All the Vanity Blog :: Beauty, Fashion & Shopping

Whilst most of us (consider me as one) are aching to see The September Issue, a documentary featuring the devil in Prada herself, Vogue’s EIC Anna Wintour, let’s take a breather for a  moment on the latest trends conquering the runways these days!

I featured 3 haute collections before from Marc Jacobs, Lanvin and Balenciaga, where Parisian style, ruche, brocades and boudoirs dominate. Truly, I miss hitting the spot that fierce yet chic biker look is oh-so in fashion this season! Here’s a closer look:

All from Style.com

*Balmain for Fall 2009. This monochromatic garb is overall casual with white blouse, cropped skinnies, and girly pumps. Chained biker jacket adds spunk to this smart casual wear.*

*Charles Anastase for Fall 2009. Unlike Balmain above, Charles Anastase surely pulls off quite a statement with fur neckpiece, leather vest and woven cardigan topping it off with a statement tee and a pair of  skinny jeans. Tan platform leather boots is absolutely ferosh–something to love about this ensemble!*

*Gucci for Fall 2009. Gucci appears to be ravishing and scintillating with its leather cropped jacket, shiny button-down shirt, and glistening tapered(?) pants. Look is slickly finished with peep-toe shoes for footwear.*

*Jean-Charles de Castalbajac for Fall 2009. Red is flaming hot this season, and Jean-Charles de Castalbajac screams scarlet with this multi-zipline leather dress. I’m hearting the hair and the studded shoes. Absolutely winner garb!*

*Jean Paul Gaultier for Fall 2009. Extreme biker chick in stud, leather and fringe encapsulates this ensemble from Jean Paul Gaultier.*

*Rick Owens for Fall 2009. Rick Owens calls for a more futuristic look applying geometrical cuts on this nonetheless leather dominated wear.*

*Rodarte for Fall 2009. One word: SUPER! This ensemble from Rodarte melts my heart out! Ultimately tinged in ecru, the woven scarf, embellished top, gloves, loop fringed skirt, and thigh high leatherwear are just well put together! This is something to lust die for! *

Biker Jackets: Save, Spend & Splurge!

Here’s some of super yummy dark leather finds to choose from! (more…)

Think about modern neon, then you’ll get this latest Fall collection from Marc Jacobs. Truly, he injected such a vibe that jolts out amongst the boring blacks-and-whites of this season. The collection includes puffed tops and a-line bottoms, dresses and skirts with flarings, scarves, jackets, coats and cardigans–all imbued with eye-candy colors and bedazzling brocades prints. There’s still a noticeable presence of dark tights paired with ankle strap shoes or boots. And of course, any Marc Jacobs wardrobe won’t be complete sans the ever gorgeous bags.

Here’s what I like about Marc Jacobs Fall 2009 Collection:

Grays and Blacks with a Spunk

If you opt to steer clear from vibrant neon colors, surely this collection will take you to some place where dark tinges rule  without losing  the spunkiness of your wardrobe.

*The show started with this simple casual gray cardigan and black pants attire. Quite simple for a Marc Jacobs collection, isn’t it? But, try to sport a mohawk ‘do complete with that lovely black and white brocade scarf, and you’re on the go to being MJ stylish. And also, watch out for the kilt and braces aback of this outfit–truly outrageously signatured!*

*This full charcoal brocade dress has this gorgeous flaring at the bottom, decked with a pair purple ankle boots, dark jeweled necklace and neon green printed clutch. *

Puffed with Sleeve and Skirt

The collection also delighted us with  puffed sleeve or skirt, texturized with metallic brocade  and striped prints.

*This sleeved bustier top with puffed skirt really caught my attention as it fused classic and contemporary altogether. Surely, it looks like a formal cocktail ensemble on the first look. But hey, those metallic brocade prints on a quirky skirt might make you think twice otherwise–for a party garb! *

*Another gorgeous party bustier dress. This time, notice the drama of the free-flowing  plain black ribbons to the rest of the striped prints, both forming a semi-ruffled bottom. It’s paired with ankle strap boots displaying its metallic sheen.*

*This  salmon pink blouse with puffed sleeves is paired with high-waisted fur-like pencil skirt complete with patent leather-like gloves and ankle boots. What’s more to love about this formal ensemble is this lovely bejeweled neck piece that’s just elegantly layered on the model’s top.*

Neon Power!

*There’s nothing as playful as combining two different prints for an exquisite yet made-for-each-other look. This blouse and skirt combo have distinct brocade prints on them, yet they impeccably compliment each other in harmonious bluish and yellowish glow.*

*Another playful thing to do with colors is to combine and contrast them. I always like blending these two contrasting colors together. In this outfit, the neon green structured jacket is paired with a decadently printed dress. I just love how it’s been also embellished with yet another brocade printed pink scarf, and a retro mixture of pink and green colors for the brocade bag. Keeping it fierce, the dramatic makeup look and mohawk haristyle really did a well-done job.*

More Story from Style.com

Erratum: The black trench ensemble I featured in Balenciaga was actually from THIS collection.

The house of Lanvin never fails to give women a gorgeous and glamorous vibe, as this season brims with lovely dark floral patterns, bias wraps, high-waisted belts, subtle knots, bows and drapings  in sophisticated, ultra-feminine powersuits and dresses.  Designer Alber Elbaz epitomizes Parisian style with some kink of 40′s retro-ish vibe for Fall 2009 collection.

All in all, this collection is  flat-out classic. You will never go out of style with these pieces, wherever the time machine takes you.

So, expect to see leather-like boots and gloves along the runway. The big, chunky bejeweled, tribal necklace may be a lil bit off-kilter, but in a very stylish way. In fact, I’m digging those chunky pieces as it adds some spunk to the monochromatic wardrobe.

Piece de resistance: Floral, Brocade & Both

* I think anyone would fall in love on this lovely black suit with what it seems to be embossed floral brocade-like patterns.  The fabric and the fine glittered embroidery was really well-put together. I also love the puffed wrap top as it adds quite an oomph to the ensemble. I’m not sure how delicate the material is, but it just speaks to me like, “This is not your ordinary timeless black suit. This is something that should exist in your business wardrobe!” To cut the crap, it’s just perfection at its finest! *

*Another take on the brocade. This time, it’s in a seemingly closed-neck dress with what it looks like a tri-layered, bias cut at the bottom. Well, it’s still drool-worthy elegant for me. The black chunky necklace plays a vital part on this ensemble. The dress won’t seem complete without it.*

*This one pulls off a different pattern, but is indubitably as exquisite as the previous ones. I just adore the cascading drapes on the side as it really gives the dress an overall feminine vibe.*

Simple-toned Blacks & Chunky Metal Necklace

Another option for this collection is to go subtle with a touch of nothing but black. But, what sets it apart from the rest of black boring power suits you see from businesspeople everyday is right in front of your eyes (and her encolure).

*Never go boring with a silver chain necklace and built-in gigantic pendant, whilst keeping things simple with your suit and makeup no-makeup look*

*Same cut as with the first image above, only sans the prints, hence your option if you’re intimated by the floral embroidery.*

*Complete your professional dressing-up with this lovely pair of platform shoes.*

More of Lanvin Fall 2009 here.

My old folks believe that one should wear Polka Dots on New Year’s Eve as we welcome the New Year, because it symbolizes prosperity. Fashion-wise, I simply have one thing in my mind: Polka Dots are HAWT this Spring season.

Thanks to my feverish browsing of Style.com, I am in the verge of getting a few new additions to my sketches, as I embrace 2009 with a bang! Starting off with some polka-dotted pieces.

Here’s a few inspiration for this season’s trend:

Going Sophisticated?

Valentino never fails to give some sensuality and sophistication to every outfit, no matter what cut, print or fabric it may be. I so love this flowy tube polka dot dress. Not only that it possesses the basic colors that characterize the minimalist in me, but also it gives a sexy, ladylike feel that donning it makes me look instantly gorgeous! This is so perfect for posh candlelit dates.

Dressy, Casual, Chic

This maroon and gray mini-dress with a huge waist belt (resembling that of an obi) from Iceberg is nothing but LOVE. This is a perfect dress to wear for chic, dressy corporate nights. It also imbibes a sexy, womanly feel without going overboard–hence, showing too much skin. Plus, a tinge of berry polka dots makes this piece pop out from its boring “gray” state.

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