ISAAC MIZRAHI + LIZ CLAIBORNE

Credited with starting the hi-low phenomenon which is now almost de rigueur (and aprospos given the tumult in the world financial markets), Isaac Mizrahi is moving on from Target and is now creative director at Liz Claiborne. Check out the slide that I created below for more...

Color and prints, geometric stripes, oh my! A few choice words from Mizrahi:

“I’m trying to shift the paradigm once again...The Target thing, that’s thinking very high and very low. But now there’s this whole other cultural thing that’s taking place before our eyes, and it’s only accelerated because of the terrible economic thing we’re going through. It’s like, I believe firmly in the middle now.”

Based on the pics of Mizrahi for Claiborne line which will be in stores Spring 2009, I may have to rethink Liz Claiborne, a brand which I associate with, ahem, older women. But given the pics, I'll be keeping my eyes open! That pink dress is mine!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Sooo, I have no real excuse for being absent. It’s not like I was traveling during the holidays. I was on mental holiday though (whilst worrying about not blogging).* But, I’m back and am excited at the prospect of an adventure filled, creative, healthy, happy and prosperous 2009. My new year’s resolution? To blog consistently and to stop offering excuses for random hiatus from blogging.

Picture taken at the stroke of midnight (or very, very shortly thereafter) during Shakira’s New Year’s Eve concert in Abu Dhabi. Good thing too, because Sheikh Mohammed cancelled all New Year's Eve celebrations in Dubai in a show of solidarity with the Palestinians and those living in Gaza.

 

Here’s to living in interesting times!** Excellent success and the best of wishes in 2009! Love ya, mean it!

* I did, however, travel home to the states, a month or so ago, to celebrate my parents’ 35th anniversary, Thanksgiving, a dear friend’s wedding and my birthday. While in the airport—heading to Orlando for Aliya’s wedding celebration (pure fantasy)—I ran into none other than ANDRE LEON TALLEY. Swoon. And, what do you think the editor of this fashion blog, with the heady crush on all things Vogue (notwithstanding some healthy criticism thereof), say upon this chance encounter? Nothing. Not. A. Damn. Thing. Ok, so I’m lying. I did say something. The reason for not writing about this sooner is because I didn’t want to share the embarrassing details (I have this thing about being truthful at all times—I try!). But hey, it’s a fashion blog, it’s Andre Leon Talley…

Picture it. LaGuardia Airport, 5 December 2008. It was an early morning flight, and I was walking groggily to my gate (celebrated birthday the night before). I saw this person approaching (disembarking from a previous flight) and for some reason decided to focus on him—eyes only, my mind was elsewhere. We walked towards each other, he looking at me, me looking at him—and all the while, my brain cells are slowly perking up—and I realize as we’re about, umm, maybe ten feet from each other, that it’s him! So in the space of that ten feet I manage to do the following: (mind you, I could have pulled out my card, talked about my blog, pulled out my camera, sing his and Vogue’s praises, make the hard sell for a guest contributing spot (ha!), anything but what I did) ever so slowly, with what I imagine to be a look of complete and utter bewilderment and star stricken-ness, I said: “Oh My God.” Then faster: “Ohmygod! Ohmygod!” And he said: “Have a happy holiday” and smiled. And just like that, he was gone. Talk about missed opportunity.

** May you live in interesting times, often referred to euphemistically as the Chinese curse, is reputed to be the English translation of an ancient Chinese proverb and curse. But, we wouldn’t want to live in boring times, now would we?

HOUSE OF HARLOW

Available at Kitson's, Nicole Richie's jewelry line, House of Harlow 1960, is inspired by her love of the 60's and 70's and named after her daughter with Good Charlotte's Joel Madden...it was also created in collaboration with jewelry giant, Mouawad.

In the vein, sorta', of celebrities like Sarah Jessica Parker's Bitten and Dear by Amanda Bynes, Richie's line is surprisingly inexpensive. Prices range from $30 - $150.00. Shop the line here.

Pic: New York Post

THAKOON + TARGET

The rumors were true. . . Target has confirmed that wunder designer Thakoon Panichgul is indeed the next designer in their Go International series. Thakoon has been in the news a lot as of late. His dresses are favored by Michelle Obama and he is designing for Italian accessories giant Hogan.

"Target was very easy to work with. They wanted a lot of prints and I chose silhouettes that have done well in the past." - Thakoon to Women's Wear Daily.

This collaboration is especially exciting because Thakoon essentially replicates his runway looks for the Target collection. Compare the dresses here. Close, right? You'll find his signature prints and patterns throughout the Target collection. Thakoon for Target will be available beginning on Christmas day. Check out the press release and images!

Click on the label below for vintage Style Collaborations posts.

TECH CHIC: VIVIENNE TAM + HP

The perfect marriage of form and function! Vivienne Tam has partnered with Hewlett Packard to create the digital clutch, aka the HP Vivienne Tam Special Edition Notebook, which features Tam's signature peony design on the lid and the keypad.

The laptop comes with an an embroidered storage sleeve which protects the notebook as it is being carried as a clutch. The 10-inch notebook made it's debut at the Spring 2009 Vivienne Tam show. It's available at HP and starts at $699.99.  

POLITICS OF FASHION: MRS. OBAMA GOES TO WASHINGTON

Isaac Mizhrahi sketch for Michelle, Malia and Sasha Obama.

Women's Wear Daily asked for sketches for the future First Lady's inaugural dress and fashion's designing elite answered. View a slideshow of each sketch here. I really like the dress above because it is classic, colorful and would be flattering on Michelle's figure. It's fancy enough to honor the solemnity of the occasion, but the bright color adds a bit of fun. The slide below includes some of the sketches submitted to WWD by the fashion designers (click on the slide for a large picture).  Which dress do you think is most appropriate?

Designers such as Isaac Mizrahi, Monique Lhuillier, Carolina Herrera, Badgley Mischka, Betsey Johnson, Chado Ralph Rucci, Karl Largerfeld for Chanel, Diane von Furstenberg, Koi Suwannagate, Marc Jacobs, Christian Lacroix, Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Zac Posen, Tracy Reese, Rodarte, Rachel Roy, Peter Som, Elie Tahari, Tuleh, Kai Milla, Nicole Miller, Reem Acra, Zero + Maria Cornejo all submitted sketches. 

Surprisingly, a few of Michelle's favorite designers are missing from the list. . . there's nary a mention of Maria Pinto, Narcisso Rodriguez or Thakoon--designers whose frocks have been worn by Mrs. Obama on the campaign trail and to key victory speeches and white house visits. Interesting. Maybe these designers have submitted sketches directly to the First Lady in waiting.

I think these Bonnie Young dresses would go well with the Isaac Mizhrahi dress for Michelle Obama above.  Malia's dress looks a lot like this Giambattista Valli creation.

Not to be outdone, check out WWD's sketches for Malia and Sasha here. Meanwhile, the President-elect is rumored to be wearing a Hart Schaffner Marx tuxedo--an American made, Chicago based union shop.

Click on the label below for vintage Politics of Fashion posts.

OBJET D'ART: ROBERTO CAVALLI PAVE CLAW-SET RING

Roberto Cavalli's Pave Claw-Set Ring, $395 at vivre.com

Economical luxe. The black or crystal four-pronged goldtone pave ring is opulent enough to dramatize any holiday outfit and the price tag is low enough to make the ring a pretty inexpensive heirloom. Click on the label below for vintage Objet D'Art posts.

OOH LA LA!

Two of my favorite online discount shopping destinations are having serious holiday deals. For up to 70% and 80% off retail on brands such as Just Cavalli, Fendi, Dolce and Gabbana, Tahari and Zac Posen check out Gilt Groupe and Rue La La. Due to the exclusive nature of membership to these sites, not everyone can take advantage. However, StyleChile readers can enjoy VIP membership to both Gilt Groupe and Rue La La just in time for the holidays.

Gilt Groupe

- log on with www.gilt.com/stylechile

Gilt Groupe is having the following sales this week: Botkier and M Missoni on December 9, Jill Stuart RTW and Shoes and Bedat & Co. on December 10, Milly Marc Bouwer Glamit and Marco Bicego on December 12 and Ali & Ro on December 13.

Rue La La

- Go to www.ruelala.com; select "invited by a member"; enter "vip@ruelala.com" to bypass the waitlist and get in.

Rue La La is hosting the following boutiques, just in time for holiday shopping! Kooba and La Perla on December 9, Kate Spade on December 11, Ellen Tracy and Samsonite Black Label on December 12 and Via Spiga and Honora Pearls on December 15.

For comprehensive coverage of Gilt Groupe and Rue La La read my vintage post here. If you'd like your own invitation to these exclusive shopping sites, shoot me an e-mail at stylechil@gmail.com.

Stay tuned for more on my guest blog on Gilt Groupe!

RARE BIRD!

While perusing The Sartorialist (if you're not already a fan, you must get on it) a couple of months ago, I stumbled across the pic below. Sart described the outfit as '80s flapper.

I loved everything, but the feather in the hair really appealed to me. I needed to find out who made it! My search was short lived . . . as I read the comments, I came across a note from the designer, Alita (below right).

So right after going to her site and scooping up a few of her feathered headbands for me and friends, I contacted her to ask a few questions for StyleChile.

Left: Green Guinea Black White Spot Headband Alice Band Shimmer $32.00; Right: Wide Green Rippling Sea Band, $44.00

When asked about her biggest fashion influences, Alita replied: "the biggest by far was Isabella Blow, who was a great patron and muse to the avant garde hatmaker Philip Treacy". Alita has been drawn to designing and jewelry-making ever since childhood. With respect to fashion, she's most proud of "being shot by the Sartorialist" (both her and her pieces!). I die. She's clearly on top of her fashion game. Of the Sart, she says: "He's one of the most finicky sensibilities in fashion right now...and you don't find him, he finds you."

Feathers are a key trend for this fall winter. Adding a feather to your ensemble is an easy and inexpensive way to add some flair. Check out Carolina Herrera's use of feather in her Fall 2008 show here, and Michelle Obama's feather pin.

Get your own Charm School Design original by visiting www.charmschooldesign.etsy.com. You can thank me later! Order for Christmas by December 11. Tell Alita I sent ya!