1 Perfect Shirt: 3 Perfect Ways

Proenza Schouler PS1, The Row Linda Farrow square sunglasses, T by Alexander Wang stretch long tank slip, Alexander Wang Freja bootie, Dries Van Noten Lora leopard print silk back gilet

Thakoon silk emroidered striped tee, Alexander Wang Diego studded bucket bag, Current/Elliott 1957 boyfriend jean, T by Alexander Wang fringed wool-blend scarf, Celine velvet sandal clogs

Celine calfskin leopard print box bag, Thakoon crepe jersey wrap pants, Bassike organic cotton t-shirt, Oliver Peoples limited edition Balmain sunglasses, Gara Danielle etched snake ring

If someone told me I could only wear one shirt for the rest of my life, this would be it. This military shirt by Current/Elliott isn't called the Perfect Shirt for nothing. A shirt is probably the staple item in layering for in-between seasons. Team with a fur gilet and a woollen scarf and you're all set for a chilly autumn. Pair it with sandal-clogs and distressed boyfriend jeans and you've got yourself a go-to outfit for when the weather warms up. Now, to work on all the other items on my wishlist...namely that Celine box bag. And the PS1.Ok, let's just say I'll have it all and call it a day.

 

More-bidly obsessed with: Heeled Booties

Ever since I laid my eyes on THOSE Chloé boots from Fall 2009, I haven't been able to get enough of these babies. You know the ones I'm talking about; gorgeous tan seude with supple leather trimmings and cream laces. Just in case you don't (gasp) here's Sigrid Agren opening for Chloé for the Fall 2009 show where Hannah MacGibbon received (and rightly so) all that praise for.

 This is one of my favourite favourite favourite collections in a long time (yes, those booties helped), with all those belted high-waisted pants that were so effortlessly tailored, soft collared silk and cotton shirts and that leather-trimmed cape that has been the basis of many a chain store design since.

Anyway, back to the dust-kickers. I was browsing through Style.com's Fall 2010 Accessory Report (compiled by the ever-so-lucky Candy Pratt), and I came across this gorgeous pair of Thakoon suede metallic wedge booties (yes, that is their real name). These things are amazing. Double points for the wedge. And the metallic. Actually, there wasn't a single pair of boots in the entire Thakoon collection I didn't like. Too bad I can't have any...

Another mentionable pair from the Accessory Report were Burberry's leather bootie with shearling trim. They were like a footwear version of the lined Sherpa bomber jacket. Nice.

All of the shoes I bought while overseas recently were wedge booties. My favourites are a black seude pair that sit tight just below the ankle, and a tan leather pair that lace up just past the ankle (both from Zara of course).

The more I look at pictures of the latest offerings of these boots, the more I want them...all! While I was in the fashion cupboard of Harper's Bazaar last week (more on this later) I have found two pairs I pretty much haven't stopped thinking about since. One is a really cool pair of lace up open-toed Acne wedges, which are actually a great idea if you cannot wait til winter (like me) to wear your booties. The others aren't reeeally a boot (as the name "mule" suggests), but who's going to pick me up on it? I've loved these Alexander Wang Allah leopard print wedge mules from Spring 2010 for aaages, but it wasn't until I saw them on one of the fashion assistants I really got jealous. Actually, another really great collection for boots. And clothes. And hair. Loose, side-swept plaits anyone? Let's just say it was a really great collection and be done with it shall we? Oh, and if anyone with lots and lots of money is reading this wondering what sort of present they can get me for being such a cool and nice person? Anything by Guiseppe Zanotti for Balmain wouldn't go astray, thanks.

Acne Pose lace-up wedges

Alexander Wang Alla leopard print wedge mules

Photos: Style.com and Acne

CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund

2009 winner of CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, Sophie Théallet, with Lanvin's Alber Elbaz

Anna Wintour and CFDA's Steven Kolb

Nicole Kidman in Lanvin with Alber Elbaz

Previous finalist Jason Wu, with Alexa Chung, wearing one of his designs

Supermodel Chanel Iman in Thakoon, with the designer, former finalist Thakoon Panichgul


Queen of Spades, I mean Vogue, Anna Wintour’s mentorship and assistance coupling with the Council of Fashion Designers of America, aptly named the CFDA/ Vogue Fashion Fund, held their annual Awards Dinner a few weeks ago, announcing this year’s winner. The aim of the fund, according to their website, is to “provide financial awards and business mentoring to emerging fashion designers.” It’s not the only fashion initiative supported by Wintour, who also hosted the inaugural Fashion’s Night Out in New York in September. This was the sixth time round for the Fund however, with Wintour acknowledging the importance of the City of New York to fashion: “New York is the place to come for young designers to show what they’re capable of.”

Our very own Nicole Kidman introduced the keynote speaker, “the visionary, incomparable Alber Elbaz” wearing Lanvin, of course. Up-and-coming French designer (who will be more up than coming after this nod) Sophie Théallet was this year’s winner, and was awarded US$200,000 to assist her in establishing her designs in New York. Théallet favours dresses; her aesthetic is simple, and with an amazing eye for detail, the French native designs clothes women want to wear (no wonder she is a Lanvin fan). “I try to make beautiful and functional clothes that a woman can work and travel in.” Previous winners of the fund have all gone on to become huge success stories: Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez with their label Proenza Schouler, Doo-Ri Chung and her doo.ri and my favourite, the (almost child) prodigy that is Alexander Wang.

Showing us why she is reigning monarch of fashion, Queen Anna proves why anything and anyone with her kiss of approval is going to make it, and make it big. In the aptly named documentary of the making of the September 2007 issue of Vogue (the biggest in the magazine’s history,) we saw a glimpse of designer Thakoon Panichgul, who was named a finalist in 2006. Thakoon’s status skyrocketed last year when Michelle Obama wore one of his trademark printed dresses as her husband accepted his presidential nomination. Fellow finalist, Jason Wu, is also a favourite (as is Théallet) of the First Lady- Wu was responsible for that white Inauguration gown. Other now well-known finalists include the Mulleavy sisters, responsible for the amazing Rodarte, Phillip Lim, red carpet favourites Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig (Marchesa), and David Neville and Marcus Wainwright with their label Rag & Bone. Watch this space for things to come from Théallet - if she’s anything like her predecessors, her name won’t be anonymous for much longer.

photos: Style.com & Vogue