Fly me to the ... Mediterranean

(L to R: Chadwick Bell, James Coviello, Elie Saab, Valentino, Kenzo)

I think there's something timeless about an extremely well-draped dress, which is why the Roman/Grecian draping is back yet again for another summer of one-shouldered fun. What's even better is this trend works great with long and short dresses, can be edgy and feminine, and - possibly best of all - can flaunt and hide assets and the things we'd rather left very to the imagination with little to no effort.

With all the movie premieres and summer gatherings this summer, celebrities and fashion icons are diving into this trend head first! Megan Fox looks to be a major fan of the trend.

Megan Fox
Halle Barry

Camilla Belle
Heather Graham
Liv Tyler

From the covergirl to girl behind the cover

A little bird (itsmechaneliman) tweeted that she her closet and the fashion closet at Teen Vogue have some semblance of each other - now that she's an intern. I know I keep writing on here about how I'm tracking the model careers of Chanel, Ali and Karlie like they're my children, but you're going to have to deal with it for one more post (at least...). But each of them really does have a fascinating career and this is only the beginning.

Anyway. Chanel Iman is interning at Teen Vogue. And a few weeks ago there were mumblings that Coco Rocha would be picking up a similar gig at Vogue. Part of me loves this while the other part of me wonders if this is similar to celebrities enrolling in ivy leagues just because they can. Is it really fair? But when I step back from the scene I realize that these girls are putting those ever talked about networking skills to good use. Jealous? Yes. Wishing I had the same industry connections? Definitely.

Maybe Chanel wants to find something she can do once she's no longer fit for the runways. If she really likes it and is good at it, she could be a much larger force in the fashion industry than a cute-to-boot walking hanger.

A few more guesses Vogue is hurting: a repsonse to Jezebel

Jezebel posted an article on Friday about the five guesses (aka substantial and highly possible) as to why American Vogue is hurting. 1) the recession 2) the zeitgeist 3) it's stale 4) Anna Wintour 5) the internet.

I have a few to add.

1) The writing is so dull. I fall asleep before I can finish an article. In fact I opt to take a book or other magazine when I go to the gym for fear I'll fall asleep on the stationary bike. And I know I've bashed Anna Wintour's lack of writing in the past, but it bears repeating: the woman never finished high school and she can't pen a thought-provoking editor's letter/letter from the editor to save her life. And it's sure not saving her coveted magazine. I know when you buy a fashion magazine it's for the fashion, but magazines are still journalism and deserve to be edited by someone who knows what good literature is. It's really that simple. Anna Wintour is not a good editor. She may know fashion, but editing is so not her strong suit. How long will it take S.I. Newhouse to recognize that?

2) Too many jumping models. Go through your collection of the last "x" number of Vogues lying in your closet. Now count how many editorial fashion spreads feature jumping models with vacant expressions. Is it all of them? If it's not I'm surprised. When I read Jerry Oppenheimer's biography of Anna Wintour I came upon pages and pages of doting publishers and editors calling Anna's editorial eye "original," "unique," and a million other synonyms you can find on thesaurus.com. What happened to that (if it really was true)? There's not much original and unique about publishing the same editorial spread month after month - just change the clothes, accessories and sometimes the model and viola! Conde Nast can expect to see subription sales to drop even more if they keep featuring this tired spread.

3) The mag is too pretentious. And it's 100% the fault of Anna. Each month the "Up Front" feature is about some socialite and why her life isn't perfect. Is that supposed to affect Vogue's readers? If Vogue really wants to sell - both on the newsstand and subscriptions - they need to feature articles that will make its readers feel something or want to do something. A successful fashion magazine needs to shed a new light on the still images and looks we can find on style.com while also serving up some interesting and thought-provoking reads. Otherwise it's an offensive yawn. No thanks.

Here are some comments that the Jezebel article received from like-minded people who had some of their own guesses:

6. You only need one. If you read July's issue you've already seen everything that will be featured in issues for August, September and May. - merv

7. Buying a badge that reads I'm irrelevant is cheaper than carrying around an issue. - merv

8. Sienna Miller on the cove 13 times a year! - Plz2kthx

9. An policy against hiring anyone who knows what other people find interesting. -iheartapocalypse

That's all.

When I'm rich and famous

Or when I can find it at a good price somewhere online, I'll reward myself for hard work at the gym by buying a Tory Burch dress, like the Clea dress above, for my new, slimmer self. I took a day trip on Wednesday to Waco and walked into a little boutique (yeah, I didn't think Waco had boutiques either) and discovered a ready-to-wear daydress heaven. Wooden branches - literally - suspended from the ceiling acted as closet rails for DVF and Tory Burch dresses. Once I picked my jaw up off the floor I picked a few dresses to try on and was amazed at myself for fitting in the formerly too-small size! The cut would flatter any figure, especially with the button tab detail at the waist drawing the eye in. The fabric is just forgiving enough. Plus, can't you see MObama wearing it? Bliss.

A seasonal mixture: the best of both worlds

Last summer pinup was the major trend in swimwear, this summer it seems to be florals (although since I've just been floating around in the pool in my backyard I could be completely mistaken, but florals is the trend I'm sifting through on the internet). Both styles are entirely feminine and - depending on the size of floral pattern - incredibly flattering to the female figure. But this summer, why choose one when you can have the best of both worlds (yeah, Miley might be playing in the background right now).

+

(left: Shoshanna 'Tulum' Floral Bandeau Bow Bikini, right: La Blanca by Rod Beattie 'Roman Holidays' Tankini)
=

(Betsey Johnson 'Chantilly Rose' Tankini)

A floral pinup design tankini has got to be the most feminine swimsuit available right now. Nordstrom, here I come!

Did someone say art?

At last week's Whitney Art Party, Arlensis Sosa managed to make her way into not one, but two pics from the party on style.com. It's no secret that art showings and silent auctions - especially when hosted by Max Azria types - yield more than a fare share of models and fashion. Arlensis was a stunner in the orange gown by the sponsor himself. Another best dressed goes out to one of my personal favs Alexis Bledel, though she's more of an actress now she started out as a model, so I still consider her one. She wore a lustworthy Herve Leger (jealous!).

When I'm rich and famous

I've been inspired by the heat of a Texas summer, and a recent (yesterday) air conditioning malfunction (failure) to lust for fun tank dresses perfect for the high temperatures I've been dealing with. This dress is the perfect summer dress. I can wear it to my internship, work and a day out shopping. This M Missoni diagonal stripe reversible dress (Nordstrom, $695) is perfect.

CFDA awards

Ahh, the CFDA awards. A night when fashion is at the forefront. There's no playing around, no red carpet tease before a non-fashion-centered event. Here are my favs and just no's from the event (of the images I found...)

Favs:

Betsey Johnson
This is totally her personality, and I love that there's a really good chance her granddaughter has the exact same outfit.

Ralph Lauren
This really makes me wonder if all those bow-tie wearing meterologists on the news wear jeans underneath the desk... After seeing Ralph rocking the look, I hope so!
Rachel Zoe
This stylist can do good for more than just her celebrity clients. A+
Zoe Saldana
It's like she's wearing a cross between Rami Kashuk (PR season 4) and Rodarte. Love.
Coco Rocha
She makes me want to wear a one shouldered poncho. Ok, so it's way cuter (and more chic) than a poncho, but it's still fantastic - and look at those shoes!

Just no:
Ashley Olsen
I think she took Marc Jacobs 80s statement from the AW 2009 RTW too seriously. I mean shoulder pads and solid orange? Ash, you look like a walking carrot.
Michelle Trachtenberg
I really expected her to find something that fit her body better. That's all.

One editing trend that I hope doesn't get overused

The use of negative space on editorial spreads. I absolutely love it, and the best part is, I have no clue who started it! I've seen this editing technique used in such mags as Elle, Vogue (shocker!) and W just to name a few. It's such an interesting way to let readers view images. Let the photograph rise a few picas from the bottom of the page and expose some white - it's not a crime, in fact it's exciting!

If Elle magazine wasn't so good at varying its use of negative space I would be fed up and annoyed; but by changing the way negative space is exposed, it becomes interesting and a great way of designing pages. W magazine goes as far as leaving an entire page of white space with only the styling credits. Sometimes you'll see two images on a page - a great way to save money on pages and create an interesting dichotomy of images if done properly.

Using negative space is a tool highlight and downplay images to make the reader look at the image differently. Major bummer though, when magazines post their photo shoots online, they don't put the pages online, only the images. So no photos in this post

Safari, anyone?

Ralph Lauren's SS 2009 RTW collection was all about the African Savannah (above: looks 1, 7 and 47). From resort whites, to black formals to brown and green khakis the collection was mean to reflect staying cool in the heat. Since last week I wrote about being white-hot, this week we're going to get our khaki on! There's a reason Gap has a whole line of khaki garments at the 5th Ave. flagship store right now (to hit the web tomorrow, I do believe) and why most mid-market retailers have ample quantity in shades of khaki. Here are some easy pieces that can be worn together or apart to achieve the look.

MICHAEL Michael Kors long sleeve shirt with patch pockets (Nordstrom, $69.50)

Coach New Ali Large Hobo ($378)

Joie Berlin linen shorts (Nordstrom, $158)

Ann Taylor Loft short sleeve jacket ($59.50)

Banana Republic linen zebra-print patio dress ($130)

Hermoine Granger of the face of Burberry: which would you pick?

Over the last week or so pics of Emma Watson as the new face of Burberry have surfaced. I know it's not groundbreaking for actresses to moonlight as models, but I've yet to see one that looks this meant-to-be. It took me a second to realize who the new girl was; she looked familiar, but so fitting for the campaign that you completely forget that she has a new Harry Potter flick out this summer. In the sixth film she's still a high school-aged teen of 16, but in reality she's a blossoming 19 ready to break free of her brainiac alterego for more grown up roles.

So, when it comes to the opening of HP#6, instead of dressing up in your Hogwarts best, I'd rather opt for a Burberry look in honor of the most stylish witch.

When I'm rich and famous

I'll be prepared for the crazy weather of late with a pair of Burberry rain boots ($195, Nordstrom). I'd like nothing more than to pair this with that Burberry trench I wrote about weeks ago - and to be honest, I ache for that trench! I'll admit that these boots could be a reality for me now if I just saved my money, but since I have some houndstooth wellies from Target, they'll do.

Now, I say that these boots would have done well for me in the recent storms - scratch that, land hurricane is more like it - but the reality is that both me and these cute boots would have either A) been swept up into the swirling vortex of water in my backyard or B) drowned. And these boots don't deserve that kind of life.

My dream wardrobe**

Everyone has one celebrity whose wardrobe they'd like to raid, and after giving it some thought I've decided that if I could I'd raid Michelle Obama's wardrobe. She has the perfect balance of professionalism to wear ability to high fashion sense. Plus she seems to have some pretty awesome designer friends on speed dial, just saying.

To the left she's in Michael Kors, but then that's what she wears half the time, right? I wish I could say the same. No matter who she wears, though, they and she both know how to show off her arms - I would too if mine looked like that! With a healthy helping of MK, Moschino, Jason Wu, Lanvin and Azzedine Alaia, MObama does just fine. Sigh. I wish I could spend even ten minutes in her closet.

Here's just a smattering of my favorite MObama ensembles - there's not enough room to put all of them up here, plus you wouldn't want to scroll that much. Check out the NY Mag Michelle Obama Look Book for more (83 looks so far dating back to the night her hubby won the election).

http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2009/04/michelle_obama_slideshow.html

Lanvin dress

Etro blouse

Michael Kors dress

Rodarte dress

Moschino and Michael Kors

Michael Kors and Jason Wu

**Note: I regret that this post is going up on Friday instead of Thursday. The last few days the area where I live has experienced some hellacious storms and my internet died. RIP, default wireless router. Today I will also post a "When I'm rich and famous" blog to make up for the lost day. Enjoy!

How I get my glow

The June 2009 Elle is a body issue, which means lots of articles about healthy workouts, detoxing, emotional health and one woman's journey to find her "glow." While Maggie Bullock may be a decade or so older than me and have different needs, every woman has a right to her own glow. That is to say we all deserve a healthy, radiant and acne/wrinkle/spot-free complexion. Throughout the article there are sidebars full of product possibilities to achieving one's "glow." And on top of that Elle put up a vlog entry today in which one of their staffers interviewed passers-by on the streets of NYC by having them answer this question: blush or bronzer?

My answer, for the summer at least, would have to be both. I achieve my "glow" by using a cream blush underneath a soft powder bronzer. Cream blushes like ones from Clinique, Maybelline and Stila are my favs. I usually choose peachy colors, because on me and paired with bronzer they work best, but each brand has its own color pallettes and application types. Clinique is a cream stick that you just dab on and rub around, Maybelline is a cream mousse that you simply blend into your skin and the Stila I think works best if you use a foam foundation wedge.

Clinique ($18.50)
Maybelline (about $8)
Stila ($25)

Into the white

Expect summer to be white hot. Walk into any mid-range retailer and you'll find white denim. Bump into the June Vogue and Cameron Diaz is all done up in white (and not just on the cover, she's all whited-out in her shoot, too). Click through SS 2009 RTW runway images on style.com and the models aren't just walking on white - they're wearing it too. From swimsuits to belts to capris, white will be everywhere. Here are only a few examples.

Cameron Diaz in June 2009 Vogue

One the runway:

Balmain look 22
Betsey Johnson look 17
Pucci look 5
Banana Republic white boyfriend jean ($98)