Filed: Chic

Bow & Drape: A Colorful Assortment

2013-05-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

When it comes to summer dressing, one thing is for certain: Versatility and color will get you through the difficult temperatures.

That's why we were particularly attracted to the Boston-based Bow & Drape. While its Spring 2013 collection will manage to brighten up a rainy day, it's the fact that you can customize pieces that will bring some happiness to your day. Choose everything from silhouette to color to trim details, and you have just built yourself a one-of-a-kind item. Of course, if that's not your style, then rely on the brand's impeccable take on basics.

We were fortunate to chat with Aubrie Pagano, the founder and CEO of Bow & Drape:

Filed: Chic: What was the inspiration for the spring collection?

Aubrie Pagano: I was very inspired by the resurgence of color and femininity in the 1950s, a la Dior’s New Look. The silhouettes are flattering to curves and totally voluminous. I can envision our clothes worn on a walk through the Tuileries.

FC: Colors played a prominent part of the collections, especially with the LBD (the little bold dress). Are there any colors you stayed away from?

AP: This sounds obvious but we kept to spring colors and the basics. (The blacks and whites of the world.)

FC: What kind of woman are you trying to attract with your clothes, and particularly with your spring collection?

AP: Our clothes are for women who want to look beautiful, feminine and effortless. The clothes are easy to wear and transition well from the office to the friendly nightcap. I envision our women to be on the go, and this collection allows them to look great and feel comfortable no matter where they are going next.

FC: How long has Bow & Drape been around?

AP: We have been live five months.

FC: Was the idea to always have a customizable option? How did that come about?

AP: The catalyst event was in June 2011. I was looking for a dress to wear to a family wedding, and nothing fit the bill. I was so frustrated with the lack of choice off the rack and the lack of quality online that I did something totally irrational and actually designed and sewed my own dress. It took about a month and after the event was over, I convinced myself that I was not the only woman who wished she had more say over her fashion. So I set out to create a custom experience at off-the-rack prices.

FC: Do you find you are more popular through this customizable option or through your actual collections?

AP: Absolutely the customizable features. Almost no two orders are 100% alike. Women have individual style and they want to express it with our clothes.

*All images are courtesy of Bow & Drape.

Get The Look: Lightweight Sweaters

2013-04-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

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There's no need for bulky sweaters nowadays, but it can still get a little nippy. For us, this typically means sheer sweaters, but there are definitely plenty of options to choose from:

1. A.L.C., $346

2. Diane von Furstenberg, $388

3. Le Moine Tricote, $632

4. Iro, $126

5. Cedric Charlier, $438

6. Enza Costa, $316.80

7. Blumarine, $1,040

8. Opening Ceremony, $350

9. Madeleine Thompson, $395

10. Tibi, $375

11. Boy. by Band of Outsiders, $365

12. Diane von Furstenberg, $298

Film Style: "Breathless"

2013-04-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

While "Breathless" is still a film we have to check out, we are constantly reminded about the clothes Jean Seberg wears.

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The 1960 film features her in a short, pixie haircut, which is something that's very tied to that era. But with more celebrities, such as Carey Mulligan, choosing this cut, it once again feels fresh. The clothing also feels as modern in that decade as they do now. Classic silhouettes, Breton stripes and easy pieces that are perfectly suited to the travails of everyday life contribute to this feel.

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Flowery Hairstyles That Aren't Too Sweet

2013-04-16T00:00:00.001-07:00

Spring has pretty much sprung, and we're so happy to see greenery and flowers again.

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In celebration of this happy season, we love the idea of wearing flowers in our hair. Just like Elizabeth Taylor's mega flowery hairstyle for her wedding to Richard Burton, we've got some great ideas for you:

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

The takeaways:

-Try to find more green, and smaller flowers.
-Go bigger if you are just using flowers, so it doesn't look dainty.
-Juxtapose a less "feminine" hairstyle with a flower.
-Pair it with messy hair, so it doesn't look too precious.
-The runway is a great place to get more avant garde inspiration.

Classic Sunnies: The Illustrated Guide

2013-04-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

Perhaps it's all the Coachella watching we did this weekend or the fact that the sun stuck around this weekend, but we are definitely in a sunny mood lately.

That means we need sunglasses.

Instead of looking for a few colorful or trendy pair to wear, we want to go for classics. When we think of sunglasses, there are a few shades that always stand out.

Here are out top five:

1. Ray-Ban Wayfarers
These glasses have been manufactured since 1956, and though they were less popular in the '70s, the glasses continue to be worn today. These pair are one of the best selling in history.

2. Chanel Half-Tints
From the Spring 2007 collection, these sunglasses have been seen on Mary-Kate Olsen and Nicole Richie. While, they may not be what everything considers classic, these pair have a spot on this list sheerly because of the number of duplicates we have seen. Plus, we still see half-tinted sunglasses nowadays.

3. Tinted, circular glasses

Or, as we tend to think of them, the John Lennon sunglasses. But a lot of other people, such as Mary-Kate Olsen and Ozzie Osbourne, have worn them as well.

4. Ray-Ban Aviators

These very thin-framed glasses were developed by Bausch & Lomb in 1936 to protect the eyes of pilots when they were flying The glasses cover two or three times the area of the eyeball, and prevent light from entering the eye from any angle.

5. Lolitas

The 1962 Stanley Kubrick film based on the "Lolita" novel by Vladimir Nabokov will forever be associated with heart-shaped sunglasses.

Coachella Impressions

2013-04-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Though Coachella is definitely one of those events I would like to see live one day, I am infinitely grateful for YouTube. I may not be able to check out all the acts I'd like to see, but it's free and I'm much more comfortable than the attendees.

I was also very happy that there was a replay the next day because I ended up falling asleep earlier than I would have liked. Still, I missed some acts, which I'll definitely have to check out later, but here are my impressions on some of the performances I saw over the three days:

1. Of Monsters and Men

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Having already enjoyed all the material I had been exposed to from the band, this was one of the shows I knew I couldn't miss. They were adorable. Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir sounds as good as she does on the records, and this performance made me realize how much I liked her voice. Also, Ragnar "Raggi" Þórhallsson had a little dragon creature strapped onto his guitar, which I only saw after the fact, that definitely deserve bonus points.

2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs

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This is a band I've been meaning to get more into because I love "Maps" so much, and Karen O was an incredibly fun performer. She kept saying "Friday night" over and over, and also doing kooky things (i.e., the above picture.) Mostly, I was expecting something fun in terms of her outfit, and she did not disappoint.

3. Moby DJ Set

Not Moby, who I couldn't find a great picture of, but Dean Pelton.
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This isn't my kind of music, but I had to include Moby because I will never see him and not think of Dean Pelton, of "Community," or "Tony," of "How I Met Your Mother." Also, the crowd just seemed really into it, and the set proved to be the better alternative to the one other band that was playing at first. (Once The xx came on, I moved on.)

4. The Postal Service

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Super mellow music is not usually for me, which is why I am more partial to The Postal Service than to Death Cab for Cutie. Ben Gibbard danced around a bit, which was unexpected to me. Also, Jenny Lewis was also on stage, and I really enjoy her music and voice. I had seen some of her performances on YouTube before and was a bit sad that she seemed so mad while she sang, but this was so pleasant.

5. Passion Pit

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This is one that I almost went to see live last year, but I didn't love them on SNL, so I decided against it. At Coachella, they definitely became someone I'd shell out money to watch.

Spring Style: The Shoe of the Season

2013-04-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

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You've hidden behind boots and other closed-toe shoes for a few months, so it's time to let your toes breathe. Whether you prefer heels or flats, bright or neutral, we've got the perfect spring sandals to take you through this season and into the next.

1. Sol Sana, $95

2. BCBG Max Azria, $275

3. 3.1 Phillip Lim, $425

4. Stuart Weitzman, $398

5. Tommy Hilfiger, $65

6. Calvin Klein, $105

7. Tibi, $465

8. Mossimo Supply Co., $17

9. Cheap Monday, $115

10. Diane von Furstenberg, $295

11. Rebecca Minkoff, $132

12. L.A.M.B., $325

13. Sam Edelman, $100

14. Boutique 9, $97.95

15. Kors Michael Kors, $235

Spring Playlist

2013-04-08T00:00:00.000-07:00

It's sunny out, Coachella is right around the corner and your ears deserve some fun music:

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1. Dexys Midnight Runners- "Come On Eileen"
2. The Beatles- "Here Comes the Sun"
3. Imagine Dragons- "It's Time"
4. Franćoise Hardy- "Le Temps D'Lamour"
5. Mumford & Sons- "Holland Road"
6. Matt & Kim- "It's Alright"
7. Of Monsters and Men- "From Finner"
8. Vampire Weekend- "Diane Young"
9. Kendrick Lamar- "Poetic Justice"
10. Brigitte Bardot- "Contact"
11. Big Boi feat. Janelle Monáe- "Be Still"
12. Bruno Mars- "Locked Out of Heaven"
13. Micachu and the Shapes- "Nowhere"
14. Oh Land- "We Turn it Up"
15. Joséphine Baker- "La Conga Blicoti"
16. Two Door Cinema Club- "What You Know"
17. Phoenix- "Girlfriend"
18. Band of Horses- "Factory"
19. Violent Femmes- "Blister in the Sun"
20. Blackstreet feat. Dre- "No Diggity"

Animate Your Life

2013-04-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

Animated series and movies have a special place in our lives.

While we anxiously await the release of "Monsters University," we couldn't help but think of other cartoons we can't get enough of.

"The Legend of Korra"

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This sequel to "Avatar: The Last Airbender" presents a lot of the same things we fell in love with in the original, but it switches it up by portraying an older character. Korra, unlike Aang, is the teenaged avatar that leaves home for the first time in 16 years, only to learn that the world isn't what she thought it would be. She's definitely tougher than Aang, and this show lets the viewer see bits and pieces of Aang and his friends as grown ups.

"Phineas and Ferb"

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This is a super silly show that definitely leans much younger, but it's so fun. There are two genius children who constantly invent fun things during the summer, their older sister, who is a tattletale, a pet platypus/secret agent and an evil scientist. There are also a lot of songs that are catchier than they should be, and they may get permastuck in your head.

"Frankenweenie"

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A young boy loses his dog, and later, brings him back to life. It's just as dark as Tim Burton's other movies, and it's nice to draw comparisons between the film and Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein." It's also entirely in black and white, which really adds to the mood.

"Spirited Away"

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Studio Ghibli is a favorite around here, and this 2001 film is a must watch. It's a little on the strange side, but it's also very interesting. A young girl has to fend for herself after entering an alternate reality.

Spring Fever

2013-04-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

Though we're all about bright colors at any time of the year, spring tends to bring some of the best prints.

Our cover girl helped us kick off this month with a Milly dress, which was a great mix of print and bold color. And though that was one of our favorite things, she was also attired in a short dress and strappy heels. It's finally time to shed some layers! We've had enough of pants and tights and bulky jackets. It's time for some springtime dresses.

No matter your color preference, style or occasion, here are nine outfits to inspire you for spring:

SHADES OF BLUE

Whether it's a dark shade or something pastel, blue is a great color for spring. Look for super bright tones for something happy or something bordering on purple to ease you into the season.

From left to right: Missoni dress, Loeffler Randall bag and Acne bootie; Victoria Beckham dress, Burak Uyan heels, Linda Farrow for the Row sunglasses; MaxMara Studios dress, Barneys New York heels

FLOWER POWER

What is spring without flowers? Year after year, florals are in for spring. Mix up your wardrobe by looking to prints of different sizes.

From left to right: Cacharel dress, Aldo shoes, Marc by Marc Jacobs purse; Valentino dress, Chrisitan Louboutin heels; Jil Sander Navy dress, Alexander Wang heels, 3.1 Phillip Lim purse

STILL IN BLACK

If you love black, there's no reason for you to stop wearing it once spring arrives. Instead, look for fun patterns, high hems and something with a bit of pizazz.

From left to right: Stella McCartney dress, Badgley Mischka heels, Givenchy clutch; Mary Katrantzou dress, Pierre Hardy flats, Rebecca Minkoff purse; Commes de Garçons dress, Alexander Wang heels

Spring Has Sprung

2013-04-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

We've been waiting a long time for this moment.

Winter seemed never ending this year, but now, it's time for one of our favorite seasons. Though it's technically been spring since March 20, we are really feeling the effects now. There's 50-degree weather and lots of sun. This month we'll cover spring fashion, complete with an interview with a very interesting company and a guide that will help you take your clothes further. We'll also have some recommendations for TV and film, and we'll be switching up parts of our workout.

Our cover girl this month is once again Amy V. This is the first time we worked directly with the cover girl because, well, she's related to us. She wore this geometric-printed Milly dress that felt really appropriate for spring. (We definitely need to commend her for agreeing to this when the temperatures were still very chilly.) Not only is the print eye-catching, but it also has some great details on the neckline. The dress is a real winner.

We think it's the perfect way to kick off a month of fun, so expect some happy posts because we're in a great mood.

Iconic Movie Dresses

2013-03-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

As a result of watching old movies last month, our minds quickly went to fashion. So the only logical step for us was to pick our favorite iconic dresses from movies.

We can picture a lot of them re-interpreted for the present day, and we think they still make an impact when you see them.

Audrey Hepburn in "Sabrina"

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Sure, Audrey Hepburn's LBD in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" is noteworthy, but this Givenchy gown is stunning and convenient because of the detachable train. It's perfectly '50s, but it can still work for today. Remove one or two elements, namely the black ruffle trim, and it looks red carpet ready.

Marilyn Monroe in "The Seven Year Itch"

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Before we even fully knew who Marilyn Monroe was, we saw plenty of copycats that imitated the famous scene white dress scene. That alone is enough to consider it iconic, but it's also a really chic, timeless dress.

Grace Kelly in "To Catch A Thief"

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Finding a pretty outfit worn by Grace Kelly is easy, but it's hard to pick just one because she wore so many iconic outfits. In the end, we chose this beautiful blue gown from "To Catch A Thief" because of the way it looked on camera. Also, there was even a Grace Kelly Barbie wearing the dress, and that is about as good as it gets.

Elizabeth Taylor in "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof"

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She may have been rejected while wearing this slip, but at least she looks great. The white dress she wears in the movie is very pretty, but it looks very similar to the one Marilyn Monroe wore.

Vivien Leigh in "Gone With the Wind"

The curtain dress may have inspired another iconic dress, but it's the dress she wears at the picnic that really shows off Scarlett O'hara's spirit. She doesn't care if she will freckle, and she's set on getting the attention of every guy in attendance.

Diversity in Fashion Shows

2013-03-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

Last week we learned that there was less diversity on the Fall 2013 runways. Almost 88 percent of models who walked in the four major cities were white. We found it quite upsetting, and we think it's a terribly narrow view of beauty. What are we saying to women, especially young girls?

We could really go on and on about the topic, but we don't want to dwell on how negative this trend is. Instead, we want to highlight some brands that try to be more representative of the public.

MARA HOFFMAN

-There were 30 looks.
-About 60% of looks were modeled by women that weren't white.

JONATHAN SIMKHAI

-This collection featured 23 looks.
-About 43 percent of the looks were modeled by women who weren't white.

JEREMY SCOTT

-This collection had 22 looks. It's the only brand on this list that featured both men and women.
-About 46 percent of looks were modeled by men and women who weren't white.

YEOHLEE

-This brand featured 16 looks, which is the smallest collection we highlighted.
-About half of the looks were modeled by women who weren't white.

NAEEM KHAN

-There were 47 looks.
-About 15 looks were modeled by women who weren't white, which is about 30 percent.

*All images found on Style.com.

Fall 2013: Ellery

2013-03-18T00:00:00.000-07:00

Nowadays we're all about collections. You'd think we'd need a break after fashion month, but it worked the opposite way.

We came across Australian brand, Ellery, which is headed by Kym Ellery. According to her website, she was born in Perth in a creative household. Her mother worked in textiles, print making and ceramics. This definitely puts her clothing into perspective.

With the updos, shiny leather and strappy sandals, we kind of get a Tom Ford vibe. That's not to say that this looks inspired by that collection—just that it has that kind of coolness. The pieces aren't exactly every girl friendly (not all of us can afford extra weight in our hip area), but the ones who dare to wear it will definitely stand out. The collection also reached a really nice balance between cozy and dressed up that I'm sure many will appreciate.

*All images found on Ellery.

Spring 2013: Vika Gazinskaya

2013-03-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

Though there are still gloomy days, we see signs of spring regularly now. There were even a few 50-degree days this week.

And we totally want to be armed with the whimsical styles of Vika Gazinskaya this spring.

With exaggerated proportions, this feels like a perfect collection to lead you to the sunnier summer. It has a playfulness that you won't associate with winter, but makes it so perfect for spring. The collection was inspired by all the traveling Vika Gazinskaya did, and clouds were what she saw outside of the plane. And though there are a lot of ruffles that you can't miss, there are plenty of ways you could mix-and-match the pieces to make them more practical for everyday life.

*Images from Style.com.

Oldies, But Goodies

2013-03-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

We brought you something silly yesterday, but today it's all about really good films.

Oscar season is always a favorite for us. Not only do we learn about great films of the past year, Turner Classic Movies also draws our attention to old films that have won Oscars and been an important part of film history. We followed along last month, and here are some movies we enjoyed:

"An American in Paris"

Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron in "An American in Paris."
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We've seen this one plenty of times, but if it's on T.V., we'll check it out. This film stars Gene Kelly, as an American ex-patriate who lives in Paris. He is working as an artist, and he falls in love with a young Parisian girl. She is engaged to another, who she doesn't really love. As with many Kelly films, there is great dancing. So even if you know what is going to happen, the dancing is really spectacular.

"My Favorite Wife"

Irene Dunne and Cary Grant in "My Favorite Wife."
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A wife (Irene Dunne) goes on a trip, and is presumed dead when she doesn't return after seven years. On the day of her husband's second marriage, she returns saying that she was living on a desserted island. Her husband, portrayed by Cary Grant, still loves her and is finding it difficult to break the news to his second wife. It's pretty lighthearted, and Irene Dunne's character mostly finds the entire situation very comical. The end is the best because it's one of the best trolling sequences we've seen.

"The Unsinkable Molly Brown"

Debby Reynolds and Harve Presnell in "The Unsinkable Molly Brown."
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Real life Molly Brown was known for being a survivor of the Titanic. This movie is loosely based on her life, and it follows Molly Brown's journey to becoming a society lady. First, she says she will only marry for money. Instead, she marries for love, but does find a husband who makes a fortune. Then, she tries to throw parties to show she is part of the upper crust, but they do not accept her. She even moves to Europe to learn to be sophisticated and refined, but it doesn't quite work out as it should. This musical stars the adorable Debby Reynolds.

"Father of the Bride"

Elizabeth Taylor and Spencer Tracy in "Father of the Bride."
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Steve Martin is great, but the original version of "Father of the Bride" is even better. It stars Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor, and it follows her characters' journey to the altar. It touches on the emotional effect and the cost of putting on a wedding. It's obviously a little bit dated, but still kind of relevant.

"Gigi"

Leslie Caron as Gigi.
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Leslie Caron was absolutely enjoyable as Gigi, a French girl that is being trained to become a courtesan. It's her very casual personality that her friend, Gaston, falls for. And eventually he realizes he doesn't want her as his mistress.

"The Three Faces of Eve"

Joanne Woodward stars as a woman with multiple personality disorder in "The Three Faces of Eve."
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Eve White is a shy mother and wife, who has blackouts. During these periods, she does thing, such as buy a lot of very expensive clothes or go out dancing, that she doesn't remember. She stars seeing a therapist and learns she has multiple personality disorder. There are two other women, Eve Black and Jane, that exist within her. The doctor later finds that she has multiple personality disorder. This 1957 film was based on a true story.

"A Star is Born"

Janet Gaynor's character wins an Oscar in "A Star is Born."
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A young girl, portrayed by Janet Gaynor, moves to Hollywood to follow her dream of become an actress. Through a fortunate (and sometimes unfortunate) set of events, she lands a leading lady role opposite a big actor. She steals the screen and marries the guy. Eventually, her career surpasses his, which drives him into depression.

Movie Style: "Wish Upon A Star"

2013-03-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

As a kid, I came across "Wish Upon A Star" on the Disney Channel. I didn't get much out of it, but it did introduce me to Katherine Heigl pre-"Knocked Up."

Thanks to Netflix, I was able to re-watch the 1996 flick recently. Now, the only thing that stood out to me was how "Clueless" the wardrobe seemed. And this makes complete sense. "Clueless" took place in 1995, and Alexia Wheaton, portrayed by Katherine Heigl, is the pretty, popular girl at her school. She's basically Cher Horowitz—she's the leader of the gang and she even drives a Jeep.

She is less likable than Cher, and it goes the same way for her style. (Coincidentally, her sister's pre-switcheroo style is very reminiscent of pre-makeover Tai.)

Alexia Wheaton is by no means a schlub, but Cher Horowitz she is not.

It's a very '90s style, but it take cues from Cher Horowitz. Knee-high socks, super accessorized looks and even fuzziness are all part of her wardrobe. But it's not necessarily designer duds or even as fresh as "Clueless."

*All images are screenshots from the movie.

PFW, Day 7 + 8 + 9 (FW13)

2013-03-06T18:17:00.000-08:00

We've finally reached the end, and we decided to combine as many days as possible together.
Here's the last bit of it:

Vionnet

Bold buckles were a recurring character on the Vionnet runway. The show notes described the collection as, "A vision of modern femininity delineated in bold, confident brushstrokes." Though dresses were part of the formula, they weren't prissy. They leaned toward sexy, but were more about the kind of clothes that women would wear for themselves.

Paul & Joe

Slouchy clothes with a quirky twist were presented at Paul & Joe. It had elements of both feminine, with sweet dresses that had high collars, and masculine through outerwear, and everything was extremely relaxed.

Sacai

Sacai's pieces have a bit of this and that. They have different colored fabrics mixed together, such as switching colors in the pleats of skirts. But it always remained commercial, and we're again reaffirmed that large plaid deserves a special place in our wardrobe come fall.

Paco Rabanne

Style icon Françoise Hardy was the muse for this collection. So mod touches and short hemlines were found throughout. The theme was very clear, but the knockout pieces were chain-mail pieces. They were very in line with the other parts of the collection, but just felt like a modernized, wearable version that might not really be synonymous with chain mail.

*All images from Style and WWD.

PFW, Day 6 (FW13)

2013-03-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

It was just another day filled with great collections.

Here is our favorite from day six:

Akris

The Akris collection was dedicated to Ute Kriemler, who died last December, and some of her favorite music by Bach played throughout. The entire collection, save for one outfit, was black. It was a dignified collection, with high necklines and sophisticated pieces."She had a lot of discipline in her appearance, you know," said Albert Kriemler. "In German I can say it better. It's haltung."

*All images from Style and WWD.

PFW, Day 4 + 5 (FW13)

2013-03-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

We're so close to the end, and we know this week will go out with a bang.

Here's what days four and five brought:

Christian Dior

The spirit of Christian Dior is clearly present, but so is Raf Simons'. He used early Andy Warhol drawings on more vintage shapes and more edgy features to perfectly represent past and present. For example, there was a version of a 1949 Miss Dior dress, but it came in black and in leather. The set was even reminiscent of one of his men's collections from 1999. It was the perfect melding of many elements.

Martin Grant

Martin Grant can sure make skirts that we just want. It was classic pieces, and things that translate well into real style. Even the capes were highly functional. With pockets being added to the traditional style.

Tsumori Chisato

If there's one thing you can expect from a Tsumori Chisato collection, it's that it'll be unconventional. Pattern and color were rightly present, but a more toned down Fall 2013 was featured. Don't get us wrong, it still takes some daringness to wear these clothes. But it's really not that out of the question, even if there are large lobsters decorating pieces.

*All images from Style and WWD.

PFW, Day 3 (FW13)

2013-03-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

Today was the day we were waiting for, and a lot of great collections were presented.

Here is what caught our eye:

Bouchra Jarrar

Bouchra Jarrar described her collection as "a comfortable universe." And just one look at those extra large, cozy scarves lets us know that we want to live in them. It was filled with separates that could easily be mixed and matched, and it really was just comfortable. The clothing wasn't tight. The color palette was simple. And it's easy to fall for it.

Balenciaga

"I'm going back to the roots, identifying the codes of the house, and translating them into a functioning, full wardrobe," said Alexander Wang, of his first Balenciaga collection. And we think this is the perfect choice for such a massive undertaking. With this, he can prove he understands the brand's identity before he stamps his own signature style on it. It was a very black-and-white collection, but Wang managed to modernize his vintage inspiration. It was a less flashy collection, especially when compared with Nicolas Ghesquière, but there is plenty of eye candy to ogle. Just look at the backs of pieces, the marble print, and the textured mohair knits. Definitely not a bad start, and according to the Balenciaga press office, Alexander Wang started working on the collection in January.

*All images from Style and WWD.

PFW Day 1+2 (FW13)

2013-02-27T22:09:00.003-08:00

We're finally almost at the end, and Paris is always a special event.

Not only will we have yet another Raf Simons Dior collection, we also have the first Balenciaga line under the helm of Alexander Wang. Then, you add some of our favorite designers to the mix, and you have one of our favorite weeks.

Here are the first two days:

Cédric Charlier

While his inspiration might have been a bit of a head scratcher (illuminated medieval manuscripts?), the collection was a solid one. What started off as a very dark collection was brightened (illuminated?) by pinks and green-yellows. Not exactly the kind of fun you would expect from medieval times. It was a nice surprise, which was foreshadowed through the bright eyeshadow, that really helped balance the more severe pieces.

Guy Laroche

Marlene Dietrich's knack for wearing men's clothing in a womanly way influenced this Guy Laroche collection. The suits either showed off a lot of skin, were in vibrant pinks or came with a skirt instead of pants. Perhaps something that Marlene Dietrich would be drawn to in present-day. For the outfits that had less of a suit feel, there was plenty of sex appeal. Slits, low necklines and cutouts filled out the rest of the collection.

*All images from Style and WWD.

MFW, Top Looks for FW13

2013-02-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

We're 3/4 of the way through fashion month, but before we start discussing the Parisian catwalks, we'll reminisce one more time (for now).

*All images from Style and WWD.

The Oscars: Best Dressed 2013

2013-02-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

Just as the nominated, we've been waiting for this night for a long time. We love the movies, and we love seeing what everyone wears on this day.

Here are a few of our favorites:

Anne Hathaway

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We were hoping Anne Hathaway had her own Audrey Hepburn moment, but we were expecting it to be by way of "Sabrina." Instead, she channeled '60s-era Hepburn by bringing the sweeter version of Holly Golightly in a pale pink Prada gown. Like the "Breakfast At Tiffany's" character, Anne Hathaway's gown had an open back. And really, that's where all the visual interest came. We know the dress was divisive, but we think she shined on her special day.

Naomi Watts

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For the most part, it was a standard, pretty gown. But Naomi Watts brought some drama with her asymmetrical neckline with this Armani Privé dress. It fit her well, and we're also very particular to this shade of gray.

Amanda Seyfried

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Amanda Seyfried wore a very pretty Alexander McQueen dress. And as she wasn't nominated, we definitely won't take points away for going with such a light color. The embroidered halter gown served the right purpose. It made her look stunning on a big night, but it didn't make her the center of attention.

Halle Berry

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Halle Berry has been off her game for a while. Her red carpet appearance at the Golden Globes showed too much skin and felt too chaotic. This was figure flattering, and she was covered up. It definitely could have done without the sleeves, but she looked like a knock out in this Versace dress.

Salma Hayek

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Except for the neckline, everything about this dress is simple. It's black. It's sleek. But really, it's that ornate collar that makes this Alexander McQueen dress. It just felt like she went a different route from the standard dress that walks the red carpet nowadays, and Salma Hayek looked stunning.

Kerry Washington

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In her pink Miu Miu gown, Kerry Washington brought something the red carpet desperately needed: color. It was fairly simple, and most of the detail came from the bodice. The pink was just perfect.

MFW, Day 4 + 5

2013-02-24T17:23:00.004-08:00

This is a first for us: reviews on the same day as the show. Well, we wanted to be absolutely available when the Oscars rolled around, so here is another two days of shows.

Bally

We hardly take the time to single out just a few aspects of a collection, but Bally had two defining moments for us. First, they used Siberian husky puppies to further drive the point of what to wear in super cold weather. Second, one of their last pictures featured the most perfect tan luggage. If that doesn't scream winter holiday, we don't know what does.

Dolce & Gabbana

From the very first look, we got flashbacks to last season's collection, and perhaps it's because this collection is also looking at Italy's past that we encounter similar silhouettes and pieces. Still, it was different enough to be interesting. Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana looked to mosaics of Sicily's Cathedral of Monreale for inspiration. What came out was lots of tiny bejeweled pieces, and a really ostentatious collection. From the details of a white blouses sleeve to sparkly flats to the big, gold jewelry, these luxe accents were everywhere to be seen. And we can't forget the crowns that accompanied a few looks. This is an especially timely collection, given the Pope's recent resignation.

Acquilano.Rimondi

Heart-printed fabrics, ruffled collars and very bright blue eyeshadow easily fit into the picture of "Alice in Wonderland" that we have. It was a little avant garde, but still wearable enough for the most part. Some of the clothing had a bit of the bigness found in Victorian Era silhouettes, and just as the clothing of that time was incredibly detailed, so were the pockets that formed a heart shape. Other than the jacquard pieces, we enjoyed every aspect of the collection.

*All images from Style and WWD.