LupRocks Gossip

Grey Matters at Paris Couture Fashion Week

One of my favorite words of wisdom Coco Chanel left us with is “The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” These wise words seemed to resonate with all the designers who showed collections at Couture Fashion Week in Paris this week.  Amongst them, Karl Lagerfeld brought to life this wonderful idea, by bringing his wild thoughts to life in a collection that will be remembered forever. The collection plays on volume, stitching, draping, and structure to bring back to fashion what has been missing from the past few years - innovation.  Plus a palette of muted gray and black was a refreshing break from the neon invasion to be seen over this summer.     

(Images all Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel)

Accessories seen in Paris that you should keep an eye out for are thick multi strand solid color bead necklaces seen on the Dior runway, lucite heels seen on the Chanel runway, clutches of all shapes and sizes on the Armani Privé runway, and electric tights and wide chap-esque boots from Givenchy.

(From left to right: Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Armani Privé, Givenchy, John Galliano for Dior, John Galliano for Dior, and Givenchy. )

The color at the forefront of this past week is defiantly shades of grey. Besides Chanel as previously mentioned, Grey was also seen on the runways of Givenchy, Elie Sabb, Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Dior, and Armani Privé, and although other bits of pastels and hues of purple and navy popped in and out of the various collections grey and black outlined what is to be expected for Fall.

 (From left to right: Givenchy, Elie Sabb, and John Paul Gaultier)

Couture brings out all the stops. With extraordinary trims, clever draping and structuring, plays on volume, and of course plenty of hand-done extras, this was a couture showing true to form and absolutely exquisite.  See all the shows at Style.com!

 (From left to right: Christian Lacroix, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Valentino.)

All photos taken from Style.com .

 

 

 

Uggs paired with Tights: When uggs become ugly...

I am well aware that Santa is making his list, checking it twice and all, so I truly hope he forgives me for the naughty gossip and reprimanding I am about to unload. It must be said: If I have to see one more girl walking around the style filled streets of New York wearing Uggs paired with fancy tights or fishnets, I am going to turn Carrie on them. No not the fabulous Carrie Bradshaw, the scary possessed Carrie who will send you to the depths of hell where your outfit came from. Fancy tights that add flare to your favorite LBD are a great trend, and are fast becoming one of my favorite accessories. However, when you put on a cute dress, struggle into tights, and then stick that cute outfit into a pair of Uggs, and then show up in my elevator at work or on the streets of the Upper West, you ruin my perfectly good day as a hip New York gal with your devastatingly wrong fashion choices. I understand that Uggs keep your toesees snuggled when facing the bitter cold that has finally befallen us, but realize it does so at the expense of your sense of style – although I guess that was minimal to begin with.

Listen it is not like I am totally against the ugly Uggs. I own a pair, but they serve as a large pair of pj slippers, and are paired with the casual clothes that I wear to the laundry room. So, when you read blogs on the celebrity approval for Uggs (like this,"I'm Not Obsessed," which I found while surveying Google for people with my shared frustration), understand that these celebrities, like the featured Reese Witherspoon, run on a different set of rules. Not to mention the fact that no one in all of Hollywood’s glam has paired them with tights. Shame on you.

P.S. Santa – This is not actually naughty when you consider that I may be saving girls from fashion no-no’s. You can reward my kindness by sending the Marc Jacobs Daisy perfume down my chimney. Oh, who am I kidding…I am New Yorker – just leave it with doorman.

Razzle-Dazzle Gone Luxe

                                

            
                                           Chanel's cruise 2008 $261,000 Diamond Forever Handbag  (image via Forbes)

While every fashionista's wardrobe this winter has at least one sequin dress, or pair of shimmery tights, or shiny shoes to bring a bit of sparkle to the season, couture designers have gone above and beyond your every-day bedazzling with their new collections of opulent accessories for this holiday season.  Just this month, Chanel debuted the world's most expensive handbag lined with 334 diamonds and totaling in at a hefty price of $261,000!  In today's issue of WWD, Katya Foreman surveys a few stand out designers.  According to WWD, Kara Ross and Monica Rich Kosann, both LupRocks designers, are hot on the heels of this trend with their eye catching accessories. Speaking of heels, WWD also cites another LupRocks designer, Lazare Kaplan, and their collaboration with shoe and handbag designer Taryn Rose to produce a one-of-a-kind pair of shoes featuring a rose lined with ideal-cut Lazare Kaplan diamonds.   We knew that 'tis the season for tinsel and blinking lights, but we never thought that designers would take the trend of flashy eye catching add-ons so much to heart!

Ode to tights!

No more complaining about tights being itchy or uncomfortable!  Tights are your friend! These shape forming accessories cover up the stubble you were too lazy to shave now that your legs have been hiding in boots,  they  hold in your tummy after you've  gorged on all the candy you got trick or treating, and  they add color and texture to your outfit, all while keeping you warm.  The fact that tights were present on all the major runways this season will also appeal to your inner fashionista.

                        

Wear traditional pull up tights, open toe tights, knee high tights, or footless tights in any color(s) and textures to get the look this season!   My insider tip: Old Navy has the best basic tights ($6.50).  Also get great textured tights from Gap ($12.50), or Nine West (around $12).