Economy Class
Zu Shoes:
If you want some over the top heels and platforms- and you do – head here for a fabulous selection of shoes, all very inspired by Lanvin or Chloe. Check the very Lanvin futuristic platforms with a spikey silver cone heel and crossover straps about $150. Or go for the white or yellow (pictured) patent sling backs peep toes with a wooden platform and chunky wooden heel $150. There are some groovy, silver, peep toe heels $100 and some chic flats. Also check out the very Chanel inspired small, clear Perspex shoulder bag by Sachi with a chain Chanel style strap. It’s completely see through as is the Chanel bag so you can’t put a Mars Bar in there $70. Or a carrot. And buy the grey satin little evening bag with a few smattering of jewels a la Miu Miu Kookai:
Kookai has joined the throngs of designers and fashion labels who are inspired – or have copied - Marni. At least they have done it well. Pieces to buy include a matte plastic cotton buttonless jacket with an elastic belt. The jacket comes in black or blush. Go for the short jacket or the long coat. I would say it’s a very good copy. Check out the vast array of T shirts in every colour $29. Or go for classic white. They are a good cut and quite long so you don’t have to worry about muffin top peeking through. Or invest in the drape tank $89; and cute dresses. Buy the fab grey cotton collarless puff sleeve jacket with round neck. It’s like a bomber jacket and very short stopping at the waist; wear with skinny black pants and a dash of white underneath. The sleeves will hide those floppy bits. $159.
Wittner Shoes:
Wittner are very good at paying tribute to all the hot designer bags of the season. A couple of months ago I spied the YSL black, patent Down Town tote for an outrageous $109 and now I spy a camel bag that is a dead ringer for the Chloe Bay bag $119 Bless. Also there is a very Burberry 2 handle tote with quilting and buckles and outside pockets about $199. There are also very, very Tory Burch inspired ballet flats with the gold buckle insignia on the toe $99. These are just a little more exciting than basic black flats. I did read somewhere that Tory Burch was suing some companies in the States for ripping off these exact shoes. While you are there also buy the Micheal Kors inspired camel cross strap platform sandals with the all important wooden stacked heel $149. I love the fabulous muted gold metallic T bar flats that have a double ankle strap,a little similar to a roman sandal. $79.95. I love the muted gold with all the navy and khaki this season. The T bar sandal is a must buy for summer: remember it’s so totally modern to wear flats with a long maxi beach dress or with a cute short shift dress for evening. I love the T bar flats with the fabulous French Connection cream shift dress with silver glitter trim $199 - As seen on Mischa Barton. I like her. She knows how to get out of a limo without flashing. Even in a short dress like this. Bless. Also at Wittner you will find a very good Marni inspired wooden stone chunky necklace $169.
Cue:
Love the sporty luxe zip jackets and tops here: start with the simple black or camel cotton sleeveless zip tops with a drawstring neckline:Wear them under a jacket as a top or wear them over Tee as a summer sporty jacket about $159. Buy the cream trapeze zip jacket $235. it’s really just like a summer trench with a zip and short sleeves. It has a trapeze shape so is very flattering. You could hide ten almond croissants under there and no one would know. I used this cream jacket over the glitter Tee and belted it in www.whatswhat.com.au Also buy the fab grey, cotton zip crop jacket. Again in a trapeze shape it has the all important exposed zip with a black trim and shorter sleeves. Wear over a jolt of colour like the seamless tank from Country Road and a narrow pant so you don’t look like a cast member from the movie HairSpray $175. The belts are always great here: you will find a fab silver, thin belt $89; a black or red patent belt or a wider black patent belt . Also check out the clutch bags in patent. You can wear the Cue black sequin leggings if you think you can carry them off with aplomb. I think I could carry them off with a diet and lipo. You want the cotton, Khaki, round neck, empire top with a drawstring boat neck $119. Easy to wear. It could be flattering even if you had that fried Mars Bar for lunch. There are some great black pants here and sexy short satin black shorts $119. Paris Hilton and Britney could do with those when climbing in and out of Limos. The high waisted black belted skirt is great: it will give you a waist, give you shape, make your legs look longer and hide the muffin top and the muffin thighs. What more do you want? $129. The print dress as seen in the latest Whatswhat TVC is a great buy too. Mais Oui. There is also a very ‘fashion’ silver linen shift dress with an exposed zip; a camel canvas trim on the hem and a ruffle front. $279. It has all the summer trends on one dress but it seems to work. I think it is very Chloe inspired.
Nine West:
Some seasons they do a good job and some seasons they are average. This season they have nailed it with some very fashion shoes and bags. You want the big oversized silver bag which is a lovely tribute to the famous Chanel Cabas bag (pictured). The bag du jour last season and still hot. $129. You want the ( surprise!) Marni inspired black or camel cross sandals with a cone silver heel about $159 or the fabulous Helmut Lang inspired high front, sling backs with a futuristic Perspex see through wedge heel $149. Snazzy. Buy the very Lanvin inspired blue Metallic platform sandals with a wooden sole that looks as if it was just slapped on the sole of the shoes $149. in a good way. And of course buy the Miu Miu inspired, big jewelled clutch bag with black stones or clear $89.
Portmans:
Best buy here is the white cotton, rib tank top with white sequins all over the front $29. They are subtle sequins which seem to add a dash of sparkle without being bad taste bling. And we don’t want bad taste bling in our life. Buy the cute black satin, pleat skirt that sits right on the waist;a fabulous buy for $89. It has small box pleats and looks expensive.Then invest in the black textured cotton almost A line skirt a la Chloe. It has one big front pleat and a wide waist band and cute front pockets. $79. Wear it summer or winter. The cute black and white dress with white trim and bra safe wide straps $99 is cute: it’s a little 50’s in shape with a fitted tight square neck top and a fuller skirt to skim the croissants sitting on the hips. In accessories check out the black wayfarers $24.95; the chic wooden bangles $19.95 (for two) and the white or clear perspex bangles. cap sleeve Tee $129.You should wear sunglasses to keep out the reflective glare.
Business Class:
Country Road:
Some great dresses here: Love the black silk, empire smock with a little black embroidery across the bodice: it has ¾ sleeves and is the easiest thing to wear. Here’s how you do it. Pull it over head. Put on shoes, thrown on bag. Walk out the door. Apply lip gloss and toss on sunglasses. (Oops run back inside to put on undies) $199. You want the cobalt blue silk smock dress $249 as well. The shape is not as scary as you think. Invest in the red silk drape Tee about $99; it will sit so well under jacket. Buy the cream patent belt $59 to brighten everything up. The white patent wide T bar flat sandals wil do the same. Lighten and brighten your wardrobe. Not bad for $99; The snazzy silver drape dress with white grosgrain straps $199 is a stunner but you will need to be confident to wear it. Not with heels.Keep to flats and wear this dress in the day with a white Tee. It’s about evening fabric in the day. Mix it up for god’s sake. Dressing should be fun. Love the black smock dress a la Stella. It’s called the slinky drop waist dress; it has full short puff cap sleeves $179. It has zero hanger appeal and you may look at it and go into a huff. I suggest you go into the fitting room and try it instead.The skirt part of the dress is quite narrow so it balances out the big voluminous top. Which does wonders to skim over the lumps and bumps that have not seen the light of day for a couple of years. This dress also comes in dark denim which is great because it is a bit stiffer so it sits rather well. Add a little patent belt if you so desire to the drop waist. Buy up the seam free tanks in every colour.$29. These are fabulous to wear under jackets and tops to add a jolt of colour. Please don’t wear them alone out in public if you have one ounce of extra fat on you. These tanks will cling to every cell of cellulite. People may be offended But peeing out from under jacket or dress they work a dream. Did I mention how comfortable they are? They grey chinos are just a wardrobe must have. Channel Balenciaga and all those chic French women and wear these with heels and a snug Blazer. Chinos look so much newer than jeans. $99. The cream silk empire cami with the contrast black straps and hem $119 is classic and chic. Channel Chanel. The red drape front blouse $99 is a great buy. Wear the red with neutrals or grey. Make sure you have 3 colours on the body to break it up. That’s the Country motto and I love it.
Veronika Maine:
I see a lot of snazzy new pieces in here. They can be deceiving on the hanger. I don’t want you going in there and looking at the roomier voluminous dresses and thinking you will look like Ten Tonne Tessy in them. Try them on and you will surprised how good a lot of these tops and dresses can look. If you want a flattering shape make sure the sleeves are cut narrowly across the shoulders. I see a chic, crop navy cotton jacket with an exposed zip with a beige cotton trim $249. It’s collarless and a little trapeze. It should be worn with a narrow skirt to balance the silhouettes plus Heels darling. Always heels. The navy tulip skirt in cotton is a great buy for $159. Love the khaki ruffle blouse with brass baubles on the front a la Chloe $155 perfect for trans seasonal weather. Wear it with a black skirt or just with jeans. If you want a graphic print then buy the grey and cream zig zag patterned top $175 with a drawstring hem. Also check out the beautiful cream long sleeve blouse. Simple with bell sleeves and wider neckline you can wear it with jeans or grey trousers. About $149. The navy empire cotton crinkle Tee with cap sleeves is cute $129. Navy must be worn with black this season, it’ s the chic colour combination. Navy and red can get a little too preppy and nautical. Only sailors wear nautical. Buy the black dress sleeveless black chiffon dress with the sporty elastic brown stretch belt $279. It has a fancy little pleat front and it’s to the knee. A good length and perfect for those you don’t want to do short. Such as my good self. Actually I do want to do short it’s just my knees and thighs that don’t. If you want a punch of colour go for the lime green cotton.
Arthur Gallan:
You must go to Arthur Gallan. He has some gorgeous clothes. Love the stunning silver grey silk taffeta, double breasted, belted trench coat $649. As regular FiFi readers know it doesn’t have to be raining to wear a trench. Don’t be so functional. Audrey Hepburn didn’t wait for the heavens to open to wear hers. A trench will always be chic and this one in silver grey will instantly update any sad and lonely clothing found in the bottom of your wardrobe. You want the dresses here: the pick is the high neck fitted to waist dress with cutaway shoulders and a full skirt. Love it in the almost tie dye print in pinks and red. $498. But you will find it in black or green and plain red. The gorgeous kimono sleeved sheer chiffon charcoal ‘Lola ‘blouse has a deep V front and satin trim neckline. $249 Such lovely blouse to take you through to summer. The grey tulip skirt with big drape pockets is a new take on a full skirt $229. Buy the navy cami with grosgrain straps a la Prada in a looser shape $98. Please wear navy with black or brown and you will thank me. Buy the sporty little cotton sleeveless dress with an exposed back zip and a drawstring leather waist $289. It comes in a few colours like a sludgy burgundy and is simplicity in itself. And much, much more
Max and Co:
I see rather a little too much BoHO NoNo here. It makes me frown and think about botox. I love Max Mara and all the clean simple lines and great quality fabrics. But here all we see here is ruffles, florals and vintage fabric. So what if Christopher Kane showed something similar in London this week. It’s just not right. But if you forage a little you will find a few great pieces such as a chic silver or gold lurex singlet top $140 or a cream with silver sheen tank $195; The navy chunky knit hoodie is great for days on the yacht and so is the chic choc brown rib button through cardigan $295. Buy the red and cream stripe drape front tank $220 and the Khaki nylon parka $570. Wear with the crop stone pant $220. Also there is fabulous black or cream leather bomber jacket about $900 and some great Miu Miu inspired bags and shoes.
First Class
The hottest shows for Spring 08 in New York were Rodarte, Marc Jacobs and Micheal Kors. Read the reviews from Style.com;
Marc Jacobs:
www.style.com ‘At 11 p.m., precisely two hours after his official starting time, Marc Jacobs surprised his audience by running out onto his Stefan Beckman-designed set for a quick bow. Next came the music, Ravel’s bolero, and out filed the models in finale formation. Then here was the first girl (or rather the last, because by now it was clear this extraordinary show was unspooling backward, starting with look 56 and running down to one). She wore a "silly-string guipure gown, her satin under-things peeking out and her heels perched on top of her "too-small pumps." Behind her, an image of the model in nothing but the bra and panties she wore underneath her outfit was projected on two large screens. As for the clothes and accessories, they were just as off-kilter and knock-your-socks-off as the production, with a bonkers surrealist streak. Trompe l’oeil underwear decorated georgette slipdresses, the heels of pumps protruded not from the heel at all but from the ball of the foot, and three-dimensional quilted leather bags were grafted onto square totes. Transparency was a key theme, too: Cashmere sweaters were inset with sheer panels at the waist, and reconstructed black bugle-bead evening dresses came suspended from their nude linings. Gimmicky? You bet. But also fascinating’
Rodarte:
www.style.com ‘Admired for the exquisitely untouchable level of their workmanship—while also being criticized at times for its being so refined as to be unwearable—the sisters are, if not quite coming down to earth, at least expanding their reach. They crafted their own kind of Japonisme, incorporating manga and the films of Yasujiro Ozu. There were (cute) elements, too, like the almost comically fierce studded shoes and the colored hair extensions. They sent out a lot more separates than they had before (cobwebby sweaters, paired with lean pants, and sack jackets were standouts). And, for the first time, they actually did sexy, with lingerie looks and peekaboo. ‘
Micheal Kors:
www.style.com"We were looking at some fabulous advertising from the late seventies and early eighties for Virginia Slims and Charlie," said Michael Kors before his show. "There was something about those women; they were very sexy, but sporty at the same time." Kind of like the Kors woman. Come springtime, she’ll need clothes for tennis at the club, lunch and a meeting in the city, cocktails, cruises, and galas, too. And today, on his runway, Kors had plenty of suggestions: He started with Lilly Pulitzer pastels, in stripes or Impressionist florals for the court and the beach, and tossed in a few of his beloved caftans before the show was over, this season in an oversize black-on-white flower print designed to complement white maillots with gold-chain straps. For the office, there were chic navy suitings and this season’s must-have safari jacket paired with wide-leg trousers’.
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