COVER STYLE/THINGS THAT MAKE YOU SAY HMMM: VOGUE INDIA

What's wrong with this picture? Keep in mind that this pic was on the inaugural Vogue India cover. I love Vogue...Love India! Kudos to Vogue for launching a mag catering to the Indian demographic. Two steps forward, two steps back. Some things are better left unsaid...Sad.

Bipasha Basu, Gemma Ward (geez, didn't realize she was Indian), Priyanka Chopra, Monikangana, Preity Zinta and Laxmi Menon

I'd like to think that the the folks at Vogue meant well. But seriously, who are their advisors? This is not the first time either. See their launch for Vogue China in 2005, a few beautiful Asian models and homegirl, Gemma Ward --depicted above, was on that cover as well! Highly irresponsible journalism (and frankly, inappropriate, gratuitous, insulting, insensitive, laughable, but still, not surprising!), somehow I suspect that they don't really care. C'est la vie. But seriously folks, it's 2008...we must do better.

Click below for vintage Cover Style, Faces of Fashion and Things That Make You Say Hmmm posts!

URBAN SAFARI

Whether you're roaming with the bulls and bears of lower manhattan, on the hunt for the exotic in the Village; traversing the concrete jungle in Chelsea, preparing for an expedition to the Bronx...lead the caravan in one of this season's must-have safari inspired looks. See below for where to buy!

Left to Right. Top: Banana Republic's cotton vest, $130 and Brown leather belt, Nikki Jaggs, $115; barneys.com; gladiator Leather boot Boss Orange, $495, call 800.hugo.boss; Old Navy's Women's Belted Safari Jacket only $29.50; Jeweled leather hat, D&G, $420, dolcegabbana.it. Bottom: Phillip Lim oversized safari cardigan $640.00 on net-a-porter; Max & Co. cotton jacket, $355; TopShop's high waisted paper bag shorts £28.00; Sunglasses, Diesel, price upon request, at Diesel stores nationwide; and Old Navy's women's safari romper $25.00.

Click on the label below for vintage style trend posts!

DRESS FOR LESS: GOLD SANDALS

The architectural design, skyscraper heels and metallic finish of these gold high heeled sandals with wide ankle-straps is perfect for summer in the big city.

Left to Right:Admire the Gucci shoe, $725; Acquire Nine West's "Olavera"only $89.00!

Nine West's version is a lower priced alternative to Gucci's glamourous slingback. It comes with a much lower price tag and lower heels, but doesn't sacrifice the sexy...

Click on the label below for more Dress for Less posts!

FAIRY TALE PART DEUX

Disney's at it again! They've recently released the latest of their collaboration with famed photographer, Annie Leibovitz.

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony as Jasmine and Aladdin

Jessica Biel as Pocahontas

Tina Fey as Tinkerbell, Gisele Bundchen and Mikhail Baryshnikov as Wendy and Peter Pan

Whoopi Goldberg as Genie

Check out the first in the series (Beyonce as Alice in Wonderland, Scarlett Johansson as Cinderella, Lyle Lovett as the March Hare, Oliver Platt as the Mad Hatter and David Beckham as Prince Phillip) here!

VALENTINE'S DAY DOUBLE GIVEAWAY WINNERS!

Congratulations to Charys C. and Sarita M. both from Maryland! Charys is the winner of a piece of Bridget Lynne Design's jewelry and Sarita has won the Bruno Jamais Restaurant gift certificate. See the original post here. The answers to the question are:

BIG RED

PANTY RAID!

Many thanks to StyleChile's fabulous intern, Marlie, for choosing the winners. Stay tuned for more from Marlie and for more StyleChile giveaways!

AMORE!

Last year you knocked his pants off, this year make it rain!

Left to right. Top: Red heart pasties $22.50 on Etsy; TopShop Mesh Corset £28.00. Middle: Seafoam green easy spin tassle pasties $22.50 on Etsy; Oasis' Odille Lingerie Woodland multiway print bra and g-string £24.00 and £12.00, respectively; Mimi Holliday at net-a-porter, Bra $85.00 and Thong $55.00. Bottom: Old Navy Point D’Esprit Camisole and Thong $10.00 and $6.00; respectively.; Wet Seal's mesh and lace g-string $3.50; Fig Leaves' silk frill triangle bras and briefs $53.00 and $36.00, respectively.

Update: Upon further reflection, I think it best to add a disclaimer. I do not advocate nor encourage "making it rain"; the reference is tongue in cheek. Please take it with a grain of salt.

COLOR CONSCIOUS: GRAMMY AWARDS 2008

The 50th Anniversary of the Grammy Awards packed a punch...in more ways than one. My favorite of the night was Rihanna, who was darling in Zac Posen!

Rihanna wears a Zac Posen dress accessorized with day glo nails; Fergie wears a butter yellow strapless Calvin Klein.

Natasha Bedingfield wore a glamourous Reem Acra gown, and Tamyra Gray wore a shiny green cocktail number.

Celebrities were intent on making a statement, one way or another...from Kelis & Co. who donned outfits emblazoned with the "N" word, to Chris Brown in that red and white tuxedo (reminiscent of Ronald McDonald), to Beyonce in that frothy Elie Saab concoction, to Aretha who wore the same hideous dress twice in less than 6 months.

A startling number of attendees were blah in black: Faith Hill, Fantasia, Keyshia Cole, Solange, Cyndi Lauper and Toccara.

RACHEL ROY FALL 2008: PILGRIMS & INDIANS

Thanksgiving was not able to reconcile these two groups, but Rachel Roy has achieved amity--386 years later. Her collection represents the best of both worlds, an incredible fusion of the puritanical with the "exotic".

This collection is one of my personal faves. I love highly structured apparel (those tulip skirts are to die for), lush fabric and color, peep toe booties and statement making jewelry! Rachel incorporates all of these elements plus bits of feather...and hats... and gloves... and belts...

...and what's more? I can actually get away with some of these at work!*

Photo Credit: Style.com

* I wore Rachel Roy's "Silva" white button down to work a few days ago, it was so fussy I had to keep a jacket on (think puffed sleeves, super high neck, ruffles, French cuffs--all in a "simple" white button down).

ZAC POSEN: FALL 2008

The mood was surprisingly somber...I mean, I know it's Fall/Winter, but still.

Are Zac and Lagerfeld pals? Aren't these looks quintessential Chanel... from the juxtaposition of black and white to frilly sheers to piles and piles of pearls? Overall, the looks were classic and crisp... bright red lipstick, smoky eyes and severe hair. I really enjoyed the tailored pieces and pops of color here and there.

I'm not sure how the Mickey Mouse ears fit in, but Zac always keeps it interesting.

Photo Credit: Coutorture

CAROLINA HERRERA FALL 2008: BIRDS OF A FEATHER...

Carolina Herrera, known for her timeless style* (personal and runway), presented a Fall 2008 show for Mercedes Benz Fashion Week that is influenced, in large part, by the English countryside.

Feathers and fur and lots of flounce...equine influenced boots and pants, plaid and corduroy... and those little leprechaun hats! She certainly stays on theme, and on trend--she has managed to incorporate all the major elements of Spring 2008 into this collection--lots of bold color, tribal/ethnic prints and pretty flowers. Check out a few of my favorites in the slide below.

* I'd love to see Hillary Clinton in some of her clothes!

Photo Credit: Elle.com