Paris Fall '09 Fashion Week

Fashion Week around the globe moves on to Paris, where effortless chic runs in basically everyone's family. Indeed, Parisian chic was on the mind of some of the biggest designers, namely John Galliano for Christian Dior, Alber Elbaz for Lanvin, Nicolas Ghesquiere for Balenciaga, and Olivier Theyskens for Nina Ricci. Dior's runway was full of elegant Asian influences and a vivid color palette to match, particularly a to die for royal blue drop-waisted wool coat with a fur stole-like collar. A richly textured and dark, but never sinister, collection of sharply cut and draped peplum suits and fur wraps were standouts at Lanvin, while Balenciaga continues to master artful draping and super slim silhouettes, with a little '80's references a la dotted nylons and suede tied heels. Nina Ricci showed a fierce collection of strong-shouldered suits, short second-skin dresses, odd mask-like felt hats, and sculpted strapless gowns with Theysken's signature gravity defying ruffles. Tres magnifique!
Collection photos by Marcio Madeira, detail photos by Don Ashby & Olivier Claisse, borrowed from style.com. Dior collection photos by Roberto Tecchio/GoRunway.com, detail photos by Gianni Pucci/GoRunway.com, borrowed from style.com.

CHRISTIAN DIOR









LANVIN









BALENCIAGA





NINA RICCI

Redheads and Postcards

Besides researching the exciting lives of redheads, travel is one of my other passions. By travel I don't mean a road trip through the Pacific Northwest, but rather a rich cultural tour of Italy, London, Paris, etc. I've been super fortunate to have spent time among the incredible architecture of Florence (and I don't mean Alabama), the piazzas of Venice, the quaint streets of Paris, and the British cup of tea culture of London ( and please don't be thinking Ohio). Art Museums may not be on everyone's travel to do list, but for me it's an opportunity to see the real life brush strokes belonging to many a talented and tortured artist of bygone times. It also means museum shops, which are ideal for picking up inexpensive art souvenirs in the form of postcards of your favorite paintings. Over the years I've amassed a small collection of these postcards, which I'm excited to share with you, and wouldn't you know it the majority of these tiny paintings are of glorious redheads depicted in a most romantic way by great painters such as John William Waterhouse , Gustav Klimt, and Karl Albert Buehr. One of my favorite postcards is of a vivid red poppy field by British artist David Curtis. Can you also spot the lone red poppy in one of Waterhouse's paintings below? This is Redhead symbolism at its best.

'My Sweet Rose' - John William Waterhouse

'The Lady of Shalott' - John William Waterhouse

(Duet for) 'St. Cecilia' - John William Waterhouse

'The Kiss' - Gustav Klimt

'Young Woman with a Parasol' - Karl Albert Buehr

'Detail from Poppies' - David Curtis

Rare Redhead (and sorta redhead) Model Sightings at Milan Fashion Week

Photos by Marcio Madeira, borrowed from style.com

Milan Fall 2009 Fashion Week : Moschino

Ok, I am drooling over yet another gorgeous collection at Milan Fashion Week courtesy of the whimsical brilliance of Moschino (pronunciation still debatable). Rich navy wool coats, red rose printed 40's dresses, full-skirted houndstooth prints and matching tights, bow-waisted ruffled jackets, and more delicious ruffles that make me want almost everything in this collection.........And breathe.
Photos by Marcio Madeira, borrowed from style.com

Milan Fall 2009 Fashion Week: Dolce & Gabbana

I am absolutely loving Dolce & Gabbana's latest Fall collection which was perfectly inspired by the legendary Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli.. Bubble sleeves, oversize ruffles, deep dark colors, heavy gold watch necklaces, and a whimsical twist on accessories by slapping on some expensive looking leather gloves atop models' heads and tied around their necks, worn as delicate neck scarves. Over the years i've become slightly bored with D & G's identifiable corset dresses which are often worn, uninspired, by many a Hollywood starlet. This Fall 2009 collection, however, is rich and striking with sharp black and white combinations and notes of shocking pink; iconic Marilyn Monroe images and mouth-watering suede platform shoes included. Photos by Marcio Madeira, Don Ashby & Olivier Claisse borrowed from style.com

A Perfect Redhead Lipstick, simply put

It takes a very unique product to make it onto my ESSENTIAL REDHEAD MAKEUP list, and Origins Flower Fusion™ Hydrating lipstick in Mulberry can count itself lucky, and amazing. My sister, a fellow redhead and partner in crime as we've uncovered many redhead makeup products together in our lifelong research, discovered this fabulous lipstick and I've been obsessed ever since. I've found a new long wear lipstick in a perfect metallic wine shade which works just as well for an evening pout or some daytime dazzle. It comes in 24 beautiful shades. Available at all Origins stores and Origins.com

Recessionista Chic Handbags : Bright and Springy

What a better way to start the week than with some bright, colorful, and low-priced! handbags, all of which are on SALE now, this week, this minute. My favorite deal is the gorgeous and soft leather tote in Metallic Guava from J.Crew. As a not surprising bonus, all the colors below look amazing on redheads.


Ruffle Front Handbag $10.97 at Tillys.com


Vinyl Anchor Tote $16.99 at CharlotteRusse.com


Candie's Zipper Clutch $33.60 at Candies.com


Large Metallic Thompson Tote in Metallic Guava $89.99 at JCrew.com


Maxx New York 'Monte Carlo' Shopper $96.90 at Nordstrom.com