I’m usually not much for documentaries or artsy movies (I didn’t last through the first 15 minutes of Factory Girl), but as a fashion lover, I thought it was only right to go pay respects to the master of the red dress by going to see the Valentino movie. I went in expecting a little insight into the inner workings of the fashion house, but I came out with a feeling akin to having seen a chick flick (one with a bittersweet ending).  It was not simply a documentary, it was a story- a story of success and a story of love.

It started off in the workshop, with seamstresses buzzing around finishing off for the upcoming collection. Then it focused on how Valentino dreamt of this white dress one morning, and we followed it into creation, from whether to add sequinces or not to the runway. On the way, we got to know Valentino and who he is. We got a glimpse of his eccentricities, his insecurities and his humor (he’s a really funny guy!). We felt his passion for his designs and his genius that got him to where he is now. I don’t think I truly appreciated his talents until I saw the creation of that white dress! It transformed from a pretty white dress into a dream. I may have to alter my fantasy wedding dress from Vera Wang to Valentino- the original of course.

Then there was the relationship between him and Giancarlo Giammetti, his business partner. It took us back to Cafe de Paris where they met, we saw them bantering one minute and then the next Valentino would give Giammetti a bracelet for the new years- you can tell that they have a very special relationship. It was especially touching when Valentino mentioned Giammetti in his speech when he received the Légion d’honneur. I was teary! It’s sort of anti climax to find out afterwards from Wiki that they were only together for 12 years and now Valentino is actually dating someone else….

We also saw them preparing for Valentino’s 45th anniversary in the industry in Rome, with an exhibit of his works in the past many years and a fabulous party/show at the ‘Temple of Venus’ at the Imperial forum facing the Colosseum. They illuminated the Colosseum blue and red, with girls in red/white long dresses dancing in the air- it was an amazing show. I especially enjoyed the part when Valentino showed Lagerfeld around and said that they were the two real designers left who made beautiful clothes and everyone else made rags. This celebration however also marked Valentino’s eventual retirement in 2007, after Primero did a hostile takeover of the company. It was a very bittersweet ending, because Valentino seemed so passionate about his art that he didn’t seem like the type to want to retire, indeed he denied retiring throughout the show. If I were him, I’d hate to hand over the brand name that I’d worked 45 years to build over to some strangers!

The documentary really changed my view about Valentino. Now I’m loving everything he ever did and I feel very sad that I will never be able to get an original Valentino red dress again (not unless I go vintage). Even his five pugs are growing on me. They have the most sad, soulful eyes, looking up at you.

Image Source: Valentino: The Last Emperor

Today, HG showed me the Tiffany keys collection. My first impression was, ” it looks that key in Sailormoon!”

Yes, I was a die hard Sailormoon fan in childhood. Even though I’m grown up now, and realize that their bodies are grossly disproportionate and that it is actually quite disturbing that the Sailor Stars were men who became women when they transformed (when you’re young you do not question), I still have a weak spot for them and anything that reminds me of them. And so, when I saw these keys, I was sold. They are simple, elegant and meaningful. It brings to mind magical adventures and cheesy lines like the key to your heart, without looking cheesy.

They also come at a wide price range from ~$200 to $2000- a bit of magic for everyone. Definitely keepers!

Image Source: Tiffany

Shopping makes me happy. Each purchase gives me a thrill. So you can imagine how dull the past two months have been given that it is only the beginning of SS09 collections and nothing is on sale yet (though they are about to start). I switched from stalking Shopbop and Saks to stalking the goods on Scottrades for a while, but even that has gotten too expensive lately. Luckily, the other day over steak with the girls, I was freshly inspired.

For the whole evening I couldn’t help but stare at my friends S’s huge flower ring and A’s adorable black/white camelia earrings. I thought the ring, being such a big fashion statement, must be super expensive and that the earrings, must surely be Chanel. I couldn’t help but confirm my suspiciouns anyway at the end of the evening and guess what? They’re cheap!  Yes, that’s right. Both are from Forever 21 for less than $10! I was so excited that I immediately made them go with me to Forever 21 after dinner. But alas, the one on Michigan Ave closes at 9.30pm on a Friday.

Of course I went home and stalked the website. After much perusal, I selected the above as the perfect accessories to start the SS09 season with:

1. A’s adorable dangly camelia earrings in white or magenta. I can’t quite decide. One is classic but summery, and the other is bright and girly!
2. S’s big flower ring in red (the bottom right one). Red just because it’s Spring (they have it in black as well that is very Chanel).
3. The multi color rhinestone ring, that reminds me a bit of Dior. Loves it!
4. Floral print mini skirt. I’m usually not a fan of Forever 21 clothing, because they never fit me or they break (either that or I’m deformed and am very careless), but this skirt looks safe enough. Pair it with a leather jacket, a gorgeous bag and some killer shoes and no one needs to know that the hemms are frailing!

The key to wearing the accessories without it looking the price is to pair it with something very simple but appropriate such that the accessory is part of the outfit. i.e. my friend paired her big ring with a simple black cardigan over her patent Members leggings and red Louboutin heels- perfect. And of course, knowing that you are worth a million dollars helps too!

If you are still clinging to the fall/winter (or cannot help but be due to the weather), here are some elegant classics. I especially love the black cube ring and the simple black pendant. The huge side bow of the purple headband may look a bit crazy, but I can imagine it being the center piece of a fab outfit (paired with a black tux jacket perhaps?)!

So if you are looking for some cheap thrills to last you until sale season, you know where to start!  

Image Source: Forever 21

I rather liked the McQueen collection. They were amped up pieces that parodied 20th century fashion landmarks from Dior, Chanel and his own archives. Take away all the theatrical jazz, they are actually very wearable and gorgeous! Not to mention the wealth of satirical meaning behind the collection. Check out the rest here.

I just have one problem: the make-up. All the models were wearing the identical, weird pasty face, sausage red lip look. He’s probably trying to focus attention on the fashion instead of the model by making them all a white canvas, but is that scary make-up necessary? How can the lovely Lily Donaldson (left) look like THAT? He might as well have hired a bunch of identical robots to for his runway.

Image Source: Style.com

Not the most impressive show, but I thought I’d mention it anyway since I’ve always had a weak spot for Chloe. Anyways, Hannah MacGibbon has been doing some serious cramming with the Chloe archives, because I’m seeing bits of the Chloe girl back on the runway.

Well, not so much the first part i.e. the first two looks above. There were just too much stuff going on, it looked confused. It needed to be more clean and effortless to be Chloe. Though those thigh high boots (first look) definitely has potential. What I did love was the latter half of the show i.e. last two looks. Doesn’t it look like these two looks are  from a completely different runway than the first two? You can definitely see the Phoebe Philo touch there. The velvet (third outfit) was a good effort on MacGibbon’s part on updating the Philo look- it’s gorgeous! But it looks like MacGibbon still has a lot of work to do to take Philo’s concept to the next level.

As Hiedi Klum says, in fashion one day you’re in and one day you’re out- and Chloe has been “out” for a long time now. So MacGibbon better hurry up and get her act together before we forget who the Chloe girl is!

Image Source: Style.com

I haven’t been paying much attention to Stella McCartney the pass few seasons, because her “sportier” sensibility didn’t go too well with my innate girliness and aversion to sports. But this season, Stella is back and the magic ingredient seems to be a pinch of tulle/lace.

There were the regular effortlessly cool jumpsuit dresses and boyfriend blazers that were pure Stella, and then there were the gorgeous tulle dresses that were just genius. Yes, Lily Donaldson’s slip dress does look a bit like a negligee, but that is nothing a good leather jacket cannot fix (think of the sharp contrast!). I’m loving the simple design, overlaying tulle and the vibrant green. The evening dress (far right) is also genius. It is revealing, but not quite because of the tulle. I’m not sure how a regular girl is going to wear that see through skirt part, but the concept is refreshing and fun.

Image Source: Style.com

Back to fashion, Karl Lagerfeld also came out with a gorgeous collection . I didn’t get his bicycle pants, feathers and fringes, but I get this return to the classics.

The collection was quintessentially Chanel, focusing on black and white, with a sprinkle of baby pink and green (to match the featured emerald colored jewelry). It featured cute ruffle sleeves that amazingly didn’t appear childish or anime-like at all. It was the perfect feminine touch to the austere black, very tailored, background. The baby pink was girly and cute. There was something there for Chanel lovers of all ages.

There were even eye candies on the runway. Dressed in handsome long black coats and what looks to be a cravat- they look like they stepped right out of a regency romance! I especially have my eye on Baptiste Giabiconi (above). Tall, dark and handsome anyone? *swoon*

Image Source: Style.com