Closet Construction.

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.

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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.

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In the Trenches.

When it comes to my personal style, I spend a lot of time trying to accomplish the anti-trend. So much of fashion is in now – out tomorrow. I would much rather fill my closet with timeless classics.

One such piece to invest in, is the camel trench coat. It is fashionable in its sophistication yet functional in cold weather.

Sounds like a perfect combination to me.

The Trench has sustained itself through many decades of fashion. It is androgynous at its core making it allowable for both Men and Women to wear.

Q: What do Bob Dylan, Meryl Streep in Kramer vs. Kramer, Ryan O’Neal and Ali MacGraw in Love Story have in common?

A: The trench coat

According to Wikipedia,”Invention of the trench coat is claimed by both Burberry and Aquascutum. Aquascutum’s claim dates back to the 1850s, while Thomas Burberry, the inventor of gabardine fabric, submitted a design for an army officer’s raincoat to the United Kingdom War Office in 1901.”

It ultimately doesn’t matter who created the trench coat design because I know this trendy, anti-trend, anomaly will continue to remain relevant each Winter season.

Luella says…Classic Camel, Timeless Trench

(A couple of styles below are NOT true trench coats. I included them anyway.)

Brave the Winter weather in style. As Man of Class said, “It is almost always necessary to sport a trench coat.”

Now go get yours.

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Dressed.

    

I’m in the mood for Autumn. Growing up in the Midwest, Fall was represented by the changing of the trees and a brisk cool turn in the weather. It marked a time when we had to officially transition our wardrobes into “Winter wear”. Now I live in Southern California and the transition is a bit more subtle. Either way, I love this time of year. It makes me want to cook hearty food, light musky, earthy candles and have a fire in the fireplace. It makes me want to snuggle.        

 Dresses truly are year round MUST staples. (At least in my closet.)  They are easy and comfortable and depending upon where you are reading from, can be underneath the layers you may have to add-on. While there are a couple Dreaming price point dresses below, the majority are Steals. Don’t believe me, click and find out.    

 A rule of thumb, is to try to create a nice balance in your closet of all price/designer ranges. Remember Sharon Stone wore a Gap turtleneck with a Valentino trumpet skirt to the Oscars back in 1996. Don’t be afraid to pair one of the choices below with an unexpected riding boot, close-toed wedge or flats. (They were the craze this season on the runway!) Fashion is your chance to make a statement. Be bold.        

Let’s get Dressed.       

     

    

Top Shop Every Day Dress

 

Ruche Fairytale Dress

 

Velvet Cotton Drama Dress

 

Diane Von Furstenberg Celia Dress

 

ModCloth Go Dress

 

     

    

TOPSHOP Tea Trim Dress

 

See by Chloe Lace Dress

 

Ruche Thinking of Home Dress

 

Dolce Vita Dress

 

Daughters of the Revolution Kitty Dress

 

     

    

Elizabeth and James Doris Belted Dress

 

Free People Crochet Sweater Dress

 

TOPSHOP Black Bubble Dress

 

       

    

Ted Baker Silk Kimono

 

Top Shop Black Flower Embellished Dress

 

Kain Label Puff Sleeve Dress

 

Asos Frill Back Dress

 

     

    

Asos Numph Hexagonal Dress

 

Planet Blue's Otis and Maclain Striped Dress

 

Marni Striped 30's Dress

 

Loeffler Randal Overlay Dress

 

A/Wear Garden Dress

 

 Try and find a moment every day that is a cause for celebration. I give you permission to have a From Me, To Me day today. Go get yourself a little something special.    

 

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