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Meet you there?

Alexander McQueen FW08 Union Jack Booties

She told me to walk this way…

Letters from the Avant-Garden

It seems a few designers took a page from this book when it came to inspiration, this season.

Prabal Gurung FW11 Red Black and White Dress on Exshoesme.com

Prabal Gurung's avant-garden dress was one of my faves this season.

Prabal Gurung FW11 Red Black and White Dress Detail on Exshoesme.com

Loved the graphic print and the ribbon of red.

Kallol Dutta FW11 Black and White Geometry Print Dress on Exshoesme.com

I am really loving the angles of Kallol Dutta's perspective lately, too.

Antonio Berardi FW11 Graphic Black and White Dress on Exshoesme.com

Berardi is no stranger to bold - and impeccable tailoring.

Urvashi Kaur FW11 Black and White Tunic on Exshoesme.com

Urvashi Kaur had soft asymmetry all tied up.

Images: Vogue.com, Elle.com and WLIFW.

Piping In

Oh look, there is someone else piping in on the piped trench I love so much.

So lovely in midnight blue, too.

Burberry FW11 Blue Piped Trench Coat Detail on Exshoesme.com

Burberry's take on the crisp trench: belted, piped, trimmed...sold.

Image courtesy of Burberry.

A Cuff’s Enough

It doesn’t take a grand ball gown to impress me.

Life is all about the perfect little moments – in between the fancy parties.

It’s about the enjoyment of the daily pleasures – like the length of the perfect cuff.

Sometimes, my dears, that’s simply enough.

Paul Smith FW11 Cuff Detail on Exshoesme.com.

Paul Smith knows not to mess with knuckle-length shirt cuffs.

Image: Elle.com.

Métiers de Mumbai?

The House of Chanel releases a Métiers d’Art collection annually to highlight the fine work of the seven Paris couture ateliers which Chanel owns. And each year, Uncle Karl gives us a dream – whether it’s the perfect marriage of Paris and London, a journey through time to the Byzantine age, or an ode To Russia, With Love.

For me, these Métiers d’Art collections from Chanel often resonate the most. These are the ones that remain in my visual memory.

Well now, my darling Uncle has decided to take a trip to my Motherland. The Paris-Bombay collection, to be shown on December 6th at the Grand Palais in Paris, will be an ode to Mumbai.

Given Chanel’s rich history in couture craft and India’s equally embellished passion for ornamenting the ordinary, I cannot wait to see the collection.

After all, Karl is the West’s answer to the mac daddy Maharaja, is he not?

Karl Lagerfeld, Modern Maharaja on Exshoesme.com

The modern maharaja of mode?

Sir Bhupindra Singh, Maharaja of Patiala on Exshoesme.com

The mac daddy Maharaja, Sir Bhupinder Singh of Patiala.

Images: Karl from Getty Images; Bhupinder Singh image courtesy of AGO.

Japanese Blossoms

Edita Vilkeviciute, photographed by Sølve Sundsbø for the November issue of Vogue Nippon’s beauty supplement.

A study in beauty, indeed.

Edita Vilkeviciute  photographed by Solve Sundsbo for Vogue Japan Beauty November 2011 on Exshoesme.com

Edita Vilkeviciute  photographed by Solve Sundsbo for Vogue Japan Beauty November 2011 4 on Exshoesme.com

Edita Vilkeviciute  photographed by Solve Sundsbo for Vogue Japan Beauty November 2011 3 on Exshoesme.com

Edita Vilkeviciute  photographed by Solve Sundsbo for Vogue Japan Beauty November 2011 2 on Exshoesme.com

Edita Vilkeviciute  photographed by Solve Sundsbo for Vogue Japan Beauty November 2011 5 on Exshoesme.com

Edita Vilkeviciute  photographed by Solve Sundsbo for Vogue Japan Beauty November 2011 8 on Exshoesme.com

Edita Vilkeviciute  photographed by Solve Sundsbo for Vogue Japan Beauty November 2011 7 on Exshoesme.com

Edita Vilkeviciute  photographed by Solve Sundsbo for Vogue Japan Beauty November 2011 6 on Exshoesme.com

Images: TFS.  

Fashion Set Fêtes Filmmaker

Pedro Almodóvar loves strong women.

Rosie De Palma at Almodovar Benefit at MoMA on Exshoesme.com

Woman on the verge, Rosie de Palma, looking beautiful amongst the blooms.

Well, many a fashion femme fatale showed up at the MoMA last night to fête the famous filmmaker at the Museum’s fourth annual Film Benefit – A Tribute to Pedro Almodóvar.

Wendi Murdoch and Tamara Mellon at Almodovar Benefit at MoMA on Exshoesme.com

Wendi Murdoch, with Tamara Mellon who looks deep in thought - about her rumoured lifestyle brand launch, no doubt.

Grace Coddington at Almodovar Benefit at MoMA on Exshoesme.com

Grace, aglow in red.

Diane von Furstenberg at Almodovar Benefit at MoMA on Exshoesme.com

Ms. von Furstenberg.

John Waters at Almodovar Benefit at MoMA on Exshoesme.com

The perfect backdrop for colourful, John Waters.

Karl Lagerfeld and Pedro Almodovar at Almodovar Benefit at MoMA on Exshoesme.com

Uncle Karl and Uncle Pedro - two uncles every woman needs.

I am not a party girl, but this is one I wouldn’t have minded being an extra in, if only to be photographed in a glorious dress against a backdrop of roses.

Joan Smalls in Tom Ford at Almodovar Benefit at MoMA on Exshoesme.com

No small entrance - model Joan Smalls in a drop-dead-in-front-of-red, Tom Ford dress.

The scent of those blooms must have lingered, like the scenes from his films in one’s memory…

Rachel Roy at Almodovar Benefit at MoMA on Exshoesme.com

Rachel Roy looking chic. I am still craving the burgundy version of these Celine shoes.

Images: Grace, DVF, Karl/Pedro photos from Vogue.com. All others by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images.

Fresh Funds and Faces

The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund fête was held in New York last night.

It made me smile to hear that Joseph Altuzarra won this year’s Fund, taking home $300,000 USD.

I met Joseph briefly at the FIT Symposium in New York a couple of weeks ago, where he spoke about both the creative and the business sides being equally important for him.

“It’s very difficult for me to design in a vacuum. I need to know how the company is doing,” he said.

Well Joseph, the company is doing a little better now – thanks to the influx of winning bucks. Couldn’t happen to a sweeter guy – I was so, so impressed by his talent – and by his humility.

Runners-up included jewellery designer Pamela Love and the design duo of Gabier and Peters, who will collect $100,000 USD each.

Anna Wintour with Joseph Altuzarra and Pamela Love - CFDA Fund Winners on Exshoesme.com

Anna Wintour with Joseph Altuzarra and Pamela Love.

Joseph Altuzarra, Pamela Love, Shane Gabier and Christopher Peters - CFDA Fund Winners on Exshoesme.com

All the proud CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winners - Joseph Altuzarra, Pamela Love, Shane Gabier and Christopher Peters.

Images: Vogue.com

Déjà Vu: Ophelia

Shakespeare’s Ophelia:

O, what a noble mind is here o’erthrown!

The courtier’s, scholar’s, soldier’s, eye, tongue, sword,

Th’ expectancy and rose of the fair state,

The glass of fashion and the mould of form,

Th’ observ’d of all observers- quite, quite down!

And I, of ladies most deject and wretched,

That suck’d the honey of his music vows,

Now see that noble and most sovereign reason,

Like sweet bells jangled, out of tune and harsh;

That unmatch’d form and feature of blown youth

Blasted with ecstasy. O, woe is me

T’ have seen what I have seen, see what I see!

-Hamlet, Act III, Scene I

Waterhouse’s Ophelia:

Ophelia by John William Waterhouse, 1889 on Exshoesme.com

Ophelia by John William Waterhouse, 1889.

Vogue’s Ophelia:

Rooney Mara in Vogue, November 2011 on Exshoesme.com

Rooney Mara in Vogue, November 2011, photographed by Mert and Marcus.

Ophelia, through the brush of Sir John Everett Millais:

Ophelia by Sir John Everett Millais on Exshoesme.com

I must go and look at this 1852 version of Ophelia by Sir John Everett Millais at the Tate Britain, on each London visit.

Ophelia, through the lens of Mert and Marcus:

Rooney Mara in Vogue 2, November 2011 on Exshoesme.com

Mert and Marcus take Mara on a Pre-Raphaelite journey.

Inspiration never fades…

Image sources: Wikipedia, Vogue.com.

Mellon Moves On

Tamara Mellon, the founder and chief creative force of famed footwear brand, Jimmy Choo, seems to have kicked her habit for the label, post Labelux.

WWD reported today that Mellon and CEO, Joshua Schulman have both resigned from the company, but Schulman tells the trade publication, the two departures are unrelated.

Schulman will remain on the board until early next year to help with the transition, but neither exec will retain any shares of the company, acquired by Labelux Group in May for over $800 million USD.

Let’s see what step Mellon takes next.

And more importantly, what shoes she’ll be wearing while doing so…

Tamara Mellon in her NYC apartment on Exshoesme.com

She'll surely have lots of options to Choos from. Mellon, well-heeled, in her NYC apartment.

With files from WWD and Bloomberg. Image: popcrunch.com.

No Reason or Rhyme

Sometimes, it’s Paris – and sometimes, it’s Harris that you want.

Many a mood can be tailored by mode.

Harris Tweed Jacket Red Label by Vivienne Westwood on Exshoesme.com

Auntie Viv's Harris Tweed will smarten you up, Scottish style.

Image: Liberty.

Lest We Forget

The best accessory you can wear today…is remembrance…and gratitude.

Lest We Forget on Exshoesme.com

Photo by striatic.

Apply Two Coats

I’m having trouble deciding which Theyskens’ Theory cover up I like better.

Theyskens Theory FW11 Flat Lapel Coat on Exshoesme.com

The flat lapel makes this manteau so manageable.

Theyskens Theory FW11 Tiered Coat on Exshoesme.com

Love this one, aussi, for those days with no wind.

Best to apply two coats, in this case.

Images: Vogue.com.

RAmpal.One

You know, it’s true what your mother told you…

It’s not the clothes, but what’s underneath that counts.

My dears, I give you Mr. Rampal - in character for Ra.One – the Bolly sci-fi action/adventure flick in theatres now.

Arjun Rampal strikes a pose in Ra.One on Exshoesme.com

Mamma mia. One for the scrapbook, ya?

Arjun Rampal in Ra.One on Exshoesme

I'm gonna walk down to Electric Avenue...

Arjun Rampal in character in Ra.One on Exshoesme.com

Clothes do not make the man, after all.

WhileRampal has always been buff (he’s a former model), this is a whole new level of lean and mean. The buzz cut also has social media circles a-buzz.

Images courtesy of the man himself, @rampalarjun.

Boys and Girls on Film

The boys are back.

The original scene stealers and directors of fashion films in the form of music videos are in top form, after more than 30 years. Duran Duran have given us a piece of visual culture as only they can deliver, in a shiny, oozing new vid for Girl Panic, featuring not models of the moment, but models whose collective momentum changed the face of fashion.

In other words, the girls are back.

Helena, Cindy, Eva, Naomi and Yaz are the girls on film in this classic rock star meets runway romp. The ladies each play a member of the band, with the Durans making cameos, along with Dolce and Gabbana, a chauffeur and a few other notable characters.

Is it cheeky?

Is it tongue-in-chic?

Is it dripping with double D-dom?

Why yes, darlings, it is.

It is a Duran Duran video after all.

 

In true media form, the December issue of UK Harper’s Bazaar has an editorial to accompany the video’s release, with a Super cover. The video was directed and the editorial, photographed by Jonas Akerlund.

Girl Panic Superstars on Harper's Bazaar UK by Jonas Akerlund Dec 2011 on Exshoesme

The ladies, in Dolce & Gabbana corsets.

Cindy Crawford as John Taylor in Duran Duran's Girl Panic in UK Harper's Bazaar December 2011 by Jonas Akerlund

Cindy as JT. She's got that look Down!

Eva Herzigova as Nick Rhodes in Duran Duran's Girl Panic in UK Harper's Bazaar December 2011 by Jonas Akerlund

Eva as Nick. It's all about the shoulders, 'innit?

Naomi as Simon Le Bon in UK Harper's Bazaar December 2011 by Jonas Akerlund on Exshoesme

Naomi as Simon - hams, both.

Helena Christensen as Roger Taylor in Duran Duran's Girl Panic in UK Harper's Bazaar December 2011 by Jonas Akerlund

Helena as Rog - hard to define which one of them is cooler.

Yasmin Le Bon as Guitarist in Duran Duran's Girl Panic in UK Harper's Bazaar December 2011 by Jonas Akerlund

Mrs. Le Bon as the band's rotating guitarist. Loved the attitude.

Supermodel Singers in Duran Duran's Girl Panic in UK Harper's Bazaar December 2011 by Jonas Akerlund

These ladies make the 40s look insanely good.

Duran Duran in Girl Panic on Exshoesme

These boys make anything look good, really.

Editorial images: TFS; Duran image courtesy of DuranDuran.com.

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