Debutante Clothing :: The Deblog :: A vintage clothing and fashion blog for unconventional style where vintage, street and runway meet.

Now that we are in Couture season, my mind drifts into my fantasy world and I imagine I am sitting in the front row of Dior or Alexander McQueen. I visualize the movement of gravity defying skirts with mounds of fabric that float like air.

Photo credit: Style.com, Alessandro Lucione

One of my favorite fashion details is elements of sculpture. Like the couture runways, a sculptural accessory or dress gives me the ability to make a bold statement with my clothing, with merely a whisper of detail. And since my reality is online discount shopping and an eye for vintage, a structured dress or handbag is my attainable ticket to the world of couture.

Handbag: Modbag.com
Dress: vintage Pauline Trigere, MarilynGlass.com
Shoes: Report, Zappos.com
Bangles: Ciro Coleczzione, Nordstrom.com

Vintage swimsuits have got to be one the best designed garments ever. They accentuate and minimize where needed. Maybe I'm biased because I love to play up my upper body, but would rather cover up as much as possible on the bottom.

Check out these hot to trot (down the catwalk) swimsuits from 1956. Oh, and check out the amount of men at this particular runway show (and their expressions).

55 Secret Street remembers the one and only Yves Saint Laurent for his genius and for being the very first major designer to put black models on the runway.

A Few Goody GumDrops is dreaming of glimmering cupcakes. And you will be too once you set your eyes on this Judith Leiber creation!

Stiletto Jungle delivers an ode to the iconic Tory Burch flat.

All About the Pretty loves sunscreen that you can carry in your purse like MD Skincare Sun Packettes.

Louis Vuitton courtroom trademark news on Bag Bliss

Bag Snob discovers the real stars of Sex and the City: The Bags!

Beauty Snob supports World Ocean Day with La Mer!

Cheap JAP discusses the perils of the Under $100 Outfit.

Coquette picks her best dressed favorites from the 2008 CFDA awards.

All aboard, says Fashiontribes. The Botox Boat is about to set sail!

I'm Not Obsessed shows you how to get Reese Witherspoon's look for less.

KRiSTOPHER is wanting, wearing - and hating - ruffles for spring

Ladybrille gives you the 411 on Gwyneth Shoes, the latest African owned designer shoe brand that goes up to size 14!

My Fashion Life swoons over the eye-catching metallic version of the timeless Chanel bag

Papierblog writes an ode to Michelle Obama's sense of style

Quinta Trends explores theAmada & Cruz proposal.

Dying to know more about the designer duds the stars of SATC wore in the movie? Second City Style has the answers.

Shrimpton Couture says Bye Bye Biba (Again)

Get bejeweled with StyleBakery.com's ultimate summer jewelry guide.

Stylehive Inside Fashion: Behind the Scenes of Greenbaum Clothing's Look Book Shoot!

Stumped on what to get dad for Father's Day? We've got some incredible gift suggestions that dad will surely love at Stylenotes.

SugarShock Beauty has become quite enamored with the strange little pink blob known as the beautyblender makeup sponge.

Sxy Fashion Queen takes you to the dVb Celebrity Team get together!

The Coveted tutorial for craft-dummies DIY Fringe Tank (easier than you think!)

In case you die-hard Carrie fans haven't gotten enough of SATC yet, The Fashionable Housewife found awesome knock-offs of the Dior Extreme Gladiator!!

The Shoe Goddess gets an exclusive interview with Bridget Assil, owner of the trendy, Beverly Hills shoe boutique, Madison.

nitro:licious gives you the first scoop on the upcoming collection of Old Navy's "The Stunning Summer" Collection debuting in July, ON has really stepped their game up!

I was so thrilled when I saw models walking down the runway dripping with chunky, bold plastic accessories at shows like Yves Saint Laurent and Phillip Lim. I anticipate that chunky plastic jewelery will be as big a hit in 2008 as it was in the '20s and '30s.

Chunky, clunky and beautiful plastic necklaces and bangles are the accessories of choice for Art Deco lovers. We can thank Leo H. Baekeland for creating the wonder plastic that was used in everything from radios to billiard balls. After the Depression (or "Economic Slow Down") women who wanted to cheer up an outfit wore inexpensive, but beautiful Bakelite jewelry. And the pretty little plastic baubles caught on - even rich ladies wanted an arm full of colorful bangles.

Bakelite jewelry seems to only go up in price and you can still find it at thrift stores, which goes to show how resilient the plastic is. I just found a butterscotch swirled bangle with an embedded serpentine metal ring. Score!

The vintage find for this week is a gorgeous set of butterscotch and caramel Bakelite necklace and earrings. The tortoiseshell like hearts really take this necklace the realm of fashion versus collectible. And at only $200 for the set, it's a steal!

available at JewelDiva.com

Before Viktor and Rolf tortured their models by making them walk the runway pre-equipped with their own lighting (models need a union!), Courreges was outfitting women in completely unwearable, but utterly breathtaking designs that transformed the models into a walking sculpture.

photo courtesy of NY Times

Diane von Furstenberg. She is known worldwide for creating the uber flattering, highly collectible wrap dress.

But she is also very much a philanthropist. March 8th was International Women's Day and Diane is a huge supporter of IWD. She is launching a contest in the spirit of the holiday.

She is hosting a contest to win a $5,000 DVF Shopping Spree, trip to NYC, and a chance to have a seat at the 2009 DVF Fashion show*. It is really simple to enter, just write an essay!

It is all about the women who inspire you.
Go to dvf.com now through April 19th and tell Diane about the inspirational woman in your life.

Also, join her Facebook Fan page for insider news and information about DVF.

dress available at Posh Vintage

I usually don't comment on fashion shows that I don't attend, because, well, that just makes no sense. But I was moved to comment on the Whitley Kros show because it seems to be the only show that had any value at LA Fashion Week.

Fashion Week Daily's review describes Marissa Ribisi and Sophia Coloma's collection as

embracing '70s and '80s style, from Working Girl hair to jumpsuits. Tweed and plaid fabrics mixed with faint animal prints and a color palette of red, salmon, burnt orange, black, and white, seen in oversized slouchy knits, blazers, and cigarette pants

Sounds very comfy and I'm all over the cigarette pants and blazers this season. Considering my petite height, I'd probably do a shrunken blazer over a slouchy one though.

But what caught my fashion-starry-eyed attention was the fact that André Leon Talley was in the audience. Seriously. At LA Fashion Week. I was stunned. Maybe it was the celebrity allure; Bijou Phillips, Juliette Lewis, Marissa's twin brother Giovanni Ribisi and her husband Beck were all in attendance.

This sounds like a show to catch. Note to self: get a press pass next season!

The Spring runway shows indicate dressing will be alive with color and bursting with florals. I can't imagine a better bag to go with both trends than this pink crocodile clutch. Even the skins are getting a dose of happy this season.

available on eBay

I love all of the vintage inspired booties, shoe boots and mary janes I am seeing on the runways. I love a decorative vamp but appreciate a wearable shoe that looks stylish.

i think these white leather 60s mary janes have to look of a fashion forward shoe witht he comfort of a low chunky heel. Pair these with a pair of bright tights and you'll look like you just stepped out of an edgy magazine.

available at eBay.com

As everyone knows, Valentino has retired. One, well anyone on Cathy Horyn's blog, can argue whether or not he is one of fashion's greats. The man makes beautiful dress. And for women who want to actually wear fashion, not just analyze it, isn't that the point of designing?

Of course the gowns are stunning and a complete throwback to the women he remembers:
Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor. In addition to the vintage inspired gowns, dresses and hats, the entire production is a throw back to the glamorous days of runway shows. The music was perfect.

Thank you to Linda Grant for providing this link to the final Valentino runway show.

Arrivederci Valentino!

Last Saturday, I was lucky enough to attend the runway show of the Worth Collection at the historical Bullocks Wilshire Tea Room in Los Angeles.

The Tea Room is perched on the 5th floor of the art deco Bullocks Wilshire, now home to Southwestern Law School.

The Worth Collection was shown alongside fashions from the 40s to the 70s to show the bridge between then and now as a way bring the collection to a younger audience. I just loved the idea of mixing the new with the old in honor of one of the most beloved shopping destinations in Los Angeles history.

Well heeled ladies in tea appropriate suits mingled with young, fresh faced attendees. The theme was carried throughout the event beautifully.

Leather jackets, pencil skirts and smart business casual suits for well healed ladies shared the runway through the tea room with vintage ensembles such as a 1950s brocade dress and jacket trimmed in mink, a 1940s champaign, bias cut negligee and robe, and a 1950s wedding gown.

The Worth Collection is a line of ready to wear clothing for the busy woman who wants to dress well, wear quality clothing, but doesn't have the time to shop for herself or would like to entrust someone with sophisticated taste to pick some things out for her. A Worth representative will invite customers to view the exclusive collections in their home, much like you would shop in a designer's salon in a major, high end department store, such as Bullocks.

From a business standpoint, the the business model is a smart idea. Women get unique merchandise that isn't sold in mass at a department store, they can purchase quality items with reasonable price tags because the the overhead is low, and the quality seemed to be luxurious-leathers, fine wools and modern silhouettes made the line attractive.

Ok, ok, so I'm about a week late on all the LA Fashion Week hoopla. This season, I did not attend the Mercedes-Benz shows, not for lack of invitations (people do like me dammit), but I just wasn't all that interested in attending any of the shows. With the exception of Juan Carlos Obando's and Ecoganik, but I couldn't make their show times.

What I was happy and excited to attend were the Downtown LA shows that Box Eight so graciously put on. Downtown is experiencing a renaissance, and it couldn't be a better time.

Hollywood is dead. Anyone who thinks Hollywood is where all the action is reads waaay too many celebrity rags. I hate to sound so F.U., but LA is in desperate need of some emerging, raw talent. I hope Box Eight continues to cultivate the artistic and fashion scene in the heart of Los Angeles.

I was able to catch the tail end of the Louis Verdad show. It was very cute, very vintage inspired-short, high-waisted shorts, puff sleeve floral blouses, 40s inspired dresses. The models look fresh, youthful and the frontward chignon bun atop their pretty little heads was quirky enough to work and give a modern touch to a very retro show.

Eduardo Lucero took a more adventurous route. Taking inspiration from the decadent arches and remaining soul of the former St. Vibiana's Cathedral, Lucero crafted a collection that went from mourning catholic women styled in black veils and very Isabella Blow like head pieces.

It was all about movement: flouncy ruffles, flowy chiffon, dangly paillettes. But the funnest pieces were the Holy Madonna, Alaia-esque hooded dress in royal blue and star adorned hoods.

Gwen Stefani showed her collection in NY today. I've already seen many videos in the form of E! promos and an interview vcast on Glam.

I had high hopes for this collection since Stefani has had a few seasons under her belt to cut her fashion teeth. Alas, I found very few pieces out of the entire 40+ piece show. I'm sure there will be pieces not shown in retails stores, but unless they are super secret easter eggs ( to use a lame gamer reference), I was hoping for more.

This mini shift that Gwen is wearing is really cute and I love how the oversized houndstooth pattern is actually the double LL logo. Clever. And the sequins are a nice touch. They are sequins right? I would buy and wear this. I wish there were more sophisticated, quirky pieces like this in the collection.

There was this smashing outfit: the boxy little jacket with knife pleats and cropped sleeves goes quite well with the monochromatic houndstooth dress. I believe it is the same one Gwen is wearing above in grey and black. Some people might think it's too busy-the pleats with the houndstooth-but I would wear this.

Gwen stated that this collection was really inspired by her early musical influences of ska. While I always appreciate throw backs to the the 50s and 60s, I do not expect literal interpretations in high fashion. I mean c'mon- sweaters, shorts and skinny ties. I could've done that with $10 and a vintage store. I would've liked to have seen some creative interpretation from L.A.M.B.. A melding of high fashion and subculture.

Take this little 50s inspired dress. Cute, yes. Original and worthy of the potential price tag? No. This type of dress with the crinoline poking out is made every season, for the past 5 years by low end manufacturers found in the Juniors section of any department store.

I know Gwen Stefani has talent. I've seen it before. Take this dress:

This is elegant, fresh and not a literal interpretation of a mid century dress. Yes, it is vintage inspired, but the white panel neckline really gives this dress a modern feel with roots in mid century design. The best of both worlds. I would like to see more of this from Gwen. And this is hard for me to admit because obviously I love vintage. I know she is capable of more.

However I do appreciate Gwen's attention to trends for the upcoming season: menswear, biker chick details such as the belted biker jacket and the great little ruffle trim on the skirts reminiscent of the origami touches we have been seeing.

I'm sure we will see some casual pieces in retail outlets that just aren't worthy of the runway, and I am glad to see Gwen's work progress. In the interview with Susan at Glam, Gwen states that this collection is more mature and wearable. I don't know about the mature part, but it is definitely more wearable than her last Spring collection where rasta met 70s disco/casino diva.

What I am dying for are the fabulous shoes! Black and white checked rude girl platforms and green, yellow and black cap toe stilletos. Wait. Did I just contradict myself?

Photo Credit: Style.com
Photos are used for commentary only.

Ed. note-I was starting to feel a little guilty about my disapproval of the LAMB collection, but SEE! I'm not the only one who feels this way. And at least I didn't call her a ditz! Cathy Horyn ripped it to shreds.

I predict Roland Mouret's Galaxy dress will be in future fashion history books. It is an iconic dress for this incredibly talented designer. And I don't just say that because it looks like a sexy 1950s dress that only a brazen pin up girl would dare to wear.

What I love most about Mouret is his obvious appreciation of a curvy woman. According to Fashion Week Daily,

For me it was about the woman’s body, and about developing the galaxy and the hourglass shapes, where the woman is much smaller on top than on the bottom; I call it the pear-shaped woman

It's like he's designing for me! Well, and all other women who have been blessed and plagued by an hourglass or pear shape in a tall and skinny world. I'm sure my husband can get on board with Roland Mouret's taste.

While his RM Resort 08 collection is not as clingy and va va voom as his previous collection, he still manages to create a sexy silhouette, but in a much more relaxed fashion. But true to Roland Mouret, there has to be at least one heavenly body dress that celebrates the figure 8: the Moon dress.
images from net-a-porter.com

I'm especially loving the origami like details and architectural hemlines and inserts. Such a great way to bring attention to the most sensual part of the body-the hips. But more importantly, in my opinion, he is taking techniques that are very historic and couture in quality, and bringing them to ready to wear.

I may just have to bite the bullet, or in this case, unfreeze the credit card, and invest in one of Mr. Mouret's creations. All in the name of history.

Vogue Italia editor-in-chief, and April Featured Iqon, Franca Sozzani, spoke to the folks at IQONS* about her thoughts on new fashion talent, Vogue Italia, the difference in appealing to men and women, and, more importantly for media, how the internet and traditional fashion media co-exist.

I love that she recognizes the invaluable service internet provides to fashion-from designers, manufacturers, and publicists to the consumer. I agree with her that print magazine shouldn't go away. There is something wonderful about holding a magazine and gazing at the fashion spreads. But this is one editor that understands the true importance of the web-communication and global community. We now have the ability to see what is hot in London, discuss with people in Hong Kong, and watch runway shows from Paris. If publicists can't understand the power of blogs, they're going to be missing out on the most powerful communication tool since the printing press.

On a more amusing note, I especially liked Sozzani's comments on stylists. Hee hee. Ms. Zoe? Take note.

"There are only a few that are really good. I’m not pro-stylist; actually today everyone thinks they can be a stylist. In order to be one, you need to have fashion culture!"

Read the interview. Share your thoughts.

I got to attend the Dina Bar-El last weekend during LA Fashion Week. Check out my review at LA Story.

I got to attend the Dina Bar-El last weekend during LA Fashion Week. Check out my review at LA Story.

Chanel makes me swoon. I love it all-old, new, used, slightly scuffed. The genious that is Karl Lagerfeld just seems to get the spirit of Gabrielle.

photo courtesy of www.fashionweekphotos.com

This frothy, silk tulle or layers and layers of chiffon (anyone know for sure?) is an updated version of a 1950s debutante's fantasy. What I love most is the edge of the black and white combination, and practically sprayed on black florals. Edge and priss. I love it.

Chanel makes me swoon. I love it all-old, new, used, slightly scuffed. The genious that is Karl Lagerfeld just seems to get the spirit of Gabrielle.

photo courtesy of www.fashionweekphotos.com

This frothy, silk tulle or layers and layers of chiffon (anyone know for sure?) is an updated version of a 1950s debutante's fantasy. What I love most is the edge of the black and white combination, and practically sprayed on black florals. Edge and priss. I love it.

It's about dang time! The Los Angeles Times is finally going to launch a dedicated fashion section. "Image" will cover runway fashions "Hollywood style". I'm not thrilled about the Hollywood angle, but what can you do? This is LaLa Land. I hope it won't be a total bust, since help from the biggies like WWD will come to the rescue.

Check out the full story at Fashion Week Daily

It's about dang time! The Los Angeles Times is finally going to launch a