Emmy Red Carpet Picks

Image from style.com

I was pleasantly surprised by the fashion at the Emmy Awards last night. It's fun to see fresh off the runway looks, such as Hayden Panettiere's Marchesa (which was one of my NYFW picks a few days ago, though I would have preferred it on a taller, more mature actress). I'll admit, I didn't actually watch the award show (I don't watch that many tv shows regularly), but did catch the red carpet arrivals live. My favorite three looks from last night: January Jones in Zac Posen (love the structure and volume, and not boring even though it's black), a pregnant Claire Danes in Lanvin (love the Lanvin mustard yellow, similar color to one of my favorite dresses from the Lanvin x H&M collaboration) and Tina Fey in Vivienne Westwood (she looks really amazing, love the rich burgundy color, the hot shade for fall, as well as the front and back detailing).

Black on Black: Isabel Marant Minidress and Sneakers

Isabel Marant Texas dress and Betty sneakers, Prada sunglasses

Outfit of the day for a walk and brunch at Sweet Lady Jane this morning with N: Isabel Marant Texas dress and Betty Sneakers. I love these sneakers, they are quite comfortable; I've gone on several long walks with them, and they go with everything from dresses, to jeans and a t shirt, to workout wear (Not to actually wear to work out in, just to and from yoga class). This is the Texas dress that I picked up at the Isabel Marant warehouse sale a few weeks ago. Definitely a bit shorter than I would prefer (I thought it was a top when I first saw it on the rack), but acceptable for the daytime, dressed down with sneakers.

Ruching and braiding add fun detail to an otherwise ordinary black t-shirt dress

NYFW SS 2013 Continued

Calvin Klein. Image from style.com

Normally Marc Jacobs' shows are the highlight of NYFW for me, but I didn't love the show this season. It was a little too starkly graphic for me, lots of black and white, stripes and other dizzying patterns with a bit of a 60's vibe. I preferred his Marc by Marc Jacobs show, which was a little more fun. I liked the continuation of some of the lingerie, sheer and leather trends, like at Victoria Beckham, Calvin Klein and Helmut Lang. Otherwise, I would say it was rather a somber spring (not surprisingly, with the exception of ornate Marchesa's India inspired collection). All images from style.com

Victoria Beckham

Marc Jacobs

Marc Jacobs

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Rachel Comey

Helmut Lang

Helmut Lang

Theyskens Theory

Marchesa

Marchesa

Asians Rule! NYFW SS 2013

Jason Wu. I so adore all these dresses, particularly the first one. I really hope that these dresses show up on the red carpet come award season. Images from nymag.com.

I'm a little behind as London Fashion Week is already in full swing, but I finally had the time to organize my pictures from New York Fashion Week. As I noticed starting with last season, the young Asian / half Asian designers really are rocking the runways and had some of my favorite collections from Spring / Summer 2013. My favorite this is season is Jason Wu; I love all his looks from the cocktail dresses to red carpet looks. I love the use of sheers, cut outs and the tailoring. There's a certain retro sexy sophistication to his looks and it's all super wearable. I may just have to invest in a piece this season. I also love Altuzarra's strong separates and use of metallics, Prabal Gurung's floaty feather themed collection and Alexander Wang's severe and leather looks. As for spring themes, not a whole lot of use of bright color, and a lot of black and white. A lot of cut outs, floaty ethereal fabrics, juxtaposition of hard and soft with leather and sheers, and some continuation of last spring's bustiers. Some really cool gladiator-esque knee high footwear at Alexander Wang and Altuzarra. All images from nymag.com.

Jason Wu

Jason Wu

Altuzarra

Altuzarra

Altuzarra

Alexander Wang

Alexander Wang

Alexander Wang

Prabal Gurung

Prabal Gurung

3.1 Phillip Lim

Derek Lam

Thakoon

Hail Mary: Mixing Digital Prints and Colorblocking

Mary Katrantzou x Topshop dress, Prada sunglasses, Zara colorblock sandals, BCBG clutch

The start of football season (last week) and the Mary Katrantzou SS 2013 runway show Sunday at London Fashion Week inspired me to put on this Mary Katrantzou x Topshop tunic dress for a night out on the town. This heatwave is the perfect weather for this lightweight silky dress and it's the first time that I've worn these Zara turquoise and blue sandals which match perfectly with the dress.  I didn't really capture the vibrancy and details of the print, but it's a signature Mary Katrantzou digital piece of art with hydrangeas, ladybugs and an enormous pheasant. A comfortably cool outfit for a dinner out (sans baby) in Venice tonight at the Tasting Kitchen, one of my favorite restaurants on the Westside.

Post Labor Day Heatwave

September and October can be the hottest months in Southern California and it's been no exception this year. It's currently in the 90's in Santa Monica which is unbearably warm for a city where many of the houses don't even have air conditioning. It was the perfect excuse to fire up the grill, which we sadly haven't used for a year or so. We'll get good use out of it all weekend as we have friends in town from Seattle and it is way too hot to turn on the stove or use the oven. Nice excuse to sit by the pool with a (veggie) burger and a cold glass of wine.

Don't Mess with Texas

Isabel Marant Texas dress and Rio sandals. Image from style.com

While most fashion people were focused on New York Fashion Week or recovering from Fashions Night Out on Thursday, S. and I made the semiannual trek downtown to the Isabel Marant warehouse sale at the Cooper Building on Friday afternoon. All I came home with this time was the Texas dress in black. My only qualm about the dress is that it really is quite short (as were many of the looks from her Spring 2012 collection). Fortunately I don't have supermodel long legs, so it doesn't look quite as scandalously short on me as in these runway images. To further tone it down and to keep it "mommy" appropriate, I'll probably pair the dress with Betty sneakers and a similarly sporty or oversized jacket. There was quite a lot of stock at the sample sale and I tried on a lot of items, but nothing quite fit right. It's too bad since I was not five months pregnant like last time and could properly try on the clothes. I really wanted a pair of patchwork jeans but they all ran big. I was tempted by these Rio sandals, which I've loved since the runway show, and they were a great price, but I simply could not walk even a few steps in 5 inch heels; apparently I am way out of practice.We also checked out the Steven Alan sample sale going on simultaneously in the Cooper Building but came away empty handed as well.

Image from style.com.