dressed and in a pretty hurry.

The models, with trademark red lips of the New Look Era, had hair that looked half unfinished, like they were shoved out to the runway mid-styling. With lingerie and brassieres exposed, the models also look half-dressed, but the elegance and exquisite colors -- magenta and orange were my favorites -- still made the collection feel finished and ready for a sophisticated soiree.

The looks capture our imaginations, tell a story, but also have simple aesthetic appeal that amazes the viewer and makes the wearer feel like a princess, and these traits exemplify couture and make this collection a success.

Below are my favorite looks from the collection:








Thana Khunen and Anabela Belikova


Alexandra Tretter

Picture source: style.com

Men's Spring 2010 Trend: Orange

One of the biggest trends I noticed at the Spring/Summer 2010 Men's Fashion week was the color orange. In many notable collections, the color added a dash of zest and excitement, whether added to a sophisticated suit or making an already fun jacket a statement piece.

While donning an all-orange look would be a bit adventurous for the average fashionisto, adding an orange tie to a suit or pairing your favorite jeans with an orange sweater will be a great way to add this trend to your daily wardrobe. An orange pocket square like in the third Bottega Veneta look below also adds a debonair, vibrant touch to any outfit.

Below are some collections that featured orange, as well as some other chic looks that are great for next spring.


Bottega Veneta




Emporio Armani




Paul Smith




Louis Vuitton




Salvatore Ferragamo



Picture source: men.style.com

Update

My computer has been worse for the wear for awhile now and I have been unable to post. But, stay tuned and regular posting will begin again very soon!

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In the meantime, enjoy this still from "How to Marry a Millionaire". I love the scarf, the hair, and, of course, the glasses! It's definitely a bit of inspiration to get dressed up and look chic even while flying.

Picture source: Dr. Macro's HQ Movie Scans