RIHANNA + KEITH HARING + BASQUIAT

Rihanna's Keith Haring influenced video shoot. . .

If I could do it all over again, I would have studied art history. My 10-year college (and 5th-year law school) reunion is this May and, while I'm generally satisfied with my accomplishments since then, I realize that I have a voracious appetite for the subject, and am literally making up for lost time.

Art's a part of my life and is expressed in part through this blog in an informal fashion. I think it's high time to start incorporating more references to art and artists. . .

. . . and why not start with Rihanna; whose fashion sense, hairstyles and videos draw heavily upon the past while blazing a distinctive path towards the future?

Rihanna rocks a Keith Haring inspired Jeremy Scott jacket.

Rihanna's "Rude Boy" video is clearly influenced by videos of yore (the 80's), it is also heavily influenced by 80's neo-expressionist giant Jean-Michel Basquiat and pop (art) star Keith Haring.

Continue reading and see Rihanna's "Rude Boy" video and stills by clicking "Read more" below.

OBJET D'ART: COLOMBIAN EMERALD RING

Colombian Emerald Ring $145,000 on 1stdibs.com.

This emerald ring, from France circa 1910, is set in platinum and encircled by diamonds. The ring is approximately 3.2 carats and is in excellent condition. The emerald itself is from Columbia, where the rarest and finest emeralds originate; they're prized for their transparency, crystallization, and fire. Buy this stunner at 1stdibs.com! Click on the label below for vintage Objet d' Art posts!

H&M GARDEN COLLECTION

H&M's Feminine & Flirty Garden Collection

Have you been in to H&M recently? They've just launched their Garden Collection which features romantic pieces inspired by "chlorophyll-green gardens, sundrenched landscapes and even 70's hippie chic flower-power." What's better is that each garment is produced with sustainable materials including recycled textile waste! Each piece is organic: organic cotton, organic linen, organic polyester and tencel (a soft, fluid, environmentally friendly material). The bold colors (and the subtle ones) are perfect for spring/summer. Prices range from $14.95 t0 $60.00 and the collection is in stores beginning March 25th. I really do hope that the collection is in Philadelphia stores, otherwise, I may need to get my sister-in-law who resides in NYC on the case. Check out the press release, pictures and price list!

KIEHL'S + PHARRELL WILLIAMS, JULIANNE MOORE, JEFF KOONS & MALIA JONES

Labels designed by, from left to right, Jeff Koons, Pharrell Williams, Malia Jones, Julianne Moore.

Kiehl's, one of my favorite beauty brands, has once again paired with celebrities to launch specially designed bottles of antioxidant rich Acai Damage-Protecting Toning Mist to benefit the Rainforest Alliance. Each 6 ounce bottle of 100% organic mist retails for $26 online and is available in stores April 1st, just in time for Earth Day! The limited edition labels were created by artist Jeff Koons, musician Pharrell Williams, pro surfer Malia Jones and Actress Julianne Moore.

ZAC POSEN + TARGET

Regarding the trumpet dress above--which is modeled after the iconic dress worn by Naomi Campbell and which launched Posen's career: "That was the dress that started my business . . . it's flirtatious and fun, but it has a punk, tough quality too." -- Zac Posen

I'm truly excited to stay up well past my new bedtime to share news of the latest Target collaboration. The retailer continues its partnership with well known designers by adding wunderboy Zac Posen to its roster. Following on the heels of Target's synergies with Rodarte, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Liberty of London, the Zac Posen for Target collection becomes available April 25th! Posen's collection features mostly dresses and range in price from $40 to $90.

Check out additional photos by clicking "Read more" below.

HOT NEW HUES: PANTONE'S PICKS - SPRING 2010

“Now more than ever, women are vigilant when it comes to spending . . . instead of re-inventing their wardrobe at the start of each season, consumers want pieces to complement what they already own. Pairing a bold color with a basic piece or freshening up their look with bright accents addresses the need for practicality, as well as fun.” - Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®

According to Pantone, the colors for this Spring are: turquoise, tomato puree, fusion coral, violet, tuscany, aurora, amparo blue, pink champagne, dried herb and eucalyptus--which are, in fact: turquoise, red, coral, violet, beige, yellow, navy, cream, neutral green and gray, respectively. View or download a pdf for designers Peter Som, Tracy Reese, Badgly Mischka, Lela Rose, Nanette Lepore, Maria Pinto, Erin Fetherson, Carmen MarcValvo, Pamella Roland, Adrienne Vittadini, and Adam Lippes, et. al's thoughts on this Spring's must-have colors and pieces here. Per Pantone, the color of the year is turquoise! I cant wait to pair a big chunky turquoise necklace with a silk coral jumper.

Click on the label below for vintage Hot New Hue posts!

PARIS FASHION WEEK: SONIA RYKIEL AUTUMN WINTER 2010

I wanted to compose an Haiku, but quickly gave up on that idea. . .

chunky knits, bold colors and

khaki interspersed throughout

geek chic, feathers and fur

Check out the Sonia Rykiel Autumn Winter 2010 collection and exclusive behind-the-scenes footage. The show took place on March 7th in Paris. It's very French, you know.

Thanks to Natalia from Barracuda Film & TV--all the way in Stockholm--for pointing out her company's work. Click on the link below for vintage Fashion Week and Fashion Show posts!

DRESS YOURSELF THIN!

If you're anything like me, you often don't have the time (or inclination) to go to the gym . . .

Pants on the ground! Find a pair that fits.

Fret not, Time magazine online is currently featuring an article with helpful hints on how to dress your way to thin by accentuating strong features and cleverly masking the rest.

Horizontal stripes and inadequate support does not a fab beach bod make. . .

The photo essay depicts before pictures of women with typical voluptuous women issues--you know, a jiggly arm here, a muffin top there. These same women look deceptively slimmer after implementing small changes, as suggested by Charla Krupp in her book "How to Never Look Fat Again".

Check out Time's photo essay here. And, see more before and after pics by clicking "Read more" below . . .

POLITICS OF FASHION: NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM

"This gown is a masterpiece. It is simple, it’s elegant, and it comes from this brilliant young mind . . . Today is about much more than this gown. It’s also about how, with enough focus and with enough determination, someone in this room could be the next Jason Wu.” - Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama donated her Inaugural ball gown to the Smithsonian today. The dress will be included in an exhibit entitled: The First Lady's Debut. Designer Jason Wu was on hand to observe his creation's further induction into perpetuity.

View the online exhibit and a behind-the-scenes video by clicking "Read more" below.

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK: PAMELLA ROLAND FALL 2010

Further to my post regarding friend and fashion stylist extraordinaire--Keisha--styling the collections of Oscar de la Renta and Pamella Roland, see below for behind-the-scenes prep photos for Pamella's Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week show, and see how the pieces translated on the runway.

Pamella's Fall 2010 collection is inspired by the Venice Carnivale and featured headpieces, rich jewel toned fabric and highly stylized and embellished pieces. The designer knows her audience--which included Brooke Shields, Afre Woodard and Mina Suvari--and hit pitch perfect notes with her red carpet ready gowns.

Click "Read more" below to see more behind-the-scenes photos from Pamella Roland's Fall 2010 show. Thanks to Keisha for the photos!

MILAN FASHION WEEK: BALLY FALL/WINTER 2010

Bally showed their Fall/Winter 2010 looks this past weekend in Milan. Designer Brian Atwood delivered--this being his last show at the helm of the brand.

A look from Bally's Fall/Winter 2010 Ready-to-Wear collection.

WWD reports that Atwood "had a vision--Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo waiting on a train station platform on a foggy winter eve. He imagined them wearing outerwear. . . " While Dietrich and Garbo cloaked their unapologetic sensuality in mystery, Bally would have us cloak ours in blanket cutouts and aviators made of the finest cashmere, mink or jersey bonded lamb nappa; palazzo trousers in double-sided stretch gabardine; and silk dresses with delicate pleating and draping.

Mae Python Bag

Bally's bags are, in keeping with tradition, a compelling fusion of form and function. One would think that the clean lines would be lost in the shadow of tactile leathers such as grommet covered nappa, antiqued deer, sprayed python and leopard print pony, but the richly textured hides only highlight the construction. Note the brands iconic red/white trainspotting stripes (a nice homage to the company's Swiss roots) is still prominently featured, but subtly incorporated.

Anny Shoe

And then there are the shoes. This season's shoes are a nod to the archive pieces of the 1900s through the 1930s, with thoroughly modern proportions. As is typical of this luxury brand, construction is completed using only the finest glove nappa or lizard.

Click "Read more" below to see more of Bally's Fall/Winter RTW collection. Thanks to Brittany at Bally for the photos!