pre-spring acquisitions

 

with fashion month winding down, all anyone can talk about is what they're going to buy for the coming season. my favorite luxury websites are starting to stock my favorite SS14 pieces, like these chloe sandals, this phillip lim sweatshirt, and this givenchy tote, among countless other temptations. talk about a wish list! while i generally stick to more affordable options,  i'm treating myself to some splurges that will not only revive my spring wardrobe, but will look chic throughout the entire year (and many, many years to come).

first on the list was this black-and-gold fall '14 mansur gavriel tote, above, which i pre-ordered on moda operandi (sadly the trunkshow is now over). i love mansur gavriel's simple, sleek bags, but it seems like everyone is buying one -- and i mean literally everyone. i wanted something different from the variations i see every day, and the metallic gold interior on this one is a super cool update.

next... ringing in at $65, these le specs sunnies weren't exactly a splurge, but i felt they needed to be included! mirrored sunnies have been a huge for some time now, but i think they look will especially chic with this season's clean, minimal shapes -- especially in neutral tones (or even better, all white).

i've admired erica weiner's jewelry for a while now, and was especially drawn to the tiny, precious gypsy spark yellow gold and diamond earrings. they are handmade in new york and were inspired by an antique in the V&A museum in london. not only are they beyond lovely, but they're also versatile enough for every day. i finally pulled the trigger and can't wait to see them in a few weeks.

and last, but certainly not least... the m2malletier "fleur du mal" bag. i've been crushing hard on this brand for over a year -- i first spotted one of their bags in a street style photo and immediately tracked them down. a couple of weeks ago i was lucky enough to meet the two designers, marcela and melissa, and naturally they are just as cool as their timeless designs. my black bag is being handmade in barcelona and is due to ship later this month; suffice it to say the anticipation is killing me!

what are you splurging on this season?

II 

emily

details at céline

despite the month-long marathon of fashion shows around the globe, nothing quite compares to paris fashion week. not only is it the most fashionable and romatnic city in the world, but it's where the very best designers put their collections on display. the creme de la creme. we're talking chanel, saint laurent, dior, givenchy... #PFW is the ultimate flourish to complete fashion month.

ask any editor, model or blogger who their current favorite designer is, and 99% will say céline. the past few seasons have been some of (creative director) phoebe philo's absolute best. we all remember last fall's iconic coats -- striped, belted, cocoon-shaped -- as well as the white and metallic accents. it all added up to an unmistakable cool-girl vibe. spring brought us a brand new approach: laid-back glamour in the form of furry sandals, boxy dresses over pants, and glimmering swaths of silk in "louche" feminine colors like blush, cream and silver. 

this fall saw much more structured proportions and less overt feminine details -- but they were still present. the fabrics used were tactile, cushy and comfy-looking, like shaved fur or bouclé; the color palette ranged from pale neutrals to bold plaids; dresses and coats appeared to have their sleeves yanked forward and tied into knots; shirts were topped off with large, unfinished bands of fabric, like ultra-chic straitjackets; sweater and coat sleeves were intentionally too long, carelessly hiding models' hands; a graphic overblown plaid pattern added a playful vibe to otherwise predictable coats; handbags were large rectangles, folded up and clutched in the coolest way possible (some even had slits for hands to slide through); flippy skirts drooped below the knees for an unexpected twist on the mid-length trend. 

the trend book sitting on every seat at the céline show displayed philo's inspiration for the collection: clouds, yarn, 15th century flemish paintings, portraits, fluffy things. we may not have access to these images, but after viewing the collection, it's easy to use our imaginations. puffy clouds, a sense of warmth, fuzzy fabrics and soft, atmospheric light and color (thats the painting reference) are all there. 

of course, the proof is in the details. see below for all of the plush textures, floppy clutches, space-age chokers and more from yesterday's show:

images via style.com

jason wu spring 2013

 

images via style.com

 leather, lace, harnesses, midrifs and sweeping chiffon... no one can wu a girl like this man. if you recall, jason wu dressed michelle obama for the inaguration ball in 2008 -- so this is an especially moody and provocative departure. and yet, he found perfect balance: it's edgy, but sophisticated. sexy, but chic. he stepped out of his comfort zone but didn't lose himself  -- and isn't that always the trick?

II emily