J.Crew Biennial handbag (The American Princess)

J.Crew released their Biennial handbag and it looks like the American twin of the Modalu Pippa bag!

Pippa became a style icon overnight with her easy ladylike style and created a handbag craze by debuting the Modalu handbag (above) in several different colors. The handbag became so popular that Modalu renamed the bag "Pippa." Modalu also released new colors and the bag in different sizes.

But now, you can own a piece of the Pippa inspired bag in the Biennial by J.Crew.

From J.Crew:

We're head over heels for the perfect proportions of this luxe satchel. Crafted in supple pebbled leather, this sleek two-handle bag—a design team pick—has enough room for a mini laptop, your lipstick and even your little cashmere cardigan. It's just what we've always wanted: a can-do carryall with effortless elegance. Zip closure. Brass-finish hardware. Interior patch pocket. Cotton twill lining. Comes with dust bag. Import. 6" handle drop.

Compared to the more structured, briefcase-like feel of the Pippa, J.Crew's version is a bit more relaxed with "soft pebble leather." And, best of all? It fits a mini laptop (or iPad) -- a bag for work and play? Perfect.

At $348, I'm really pining for a bit of royalty in the red, especially when the Modalu has been sold out for months. What do you think?  Do you like the American version of the Pippa or is there no substitute for the real thing?

I Think I'll Have the Crepe Dress

It's after Labor Day! Pout: we're now at the official close of summer.  More importantly: it's our last chance to whip out our dresses before the chill sets in.

Gone are the sleeveless, spaghetti strapped dresses -- time for transitional pieces that can go summer-day-to chilly-fall-night. Something that's great for in the office and over a glass of red on a nippy evening? I'm a fan of crepe dress.

Crepe dresses are hopelessly classic and carry a hint of fashion. They strike the perfect chord. And, in jewel-tones?  Even better. Red for lipstick-inked champagne glass night-out with Clark Gables. Sapphire blue for the modern day woman. Army green with a leather jacket and ankle boots? For a round of tapas with your favorite girls of course!


Selma Blair and Gwyneth Paltrow were both seen at the Venice Film Festival sporting crepe dresses and I just can't get enough!  The easy and versatile summer-to-fall silhouette in orange-and-green-oh my! helps end the summer on a high note. I especially love the sleeves and  fresh orange hue on Gwyneth.

Gwyneth Paltrow arriving in Prada

Oscars 2011

fI love the Oscars! I remember I used to stay up late (East Coast time) just to watch the Oscars in my parents' room. Since my parents didn't encourage TV-watching, we didn't have cable. In order to catch even a runny static still of the Hollywood stars, I would stand a foot away from the TV while holding up the antenna throughout the entire three-plus-hours of programming.

I have cable now. I can sit on my couch, hands-free, and even magically rewind, pause and fast-forward my TV programming. I suppose that's a happy ending -though I still believe no-TV-watching was the best childhood experience my parents ever gave me- but, back to the Oscars.

Was anyone else slightly let-down by the Oscars last night?  Result wise, I was extremely excited Natalie Portman and Colin Firth won. It would have been a huge upset if they hadn't!  I was also very happy Social Network didn't steal the night (sorry, J). After all, the Oscars has -for a few years now- inspired great upset by awarding the golden statue to underdogs, newcomers and outliers alike. This year, although the hosts were "young and hip", the show was... well, to be expected.

Fashion wise, it was also to be expected. Yawn.

Top Three Fashionistas

Anne Hathaway looked amazing in all of her changes.  She also looked like she was trying so much harder as hostess than teleprompter-reading James Franco (I still heart you James-from-Palo-Alto). But, if I had to choose, my favorite of her eight amazing dresses was the Givenchy dress she wore during the opening:

Second place is Cate Blanchett. I've been a huge fan of Cate ever since she lost the Oscar for Best Actress to Gywneth Paltrow in 1998 (huge upset, I tell ya). Fast-forward twelve years, Cate's still fierce (and Givenchy for the win!). The flow of her dress is ethereal and the splash of yellow beading on the shoulder criss-crossing at the back gives it a modern twist and makes the dress truly one-of-a-kind. Fashion wise, this would be number one, but personally, I'm making this my number two because I'm easily woo'ed by sparkles. 

Third place was challenging to place because no one really stood out. I mean, how does Anne put on eight stunning dresses and others fail to impress in even one? Does anyone else feel this way or am I just spoiled by the Lady Gaga's and Katy Perry's of today (I guess they wear "costumes" by definition)?

Hilary Swank and Halle Berry almost clinched third until I decided both silhouettes (dramatic mermaid trains) were "last year."  Mila Kunis was adorable in lavender, but I get so nervous about her having a wardrobe malfunction, I can't bear to post photos. So, finally, I decided to award my personal third place to Sandra Bullock. She gave an altogether different look than what she usually gives us; and, her look channeled the classiness to convey "hey, I'm A-list" and "Best actress coming through!"  You go, Sandy!

You didn't ask, but cutest couple of the night?  Javier and Penelope. 
This is their first public appearance together and she's still sporting the new-mommy glow! 

(Second place: Selena and Justin being uber cute at the Vanity Fair party)

What did you think of the Oscars? Who is your fashion pick for first, second and third?

Britney Spears Auctions Dress

Britney Spears is auctioning off the gorgeous dress she wore for her Radiance fragrance campaign to help raise funds for the Matthew Van Daff Special Needs Trust. Britney is a friend of the Van Daff family who set up the charity to help raise money for little Mattrew's treatment. Mattrew suffers from a brain injury after he was starved of oxygen during the last days of being in utero. 

Matthew is a two year old boy born with a brain injury. Due to a lack of oxygen incident during the last days of pregnancy, labor or delivery, he suffered severe brain damage. ... Because of this brain damage, Matthew has been diagnosed with Quadriplegic Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Lung Disease, and seizures.

Britney's Facebook page announced the news today, "Such a great cause. Brit donated her dress from the Radiance ad to our friend David, who started a trust for his son with a brain injury. He put the dress up for auction & all proceeds will go to his son's cause."  The dress is currently bidding at $7,300 dollars. 

Interested in bidding for the dress?

Louis Vuitton Jewelry Lookbook

Louis Vuitton took the road less traveled and chose to photograph sixteen up-and-coming starlets for their 2011 jewelry lookbook. The list includes Nathalie Love (American actress), Charlotte Lebon (French presenter), and Rinko Kikuchi (Japanese actress), and more faces to watch for. 

Personally, this campaign falls a little flat for me since I don't know any of these personalities. They very well could have been professional models. But, it's interesting to see LV develop a more niched/cult-following type of branding. I wouldn't go as far as saying they're innovative, but it feels like they're trying to move away from being the "mass-market" brand they currently are. What do you think of this campaign?

Natalie Portman is Dior Cherie

Unlike other celebrities, Natalie Portman rarely agrees to endorse a designer or product. When Natalie agreed to be the new face of the Miss Dior Cherie campaign, all eyes were on what her final ad would look like.  And, here it is!  She looks gorgeous (and topless) with loose flowing hair and an adorable bow to match the bottle.  What do you think about Natalie's big debut?

Romantic Selena

Selena Gomez wore a romantic blush Paule Ka dress with Giuseppe Zanotti heels to the People's Choice Award this week. Her blush and nude ensemble showed off a gorgeous tan fresh from her getaway with her sweetheart, Justin Bieber.  She looked absolutely stunning, but most of all, I want her shoes with the white platforms!

Everyday options for Nude Peep-Toes:

AMA Best Dressed

The AMA was this weekend and we were excited to see the fashion range the music scene would bring.  Music awards tend to have a more casual air and musicians, in contrast to actors, tend to get more personal and daring with their gown choices.

The AMA this year was all about texture: lace, glitter, chiffon, feathers and a gilded ribcage (Nicki Minaj).  My two favorites were Fergie's royal blue mini and Miley Cyrus' Marchesa gown!

Fergie in her structured royal blue mini. 
I love the strong shoulder cuffs, the sequined bodice and the gorgeous feathered edges.  She looks stunning in this hue and the best part of this dress is that it works on most body types, whether you're curvy or petite (add pumps!).

Miley's Marchesa gown also took my breath away. 
Miley always manages something iridescently feminine on the red carpet - an impressive contrast from her everyday tomboy style. This mini is no different. The body conscious wrapped mini is an angelic white with light pink florals. And, wow, the back has a kimono styled bow with a dramatic train. Her sparkly Louboutins are perfection!

Who was best dressed?

Blake: Fashion's New IT Girl

In addition to all the to-die-for outfits Blake Lively sports on the show Gossip Girl, she is completely raising the bar for her in-person appearances. Here's Blake's spin on a traditional white top / black bottoms outfit: high-waisted satin tapered trousers (impossible to pull off -or keep ironed- without mile-long legs), mod looking summer sandals and a structured top that... well, even the gentlemen would appreciate.

Credit: Albert L. Ortega/PictureGroup

image / people.com

 

What do you think of Blake's look?

Jessica Alba Lookin' Fab in Paris

Jessica Alba is looking gorgeous in Paris.

Yesterday, she wore a floral Christian Dior dress for Dior's haute couture show.

 

 /image instyle.com

Today, she stuns in heavenly white for the Chanel haute couture show.

    

/img people.com

Lady in Red: Megan Fox

My favorite collection this year has been the Armani Prive collection (see collection here and celebrities in the collection here).  So naturally, when Megan Fox showed up to the premiere of Jonah Hex in a custom Armani Prive dress, I was beyond estatic.  The dress is short (score!) and red hot (literally!) -- an all out WIN in my book.

What was not so much a win, however, was her hair.  You know when you first learn how to curl your hair at home?  You forget to give your ends the one last wrap around or a final curl?  You end up with a bad DIY job.

Oh, when bad hair happens to good people... or in this case, happens again to good people.  

1.  Here's Megan Fox at the premiere of Jonah Hex in the hot little Armani number.

image/ people.com

2.  Here's Megan last year at the MTV music awards. 
No comment.

image/ meganfoxnews.com

What did you think of Megan's couture look?

Bieber Fever

Justin Bieber's new video premiered today and my. my. my: Bieber. Fever.

Justin can mooooove.  In fact, I've been so inspired that I've decided to make like Justin and be light on my feet always.  From this day on, I'm going to walk with a spring in my step, and skip and hop every other step.  I'm also going to start doing the bang swipe with my entire head.  This kid is COOL.

Oh, Usher, Beat Freaks and other crews also make an appearance.

Lastly, I think Justin should play the werewolf brother to Taylor Launter in Twilight.  They kind of look alike, don't they?

Do you think the tween idols should unit?

Naomi Watts in Roland Mouret

Naomi Watts looked stunning in Roland Mouret at the Tony Awards this past week.  

I am in love with the simplicity and the structure of the dress.  The strong shoulders add interest to an otherwise "boring" dress and the trumpet silhouette is to die for.  I love how her black belt and clutch lend a hint of nostalgia. 

Did you love Naomi's look?