Tag Archives: Design

The Art of Deco

20 Jan

To me, Art Deco is like a fantastic wine; it is the perfect blend of fashion with architecture and design and encompasses all of my visual art passions.

According to Wikipedia, Led by the best designers in the decorative arts such as fashion, and interior design, Art Deco affected all areas of design throughout the 1920s and 1930s, including architecture and industrial design, as well as the visual arts such as painting, the graphic arts and film. At the time, this style was seen as elegant, glamorous, functional and modern.It  could also be described as a movement of sorts. A rebelling from designing with political or philosophical roots. It was simply about design. Nothing more, nothing less.

It was the soul of the 1920’s and 30’s and  served as the foundation for design movements that emerged throughout the past 80 years. The “art deco aesthetic” is primarily found in fashion, architecture, art and typography but its influences can still be found in modern design.

Luella says…That building matches my dress.


What era of design do you love?

Closet Construction.

15 Dec

Making a list for Christmas is really no different from what I go through every season when Fashion Week rears its gorgeous head.

I delightfully go to Style.com and watch the slide show images of each designer I covet and make mental and yes literal notes of what I would choose and fill my closet with.

A girl can dream right?On a side note, for this Holiday season if your budget is tight, find things you would love to buy for your loved ones and wrap them as promises for when times are not as tough. The thoughtfulness is the same whether it is physically there or not and it gives you a goal and the receiver something to look forward to.

Christmas in (fill in the month) perhaps?

Back to the point, I am compiling a style collage for my work with Kimberly Ovitz, an amazing designer that if you don’t know you need to and thus began my “LOVE list” for the Ready-to-Wear Spring 2011 collections.

If money were no object, I would construct a closet and fill it with these styles and then add to it for each new season from now till forever.

(Like KOD on Facebook)

So while I sit here staring out the window at a very dreary and cold day, my thoughts go to Springtime when the world warms up and our closets turn over and welcome back some color.

This is a list of my favorite styles coming hopefully to a boutique near you for Spring 2011. (February/March delivery.) Remember these choices are not necessarily my favorite designers but merely my Musts & Loves.

Luella says…Runway to Reality?

(all photos SOURCED from: www.style.com)

Designer: Vionnet

Designer: Miu Miu

Designer: Chloe

Designer: Rag & Bone

Designer: Ports 1961

Designer: Marchesa

Designer: YSL

Designer: Lanvin

Designer: Jill Stuart

Designer: Alberta Ferretti

Designer: Willow

Designer: Kimberly Ovitz

Designer: Preen

Designer: Diane Von Furstenberg

Designer: Alexander Wang

Designer: Donna Karan

Designer: Collette Dinnigan

Designer: Phillip Lim

Which style is your favorite? What personal projects do you love to do during the year?

I actually would love to know what you think , so VOTE in the comments section below.

Go Green.

20 Nov

“The Emerald surpasses in its greenness all green stones, and even the leaves of plants, and it imparts to the air around it a green shimmer.”

Isidorus, Bishop of Seville 640 A.D.

I love the color Emerald. It is the color of the Earth. Of trees and grass and leaves and nature.

In fashion, I love the subtlety of Emerald when paired with primary colors and the way it brings a warmness to my skin tone.

It is timeless so I suggest next time you are shopping,  if you come across a piece in this shade of green, buy it and make  it a permanent fixture in your wardrobe.

Blonde, Brunette or Red hair doesn’t matter because it works for all of us.

It also is a perfect pop color for home decor. A subtle accent on the wall or a simple throw on a bed can make a room have depth. Try it for yourself.

If I had to choose three words to best describe Emerald-Green, they would be warm, rich and decadent.

Luella says…An Ode to Emerald.

 



 

After thinking about it,  I realized it also reminds me of Christmas and the onset of the Holidays with Mistletoe and Evergreens.

What does it evoke for you?

What color do you love?

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A Century of Style.

4 Nov

Women’s Wear Daily is in all intents and purposes, the fashion bible. It is the eyes and ears of the fashion industry and has been known to launch careers with its features.

Working in the showroom, I looked forward to reading it every morning. WWD and a cup of coffee was the perfect start to my day.

It began in June of 1910 and this year, celebrates its 100th year Anniversary.

To celebrate, WWD did a beautiful 100 Remarkable Moments in Fashion pictorial and asked some of the world’s best designers to design a piece for a charity auction that runs now through November 18th.

I have listed some of the highlights below.

The pieces are haute couture, one of kind and made especially for this event.

We can bid or dream, can’t we?

(to BID click on the sketches to be directed to the auction website. Good Luck.)

Luella says…J’adore Couture.

“DREAM DRESS”

 

“COLLECTION SHIFT”

 

“TRENCH COAT”

 

“NAVAJO STYLE SWEATER DRESS”

 

“EVENING GOWN”

 

“CHANDELIER OUTFIT”

“BODYSUIT AND SKIRT”

 

“WOODSTOCK JACKET”

“HEAD TO TOE LOOK”

 

“PRIVE EVENING DRESS”

 

“100  BOWS DRESS”

 

“BEAUTY IN BLOOM ORIGINAL PAINTING”

“STYLIZED WAGONEER”


The art of couture is slowly dying out. In a world of instant gratification and economy shifts, it is becoming less practical no matter your status. If you have unlimited income, embrace your chance to own a part of history.

If you win the auction, plan a party and send me an invitation please.

Fall into Flats.

8 Oct

 

“They are amazing, but can you walk in them?”

Fashion + Function = Flats. It really is that simple. I am happy to report a lot of the major designers went with flats on the runway for Spring 2011. The two worlds of chic and comfortability are finally getting closer. (yay!!!)

 

As with everything; if you do it right, it doesn’t matter anyway. I won’t quote Christina Aguilera here, but I am going to tweak her message a bit. Ladies, you are beautiful no matter what size heel you wear. Change it up a bit. Give your aching feet a rest. Throw in a day or two of wearing the perfect pair of flats and if you get a fashion conscience, tell yourself you’re channelling Audrey Hepburn. 🙂

Luella says… Put your Feet on the Ground

Jeffrey Campbell Feather Flats – (STEAL)

DSW Cobalt Bow Flats - (STEAL)

Butter Burgundy Flat - (REALITY)

Urban Outfitters Cooperative Heather Grey T-Strap - (STEAL)

Mulberry Sweet T-Strap Maryjane - (DREAMING)

Pour La Victoire Denim Bow - (REALITY)

House of Harlow 1960 - (STEAL)

Delman Art Deco Flats - (REALITY)

Melissa Campana - (STEAL)

Anthropologie Pixie Hollow Flats – (REALITY)
Charlotte Russe Copper Bow Flats – (STEAL)
Madras by APC – (REALITY)
Chinese Laundry Yellow Flat – (STEAL)
Marni Copper Bow Flats – (REALITY)
All Black Feather flats – (STEAL)
Steve Madden Kinnetic Flats – (STEAL)
Vivienne Westwood – (REALITY)
ME TOO Lilyana Flats – (STEAL)
Apepazza Boucle Flat – (STEAL)
Gucci for DSW – (REALITY)
Corso Como Flats – (STEAL)
Miu Miu Bone/Nude Flats – (DREAMING)
Asos Triple Bows – (STEAL)
Asos Black Point Tip Flats – (STEAL)
Kelsi Dagger Cognac Lace-up Flat (STEAL)
Y-3 Side Strap Flat – (STEAL)
Top Shop Studded Bow Flats – (STEAL)
Asos Oxford Flats – (REALITY)
Anthropologie Coachwhip Skimmers – (REALITY)
Fausta Moretti Two-Toned Flats – (STEAL)

Nadine in New York.

22 Sep

 

 

 I am missing New York fashion market week for the first time in 8 years. It feels very strange to not look forward to enjoying the onset of Fall weather and being able to finally wear the items I have been patiently saving all Summer. (Although, if you live in Southern California,  you know I should have been wearing them these past two months when it has been overcast and 60 degrees.)

I digress, my great friend and hairstylist Nadine went on a last-minute trip to NYC this past weekend with her cute fiancé. Besides telling her to have a wonderful time and visit some of my favorite restaurants, I gave her strict instructions. Shop around and take some quick Polaroid shots of your LOVE items so I can post them here as Nadine in New York.

Nadine’s choices  inspired me and I spent my afternoon diving into the design houses of YSL, Chloe & Martin Grant’s  Autumn/Winter 2010 collections on Style.com. I then took the liberty of choosing some of my own LOVE items to share.

Enjoy the essence of Ready to Wear.

MARTIN GRANT is an Australian born designer

Fashion House: PARIS

  

 

YVES SAINT LAURENT is designed by Stefano Pilati  

Fashion House: PARIS 

  

 

CHLOÉ is designed by Hannah MacGibbon

Fashion House: PARIS

                                                                                                   

 

 

Inspire to find.

16 Sep

   

     

What can I do for you? One of the premises of this blog, in terms of fashion, is to help the shopper find exactly what they are lusting for in real-time. Do you need the perfect outfit for an upcoming event? Do you want to find a specific pièce de résistance you saw in Bazaar or Elle? Do you want to have a similar affordable alternative to the aforementioned pièce ? If yes or maybe, message me and let’s start building a closet full of new options for you.      

Here is an example. My best friend Kelly LOVED Keri Russell’s dress at this years Emmy Awards. She emailed me the next day and bascially begged me to find the dress so she could wear it to an upcoming wedding. I did a bit of research and realized it was vintage Jean Louis Scherrer and Keri Russell had bought it at Decades in LA 10 years ago. In layman’s terms, it was Haute Couture and one of a kind. Instead of telling her to move on to a new obsession, I decided to test my resources and seek out some beautiful options for her to choose from instead. This is where we landed.     

INSPIRATION

 

Rachel Pally Camisole Dress

 

Amanda Uprichard Dynasty Dress

 

Halston Heritage Halterneck Dress

 

   I created a Polyvore set for her with 10 options total (Click here to view the set) and she ended up ordering the Amanda Uprichard dress the very same day!  I love to seek and find. If the moment moves you, send me a request and I will find you what you wish for. (fashion related-wise of course!!)   

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