It Takes Courage to Cut This Dress...

Images via Style.com and StreetPeeper

Spotted: Miroslava Duma, former editor of Harper's Bazaar Russia, wearing a shortened Mary Katrantzou dress.

I know this photo of Miroslava is a bit old (taken in Paris last November), but I came across it the other day while browsing through StreetPeeper.com. I'm completely obsessed with Mary Katrantzou's digital print dresses and have always wanted to wear one of her designs. Though, with my really petite frame, I figured it would be impossible for me to actually pull one off--the long dresses seem just too difficult to alter without ruining the beautiful designs :-( Well, Miroslava proved me wrong! I must confess that I'm actually liking the shortened version on Miroslava much more than original, especially when paired with the leather jacket. What do you think? Definitely an A+ look in my book.

Obsession du Jour: LOVER

Check out a few of my favorite pieces from LOVER's new Fall/ Winter 2010 "Untitled" collection.  I'm seriously coveting the black tilly lace top (bottom left) and the off-white embroidered silk-chiffon dress (bottom right)--so so gorgeous!  I think I these delicate, chic pieces have just sparked my new love affair with the Aussie brand...

Images via LOVER

LOVER is the brainchild of designers and real-life couple Susien Chong and Nic Briand, who founded the fashion label in 2001 when the designing duo began selling their vintage-style clothing line from a humble weekend Bondi Markets stall in Sydney. Since then, the Australian brand has garnered praise from such fashion elite as Vogue and WWD, and developed a cult following among celebrities, including Michelle Williams and Kate Hudson.

An Epic Fairytale Wedding (Video) To Remember...

Coco + James // Teaser from Americana Cinema on Vimeo.

You must watch this. It's a small clip of an incredibly beautiful short film documenting the wedding of Supermodel Coco Rocha and artist James Conran, which Coco was kind enough to share on her blog. As Coco wrote on her website:

"Within this blog you often see into my professional life but, once I saw these films I realized that though personal, they were too beautiful to keep to myself. The first film is just 3 minutes long and is perfect for those of you who may not have much time. The second film is an expanded 18 minute version and contains some lovely interviews. I'm happy to present to you two short films documenting our wedding in France, the happiest day of my life."

I couldn't agree more. Simply stunning. To watch the full-length mini documentary, click here.

Now This is How You Wear (Printed) Capri Pants...

Image via StreetPeeper

J'adore this outfit, especially these print pleated Issey Miyake pants. Capris, let alone bright patterned ones, are tough to pull off on petites, but she totally makes these cropped pants work with an 80s-style knotted white shirt and a boho-chic headband. (Oh, and by the way, let's not forget about her YSL bag--such a clever way to wear stripes!) All in all, ingenious styling from head to toe.

CHANEL Goes Camouflage for Fashion's Night Out

If you haven't already done so yet, mark your calendars now for Friday, September 10th! Vogue will once again be hosting Fashion's Night Out in New York City that evening! 

Image via Style.com

To help celebrate, Peter Philips, CHANEL's Global Creative Director of Cosmetics, has created an exclusive collection of nail polish, called Les Khakis de CHANEL, that is set to launch at CHANEL boutiques in New York for this special event. According to Beauty Counter Blog on Style.com, the limited edition collection will feature a trio of utility-chic inspired shades that includes (as shown above from left to right): Khaki Vert, a mossy green color; Khaki Brun, an earthy gray-brown; and Kahki Rose, a muted, terra-cotta hue.  In case you're wondering what these new polishes will look like on your fingertips, check out this little tease from British manicurist/ nail artist Sophy Robson, who gave us a sneak peak on her blog last month :-) I know, I'm totally jealous, too! My personal favorite is Khaki Vert. Can't wait to get a bottle of my own next month!

Obsession du Jour: SUNO New York

British Tatler (September 2010)

I was quite excited when my sister came back from her trip to Ireland and brought home a copy of Tatler!  I love my sis :-) Thanks to her, I'm now obsessed with this SUNO dress that Zara Simon is wearing in the latest issue. Don't you love the colorful, eithnic-inspired print? So vibrant and full of life!

SUNO New York is a relatively new fashion label founded only two years ago by Max Osterweis, a filmmaker and entrepreneur who initially spent over ten years collecting brightly colored Kenyan fabrics, called kangas, from his visits to East Africa. Disturbed by post-election violence that erupted in Kenya in 2007, Osterweis became compelled to find a way to encourage economic growth and stability in the country and ultimately decided to team up with former Gap designer, Erin Beatty, to transform his textile collection into luxury fashion line for women. While Osterweis now designs many of his own prints, SUNO continues to employ skilled sample and pattern makers in New York to develop the collection and local artisans in Kenya to produce the garments in fair-trade workshops.

For a complete background story of SUNO, make sure to read this fascinating article from Australian Vogue.

Quote of the Day...

Thanks to @jimshi809 who posted this quote on Twitter today for #wordstoliveby! Muiccia Prada is not only a fashion genius, but a wise woman when it comes dating, women and clothes. She was kind enough to share this pearl of wisdom during an interview with Michael Hailey for GQ published awhile back in March 2005. I couldn't agree more. J'aime Muiccia.

TALBOTS | Shockingly Chic Fall 2010 Collection!

I never thought I would ever, ever say this, but I'm actually loving the new Autumn/Winter 2010 Collection from Talbots! Seriously.

Whenever I thought of Talbots before, I usually associated the brand with clothes my mom would typically wear.  Until a couple of years ago, she used to drag me into their stores to check out their petite collection, but often times, I found many of the styles quite dowdy and boring--just not my cup of tea at all. Once considered an exclusive apparel retailer for upper-middle-class women, Talbots has long struggled, even before the economy tanked, as the classic American brand began to lose its appeal--even among its traditional baby boomer clients--with uninspiring merchandise and aggressive markdowns that attracted bargain shoppers and further tarnished its image.

In the last couple of years, however, Talbots has undergone a major overhaul with a new management team brought in to breath new life into the ailing retailer. With new CEO Trudy Sullivan (former president of Liz Claiborne Inc.) leading the charge, the company has since improved its inventory management, renovated its network of nearly 590 stores and hired an in-house design team to help re-imagine the Talbot brand.

Admittedly, it's been awhile since I last browsed through a Talbots catalog. So, as you might have guessed, I was quite shocked--and even excited--when the company debuted its Fall 2010 Look Book, showcasing its totally revamped style (think Parisian chic makeover!).  To my delight, I found many of the pieces to be on-trend, yet also timeless, and more importantly, budget-friendly.  Offering women stylish autumn/ winter apparel to rival that of J.Crew, but with price points falling slightly below its preppy competitor, Talbots's new collection just might be the winning answer to help revive sales and hopefully bring about a successful turnaround story. 

Click below to see a few of my favorite looks--I seriously can't wait til the new collection hit stores next month! Are you excited, too?

Now This is How You Wear Jeans + a White Tee...

Image via Stockholm-Streetstyle.com

Spotted: Natalia Alaverdian, fashion editor for Harper's Bazaar Russia, looking effortlessly chic on the streets of Paris.

AURÉLIE BIDERMANN | A Piece of Nostalgia

The other week I half-jokingly told my sister that we should start making friendship bracelets like we did way back in grade school and sell them online as the new fashion trend :-) She laughed at the idea--said it was too childish, of course. I figured she was probably right. Though, guess what I came across today as I was browsing through Net-A-Porter? I actually found these from French jewelry designer Aurélie Bidermann!

Do Brazil Gold-gilded Braided Bracelet | $385

Do Brazil 18-karat Gold-plated Bracelet | $440

Mother-of-pearl Charm Cuff | $1,060

Images via Net-A-Porter.com

Aren't they a bit nostalgic? I know they aren't quite like the knotted bracelets we all remember as a kid, but their playful use of yarn seems to mimic the same feelings of peace, love, and happiness with which we wore our old ones.  The little finishing touches are also really charming, especially the paper clip--what a clever idea for a clasp! Overall, I love how Aurélie Bidermann manages to add a bit grown-up flair to these friendship-style bracelets with the chic combination of traditional colored threads woven in between metal chains.  I'm almost tempted to buy one, but these wristpieces aren't exactly inexpensive... Though, with a little bit of chain, paperclips and yarn lying around the house, I think I just might be inspired to make some new, "more sophisticated" friendship bracelets this weekend :-)

Obsession du Jour: TILA MARCH

We all know every girl needs a classic handbag to see her through her busy days. But at barely 5-feet tall, I know all too well how tough it can be for us petites to find one that's both stylish and functional, yet not overwhelming on our short frames.  Enter Tila March--my latest obsession!

Lily Tote (39cm x 28cm x 10cm) | €290

Zelig Clutch Studs (27cm x 18cm x 1.5cm) | €230
Manon Mini Tote (14.5cm x 17cm x 4.5cm) | €290

Image via Tila March

Reflecting a fine balance between simple elegance and smart practicality, every piece in the Tila March collection appears undeniably French--and it's no coincidence considering the accessories line was founded by French fashion editor and stylist Tamara Taichman and leather-goods executive Nicholas Berdugo.  A cross between the designing duo's names, plus March, the month in which they met, the brand Tila March tells the story of when--only a few seasons ago--Tamara encountered her own struggle to find the perfect handbag and decidedly took matters into her own hands by creating one herself.  Toting around a prototype of the Zelig during Paris Fashion Week in summer of 2006, she quickly caught the eyes of fellow editors and prominent retailers, who encouraged her to produce a line for the upcoming season. Soon after, Tila March was born. Since then, the très chic handbags have become a fan favorite among petite celebrities, having graced the arms of Rachel Bilson, Scarlett Johannson and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Most recently, as Style.com reported last month, the French label has embarked on a new chapter of this story marked by the launch of its e-commerce boutique. While Tila March currently has two flagship stores in Japan and is sold worldwide by such high-end departments stores as Bergdorf Goodman and Harvey Nichols, you can now shop online for the latest handbags from the S/S 2010 and F/W 2010 collections, as well as a few limited edition pieces!  My personal favorite is the clutch version of Tila March's signature Zelig style. Though, I must admit I'm also falling in love with the Lily Tote, which is perfect for school or work, and the Manon Mini Tote--an elegant size for going out with friends.  Gosh, now how do I decide which one to buy?? Ah, such a tough choice!  In any case, whatever the handbag, Tila March will undoubtedly make any woman's outfit look effortlessly chic :-)