A Retailer's Worst Nightmare: The Fail

It happens quite often in luxury retail; the gorgeous but 'out-of-reach for many' handbag quickly becomes a tacky piece of crapola that store's like Neiman Marcus can't even give away.

Mini Sequined Petale Tote, Valentino

However, in this case, 'giving away' is not a term Neiman's is familiar with. 
Even though it's now 33% off the retail price (seriously? this bag should be at least 50% off at this point), it's still $1,507.00
Not only that, this Valentino rose thing has been copied and re-copied for the last two years now.  It's just very tired.

And here's how this bag is described:
Radiant sequins amplify the signature Petale tote—now in a smaller, go-anywhere size.

So, this is the 'smaller, go-anywhere size'?  Holy shit!  Makes you wonder what the price of the 'larger, go some places size' is.


Retail Fail.

Sending Chritmas Cards: Victorian's Do It Better

A few days ago, we tweeted just how much we love sending out Christmas cards and hoped that it was a 'trend' that would never die.
More than a few people retweeted and responded in agreement; they, too loved the Christmas Card via Snail Mail thing.  This got us all warm & fuzzy inside!

Did you know that the Victorian's were responsible for creating the world's very first, commercial Christmas card?
Here's a pic of it--created in 1843:

Look at that kid trying to steal a drink of wine!  What a little lush.
But we digress...

These people knew how to make some seriously beautiful, classic cards:


They used to use REAL candles on the tree.  Can we say, 'Yikes'!!

Love their dresses.

Ok, so we don't know if this is a man, a woman or an elf but it's too cute!

And who didn't walk around with a piece of holly stuck in their hat back then?

Dreamy....

He's wearing legwarmers!  So progressive.

Don't much care for the look of these two...they kind of look like they're about to launch into some Christmas shenanigans.

This card made a comeback in the late 70's, early 80's.  It's sweet.

It's Vintage Santa!  Checking off the naughty & nice list with names like, Mary, Alice and...Mabel? 

Adorableness! But the bird's look like they don't really give a shit that it's Christmas. Especially that little pudgy one on the right.

So pretty but their dog needs a sweater and some booties.

This year, we opted for the MOMA Christmas cards...they never disappoint.

MOMA Cards

 



The DOA

Please, don't EVER do this:

EVER!
(we're on our hands & knees, begging)


xo
Sher @ FA

Scary photo courtesy of Zimbio.com

Conan on Jeggings

Last night on Conan's show, the awesome Tim Gunn was a guest so naturally, the talk quickly turned to fashion.
But who would have thought that Conan would ever say the word 'Jeggings' let alone know what Jeggings actually are....this is hilarious.





The priceless Jeggings dialogue:

O'Brien:   When I see women out here on the lot wearing jeggings, I just do a backflip.

Gunn:        Really?Any women? Any physique?

O'Brien:   Well, let's not go crazy. No.

Tutu Cute

Every year, around this time, visions of sugar plums start to dance in our heads.  However, this year, we're kind of obsessed with all things Ballet. 
And so it seems, we're not the only ones.....

BCBG Holiday campaign



Lanvin for H&M





Kelly Ewing's adorable tulle dresses

 

Even celebs have the fever....

Katy Perry's Disco Ballerina look



Katy Perry's BFF and her big tutu...very cute





 Perhaps this sudden ballet fever has a little something to do with the upcoming release of Black Swan, starring the glorious Natalie Portman

 So, you wanna get your Swan on, check out these incredible pieces from Elizabeth & James:

LOVING this jacket.




Black Swan will be released on December 3, 2010.  Check out the trailer--you'll get goosebumps!







Katy Perry & Rihanna photos: Zimbio.com
Other images: BCBG.com, Elizabethandjames.us, hm.com
Black Swan images: IMDB



The New Darling of French Design

If you haven’t heard of Maxime Simoens, chances are, you will.

At 26 years old, this young designer is making quite a name for himself amongst savvy fashion insiders. Working for the likes of Balenciaga, Christian Dior and Elis Saab, his greatness is hardly a surprise.

When we were in Europe last month, we were delighted to see some of his Fall/Winter 2010 fabulousness at Le Printemps in Paris.

Now, we hate comparing designers but we have to say; his style reminds us of Alexander McQueen with those correctly placed embellishments and architectural shapes.......

And we couldn't help but notice all the love Melanie Laurent is showing this young talent.

A perfect example of how a well-made, neutral blazer can go from dressy to casual in an instant.  The structured blazer is the MUST HAVE item, any season.  It's classic.

He made this dress in full length as well but it was a bit much.  It's younger and fresher in the short version.

While he's getting press everywhere, we really enjoyed this piece from one of our favorite bloggers, Susan Tabak because in true 'Susan Style', she points out what it is exactly that she likes about his designs.  She always writes honest pieces, spoken from the point of the luxury consumer.

Here's the link:
http://www.susantabak.com/articles/prt-porter-spring-2011-maxime-simoens


Sher @ FA

All photos, including those of Melane Laurent are from the Maxime Simoens website:  http://www.maximesimoens.com/



The Gap

After seeing this gorgeous photo of Georgia May Jagger today (yes, that Jagger) we wondered if she knows what good company she's in. 

..........

Lauren Hutton in her early modeling days

"Eileen Ford wanted me to fix my nose and my teeth. I said, Sure, great, but I really had no intention to. "

 

Mrs. Johnny Depp

Her Madgesty

Lara Stone

The tooth gap: forever challenging the definition perfection

 

Fashion Autopsy: Road Trip!

So, we're packing up and taking it on the road!

First stop:
AMSTERDAM

This city has a handbag museum!  Need we say more...?

Then, we're off to Italy...

Florence!   We're hearing ALL kinds of great things about fashion outlets in this fab city. And don't even get us started on http://www.luisaviaroma.com/  CAN'T wait to spend some time in this store

Venice!  Where we can re-create (badly) the  'Like A Virgin' video.  We just need a lion.

Rome!  To eat, drink, shop, people-watch....not necessarily in that order

And finally....

Paris.  Because no other city in the world comes close so we'll ALWAYS fit in a trip to glorious Pars.

If anyone has any great shopping destinations, let us know!  We would love to visit your faves.

Sher @ FA



The DOA

Big Brother, season 11 -- United Kingdom

A cornucopia of bad taste.....

The rainbow dress was the winner of BB11.  Hopefully she'll buy some decent clothes with her money.  And perhaps some shoes.

All photos Zimbio.com

 

Artist Spotlight: Helmut Newton

I fell in love with Helmut Newton in the early 90's, after stealing a PHOTO magazine (France) from my dentist's office.

On the cover that month: Nadja Auermann, photographed by none other than Helmut Newton.

Since that serendipitous day, I've collected ALL of his wonderful books and any biography I could get my hands on.  

To this day, no other photographer has come close to making me feel the way I do when I see a Newton B&W photo.

                                                                               

He was a master who, to this day, is constantly being copied.

He had a 'thing' for strong women

His wife, June shot a bunch of footage during his busy days in fashion in the early 90's--the dawn of the Supermodel & the House of Versace:

"The shrinking violet woman gives me the creeps"  ~ Helmut Newton


Sher @ FA

Karl Lagerfeld Does Saint Tropez

As only Karl can do.....

In head-to-toe white, cruising Saint Tropez in a convertible Rolls Royce.

With some seriously hot Arm Candy!

If this cutie wasn't with Karl, he would be on our DOA list!  What's with the scruffy Nike Air Force 1's?  ewww

He stands out like a sore but fabulous thumb, non?

Oh, KarlyPooh...we adore you!

all photos Zimbio.com