My favorite trend from Paris Fashion Week

So very French! Sexy meets sophisticated at Nina Ricci during Paris Fashion Week. Photo: Jacques Brinon - AP

Billowy, alluring, revealing…but not a trace of tart-like, in-your-face sex appeal. This, my friends, is the new sexy. In Paris last week, hemlines for evening hit the floor and trailed behind their catlike wearers as they stomped down runways at Yves Saint Laurent, Nina Ricci, Dior, and Valentino to name a few.

But don’t unplug your Stairmaster just yet, the longer hems were paired with ultra sheer fabrics: chiffon, organza, and lots of lace. The result? The ultimate peekaboo effect with lingerie (and in some cases bare bottoms!) clearly on display.

How can you rock this runway look in the real world come spring? Try boyshorts or lace leggings underneath to create a little more mystery. And take tips from the runway, like pairing your ensemble with sleek hair, minimal jewelry and classic makeup, such as a retro red lip.

As for shoes, this is my favorite part: footwear paired with see-through frocks on the Paris runways were clearly missing something–sky high platforms. When your derriére is hanging out, it’s a must to stick with classic stilettos, peep-toes, or a feminine strappy sandal. More classic, less hooker. You gotta’ love it.

On trend and office-ready, tartans and plaids are the patterns to “check” out this fall.

Vogue UK: focus on Tartans for Fall

For a look that’s on trend and office-ready, Vogue UK says tartans, plaids, and checks are are right on point. I’m wild about this look because I adore fashion steeped in tradition, and these patterns have deep roots.

Reappearing every few years on fall runways, designers have found a way, again and again, to make timeless plaids new and fresh. However it’s the style-minded career girls and too-cool high school chicks who mix, twist and reinvent the trend, giving it the street cred that ultimately yields a true fashion following.

Their roots in the traditional make tartans, plaids and Prince-of-Wales check perfect for the office, for school, and for professional settings. Yet the versatility and diverse array of prints leave plenty of room for the fashion slave to inject the look with his/her personal style and create a quirky, elegant or straight-up rebel look that’s all their own.

For tips and inspiration on making the trend work for you, check out Vogue UK’s feature on Tartan and mind-blowing slideshow below:

Tartan Army – fashion trend and tips on VOGUE.COM (Vogue.com UK).

For Spring/Summer 2011, hemlines drop it like it’s hot

Spring is in the air...and the shop windows

The New York Times reports in a recent article that hemlines are hitting the floor again this spring. The Times’ Ruth LaFurla reports that according to Holli Rogers, the buying director of online fashion retailer Net-a-Porter, “A year ago, a movement toward sweeping skirts was in its ‘incubation phase,’ but by the time we were planning what to carry for spring, long was definitely a full-on trend.”

I’ll be bold and argue Ms. Rogers that, while she is correct the trend took a while to catch on, the reason wasn’t the usual consumer fear to try something new. Um, did you see last year’s long hemmed frocks?? They were all pretty disgusting.

The maxi dress craze of last summer totally turned me off. Bold prints and overwhelming silhouettes were maternity-gone-wrong, especially on the 5’4″ and under set. But this season, the garish tie-dye and stiff, apron-like fabric have been replaced by sweet bohemian attributes: fluid, flowing fabrics, vintage pastels, scaled-down florals, and crochet lace insets.

I’m totally ready to rock this sexy 70’s vibe all summer long. Who’s with me?

Comment with suggestions for hot accessories to wear with this look!

Lady Gaga carried down the red carpet in a “womb” at 2011 Grammy Awards

Lady Gaga arrives at the 2011 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles

Okay, is this how we follow up the meat-dress-and-meat-purse ensemble? That meat getup was totally gross, by the way. Carried down the red carpet in a partly translucent “womb”, Lady Gaga made her grand entrance at the Grammy Awards in downtown Los Angeles.

I can only imagine what the mignons who toted her around were thinking: “Is this what it takes to be a backup dancer? I quit.” What’s next? At this point, she will have to arrive on her next red carpet in a coffin with her mignons dressed as pall bearers, completing a twisted circle of life.

Get more pictures and info from my official review of this spectacle in my latest article for L.A. Fashion Trends

BAFTA Awards 2011, London: Jessica Alba on the red carpet

London rain couldn't stop Alba from shining on the red carpet. Photo: WENN for Vogue UK

Are you kidding me? Jessica Alba is just too beautiful to believe sometimes. I don’t even have anything to say, really (and that’s impressive considering I’m a writer.) I don’t happen to care a whole lot about the BAFTA Awards; I just felt compelled to post this photo of Alba because she looks stunning. Vogue UK confirms this satiny, royal blue, floor-length gown is Atelier Versace.

The photo is perfect: simple blue against the red carpet, and notice the sea of ladies clad in black fading into the background. For more amazing photos of celebs like Thandie Newton and Emma Stone on the red carpet, as well as BAFTA 2011 details, check out Vogue UK’s full story below:

BAFTA Awards 2011 – red carpet (Vogue.com UK).

Sunday, Feb 13th packed with heavy hitters for NYC Fashion Week

Derek Lam, Lela Rose, Calvin Klein…….

……….Tory Burch, Max Azria, Diane Von Furstenberg

Behnaz Sarafpour, Tommy Hilfiger……

And that’s not even everyone! I will certainly post once, but if you’d like to see more, please visit the DBS homepage and click on Fashion Week 2011, and for constant updates throughout the day, follow me at: http://twitter.com/buffy_fermino

Dallin Chase brings wearable looks to New York Fashion Week, Fall 2011

Photo by Robert Mitra for WWD

Stripes and animal print put a funky 80’s twist on black and grey separates. Nice to see some casual comfort on New York fashion week runways. Women’s Wear Daily analyzes the new line in-depth in this great review with a full slide show; click below:

Dallin Chase RTW Fall 2011 – WWD.com.

 

Photo by Robert Mitra for WWD

Photo by Robert Mitra for WWD

 

Kate Moss goes bleach-blonde for Longchamp spring 2011

Trend alert: Mixing attitudes, like rocker and prep, keeps recycled fashion from looking stale.  A heavy platinum fringe and jet-black liner lend tough-girl cool to Kate’s look.

Supermodels.com just released surfer-blonde images of Kate Moss in her new layout for Longchamp’s spring 2011 accessories line. It looks like when the weather warms up, we’ll be toting oversized basket-weave bucket bags and double-handled satchels in super light hues like white, ecru, tan, and soft tabacco.

Check out the link to the full article on Supermodels.com below. Just be sure to throw on your RayBans or Oliver Peoples shades first; the newly platinum Moss may temporarily blind you.

SUPERMODELS-ONLINE.COM : Kate Moss – for Longchamp spring 2011.

The top 5 stylish ways to prepare your pad for Chinese New Year

Gung Hei Fat Choy! (Congratulations and be prosperous) Today, Thursday, Feb 3rd officially begins Chinese New Year. In yesterday’s post, Chinese New Year feng shui with a California vibe, I promised to reveal simple steps to prepare your home for the new year without making big purchases or clashing with your existing decor . Check out the list and please share any suggestions you’ve tried yourself.

Here are the top 5 stylish ways to prepare your pad for Chinese New Year:

 

Plum tree in full bloom

1) Flowers: Plum blossoms and the water narcissus are two flowers heavily associated with the new year. Plum blossoms range from white to various shades of pink, and symbolize hope and courage. Water narcissus are white and bloom around the time of the new year, making them the perfect symbol of  renewal for the new year.

 

2) Red: Decorate with red–sparingly. One of the most popular and easy Chinese New Year traditions is to wear or display red. Using small objects, such as vases or candle holders, add a vibrant burst of the color that symbolizes good luck, energy and passion without overwhelming the senses. This effect can also be achieved by using live objects, which won’t clash with your decor. Live objects are also a part of feng shui year-round. Try displaying a bowl of bright red apples on your kitchen table or in the entry way. Feng shui experts also recommend mixing oranges in, because the Chinese word for ‘orange’ sounds very similar to the word for ‘gold’ when spoken. Gold symbolizes wealth and good fortune. I personally recommend adding the oranges because a bowl of brightly colored mixed fruit will look inviting and pretty, and let’s not forget, our focus here is style.

 

Celebration all over the world: a festive scene in Chinatown in Westminster, London (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

3) Crystals: These are used to attract various experiences or circumstances depending on what type of crystal is used. For example, the light-pink colored rose quartz is meant to attract love and romance. Thankfully, crystals come in many different colors and styles, and are the height of home decor at the moment. For information on which crystals to use in your home, watch the video, How to use feng shui crystals. Crystals are available in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and finishes, which means you can easily find them without breaking the bank and enjoy their  power and beauty all year long.

 

4) Grab that broom: A thorough cleaning of the house won’t cost you a thing, but it will leave your place shiny and new in order to properly usher in the new year. This is actually one of the most important traditions; the house is cleaned top to bottom before the start of the new year. However, no cleaning is done on the first day of the year so you don’t “sweep away good luck.”

5) Ditch the clutter: Objects in the home that are no longer used should be tossed, donated, or recycled, (or possibly sold on eBay.) Go through your bills and paperwork, toss junk mail, and get busy with the shredder. “Out with the old, in with the new” is a big part of the celebration and an imperative new year tradition. Clutter in your home and finances takes up space that could be used to welcome new and better experiences in the new year. So clean up your old purses and donate them to the Goodwill. Who knows? Perhaps that newly opened space will be filled with a new CHANEL. Yes, in the end, everything comes back to fashion.

 

Chinese New Year feng shui with a California vibe

Red and Gold are the colors of the New Year

The 1st new moon of 2011 is tomorrow night, which means this coming Thursday, Feb 3rd begins Chinese New Year. And while you may not celebrate it as a matter of heritage, such a time-honored and festive celebration is hard to ignore. There are many traditions related to the new year, such as Bai Lin, the practice of dressing in red and visiting friends and family while exchanging gifts of fruits, cookies, etc. For some fun and easy things you can do to celebrate Chinese New Year, read Celebrating Chinese New Year in L.A., and more importantly, what to wear.

For now, let’s stick to one topic: Chinese New Year Feng Shui. While many like the idea of decorating to attract fortune and good luck into their homes, the traditional colors  and objects used just might not be their style. I actually like Chinese and other Asian decor. However, I went through a stage where everything was Asian-inspired; even my t.v. was housed in a 150 year-old antique cabinet from China with 18 karat gold painted accents  that I gutted, installed shelves, and drilled electrical cord holes into. Okay, my then-roommate’s brother did the drilling, but it was my idea.

My style these days is more French meets mod-minimalist with a laid-back California vibe. If that’s a bit confusing, just think textured neutrals and “ironic” not-so-art, art, mingled with more glamorous formal accents, all anchored with  the clean lines of the largest furniture in each room: sofa, desk, bed, foyer table, etc. (I have been asked about my curious decor style, so perhaps a separate post on personal decor is in order in the near future.)

The point is that if you’d like to use feng shui to prepare your home for the new year without making big purchases or clashing with your existing decor, DBS is here to help. Check out the next post for the top 5 stylish ways to prepare your pad for Chinese New Year.