The music's loud...

The New Year's Eve party is a tradition for almost everyone around the world, and it's a fun excuse to get dressed up. Of course, most of us won't be wearing $3000 Matthew Williamson gowns, but it's nice to fantasize. For New Year's, everyone and their mother will be wearing something metallic or something velvet. I suggest you go ahead of the curve by either working the minimalist look, or going the romantic route -- both big trends for spring.

For the minimalist look, start out with a solid-colored, modern, cleanly cut dress. I like ones by Mary Ping, Dolce Gabanna, Grey Ant, Narciso Rodriguez, or 3.1 Philip Lim. To balance out the simple beauty of the dresses, add more intricate and eye-catching accessories, like shoes from Terry de Havilland, Pedro Garcia, Yves Saint Laurent, Marc Jacobs, Lanvin, or Pierre Hardy. A rich-looking and exotic evening bag, like Bottega Veneta's or Nancy Gonzalez's always works, but younger girls can pull off a larger bag, such as Zac Posen's or De Couture's -- just as long as it's worn with a shorter dress. Finish off the look with delicate jewelry and simple hair and makeup, maybe with one standout feature, like a smokey eye or dark lip.

As for romanticism, a dramatic, opulent, embellished, or just plain feminine dress is key. Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Matthew Williamson, Isili, and Ann Valerie Hash all make excellent ones. Add in simple accessories, like a Bottega Veneta clutch, a Nancy Gonzalez clutch, Louboutin pumps, Jean-Michel Cazabat d'Orsay heels, an Ann Demeulemeester clutch, Pierre Hardy pumps, or maybe even Alaia flats. Girlish but easy makeup and minimal jewelry finishes off the look.

Happy New Year!

It's Christmas! Let's Be Glad!

Happy Holidays from Insanity & Style!

1st column, from top to bottom: Comme des Garçons wallet @ Aloha Rag, Miu Miu flats and dress @ Net a Porter; 2nd column: Comme des Garçons wallet @ Aloha Rag, Miu Miu flats and dress @ Net a Porter; 3rd column: Wouters & Hendrix ring @ Aloha Rag, Graham & Spencer dress and Bottega Veneta heels @ Net a Porter; 4th column: Miu Miu gloves and dress @ Net a Porter, Pierre Hardy heels @ Aloha Rag.

Pearly-Dewdrops' Drops

I find it amazing how graceful, dainty, understated, and beautiful these Pedro Garcia shoes are. The lightly layered ruffles and the luster of the pearl-colored satin give an air of opulence, while the fact that the shoes are flat, along with the pinking-cut trim, subdue it just enough. The pointy toe is always flattering to the legs and feet, since I'd be afraid to ruin the pristine satin, I'd just push ninth graders into the dirt in front of me, and use them to guard my pretty new shoes. Perfect.

Pedro Garcia's "Albany" satin flat, available at Net-a-Porter, Shop Bop, and in suede (on sale, called the "Anais") also at Net-a-Porter.

La Nature

So, yes, a lot of jewlery is inspired by nature. We have leaf earrings, bird necklaces, and floral rings. But, how often do you see honeycomb necklaces? Or octupus tentacles as earrings? How about art deco style feather earrings? That's where Reform Jewelry comes in. Designer Carol Cutu is inspired by natural shapes too, but she makes pieces that are unique, clean, earthy, and graceful. Her line has been featured in Zink, Paper, Lucky, and Daily Candy (among other publications), and it's relatively afforable. Reform Jewelry.

Sex Sells

But I'm not talking about porn star-worthy raunchiness. This is the type of sex where at least something is left to the imagination, and where the sensuality is propelled by a suggestion, whether it's a certain situation, the lighting in a photograph, the texture of a fabric, or the line of a body. It's modern and versatile, where you can look appropriately sexy at school, and in a nightclub. This is diverse sexuality, where something skintight and short is equally as sexy as something loose and low-cut. It can be sheer fabrics, plunging necklines, micro minis, corset structuring, underwear as outerwear, or strategic slits. It can be chic androgyny, or overt femininity. This is the kind of sexuality where the person and the situation matter as much as the outfit itself.
--warning, one NSFW picture below--

Marina Perez in Vogue Espana

A look from Christopher Kane SS07

Mariacarla shot by Terry Richardson

A look from Prada FW06, as seen in Bazaar

Edie Sedgwick in "Beauty #2"

Shoes from Lanvin SS05

Daria Werbowy in Vogue FR Dec 2004

A look from Preen SS07

Venus in Furs

So, I'm a vegetarian, and despite all of my qualms with eating meat, I really love fur. It's hard to describe, but I don't really feel the need to justify it. Thus, branching off of my extreme weather outfit post, I decided to write about the fur piece I'm in love with, this mink cropped swing jacket from Karl Lagerfeld.

Normally, I don't adore Karl, but this garment is so choice. The fur is so luxurious, the color is so rich, and it evokes the Park Avenue princess look, but for today. The cut is modern and versatile, but it still seems like a piece that will stand the test of time. It has lots of details, yet it doesn't seem too bulky. If you have a spare $4500, I'd highly reccomend picking one up at Intermix.

Oh the weather outside is frightful...

Actually, it's not. Here in Southern California, we don't get much "weather" in the winter. It's generally 60 or so degrees, and it doesn't start to rain until mid January. Too hot to snow, too cold to go swimming. Translation: boring. Thus, I'm envious of both the northerners, who get snow and wind and all that good, cold weather, and the people who live, or at least vacation, somewhere hot and exotic.
My dream cold weather outfit of the moment would start off with Diane von Furstenburg wool pants, a Marc by Marc Jacobs knit top, and Blumarine sweater, topped off with Chloé cape (although I'm also a huge fan of APC's pull-over parka, it wouldn't really work with this outfit). I'd wear Miu Miu moccasin boots when I need to be practical, and Anna Sui boots when I don't. My hat would be from Ann Louise Roswald, my scarf, Hermes cashmere, my gloves, cashmere convertibles from Barney's. And, of course, I'd carry a Lanvin bag, in this case, the Ludvine.
As for warm weather, I'd frolic about St Barts in dresses from Grey Ant, Vince, United Bamboo, more United Bamboo, Elissa Coleman, and Michelle Lowe-Holder, with swimsuits by Missoni, Tomas Maier and American Apparel, and sandals by K Jacques. My sunglasses would be Tom Ford, and once again, of course, I'd carry a Lanvin bag, the Kansas.

White light, White Heat

White is perfectly crip and fresh for winter, and it's always been a staple for spring. It's clean, modern, and surprisingly versatile. Whether you like ivory, creme, bone, snow, or any other shade, it's damn hot. Just don't let any plebians scuff up your Sigerson Morrison flats, or spill rosé on your pristine Philip Lim dress.






From top: Earnest Sewn dirty white Harlan #10 jeans, at satineboutique.com; looks from 3.1 Philip Lim SS07 from style.com; Anya Hindmarch bags at net-a-porter.com; Sigerson Morrison flats at zappos.com.

Clap Your Hands Say What?

Yeah!

So, in case you were wondering, there actually is a place for retarded wailing in music, as long as it's backed up by passionate and meaningful lyrics, and delightful and beautiful melodies. This is Clap Your Hands Say Yeah!'s niche. Their new album comes out January 16th at their website, and in stores January 30th. Two new songs from it:
click and and click.

Inspiration

Trendsetting way? Clemence Poesy in Balenciaga (picture from style.com)


Cheaper way? A lace trim tank from Urban Outfitters, overtop some sort of flowy blue dress, with flat sandals, trying to imitate Clemence's gorgeous, wide-eyed stare, and effortless sense of style.

Oh Pierre!

Fuck Jimmy Choo. Manolo Blahnik can go screw an Alaskian transsexual hooker for all I care. Christian Louboutin and Terry de Havilland, the nice men that they are, are hacks compared to this guy. The only cobbler in my life? Pierre Hardy, bien sûr. Aside from designing shoes that are of-the-moment, graceful, and orgasmic, he also has a nifty purse line, and does the awe-inspiring shoes for Balenciaga. Hells yes.
His line is available at the Pierre Hardy store, select boutiques including Barneys New York and Aloha Rag. Pictures from the Pierre Hardy website.

The next hot young thing...

Agyness Deyn, the edgy English pixie, is hitting the runways and photo spreads like nobody's business. The spirited waif has a strongly and classically gorgeous face, with a slightly awkward bleached crop, and a crazy-cool sense of style.









Pics courtesy of Style.com, Supermodels.nl, and Agyness' very own myspace.