Every time the Fall shows come around, I’m always intrigued by Derek Lam’s ability to take so many types of stiff, chunky, winter fabrics and create feminine, sexy looks that are still winter-worthy. Lam’s latest collection shows a marriage between two very different worlds – the strong, mannish American West and the stylish, urban metropolis.  The fringe, Navajo prints, cowboy belts and hats complimented the soft georgettes and knits that came down the runway.  The show was also outerwear galore with options showcasing embroidery, fur and fringe in contemporary silhouettes – perfect for welcoming a ’70s cowgirl to our current 2010.

To view entire collection, click here.

Image Source: Style.com

My mum used to carry purses on her shoulder just like this…

I remember being six years old and wishing I was older simply so I could use a purse.  Instead, I would just steal from my mum’s closet and run around my home with a purse so long that it almost reached my ankle! Naturally, you can imagine my excitement about this trend.  We saw long strap shoulder bags make an appearance on the Spring/Summer 2010 runways…

Derek Lam, Spring 2010; Marc Jacobs, Spring 2010; DKNY, Spring 2010

This new shoulder bag is perfect for everyday use, night or day.  Pair it with a fun dress or with tightly fitted jeans…

Lauren Conrad; Zoe Salana; Alexa Chung

There are so many options out there at a wide range of prices, colours, styles and material…and these are only my picks!

Studded Shoulder Purse, Forever 21, $14.80

Totally Turnlock Sasha Messenger Bag; Marc by Marc Jacobs, $458

Material Girl Crossbody Bag; RACHEL Rachel Roy, $79.00

Rocker Bag; Rebecca Minkoff, $330

Goa Saddle Bag; Banana Republic, $150.00

Leather Woven Cross Body Bag; Topshop, $55

Image Source: Asos.com, BananaRepublic.com, FashionUnder100.net, Forever21.com, Macys.com, Shopbop.com, Style.com, TinyPic.com, TopShop.com

Anyone who knows me well recognizes my dislike for anything nature-like.  Give me a plant and I’ll toss it; invite me to go hiking and I’ll run the other way.  I’m more of an urban girl…but show me a garden with an H&M stamp on it and I’m all eyes and ears!

Due to come out this Spring (towards the end of March I hear), H&M has created a sustainable and organic collection made with recycled materials such as PET-bottles and textile waste that is full of ’70s inspired coolness, ruffles and flowers.  Dubbed the “Garden Collection”, the pieces are bright, feminine, romantic, playful yet sophisticated…perfect for Spring! The best part – the prices match our current economically down days…with the highest price at $60!

Here are some pieces from the collection.  Pretty clothes at a good price and it’s good for the world! What more can a girl ask for?

$17.95

$29.95

$17.95

$19.95

$24.95

$39.95

$49.95

$4.95

Image Source: HMTheGardenCollection.com

Last night’s Golden Globes kept me on my toes! So long boring red carpet – hello risky, fun fashion! I loved all the fashion that showed up on the red carpet – from the variety in dress shapes to the different hues and shades to the dazzling, exquisite jewellery.  The glamour radar was sky high even with all that nasty rain.

One of the biggest trends seen last night was ruffles.  We saw some edgy, roughly cut ruffles…

Zoe Saldana in Louis Vuitton; Jennifer Morrison in Luis Antonia

As well as some soft, cascading ruffles.

Anna Kendrick in Marchesa; Chloe Sevigny in Valentino; Christina Hendricks in Christian Siriano

The bling was on on the red carpet.  Celebrities showed their glamour with beading, jewels, sequins and stones.

Toni Collette in Elie Saab; Olivia Wilde in Gucci; Heather Graham in Elie Saab; Jennifer Garner in Versace

Some created a flattering shape with a jewel-clinched waist.

Courtney Cox in Victoria Beckham; Fergie in Elie Saab; Julie Bowen in Georges Hobeika

Coinciding with a major trend we are seeing in fashion, designers dressed stars in sharp shoulders.

Mariah Carey in Herve Leger by Max Azria; Anna Paquin in Stella McCartney; Cameron Diaz in Alexander McQueen

Lace-details peeked their way into dresses.

Marion Cotillard in Christian Dior; Carey Mulligan in Nina Ricci; Penelope Cruz in Armani Prive

Stars in hues of purple looked royal on the red carpet.

Sandra Bullock in Bottega Veneta; Rose Byrne in Lanvin; Jane Krakowski in J. Mendel; Leona Lewis in Roberto Cavalli

All the blush tones were far from boring.

Nicole Kidman in Nina Ricci; Emily Blunt in Dolce & Gabbana; Elisabetta Canalis in Roberto Cavalli

Maybe it was the rain, but some daring ones chose to keep it short.

Kristen Bell in Jasmine di Milo; Julia Roberts in YSL; Amy Adams in Carolina Herrera; Ginnifer Goodwin in Vionnet

The one-shoulder never fails to deliver an elegant look.

Drew Barrymore in Atelier Versace; Amy Poehler in Jay Godfrey; Jennifer Aniston in Valentino; Maria Menounos in Romona Keveza

One of my favourite trends was the sculptural look that some stars rocked.  Some showed rigidity with their architectural dresses….

Christina Aguilera in Versace; Kate Hudson in Marchesa Bridal

While others took a softer turn with their dresses looking almost like origami.

Sofia Vergara in Carolina Herrera; Maggie Gyllenhaal in RM Roland Mouret

Finally, there are always the few mega risk takers that truly stood out in the crowd.

Tina Fey in Zac Posen

Jayma Mays in Badgley Mischka Couture

And of course, one of my favourite dresses of the night…

Diane Kruger in Christian Lacroix Haute Couture

Image Source: JustJared.com, NeonLimelight.com, Style.com, UsMagazone.com

One thing I like about a new season is all the new ad campaigns.  Maybe I’m being over-critical but I’m a bit disappointed by the Spring/Summer 2010 ad campaigns that I’ve seen in the latest issues of various fashion magazines.  When I see a fashion ad, I want to see the designer’s vision, what the brand is all about, the colour palette for the season, the products and much much more.  At least show me some of those elements – what I hate most is seeing yet another lady with a bag! I love ads that are funky, fun and creative.  Here are some of them from the upcoming season…

Salvatore Ferragamo Spring/Summer 2010 with Claudia Schiffer

GF Ferre Spring/Summer 2010

Balenciaga Spring/Sumer 2010 with Iselin Steiro and Mirte Maas by Steven Meisel

Bvlgari Spring/Summer 2010 with Julianne Moore by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott

Valentino Spring/Summer 2010 with Dree Hemingway by Mert & Marcus

Tom Ford Spring/Summer 2010 with Nicholas Holt and Carolyn Murph

Marc Jacobs Spring/Summer 2010 with Jamie Bochert by Juergen Teller

Hermes Spring/Summer 2010 with Karlie Kloss

Image Source: Fashionising.com

Season 3 of Gossip Girl started off a little rocky.  With all the characters off in college, I felt the concept of the show becoming a bit blurry and the OMG factor just wasn’t there anymore.  But before the holidays, the season just got good for me…and now, we’re being kept on our toes till March!

One of my top reasons for still keeping up with all the drama on the Upper East Side is Serena van der Woodsen’s style.  Having put off Brown for one year, Serena is spending her time “finding” herself and trying out a new career in public relations.  Her wardrobe this season says exactly that.

Case in point:

Tight fitting clothes and longer hemlines with a dash of accessories

Serena’s unique look, which is probably the reason why we all fell in love with her in the first place, still consumes her character but it’s just gone up a notch.  Gone are the days when she paraded down the streets of New York in cute vintage dresses and over the top uniforms.  Now we see her in more sophisticated Upper East Side attire, ready to take the corporate world head on.

Here are some of my favourite Serena looks of the season.

If you’re interested in rocking any of the Gossip Girl characters’ looks, check out Gossip Girl Fashion.

Image Sources: CWtv.com, GossipGirlFashion.net, GossipGirlInsider.com

This morning I realized I have an amazing collection of bags in my closet.  Problem is, I get too lazy when it comes to switching back and forth between them, not to mention the time involved.  As I was flipping through InStyle, I noticed the JoAnn Huth Transfer Bag.  It comes in a variety of prints and colours.

Ah, I think I’ve found my solution.

To view the entire collection, click here.

Image Source: JoAnnHuth.com

Celebrating Nars’ 15th anniversary, make up guru Francois Nars launched 15 x 15, a book that is fit for the coffee table featuring 15 artsy portraits of his fashion buddies.  Tanya Ballou, Naomi Campbell, Daphne Guinness, Carla Gugino, Dayle Haddon, Shalom Harlow, Marc Jacobs, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Amanda Lepore, Natasha Poly, Isabella Rossellini, Lisa Marie Smith, Olivier Theyskens, Amber Valletta and François Vincentelli are all featured using star products from the brand.  All proceeds from the project are donated to 15 of the icons’ desired charities.

The looks, created by Nars himself, truly show how you can play with make up!

Marc Jacobs as China Machado wearing Dovima Nail Polish

Natasha Poly in Punk Rock wearing Rated R Duo Eyeshadow

Daphne Guinness in Modern Edwardian wearing Night Breed Single Eyeshadow

To view all portraits or to purchase the book, click here.

Image Sources: 15×15Project.com, NarsCosmetics.com

These hand-embroidered Disney character cushion and duvet covers by Manish Arora.

Image Source: Joyce Holiday 2009 Catalogue

If you’re looking for a way into a girl’s heart, look literally.  The modern and classic pendants from Tiffany’s Keys collection do exactly that.  The keys are paired with chains and cords of varying lengths and materials.   A great item to add to your holiday gift list!

To shop the collection, click here.

Image Source: Tiffany.com